Hellloo everyone, thank you so much for the reviews and PMs! I honestly wasn't expecting any until the 2nd or 3rd chapters so thank you very very much! I greatly appreciate your input! Please let me know what you think about this next chapter. What you liked, disliked, wish to see more of..etc
Disclaimer: I do not own TMI, all credit goes to the brilliant Cassandra Clare.
Without further ado, I give you, Chapter 2 :)
It had been nearly two weeks since Valentine and his men had left the lively streets of Manhattan. The trip to Newport should have taken 4 days, a week at most, but Valentine was a paranoid son of a bitch and demanded to stop every few hundred miles to rest and regroup as well as check all the surrounding street camera's for signs of SD-13. For most of the trip, Clary had been sandwiched in-between Ivan and Markus, two of her father's most trusted men; however, once they reached Oregon, Valentine had dispatched them both to drive ahead and check for any signs of SD-13, leaving the entire backseat to Clary's leisure.
Currently, the fiery young girl was stretched across all three seats of the black sedan, gazing out the side window as the heavily wooded forest area flashed by. Music blasted from both headphones, drowning out her reality. For awhile she sang along quietly but resorted to just bobbing her head back and forth once she noticed the sound bothered Valentine. Turning her attention back out the window, her hands itched to be holding a pencil or even just a crayon to capture the fascinating scenery. She could already see the image clearly in her mind.
All too soon she felt the car begin pulling to a stop and she knew that they were nearly to the Newport Estate. She lifted her head, sitting up in the seat and gazing out at what was to be her new home. It was one of the more modest properties Valentine had opted for. He knew they needed to stay under the radar so buying another mansion was out of the question. However, this house was by no means stood a full four stories in height with dark cherry wood covering most of the surface. Large bay windows took up huge gaps of space, giving Valentine a good view of the street and neighboring houses.
But other than the architectural layout, Clary had noticed the extra security measures her father had spared no expense on. Camera's covered every inch of the perimeter. Sniper rifles as well as a watch tower with 24/7 guards were positioned the roof. Thankfully, Valentine had been smart enough to know how to disguise these drastic measures from the public, but Clary noticed. She had seen enough houses of his to pick out the subtle oddities.
As they pulled to a stop at the front door, two men in black combat gear jogged out to the car, opening the backseat and passenger side doors. "Welcome home Sir, it is an honor to finally make your acquaintance. We hope you find these accommodations up to your standards" The taller one said. He looked to be about 20, probably a new recruit. She shook her head slightly at how messed up his world was about to get. 'Good luck dimwit' Clary thought silently to herself.
Valentine nodded to the man as he stepped out of the sedan, looking back to where Clary had emerged as well. "Come along Clarissa, I'm sure Leveanna is already here and waiting for you" he said curtly, motioning for her to follow him. Clary's ears perked up hearing that Leveanna would be here. The woman was a badass makeup artist and stylist. She was also one of the only woman Clary had interacted with in all her years with Valentine. "Go upstairs. Leveanna will be waiting in your room. I'm sure I can trust you to find it on your own?" Valentine continued as they entered in to the foyer. Clary nodded quickly before running up the long balustrades and down the hallway. "DON'T RUN IN THE HOUSE YOUNG LADY!" Her fathers voice echoed off the hallways as she neared the 3rd floor.
"Clary! Oh you poor child what on earth is it you have in those marvelous curls of yours? Why are they black!?" Leveanna shrieked, her thick british accent coming out more heavily as she ran over to where Clary had just walked into the room. Clary smiled to herself at the eccentric woman. Every time she saw Leveanna she was wearing a wildly different yet bizarrely similar ensemble. Today she sported an 80s look with electric blue parachute pants, a yellow leopard print tank top overlaid by a coral three-quarter length sleeved blazer, a pair of blue star-shaped dangle earrings, three black and yellow bangles, and finally, coral pumps. It was almost blinding.
"Valentine made me dye it temporarily while we were on the road so the satellite camera's didn't get an images of us." she sighed, plopping down on the nearest chair. It was so soft and plush, she almost drifted off to sleep right there. "Just get me back to normal please!" the girl sighed, dramatically draping a slender arm over her face. Leveanna nodded, needing no further permission to get started. She immediately gathered the tangled mass of frizzy curls and began working them out.
— Time Lapse—
Four hours of hair brushing, washing, blow drying, styling, and spraying later and Leveanna had successfully transformed Clary's greasy, cheaply-dyed, frizz ball matt into sleek and smooth crimson locks. She stood back to admire her handiwork, tapping a long freshly manicured, pink fingernail against the cream-colored vanity. "I must admit, I wasn't sure how it would turn out but I guess I'm just that good" the woman marveled excitedly.
Turning around to look in the mirror, Clary smiled wide. Her large emerald eyes popped against the natural deep red tint of her hair. "As always Leveanna, you are the best!" she laughed jumping up to hug her.
"Anytime da'ling! Now, I must be on my way but I did restock your closet with some new things!" she winked "Your father really let me loose with that black card of his, oh! And don't forget to use that serum I gave you for your hair EVERY NIGHT okay?! It'll keep the frizzes at bay. OH! And don't forget what I always tell you: NO WEARING TWO DIFFERENT ANIMAL PRINTS AT ONCE! Okay baby girl, love you, good luck at your new school tomorrow, toodles!" Clary laughed at the whirlwind that was the infamous Leveanna DeMarquis. She talked a mile a minute but was the closest thing Clary ever had to a mother figure.
