The Academy of S.I.D.E.

No. 4: World's Weirdest Couple

"Y'know, when you said 'library,' I thought you were talking about the one in the general neighborhood," Virgil said as the MAX train slowed to a stop. "I didn't think you meant the one all the way across town."

Janus waved a hand. "This one has a much better selection than that little converted house. Besides, it's a beautiful place. Perfect for reading on a rainy day."

"It's barely overcast---"

"I don't care, wonderful." Janus grabbed him by the hand and dragged him off the train. "Now, he said he would meet us at the front steps, so---"

"JAN-JAN!"

He instantly brightened. "There he is! Come on!" He pulled Virgil along as he ran across the street, paying no heed to the cars swerving by.

On the front steps of the library, a tall guy built like a footballer was waving frantically. He was wearing a lime green shirt that read Intrusive Thot, a studded leather jacket, ripped jeans, and huge combat boots. A bleached-blonde streak wound through his curly hair, and he had a scraggly mustache on his upper lip.

Janus plowed into him, laughing. The guy hugged him tightly, kissing him on the head.

"You look so sexy right now," he said, beaming at him. "'Course, you look sexy all the time."

"And you look very handsome," Janus purred, grinning. "Cause any trouble today, darling?"

The guy snickered. "It's not really a day unless I do, right?"

Virgil cleared his throat.

Janus broke away. "Virgil, allow me to introduce you to the Gomez to my Morticia, Remus Sanchez---known on the field as the Duke of Nightmares."

"Oooooh, new guy's got style!" Remus exclaimed, bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet. "Where'd you get that jacket?"

"I made it," Virgil answered. "Well, I did the design. My mom sewed it."

"Arty, huh? I love it."

Janus linked his hand with Remus's. "Darling, why don't we head inside? I've been meaning to introduce you to The Mortal Instruments---you're going to simply adore it."

Remus gasped. "Is it bloody?"

"You'll just have to wait and find out. Virgil, would you be so kind as to show us where the teen section is?"

Virgil shrugged. "Yeah, sure. C'mon."

......

"So, how long have you been aware of your powers?" Janus questioned, scribbling on a little yellow notepad with a snake on it. "You've had them since birth, correct?"

Virgil nodded. "Yeah, pretty much. I didn't know about it until I was four, though."

"If Magnus and Alec don't hook up, I'm going to murder a librarian," Remus announced, turning a page in his book.

"You don't need to worry, dear." Janus looked up from his notes. "How exactly did you find out about it?"

Virgil looked down at Nox, who was reading a shadow copy of Cinder. "Well, I was freaking out a little because I'd accidentally broken my mom's favorite vase, and this one tried to calm me down."

Janus quirked an eyebrow. "I'm guessing that it wasn't successful."

"It was not. But on the bright side, my parents found out, too, and they were okay with it. They don't exactly understand Nox---mostly 'cause my dad's a science-y person---but they don't have a problem with him, or my other thing."