37 - Fallen stars

"Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires."
-William Shakespeare

As if he'd just run a marathon, Jonathan stopped in the middle of the hall to catch his breath. He was completely lost after Lisa's touch. Only now did he realise that running away wasn't the best idea. He knew she had nightmares in her sleep, he should stay with her and protect her.

Determined, Jonathan turned back and marched to her door. The wooden planks creaked uncomfortably loudly under his feet as he knocked. Somehow he longed to watch the moon by her side all night. The thought alone brought a smile to his face.

When there was no answer, he opened the door and stuck his head through the doorway. Jonathan could hear the crickets chirping, the rest of the house was silent. The stark white curtains were moved slightly by a gentle night breeze, the window to the balcony was still open.

"Lisa?" He walked cheerfully to the window. It wasn't until he realised the balcony was deserted that his smile faded. He looked alarmed over the balustrade, not a single trace of the girl. That couldn't be true, why would she just disappear? Jonathan ran a hand through his hair, panicking slightly. It could also be that she hadn't disappeared of her own volition, but he tried to banish that possibility from his mind.

Hopes that Lisa was unharmed were dashed as Anna ran into the room, closely followed by Olivia. He was given a confused look, his presence in Lisa's room so late at night was clearly a mystery. Fortunately, his sister didn't ask questions, she looked around the room anxiously. The look in her eyes was anything but reassuring.

"Something has happened to her," Anna finally said, pointing to her parabatai rune, "I can feel it."

*

The familiar smell of earth invaded Lisa's nostrils. She groaned as she brought herself to her knees, still confused from the sudden transportation. She opened her eyes and looked up, right into Thomas's grinning face.

"That's quite different from a Portal, isn't it?" He deftly tossed a ring and caught it in his other hand. "This is a teleportation ring, given by the elves."

"The elves," Lisa echoed. Only now did she recognize the dark earth passages. She was in the middle of the Seelie Court. A strange feeling came over her, she had seen the Court only once, in the dream in which her father was murdered by their Queen. And what did Thomas have to do with the elves? He was still courteous enough to extend his hand. She slapped the hand away and got up herself. The last thing she needed now was courtesy, she wanted answers. No matter what. "What are we doing here?"

Thomas's lip curled up. "Follow me." He gestured with his hand and began to walk down the hall. She patted the dirt off her no longer black dress and followed him.

Lisa made good use of the situation to take him in. Thomas was still wearing his black uniform and Centurion pin. This shadowhunter's outfit seemed completely out of place in the fairylands. It was like walking through an underground tunnel, but Lisa knew better. Seelie's Court may have been connected to Earth, but it was a whole different dimension. Where time and space worked differently.

When he said nothing, she coughed rudely. "I want answers." She straightened her back and stared at him defiantly.

"Dearie," he laughed. She was startled to hear that nickname. Thomas turned his head and stared straight into her wide-open eyes. "That impatience doesn't suit you."

Lisa pursed her lips, thousands of scenarios running through her head. Had the Clave sent him here to keep an eye on the elves? Or did he work for them? She followed him into a room in horror, the space – unlike the earth corridor – was beautifully decorated. She stood on large quartzite stones, surrounded by grass. The room clearly served as a bedroom and sitting room, an ornate divan just in front of an emerald-green bed. Lisa's jaw dropped when she looked up, the ceiling was a starry sky. The white dots twinkled happily, making her lose sight of the gravity of the situation.

"Do you trust me, Lisa?"

From the corner of her eye, she watched as Thomas sat down on the couch, casually twirling a dagger in his hands. She remembered his last words to her. Someday my actions will become clear, you have to be patient.

She crossed her arms, pondering on an answer, her patience completely exhausted. "Tell me what I'm doing here." She waited a second for an answer. "And where's the scepter?" She looked around the room, as if he were going to hide it in plain sight. Thomas grinned again. She felt trapped in the room, even though the door was wide open. The Court was immense, Lisa would never find a way out without guidance.

"The scepter is with the Seelie Queen." This raised even more questions in Lisa, anger bubbled up inside her, she deserved answers. Thomas saw the expression on her face and stood up. She took a step back as he reached out to touch her cheek.

