Crowns ~ Alec Lightwood

Burdens We Fake

"What? No!"

"Yes! Take that, Daylighter!"

Rory laughed in victory as Simon threw down his controller. The tv screen before them read defeat for the vampire.

"How are you so good at this?" he asked.

She shrugged, "I have brothers, you know. Eddie would always skip training for games like this. The only way I could get him to join us was by beating him."

Simon laughed momentarily before glancing down at the shadowhunter, "Hey...thanks for being here. I know you've got things to do."

"It wasn't my idea."

He looked slightly disappointed at her statement and she nudged his shoulder, "I'm kidding. And it's not a problem being here. Izzy wanted me to make sure you were okay after being a prisoner. And things with Alec are kinda tense since I missed dinner last night so...no big deal."

He opened his mouth to comfort her but a knock came from his door. He got up to answer it and when he did, a woman walked in.

"Becky? What are you doing here?" he questioned.

The girl walked into the apartment and set her bag down on the table. She hadn't noticed Rory yet since the girl was sitting on the ground.

"Do you not know what day it is?" she gasped, pulling fake teeth out of her bag, "It's Halloween! I'm a vampire!"

She pointed to the fangs and her obvious ensemble. Simon laughed and scratched his chin, "That's cute, but you know we don't all dress like that right?"

"Clearly, you wear a t-shirt and sweatpants," she said, looking around the room, "Where's your coffin? Don't all vampires sleep in one?"

"No. I sleep in a bed."

"Ah...well let's get going. You're never too old to trick or treat."

He sighed, "I've had a really long week and I don't want to go out tonight."

"Simon, it's tradition," she insisted, "When have you, me, and Fray ever missed a Halloween together?"

"Clary can't tonight," he informed, "She's on duty at the institute."

"Right!" Becky exaggerated, "With the shadow slayers!"

Rory piqued up, "Shadowhunters, actually."

Becky swirled around to spot the girl. Rory stood up and made her way to Simon's side.

"Who is this?" the sister asked.

"This is Rory," Simon introduced, "She's head of the Institute."

Becky's smiled, "So you're a shadowhunter? Do you have half Angel blood and tattoos as well?"

Rory glanced at the very embarrassed face of the vampire next to her. She laughed lightly, "Not exactly pure half angel blood, but yes. And those tattoos are called runes."

She pulled her shirt collar down a bit to expose the rune on her neck. Becky reached out to touch it but Simon swatted her hand down.

"The shadow world is a very dangerous place," Simon warned, "I've seen people get hurt just for knowing about it."

"Well, it's too late for that."

Rory could sense the tension between the two siblings. She couldn't imagine how stressful it must be for their family now that Simon's mother had forgotten her son.

She cleared her throat and stepped closer, "Why don't I take Clary's place this year? Halloween is a big target for demons to reveal themselves on the streets. It could be dangerous."