Yɪɴ Fᴇɴ: Wɪʟʟ's Sᴇᴀʀᴄʜ
Possible Spoiler may be present
Will's stomach sickened as he left another infrit den, yet again empty handed of
yin fen. And as the rain continued to come down harder, the streets of London couldn't feel anymore dreary. At least Cecily was with him. However much he showed he disliked her being here, he couldn't help but feel reassured and grateful for her company.
"How many more are we going to?" Cecily called out as she leapt over a puddle he had merely trudged through.
"There is only one more to go to." He muttered as they rounded a corner.
"What if they don't have any either?" She asked. He couldn't answer.
The place was set up like a small tavern, tucked away into a dirty alley way. Standing outside, a large man was propped up against the wall. As they neared, his black eyes followed. Will could see the green shine of his skin, the small horns jutting out of his small head, and the horse-like ears that flattened against his head as they stopped before him. The man was a warlock, and a typically large one at that.
"Cecy," Will turned sternly toward her, and likewise her fiery eyes met his. "Either stay out here and out of sight or stick close. This place isn't for us. I don't need you getting in the way."
A blue blaze stared back as she shook her head. "You're not going alone. Especially if it's as dangerous as you say. Sorry to disappoint you, but there is no way I'm waiting out here, big brother."
Letting his own burning gaze linger on her, he turned to the warlock guard. "The name is Will, you should know I'm allowed in."
The warlock's eyebrow shot up as he crossed his arms. "Yeah, the Shadowhunter as it were. I know ye. I was told otherwise though." His gruff voice stated. "Shadowhunters are to pay when they come here now."
Will narrowed his eyes, "How much?"
The warlock smiled, revealing a mouthful of yellowed teeth much like a horse's mouth. "Ten pounds."
Will whipped out the money and shoved it into the warlock's hand and proceeded to pass. If Jem's drugs were in there, it was well worth it. As Cecily went to pass she protested as the warlock stopped her. Turning sharply around Will unsheathed a dagger from his belt as the large man laughed.
"Ten pounds each. Even for the little lass." Cecily's face reddened with rage.
"You dare call me a little lass-!" Cecily snarled but fell silent as her gaze met Will's. Glaring at her, he handed over another wad of money. If only she had stayed out of his business! That was ten extra pounds that could have gone toward more of the drug. But of course, she had to tag along.
Grasping her arm as the large warlock greedily stashed away the money, he hauled Cecily through the door. Immediately they were assaulted by bright lights and thick air, stinging their throat and eyes. This was the very last place he wanted to check, given the harshness of the place. It was especially the very last place he'd ever want to bring Cecily.
Squinting his eyes through the foggy atmosphere he pushed his way toward the main bar, passing many glowing glares and strange figures. He pushed through the dancing crowd- almost stepping on a few dwarfs who proceeded to kick and curse at him- and made his way to the main bar. A middle aged woman was attending it, looking normal enough although Will knew she wasn't. He'd found out the hard way.
"Shadowhunter," The woman's voice dripped with honey as her eyes landed on him. Cecily stopped beside Will, her eyes narrowing at the woman.
"Selena," Will rested his forearms on the bar, leaning toward her. "Fine evening, is it not?"
"Whatever you say William," Selena smiled. He remembered when that smiled had captivated him, pulling him towards her as if he was under some spell. Of course, that was a Siren's specialty. Luckily for him he'd woken up just before her wings folded around him and he was devoured.
"Why are you here?" Her strange eyes flickered to Cecily and with a smile a bit too sweet, she leaned over the counter her way. "Oh, you have yourself a leech. Not a friend, but your sister, perhaps? She looks a bit like you," Selena turned to Will, her bright teeth grew sharper as she smiled, framed by bright red lipstick.
"She is none of your concern. Plus isn't it just men you attract or have you changed your tastes?" Will stepped in front of Cecily who immediately stepped to the side again from behind him, an infuriated look on her face.
Selena shrugged, "Human flesh is human flesh, but yes, I do prefer the males of your kind.'" As Cecily realized what Selena was, she hesitated. The Siren noticed immediately.
"I haven't frightened you, have I?" Selena smirked. "Don't worry, sweetie, you'd hardly be worth the bite."
"Enough!" Will flashed his blade before himself and his sister. The Siren hissed through her teeth, pushing away from the bar to escaped his reach.
"How dare you flash a blade here!" The Siren growled, her wings slowly unfolding from where they had lay perfectly flat against her back. They were not very different than black leather, the thin bones of the wings branching out under the material like hands, and the edges lined with spines. The woman's nails had also grown surprisingly long talons as she held out her hands threateningly before her, also baring her sharpened teeth.
"Oh Will, what is that?" Cecily drew closer to him, staring at Selena in fascination.
"A Siren,"
"Really? That's why you said she preferred men..." She turned to Will. "She almost ate you once, didn't she?!" Cecily accused.
"It doesn't matter," Will turned his attention back to the Siren. Much of the inhabitants had turned their way curiously, many snarling whispers and hissing voices conversing as they discovered the Shadowhunters in their midst. Some had even gathered around, just as a large burly man stepped forward, his friends lingering back. Will ignored them.
"Selena, all I need is some yen fin and I'll be gone. I have plenty to pay you by-" He stated, and as he did so many snickered. As he lowered his blade, Selena stepped forward lowering her defensive stance as she began laughing.
