We stop at a church first to pick up weapons. I never thought I'd say that. Then we head Uptown. We end up in a rundown neighborhood. One abandoned building jumps out at me, Hotel Dumort. I can't help but giggle a little. Hotel Death. Isabelle gives me a death glare.
"Sorry, it's actually kind of funny." I say, but then remember that I'm supposed to be worrying about Simon dying. To be honest, I know he's not going to die because without him there's no love triangle, and we can't have a story without a love triangle. But I better keep up appearances for the story's sake.
Breaking in is easy enough. Walking silently in heels is not. Isabelle has it down to an art, but alas, I do not. I grip the dagger Jace gave me earlier in the church. I wanted some form of weapon, but everyone else thought I would hurt myself or get in the way so this is all they gave me.
The actual hotel does look abandoned. It reminds me of waiting on line for the Tower of Terror in Disneyworld. Except this is real and there are bloodsucking vampires trying to get revenge on me because I would not let one of them pick me up. Captain Nemo's voice rings in my head, if you get hurt, you get hurt for real. I was right about tonight, it is going to suck (see what I did there?)
Anyway, so we creep around for a while but find nothing. Then we see the ballroom. The ruined floor is white marble, now so badly cracked that it resembles a sea of floating artic ice. My gaze is drawn up to the once elegant balconies. At first I'm just admiring the bronze detail, but then I see movement in the shadows. My eyes shoot open.
"Um, guys?" I try to get their attention, but Jace shushes me, "Clary, we're trying to be quiet." They're all focused on the ground floor.
"I think this is actually really important." I try again.
"Clary, so is being sneaky." Jace is not getting my message.
"I REALLY THINK YOU SHOULD SEE THIS."
Finally Jace turns to me, "Clary, quiet-"
"LOOK UP!" I yell at the top of my lungs, my shout ringing through the domed ceiling. It echoes back hauntingly as Jace, Alec, and Isabelle all turn to look at the balconies teeming with vampires. One vampire with mocha skin and black hair steps forward.
"Welcome Shadowhunters. I hope you find the view to die for."
I can't help but laugh a little at this. Everyone shoots me dagger stars.
"Sorry." I whisper.
"Look, you bloodsucking ba-" Jace begins but I intervene, possibly having a plan.
"Hey, look." I explain. "There's been a silly little misunderstanding. It seems you accidentally took one of my friends home. And you see, I'm not a Shadowhunter, I'm a mundane, and so is my friend. We would be ever so grateful if you just returned him to us, and we'd go on our way, no harm done." I add a little smile just to pull it all together.
The Spanish vampire who seems to be the leader turns around. A moment later the striped suit vampire shows up holding a squirming rat tightly in his hands. "Is this the rat your looking for?" He inquires.
"I can't really see from down here. Let me check. HEY SIMON!" I yell. The rat starts worming even more violently. It's Simon. "Yep, that's him. Now if you could just let him go, that'd be great."
The Spanish vampire starts to laugh and all the other vampires join in, creating a staggering echo effect with the dome that intensifies the laugher, so it seems that there are even more of them.
"Did I say something funny?" I ask, letting a drop of acid drip into my voice.
"You see, little girl, we have no intention of returning your little rat friend back, Shadowhunter or not. You have wronged us and will pay." They laugh some more.
"Alright, look." I say, getting annoyed. "Just because I didn't let your tacky little pinned-striped suit friend invade my personal space, is no reason for murder. I mean, come on, do you do this to every girl who rejects you? Maybe that's why no one will date you?! Ever thought of that? All you do is sit in your gross dusty hotel and act like you're the top shit, well, I hate to break it to you, but you are in fact repulsive. Now so help me if you do not release my friend within ten seconds I will kill you." At first they look a little shocked (the striped dude looked a mix of angry and embarrassed) but then the leader starts to laugh and they all join in like the perfect little herd of following sheep that they are. "Fine. Have it your way." I mutter under my breath.
