Disclaimer - I don't own anything TMI
Jace In Exile
Chapter 10
Simon squinted to read the address of the party on the piece of paper Jace handed him, the handwriting was loopy and hard to read. Simon whistled through his teeth, "Damn I hope we're dressed well enough to get into this place. It's in freaking Lenox Hill on the Upper East Side."
All three of them looked down simultaneously inspecting their clothes. Ironically, Simon was the best dressed, in dark designer jeans, dark gray silk t-shirt, soft black suede jacket, and his Italian black leather boots. The boots were a gift from Isabelle, he felt sick at his stomach when he saw the price tag.
Since he'd started dating Isabelle he wore less cotton t-shirts with suggestive sayings and more leather and clothes by designers who had names to difficult to pronounce. She dragged him shopping a few times, but he never minded because the trips always included a private fashion show of Izzy in sexy get ups that drove him wild. He grinned at the thought.
"What are you smiling about Lewis? Decided you want to go to this party now?" Jace quipped.
Jace didn't have to worry about what he was wearing, the guy could wear a bed sheet and every girl/woman (probably a few guys too) he passed by would swoon. Tonight he had on a fitted black V-neck t-shirt accentuating every corded muscle in his chest with sleeves stopping midway at his biceps, black skinny jeans cuffed at the bottom, and black leather lace up boots. His golden blond hair flowed freely and fell perfectly into place every time he ran his hand through it.
The only reason Simon agreed to attend the party was because he thought Jace could actually be a model and get paid handsomely for it.
"Shut it Wayland, I was thinking about your sister in some interesting outfits, that's all," Simon said and raised both his eyebrows at Jace. Jace smashed his lips together in a thin line and glared at Simon.
"Would you two cut it out, let's just go into the party, if they don't like us then we bail," said Jordan with an air of unknown confidence.
Simon had to admit the three of them were pretty easy on the eyes. Jordan wore dress jeans, motorcycle boots, and a dark navy fitted shirt that showed off his efforts in the gym.
The three of them walked up to the townhouse and rang he bell. From the outside the place looked dark and empty, maybe the wrong address. The door swung open and a stiff looking butler greeted them, "Good evening gentlemen, my name is Mr. Archer and I'll escort you to the festivities on the balcony. Ms. Belcourt is expecting you."
The butler knew them on sight alone, and the deeper they walked into the townhouse, the more uncomfortable Simon felt. He looked at Jace and could see his jaw harden, muscles tense, like he was on alert.
Jordan let out a low growl between his teeth and hissed, "Vampires…I smell vampires, no offense Lewis."
Belcourt, Simon remembered Raphael mention he was standing in for Camille Belcourt, Head of the New York Vampire Clan. Raphael was her second in command, and while she was out of the country he was serving in her absence. Simon tugged on Jace's elbow pulling him back away from the butler.
"Jace I've got a bad feeling about this. Raphael told me he was second in command of the New York Clan, and he was filling in for Camille Belcourt, while she was out of the country or something. Is this a trap?" Simon darted his eyes around the all white formal living room.
"Lewis I'm not sure what this is, but I'm not much help to you and Jordan right now," he whispered. "Remember I can't use seraph blades, no stele, no marks, just my fists and anything I can make into a weapon. I'm basically defenseless against Downworlders." Jace felt vulnerable and weak for the first time in his life against evil, and the feeling wasn't pleasant.
Jordan and Simon flanked Jace on each side, Brother Zachariah brought up the rear. Jace turned around and made eye contact with Brother Zachariah. He used his own glamour to blanket Jace's two visible runes and made himself invisible to all eyes. People at this party would not know Jace was a Shadowhunter unless a Downworlder recognized him from a previous scuffle.
"I hope you enjoy yourselves at the party," the butler said as he opened two large French doors to the balcony.
Jace held his breath not knowing what they would see beyond those doors. He exhaled loudly when the doors opened to a normal looking party. There were people drinking champagne, a DJ spinning music, and small dance floor that was packed with the younger crowd pressing up against each other to the beat.
The gorgeous brunette from the park spotted them immediately and walked seductively over to greet them. She was dressed in an expensive, tight, burnt orange sheath dress. The dress hugged every curve of her body and brought out the gold flecks in her dark brown eyes. She wore 6-inch heels that put her eye to eye with Jace at 6 feet.
Jace had to admit she was a gorgeous woman, not girl. Now that he really looked at her all dressed up she was probably early twenties, not a teenager.
