Chapter 03 : Up for a Blood Cocktail?
How could my night be any worse; I had a sword suspended on top of my had, discovered my father was the closest person to Lucifer, I still have no clue where my mother is, didn't arrive on time to save Dot and guess what…Vampires took Simon
Nope, I'm not crazy if that's what you're thinking. Bloodsuckers do exist and they don't follow Eduard Cullen's veggie diet, all the reason why I'm on the verge of a mental break down right now.
Ever since I entered this crazy world of Shadowhunters, nothing but terrible things have been happening to me and they dare say they protect humans. Now, tell me, how did they exactly protect Simon tonight? He was under their watch, there were two of them. How come the ever brooding twin (Yeah, I'm totally speaking of that impossible not to notice Alec) didn't scare them away?
He's like a black panther you'd meet in an empty forest by night…You'd be entranced by his beauty for a second, then run the opposite direction the second he sets eyes on you…if you're smart that is.
"You protect humans" I say sarcastically, unmistaken venom in my words "You left Simon all alone in the Van…good job guys, you rock"
"There is some truth in the idea that humans should have a modicum of common sense" Alec's piercing eyes drill a hole in my head. I hate how he can be so hot, yet so dislikable at the same time. He's such a paradox of a being. So beautiful in the outside, yet so bitter in the inside. I wonder what his problem with mundanes really is…or is it me he has a problem with?
Isobel intervenes before I have the time to say something equally simplistic of his persona "Alec, not now"
"Look, they won't do anything to Simon, they just wanted to draw you out" Jace tries to calm me down "They want the cup"
That's insane, why would they think I have it? My mother lied to me my entire life, then one day she remembered that Oh, there's this magic cup that she hid, but I shouldn't tell anyone. Well, guess Shadowhunters aren't smarter that "Mundanes" as they like to call us.
"What am I supposed to do now?" I ask desperately. I need to find Simon, for all I know, those vampires might be having him for dinner. Ok, I need to stop my imagination from running wild.
Alec walks past me, his face expressionless as always "We need to report to the Clave, tell them all we know about Valentine"
His statement ignites my already growing anger "What! That he's my father?" unmistakable sarcasm in my voice "Fine, tell them…What good does that do to Simon?" not that he cares, of this I'm sure. Nothing matters to him, except his sister and Jace. I know all too well that I'm nothing but an inconvenience in his eyes.
"Clary, it's all connected, they want the mortal cup" Jace clarifies
But the cup makes shadowhunters. What is there to worry about, really?
"Nobody wants Valentine forming an army all to himself" Alec stares at me like I'm the most annoying person in the world and if I wasn't sure the guy was made of steel, I would probably have kicked him
"It was trade" Jace adds "Simon for the cup"
Alright, that's just great. Vampires trades Simon for the cup, Valentine trades my mother for the cup. If I could find that darn cup, I'd…I'd what? Either way, I'd lose someone I love
"If only we could give it to them and let them all fight amongst themselves" I spit angrily
Alec rises an eyebrow "So, this doesn't matter to you?"
Ok, so this guy is always on the lookout for whatever I say. I so want to hurt him right now "Of course it matters" I yell at him, then turn my attention on Jace, trying to get him to help me, he's the most attentive one and he's been nice to me since I came here "Look, when you saved my life, I trusted you" Jace looks clearly taken aback, which is good, I stare at the rest of them, one by one "Now, I need you to put your trust in me…I can't turn in what you are overnight"
Isobel nods in understanding "It's true, she was raised as a mundane"
"What! Are you her spokesman now?" Alec interjects, clearly irritated with his sister's support to me
I give him a death glare, hoping to scare him off (yeah, didn't work, but at least I tried) "I don't need a spokesperson" I turn on my heels, afraid that if I spend one more second around him, I'd probably engage in a cat fight and we all know how it would end.
As I run to the control room, searching desperately for anything that could help find Simon, the others follow me in there. They tell me that Camilla, sort of the queen bee of vampires, must have taken him to the Hotel Du Mort.
"Come-on, let's go…now" I start to leave but Alec's words stop me short on my tracks
"The Clave has resolutions for that"
"And shodowhunters can't go there all by themselves" Isobel interjects
"and we can't react without considering our options" Alec's beautiful eyes stare deeply at me "Downworlders are slaves to their impulses and we're not"
Yeah, gathered that much, buddy. I wonder if Alec can manage a smile. What would he look like with a smile? I bet he'd be gorgeous…Wait, I strongly dislike the guy, I don't care how good looking he is, he's rude and displeasing.
"Alec, you can't just stomp on all the Downworlders" Isobel scolds lightly her brother, who in turn stares at her, like they share a secret I don't know about "Right, Seelies have their charms apparently" a sexy smile creeps his lips and his whole face is lighten up
So, yeah…I was right, he should smile more often…or never, because it's quite a distracting view
"Seelies" I try to take my eyes away from Alec and concentrate on something else
Jace turns his attention on me "Like fairies…Um, pixies, nixies, elves…anybody half angel, half demon"
Wow, this is so unimaginable. It's like I've just walked in a brothers Grimm world, all the stories my mom told me as a child are somehow true. This world is getting crazier by the minute, I have no idea if I can ever wrap my head around all this.
