the storm inside | kitty (boyxboy)

36 | Shadow of Death

Song: Just Us by DJ Khaled ft. SZA

It's just us against the world
In this life of sin
Ain't nobody gonna take us out
It's always us, never them
It's just us against the world
When the smoke clears
All we got is all we got
It's always us, never them

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Elias Jäger looked blankly at his twin. Finally, he said, "Who are they? Why are you with other Shadowhunters? If they're here to take us back to the Institute, they can damn well forget about it. I'm never stepping in there."

"Quite the feisty one, aren't ya." Magnus held up his hands, as if to say he meant no harm. "We're from the Los Angeles Institute, and we're here to find someone."

Bri eyed the black bag in his hand. "What do you have there?"

Eli hesitated, shooting furtive glances at Kit and the others. Kit felt slightly offended. Eli seemed to be calculating how to respond, before he finally settled on: "Weapons."

Sensing the tense atmosphere, Magnus hastily ushered Eli and Bri to sit down, then ordering several plates of pancakes. Magnus inclined his head forward, his cat eyes sparkling under the bright lights in the hotel's breakfast bar.

They were gathered around a round table that was mostly covered in empty plates, the Shadowhunters and warlock having finished their breakfast a while earlier. "So," Magnus said, "you're here to take your sister back, I presume?"

"Not take her back. We don't have the luxury of 'back'. We're going to find new lodging."

"Ah." Magnus leant back in his chair. "I see. Well, if you do intend on going, however, I do suggest that you do it soon, because we're leaving this hotel in search of—well, who we came here to find."

Eli stood up without sparing them another look and stalked away from the table, leaving the pancakes untouched. He slung his bag over his shoulder and pushed open the bar's door, the dagger he had been holding earlier sticking out from the waistband of his jeans.

"Wait!"

Kit turned in the direction of the voice. It was Bri, hurrying after her brother and dragging him back to the table. "Since we don't have anything better to do, why don't we follow them?"

"What?" Julian said in surprise, clearly taken aback. "You wish to follow us?"

Bri's voice was firm, though the hand she used to hold Eli's wrist was shaking. "Whether you like it or not, Eli, we are following them. They saved me from pretty much certain death before; this is the least I can do to repay them. Eli, please."

Eli shifted his eyes between Bri and Julian and Magnus for a bit, until he finally sighed, "Fine. Lead the way, warlock."

"The way" had turned out to be an old, abandoned warehouse near a set of dirty canals. The only signs of life the warehouse seemed to possess were the occasional flashes of light through the windows.

Kit gulped.

The black feather from one of Ash's wings pulsed faster and brighter; Julian closed his hand around it, dousing the light. Drawing a seraph blade, Julian approached the doors to the warehouse, pushing them open. After sticking his head inside, Julian motioned for them to enter.

Kit's Stealth rune did wonders for him. His footsteps were suddenly light and fast, his movements smoother and quieter. Kit could feel the edge of a double-bladed knife against his ankle, where he had hastily stuffed it there earlier on. In his hand, however, was a staff. On either side were sharp blade; runes decorated the long, wooden stick. He held it behind him as he entered the warehouse.