XI

Percy

As Jace led us to the Institute I noticed that Jason didn't seem to be as apprehensive as I was upon visiting a church for the first time. Maybe it was because the guy lived the life of a demigod ever since he could remember, and didn't really know any better, or Jason was still skeptical as to believing everything Jace said (which was most likely the case). Along the way Jace kind of stopped testing Jason's anger, and actually sprung up a conversation. They talked about Rome, Gods, Latin sayings blah blah blah. I felt kind of left out I mean I'd do more research on monsters, and history and stuff, but what's the point if you have Annabeth and smart friends that can tell you the myths when you need it?

When we arrived into the training room Jace had us put on gear. Jace made me wear it every time I visited. The black gear as they called it was form fitting, and reminded me of your generic spy outfit. The gear covered up most of our skin and apparently all shadowhunters wear this get-up when they train. Jace drew some marks on the back of our hands with a sharpie just in case anyone walked in. Jace didn't want to try using a stele on us. Like ambrosia a stele would kill a mortal, mundane whatever. I kind of doubted the stele would kill us, but it couldn't be good and Jace didn't want to take the chance. It felt weird having that mark on me. I knew it would wash off eventually, but it still felt wrong somehow as if I was violating something.

The blondes stood in the middle of the training arena facing about five feet across from each other, with their swords crossed in the start of a duel. Jason said there're some kind of rituals and procedures you go through before beginning a sword fight according to Roman standards. I'm so glad I only spent a week in Rome, there's no way I would have had the patience for eight months of that place.

Jason was the first to initiate the fight with a stab to Jace's gut, which the shadowhunter quickly blocked with lightning speed.

It felt weird, watching the blondes try to land a blow on each other. Usually I'm the one fighting, not the spectator. I leaned against a wall with my arms crossed in the classic bored-teenager style, and watched wishing I could join in.

The two fought with godly speed which is totally realistic considering their lineages. Jason's blade had tendrils of yellow lightning snaking it's way up and down the gold surface. Jace looked fazed for a second before fighting with greater intensity. He jumped dodged, and leaped similar to the acrobatic-like style I usually fought with. Jason stood firm, and sometimes I saw him cheating as he levitated in the air longer than physics allowed.

Jace managed to slice a good-sized cut to Jason's cheek, and that made him mad. He kicked out towards Jace's legs tripping him up momentarily before calling on a bolt of lightning to blast Jace away. Jace flew backwards and landed on his back painfully. I jumped up from where I was standing and ran over to see if he was alright.

"Jason, What were you thinking you could have killed him!" I shouted. Jason just shrugged.

"You survived a bolt like that, besides I wanted to get him back for treating me like i was second rate." he said miffed. I rolled my eyes

"That's different." I insisted as Jace's eyes blinked open wearily a moment later.

"What's smoking?" he asked as he stood up shakily. He looked down at himself and realized it was him, and glared at Jason.

"Powers are so unfair, that's cheating this wasn't a real sword fight if you could just blast me with lighting!" Jace growled.

"Your one to talk, you have all those tattoos all over body doing who knows what, and you don't see me complaining." Jason retorted.

"Increased strength, and speed is nothing compared to freaking forces of nature!" Jace spat.

"No longer think I'm such a little threat do you?" Jason asked with a sly smile. For once Jace was left speechless, and he just stood there looking angry. I took this a as chance to move in and stop the future fight, when Jace put his hand up in "give me a minute" gesture.

"Take away your little light show, and leave a sword and we'll see." Jace said finally.

"Fine by me" Jason growled. They were about to go at it again when a guy walked into the training room and stopped suddenly when he saw us. He took in Jason and I's unfamiliar faces, and the fact that Jace's hair was sticking up and he was still smoking. We sized each other up. New guy was taller than me, with black hair and blue eyes, with that Abercrombie-model-like body all shadowhunters had.

"Jace, What is going on?" he asked carefully.

"I'm Sam McAllister, me and my cousin Jack over there are from the New Jersey Institute. We're touring New York and Jace decided to show us the institute and offered to train with us." I lied smoothly. New guy nodded not looking entirely convinced.

"How come I wasn't informed of your visit? And why Jace do you look like you just got struck by lightning." he asked to no one in particular. He got me there I didn't know how to answer, luckily Jace took this time to speak up.

