So it has been a few years since I last wrote a fanfic – I have since finished school and completed University… This is my first time trying a Mortal Instruments fanfic, it wouldn't be here but I got bored on Netflix then nearly had a heart attack when I saw Shadowhunters. Needless to say I became addicted and my love of Mortal Instruments has been renewed. This fic is a combination of inspiration from the books, film and Netflix series so there are major spoilers! It will eventually become a Malec fic but as I was writing more ideas kept coming to me – I'm sure more will pop up but just see it as love being a winding path ;)

Without any more ado enjoy what my mind has done with Cassandra Clare's creations, let me know if you think I should continue

xxxaddictedxxx

Chapter One

Location: New York Institute

Alec POV

Damn Jace. Damn Clary. Damn Jocelyn Fairchild. Why on earth did all of this have to happen during my lifetime? Why couldn't Jocelyn Fairchild have moved to London or Mumbai or anywhere apart from New York? Why did Jace feel the need to turn his back on everything he had been taught because of Clary? A girl, still practically a mundane, that knows nothing about their world, the rules and law that have been in place for the safety of humankind. Her one track mind was focused solely on her mother – which while admirable was ridiculous because her mother knew what could happen hence why she didn't want Clary to be part of the Shadow World. Why would Clary want to follow the law when she wouldn't even follow her mother's wishes – which her mother was willing to die for? How on earth was I going to explain this to Lydia? Tell her that Jace bet him in combat? It was believable but also a lie because in reality he could have – he could have killed Jace – he was still surprised that he had won that fight, maybe Jace did know that his actions were wrong on some level and didn't fight to the best of his ability. This didn't feel right though – Jace would probably die for Clary at this stage. The other option – the statement he didn't quite get to finish – was perhaps the deciding factor and gave the advantage?

"ALEC"

I looked up an seen Izzy waiting for me at the gates to the Institute, I hadn't realised I was so close to home already – time to face the music, or some of it at least.

"Hey Iz, what are you doing out here?"

She just cocked an eyebrow and looked at me. I stared right back.

"You know full well what I'm doing out here. What happened between you and Jace?"

"Excuse me?"

"Well after we got Meliorn back to safety he went off on one, ranting about God knows what. The only name I caught was yours before he stormed out demon hunting"

"Wait…after we…you were there too? Izzy do you know what this means? You could be stripped of your marks, if your absence from the institute was noticed then you're going to need a serious alibi – you're going to be one of the prime suspects!"

"Yes Alec I am aware of that which is why I am not waiting for you in the Institute – I won't be going in for the foreseeable future. I'm standing with Jace and Clary on this one – even Magnus is."

"Why would I care what Magnus is doing?"

"I love the way that's the first thing you picked up on. What they are doing is the right thing to do – you know it, you just need to get over your aversion to breaking the rules."

"Breaking the rules isn't my biggest problem Izzy, breaking the Law when I have been the acting director of the Institute for the past few weeks is however. The law is hard but it's the law – you know this, Jace should know it, Clary has no sense of it and Magnus, well Magnus is the High Warlock of Brooklyn and an esteemed and powerful warlock – he doesn't have as much to lose by breaking the law or the accords. Neither has Clary now that I think about it she hasn't been formally initiated as a shadowhunter. Jace would probably be happy out as an outcast anyway free to do as he pleases….It's you that has the most to lose and nothing to gain."

"I have everything to gain Alec – a better life. You do too, do you think that your relationship with Magnus would be possible if Valentine comes to power?"

"What relationship with Magnus? I'm engaged to Lydia remember?"

"Look at you being all flustered – you like him. You like him so much that Jace's falling for Clary hasn't impacted you in the least – you may still love him like no one else in the world but it's a brotherly thing with the whole parabatai thing put on top of it."

"Shut up Izzy…if Jace couldn't sway me to be a traitor then you most certainly won't. I'm giving you a two minute headstart or I'll bring you in as a captive and you'll be subjected to questioning about any accomplices in the rescue attempt."

"Rescue attempt? It wasn't an attempt it was successful!"

"90 seconds Isabelle"

"Oh its Isabelle now? Lovely – you're turning into mother!"

"Me? Turning into mother? Do I need to remind you that our parents were traitors to the Clave – you're more like her than you know!"

She lunged towards me and before I knew it I was fighting my little sister – and not the usual training fight. What was happening my parabatai and now my sister? Life could be cruel. Izzy while an excellent fighter had a distinct disadvantage during this fight as it was in close quarters so her whip was of no use without anyone to cover her. Her height, heels and frustration also let her down and within minutes I had her held in a headlock. Two successful fights in a night – interesting I was lucky to usually beat either of them.

I marched her up to the institute internally battling my decision but knowing that really I didn't have much of an option. Really bringing Izzy in was the safest option for her. Once she was under Clave control there would be no mad schemes with Jace and Clary. She would probably hate me forever but at least she'd be less likely to be killed or stripped of her marks. Now young love and Jace's influence could be used as part of her defence.

I opened the door to the Institute to find Lydia waiting expectedly for me, well me and the guard unit. Surprise registered on her face then she quickly rushed over to us.

"What happened is Isabelle O…"

She stopped mid-question when she noticed that my grip on Izzy was keeping her from moving, not one keeping her upright.

"Explain". It was not a question…

"We never got to the Silent Brothers. Izzy, Jace and Clary ambushed us – I'm guessing there were more involved too because Izzy, talented as she is, could not take on the full guard unit single-handedly and win."

"Wait ….so where are the guard?"

I just shrugged not knowing what had happened while I was fighting Jace.

Lydia ordered for Izzy to be taken to the Institutes holding area. I wasn't given any direct orders and decided to go shower and wait until things died down enough that they remembered that they had me around to question. I might as well be refreshed while doing it.