The storm cleared out like magic, which it was.

Her family from around the world took back their spells that had disrupted the clouds and caused such a nasty storm. But now, the sky was bright blue with a few clouds and a light breeze that swept the wet leaves off the streets. Blair stretched out her legs and left the room behind her, she climbed down the stairs and headed towards the kitchen for some food because she was famished from using her powers. Kids around her neighbourhood started to pour out in yellow rain boots to splash in the big puddles the storm caused.

Blair settled on the couch with a simple yet classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich when the house phone rang. She grabbed the phone and put it on speaker. "Hello?"

"Blair," a familiar voice spilled through the speaker. It was her cousin Anastasia Donovan, they trained and went to school together, Anastasia's brother Nathanial also trained alongside Blair.

"Ana," said Blair with a smile. "I've missed you."

"Me too," she laughed so openly it was contagious. "Ever since you moved away, we haven't had one good day to talk."

"I know," groaned Blair. "How've you been?"

"I'm great," she said. "As usual, just writing my books in California. But the reason I called was to ask why you needed so much magic from everyone?"

Blair's chipper mood dampened. "I'm dealing with a spirit of a man's dead father and this spirit wants me to protect his son."

"Oh, and how do you know the son of this spirit?"

Blair hesitated and she didn't know why, maybe it was because Anastasia could tell if someone was lying with her telepathic powers. "I'm renovating his son's office," she told her.

"Oh," Anastasia's interest perked. "And is this so-called son, handsome?"

Blair was astonished with her cousin. "What does that having anything to do with this?"

Anastasia cackled. "It's always important."

All Blair had to do was sigh and Anastasia understood that silent signal. "He's really that good looking!" She squealed behind the phone. "It's been a while since you've showed interest in anyone."

"I'm avoiding him at the moment," said Blair.

"Why?"

Blair's mind filled with dread. "Because I told him about my powers," she told her cousin.

"Are you serious?" she asked sternly because this wasn't something to joke about to any Lightwood family member.

"I'm dead serious," she answered.

"And how did he take that bomb?"

"He didn't say anything to me about it. He went on with this day like nothing happened."

"Man, I hate when that happens," grumbled Anastasia. "So, what will you do? Do you want Nathanial to clear his memory?"

"No," said Blair. "I'll handle it, and besides, he was bound to find out if I'm going to protect him."

"Okay," and that's all Anastasia said about that matter. "I really missed this," she confessed with a sigh, "talking to you."

"Why don't you come down to Meadow-Mist Valley?" offered Blair out of the blue. "I have a spare bedroom and you carry your work with you anyways. We can even have girls' night, every night."

"Is the portal on your side activated?" asked Anastasia.

"Of course," gloated Blair because every witch in their family prepared the portal that helped them travel anywhere they wanted with an old enchantment, but for it to work efficiently the place they want to travel to must have a portal door as well. "You never know with this family when they decided to pop in." Loud shuffling intercepted through the speaker, a few things clattered and banged which startled Blair. "Hello, are you okay?" she called out to her cousin, but there was no answer just some grunts and groans.

"I'm coming over." Anastasia cut the phone, a few moments passed when the door under her stairs flew open with a burst of warm wind.

"Anastasia!" Blair called out and lo and behold her cousin jumped into the living room with her heavy suitcase and purse and of course her precious laptop.

"Blair!" Anastasia came flying over towards Blair with open arms. "I've missed you!"

"Me too!" Blair hugged her cousin close and the enchanted magic that coursed through her veins harmonized with her cousin. Their magic rekindled as they hugged, and that was the power of their family bond.

Anastasia Donovan was a beautiful witch. Her long brunette hair was rich and silky, strands of light gold spiralled between the heavy natural waves, her bangs were cut short to frame her forehead and lay just above her dark arched brows. The heavy fringe of lashes surrounded the most peculiar eyes that were the shade of pure lilac, many would be startled or confused when they saw the colour, but not the Lightwoods. Anastasia's eyes were the symbol of strong psychic abilities, the first of her kind that could read a person's heart and detect a lie. She was as tall as Blair and had the body of model, her legs were long and her waist was small. Anastasia truly was a beautiful woman and her brother was nothing less either- they always were referred to as the 'pretty witch-twins' in the family.

Anastasia settled herself on the couch. "I love what you did with the place," she said chirpily.

When Blair first moved into this house, it was nothing compared to how it looked now. The wall between the living room and dining room had been demolished, the kitchen was torn out and entirely replaced with new appliances. "Thanks," she said. "Would you like anything to drink?"

"Some wine will do," said Anastasia casually.

"At nine o'clock in the morning," dumbfounded Blair gaped at her cousin.

Anastasia curled her legs onto the couch. "Sweetie, if you want to discuss that spirit's son, we're going to need wine." Blair chuckled and got them both glasses full of rich wine brewed by their grandfather, some cookies and cakes on the side wouldn't hurt either.

"What compelled you to tell the rich and handsome Maddox Steele the family secret?" asked Anastasia after Blair filled her in with the entire story.

