DISCLAIMER: ALL RIGHTS GO TO CASSANDRA CLARE
In Philly with Luke for an art show. Call if you need. Love, Mom.
I sighed as I read the yellow post it note that was left on the cool marble counter top, Jace reading over her shoulder and as Clary slammed it back down on the counter. Jace chuckled as he says; "I guess your staying at the Institute with me now." Jace smiled to himself, knowing that since she was staying with he could protect her. And Clary play slapped her in his chest and grudged into her bedroom, pulling an old bag out of her closet, which was thick with dust. It had been years since she's gone away. She started tossing out clothes from her drawers. Jace was walking slowly, eyeing Clary's drawings, especially the one she drew of Clary and Jace together, lifting his hand to brush over the soft paper. There were ones of Jocelyn and Luke, one's of Simon, Izzy, Alec and Magnus. There were many of Jace. The soft pencil marks on the paper all perfect. They were all hung on her bedroom walls like wallpaper. Jace was inspecting on of the midnight flower when he was interrupted with a loud grunt from Clary. "Where are my pajamas'?" She tipped her head backwards in frustration after throwing clothes everywhere, and saw Jace shaking his head in disapproval but smiling and she laughed. "You can sleep in one of my t-shirts." Jace instructed and Clary rolled her eyes at him and was surprised when Jace pounced on her and pined her down on her bed. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he kissed her, his mouth down to her neck; Clary rocked her head back and closed her eyes in pleasure. Jace moved his hands to her waist and squeezed gently bringing her back up straight. "We should go." Jace whispered into her hair, the delicate strands against his soft skin. "Doesn't mean we will." Clary compromised. A light laugh escaped Jace's lips as he shuffled to get her bag. He gestured saying they needed to go and she agreed gruffly. She flipped her hair forward, ready to tie her hair up in a ponytail but then realized Jace didn't know about the cut and quickly whipped it back up, Jace was behind her, his arms around her waist when she flipped her hair and thought it was a mind trick when he thought he saw a cut but didn't get a long enough glace to know as she threw her hair back up. He knew he needed to check up on this later.
"So, I still don't get why you can't go to Peru," Alec whined, walking around Magnus's apartment, looking at all the trinkets, which included a letter informing Magnus he was banned form Peru. A loud laugh came from the kitchen full of wisdom and love. "One day, Alexander, one day I will tell you." Magnus promised as he slipped out of the kitchen. Magnus grabbed Alec's hand and guided him onto the sofa. Whilst Alec's hands big and strong, calloused on the fingers from holding bows all day, Magnus's were soft, long and well manicured. Today Magnus wore his long fingernails as a French manicure, perfect to the T. "Last night was fun," Alec said, half heartedly as he got lost in Magnus's cat like eyes, lined with thick eyeliner and covered in green shimmery eye shadow. Magnus straightened up when he heard this, he had to talk to Alec about Clary, he would know what to do, Magnus insisted to himself. "Yeah, last night, you remember how I was elaborating about Clary?" Magnus asks, giving Alec's hand a quick and sharp squeeze, Alec slowly nodded, unable to detect where this was going or how well it was going to end. "I need to ask you something. Something is going on with her," Magnus paused, studying Alec. Magnus had many years of experience when it came to facial expression and read Alec's like an open book. Alec was confused; his eyes were dazed because he was thinking back, trying to concentrate about last night. Magnus was about to carry on when Alec cut in. "Yeah, that day when you came over with Clary, Jace was saying to watch out for anything strange because he thinks something's up." Alec explained to Magnus. Magnus's eyebrows shot up; Jace had noticed something was up. Well, of course Jace had noticed, he thought to himself, Jace was her boyfriend. And that's when it clicked, Jace should be worried about this not him. Magnus shouldn't be worried because he wasn't Clary's boyfriend; he was Alec's. So why was Magnus so worried? Yes, Magnus was Clary's friend, but there are certain boundaries friends have. This was something Jace needed to sort out. If Clary wanted his help, she would have said. Maybe those bruises were nothing; maybe she fell down the stairs? He kept telling himself that, even though he knew it wasn't true. He promised himself, that if this got worse, he'll help, but now there was no point. Magnus's only problem was digging himself out of this conversation.
