Ave Atque Vale

The Dark Stranger

I was led into a dark room in a dark large building, I was escorted by a tall man walking with a cane. The room was barley lit with several little candles, along the wall were weapons I have never seen.

"As you see" he began "I have protected myself from those monsters as well." he turned around and knelt down to be face to face with me. "I will never let them hurt you, the way they hurt your parents." He gave a sad smile. He got back up and started to walk to a desk, he threw himself into it. I quietly sat into a chair opposite of the desk. "Have you ever heard of the word Shadow-hunter?" I shook my head, and surprisingly he smiled. "Well, I think it is high time you learn." He opened a drawer and took out an object that looked like a stone, he took it into his hand and it started to glow.

"A True shadow hunter is one who can hold this and it will glow, would you like to try it?" I shook my head but he narrowed his eyes and I put my hand out. He softened his face "this will prove if you truly are." He put it in my hand. I looked down at the weird looking rock, it sat in my hand. I looked up at him as he growled "It's not glowing." He violently stood up making the chair fly back. I jumped and sat back down. He rubbed his eyes and pressed a button on his desk and in flew to dark figures dressed in dark, leathered clothes. He sighed "Kill her" he said and snapped his fingers, they came close to grab my shoulders when suddenly a light came from my hand.

I ascended the stairs in my dark tank top and pants, also called the legendary training gear. I walked into the training room. I looked up at the balance beam that my best friend was balancing on.

"You know, the balance beam is not your strongest point." I yelled up to her. She looked down and smiled and jumped down perfectly.

"And yours isn't subtly" She laughed

"One of my many burdens" I flipped my short, brown hair. She rolled her eyes. The doors busted open and I saw Isaiah walk in with Laura. They were holding hands the way the always were. "And I see the love birds are still striving." Laura let go of his hand and ran over to hug both of us.

"So how was England?" Catrina asked, they began small talk as I zoned out, I looked around realizing he was here. But where could he be? It's too early to check in...I think?

"Hey, earth to Brynn" Isaiah waved his hand in front of my face "By the angel, do you ever stay in a conversation?" I shook my head. He sighed, making hid dark brown wavy hair fall into his face. "Well come on, the clave is down stairs" I rolled my eyes,

"The Clave can kiss my-"Laura was interrupted, the head of the institute, Isabelle Lightwood, came into the room clearing her voice before Laura could finish her sentence. We all looked away in embarrassment.

"The Clave is here for only today, can we manage that, Laura?" She said, Laura nodded and she turned and walked out of the door. We all started to quietly laugh, except for Laura. She walked out by the clicking of her very high heels.

"Why is that women always around at the worst times?" she threw up her hands in frustration.

"Eh, she just doesn't like you because you're dating me." Isaiah shrugged

"Why do you hate the Clave so much?" I asked, she shrugged

"I don't know" Laura said "Maybe it's in my blood." They started walking when I felt a cold chill and the smell of salt. He was here.

The two men looked back at the man now in awe at my abilities, he chuckled and sent them away. He took the stone out of my hands and set it on the desk.

"Well, the little shadow hunter can" he laughed again

I finally spoke up "What does that stone do?" he smiled

"Lights up only in a shadow hunters hand, and guides you through the darkness." He put it back into the desk drawer. "You my little one, will help me through the dark of a terrible race."

"The shadow hunters?" I tilted my head "but I thought I am one?"

"Oh, you are" he said "but we must get rid of some who...are monsters like the ones who killed your parents"

"Oh," I said swinging my legs of the chair "so, how do we get rid of them?" I asked

"You must go to a place far away called Alicante' and train and be one of them." He said

"Do you have a plan?" I asked

"Yes, little one, but I will keep it a secret until you come back, ok?" I nodded, then I realized I didn't know his name.

"What is your name?" I asked He grabbed his cane and walked toward the door

"Mortmain" Mortmain.