Disclaimer: I do not own The Mortal Instruments series. The beautiful Cassandra Clare does! I own nothing else that might be affiliated with other industries.
Fights
I huffed, my red hair flying everywhere as I threw pillows onto my new bed. I arranged them in a neat fashion that would rival even Jace and sat down; sweating already and I had only moved a few boxes and made a bed.
My room, as all, was very basic. It was all white with a small bathroom, fair sized closet, and a balcony. The furniture; which consisted of a dresser, a lounge chair, a bed, a desk, and a lamp, was all white.
Mom made me pick a room in a different hallway than Jace's, as if that would actually stopped us if we wanted to sleep together, but since she kept crying I didn't want to state the obvious truth.
"Sitting on the job I see." I jumped and looked over at Jace carrying two boxes in his arms. Curse his silent footsteps, I thought bitterly. "Get up, sweetheart; we have a lot more to bring in. Not to mention the unloading after that."
I sighed, "Alright." I stood up from the bed and was about to leave but Jace, having set down the boxes, pulled me back.
"Wait," Jace whispered sitting me on his lap at the bed. "I wanted to talk to you for a minute."
"I thought we weren't supposed to sit on the job." I muttered turning around to face him.
Jace grinned, "We aren't but I break rules."
"What did you want to talk to me about?"
"I just wanted to say that I was genuinely surprised that you are actually moving in."
"That's all you had to tell me?"
"No, I really only wanted to get you to sit on my lap for a second." Jace replied leaning forward to kiss me.
"Hey, hey, hey! Stop!" Luke's pleading voice entered the room, "Jace, Clary, please don't let Jocelyn see you doing that!"
"Sorry…" I mumbled and got up from the bed. Jace didn't look sorry at all as he laid contently on the bed.
"Yeah just be glad I caught you, come on let's get back to work!" Luke said placing the boxes he was holding on the desk. Jace and I nodded, heading back out to the car to grab more of my stuff.
Five hours and many tears and boxes later, Mom and Luke had gone home and I was unpacking the boxes which really only consisted of clothes, a few family pictures, drawing supplies, and some weapons I had stored at Luke's but somehow there was still ten boxes littered around the room.
Jace was sitting on the bed; claiming he was unloading boxes, but every time I looked over at him he was either lying down or he had gotten caught up in a picture.
"I really like this one." Jace announced after I emerged from my closet to get more clothes. He was holding up my sketchpad and on it was a picture of Jace and I in my bed at Amatis house after Jace told me he would love me forever.
"Me too." I nodded.
"You finally have a romance story." He muttered when I turned back around to put some shirts on hangers. There was a knock on the door followed by Alec opening the door.
"Hey, Clary," Alec greeted me, "Is Jace in here?" He asked from the doorway.
I nodded, "Yes, he is on the bed." I motioned for him to come in.
"Okay thanks," He replied walked into the room, "Jace can I talk to you in the hallway for a second?"
Jace nodded, "If this is another stunt you are trying pull to get me to kiss you I-"
"Jace." I said in warning.
"Alright, no need for mother Clary," Jace smiled, "I was joking Alec, sure I will talk to you in the hallway." Jace said to Alec, kissing my temple before he strolled out the door.
"Sorry about that." I whispered to Alec.
"It's okay, it's not your fault after all," Alec half smiled at me, "See you later."
"Bye." I replied getting back to my hanging up my shirts.
Jace was in the hallway with Alec for about five minutes until he walked back in the room, alone.
"Oh, good your back," I said relieved as I tried hopelessly to lift a box, "Will you give me a hand with this?" I asked.
Jace nodded and wordlessly picked the box up and placed it on my desk.
"Thanks. Now, would you mind helping me with-"
"Clary," He said effectively cutting me off, "Alec just told me that there is a group of Moloch Demons harassing Central Park. He said we need to get them immediately… we as in Alec and I." He added quickly, I knew he was trying not to show his excitement because it would scare me.
"Oh," I whispered nodding slowly then I walked over to him wrapping my arms around his neck and his encircled my waist, "Be careful?" I half commanded.
"I promise." He nodded staring into my eyes. I nodded hugging him tightly. "I promise." He whispered again kissing my hair.
