Distractions - Chapter 15: Chapter 15
You are reading Distractions, Chapter 15: Chapter 15. Read more chapters of Distractions.
"Alec, do you think you could get my stele back?"
Everest looked up to see Alec and Max walking into the Ops Center. The little boy had a pleading look on his face and Alec looked like he was about to give in.
"They took it away because you almost burned down the Mumbai Institute," Alec deadpanned.
"How many times do I have to say it was an accident!" Max rolled his eyes.
Everest bent down in front of Max with a smile. "Tell you what Max. If you manage to stay out of trouble for the next three days and learn the difference between the Nourishment, Extinguish, and whatever the water rune is, I will help you convince Alec to get you your stele back. How's that?"
He beamed at her and wrapped his arms around her neck. She returned the hug briefly before detaching him from her. Alec turned away as she looked at him, but she caught sight of a smile on his face.
The Institute's front doors hissed open and a bald man in a long-sleeved shirt and covered in runes stepped into the building. Valentine.
Both of the young adults pushed Max behind them. Everest drew her gun and fired two shots as Alec shot an arrow at the man. Valentine caught the arrow, but both bullets buried themselves into his left shoulder. His face flickered and Everest frowned. Faces weren't supposed to do that. She kept her gun aimed at the man, though now it was aimed at his face. From the corner of her eye, she saw Alec lower his bow in shock.
'Stupid,' she thought. 'That's how you get hurt.'
People began to rush towards them, only just noticing the intruder. Valentine drew out a stele and ran it over a rune on his forearm, as well as an Iratze. The man's form shifted to that of a blonde woman in a brown suit jacket that Everest wanted in white. Partially because it was cute, but also because she wanted to be able to look as hot and badass as the woman did. Her expression was annoyingly neutral, though Everest could see the faint approval in her eyes as she looked at her and Alec.
"That reaction time was abysmal," she remarked, almost mockingly. "Except for you two. I'm Lydia Branwell, envoy from the Clave."
Everest lowered her gun and made a distressed noise. The woman paid her no mind, though Alec looked at her questioningly.
'Shit. Shit, shit, shit. I just shot a Clave lady!' Everest screamed in her mind.
"You." She pointed at Everest, who froze. "It's not often that you see a Shadowhunter using a mundane weapon. Who are you?"
It took Max and Alec nudging her for her to answer. "Everest."
"What's your last name?"
She shrugged. "I don't actually know."
Lydia's brows furrowed. "Why not?"
"Because I thought it was one thing, then it wasn't that, so I thought it was my mom's maiden name, but apparently it's supposed to be my dad's last name but I don't like him so I don't know what my last name is. I could use the ones my friends gave me, but that was a bit illegal and they're not on any official papers so..."
"Who are your parents?"
"Uhh...Jocelyn Fairchild and a psychopath?" Everest really didn't know the right answer to that question.
"You're Valentine's daughter?" Lydia's eyes were narrowed.
"Apparently."
"I didn't know there were two Fairchild daughters," she remarked.
"Nobody seems to," Everest mumbled as Izzy and Maryse entered.
"Maryse. The Clave has ordered me to take temporary control of this Institute," Lydia said in a smug voice.
"Wait a minute. Nobody informed us," Maryse began to protest.
"The Clave doesn't need to. And to repeat myself, it's temporary. Nothing's been decided yet. But I do need full clearance to assess how this Institute is running." She ran her stele over a rune on one of the monitors. "Where is Clary Fairchild? I would hope someone here knows, especially since you have her sister here."
The Shadowhunters in the room seemed reluctant to answer her.
"She's in the field, training," Alec said finally.
The woman raised an eyebrow, causing the glare Izzy was giving her darken. "You're telling me she's just...out and about in the streets of New York? Valentine's daughter?" Lydia began to walk towards Alec and Everest shifted forward, her finger itching towards the safety of her gun.
"Aren't she and Everest your cousins?" Izzy asked with a challenging smirk.
Everest's thoughts all shifted from mostly coherent thoughts to incoherent screams that were usually reserved for when characters did stupid things or something really cute. Luckily, Everest had long since perfected the "I'm reading the school assigned book, not screaming at fanfiction in my head" face.
"Distant cousins," Lydia deflected.
"She's with Jace," Everest offered, and the only sign she was freaking out was the way the tips of her fingers were pressed into her thighs.
"The same Jace Wayland who decided to lead an unsanctioned raid against the vampires?" She gave the Lightwoods and Everest an amused look as she stopped tapping on the monitor. "I've read reports."
'What reports?' Everest wondered. 'Who filed reports? We agreed not to do that.'
"Jace might be unconventional, but he's our best soldier. If he's with Clary, then she's in good hands." Maryse's voice rose as she powerwalked after Lydia.
"I hope so. And for your sake, and all of New York. All of your jurisdiction better be well protected."
"Was that a threat?" Everest whispered as Lydia and Maryse walked away. "Or was it a promise? Because I don't like either option."
None of the Lightwoods answered her, Alec and Izzy too busy staring after their mother and Lydia and Max had run off somewhere.
...
"I'm not a fan," Izzy declared, watching the two women as Maryse gave Lydia a tour of the Institute. Everest made a noise of agreement as she dug in her backpack. Izzy pulled her elbow, just barely managing to stop the purple haired girl from falling over the railing.
"Jealous?" Alec asked. He was smirking.
"No," the two said together.
"Maybe," Izzy conceded. "How the hell did she catch that arrow?"
Alec's phone made a 'bleep' noise as the girls continued down the stairwell. He led them to where Maryse and Lydia were standing.
"I have something you need to see," he told them, all previous joking gone. "Something attacked the Jade Wolf."
