Calling All Shadowhunters (TMI Roleplay)

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace:

All confidence fled with seeing him and I turned quickly, pulling at the doorknob, trying to get out - away from him. I heard a deep sigh from behind me and I whirled to see him walking down the aisle, his expression sorrowful.

"It's locked from the outside," Jason murmured. I backed against the door, wanting as much space between us as possible. It did not escape my notice that his gaze drifted from my face and followed the curve of my gown, surveying me from head to foot. I shuddered and tired to slow my breathing.

"Heather." Hearing my name from him made me bite my lip - hard. He said my name with sadness and a touch of longing...he was such a wonderful actor. "Will you not look at me?" he added, coming to a stop only metres away from me.

I shook my head and fixed my gaze on the vaulted ceiling. Traitor. Betrayer. Judas. Brutus. Turncoat. Spy. Double agent. Heartbreaker. I repeated the names over and over again in my head as the silence stretched and neither of us made a move to speak, nor engage in anything beside a competition of wills.

"Will you not sit?" he suddenly asked. I had turned my head aside, and I quickly glanced at the chair he had indicated. "My fath- umm...we will have company soon and I would prefer it if you at least made an attempt to be civil-"
My patience broke. "Civil?" I whispered, shaking my head at the pure absurdity of the situation. "You...you! are asking me to be civil?" He flinched but made not attempt to redeem himself. That made me madder.

"You have no grasp of the notions, the concepts, of dignity, loyalty, civility or love. You are nothing but a mound of clay that has been moulded by a man more twisted than the Devil himself! You are a tool in both senses of the word!" I paused and drew breath. "And I swear on the Angel I wish I had never met you."

There. I had said it. The secret wish that had grown and blossomed whilst I had sat in that filthy cell. Jason stared hard at me, before throwing up his hands and stalking back to his throne. I watched him go, feeling sick. That outburst had drained me emotionally. I could only imagine how I would feel once his father came.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace:

Minutes later, a slam sounded from somewhere in the place and there was a sliver of muffled conversation before I heard the steady pace of footsteps heading nearer and the halting by the door. Jason glanced up and his eyes met mine across the expanse of the room and I knew at once that his father was on the other side. I slipped away from the door and made my way to the middle of the room, just as the door was flung open.

Jonathan Morgenstern was an oddity - an evil oddity, practically radiating creepiness from his ruddy curls to his red-lipped smile. Pale skin stretched over high cheekbones, long musician's fingers that were decked in rings and eyes like coals in the embers of a dying fire - his youth made him seem all the stranger, for even in his formal garb Jonathan Morgenstern looked hardly older than his son.

"Ah." He drew in a breath and his gaze was like a brand...I felt exposed, dirty. The click of his shoe heels against the marble were loud in the vast silence as he made his way down the central aisle, towards me. He paused after a few steps and raised an eyebrow.

"Viola gets more talented every day," he said jovially, as if I were a guest at a tea party and he was the hospitable host...more like the Mad Hatter. "Did you like the feast I had set out for you?"
I kept my expression cool and said, passionlessly, "I would not know - I didn't touch a morsel."

Jaw tightened. His lips pushed out as he ran his tongue over his teeth, his brow furrowed, his look caught between anger and confusion. "Why ever not?" he asked, his voice deadly in its softness.

I shrugged lightly. "Your tastes do not suit me." Take that, you bastard, I thought inwardly. Strike one for Lovelace!
His jaw muscle ticked. "I see. Well," he added, smirking cruelly. "You seemed to enjoy my son's company for quite a while and he is my greatest pride - I shall have to find something suited to your...tastes, then, shan't I?"

Strike one for Morgenstern. I barely managed to conceal a wince at his mention of Jason and straightened, saying with a fake sigh, "Can we get this over with, please? I have a charming hovel of a cell to get back to and rain water droplets to count."

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace:

Jonathan barely reacts, stalking past me and heading straight for the twin thrones. He takes a seat, though I am quick to notice that Jason stiffens as he does so. "I would not want to keep you long from your...hovel...so I will be brief." Jonathan presses the tips of his fingers together and surveys me over them, like a butterfly he has pinned to a case. "I need you."

I raise an eyebrow. "That is the worse pick-up line I have ever had the misfortune to hear," I blurt out. And, surprisingly, he laughs. Satan's Spawn laughs and throws his head back, his laugh turning into a chuckle as he nudges his stiff son.

"My dear boy," he says smiling. "You never told me she was quite this...entertaining!" Jason's face is expressionless and he stares ahead of him like none of this is before him. Jonathan doesn't seem to mind though, and turns back to me.

"No, my dear girl - I meant it in a broad sense. I need you to be what you were meant to be. Strong. Determined. Beautiful." I hold back the urge to shudder as he gives me a once-over.

"All you need to do for me is to tell me where and how you got that interesting rune on your arm."

[Claire]

London Wayland

I collapsed in a couch in the library, Xavier pacing in front of me. My conversation with the Clave hadn't quite gone as I expected, and the whole thing had drained me.

"Why wouldn't they believe you?" Xavier huffed.

I sighed "I'm a woman. They never wanted me in charge, but Kyle never wanted the job. Plus, it really does seem unlikely doesn't it. Would you really blame them for being skeptical?"

He huffed again "Just for being a woman. I swear..."

I put my hand up to stop him "Just leave it Xavier. At least they are sending someone"

"Yes, in a week! What if..." he trailed off slowly.

"Then we shall go ourselves. Let's go round everyone up"

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace:

I blinked slowly, playing for time. "You mean the Soundless Rune? I got that one from Kyle." I put on a mock frown and pretended to ponder on the depth of the event. "Something about me having a motor mouth, but apparently the rune only works on moving quietly. Shame."

A muscle worked in Jonathan's jaw and he gripped the sides of his throne tightly. "The other rune!"
"The Speed Rune?" I gestured to the side of my neck.
Jonathan exhaled. "The other other one."
"Strength? Deflect? Sight?" I pointed to each one that sat along my exposed collarbone.

Jonathan was on his feet and before I could object, he had gripped my arm and had tugged my sleeve further down, exposing the rune that Liam had given me. "This one!" he seethed, throwing me backwards so I stumbled and nearly tripped over the length of my dress. I righted myself and backed away from him, but he didn't pursue me. Instead his eyes seemed to grow darker, like endless pits in his pale face.

"How did you get it?" he asked, voice deathly quiet. "Who gave it to you?"
"Didn't your lap dog tell you?" I said, feigning shock. I tutted at Jason, who was sitting with the same stoic expression he'd been wearing since his father had entered the room. "Shame on you, Jason! Don't you know when Daddy asks you to betray someone you should do it thoroughly ?"

Jonathan pressed his fingers to his temples before yelling out something in a language I didn't bother to identify. The doors behind us flew open and a young man strode into the room.

"Lucas," Jonathan said, suddenly composed. The guy bowed low and I rolled my eyes. God, what a bore. Jonathan's narrowed dangerously; he'd seen the eye roll. Well boo hoo, dude - build a bridge and get over it, I say! "Take this...young woman...to the amphitheatre."

"Amphitheatre?" I repeated, as the young man - who up close had grey eyes, and was wearing an unreadable expression - lightly clasped my arm. But I wasn't fooled. He'd break my arm the second I tried to escape; I could feel the tension and coiled energy in his arm.

"Yes." Jonathan's smiled was cruel. "It's time to see what you can really do, my dear. I've heard great things about you - pray don't disappoint me."

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace:

I was escorted by Mr Silent Lucas down a labyrinth of corridors - each one the mirror of the previous, all stone and wrought-iron with the only thing making one differ from the other being the addition of a table, a clock, a candle holder or once I glimpsed a plaque that carried the head of a wolf.

Delightful.

"You must be brilliant at charades," I said spitefully to Silent Dude, who stared straight ahead like a wax statue with moveable limbs. He made no motion to indicate he had heard me, but continued to pull me along. "Shall we play a round to pass the time?"

No response. "Yeah, you have a point. Not enough players, although I suspect that Jonathan could give you a run for your money. He really has the whole 'jaw-twitching-red-face' thing down pat."

Again, no response. "You really are good at this!" I exclaimed, jerking my head so a stray blonde curl moved out of my face. "Is that apart of the job description? 'Tall, silent and good at charades.' Yes, I can imagine the job interview quite vividly."

There was a brief silence and then a low melodious voice came from the statue beside me.

"Do you ever shut up?"

His tone was mild, like we were two acquaintances in a sunny Victorian England setting, walking through the park discussing the weather, with me carrying a parasol and his grip on my arm one of friendly concern.

I sniffed and tried to tug my arm out of his grip, to no avail. I was really starting to miss the potency of my rune. "You have appalling manners," I said, glaring at him. "Though that seems to be a common theme here. Shut up? Why would I?! Talking seems to be the only thing I haven't had taken away from me."

His was silent once more and I sighed in exasperation. Then, he surprised me again by saying, "You can fight."
I raised an eyebrow. "Well I am a Shadowhunter, so, uh, yes."
He shook his dark hair out of his face. "No, I did not phrase that quite right. I meant that you can fight - fight well."
"How would you know?"
"I do not," he replied, calmly. "It is just that I imagine that someone that is on close terms with Jason would be the kind who knew their weapons and could do well in a fight."

I sucked in a breath, reining in my temper. "Listen, Oh Wise One - and listen closely. Firstly, 'close terms' implies that there is actually some kind of relationship or bond between that arsehole and myself. Which there isn't. And secondly, why you would assume that that meant I would fight well? What - that's like apart of his criteria? 'A girl who can kick ass, in case I ever lead her on, let her be abducted by my evil father and then she's forced to fight for her life'. Real nice."

To his credit, Silent One remained calm. A trait that was beginning to bug me, though I couldn't pinpoint why. "My apologies. I am sure, however, that you are very good at fighting regardless of whom you associate with. And as for Jason..." He trailed off, looking guarded all of a sudden. "You may judge him too quickly."

