I have enjoyed reading all your reviews and opinions. I'm sorry I couldn't personally respond to them all. Here is the next instalment of Idris Academy, I hope you enjoy. I acknowledge that the rights to the characters and stories belong to Cassandra Clare and Yoko Kamio.
Chapter Eighteen: The Fuel To The Fire
"If you threw that phone away' said Jace, 'I was thinking of killing you
Before Jace could say anything else, Clary felt the words burst out of her.
"Look Jace. We ran into Will today. And...I just wanna say thanks for defending me. I'm sorry that Will spoke to you like that and.."
"What are you talking about?' said Jace, gruffly, 'I don't know what you mean
Clary felt her lips quirk on their own accord and he continued
"Listen...Clary. I've made a lot of mistakes as well. I wanna..make up for them. Can we...meet?"
Clary opened the front door, to find her family sitting at the table, solemn looks on their faces. Her happiness evaporated right then and there and all thoughts of meeting with Jace disappeared. He had asked her if she could come to his house and after some thought she had agreed, especially after he promised she would be fully conscious on arrival.
"Dad?' said Clary, approaching him cautiously, 'what's the matter?"
Luke didn't say anything, he just continued to sit there, staring into space. It was Jocelyn who turned and said
"Your father...was laid off
"Huh?' said Clary, disbelievingly, 'wasn't he...didn't he...?"
"His boss came in and thanked him for his services and then told him he was fired
"He didn't even give me a reasonsaid Luke.
"You were promoted though' said Clary, 'surely they wouldn't do that and then fire you. Maybe there was a crossed wire?"
"No' said Luke, 'there was absolutely no crossed wire
"I even asked' said Jocelyn, 'when I went to pick Luke up the office. He...hadn't taken it very well
Clary looked at her mother and she mouthed
"He was crying
"Isn't our place company owned though?asked Jonathan who had remained very quiet over the whole conversation.
Jocelyn said quietly
"We have until Christmas to vacate this place
"That soon?' said Clary, 'that's a month and a half away
"Damn it' said Luke, 'I can't even provide for my own family
"Don't worry' said Clary, 'you can always find a new job
Even Luke didn't miss the doubt in her tone. She quickly changed it to a more upbeat sound and said
"Seriously. You've worked with that company for a long time. It's got to mean something to other employers
"Clary's right' said Jocelyn, 'tomorrow you should send your resume out to all available employers looking for people with your skill level preferably from the sector you were working in before. That way, it will be easier to integrate into that company's environment. I'll look for alternative living arrangements. Clary and Jonathan, you are to keep going to school. Nothing in our lifestyle is going to change. Try to keep up your school work and studies, especially you Clary. Your exams are coming up very shortly. Understand?"
Clary and Jonathan looked at each other before nodding. Luke nodded as well and said
"I'll do my best
Jocelyn squeezed his shoulder and said
"That's all you can do sometimes
"Dammit' said Jace, the next day at school, 'she didn't even show
Sebastian and Alec rolled their eyes, the Clary-Jace love saga was getting kind of old now.
"So' said Sebastian, 'what's up with you and Magnus Bane?"
"It's none of your business' said Alec, 'don't be nosy
"I'm not being nosy' said Sebastian, 'it's called showing a healthy interest. Unlike you, I do show interest in my friends love lives
"She said she would comesaid Jace.
"I gave up listening about your love life when I realised it wasn't a love life and just revolved around sexsaid Alec.
"Now that hurts' said Sebastian, 'I had a very interesting conversation about the rise and fall of Stalinism the other day
"I was gonna show her all the constellations in the sky
"Does that have any relevance to what I just said?said Alec
"I want to apologise to her
"Dude' said Sebastian, 'you sound like a wet blanket', he turned back to Alec, 'and it has an incredible amount of relevance
"I do notsaid Jace with great dignity at the same time Alec said
"It doesn't not
Simon came up to them and sat down. Sebastian said
"Are we talking to him or not?"
Simon looked remotely interested and said
"Were you that jealous?"
"Don't be ridiculous' said Jace, 'Sebastian is just insulted that he has never had a love life
"Oh you did hear me whilst you were dithering away about Clary not turning up. You can multi-task
"Shut up"said Jace and Simon said
"Where is Clary?"
Sebastian and Alec shot him a death glare but Jace said
"I don't know. I want to call her but..."