"Oh, uh, okay. I was just… I doesn't matter." Magnus stuttered, Magnus never stutters. Alec narrowed his eyes and stared at Magnus. "What aren't you telling me, Magnus?" Alec insisted, eyes not leaving Magnus's.
"Oh, nothing." Magnus pushed.
"I love you Magnus, and we tell each other everything." Alec said, his voice was harsher than the words.
"Yes, of course, but this doesn't matter," Magnus said "But what does matter is that I am rather hungry, would like pizza. I think I'm going to order pizza." Magnus said, his tone light and jokey.
"Tell me. We don't keep secrets from each other."
"Alec, please, it's nothing." Magnus lied.
Alec laughed bitterly, eyes burning bright with rejection. "Yes it does, you obviously don't love me enough to tell me. I thought you loved me, I thought you would tell be," Alec paused as he spat out another dry laugh, glazed with frustration. "Well, I guess I though wrong."
Alec started to march out the apartment, ignoring Magnus's pleads to stay. Magnus sat there, alone. He didn't know what to think. He did the right thing by protecting Clary's secret but by lying to Alec. Maybe that's more wrong than right.
The Institute was strangely quiet. Without the girls to brighten down the place, the rooms seemed to be filled with eerie silence, except the one where Simon and Jace were talking, but even then, there seemed to be a restriction on the voice level. Except when Alec bursted in, interrupting whatever Simon was saying. "Magnus knows something about Clary and won't tell me and I think he doesn't actually love me!" Alec announces when he pushes the door open. Simon and Jace exchange glances and Jace walks towards Alec, trying to comforting. "Firstly, of course he loves you, I mean, come on, which guy who is gay wouldn't love you? And secondly, what about Clary?" Jace's voice split when saying Clary's name, he had been stressed out about her and now Magnus knows something and if Magnus won't tell Alec then he certainly won't tell Jace. "Well," Alec said, like it was obvious. "I would tell you but Magnus won't tell me." The room lay in silence. The quietness pricked them and gave the room a cold edge. "Where is Clary and Izzy?" Alec said, quietly, almost offended to break the silence. "Shopping." Both Sim9on and Jace answered together. "Ah." Was all Alec had to say. And it seemed it was all any of them had to say.
"And this one," Izzy screeched way too enthusiastically, flinging another dress at Clary, who was standing behind her with her arms full of clothes. "Izzy, I think this is enough." Clary concluded as Izzy browsed through another stack of clothes. Izzy rose her eyebrows and puffed out a breath, deflating her cheeks. "Fine, let's go to the changing rooms." She resulted. And off to the changing rooms they did go. Dress after dress, skirt after skirt, top after top, jeans after jeans Clary tried on whilst Izzy would tilt her head and say 'I'm not sure, try on the next thing'. After indulging in hours in the mall, and Clary trying on over twenty items she came out with three. Though Izzy coming out the fifteen things seemed to make Clary's three, non-existent. Izzy rambled on about the latest gossip and Clary would usually grunt in agreement or speak up for false information.
"So," Izzy asked. "Sephora?" Clary whole body deflated and her eyes grew a tired and bored glaze. Her brain was begging to be put out of misery but Clary could see Izzy already eyeing up the multicolored, glitter eyeliners. Clary glanced over at the black and white slogan, moving her eyes down to the lipgloss. Clary always wondered that there is an unhealthy amount of shades of pink. Izzy didn't even need to ask to question, Clary eye she was going to be dragged in there anyways. Too much time looking at foundations and blushes later, Izzy was laiden down with bags full of what seemed to Clary the most unless things. They start walking back. Clary took in the sunshine, smelling the air, which smelled off freshly cut grass. The wind picked up carrying the scent away from her and in its replace a stench of thick depravity took place. It took over Clary's Shadowhunter senses, making her stop in her stop. She was about to warn Izzy when she heard a helplessly familiar yelp. Clary found Izzy sprawled against the soft grass as a Greater Demon smirked at her. "I won't hurt you, pretty girl," The Greater Demon snicker at her, spinning round, taking it's own, sweet time. "I'm here for here." The Greater Demon staggered out a finger covered in boils and bumps at Clary. Shit, Clary thought. Shit, shit, shit.
