Chapter 9: Secrets in the Shadows
The streets of Brooklyn seemed quieter than ever, shrouded in an eerie stillness that clung to the group as they made their way through the dimly lit city. The demons were behind them for now, held at bay by the wards around Clary's apartment. But Orion knew they wouldn't remain safe for long.
Still, he couldn't shake the unease growing within him. The discovery of the sealed box, the flickering wards, and the strange energy in Clary's attic had awakened questions he couldn't ignore. And beneath all of it, a deeper worry gnawed at him—a fear for his mother.
They moved quickly, Clary clutching the box tightly, Simon close by her side. Jace walked ahead, his golden eyes scanning the shadows for threats, while Orion lingered near the rear of the group, his thoughts elsewhere.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Jace asked over his shoulder, his tone skeptical.
"I just need to check something," Orion replied. "It won't take long."
Jace frowned but didn't press further. They had already risked enough venturing to Clary's apartment. Adding another detour felt reckless, but there was a certainty in Orion's voice that made it difficult to argue.
Clary slowed her pace, falling into step beside Orion. "Are you okay?" she asked softly.
Orion hesitated, his gray eyes focused on the road ahead. "I don't know," he admitted. "There's something I need to find out. Something about my family."
Clary nodded, her expression sympathetic. "We'll help. Whatever it is, you're not alone."
Simon, trailing behind them, glanced between the two. "So, uh… where exactly are we going?"
"To my house," Orion said. "I need to make sure my mom's safe. She's… important."
"Parents always are," Simon muttered, though his tone was more thoughtful than sarcastic.
The group turned down a quieter street, the familiar sights of Brooklyn giving way to a residential neighborhood. Orion's house wasn't far now, and his heart tightened with every step.
---
The house stood at the end of a narrow lane, a modest two-story home tucked between taller buildings. It was unassuming, its exterior painted a soft blue that glowed faintly under the streetlights. But something felt off.
Orion stopped in front of the gate, his sharp eyes scanning the property. The lights were off, and the air around the house was heavy, almost stagnant. It lacked the comforting presence he associated with his mother's energy.
"She's not here," he said quietly, his voice tinged with both certainty and unease.
Jace glanced at him. "How do you know?"
"I just do," Orion replied.
Clary stepped closer to him, placing a hand on his arm. "We should still check. Maybe she left a note or something."
Orion nodded and led the group up the short path to the front door. He hesitated for a moment before pulling out a spare key from beneath the welcome mat. The lock clicked open, and he pushed the door wide.
Inside, the house was as he remembered it—tidy, cozy, and filled with faint traces of his mother's and father's presences. But the silence was heavy, and the absence of his mother's calming energy felt like a void.
"She's definitely not here," he said, his voice quieter now.
Simon hovered near the doorway, glancing around nervously. "I don't know about you guys, but this place feels kind of… empty. Like nobody's been here for a while."
Jace ignored him, moving toward the living room with calculated steps. "If we're here, let's make it quick. The longer we stay, the more likely something follows us."
Orion wandered deeper into the house, his feet carrying him toward his mother's room. The door was slightly ajar, and he pushed it open, his gaze immediately falling on the bedside table.
On it lay two items that made his breath catch.
The first was a silver watch, its surface gleaming faintly in the dim light. It was familiar—his mother always wore it, though she'd never explained its significance. Beside it lay a small necklace, a simple black cord holding a polished silver charm shaped like a spearhead. His father's necklace.
Orion reached out, his fingers brushing the watch first. The moment his skin made contact, a jolt of energy shot through him. Images flashed through his mind: the watch unfolding into a gleaming silver shield, its surface unbreakable and radiating power. The shield pulsed with protective energy, its design ancient and intricate.
Before he could fully process the vision, his hand moved to the necklace. Another surge of energy coursed through him, and more images flooded his mind. This time, it was the necklace transforming into a spear, its sleek design crackling with raw power. The spear thrummed with an almost sentient awareness, its sharp point glowing faintly with a golden light.
As the visions subsided, a voice—calm and familiar—echoed in his mind.
"Orion," his mother's voice said gently. "If you've found these, it means I had to leave. I'm sorry for not telling you sooner, but an emergency came up—one I couldn't ignore. Your father and I will return soon. When we do, we'll explain everything. There are secrets about our family, about who we are, that you need to know. For now, trust yourself. Use these tools wisely—they are yours as much as they are ours."
The voice faded, leaving Orion standing in silence, the watch and necklace still in his hands.
---
Clary's voice broke the stillness. "Orion? Are you okay?"
He turned to find her standing in the doorway, concern etched across her face. Behind her, Jace and Simon waited, their expressions wary.
"She left a message," Orion said quietly, holding up the watch and necklace. "She knew something was happening."
Jace stepped into the room, his golden eyes narrowing as he studied the items in Orion's hands. "Those aren't ordinary, are they?"
"No," Orion replied. "They're… weapons. A shield and a spear. My parents left them for me."
Simon frowned, his curiosity overcoming his fear. "Weapons? Like magical weapons?"
Orion nodded. "Something like that. My mother said she and my father would explain everything when they got back."
Clary stepped closer, her eyes softening. "Do you think they're okay?"
"They're fine," Orion said, though the conviction in his voice was more for his own reassurance than anyone else's. "If they left these behind, it means they're planning to come back."
Jace crossed his arms. "Then we should go. Whatever this is, it's not going to solve itself by sitting here."
Orion hesitated for a moment, his gaze lingering on the watch and necklace. He slipped the necklace over his head and secured the watch to his wrist, the weight of both grounding him.
"You're right," he said finally, turning to face the group. "Let's go."
---
As they left the house, the tension in the air seemed to deepen. The shadows on the streets felt darker, heavier, as if the city itself was watching them.
Orion walked with a newfound purpose, his hand brushing the edge of the watch on his wrist. Whatever lay ahead, he was ready to face it. His mother and father's secrets would wait—but not for long.
For now, the group pressed on, their path leading them deeper into the world of the Shadowhunters and the dangers that awaited them there.