Everest inhaled sharply and gripped her upper arms tightly as she looked at the pictures Alec displayed on the screen.
"The werewolf headquarters? Where did you—" Maryse was cut off by Lydia—again.
"Where did you get these?" she demanded.
"Leader of the New York wolf pack," Alec said.
"You're friends with Lucien Graymark? An ex-Circle member?" Everest saw Maryse wince slightly at the blonde woman's words.
"How about we send Isabelle, Alec, and Everest to investigate? I'm sure this is linked to—" Again, Maryse was cut off.
"Valentine. I need to see it for myself." She started walking, leaving the four to stare after her. "Are you coming or what?"
Alec gave the three a slightly panicked look before he followed after Lydia. Maryse frowned after them while Izzy gave the duo a calculating look. Everest just glared at her bag as she realized that she had no more Skittles.
...
Everest was upset. She was genuinely as upset as she could be without breaking down. She had no more Skittles, Clary didn't have any, Jace and Alec didn't have any, the Institute's kitchen didn't have any, and so Izzy was her last option. (And yes, yes Everest did indeed search their rooms for Skittles.)
She stormed into the autopsy room where one of the Shadowhunters had told her Izzy was. Her nose was scrunched up and her face was set in a scowl as she headed towards Izzy and Magnus who had apparently arrived at some point.
"Oh, who I hear is very impressive. What else? Oh. Babysitting Jace," Magnus was saying.
"And dealing with our parents who are trying to find him a wife," Izzy commented as she inspected a half-decomposed body.
Magnus's face fell and Everest blinked rapidly as she frowned.
"Sorry," Izzy muttered, noticing Magnus's expression.
"It's quite alright. I suppose Alec is just following his duty." Magnus looked uncomfortable as he moved aside for Izzy. He looked up and saw Everest watching. He waved his hands for her to come over.
"Not everyone gets the luxury of following their heart," Izzy said. She looked up and saw Everest just as Magnus had. "Sunny!"
Everest smiled faintly at her. "Hey Dusk. Do you have Skittles?"
Izzy shook her head with a fond smile. "No, you had the last pack the other day. Do you want me to see if one of the others does?"
She shook her head. "No, it's fine."
"Well, since it looks like Izzy has everything under control, I'm gonna go deliver the preliminary findings. You're more than welcome to come with Everest. We can stop somewhere and get you some Skittles when I leave," Magnus offered the girl, who lit up.
Everest nodded rapidly as she bounced up and down on the balls of her feet, clapping her hands excitedly. "Yeah, let's do that! Let's go!"
She pulled Magnus out of the room, waving goodbye to Izzy, who was laughing at her antics. Magnus took the lead and brought her to the training room so that they could give Alec the papers. How he knew where Alec was, Everest had no idea.
Alec was beating up the punching bag as they entered and Everest stopped dead next to Magnus. Alec was shirtless. Which is how most guys workout. But most guys don't look like Alec. 'Or Magnus,' her mind whispered. She ignored that thought in lieu of trying not to outwardly show that she was fangirl screaming inside her head—again.
"Magnus. Everest," Alec greeted. He stopped his workout once he caught sight of them.
Everest cleared her throat quietly and Magnus grinned widely.
"Okay. I'm back," Magnus said, sounding delighted. Everest hummed happily.
Alec gave the two of them an odd look as he walked past them to put on a zip up hoodie.
"Oh you don't have to get dressed up for me." Alec ignored him. "Fine. But I liked what I saw." Magnus looked down at Everest who was once again bouncing on the balls of her feet. "I think Everest did too."
"We have the medically paper thingies for the dead body," Everest told Alec, finally breaking out of her mental loop of fangirl screaming.
"We have the preliminary autopsy findings," Magnus explained using normal-person words.
Alec took the file with a frown. "Why are you giving these to me? They should go to the head of the Institute."
"It is," Everest said at the same time as Magnus.
"I'm not. And I never will be." Alec let his blank mask drop and his expression filled with hurt and frustration. "Magnus, Everest, it's like...it's like my whole life...has been a lie. Now everything I've ever known is..."
"It's not what you thought," Everest said softly. It was the same soft tone she had used on the roof of the Hotel Dumort.
"I've done everything for my parents...and for the Clave...I've done everything that they've asked," Alec continued. He was breathing heavily from his workout and from how upset he was.
"Maybe you should start living for yourself? Do what's in your heart," Magnus suggested. His voice lacked any of his usual coyness or attitude; it was entirely genuine emotion and made Everest melt a little.
"Sometimes Alec," Everest said, looking up at him, "sometimes you have to let go of other people's expectations and live how you want to so that you can be happy."
"I can't believe I'm saying this." Alec truly looked like it. "I think you're right."
Magnus smiled. Everest stopped bouncing as her phone dinged. She pulled it from her pocket but put it away immediately after she saw who it was from. She couldn't deal with Clary, not just then.
"Everything all right?" Alec asked her.
Everest broadened her smile with more effort than she would admit to, though she knew it didn't reach her eyes. "Yep, everything's fine. Excuse me while I go make a call."
Everest turned on her sock-clad heel and left the training room. She ignored the looks she got as she snatched her bag from a chair and snapped her fingers in a steady rhythm as she walked to her room. She also ignored the slight heaviness that came from lying to Magnus and Alec.
She didn't need to make a call, she just needed to be alone for a little bit. She needed to work up the courage to read Clary's text, try to figure out why her mind kept whispering things about Alec and Magnus that she didn't ever think she'd think about the two of them, and at least attempt to calm down before she broke down—before she shattered, as her friends called it.
