Stars, Secrets, and Lies

Bad Drinks and Bad People Skills

                  

I told you I'd update soon. And, I also told you this chapter would be longer. Well, as promised: the longest chapter yet. I tried to make this one super-light hearted, so ENJOY!

As always, please review, even if it's hate. I really just want to hear what people think. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING, LOVE YOU, AND WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, ZE NEXT CHAPTAR!

June 17, 2016.

The bar was loud. Like, rock-concert loud. There were tables where people sat with their drinks to one side, and to the other a dance floor and a live DJ. At the back of the room there were bathrooms and a counter where two or three bartenders were moving so fast it seemed as if they had four arms. One of them did have four arms, but minor details.

After entering, I looked at the group and broke off to sit at a table with Mae. We went for one right in the middle of the setup, and squeezed into one side of the booth. This way, it seemed more likely people would sit down with us. It took a total of five seconds before Mae seemed bored.

"We should call someone over," I suggested, yelling at her even though she was right beside me.

It took her a minute, which meant I probably wasn't loud enough. It would take a while for our ears to adjust to the skull-throbbing bass. Luckily, her lip-reading talents came in useful, and she scoured our surroundings, and pointed at a guy on the dance floor.

"He's hot. I wouldn't mind if he came over."

I couldn't argue. Dark spiked up air, thick black frames, tall, lean, sharp-ass jawline, Jesus: what more could you ask for? He reminded me of the American Spiderman in the movies Vesper had forced me to watch. She was obsessed with the heroes from companies like Marvel. I suddenly liked those heroes a little more.

A girl slid into the booth across from us. She had flowers in her hair, which was elegantly braided off to the side. A faerie, I guessed. I wondered how she was allowed in here after the mass betrayal they pulled a few years ago. They were still unforgiven, it was one of the most despicable events in the history of the Shadow World.

"Look at the little Shadowhunters. All dressed up to actually seem intimidating," she taunted. "I can't tell, did someone punch you in the face or is that just really bad makeup?"

Mae opened her mouth to say something, but I beat her to it.

"How did you even get in here?" I asked, calmer than I should be.

"What? You mean how hard was it to sweet-talk the owner? In that case, not very."

"No, I was just very concerned the iron doorknob may have burned your hand," I said, and slammed my hand down on fragile twig like fingers. There was a burning sound, followed by a scream. She jerked her hand back, caressing it close to her chest. She looked at me like she couldn't believe what just happened.

"You bitch," she snarled. "You will fucking pay," she warned, before getting up and disappearing towards the back of the room.

"Tara!" Mae exclaimed. I was afraid I'd get in trouble, I'd never been so mean to anyone before.

"I'm sorry- she's a traitor, and she was insulting us-"

"That was awesome! How did you-" Mae started, beaming with pride. It wasn't the reaction I'd expected, but it was definitely a favourable one.

I smiled, her cheerfulness contagious. I held up my hand: "Family ring," I explained. "Iron."

Skylar came over, slid into the booth, and everyone else followed suit. "What the heck happened over here?