I quickly nod my head at Jace and he makes sure the others get the memo. I wait for the right moment when I can make eye contact with Simon and I mouth one word, bite.
Immediately, Simon digs his teeth into the leader's hand. The vampire drops him and Simon scurries down to us. I run towards him, pick him up and take cover. "ATTACK!" I hear and hope I'm far enough out of the way. My instincts tell me to make a run for it, but the others are fighting. Finally I decide what to do and stuff Simon in my jacket. "Stay there." I whisper down to him. He answers with a squeak.
I tighten my grip on my dagger. I wait for a vampire to wander close enough to the column I'm hiding behind, and then pounce. I plunge my dagger into where I think his heart should be, and I get lucky. He bursts into ash and I move onto the next. I continue, looking for the others, but find no one. I plunge my dagger into vampire after vampire. Surprisingly these things are easy to kill. It's probably because they're unnamed henchmen.
Just as I raise my dagger to strike again I feel my arm pulled back. An arm appears around my neck and starts to squeeze. I see familiar stripes and know who it is. "How's this for personal space?" I hear whispered into my ear. The edges of my vision are starting to haze. I hear a crash, like shattering glass, reverberate through the room and hear some screams to accompany it. I take my chance, and while the vampire is distracted I bite down hard on his arm. I then kick him repeatedly in the stomach, then head. I see no sign of my dagger anywhere though.
For some odd reason I begin sneezing uncontrollably, and then I look up. Giant wolfs have joined the fight. That's probably why my dog allergies are acting up. If I didn't know any better I would say this is starting to look like Twilight. I'm not sure whose side they're on, but for now I decide to stay away. I see the vampire's leader shouting at one of them, and then notice Jace fighting right next to them. I run over, avoiding sharp fangs and claws, and still suffering through my sneezing fit.
Just as I reach Jace I hear the wolf yell "We came for the girl." The area immediately around us seemed to stop fighting momentarily. "Who?" Asks the vampire.
"The human girl." The wolf flings a stiff arm out at me. I brush it away.
"Didn't your mother ever tell you it's rude to point?" I say. I'm about to say something else but I sneeze.
"You didn't tell me you knew any werewolves." I hear Jace say behind me.
"I don't." I answer simply back, with a sneeze. I hear someone say "God bless you." I look up to see who it was but my thank you is lost when I notice most of the fighting's stopped, and almost every head is turned my way. Isabelle and Alec included, who have somehow managed to rejoin our group.
"You can't have her." The lead vampire says. "She trespassed on our ground; therefore she's ours."
"Technically, it wasn't trespassing just visiting, we were just getting our friend ba-" Jace clasps his hand over my mouth.
The werewolf ignores me and laughs. "I'm so glad you said that." And launchs himself midair. I look at Jace for a plan of action, but for now everyone seems to be ignoring us. Then I notice a door that looks like a convenient exit. I poke Jace and point towards it. He gets my message. We all run towards it as quickly as possible. My instinct proves correct, and behind the door is a convenient flight of stairs.
We begin to climb them, but with every step it seems like it's going to come crashing down. Every few minutes I sneeze, making matters worse. A few moments later I hear from the ballroom "Where'd they go?!" I'm not sure if it's a vampire or werewolf, but honestly I don't care.
A few moments after that two werewolves burst through the door, and I think I can hear a vampire behind them. It doesn't matter though because soon they'll all be here. I hear Jace yell "run" and we all follow his lead. We explode into the night air and I realize we're on the roof. Unfortunately there's no way down.
"What now?" I ask, trying to sound calm while silently freaking out.
"The bikes!" Jace yells.
He says this and I look over and realize that for some reason there are all these motorcycles on the roof. Jace doesn't waste anytime though, just grabs my arm and hops on one of them. Isabelle and Alec jump on the second. I hear the door explode with a crash behind us. I'm afraid to look back. I see Isabelle and Alec have driven off, and for some reason their bike flies. I only hope ours does the same.
