𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐋 ━━ ISABELLE LIGHTWOOD

9

"KADE," ALEC CALLED OUT, knowing damn well he was behind him and had every intention of jump scaring him."You're twenty, grow up."

"I am growing," Kade huffed as he came to stand beside the older Lightwood, "it takes time, y'know?"

"So when are you making a move?" Alec dropped the question he had been wanting to ask for a while now. Kade furrowed his brows, pretending that he had no idea what he meant, "what are you on about?"

"You know what I'm on about," Alec replied, turning to face him while leaning against the wall, "Izzy."

"What about her?" Kade avoided Alec's stare as he turned his back to him and stared at the dark sky instead.

"Come on," Alec groaned, "I've known you since forever. I know you love her—"

"— Like," Kade corrected, "platonically."

Alec rolled his eyes even though Kade could not see, "can we be realistic about this, please? Both of you clearly have feelings for each other so why don't you act up on it? I know Izzy— she's waiting for you to make a move. She thinks you don't feel the same way about her."

"I think she doesn't feel the same way about me," Kade retorted, "have you seen the way she's acting with that piece of flesh of a mundane? I'm sure as hell if she was into me even in the slightest bit, she would not be doing that. And have you forgotten about her little seelie boyfriend?" Alec pursed his lips at that making him scoff, "exactly. Why are you doing this anyway? Older brothers aren't usually supposed to ship their little sister with their best friend, Alec."

"Well I trust you with her." Alec shrugged, "I know you'll do anything to keep her safe and that you won't hurt her so what's better than that?"

Kade's lips twitched up at his words before he turned to look at his best friend, "I'm sorry about Jace, you know?"

"It's fine," Alec sighed, "both of us know very well that it was never gonna happen anyway."

He placed a hand on his shoulders, "hey, I'm sure there's someone out there for you."

The older lightwood scoffed, "if you say so. Let's return to Izzy and the mundane."

Nodding, the two made their way back. They saw Simon sitting by a fire while Izzy was leaning against a wall as they approached them.

"So, is cracking someone's mind open supposed to take this long? Maybe we, or... you should go check?" Simon asked to which Alec replied, "Jace has it covered."

"Take my word for it." Izzy said, "The Silent Brothers are quite unpleasant."

Simon shook his head, "That's not helping. Not at all. What if Clary can't handle the Brothers? What does that—"

"Shut it." Kade cut him off at the same time as Alec spoke, "It literally never stops talking."

"Are they always so charming?" Simon asked looking at Alec and Kade who both ignored him.

"Firstborns. Heavy is the head that wears the crown." Izzy said to which Simon hum, "Mmm. I feel their pain. Only son. Mother wants me to be a CPA."

Alec and Kade exchanged a look before simultaneously rolling their eyes, showing their equal distaste for the mundane.

"Hmm. And you?" Izzy asked, raising her brows in interest, "what do you want?"

"Me? Um..." Simon cleared his throat awkwardly, "well, I'm in a band."

"Yeah? What type of music? Let me guess." Izzy smiled, "Indie rock?"

"Yeah." Simon nodded.

"Got anything on your phone?" Izzy asked to which he nodded, "I do. We recorded our last set. We killed it, it's... I left my phone in the van."

"Let's go get your phone." Izzy suggested as Simon nodded, "yeah."

"Yeah." Izzy smiled and Simon began walking away. Kade looked in his direction then at Izzy, "where is it going?"

"We'll be right back." Izzy said and Alec shot her a look making her raise her brows, "What? He passes the time."

"Passes the time? He's annoying as hell." Kade commented making Alec point his finger at him, "I second that."

Isabelle chuckled when Simon said from behind, "I can hear you guys, you know?"

"I was hoping you would."