I pulled away from the hug but kept him in my arms, "I love you."
"As I love you." Jace whispered, his golden eyes only showing sincerity.
"Well, get going; I don't want those fire shooting bastards to get too far." I smiled trying to joke, pulling my arms away from him.
Jace smiled, "I'll be back to kiss you goodnight." He kissed my forehead once before he ran back out the door. I took a deep breath watching the door from where he exited.
Jace is the best shadowhunter of his age, I thought while I tried to calm myself down. I knew he could handle a couple of Moloch Demons and with Alec by his side; they would get done quickly… Jace would be fine and so would Alec. So why was I worried to tears? Easy, I have never be in love with someone who has gone into battle… at least when I wasn't there.
"Don't worry, Clary," I muttered to myself as I kept working, "Jace promised he would be careful." I nodded to no one as I thought positive thoughts while I worked through the seemingly endless boxes.
The strobe lights at Pandemonium were on overdrive the next night as Jace and I walked into the club. I once again tried to readjusted my short black dress but I was having major issues; because if I pulled my dress up to cover my revealing cleavage it would show my 'down there' area and if I pulled my dress down to cover my 'down there' area my boobs would be exposed. This predicament along with my five inch heels Isabelle had fit me into; I could just tell this was going to be a bad night.
But, since the demons levels at Pandemonium were high, Jace had dragged me along and Isabelle through in the dress along with death trap of heels. Also did I mention that the thigh sheath that held a few knifes kept poking against me.
I linked my arm with Jace and held his hand tightly as we started to make our way through the crowd in the hopes of finding a table. Successfully, we did and sat down; my feet already sore.
"Did I mention that I love that dress, Clary?" Jace asked his golden eyes already darkening with lust.
"Only fifty times." I rolled my eyes.
"It is so sexy baby and it fits you perfectly." Jace replied, ignoring my comment, as he looked me up and down.
"Perfectly? It hardly covers anything!"
"What is your point?" Jace asked with hooded eyes while he ran one hand down my side.
I shivered but my frustration came back instantly, "My point is I am uncomfortable." I pouted crossing my arms over my chest.
Jace snapped his eyes back up to mine with a mischievous smirk on his lips, "Later I will make you feel so comfortable… and loved… and sexy… and-"
"Jace! You know the rules; now how many demons are here?" I asked looking over the dance floor as many dancers grinded against each other provocatively.
"One, but that doesn't mean he won't put up a fight," Jace said in my ear, "I rather hope he does put on a fight because maybe then I will be able to release some of my demons."
I shivered as his breath touched my ear but swatted at his chest, "Do you see him?" I asked pulling up the long gloves, Isabelle had also wrestled me into them too, but as much as I hated to admit it; they worked because the gloves hid my permanent runes nicely.
I didn't have any other runes on my body other than the permanent ones because… well, we have been over this; this dress doesn't cover anything. However, if I baited the demon and maybe threw a few knifes I would do fine. My permanent runes were really all I needed because, with my particularly excellence in throwing knifes, they complemented them completely; the eye all shadowhunters had, a soundless rune, healing rune, perfect timing, excellent balance, and love (Jace had an identical one on his wrist).
"There he is." Jace announced breaking my thoughts as he pointed across the room. I followed his point to a man with black hair with gold at the tips; he was surrounded by women dancing around his body. The man… the demon was paying no attention to them as he scanned the room for prettier prey. Interesting how everyone could see him. "Think you can get him?"
"Yes… I think I can." My voice came out unsure.
"You can, Clary." Jace stated. "Dance for me. Dance for me Clary, then once he sees you, lead him to the storage room, I will be in there and that is all you will have to do."
I nodded facing him again, "I'll dance for you."
Jace stared into my eyes for a long moment, "Be careful?"
"I promise." I nodded smiling slightly. As horrible as this situation was, this moment I loved the most, because I got to see a Jace that no one else got to see… a softer Jace that loved me with all his heart.
"I love you." Jace whispered bending down to kiss me. I retracted from his oncoming lips.
"Get off me," I pushed him back, "He might see us." I stood up and started walking over to the demon, in a way I hoped was sexy.
