Author's Note: This chapter is quite long. Reviews are appreciated.
Carte Blanche
Arc 1
"So, how are we going to approach Robert," Jace asks everyone. Clary looks at Anael, who is watching them silently.
"I don't think we should jump right into the truth. That might set Robert off, he hasn't met an angel like us. We should give it a day, let him warm up to Anael," Clary says.
"Sounds like a plan. We'll go after breakfast," Jace says, and the three fall into comfortable silence. Clary watches Anael closely. The angel is looking at Jace, wearing a slight smile that showed white straight teeth. Clary notes that his eyes are silver, not gold like the other angels she's met. What were his wings like? White, or gold? Maybe silver too. As she looks closer, she can see a golden line that curls just above his shirt collar.
"Are your runes always gold," Clary asks Anael.
"They are, yes."
"What do you do in heaven," Clary asks again. Anael looks at her with a bigger smile.
"I look after a section in the second heaven. Instruct my friends to their duties. And I look after humans, doing my best to encourage them to open their hearts," Anael responds proudly.
"What exactly is the second heaven," Jace asks him.
"There is the first heaven. You cannot see it, but it is here, on Earth, in another plane. The next one can be called space. It is where the planets and stars reside. And the third is where the source is. And all heavens are split up into different sections," Anael states. Both Clary and Jace sit back in their seats, taking this all in. Anael sighs deeply, "Perhaps, I shouldn't be giving you all this information."
"You probably shouldn't," Jace chuckles. "Gorgeous here can create runes, you must've heard."
"I've heard," Anael says as he looks at Clary, who lowers her head with a smile. "I can tell you what some are, if you make more."
"I think I can do that," Clary says.
"Now that I'm finished, we should be on our way soon. I'm just going to jump in the shower quick," Jace says, standing up and rinsing off his plate. Clary sighs, looking over her new friend. What else could she get out of him?
The three arrive at the Institute, heading immediately to the study where Robert Lightwood is. Clary looks around, immediately admiring the statue of Raziel. She can't help but compare it to Anael, who's jaw is softer than the other angel's. Clary takes a seat in front the desk, Anael copies her, and Jace sits on the desk itself.
"Robert, this is our friend, Anael. He has the sight," Jace says to Robert. They had all decided that, for now, they'd just tell Robert that Anael had the ability to see demons, shadowhunters, and downworlders, and that he was interested in learning more. Robert sets down the book he is reading, leaning back in his seat behind the desk to stare Anael down.
"Really? And what exactly is he here for," Robert says, clasping his hands together.
"To learn more about your culture," Anael responds. Robert nods, looking at Jace.
"I suppose we can house him here, keep him safe for now. Does he have any other plans," Robert looks over at Anael. "Such as becoming a shadowhunter?"
"For now, sir, I just want to learn more before I make any further decisions," Anael says. Robert nods, looking back at Jace.
"Care to give him a tour then? I am busy right now, we can discuss this matter later. Give him a room too, if he needs one." Robert picks up his book again. "I could also use some help rearranging some books."
"I would love to," Jace says, standing up. Clary stands as well, deciding to go with them. They exit the room, heading to the living quarters.
"What kind of room you feeling? Big bed? Small bed? Good view? You know, you are welcome to stay with Clary and me," Jace says, looking at Anael.
"Can I stay at both your places," Anael asks him.
"Not sure how you'll manage to do that, but sure. Today, you'll be meeting my parabatai, Alec. My sister, Isabelle. Our friend, Simon. And, Clary, Alec says there was a last minute change of plans," Jace says, looking at his girlfriend and wrapping an arm around her waist. "They're bringing Max with them."
"Lovely, he's so adorable," Clary says cheerfully.
"Max is a warlock," Jace says, looking at Anael. "My brother adopted him."
"A warlock adopted by a shadowhunter. Beautiful," Anael says quietly. Jace laughs loudly, looking at Clary, mouthing the word 'beautiful'. Clary playfully punches his chest.
The bedroom had a large bed with a dark red blanket. In the corner there is a footstool, in another there is a a wardrobe with a small dresser. The view looked over the garden. Vines with pink flowers were growing up the window's grating. Anael walks over to the other door in the room, opening it to find a white bathroom with red decor. There was even a small vase with a dried red rose.
"How's this for a room," Jace declares. Anael turns around and scans the room.
"It is nice," he replies. Jace sits down on the edge of the bed.
"As I said, you're welcome to stay with Clary and me."
"I will think on it," Anael says, going over to the stool and sitting down. Jace nods, looking at Clary.
"I'm going to go and check up on Robert again. Maybe show Anael around," Jace says, standing and leaving. Clary goes and sits down on the edge of the bed, smiling at Anael.
