Carte Blanche
Arc 1
"So, what exactly are you going to tell Jace," Clary asks Anael, pausing. The key was in her hand, ready to unlock the door, but she had no know how exactly her new friend was going to approach this introduction.
"I will tell him who I am, what I am, and ask to stay here," Anael says to her. Clary nods, opening the door and holding it open for Anael.
"Jace, come here, we have a guest," Clary calls out, taking off her jacket and hanging it on a coat rack, then takes off her shoes. Anael watches her for a few moments before copying, taking off his own jacket and hanging it up. Clary can't help but notice that his dark green dress shirt suited him well.
"Yes, Clary," Jace asks, coming around the corner and pausing when he sees Anael. "Mr. Stalker is back again I see," Jace says in clipped tone.
"Hello, Jonathan," Anael replies.
"Jace, this is Anael. He's, well..." Clary trails off, glancing between the two men. "Anael, tell him what you told me."
"I'm Anael. I'm an angel. I was wondering if I might stay with you guys for some time," Anael inquires, looking at Jace. Jace blinks, crossing his arms.
"You don't look like an angel."
"I resemble Ithuriel more than Raziel," Anael adds. "I believe you know him."
"Yeah, I know him. Can you... do something? Angelic?" Jace states, his eyes narrow. It was smart to ask for actual proof. Anael swallows, then holds out his hand. Jace and Clary stare, watching as the hand starts to glow, looking gold, the light traveling to the arm and then up his neck. Soon, he's glowing gold, but the effect only lasts a few moment before it stops. Clary lets out a breath.
When no one says anything, she says, "He's telling the truth, Jace. He saved me from demons. Healed me too."
"Why didn't you tell me earlier," Jace asks Anael, who lowers his head a bit.
"I felt unsure talking to you earlier."
"Why?"
"I just did," Anael looks back up, smiling. Jace looks at Clary, raising his eyebrows.
"Clare, you said you needed healing? What happened," Jace asks, the corners of his mouth turning down. Clary can't help but laugh, thinking about earlier. She shouldn't laugh at nearly dying, but it was such a mistake on her part that she was embarrassed.
"I ran into lots of demons. Quite a few of them. I would have died had it not been for Anael," Clary says, turning to the other man. Anael was watching Jace silently.
"I see... maybe, you can come in, we can all talk I suppose," Jace says, turning around and walking to the kitchen. Anael and Clary follow, sitting down at the island. Anael looks at the counter, seeing a bowl with one apple, a block with some knives in it, a magazine with art on the front. He grabs the magazine, seeing a female made up of colors of red and blue.
"Did you want anything to eat, Anael? Or drink?" Jace asks, looking at the angel.
"I would like to eat. And drink," Anael says. Jace nods and goes to the cupboard, grabbing a glass. Anael looks at Clary. "I have had only one meal since arriving. A hot dog, a lovely woman offered to buy one for me. We had a great talk."
"How long have you been here, Anael," Clary asks. The angel looks down at the magazine, his brows kniting together.
"Six days."
"Six days, and you've eaten once?" Clary lets out a breathy chuckle, and Anael looks up at her, his smile wide.
"Your laugh is nice. But yes, I have only eaten once. Right now, I require very little food. But, from personal experience, food is exquisite," he says, setting the magazine down and clasping his hands together. Clary nods, his compliment making her cheeks warm. Jace sets a plate of spaghetti in front of him, with a glass of coke.
"That's coca cola, it tastes alright," Jace says, taking a seat. Anael picks up the cup gently and sips, licking his lips afterward.
"It is good," he says, placing the glass down and taking the fork, picking up some spaghetti. The noodles fall of the fork, and he frowns. Clary reaches across the table, taking the fork from his hand and twirling noodles onto the end. Anael quickly copies her.
"The food is delicious too," Anael beams after three bites. Jace smiles proudly, leaning forward on the counter.
"Tell us, what bought you here," Jace says. Anael chews slowly, his expression thoughtful.
"I wished to see Earth. I have always wanted to, in the past, but angels are not supposed to interfere with this world. But recently, after what you call the mortal war, I had more reason to come here," Anael says. "I want to see the heroes that work on heaven's side. But, in all honesty, my other reason for coming here is selfish. I wanted to experience this way of living."
"How is it selfish," Jace asks. Anael smiles at him.
"Because, by being here, I am already influencing the world in a way I shouldn't. Simply for the sake of being in this world." Anael goes back to eating, and Jace looks at Clary. The two share confused expressions, neither knowing what they should ask the angel now.
"How long are you staying," Jace asks. Anael sets down his fork, looking back at Jace.
"I can be here for one-hundred eleven days," Anael answers.
"Why such a number," Clary says, and Anael smiles again.
