Reed's arms were shaking like he had been at the gym all day. Three hours of training, three hours of trying to drag shadows across the floor, and all he had to show for it was sweat dripping into his eyes and a headache that wouldn't quit. The thing felt like he was shoving a damn car instead of a patch of darkness.
Across the room Beatrix sat curled into her couch, flipping channels with one hand and sipping something cold with the other. Every now and then she glanced at him, tossing out lazy instructions.
"Intent, Reed. Push with intent."
That was all he got. Then she was back to whatever show she was watching, like he wasn't busting his lungs ten feet away.
He was grinding his teeth through another pull when she suddenly sat up straight. Not casual. Not playful. Her whole body snapped tight, eyes locked on the door.
Reed froze. "What…"
Her voice cut like a blade. "Go inside. Hide."
"What's happe…"
"Now, Reed."
He didn't argue. Something in her tone had him moving fast. He ducked into a side room and eased the door almost shut. His heart hammered so loud he swore it'd give him away. Still, he could hear.
The knock never came. A man's voice just… filled the house.
"What brings you here Lirael" she spat his name out like it was a rotten egg.
"I can see you remain ever so open minded Beatrix? But no matter. One day I'm sure you'll understand there's no one else for you, no one but me"
Reed's stomach turned. ex? Arranged marriage? The idea burned, and he hated that it burned. He didn't even know why.
Beatrix's reply was flat. "I've told you before. A hundred times. I'm not interested."
The guy chuckled, deep and easy. "You always say that. But you know what we are. witches don't stoop below their power. There isn't anyone else, Bea. Not for you."
Reed pressed his forehead against the wall. Who the hell was this guy? Why did his voice sound like it belonged to someone smiling while they talked?
Then the man's tone shifted, lower. "Anyway. The House of Ash got word of something… messy. A warehouse, packed with corpses of humans. The report came in yesterday, but we only got it this morning for some reason. When we got there… nothing. No bodies. No blood. No witnesses. Just the trace of dark magic."
Reed's chest tightened. He didn't need anyone to spell it out, Beatrix had erased everything…..for him.
The man went on. "So either a demon slipped through the Veil… or someone powerful erased it all. Wiped it clean. And that, Beatrix… would be worse. If hunters or apostles caught wind, the fallout would be…."
"You insinuating something?" Beatrix snapped. Her voice had that edge Reed had heard only once before. "Because if not, you should leave."
Silence. Then the man laughed, soft and maddening. "Always sharp with that tongue. No, I'm not pointing fingers…..Yet. But I'm here to tell you I'm very interested in this new development. I'll be looking into it personally. Humans aren't the only ones missing, Bea. Our kind too."
Beatrix stayed ice cold. "Then investigate. Turn over every rock. But next time, send a message first. Don't walk into my wards uninvited. They might… fail."
The man laughed again, like her threat rolled right off him. "Beatrix beatrix, ever the sweetheart."
Then it was quiet. Heavy quiet.
Beatrix's voice carried into the hallway. "He's gone. Come out."
He did as she asked.
"You erased it," Reed said. His voice sounded harsher than he meant, but he didn't care. "The warehouse. All those bodies. That was you, wasn't it?"
Her lips curved in that smug little way that always made him want to punch or kiss her, he couldn't decide which. "Sharp boy."
"Why?" His hands balled at his sides. "Why the hell would you do that for me? You don't even know me."
She didn't look at him right away. She swirled whatever was in her glass, watching the liquid spin. Finally, she said, "Do you remember yesterday? I told you that you'd have to do something for me and in return I will train you and be your mentor."
Reed's jaw clenched. "I remember."
"Good." She finally met his eyes, and for once there was no teasing. Just calm, cool calculation. "Shadowhunters have a… special status in this world. They don't answer to councils. They don't bow to supernatural politics though they have theirs in the house of black. They are judge, jury, executioner. They act when humans are in danger, and no one can stop them."
Her tone dipped, almost bitter. "I'm powerful, Reed. You know that by now. But even I have to play the game. Sit through meetings, deal with egos, beg for votes. It's exhausting. And sometimes by the time I'm done pulling strings, the moment to act is already gone."
Reed blinked, piecing it together. "So you want me to…" He laughed, but it wasn't funny. "What, be your personal hitman?"
Her smile returned, lazy and sharp all at once. "Not a hitman. My Shadowhunter. My authority. My… partner, if you like prettier words."
Reed stared at her. He remembered how easily she could've given Reed up and washed her hands of the mess. Instead she erased everything. Put herself on the line.
"You're serious," he said finally.
"Very."