"That is something I have never heard before Clary is full of…" Jace's voice said before the blaring music cut him off from my hearing. Idly, I wondered what I was full of but that thought cut off as I was now standing in front of the demon, who was already watching me with a gleam of lust in its evil eyes.
I started simple, walking around him while I trailed a hand around his body; I walked around him to move the sluts away that were hogging him from me. I paid no attention to them as they threw curses at me; I knew I was saving their lives, if only they could see that. I stopped in front of the demon, grabbing his shirt and dipping low before I came back up my face landing an inch away from his. He smiled wickedly.
"Hey baby, what's your name?" He drawled out placing his hands on my swaying hips. I inwardly threw up.
"Clary," I whispered when my face came within inches of his again and my hair cascaded over us both before I whipped it back behind my head. He kissed my neck as I was leaning back. Disgusting. Jace, Jace think of Jace Clary, I yelled at myself in my head.
"That is a pretty name," He whispered against my neck I snapped my head back up to him "Would you like to take this somewhere more private?" He asked running his black eyes over my body.
"I know just the place." I said taking his hand and leading him to through the crowd to the storage room. "Is this glamorous enough for you?" I asked motioning to the outside of the door.
"I could honestly care less," The demon replied pushing the door open, grabbing me by the hips, and pushing me forcefully inside while his lips attacked my neck. I held in a groan in disgust. "You are beautiful… I am going to so enjoy ruining your life, but first-" He wound his hands around to the zipper on the back of my dress. That is not going to happen.
I trailed my hand down his chest, pretending I was enjoy it, and somehow got to one of my knives without him noticing. I pulled the knife up and cut his cheek, effectively stopping his hands and lips. He gasped in shock and sprang away from me, to the opposite wall.
"Shadowhunter I should have known." He hissed holding his cheek. I took this moment to thrown the knife at him, the knife hit his shirt and pinned him up against the wall. "You want to play games, do you baby, well let's play games."
"Actually," My heart quickened at that voice, "I would like to play a few games. I can assure you that they will not be fun for you but for me." Jace stepped out of the shadows, a seraph blade glowing in his hand.
"Wait, why are you doing this?" The demon looked panicked that I wasn't alone.
"Because you just tried to kill my girlfriend." Jace replied before throwing the demon painfully against the wall. "Start the rune, Clary." He ordered me.
Shadowhunters, I should have known from the start. That beautiful redhead had all the right moves; sexy dancing to get my attention, gloves to cover her runes, and she pulled me into a private place. She was as smart as I was dumb. My thoughts cut off when I grunted painfully as the blonde male kicked me in the stomach. This blonde one said that the redhead I think her name is Carly, was his girlfriend which meant that this was going to be fun.
"That is your girlfriend, is it?" I started simple; his response was punching me in the jaw. "Do you let her dance like that with just anyone, buddy?" This time the man hit me into the wall and kept me there. "Because if that pretty little thing was my girlfriend, I would keep her all to myself and smash her all day and night." This got me an actual response.
"I like the way you think, but unfortunately for you I have to kill you." The blonde held my hands as if they were handcuffed behind my back.
"I see, buddy, but unfortunately for you your girlfriend is a slut." I said matter-of-factly. This time kneed me in the groin and I went down.
"Clary happens to be the most caring, loving, kind person to walk this earth, buddy." He growled at me. Bingo.
"No 'caring, loving, kind person' has ever danced with me like that. Let me tell you something, it was so sexy and if you hadn't shown up I would be nailing her into this wall right now. " I whispered in his ear once I stood back up.
"But I did show up and you won't ever treat my Clary or any other girl like that again." He said furiously.
"Buddy, you get me don't you? I am a player a man-whore if you want and I'm sure you are one too, what with that pretty face-" I was cut off as he slammed my head into the wall once again, I spit out a mouthful of blood.
"I used to be but I found Clary and everything has changed." He spoke over my coughing.
"Ah, love is it?"
The blonde laughed low in his chest, "No, buddy, to love is to destroy." He said this but he sounded as if he didn't believe it like he was lying to me, he probably was this whole time. Suddenly, he hauled me up and pushed me through the door that redhead had disappeared through.
