The Found Herondale

Chapter 13

Chapter 13
Raleigh's POV

The next few days were confusing.

The sick were still sick, but only Ash and I knew what was going on with each Shadowhunter.
Barbara was alive, not dead.
Another innocent life, thank Raziel.

But James had entered the Shadow Realm again, I'm sure of it.
Will and Tessa both claim he has been out with his friends, and I believe that, but not the whole thing.

During the early morning a couple of hours after I was positive James got a letter from *bleh* Grace Blackthorn, I received an invitation for tea at Anna's house.
It's all official, and I squealed in delight over it to the group at breakfast.

As I walk to Anna's now, I notice Cordelia a few steps away from me, going in the same direction.
"Cordelia!" I call, and she turns around.
Her red hair turns auburn in the sun, and her smile lights up her face.

"Raleigh, what a delightful surprise!" Cordelia responds.
I catch up with her, and we turn to face Percy street.

On the stairs of No. 30 on the street, a girl was crying.
Cordelia starts to inquire questions about the girl and I listen, looking around.
Anna was leaning out her upstairs window, listening.

Cordelia and the girl- Evangeline- haven't noticed her presence yet, but Anna winks at me.
I tune the rest of their conversation out, as a carriage drives up to collect Evangeline, I head upstairs to Anna's flat, followed by Cordelia.

Anna's door was wide open, the flat inside just as Cassandra Clare wrote it.
The wallpaper was a softly coloured dark green and gold, with a haphazard set of furniture. The sofa of gorgeous velvet was next to some tweed armchairs.

Next to the bedroom is a small stuffed snake with two heads, apparently a gift from one of Anna's many lovers.
I admire the knives that are on Anna's mantle as Cordelia speaks with Anna.

The kettle goes off, and Anna leaps over there.

"Now, Raleigh Herondale, Cordelia Carstairs, tell me your secrets," She says as she pours tea into two cups and saucers.
"I think I better not," Cordelia says. "I don't know you very well."
I laugh at that.

I drink my tea as they talk about Alistair and Elias, making sure not to say anything.

"Why do you want to get to know me?" Cordelia asks. "And Raleigh too."
Anna rises and goes to change in her bedroom, the walls allowing sound to pass through easily.
"Well, for you Cordelia, at first it was because you are a new girl, same for Raleigh, but I also wanted to see if you were good enough for our Jamie or our Matthew."

Cordelia sputters, while Anna's soft, buttery laugh travels through the walls.

"And for you, Raleigh, you and your group of friends are mysterious. I intend to figure each of you out. You also dress similar to me, which I find intriguing."
I cough slightly.

"I want to be a hero," Cordelia says as Anna peeks her head out of the door. "Not involved with boys, a true hero."
Anna smiles, looking at us for a while with her long lashes.
"I suspected as much," She says before disappearing back into her bedroom. "That's really why I asked you here."

I nod, understanding as Cordelia's head spins.

"We're in danger," Anna calls. "All of us, and the Clave will not see it. I am afraid if steps are not taken, it will be too late for Piers- and Ariadne."
There was a slight tremor in her voice.
"I need your help."

"What can we-" I begin, but my voice got cut off as the downstairs front door opened.

"Anna!" A male voice calls and reveals to Matthew running in.
He wore a broad waistcoat, and a new silk hat with jewels was clutched in his hand, with a signet ring on his finger.
"Anna you won't believe-"
He cuts himself off as he sees the two of us.
"What are you two doing here?"

Cordelia looks mad at the rudeness of the question.
"Having tea," I reply for her.

His weird shade of green eyes scan the room, wondering where Anna is.

"She's in her room," Cordelia tells him, with a cool tone.
"Alone?" Matthew inquires.
"Matthew!" Anna calls from her room. "Don't be awful."

He goes and leans against her door.
"I've already had a maddening day. James had been slandered by Tatiana Blackthorn and my rotten older brother is backing her up to the hilt; James has gone off to rendezvous with Grace. I am here to ignore the foolish thing that my parabatai is doing."

Anna re-emerged, looking gorgeous as ever.
"A dreadful tale," she said. "Shall we go?"

"Certainly," Matthew agrees. "Raleigh, Cordelia, it was lovely if surprising to see you."
"There is no need for farewell," I interrupt. "We're coming with you."
Anna nods, while Cordelia objects.

I listen as the three of them bicker about the Enclave, and the realisation of Piers and Ariadne not getting better.

"Shall we go to the Ruelle?" I ask. "The Downworlders seem to know everything before the ignorant members of the Clave."
Matthew's green eyes widen, and I smile.
"Are you sure that the two of you want to come, it's quite scandalous?"

Cordelia didn't reply, she just grabbed Cortana.

"I have done worse," I reply. "You can ask Will about it. The opium den has its stories."
Anna coughs, suddenly interested.

The carriage is awaiting us downstairs and once the four of us step in, we're off.