Chapter: Jem

Meanwhile, Jem was wiping his cheeks and taking deep breaths. "You just couldn't leave him alone, could you, Belle? You had to just keeping poking him with a sharp stick." He shook his head. "He deserves it, I suppose. It's the same thing he does to everyone else."

He looked over at Belle, now sitting back in bed. She was looking up at the ceiling. "I just… I couldn't help it. First I did it just to see the look on his face, same as I did to you, and then… I couldn't stop. It felt good." Jem took her silence as an opportunity to look at her, really look at her. She looked better after telling off Will. Her pale cheeks had a healthy pink glow, her green eyes were luminous, and the light shined off her long, wavy black hair. Her full lips curved up in a smile. The white cotton of her pajamas hid her willowy figure; she was fine boned, but clearly there were muscles under her smooth pale skin.

Who was this mysterious girl, dropped in seemingly out of nowhere to touch their lives? As a matter of fact, what was she? A mundane with the Sight? A Shadowhunter? That seemed unlikely, as she had no visible Marks. Could she be a Downworlder? That would explain her extensive gossip line connections, and how she ended up at the Institute. Shadowhunters were required by Law to help Downworlders when possible.

Jem was so distracted by these thoughts that he hadn't noticed when Belle had stopped staring at the ceiling and had started staring at him instead, one delicate eyebrow arched and a knowing smile playing on her lips. He blushed, embarrassed at being caught staring, though Belle seemed unfazed. She was very beautiful after all; she was probably used to being looked at. She crossed her arms and laughed, possibly guessing Jem's thoughts. "I can see you, you know." Jem smiled shyly. "Yes, I know. It's why I'm blushing, after all."

Belle considered him, scrutinizing his face with those emerald green eyes of her. It felt like she could see through him, that she knew what he was thinking. Who knows, maybe she did.

"Right now," she said slowly, "you're wondering what I am, mundane, Nephilim or Downworlder." Jem's silver eyes widened. "Wow… how did you do that?"

Belle only laughed, this time at his awe. "Everyone wonders, sooner or later. So what do you think? What am I?" There was a teasing tone to her voice that reassured Jem she wasn't making fun of him.

"I'd hazard a guess at Downworlder. Am I right?"

Belle cocked her head to the side. "Why do you think so?"

Jem considered for a moment. "You seem far too knowledgeable about the Shadow World to be a mundane, but you aren't Marked."

Belle pondered this. "Your logic is irrefutable. You are indeed correct, sir. Now what kind of Downworlder am I?"

Jem thought out loud. "Well, you can't be a vampire. You look like one-" Belle interrupted with a "Gee, thanks." Jem continued. "Well, vampires are pale and lovely, and… and you're both. However, my dearest Belle, this is hallowed ground and vampires are damned. Not a werewolf, because you have no scars. And not a warlock, because you have no demon's mark on you. Therefore leaving only…"

Belle finished for him. "A faerie. Yes, I am."