"I have had a lengthy period in which to judge him," I snapped, tossing my head. "And I think the conclusion I reached is perfectly fine."

[Melissa]

Lucy Morgenstern

Before she knew what she was doing Lucy had lunged at the woman, stopping just short of her when the chains length came to an end."Tut, tut. So violent. You're so much like the other one, no class at all." The woman grabbed Lucy's chin, examining her face. "I do at least have something to work with here." Lucy jerked away and was overcome with nausea.

Ben was growling from his place on the floor, Lucy suspected he was still recovering from the drugs. "What other one?" Lucy asked. The woman ignored her and clucked like a chicken, "come in here and unchain her, how am I supposed to make her presentable like this?" Two men came in the door unlocked the chains attached to Lucy. The woman immediately grabbed her and marched her out of the room and through a maze of hallways.

They stopped and entered a bathroom that was bare except for a bathtub, which was full of steaming and sudsy water. "What about Ben, nothing will happen to him right?" Lucy asked the woman, concerned that they would hurt Ben while she wasn't there. Barbie chuckled, "don't worry deary, you're little pet will be just fine.... For now."

That did little to settle Lucy's nerves, but there wasn't much she could do in her current state. "Why do I have to be," Lucy gritted her teeth, "presentable?" Barbie looked at her like she was a simpleton, "why so you can have dinner with your uncle of course."

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace:

"Pick a weapon, if you please," Silent One said, gesturing to a rack of weapons. He had escorted me into what seemed like an antechamber, which had only two doors - the one we had entered through, and one that was silver-lined and was located at the end of the room. He stood sentinel at the first door, with his arms crossed over his broad chest.

I stood in the centre of the room, wearing a silly dress.

"I can't fight in this!" I protested, gesturing to my outfit. Silent One shrugged.
"I have no instructions from the master indicating otherwise."
I gaped at him, not believing this. "There is no way - no way - I am fighting whatever is on the other side of that door in a dress . I highly doubt that whatever it is can be seduced to death!"

Silent One blinked his grey eyes twice. "I doubt you have a choice."
"I do." I crossed my arms and actually sat - right in the middle of the room, on the cold marble floor. "I'm not moving."

He sighed, like I was a stray cat he had the misfortune of dealing with. "I do not wish to use brute force to get you to move, but if I have to, I will."
"I'm not moving," I replied. Maybe I was acting childish, but hell - after everything, I had a right to sulk!
"You have no choice."
"Everyone has a choice."
"Yes," he said. "And you have two - get up, pick a weapon and go through that door voluntarily, or , I will force you to do all three against your will."

I stared hard at him and he stared unabashedly back. I was testing the waters, waiting to see a hint of insincerity in his gaze, but he was balanced, collected and irritatingly calm, like he babysat abducted girls everyday. And who knows - maybe he did. I had no qualms that he would do what he promised, so I huffed and got up, smoothing my skirts and lifting my chin.

"You should be ashamed of yourself," I muttered, as I crossed to the wall and went about selecting a weapon.
"Why so?" was the calm reply from the door.
"Because...you are under the employ of an evil man, and doing evil things."
"Evil is subjective."

I shook my head and weighed a knife in my hand, my back to him. It was a little too light, so I replaced it and ran my finger along the row, looking for the perfect weapon. "No it isn't. The lines are sharp, definite. It's when we begin to lose out way that everything becomes subjective."

"I am not lost." Was I imagining the defensive note that had crept into his voice?
"That is a matter of opinion, don't you think?" I replied and finally found a wicked sharp knife, with a design of curling vines on the hilt. In a split second I whirled, letting the knife fly from my hand.

In less than a second, Lucas had grabbed the knife by its hilt, crossed the room, and was holding the knife to my neck. But he didn't look angry...no. He looked pleased. He'd been expecting me to do that, I could tell. I blew out an irritated breath; struggling against his iron grip on my neck and waist. He pressed me harder against the wall, his face so close, I could make out a small scar at the corner of his right eyebrow.

"Do that again," he murmured, "and I am afraid that I will not be pleased." He released me and gave a mock bow, holding out the knife. I wasn't fooled by his supposed 'relaxed' pose; his muscled were tense and I knew if I were to attack again, without the power of my rune, it would be useless. So I snatched the knife off him and - grabbing a belt off the rack - secured the belt around my waist and slid the knife into a sheath.

"Now," he said, leading me over to the door at the end of the room. He turned to face me, grey eyes cool and as smooth as the surface of a frozen lake in winter. "You will go in and you will fight whatever is on the other side. Word of advice: ignore the audience. They will do their best to distract you."

"Word of advice," I replied, taking a step towards him, glad to see that upon doing so his eyes widened slightly in surprise. "If I do survive this, I will not forget your hand in all of this. And if I see you again I will end you."

"Is that a promise?" It was my turn to be surprised when the corner of his mouth turned up.
"No. That is a bluntly relayed threat."
He nodded as if I had said something wise, and then brought a silver key out of his pocket and inserted into the keyhole of the door. He spared me a single glance before he twisted it and then pulled the door open.

"Good luck," he said, pushing me inside. I turned back to him and raised an eyebrow.
"I don't do luck."

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace:

I drew in a breath as the door closed behind me and turned to see a long corridor constructed of some kind of black polished stone that looked like liquid darkness due to the candles that sat in brackets along the walls, sending waves of flickering light along the passageway.

I walked slowly along, glancing down at my dress, and wishing once more that I didn't have to fight in it. This was all for the sick entertainment of Jonathan Morgenstern; the mundane equivalent of trapping an beetle in a jar and then filling it up with water and screwing on the lid. I was trapped, with no way out. And I knew it. He knew it.

It was so psychopathic when you stopped to think about it.

The corridor ended with - wow, what a shock - another door. I had to hand it to the guy; whoever had renovated this place really knew their 'Dark Lord lair' stuff. I gingerly pushed the door open and it swung easily.

Huh. I guess there was no ramming down doors in the foreseeable future.

I started to pick up the muffled sound of yelling and generally a loud, meaningless glob of noise that mixed and churned so that all I could hear was a continuous roar. The sound was hollow as I stepped through the door and into a smaller corridor; the walls vibrating with the noise. I swallowed, closed my eyes, took a breath and kept walking.

There was no turning back.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace:

It was an arena. Wide, and with a floor of grey stone and high walls, it was foreboding and radiated cold - making me feel trapped. I tried the door handle of the door I'd come through but it was locked from the inside. There was no turning back - even if I'd wanted to.

Then I looked up.

All around the ceiling were opera-like seats. And in the seats were what I believed were Jonathan's 'minions'. All appeared to be human, though I sensed that these weren't mundanes, nor Shaodwhunters. Their expression ranged from curious and bored to malevolent and excited. They knew something was about to happen.

And in a special box in the centre of the seating area, sat - like something out of a Roman gladiator movie - Jonathan Morgenstern...beside him, was Jason and on his other side, Lucas. Both guys were looking down into the arena, whereas their master sipped at a glass of what looked like wine.

But I wouldn't be surprised if it was blood.

Jonathan's gaze flickered from his glass to me, and I shuddered slightly. I was in so much trouble. Then he opened his mouth and called out for silence; those seated complying with a speed that left me stunned. He had them well trained, to be sure.

"Miss Lovelace," he called down, smiling like a Santa at Christmastime. Except I had always found Santa freaky, to be honest. And picturing Jonathan as Santa was too scarring anyway. He set down his glass and pressed his fingers together. "Today, here - right now - you will have the chance to prove your worth. To show all of us assembled-" He waved a hand at the crowd "-exactly what makes you so...special."

"Enough talk. Jason." I focused on my hands and did not look up. Jonathan's voice was steel mixed with poison. "Jason, please do the honours of releasing the opponent."

I looked up at that...Jason's eyes meeting mine. How our lives had changed since the other day; how different he looked, all in black, his cheekbones pronounced and so much of a mirror image of the man who sat beside him. He nodded smartly and got to his feet walking to the front of the box; his hand hovering over a button I hadn't noticed before.

"Let the fight...begin!" Jonathan nodded at his son and Jason pressed the button. The crowd began to murmur and the men leaned forward in their seats. What were they expecting? I backed myself into a corner of the arena, whipping out my knife and holding it before me, eyes frantically scanning the empty arena.

Then I heard it. The hiss of doors and the wall of the arena opposite me lifted - smoke billowing out in waves. I squinted into the haze, trying to see what I was meant to fight, my heart pounding and my hands shaking. How would I fare against an opponent without my rune fully operating?

And then..."Shit. Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit!" I whispered, eyes widening, my heart jumping up into my throat, stealing the breath from my lungs and the words from my lips.

A demon walked into the arena and threw back its head...letting out an ear-splitting roar, surrounded by an inferno that seared my skin and made my eyes water.


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[Claire]

London Wayland

I stood in front of the kitchen table where Sara, Carter and Xavier where looking at me. My knee's were feeling like jelly and I was unsure what to say, but I had to be strong.

"Jonathon Morgenstern has Heather trapped at the old plantation. I have spoken to the Clave but they aren't going to help. We need to go get Heather now, before it is too late"

Everyone immediately stood but I raised my hand, causing them to stop.
"We are still unsure of Lucy and Ben's whereabouts but we will just deal with one problem at a time. Make sure you have everything you need to give it your best fight. Oh and one last thing... Do not trust Jason, he is our traitor"

There was a small gasp from Sara, but then she and Carter ran off to gear up. Since I was already in gear, Xavier and I walked into the hall to wait for the others.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace:

I executed a quick roll to the left as the demon breathed out a stream of fire where I had previously been standing, gobsmacked. I tried to control my breathing...thinking hard. What did I know?

1. There was a fire-breathing demon before me
2. The demon liked fire...alot
3. I was trapped. No way out. At all. Unless I developed Spiderman powers anytime soon
4. Jason was a two-faced ****** bastard
5. This was a fight to the death - yay
6. I didn't have a fire extinguisher within a ten metre radius, which sucked
7. I was wearing a freaking dress. Good luck fighting in that, Heather!
8. I had a knife. Yep - knife vs tonne of demonic energy and fire! What are the odds?!
9. This demon wasn't friendly
10. I need to get the hell out there or win. Neither was seeming possible at the present time

So I took a stab at flipping the odds of #8 and took out my knife, holding it before me and eyeing the demon warily. Where wasn't it protected by fire?