"Silly Shadowhunter! There isn't any yen fin! There's no bloody yen fin anywhere," Selena smiled cruelly. "Is your little friend dying? The addict? It's too bad you couldn't help him. Too bad..." And suddenly everything before Will turned hazy.
Before he realized it the rune blade tore into the Siren's wing, pinning the leathery wing to the wooden wall behind her. Selena screamed -screeched- tearing at the blade with her clawed hands that burned her flesh with its touch. The bar had turned into an uproar. Cecily shouted at Will to move as shadowy figures began to surround them. Snapping back to reality he searched himself, but found himself to be weaponless just as they were surrounded.
"Good riddance to the yen fin!" One shouted as the burly man stepped forward towards Will. With clenched fists he realized it was mostly a werewolf pack surrounding them, and the man must be their leader.
"Ignorant child to come here asking for such a drug," the man growled. "It took out many of my pack. You'll never find that drug again little Shadowhunter. Your friend is a deadman; he will be either way! I've seen what it does-"
A crack sounded as Will's fist met the werewolf's jaw, sending him sprawling to the floor. As the pack closed in around them Cecily brandished her own weapon, swiping at the snarling men.
"You had a weapon this whole time!" Will shouted, beating back a man with a swipe of his fist against the face.
"Never go unarmed! How was I to know you'd just throw yours away?" Cecily's eyes darted to Selena who was fighting to pull the blade from her wing, but screeched every time her hands grasped the hilt.
"Looks like you'll have to go fetch it back from the pretty girl. I'll be fine.” She said as she slashed out at a younger man, probably close to his mid twenties.
"Right," They had no choice. As Will beat his way back toward the siren he couldn't help but feel defeated. He had failed. Failed himself, but most importantly failed Jem. It was true: all of the yin fen was gone and now all of the hope that they could sustain Jem long enough to find a cure was slowly dwindling, spiraling into nothing.
Leaping over the bar counter he landed right before Selena who's wing was still pinned to the wall. Seeing Will she hissed, no longer the beautiful lustful woman that had stood behind the bar but minutes ago, but an ugly creature with stringy hair, gnashing sharp teeth and hungry ruby eyes. She swiped at him with her nails that resembled claws. How sirens had the ability to change their looks so much still astonished Will.
"Keep away from me," Even Selena's voice had changed, becoming shrill and ragged. "You did this!" She glanced at her wing. Where the blade had torn through the leathery skin, the area looked charred and burnt, blackness slowly spreading through the stretches of her wing as if it was dying.
"Never talk of Him that way again or it shall be more than your wing." Will answered coldly. Twisting in a way that only a Shadowhunter could, Will leapt forward for the blade, twisting as Selena's claws searched for him. Using the wall he pushed away, the blade that once held the siren prisoner in his hand. Selena fell to the ground, grasping her torn wing in her hand she looked up at Will, a foamy saliva forming on her red lips as she ran her tongue over them.Not waiting for her to spring, Will jumped the counter again in search for Cecily. It wasn't hard to find her as she had managed to clear out a good many of their assaulters.
"Cecily, time to go!" He shouted. She turned around grasping her small red blade, flipping a strand of brunette hair from her face. Both brother and sister ran together toward the doorway. Will could hear the screech of the siren behind them, the clank of weapons, and the snarls of the wolves. If only they could reach the door...
Flinging the door open, they were stopped by the warlock guard with his giant body blocking the doorway. With his horse-ears flattened, he lunged at the them.
"Will!" Cecily shouted before sliding on her side between the two feet of the warlock who was too focused on Will to notice. If he didn't move now, he would be crushed between the siren and her followers and this guy; it was too much to fight alone with a small dagger. But he was too tall to pull a move like she had, so he moved to the next best option and stood his ground as he was painfully aware of the rush of snarls behind him.
"William!" And he moved, thrusting his knee upward he caught the man in the stomach. Immediately the warlock grunted and doubled over to his knees, allowing him to frog leap over. With the fallen warlock blocking the way, the rest of their assailants watched in frustration. Selena screeched Will's name in her harsh shrill voice, but he didn't look back.
As the neared the institute, bloody and covered in the foul damp scents of London, Will hesitated at the steps. He rested his hand on the railing, and with the other he ran his hand over his face and through his slick hair. Cecily hesitated, watching him from the top of the steps.
Her voice cut through the silent night like a hot blade, "It isn't your fault, you know. You shouldn't blame yourself."
He was silent for a moment, and then, "But it is," Will murmured. "As his parabatai it's my duty to do whatever is in my power to keep him from harm. By not finding what he needs he'll die. I failed." He turned and sat on the steps, wanting to wish the world away.
"The werewolf was right," Will tensed as her words, but Cecily pressed on. "Drug or no drug, Jem..." She didn't push him any further. "You did what you could. Don't dwell on it, Will; Just be there for him." He could hear her delicate steps as she left him alone
After what seemed like hours but may have only been minutes, Will stood. Stretching his legs, he turned and climbed the steps of the institute. As he stared at the doors, he clenched his fists making a promise.
I promise you, Jem, that I will find a way to cure you. The Silent Brothers shall not take you through these doors to the Silent City anytime soon.
