Warlock (The Mortal Instruments)

Chapter 1

The Spiral Labyrinth was completely made of a brownish-gray stone. It would have been dark, like the cave it was, but what lit it up only made it cooler. Bright magic in a rainbow of colors spiraled and shifted everywhere Riley looked.

She couldn't stop her jaw from dropping.

"Amazing, isn't it?" Tessa said next to her, lost in memories. "Each spiral of light represents a warlock in the world. The blues, the greens, the oranges, all of it represents someone. There're that many of us out there. To most of us here, it's a sign of hope, but it's also a grim reminder."

Tessa didn't have to continue for Riley to get the message. It was a treacherous reminder of how many demons there were out there and how many of the warlocks hadn't been found.

"It is amazing, though." Riley was awestruck.

"Wait until you see the library." Tessa smiled. "Every book glows and there are candles floating everywhere, even in the air. How'd you like a tour?"

"I'd love it."

"Then I'll show you around." Tessa walked backwards in her tan cloak and spread out her hands. It looked like the black one Magnus wore to battle. "This is the Grand Entrance."

For the first time, Riley noticed the elaborate carvings and doors in the stone. The Labyrinth may have been a cave, but it looked more like a carved underground fortress. There wasn't a single stalagmite or stalactite to be seen and there wasn't a drop of water in sight.

"If you'll follow me," Tessa touched a door and it glowed yellow. "You'll see the shops."

She opened the door and held it open for Riley. She walked through the door. There were more of the magic spirals, but lanterns also filled the air. Shops of all sorts were carved into the stone. Glowing shop names fell into place on old fashioned wooden signs swinging above the entrances. None of them had doors, but Riley guessed there was an enchantment to prevent theft.

There was a music shop, an alchemy shop, a book- mundane and spellbook- shop, and practically every other sort of shop a modern warlock would need.

"I can't believe it. Magnus really wasn't lying. You guys have everything here." Riley's eyes kept drifting to the alchemy shop.

"You really like alchemy, don't you?" Tessa noticed.

"Yeah, too bad my alchemy set is at home." Riley frowned.

"Well, go on and get it. I'll show you to your room and have Odelia open the portal." Tessa led her down the hall.

"Wait. Really?" Riley was flickering with emotion. "But the demons could still be there."

Tessa nodded. "That's why I'm going with you."

Riley couldn't decide what to say. "Thank you."

Tessa smiled. "You're welcome but it's no problem, really. I honestly thought it was getting a bit boring around here."

"How could this ever get boring?"

"You'd be surprised." They reached the door. "It'll only open for you."

Riley put her hand up to the door and watched the blue magic spiral from her fingertips, causing the color of the door to go from a deep brown to a bright, vibrant blue. She pushed the glowing door open to see something ordinary. A blank room the size of an apartment.

"So, I get to design it myself?"

"Yep."

"Okay." Riley took in a deep breath, then her eyes lit up. "I think I know what I'll do."