My eyes scanned its huge frame...halting at the unprotected belly - the only part of the demon that didn't look like a shield of lava plates had fixed themselves to its body.

[Melissa]

Lucy Morgenstern

Lucy's blood had gone ice cold. She stared at the center of the ring, trying to block out the sight before her. Heather was facing off with a lesser demon, and not even any lesser demon it was the lesser demon. The one that had given her her scar. The one that had almost killed her. The one that had killed Liam. Lucy's chest heaved, debating whether or not she should jump off the balcony where she stood watching with Sebastian, Barbie, and miscellaneous henchmen and fight through the crowd and try to help Heather.

Lucy looked down at her outfit, a blouse and tight fitting skirt. She wouldn't be of much help, not in her outfit, unarmed, and still feeling the effects of the drugs in her system. Lucy looked on, stricken with helplessness.

As Lucy watched, an idea niggled her brain. An image of Heather's rune flashed in her mind, and another rune, one she had never seen before accompanied it. Her eyes widened and she looked around subtly, hoping to avoid notice. Her shoulders sagged, there was nothing she could use.

Lucy hugged herself, and startled when she felt a prick. After feeling around she discovered a safety pin in her blouse. As Lucy drew the pin out her fingers trembled slightly. Looking around Lucy slowly but forcefully drew the new rune on her skin, hoping and praying to whatever deity happened to be listening that Heather's special rune was what she thought it was and that her new rune would carry over through Liam.

Lucy gasped and almost dropped the safety pin when Heather lunged towards the demon. Lucy gritted her teeth and kept scratching the new rune. Her skin started to tingle and Lucy knew it was working and that the rune was deep enough to take affect.

In the arena Heather stopped moving and stood rigid for a moment, the demon's tail narrowly avoiding her as it whipped around. Lucy felt light headed as the rune drained all the strength left in her body. "Move Heather!" Lucy screamed at the top of her lungs with the last vestiges of her strength. Lucy glimpsed Heather springing into action once more, seeming to have found a blast of strength, before collapsing on the ground and covering her arm, trying to hide the rune she had scratched out.

Lucy was immediately surrounded by Barbie and her henchmen, who picked her up. Sebastian watched her with a sneer on his face, "I thought you were stronger than that, you must have at least some of my blood and yet you are a weakling." Barbie clucked her tongue nervously and had the henchmen carry Lucy away. As they were leaving Lucy heard the demon's roar cut off abruptly and an uproar went through the arena. Lucy's hand went limp, and she couldn't hide it anymore. It fell and she let it dangle at her side, the blood from her messily scratched rune and dripping to the floor. Lucy smiled faintly, "she did it."

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace:

Lucy. Lucy, where are you?

"You defeated it," Jonathan said. I had been escorted to his little opera box, after slaying that stupid, cursed demon that I had hoped to never set eyes on ever again. Unfortunately, that meant that I was also in the same breathing space as Jason, who I avoided looking at...opting for digging the nail of my index finger into the flesh of thumb, pressing down hard - using the pain to clear my mind.

I had heard Lucy's voice - felt a brief connection as well, before my strength once again dwindled, but it had been enough. She must have done some rune tampering...but I couldn't see her anywhere now. But I could have sworn she was here...

Jonathan was looking at me expectantly. I rolled my eyes and brushed invisible dust off my torn and smouldering dress. Smouldering, in this case, literally. "Yes. Yes I did. Kudos for stating the obvious."

Jonathan's eyes narrowed. "You have a sharp tongue. That could get you killed."
"Didn't help much in the arena," I quipped, "But I do what I can."
"You really don't see it do you?" Jonathan smiled at me, and it wasn't a very nice smile. He wore something akin to Shadowhunter's gear, except his version shone like ebony and had interesting additions, like metal links and spikes. "The era of Shadowhunters is over, Miss Lovelace."

What the hell was he on about? "This coming from you," I said slowly, as if to say 'which doesn't mean much in my opinion'. One of his cronies shoved me from behind and I gasped in surprise - I would have fallen flat on my face if I hadn't swung my arms in front of me quickly, breaking my fall. I knelt, breathing quickly, my knees raw - hating him more with every second that passed.

"You will come around in time," Jonathan murmured softly. Poisonous words from a poisonous man. "You have no choice. Nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide. No one to turn to. I need you, Miss Lovelace - I need people like you, with potential, who can take down greater demons and never run out of stamina. The world needs a new race of Shadowhunters - not the sissy kind that we have now. A new age is coming, Miss Lovelace - and I am asking you now...will you be apart of it?"

I straightened, sitting back on my legs - tilting my head as if considering it, before sending him a spit projectile that would have put a tobacco chewer to shame. "When Hell freezes over!" I replied with venom, earning myself a kick in the spine - I sucked in a breath and doubled over.

Guards hauled me roughly to my feet, but even the pain spiking up my back and the rough hold of hands around my sore arms couldn't wipe away the satisfaction I got from seeing Jonathan wiping at his face with disgust written all over his precious face.

"You will regret this!" he hissed, clenching his free hand.
"Bite me!" I shot back - and was escorted out of the room.

[Melissa]

Ben (for the moment)

"Lucy? Lucy!" Ben scrambled up and watched, tense as a group of men brought an unconscious Lucy and set her on the bed. "What did you do to her?" He growled at the overly perky woman who followed the men in. The veins on Ben's arms were standing out as he struggled not to shift, to not give into his wolf side.

The woman tsked, "really, we thought she would at least have the strength to watch a little entertainment. I don't see how she could be related to him." Ben ground his teeth together, "it might have something to do with being injected with demon blood and not having had time to recover from that before being drugged and kidnapped!" The woman cocked her head to the side "demon's blood, really?"

"Get. Out." Ben snarled, trying to frighten them into leaving but the woman only laughed. "My, my now I see why she keeps you around. You do seem to liven things up, don't you?" He snarled again, still straining to retain his human form. "Come on, we best get back." The woman signaled to the men and they all left. Ben stared after them for a moment, breathing raggedly.

His shoulders slumped and he went to Lucy. He straightened her out on the bed and looked her over, trying to determine what was wrong. When he came to her bloody arm he sucked in a breath and started ripping the sheets to create a makeshift bandage. He looked down at her, she looked so pale almost as if she had been drained of blood. She was barely breathing and Ben had to strain to hear her heartbeat every so often just to reassure himself she was still alive. He touched her forehead, only slightly surprised to find it cold.

Ben rubbed his face, not caring that his hands still had traces of Lucy's blood. Ben pondered his situation, he had been taken by the most evil man ever, he was locked in a room with an unconscious shadowhunter whom he had only met a few days ago, the same shadowhunter who made him worry over her life twice. He wondered if anyone would worry about him, he doubted it. Maybe Xavier, if he could stop pining over that Institute head.

"Lucy, what happened to you?" Ben whispered, more to himself than to her.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Jason Morgenstern:

"Son, we are so close!" Jonathan tossed his glass of Henri Jayer Richebourg Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits, France across the room - where it shattered into a million pieces, staining the wall with drips of claret liquid.

Jason stayed silent, leaning back into his chair. Lucas Christenson sat beside him in a similar armchair - watching Jason's father with an expression that gave nothing away. Jonathan breathed out slowly, before pressing his elegant fingertips to his forehead.

"Once we have the secret behind that rune," Jonathan whispered, "we will be able to create the new Shadowhunters - and..." He trailed off, picking up a knife and then turning to look at the ornate mirror that stood at the end of the room. "And then, I can finally be at ease. I will know whether or not she is still alive - and if she is...if she is..."

He gave a mad yell, very out of character, and flung the knife across the room so that it struck the mirror, which - with a loud screech of protest and a crash like a thunderstorm - toppled and joined the wine glass in pieces on the rug.

"We will deal with it, Father," Jason said, calmly despite the rapid beating of his heart. "Nothing poses a threat to you. You have the Lovelace girl, my cousin and the werewolf boy. The rune can be tested - nothing will go wrong."

His conscience battled as he spoke - but, this was his father. This was the man who claimed Jason as his own, not the man who had pretend year upon year to be Jason's father. Mr Penhallow had been nothing but a fraud, and Jason still felt the hurt of being lied to.

Or was that the pain of betraying Heather?

Heather...Jason fought back memories of the feel of her, the smell of her hair and the sweetness of her kiss. No - he wouldn't, couldn't, think about her. He shouldn't have let himself get so close to her in the first place. He had been stupid, but now he could return to his destiny. To his place beside his father.

Jonathan turned to look at his son over his shoulder...and slowly, he straightened his shoulders and nodded. When he spoke, he sounded like his old self. "You are right, Son. I was simply angered by that stupid girl's act of defiance. But, as you say, my plan is flawless, and it will become complete with time. What do you think, Lucas? Is my son not right in his predictions?"

Lucas' grey gaze was neutral and he gave a short bow of his head to Jonathan. "Master, if we continue at this pace, those predictions will be accurate - and yet they will be inadequate to describe the perfection of the executed plan. I believe that you will succeed. Of that, I have no doubts."
"Indeed. Thank you, Lucas," Jonathan said, turning to walk towards the bathroom that was off the main room. "I will go wash the dirt from my hands. Have a maid be called in, will you - the rug needs cleaning."

Lucas stood, bowed and exited the room - Jason behind him.

Lucas led the way down the corridor, stopping Mary the kitchen girl and asking her to send Jenna into the main room to clean the mess. Jason waited for Mary to leave before saying, "Do...do you think she's alright?"
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Mary?"
"No." Jason hesitated and rubbed the back of his neck. "Heather."