"You don't know the correct etiquette to deal with an ex-girlfriend who you wanna get back with but punched her best friend's boyfriend in the face and then spent seventeen billion years pretending that she didn't exist all whilst pining away not very subtly until finally you grew so jealous of her relationship with her best friend you then stalked her until she spoke to her again
"Nicely put"said Alec and Sebastian nodded. Jace couldn't think of anything to say to that and Simon said
"I wonder if she is okay. None of her classmates have seen her today
They looked at each other and then Sebastian said
"Are we gonna try and find out? Seriously a couple of months ago we beat people up. Now we have turned into the Avengers...Can't work out whether that is cool or not"
Jace sat at the dinner table, facing his mother, who was calmly cutting her venison. He was hardly paying attention to what she was saying, he was thinking about what Magnus had said. After Alec had got into contact with him, they had found out her father had been laid off and she had taken the day off school to help her parents.
He wanted to help desperately, he had more money then he knew what to do with and he could easily give them enough to last them their entire lifetime. He would but he knew that Clary would never take it and she would never speak to him again if he went behind her back. Maybe he could put a few good words in for her father at some of the companies. After all, Wayland Pty Ltd controlled most of the companies that Clary's father could work in, even if on some of the companies they were non-listed shadow directors.
"We rarely have a meal together"said Imogen.
Jace continued chewing before finally he said
"When are you going to leave?"
Imogen daintily wiped her mouth before placing her serviette next to her.
"When everything is settled here, I will return immediately to Tokyo
Jace stared at her, trying to figure out what she meant by that.
"You'll never guess who I have just seen walking through the school gates" said Sebastian and Jace looked up.
"Clary?"he said but Sebastian shook his head. Jace looked back down at his phone, contemplating ringing again and said
"Then don't tell me
"You'll really want to know. It's Cecilia Queen
"WHAT?' hissed Jace looking up, 'what the hell is she doing here?"
"Don't worry' said Sebastian, 'it looks like it is only a day trip judging by the fact she isn't wearing the uniform. Seriously though..don't you think it is odd that she turns up when Clary disappears
Jace eyed him shrewdly and then turned towards his phone. He turned to Alec who shrugged and then to Simon's empty chair. He looked down the stairs as suddenly Cecilia Queen appeared, her red hair tied in an elegant bun, an expensive Chanel suit adorning her figure and he felt his anger rise. Last time he had seen her, she had not only tried to kill him before declaring her love but also tried to kill Clary. His fist clenched and unclenched and suddenly she was standing in front of his table, a smile on her face.
"Jace Wayland' she said, 'it has been a while
"What do you want?he said.
"To see old friendsshe said, sitting down in Simon's vacated chair.
Jace didn't say anything and she cocked an eyebrow.
"I see one of you isn't here. Finally got bored of you, huh?"
Sebastian eyed her with mock confusion and said
"Weren't you the chick who had a massive crush on Jace? And changed her face?"
Cecilia's expression flickered but she resumed her expression of cold impassiveness and Jace said
"You lost any friends or respect when you tried to kill your only friend. You should be locked away
"And yet you didn't report me. Surely that makes you the stupid one. Or do I assume you do have feelings for me?"
Jace snorted and said
"Not a chance, princess. It was Clary who said not to. Quite a nice girl
"Oh yes' said Cecilia, 'Clary. Quite a nice girl. Who...isn't here, is she?"
Within seconds, Jace had grabbed Cecilia by the collar and pushed her against the wall.
"What did you do this time?he hissed and Cecilia struggled in his grip.
"Come on' he said, 'where is she? WHERE IS SHE?"
"I...I don't knowCecilia breathed out, losing some air and Jace relaxed his grip slightly. In this moment, Cecilia kicked him in the shin and he shouted with pain. She pushed past him and he grabbed her wrist, twisting her arm and she shrieked in pain.
"Tell me what happenedhe said, 'I'll let you go
"LET GO OF ME
"Nobody is going to come' said Sebastian, 'just tell us
Cecilia tried kicking him again but he side stepped her and pushed her back against the wall. She hissed at him and he just stared at her. Finally she said
"I don't know
"Don't lie' he said, 'you are a bloody liar
"I don't KNOWshe shrieked at him.
"Don't make me madhe said.
Cecilia glared at him and said
"Honestly. I DON'T KNOW. CRAZY MUST RUN IN YOUR FAMILY. THIS TIME, YOUR MOTHER DIDN'T ASK FOR MY HELP. So I have absolutely no idea where Clarissa has gone
"My mother?said Jace, thunderstruck for a few seconds, 'what the hell?"
