Chapter 16
Clary picked up the envelope from the floor and examined it. She recognizes the handwriting on the envelope, as her mother's always neat. Clary set the journal back into the box. She held the envelope in her hands. Flipping the envelope over a wax seal had sealed it closed. Pressed into the wax was her family crest, crescent moon with a star rising up above the moon. Breaking the seal Clary took out the letter.
Dear Clarissia,
If you are reading this than you have found the dragon's box. Given to me by the dragon on the harvest moon year before you were born. In this box contains my journal in which you have at least read once. A family portrait, newspaper clipping, and a pair of baby shoes each are clues to help you defeat our enemy.
The newspaper clipping Clary had seen in the box didn't bother to look at it. The baby shoes she recognizes in the family photo of her as a baby, but how could they all be clues? She thought to herself. Clary continued to read the letter.
Our enemy is the one will destroy what we hold dear to protect. Time. On the night you father was killed I place the dragon's box in a messenger bag and gave to your brothers with instructions on what to do with the box.
Clary you must understand you were not told anything about the order of the dragon or about what really happened that night was for you protection. If Camille discovered you were the dragon's heir she could kill you or use you against everyone you love.
Clary gasped. "I am the dragon's heir?" She said not realizing had spoke out loud. Her heart pounded in her chest. Her throat tightens. A part of didn't want to continue reading the letter. She started to breath hard. No this not true. Could it? Reluctantly Clary continued reading.
Clary the box must never get into her hands. The clues in the box will lead you to the dragon's stone, which will then lead you to amulet. These two items together will help you stop Camille once and for all. You must find the dragon's stone before the harvest moon of your seventeenth year or time will cease to exist, as we know it.
Clary I love you. I know you can do this you are a smart girl. Remember you are my daughter beloved by your brothers and adored by your father. If he were alive today he would be proud of you like I am.
Do not be afraid my little chosen one.
Love always your mother.
Tears rolled down Clary's cheeks. There was no way she could find the dragon's stone before the harvest moon. Neither Luke nor her brothers would allow her to travel far from home. She slid the letter back into the envelope then placed it into the box. Clary then curled up on her bed holding the box tightly in her hands drifting off to sleep.
Sebastian came into Clary's room to check up on her. When he found her asleep curled up in her bed. He took the blanket from the edge of her bed then covered her. He noticed she was clutching the box he had seen her with many times. Though he didn't try to pry it from her.
Sebastian recognizes the box from that night. He remembered when they got to New York how he and Jonathan took the box and hid it in the storage room of the bookstore. He wished it were a night he could forget.
The echo of his mother's voice of that night came to him 'Protect your sister all cost.' All Sebastian wanted was to see his little sister safe. He would do anything for her. He would even lay down his own life if it meant to save her. Sebastian also new that Jonathan would do the same.
After covering her up he kissed her on the head. He then walked out of her room turning out the light closing the door behind him.
Jace woke up early before everyone else. He put on his jeans and his favorite shirt. The shirt was well worn. The lettering on the shirt was faded from excess washing and holes started to appear in some places.
He walked towards Luke's house. He wanted to see Clary for Luke and Robert had been keeping him and the rest of the boys' busy working on the ranch. Jace hadn't seen much of her let alone any time to be alone with her. Luke made sure of that.
When he arrived, Jace located Clary's window. Grabbed a couple of pebbles then threw them at the window. The window opened.
"Jace, what are doing?" Clary asked him from the window.
"I came to see you." He beamed at her.
Clary giggled. "If Luke finds you here we'll both be in trouble."
Jace ignored her and climbed up the side of the porch to her window. Carefully walking on the roof.
"So what?" He said as he reached her window. "I need to see you." Jace kissed her softly on the lips.
"Jace." Clary whispered.
"What? You don't want me to kiss you?"
"Yes I do." she giggled.
"Can I come in?"
Jace climbed into the window as Clary stepped aside. Once inside he grabbed Clary by the waist and kissed her hard. They kissed long and passionate. This is Jace longed for to be with his girl. The one he loved. No words could ever explain how he felt about Clary.
"Did I ever tell you I love the color of your hair?" Jace said as tucking a lose strain of hair behind Clary's ear.
Clary eye borrows pushed together. "No."
"Really, well you know it's my favorite color."
"Since when?" Clary asked.
"Since I was five." He replied flopping down on her bed.
"I never see you wear red."
"I wear it all the time see." He pointed to his shoes. They were black with threes red stripes and the sides of the soles were red. His laces were also red.
