Author's note: Hello everyone! This is my very first fanfiction, so I would appreciate any constructive criticism you may have. Please review! Also, please don't flame the OC just yet. There won't be much of my character until the next chapter. If my character seems a little too perfect after chapter two, then you can flame away, or you can send me advice on how to improve. Your choice.

The title is derived from the poetry at the start of Chapter 2 of Clockwork Angel: "Between two worlds life hovers like a star, / 'Twixt night and morn, upon the horizon's verge. / How little we know that which we are! / How less what we may be!"

Disclaimer: I do not own anything that is recognizable as from The Infernal Devices. All of that belongs to Cassandra Clare; it's just getting caught up in my twisted imagination. I do, however, own my OC.

Chapter One: Mysteries & Surprises

Early October, 1876

"Where did the blasted thing disappear to?"

William Herondale swore again, much stronger this time, as he took in the seemingly deserted street. His companion, a silver-haired boy, sent Will a reproving glance.

"Try not to fret, Will," James Carstairs spoke softly. "Hydra demons are not known for their cleverness. It couldn't have gone far."

The two sixteen-year-old Shadowhunters had spent the majority of their evening tracking a rampaging Hydra demon through the streets of London, until they finally cornered it in this particular area. Unfortunately, the street that the Hydra had chosen to seek refuge in was comprised of numerous alleyways that sprouted off from the main road and twisted into different directions. Most of those alleys were connected to both each other and the core street; the result being, of course, a maze of narrow paths to search. To make matter worse for the boys, it was a dark night. The only light came from flickering gaslight lamps, which were few and far between, and their witchlight stones. Cloud cover prevented the full moon, or the stars, from lending their aide to the boys' cause.

Both young men had recognized this particular street the second they stepped onto it. It was, in fact, what spurred Will's swearing. Both he and Jem knew well enough that this would most likely prove to be a very long night.

Jem stepped up to the nearest alley and raised his witchlight, scattering shadows. "If we don't start now, we shall never finish tonight. Come on, Will."

Will muttered something that sounded like, "it's only one Hydra; it won't destroy the city," but joined Jem anyway.

Jem immediately fell a step behind Will. He was always rear guard, since Will never remembered to check his back. The young men walked in silence through the twisting alleyways, trying to listen for any clues as to where the thing vanished to. Debris littered the rough surfaces: empty caskets and barrels stood or lay on their sides, broken boards that had worn off structures lay askew everywhere, bits of chairs and tables that could no longer serve their purpose scattered here and there, and then there were the broken windows that strewn the ground with glass shards. The rubble transformed the maze into an obstacle course that threatened to trip, slice, or otherwise hinder the Shadowhunters, forcing them to watch their step as much as they watched for their quarry.

As time passed, the clouds blanketing the sky seemed to begin dispersing, which was rather strange for London. Ambient light from the sky was gradually increasing; while it did help illuminate the obstructions, it also made them throw strange shadows on the worn buildings. The Shadowhunters's witchlight stones served to twist those shadows as the boys passed, making them writhe and seemingly move of their own volition. This was especially disturbing whenever Jem glanced behind them. He wasn't easily unnerved, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. He shifted his slender fingers on his walking cane, allowing for easier access to the blade hidden within it. Part of the problem was undoubtedly the silence. Will was very rarely so quiet; the black-haired boy usually talked incessantly.

The boys stepped out of yet another alley back onto the main street, which was still devoid of life. A realization struck Jem as they made their way toward the next section of the maze.

"You're upset because Charlotte didn't let us help track down that rogue warlock, aren't you?" Jem asked quietly. His tone wasn't accusatory at all, just mildly curious.

Will glanced at Jem, his blue eyes briefly meeting Jem's silver ones. "Yes, I am." His attention turned back to the alley. "A warlock attempting to summon Greater Demons for unknown purposes is much more interesting than a single Hydra. Besides, even Jessamine could take care of such a minor problem. This is a sad waste of my superior skill." Will stopped in the middle of the dark street and heaved an aggravated sigh. "We'll never get all of these alleys searched before dawn. Bloody hell, what kind of idiot summons a Hydra and then turns it loose? They're meant to be guard dogs, something to be controlled to your own advantage. They're not the most ideal demon to send on a rampage!"

Jem ignored the outburst and scanned the street for signs of life as he answered. "Charlotte and Henry are perfectly capable of searching for a warlock. He, or she, has not yet succeeded and therefore is not an immediate threat to the people of London. This Hydra, on the other hand, would happily slaughter any mundane it meets." He threw a sideways glance at Will. "Although, I have to admit you have a valid point. What could possibly be gained by turning loose a guard dog? But, as strange as this is, we still have a duty to the rid this city of the menace." He glanced at Will again. The other boy did not appear convinced. Jem's suspicion of not having persuaded him was confirmed when Will opened his mouth to answer.

Jem never got a chance to hear Will's answer, however. The sound of splintering wood, accompanied by an angry roar, came from a nearby alley. Both boys immediately took off running for the narrow opening, but before they arrived they saw something that made Jem's heart clench.

