Disclaimer: I don't own The Mortal Instruments, everything is from Cassandra Clare's genius mind.

Jace in Exile

Chapter 1:

Jace looked around at some familiar but mostly unfamiliar faces. Some showing sympathy others disgust. The Hall of Accords was packed wall to wall with people awaiting the announcement of his fate. Jace surveyed his surroundings in search of Clary and his family. He stood in the middle of the Great Hall waiting the Consul's verdict and wondering how his life would change. He had never been the same since the day the man he thought was his father, Valentine Morgenstern, came back into his life.

Valentine's art of persuasion was like no other. His passion for creating a new race of Shadowhunters was all consuming and very enticing to young people looking to make their mark on this world. Jace cursed under his breath remembering the day Valentine showed up at the Institute putting Jace under his spell again. His father spoke of a new era of Shadowhunters, faster, stronger, and heroes in the public eye. Glory has always been a weakness for Jace, probably his biggest sin. He was cocky, blessed by the Angel in the looks department, and the best Shadowhunter of his generation. Jace felt his father's beliefs about the Clave being corrupt were true, but the methods of "cleansing" his father suggested didn't sit well with him. He tried to express his concerns to his father, even quoting similar events throughout history (Hitler, Stalin, etc.) explaining the mass genocide that had taken place. Valentine had dismissed his words on the basis those were simply mundane attempts at strengthening their race. Jace knew then his father was crazy, but he continued to try and save him.

The whole situation became muddy, gray, and full of blurred lines for Jace. Even his adopted mother Maryes Lightwood had doubts of his innocence. He saw her now across the room, red-eyed and solemn. He hated that he'd disappointed so many people by trying to save his father, his fake father. Even his girlfriend, Clary Fray had raked him through the coals, asking question after question trying to gain understanding on why Jace seemed to always be at Valentine's side when he was causing trouble. They had agreed to move on from the topic once Jace had answered all her questions, but there was still a little tension when they were together.

He locked eyes with Clary across the Hall and gave her the only smile he had in him. She was so breathtaking, with her fiery red hair, emerald green eyes, and creamy pale skin. He loved her from first sight, she was so unique and when she was near him, it was if their blood sang to each other. Clary taught Jace how to really love in such a short time. He wasn't sure she even realized how much he loved her, really cared for her so much more than anyone he ever had in his life. He loved her so much it was painful at times.

Valentine's epic plot to overthrow the Clave took years to plan, and he used people like chess pieces. Clary was just another rook on his board, by blood she was Valentine's daughter, but she grew up thinking he was dead, never knowing him, or anything about the shadow world. Valentine's attempts to pull Clary into his vicious scheme had failed from the start, causing Jace to look past the false fatherly role of authority in his life. He was on the precipice of losing everything he held dear, and his greatest fear was not seeing Valentine's scam from the beginning.

Inquisitor Herondale stalked through the chamber doors and the crowd of people fell silent. Consul followed and took the podium on the stage.
"After much deliberation and heated discussion we the Clave have reached a verdict for Jace Wayland's fate. The Clave has determined beyond reasonable doubt that Mr. Wayland did assist Valentine Morganstern in his last attack on the Shadowhunter race, regardless of the familial link between the two. Mr. Wayland is mature enough to make sound and moral decisions on his own, and failed us when he worked with Valentine to carryout his vicious plan. Therefore, we have sentenced Mr. Wayland to immediate exile. He will be stripped of all Shadowhunter marks, evicted from the institute, is never to set foot in Idris again for as long as he lives, and will complete his path as a mundane," said the Consul firmly choking on the last word.

The forum gasped in surprise at the verdict. Jace was biting his jaw so hard he tasted blood in his mouth. Rage was building inside him by the second. He stared at Clary attempting to will her to be on his side. She was crying quietly with Izzy's arm around her.

Inquisitor Herondale approached Jace and signaled for Brother Zachariah to tie his hands behind his back and escort him to the portal.
"I've waited months for justice to finally be served to you Wayland, or should I say Morganstern. Just like your father black to the core. You are a murder of your own kind, a disgrace to our race, and one who will never be in our history books. I give you three weeks as mundane before you are in prison", sniped the Inquisitor.

Jace thought she might spit on him, but she didn't. It didn't matter because the mass of people in the Hall heard every word and there were nods and verbal agreements among the crowd. Typically he would have a smart-mouthed comment but he was so beside himself and his mind was running a million miles an hour.
What was he going to do? Where would he live? Would he be allowed to see Clary? Would she even want to see him, be with him, still love him? How would he survive in the mundane world?

He wasn't college material, and his only skill was killing demons. He never thought the Clave would be so severe with his sentence, and what about his parabatai? Would Alec be punished for his association with Jace? When they stripped him of his marks would Alec suffer too? Man was he in a heap.

Brother Zachariah was leading him across the room to reach the portal outside when he heard or really felt her behind him. It was Clary.
"Jace wait...don't go. I'll go with you, take me with you," she pleaded as she choked back sobs.

He turned to see her face, and he literally felt his heart break in two. He would not have her suffer his punishment and exile. Clary was so new to the shadow world, and he saw how comfortable she was there. She had finally found a place where she fit in.
"I can't take you with me Clary. I don't even know where I'm going. You need to move on, find an honorable guy. I'm not who you thought I was. I will only disappoint you," replied Jace holding back all emotion. He turned and walked through the portal with Brother Zachariah in tow.

Clary couldn't believe what just happened. She fell down in open sobs as most of the other Shadowhunters stood gawking at her. Izzy and Alec ran to her side, attempting to comfort her without any success. In one month she had discovered she was a Shadowhunter, her father was alive but a crazed lunatic, Jace is the love of her life, and now he didn't want her anymore. She suddenly felt numb inside like she was dead or dying, and then everything went black.