"Ah - the fiery Miss Lovelace." Amusement glowed in Lucas' eyes and he couldn't help but give a smirk as he recalled his brief meetings with the girl. "I think she's fine physically and mentally. Though she is probably cursing your name to kingdom come, my friend - but apart from that..."

Jason sighed and leant against the wall. "She hates me, Lucas."
"As well she should."
"I know, I know - but still...I know I shouldn't care what she thinks of me, but I do!" Jason's eyes widened in frustration and he clenched his hand. "I...I can't get her out of my head. But I have to. I must."
"And your point is?" Lucas questioned.

"I need to talk to her. To get her to listen to Father and just give up her futile war against him. She can't win and he'll torture her until she submits."
"I thought you told me she refused to speak to you."
"She did."
"Ah. I can see that this will be quite the chat - you, begging her to listen, and her, ignoring you until you leave. You will achieve much, Jason. Go ahead - don't let me stop you."

Jason glowered at Lucas, who was grinning at his friend in a way that was almost mocking. "Oh, come on, Jason. I have met the girl. She was stubborn, witty, vexing and devastatingly attractive. I doubt that you can change her mind."
"Have any better ideas?" Jason asked, sulking a little.
"Indeed. I'll talk to her."

"What?" Jason bristled at the idea and pushed himself off the wall - staring hard at Lucas. "Why would you?"
"I can't stand seeing you like this," Lucas admitted. "It's annoying. And tiresome. Beside," he added, smirking. "This Heather of yours is a most pleasant diversion from recent activities. She is most amusing."

Jason's blood boiled and he struggled not to punch Lucas. Lucas may be his friend, but even as friends they hadn't defined a few basic lines. And one of those was definitely when one of them should and shouldn't hit on someone the other one liked.

"You aren't going there to flirt with her!" hissed Jason.
"Persuasion has many forms, my friend," Lucas said. "But don't worry. I don't plan to break her heart and string her along."
That hurt. Bad. "I did what I had to do."

"And you'd do it again, I dare say," Lucas replied easily. "But the true test of your affection, my friend, is not whether you'd do it again - no, but whether there would come an instance where you wouldn't."

[Melissa]

Lucy Morgenstern

Lucy regained consciousness but couldn't seem to open her eye, which felt like lead weights. She finally succeeded in prying them open and saw Ben's face. She was lying on the bed in her 'room' with her head on Ben's lap. She gingerly sat up, trying not to wake the sleeping werewolf. She felt drained and weak, but still it was preferable to earlier when she had still had the effects of the drugs in her system.

Her stomach rumbled and she grimaced, wishing she could have some of Meghan's stew. Even if it was slightly overcooked half the time. Lucy looked down at her arm and noticed the strips of cloth used to stop the blood from her makeshift rune. Lucy lifted the edge of the cloth up, peeking at her wound. It looked reed and irritated, but at least the rune itself was no longer distinguishable. It would have been catastrophic if Sebastian had learned of the new rune. Although Lucy was fairly certain it would only work through a parabatai link, and however faint Heather carried the one Lucy had shared with Liam.

Lucy looked down and realized she hadn't been chained again, which meant she might be able to look around her prison. But that would mean leaving Ben, and she didn't think he would let her go if her were awake. All the more reason to go now, she thought to herself. Lucy picked herself off the bed and as delicately as possible set her feet down on the floor and stood up. She was so weak that if there had been anything thing in her stomach she would have retched.

Staying still for a few moments seemed to re acclimate her and she soon felt her strength trickling back to her. Lucy cast one last look back at Ben before exciting the room.

Lucy wandered the dark labyrinth, searching for any means of escape that she could come back to after she got Ben and Heather. Thinking of Heather brought her up short, what about Jason? Where was he, had he been captured too? Lucy was lost in her thoughts and still weak from earlier and almost missed the approaching voices.

Lucy looked around and hid in a nearby alcove as quickly as she could manage. She held her breath, hoping to avoid detection. Lucy almost gave herself away though when she saw Jason walking towards her, seeming to be having a conversation with a young man Lucy couldn't quite see because of the shadows.

Lucy almost went over to Jason, to ask why he was here and who the other man was. But she held herself back, this wasn't the Jason Penhallow she had come to know. This Jason seemed to lack his usual ease, he was tense and seemed at odds with his surroundings.

At first Lucy could only hear snatches of their conversation, "I need to talk to her. Get her to listen to father," "I have met the girl. Stubborn.Witty. Vexing." As they got closer Lucy could hear more of what they were saying, "You aren't going to flirt with her!" "I don't plan to break her heart and string her along." "I did what I had to."

Lucy stopped paying attention, it was clear they were talking about Heather. But what about the other parts? What did Jason mean about his father? What did Mr. Penhallow have to do with anything? And the last bits about Heather made no sense, it was clear to anyone with eyes that Jason was over the moon over Heather. So it didn't make sense for the other guy to say he was stringing her along, and that didn't sound like the Heather she knew.

Lucy realized as they talked that they were going to Heather, and Lucy made split decision and followed them as stealthily as she could. It helped that she had soundless runes permanently tattooed on her ankles.

Several times as Lucy followed Jason and his companion whom she learned was named Lucas, Lucy felt as if she were about to faint. Finally they stopped in front of a door and Lucas entered it. Lucy stayed as out of sight as she could and waited for him to return.

After what seemed like an eternity Lucas emerged from the door and came back the way they had come with Jason joining him. Lucy pressed herself as flat as she could against the wall and held her breath until they were out of sight, although she needn't have bothered since they were to busy arguing to take notice of her.

Lucy looked around and listened before going up to the door that Lucas had just emerged from. She took a deep breath and opened the door. Inside was a dungeon type place full of cells and Lucy wrinkled her nose, wondering why she and Ben had been placed in such a nice room while Heather was down here. Lucy walked along the cells, staying alert and keeping a look out for guards. She stopped when she came to the only occupied cell. Inside was a figure who sat in the corner with their arms around their knees.

"Heather." Lucy breathed, Heather looked up and Lucy was shocked to see Heather's present state. Sure she looked fine on the outside, but Lucy could see Heather was hurt pretty bad on the inside. "Oh, feather." Lucy whispered and walked up to the bars.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace:

I smiled weakly and propped myself up. What I wouldn't give for a warm shower, lip gloss and a hair straightener. "Hey, Lucy. Come to join the party?" I spread my arms wide, showing off my gorgeous accommodation a.k.a cell. "Chips, dip, disco ball - we've got it all, here at the Psycho Sideshow!"

Lucy didn't smile - she grasped the bars and looked through them at me with an expression of pity that even in my state hurt more than anything else. "Are you ok?" she whispered.
"Yep." I shrugged. Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry. "You?"
"I've been better."

I snorted and slid myself over to the wall, leaning up against it and letting my head fall back. "Is anyone else with you?" I asked.
"Ben." Lucy swallowed hard. "But he's ok."
"You look horrible," I said, wrinkling my nose. Lucy rolled her eyes and for a moment it was like there were no bars between us.
"Gee, thanks. Not all of us can make the kidnapped look work," Lucy said, gesturing to my dirty and torn dress.

"Guys find the tortured look hot," I retorted. "Or so I've heard."
"What did they want from you?" she asked and I glanced at her in surprise. "I saw this guy Lucas come in..."
"They?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"Jason was with him."

I laughed humourlessly and stabbed my nail into my thumb again, revelling in the pain. "Of course he was - how could I have been so blind? Jason seems to be behind every shitty thing in my life at the moment." I sighed and stared at my hands. "Lucas wanted me to join them. To agree to Jonathan's scheme of creating a new, better race of Shadowhunters."

"What did you say?" Lucy's voice was barely audible.
"What do you think?!" I snapped. "As if I would say yes! They tortured me, tortured you and have been nothing but horrid - I will never, ever, give them what they want!:

[Melissa]

Lucy Morgenstern

Lucy nodded, not sure why she had even asked. Heather was not the type to give in. "Why is Jason with them though? I don't get it" Lucy asked aloud and Heather looked at her incredulously, "didn't you know? Jason is your cousin, he is Jonathan Morgenstern's son." Lucy's eyes widened and she sucked in a startled breath. Lucy wanted to deny it, but somethings clicked in her head and it all made sense. Why Jason had talked about his father in the hallway and why he was working with them in the first place.

"Oh Heather." Lucy breathed out and Heather looked at her reproachfully. They talked a bit more, sharing what had happened before they both got kidnapped. Heather smiled when Lucy told her how she found out the Faerie Queen's name. "I have to get back, I'm worried about Ben. If he wakes up and I'm not there..." Lucy trailed off. "Go, I'll be fine. Wouldn't want you getting caught down here." Lucy nodded and reached through the bars and squeezed Heather's hand."I'll come back and we will find a way out of this mess. I promise you." Heather nodded and Lucy turned to go.

"Thanks for your help in the arena." Heather said softly just as Lucy walked out of earshot. Lucy waved without turning and slipped through the door and into the hallway.

She made sure to stick to the shadows and made it back to the room she shared with Ben, glad that she had memorized the path she had taken earlier.

[Claire]

London Wayland

As we came to the edge of the Morgenstern property, I could feel everyone take a breath - we all knew the stories and being here felt wrong on so many levels. The thought of Jason betraying us all flashed across my mind and I shook my head. Xander slipped his hand in mine and squeezed. No matter what happened here tonight, at least I had him here. Kyle and I were definitely having a talk once this was over - if we made it out alive that is.

I motioned everyone forward. This was it.

[Melissa]

Lucy Morgenstern

Lucy made it back to the room and was glad to see that Ben was still sleeping, she would have been in quite the pickle if she had had to explain where she had gone. A wave of dizziness washed over her and she collapsed on the bed.

Lucy laughed mirthlessly to herself, "shouldn't have pushed myself so far. After everything that's happened." She shifted into a more comfortable position and started drifting off. She was almost asleep when Ben finally moved.

