So Jace drags me to his Institute, and I make some new friends. And by this I mean I could tell they all hate me.
Hodge is the stereotypical wise older dude that guides the younglings but can't actually do anything useful himself (like leaving the building). I can tell you already that Isabelle feels threatened by me, and also likes to feel superior. Alec seems to also resent me, I think it might be because he feels I'm getting between his friendship with Jace? I not sure exactly what he deal is yet.
And Jace is, well, Jace. I can't help but have his nagging sensation in the back of my mind when he flirts with me, maybe it's just that instinct kicking in. But…
I'm also given the breakdown of things. Clave, demons, Shadowhunters, and runes. Exciting stuff. I make sure to pay close attention though so I know what's going on. Hodge casually mentions something about a "silent brother". Everyone makes a face, so I make a mental note to ask what that is later.
Isabelle gives me some of her clothes and I go change. They show me where my room is. But instead of changing I sit on my bed. And that's just it. It's not my bed, it's someone else's. It's not even Clary's bed. It's just cold and unfamiliar. I miss the warm safety of my own bed. The one that smells like strawberry shampoo and has cat fur all nestled into the covers. The bed with the sheets I picked out, in the room I designed, in my home, and most importantly, in my universe. I just want to go home. But I refuse to shed any tears.
I finally work up the resolve to get changed, and start taking off my shirt, when I let out a glass-breaking howl. Jace throws the door open (and luckily I've put my shirt back down) but I tell him I'm fine, just jumpy, because of course he can't see Nemo standing behind me laughing his head off. So Jace leaves, very bewildered.
"You perv!" I shout at Nemo, when I know Jace is safely out of hearing distance. "What do you think you were doing?"
"I was just checking in on you. See if you were doing alright." He says, leaning in way to close to my face.
"Well, as a matter of fact, yes, I am fine."
"Ok then. Remembered anything new?"
"How did you know?" He laughs at my ignorance.
"Please I've been jumping for years. I know all the ins and outs."
"Jumping?" He just rolls his eyes this time.
"It's what you've been doing. Jumping from story to story. But everyone jumps differently. I'm a pro so I know how to do it on demand."
"Well, Mr. Pro, I'm assuming you know how to get out then?"
"I told you already. You have to reach the most popular fanfiction and defeat the enemy. Then once the climax has ended, the story will reach a breaking point. This means that it will be safe for you to jump out of the Library."
"Alright? But I though you said I was in the story, not a fanfiction?"
"Well, you can travel in both. So far though, you've only been to the real stories. Maybe that's just how you're going to jump."
"Ok. But how come I'm part of the story and you're not?" And again with the eye rolling.
"Because everyone jumps differently and I know how to jump so I'm a shadow. Which means that none of the characters can see me." He says, predicting my question.
"Wonderful. So when can I get out of here?" I ask. And cue the eye rolling.
"You can't just jump from one story to another, well actually I can, but you cannot. So you need to either wait for enough energy, which you get from a climax or any other high point of the story. So just wait it out a bit. You'll probably jump when it's natural for you. Usually it's a subconscious thing, except-"
"For you, yeah I get it. Anything else I should know?"
"Yeah. Don't mess things up. The Editors will get you." I don't even ask who The Editors are because Nemo can tell from my silence and raised eyebrow that I have not the slightest idea.
"The Editors are like the police of the Library. The Library is where we are, in the book. What they do is find any jumpers or viruses like us who might mess with the plot. I don't actually know what happens if they get you, but I can assume it's not very nice. Probably get deleted from the universe, that kind of thing. They'll also repair any damage done in the story. I'm sure their still working on that mess you made in The Outsiders"
"Hey. So not fair. I didn't even really know where I was."
"Excuses, excuses…Either way you'll probably be fine for now, just don't get into too much trouble." His hand rests on the doorknob. He turns back. "And by the way, if you get hurt, you get hurt for real. So I would just be careful if I was you." And he walked out the door. I run to go catch him, but he's nowhere to be seen. He must have "jumped".
I notice how much time I've been taking and quickly change and go meet up with the others.
Anyway, so Jace has this idea to go revisit the apartment or something like that, through some very convenient circumstances we end up in Madame Dorothea's, and guess what? She's a witch. And guess what else? She has a dimensional portal to an important plot point. Well, kind of important. Either way, I "accidentally" fall through it, because the foreshadowing makes it very clear that this is what the author wants me to do.
And we end up at a bookstore…I thought it was supposed to be a plot point? Oh wait, Luke's apartment is in the back. I'm assuming this is our next step. Guess who else is conveniently there? That's right, Simon. I'm beginning to get suspicious that I'm getting stuck in the middle of love triangle. Great.
So the three of us search Luke's place and find nothing of any interest. Except for like a bag. Filled with weapons.
Suddenly we hear some people coming in through the only exit. So we hide behind a rosewood screen. It's actually very nice, and I'm a little disappointed when Jace makes a one-way window through the middle of it.