"Alright, calm down first, then thoughts, then Clary's text," she whispered into the empty room.
Everest reached into her bag and pulled out her pink and purple glitter bottle. She shook it as hard as she could and watched as the glitter fell to the bottom. Again and again she shook the bottle and watched the glitter fall. Again and again it failed to calm her down more than a little bit.
"Shit," she mumbled as she tossed the bottle aside, frustrated.
Her fingers dug into her arms as she collapsed onto the bed, curled up in a ball. Her feet kicked a pillow and Everest's eyes shot open. She grabbed the pillow and hugged it tightly. Thankful that the rooms were soundproof when the doors were completely shut—as Izzy had told her with a suggestive look—she screamed into the pillow. It wasn't a fangirl scream, it was more of a "what the fucking hell" scream.
She ran out of breath and released the now flat pillow. She closed her eyes again and relished in the odd sense of calm that she felt after screaming into the pillow for three minutes. (She had played flute in grades five through eight—it had some advantages.)
"Everest!" she heard Izzy shout as she burst into the room, paying no mind to the discarded glitter bottle or any of the other mess on the floor. "Alec's hurt!"
The girl ran from the room, following her friend as they raced to where Alec was getting treated.
"You idiot," Everest muttered as she caught sight of the gaping wound on Alec's arm.
"It's not that bad," Alec told her. She rolled her eyes.
"Yes it is," Everest, Izzy, and even Robert said at once.
Alec rolled his eyes and winced as Robert disinfected the wound. Izzy and Everest sat next to Alec and watched as he tried—and failed—to stay still while he was being patched up.
"Don't squirm," Robert chided.
"I'm not. It doesn't even hurt," Alec protested.
"Liar," Everest said in a sing-song voice. Alec glared at her, providing enough distraction for Izzy to grab his phone as it rang.
"No talking, just healing," she tutted. Everest smiled softly at the disgruntled expression Alec had as his little sister walked away with his phone.
Suddenly Alec wasn't the only one whose phone was going off. Everest's phone went off at least seven times and she huffed. She pulled it out and sighed. Most were from Clary, some from Gino and Roslyn, but some were from Raphael. She ignored Clary's messages and opened the ones from Raphael, even as her phone kept going off.
Nocturnal Bitch:
Your sister's friend owes me three jackets.
And will owe me a lot more if he keeps this up.
Chaotic Mess:
I can practically feel your annoyance from the Institute
What'd Rat Boy do?
Nocturnal Bitch:
He can't control his own strength and he ruined another perfectly good jacket.
Everest took a deep breath before she replied.
Chaotic Mess:
So he's a vampire now then?
Nocturnal Bitch:
Unfortunately.
Chaotic Mess:
Oh how great.
I'll be sure to tell Simon where you get your modern day jackets
Nocturnal Bitch:
Thank you.
Everest smiled lightly. She could practically hear Raphael's annoyed tone as she read his texts. She pushed aside how Clary had brought Simon back because Everest knew she would have done the exact same thing. It wouldn't be fair for her to be mean to or annoyed with Clary for doing the same thing that she herself would have done. She also had to read the texts from her other friends before she thought about Clary for very long, otherwise she wouldn't read them at all.
She looked at the number of unread texts from her, Gino, and Roslyn's group chat with wide eyes. There were nine unread messages and the number was growing rapidly. Everest was almost scared to open the chat—especially once she got multiple notifications in all caps.
Badass Mom:
Are you alive?
You better be alive
Insomnia's Delight:
You're not allowed to die, Everest!
Badass Mom:
I will hunt down your grave and bring you back so I can kill you myself!
*If you died*
Insomnia's Delight:
I will find your nocturnal brother and get him to bring you to us!
Badass Mom:
I swear to Hell and back, Everest, I will take your laptop away if you don't answer soon
Insomnia's Delight:
I will put screen time on your devices and I will key it so that it's only off for an hour a day.
At a different time each day
Badass Mom:
ANSWER US!!!
Insomnia's Delight:
EVEREST FRAY-KARTER-HENRY-BRIN-LIGHTWOOD-SANTIAGO!!! ANSWER US!!!
Everest's shoulders began to shake with silent laughter. Alec gave her a curious look and she showed him her phone. He smiled, though he looked confused as he read the last text.
"Why so many last names?" he asked.
"Oh. They're not actually my legal last names." Everest rolled her eyes fondly. "Roslyn decided that she's my mom since mine sucks, and Gino decided that he's one of my big brother figures, hence the Henry and Brin. And Karter is because I know two men who might as well be my dads. Then my friends decided to add Lightwood to the list because they met Izzy and realized that she's like my sister, and Santiago because they met Raphael and realized he's like my brother."
Alec gaped and Everest was glad that Robert had left to put away the first aid stuff. "Raphael Santiago is your brother?"
She nodded. "Did I forget to tell you?" She smiled sheepishly at his exasperated nod. "Oopsie?"
They turned back to her phone as it dinged again.
Insomnia's Delight:
Bitch answer us!
Badass Mom:
Don't you call my daughter a bitch!
Insomnia's Delight:
You do it all the time!
Badass Mom:
...
Shut up Brin!
Chaotic Mess:
Ooh, she called you by your last name
Badass Mom:
EVEREST FRAY-KARTER-HENRY-BRIN-LIGHTWOOD-SANTIAGO!
Insomnia's Delight:
Ooh, she called you by your last names
Badass Mom:
Do you know how worried we have been? You just went MIA for two days without a single word! No note, no call, no text, no NOTHING!
Chaotic Mess:
Sorry Roslyn
Badass Mom:
You're not forgiven 😡
Chaotic Mess:
I'm sorry Mummy 🥺
Badass Mom:
...
