The Academy

Eighty Two

Tink:

"Look at that!" I exclaim when Matthew pulls his sleeve up to show me the first silvery scar he'll ever receive. "Rose is going to be upset that she couldn't come," I sigh, going to the kitchen to make him some lunch. "She couldn't, you know the rules better than anyone Tinkerbell. Shadowhunters only," Jace says, taking the sandwich to Matthew. "Right, just make it up to her yeah?" I ask, tying my hair up. Jace nods and sits with his son. "Did it hurt?" I ask, sitting on the floor by the coffee table. "Only a little, I got to hold daddy's hand and I had to say funny words but I'm okay," he shrugs, leaving his little plaid sleeves rolled up. Jace looks really proud and that makes me happy. "Told you," I say, smiling up at him he laughs and kisses Matthew's head.

"Were you like this with Delilah?" Jace asks, beaming as Matthew kicks his little legs and eats his sandwich. "Yeah, I was like this with Delilah, Nathan, and Samantha," I say, feeling mixed emotions towards the memories.

"Mommy, I'm scared. Why isn't daddy here? Why can't I see their faces? Is this going to hurt? I don't want to do this," Delilah says, scrambling to hold onto Jace's leg. "Honey Daddy is at boot camp. Their faces are covered because it's what they do to keep hidden. This is going to string a little, like ripping off a band aid. Yes, you do want to do this," Jace says, picking her up. I'm a mess, my little girl is scared to death and honestly, I really wish Peter was here even though he can't be because he isn't a Shadowhunter. "Delilah Pan, now is the moment you will become part of the Shadowhunter community, the secret society of defense. We are the wall between demons and mortals. You are about to follow in the footsteps of your mother, are you ready to begin?" Brother Zachriah, projects into our minds. They cannot talk because of the ways of the Silent Brothers. Delilah looks at me and swallows before nodding.

"Shark bait hoo-ha-ha," Jace mumbles under his breath as I take a step forward and grab onto Delilah's hand. "Mr. Wayland we have no objection to remove you from the grounds. No more interruptions," Brother Zachriah says, pulling his hood back. Delilah squeals and squeezes her eyes shut. "It's okay little one, I'm not here to hurt you," He says, kneeling in front of her. His eyes are missing, black holes where they should go and his mouth has been sewed shut with black thread. He's terrifying, and his power matches his appearance. "Once upon a time mommy did this too. Please just cooperate Delilah," I say, putting my hand on her back. She nods and looks Brother Zachriah in the face, "Let's do this," she says bravely. I swear I hear a ghostly chuckle in the back of my brain but I dismiss it.

Then Jace and I are shut out and Delilah begins to repeat words, worship of the Angel Raziel, the one who created Shadowhunters. The glowing stele is places on her wrist and she squirms a little. "It's really hot," she murmurs. I nod and tighten my hand on hers. When the event is over and see are walking out of Shadowhunter headquarters she starts laughing. "What?" Jace asks. "Shark bait hoo-ha-ha," she repeats. "Ice cream time," I announce, getting her into the car. I leave a message on Peter's phone, knowing he won't get them for years.

Nathan and Samantha's went a little different. They were three instead of five or two. It just depends on the maturity of a natural born Shadowhunter and then the date of an adopted. Naturally, they didn't need me to be with them because they could hold each other's hands. Which was great except for me being side lined. The same basic things happened at theirs, just like at Delilah's.

"Do you think Peter ever got the messages that I left on his phone?" I ask, looking back up at the two boys eating in unison. "Yeah, I just don't think he thought it was important to return your calls because he was on the plane home when he started listening to them," Jace shrugs. "Okay, well call me back over when he is about to go to bed. If you get scared about anything who do you call?" I ask Matthew as Jace helps me into my coat. "I call Aunt Tink," he says, going back to his television show.