The Found Herondale

Chapter 16

Chapter 16
Olive's POV

I blink.
"Yes, and?"

Her ego slowly deflates, and Ahren smirks.

"Y-you're a warlock!" Eleanor says. 
"No, duh," I reply. "And you're a Shadowhunter. Shout it to the world, will ya?"
Eleanor blinks.

John looks so confused.

"I mean," I continue. "I told you everything before Az and I met up in the Market. You just chose not to believe me."
"I-i" is all that comes out of Blondie's mouth.
Ahren chuckles.

"So did you trick us to harm us?" John asks, messing with his headphones.
"Not at all," I reply. "I'm here for information on where to find Addison Campbell. My services aren't free and she owes me a lot of money."

I nod.
I remove my glamour, letting my blue hair be free.

Her jaw drops.
"Your hair is blue- and your skin is t-translucent-"
I wink at her.
"You like what you see?"

She stammers.
John blinks.

"My services are what taught her the basics of mundane magic. I am not the cause of the destruction that she made. And don't worry, she'll pay for what she's done."
"Oh you're like Magnus-" John says.
I nod.
"Somewhat."

Ahren chuckles.
The two of us are still sprawled on my bed.

"Are you here to gloat?" Ahren asks the two of them. "Or will you stay and help Olive find my daughter."
"Olive's your real name?" Eleanor asks.
I nod again.

"I'll help you both," John says. 
Blondie's head turns so fast that I can imagine hearing a snap after it.
"You're what?"

The holographic device starts beeping, making a noise.
Ahren grabs it.
They turn it on, and the two of us are put in the scene.

I watch as a person in a black cloak walks around, and goes under the Santa Monica bridge.
"Bingo," I mutter.

Ahren cuts off the device after the cloaked person disappears.
"That's where my Kahlen is," They say.
"Don't worry, we'll get her," is all I reply.

I turn myself back into Kylie, and look at John.
"Meet us in fifteen minutes near the back of the Institute if you want to help. If you tell anyone else what we're doing, other than Blondie here, I'll wipe your memory. Understood?"

John gulps, and nods.
Eleanor looks in shock.

They both leave the room, and I start getting a go-bag ready for Ahren and I.

***

I wait as Ahren runs over to the back of the Institute, with John following them.
Of course Blondie didn't want to come.

"Ready?" I ask.
Ahren nods.
John looks around anxiously.

I open a portal quietly, and the three of us all hop in.

It doesn't take long until we're deposited on the sandy beach, and Ahren leads the way that they saw to underneath the Santa Monica bridge.
We all just see rocks and sand as we climb.

"What are we looking for, exactly?" John asks.
"A sign for an evil mundane child?" I reply sarcastically.

Ahren continues looking, and makes an 'Aha!' noise.
I climb up and see a small A, in cursive, fancily inscribed on a rock that's stuck.

I call to my magic, and rest my hand on the rock.
The ground shudders under us, and the biggest rock moves to the right, revealing a passageway.

"Whoaa," John says, his brown hair falling into his face.
"Come on you lazy fools," I say jokingly.
Ahren leads the way in, holding their witchlight out in front of him.

"What is this place?" I whisper.

John makes a grunt that I decipher as 'I don't know', and the three of us make our way farther in.
As we venture, there are more lights and wider tunnel spaces.
This is all made from magic.

I let my blue flames appear, letting them feel the space around us.

"She's near," Ahren mutters from the front.
"How can you hear her?" I ask.
Ahren points to the rune that advances hearing on their bicep, and I nod.

They make a gesture for us to shut up, and we all move to the side of the cave, pressing up against the wall.

The person in the black cloak walks across the hall.
"Addison said to leave the cookie jar alone, Mazie!" They yell.

I hear the giggling coming from the right end, and John motions for us to take the left side.
Ahren leads the way left, and we're presented with a set of rooms.

We walk through a small kitchen and bathroom, a small living room, and a bedroom.
Ahren tries to continue walking through but is pushed back by a barrier.

"Hey!" They mutter. "What the hell?"
I rest a hand on their shoulder and raise my other, my blue flames burning up the invisible barrier, and I hear faint snoring.

The three of us come across Kahlen, who is curled up in the fetal position on another bed.
"Oh my baby," Ahren whispers, their voice breaking slightly.

I wave my magic around the room, checking for traps.
None.

I nod to John and he pulls out a blade, guarding the door.
I lock eyes with Ahren and nod again.

They rush over to the bed, scooping little Kahlen into their arms.
"Ah my baby. I got you. I won't let you be taken ever again."

Kahlen stirs, yawning groggily.
She rubs her eyes.
"Daddy?"

Ahren nods.
"Yes my baby, I'm here."

Kahlen cuddles into Ahren's arms.
"The mean lady said you weren't coming back."

"I'll always come back, Kales. I'll always find you."
She smiles sleepily.
"You have marks like shadow-people."

"I know, Daddy's friend Olive gave them to me," They reply. "Want to go home now?"
Kahlen nods.
Ahren scoops her into a bridal carry and nods at the two of us.

I create an illusion of Kahlen on the bed, before the three of us leave the bedroom area, down to the kitchen/bath space.
I remake the barrier spell and the four of us lead down the cave walls. weaving our way around the weird pokes and turns.

As we reach the exit, I make the tunnel close again, and we climb down the rocks.

"I'm so glad we didn't get caught," John says, breathing out.

"Oh, did you?" A voice replies, making us all turn our heads around in shock.