You're forgiven
But if you do it again I will go through with my threats
Insomnia's Delight:
What about my apology?😥
Chaotic Mess:
Sorry Gino 🥺
By the way, you use weird emojis
Insomnia's Delight:
Thank you. Now, where the fuck have you been?
Chaotic Mess:
I've been dealing with my sister
Badass Mom:
Oh.
Insomnia's Delight:
Oh.
Is she alive?
Badass Mom:
Have you shot her?
Insomnia's Delight:
Do we need to break you out of jail?
Badass Mom:
Do I need to get Jay and Brad to pull the "We're her guardians" card?
"What do you do in your spare time that makes your friends react like this?" Alec murmured softly, reading over her shoulder.
"I'm a chaotic, ADHD mess that's very much chaotic neutral," was all she said as an explanation.
Chaotic Mess:
Yes, no, no, and no.
Don't worry, I'm fine. I'm with Dusk's brother rn because she's busy
Badass Mom:
Which one? Doesn't she have three?
Insomnia's Delight:
Cute nerd kid, blonde duck, or tall archer?
Badass Mom:
I bet it's the tall archer
Everest smiled at Alec who was shaking in violent laughter.
Chaotic Mess:
Tall archer
And he's very pleased with your descriptions of the other two
Insomnia's Delight:
What's his name again?
Badass Mom:
Did you not listen to any of the times that Raven talked about them???
Insomnia's Delight:
No! Raven gets annoying after she complains for more than three minutes!
Chaotic Mess:
You're lucky I like you G. Otherwise I'd tell Dusk what you said
Insomnia's Delight:
NO!!!
Chaotic Mess:
Tall archer=Alec
Blonde duck=Jace
Cute nerd kid=Max
Everest looked up at the doorway where Robert was watching her and Alec with an impatient expression.
Chaotic Mess:
I have to go, but I'll talk to you later
Badass Mom:
Bye!
Insomnia's Delight:
Don't die!
Badass Mom:
Have a good time!
Insomnia's Delight:
I didn't mean for this to rhyme
Everest stood up with Alec and followed after him and his father, though she parted with them to stand by Izzy. Everest looked up as the front doors opened and sighed as she clicked on Gino's contact.
"Everest?" he asked in greeting. "I thought you had to go?"
"I did, but then someone walked into the Institute surrounded by Shadowhunters." Everest watched the interaction between Izzy and the newcomer warily.
"Who is it?" Gino asked. "You wouldn't call unless it affects me."
"You know your half-brother? The oddly fashionable one with the vine tattoo that shimmers like yours?"
"Meliorn? What about him?"
"He's the one who just walked into the Institute."
Gino swore loudly. "What's happening?" he demanded.
"He and Dusk are having some kind of uncomfortable greeting and now the Clave lady who's taken over the Institute, and that I accidentally shot, is going up to him," Everest narrated.
"We'll come back to how you shot a Clave person later. What's she saying?"
"Meliorn, the Clave has ordered that you be placed under arrest..." Everest trailed off. "Shit G. I think I just watched your brother get arrested."
"FUCK!" Gino shouted. "Fuck."
"What do I do now?" Everest asked panicked.
"Hang up, figure out what the fuck is going on, and fill me in later."
"What're you gonna do?"
"I'm going to find a lawyer."
"Okay."
There was a click as Everest ended the call. Her socks softened her footsteps but her vibrant purple hair made her stick out even more than Meliorn did with his white suit, grey trench coat, and shimmering vine tattoo. The man stared at her as he was dragged from the Ops Center. He smirked and his eyes gleamed with a dangerously smug light.
"I can't wait to see what happens next," Meliorn said quietly, but it was loud enough for Everest to hear. She nodded her head slightly to him as she passed. He returned the greeting, and his smirk grew.
"I bet not," one of the Shadowhunters growled, misunderstanding Meliorn's words.
Everest walked up to Izzy, stuffing her hands in her pocket where a fidget cube sat. She rolled the metal ball as she tried to convince herself not to do something extra stupid.
"Valentine has been murdering Downworlders draining their bodies for months. He probably killed those Seelie scouts and used their blood—" Izzy was saying before she was cut off by Lydia. As good looking as she had seemed when she first arrived, Everest had to admit that Lydia Branwell was getting uglier and uglier as the hours wore on.
"Do you have proof?" the woman asked as if talking to a child.
"Do you?" Everest demanded as she reached Izzy's side.
She glared at the woman, channeling all of her anger from the last week into her glare. Her arms were crossed and she stood with her feet planted wide, allowing her to seem taller than she was. Lydia didn't seem intimidated—probably because Everest's hair was messy from her earlier 'make the pillow deaf' break, and she was wearing a ruby red sweatshirt that reached her knees, a pair of black leggings and sparkly black fuzzy socks.
"I have orders, that's all. I never wanted any of this," Lydia denied.
Izzy sneered. "I don't believe you for a second."
She walked away, grabbing Everest's hand both to bring her along and for comfort.
"I'm so glad you shot her," Izzy muttered as she pulled Everest to her room.
"Me too. I almost wish the bullets hadn't gone all the way through."
"No you don't."
Everest sighed. "No, I really don't. That sucks and she's a bitch, but she hasn't done anything to deserve two bullets stuck in her shoulder."
"Yet," Izzy corrected.
"Yet," Everest agreed.
AN: What do you think of the chaos that is Everest, Gino, and Roslyn's group chat? What about everyone's names in Everest's phone? Should I include more group chats later or no?
I've also compiled a list of three possible ship names for Magnus, Alec, and Everest. Please vote on them and let me know which one you like best.