Clary felt her blood stop and turn to ice, her face paled and her feet seemed rooted for to the ground. Fear had taken over her body and like any other Shadowhunter; she ignored it. When she lunged forward, using all her strength in her but it was still not enough. The Greater Demon seized her wrist, leaving aggressive red marks, it pulled her into a headlock, lifting it's weight to crush her, as both her weight and the demon's were crashing into her ankles. It buckled her knees, as she tried to sustain, her knees gave way, leading all weight down to her ankle joints. Izzy watched, powerlessly, horror locking her to the ground. The fright was like invisible chains clasped onto her, forcing her to stay down. All Izzy could think of was telling Jace that his girlfriend was killed and she couldn't do anything about it. Clary wasn't strong enough, this was a Greater Demon, for Angel's sake! Izzy surveyed the landscape, her eyes brushing over anything that could help. Her phone. Her phone had been knocked and was only a few feet away from her. She wiggled her hips, then her legs, like a worm. She grabbed the phone, holding it like it was her last lifeline. Yes it wasn't her only lifeline, it was Clary's. Gasping for air, she phoned Jace, as she made herself look up, seeing the Greater Demon practically strangling Clary as she pierced a spear into him. They looked as if they were talking. The phone rang a few times before Jace picked up. "Jace, something's happened to Clary. I'm so sorry. We need help." And then the Greater demon disappeared.
Jace was pacing as Alec and Izzy dressed Clary's wounds. He wouldn't dare look at her. Not like this. Not when she could die. Realization sets in, flooding his brain with the thought of Clary dying. He feels his insides go weak and his heart pumping quicker and quicker. Simon was there, staring at her. He had his mouth gaped and his eyes wide. He even thought he went colder than what he was before, and that's cold. Alec and Izzy muttering is timid and silent but it seemed like shouting to Jace. Alec had refused to call Magnus and, therefore, was treating her himself, along with Izzy, who's eyes were filled to the brim with tear. She had, of course, prepared herself for the worst. She glanced over at Jace, who had his back hunched, eyebrows furrowed and still pacing. He stop suddenly, causing a loud screeching sound. "She's a fighter. This is just another battle. And she'll win, like all the other battles she's won." Jace says, looking at no one. His eyes were red and made his golden pupils look a sickly yellow. His face, five shades paler was shaking. His hands were white from him clenching them in fists to hard were white. "Jace, I don't-" Alec tried to comfort but got interrupted by Simon, who's voice was dangerously quiet. "He's right. Clary's strong. Probably the strongest out of all of us. She'll make it through." Silence filled the room, no one says anything the only thing they could hear was Jace's pacing and the tick chiming in the background. Breathing was noiseless. Thankfully, Clary was breathing, but only slightly, with longer and further breaths at a time. Alec stands back and Izzy gasps. Another sounds filled the room. The urgency of Clary's breathing erupts like the most beautiful sound in the world. Jace spins round and sees Clary for the fist time since they got to the Institute. Jace's worry melts when he catches sight of her spluttering for more air and wheezing from not being able to get enough in her lungs. Simon lets a big sigh of relief and goes over for a closer look. Jace, still didn't move; the product of being so overjoyed. Her eye flutter open and the first thing she lands her eyes on was Jace.
Clary was in Jace's room, sleeping. Her breathing leveled out and her face as peaceful as it can be from after a Greater Demon attack. Izzy was with Jace, holding his hand for support. She had apologized recklessly and Jace had always insisted that there was nothing she could have down. Izzy was a downright mess and felt so small and disheartened for not helping Clary. Her eyes were filled with shame. Simon and Alec were cleaning up and getting food, even though none of them could possibly eat. Their stomachs hadn't been relieved from the floppy feeling and their voices were stilled dazed. Izzy and Jace sat by his desk, staring at her. Her red face and bruised wrists, her swollen ankles and bloody neck.
"I'm sorry," Izzy whispered to Jace, her voice breaking.
"For what? I've told you it isn't your fault about what happened." Jace insisted.
"Not for that," Izzy shakes her head and squeezed his hand, her full of sorrow. "For doubting that your girlfriend wouldn't survive."
In Philly with Luke for an art show. Call if you need. Love, Mom.