Blair pushed at her hair. "He just wouldn't trust me enough," she said. "Something told him that I was keeping a secret, and he wouldn't let up on it."

"And now he acts like you never told him?"

"That's what it feels like," said Blair. "In the morning before I left, he asked me a few questions and then went back to bed."

Anastasia rolled her eyes. "This is why I don't date," she revealed. "No one understands our gifts."

Blair cheers to that indeed. "Although, when I met Maddox there was something different about him," she told her cousin. "He was always curious about what I could do, he'd ask questions and would always want answers. So, deep down I thought or maybe even wished that he would accept my powers, accept me."

Anastasia patted Blair's knee supportively. "People only think they like mysterious and quirky," she said. "Until, you really reveal who you are and they run the other way."

Blair sipped the rich wine that provided ample amount of comfort because it reminded her of their grandparent's farm in Vermont. "But it's not impossible," she encouraged herself and Anastasia. "Hana found Blake and she's happily married. Blake accepted the Lightwood legacy in a blink of an eye, and he never doubted Hana for a second."

Anastasia chuckled at the fond memory. "Only because she threw him across the room when he tried to kiss her."

Blair's laugh joined Anastasia's. Their cousin Hana-Marie Brennon had found the love of her life who accepted her abilities and loved her for who she was. Not every witch is blessed in that aspect, Blair only wondered if she could have that too and although Anastasia never admitted it she wished for the same.

"Maybe we should scare Maddox Steele with flickering lights and pretend to be ghosts," suggested Anastasia slyly.

Blair chuckled and shook her head. "I don't think so," she said. "What about you? And how's Nate, is he still travelling the world?"

"You know us," she shrugged nonchalantly, "we get bored really fast. But I was just speaking to Nate yesterday, and he said the weirdest thing."

"What?" asked Blair interested in this new development between the Donovan siblings.

"Nate wants to settle his roots now," said Anastasia.

Blair knew exactly how Nate felt, that's why she moved to Meadow-Mist Valley herself. Anastasia and Nate always loved to move around the world and see what was out there, unlike Blair. But at some point, everyone desired to settle down and have a place to come home to.

"He should move here," suggested Blair. "It's a great town, a lot of houses are on sale and I'm here. I'm a blast to be around."

Anastasia chuckled. "Maybe I should move here," she contemplated. "California's too crowded for me nowadays."

Blair jumped at the idea because although Meadow-Mist was a beautiful home, it still got lonely without her family. "That would be great," she said. "And until you find a house, you can always live here with me."

Anastasia smiled. "Okay," she said. "But I will help you with your shop and cook food as thanks."

"I'm counting on it," said Blair. "What about your writing?"

Anastasia waved her hand, "I can write my books from practically anywhere."

"Alright then, this calls for another round of drinks," said Blair joyfully.

"I'll text Nate to come over," said Anastasia.

"Sounds good," Blair said from the kitchen and loved that her family filled her house with laughter.

A warm gust of air filled the house and the door under the stairs opened once again. A robust, tall man strode out with a glowering frown. Nathanial Donovan filled the door frame with his broad shoulders, thick arms that lead to a lean waist and long legs that filled a pair of washed out jeans perfectly, he undoubtedly was pure male strength and grit. Nate had a rakish charm to his chiselled and strict face; a dark stubble surrounded a lush mouth which was always held in a very straight line. Unlike Anastasia, Nate had deep cobalt blue eyes that always reminded Blair of the midnight sky and were sharp and rigid like two sapphire gems, his thick smooth hair was the same chocolate brown as his sister with streaks of molten gold. Dark lines of tattoos were creeping up on his neck from under his red flannel and on his rugged hands.

"Nate!" Blair waved at her cousin from the kitchen. "Would you like some wine, we're celebrating?"

"For what?" he asked and his frown slightly lightened. "Did I miss someone's birthday?"

"No," pitched in Anastasia from the couch. "We're celebrating that I'm moving into Blair's house."

Nate joined them in the living-room in a few long strides. "What brought this on?" he asked his sister. "I thought you loved living in California."

"It got too crowded," said Anastasia. "And I missed Blair."

Blair brought another chilled wine bottle and a glass for Nate. "We were just discussing if you wanted to move here too?"

Nate hugged Blair and his sister before he sat down on the chair beside them. "Move here?"

"You can stay at my house until you find a place to live," said Blair. "It'll be like old times when I used to live at your house."

Nate lips raised slightly at the fond memory. "I've been looking for a place to live these past couple of days," he admitted as his cobalt eyes looked up from the rim of the wine glass. "I guess it's fate coming here."

Anastasia lifted her glass to her family. "To fate." They all clinked the sparkling glass together and shared a Lightwood family smile.

"I have to head out soon," said Blair. "I left a photo at the print-shop that needed enlarging."

Nate's calculative gaze never missed a single thing. "I've been meaning to ask," he began. "Why did you need so much magic from the family?"

Anastasia and Blair looked at each other because now she had to repeat the whole story once again. Not that they minded, they loved a good story like any Lightwood...