"Izzy can tell you all about it" Alec seems to forget who he's talking to because he's still smiling as speaks to me. I could get used to this facial expression faster than I'd like to "She's got a thing" he winks at his sister, seemingly embarrassing her "We've all got our things, don't we" she teases back, making her brother cringe disapprovingly. Clearly, she has just pointed out something he doesn't want to share.
Just as I'm about to leave the place looking for Simon by myself, Jace decides to help, bringing the vampires violation of the accords by kidnapping a human. With his help, we come up with a plan for this mission and I'm really grateful for Jace to be on my side on this one.
As we go looking for the weapon hidden in the church graveyard, the weight of tonight's events makes it very hard for me to concentrate. My best friend is in great danger and I can't help but blame myself for all that's happening to him. If I didn't drag him into this mess, he'd be safe and sound. God knows what the Dracula's disciples are doing to him right now. Probably using him as a Human Redbull factory.
Isobel disappears after she gets a text from a Seelie who's going to tell her how to infiltrate the vampire territory; meanwhile each one of us searches thoroughly for the tomb that's supposed to contain the weapons we're looking for.
Take a walk in a graveyard at night is quite creepy, but opening a tomb takes you to a whole new level of creepiness. I'll probably have nightmares for the next decade.
As soon as I see the weapon, I grab a seraph blade, or so they call it. It's a cross between a sword and a dagger. When a shadowhunter holds it, it has magnificent light to it.
"Don't touch that" Alec glares at me, standing dangerously close to me "You don't know how to use it"
"What! Like at Pandemonium, when I killed that demon?" yeah, I can say that it feels good to get on his nerves as much as he gets on mine. There Alec, take that
He takes one step closer, closing the distance between us and I do all I can to ignore his intoxicating smell. Why does he have to be so attractive? I'm glad for Jace's intervention, asking Alec to back off.
I inspect the blade while Jace and Alec speak
"Hey, I understand what you need to do and I trust you…Parabatai" Alec's hard eyes are sincere "Don't ever doubt me, no matter what I said" I can tell these two share a very strong bond and I'm sorry to be the reason why they seem to argue so much lately.
The two of them shake hands in that typically male way that I never managed to understand before Alec leaves without so much as a glance my way. Well, good riddance, I don't care if he likes me or not, I have other fish to fry…
Jace helps me with the blade, showing me how to use it and to connect with it. After he makes sure I'm ready, we go back to gather our stuff.
"How do you know they'll come back?" I ask honestly. I mean, I know Jace wants to help me, but the others made it quite clear they're not that thrilled about the mission, especially the brooding twin.
"Who? Alec and Izzy?" he wonders, obviously surprised
"Yeah"
"We were raised together, they're basically my brother and sister" he explains
I sigh, frustrated by Alec's behavior with me. I know it shouldn't matter, but it does. I see how he stares at me or speak to me. Like I'm the reason why there's war and famine in the world "You know Alec doesn't seem to like me, right?"
Why does it hurt to say it out loud?
"Alec doesn't like anybody" Jace says as if it should explain his demeanor. Well, it does somehow I guess, but I don't want to be just another "anybody"
"Why would he help me?" I insist, he would probably prefer to throw me to this horde of vampires as a peace offering. A redhead dissert
"We're Parabatai" he continues as he closes the tomb "there's no human bond that compares to what Alec and I have" he sighs "We're bound together for life, to fight together, to protect each other…our hearts beat as one and if one of us were to die, the heart of the other one would die inside as well…they'll be here Clary"
Jace's words send a tremor down my body. I have never heard of a bond this strong. I wonder if I'll ever have somebody to share such a bond with. I mean what I have with Simon is really tight and deeply rooted, but what Alec and Jace have in unique.
%%%
Jace takes me to a biker bar for a reason that's beyond me, I mean we're supposed to find my best friend not hang out with a bunch of drunk guys and horny couples making out in public. Besides, shouldn't he be teaching how to fight vampire or something?
"Concentrate Clary on seeing through" Jace asks me "Peel the reality away and concentrate on the shadow world"
At first, his request didn't really make sense, but as I tried again, I realized those people weren't ordinary humans…they were vampires drinking each other's blood. Strangely, I didn't feel scared, rather compelled. Impressed to see so many vampires gathered in one place. Only yesterday, I thought that bloodsuckers were creatures of our imagination, now they've become part of my reality. I will have to face them, even to slay them maybe…Wow, I'm sure Simon would be thrilled to know I'm some sort of Buffy, in a cooler version…Simon, right, he's the whole reason we're here.
"Now, see this guy" Jace points to a man, probably in his early thirties, wearing a blue jacket and a week stubble "Go talk to him, complement him about his bike, they like that"
I look at Jace defiantly, before sashaying sexily toward the guy "Hi" I manage to give him my best smile "I've been wondering who owns this awesome bike"
The man looks back at me, pleased with my comment "Hey baby" he appraises me with a satisfied grin "Do you want a ride?"
