Mortal Instruments: The Silver and Gold Twins

Chapter 1

I sat looking out at the rolling waters my knees tight to my chest. My breath visible in the frigid November air. New York. The city that never sleeps. The car horns blare in the background of my thoughts. From my perch on the roof, I got a good look at everything. From downtown to the waters even to the less densely populated areas. My eyes scanned back and forth searching the streets. For what, even I didn't know. The institute was quiet today. No yelling or fighting or even protesting between its inhabitants. My brother and I lived here along side the Lightwoods and their children Izzy, Alec and Max and also Clarissa Fairchild. They had become siblings to my brother Jace and me.

As I took a breath in scanning the horizon for the hundredth time, a knock on the door broke my thoughts.

"May I sit with you?" Jace's familiar voice floated through the air. He approached without any noise as only a shadowhunter could.

"Course Jace" I sighed and scooted to the right slightly. Jace sat next to me and curled in his knees in the same manner mine were. His golden hair falling slightly in his eyes as he looked out into the air.

"Bit cold out isn't it?" Jace mused quietly breaking the content silence.

"Yeah I guess. It doesn't bother me much," I said shrugging, my long blonde hair bouncing slightly.

Jace nodded and wrapped a rune-scarred arm around my shoulders protectively. He's always trying to keep me from harm saying I'm all he has left to protect anymore. I think he still thinks of me as a little girl.

"Of course sis" he chuckled, his golden eyes searching for my silver ones. "You are a tough little thing," he said trying to annoy me.

"Haha very funny" I rolled my eyes shrugging off his arm and standing up. "Come on. Aren't we going hunting tonight to track that demon?" I asked stretching, my hair tumbling down my back.

"Right you are" he smiled and stood next to me. Towering over me, he ruffled my hair and begun to the door.

I rolled my eyes and headed in after him walking down the narrow steps with ease. As we reached the bottom I turned and bolted the door that lead to the roof before continuing on down the hall to my room. I reached for the door handle hoping to slip in unnoticed but before I even felt the cold metal of the knob a hand spun me from behind. I turned to find a wide-eyed and excited Izzy bouncing with excitement.

"Kaison!" she smiled hugely "You ready? What are you wearing? Is that how you're wearing your hair? Is that natural? Do you still have that beaded clip? And how bout that..." she bombarded before I stopped her.

"IZZY! Dude calm down!" I laughed and patted her shoulder. "Why don't you come in while I change so you can ask me everything you just asked again? This time slower please" I said calming her slightly.

"Sorry Kai" she chuckled and followed me into my room.

My room was the only place I was ever left alone. Its four walls were decorated with pictures of me, Jace, Izzy, Clary and Alec on random occasions. Its cluttered feel made me feel at home in the mostly bare room. The bed sheet was still rumpled at the bottom and the side table was a mess with books and papers and other useless things. I liked my areas slightly messy and out of place. It gave me a feeling of comfort. I headed to the dull closet doors and opened them swiftly, the movement ruffling a few pictures. My wardrobe was far from fashionista. I preferred a comfortable feel not the glamorous life. My hunting gear was neatly hung on hangers inside. Jace must have reorganized.

My eyes flitted from the left to right, searching. I finally pulled out a black blouse that hung loose on my small frame and a pair of black tight hunting pants. The back of the blouse was enticing. It pulled you in with lacy runic patterns that protected the wearer. It was a gift from my close friend when I was a child. Izzy looked at me with blatant disgust.

"Seriously? You look like you do and that's what you are gonna wear?" she shook her head "I would kill for a frame like yours" she mumbled and grabbed my hunting boots for me.

"Thanks Izz." I rolled my eyes as I slipped my foot into the mid calve lace up boot. I begun the tedious task of tying them and looked up at Izzy. "Better go get dressed. You know how testy Jace gets when we are late." I chuckled and continued lacing.

She laughed "One of these days we are going to put that kid in his place" she said as she walked out of my room.