I sighed as I read the yellow post it note that was left on the cool marble counter top, Jace reading over her shoulder and as Clary slammed it back down on the counter. Jace chuckled as he says; "I guess your staying at the Institute with me now." Jace smiled to himself, knowing that since she was staying with he could protect her. And Clary play slapped her in his chest and grudged into her bedroom, pulling an old bag out of her closet, which was thick with dust. It had been years since she's gone away. She started tossing out clothes from her drawers. Jace was walking slowly, eyeing Clary's drawings, especially the one she drew of Clary and Jace together, lifting his hand to brush over the soft paper. There were ones of Jocelyn and Luke, one's of Simon, Izzy, Alec and Magnus. There were many of Jace. The soft pencil marks on the paper all perfect. They were all hung on her bedroom walls like wallpaper. Jace was inspecting on of the midnight flower when he was interrupted with a loud grunt from Clary. "Where are my pajamas'?" She tipped her head backwards in frustration after throwing clothes everywhere, and saw Jace shaking his head in disapproval but smiling and she laughed. "You can sleep in one of my t-shirts." Jace instructed and Clary rolled her eyes at him and was surprised when Jace pounced on her and pined her down on her bed. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he kissed her, his mouth down to her neck; Clary rocked her head back and closed her eyes in pleasure. Jace moved his hands to her waist and squeezed gently bringing her back up straight. "We should go." Jace whispered into her hair, the delicate strands against his soft skin. "Doesn't mean we will." Clary compromised. A light laugh escaped Jace's lips as he shuffled to get her bag. He gestured saying they needed to go and she agreed gruffly. She flipped her hair forward, ready to tie her hair up in a ponytail but then realized Jace didn't know about the cut and quickly whipped it back up, Jace was behind her, his arms around her waist when she flipped her hair and thought it was a mind trick when he thought he saw a cut but didn't get a long enough glace to know as she threw her hair back up. He knew he needed to check up on this later.
"So, I still don't get why you can't go to Peru," Alec whined, walking around Magnus's apartment, looking at all the trinkets, which included a letter informing Magnus he was banned form Peru. A loud laugh came from the kitchen full of wisdom and love. "One day, Alexander, one day I will tell you." Magnus promised as he slipped out of the kitchen. Magnus grabbed Alec's hand and guided him onto the sofa. Whilst Alec's hands big and strong, calloused on the fingers from holding bows all day, Magnus's were soft, long and well manicured. Today Magnus wore his long fingernails as a French manicure, perfect to the T. "Last night was fun," Alec said, half heartedly as he got lost in Magnus's cat like eyes, lined with thick eyeliner and covered in green shimmery eye shadow. Magnus straightened up when he heard this, he had to talk to Alec about Clary, he would know what to do, Magnus insisted to himself. "Yeah, last night, you remember how I was elaborating about Clary?" Magnus asks, giving Alec's hand a quick and sharp squeeze, Alec slowly nodded, unable to detect where this was going or how well it was going to end. "I need to ask you something. Something is going on with her," Magnus paused, studying Alec. Magnus had many years of experience when it came to facial expression and read Alec's like an open book. Alec was confused; his eyes were dazed because he was thinking back, trying to concentrate about last night. Magnus was about to carry on when Alec cut in. "Yeah, that day when you came over with Clary, Jace was saying to watch out for anything strange because he thinks something's up." Alec explained to Magnus. Magnus's eyebrows shot up; Jace had noticed something was up. Well, of course Jace had noticed, he thought to himself, Jace was her boyfriend. And that's when it clicked, Jace should be worried about this not him. Magnus shouldn't be worried because he wasn't Clary's boyfriend; he was Alec's. So why was Magnus so worried? Yes, Magnus was Clary's friend, but there are certain boundaries friends have. This was something Jace needed to sort out. If Clary wanted his help, she would have said. Maybe those bruises were nothing; maybe she fell down the stairs? He kept telling himself that, even though he knew it wasn't true. He promised himself, that if this got worse, he'll help, but now there was no point. Magnus's only problem was digging himself out of this conversation.
"Oh, uh, okay. I was just… I doesn't matter." Magnus stuttered, Magnus never stutters. Alec narrowed his eyes and stared at Magnus. "What aren't you telling me, Magnus?" Alec insisted, eyes not leaving Magnus's.
"Oh, nothing." Magnus pushed.
"I love you Magnus, and we tell each other everything." Alec said, his voice was harsher than the words.