I saw her immediately; she had her back to us. She was working on something on the wall with a wand like figure in her hand and from that wand a dark line was formed and suddenly a strange beautiful marking was written in front of her. Oh, I thought bitterly, this one would have been a fun one to kill.
"Is it done?" The blonde asked still holding my hands in a handcuffed state.
"It's done." Her sweet voice replied, but she didn't look at us as she walked and sat down elegantly on a balustrade a little ways away from us.
The blonde suddenly turned me around and pushed me into the wall with the strange markings. I tried to get free or at least move my hand to catch the blood that was now pouring from my cheek. Stupid bitch. But I found that I could not move at all, not a bone in my body. The girl looked over casually and nodded before turning back to look over the city.
"Excellent." The blonde murmured looking me over, I realized suddenly that I hated his tone.
The blonde continued to punch and kick me while I stayed motionless. I decided to stare at the girlfriend and admire her beauty while I was being tortured; she had long curly red hair, legs that went on for miles, and her petite little waist was exactly what I wanted. She turned to us again after twenty minutes of torture.
"Finish him off, Jace. I'd like to go home." She glanced at me and the blonde-Jace- before turning back.
"Anything for you." Jace replied pulling out a dagger to give the final blow. I closed my eyes.
I rolled my eyes; Jace always had to have "fun" with the demons before he killed them. He was so like a child in so many ways; I would never tell him that, though, because it would destroy his ego, as a matter of fact maybe I will tell him that. I would never tell him that I thought it was wrong to torture and kill. Even if they were demons and weren't really 'alive' I still felt nasty and wrong for doing it.
"Finish him off, Jace. I'd like to go home." I said as a way to stop the demons pain and mine. I glanced over at the demon, trying to stay emotionless, as I took in his bruised and bloody face. I turned away quickly.
"Anything for you." Jace replied before he sunk his dagger into the demons chest and I knew it had started to fold in on itself and disappear. I turned back to Jace, who was walked towards me slowly with an odd expression on his lovely face.
"Must you always beat them before you kill them?" I asked, despite his expression. My voice quivering, my heart beating fast, and my instincts telling me to run as he walked towards me slowly.
Jace didn't respond, he seemed not to hear me, just as I was about to ask him again. He ran towards me in a blurry speed, Jace caught my face in his hands, and kissed me. A kiss that had me glued to him, my arms around his neck, my legs hooked around his waist, and my lips hungrily enjoying his. Jace pulled away to catch his breath.
"That was for the dancing." Jace panted, looking down at me with a smirk.
"Yay." I replied shakily before I dragged his lips back to mine. My hands wound into his hair and his encircled me, one on my butt which was 'to keep me up' he had claimed once and the other was at my zipper and he was pulling it down slowly. "Jace," I gasped breaking away from his lips, "Let's go home. Let's go to the Institute and break a rule." I whispered stroking his hair.
Jace smiled, "Do you mean it?" I barely got to nod before he jumped up on the roof of the building and started jumping, by rooftops, back to the Institute.
I woke the next morning from sun streaming in from the window and hitting my face just right. I rubbed my eyes, trying to get sleep to come back but it didn't. I sat up and looked around. I was naked in bed with Jace beside me; he was smirking at me and watching me with a loving expression.
"Good morning," I said laying back down and snuggling up to him, "Did you have a good night?"
"I had a great night." Jace smirked, looking over at me. "Did you?" I smiled at him.
"Yes, it was very memorable."
"Memorable? Memorable or the best night of your life?" Jace asked rolling to lay on top of me, supporting his weight by his elbows.
"I could ask you the same question."
"Ask." Jace replied kissing my nose lightly.
"Jace Lightwood was last night a memorable night or was it the best night of your life?" I asked formally.
"I wouldn't say best, but it was definitely my most memorable night. Would you say the same?"
"I would say the same." I leaned up to kiss him sweetly. "Get up, I need to go get dressed and see Simon at some point today."
"Well, that ruined my good mood." Jace muttered rolling off of me.
"I'm sorry," I kissed his cheek, "It's just, I haven't seen him in almost a week." I walked over to my dresser and started to pull out some clothes.
"I get it, Clary, I just don't like it." Jace sat up in the bed with anger in his features, he tried to cover it up with an annoying bored smile but I still saw it. I pulled on my clothes, workout clothes because I needed to run today, and turned back to him.