Nate listened to them very carefully for about an hour before he answered. "You're renovating Maddox Steele's office. That's big."

"Is that all you got from my story," remarked Blair.

Nate cool composure never faltered. "I can always erase his memory if he decides to act like a jerk," he said protectively.

"That's what I said too," smirked Anastasia.

Blair smiled warmly at them. "Thanks, but I think I got it under control." Blair looked at her watch and noticed that a full three hours had passed and it was nearing lunch-time. "I will treat you all to lunch, but first I have some errands to run."

Anastasia stretched on the couch like a feline. "You go do what you need to, sugar."

"Let me show you the room," said Blair. "Nate, have you decided if you want to stay too?"

Nate downed that last sip of his wine. "I have to pack my stuff and handle some other things before I can move here."

Nate hugged them before he portaled through the door back to where he came from. Whilst his sister climbed the stairs with Blair and was taken to a simple yet clean guest bedroom.

"Make yourself comfortable," said Blair. "I'll be back soon."

"And then lunch date?" asked Anastasia.

"I can show you around town too," offered Blair.

"Sounds good," Anastasia flopped down on the bed and enjoyed the fresh bedsheets. "I'll see you when I see you."

Blair ran down the stairs and grabbed her purse from the stand. She jumped into her car and drove towards the print-shop across her shop to collect the portrait, which was the final touch to Maddox's office. She was relieved to have finished such a big project, but now that meant she wouldn't have any excuses to meet Maddox or be with him. Although, there was still the issue with Alexander Ainsley but she doubted that would take much of her time. Dealing with people like Alexander was easy for a Lightwood witch. All she had to do was put a truth hex on him and make sure that Maddox heard every single secret that Alexander hid in that heart of his.

Blair reached the hotel with the portrait in her hand and jitters in her stomach, she couldn't believe she was nervous to see Maddox. So many questions bombarded her head as she strode through the bustling hotel foyer as quiet as a mouse, she didn't know how she would react if she saw Maddox here. Blair guessed he would either be at his suite or walking around the hotel to make sure everything was running smoothly. And besides, he would never be near the elevators this time of day, she reassured herself.

Blair made her way towards the elevators, she clicked the round button and the door pinged opened revealing a group of people huddled closely together in the box, but in the far back, a seriously annoyed and irritated Maddox Steele stood tall with his eyes glaring straight through her.

The other people stared at her awkwardly wondering if she was going to come in or not. "Er- you guys can go up first," she said clumsily and the sleek elevator door closed on her flustered face. Blair's heart hammered in her chest and she felt like fate was playing a cruel game with her.

She waited for the next lift when the elevator doors opened again and the same people poured out and stood next to the other elevator.

Maddox was the only one left inside. "Get in." It sounded more like an ordered than a suggestion coming from him.

Blair bit her lip. "It's fine."

Maddox tilted his head and cocked his brow. "Blair, don't make me drag you in here."

Blair jumped into the elevator and the doors closed in on them. Maddox stood behind her and she could feel a hole burning through the back of her head.

Maddox broke the sizzling silence first. "You finally came," he said. "I beginning to think you wouldn't show today."

"I had some finishing touches to add to your office," she told him. "I will leave right after."

Maddox came around her and unexpectedly clicked the 'Stop' button.

"What are you doing?" she asked and sadly she couldn't hide the panic in her voice as much as she wanted to.

Maddox came around and caged her against the cold wall. "Why are you avoiding me?" Blair couldn't answer him because she didn't want to admit that she was afraid to hear what he was thinking about her. "Blair, answer me."

She hesitated before she spoke. "I couldn't face you after what I told you."

"Why?" he asked. "Nothing you told me made me think any different about you."

"It didn't?" she gaped at him. "But this morning, you acted like I hadn't even told you."

"I know that it was hard for you to tell me your secret," he said earnestly. "So, in the morning I didn't want to hurt you by coming off insensitive by asking you more questions."

Blair's heart melted from his words, she realized at that moment how precious this moment with Maddox was for her. Slowly but surely, Blair Lightwood was falling for this caring man that was just supposed to be someone she had to help.

Maddox grabbed her by her shoulders and pinned her with one of his hard looks. "Don't avoid me," he brushed his knuckles across her cheek that were hot and flushed with colour. "Is that clear?"

"Yes," she managed to find her voice.

Maddox pressed the 'Go' button. "Will I see you tonight?"

"Yes," she said trying her hardest to compose herself and her magic wasn't helping, in fact it seemed like it was enjoying her condition. "The office is finished and I can give the tour."

"You remember our deal, right?" asked Maddox.

Blair met his gaze. "Of course," she quirked a smile. "Get ready to be amazed."

Maddox got off on the twelfth floor which was the coffee shop and restaurant level. "It's a date then," he said with a smirk.

"Huh," she froze. "A date?"

"Yes," he flashed her a striking smile that shot right through her gut, and then, he sauntered off leaving her staggered and hot inside the elevator.