Thank you BlazingFire22,lilypotter72 and kirawalker for your loyal reviews! I do hope that it's getting better the more we advance in the story. My cliffhangers are not the most mysterious one ever, bare with me.
This chapter was the first one I wrote before imagining this story. I edited it as many things changed from the draft but voila!
Without further ado, let's go!
I do not own anything.
P.S.: 'Pond' is such a cute word.
I'll always bear the scar ofthat burning feeling. So hot, it almost felt like thousand cold cuts. Red and orange laced together with feathers. That feeling of loosing an integral part of yourself, unbelievable, yet the pain was too real to be denied.
I'll always remember the scent of ashes.So thick, I could taste it. Black and grey as the feathers dissolved in the air. Drowning in the helplessness, knowing it was all your doing, yet unable to fully grasp what was happening.
I'll always be haunted by the screams of my siblings. So agonizing, their pain became mine. Gold and white from the tear I made in the pendant. Hope for a second chance. And the panic that ensued.
And I fell.
I heard Isabelle gasp and time stopped.
Luminous grey eyes were looking at me with the same avidity than mine. His lips were shaking, but not from the freezing rain I am sure. The grip he had on my shoulder loosened and morphed into an embrace. Hurriedly, I reciprocated his movements, careful not to touch his wings, and I held his trembling figure as close as could. My head reposed on his and I whispered his name.
'' Max... Max, Max.''
'' Alec.'' his soft voice said. His head jerked up and turned.
'' Izzy?'' he called tentatively.
Our sister was standing still, hands covering her mouth and eyes wide with disbelief. But hearing Max call her, euphoria took place as she came running. Having them both in my arms was a blessing and I tried hard not to let tears fall from my eyes. I don't know how much time passed before I pulled away. I had to take a good look at him. He seemed so much older than last time, with the marks he proudly bore on his skin and his tall stance.
I was going to say how glad I was to see him when blue sparks – like fireflies – came circling around me. We heard steps coming. Quickly I removed my glamour, took my bow and positioned myself between the noise and my siblings. 'Those sparks feel familiar.' was the only thing that had time to cross my mind and make me hesitate before a silhouette emerged from the shadow. On pure instinct, I drew an arrow and aimed at it, until I realized that I knew him.
'' Alexander! It's me.'' he said, hands raised in the air.
'' Magnus.'' I held down my weapon and soon two arms were circling my shoulders.
'' At last! I thought I'd lost you. That forest seemed to confound my tracking spell, I had to redo it repeatedly!'' His hands cupped my face. '' You're alright, dear?''
'' Alec, who is it?'' asked my younger brother. He had drawn out his feather-staff – which made me smile – but hadn't held it down yet. Even through his wariness, I could see the curiosity gleaming in his eyes.
'' Max, this is Magnus... I am kind of seeing him right now'' I said, my tell-tale blush making its apparition. '' Magnus, this is my brother, Max.''
'' Really pleased to meet you, young angel.'' said Magnus, bowing his head.
'' Hum, Alec, he is a warlock. He is dangerous.'' My brother told me, dropping his staff. He said that as if I hadn't noticed my partner's lineage. 'As if not knowing more about him hadn't been bothering me for a while now.'
'' Exactly, Max.'' answered our sister, winking at him.
'' Isabelle!'' I hissed at her, causing Magnus and her to laugh while Max smiled, not sure if he understood her meaning. With all the tension that we felt in the last minutes, it did good seeing them more relaxed. I hated to have to break the atmosphere, but I needed to know...
'' Max, as happy as I am to see you, what are you doing down here?''
'' Oh right.'' he said, looking at us with a sad expression that flashes of lightening only seemed to accentuate. '' We are here to hunt you, or well the fallen. Ithuriel worked on a way to find all angels. Now we are dispatched everywhere to find you, well the fallen angels, not just you - ''
'' Max, Max, take your time. What did you mean by 'Ithuriel worked on a way to find all angels'?'' Isabelle said, placing a hand on his shoulder. I could feel Magnus gripping my hand, it reassured me.
'' He found a rune that could track all those who possesses a rune of his choice. Since we all get marked with the sight rune, he can find us all. And that's is exactly what is happening right now...''
'' A hunt.'' I said.
'' Yeah. It's happening everywhere in the world right now! At first, I wanted to go with those who would be in Great-Britain, because that is where they said that Jonathan Shadowhunter was and I thought you'd be with him. But it turned out that you -''
'' There are others?'' I interrupted his rambling. He didn't seem to mind though.
'' Alec, what you chose to do inspired a lot. Not surrendering for your loved ones, it is exactly what caritas means. '' The admiration in his eyes shocked me.
'' What you 'chose' to do? I thought you had been cast out because you all did something illegal.'' frowned Magnus. Even in the cold rain I could still feel the absence of warmth guilt caused. And I couldn't answer him, not right now. I was still stunned that others followed my lead... I only did that for my own selfish reason: protect my family.
I felt the grip on my hand loosened, and I looked at Magnus. I could see hurt in his look as he took my stunned silence as me ignoring him. 'But I can't tell him.'
Before I could say something, my parabatai rune stung for a moment. But I knew what it meant.
