"Would you quit whining?" Alec demanded, tossing her the blade. "You're getting out of the Institute, aren't you?"
"Sorry if I don't find going on missions relaxing, Alec." Clary shot back.
Isabelle laughed, threading her arm through her parabatai's. "We can go to Taki's tomorrow."
"Unless there's another mission." She grumbled.
Jonathan threw her a warning look.
"You sure you don't want me to come?" He asked.
"No." Clary said, a little too quickly.
"No." Alec echoed, catching hold of her elbow. "We've got it, Jon, but thanks."
He yanked her along behind him.
"Subtle." He teased.
Clary grinned back at him. The three siblings almost never went on missions together. It was too much of a distraction; either they bickered, or they put one another first when the situation at hand should have been their first priority.
Alec was the brother she wished she had.
Sure, they fought, but he had always treated her just like he treated Isabelle, like Clary was his little sister too. In some ways, she guessed she was, they had been raised together, learning to fight side by side. He was her best friend, along with Jace and Isabelle, someone she idolized.
He tried to protect her against Jonathan as much as he could, and she loved him for that.
"Why would anyone want mundane blood?" She questioned, as they caught up with Jace.
He shrugged in response. "That's what we're going to find out."
Isabelle brushed a finger across her whip. "I was hoping for a more exciting mission."
"We don't get to pick and choose." Alec reminded her. "You guys ready?"
"Clary." Sebastian called.
Casting the others an apologetic glance, she slipped away from them, and went to stand beside her brother. He stared down at her for a moment, before reaching out to rest a hand on her shoulder; a silent plea, just like the one she had always given him, to return the moment the mission was over, unharmed, unscathed.
Jonathan and Sebastian were the only family she had left.
"I love you." She told him.
Sebastian managed a tentative smile. "I love you too, little sister."