But Jace is having trouble starting it. Finally I feel the engine start and we ram forward. Then I feel a tight tug on my leg and grip Jace tighter. I look back and see that stupid striped suit vampire is holding onto my leg. I kick continuously while yelling in rhythm with my kicks, "When will you get it? I AM NOT GOING TO DATE YOU." With my last word I put all my strength into my kick, and the vampire goes flying off.
"I hope that's finally the last I see of him."
"Don't you just hate ex-s?" Jace says, and I can't help but laugh as we follow Isabelle and Alec while riding our flying motorcycle over New York and away from Hotel Dumort.
We all get back fine. Even Simon eventually turns back into a human. And a plus is that my uncontrollable sneezing stops after a while (and a whole box of tissues). So now there's not really that much more to do, so I decide to take the day off. I sleep in late, draw a little, but my mind keeps wandering back to my home.
What happens if I don't make it back? Will everyone just forget about me, think I ran away? Maybe time doesn't pass in here. I think about it all, and miss my comfy bed.
A knock on the door wakes me out of my thoughts. Probably Jace. "Come in." I say with a sigh. It's not that I don't think he's charming or handsome, but I have a lot on my mind right now. Plus I'm living a lie, and I wouldn't feel right about it. But surprisingly Simon walks in.
"Drawing?" He asks. I look down at the tree I was sketching.
"Yep." I answer. I move over and motion for Simon to sit down next to me on the bed. He's the closest thing I have to a friend, even if it's only because of Clary.
"So how was being a rat?" I ask, honestly curious. Simon rolls his eyes. "Well, first it was disorienting. I was suddenly ankle-level with everyone. I thought I drank a shrinking potion, but I couldn't figure out why I had this urge to chew used gum wrappers." I laugh. Simon's a funny guy.
I lose my focus for a moment and stare out the window. The day is almost over and the sun is setting. I turn back and Simon's asleep. I don't want to wake him, but I also don't want to sit here till he wakes up. I decide to head to the library, maybe read a book, clear my head.
I'm halfway down the hall, when I hear this really eerie piano music. The notes seem to whirl in spirals through the air, and I follow them. They lead to the library. At first I don't know where they're coming from, but then I see a piano tucked away in a corner. I don't know how I didn't see it in the first place. I see a flash of golden hair bouncing behind it and I know Jace is playing. Figures, the perfect supernatural bad boy who plays piano; it actually does sound a little like Twilight. I'm about to leave, but then I decide that maybe I could give him a chance, plus it does follow the plot (I think).
"That's surprisingly decent. I didn't know you played." I startle him. I sit down on the bench next to him.
"I've been playing since I was little." He answers. He flips his hair in a flash of yellow.
"Well, all that practice has really paid off." There's an awkward silence between us. "Erm, I wanted to thank you, for going after Simon with me. You really didn't have to, and I nearly got us all killed." He looks at the keys of the piano.
"I knew that if I didn't come with you, you'd get yourself killed."
"I don't really think I matter enough to put everyone else's lives at risk." Jace locks eyes with me. He looks surprised, as if it was obvious.
"Clary, you're important. I don't know why you can't see it." I feel a little uncomfortable.
"I'll take that as a compliment." I say, trying to get the lighter atmosphere from a moment ago back. It's not working. This time Jace says something. "Happy Birthday." I'm really confused. It's not my birthday for two months. Oh, wait, Clary's birthday…Right.
"Not until tomorrow." I answer. He smiles.
"There's no reason not to start celebrating now," he says. My stomach grumbles.
"Mind if we get some food first?"
He pulls a brown bag out from nowhere. Where was he keeping it? "I sneaked some food from the kitchen when Isabelle wasn't looking." He say with a mischievous smile. "A picnic? It's a little later for Central Park, don't you think? It's full of-"
He waved a hand. "Faeries. I know."
"I was going to say muggers," I say, "though I pity the mugger who goes after you."
"That is a wise attitude and I commend you for it," said Jace, looking gratified. "But I wasn't thinking of Central Park. How about the greenhouse?" Not loving where this is going, but I'll just go with it.
