City Of Bones

Chapter 14

Clary slowly entered the apartment as worry consumed her. She glimpsed at Jace who was walking beside her, examining the place. Madame Dorothea's apartment was filled with bead curtains, astrological posters and narrow shelves holding stack books that ran along the wall beside the door. Clary already knew the reason why Madame Dorothea owned these but she wasn't about to spill it all to Jace. A shiver swept through Clary as her mind retreated back to the exposure that might be coming her way.

"Cold?" Jace smirked and she frowned.

"Sort of," she muttered and Jace's look turned thoughtful.

"It's this place. Old lady believes she can tell fortunes," Jace snickered and Clary bit her lip. He was somewhat right. Madame Dorothea wasn't a real witch with magic, she was more like a hedge witch, but she could definitely give an accurate fortune. Simon walked quietly beside her. He looked unsure and worry creased his face slightly. His stiff posture told Clary that he was uncomfortable and alert. In an attempt to calm her best friend, Clary reached out and gently gabbed his wrist. He looked over at her and she mouthed 'Are you okay?' He slowly nodded to her; he was comforted by her gesture, a smile cracked on his face and his rigid posture relaxed. Clary released her grip on his wrist and took another step forward.

"Come along," Madame Dorothea's high pitched voice rang from the other side of the purple bead curtains that hung before them. "No need to stand out there like donkeys. Would you three like any tea?" Madame Dorothea called over her shoulder as she walked through more bead curtains that led to her parlor. Jace was examining just about everything in Dorothea's apartment so Clary spoke up, realizing how hungry her stomach was.

"Sure," she called and she noticed Simon was sticking to her side. He had never been in Dorothea's apartment and she was guessing something with all the fortune telling pictures was creeping him out. "What about you Simon?" He nodded stiffly.

"I'll have some too as long it's not Earl Grey," Jace said and followed Clary and Simon through the next set of curtains.

The parlor was dimly lit and it was full of stuffed birds and bats dangling from the ceiling on thin cords, shiny dark beads where their eyes should have been. The floor was layered with frayed Persian rugs and there was a group of overstuffed armchairs gathered around a low table. The room felt cold and uncomfortable; Clary leaned towards Simon subconsciously trying to ease the feeling and gain some warmth before her, Simon and Jace sat around the table.

Madame Dorothea returned from the kitchen with the tea on a tray and some sandwiches. At the sight of food Clary's stomach growled and she desperately hoped no one heard; however, the smirk on Jace's face told her he heard, and a blush instantly creeped up her face. Madame Dorothea took a seat across them and placed the tray lightly on the table, the cups chattering.

"Any sugar or milk in the tea?" Dorothea asked and Clary asked for a spoon of milk and sugar. Simon took the tea with two spoons of sugar and Jace took it plain. Clary immediately reached for the sandwiches and bit into on. It had cucumber and was seasoned with just the right amount of mayonnaise and pepper.

"Great sandwiches," Clary complimented happily, her stomach rejoicing in the much wanted food. Clary took another bite before noticing that Jace had a frown on his face.

"I hate cucumber," he complained and Clary couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"Then don't eat it," she told him pointedly before she grabbed another one.

"Seems like you hate a lot of things," Simon observed also taking a sandwich.

"Add liars to the list," Jace said, his eyes on Madame Dorothea over his cup of tea but she didn't notice. Instead her eyes averted to Jace's cup of tea and curiosity filled her expression.