Good day, viewers!
In all honesty, this chapter may be found a little boring, it's kind of like a filler, fluffy chapter before the next main COB event, which involves a certain Greater Demon we all know and hate.
With that, enjoy the boring chapter!
Disclaimer: Cassandra Clare is the lucky owner of TMI and all its characters.
Can you believe she's already planned out a third and forth series?
It's like, damn girl, at least get some thoughts on paper before you tweet them.
Am I the only one that thinks that?
Liam stayed in my room that night, after going back to his room to shower, and we were both exhausted. I slept quite peacefully, no nightmares at all, with Liam's arm draped loosely over my side. When I woke up, I started deeply scrubbing the demon blood out of my family dagger, Liam helping me avoid slicing myself as much as possible.
"Are you okay?" He asked quietly.
I don't want that demon filth rusting away on my dagger, is what I would have said, but I just whispered, "I have an undiagnosed case of OCD."
An hour later, I heard running footsteps from outside, and Ethan barged into my room. I was sitting at the head of my bed, talking to Liam, as we were arguing over the best stance for deflecting a jet of demon poison.
"Rosie?" Ethan asked, and when he saw me he shut the door, jumping onto the bed and pulling me into a tight hug. I was surprised to see him up this early. He ignored Liam completely.
"Oxygen, child, oxygen!" I gasped, and he let me go.
"I heard what happened, and I wish I had been there, Rose-"
"Ethan, relax. I am perfectly fine."
"No you aren't."
"You can't prove that."
Ethan finally looked at Liam, and his eyes widened. "What are you doing here?"
"Relax, kid," I rolled my eyes, "We just slept together."
Ethan looked nauseated and angry all at once. Liam gave me a strange expression, and I fought the urge to bang my head repeatedly against the wall.
"Not the best choice of words," I admitted.
"You think?"
"Oh pipe down, Nightlock."
He now looked at Liam, who was trying to fade away, unsuccessfully. "Anyways, is she okay?"
Liam shrugged. "Possibly. Your sister is quite a confusing lady."
"I'm okay!" I exclaimed. They ignored me this time.
"So… what happened?" Ethan asked quietly.
"You mean the demon fight, correct?"
Ethan paled. "What happens between the teenage Shadowhunters, stays between the teenage Shadowhunters."
Liam looked amused. "What do Shadowhunters have to do with it?"
"They tend to be… more enthusiastic over the one-night-stand theory."
"Ethan Tyler Nightlock!"
"Don't go middle-naming me! My room is right next to Isabelle's!"
Liam cleared his throat. "I don't believe I want to hear about Isabelle and her… habits."
"I don't believe I do, either." I agreed.
"Okay, so back to the conversation." Ethan said impatiently, "I don't even remember how this started."
"Well," I started, breathing in calmly, "We found the demon, and it knocked Liam out, and I joined him, but not before I killed it first."
Ethan nodded slowly. "And are you happy about that?"
I thought over this. "Not as much as I thought I would be," I admitted.
"That's understandable."
"It is." Liam agreed. I rolled my eyes at them.
"You two bring up amazing points."
"That's our goal."
I nodded quietly. We had formed a triangle, seated around my bed.
"So when do we eat breakfast?" Ethan sighed finally.
"Now?" I asked hopefully, and we all nodded in agreement.
The boys left my room, and I changed into jeans and a black long-sleeve shirt, tying my hair up in a ponytail, jogging down to the kitchen, barefoot.
Everyone looked up in surprise when I walked in. Isabelle looked concerned, Alec was shooting daggers towards Clary when she wasn't looking, and Jace was ignoring her as well, just looking down at the table. Ethan was barely paying attention, practically inhaling his food, while Liam gave me a look that asked, Should I try and contain him?
"Good morning," I murmured, and I threw myself down in the open seat, between Ethan and Liam. Hodge was nowhere in sight, as usual.
"How you feeling, Rosie?" Isabelle asked, and I shrugged.
"Absolutely excellent," I grinned widely, and she rolled her eyes. I glanced up at Jace, who was still seemed to be ignoring both me, Clary, and the rest of the table.
"So Jace, how have you been?" I asked conversationally, and he gave me a murderous glare.
"Absolutely excellent," He replied. "So Rosie, what were you doing last night? How 'bout you, Liam?"
Liam had his head in his hands, Ethan had actually looked up from his plate, and Isabelle choked. What was with this table?
We sat there in silence. I had no idea how to answer. Jace was the mastermind of twisting people's words.
"So, what happened last night?" Clary asked, confused, and Jace's expression flickered. Clary noticed, her face turning red.
