City of Secrets

Chapter 1

 Alec sighed as he joined Jace and Izzy with his coffee.

"Is everything okay Alec?" Jace asked in concern.

"Yeah, it's just Raj. He won't stop asking me out".

"Do you need us to punch him?" Izzy asked glaring at Raj who was preparing a drink for another customer, but kept subtly looking at Alec.

"No it's fine, but thanks though. Hey guys, I keep drawing this weird symbol. I've been meaning to ask do either of you recognize it?" Alec asked as he pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to Izzy.

Alec saw them frown and share a worried look when they saw it.

"Alec how long have you been drawing this?" Jace asked.

Alec shrugged, "I'm not sure, a few days I think".

"It's happening", Izzy said anxiously.

"What is?" Alec asked in concern.

"Um nothing, I'm sorry guys I need to go", Izzy said sharing a meaningful look with Jace.

After saying goodbye Izzy hurriedly left.

"Jace is something going on?"

Jace put a comforting hand on his shoulder, "No there isn't".

Alec was still a bit worried about Izzy but decided to try and let it go for now, "So are you going to ask her out?"

"Who?" Jace asked in confusion.

Alec grinned, "That girl over there that has been staring at you since you sat down".

Jace glanced at the girl Alec was indicated and sighed. He hadn't even noticed she had been staring at him, his attention had been completely focused on Alec. He wished he could tell him how he felt, but was afraid too. They had been best friends since they were kids. Initially his friendship with Alec had just been about protecting him as he had been assigned to. But as Jace had lived next to door to Alec so he could protect him more easily, they had become closer than Jace had meant them to. Consequently Jace had fallen for Alec. But he was certain Alec would never feel the same way, and was too afraid of destroying their friendship.

"I'm not really interested in her", Jace said.

"Really? I would have thought she would be your type".

Jace grimaced, he felt guilty for lying to Alec. He knew it had taken Alec a lot of courage to come out to him and his family. But he was too afraid to do the same.

"Normally yes, but not this time".

They continued to talk for another hour, but Jace had to leave because he had a mission though he had kept that from Alec. Alec left to go home. When he arrived he was alarmed to see his mother, sister and little brother Max frantically packing things in boxes.

"Um what are you doing?" Alec asked.

Maryse looked up at Alec, "Oh thank goodness you're okay", Maryse said as she rushed over to Alec and hugged him tightly.

Alec hugged her back in concern, "Of course I am, what's wrong has something happened?"

"I'm sorry Alec but we have to leave New York".

"What? Why?"

Maryse sighed, "I lost my job, we need to go to Lydia's house. She's offered to let us stay with her while I'm searching for a new job".