Everest looked up to see Alec and Max walking into the Ops Center. The little boy had a pleading look on his face and Alec looked like he was about to give in.
"They took it away because you almost burned down the Mumbai Institute," Alec deadpanned.
"How many times do I have to say it was an accident!" Max rolled his eyes.
Everest bent down in front of Max with a smile. "Tell you what Max. If you manage to stay out of trouble for the next three days and learn the difference between the Nourishment, Extinguish, and whatever the water rune is, I will help you convince Alec to get you your stele back. How's that?"
He beamed at her and wrapped his arms around her neck. She returned the hug briefly before detaching him from her. Alec turned away as she looked at him, but she caught sight of a smile on his face.
The Institute's front doors hissed open and a bald man in a long-sleeved shirt and covered in runes stepped into the building. Valentine.
Both of the young adults pushed Max behind them. Everest drew her gun and fired two shots as Alec shot an arrow at the man. Valentine caught the arrow, but both bullets buried themselves into his left shoulder. His face flickered and Everest frowned. Faces weren't supposed to do that. She kept her gun aimed at the man, though now it was aimed at his face. From the corner of her eye, she saw Alec lower his bow in shock.
'Stupid,' she thought. 'That's how you get hurt.'
People began to rush towards them, only just noticing the intruder. Valentine drew out a stele and ran it over a rune on his forearm, as well as an Iratze. The man's form shifted to that of a blonde woman in a brown suit jacket that Everest wanted in white. Partially because it was cute, but also because she wanted to be able to look as hot and badass as the woman did. Her expression was annoyingly neutral, though Everest could see the faint approval in her eyes as she looked at her and Alec.
"That reaction time was abysmal," she remarked, almost mockingly. "Except for you two. I'm Lydia Branwell, envoy from the Clave."
Everest lowered her gun and made a distressed noise. The woman paid her no mind, though Alec looked at her questioningly.
'Shit. Shit, shit, shit. I just shot a Clave lady!' Everest screamed in her mind.
"You." She pointed at Everest, who froze. "It's not often that you see a Shadowhunter using a mundane weapon. Who are you?"
It took Max and Alec nudging her for her to answer. "Everest."
"What's your last name?"
She shrugged. "I don't actually know."
Lydia's brows furrowed. "Why not?"
"Because I thought it was one thing, then it wasn't that, so I thought it was my mom's maiden name, but apparently it's supposed to be my dad's last name but I don't like him so I don't know what my last name is. I could use the ones my friends gave me, but that was a bit illegal and they're not on any official papers so..."
"Who are your parents?"
"Uhh...Jocelyn Fairchild and a psychopath?" Everest really didn't know the right answer to that question.
"You're Valentine's daughter?" Lydia's eyes were narrowed.
"Apparently."
"I didn't know there were two Fairchild daughters," she remarked.
"Nobody seems to," Everest mumbled as Izzy and Maryse entered.
"Maryse. The Clave has ordered me to take temporary control of this Institute," Lydia said in a smug voice.
"Wait a minute. Nobody informed us," Maryse began to protest.
"The Clave doesn't need to. And to repeat myself, it's temporary. Nothing's been decided yet. But I do need full clearance to assess how this Institute is running." She ran her stele over a rune on one of the monitors. "Where is Clary Fairchild? I would hope someone here knows, especially since you have her sister here."
The Shadowhunters in the room seemed reluctant to answer her.
"She's in the field, training," Alec said finally.
The woman raised an eyebrow, causing the glare Izzy was giving her darken. "You're telling me she's just...out and about in the streets of New York? Valentine's daughter?" Lydia began to walk towards Alec and Everest shifted forward, her finger itching towards the safety of her gun.
"Aren't she and Everest your cousins?" Izzy asked with a challenging smirk.
Everest's thoughts all shifted from mostly coherent thoughts to incoherent screams that were usually reserved for when characters did stupid things or something really cute. Luckily, Everest had long since perfected the "I'm reading the school assigned book, not screaming at fanfiction in my head" face.
"Distant cousins," Lydia deflected.
"She's with Jace," Everest offered, and the only sign she was freaking out was the way the tips of her fingers were pressed into her thighs.
"The same Jace Wayland who decided to lead an unsanctioned raid against the vampires?" She gave the Lightwoods and Everest an amused look as she stopped tapping on the monitor. "I've read reports."
'What reports?' Everest wondered. 'Who filed reports? We agreed not to do that.'
"Jace might be unconventional, but he's our best soldier. If he's with Clary, then she's in good hands." Maryse's voice rose as she powerwalked after Lydia.
"I hope so. And for your sake, and all of New York. All of your jurisdiction better be well protected."
"Was that a threat?" Everest whispered as Lydia and Maryse walked away. "Or was it a promise? Because I don't like either option."
None of the Lightwoods answered her, Alec and Izzy too busy staring after their mother and Lydia and Max had run off somewhere.
...
"I'm not a fan," Izzy declared, watching the two women as Maryse gave Lydia a tour of the Institute. Everest made a noise of agreement as she dug in her backpack. Izzy pulled her elbow, just barely managing to stop the purple haired girl from falling over the railing.
"Jealous?" Alec asked. He was smirking.
"No," the two said together.
"Maybe," Izzy conceded. "How the hell did she catch that arrow?"
Alec's phone made a 'bleep' noise as the girls continued down the stairwell. He led them to where Maryse and Lydia were standing.
"I have something you need to see," he told them, all previous joking gone. "Something attacked the Jade Wolf."
Everest inhaled sharply and gripped her upper arms tightly as she looked at the pictures Alec displayed on the screen.