"Bye Leveanna" Clary whispered as the woman rushed out and slammed the door. Turning back to her room, Clary inspected the furnishings that Valentine had ordered. They much resembled her room back in New York with a few exceptions here and there. She had a large bathroom as well as a walk in closet that could have been a second bedroom if they needed it. A queen size cream four-poster bed sat against the wall in the center of the room with sheer swaths of violet material running down the sides. At the end of the bed a large cream chest with gold plating sat with all of her favorite art utensils. In the corner of the room a vanity and mirror set had been assembled so she could do her makeup…or cover up unwanted marks. By the door there was a small table with a flower arrangement of purple tulips, a landline phone, and a candle. Simple, but elegant. Just the way she liked it.
Clary had been rummaging through her closet when Valentine barged in, "Clarissa!" he said, more as a statement than a question.
"Yes Valentine?" she said popping her head out from behind the closet door.
"I'm sending Ivan and Markus with you to go grocery shopping. Get enough food for yourself and the men." he said placing his card and a list of items on the table. "And don't just get junk food, understand?" she nodded whilst slipping on a pair of navy blue flats. "Alright. Be home before dark." with that, her father turned and walked out the door. Almost a second later, two knocks sounded outside her door "Miss Morgenstern,we are waiting outside whenever you are ready." came Ivan's deep tenor voice. "Just a minute! And it's Fray now, remember?" she called, grabbing her jacket and purse before rushing out the door.
The car ride to Safeway Supermarket was barely a few minutes, she could have walked there if she wanted. "Do you really have to flank me on either side like I'm a prisoner?" she asked as the suited protectors jumped out of the car and walked next to her side by side.
"Sorry Miss, Valentine's orders" Markus apologized as they walked through the automatic sliding doors. Clary shrugged her shoulders, scowling a bit before reaching in her pocket and grabbing the list her father had given to them. "Alright first things first, coffee" she said turning down one of the isles.
— Time Lapse—
Forty-Five minutes later and they had filled an entire cart to the brim almost. You'd think she was stocking up for the apocalypse by the amount of food they were buying. Ivan had gone off to pick out some alcohol from the other side of the store, leaving Clary with Markus who walked lazily behind her a few feet. "Okay looks like all we have left is peanut butter and that cookie butter spread you all- oof!" she exclaimed as her body collided with something solid…solid and warm? She looked up, making eye contact with the most beautiful human she had ever laid eyes on. He was tall, taller even than Ivan, and he had perfectly tousled blonde curls along with golden eyes. his body was perfectly sculpted with rock solid muscles. She stood motionless with her mouth slightly agape.
"Careful there Red, you might hurt someone" the boy smirked, bending down to pick up the list she had dropped.
"Oh, um..yeah sorry about that" she stuttered, snapping out of the trance and back to reality. Now flustered, Clary jumped back a few feet.
"Are you feeding an army or something?" the boy joked, motioning towards the overflowing cart.
"Umm.. yeah something like that" she laughed awkwardly, fiddling with bracelet on her wrist. "Look, I'm so sorry about-"
"Throwing yourself at me? Nah don't worry about it babe, happens all the time" he winked
Clary wrinkled her nose, she definitely did not like this guy. Any sort of attraction she held for the boy ended when he opened his egotistical mouth. "No, you prick. Actually I was going to say running into you but, whatever" she rolled her eyes, annoyed. He chuckled at her response, shrugging his shoulders as to mean 'whatever you say'
It looked like he was about to say something but then Ivan returned with his arms full of wine and other assorted alcohols. "Markus, did you get the last few things?" he snapped, placing the bottles of wine and alcohol into the cart. "Oh, um yeah we're good" Markus replied, oblivious to the interaction that had been taking place between Clary and the stranger. The boy looked at Clary then to the men in suits in confusion. What the fuck was this girl doing with these two?
"Miss Fray if you are done, we should be heading back to the estate. Your father will be looking for you" Ivan stated, motioning for her to follow them. Clary nodded her head, following the men before stealing one last glance at the golden boy. He was still staring, probably wondering who in the hell she was.
"Um..bye I guess.." she said quickly. "Until next time" the boy replied, flashing her a cocky grin. Next time? He didn't actually expect to see her again did he? She nodded slowly, before turning around and heading towards the cashiers stand.
"Miss Fray, must I remind you the importance of not speaking to strangers?" Ivan remarked matter-of-factly. Clary hated when he got all up in her face when she slipped up. "I'm sorry, I guess next time I railroad someone on accident I will just shove past them without a word. Would you like that Ivan? Hm?" she spat annoyed.
Once they paid for their stuff, the trio walked out to the car. Markus opened the backseat door, helping her hop into the car before going around to help Ivan load the trunk. Clary buckled her seatbelt and leaned against the window, waiting for them to finish and go home. As she watch two water droplets racing down the window her attention shifted to the front door where golden boy himself emerged with his own set of bags. He walked up to a grey BMW and threw the bags in the trunk. Jumping out of the passenger seat was a girl around Clary's age. She had long black hair and the most striking features Clary had ever seen. She was gorgeous. Clary watched as the girl yelled some obscenities at him before jumping on his back playfully. He chuckled, swinging her around and throwing her in the passenger seat. "Get in there you deranged psychopath" she heard him yell jokingly. They were obviously of some close relation. Watching the two interact brought up the feelings of longing for a normal life, a normal childhood. To have siblings. Before she knew it a tear had escaped and spilled over her eyelids. "Miss Fray are you alright?" Ivan's voice filled the car. When had they gotten in?
"Yes.." she replied, swiftly wiping the tear from her cheek. "Just had something in my eye" she sniffed, turning her head back towards the window.
"..Alright, your father called. He wants us to stop and pick up some school supplies before heading back to the house." Clary nodded her head silently, not trusting her voice at the moment. As they peeled out of the parking lot, she stole one last glance at the boy when they passed by. She could have sworn he was looking right at her.
Yaayyy she met Jace..sorta. :P R&R and tell me what you thought about their little introduction? I'll update as soon as I can :)