"Lucy?" She pried an eye open and tried to smile. "Yeah?" Her heart broke a little at his pained expression and if she had had the strength she would have wrapped her arms around him. "What happened to you? They took you away then brought you back all bloody...." He seemed groggy and rubbed at his eyes. She sighed and closed her eyes again before answering. "They took me to an arena to watch a fight.... Heather was the one fighting..... I helped her but it drained my strength." She said and recounted what had happened in bits and pieces.

Ben's expression become more alert and grim as she told him what happened. He swallowed and helped her sit up. She leaned against him and he put an arm around her protectively. "There's one more thing... Jason is Sebastian's son... He's with them." Ben tensed against her and tightened his hold on her. "Just rest." He murmured and pressed his lips against her hair.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace:

I had drawn a conclusion after spending an all-nighter down in the Morgenstern family dungeons.

Cells sucked.

Groaning, I shifted on the bench-thing that was my equivalent of a bed - wincing as I splayed a hand under my shirt where my ribs were. I'd bruised myself badly in the fight with the demon and Jonathan had not allowed me to keep a seraph blade on me...so there went my chances of a healing rune. I tried not to concentrate on the throbbing in my side - instead, I did an inventory of my scrapes and aches.

- (x1) Bruised rib. Perhaps broken.
- (x2) Cuts on lip. Attractive if I do say so myself.
- (x1) Deep scratch along my leg. Courtesy of demon. Remind myself to send thank you note.
- (x3) Bruises. One on my shoulder, one on my right cheekbone and one on my left thigh.
- (x11) Shallow cuts. On my hands, mainly, but also along my arms. Looks like Wolverine went overboard.

And I couldn't heal thanks to the lack of weaponry. Trying not to move around too much, my aching body protesting at my slightest movement, I stared up at the ceiling and wondered what they were going to do with me. Kill me? Nah. They could have done that as soon as I walked in the door...sorry, when I was dragged through the door.

"You are awake, I see."

I closed my eyes, trying to pull my fractured mind together...before I turned my head to look at my visitor.

Lucas.

"You know," I said, my voice hoarse from disuse and lack of sufficient water, "Even Girl Scouts take a hint." When all I received was a confused look I added, "I told you no yesterday, and believe it or not, today my answer remains the same." My day could not get worse.

"Ah." Lucas' grey eyes seemed amused. Though of course, he didn't. He had the whole 'grim soldier with no life' image going for him. "I did not come to repeat the offer. In fact, I came to escort you to Ms Viola."

My day just got worse.

"You're not serious," I moaned, flinging a hand across my eyes, trying to block out the world. "That woman is a fiend in stilettos!" A sound reached my ears and I quickly let my hand drop, staring at Lucas. He was laughing. Actually laughing. The sight was so weird - like Big Bird from Sesame Street doing Calculus - that I didn't quite know what to do.

He took a breath and gave me a small smile. "Yes. Yes, she is. But unfortunately the master is adamant that you, ah...clean up." I scowled back at him, aware of my torn dress and messy hair.

Well, you try looking hot, dude, if you'd been fighting a demon and then had to catch some shut-eye in a freaking cell - that's right. It's impossible.

"Why?" I gave him a sardonic smile. "If I'm all prettied up will it ease Jonathan's conscience? Or does he only require Kosher sacrifices?"
"Kosher?" Lucas' brow furrowed.
I raised an eyebrow. "Do you live under a rock?"
"No." Again, it was lost on him. "I have lived in Idris all my life."

Ah...the place with no T.V, Internet or pop culture. Now his medieval knight act made perfect sense.

[hollyybel]

Name: Scarlett Shystone
Location: LA Institute
Age: 16

For those MI fans check out my books on Wattpad: City of Torment and City of Heartbreak.

[Claire]

London Wayland

Cart and Sara were set to head around the right side, while Xander and I were to go around the left. Heather, Ben and Lucy were the priorities and Jason and Jonathon, and whoever else might be lurking, were to be avoided at all costs.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace:

"Oh, look at you, darl!" Viola dramatically widened her eyes and held a ring-adorned hand to her heart. "Aren't you the picture of sweetness?!"

I raised my eyes to the ceiling, biting my tongue to refrain from commenting. Viola had forced me - and I mean forced me, once at sword point - to get dressed in a lacy creation that was a soft pink, with petal-like sleeves and a swishy skirt that just brushed my shoes.

Thankfully, she'd allowed me to bathe and she'd applied the healing runes herself...though she'd stayed away from my ribs. "A little reminder," she'd said sweetly as pie. Yep. A reminder of Jonathan's power over me and my every move.

"Well, now y'all dressed up and snazzy-like, I guess you're all ready to see the Master Morgenstern." Viola nodded her head happily and I watched as the door to her rooms flung open...revealing Jason.

I looked away and braced myself. "Viola, get rid of him."
"Sorry, darl." Viola patted me on the arm and I jerked out of her range. Stupid woman - her perfume made me want to gag. It was like inhaling a bouquet of rotting flowers with every breath. "Orders. You understand."

No. No I didn't.

[Melissa]

Ben

Lucy was shivering violently against him, suffering from backlash of the sickness she had gotten from the demon blood. He had tucked her against him as firmly as possible to keep her from hurting herself but he was worried since she didn't seem to be getting better. And it looked like her arm might be getting infected, he needed a better way to clean her wound but since he was still chained he couldn't carry her over to the bathroom.

Her whole body shook and she whimpered in her sleep. He ran a hand through his hair and wondered just how he had gotten tangled up with all this shadowhunter stuff. Lucy interrupted his thoughts in a small, groggy voice, "Ben? Thanks for taking care of me." He felt her forehead worriedly, "Lucy are you feeling alright? Has your fever come down?" She smiled to herself. "When did you start acting like a mother?" She asked jokingly, no doubt trying to lighten the mood. He played along knowing that laughter would be hard to come by later on. "Well if a certain shadowhunter would stop passing out..."

His efforts were rewarded when she stuck her tongue out at him then laughed. Lucy shivered against him again and he tightened the arm he had around her. "I'll be fine, I just need some rest." She said weakly. He made an unconvinced noise in the back of his throat but didn't say anything.

She laughed again, though this time there was no joy in it. "I never thought I'd feel so weak. Growing up I lived and breathed training, I was one of the top shadowhunters for my age. I grew up in Indris and my parents were always busy with Clave business so I spent a lot of time with my dad's distant relatives, mostly learning about demons and how to fight them." She laughed the same joyless laugh and stared at her hands, "there wasn't much else to do in Indris. Now it feels like all that training has gone to waste, all I've done since all this started was get kidnapped, injected, and faint."

His mouth quirked, "I don't know what you want me to say. Because what you said is true, but that isn't all you've done. You saved all those downworlders, including me and based on what you told me you also saved Heather's life. That seems like enough, don't you think?" "Well aren't you a smooth talker?" She mumbled against him and he chuckled.

"Talk to me, tell me something." Lucy pleaded as she struggled to stay awake. "Lucy, you need to sleep, you said yourself you need rest." He pointed out and she pouted, "please?" She chewed her lip then looked him straight in the eye. "I don't think I can handle the dreams right now." He sighed in defeat, "fine. What do you want me to talk about?" He asked and she shrugged, "I don't know. Um, tell me about your life before you were bitten." She paused then hurriedly said "if it's all right with you, I know it's not something everyone likes to talk about."

He swallowed, "I had a little sister." She smiled and settled against him. "Her name is May, she's about 6 years younger than me. We were really close, I used to take her to school when I had the time and pick her up everyday. She loved cats and would sometimes try to take care of a stray or two whenever she found one." He smiled at the memory, "when our parents got divorced she moved out with dad while I stayed with mom. I didn't get to see her as often then, but I still made sure we saw one another at least every other weekend."

"She was with me the first time I changed. We were apparently in an aggressive pack's territory and they came after me. Thankfully they barely even looked at May, but she saw them tear me to shreds. If I hadn't changed when I did I could have been killed, though May probably thinks I was." Lucy stared up at him with big eyes, "you mean you haven't seen her since then?" He shook his head grimly. "I wasn't sure how to explain this to her, I thought it better for her to think I was dead. My parents do, and I have no intention of telling them any different."

Lucy's breathing slowed and he could tell she was about to drift off. "That's so sad." She said just before falling asleep.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace:

Jason cleared his throat. I dearly hoped he had something horrid caught in it, choking him slowly. Spinning on my heel, I stalked deeper into the frivolous innards of Viola's quarters, not bothering to see if he followed or not.
Side-stepping a rack of fluffy coats in various bright shades, I entered the dining room and grabbed an apple from a bowl of fruit. I bit into it just as Jason appeared in the doorway.

"Gow 'array," I said, sulking around a mouthful of juicy apple and throwing myself into the nearest dress, not caring less how the rough movements creased the pretty dress.

Jason's expression was pained. "I'm sorry, Heather. I'd go, but-"
I swallowed the apple and narrowed my eyes. "But you need me to do something, I'm guessing. What is it this time - stealing Tiny Tim's crutches? Kicking Weiner dogs? Ooh!" I gave a snarky smile. "I know! Maybe I'll get to steal candy from children!"

He raised an eyebrow at me. "Weiner dogs. Really?"
"Yes, really!" I snapped, taking another bite of apple. "Nothing you and your father say or do would surprise me."
"My father," Jason said, his tone terse, "wants you to accompany me...and him...to a function."
"Is it the I'm-An-Evil-Psychopath Convention?" I frowned, tapping the side of my mouth. "Should I bring cupcakes?"

Jason stepped into the room and I took a good look at him. Dressed in a white shirt open at the collar, complete with a silky black tux, he rocked the 'just got out of bed' look to perfection. Dangerously handsome, with his hair slicked back, one errant lock falling into his eyes, I almost caved. I almost ran into his arms and agreed to becoming whatever he wanted me to.

And then I glanced down at the pink dress, the uncomfortable heels and then at my apple. Finally, my gaze strayed to my skin where I'd scratched the lone feather in the hopes of staying strong. You can do this, Heather , I told myself firmly. You don't need him. You never needed him. Be strong.

