Splash Of Love

 A/N: Finally okay to post :) This was beta'd by the lovely @bookwhipped on tumblr so thank you to her for checking over and helping with the title for this!  

The tannoy announcement almost scares the angel out of all three Lightwoods siblings.

"That thing will be the death of us, I swear," Jace mutters.

The two of them both attempt to retract their wings, which had blown outwards in shock, and end up crashing into each other, stifling groans and trying to suppress the wince triggered by their disturbed feathers.

"The great Lightwoods defeated by a speaker? I don't think so." Alec folds his arms.

"Can't you take a little joke?" Izzy asks, rolling her eyes and zipping up her leather jacket. Somehow, she'd managed to rearrange her wings a lot quicker than the two of them, a skill that still drives both the brothers absolutely crazy but also one she refuses to teach them.

"Grow up, Iz." Alec's comment is coupled with a semi-serious glare to which Izzy responds with a huff and light punch.

Jace pushes Izzy forwards before Alec has the chance to even remotely retaliate and the three of them quickly make their way to the conference room, three pairs of boots echoing on the floorboards.

Sharing a look, the three of them slide into their seats and wait for Maryse to explain. A pregnant pause hangs over the room until someone they've never seen before walks in with a mysterious briefcase in one hand. Naturally, they all sit up a little and stiffen, unsure of who he is, but that's a mystery quickly solved when he turns to face them; only one species could look so pale in the yellow lighting.

"Glad to see you all here, Lightwoods." The vampire's voice is rough, hoarse as if he urgently needs some blood.

Maryse sends him a quick smile of acknowledgement before he starts talking, quickly explaining that his clan – and every other vampire clan in the vicinity – is under threat by the outlandish group of vampires who seem to be unnatural even for the undead.

"What makes them different?" Alec asks.

"They... Well, they don't feed like regular vampires."

"Then what do they feed on?" Jace asks, frowning in confusion.

"Pain, fear, and of course blood, but only if it's taken unwillingly."

"That doesn't sound good. I'm guessing we're here to solve that problem?"

The vampire nods sincerely but there's a stunned silence where they all consider how exactly such a mutation could have occurred. Eventually, they quit thinking about the causes and start planning on how to figure what the clan's motives, deciding that some surveillance is due. In the end, they have to split up, Izzy teaming up with Jace to go visit one of the alleged leaders, Simon, and Alec going solo to try and find out about any associates or enemies.

Alec leaves first because he doesn't particularly have a set destination or a deadline. Grabbing his arrows and slinging a quiver over his shoulder, he's out of the institute within ten minutes. Of course, only after both his siblings have drawn a dozen mandala-like symbols on his skin as a precaution.

"Alec, wait up!" Jace calls.

"What?" Alec asks, raising an eyebrow.

"Are you sure you're okay solo?"

"Do you have any actual questions?" Alec asks, his eyebrows travelling further behind his fringe.

Jace laughs but then nods, clapping Alec's shoulder with a confidence that only a brother could ever have.