"I killed a demon." I replied smoothly, and she looked lost.
"Where's Simon today?" Ethan asked, trying to change the subject. This made things worse. Jace looked angry, Clary looked upset, and Liam gave me a pleading look. But none of us could foresee an escape anytime soon.
"By the Angel, is there a right question?" Isabelle snapped.
"No," We all said in unison.
"So, we have a lead on the Mortal Cup," Alec interrupted, and me and Ethan glanced at each other. If Alec was speaking up, we were in on our last step before walking into desperation.
Clary explained their information on the Cup, how she was convinced that it was hidden in something her mother created. I listened attentively, but I felt uneasy about it. I liked Clary, but I still didn't like the problems she was bringing. Especially the feelings she brought to the table… literally. Jace was obviously falling for her, Alec had some deep unresolved issues, and as for the rest… this place was a free for all.
"What are you thinking about?" Liam whispered, so low no one could hear him, except possibly Ethan. He did. He leaned towards us, listening.
"I think I need to start playing the role of referee, or peacemaker, or priest, or something." I murmured, and he smiled.
"Oh thank the Angel. I was starting to fear that family meals were always like this."
"No," Ethan hissed, "As long as you communicate that you indeed did not do anything to my sister, things should settle."
I choked on the glass of water I was sipping from, and Ethan started laughing.
"You need CPR, Rosie? Because I'm sure Liam would be happy to oblige," Jace smirked, and I groaned.
"Up, Wayland." I growled, standing. Alec's eyes widened in excitement, probably expecting a fight. Clary looked concerned, but Isabelle whispered something in her ear that made her smile.
"Might I ask what for, beautiful sister?" Jace grinned, and I pulled out my family dagger, twirling it through my fingers expertly. He looked slightly afraid, but just for a second.
"An unwanted haircut, perhaps? Goldilocks?" I smiled innocently at the old nickname I had created that he absolutely despised. I distinctly remembered his childhood-self throwing a witchlight at me once, though he always had denied the accusation.
"Let's go, Nightlock." He smirked, tossing me a seraph blade from his belt.
"Guys-"
"Isabelle, we're just having an innocent discussion between siblings, right, Rose?"
"Of course, Jace," I smiled, "But you guys stay here. Finish breakfast."
They started to object, but Jace and I were headed to the training room, a dangerous glint in his eye.
We started swinging at each other the second we got through the door, the seraph blades clinging with an almost melodic noise.
"What do you want, Rose?" Jace asked impatiently.
"I wanted to know why you're in such a jackass mood."
"I'm always in a jackass mood. You interrogate me now?"
"Jace, you have been my brother for six years. I know you better than that."
"You aren't my sister, Rose, so please remember that."
His comment caught me off guard, and the blade slipped out of my hand. I caught it as it fell, and I glared at his shocked expression, as if he couldn't believe what he had said. I swung the blade to the side in frustration, and it stuck point-down in the floor.
"Rose, I didn't-"
"No, you really did."
"No, I didn't," He grabbed my arm, "I'm just… mad."
"Why?"
He looked hesitant to tell me.
"Jace, just tell me."
"I kissed Clary last night." I stood there and stared at him.
"And? You kiss girls all the time! You kissed me once!" He looked away at the memory. It was a disturbing night.
"Hey, it was Christmas, there was mistletoe, I was drunk-"
"Oh well! You practically attacked me, and then Alec walked in and tried to kick you."
"In a highly personal area, I might add."
"I didn't care at that point. I was brushing my teeth for an hour straight. I felt the urge to go find a mundane dentist."
"So, do you care that I kissed Clary?" He asked finally.
"Yes. What happened?"
"Well it was so different than with other girls. And then we ran into that damned Simon, and he loves her too, and…" He trailed off.
"Too?" I asked quietly, and he paled.
"Yes."
"Wow, Jace. So how did it end? Wait, you didn't make a Jace comment, did you?"
"Quite possibly, yes I did."
"Damn it, Jace!"
"I'm not made for this, Rosie, I'm a Shadowhunter. This feeling just isn't right!" He threw his hands up in frustration. We were standing in the middle of the training room, and I prayed no one had followed us to listen in. They probably didn't, but still.
"Jace, it's not that it isn't right, it just is new!" I objected, and he shook his head.
"Rose, I don't know what to do."
"And you think I do? I've never had a serious boyfriend in my life, Wayland."
He pondered over this. "Well what about you and the Australian guy?"
I cringed. "I don't know about that."
He raised an eyebrow. "Do we need to have a long conversation about your love life too?"
"No! Absolutely not!"
He laughed. "Thank the Angel."