"So glad you guys made it. I wasn't sure you'd show," kissing Jace's right cheek and then left. To Jordan's delight she did the same thing to him.
She flashed her megawatt white smile at Jace. "So did you recover from your fall at the park?" She surveyed him up and down with hungry eyes. " I could always tend to your wounds if you need some TLC?"
Jace was racking his brain for this girl's name, but Jordan saved the day.
"Lily I need some TLC, I was in pain just watching him try to ride that bike. Would you heal my wounds?" Jordan said suggestively.
Lily ignored Jordan's request and touched Jace on the forearm. "Do you want something to drink? The champagne is really to die for."
Jace's cheeks flushed at her touch. Crap, he like this girl, he only had eyes and love for Clary. Why was he blushing, probably because he was missing Clary, her touch, her presence, her everything.
"Lily - thank you for the invite to the party. I think I'll stick to water, don't want to bloat and miss out on a possible modeling job," he said lightheartedly and gently removed her hand from his arm.
She laughed and batted her eyes at him. "Okay I'll grab you some sparkling water and be right back."
Simon was searching the room for Raphael and any vampire that looked familiar to him, so far nothing.
Jordan grabbed Simon's arm and turned him around to see what he was seeing. A stunning woman, with spun silk hair was talking to a group of young men in the corner. She had a deep throaty laugh, and her voice was smooth and seductive. It was hard to tell her age, but Simon knew she was a vampire.
He was staring in her direction for a split second and she turned around and zoned in on Simon. She excused herself from the group and started to walk directly toward Simon. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She was graceful like a ballet dancer when she walked, and her body seemed to call to others as she walked past. Simon cleared his throat and swallowed hard.
"Dude - are you okay? You look like a zombie or something," Jordan said. Simon didn't respond to Jordan he just kept staring at the woman.
She finally reached their group and extended her hand to Simon, "Daylighter, I'm so fortunate to have you attend my humble gathering. We haven't been formally introduced, I'm Camille Belcourt."
She extended her hand for Simon to kiss, not shake. He kissed her hand like a trained dog, and then he broke eye contact with her and shook his head like shaking off rain. She compelled him from across the room, unsure of how she was capable of it. He regained his composure, avoided the vampire's eyes, and completely ignored the name she used to greet him.
"Simon Lewis," he replied dryly. "These are my friends Jace Wayland and Jordan Kyle. Your daughter Lily invited us to the party."
He couldn't stop talking. "I understand you're looking for some new male talent?" He genuinely smiled at her but continued to avoid her eyes.
"Obliged, I'm sure." She was trying to play cat and mouse, and Simon was the mouse.
"Yes, I own Vamp Elite Modeling Agency here in town and an office in London. Are you looking to model, Dayli…Simon or just your friends?" she said with some hesitation.
"Actually, I'm Jace's agent. I don't do the modeling per se, but he's excellent. Face, hair, and a body like Adonis." Simon winked at Jace hoping he would play along. Jace's face contorted for a second.
"I've never modeled professionally before, but I'm interested in exploring the profession," Jace gave her his sexy sly grin.
Camille gazed at Jace from top to bottom and then again lingering on his abs, chest, and face. She thought he was exquisite, if not a little naïve. He would be perfect for print ads and maybe Woolsey Scott's side business. She knew Woolsey's tongue would be wagging like the dog he is if he was here.
"I could definitely use you on some fashion jobs, probably underwear too but I need you to take your shirt off for me to be sure."
Jace started to take his t-shirt off, but Simon stopped him. "Not here, we want to keep your six pack under wraps." Simon said with a touch of cynicism.
"Is there somewhere private we could go, away from all these prying eyes?" Simon made sure not to look directly into Camille's.
"Sure my study is just around the corner, but we must be quick, a hostess should never leave her guests unattended for to long." Camille whipped her golden hair over one shoulder and led the guys back through the French doors to her study.
Simon was on full alert, looking for Raphael to jump out at any time and attack them, but it never happened.
Camille seemed to be legit regarding the modeling agency bit. She had magazine covers all over the walls of her office, beautiful women and men modeling clothes, make-up, jewelry, and underwear. She walked behind her elaborate wooden desk and pushed a button. The doors to the study closed automatically, a small platform rose from the floor and previously hidden florescent lights shined from the ceiling.
"Modeling requires not only beauty and brawn but also brains. Do your models possess this third trait?" She mocked them.
