Chapter 21: Finally! New Year's Eve begins. Creepy Jonathan is going to really work Clary and Jace is going to be really worried about her.
I do not own any of the characters, only the illustrious Cassandra Clare owns them. I do, however, own this particular story, so please don't be lame and copy/paste it elsewhere.
Previously: "She should feel quite safe from now on… Until Sebastian decides to come back and reintroduce himself…myself, to Clarissa."
Jonathan knocked on the door to Clary's apartment. His heart was racing and he swallowed nervously. I feel like a teenage boy picking up his girl for prom. Calm your shit, Morgenstern. The door opened and Izzy stood there smiling at him. She wore a large, long fluffy blue robe, with full glamor makeup and an elaborate up-hair do. "Come in, Jonathan. Clary's almost ready." Jonathan bowed his head and walked through the door, removing his coat and hanging it in the closet. "Good evening, Isabelle. You must be leaving later than us, I assume…although you do look wonderful in blue terry…"
Izzy laughed with Jonathan as he winked at her. "Yes, yes. Simon's picking me up in an hour. You look very dashing, Jonathan! Black on black tux, huh..very 007. Clary's going to have the second hottest date tonight. Have a seat…Clary will be out soon." He smiled and thanked her. He liked Isabelle Lightwood…perhaps he would take her off of his Destroy List. She looked down at his hand and raised her eyebrows. She pointed to where he held a large flat velvet box. "Uh…what's that Jonathan?" Jonathan smiled at Izzy and opened the box. Izzy's eyes widened and her mouth fell open. He leaned forward and whispered in her ear. Izzy pulled back and put her hand over her heart, nodded, and hurried to Clary's room. That was easy.
Clary put the finishing gloss on her light plum stained lips, blotted and sat back from her vanity mirror. She smoothed her hand down the side of her sleek hair. It had taken the stylist almost an hour to tame all of her curls then style it into long silken waves with a center part. It hung loose down her bare back. Izzy had outdone herself again. Clary's makeup was flawless. She had gold dust eyeshadow with winged eyeliner that made her eyes look like two giant emeralds. She had insisted that Izzy minimize the foundation to leave her freckles out. For my mom. Her makeup coordinated perfectly with her champagne-gold silk gown. It was strapless with hidden stays and built-in support bra that made her cleavage look amazing, but still classy. It was form fitting through the bodice and waist, then draped her hips to the floor, with a long side slit for her left leg to peek through…"old Hollywood", according to Izzy. Clary bent down and fastened the ankle strap of her gold and rhinestone high heeled sandals. Standing up she walked over to her full length mirror. I love it so much. I wish Jace were here. She snapped a selfie in the mirror and texted it to Jace.
Izzy walked up behind her with a big smile on her face and tears in her eyes. "Oh sweetie, you look stunning. You look so much like your mom. I know she'd be so proud of how brave you are… going out to this party dressed like a fucking golden glamazon, representing her charity. One big middle finger to everything and everyone that's been trying to hold you back… and girl…your rack looks fucking perfect. You are my favorite bitch, Clary Fray."
Clary turned around and hugged Izzy tightly. "Izzy. That's the sweetest thing you've ever said to me. I love you so much, doll. Thank you for talking me into going. As usual, you know best… I'm not going to hide at home. Fuck that! I'm going to have fun with most of my people. Except Jace and Alec… You're my favorite bitch too!"
Clary jumped when there was a light knock at her bedroom door. Izzy's face lit up. "Oh I forgot! Jonathan's here and he has something for you. Is it ok if I let him in?" Clary looked confused but shrugged her shoulders in agreement. I wonder what she means? Has what for me? Clary turned back to her mirror as Izzy went to open her door.
Clary's bedroom door opened and Izzy smiled and gestured for him to come in. Her phone buzzed in her hand and she read a text as he started to walk into Clary's room. Her bedroom. I'm actually going to be in Clarissa's bedroom. Jonathan craned his neck to try and see Clary around Izzy.
Izzy exclaimed, "Oh! Simon's on his way. I have to get dressed…why is he coming early? Men! Sorry Jonathan…" she hurried out of the room as Jonathan stepped back into the hallway to allow her a path.
Jonathan gripped the velvet box in his hand and walked into Clary's room. His breath caught in his throat and his eyes widened when she turned around to face him. Her long hair fanned around her in soft, silken waves, before settling behind her. She was a vision…an absolute goddess in golden silk. Her gown hugged her body, tastefully displaying her cleavage, and her left leg peeked out of a daring side slit. Her gorgeous toned thigh begged to be squeezed and stroked. And wrapped around my waist. Jonathan took a deep breath and swallowed before getting his bearings. "Clarissa, love. You look absolutely beautiful." A queen. She is my queen.