"The werewolf headquarters? Where did you—" Maryse was cut off by Lydia—again.
"Where did you get these?" she demanded.
"Leader of the New York wolf pack," Alec said.
"You're friends with Lucien Graymark? An ex-Circle member?" Everest saw Maryse wince slightly at the blonde woman's words.
"How about we send Isabelle, Alec, and Everest to investigate? I'm sure this is linked to—" Again, Maryse was cut off.
"Valentine. I need to see it for myself." She started walking, leaving the four to stare after her. "Are you coming or what?"
Alec gave the three a slightly panicked look before he followed after Lydia. Maryse frowned after them while Izzy gave the duo a calculating look. Everest just glared at her bag as she realized that she had no more Skittles.
...
Everest was upset. She was genuinely as upset as she could be without breaking down. She had no more Skittles, Clary didn't have any, Jace and Alec didn't have any, the Institute's kitchen didn't have any, and so Izzy was her last option. (And yes, yes Everest did indeed search their rooms for Skittles.)
She stormed into the autopsy room where one of the Shadowhunters had told her Izzy was. Her nose was scrunched up and her face was set in a scowl as she headed towards Izzy and Magnus who had apparently arrived at some point.
"Oh, who I hear is very impressive. What else? Oh. Babysitting Jace," Magnus was saying.
"And dealing with our parents who are trying to find him a wife," Izzy commented as she inspected a half-decomposed body.
Magnus's face fell and Everest blinked rapidly as she frowned.
"Sorry," Izzy muttered, noticing Magnus's expression.
"It's quite alright. I suppose Alec is just following his duty." Magnus looked uncomfortable as he moved aside for Izzy. He looked up and saw Everest watching. He waved his hands for her to come over.
"Not everyone gets the luxury of following their heart," Izzy said. She looked up and saw Everest just as Magnus had. "Sunny!"
Everest smiled faintly at her. "Hey Dusk. Do you have Skittles?"
Izzy shook her head with a fond smile. "No, you had the last pack the other day. Do you want me to see if one of the others does?"
She shook her head. "No, it's fine."
"Well, since it looks like Izzy has everything under control, I'm gonna go deliver the preliminary findings. You're more than welcome to come with Everest. We can stop somewhere and get you some Skittles when I leave," Magnus offered the girl, who lit up.
Everest nodded rapidly as she bounced up and down on the balls of her feet, clapping her hands excitedly. "Yeah, let's do that! Let's go!"
She pulled Magnus out of the room, waving goodbye to Izzy, who was laughing at her antics. Magnus took the lead and brought her to the training room so that they could give Alec the papers. How he knew where Alec was, Everest had no idea.
Alec was beating up the punching bag as they entered and Everest stopped dead next to Magnus. Alec was shirtless. Which is how most guys workout. But most guys don't look like Alec. 'Or Magnus,' her mind whispered. She ignored that thought in lieu of trying not to outwardly show that she was fangirl screaming inside her head—again.
"Magnus. Everest," Alec greeted. He stopped his workout once he caught sight of them.
Everest cleared her throat quietly and Magnus grinned widely.
"Okay. I'm back," Magnus said, sounding delighted. Everest hummed happily.
Alec gave the two of them an odd look as he walked past them to put on a zip up hoodie.
"Oh you don't have to get dressed up for me." Alec ignored him. "Fine. But I liked what I saw." Magnus looked down at Everest who was once again bouncing on the balls of her feet. "I think Everest did too."
"We have the medically paper thingies for the dead body," Everest told Alec, finally breaking out of her mental loop of fangirl screaming.
"We have the preliminary autopsy findings," Magnus explained using normal-person words.
Alec took the file with a frown. "Why are you giving these to me? They should go to the head of the Institute."
"It is," Everest said at the same time as Magnus.
"I'm not. And I never will be." Alec let his blank mask drop and his expression filled with hurt and frustration. "Magnus, Everest, it's like...it's like my whole life...has been a lie. Now everything I've ever known is..."
"It's not what you thought," Everest said softly. It was the same soft tone she had used on the roof of the Hotel Dumort.
"I've done everything for my parents...and for the Clave...I've done everything that they've asked," Alec continued. He was breathing heavily from his workout and from how upset he was.
"Maybe you should start living for yourself? Do what's in your heart," Magnus suggested. His voice lacked any of his usual coyness or attitude; it was entirely genuine emotion and made Everest melt a little.
"Sometimes Alec," Everest said, looking up at him, "sometimes you have to let go of other people's expectations and live how you want to so that you can be happy."
"I can't believe I'm saying this." Alec truly looked like it. "I think you're right."
Magnus smiled. Everest stopped bouncing as her phone dinged. She pulled it from her pocket but put it away immediately after she saw who it was from. She couldn't deal with Clary, not just then.
"Everything all right?" Alec asked her.
Everest broadened her smile with more effort than she would admit to, though she knew it didn't reach her eyes. "Yep, everything's fine. Excuse me while I go make a call."
Everest turned on her sock-clad heel and left the training room. She ignored the looks she got as she snatched her bag from a chair and snapped her fingers in a steady rhythm as she walked to her room. She also ignored the slight heaviness that came from lying to Magnus and Alec.
She didn't need to make a call, she just needed to be alone for a little bit. She needed to work up the courage to read Clary's text, try to figure out why her mind kept whispering things about Alec and Magnus that she didn't ever think she'd think about the two of them, and at least attempt to calm down before she broke down—before she shattered, as her friends called it.
"Alright, calm down first, then thoughts, then Clary's text," she whispered into the empty room.