I need you.
'' Jace.'' I said, and my siblings understood.
'' Right, I was with William, but he went for the other group! It's Jace? Oh, we need to go, there is only one place Will would bring them.'' And we all followed him. As I was concentrated on my parabatai link, I only briefly noticed how Magnus wasn't touching me, which was a rare feat.
' But first I had to get to them before Raziel.'
And Thank the angel, they were together. Worry and fear must have been clear on my face as they immediately turned serious upon seeing me.
'' They are onto us.'' I simply said, but they got what I meant.
'' They know about Clary and my downworlder dates?'' asked Izzy, incredulous.
'' I don't know, I don't think so, but they are interrogating around. We need -''
'' Isabelle Sophia Lightwood, Jonathan Christopher Lightwood and Alexander Gideon Lightwood.'' said a voice that sounded like two: both female and male at the same time.'' I have some questions for you.''
We arrived near a large field that had a pond. With the darkness caused by the continuous storm, the dark red crumbled leaves falling and the far away dim lights of the skyscrapers, the place gave off an eerie feeling. In the midst of it all, Jace was on his knees, facing a tall black-haired blue-eyed man who held between a seraph blade and his body a red-haired girl...
'' Clary.'' whispered Isabelle near me.
Maybe it wasn't the best course of action, but seeing my parabatai on his knee, helpless, didn't sit right with me. Gripping my bow, I took out the feathered end of an arrow and aimed at the hand that was holding the seraph blade. I could sense the others stare at me, but they didn't make a move to stop me. I took a deep breath – we were a little over 300 feet* in distance, it was dark and raining and I didn't want to miss or Clary would take the shot – then released my arrow.
Receiving it directly on his hand, the angel – Will I supposed – dropped both the seraph blade and Clary. Jace didn't loose time to jump on his feet and grab his beloved. In the meantime – since I just declared our presence anyway – I ran forward to join him. I heard steps and I knew that Izzy, Magnus and Max had followed me.
Recovering from the surprise, the angel spread his wing and removed the arrow from his hand. I would have thought that Jace would make a move toward us... When we finally got there, Jace and the angel spoke simultaneously:
'' Max!''
'' We need to call an archangel for these fugitives judgement.'' Will continued, and I could see the hesitation on my brother's face. I realized just then how much in an impasse we were.
Max couldn't just ignore his duty because we were family. He could risk the same fate as us, and none of us would put him through that. Yet, there was no way we were giving in at this point. We made it this far not to return to this seemingly inevitable fate. I had met Magnus and wanted to work this relationship with him, even if it has only been a week since I knew him. Isabelle was finally steady and trusting someone other than her family. Jace and Clary looked happy... Jace and Clary. Memories came back to me at the thought of them.
''Jace and Isabelle's love was illegal... Or we thought that Jace's was.''
''And don't you see? It makes her an angel!''
' They know about Clary and my downworlder dates?'' asked Izzy, incredulous.
'All my lies...'
There was only one exit, but I had to play my cards right and be the highest bidder.
'' Do it Max.'' I told him. It took everyone by surprise except Jace who had an unreadable expression on his face. Isabelle soon got her composure back and didn't protest, believing in my call. In Magnus eyes, I could see fear and... abdication?
'' No...'' I heard him whisper, but no one else listenned. Slowly, Max and Will pressed their hand together and began chanting their voices in harmony.**
'' Uxor septem enim vertutes: castitas, caritas, humanitas, humilitas, patientia, temperantia et diligencia.
Veniunt, ultimum judiciun
Facilis descensus averni.''
Everything went silent. No more sound came from the never sleeping city. The rain was still falling, but landed without a noise. Even the ever falling leaves wouldn't rustled. Like the world has gone mute; waiting. It didn't have to wait long as light pierced the sky, right in the middle of the large sight rune. The ray of light was illuminating Max and Will whom hadn't move at all since the chanting. And it appeared, right over the pond.
No words could describe the being who had just been summoned. Its hair were golden and silver mixed together. Its wings, wide and large, had feathers – whiter then the first snow – and eyes embedded in each of them. Its beauty was to out of reach for our simple mind to grasp. And one single glance sufficed to identify him: Archangel Ithuriel.
'' Maxwell Joseph Lightwood, William Owen Herondale. You have called and I have come.'' it said, its voice the perfect neutrality, both female and male at once. Max and Will bowed at that. '' And here are the renegades.'' it added.
'' I am the sole renegade here.'' I said before anyone else could.
'' Alec, what are you - '' began Isabelle, but quickly got interrupted.
'' What is it that you mean, fallen one?'' enquired the patient but efficient holy creature. All his eyes were on me, which was quite intimidating.
'' I mean that my brother and sister are innocent of the crimes they are accused of.'' I stated. I heard Magnus and Izzy gasped at that, and from the corner of my eye, I saw Clary biting her lips, but not looking confused. 'So Jace really did told her everything'.
The truth had to be exposed.
'' What questions do you have, Archangel Ithuriel? We might just have the answers.'' Jace charmingly asked, while bowing as it was expected.