"Why don't you like it? Because you're not getting all the attention?" I asked, my anger starting to rise.
Jace turned to face me, "No, I am anger because you choose Simon over me."
"So you are jealous, then?" I tried to keep as calm as possible, "I don't choose Simon over you, Jace. Look at my life, I have sex with you, I fight demons with you, I train with you, I am in love with you, I moved in for you-"
"I knew it! I knew you didn't want to move in!" Jace announced pulling up his boxers and jeans.
"I do, I did, want to move in!" My voice rising on its own accord.
"Then why did you say you moved in for me?"
"Because you were sad and I thought it is what you wanted!"
"I want you to be comfortable! Your sixteen, Clary! No one moves out at sixteen!" He threw his hands up in exasperation.
"Maybe I should just move out then!" I yelled, saying things I knew I would regret later.
"Maybe you should!" Jace yelled throwing on his shirt before he looked back at me, his gold eyes blazing with anger.
"Get out! Get out of my room!" I pointed at the door.
"It won't be your room for very long!" Jace screamed as he stayed put.
"Your right let me have a few moments in here alone before I start to pack up all the boxes!"
"Anything for you, honey, anything for you." Jace said angrily as he stormed out from the room.
As soon as he left, a few angry tears rolled down my face I stopped them quickly though, in case he came back. I packed my sports bag, throwing anything I found that I might need in there such as; knives, my stele, my sketchpad and pencils, a water bottle, and my bathroom essentials because I would be running after all.
I then left my room, my bag thrown on my shoulder, and stormed angrily to the elevator silently hopping no one stopped me but of course Isabelle did.
"Clary?" She asked hesitantly walking alongside me, "Where are you going?"
"Out." I grunted.
"Where?"
"I don't know yet."
"Listen, I heard about your fight with Jace and I know you don't want to talk about it-"
"Good, because I don't." I pushed the elevator button.
"Clary, please don't move out." This plea made me stop and turn to face her.
"Why not?" I asked trying to rid my voice of anger.
"Because we need you, I have come to like you Clary, you are my best friend." Isabelle muttered staring at the ground. I knew this was probably just an act to prevent me from leaving, but I still fell for it.
"Isabelle," I whispered placing a hand on her tall shoulder shocked that she called me her best friend, "I'll be back later; I just need to clear my head."
Isabelle nodded pulling her head up to look at me, "A package came for you, in the mail."
"It will be here when I get back." I replied as the elevator beeped, announcing its arrival and I stepped back into it.
"Please come back."
"I will."
"Promise me."
"I promise Isabelle Lightwood, that I will come back."
Isabelle looked satisfied, "Thank you, Clary…. You really are my best friend, my only friend really." She smiled at me. I smiled back, not getting a chance to say anything as the elevator doors shut with a loud bang.
Once I stepped out of the Institute, I just kept walking figuring I would find out where I was going on the way. I couldn't go home for two reasons one, my mom would tell me I told you so and demand I come home, two because I actually did need to run today and going home wouldn't help that much. I could go to the local gym, put some glamour on and sneak in the back, but I bet that a moving treadmill without anyone on it would scare some gym people. My final decision was to go to my old high school's track and field area, because I actually did miss my high school and I needed a place to run.
So, I found myself on the track of my old high school, dashing around the field several times. I knew I had run well over two miles when I saw a dark haired lean figure leaning over the gates. Simon. I scurried over to Simon and threw a hug on him.
"Hi Simon!" I said excitedly, still panting from the running.
"Hey, you stink." Simon replied holding his nose.
"Thanks a lot;" I rolled my eyes, "I'm sorry I haven't seen you in five days."
Simon's eyes narrowed, "Yeah why haven't you? I was beginning to think you fell off the side of the Earth."
"Don't be ridiculous, the Earth is round."
Simon rolled his eyes with a smile, "Still, where have you been?"
I was suddenly nervous to tell him about my new living arrangements, "Well Jace and I have been fighting a lot of demons, and I, uh, moved into the Institute."
Simon didn't seem shocked or angry, "Yeah, Isabelle told me. Did you and Jace have a fight?"
