The roof of the Hotel DuMort gave a breathtaking view of the concrete jungle that was Brooklyn. Skyscrapers stand tall and proud in the faint rays of the sunrise as people hustle and bustle through the street, unaware of the world that blended with their own.
"You seem to be immune to Encanto," Jace says as he draws a rune onto Davina's shoulder. "So this rune is for silence. It won't give us much of an advantage as we can't hide the scent of our blood from them. As soon as we enter the building, they'll know something's up. But if our plan works, enough of them should be distracted and we should have enough time to find Simon. The mundane world is all into vampires. They view people as animated sacks of meat"
"Jasper Cullen," Is all Davina says in response to Jace's statement.
"Who is that? He's not on any records I've ever seen-"
"He's a character in a book series that turned into a movie franchise," Davina says. "I think the attraction is the mystery. The risk. Or the very cliche I can change him"
"You have to hand it to them, they know how to frame a narrative,"
"How will we know where to look for Simon?"
"They'll have him in the most secure room of the building,"
"But the Encanto won't turn him into a vampire, right?"
"No, you have to drink vampire blood for that. Even then, there's more to it. It's an overly involved process if you ask me"
"What happens if he's bitten?"
"They won't drain him right away. They like to take their time. Vampires are real gourmets"
"Simon's terrified of mosquitos," Davina raises an eyebrow. "We're going to find an anxious wreck"
"Is he not an anxious wreck all the time?" Jace asks. "Trying to hide his pining for Clary?"
"He doesn't hide it," Davina says. "Clary's blind"
"Besides he won't be anxious. He'll feel like he's high, kind of like he's in love,"
"Is it a good high?" Davina asks.
"Why?" Jace looks at Davina who had a look of revelation on her face. "No"
"I didn't say anything!" Davina says. "So is it a nice feeling or-"
"I wouldn't know"
"You've never been bitten?" Davina glances at Jace who gives her a pointed look. "You've never been in love"
"So how come you became friends with someone so-"
"Hey, I can insult Simon but if you do it I will have to throw you off this roof," Davina points a warning finger at Jace.
"Different from you?" Jace asks. "You're confident, and outgoing and he's well a dork"
"I'd die for either of them," Davina says.
"Would they do the same for you?" Is Jace's rebuttal and Davina falls silent.
"The sun is almost up," Davina looks to where the rays were more harshly lighting up Brooklyn. "Let's go"
"Hey, I didn't mean anything b-"
"It's fine Jace," Davina raises her palm to indicate to him to stop talking.
Davina opens the door and the feeling from the bar washes over her again. Cold, bitter. Death. Davina could feel the death inside the building and she closes the door again.
"Davina, what are you doing?"
"I can feel it," Davina whispers. "Their souls are screaming. I can't do this"
"Davina, hey," Jace grabs her chin and locks eyes with her. "You can do this, I believe you can do this and I don't believe in a lot"
Davina takes a deep breath and opens the door once again, pushing through the feelings of despair and misery that were threatening to overwhelm her.
"This way," Davina grabs Jace's hand, leading him through the corridors until they stop in a large room.
"You!" Davina looks up to see Brad, the vampire from the bar, charging towards her.
"Davina!"
Jace groans and a loud thud sounds which causes Davina to turn and see Jace being wrestled to the ground by at least four vampires. This distraction allowed Brad to grab Davina from behind causing the redhead to struggle in his grasp.
"Just ran 30 blocks to get here before I freaking burned to death in the sun! You missed your ride, angel doll. Why'd you go with him, huh? You really know how to hurt a guy"
Scream, Davina, Scream
Davina opens her mouth and a wail escapes her lips. All of the occupants in the room cease their fighting and drop to their knees, clutching their ears in agony. The vampires begin to cry out in pain as blood pours from their ears and eyes as they slowly begin to disintegrate.
The wail trails off and Davina stumbles back, catching herself on a small wooden stand.
"Davina?" Jace rushes over to Davina who was swaying unsteadily on her feet.
"I'm okay," Davina whispers.
"What the hell was that?"
"I have no idea,"
"What the hell was that noise?"
Davina looks up to see Alec who takes in her pale form and runs over.
"Jace I'll help her, make sure you get Simon,"
Jace casts Davina another glance and she gives him a reassuring nod. His eyes search hers and when he's satisfied he nods before jogging over to Clary and Isabelle.
"Come on," Alec slings his bow over his shoulder before wrapping Davina's arm around his waist, guiding her movements as she stumbles wearily.
Davina enters a room where Simon was being held with an ornamental knife to his throat as Jace holds Clary back. The vampire's eyes move from Clary upon Davina and Alec's entry. His eyes were regarding Davina with unmasked curiosity, his head tilting to the side slightly.
"All of you follow me," The vampire says. "Now!"
The small group is led to a small set of stairs next to a large boiler that probably didn't get much use.
"Come on, let's go! Up here now! That's right, get down there now! Get down there or I'll kill him right now!"
"Look, we're not gonna hurt you. We just want Simon," Clary tries to reason with the vampire.
"I'm glad you do. We don't! We wanted you or your royal friend," The vampire says. "But it wasn't my idea. Now, get out! Go!"
"Not without Simon"
"Shut up! Open that door right now or I'll kill him right here"
"Listen to him!"
"But Simon will die if-"
Isabelle yanks the door open and Alec begins to help Davina out of the door.
"Wait!" The vampire shouts. "Many will want to see you dead for your mother's actions, your highness. I wish you all the best of luck"
Alec helps Davina out of the door and helps her sit down on the steps. Isabelle crouches down next to Davina placing her hand on her forehead.
"Davina, you okay?"
"Yeah, just tired," Davina replies.
Davina wasn't paying attention to Isabelle's mothering or the argument between Alec and Jace. Her eyes were locked on the interaction between Clary and Simon. Both of whom had seemed to have forgotten that she existed.
"I couldn't live without you, Simon. You're all I have left. My whole life just disappeared. I'm supposed to be this other thing, live this other way. You're my best friend"
Clary kisses Simon on the cheek as Simon's face crumples at Clary's wording. Best friends.
"Don't you ever, ever let yourself get in that kind of trouble again. Okay? Yeah?"
Simon kisses Clary on the cheek and they hug again as Davina watches from the steps, completely forgotten as Jace's words from earlier ring through her brain.
"Would they do the same for you?"