The marked one.

8

We had spent the rest of the day exploring the institute as well as doing some shopping so we had some more clothes to wear. I set up one of the spare rooms for Clary with some art supplies and her clothes as well as a few new outfits I had brought her.

It was now late into the evening and I had just finished preparing dinner for everyone. I wanted to do something nice so I made Cajan chicken with sweet potato and lemon couscous. I also made Cajan spiced halloumi for those who didn't eat meat. I left everything on the side in large foil dishes so they could dish out their own plates when they had time to eat.

"You want to go to gather with others for me?" I ask Seb and he nods eagerly before running out to get Jace, Alec and Izzy. I dish up mine and Sebs plate while I wait and pour us both some water.

"Wow. It smells amazing in here." Izzy complements and eagerly dishes up her own plate.

"Thank you. I know you guys are more used to eating breakfast right now so I hope it's not too weird to be having dinner instead." I say as I cut up Seb's chicken for him. I was fully aware that he could do it by himself but I also knew that if the dinner was 'too much effort' then he wouldn't eat and I would find him in the pantry with a pack of cookies later.

"Food is food. Thank you." Jace says and grabs a plate of food and a bottle of water before going to sit with Clary again. He hadn't left her side other than to train or sleep.

"Thank you. You didn't have too."

Izzy gasps loudly and stares at her brother with her hand over her heart. "Are you giving a compliment? Who are you and what have you done to my brother?" I chuckle at her words and the archer simply glares at his sister and mocks her heavily, before taking a seat so Seb was between us.

The young boy smiles up at him toothily. "Could you teach me how to use a bow and arrow?" he pleads, putting his hands together.

"Um, only, only if it's okay with your momma" He stutters in response and Seb whips around to me with the biggest puppy dog eyes possible. I smile and ruffle his hair. "You know I would never stop you from learning a weapon. Just be careful and listen to everything that Alec tells you to do. He's already been runed so if he gets hurt you can give him an iratze" I direct the last part to Alec and her looks at me quizzically but nods anyway. He was probably wondering why he already had runes when the standard age was 9-10.

"Then I would be honored to train you." Alec declares and Seb cheers loudly before focusing back on his food. I turn my attention to Alec. "Don't worry about him listening. He's the most disciplined in his karate class and I told him about how difficult it is to learn how to use a bow and arrow, and that I admire anyone who does. He already looks up to you and in the few hours he's known you." I tell him softly and I watch as his eyes widen in surprise before he becomes embarrassed and his face flushes deeply.

He goes back to eating, the flush not leaving his face and I see Izzy smirking out of the corner of my eye. I turn to her and she winks before talking to Seb about his training. We finish eating and my son animatedly retells how he floored his Sensi.

After we eat Izzy helps me wash up while Alec goes to a meeting and Seb goes off to find someone to teach him how to use a sword. "Wanna spar?" I ask as I put the last plate away.

"Do I ever? I've been dying to spar with you since we fought together at Pandemonium!" She exclaimed excitedly before grabbing my hand and dragging me out. When we arrive at the training room I strip off my jacket and throw it off to the side before tying my hair up into a quick messing bun. "With or without runes?" I question as she grabs a long bow staff from the wall and throws it to me. I catch it with a small twirl and she grabs her own, spinning it around her wrist. "Without. I want to see what you're capable of.

Before I could get into stance she steps towards me and strikes my side. I quickly move with the strike to minimize the pain a bit before striking back. Soon the room was filled with the sound of wood clashing with wood as we danced back and forth. Our steps in syn as we moved like we had been fighting together our whole lives.

Soon enough I see an opening and I'm able to swipe her legs out from underneath her. I'm on her in less than a second and pinning her down with my staff pressing against her neck.

"I win." I smirk as we both try to catch our breath. She laughs and a set of applause fills the room. We both turn to the sound and find Alec and Jace standing at the entrance of the room looking impressed. "Damn Izzy. I've never seen you loose." Jace smirk looking at us as he wiggles his eyebrows suggestively at our position. I roll my eyes and flip myself up and over Izzy so I'm standing before her as she pulls herself from the ground.

"Think one of you ladies can do better?" I mock and Alec gives me a small smirk and raises his hands in surrender and walks away. I don't know what that was but I think seeing me fight finally made him realize I am no different from them. His main argument when we met was that I was just mundane, even though he had seen my runes.

"You're on. Prepared to lose?" Jace boasts as Izzy leaves to go with Clary for a bit.