Chain of Iron

Chapter Fifteen

"Do you always have to make such a commotion when you enter places?" James looked amused.

Matthew was sat with his Parabatai in the living room of the London Institute. He had spent much of the day listening to his mother and Charles speak about boring Clave politics, although he had perked up when his mother had mentioned Elias Carstairs. Matthew had been able to convince her to allow Cordelia's father to return to their family early, a few days ago, and she had told him today that the Clave was going to allow it. Matthew had felt satisfied that he had been able to help Cordelia.

"Of course, I do." He replied to James. "I would like every person to know of my presence when I enter a room."

"Well they would have be deaf to miss your presence then." Spoke Lucie who had just entered the room.

Matthew noticed that she was wearing a golden locket around her throat that he had never seen her wear before. He found that he no longer held his childhood infatuation towards her; it seemed that Cordelia had taken up every space in his heart and there was not room for anyone else.

"I am glad that at least someone appreciates my strategy." Matthew grinned at her to which Lucie laughed.

James chuckled too but Matthew could tell that his heart was not in which distressed him. He knew that James was worried about Grace and the return of Belial and Matthew had been up all night thinking of ways of how he could help James. But had been unsuccessful. He knew nothing of demon realms and that was when it dawned on him that this would be something that James would have to face alone whether Matthew liked it or not. The thought pained him greatly. At least he himself had some news that would distract his Parabatai.

Just as Matthew was about to speak, Cordelia Carstairs entered the room. She was dressed in one of the dresses he had picked out for her with Anna and her long red hair was flowing freely. Matthew found that he liked it best when her red hair was natural and down. She looked beautiful, just as she always did, and Matthew tore his eyes off of her.

"Cordelia!" Lucie exclaimed. "I did not know you were coming today."

"I thought I would surprise you." Cordelia smiled and then looked at James and Matthew. "I see that you needed rescuing from these two hooligans."

Matthew scoffed dramatically. "I am not a hooligan, I simply have a wild personality."

Cordelia giggled. "I believe that is just code for hooligan."

Matthew only scoffed again but was secretly delighted at the fact that he had made Cordelia laugh. He then jumped up out of his seat.

"I have an announcement." He declared. "I have bought myself a flat."

Matthew had bought the flat a few days ago. He no longer wished to live at home and wanted a lifestyle akin to Anna's. His mother had not taken the news well, that he would be moving out, but his father had supported him. Henry had always supported Matthew no matter what he had done.

"What?" James exclaimed, looking up at him through his golden eyes. "Why? Is this because your mother is constantly nagging you to stop drinking?"

"Precisely, my dear Jamie." Matthew grinned wildly. "I am now free to whore and drink as I please."

"Oh, Matthew, must you be so vulgar?" Lucie twisted her face in disgust.

James laughed and Matthew stole a glance at Cordelia. She looked amused at his statement although there were traces of something else in her expression. Matthew knew that he had been lying; he had no eyes for anyone besides Cordelia and there most definitely be no one else in his flat, man or woman.

"I am afraid I must, Luce." Matthew replied back to her.

James hopped up. "Let's go see the flat then. I am most interested to see the place you have chosen to defile."

Matthew chuckled, grinning at his best friend. "It is not too far away from Anna's flat."

They all then picked up their things and left the Institute. Matthew walked alongside James and watched as Lucie and Cordelia walked in front of them. Cordelia was a few inches taller than Lucie and he could her smiling at something Lucie had said. She looked so beautiful when she smiled and Matthew forced himself to look away from her. He pulled out his flask from his coat pocket and took a sip. He then held it out to James who accepted it.

"I do not know how you drink brandy everyday, Math." James spoke after he swallowed.

"I hardly drink everyday anymore. My mother gets too angry when I do." Matthew knew that this was only partly the reason, though, that he had reduced his drinking.

"Aunt Charlotte is definitely frightful when she is angry." James shot him a sideways smile.

Matthew could not help but agree; his mother may have been a small woman but she was certainly scary when she was angry. He had learned that the hard way when he had been growing up. The four of them walked for not too much longer and then they all stood in front of Matthew's brand new flat. He walked up the front steps and opened the door to his new home. It had already come furnished and it quite similar to the way Anna's flat was decorated.

"Oh, I love it." Lucie smiled at him. "It is exactly what I had pictured."

"It is, indeed, lovely." Cordelia agreed as she examined the bookshelf along one of the walls.

For a moment, Matthew could help but imagine what it would be like if Cordelia were going to live with him in this flat as well. They could spend everyday together and Matthew would never be happier; although he knew that he did not wish to be married. Marriage and children were one thing that he had never wanted - Matthew wanted the least amount of responsibility he could have in life. He had always figured that Charles could carry on the Fairchild bloodline for their family.

"I cannot believe that you have your own flat, Matthew." James smiled at him. "What was Charles' reaction to the news?"

"He only seemed annoyed that he was not the first one to move out of the house first." Matthew rolled his eyes. "He is always wanting to be first in everything."

"My brother as well." Cordelia piped up. "He had wanted to be the one to wield Cortana but the blade had called to me instead. Alastair had been upset with me for days."

Matthew was not fond of Alastair Carstairs but found it charming the way Cordelia's dark eyes became warm at the mention of her brother. He often wondered how she could be so unlike her brother but was grateful that she was.

"James is sometimes this way as well." Lucie teased while grinning at her brother.

"I am not." James insisted. "You are definitely the one that is more competitive between us, Luce."

Lucie only laughed and waved it off as James smiled at her. Matthew had always admired the relationship that they had; Will and Tessa had raised them to be very close to one another and they rarely argued. Matthew was about to say something when something that sounded like thunder rumbled from outside. He was at the window in a flash and when he saw the sight before him, his blood ran cold.

He looked back at his friends, worry running all throughout his body. "We must go. There is a pack of demons outside."

James swore and before anyone could say anything, Cordelia had already ran outside, Cortana gleaming in her hand. By the Angel, Matthew thought as they all ran after her, please do not let anything happen to Cordelia.