Everest reached into her bag and pulled out her pink and purple glitter bottle. She shook it as hard as she could and watched as the glitter fell to the bottom. Again and again she shook the bottle and watched the glitter fall. Again and again it failed to calm her down more than a little bit.
"Shit," she mumbled as she tossed the bottle aside, frustrated.
Her fingers dug into her arms as she collapsed onto the bed, curled up in a ball. Her feet kicked a pillow and Everest's eyes shot open. She grabbed the pillow and hugged it tightly. Thankful that the rooms were soundproof when the doors were completely shut—as Izzy had told her with a suggestive look—she screamed into the pillow. It wasn't a fangirl scream, it was more of a "what the fucking hell" scream.
She ran out of breath and released the now flat pillow. She closed her eyes again and relished in the odd sense of calm that she felt after screaming into the pillow for three minutes. (She had played flute in grades five through eight—it had some advantages.)
"Everest!" she heard Izzy shout as she burst into the room, paying no mind to the discarded glitter bottle or any of the other mess on the floor. "Alec's hurt!"
The girl ran from the room, following her friend as they raced to where Alec was getting treated.
"You idiot," Everest muttered as she caught sight of the gaping wound on Alec's arm.
"It's not that bad," Alec told her. She rolled her eyes.
"Yes it is," Everest, Izzy, and even Robert said at once.
Alec rolled his eyes and winced as Robert disinfected the wound. Izzy and Everest sat next to Alec and watched as he tried—and failed—to stay still while he was being patched up.
"Don't squirm," Robert chided.
"I'm not. It doesn't even hurt," Alec protested.
"Liar," Everest said in a sing-song voice. Alec glared at her, providing enough distraction for Izzy to grab his phone as it rang.
"No talking, just healing," she tutted. Everest smiled softly at the disgruntled expression Alec had as his little sister walked away with his phone.
Suddenly Alec wasn't the only one whose phone was going off. Everest's phone went off at least seven times and she huffed. She pulled it out and sighed. Most were from Clary, some from Gino and Roslyn, but some were from Raphael. She ignored Clary's messages and opened the ones from Raphael, even as her phone kept going off.
Nocturnal Bitch:
Your sister's friend owes me three jackets.
And will owe me a lot more if he keeps this up.
Chaotic Mess:
I can practically feel your annoyance from the Institute
What'd Rat Boy do?
Nocturnal Bitch:
He can't control his own strength and he ruined another perfectly good jacket.
Everest took a deep breath before she replied.
Chaotic Mess:
So he's a vampire now then?
Nocturnal Bitch:
Unfortunately.
Chaotic Mess:
Oh how great.
I'll be sure to tell Simon where you get your modern day jackets
Nocturnal Bitch:
Thank you.
Everest smiled lightly. She could practically hear Raphael's annoyed tone as she read his texts. She pushed aside how Clary had brought Simon back because Everest knew she would have done the exact same thing. It wouldn't be fair for her to be mean to or annoyed with Clary for doing the same thing that she herself would have done. She also had to read the texts from her other friends before she thought about Clary for very long, otherwise she wouldn't read them at all.
She looked at the number of unread texts from her, Gino, and Roslyn's group chat with wide eyes. There were nine unread messages and the number was growing rapidly. Everest was almost scared to open the chat—especially once she got multiple notifications in all caps.
Badass Mom:
Are you alive?
You better be alive
Insomnia's Delight:
You're not allowed to die, Everest!
Badass Mom:
I will hunt down your grave and bring you back so I can kill you myself!
*If you died*
Insomnia's Delight:
I will find your nocturnal brother and get him to bring you to us!
Badass Mom:
I swear to Hell and back, Everest, I will take your laptop away if you don't answer soon
Insomnia's Delight:
I will put screen time on your devices and I will key it so that it's only off for an hour a day.
At a different time each day
Badass Mom:
ANSWER US!!!
Insomnia's Delight:
EVEREST FRAY-KARTER-HENRY-BRIN-LIGHTWOOD-SANTIAGO!!! ANSWER US!!!
Everest's shoulders began to shake with silent laughter. Alec gave her a curious look and she showed him her phone. He smiled, though he looked confused as he read the last text.
"Why so many last names?" he asked.
"Oh. They're not actually my legal last names." Everest rolled her eyes fondly. "Roslyn decided that she's my mom since mine sucks, and Gino decided that he's one of my big brother figures, hence the Henry and Brin. And Karter is because I know two men who might as well be my dads. Then my friends decided to add Lightwood to the list because they met Izzy and realized that she's like my sister, and Santiago because they met Raphael and realized he's like my brother."
Alec gaped and Everest was glad that Robert had left to put away the first aid stuff. "Raphael Santiago is your brother?"
She nodded. "Did I forget to tell you?" She smiled sheepishly at his exasperated nod. "Oopsie?"
They turned back to her phone as it dinged again.
Insomnia's Delight:
Bitch answer us!
Badass Mom:
Don't you call my daughter a bitch!
Insomnia's Delight:
You do it all the time!
Badass Mom:
...
Shut up Brin!
Chaotic Mess:
Ooh, she called you by your last name
Badass Mom:
EVEREST FRAY-KARTER-HENRY-BRIN-LIGHTWOOD-SANTIAGO!
Insomnia's Delight:
Ooh, she called you by your last names
Badass Mom:
Do you know how worried we have been? You just went MIA for two days without a single word! No note, no call, no text, no NOTHING!
Chaotic Mess:
Sorry Roslyn
Badass Mom:
You're not forgiven 😡
Chaotic Mess:
I'm sorry Mummy 🥺
Badass Mom:
...
