Behind the Shadows [Shadowhunters Cast AU]

one.

October 2014

I sat on the large gray sofa in my apartment, scrolling through my @ replies on twitter. The majority of them consisted of questions about the announcement the Constantine Films had made earlier that day: the announcement that they were opting to adapt my novels in a TV show format. The questions had been flooding in all day, of which I could answer none because quite frankly, I knew nothing about it. 

When I sold the rights of the Mortal Instruments series, I was a naive college student who was overly excited at the prospect of a film adaptation. However, when the first film was released in theaters, the box office numbers were millions below expected, even being called a "full-blown disaster" by Forbes magazine. Part two of the adaptation, which was set to begin production just weeks later, was postponed and then cancelled earlier this year. After that, I heard nothing of it until now. 

"What do you think of all of this?" Connor asked from the other end of the couch, his bright phone screen illuminating his face in the darkness. 

I shrugged, "I'll believe it when I see it." 

That remark made his scoff. "What do you mean?"

"I've seen promises like this before. It would be a miracle if it actually happened." Maybe I was being cynical, but I was also being honest. I had grown accustomed to disappointment, so this time I was determined not to get my hopes up. 

The doorbell rang, forbidding Connor from questioning me further. "Food!" He chimed, jumping to his feet. When he returned, he had two large THANK YOU bags in his hands, a grin spread across his face. He sat back down and began to sift through them. "Pad thai for you," he said, handing me a large white takeout box. I accepted it gratefully. 

"That perspective is a bit pessimistic, don't you think?" He asked, unfortunately returning to the topic. 

I sighed halfheartedly, "Sometimes being a pessimist just keeps you from being disappointed."

He stared at me for a moment, seemingly debating if it were safe to ask any more questions. Ultimately, he decided against it and picked up the remote. "Ready to start this movie?" He asked instead. 

I nodded, "Go for it."

He had been wanting me to watch Delivery Man for weeks, not shutting up about the cute gay character with dark hair. I didn't personally have much interest in it, but now that he was here, I would watch it for him. I was, however, watching pretty unenthusiastically, lost in thought about this second attempt at an adaptation. Though it wasn't very promising, the idea was intriguing. If they could successfully pull off a TV series, if there really was a second chance, I hoped that they would allow me to be involved this time around. But that was very unlikely considering that they hadn't even thought to inform me that it was even an option. 

"There, that guy! Isn't he gorgeous?" Connor asked excitedly, bringing my attention back to the movie. I looked up from my noodles and saw him. He had long, dark hair, a little bit of scruff growing on his chin. I had to admit, he was pretty attractive.

But then I looked closer. "Wait," I gasped. "He looks familiar!"

Connor ripped his eyes away from the screen to give me a questioning look, "From where?"

I watched earnestly, trying to place where I had seen that face before. "What's the actor's name?"

"Matthew Daddario," he said quickly.

A moment later, it hit me. "He auditioned for the Mortal Movie," I decided. I thought back to watching all of the audition tapes for the film and remembered his almost instantly. "He auditioned to play Jace. I thought he would be a great Alec, but we had already given the job to Kevin Zegers."

"He would have been an amazing Alec. Damn. That is what could have been."

He was right. If I had it to do over again, that is who I would pick to play Alexander Lightwood. Not that there was anything wrong with Kevin, but this guy was perfect. Matthew Daddario. The name rang in my head and I made a mental note to keep track of this guy. I didn't know much about Hollywood, but I had a feeling that he would be big someday.