Chapter 6
When Jace left, Simon said. "He's not much of a hugger. I tried earlier." Clary just smiled.
Then she started to clean the kitchen. "I wasn't expecting to have company over today."
Something moved in the living room that caught Simon's eye.
Clary turned on the water in the kitchen while Simon stepped into the living room to investigate. The curtains were closed. The couch was covered in clothes and books. The floor was littered with projects and paint supplies. The place was truly a mess.
Simon heard it this time, the sound of feet scuffling on the wooden floor, behind the couch. Maybe she got a cat? "Clary." He hollered, "When did you get a cat?"
Simon quietly made his way around the couch in order to not frighten the animal. All he saw was a little black ball. Simon moved closer " That's not a-" and then the black thing jumped at him. "ah!" He put his arms out to protect himself and the thing bit him. It was clinging onto Simon by its teeth, chomping on one of his hands. Simon was running in place and swinging his arm trying to get it off.
"I don't have a cat." Clary said curiously. "What's wrong, did you see a spider or something? I heard you scream all the way over here." Simon looked at her and then looked at the thing. It was an ugly looking thing. Like a mix between a monkey and a gremlin, it smelled of baby oil; and she couldn't see it. He tucked it underneath his arm.
"Yeah, it was gross. Stop keeping house pets here Fray." He said trying to act cool. Clary just shook her head and went back into the kitchen.
When she walked away, Simon lifted his hand up again with the creature still being attached. "Let go of me or I'll have no choice but to make you." Simon hissed at it. It's little pebble eyes looked up at him. "I don't know how you got in here, but you need to leave."
It made a whining noise. "What was that? I couldn't hear you because you still have my hand in your mouth." The thing let go and once its feet hit the floor, it ran off into the darkest corner of the room and disappeared through the wall.
Simon stretched out his hand looking at the teeth imprint. The irony of a vampire being bit by something else. "Did you find that spider? I don't really want one running around you know." Clary said from the kitchen.
"Yeah, I got it. Don't you have school today?"
Clary cursed and fled into her room. She came out with her school stuff. "What would I do without you? I can hear the teacher now. Why were you late today? Oh I don't know, I wanted to clean my apartment. "
"Just sit in the back, they won't care. It's college." Simon shrugged. "They are pretty relaxed about attendance."
"Says the guy who has never taken a class."
"I'm taking the back road of life." Said Simon, as he looked around the room again for the mysterious creature before following her outside.
~! !~
Alec sat still outside. He was taking notes when he heard something. Suddenly, Alec threw his body to the right as Jace flew over the bench right where his shoulder had been. "You clearly need a new attack approach." Alec said wryly. "I do have two kids. One with magical powers, you know you're going to have to step it up." He said closing his book.
"Round two?" Jace said wiggling his eyebrows.
Alec squinted at him. "You seem… different. Where were you last night? Wait. Don't answer that."
"If you spar with me, I'll give you a hint." Jace said, crouching, low to the ground.
Alec picked up his bag. "It's too much effort and we're on a time limit here. I can only guess. Come on." Alec evaluated Jace within the first few seconds he saw him. From his bed head, his return of his cocky attitude, and the lack of his necklace. Somehow between the events of last night, and now, Jace had gone to see Clary. Whether Alec thought it was a good idea or not, it wasn't really any of his business to say.
They headed into an old abandoned building. Alec was in the lead. He was the council leader in New York between the downwolders. They needed a bigger place than Magnus's apartment to meet. When they reached the main room Alec told his brother to find a seat before moving to the front tables to meet Magnus and Maia. "Any good news?" Alec murmured to Magnus.
"You look pretty hot today. Is that the new jacket I got you?" Magnus loved to get Alec flustered.
"You know it is, and you know that's not what I meant. Where's Katie?"
The Vampire member popped up beside them. "Present. I was socializing with the group in the back. They are ready when you are." She piped up as she took her seat on the other side of Alec.
They followed her lead. The room before them became silent. "During the attack last night we lost friends. Fey and vampire alike." Magnus said. Katie spoke up and announced the six who were gone and the four who were still unaccounted for. "The demons we encountered were bigger with wings. This brand of demons ranged from Manhattan all the way to Queens. Which only suggests the horde can move quickly or they are making this place their new home."
An uproar from the crowd went out. Alec raised his hand. "The shadowhunters have added extra security. There are more of us spread out, looking for their nest. We won't stop until the streets are safe again. Until then, try to stay indoors." He nodded to Maia.
Maia stood up. "However, there are ways to help. For those of you who want to be in a search party please let your represent know. It will be easier if we have more groups. If you find any clues at where they like to hide, now is the time to speak up." A blue haired fey raised her hand. She was sitting up in the front. Her hair was pulled up in a bun. Her outfit was a simple purple maxi skirt and black tank top. "Yes?" Maia said
"I was once lost and taken. They took over our place in the rocky mountains and dropped me off at the highest point in mount Elbert. With my magic I was able to survive until Lord Brockerson saved me. They don't like fire." She stated. "They like tall places. They eat off of magic. They know our weaknesses. It's why they didn't take any werewolves. The moon wasn't right to activate it. They slaughtered the vampires and stolen the fey. We need to go out and track them now if we plan on bringing them home."
"Let them die." Said someone in the back. A few chuckled in agreement when Alec slammed his palm on the table. "You forget that not all are under the queen's service. We protect those in our community. If you don't like it, you're free to leave Joane." The vampire sat still. Alec looked down at the fey. "Where is this Lord you speak of?"
~! !~
Clary snuck into the back of class. Everything was making her jumpy, even shadows from the edge of her vision. "I was wondering if you were going to show up or not." Brock said from in front of her. He was once again in a big sweat shirt with a logo she didn't recognize. He ripped off his notes and handed them to her.
"Thanks." She said as she traded him for her latest copy of her artwork for him to critique. She wasn't going to fail the class if her life depended on it, this was her life. He told her he didn't mind looking over her projects before she turned them in to double check it. It's what friends are for.
When he gave back her artwork she quickly scanned his notes.
1. Do you like drawing crazy creatures? What is that a tribe of pixies?
2. I fail to find this scene scary enough for a Halloween theme.
3. Oh they have human bones on their dresses. Never mind.
4. I like the texture you used for the background
5. Lighten up Clarissa, it's a great piece. I apologize for leaving you last night.
Clary bent low to tell him. "Things aren't always what they seem, if cute fairies can be dark, people can have a dark side too."
"Well hopefully people don't try to kill other people to make clothes. That just sounds wrong." He visibly shivered and laid his head down in his hand. Knowing he was forgiven.