Disclaimer: I do not own The Mortal Instruments, either the book or the artefacts themselves.

Warnings: Rated for later chapters, this is probably a K+

False Idol

Chapter 1

"I worshiped him. I thought the sun rose and set on Valentine Morgenstern." (Lucian, City of Bones, 358)

(-)

"Lucian, are you asleep?"

Luke shot up in bed. Even with his shameful lack of Shadowhunter aptitude he had always had exceptional instincts.

"I'll take that as a 'no' then," a quiet voice chuckled.

Luke's eyes flicked over to the figure leaning casually against his door frame. Even in the poor light there was no mistaking that form. Those broad shoulders and effortless grace exemplified everything a Shadowhunter should be. Everything he wasn't.

"Valentine? You know my name?"

That quite chuckle came again and Luke flushed at the redundancy of his question.

"Yes, Lucian. I know a great deal about you in fact. How hard you work, how you seem to struggle and the vast potential that dwells inside you."

This time it was Luke's turn to laugh. "'Vast potential'? I thought you were pretty smart, Valentine. The Angel clearly made a mistake with me," he snorted bitterly.

"You're right: I am smart and I am telling you that you have vast potential. Do you doubt me?"

Luke turned his face away to hide the angry flush. Even in this low light he didn't want to face Valentine like this. He tensed when he felt the other youth walking towards his bed. No, walking wasn't the right word, Valentine wouldn't do something so mundane, he glided, he stalked.

"Look at me, Lucian." Luke lifted his head. His blue eyes locked onto Valentine's black.

"There are few enough Shadowhunters as it is. I know potential when I see it and I want to help you. I want to train you. What do you say?"

Luke looked down again. It must be some cruel joke. He wondered who had put Valentine up to it. There were plenty of Shadowhunters that mocked his inability and enjoyed humiliating him. But there was a flicker of doubt. Valentine would not be put up to anything. He would never tease a straggler, he was so… perfect.

Luke swallowed. "If you can't think of any better way to waste your time, I suppose."

Valentine smiled down at him. He was like an angel himself. One of those paintings in the church come to life. He looked joyful and sad all at once.

"I know you won't disappoint me Lucian," he whispered and let a hand briefly alight on the other youth's head.

Lucian bowed his head to the benediction and for a pure moment he believed Valentine. He wouldn't disappoint his teacher.

(-)

Valentine was true to his word. Whenever they both had spare time Valentine would find him. Luke wondered how the older teen kept finding him. At first they would just talk about Shadowhunting, demons and the Nephilim. After these talks Luke would find that he retained some theory. Valentine would oversee his study, assigning books and prescribing exercises.

By this time Luke was desperate for anything that would make him a better Shadowhunter and followed Valentine's instructions to the letter.

During his reading Valentine would question him about the content or ask him to demonstrate a technique. There was never any doubt in Valentine's eyes. It was like he assumed that Luke was capable of anything he asked. That utter faith became infectious and Luke began to believe too.

Valentine was always ready to praise the slightest achievement. He wasn't condescending though. Whenever Luke got something right it was as if he had vindicated something his teacher had already known. Valentine would nod, almost to himself and Luke's pride would swell.

It got to the point where he craved his teacher's approval. That knowing nod and those few kind words meant more to him than the grades he got or the jovial back-slapping from his official teachers.

There was one area of his training that Valentine had not yet touched. But Luke could almost feel it approaching or hovering like some malicious demon. He dreaded the day that Valentine would be proved wrong.

(-)

"Please Valentine…I…I can't…I,"

"Shh, Lucian, your theory and your fighting techniques have improved phenomenally. You know this, but bearing Marks are so important. They separate us and rise us above all those we fight and those we fight to protect. They are the mark of a true Shadowhunter. They are a mark of your true self, Lucian."

No matter how many times Luke had shyly told Valentine that he could use his nickname, the other boy always called him Lucian. Luke had let the matter drop and now was secretly pleased by it. It made him feel like a real Shadowhunter and Valentine was the only one who used it.

"It burns, Valentine. I can't take the feeling of the stele against my skin. I just can't."

"Try, Lucian, for me."

Luke picked up the stele again and tried. He would try for Valentine one more time, even though he wouldn't try it again for himself. Luke stared at the top of his left arm and positioned the stele. Tears began to well in his eyes as the tip pressed against his skin. His hand shook and he cried out, letting the stele fall from his numb fingers.

Valentine patted Luke's hair as he always did to calm him.

"Give it to me. Lucian, do you trust me?"

"Yes," Luke whispered, staring up into those dark unfathomable eyes.

"Give me your arm."

Luke obeyed without question. Valentine smiled as he positioned the stele. He gently stroked the other teen's arm and waited for him to stop trembling. The first few centimetres of the rune were visible against his skin before Luke had given up.

"I find it easier to bear if you think about why you are doing this. It is not about the pain. It is about helping yourself. It is about bettering yourself for the sake of your duty. Think Lucian, try to think about a reason to bear this."

"Yes Valentine. I…I've thought of something."

"Good. Now try to relax. I know you trust me."

Luke closed his eyes and let his arm go limp. He hissed between his teeth as he felt the familiar bite of the stele, but restrained himself. Valentine slid the stele across his student's flesh with confidence and precision. By the end Luke had relaxed and wore a beatific smile, not unlike Valentine's.

"You did it, Lucian."

"I did."

"If you don't mind me asking, what did you think about?"

Luke took a deep breath and flicked his gaze upwards to his teacher, his hero, his idol.

"You."

Valentine smiled and handed him the stele. Without a moments hesitation Luke picked it up and placed its tip against the underside of his arm. He flicked his bright blue eyes up to Valentine in question. In any other teacher he would see doubt. They would give him a pat on the shoulder and ask if he was sure. Valentine did not doubt. He never doubted. He wore a sober expression and was totally confident in the younger teen.

Luke traced a more complex rune on the sensitive flesh of his inner arm. He didn't flinch as the stele marked him. He thought of those beautiful dark eyes watching his movements. When the stele came away, Valentine traced the rune with his forefinger. Only then did Luke shiver.

"Well done, Lucian. I told you that you would not disappoint me. Why do persist in doubting me?" he asked playfully.

Luke knew Valentine was only teasing, but he answered the question seriously.

"I do not doubt you, Valentine. I could never doubt you. I doubt myself," he replied.

He was looking at his hands as he spoke and so missed the calculating expression that flitted across the other youth's face.