Having to put my arms around Jace's waist from behind him on the motorcycle was the most awkward experience is the history of awkward experiences. It was literally only yesterday when we were eating each others faces (might I add passionately and erotically). Now we have resorted to a slightly unaware incest situation that nobody knows how to deal with. A guide on "Shadowhunters who are deeply falling for each other end up with the same evil father for dummies" would be very helpful at this particular point in time.
Jace's beautiful soft voice is still ringing in my ears, 'I Don't believe it Clary. It doesn't feel like the truth, not in my heart.'
How am I supposed to respond to that? Seriously? The whole world has changed around me and there are downworlders everywhere just trying to inch a chance to steal the mortal cup from me, with everything they got. I don't need the extra baggage that comes with my brother's affection.
I've been overthinking so much I haven't even realised we've pulled up out front of the institute. Nobody has bothered to start repairing the damage. Well I guess I couldn't blame them, Isabelle and Alec thought they knew Hodge and his cowardly betrayal came as a major shock to everyone.
Opening the door, it's barely hanging on by it's hinges and there are claw marks dark with ash from Valentine's demons. The whole building reeks with the scent of demonic presence. Isabelle is slowly twirling her whip, sitting against the wall with her legs tucked to her chest, tears in her tight leggings, messy hair, smudged make up and a stern bewildered expression on her face.
"Are you alright Isabelle, is there anything I can do?" I ask her cautiously, I'm not too keen on having my head ripped off by a fiery grenade, ready to explode.
"I'm fine Clary, we need to clean this place, he will be back," Breaking from her trance, Isabelle stands quickly and starts off down the hall with purpose.
"Why do you say that?" I ask with a stutter, possibly regretting opening my trap again. Isabelle stops abruptly and turns to stare me dead in the eye.
"He'll be coming for the other mortal instruments, we need to start thinking one step ahead of Valentine or all hell will break loose, literally," Swiftly redirecting to walk down the hall, I don't call out to her again, just to make sure I save my own skin.
Jace disappeared from my side as soon as we arrived. Knowing him and his heroic stature, he probably went to help Alec do some heavy lifting with his not so heavy runes. The rune from tidying up the apartment is still active so I begin moving things around near the entrance of the Institute.
Isabelle's right, Valentine will be back for the mortal instruments and we do need to stay one step ahead of him at all times. We will find him before he finds us and make sure he will never see the instruments or the light of day again. Furiously, I begin to move things around again but suddenly, a deep and heavy knock echos through the institute, pounding through the floor and vibrating my chest. I turn to open the door but before I get the chance, it swings open, knocking me to the floor with a huge gust of wind blowing leaves and birds into the entrance. The man seems familiar yet I don't know where from. A plentiful rob is thrown over him, only showing half his face. His presence feels like the darkness and light being cut by a sharp blade.
It couldn't be, Jace told me he was dead.