You're forgiven
But if you do it again I will go through with my threats
Insomnia's Delight:
What about my apology?😥
Chaotic Mess:
Sorry Gino 🥺
By the way, you use weird emojis
Insomnia's Delight:
Thank you. Now, where the fuck have you been?
Chaotic Mess:
I've been dealing with my sister
Badass Mom:
Oh.
Insomnia's Delight:
Oh.
Is she alive?
Badass Mom:
Have you shot her?
Insomnia's Delight:
Do we need to break you out of jail?
Badass Mom:
Do I need to get Jay and Brad to pull the "We're her guardians" card?
"What do you do in your spare time that makes your friends react like this?" Alec murmured softly, reading over her shoulder.
"I'm a chaotic, ADHD mess that's very much chaotic neutral," was all she said as an explanation.
Chaotic Mess:
Yes, no, no, and no.
Don't worry, I'm fine. I'm with Dusk's brother rn because she's busy
Badass Mom:
Which one? Doesn't she have three?
Insomnia's Delight:
Cute nerd kid, blonde duck, or tall archer?
Badass Mom:
I bet it's the tall archer
Everest smiled at Alec who was shaking in violent laughter.
Chaotic Mess:
Tall archer
And he's very pleased with your descriptions of the other two
Insomnia's Delight:
What's his name again?
Badass Mom:
Did you not listen to any of the times that Raven talked about them???
Insomnia's Delight:
No! Raven gets annoying after she complains for more than three minutes!
Chaotic Mess:
You're lucky I like you G. Otherwise I'd tell Dusk what you said
Insomnia's Delight:
NO!!!
Chaotic Mess:
Tall archer=Alec
Blonde duck=Jace
Cute nerd kid=Max
Everest looked up at the doorway where Robert was watching her and Alec with an impatient expression.
Chaotic Mess:
I have to go, but I'll talk to you later
Badass Mom:
Bye!
Insomnia's Delight:
Don't die!
Badass Mom:
Have a good time!
Insomnia's Delight:
I didn't mean for this to rhyme
Everest stood up with Alec and followed after him and his father, though she parted with them to stand by Izzy. Everest looked up as the front doors opened and sighed as she clicked on Gino's contact.
"Everest?" he asked in greeting. "I thought you had to go?"
"I did, but then someone walked into the Institute surrounded by Shadowhunters." Everest watched the interaction between Izzy and the newcomer warily.
"Who is it?" Gino asked. "You wouldn't call unless it affects me."
"You know your half-brother? The oddly fashionable one with the vine tattoo that shimmers like yours?"
"Meliorn? What about him?"
"He's the one who just walked into the Institute."
Gino swore loudly. "What's happening?" he demanded.
"He and Dusk are having some kind of uncomfortable greeting and now the Clave lady who's taken over the Institute, and that I accidentally shot, is going up to him," Everest narrated.
"We'll come back to how you shot a Clave person later. What's she saying?"
"Meliorn, the Clave has ordered that you be placed under arrest..." Everest trailed off. "Shit G. I think I just watched your brother get arrested."
"FUCK!" Gino shouted. "Fuck."
"What do I do now?" Everest asked panicked.
"Hang up, figure out what the fuck is going on, and fill me in later."
"What're you gonna do?"
"I'm going to find a lawyer."
"Okay."
There was a click as Everest ended the call. Her socks softened her footsteps but her vibrant purple hair made her stick out even more than Meliorn did with his white suit, grey trench coat, and shimmering vine tattoo. The man stared at her as he was dragged from the Ops Center. He smirked and his eyes gleamed with a dangerously smug light.
"I can't wait to see what happens next," Meliorn said quietly, but it was loud enough for Everest to hear. She nodded her head slightly to him as she passed. He returned the greeting, and his smirk grew.
"I bet not," one of the Shadowhunters growled, misunderstanding Meliorn's words.
Everest walked up to Izzy, stuffing her hands in her pocket where a fidget cube sat. She rolled the metal ball as she tried to convince herself not to do something extra stupid.
"Valentine has been murdering Downworlders draining their bodies for months. He probably killed those Seelie scouts and used their blood—" Izzy was saying before she was cut off by Lydia. As good looking as she had seemed when she first arrived, Everest had to admit that Lydia Branwell was getting uglier and uglier as the hours wore on.
"Do you have proof?" the woman asked as if talking to a child.
"Do you?" Everest demanded as she reached Izzy's side.
She glared at the woman, channeling all of her anger from the last week into her glare. Her arms were crossed and she stood with her feet planted wide, allowing her to seem taller than she was. Lydia didn't seem intimidated—probably because Everest's hair was messy from her earlier 'make the pillow deaf' break, and she was wearing a ruby red sweatshirt that reached her knees, a pair of black leggings and sparkly black fuzzy socks.
"I have orders, that's all. I never wanted any of this," Lydia denied.
Izzy sneered. "I don't believe you for a second."
She walked away, grabbing Everest's hand both to bring her along and for comfort.
"I'm so glad you shot her," Izzy muttered as she pulled Everest to her room.
"Me too. I almost wish the bullets hadn't gone all the way through."
"No you don't."
Everest sighed. "No, I really don't. That sucks and she's a bitch, but she hasn't done anything to deserve two bullets stuck in her shoulder."
"Yet," Izzy corrected.
"Yet," Everest agreed.
AN: What do you think of the chaos that is Everest, Gino, and Roslyn's group chat? What about everyone's names in Everest's phone? Should I include more group chats later or no?
I've also compiled a list of three possible ship names for Magnus, Alec, and Everest. Please vote on them and let me know which one you like best.
End of Distractions Chapter 15. Continue reading Chapter 16 or return to Distractions book page.