"Yes Jace and Jordan are very intelligent, and talented. Both are musicians and love to read." Simon said with a little sarcasm in his voice.
Camille cocked her head to one side and looked at Jace than Jordan, "Take your shirts off and stand under the lights on the platform. This lights overhead replicates the lighting during a photo shoot."
Simon nodded his head at Jordan and Jace and they proceeded to take off their shirts. Jace stood on the platform praying Brother Zachariah's glamour would work under these conditions.
Camille stepped forward and observed Jace. He started to feel uneasy, would she see his marks? Then she reached out and stroked a finger down his stomach and he jumped a little. Her fingers were ice cold. She smiled slyly and a little laugh escaped her lips.
"A very fine specimen indeed. What did you say your last name was?" Looking at Jace took her mind back to earlier days when she first met Magnus Bane. They were attending an Accords meeting, when a young man as beautiful as the sun stumbled into the room, Herondale was his last name. The boy in front of her now bared an uncanny resemblance.
"Wayland is my last name," Jace replied.
So not Herondale, interesting she didn't see any marks of the Nephilim either, just a coincidence. "I can definitely book you some modeling jobs and possibly other money making opportunities if you are interested in other avenues."
She winked at Jace. "Send me his portfolio with headshots on Monday, Mr. Lewis," she said off-handedly to Simon.
Simon nodded and Jace and Jordan switched places. Jace quickly put his shirt back on over his head, feeling overexposed and vulnerable. At least Brother Zachariah's glamour hid his marks from the vampire.
"It's as if I have light and dark in the same room. Yes, Mr. Lewis this one is also a keeper," Camille purred looking at Jordan as if he was something to eat.
"Send his information over along with your golden Adonis on Monday. I will call you with job details. Vamp takes a 30% cut up front on all paid jobs. Does this work for your clients?" Camille was eyeing Jordan's gold medallion around his neck. Her lips parted slightly and she sighed.
Jordan stepped off the platform and donned his shirt as fast as he could. This whole night was turning into a flesh show.
"Yes, the percentage sounds reasonable. You mentioned other jobs outside modeling, what type of jobs are you referring too?" Simon asked. He was holding his own with the ancient one.
"Well if your boys want to make money outside of modeling, I have a friend who runs an escort agency. I could pass your names to him and he could set you up with some regulars. The pay is $500-1,000 a night depending on skills and experience. He's always looking for film stars too," she said without any emotion.
Simon's mouth made a small oh and he stifled a laugh. "We'll talk that over and get back to you with an answer on Monday." Basically money for sex or pornography, what was he getting Jace and Jordan into?
"Thank you Mr. Lewis, this has been a productive evening. I like you Simon, and since I like you I'm going to help you tonight," she stood up from her desk and glided across the room.
"Raphael Santiago has told me of you, but after meeting you I feel his description is inaccurate. He knew you were invited to the party and asked me to setup a way for him to speak with you alone, a trap I assume," she said somewhat miffed.
"After meeting you, I feel you should leave the party at once. He will be here soon and I fear for your safety in my home. Please leave out the side entrance, Mr. Archer my butler will show you the way." She ushered them to the side door in the study where Mr. Archer was already waiting.
"Let's complete our unfinished business on Monday. I'll send a car to pick you up around 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Don't let me down Mr. Lewis." She excused herself and went out the doors they originally walked through.
Good thing Simon's lungs didn't require air and his heart didn't beat anymore. If they had he would've been hyperventilating. Simon looked over at Jace, and his face was flushed, chest rising and lowering steadily like he had just finished running a race. Mr. Archer escorted them out the side entrance, and Simon could hear Raphael's voice in the main hall.
"Camille so wonderful to have you back in town from London. Let's go drink some champagne and catch up. I do hope the Daylighter shows, I have some important business to discuss with him," Raphael's voice trailed out of earshot as he walked out to the balcony.
When they reached the exit for the building, the three of them ran as fast as they could down the street and hailed a cab. They needed to get away from the Upper East Side, before Raphael changed his mind about the party and came after them.
I hope you enjoyed this Chapter. Woolsey Scott always crossed me as a little slimy from the books...so why not players and porn?
The boys can't run from Raphael forever...or avoid Clary much longer. Do you think Clary will be forgiving or pissed at Jace for avoiding her? Let me know your thoughts in your reviews :)
As always - Thanks for reading