"As long as there aren't any muggers." I joke.
"I'm not making any promises." With that we leave the library.
We enter the greenhouse, but I'm winded from all the stair and can barely breathe. I need to exercise more. And who puts a greenhouse on a roof?
When I catch my breath I say, "Wow, it really is beautiful. What kind of flowers are these though?" Jace shrugs and sits down next to a glossy green shrub dotted all over with tightly closed flower buds.
"No idea. You think I pay attention in botany class? I'm not going to be an archivist."
"You're right. How foolish of me. I'm sure you don't pay attention in any classes." I smile so he knows I'm kidding, but I still stay standing.
"The only thing I learned was how to make a mean cheese sandwich. Try one," he offers. I hate cheese. But I've been mean enough to Jace already. I reluctantly take one and try to act like I'm really pleased.
"Delicious." I lie. Luckily I think Jace is buying it.
"It's not a birthday cake, but hopefully it's better than nothing." Yeah. I guess that's true. It's the thought that counts.
"I was expecting nothing, so thanks." I still stand there awkwardly.
"Nobody should get nothing on their birthday. Birthdays should be special. My birthday was always the one day my father said I could do or have anything I wanted." Jace says. He should meet my parents. None of this have whatever you want it's your day lies…Although I bet it would be nice to actually have whatever you wanted.
"Anything? What could a five-year old Jace possibly ask for when given anything?" I ask.
"Promise you won't laugh?" He asks. I roll my eyes.
"Not really, but I'll make an exception."
"I wanted to take a bath in spaghetti." I laugh and Jace makes a puppy dog pout.
"How was it?" I ask.
"Incredible. And slippery," he asks. I laugh.
"I know what I'm asking for next year." I say. Then I look down, thinking about how I may never have a birthday next year. I'm kicked out of my thoughts when I hear a bell tolling. "Midnight." Jace says. "Now watch."
He's focused on the green shrub he was sitting next to.
"Wow. Crazy. It looks…Exactly the same." I say. He pokes me. "Just watch."
A moment later one of the tightly closed buds began to quiver and tremble. It swells to twice its size and burst open. All of the other buds also began to follow until there is a collage of rainbow petals. It's a little corny, but I'm oddly touched. "Thanks." I look up to find him watching me.
"Happy Birthday, Clarissa Fray." I actually don't know what to say. This is getting a little too romantic for me.
"I have something else for you," he says. Oh no. He's digging into his pockets. Maybe I can still make a run for it. Instead I just stand there with a fake smile plastered on my face as he pulls out a gray stone.
"Huh. When most girls say they want a big rock, they don't literally mean, a big rock."
"Very amusing, my sarcastic friend. It's not a rock. It's a witchlight rune-stone."
"So, a rock?" I raise an eyebrow and I see Jace roll his eyes.
"It will always bring you light." I take it and it feels cool in my hands. I drop it into my back pocket.
"I will always treasure your rock." Then there's nothing else to say except "We should probably go back downstairs." I turn to go, then trip on a vine that comes out from nowhere. I feel Jace grab my waist and twist me around, so he's just holding me there. I can feel him leaning in to kiss, but I catch a flash of movement behind a bush and I shriek. Jace tenses up and I feel his hands loosen around my waist. I go falling to floor, and land inches away from a puddle.
"Oww. You dropped me!" I yell from the floor while inspecting myself for damage.
"You yelled in my ear!" Jace says. His cheeks are flushed.
"Oh yeah. I saw someone behind that bush over there." I point in the direction. He raises an eyebrow.
"I'll go check it out." He says. I slowly stand up. My butt is killing me. I can't believe I fought vampires and werewolves at the same time, but I get hurt kissing.
"Nothing's over here." I hear Jace say. I have a nagging suspicion that something is over there and I think I know what. Or who.
I walk over to Jace, but also see no one behind the bush. He must've run off. Or at least moved.
