quick as lightning

55. A brave new world

Piper hadn't seen Alec since the night the angel had risen. By saying this it seemed like forever, in actuality it had been two days. In that time she had thought, she had been in solitude as she should be. Idris has been kind enough to host the five shadowhunters in a sort of hotel, however Piper spent most of her time at lyn lake.

She sat on a pile of boulders beside the shore which was stained with deep red blood. The rippling water cast back the red heads reflection, which was altered from what it was a year ago. Her deep red fire hair curled down just past her shoulders, tan skin more muscular. Her multicolored eyes held more light to them, almost glowing and her freckles were normal. What was different were the two feathered wings on her back, folded neatly. They were two and a half times her size, giant billowing sails of egg shell feathers that gave off a very light lilac hue.

Piper felt whole with them, more relax and free. The lighting and angel blood coursing through her veins made her feel invincible, the wound Sebastian had given her reminded her she wasn't. She wore a tank top and jeans, the breeze blowing over the lake made her shiver. Her mind was troubled at the memory of shoving her hand through a living being, feeling the warmth of his blood and the feeling of taking his life. She had enjoyed killing him, what kind of person enjoyed that?

It was the same part of her that loved the feeling of reigning lightning from the sky and being hateful and reproachful. The torment side that begged to be released from the cage she kept it in. The darkness inside her was revealed along with the light, she refused to unleash that part of her. She also knew for a fact that the angels could hear her and if they wanted her to, she could hear them. She wasn't alone right now, she could feel the divine presence hanging in the air, looking over her shoulder and out of her reach.

Standing up and brushing off her butt she looked down at the lake and stretching out her wings as far as they would. Tossing. Back her head she felt the wind and enjoyed the smell that came with her home country. She kicked into the sky and shot into the clouds before gliding over alacante. The city of glass glinted like crystals and she circled the demon towers before landing on the roof to the hotel and letting her wings disappear into her back where she could feel them compacted and concealed inside her back.

Her balance was thrown for a second before she regrouped and nimbly slid down the shingle to the edge and dipped down, swinging into her room.

"Did you forget or are you just hell bent on avoiding you and Clary's rune ceremony?" Izzy asked and I smacked my head gritting my teeth as I looked at Isabelle's dress and makeup.

"Shit." Beginning to panic I raced to the closet and searched for something I could wear. Holding out a black knee length dress towards her for approval.

"No!" She cried angrily, "this a very important event! You can't wear black to everything!" She shoved past me and looked around before picking out a tiered gold dress with a fitted waist, strapless and laced up the back. "It's time for Diana."

Groaning I reluctantly changed into the uncomfortable dress and place a heavy gold crown embedded with red rubies that was hidden in the shorts and pants in the middle drawer. The angelic crown that could prove the true ruler. It had been in my family since the beginning, priceless artifact. "Good?" I asked shoving my stele up under my skirts and sticking it into a strap that went around my leg. Izzy nodded, checking her reflection once more before opening the door for us to leave. The dress made swooshing noises as I walked, smirking slightly at my comfortable feet. My back was uncomfortable, my wings being held captive beneath my skin. My tight dress only added to the agitation. When we got to the main doors I saw clary in a loose blue long dress, it was flown in the wind.

"Okay I'm going to leave her with you." Izzy winked at the blonde girl before rushing into the main room.

"You look beautiful, Piper." Clary grinned brightly nervously wringing her hands.