"I'm not going to this hoedown of yours," I replied coldly, examining my nails.
Jason sighed in exasperation. "We're not folk dancing, Heather."

"Oh, I know." I smirked. "Girls dressed like tarts, men like your father eyeing them up and everyone pretending that the world is a beautiful place with flying punk bunnies. And maybe we'll even dance around the campfire and sing 'Kumbaya'."
"Please, Heather." Jason tone was pleading. "Just do it. Before he...before he makes me make you."

I titled my head, before chucking the apple as hard as I could. Jason flinched, but readied himself to intercept the apple...only to see that it hit the wall beside his head, smushing apple juice and flesh all over Viola's gilded wallpaper.

"Let's get this over with." I stood and stalked past him, head high.

[Melissa]

Lucy Morgenstern

It seemed the final bout of sickness from the demon blood had passed and she was relieved. None of Sebastian's lackeys had come by for a while which was odd and neither her nor Ben knew why they were there. She hadn't a clue as to what Sebastian wanted with her, or Ben for that matter but it wasn't as though she could just ask him.

"Let me slip out, maybe I can try to get a feel for what's going on. Who knows, maybe I'll find out why Sebastian wants us here." And why we're being ignored for the most part while Heather is being tortured. She added silently, worried about how Heather was holding up. Even someone as strong as her would start cracking under the pressure she was no doubt under, especially coming from Jason.

Ben was against the idea, not liking that she would be somewhere he couldn't protect her. "Do you have to? Just stay here and we can figure out a way to unlock the chains then we can escape together." His tone was pleading and submissive, which was rare coming from a werewolf. She smiled and placed her hand against his cheek, "sorry but I need to find out what's happening. Plus I need to find out how Heather is doing."

Ben's eyes closed and he leaned against her palm, "stay safe then, ok?" She nodded and quickly kissed his cheek before slipping out the door. Her face was burning but she couldn't keep the tiny grin spreading across her face.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace:

It just figures that the designated Evil Guy would have an Elizabethan Era-worthy ballroom amongst his maze of torture rooms and dungeons.

"Wow." I couldn't have sounded more excited if I tried.

Jason walked down the stairs, beside me the whole way down, one hand gently cupping my elbow. I itched to grab his wrist and twist it, but I squelched the urge, concentrating on the mirror-lined walls, crystal chandeliers (yes, in the plural) and candles that decorated the tables surrounded the marble dancefloor. So much finesse. So much grandeur.

All wasted on Jonathan Morgenstern. Who was watching our descent with narrowed eyes from across the ballroom, his glass of blood-coloured liquid raised to his bloodless lips.

To my surprise, Lucas met us at the bottom of the staircase. Like Jason he wore a white shirt and a black vest. Except in his case, he wore a black tie - his look more finished than Jason's dishevelled one. His grey eyes appraised me, before he gave a small smile.

"You clean up well, Miss Lovelace." I narrowed my eyes at him. His own brimmed with humour. He reached for my hand, bringing it to his lips where he kissed it lightly.

Jason bristled beside me which instantly improved my mood. I linked my arm through Lucas', keeping my eyes on him. "Mr...?" I trailed off, raising an eyebrow at Lucas.
"Christenson."
"Mr Christenson. Would you be so kind as to dance with me? I'm horribly bored." I fluttered my eyelashes flirtatiously and I saw the corners of his mouth deepen.

"Certainly, Miss Lovelace. Jason." Lucas inclined his head at Jason, before leading me to the dancefloor.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace:

Lucas led me past women squeezed like toothpaste into designer outfits that sparkled like the champagne being passed around by solemn-faced servants, and men who either talked too much or too loud, in an effort to be heard over the shrieking of the orchestra - who had taken up residence in a shallow archive to the left of the ballroom.

When we found a space on the dancefloor, he gently lifted my hand off his arm and grasped it lightly, his other arm coming around me, so that his hand was against my lower back. As we danced, I snuck looks over his shoulder at Jonathan Morgenstern, trying to puzzle why he'd have included me in his dinner plans.

"So, Miss Lovelace." Lucas' voice was barely above a murmur, his mouth somewhere just above my ear as he guided me through the sweeping movements of the dance. He danced well - which was probably to be accredited to his life in Idris. "Have you ever been to Idris?"

I shook my head, turning so that I could spin lightly under his arm, still glancing once or twice at Jonathan. "No. I grew up in the mundane world with my family."
"Was your father a Shadowhunter?" Lucas inquired politely, his grey eyes meeting mine as he drew me towards him.
Memories invaded my mind. "Yes."

There was a break in our conversation as the song ended. Lucas drew our progress to a halt and we clapped politely along with the others. Jonathan Morgenstern called out for some kind of song I didn't know the name of and the orchestra fell once more into its pattern of melodies and forced serenity.

"Would you like something to drink?" Lucas asked me, offering me his arm again.
I grinned up at him and retorted, "As long as it isn't poisoned."
He ducked his head, but not before I saw him smile. "I will try my best. The refreshments table should be towards the back of the ballroom..."

I nodded, barely listening as I caught sight of Jason - who was now standing beside his father, deep in conversation. Jason must have felt my eyes on him, because he glanced up.

I looked away quickly and constructed a smile of contentment, which promptly fell when we were out of his line of sight.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace:

"So." I downed my glass of fizzing champagne and, blinking, turned to look over at Lucas, who took a measured sip of his own glass. "What is the Evil Lord of Evil planning this evening?"

Lucas set down his glass. "Human sacrifices."
I'd snatched up another glass as he'd spoken; nearly choking on the amber liquid. "Human...?"
Lucas' grin shocked me as much as his announcement had. It was big and brilliant, not suited to his knightly demeanour. "I was teasing. No, the Master has not disclosed his plans to me."

"Really?" I widened my eyes. "I thought you were his righthand man."
"No. I am merely close to his son."
"Jason's friend."
Lucas nodded. "And parabati."

That caused me once again to choke on my drink. Lucas' eyes narrowed in concern and he patted me lightly on the back. I inhaled deeply and managed a, "What?!"
"I am Jason's parabati," he repeated, looking bemused.
"No, no - I meant, how in the name of the Angel are you his parabati?"
"There is a ceremony-"

I waved his words away and set down the glass for good. Obviously I was not meant to drink the night away with Lucas giving me heart-stopping revelations every five seconds. "I know about the ceremony." I frowned. "My brother...was - he had a parabati."

Lucas must have picked up on my tone because his gaze softened and he said, "Your brother is no longer with us?"
I shook my head, praying that my eyes remained dry. "He died. Demon."
"My condolences." Lucas bowed his head.

I acknowledged him with a brief nod, taking a deep breath to pull myself together. "Still...Jason? Really? I mean, why him? Why not someone...?" I searched for the word.
"Smarter?" Lucas' mouth twitched at the corner.
"I was going to say 'more loyal', or, 'better looking', but your one will do."

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace:

It felt like everyone in the room were leaves, circling one another and being pushed together, knocking into one another by the gust of icy wind that was Jonathan Morgenstern. It wasn't my imagination; everywhere he walked, the guests were quick to move, parting like the Red Sea to make way for him and his unsettling smile.

Time passed, and later on I found myself standing beside Jason. How I had ended up beside him was another matter, and no sooner I had I realised where I was - and whom I was with - then I made to turn to Lucas...who had abandoned me to talk to a man who looked like a salt-and-pepper version of Russell Crowe. Lucas' gaze met my glare and he saluted me with his glass.

The bastard. Avoiding Jason's stare - which felt like a hot iron, might I add - I snatched up a glass of some kind of wine from one of the waiters. What kind, I didn't care, as long as it was strong. The Angel only knew I needed it, with the company I was with.

Taking a large gulp, I murmured, "Are you enjoying yourself?" Turning to raise an eyebrow at Jason, I added, "You know, you're kinda freaking me out. Quit the staring, buddy."

Jason didn't seem offended in the least. Hands clasped lightly behind his back, he gave me a small smile. "I couldn't help it. You look-"
I made a choking noise, holding up a hand. "Save it for someone who cares." I raised my glass to my lips, enjoying how the sharp taste of the wine dulled the throbbing of my broken heart and my tired feet and temples.

"I care." His whisper was barely audible.
"Of course you do." My eyes widened with mock-disbelief. "How could you not? Why, your caring attitude has presented itself on so many occasions in the past few days. Does 'I betrayed you and got you locked up' ring any bells?"
"You don't understand!" he protested.

"You're right," I said with a humourless laugh. "I don't. And I don't care to." Draining the glass, I hailed down a waiter and thrust the empty glass into his hand. "Here. Take it. Preferably throw it at this gentleman's head, but I'm not picky. Anywhere else on his body will do."

Leaving the bewildered waiter to do what he willed, I stalked off towards Lucas, dragging him away from his conversation by his arm - my nails sinking into the sleeve of his shirt.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace:

I had had enough wine to addle an elephant.

Lucas had deposited me in a gilded chair only a while ago, opposite a cabinet full of bric-à-brac items, saying that I best, "Sit down and let some fresh air into my head." Grumpy and irritated by being the Morgenstern men's show pony, I had agreed, collapsing in the chair, still holding the stem of a glass half-filled with wine.

"Heath!"

I blinked, smothering a yawn and glancing around. I could have sworn I heard...

"Heath - over here!"

Glimpsing Lucy behind the double doors, my heart leapt in my chest and I got unsteadily to my feet, feeling light-headed. But I made sure to slip out quietly, walking as straight as I could, the skirts of my dress brushing the ground and weighing me down. Or maybe that was just the sheer amount of wine I had consumed over the course of the evening.

"Heathe- goodness, Heath, have you been drinking?!" Lucy's tone was incredulous as she grabbed my arm, dragging me behind a bush. The doors had led out onto a charming garden, with high stone walls and thorny plants. "Heath?"

"Yes, I've been dwinking," I replied, tilting my head from side to side and blinking up at the sky. "Pwetty stars...are you here to stare at the stars, Lucy-Wucy?"
"Heather!" Lucy sighed in exasperation. "Why were you drinking? You never drink."

