Bloodlines

twenty-six

"The mundanes did come up with several blessings over the millennia that not even we Shadowhunters could ignore them." Isabelle was teaching Eden as she sat on the young Garroway's new bed, "Even though we tended to steer clear from Mundanes and their inventions." her voice was soothing surprisingly enough and Eden didn't know what to make of it.

"With time every Institute on Earth was upgraded and Idris became a completely different beacon." Eden rolled her eyes at the Lightwood girl's words, thankful that her back was turned to her and that the girl didn't catch her eyes rolling.

It wasn't that Eden didn't want to learn the history of the Institute but it was the fact that like Alec, Isabelle was only praising the Nephilim and their power, which was invertedly annoying the living daylight out of Eden.

"Which room will my sister be staying in?" She couldn't help but inquire, interrupting Isabelle's rant and causing the Latina woman to frown at her, "The one across from yours." she replied, her happy tone deflating nearly completely which was a rare thing to do to Isabelle unless you were Maryse Lightwood.

Eden walked out of her new room and towards Clary's new bedroom, walking directly to the closet and putting the clothes that she had brought with her away along with some art stuff that wasn't ruined in the fire. 

Isabelle followed behind her slowly, scared that she would set off the mixed woman, her brown eyes watching as she carefully placed everything in specific places and the small sad smile that etched on her lips. She didn't know the woman in the woman but to her she was a new Nephilim, even if she knew almost everything there was to know about their kind and even if Hodge knew her but she wanted to, even if she felt some animosity from her.

"You really care for her." she said from the doorway, crossing her arms over her chest, hearing a scoff leave the mixed woman as she couldn't see her face, "She's my sister, of course, I care for her. Don't you care for your family?" It wasn't that Eden was trying to be rude, even Isabelle could tell that.

A period of silence followed with Isabelle merely watching as Eden moved around the room like she knew the layout like the back of her hand, it continued to last even when Hodge appeared next to the young Lightwood, arms crossed over his chest and his own eyes following the Garroway girl.

Eden did notice him arrive but didn't comment on it, that was until he politely turned to Isabelle and asked "Can you give us a moment?" at this Eden turned to the door, silently hoping and pleading that Isabelle wouldn't leave her with this man, Isabelle herself didn't seem to want to leave either, hesitating for a moment, her eyes locking with the Garroway's eyes.

"Isabelle." Hodge pressed, silently forcing the young Lightwood to walk away, her heels clicking until the end of the Hall where she could be heard entering the elevator. A shiver went down Eden's spine, one that told her that she should be careful. Was it her knowledge of the hatred for Downworlders or was it her instincts? Eden couldn't tell.

"What can I help you with Mr. Starkweather?" She asked politely, even if she was distrustful she was taught to respect her elders, no matter how much they gave her the creeps. One of Eden's hands ran through her hair, pulling it back and away from her face, her teeth trapping the inside of her bottom lip and chewing it anxiously, she hated having an authoritative figure wanting to speak alone with her.

"Yes." Hodge started, walking into the room that would be Clary's when she woke up, his eyes looking around the room, seemingly searching for something, or at least that's what it looked like to the brunette woman. His reply made Eden stuff her hands in her pockets and frown at the man in confusion. 

"You said your father's name was Luke." he stated, his voice strong, "Why are you still trying to find out more about me?" Eden countered, annoyance flooding her, throwing away her manners. Her feet led her back to her own bedroom, passing by Hodge like he was nothing.

"I'm trying to understand who you are truly and possibly contact your father to alert him that you are here." Hodge replied, turning to follow the young Garroway, he was stopped, however, by Eden grabbing the edge of his top and pulling him close to her, their noses nearly touching and her eyes shining with dangerous anger, a kind of anger that really did scare the older man.

"Don't mention my father." she snarled, her lips curling up slightly to show her teeth, "Just because you think you know me doesn't mean you get to question anything." her knuckles were pressed against his top, the heat in her hand passing through the fabric. If someone were to ask Eden why she was so defensive and dislike Hodge she wouldn't be able to explain it but there was a drive inside of her that made her do so.

A bitter chuckle escaped Hodge's lips as he looked down at the brunette before him, so identical to people from his past but so different simultaneously, maybe that's what was driving him to question so much, to press on the subject.

"I used to be friends with Lucian Graymark." Hodge told the irritated woman.