It seemed that the Hydra they had been so diligently tracking for hours had finally deigned to make an appearance. Unfortunately, it only did so to chase a mundane. A rather small boy ran out of the alley with surprising speed. He wore loose trousers, a work shirt, and a jacket, all of which were smeared with soot and dirt. He also wore a sailor's cap that bulged, making his head look misshapen. Jem caught a glance of his face as the boy ran by a flickering lamp and was a bit startled at how delicate the boy's features were.

But Jem did not have time to dwell on that anomaly. The Hydra chose that moment to lurch out of the same alley the boy had emerged from. Blessed with their near-inhuman speed, the two Shadowhunters were nearly on top of it. They each drew a dagger as they flanked the ugly three-headed creature. Blades slashed in unison and two of the Hydra's heads fell to the street. Will leaped as the beast stumbled, easily landing on the Hydra's back. He swung his hand with the dagger out again, jumping back to the street directly after the blade found its mark.

The now headless demon stumbled again and fell toward the street. It never hit the grimy cobblestones, though. The Hydra's body and three heads all disappeared, going back to its own world to die. The only remaining sign that it ever existed were splotches of black demon blood that pooled in the street and stained the Shadowhunters's leather-like gear.

Jem inspected his weapon. The acidic demon blood had already begun eating through the blade, rendering it useless. He tossed it into a puddle of the toxic stuff, glad he hadn't used the blade in his jade-headed cane. Jem then turned his attention back to the boy that the Hydra had chased out of the alley, hoping the lad would be smart enough to keep running. His hopes were in vain. The boy stood nearby, under the same flickering lamp he had run under before, and Jem was once again struck by the femininity of his features.

He also noticed another detail that should not have been present.

"Will!" the silver-haired boy said, quietly enough the mundane wouldn't hear him. "We have to catch that mundane."

Will was absorbed in the task of inspecting his clothes, making sure none of the damage was irreparable, and didn't even look up at Jem's declaration. "Why is that, James?"

Jem actually sounded exasperated as he started running toward the stranger. "Because we're still glamoured and he can see us!"

The boy started as if he heard what Jem said and darted off into the shadows of another alley, making Jem swear under his breath. Frustration soon turned into relief. The alley was a dead end. Jem stopped just inside the mouth of the narrow passage. There was a door at the other end, which the stranger was trying to open, but it must have been locked, for the slightly built boy gave up and turned to face Jem. He then proceeded to switch from flight to the other basic human instinct when faced with a threat: fight. He ran straight toward Jem as if he was going to attack. Jem was amazed by how fast the stranger was for a mundane but once again didn't have time to dwell on it. Waiting until the last possible moment, until just before the boy was within reach, Jem simply stepped aside and stuck the end of his cane out to trip the stranger.

But the mundane once again surprised the Shadowhunter. Instead of tripping over the cane and sprawling on the street, he leapt over it, twisting toward Jem as he did so. Jem moved back, seeing the boy's intention, but didn't move fast enough. The angle of the jump had never been right to allow the boy to land on his feet; as he fell, he stretched out his hands and clutched at Jem's arms. It was completely unavoidable. He was stunned that the mundane's reflexes were good enough to allow him to react like this.

The boy's momentum from the jump pulled Jem down to the street and he landed on top of the stranger. Jem once again heard his instincts screaming to him that something was wrong, but he ignored them. He didn't have time just yet to listen and figure out exactly what seemed odd about the stranger; the boy had used residual force from the fall to roll them over. He was now lying on top of Jem, pinning him to the street, one surprisingly strong arm pressed against his chest. The other arm was holding a knife to Jem's throat. His legs were drawn up, one knee on either side of Jem's waist. They were nose-to-nose.

The thinning clouds that had been obscuring the moon finally broke open, spilling bright silver light down on the scene. Jem stared up at the stranger, finally able to clearly see (and feel) exactly what about the boy had struck him as peculiar.

The boy was not a boy.

The sailor's cap had fallen off when the stranger rolled on top of Jem. Long, dark brown curls fell around the feminine face, framing it and highlighting a pair of hazel eyes. She had the smooth dark skin of the young American Indian, lighter than he had heard it was supposed to be, but her fine-boned features reminded him more of European bloodlines. Without the unusual combination, she would have been considered merely pretty; with it, she was strikingly beautiful. Enough so that it shone through the soot streaked across her face.

Jem was stunned. He had chased a boy, fought a boy, and now a young lady stunning enough to stop London traffic sat atop him. He could hardly think straight, much less move to dislodge her. When he didn't attempt to force the girl off of him, she narrowed her eyes and spoke in a slow Cajun drawl.

"Who are you and why can you keep up with me?"

Please review! I'm a little OCD about writing, so all I can really see are the flaws. I won't know if it's any good or not if you don't tell me. If it's terrible, fine; if not, great! Either way, please, please review!