Chapter ten: Break

Jace was sitting down on a stool, basking in Idris's newfound sunlight. Clary, too, was in the sun. She had an easel out on the grass, and was painting him on a canvas. He had asked her over and over for a painting of himself - but, for some reason, right when she had gotten around to it, he started complaining. He assured her he wanted the painting. He just didn't want to stay still.

"Can I have a break?" Jace said.

"No," Clary said back, painting a dark outline to define the painting's cheek bones. She was nearly done; all she needed to do was shade in his silvery blonde hair and paint the shine in the tawny colors of his eyes.

Jace pouted.

"No," she said again, smiling giddily behind the easel. "I'm almost done." His hair was blowing lightly in the breeze, and, despite his whining, had the most peaceful face she had ever seen. He was never a demon; he was always an angel. He had the power of an angel, at least; the reminiscence of a halo. She could almost see its small rays, making his eyes glow and his cheeks light up in an inhumane serenity.

Jace smiled mockingly. "I am quite handsome, aren't I?"

Clary just rolled her eyes. "Don't move. We're leaving soon – just give me a minute."

Despite the rain days before, it was a nice day to be out. The glass city's sun was shining and beating down on Alec, who was trailing quietly beside Magnus. They were near the center of the city, so the streets were crowded with people shopping. Parents held onto their kid's hands as they weaved through the crowds, holding bags and bags of groceries and clothes. Others (mostly teenagers) were wandering around aimlessly, horsing around with their friends. Showing off.

Alec cringed as he saw one particular group of younger teens giving a shop owner a hard time. People were all the same; it didn't matter if he were in New York City, or in Idris. There were still people out there more concerned with their own well being than others'.

Magnus had stopped suddenly, which made Alec crash into him none-too-gently. "Stay here," Magnus said, smiling. They were standing in front of a toy shop. "I'm going to go get us something to drink." Magnus leaned down to kiss Alec's forehead, and left – disappearing into the crowd in front of him.

Alec stood there for a while, looking through the toy shop's window. There were dolls in display, their eyes glued open. He also saw some action figures, frozen in endless violent stances. They stared at him with garment made out of steampunk and vintage.

As he watched a boy argue with his mother over a doll, Alec felt a certain need to get out of there. He walked and pushed through the crowd, and disappeared out of Magnus's sight. If the warlock were to come back, there would be no way he could see, or even find Alec. It was a bad idea to leave, and he knew that. But he did, anyway. He needed to.

As he walked farther out, more and more people seemed to clear out. Children were being carried in their mother's arms, being cradled. Others were loud and in groups, while some (like Alec) were completely alone. And, after many minutes of walking, no one was there. He realized he'd left the city's center.

Alec felt the sudden need to go back – but he kept walking, anyway. He felt like he was being drawn towards something, and he needed to get to it. Quickly.

But something had caught his eye. He recognized it almost immediately: the pale stone road, the houses and apartments, the stone hard walls. The first dream he had – the night he saw the first demon – he was cornered in that same place. That particular street.

Alec shivered. It was definitely a bad omen.

He felt like running. He felt like bursting down into the town's center, yelling – yelling like a psychopath. At the time, he felt as though it would be rational, though he normally wouldn't think so. Fear could turn people into things they don't want to be. Alec just didn't want to be crazy. To go crazy.

He watched in relief as a man walked down the street, right towards him. The man had skin of ivory, and had multiple scars down his arms. He seemed to be well built, and his eyes were as dark as the night sky. But, though he looked young and wrinkle-free, his black hair was lined with gray.

As he grew closer, Alec saw his venomous face. He looked to be ready to strike.

It was only then he stumbled back, bumping into another large figure. Alec hadn't caught his face, but his skin was of ebony; he was as dark and as tall as a tree. Well built, too. Even more than the other man.

He had made an attempt to grab Alec quickly, but he squirmed free. He was going to make a run for it, but he was already corned. Multiple men were around him – there was no way he could get past them. Like burning acid, anger and fear boiling and seized, catching itself in his throat.

Three of the men, including the ebony one, had sparks in their hands. Others had weapons – ones Alec recognized to be for faeries, others for Shadowhunters. His breath was caught, stuck in his chest. Embedded in his lungs. He had seen those faces before. They were a part of the council.

The ivory one – who Alec knew to be a Shadowhunter – smiled mockingly. "Act on our master's wishes," he said, his voice raspy. It was as cool and as deathly as venom.

Then, another – a faerie – smiled wickedly. Her brows curved up at the sides, and her nose was pointed. She spoke in a tone just as wicked as her smile. "Our master needs you."

Alec had to act. He lifted a fist, aiming right at the faerie. She was the smallest, the easiest target. When he threw the punch, he had expected her to at least take the hit, but she didn't. She had caught his hand.

The faerie smiled even more wickedly as she squeezed his fist, crushing it. Alec had cried out, knowing immediately it was broken. He looked down. Not only did it go limp at his side, it had looked misshapen. Crushed.

a/n: If you haven't read Holly Black's new book "White Cat," you should read it. It's so amazing, it's scary… lol.

And sorry, my writing is off today. I just figured a chapter was better than nothing at all.