She smiled sweetly and blushed as she walked up to him and leaned in for a friendly embrace. He leaned down and brushed her bare back with his hands and squeezed her gently, as she brushed his cheek with a quick kiss. She smells amazing…coconut hair and floral perfume. I want to lick her. "Thank you so much, Jon. You're the sweetest. You look very handsome tonight. I mean damn. You know, it's not too late to get a real date. You could snag any girl you want in that tux." Clary looked him up and down and blushed again. I'm with exactly who I want to be with…Two blushes for me? I'm getting to her. Time for a tease… "Clarissa! Goodness, you are actually almost 5'3 with those heels! You almost reach my chest now— ow!" Clary pinched Jonathan's arm through his jacket and looked up at him annoyed, then smiled. "Here I thought we had such a good thing going, Jon. I let you take me to the gala of the year and you don't make short jokes…" she sighed dramatically. She has a mean streak. That's hot.
Jonathan took a deep breath and stepped closer to her. He looked down into her beautiful green eyes and smiled. Why am I nervous? "Clarissa, I have a very special gift for you. May we sit?" Clary smiled and shrugged, gesturing over to her made bed. Oh fuck. Keep it together. She led him over and they sat down. Her perfume smells so good.
Jonathan turned to face her. "I told my father that we would be attending tonight's gala together to support Jocelyn's charity. He was pleased to hear that. He had this air-freighted in from our family vault in Idris… as a surprise. It— it was your mother's…it's a Fairchild heirloom…now it's yours." Shit. Stop stammering! He slid the box onto Clary's lap and moved closer to her, their knees touched. Clary swallowed an unreadable look on her face. Jonathan reached out and rested his hand on her cheek. "Open it, love." She looked up at him and nodded.
Clary wrapped her hands around the box. It belonged to my mother? She opened it and gasped. Inside the box was a sparkling diamond and emerald necklace in a vintage Cartier box. It was exquisite with twelve octagonal-cut emeralds and twin European-cut diamond spacers set in gold. With it was a pair of coordinating drop emerald and diamond earrings of the same cut. Jonathan stared at Clary's own emerald eyes as they glistened with tears. "Oh Jonathan I can't accept this. It's too much…I mean they're exquisite, really…but…"
Jonathan cut her off by taking the box from her and pulling her off the bed and in front of her full length mirror. "Look at yourself. You're exquisite Clarissa. Accept that." His hands gently massaged her shoulders and slid down her arms. "You are a Fairchild woman of Idris. The last. These jewels belonged to your Grandmother Adele, then your mother…accept them. Be who you were meant to be." She shivered involuntarily and nodded. He hummed deep in his throat. She could hear him opening the box. What is he doing? Clary looked at his reflection behind her. He looked back at her, his eyes were darker somehow. Clary bit her lip nervously and his eyes darted to her mouth in the mirror. He wants me. Just like in the elevator. Stop it Jon.
Jonathan stepped forward, close behind her, took a deep breath, and circled the necklace around her neck beneath her hair. He leaned his head down to her and murmured. "Accept it, Clarissa. They're yours. It's part of your birthright, love." Clasping it, he left his hands high on her shoulders near her neck. Clarissa looked at her reflection. The heavy, glorious necklace rested atop of her collarbones and glittered in the light, the emeralds complimenting her green eyes and gold gown. His thumbs caressed up and down the sides of her neck and Clary felt her lower abdomen clench with kindling desire. Stop it.
Clary blushed furiously, stepped away from him, and laughed nervously. She took the matching earrings Jonathan held out to her and put them on. "Okay, Jon. You win…I'll bedeck myself in my mom's heirloom jewels—" Jonathan shot her a commanding look as he arched an eyebrow at her. She shivered again. He's so dominant. Like Jace... I certainly have a type. Clary stopped suddenly and furrowed her brow…a creepy sense of deja vu tickling her mind. Pandemonium. Dancing…arms holding her tight. Too tight. 'I certainly have a type'…weird.
She shook her head and laughed. "Fine. I'll wear my jewels… happy?" He nodded and smiled down at her, taking her hand. "Yes, Clarissa. I am also famished. Shall we head to dinner? There, I have another surprise for you."
Jonathan held the door for Clary while they walked down the steps towards the limo. Nice— is that fucking Axel Mortmain? Valentine's man-bitch? It was indeed Axel. Ew. He held the car door open, staring intensely at her, looking her up and down. He smirked at her and pursed his lips, as if they shared a secret. Clary leaned closer to Jonathan. Never going to happen creep. Jonathan stopped and glared at Axel. "Mortmain, I shall help Miss Fray into the car. You may wait for us in the driver's compartment. Axel dropped all expression from his face, nodded, and went to the front of the limo. Jonathan helped Clary into the car and they rode off to dinner.