'' You surely do, for the questions are concerning you. Rumours had it that you were spending more time than necessary on earth, is or is it not true?'' It was a trick question and we all knew it.
'' We did.'' confirmed Jace. Only I could notice in his stance how less confident he was.
'' Why?'' he asked, and I knew I had to do something. The truth would banish Jace and Izzy for rebellion. The truth had to be avoided. Because I am selfish.
'' It is because of I'' I said.
'' How come?'' it asked.
'' I lied when I said we were going on earth to hide my secret. I lied when I said that my siblings went on earth with me to make me hear reason. I lied when I said that I am in love with Jace, my parabatai. And last but not the least, I lied and brought them here with me.''
'' No! It's not true -'' Isabelle started, but I interrupted her. I had to, it's her only chance.
'' It is her benevolence and love for her brother that makes her willing to sacrifice herself that way.''
'' Stop it Alec! I -''
'' Enough.'' said the archangel and silence returned. '' If you lied that much in heaven, how can I trust your word here on earth?''
'' I ask for trial by the Sword.'' Silence followed my words, shock among my siblings and Will. Only Magnus seemed to get fidgety by that.
'' What is the 'trial by the Sword'?'' he asked. It were his first word since the arrival of Ithuriel who suddenly took notice of him.
'' Why are you here, half-demon?''
'' Because I care.'' answered my warlock and, not for the first time, my heart started to race in my chest. ' I am so sorry.'
'' You care?'' It sounded genuinely surprised, which offended me. '' Are you sure you are not here simply to protect your victim, you lustful -''
'' I ask for Maellartach.'' I repeated more rudely, interrupting the archangel. Normally, I would have never done something like that, but I had to make it stop, for Magnus' sake.
Taking in my request, it joined its hands together and placed them above its heart. Four runes flashed above its hands and suddenly it gripped something. From its chest, it extricated an adamas-made sword. it made two steps forward, creating small ripples on the surface if the pond and passed the holy blade to Will. Will then placed it in my hand and a huge weight was place on my shoulder at the same time. I tried to fight the numbing coldness settling in my mind, for my choice of words would be critic. True words, but chosen words.
'' Why did you spent an abnormally large amount of time on earth?''
'' Because I was in love with my brother, and I didn't want others to know. My siblings tried to distract me without assignment, but it wasn't working.''I said, forcing the words out.
'' Why did you spent an abnormally large amount of time on earth?''
'' Because of Clarissa.'' I said, the words compelled to get out.
'' What does Clarissa have?''
'' She is a lost angel. From the Fairchild family.''
'' Are you or are you not in love with Jonathan Christopher Lightwood?''
'' I am not.''
'' Did you or did you not lie in heaven thus getting your siblings falsely accused?''
'' I did.''
'' Did you willingly burn your siblings and your wings to escape our interrogation?''
'' And when you saw it didn't work, why didn't you, Jace, come for assistance?'' he asked my parabatai, and I knew he couldn't answer the question. My lies weren't perfect, so I did the only thing I thought that could help us escape.
I broke in two the pendant shaped like two triangles united by a bar.
'' I did.''
Suddenly, the soul sword dropped from my hands. It heard enough.
Jace had his eyes closed in pain, but was still saying nothing. Tears of rage were rolling down from Izzy's cheeks. Max just looked scared for me. They all knew what I did. They all knew that I had sacrificed myself and bent the truth for them before and was doing it again. For my own selfish reason. I only hoped they understood how much my need for their well being.
I searched for Magnus, but he wasn't there anymore. ' I am sorry I lied to you, I was just so afraid that if the truth got out, my sibling would get hurt.'' I told him in thoughts, even though he wouldn't know. I wouldn't have wanted him to see what was sure to happen anyway.
Recuperating the angel blade, Ithuriel pronounced its verdicts, his body evaporating in diffuse light.
'' Maxwell Joseph Lightwood, William Owen Herondale, you have accomplished your duty well. You can return home.'' And the both of them started to slowly fade into white sparks.
'' Clarissa Fairchild, you are hereby summoned to heaven to discuss your reintegration.'' Clary also started to turn in white sparks.
''Isabelle Sophia Lightwood, Jonathan Christopher Lightwood, the charges against you are dismissed and you are summoned to heaven to discuss your reintegration.'' As they dissolved in white sparks too, I saw Jace touching his collarbone and looking at me.
And just before they disappeared, only one verdict was left. I couldn't see any of them, but Maellartach was still there, floating in the air. And Ithuriel's voice boomed over me his sentence:
'' Alexander Gideon Lightwood, accursed one. For your heart that devises wicked plots, your lying tongue and the discord you sowed among your brethren,... Thy life shall end. ''
At that moment, vengeance and sacrifice became one.
And innocent blood was spilled.
* 300 feet = 91 meters. At Olympics, in the 'outdoor shooting' category, the maximum range for us mundane is 300 ft/91 m on a 4ft/1,2m diameter target. I supposed that Alec is (was?) naturally that good in archery, maybe a bit more.
** The Latin means: '' For the seven virtues: chastity, charity, kindness, humility, patience, temperance and diligence / come, the last judgement / easy is the fall to hell.''
