FROM THE SHADOWS

[14] ENVOY FROM THE CLAVE

As it turned out, meeting Robert Lightwood wasn't nearly as bad as her meeting with his wife had been. Unlike his wife, he didn't make any snide remarks about her father and when she introduced herself as Mabel Garroway, he merely frowned momentarily at the name change but didn't correct her.

Max had been bouncing around them, waiting for Mabel to ask for his stele back, but when he grew impatient at the boring grown-up conversation, he prompted the topic himself. Unfortunately, as soon as the word stele left his lips, Robert had shut him down, reprimanding him and reminding him that he'd get it back when he could use it responsibly.

With a huff, Max sulked and grabbed Mabel's hand to pull her away, knowing it was no use. So, instead he decided to introduce Mabel to the people in the Institute that he liked. Mabel appreciated it because she hadn't really gotten to know many of them yet since arriving. There was constantly something happening that took precedence. She especially hit it off with Wanda and Marlon, who Max swore were the best because they snuck him candy.

"Alec!" Max pulled on Mabel's hand and dragged her along when he spotted his brother. Mabel laughed and threw a wave at Wanda and Marlon.

Alec looked up and his eyebrows shut up at seeing who his little brother was dragging along. "Max. And Mabel? I didn't realize you two had met already."

"I found her in the kitchen, banging her head on the table."

Alec met Mabel's eyes and she spotted a flicked of concern in his.

"Max," Mabel objected, though there was a playfulness to her voice. "You little snitch, that was a moment of weakness. I'm so not helping you get your stele back if you're gonna be like that."

"You were rubbish at it anyway. You didn't even mention it to my dad. I had to bring it up and he shut me down."

Mabel scoffed, but Alec could see the smile tugging at her lips. "Well, what did you want me to say? Hi, I'm Mabel, your son's soulmate. By the way, can you give Max his stele back?" Mabel raised an eyebrow. "You think that would've worked?"

Max huffed, "It was worth the try." Mabel squatted down and shot him a look. "Fine. No, that wouldn't have worked."

"Uh huh. Patience, Max. All I'm saying."

"Patience sucks."

"Yep, it does."

Max rounded on his brother. "Can't you get my stele back, Alec?"

"They took it away because you nearly burned down the Mumbai Institute."

"I said it was an accident," Max groaned and walked away. Alec sighed and turned to Mabel, who drew to her feet

"You okay?" He took her hand, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. "What's this I hear about slamming your head on the table?"

Mabel let out a breath. "I'm alright. Jace told me to take a break and look for you. Max found me first though and he's surprisingly good at taking my mind off everything." Everything being her friend being dead and her distraught sister having to make an impossible choice. Her face dropped a little at the mere thought. "I wish there was something useful I could do. It's so frustrating and I want to help Clary but I just... can't."

Alec pulled her in for a hug and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "I'm sorry. If I could make this better, I would."

"I know." Mabel pulled back and gave him a small smile.

"So, you met my father." The underlying question was clear and Mabel chuckled.

"It was much more peaceful than meeting your mother, I promise. Max insisted I meet him just to get his stele back. He really wants it back. When your father shut him down, I got the feeling it wasn't the first time he'd brought it up."