Cecilia's face changed, she knew she had said too much.
"Are you in this with my old lady?he said.
"I only agreed because I wanted to get back at youshe said but Jace was already pushing her away in disgust. He stormed down the stairs, leaving Cecilia staring after him. As he left the school, he was pulling out his phone. He rang the number he needed and waited for the person to pick up.
"Jace?"
"Hey sis' he said, 'how quickly do you think you can get to New York?"
Clary sighed as she walked out of another shop. These days, the places were the pay was reasonable, were the places that were hiring university students. She had taken another day of school, this time without either of her parents knowledge. She had seen their faces as Luke had been rejected yet again, heard their hushed whispers as they discussed their mounting debts, heard the phone slammed down, a pen slashed across the page, frazzled smiles as she walked through the door.
She didn't have time to go back to Idris, she needed to help her family first. She would have to drop out eventually but in the future, when her father had found work she could go back to school, probably at the local high where Magnus attended. Her parents would be disappointed, her mother probably the most as she had always wanted her daughter to finish high school. She would, just not yet.
She needed to call Jace and apologise yet again for not going that night but each day, that problem was pushed further from her mind. She was pretty sure that the debt collectors would be round any day soon and this time, her mother's smile and kind words wouldn't drive them off. She looked down at her list and gave a sigh. She needed to move forward and find a job.
It was around lunchtime that Clary ran into Simon. He was standing outside one of the places she had been applying for and she stopped, in surprise as she saw him.
"Ohshe said and he grinned.
"I've had warmer welcomes
They sat down on a bench in a park, Clary staring at her feet and Simon sitting relaxedly on the bench. He said
"Have you told Jace about your dad?"
"I wanted to' said Clary, 'but each day I just forget. Each day I find I have something much bigger to worry about. Each day I am constantly trying to find a job. He just slips my mind
"You just don't want him to worry about you' said Simon, 'which is commendable and stupid at the same time
"His mother is probably behind it all
"Huh?said Clary.
He looked at her and she shook her head.
"She wouldn't do that..she"
"She is made of stone. Do you really think she would let you date Jace?"
"Even so' said Clary, 'that is going too far
"No' said Simon with such a steel to his voice, Clary could believe that Imogen Herondale did do it, 'when she says something, she does it
They sat in silence before Simon turned to her.
"Don't carry the burden by yourself. Let us all help you
Clary looked at him and smiled softly.
"Thanks
"Seriously?' said Magnus, 'you have got to be kidding me? Imogen Herondale has resorted to using her influence to destroy your family's future. Iron Woman, huh?"
Clary sighed as she served a customer and when they had left, she said
"I don't know who she thinks she is. Or even if Jace knows
"Oh he knows how much of a bitch his mother issaid Magnus and Camille floated into the room. Clary suddenly got an idea and said
"Camille, have you ever dated someone whose family would resort to any means to get what they wanted?"
Camille developed her dreamy look and Magnus said
"My god. Is this the best idea you can think of?"
"There was one man' said Camille, 'his mother was part of the mafia
"Don't tell me' said Magnus, 'it was the Godfather
"I heard she single handedly raised her son on her own. When he introduced me to her, she flew into a rage. She swore I'd never marry her son. But together we defiantly stood up to her and at that moment, we were happy. We'd won
"And after that?"said Clary.
Camille smiled and said
"Without my knowledge she ran off with him somewhere and I never saw him again
"That wasn't quite what I was hoping formuttered Clary.
Camille suddenly lost the dreamy look and turned back to Clary.
"Oh yeah' said Camille, 'I almost forgot
She reached into her pocket and drew out a crumpled envelope. She handed it to Clary who looked at Magnus, who shrugged. She opened it and saw a wad of bills.
"What is it?"
"I heard you were in some trouble
Clary realised what it was and said
"Oh no, it's alright. Really, I can't take your money
Camille put her hand on Clary's and said
"It's really not that much
"Butsaid Clary but Camille shook her head.
"You can pay me back when things settle down and your dad finds a job. I appreciate all the work you have down for me over the years and you have never once let me down. Please take it Clary. We wouldn't want to lose you
"Camillesaid Clary, feeling surprisingly touched.