Yes, I thought. "No." I replied shortly, I knew I was the worst liar in the world but maybe Simon would leave me alone if I didn't want to talk about it.
"Liar, I can tell you did. What about? Do you want to talk about it?"
"No." I repeated.
Simon stared at me for a long moment, "Alright fine, I want you to meet someone." He said looking behind himself.
"You have another girlfriend!" I gasped in shock.
Simon chuckled, "No I broke up with Isabelle and Maia."
"You broke up with Isabelle and Maia," I asked incredulously, honestly fearing for his safety. I felt guilty about treating Isabelle poorly before I came here, I suddenly realized why she had said I was her best friend.
"Yep." Simon looked proud of himself.
"Okay, you clearly have a death wish." I said jumping over the waist high fence and walking over to the bleachers where I left my sports bag. I picked up my water and drank some of it, faintly noticing a blonde haired figure on the highest row and farthest he could be away from me on the stands. I rolled my eyes; I guess I knew he would follow me.
"I'm already dead." Simon's voice brought my attention back to him. He walked over to where I was standing and sat down on the end of the metal bleachers. He smiled at me.
"Well this time you will actually be dead," I told him Simon raised his eyebrows, daring me to continue, "You know in a coffin… not waking up…gone forever."
Simon laughed, "You don't think they would actually kill me do you?"
I gave him another incredulous look, "Are you serious? You have Maia, a werewolf, who is supposed to hate vampires and you have Isabelle who kills things for a living, including demons, shadowhunters gone bad, and… oh yeah vampires."
"The bad vampires! Clary, look at this face," Simon pointed to himself, "I am all good… and as for Maia she is supposed to, she doesn't hate me."
"She might now." I muttered zipping up my bag and hoisting it on my shoulder.
"Simmy!" An annoying high pitched voice yelled from behind us. I turned around to see a woman running towards us in a short skirt that didn't hit mid thigh, a sleeveless shirt to match the blue skirt, her dirty blonde hair high on her head secured in a pony tail, and pale white shoes. A cheerleader. Not a cheerleader the cheerleader, the queen bee cheerleader.
"Stephanie Jones?" I asked incredulously.
"That's my lady." Simon said, ignoring me, as he jumped off the bleachers to meet her. I glanced up at the blonde haired figure at the top of the bleachers again, his face now looking at the oncoming person, and followed Simon. Stephanie and Simon hugged in greeting.
"Stephanie, I want you to meet someone," Simon said when I came up, "my best friend, Clary Fray." Simon motioned to me.
We shook hands glaring at each other, "Your best friend is a girl?"
"Simon, you are dating the girl that dumped spaghetti in your locker." I asked still glaring at the girl.
"Yes and yes." Simon nodded placing one hand on each of our shoulders, smart man because we could end up attacking each other. "Clary I have but the past behind me and Stephanie, Clary has been my best friend for ten years you will have to deal with that."
Stephanie huffed and then put on a smile, "Simon tells me you have a boyfriend?"
I glanced towards the bleachers; the blonde man was now leaning over the railing, looking down at us, still on the highest row, "Yes."
"Great," Stephanie nodded, "Maybe we could double some time."
I glanced at Simon before responding, wondering if he had told her to say this, but Stephanie seemed genuinely nice, "Maybe." I replied.
"Okay, well it is nice to meet you, Clary," Stephanie hugged me, "I hope we can be friends."
I hesitantly put my arms around her back, "Sure, me too." I muttered lamely as I caught a whiff of her vanilla perfume. Yuck. Stephanie let go of me.
"Well, I'll see you later Simon," She kissed his cheek, "I have cheer practice. Bye Clary." She smiled at me kindly before running onto the field.
"Bye." I stared after her in shock.
"See, she is nice after all, isn't she?" Simon asked once she was out of hearing range.
I nodded still staring after her, "Almost too nice."
I could almost see Simon rolling his eyes, "You are very observant now? Is that because you've gone all badass shadowhunter?"
"Maybe." I smiled over at him.
"Well, I have to go," Simon replied suddenly looking back at the school, "fifth period is math and you know how I love math." Simon's voice was ridden with sarcasm.
"Okay, what were you doing out here anyway?" I asked.
