CHAPTER FOUR
Nora's feet slammed into the floor of Amatis's house, pain expanding around the edges of her toes. Everyone else was already standing, looking around in some degree of awe.
Nora straightened up. The house was small and humble, the only decorations being a few dusty pictures on the mantel. Nora swiped one fingertip through the film. It showed a picture of a laughing woman and Luke, both grinning at the camera.
"That was Amatis." Isabelle had come up to stand behind her- the corners of Nora's mother's mouth were hard. "And then she was forced to drink from the Infernal Cup." Her already-black eyes darkened and she looked away.
"She was beautiful," Nora murmured.
"She had a lot of problems," Isabelle muttered. She handed Nora her suitcase. "Here. Your clothes, your gear... you should go get unpacked. We'll be telling the Clave tomorrow, when there's a Clave Meeting."
"Oh. Thanks." Nora would be grateful to change out of these clothes- the fibers of the arm of her T-shirt were stiff with dried blood from where Lucy sliced her. Isabelle noticed and whirled around, her eyes flashing with alarm and worry. "Nora!" She grabbed her daughter's arm. "What happened? Are you hurt? Did you get attacked?"
"No..." Nora glanced at Benjamin over her mother's shoulder- he was looking sheepish. He stepped up to Isabelle, clearing his throat. "We were training, and Lucy's claws caught Nora... it's okay, she put on several iratzes, she seems fine."
"Yeah. What he said." Nora pulled away from Isabelle's grasp. Isabelle nodded curtly.
"Right. Well, put on some more iratzes. And you should go get unpacked," Isabelle instructed. Nora pursed her lips together. "Fine." She was eager to get away from Isabelle and up the stairs, ducking into one of the spare rooms. Benjamin followed her, leaning against the door.
"Is Isabelle... uptight about something?" Benjamin asked, scrubbing one hand through his hair and making it stick up in silky plumes. Nora unzipped her suitcase and examined the zipper.
"No..." she fumbled for words. "She's just... worried. About all of this. I don't really think that she wanted me to the become a Shadowhunter and have to experience all that she and her friends experienced..."
"Like getting stuck in Edom?" The corners of Benjamin's lips twitched.
"Yeah." Nora looked down into her suitcase and pressed her fingertips into her temples- she was starting to get a headache. "And with this faerie stuff on top of it..." Nora rubbed her hands over her face.
Then, Benjamin did something completely unexpected- he gently placed one hand on Nora's back. His fingertips were warm, and he shifted his hand, touching her chin with one fingertip, making her lock eyes with him. Nora felt her breath freeze in her chest.
"If the stupid Clave can't figure this out, then we can," Benjamin said. "Okay?" His eyes were dark.
Nora couldn't do anything but nod. "Okay," she said.