Chapter 4: …And Domestic Demonic Danger
A/N: Hi. I hope you enjoyed the last chapter, and enjoy this one. I'll respond to reviews at the end of the chapter, so see you then.
Keep on Reading
-ToAC
2030
After Alec passed out, the other Shadowhunters sprang into action. Jacques and Simon jointly worked to carry the unconscious Alec to the infirmary; Jace and Clary also applied iratzes and other healing runes to help the unconscious Shadowhunter. It was about an hour before the elder Lightwood regained consciousness. When he did, Jace and Izzy were looking at him worriedly. Clary and Simon were also present, but both had dozed off. When Jace saw Alec coming back to consciousness, he shook Clary awake; the same happened between Izzy and Simon.
"What happened, Alec?" Jace asked, getting straight to the point. When there was danger, Shadowhunters essentially ignored emotions.
"Magnus and I were attacked by demons." Alec stated before giving a fuller account of events.
He, Magnus, Max and Raphael were all in a New York backstreet. Max and Raphael were portallingto Idris to stay with Maryse and Robert in Alicante for a fortnight (The Clave's ban on the Lightwoods staying in Idris had been lifted shortly after Robert's appointment as the Inquisitor). The portal had beendrawn and opened, and Raphael had passed throughwhen the group was attacked by a horde of Shaxand Ravenerdemons. Alec pushed Raphael through the portal before one of the demons smashed the rune circle, closing the portal. Alec had his bow handy and was able to take down some of the demons. Magnus threw magical fire at the others. However, one demon was able to dodge the arrows and magical fire, stabbing Alec through the shoulder. Magnus saw this and threw two spells: One at the demon, and one at Alec. There was a flash of light and Alec found himself in the entrance hall of the Institute.
Hearing this, the four other adults looked at each other, agreeing on what to do. The group got the location of the fight from Alec then began their action. The teenagers, including Ros, were told to stay and take care of Alec. Meanwhile, Clary, Jace, Simon, Izzy, Jacques, and Hélène armed up and headed out of the Institute.
The six adults quickly ran to the location of the fight. They saw a horde of demons trying to jump at Magnus, who was perched on a small ledge about 4 metres above the ground. When the six Shadowhunters arrived, the demons turned on them and began to charge. Almost immediately, the first demon was killed by Izzy catching it with her whip. Simon took a few more down with his bow before the demons reached the group. Each Shadowhunter drew and named a seraph blade, filling the backstreet with angelic light. They sliced a fiery path through the demons. Soon enough, all that was left of the demons was ash. Magnus jumped down to the ground, casting a cushioning spell as he landed.
"Thank you for that. I may have overestimated my own ability. Is Alexander alright?"
Clary nodded and Magnus sighed in relief. The demons dealt with, the Shadowhunters headed back to the Institute, accompanied by Magnus. When they entered the infirmary, Alec was sitting up in his bed, talking to Cecily and Jordan. Upon seeing Alec, Magnus ran ahead of the Shadowhunters and knelt by Alec's side. Not wanting to eavesdrop on an obviously personal conversation, Jordan and Cecily walked over to their parents. According to the pair, Charlie and Ros were in the greenhouse, whilst Will was in the kitchen, preparing some food for his adoptive uncle. The former of these raised Clary's and Jace's eyebrows, both remembering a similar memory between them from what seemed like a lifetime ago. However, the latter rose potential alarm bells; Will had seemingly inherited his aunt's cooking ability, or lack thereof. It ended up being no issue, though, as Will had made simple sandwiches (no cooking required). It was soon later that Alec was deemed 'healed' and he and Magnus departed to their apartment.
A few days later, the three French guests were all packed up and ready to go. Their business at the New York Institute, taking part in the Conclave's discussion on the jurisdiction of international Downworlder crimes, had been concluded. Most of the teenagers and adults said goodbye via a handshake, but Ros said an 'à bientôt' to Charlie by the stereotypical French greeting of a kiss on each cheek. After the guests had stepped through the portal, Will noticed his sister had gone rather red. He decided to ignore it, as it wasn't his concern. Cecily also noticed her parabatai's blush; she smiled as she had seen a similar blush on her own cheeks in a mirror after a conversation in Will. Intrigued, Cecily took her parabatai aside once the group had returned to the Institute.
"What's up, Cecily?" Charlie queried to her parabatai and closest friend.
"I noticed you blushing after Ros kissed you," Cecily stated, making Charlie blush again.
"So? What about it?" Charlie sounded embarrassed.
"I'm not trying to embarrass you;" Cecily assured. "I was just wondering if my guess was true: do you like Ros? I mean, like I like your brother."
The four parents were placing their seraph blades and other weapons back into the Institute's armoury when they heard a loud, high-pitched squeal. It sounded happy, so didn't worry any of the parents. However, the suddenness and volume were enough to make the quartet jump. It took the group a few moments to identify the squealer as Cecily, due to the higher pitch than even Charlie could reach.
Later, the two Herondale parents were sitting in their shared bedroom, just making idle small talk as Clary sketched some photos from the Shadowhunter Codex when there was a knock at the door. Jace walked over and opened the door to reveal Charlie standing there.
"Dad, Mom, can I talk to you?" Charlie sounded nervous. Jace let his daughter into the room.
"Of course, Charlie." Clary tried to boost the younger blonde's confidence.
"Uh, well, I have to tell you guys something. I've already talked to Cec about it, and she pretty much told me that I should tell you guys…" Charlie trailed off slightly, trying to find the best way of wording her next statement.
"You know you can tell us anything, sweetheart." Jace had adopted a caring tone, which he had developed shortly after Will was born.
"I think- No, I know… Mum, dad, I'm gay. Or at least, I've got feelings for a girl." Charlie exhaled deeply afterwards. She looked as if she was about to start crying. She did start to a few moments after. The initial shock of the confession wore off instantaneously and both parents jumped up and pulled their daughter and youngest child into a warm, comforting hug.
"Darling, being gay is nothing to worry about. You have a gay uncle whose partner is a glitter-loving warlock." Clary tried to sound assuring. "Trust me; we will love you, no matter what."
There was a muffled 'thank you' from Charlie as she still clung tightly onto her parents. After her tears had dried up, Charlie separated from her parents.
"Was it Ros?" Jace asked, referring to the girl who made Charlie realise her sexuality. Charlie nodded as an answer. Her parents smiled at their daughter and each other; their hunch from earlier had been right. Satisfied with what she had told her parents, Charlie bid Clary and Jace good night and headed to bed. She knew she would have to tell Will about it, but she was sort of hoping that her parents would as well. Will would be accepting, but it was hard enough for Charlie to come out to her parabatai and parents, and her brother would just be another difficult situation.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed that. Please remember to review and I'll see you in the next chapter, which will be the conclusion of this event/couplet.
Keep on Reading
-ToAC
