Duke of Darkness (Empire Of Storms #1)

Chapter 3

Ella Starkweather was not a happy camper. She never liked mundane cities with the smog and complete oblivion towards the shadows that lurked around every corner. But they were Downworldres afterall, what could she do besides her job? It was suppose to be simple, go to Canada, find Madame T and deliver a letter yet here they were side tracked by yet another boring fascination of a mundane girl. A weak looking one at that.

Virgil, her best friend, had insisted on bringing her back with them. That she had the potential to ascend and become one of them. A Shadowhunter. Ella scoffed at the very idea. Ascension was something only the desperate would resort to. Shadowhunters are born not made by drinking from a magic cup. It was absurd. "You think she could have angel blood in her? " Keegan, her boyfriend of nearly three years asked. "I mean it is a possibility if this girl could see past your glamor."

"Mundane." Ella corrected

"She could also have Seelie blood in her, she was pretty cute." Her elder brother Blake added with a sly smirk.

"Half-Seelie children still have Seelie features remeber. And she looked pretty human to me." Virgil added as he attempted to peak into the store.

"This mundane is taking forever." Ella huffed impatiently.

"Ella we're early." Keegan retorted "She'll be here soon."

"I just don't see why we can't just enter without her."

"Because that's illegal." The mundane interupted as she slung her bag over her shoulders. The mundane walked over, irratitation clearly shown on her face. Clearly she wasn't a morning person like the rest of the world.

She grabbed a set of keys and unlocked three latches before turning the key and then hitting the side twice with her hip. It was an extensive process, but she got it done fast, entering the shop like it was nothing. The paint on the walls were chipping and the floors creaked with every step, no matter how light. The smell of herbs and other medicinal needs seemed to grow stronger as the mundane scurried to the back of the shop. To think a thin curtain could keep out a draft of smoke was beyond her. Probably magic.

The mundane girl took her sweet time in returning with her dusty old apron on. She smiled, but it wasn't anything special. Everyone could smile if they tried hard enough. "Madame T isn't fully awake yet so until then I am to see to your needs." She spoke in a completely different tone. A much more energetic and perky one at that.

Ella scoffed, but was interupted when Blake walked closer towards. He was acting like a child, sizing up his prey before demanding lunch money and stuffing them into a Locker. "Can you do readings sweetie? "

The way he asked her was enough to make the whole room gag, but the mundane kept her composure. "Sure...just you or all four of you?"

Ella froze, whatever she was doing seemed to be practically non-existent now. That was the second time this girl called them out. Even Keegan looked amazed. A mundane seeing through a Shadowhunter's glamor. Ella believed those to be nothing more then history, when mundanes with those gifts served Shadowhunters as servants. But here she was in the flesh, face to face between what should no longer exist. Not purely at least.

"Yeah..four..." Keegan added, killing the silence that had lasted longer then intended.

Unfazed Blake jumped up, arms flailing like a large child. "I'm first." He declared. The mundane had to take a step back. Blakes enthusiasm seemed to have left her uneasy, whether she actually felt that was well hidden behind her smile. The mundane walked behind the counter to pull out the cards, pushing past Virgil with a simple "excuse me". She really could see past his glamor, past all of theirs.

Blake leaned on top of the glass counter, rubbing his hands in delight. The mundane cut the deck and shuffled it before expertly spreading out the deck infront of him. "You pick three cards. First for past, second for present and third for future, in that order." She stated before taking half a step back.

Blake took some time before picking his three as if he was serious about this. The mundane put the deck away before flipping the first card. "The Tower card represents a change or an event you were not prepared for. Perhaps a change in life style or perhaps an emotional state? No...it's love...something to do with love..."

She flipped the second card "The Star card shows a bright, promising present. You've learned from that past event and have grown since then. You're stronger now, ready to love again." The mundane had her hands hovering over each card as if she could truly look into them and see right through him. "The final card predicts a strong, honest love in your life just like it's name, the Lovers." She gestured towards Blake's hand to which he slowly moved towards her. Ever so slightly, she touched his palm and suddenly jolted her fingers into a clenched fist. "Blonde. Really blonde." She added before gathering up her cards "Who's next?"

~

Alison set up the cards for the next reading, the tall, dark male practically jumped in front of her. He needed no explication and quickly picked his three cards. She flipped the first card, Death and felt bits of his past flow by her. "You...your life had greatly changed because of this event. If it weren't for it, you wouldn't be here...".

She flipped the second, Chariot "Your goals have changed because of this and you feel passionately about it. " Finally the third card had been flipped. A surge of energy entered Alison and she listened to it. She could hear the card calling out to her, the man's future was beneath her finger tips.

A notebook, the key. Fragments of an unsolved mystery. A home, love. Something so horrid it's unheard of. Tattoos that bind one another to each other, more powerful then any ring and a girl unlike any other that I must protect...

Alison flipped the card, the Tower card stared right at her. She took a breath to compose herself and then spoke "Your future...it's quite detailed really, but it's scattered. The Tower card exposed quite a bit, but it's all jumbled up." She licked her lips "But from what I could see, you will be faced with yet another big change, so great that it'll bring back past events. I also see a girl unlike any other. You're going to love her."

(Hey guys welcome to the end of the third chapter!! Sorry this took longer then usual, I just started my first job so things have been quite hectic. I'd love to hear more from you guys, as you can see I love TMI/Shadowhunters and hopefully you all do too XD Thank you all for reading and supporting this, I hope I can live up to all of your expectations!) -kupuruu