She grinned like a cat and said
"We are all behind you, Clary. Not matter who your enemies are, you'll never lose
"Thank you" said Clary again and behind her, she heard Magnus sniff.
"What?' he said when she turned around, 'that was beautiful
Clary found herself buzzed through the Wayland building without a moment's hesitation. In the elevator, she gazed at the security camera which blinked down at her. In the mirrors, her pale, freckly face stared back at her determinedly. She had gone home right after work, smiling a little to find the downcast faces of her family. Her father had found temporary work but that would only raise a small amount of the sums they needed.
"It seems that every time I say my name or show my resume, they immediately tell me all jobs have been filled. It's so strange
"Me too' said Jocelyn, 'their entire demeanour changes, they suddenly become hostile
And then Clary finally understood. Imogen Herondale would let nobody get in her way and she had enough money to crush and suck them of everything they had. She was angry, more than angry, she was insulted and furious and she was going to give Imogen Herondale a piece of her mind. Apparently she wanted to see Clary as well because the second she had given her name at the door and the call had been put through, she had been accepted.
The doors to the elevator opened and Clary stepped out into an office that was bigger than her entire apartment. It was surrounded by glass windows which looked out into the New York skyline, couches in one corner, a huge flatscreen television in the other, which had constant stock market prices moving across the screen and in the middle, were several desks, state of the art computers resting on a couple. Sitting at one, was Imogen Herondale, who didn't even look up as Clary approached her.
"What brings you to a place like this?Imogen asked flippantly.
"I have a few questions I'd like to asksaid Clary tonelessly.
Imogen laughed and said
"It's exactly how it seems, Clarissa. There hasn't been a mistake or lapse of judgement or even a drunken phone call. Every thing was arranged by me. Your family declared war against me. I accepted the challenge. That is all there is
She stood up and said
"Promise me you will no longer have anything to do with my family including Jace. Then I will return everything in your life back to the way it was
Clary stared at Imogen, her lips curling before she said
"Are you stupid?"
Imogen's face changed and she said
"Stupid?"
Clary walked towards her and said
"You act like the power of money is everything. Do you find it amusing that you can do whatever you want with it? Are you having fun tormenting us?"
"Who do you think you are?Imogen spat and Clary shouted back.
"It doesn't matter who I am. To you I might look like someone you can squashed but I don't live a life I am ashamed of
"Oh?said Imogen, sitting back down and returning to her work.
"The way you look down on everybody else' said Clary, 'makes you worse than scum. I will never succumb to your will
She turned around and went straight back into the elevator, leaving Imogen staring at the screen of her computer, a calculating look on her face. She fumed as the lift went down and when it stopped, her face was contorted with rage. The doors opened and she found herself staring at Jace. He didn't seem at all surprised to see her in there.
"Hellohe said.
"Hishe said back.
"You've been with my mother
"Yes
They were silent and then he said
"Come with me
He took her up to the top of building, way past his mother's office, right to the top. The doors opened and around them, there was a rooftop garden.
"Oh' said Clary, 'it's beautiful
"Yeah' said Jace, 'somehow my mother appreciates beauty
They sat down, overlooking the city, surrounded by flowering plants and shrubbery.
"It's been a whilesaid Clary.
"Yeah' said Jace, 'you stood me up last time. I waited for you the entire night. I was gonna show you Saturn
Clary smiled but somehow couldn't keep it on her face. Jace noticed and said instead
"I heard you stood up to my old lady
"I was angrysaid Clary.
"Do you regret it?asked Jace, standing up and moving to the barrier.
"No' said Clary, 'but I am a little scared
She looked up at the night sky and said
"I will make sure my family doesn't lose
Jace turned around and said
"Listen..I'll always be on your side
Clary turned towards him and he said
"No matter what happens, I'll always protect you, Clary. And the same goes for your family as well
He sat back down and said
"Anyway I'll help you. I can pay off your debt if you like. How much is it?"
"Aside from the fact it would be like your mother helping us out, I don't want your money Jacesaid Clary.
"Right...So what are you going to do?"
"I'll find another job', she said, 'that'll definitely help. I don't think your mother would have targeted the retail industry yet
"We could just get marriedsaid Jace, half joking. Clary jumped in her seat and said
"What?"
He backtracked and said
"I mean..I mean, it was a joke
"Rightsaid Clary.
Jace looked at her and said
"I love you
Clary looked at him and they stared at each other for what seemed like hours until finally Clary said
"I think...I might as well"