"Do you want to see the green house? I come and fix it time to time. It's pretty overgrown, but it's beautiful," Clary says. Anael nods, and the two stand and leave the room.
"Anael, what does Heaven think of me," Clary asks the angel. They were standing in the back of the greenhouse, looking over some of the more unique plants. He was staring at a flower, running a thumb over the soft orange petals.
"They think you're an angel," he clarifies. She moves closer to him.
"Is that it?"
"That's it. There is nothing else to say. They think you're brave. And beautiful. That last part is probably just me though," he says calmly, moving onto a plant with blue-grey leaves and purple stems.
"Thank you, Anael. You're very kind."
"You're very welcome." Anael steps back from the plant, looking at her. "May I have some food again."
"I don't see why not... damn, I still have to go grocery shopping. The group won't be arriving until lunch anyway. Want to go shopping with me," Clary asks him. He nods eagerly, and the two start making their way out.
"Anael, what do you like most about Earth," Clary asks, looking up at him. He grins back at her.
"I like the art of it. The poetry of it all. So much hate, yet people are still kind in the smallest ways. It's hard to pick just one singular thing that I like," he says.
"You have colorful answers," Clary says to him. In the hallway, she looks at some paintings on the wall, flowers, skeletons, angels and humans in long robes.
"Clary, would you want to travel with me? You and Jace? It would be less lonely," Anael asks her. She nods, says of course. Why wouldn't she? She passes another statue of the angel Raziel.
"What is Raziel like?" Clary turns to look at Anael. "What does he do?"
"What other important angels do. Advises. Makes decisions. He's great at making small moves that have a large impact... I'm not even sure how to describe it." Anael turns a corner, glancing at another angel statue. "He's very professional, not vain at all. He can come across as cold, with his manner, but he has a huge heart."
"Strange, angels having personalities."
"I suppose," Anael sighs, his eyes lingering on a painting of a shadowhunter, bringing a sword down on a demon. "I hear your an artist, Clary."
"I am."
"Show me your work. I'd love to see it in person," Anael says, chuckling. "In person. How strange, that I'm seeing everything from a human experience."
"Strange indeed."
Anael's eyes were darting everywhere when they were at the food market. Clary was grabbing different foods, apples, lettuce, hoping to make interesting dishes for her friend to try. She really wanted to make him stir fry, that was on the top of the list. Grabbing some rice, she looks at him, seeing him watch her.
"You stare at me a lot," Clary says, turning away.
"Because you're pretty. You have a pretty soul."
"Don't let Jace hear you say that," Clary laughs lightly, walking to the cashier. She pays for her food, feeling the angel's eyes on her. Feeling a blush creep up on her face, Clary walks away, leading the way.
"Why should I not let Jona- Jace hear me talk of you in such a high manner? Is it because of jealousy? He should not be jealous, he has your heart," Anael says to her. She looks back at him, shrugging.
"It is just being polite to Jace's feelings."
"I see."
"Where will we go from here," Clary says looking around. There was plenty of people, near the entrance to the market was a woman with a stroller, and another woman sitting in a wheelchair, having a smoke. Anael doesn't respond to her, instead hesitating by the entrance to stare at the disabled woman.
"Clary, I want to do something about that. It's so sad," Anael says, staring at the woman. Clary pauses, standing and looking at her friend with the sad face.
"It happens all the time, Anael."
"I know. It is sad to see it in life though," Anael says, standing still. After a few seconds, he walks over to her, leaning down and resting a hand on her shoulder.
"What happened to your legs, sister," Anael says to the woman.
"I got sick, in the spine," the woman says, looking up at him with a cautious gaze. He nods, letting go of her shoulder.
"May I, please, give you a kiss," Anael says to her. The old woman immediately blushes, ducking her head.
"Kind sir, of course you may. I haven't been asked that in so long," she says, laughing. Anael leans forward, planting a kiss on the woman's forehead. The woman lets out a small gasp, leaning back in her chair with a jolt. Her legs twitch at the movement, and she lets out a long sigh. "What did you just do?"
"I gave you a kiss, sister," Anael says, backing away and walking. Clary follows him, looking back at the woman who had a pleasant smile on her face, staring at the angel.
"Why did you kiss her," Clary says quietly to Anael.
"She will be walking again soon," he answers. Clary looks back at the woman, feeling her heart soar. She will be walking. Clary looks at her friend, smiling hugely.
"I can't believe you just did that."
"I can't believe either," Anael mumbles, his brows knitting together. Happily, Clary grabs his hand and squeezes tightly. He squeezes back.