Middle School of Bones - A Mortal Instruments Story

Chapter 16

I didn't know what Isabelle was worried about because there were more than enough weapons for a whole army. The weapons room was crazy huge with so many sharp things that I felt like I'd get injured just looking at them.

Alec and Jace were inside, talking over a display of throwing knives. Jace had added a black leather jacket over his outfit and had fixed his hair so it swooshed in one direction. Alec was watching Jace play with the knives, and when Isabelle whistled to get their attention, he jumped.

"Where's Simon?" I asked. 

"Kitchen," Jace said. "Alec didn't want him in the weapons room."

"Lovely, let's go find him," Isabelle said. She was stuffing small knives into her dress. I hadn't imagined there was much room with the way the dress fit her so tightly, but she surprised me. She twirled a whip over her wrist so it looked like jingling gold bracelets.

"Clary, grab whatever you want," she told me. I looked around. Mom still made me use safety scissors at home. I decided to keep that to myself.

"Here, take this," Jace said. He handed me a sheathed blade. "Just in case you need to defend yourself.

"Thanks." I held it awkwardly. "Uh, where do I put it?"

Jace motioned vaguely. "Tie it on your leg." I did as he said and made sure it was tight enough that it wouldn't fall off. My dress was long enough so it wasn't visible, and I was surprised that the knife didn't hinder my movement at all.

I put my hands on my hips. "Alright, I'm ready."

"No you're not." Simon appeared in the doorway. "You can't wear that."

I frowned. "What? Why?" 

"It's... You look..." Simon looked embarrassed. "You need more clothes."

I crossed my arms. "You're not my mom."

"Here." Jace took off his jacket and tossed it to me. He raised an eyebrow to Simon. "Happy?" Underneath, Jace wore a short-sleeved shirt that showed thick, black symbols twisted over his arms. They looked like tattoos, but I remembered what he said about marks earlier. He caught me staring and smirked. "Want one?"

Isabelle pulled out a silver stick, but I didn't think it was for makeup this time. "Here. Give me your hand."

I saw Simon frown, but I didn't hesitate. I wanted to look like the others. I was meant to be a Shadowhunter, just like them. Isabelle traced an eye on my right hand. Simon looked distressed.

"And I'll do a perception rune," she said as she moved on to my arm. "There." She slipped the stick into her hair like a pin. I pulled Jace's jacket on. It smelled like rust and apple juice.

"Cool, are we ready?" Alec asked. He was out of the room before anyone responded. The rest of us followed behind.

--

We made our way across the city to a bunch of fancy apartment buildings. Jace pointed us to the biggest, fanciest one, and we took the elevator to the top. When the doors opened, music blared out so loudly that I couldn't hear what song was playing. Isabelle ushered Simon and me forward.

"I don't like this," Simon said. Isabelle laughed.

Jace was at my back. "Come on, let's find Magnus," he said by my ear. I let him lead me through the crowd. I scanned the people I passed without knowing what I was looking for. I felt like I should recognize Magnus when I saw him, but I didn't know. 

Jace stopped in front of me, and I looked up. At first, my eyes passed over the guy holding the fluffy gray cat. But there was something familiar about him that made me take a closer look. When he turned around, he looked like he could be a freshman in high school. His eyes were blue with pupils like a cat's. It seemed ridiculous that he could be anyone except Magnus Bane.

"Shadowhunters," Magnus snarled. He looked from Jace to Alec before settling on me. His expression softened. "Clarissa. Welcome. I've been expecting a visit from your mother."