"Come on. Let's go downstairs." Before Jace can reply I just walk away. I feel my cheeks growing hot this time.
We get down to my room. I'm planning on saying a quick goodbye and going to sleep. Jace has other plans. "Thank you for the picnic it was lovely. But I'm really tired right now, so I'm just gonna-"
"You're really tired already? But we were having such a stimulating conversation." He says with a smile. He leans in, and I try to lean away, but the wall is behind me, and before I can stop him, his lips are touching mine. At first it's light and soft, but slowly his passion emerges and then there's a stronger pressure. I don't kiss back, but I don't pull away. Then I hear the door open beside us. I pull away, and Simon is standing right beside us.
"What the hell?" He looks bewildered.
"What do you mean 'what the hell'? Have you never seen someone kissing before?" He doesn't even answer just stares at us with fury. I glance at Jace, and he also seems angry.
"In the future, Clarissa, it might be wise to mention that you already have a man in your bed, to avoid such tedious situations." Jace says.
"Hold up!" I say. "First off, Simon, I am allowed to kiss or make out with whomever I choose. You are not my mother, you do not control my life. And Jace, who ever said that I was going to invite you to into my room, let alone my bed? And you were the one that kissed me! How dare you get mad at me for letting Simon sleep in my bed? We were hanging out as friends. But I guess that I'm just not allowed to have other friend because all my attention should be devoted to you. And on that point, I'm so sick of you two picking on each other. I don't care if its jealousy or just men being testosterone driven, but frankly, I don't care. Now if you two don't mind, I am very tired, so I'm going to bed. If you wish to be pissy about what happened tonight, please do it in the morning." I turn to go. Jace begins, "But-"
I cut him off and reply harshly, "I said, Goodnight." With that I slam the door shut. I immediately flop onto my bed ready to take a long nap.
"That was a little harsh, don't you think?" I hear a voice say. I pry my eyes open and turn around. Good' old Captain Nemo is standing by the door. "They were getting on my nerves, and I'm very tired. I don't know if you've noticed, but I get very snappy when I'm tired." I tell him.
"I was under the impression you're always snappy." Nemo says. Normally I would have gone off on him too, but I'm feeling guilty about being so harsh to Jace and Simon so I just give him a weary smile.
"So are you dropping in on me for fun, or do you have some good news?" I ask.
He walks over toward the chair sitting in the corner across from the bed I'm sitting on. He sits down. "You looked like you could use a hand."
"Are you kidding?" I roll my eyes. "I could have used your help while we were fighting the vampires and werewolves." I yawn.
"Well, luckily you're almost to the climax. It happens tomorrow."
"Finally." I moan. "I'm getting antsy. So what is this 'big climax' anyhow?" I ask.
"You find the cup, that's one thing. Then there's this big confrontation with Valentine"
"That doesn't surprise me." I interrupt. "Sorry, continue."
"There isn't really much more. So far you've done a good job with laying low and avoiding the Editors. As long as you can make it safely through the ending, you should be able to safely jump to the next fanfiction."
"Which is?"
"I don't want to tell you."
"What?! Why not?"
"Um, I just want to leave it a surprise." I am so suspicious, but I just let it slide.
"Alright, whatever. So how do I get to this climax?"
"Oh right. So the cup is hidden within the tarot cards your mother painted for Dorothea. There's a rune that you can use that'll allow you to withdraw the cup from the card. It's really quite simple." I think about it for a moment.
"Ok. Anything else I should know about?"
"Nope. Oh wait! Madame Dorothea's a demon."
"Ok, well, yeah, that would be nice to know." This seems actually kind of simple.
"Great. Now, if you really don't mind, there's a good chance someone is listening, and in that case they probably think I'm crazy. And I'm also really tired, so if you could leave or jump or whatever you call it, that'd be great."
"Of course I don't mind. Every girl needs her beauty sleep. Especially right before the 'big climax'" He says mocking me. I would normally slap him, but I'm too tired, and also when I look back he's gone.
So I lay my head down and instantly fall asleep.