The reply to the unusual name for the doctor was a barely raised eyebrow before Jace took that last step over the border. The hairs on his body seemed to stand on end and his skin prickled as if under static electricity, just for a moment and then it was gone. The thought that he was now entirely out of reach for his friends didnât exactly let him relax, however.
He held pace with the sheriff, eyes flickering from face to face, lingering longer on some than others, but never too long on those with glamours. It felt like vertigo, trying to see through the magic. Two pictures overlapping each other and fighting for dominance. It was impossible to describe, but it certainly wasnât a comfortable feeling.
He kept quiet, watching, even as the pretty girl with the blond corkscrew curls approached them. Pretty, but as all the Fables, even the human looking ones, she set his nerves on edge.
It was only after most of the Fables had left and they had stepped into the building that Jace spoke. âIâm used to attention. Good and bad. I donât take it personal.â, he replied. âIf I did, I wouldnât be able to do my job.â
Dr. Swineheart turned out to be a severe looking man with piercing blue eyes that looked at Jace as if he wanted to dissect him. Jace had the uncomfortable feeling, that wasnât far from the truth.
âAh.â, the doctor said and that simple expression said everything about what he thought of Jaceâs presence there. âThe Nephilim.â
âShadowhunter.â, Jace corrected with blade-sharp smile that didnât reach his eyes. âJace Herondale.â
Dr. Swineheartâs brows climbed up his tall, narrow forehead. âInteresting. Care to elaborate on the distinction?â
âI donât. Youâve got a body?â
âYes, of course. The dead girl.â, the Fable said and turned, but his eyes seemed to linger on Jace even after he had turned his back to him.
The body was nothing Jace hadnât seen before and if the two Fables expected a reaction, they would be severely disappointed. He leaned closer, hands behind his back, and squinted at the injuries. His stomach twisted uncomfortably. âDid you find anything in the body when you opened her up?â, he asked, glancing up at the surgeon. âSomething that looked like eggs?â
âI wondered when you would ask. I was trying to determine what these things might be.â Swineheart pulled out a samples container, which held several fragments of â something. Calling them eggshells was a bit of a stretch of the imagination. They were too fleshy, darkly-colored, covered in some kind of membrane that kept them still gooey, even after having served their purpose.
Bigby stared hard at the container, frowning. âDid you show this to the 13th Floor?â The surgeon gave Bigby a withering, long-suffering look that said âof course I did, you plebeian mongrelâ without ever actually saying a word.
âThey said itâs nothing of their make or experience.â
The Sheriff nodded. He had expected as much, or he wouldnât have the Shadowhunter involved in the first place. âOkay, kid, you clearly already have an idea of what weâre dealing with. You think something⌠hatched in her?â