Hurt by her sidestep, he pressed his lips together and lowered his arm. Lisa hated the fact that she wanted to take him in her arms now. She fought the feeling and bit her lip.

"A war is coming, Lisa," he finally said. She frowned, not sure what he meant. A war between the shadowhunters and elves, or between the two of them? In a panic she looked for a potential weapon, everything in the room was blunt or made of plants.

Before she could turn to look for help, he grabbed her by the shoulders. She sucked in her breath and looked at him defiantly.

"I don't want a war," she said firmly. War meant casualties on both sides.

Thomas's friendly smile returned, she'd said exactly what he wanted to hear. "You can stop the war," he said softly, "only if you cooperate." Seeing her confused look, he continued. "The Clave has too much power, you agree. They control the elves with the Cold Peace. Innocent elves are punished for the deeds of a few. The Seelie Queen came up with a brilliant idea."

The enthusiasm in his voice scared Lisa, yet she hung on his every word. Whatever he was going to say, she was sure she could convince him to get out of here. If he still loved her, he would.

"She remembered the legend of the scepter and sent me to find it. Luckily I ran into you, otherwise, I might never have found the weapon. The Queen has an ancient spell that can melt all the adamas on the earth as if it had never existed."

Lisa looked at him startled, that couldn't be true. "Adamas? All steles, seraph blades, and demon towers are made of it. Without the Angel's metal, there could be no shadowhunters. We wouldn't be able to make new runes, Idris would fall prey to demons.'

Thomas nodded. "It may sound very extreme, but I've thought long and hard about this plan. It's the best option we have, Lisa. The shadowhunters will be mundanes, no one has to die for that. The oppression of the underprivileged must be over, it's a small price to pay."

She shook his hands off her shoulders. "Why would you cooperate with that? You are a Centurion yourself, you work for the Clave."

He laughed: "That's a handy cover, I gain their trust and can attend all their council meetings unnoticed." His once brown eyes turned black. "My family in England has helped the downworlders for generations, we even provided them with shelter. As a thank you, the Clave set our house on fire. Thanks to them I have this." He pointed to his uniform, which hid the scars of burns.

Lisa couldn't contain herself anymore, she grabbed his wrists and closed her eyes. She had to calm him down, only then could he see that taking revenge won't bring his family back. A sob escaped his throat. "I can still hear my sister screaming." He placed his chin on her brown hair, she let him.

When he stepped back, all the vulnerability in his eyes was gone. "Will you help us?" He held out his hand. Lisa stared hesitantly at his white knuckles. What he said was true, the Clave had too much power over everyone. But this couldn't be the only solution, could it? "No one will get hurt, I promise you. It's either this or war."

Lisa shook her head. "Why do you need my help? What makes me so special?"

"Your blood makes you special." It took her a moment to understand that he was referring to her fairy blood. He touched her cheek, she stared at him strangely and stood stock-still. His hand moved to her throat and then the back of her neck. When he saw the frightened look in her eyes, he smiled. "I would never hurt you." His hand closed on the clasp of her necklace. "But apparently you would."

Lisa closed her eyes, she knew where this was going. Thomas knew about her and Jonathan, he'd seen them kiss, he needed no more proof. Embarrassed, she stared at a tuft of green grass. Then you shouldn't have left me, betrayed and alone. Lisa wanted to scream at his beautiful face, but she wisely kept her mouth shut.

Thomas snatched her necklace, she heard the lock break. The sound of the ring on the chain hitting the stones made her feel cold inside. The magic of the ring left her body and her wings emerged. Thomas smiled, his fingers brushing the feathers.

"Magnificent." He turned abruptly and strode toward the door. "Try to regain your strength Lisa, tomorrow is the big day."

"No!" she screamed. But the wooden door had already slammed shut. With all her strength she slammed her fists against the pixie wood.

Sobbing, she collapsed, the stones feeling cool against her bare skin. She grabbed the chain from the floor and untied the ring. It was her only bond with her father, she wouldn't lose him again. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she pressed the ring to her and turned her eyes to the stars on the ceiling.

______________
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Lisa isn't really going to defer to the Queen's wishes after all. Is she?
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