"Yes, of course, but this doesn't matter," Magnus said "But what does matter is that I am rather hungry, would like pizza. I think I'm going to order pizza." Magnus said, his tone light and jokey.
"Tell me. We don't keep secrets from each other."
"Alec, please, it's nothing." Magnus lied.
Alec laughed bitterly, eyes burning bright with rejection. "Yes it does, you obviously don't love me enough to tell me. I thought you loved me, I thought you would tell be," Alec paused as he spat out another dry laugh, glazed with frustration. "Well, I guess I though wrong."
Alec started to march out the apartment, ignoring Magnus's pleads to stay. Magnus sat there, alone. He didn't know what to think. He did the right thing by protecting Clary's secret but by lying to Alec. Maybe that's more wrong than right.
The Institute was strangely quiet. Without the girls to brighten down the place, the rooms seemed to be filled with eerie silence, except the one where Simon and Jace were talking, but even then, there seemed to be a restriction on the voice level. Except when Alec bursted in, interrupting whatever Simon was saying. "Magnus knows something about Clary and won't tell me and I think he doesn't actually love me!" Alec announces when he pushes the door open. Simon and Jace exchange glances and Jace walks towards Alec, trying to comforting. "Firstly, of course he loves you, I mean, come on, which guy who is gay wouldn't love you? And secondly, what about Clary?" Jace's voice split when saying Clary's name, he had been stressed out about her and now Magnus knows something and if Magnus won't tell Alec then he certainly won't tell Jace. "Well," Alec said, like it was obvious. "I would tell you but Magnus won't tell me." The room lay in silence. The quietness pricked them and gave the room a cold edge. "Where is Clary and Izzy?" Alec said, quietly, almost offended to break the silence. "Shopping." Both Sim9on and Jace answered together. "Ah." Was all Alec had to say. And it seemed it was all any of them had to say.
"And this one," Izzy screeched way too enthusiastically, flinging another dress at Clary, who was standing behind her with her arms full of clothes. "Izzy, I think this is enough." Clary concluded as Izzy browsed through another stack of clothes. Izzy rose her eyebrows and puffed out a breath, deflating her cheeks. "Fine, let's go to the changing rooms." She resulted. And off to the changing rooms they did go. Dress after dress, skirt after skirt, top after top, jeans after jeans Clary tried on whilst Izzy would tilt her head and say 'I'm not sure, try on the next thing'. After indulging in hours in the mall, and Clary trying on over twenty items she came out with three. Though Izzy coming out the fifteen things seemed to make Clary's three, non-existent. Izzy rambled on about the latest gossip and Clary would usually grunt in agreement or speak up for false information.
"So," Izzy asked. "Sephora?" Clary whole body deflated and her eyes grew a tired and bored glaze. Her brain was begging to be put out of misery but Clary could see Izzy already eyeing up the multicolored, glitter eyeliners. Clary glanced over at the black and white slogan, moving her eyes down to the lipgloss. Clary always wondered that there is an unhealthy amount of shades of pink. Izzy didn't even need to ask to question, Clary eye she was going to be dragged in there anyways. Too much time looking at foundations and blushes later, Izzy was laiden down with bags full of what seemed to Clary the most unless things. They start walking back. Clary took in the sunshine, smelling the air, which smelled off freshly cut grass. The wind picked up carrying the scent away from her and in its replace a stench of thick depravity took place. It took over Clary's Shadowhunter senses, making her stop in her stop. She was about to warn Izzy when she heard a helplessly familiar yelp. Clary found Izzy sprawled against the soft grass as a Greater Demon smirked at her. "I won't hurt you, pretty girl," The Greater Demon snickeedr at Izzy, spinning round, taking it's own, sweet time. "I'm here for here." The Greater Demon staggered out a finger covered in boils and bumps at Clary. Shit, Clary thought. Shit, shit, shit.
