Hello to my followers and hello to my newer readers! As promised, I'm going to try to have a reasonably stable update schedule, and this one is around 3 weeks after the last chapter so I'm pretty proud of that ^.^ (I actually would've updated a few days sooner, but the campground I was at didn't have wifi). Thank you to the two people who reviewed, that means a whole lot more to me than you might think. Enough boring author talk, here's chapter 4!

Excuse me?! I think to myself as I'm grabbed by my arm and hauled out of the foliage. This blue-eyed man who has a tight grip on my arm looks at me sharply. Everything about him is neatly kept except: "is that glitter in your hair?" Despite the situation I'm in, I can't help the small giggle that escapes me. My laughing increases when I see his expression change from stern to shocked to embarrassed as he attempts to comb the specks of glitter out with his fingers.

While he's distracted, I yank my arm out of his grasp. I don't bother running toward the staircase. There are too many people ready to catch me if I attempt another escape. Instead, I glance at the other person who ran up here with my "parents" and this blue-eyed man.

Wow.

If I thought the small specks of glitter dusting my captor's hair was odd, the other man is absolutely bizarre. His dark hair is ruffled and nearly blanketed in purple glitter. His almond-shaped eyes are focused not on me, but on the man beside me who is still trying in vain to rid his hair of sparkles. I hear him mumble as he disdains at the purple specks on his hands. "Dammit, Magnus. How did you manage to get this stuff in my hair?" He fixes his gaze on the man standing with my parents, Magnus, I assume.

Magnus gives a sly grin before answering: "Alec, dear, I don't think our guests want to hear the answer to that." Oh. I guess that answers the unasked question of their relationship statuses. And sexualities.

As if sensing my thoughts, Magnus looks toward me with the same smirk on his face. "Alec is my boyfriend," he gives his partner an amused look before continuing. "Unlike my homosexual friend here, I like to consider myself a free-wheeling bisexual. I've been around for hundreds of years. One gender can only hold my interest for so long." Am I mistaken, or did he just say hundreds of years? To Alec, he says, "My apologies, dear." Alec acknowledges his boyfriend's confession with a dismissive wave of the hand and an uncomfortable expression.

After a small but awkward silence, my fake mother chirps in. "I suppose there's no longer a need for introductions." She looks at me warily before explaining: "Magnus is a warlock, Jayde." I give her an are-you-kidding-me type of look, but she cuts me off before I can get the actual question out. "This isn't the first actual experience I wanted you to have with the Shadow World, but I trust Magnus to only show you a small amount. You know, just to get you used to magic craft." She looks to Magnus with a cautious expression. The warlock gives an excited nod before raising his hands...

Magnus did not disappoint.

It was like watching a science fiction movie take place right in front of me. His palms emitted a blue glow, and sparks flew. Literally. Blue bolts sparked from his hands. Then, he changed the appearance of the greenhouse to look like a jungle. Apparently, Magnus does that a lot to his apartment according to Alec. Comparing this to a Las Vegas magic show would be an understatement. And this is only an introduction to the things a warlock can do.

How have I become so used to this already? I think to myself as I watch a blue flame sprout from one of Magnus's palms. The light from the fire reflects in his cat-like eyes that I hadn't noticed when I first saw him. He then had to explain that each warlock has a unique physical characteristic. Apparently there are some that aren't as subtle as cat eyes though. Magnus said he knows of a Warlock with a huge set of stag's antlers on his head.

As I'm pondering all of the possible appearances a warlock might have, I don't notice that a fifth person has joined until everyone becomes eerily silent. I follow their gazes to see a man about the same age as Alec standing at the top of the stairwell. His curly hair is an angelic gold with eyes to match. How can someone be that golden? Maybe he's one of Magnus's warlock friends? Those are some unusual features, especially the eyes which are... staring right at me? His piercing eyes paralyze me and I'm glued to the spot by his dangerous yet apprehensive gaze.

Before my fear of him can grow any larger, my "mother" speaks. "Jace? Why are you here?" She glances at Magnus, who gives a confused shrug and shake of his head. She continues, "An even better question would be, how are you here?" Again, she looks at the glittery warlock. Magnus gives a helpless shrug of his shoulders. They both look at the golden man, Jace, clearly waiting for an explanation from him. He gives one last tense glance at me before explaining:

"I had some assistance from the Clave although it took some serious convincing before I was allowed to use the portal. They didn't trust how I'd react once I met her," golden eyes lock with my dark green ones again. This time, there's a pained look in them rather than apprehension, but the anger is still there. Jace finishes his story, "they've only allowed me an hour here before I have to return and I'd prefer to go back on my own free will. With any luck, they'll let me visit some time later this week if they trust me enough." He sounds hopeful, but I can hear the sarcasm laced in his voice. Is he being monitored? For what?

Panic grips me briefly as I think back to the conversation in the infirmary. Some sort of psycho is supposedly on the loose, and according to my "parents," wants me in particular. A memory of white-blonde hair startles me, but I instantly calm myself knowing that this man in front of me with golden hair and eyes can't be the same person.

Alec takes a few steps towards Jace. "This might be hard for you, especially if we come face to face with him. Are you sure you're up for it? Helping us track him down?" I can't see his face, but I can hear how worried he is. Whatever they're talking about is obviously not a very pleasant subject for Jace.

The golden man looks at me before answering: "I'm not tracking him down. I'm tracking Clary down. I hate the bastard and want him dead, damn do I want him dead," he cringes, "but I want her back first. I trust Clary's judgement as to what to do with," he turns a pained expression full of hatred towards me, "that."

Aaaand there it is! So, a lot kinda happened in this chapter. Jace showed up (whoop whoop!) and he's being closely monitored by the Clave. We found the oh-so-sparkly Magnus and his slightly glittery partner Alec. And plans are slowly starting to unfold for them. Let me know how you liked (or didn't like) this chapter; any type of feedback is always appreciated except for rude ones! Like I said last time, I will be attempting a stricter update schedule, so expect ch5 in about 2 weeks. So until next time, peace out!

~.~ Desiderium ~.~