At that moment, Alec barged in, and he looked annoyed.
"Clary is quite excited to leave." He announced, and I checked Jace off of my list, but now I had to deal with Alec.
"Alright. Let me go get my gear," Jace smiled at me, and he was out the door.
"Hey Alec, can you walk with me?" I asked, and he watched me warily.
"Sure."
"So what's up, Rose?" Alec asked. We were walking through the maze of hallways, and he looked suspicious.
"Are you okay with Clary?" I asked, and he stiffened.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean you two don't get along. Is it because of Jace?" Alec's eyes widened considerably.
"What about Jace?"
"Alec, I know you love him." I said quietly. He grimaced.
"I don't know what you're playing at, Rose-"
"Alec, I'm just trying to help." He sighed.
"I know, Rosie. But it's just that Clary…"
"Confronted you about it?"
He sighed. "Yes."
"Just… give her a chance, Alec. She has a tough time right now, and I think that she just needs to be welcomed, not frightened."
"I hate it when you're right, Nightlock."
"I don't. I mean it only happens every once in a blue moon."
He thought over this. "Where did you get that expression?"
"My mom used to say it. It only popped into my head just now."
"It's fitting."
I walked away, into my room. I changed into my gear, pulling my hair up in a ponytail and zipping up my high heel boots. I tucked my necklace into my shirt, slid my family dagger into my boot, and I was ready to go. I walked outside, and Ethan was standing there, waiting. I looked at him fearfully.
"There is no way in hell," I hissed, and his eyes narrowed.
"Don't argue with me. I'm going."
"No you are not!"
"Rosie, I have every right and responsibility to fight as you do!"
I grabbed him by the arm, slamming him into the wall, gently but firmly. I didn't tower over him as I used to, but I still was taller, and I looked down at him.
"Ethan Nightlock, I have no idea what we could face or when we could face it. I will not let anything happen to you. Now I am your friend, your sister, and damn it from now on I am your mother, so you better believe me when I swear by the Angel that you are not coming."
Ethan stared at me. I never got mad at him, and even if I did, we didn't have serious conversations. My eyes were gleaming with fierce determination, reflected in the shocked eyes that were facing me. My little brother had always been that- my little brother. He didn't grow old, not to me. Hell, as far as I was concerned, he was the baby in the pictures with a four year old me. He was the five year old brother with dimples who I had played with as a child, the crying younger brother I had comforted at our parents funeral, who had hugged me tightly while I stood, holding back the tears so long it was almost painful. But I was a Shadowhunter; I didn't cry. I fought. I won. And I protected. Especially my brother.
"Okay," Ethan whispered quietly, and I sighed in relief, wrapping my arms around him, hugging him tightly. His hair was short and spiked up with hair gel, and I ruffled it playfully.
"Now you stay here, take care of Hodge, do all that stuff." I ordered, and he nodded in agreement. He started to walk away, and I felt slightly guilty.
"Ethan?" I called, and he turned around in question.
"Maybe you could sharpen the blades in the weapons room? They are getting dreadfully dull, much too dull for your violent, gory sister."
He grinned at me, and jogged off towards the weapons room.
"What was that about?" A voice asked, and I whirled around, where Liam was leaning against the wall, fully dressed in Shadowhunter gear. I had to admit, he looked like a force to be reckoned with. A very sexy force, at that. He smelled of cologne and the burnt, newly-applied Marks.
"Overprotective sister business. You're a younger brother, it's different."
He nodded in agreement. "You ready?" He asked, and I shrugged.
"I'm going to have to be."
We walked to the elevator, and when we reached the bottom, Jace, Clary, Alec, and Isabelle were waiting for… something.
"What's the hold up?" I asked.
"Our ride. The mundane is going to escort us to our destination." Alec didn't look pleased by the idea as he said it.
"Oh joy," I muttered.
When one very ugly van pulled up, and I glanced at Liam, who shrugged.
"By the Angel, we're going to die today," I gasped, and Izzy glared at me.
"Don't you dare say that. Those boots from that expensive shop have to go on sale before my demise, it's all I ask."
I laughed, and Alec muttered something under his breath. Clary did not look excited by the idea of boots.
For the love of Raziel, girl, give me something to work with, I thought to myself.
We climbed into the back of the van, and I smiled at Simon in the nicest way I could manage. He forced a smile to his face. "Ready?" I asked him, and in response he drove off.
Boring? Stupid? Worse-than-watching-paint-peel? Let me know.
Jace may seem a little OOC, but that's sort of how I wanted his and Rose's relationship to be, so don't get moody or anything.
Later, folks!
- EasyIsTheDescent