Clary felt her blood stop and turn to ice, her face paled and her feet seemed rooted for to the ground. Fear had taken over her body and like any other Shadowhunter; she ignored it. When she lunged forward, using all her strength in her but it was still not enough. The Greater Demon seized her wrist, leaving aggressive red marks, it pulled her into a headlock, lifting it's weight to crush her, as both her weight and the demon's were crashing into her ankles. It buckled her knees, as she tried to sustain, her knees gave way, leading all weight down to her ankle joints. Izzy watched, powerlessly, horror locking her to the ground. The fright was like invisible chains clasped onto her, forcing her to stay down. All Izzy could think of was telling Jace that his girlfriend was killed and she couldn't do anything about it. Clary wasn't strong enough, this was a Greater Demon, for Angel's sake! Izzy surveyed the landscape, her eyes brushing over anything that could help. Her phone. Her phone had been knocked and was only a few feet away from her. She wiggled her hips, then her legs, like a worm. She grabbed the phone, holding it like it was her last lifeline. Yes it wasn't her only lifeline, it was Clary's. Gasping for air, she phoned Jace, as she made herself look up, seeing the Greater Demon practically strangling Clary as she pierced a spear into him. They looked as if they were talking. The phone rang a few times before Jace picked up. "Jace, something's happened to Clary. I'm so sorry. We need help." And then the Greater demon disappeared.
Jace was pacing as Alec and Izzy dressed Clary's wounds. He wouldn't dare look at her. Not like this. Not when she could die. Realization sets in, flooding his brain with the thought of Clary dying. He feels his insides go weak and his heart pumping quicker and quicker. Simon was there, staring at her. He had his mouth gaped and his eyes wide. He even thought he went colder than what he was before, and that's cold. Alec and Izzy muttering is timid and silent but it seemed like shouting to Jace. Alec had refused to call Magnus and, therefore, was treating her himself, along with Izzy, who's eyes were filled to the brim with tear. She had, of course, prepared herself for the worst. She glanced over at Jace, who had his back hunched, eyebrows furrowed and still pacing. He stop suddenly, causing a loud screeching sound. "She's a fighter. This is just another battle. And she'll win, like all the other battles she's won." Jace says, looking at no one. His eyes were red and made his golden pupils look a sickly yellow. His face, five shades paler was shaking. His hands were white from him clenching them in fists to hard were white. "Jace, I don't-" Alec tried to comfort but got interrupted by Simon, who's voice was dangerously quiet. "He's right. Clary's strong. Probably the strongest out of all of us. She'll make it through." Silence filled the room, no one says anything the only thing they could hear was Jace's pacing and the tick chiming in the background. Breathing was noiseless. Thankfully, Clary was breathing, but only slightly, with longer and further breaths at a time. Alec stands back and Izzy gasps. Another sounds filled the room. The urgency of Clary's breathing erupts like the most beautiful sound in the world. Jace spins round and sees Clary for the fist time since they got to the Institute. Jace's worry melts when he catches sight of her spluttering for more air and wheezing from not being able to get enough in her lungs. Simon lets a big sigh of relief and goes over for a closer look. Jace, still didn't move; the product of being so overjoyed. Her eye flutter open and the first thing she lands her eyes on was Jace.
Clary was in Jace's room, sleeping. Her breathing leveled out and her face as peaceful as it can be from after a Greater Demon attack. Izzy was with Jace, holding his hand for support. She had apologized recklessly and Jace had always insisted that there was nothing she could have down. Izzy was a downright mess and felt so small and disheartened for not helping Clary. Her eyes were filled with shame. Simon and Alec were cleaning up and getting food, even though none of them could possibly eat. Their stomachs hadn't been relieved from the floppy feeling and their voices were stilled dazed. Izzy and Jace sat by his desk, staring at her. Her red face and bruised wrists, her swollen ankles and bloody neck.
"I'm sorry," Izzy whispered to Jace, her voice breaking.
"For what? I've told you it isn't your fault about what happened." Jace insisted.
"Not for that," Izzy shakes her head and squeezed his hand, her full eyes of sorrow. "For doubting that your girlfriend wouldn survive."
So I had so much fun writing this and am sorry for any mistakes. Please review because I'm nit sure if people like the story or not, and is no point carrying on if no one likes it; because at the end of the day, I'm doing this for you guys. Follow me to see the story unfold, I have some crazy things planned. Thank you and love you all.
*This chapter is dedicated to my mum: who however much she shouts at me, I will love her. And even though she thinks I don't listen, I really do. And has no idea I'm into writing and is oblivious to that fact of how much I love it, will probably never know because I don't know how good this is, so if it isn't good, I don't want to disappoint her.