"Because it is a special number. There is a geometry in all things. Numbers are important, I will show you guys sometime," Anael says, stabbing a meatball. "Geometry is merely another language, like the language of runes. All the old languages have meaning, they have knowledge. Knowledge is power."
"Interesting. What happens after one-hundred eleven days, do you just leave," Jace wonders.
"I can go home and never return to Earth for any selfish reason again. Or, I waste away. Or, I become a demon," Anael explains.
"Well, let's hope you don't become a demon. Weird question, would you prefer being a demon, or wasting away," Jace asks.
"What kind of question is that," Clary interjects.
"I would prefer to waste away," Anael responds. "Becoming a demon for the sake of not wasting away is selfishness itself."
"Good answer," Jace says. "And what are you planning to do during your time here?"
"See this world and help in the smallest of ways."
"How do you plan to help?"
"Heal people, send demons to their home."
"Alright," Jace nods, then he turns to Clary. "Do you think he should stay with us?"
"Of course, if he wants. We should take him to the Institute," Clary says. Maybe, just maybe, the rest of the clave would change their close minded ways if an angel talked to him about it. After all, Anael must care for downworlders, wouldn't he? The clave certainly didn't. "Anael, how do you feel about warlocks?"
"They are simply living beings. They deserve more respect then they get in this world," Anael states, looking straight at her.
"Would you be willing to talk to the clave," Clary asks him. Anael pauses, taking another bite before answering.
"Perhaps. I can't, however, reveal myself to mundanes, that is too much of a change. But I might be willing to talk to your government," Anael answers.
"Then I guess you shall. I'm going to the Institute tomorrow, care to join," Jace asks him, and Anael nods.
"I would love to."
"Okay. Now, when you finish your food, what do you want to do," Jace asks. Anael smiles, staring down.
"I haven't had a chance to sleep yet."
"I'll pull out the couch," Jace says, standing up and walking to the living room. Anael watches him go, then looks at Clary and smiles cheerfully. Clary smiles back and nods, clasping her hands together.
Tomorrow, they would go to the Institute. Tomorrow, Alec and Isabelle where coming back from Idris to visit, and Simon would come with them, taking his break from the Academy. Isabelle and Simon still weren't talking a lot, but Clary was determined to not let anyone spoil this visit. She squeezes her hands, and touches her belly, wondering whether or not this angel's arrival was a sign of good fortune. It had to be.
Clary was up in the morning, cooking eggs, glancing at the angel every now and then. He was sleeping peacefully on the couch, she had already checked up on him, nudging him slightly. He didn't wake though. She took note of his long dark eyelashes, the shoulder length curly hair. He sure did look like an angel from those old statues that sculptors so carefully built. She grabs three plates from the cupboard.
What were they going to do today? She might as well bring Anael with them to the Institute. Talk to Robert, explain Anael's purpose here. What kind of angel was he? Didn't angels have divine purpose?
How was she going to explain his arrival to Robert?
Finishing up the breakfast, she takes the plates to the dining room and sets them down, going over to check on Anael again. He had curved features, defined yet more babyish than Jace's. Soft features. As she is staring down at him, Anael opens his eyes and smiles up at her.
"Hello, Clarissa."
"Good morning, Anael. I've made breakfast," Clary says, taking a step back. Anael sits up, wiping his eyes.
"I was having such a wonderful dream."
"Tell me about it," Clary says, going over to the table and taking a seat. Anael follows her.
"Eggs and bacon," Anael declares happily, grabbing his fork. "It looks delicious. Thank you, Clary."
"You're welcome. So, do you pray before you eat," Clary asks, taking up her own fork.
"When you remember, one can pray for every second of the day," Anael responds.
"Indeed, one can," Clary says, copying his stateful tone. They eat silently for a few minutes, and when they are nearly done Anael sets his fork down, staring at the last egg. Clary chews carefully, her eyes on him.
"My dream. I was on a hill," Anael starts off. Clary swallows, listening intently. "I was looking at the sky, watching three giant eagles fly over. I looked toward the sun and saw you. You were smiling, wearing all white. A man held your hand, he was walking away, and you were going with him. The man was white, white hair, white skin. He was glowing."
"He did, did he," Clary replies, taking in a slow breath. White hair? She knew only two people with white hair, and they weren't the nicest people. Clary sets her fork down. "He was taking me away?"
"Yes. You were both happy, I know that," Anael answers. "I didn't get a good look at him. He was practically made of light. He seemed nice."
'Oh' was the only sound Clary let out. She looks down at her plate, thinking of her brother Sebastian. Her brother, the boy who tried to kill her. The boy she killed. The boy with demon blood running through his veins. Clary looks back up and watches Anael, who was eating his food again. What did this dream mean? If it meant anything? Surely, a light-filled figure meant good omens. Clary goes back to eating her food, lost in thought.