He twirls his fingers in the air and all of a sudden, I see just how much this specimen is handsome. How come I didn't notice that right away. He's so compelling, so attractive. I feel like drunk in his attractiveness. As in a daze.
"You know you smile like a damn angel" he says "What's with that shadowhunter rune crap all over you?" each syllable he enunciates sounds lyrical, it's like he's singing rather that speaking "Much better look, right?"
"Right" I say in a sultry voice I barely recognize myself, but who cares, I think I'm in love with this man
"I don't know what the hell you're into but you're one tasty treat" he smiles, showing me his fangs and I find it very amusing. He helps me on the bike and shows me the mechanics of it. This guy really knows a lot about bikes…and girls obviously, because I fell under his spell, that's for sure. I'm so glad I came here…wait, how did I get here? Doesn't matter, at least I got to meet him.
"Hey, having fun with my girl?" A blond guy interrupts us. I know this guy, I saw him somewhere. Oh, right, it's Jace. We came together
"Piss off shadowhunter"
"Max invited me for a ride" I singsong, staring longingly at my new friend Max
"That's not going to happen" Jace states and the next thing I know, he starts a fight with my Max and steals his bike keys from him. He jumps on the bike and ride as fast he can, only then do I realize that the vampire must have compelled me.
I have never seen such a fast vehicle. It's like a flash of light that transports people.
"Get a good grip, Clary" Jace orders me with a smile and just as I do, the motorbike flies, literally. This is insane and amazing at the same time. Is this how Lois Lane felt when superman flied with her for the first time? Wait, does it make this bike my superman? Guess, I can live with that.
We land on a building, Jace explains how turning a human into a vampire works and that they must have kept Simon in the most secure room of the edifice.
"What's the deal with you and that guy, anyway? It seems kind of…"
"Be careful" I cut him off
"A mordu of you? How is that?"
This guy thinks he has it all figured out, he doesn't even understand friendship. How is that possible, when he has such a strong bond with someone else?
"You have a parabatai, right?"
"Alec would die for me" he exclaims dangerously
"Now, you understand me and Simon" I flare
Jace stares around us "The sun will come up soon" he looks back at me "Remember how to use the blade"
As we get inside the building and make our way to the main room, we realize we have company…not the good kind if you want my opinion. Too vampires throw themselves at Jace, while Max, yeah that same guy from the bar throttles angrily toward me "You" he spits
He tries to compel again, but it doesn't work this time. I kick him hard between his legs and turn toward Jace, but my clumsiness costs a lot as Max gets up and throw me very hard against the wall. I try to reach for my blade, but Max intercepts it and kicks it away. I push him hard and start to run, but he grabs me and pulls me to his chest. Terror curses through my veins, Jace is held captive between two bloodsuckers, while an angry Max is ready to finish me, when Alec emerges gracefully in the room, followed by Isobel.
I never imagined the sight of him could make me this happy and relieved. He holds his bow and arrow, ready to act, but Max makes sure I'm in front, thus the direct target.
"Ok" Alec says with a smile. Oh My God, he's happy, right, it's the perfect excuse to get rid of me. Me, Clary, the source of all his problems. I mean it's no secret that he hates me. I continue my mental babble on and on, when Alec throws an arrow in the wall behind us, causing a brick to fall and sun light to immerse the room in its brightness. Max lets go of me, screaming in agony as he combusts.
I gather my blade from the ground and plant it in the chest of a vampire while Jace does the same with the second one.
"I killed him" I say in shock
Jace winces "Well, he was already dead"
"Plus, he tried to kill you" Isobel walks to me "Try to remember that"
When we finally reach the room where Simon is kept prisoner, a vampire has a dagger on my best friend's throat, threatening his life. I launch at him, but Jace stops me. My friends and I, put our weapons out of sight, as the vampire orders us to and we all follow him.
"Let's go" he says as he drags Simon with him
He directs us to the exit and orders us out "Open that door now or I'll kill him"
The moment Alec opens the door, the vampire hides form the sunlight and frees Simon, taking us completely by surprise. Why would he do that?
"Take him"
"I don't know how to thank you" Simon says honestly as he starts to leave
"Don't thank me" the vampire says "You're nothing, this is about Valentine and the chaos he can bring"
When we finally step out, under the sunlight, we know we're safe for now. No vampire would come out, unless they want to die. My heart is still hammering against my chest. I can barely believe what has just happened. When I recollect my composure, I run to Simon's side, extremely happy and relieved to have him back and safe.
"Alec just stop" I hear Jace shout in Alec's face and getting my full attention, somehow I know they're arguing over me again "Just stop" he adds in a lower voice this time, but I don't want to miss a word
"I'm older than you Jace" Alec says in a calm voice, full with threat "I'm not a new shadow"
"If you really feel that way about her" Jace stares pointedly at him "Why did you help us tonight?"
Alec doesn't say a word and turns on his tracks to leave, but as he does, he casts one last glance my way. Our eyes lock for a second and what I see in his makes my heart skip a beat.
It's not exactly hate or even dislike
It's inability to understand