Simon shrugged, "It was lunch and I didn't want to buy a lunch just to not eat it… again."
I nodded thoughtfully, "That is understandable."
"See you later, Clary." Simon hugged me and I hugged him back.
"Bye." I whispered. "I'll see you sometime this week."
"I'll take you up on that." Simon winked at me before running, at human speed of course, back into the school. I sighed, I honestly did miss Simon but I didn't want to make trouble between Jace and I. Speaking of Jace, I looked back up into the bleachers at the blonde, he was still leaning over the railing but once he saw me looking at him he sat back down on the top of the bleachers.
I rolled my eyes, forgetting about my anger, and started walking up the bleachers to him.
"You know," I said once I reached him, "You could have given us a little privacy."
Jace looked up at me with a smile, "No I couldn't."
"What did you think I was going to do? Run away with him; kiss him feverishly in the moonlight?" I asked standing in front of him on the row below.
Jace smirked, wrapping his arms around my waist to bring me forward, "The only one you will be kissing in the moonlight is me." He growled playfully.
I smiled wrapping my arms around his neck, I was taller than him as he was sitting down and had pulled me in a standing position, to stand between his legs. "Listen Jace, about our fight-"
"Say no more, love, I forgive you."
"You forgive me?"
"Yes, there is no need for an apology." Jace smirked, knowing I hated it when he did this sort of thing.
"There is an apology needed right now," I whispered placing my forehead on his.
"What are you apologizing for?" Jace asked, playing dumb. I rolled my eyes as I pulled out of his arms and started walking back down the bleachers. "Alright, alright, I'm sorry." Jace said scurrying after me and caught me on one of the last five rows of bleachers, his hands on my shoulders.
I smiled up at him, "I forgive you… mostly."
"Mostly?" Jace smirked.
"Yes, mostly." I nodded wrapping my arms around his waist as I hugged him. "I missed you. I don't like it when we fight like that."
"I don't either," Jace replied pulling me closer to him, "I missed you too, no matter how short you were gone."
"I love you, Jace. Always." I said looking up at him, but kept him close.
"I love you too, per sempre e sempre." Jace whispered in Italian, staring into my eyes. Forever and ever, is what he said as I recognized it. Jace leant down to kiss me quickly but passionately. I was surprised when he pulled away so quickly and started to descend the rest of the way down the bleachers.
I stood in shock for a few seconds, "Jace-"
"What?" He asked looking up at me innocently from the ground he laughed at my expression, "We need to get home, the box that came for you keeps on barking."
"Box that came for me, what?" I asked confused, "Oh yeah, the package Isabelle mentioned, barking? Is there a dog in it?"
"I would guess that, yes." Jace held out a hand for me, "But I suggest we get home quickly before there is a dead dog in it." I nodded; half running down the bleachers and taking his hand and we walked quickly back to the Institute, my home.
Jace and I walked into the dining room, where the now open box was on a table. Isabelle and Alec were standing around the box, open mouthed in shock.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Jace said, "That box said Clary on it, not Isabelle and Alec."
"Its… it's… it's a…" Alec stuttered still staring at the box. I suddenly became frightened.
"What… what is it?" I asked hurriedly, running up to the box. Inside was a sleeping German shepherd puppy however as soon as I touched the box, it woke up and rushed over to me wagging its tail and licking my hands, Jace came over to pet it, and Alec and Isabelle both gasped when it walked straight over to me. I smiled at the dog. "It's just a puppy."
"No, Clary," Isabelle said slowly staring at the puppy in its excited state, "That is a Metamorphosi."
"That is impossible!" Jace yelled suddenly lurching his hand away from the puppy and pulling mine away as well.
"What is a Metamorphosi?" I asked looking over at Isabelle. I didn't get an answer because the puppy suddenly glowed blue before its whole body started to change and suddenly in a second it was a brown haired ferret, it jumped, catching my arm and running up it, as it settled itself on my shoulder, rubbing its head against my jaw in a loving matter. I gasped in shock, along with everyone else.
"It chose you." Jace whispered staring at the ferret.
"What is a Metamorphosi?" I repeated more anxiously, wondering if I should throw the ferret off my shoulder.
"There are only five in existence." Alec said. "So, they are incredibly rare, I have never seen one neither has mom or dad or their parents."