Dinner, to Clary's delight, was a private seating at Domo House, an exclusive Japanese restaurant in Manhattan. JOnathan's surprise was that their meals were prepared by the world famous sushi chef, Master Takada. They sat at a small, intimate table and chatted and joked with each other and Chef Takada, as the Master prepared delicious plates of sashimi, nigiri, and maki. The waiter was kind enough to take several pictures of the couple together and with Master Takada on Jonathan's phone. They were served hot sake and Jonathan made sure Clary's cup was never empty and kept her laughing…and pleasantly buzzed. They toasted to new friendship, Master Takada, her parents, Jonathan's green Aston Martin, Baby Yoda, kittens, and new adventures. By the time dinner was through, Clary had a happy belly and they both had a good, solid buzz. I'm having so much fun, Clary thought, as they arrived at Pandemonium for Magnus' New Year's Eve then felt a pang of guilt. I wonder what Jace is up to? I wish he was here.
Jace ducked under the police tape of the crime scene, exiting out to the hall. He disposed of his rubber gloves and shoe covers in the waste receptacle and squatted down on his knees. He placed the palms of his hands over his eyes. Goddammit! Fucking sick… Alec stood across from the apartment door, deep in discussion with one of the CSI team.
They'd found Kaelie, Seelie, and that Sebastian fucker in the apartment. All three were dead in the living room. They had been lined up, bound with their hands behind their backs, and shot execution style, through the back of the head. It appeared to be a gang or drug-related hit, which made sense since Sebastian had been moving-in on a lot of old established territory. Whoever killed them had interrupted some kind of drug-fueled role playing threesome. There were bottles of booze, pills, cocaine, an instant camera and sex toys on the coffee table. Jace had nearly puked when he saw what sort of sex games the freaks were playing. It seems they were all about Clary. These people were some sick fucks.
Kaelie had a red curly wig on and red robe, just like the one Jace kept at his place for Clary. Seelie was wearing a black latex catsuit like Clary's Halloween costume and had her bright red hair teased big and curly. Sebastian Verlac, of Quebec, Canada, according to the ID in the deadman's wallet, was dressed all in black, with his fly open. He was a very tall, athletic guy with black hair and a black beard, which jibed with what Jace remembered of him. What sickened Jace was the video montage playing in a loop projected on the wall of Clary and him having sex in each of their apartments, over the past two months. When they arrived on the scene, Alec had angrily turned it off and bagged the projector as evidence. He terrorized the policeman that were first on the scene for leaving it on for Jace to see.
Jace took a deep breath and raked a hand through his hair. The apartment was located directly across from Clary's. You could see her bedroom window from Sebastian's master bedroom. At least he assumed it was the bastard's apartment. There were binoculars on a table by the window, along with a few laptops, burner phones, a bottle of lotion, tissues, and a large velvet box full of perverted keepsakes. The fucker had been watching his girl and jacking-off. So glad you're dead. The box contained multiple pairs of bras, thongs, panties, hair ties, and coconut body lotion. Jace recognized most of them as Clary's…and so many pictures.
There were surveillance photos of Clary jogging at the park, walking in and out of the art center, at museums, shopping with Izzy, at Takis's with Jace, walking with Jonathan. Jace shivered. He could have taken her anytime. Clary's missing photo from Christmas was also in the box. Jace's face had been stabbed out of the picture, with only Clary with her lips pursed, waiting for his kiss beneath the mistletoe. The last item Jace found as he rummaged through the box had made his blood run cold. It was the crumpled up remains of his Halloween name tag that read "Hello My Name is Sexprotz". Jace assumed Sebastian had taken it when they fought that night. Alec had even found the freak's wool coat Halloween costume in the back of his closet. Jace remembered grabbing him by that coat and jerking him off of Clary that night. So it really is Sebastian. He really is dead...
Everything had been bagged and labeled for evidence. The CSI team had done a thorough job and it seemed like the case would be closed on Sebastian Verlac's attack and stalking of Clary. Since Jace was obviously involved in the case, per his relationship with Clary and the videos, he was sure Starkweather would take the case and hand it off to other detectives.
Alec walked up to Jace and sat down on the floor next to him. "You know we're going to get pulled from this case, right? Conflict of interest bullshit…" Alec sighed, and wiped his hand over his face and looked at Jace. "I'll talk to Starkweather and make sure he gives it to someone good…professional. You know, because of the videos." Jace nodded at Alec and stood up. Jace groaned. Great…more dicks will see the videos of the woman I love. How am I going to prepare Clary for this? They would both be questioned. She would find out everything he kept from her…to protect her. Fuck. She is going to freak.