To sum up their conversation, Valentine is back, he has Clary's mother, he is willing to trade her for the "Mortal Cup" (Whatever that is), and Luke wants nothing to do with it. It's weird, but from the conversation I kind of gather that Luke used to have a thing for my mom. Well, not my mom, but you know what I mean.
I almost get us caught by sneezing my brains out. It's weird because I only sneeze when I'm around dogs, because I'm allergic, but Luke has no dogs. Weird…Probably nothing.
After the previous incident, we learn from Hodge that Jocelyn was once married to Valentine, and they had a rebellious circle that wanted to ride the world of all underworlders. We also learn Hodge was part of this "Circle".
I have trouble focusing though because Simon has gone all goo-goo eyed over Isabelle. I don't even know why this bothers me because I don't even like Simon! Maybe it's just the "instinct" affecting me, or I just feel bad that she's taking advantage of him.
I snap back into focus though when I feel an icy shiver run down my spine. I turn. I glance sideways at Jace and make eye-contact. Silent Brother? I mouth silently, because I'm afraid to break this absolute silence. Jace nods his head.
There's an awkward silence that follows. As usual I go ahead and break it, awkwardly.
"Helloo, my name is Clary. It is delightful to meet you." I wait for a respond. I see no lips moving, but I can't even see under his hood. I'm just holding my hand out awkwardly waiting for him to shake it.
This is Jocelyn's daughter? I hear, but not through my ears, in my head. I fully understand now, and pull my hand back and try to play it off as pushing back my hair.
"Yep. That's me. Clarissa Fray. Clary for short." Nothing. "I guess you'll be helping me find my lost memories?" If I can. Wow. Ok. A little ominous.
"So…shall we get this show on the road?" What? "Can we just get this over with?" Yes.
He reaches up to touch my face. Suddenly I see the library start to melt away, like colors getting washed off a canvas. I feel a pressure, a drawing pull in her head and hands and feet. I hear myself gasp and-I'm back home.
Wait no. The silent brother is here with me. Who are you?
"Clary" I hear myself say, but muffled as if through a screen. No. You are an otherworldling. How did you get here?
I see myself from third person pressing the button. "Through my computer. Can you help me get back?" The moments of silence crush me. No.
"Please don't tell them then. I don't want to cause trouble. I just want to go home. Please just play along." Before I can get an answer, I'm being pulled up into the sun. Bam! I'm standing back in the library. Very dizzy, but in one piece.
I silently pray that the silent brother will help me, even though I know he can probably hear my thoughts.
There is a block on your mind. Your memories cannot be reached. I let out a (very loud) sigh of relief. Maybe a little too loud cause everyone turns to look at me. I just act natural.
But there is one memory that has surfaced. MAGNUS BANE.
Somehow the name MAGNUS BANE means we have to crash a party. I guess I'm fine with that, I just hope they can handle my dance moves.
The actually party starts at midnight, so I have the whole day to do nothing. I try to get some extra hours of sleep, but it just won't come. Maybe it's because I keep going back to thinking about Jace. Not in the way you think. I've been wondering if he actually likes me for me, or just the character. I know it's a stupid thing to think about, but I can't shake it off. He is very handsome, I'll give him that, but to be honest, I just really could care less. I'm a little too focused on trying to get home than getting a date. Unfortunately I'm just gonna have to play along with it…I suppose it could be worse.
I hear a knock on my door. I have a bad feeling. I hesitate before going to open it. Before I can make up my mind, Jace opens the door anyway. "Hello. Did you hear me knock?" He asks, very charmingly and flirtatiously as usually.
"Yes. Did you hear me ignore it?" I answer back.
"I'm sorry. You must not have opened it because you thought I was Simon." He is so not getting my point.
"Somehow, I don't think that's it." Still clearly not getting my message, he gracefully lays on my bed. I preoccupy myself with something. I grab my sketchbook and start to scribble. I feel him get very close and lay his head on my shoulder. "You're not terrible."
"Wow. Thanks. You really know how to flatter people. You know that?" I say, but I look down and still just see squiggly lines and circles. I don't know what Jace is looking at.
"Look I'm really tired. Maybe it would be best if you left now. Like now." I hint. Clearly Jace still isn't getting it though. He leans back showing off his slender body.
"If you're really that tired I could tell you a bedtime story."
"I'd really rather not."
"Close your eyes."
"Are you kidding me? WTF? Can you please just let me sleep?"
"Once there was a boy."
"Are you even listening to me anymore?"
"When the boy was six years old, his father gave him a falcon to train."
"I give up!" I sit down on the bed, (make extra sure to keep personal space between us) and listen to his story. It is honestly the most depressing thing I have maybe ever heard. I mean. Jesus, this kid's life kind of sucked. But Jace is so into it that I don't have the heart to tell him.
In fact, I'm actually kind of sleepy. I don't even notice it when I just drift off, although I am faintly aware of Jace closing the space between us.