"They're my friends and I wanted to show them around. You know me, when do I ever tell anyone what I'm up to. The reason I smell like fried chicken is... well what can I say a sword fight can get very heated, and we fought so hard sparks flew from our swords, right Jack?" Jace said elbowing Jason in the ribs.

"Yes sir, that's exactly what, happened." Jason said straightening up and glaring at Jace.

Alec still looked between the two skeptically, before settling on me.

I put my hands out in a "don't bring me into this" gesture.

New guy still looked angry, and skeptical but then sighed looking defeated.

"Fine, mind if I join in?" he asked.

"Of course not bro, Sam over there needs a partner." Jace grinned at me. I glared at him, as new-guy walked over to me.

"I'm Alec Lightwood." He said offering a hand. I accepted the gesture mildly surprised Jace told me all about this guy.

"What kind of seraph blade does Jack have? Is it made of gold? I've never seen anything like it." He asked rapid fire questions.

"Styks" I thought. "What do I say about that?" I took a moment before answering trying to rack my brain for any kind of lie.

"His father travels a lot, and brought it back from one of his trips. I'm not sure what it's made of." I lied quickly. Alec nodded and together we watched as the blondes when at it again. This time Jace fought relentlessly inflicting several cuts to the sun of Jupiter.

Alec and I stood together awkwardly, watching them go at it. Jason was starting to get frustrated, and was about to lose when Alec broke the ice.

"Would you like to spar?" Alec asked. I raised my eyebrows.

"Uh sure." I answered lamely. He smiled and took out his seraph blade, as he led me to another corner of the room. I uncapped riptide and he looked at my blade apprehensively.

"Jack's dad brought back me a sword as well." I said with a grin. Alec nodded.

"You're the reason Jace disappears from time to time, aren't you?" he asked me with narrowed eyes. I frowned, nothing like starting a sword fight as enemies.

"We're just friends we hang out, is that a crime?" I asked as we circled each other.

"I suppose not." He said finally giving me an odd look. he continued to stare at me for a while until his hostile demeanor changed and suddenly he was all business, focused on the fight.

"I have to be honest I'm more into archery than I am in sword fighting, but I can hold my own." Alec told me with a flicker of a smile.

"It's funny you should say that..." I said as I slashed at him. He blocked my sword and for a moment we stayed in that position in a contest of strength.

"I'm terrible at archery." I finished breaking out of the hold and aiming a swipe toward his legs, he barely managed to dodge my blow.

The fight didn't last that long. I'll give the guy credit he had skill, but archery was his thing as sword fighting was mine. We ended with his sword on the ground, and mine pointing at his chest. He was impressed, and asked me for some pointers. I quickly went into teaching mode. I was the sword instructor at camp, so I've had a lot of practice teaching others. As I was teaching Alec, I started thinking.

At first I thought our two ways of life (shadowhunters, half-bloods) were freakishly similar, killing bad-guys, saving the world etc. However, now that I thought about it there was one major difference between us that separated our ways of life besides religion. I fight to survive, and they fight because it's their job. They're hunters they actually seek out demons. For me it's the complete opposite, the monsters hunt me. When I'm in a sword fight with a worthy opponent sometimes I forget to hold back, and I'll fight relentlessly. These guys just fight to get the job done.

I shook my head of these thoughts, stupid ADHD.

"I really need to stop spending so much time with Annabeth." I thought to myself.

Soon Jason and Jace finished, and came over to us his cocky smile ever present. Jason sported some new scratches, and looked like he wanted blast something.

"I won the tie breaker." Jace announced proudly. "But, we all knew that was going to happen." He grinned. Jason just scowled.

"How did it go with you two?" Jason asked changing the subject.

"I taught Alec some sword fighting moves." I answered. I didn't want to brag about winning, it isn't like me to do that.

"If you want help with archery I can teach you, in return for the help you gave me." Alek said to me kindly.

Jason started laughing out loud, before quickly covering his mouth to stop the giggles. I glared at him before turning back to Alek.

"Thanks man, but when I say I'm terrible at archery. I mean don't try unless you want an arrow in your podex." I said dryly.

Jason couldn't smother his mirth any more, and soon everyone was laughing. I couldn't help but join in on their merriment even if it was at my expense. I couldn't help but think that if things were different we could all be friends, without the lies, secrets, and fear of discovery. Maybe it was time to make a change.