When they were close to their destination, Jem gently woke Ally. She stretched a little and then sat up.
"We're almost there and I thought you might enjoy a little peek at the city." Jem said gently.
"Thank you." she replied quietly as she began to observe her surroundings through the window.
Soon the car pulled up outside a large church. To the mundanes, the place appeared to be a run down, abandoned old church. However, Ally knew with just one look that it was a Shadowhunter institute. This must be her new home. Which meant soon, she'd be meeting the people that were supposed to be taking her in. Would they be family to her like the Nightshades had or would she just be another Shadowhunter seeking refuge?
Jem could sense her apprehension and was patient with her when she hesitated while getting out of the car. Soon she was standing on the sidewalk just staring at the institute while Jem got her things from the car. She didn't notice the case he pulled out of the trunk until he was standing beside her.
"H...how did you manage to get them to let you bring my violin? They said I couldn't take it with me." she questioned him.
"It was simple. I am the one who gave it to you and taught you to play it, so I simply told them I was taking it with me. It's yours Ally, and I didn't want you to be without since I know how much joy it brings you to play it." Jem answered with a smile.
Ally couldn't help but smile a little as she took the violin case from him and hugged it close to her. Jem took her hand and they began their ascent up the stairs to the entrance of the institute.
At the door, Jem rang the bell. It only took a minute for someone to answer. Ally looked up as she saw a boy that looked to be a few years older than her. He had blonde hair and eyes that matched her own. The young Shadowhunter had a smile on his face as she welcomed her into the institute.
"Welcome to the New York Institute! The name's Jace. Come on and I'll introduce you to the others!" the boy said warmly.
Jem and Jace led Ally through the entry of the institute and to the elevator. When they reached their floor, the elevator opened and Jace led them to the library. He pushed the doors open and spread his arms out.
"This is the library. I'm sure you'll find plenty to read here." he said.
Ally looked around seeming impressed. At least she wouldn't get too bored and lonely. Books were something she loved with a passion only surpassed by her passion for playing her violin. As she looked around she noticed other people sitting around the room. Without realizing what she had done, she stepped behind Jem a little. Jem took her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze then whispered to her.
"Do not fear. The Lightwoods and their friends are good people. Soon enough, you'll find that you have family here." Jem whispered.
"Everyone this is Allyssandra Grace Heartsong, the girl Mom told us would be coming." Jace said.
Everyone looked up. Most of them smiled at Ally but she noticed that one girl, the one with dark hair, kind of scowled a little. Soon however, her attention had been taken off that girl and onto a tall dark haired boy. He was walking over to her and she instinctively scooted closer to Jem. Jem put a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Hello Allyssandra, I'm Alec, Jace's Parabatai and older brother. It's nice to meet you." Alec said.
"Uh...um...hi...you...you can call me Ally. Ni...nice to meet you also." She replied shyly.
The dark haired girl rolled her eyes and Jace shot her a warning look for it.
"Over there is our sister Isabell. And this beautiful angel is my girlfriend, Clary. I know it seems scary right now but trust me, soon enough you'll feel just like one of the family." Jace said and smiled.
Ally gave him back a small smile but couldn't help but wondering what Isabell's problem was. She didn't seem happy to have her there at all. As she was pondering this, Jace began showing her around. Jem stuck by her side the entire time and she kept her violin case hugged close to her.
After seeing the kitchen, the den, and the training room, Jace led Ally to her new room.
"Well kiddo, this is your room. It's your personal space and you can decorate it anyway you like. My room is actually just down the hall and Alec's is as well. So if you need anything, just come see one of us. Okay?" He asked and pointed out their rooms.
Ally nodded and entered her room as he held the door open for her. It wasn't as big as her room at the Detroit institute but it was a nice room. There was a dresser and a closet for her clothing, a desk for her to do work at, a book shelve, a comfy looking purple chair, and a bed that looked pretty comfy as well. A door to her right was open and she could see her bathroom. It was a big bathroom and looked very nice. Ally sat her violin down on the bed and Jem sat her bags next to it.
"Well, I'll leave you to get settled. One of us will come get you for dinner in a bit." Jace said and then left her alone with Jem.
"Want me to stay and help you put your things away?" Jem asked her.
"Nah, I don't have that much anymore. The Nightshades wouldn't let me take much with me because they felt I didn't deserve it after...after..." Ally couldn't finisher her sentence as she broke down in tears. Jem pulled her close to him and hugged her while she sobbed.
"Shh, little one. It'll be okay. I will check in on you often and the Lightwoods will take good care of you."
After a few minutes, Ally stopped crying and said goodbye to Jem. Alone in her new room, she began unpacking.