Shaking out of her grip, I held out my arms on either side of me, like an aeroplane and swayed a little. "Jason was being a two-faced bastard and I wanted to drown my sowwows in wine. So I did."
"Now you're drunk."
"And loving it!" I giggled, finding that hilarious. Lucy smacked herself on her forehead.

[Melissa]

Lucy Morgenstern

She was floored, Heather was drunk. Heather. Of all the times to be dunk it just had to be now. Lucy thought to herself. This would be their only chance to escape and she and Ben would have to do it with a very inebriated Heather.

"Heath we have to go now. I've looked around and all of Sebastian's cronies are occupied with the party. I swiped a fork and I think I can unlock Ben's shackles." Lucy dragged Heather back inside and led her to the room she and Ben had been locked up in.

Ben was pacing when the two girls burst through the doors. His expression was relieved and shocked when he saw them. "I thought you were just going out to look? And is she drunk?" Ben asked incredulously, staring at Heather. "Yes she's drunk, don't ask me how or why but I couldn't just leave her like this. Besides I think we could get away tonight. Here let me get you out of that." She said, kneeling next to the cuff around his ankle.

Heather giggled, "you're cute." She slurred, "nothing like that arse Jason. You wouldn't betray the woman you claim to love." She pouted and exaggeratedly stuck out her bottom lip. Her arms were draped around Ben's shoulders and he froze. Lucy felt a spike of possessiveness but squelched it, focusing on picking the lock with her bent fork.

Lucy's lips curled up triumphantly as the lock clicked and the shackle finally opened. She stood and looked at Heather's dress. "Sorry Heath, I hope you're not attached to that dress. I'm going to modify it a little." Heather blinked, "whatdoyoumean?" Lucy took the bent fork and thrust it through the material around Heather's knees the pulled it to the side. She then yanked at the tear until it went all the way around Heather's legs.

Heather's dress was now almost two feet shorter and there was a jagged pool of fabric at her feet. "Why'dyoudothat?" Heather demanded, swaying. "Itwassopretty!" Lucy giggled, "never would have thought you would like such a girly dress. Anyway I had to do that so you could run easier."

Lucy grabbed Heather's hand and pulled her to the door, motioning Ben to follow. Heather stumbled after her, tripping over her own feet. Lucy sighed and muttered, "and this is why shadowhunters shouldn't get drunk." She led them along the path she had memorized, leading out to the garden.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace:

I frowned as Lucy pulled me along the path, the werewolf, Ben, close on our heels. There was something I needed to tell her, but I couldn't remember. "Lucy, whyarewerunning?" I slurred, my mind a foggy cloud of buzzing noise and smoke.

"Because, Heather, we need to move quickly before we're caught!" Lucy hissed, pulling up behind a stone gargoyle in the creepy garden and peeking out from behind it to take a look. "No - no guards here. Looks clear."
"We need to be careful." Ben laid a hand on Lucy's shoulder.

I frowned again. There was something at the edge of my mind, a memory I couldn't quite catch...

"Come on, Heather - snap out of it, we need to get moving." Lucy's face came closer and she grabbed my hands in hers, giving me a sad look. "I'm so sorry about everything, Heath, but you need to move past it. You need to get out of here - we all do."

I squeezed my eyes shut, tears trickling freely down my cheeks. A rational part of my brain screamed at me not to cry, that I should be strong, but I felt so useless, so broken - drowning in every shard of grief that had embedded itself in me over the years.

"Okay," I whispered. "Okay. Let'sgobefore...before..." Again that memory tickled my brain. "Somethingsnotright."
"What's she saying?" Ben murmured, coming over and peering anxiously at me. I swiped at my eyes, sniffling.

"Something's not right," Lucy repeated, her brow furrowing.
"Understatement of the century," was Ben's reply.

[Melissa]

Lucy Morgenstern

"Oh, no" Lucy whispered. Jason stood in front of them with the man Lucy had seen earlier standing with him. Both were looking at them, relaxed. "Hello cousin." Jason said, his expression somewhere between remorse, anger, and resignation. Lucy nodded at him stiffly while the man next to Jason smiled crookedly, "ah so this is the little red head who fainted during the fight." Ben snarled next to Lucy and she shook her head at him.

"Let us go Jason." Lucy demanded, glaring daggers at them both. "We can't do that," Jason started but was cut off by the other man. "And since we can't do that why don't you be a nice little girl and go back to your room ok?" He looked pointedly at Lucy and this time she was the one who snarled. "Whoa no one told me what a little spit fire your cousin is Jason."

Lucy's eyes narrowed and she hurled the fork at him, throwing it like a knife. Unfortunately his eyes only widened for a fraction of a second before he shifted his head and it stuck handle-out into a pillar behind him.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace:

Lucy scrambled to her feet, whipping out another blade to hurl at Jason...but paused, staring in shock, as I held a ivory hair stick - the point sharp and glinting in the moonlight -, staring Jason down whilst I pressed it against the pulse at his throat. The other man lay on the ground, unconscious.

"Go," I told Lucy, pleading with her using my eyes. Let me deal with this. I need to deal with this. "Take Ben and run - I'll catch up with you." The wine was still heavy on my tongue and mind, but now it burnt like liquid fire in my veins, giving me the strength I needed to hold his gaze and keep the stick steady.

"Heather-" she began, hesitating. The cool wind raised goosebumps in my arms and exposed legs, the tattered skirt of my dress whipping around me and my tumbling curls brushing against my cheeks.
"Go - before they come out looking for him. Please, Lucy."
"Lucy..." Ben wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gently shoved her forwards. "Listen to her." He gave me a nod and I returned it. He was a good guy. Just like Liam.

The thought of my brother brought tears to my eyes, but I held them in check. I would not show weakness. Lucy bit her lip, but followed Ben, glancing over her shoulder at me as she went. When she was out of sight, I felt Jason let out a breath, his chest rising and falling under the hand I'd placed to hold him against the pillar.

"Heather," he breathed, eyes glowing in the dark. "What do you think you're doing with that thing?"

I pursed my lips, heart pounding as I applied more pressure to the tip of the stick, causing him to gasp - trying to break my hold, but I used every bit of strength I had to keep him pinned to the pillar. A trickle of blood ran down his throat from where I'd nicked him.

"I," I whispered, glaring at him with every ounce of hate that I had in me, "I am going to use this to make you wish you'd never been born. I am going to kill you, Jason Morgenstern. Right here. Right now."

[Melissa]

Lucy Morgenstern

Lucy ran, keeping her head down and her gaze on the path ahead of her. She knew she shouldn't have left Heather alone like that, she knew she shouldn't have. And yet she felt that Heather wouldn't forgive her for staying either. Ben was silent behind her, easily keeping pace with her and staying a step behind. They stopped at a chain link fence which separated them from a deserted street.

"You don't think its electrified do you?" Lucy asked nervously. Ben surveyed the fence thoughtfully, "only one way to find out." He said it with a straight face and she smacked his chest.He rolled his eyes, "I meant by doing this." He pulled a coin out of his pocket and threw it at the top of the fence. It hit the bar and bounced off, making a clanging noise.

"Happy?" He asked, trying to get her to smile. She rolled her eyes, "whatever just give me a boost will you?" Her face reddened as blood rushed to her cheeks, "and uh don't look." Ben's face went red too when he realized the implications of her wearing a dress while climbing a fence. He laced his fingers together to make a foothold and Lucy put her foot in his hands, letting him boost her into the air.

She grabbed the top of the fence and tried not to focus on what Ben may or may not be looking at. Lucy fit her toes into the holes in the fence and clambered over the top before dropping down on the other side. Ben followed after her, landing not quite as gracefully beside her. He grabbed her hand and led her towards the road.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace:

Jason was surprisingly okay with the idea that I was about to basically end his life.

"Okay," he said, shrugging as best he could with me pushing him against a stone pillar and holding a sharp object at his throat. "Go ahead."

That threw me. "W-what? What are you doing?" Angry, I shoved him against the pillar, harder this time, so his head knocked against the stone. Wincing, he bit his lip, but remained calm.
"What am I doing?" he replied, quirking an eyebrow. "You're the one who's set on killing me. I'm just letting you do your thing."
"Bullshit."
"Cuss all you like, Heath, but it's the truth. Go ahead and kill me."
"I-I..." I stuttered, my eyes meeting his.
"Go ahead and kill me."

"You said that already!" I hissed, breathing in and out, trying to calm myself. I was painfully aware of the cold, of the smell of the garden of the unconscious man two feet from me, of the material of Jason's tux beneath my fingertips. Of his life in my hands. Of the hate, anger, blame and pain that my heart brimmed with because of him.

He'd betrayed me! He'd betrayed all of us! So why was it so hard to stick the hair ornament into his neck?

His eyes, framed with those thick lashes, met mine and he shook his head a fraction, swallowing hard. I felt it vibrate at the base of his throat, felt the stick in my hands. Do it.
"I know I said it - and I'll say it again," he murmured, leaning his head back against the pillar. Even when a traitor, even on the brink of death, he was beautiful. So beautiful it hurt. "Because I know you won't do it."

"I will!" I protested feebly. "I should kill you were you stand after everything you've done-"
"You should," he agreed, widening his eyes and nodding, as if we were two friends discussing the weather. "But we don't always do what we should, do we? I, for instance, should have never betrayed my half-sister. I should have never come to live with her at the Institute. I should have never befriended you."

His hand came up and brushed against my cheek. "I should never, ever, have fallen for you," he whispered. "That was the biggest mistake."

If I had thought before this that my heart couldn't break any more than it already had, I was utterly mistaken. Tears streamed from my eyes and I choked on a sob, shoving his hand away from me as I stumbled backwards. I let him up, releasing him, but keeping the stick aimed right at him. But it was half-hearted. He'd torn my heart from my chest. He'd broken me. But I still couldn't stop loving him.

Jason didn't move from where he leaned against the pillar. "I did things I shouldn't have done," he said to me, shaking his head and staring at his hands. "I know you can't forgive me. I know you won't. But I'm telling you the truth whether you like it or not."

