➰The Other Morgenstern➰

Chapter 7

Author's Note: I do not own any Fandoms' Content or any of its Characters that are seen or used throughout this entire story that you might recognize for they all belong to their respective owners. Any Original Plot, Original Ideas, or OC's belong to me.

Mia had been in Madame Dorothea's place a couple of times, and it roughly has the same layout as her and her family's apartment with Madame Dorothea using the space differently compared to them. The entryway reeking of sweet smell from burning spice or some substance is hung with bead curtains and astrological posters of the Zodiac constellation and Chinese magical symbol guide. The other showed a finger spread hand, each line on the palm and carefully labeled. Above the hand Latinate script spells out the word: In Manibus Fortuna. Stalked books on narrowed shelves that ran along the wall beside the door.

Madame Dorothea noticing Izzy gazing calls her out as she was poking her head through the curtains. "Interested in chiromancy or just nosy?"

Izzy wrinkles her nose. "Neither. Do you really tell fortunes?"

Madame Dorothea's lips twisted up. "My mother had a great talent. She could see a man's future in his hand or the leaves at the bottom of his teacup. She taught me some of her tricks. Speaking of tea, would you care for some?"

Izzy looks flustered. "What?

Mia shrugged. "Sure why not." She can use a drink, and drinking strong and bitter alcohol ain't the time. Gotta stay sober.

Madame Dorothea smiles at Izzy. "Confused ain't ya? I find tea both settles the stomach and concentrates the mind. Wonderful drink."

Izzy smiles a little back. "Sure, I'd love some. I'm certain if Jace was here instead of my place he'd have hated if you had anything Earl Grey. He hates Bergamot."

At her response of mentioning Jace, Madame Dorothea cackled loudly and walks through her bead curtains while Mia snorts. "Of course he hates and surprise he even knows Bergamot is."

Izzy raises an amused brow. "What? Surprise he knows about tea?"

Mia leans back, placing both arms behind her back in a relaxed manner and crossing her leg over the other. "I just figured he skipped out on Shadowhunter classes: basic medicinal based on using plants or herbs. It is a required course. He just came off to me as a himbo that flaunts his charm out of his ass and six-pack."

"Stereotypical ain't you?"

Mia gave her a raised brow. "His attitude says otherwise and he merely focus on where to jam his Seraph Blade into a demon's ass or "going for the head" for beginners." Making air quotes in sarcasm.

"Hmm, point taken." Izzy wandered off to the bookshelf, examining its content, no doubt to investigate what Madame Dorothea has got stored in her possession.

"Y'know it's very rude to go through someone's belongings." Mia points out with an uncaring tone, knowing Izzy will find a first sign of a hint on how Madame Dorothea hides behind her closet. "Are you expecting to find a cauldron filled with elixirs, potions, or frog's legs and toenails in jars?" She shows off her dry humor.

Izzy turns to her, deadpanning. "Very funny, Morgenstern. Y'know I have to ask, why do you take the surname of your fa-"

"That bastard is not my father," Mia cuts her off immediately with a restrained aggression, first sign of emotion Izzy has seen other than frustration, anger, cockiness, or anything not related to smiling or like hers. Mia tempers herself, running her hand through her scalp and breathes cooly. "It's just...the Morgenstern Family is not defined by what Valentine's reputation. I won't allow Valtnine's malevolence and his notorious actions bring shame to the family name and allow anyone to forget about it in history books to be left in a shelf for them to collect in dust." She says sternly. "Our Insignia is the Falling Star for we the Morgenstern honor the Fallen Archangel: Lucifer The Morning Star. Ironic though that Valentine is our Lucifer for he fall from his duties just as Lucifer fell from Heaven and Grace."