"So are they dangerous?" I asked staring at Alec who was staring back at me.
He hesitated, "No particularly, a Metamorphosi, Clary, is an animal who is said to be touched by an angel; they can turn into any animal alive… some even not alive."
"So it could turn into any animal it wanted to right now?"
"Well, not exactly," Alec stuttered, "from what I have read they have to see the animal to create it… but I have also read the Metamorphosi can see a skeleton of a… pterodactyl, and recreate it."
I was stunned, who would send me this? Why? What had I done to deserve such a creature?
Jace spoke next, "The Metamorphosi can recreate the skeleton, but they have to imagine in their minds what the animal actually looks like."
"Who sent me this?" I asked urgently.
Isabelle handed me a card, "It was from the last will of Madeline Bellefleur."
That was the last person I would have guessed, "Wow."
"Yes, wow indeed." Jace muttered touching the ferret's head lightly. It started to glow against his hand and was suddenly a small beautiful bird on my shoulder; it flew over our heads for a minute before landing on my outstretched arm, my arm that was holding the card.
"Did Madeline have one?" I asked to no one in particular.
"We don't know," Alec said after a moment's hesitation, "Isabelle and I were trying to figure that out when you walked in."
"I don't see why it chose me." I whispered as I hesitantly stroked the bird.
"Perhaps," Jace said, "Because it realized you have angel blood in you as well."
"But you have angel blood in you," I whispered not looking up at him but still staring at the tiny bird, "well more than usual, so why didn't it choose you?"
"Do you not want it?" Jace asked, I looked at up at him. Did I want it?
Alec ignored Jace, "Clary, the bond between Shadowhunter and Metamorphosi is very strong."
"How so?" I asked slowly looking away from Jace to Alec.
"Well, for example, again this is only what I have read in legend books," Alec embedded, "I have read that when the owner of a Metamorphosi dies, that would be you Clary; I have read that the Metamorphosi will die as well."
"I see." I muttered looking back down at the bird.
"Of course," Alec said quickly, "there are others as well. For example, when you most need it, it is said that the Metamorphosi will find you and save you. In a way, they are kind of like a Parabatai for animal to human." Alec, I could tell, was trying to give me examples that wouldn't freak me out. I admired this about him.
"Thank you, Alec." I said before I could stop myself.
Alec looked mildly shocked but he nodded, "Sure."
"I guess I will have to buy several different foods to please it," I thought out loud, "Or, in your readings, did you see that it would only stick to one kind of food."
Alec smiled at my bad joke, "No, it would seem that you will have to buy every animal food that is turns into."
I smiled back at him, "Well, I guess I saw that coming." I grinned down at the small bird.
Isabelle walked forward hesitantly and touched the bird lightly, "Welcome to the family." She smiled at it, "What are you going to name it?" She asked me.
I hadn't thought of that, "I don't know."
"Name it Mr. Master of Metamorphosis." Jace suggested happily.
"I'll keep that in mind," I rolled my eyes. The bird started to glow again, Isabelle retracted her hand with a light squeal, and the bird jumped off my arm and was suddenly a jaguar in front of me. I couldn't help my involuntary step back of shock. The jaguar rubbed its head against my hand and I crouched down to kneel in front of it. I ran my hand over its spotted head for a moment. "What should we name you?"
The jaguar looked at me in curiosity. Isabelle bent down beside me and stroked its back.
"How about Bane, Zachary, or Nate?" Alec asked looking down at the animal fondly.
"Zbigniew?" Jace asked I looked up at him, where did he come up with these names? "What? It is a common Polish name."
"What about Max?" Isabelle suggested quietly. We all turned to look at her. "This Metamorphosi is one of a kind, it is a blessing that we have even gotten to see one much less keep it, and so I think Max is a perfect name." Isabelle muttered staring at the jaguar as she sniffed.
"Max is perfect." I whispered Isabelle smiled at me; I turned to the jaguar, "Do you like that name? Would you like to be called Max?" I asked it. The jaguar growled in delight and made a move as if to nod. I smiled at it. "Max it is, then."
A/N: Thanks for reading! Sorry it is so long! I had a lot to put into this chapter!