"Why?" I asked through gritted teeth, swiping at my eyes.
"Because I owe you that much," he replied.
I gave a choked laugh. "I don't want you to owe me anything."
"What you want isn't the issue."
"It never is with you."
He flinched, but gave another nod. "I deserve that."

There was a strangled silence...and then I couldn't bear it anymore, so I said, "What...what are you going to do now?" Wrapping one arm around myself, one hand still clutching the stick like a lifeline, I glanced at the wall of the garden, thinking of Lucy and Ben.

"I'm going to go back." My neck hurt, so quickly did my head whip around to stare at him in disbelief. "My father will be expecting me to toast him, or something of the nature. And I have guests to attend to, as well as training to be ready for tomorrow morning."

"And..." I trailed off, feeling confused and wretched.
He stepped forwards, stopping a foot away from me. "And you were never here."

Our eyes met, and I saw that he was being sincere. Or was he? I couldn't tell anymore with him. So many lies lay between us, like shards of glass on the floor. One step and I would bleed. One step and I was in danger of being torn apart.

"Goodnight, Heather." Jason stood before me, giving me his typical smile - so heart-achingly familiar that I had to clench my hands to stop them from reaching out to - for - him.

"Goodbye, Jason," I whispered, lips quivering and eyes welling.

He hefted the unconscious man over his shoulder and gave me a final salute before heading back down the path towards the mansion. And I lifted my walls right back up again and plunged into the darkness, heading towards freedom.

[Claire]

Oops. I should be around somewhere

[Melissa]

Lucy Morgentern

They stopped almost a block away, waiting for Heather. Lucy tried and failed to keep the fear down that Heather wouldn't come. Ben squeezed her hand and kept his eyes trained on the fence. Finally after what seemed like an eternity of waiting Ben relaxed, "I can hear her coming." Lucy sighed in relief, "oh thank the angel."

They watched and waited as a figure clambered over the fence and dropped down on the other side. Heather looked around for a moment before them and jogging towards them. She slowed when she neared them, looking a lot more sober than she had earlier. "How'd it go with Jason?" Lucy asked. Heather shrugged, "I told him I would kill him, he told me he was in love with me, then he let me go. Any idea where we are?"

Lucy swallowed back her response, Heather didn't want nor did she need sympathy. "I have no clue we should look around a bit more, maybe we can find a landmark." Ben said, obviously uncomfortable. The girls nodded and they started walking, keeping an eye out for anyone who may take them back to Jonathan Morgenstern.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace:

I stumbled after Lucy, weary in a way that made the world swim around me, black spots hovering on the edge of my vision. Ben ran ahead, searching for some kind of landmark, whilst Lucy kept shooting anxious glances over her shoulder - whether to see if I'd collapsed yet, or if anyone had come after us, I wasn't quite sure.

"Ah, here!" Ben whispered loudly, pointing to a street sign. "Church Street - we're close to Canal Street and Lower Manhattan."

[Melissa]

Lucy Morgenstern

"Great! Um, what does that mean?" Lucy asked with a frown on her face. "It means we aren't that far from Broadway and can get a taxi." Ben answered, slightly amused at how directionless she was. "Oh," she said, trying to fight the blush rising in her cheeks. "Um anyway, even if we get a taxi how can we pay for it? Sebastian didn't exactly leave me any spare change."

Ben though for a minute, "well maybe you and Heather could convince him." Lucy scowled, "what you mean you think Heather and I should flash a cabby to get a ride?" "No!" "Then what?" Ben growled, "I don't know. I guess we'll just have to make a run for it once he stops."

Lucy glanced at Heather, who was looking around vacantly. "Heath? You ok?" Lucy asked, worried that she was going to pass out from the alcohol. Heather blinked and smirked, "I'm fine. Now what was that about us flashing a cabby?" "That's not what I meant!" Ben said defensively. "Suure it wasn't" Lucy muttered and stalked ahead of him.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace:

I patted Ben on the shoulder as Lucy stalked ahead. "'S okay," I told him, suppressing a tired smile. "She knows you meant it in the best way possible."
Ben frowned. "And that is...?"
"At the moment I have no clue, but if you give me an hour's sleep, fresh clothes and two Panadol, I'll figure it out."

He sighed and gestured onwards. "After you."

Lucy was standing at the curb, her arms wrapped around her as she stared into the city-light studded night. "Taxi flashing. Great. Just how I planned to spend my evening," she muttered to herself, shooting Ben dirty looks. He threw up his hands in defeat and stayed silent.

[Melissa]

Ben

Great, just wonderful. He'd said something stupid and now he couldn't un-say it. He was sleep deprived and had been dealing with worry that had made him go out of his mind and now five minutes after they had scaled their way to freedom he said the wrong thing and Lucy was pissed. He hadn't meant anything like what she had thought, just maybe flirt with the guy a little or get him sympathetic what with Heather being drunk.

Too late to take it back now he forged ahead and walked after the girls. "Well, if you don't want to flash I could." He said, keeping his face straight. "I have been known to turn a few heads." Lucy looked back at him, her lips tugging up before she finally gave into the urge and giggled. Heather smiled too, amused at the mental image of a werewolf taking his shirt off to get a ride from a mundane taxi driver.

He sidled up to Lucy, letting his hand brush hers and felt a shiver go up both their arms. "Am I forgiven?" He whispered and she pretended to think about it. "Oh, I suppose." She said in exaggerated reluctance.

By now they had made it to Broadway and he hailed a taxi. The driver asked for an address and he and Lucy looked at Heather expectantly. Heather sighed and thought for a moment before rattling off a street corner. The driver nodded and pulled out into traffic.

Lucy cast a suspicious glance at the driver and lowered her voice, "why is it I get the feeling Sebastian let us go? After everything I've heard about him there's no way we should have been able to get away and yet here we are." She chewed her lip nervously and he grabbed her hand to comfort her. He thought for a minute, "well I don't think he was expecting you to run. He thought you were a weakling, and I was just your pet." He said sardonically. "And I don't think he would have expected his own son to just let Heather go, but you're right it does seem a little too easy."

Heather messaged her temples, "so what are we supposed to do? Why would he just let us go like that? And don't either of you say we shouldn't for some paranoid, convoluted reason not go to the Institute because I need a painkiller like now." Lucy shook her head, "no I just think maybe we should think about what he thinks we'll do once we're free. He must have let us go for a reason, we just have to find out what that reason is." He rolled his eyes, figure out what the most twisted person in history was thinking? Easier said than done.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace:

I must have fallen asleep during the taxi ride - hands shook my shoulder, jolting me out of dreams filled with glowing runes, fiery demons and piercing green eyes. Lucy was leaning over me, shaking me awake.

"Wake up!" she urged, gesturing to the open taxi door. "We're back." I nodded, gently shrugging out of her grip and sitting up, feeling horrid. Holding a hand to my head, I slid across the seats and stumbled out of the taxi, shutting the door a little too forcibly behind me. Ben and Lucy stood on the sidewalk, staring up at the Institute.

[Melissa]

Lucy Morgenstern

"We might want to run." Ben whispered as the taxi driver called out to ask them about payment. "Yep, you're probably right." Lucy whispered back and exchanged a look with Heather before turning to the driver. "Um, y'see about payment you'll have to take an I.O.U." She said before running towards the Institute. She heard the angry man yelling obscenities after them but she didn't think he would chase them into what looked like a dilapidated church lot.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace:

I hurried up the Institute's front stairs, one hand gripping the aged railing to keep from slipping back down again, the thin heels of my strappy sandals not exactly screaming 'hiking gear'. I rapped twice on the door and leaned against the doorway, blinking hard as I tried to keep from swooning. Lucy and Ben came up after me, all of us staring at the door.

It didn't open.

Lucy knocked again, waiting. Ben pushed her aside lightly and leaned an ear against the door; werewolf hearing in action. "I can't hear anything," he murmured, eyes meeting Lucy's and mine. "It's almost like no one's home."
"Try again," I croaked, rubbing my neck. Ben did so.
"Wait..." He held up a hand. "Someone's coming-"

The door swung open - a hazy cloud of smoke pouring forth and whipping around our heads like a crazed benediction. And who else should appear than Magnus Bane, his pipe between his teeth and his eyebrows arched under his perfectly gelled hair.

"Well, well, well." He lowered his pipe and eyed us like a cat faced with a handful of mice. "It's about time. Shadowhunters - so careless." We stared in shock at him and he tutted. "Well? Are you going to stand there and wait for a demon to nab you, or are you coming in?"

[Melissa]

Lucy Morgenstern

"Magnus?" Lucy squeaked before shaking herself and walking in, followed by Heather and Ben. "Magnus, as in Magnus Bane?" Ben asked skeptically. "The one and only." Magnus said sarcastically. "I never thought you would be so... glittery." Lucy coughed to cover her laugh then said, "so, I have two questions. One, why is the High Warlock here in the Institute and two why is he here alone?"

"He has a name." Magnus said tartly and Lucy glowered at him, "yeah well he also failed to mention Jason was Jonathan Morgenstern's son." Magnus harrumphed, "you didn't ask." Before Lucy could get into it with Magnus, Heather broke in "so what are you doing here?

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace:

"Ah, Miss Lovelace." Magnus wrinkled his nose and fixed her with his green and gold stare. "Good to see you're in good health. Nasty business, your boyfriend betraying you. But it's refreshing to see that you've managed to keep it together."

I swallowed a bitter reply and said, "You knew."
"Pardon?" He raised an eyebrow.
"You knew - you knew Jason was a traitor when we came to see you and you never said anything." My voice didn't rise. I was simply stating the truth. The past. Nothing that could help me now, nothing that could be changed. "Why?"

Magnus took a puff of his pipe. "Because it's not my place to make assumptions. I thought his affection towards you would outweigh his desire to serve his father. Filial piety is so overrated, wouldn't you agree? And outdated too. But I was wrong, and I apologise."