The Light in the Shadows

[Spotify]

<sub>Hope dropped Ren's hand,"Why? We need you. It's orders. We take two extra Shadowhunters with us. Come on. We need you. I need you. C'mon. The portals open."she said, turning back and stepping through the portal.

Clary followed close behind her daughter.

Ren paused just before the portal,"C'mon dude. We need you. But a friendly bit of advice. Stay away from Hope."he said and than he was gone.</sub>

[Cloudy]

_{"Friendly bit of advice," Raphael scoffed. "Yeah," he muttered, voice bitter, "Cause I'm not good enough for any damn person." His gaze grew dark and filled with hurt, though the emotion only lasted for a fleeting moment. He took a deep breath, nostrils flaring. ''Cause you're all afraid I'll stab you in the back one day." Raphael's declaration was spoken in a soft voice, barely audible as he shook himself and finally stepped through the portal. The vertigo sensation he often got when traveling through portals rose to the forefront, along with a wave of nausea. Raphael growled when he stepped out into Central Park, jaw clenched, skin a tad paler as he fought against the vertigo. After what seemed forever, his jaw relaxed as the nausea and spinning sensation passed, and he turned his cold eyes on Hope and Clary. "Well?" he prompted in a flat voice. "Is there something in particular we're waiting for?"}

[Spotify]

<sub>Ren didn't hear him, instead hearing only the rush of the wind,"Hope."was the first word out of his mouth once he was out of the portal. He smiled, casually at Clary, as he threw his arm around Hope. Ren was a little jealous, but he would never admit it. He didn't like the fact that Hope had told Raphael she need him. He knew it didn't mean anything; but still it bugged him.

Hope was unaware of Ren's issues, instead she went along smiling after her mother. She knew she was here for a reason, but for that reason she did not know. Her eyes widened at the sight of the faerie knight Melrion. He was breathtaking. She started pulling free of Ren, but snapped out of it at the last second. She blushed and glanced at Raphael,"You okay?"she mouthed.

Clary smiled, she had the same reaction to the Fair Folk. It had been about twenty years ago when she, Jace, Izzy, and Simon had been there in the same place. Her eyes saddened, she was here to pay off a debt she owed and she wasn't quite sure if she could pay it off.</sub>

[Cloudy]

<sub>Raphael's eyes narrowed marginally as Ren acted like a jealous teenager. He rolled his eyes slightly, glancing at Hope as she silently asked if he was okay or not. Some buried part of him wanted to say 'no,' and that he needed a hug just to piss Ren off. The stupid kid actually thought he could fight Raphael, though he'd beat the snot out of Ren in a few seconds, dispatch him, disarm him, and then send him home crying.

All of these thoughts snapped through Raphael's mind in but a second, and he analyzed every reaction that might happen. Pupils narrowing more, he gave Hope a slight nod, as he could sense that Clary was sad for some reason and there was no point in making this trip worse. He snapped his head around as Melrion approached them, head held high, shoulders rolled back, eyes narrowed. Raphael sighed and moved into a position where he could hang back, but still see everything, and to where he wasn't close enough for anyone to touch, but where there was still so little space that he could react quickly.</sub>

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<sub>Melrion's eyes narrowed just the slightest when he spotted Raphael and Ren. His queen would either be really displeased or happy. The former did not appeal to him. "The Fey Queen awaits. Come. Let us not keep thee long. She has been waiting for you for quote a while and everyone knows the lady does not like to wait. Come come now. Let us walk with haste ."he said, his voice was as sweet as honey and deeper than anything. His eyes roamed the two woman. Pleased with the fact that they had worn their faery gifts. The queen hated mortal clothing. He was displeased however with the boys selection of clothes. Well atleast it wasn't gear. That would've really ticked his lady off. He smiled when he saw that they're were no weapons on him atleast at first and the woman seemed vulnerable. That would most certainly please his lady and Merlion lived to serve his lady.

Hope smiled widened as the faerie knight led them through a series of gardens. It did not take long to get to the queen's thrown room. Her smile vanished when saw Merlion immediately fall to his knees in a bow. She follows suit only after her mother bowed.

"Awww. My sweet sweet, Clary. I see you have finally brought me my debt owed. She's beautiful. She will make a fine collection. She has your eyes and Jace's hair and both you're stubbornness. Like her father in the fighting field I see and like you will special abilities. A fine addition indeed."

Hope's face crumpled and than flared to life with horror,"You... You traded me? I have to stay here?"she shouted at her mother, hurt and shock in her eyes.</sub>

[Cloudy]

_{"Like hell she will," Raphael snarled, taking a step forward. His eyes were flat with fury and he gently pushed Hope behind him. "She's leaving." He knew the fae folk didn't think him a threat, which was their first mistake. He spun on Clary. "A damn good mother you are, trading your daughter to save your own hide." He curled his lips back over his teeth in an odd snarl, though his canines were sharper than most (birth defect it was; nothing more). He was a rather scary figure at the moment, bristling with fury. He noted Merlion, who seemed the likeliest threat. "Don't even try it, Elf man." Raphael's name was rather notorious in the supernatural world, though no one would recognize him if they saw him.}

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<sub>Clary spun on Raphael,"I had no choice! Jace and Luka were dying! The fair folk were the only ones who could help them. I didn't even know I was pregnant at the time! So my second born child was the trade. Tell me than, Raphael, what would you have done."fury erupted in her gaze.

Ren was staring blankly at Clary and Hope. He didn't know what to say or do."Hope."he whispered, his voice hoarse.

The faery queen sat on a thrown, her hair was as red and wild as fire, and her eyes the color of every ocean. She wore a gown of gold and a crown of hold upon her head,"My my. This is amusing."she said, clapping her hands together, smiling.


Hope stared numbly at her mother. Her insides froze over,"Mom... How could you?"she his whispered.</sub>

[Cloudy]

_{"What I would have done?" Raphael growled. "I wouldn't have traded my daughter over to fairies." He looked absolutely pisses, quivering with anger. Without warning his spun on the queen, growling with a feral fury. He gently pushed Hope behind him where it was safe, daring anyone to try and take her. His eyes were burning, his form shaking slightly as he pulled the power from his runes, readying himself to defend Hope at any cost.}

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<sub>Clary's eyes narrowed,"What was I suppose to do than? Give up a child I didn't even know I was pregnant or let my husband and firstborn die?"she snapped, than she ripped off her gown,"But if you think I'm leaving her without her your dead wrong."she turned and faced the faery knight, Merlion. He was her only true worry. He was the best fighter expect the queen herself. "Gabrielle!"she cried and her Serpah blades sprang to life.

The Queen simply clapped her hands, amused. Finally though she sighed and rested back in her throne. Her eyes narrowed as if observing something."Now Now. No need for that. Hope can leave on one condition."she paused than for dramatic affect. "She can leave as she gets the kiss she most desires."she said, smirking. She was pleased with herself. Rarely ever did Faeries find their other half. So they rather enjoyed watching humans and their small issues.

Ren turned,"A kiss? That's it? And she's free?"he asked, turning toward Hope.

"No not you. The other one."</sub>

[Cloudy]

_{Raphael's eyes narrowed. "My name is Raphael, Your majesty, and I have little doubt you know exactly who I am and what I'm capable of." He hesitated when the queen stated what she wanted. "That's it?" He said gruffly. "Nothing else? You are not omitting anything?"}