"I see though I'm not one who looks at peoples shoes all time." She eyed him." Now get off my bed." She slapped him on the thigh.
"No," He said.
"Jace, your not suppose to be here." Clary whispered.
"What are afraid?" He asked softly.
"Getting caught."
"Then why did you let me in?" He leaned up on his elbows. "It's not like we're going to have sex. You already said you weren't ready."
Clary sat down on the bed. A part of her wanted to have sex with Jace the other part was the part that wasn't ready. She wanted to wait until the moment was right before going all the way.
"Clary, are you okay?" Jace asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Your sure. You seem upset at something."
"I'm fine. I just have a lot on my mind." Clary didn't want to tell Jace that she was the dragon's heir. She was scared enough as it is. She also didn't how he would react if she did tell him, but for how long could Clary keep it away from before he found out?
Jace woke up entangled with Clary. He kissed her on the forehead. He didn't move for he didn't want to wake his sleeping angel. He stroked her hair gently.
"Hi" he said when she awoke. "I was trying not to disturb you."
"What time is it?" Clary asked sleepily.
"It's 8:oo in the morning." He said looking at the clock on the nightstand.
Clary quickly got up. "What is it?" Jace asked.
"Nothing. You should probably go before someone finds you here."
Jace agreed then climbed out the window. Once on the ground he waited a few minutes then walked up to the porch and knocked on the door. Sebastian answered.
"Hello, Jace." He said with a yawn.
"Good Morning Sebastian." He greeted. "Why are you sleeping on the couch?" noticing the blanket and pillow.
"Jonathan kicked me out of our room." He said gathering them up then tossing them aside.
"Ok." Jace muttered under his breath.
Clary started making breakfast once everyone in the house had woken up. She chopped up some mushrooms to put in eggs. Cooked the bacon and sausage then made pancakes. She loved to cook. It was favorite thing to do. When she finished preparing breakfast all the boys in the house sat at the table including Jace.
Helen sat next to Jonathan. Luke sat at the head of the table. Sebastian sat next to Jonathan. Clary sat next to Jace. Then Clary spoke.
"What's the plan for today?" She asked looking toward Luke.
"Robert Lightwood has made arrangements with Magnus Bane to meet at the main house."
"The main house?"
"Yeah it's the house that belongs to the dragon or something like." Sebastian answered.
"We're seriously not going to see that weirdo are we?" Jonathan asked Luke disgusted.
"Jonathan, you know Magnus Bane is the guardian of the temple and representative of the dragon. He is the only one who was authorized to wake the dragon."
"I know but the guy weird."
"Yeah he looks like he's half something." Sebastian smirked.
Luke shook his head before he smiled in agreement.
"Who is Magnus Bane exactly?" Clary asked.
"Weren't you listening Clary?" Jonathan said looking at her.
"Well I was but still don't get who he is."
"He's the weird guy who sits in an temple all day." Sebastian said sarcastically.
"Sebastian, that's not funny." Luke said trying to hold back a laugh. When he couldn't hold it he busted out laughing with the rest of table. "Ok, enough. Yes he is a little weird. We're meting with him tonight all of us. Including you Clary. Now eat your breakfast we have a lot to do today."
Once breakfast was done. Jace kissed Clary then headed out to the stables. Alec was already there along with Max. He was showing Max how to saddle a horse. Robert Lightwood was also there brushing down a large horse named Nightshadow. He was all black. Long hair covered his hooves. He was one of two horses used to pull the carriage. The other hose was also black with a star on his forehead. His named was Northstar.
As Jace entered Robert told him to brush down Northstar. Then told him to gather the harness for the horses. After that he was to clean out the carriage with Alec and Max. Everything had to be done by dinnertime. When all the horses had been saddled and Nightshadow and Northstar were harnessed to the carriage they headed on their way to the main house.
It had been twelve years since the Order of the Dragon met. The last time was just before Camille attacked them. It was a little awkward for the members of the order because in the last few years there had been some tension between them.
It was late when they arrived at the main house. The house was old. It had been on the property since the Civil war when the land was a plantation. Four columns set ceremoniously in front.
The caretaker Wayland let the order in then lead them to the parlor where Magnus was waiting for them. Someone else had also been waiting in the parlor. When everyone saw who it was they were all shocked.
"Stephen?" Luke said not believing that his old friend was alive.
Jace walked in behind Alec then suddenly stopped. "Dad?"