Author's note: These characters belong to Cassandra Clare.
It was starting to get dark when we left the institute. Neither of us had eaten since breakfast that morning, so we made a quick stop at Taki's and got some take out; we ate it while we walked to the subway station.
Our time on the subway was uneventful. Jace and I talked about what we thought Magnus' plans might be. We also wondered what he and Alec would think about our theory regarding Jonathen. I was anxious to get there. There was a lot to discuss.
An hour after leaving the institute, we were finally exiting the subway. Whenever I walked these final few blocks to Magnus' apartment I always got the feeling I was being watched; it was even worse after dark. I could see curious eyes peeking out from behind curtains and blinds. I knew it was probably just bored people, who liked to stare at the passers-by, or maybe they had some lame neighborhood watch program going on, but it still gave me the creeps.
I wondered what those people would think if they knew the things they really had to worry about couldn't be seen. Lucky for them, most would never find out.
Since leaving the subway station Jace and I hadn't talked much. We were quietly making our way to Magnus', holding hands, lost in our own thoughts. To anyone looking, they would think we were just an ordinary teenage couple on a date. I guess in a way they were right. We are a couple, but instead of going on a date we were going to our friend the warlocks house to look for our other friend who had probably been kidnapped by a demon. I grimaced; when had my life gotten so weird?
Jace must have noticed my expression.
"What's that look for," he asked.
"Oh, I was just wondering when my life had gotten so weird; but you don't have to answer that, because I already know the answer."
Jace grinned down at me. "I'm pretty sure it was about the same time you met……"
His voice trailed off and his body suddenly tensed. He reached into the pocket of his jeans and pulled out a Sensor. It was vibrating, alerting to demon activity. I looked up at him.
"Where is it coming from," I asked.
"It's a strong signal, Clary. Whatever was here is still in the vicinity." He paused. "I want you to go to Magnus' and send Alec."
My answer was immediate.
"No way. If you want Alec's help, your coming with me to get him, but I'm not just going to leave you here alone; forget it."
"I can't leave, Clary. I can't allow whatever that is to get away. Please, just do what I ask."
I knew that this wasn't the time to get in a big debate with him about trusting me and my abilities, so I kept it simple.
"Jace, while we are standing here arguing, that thing is getting away. I am not leaving you, so you have two choices: Come with me to get Alec, or stay and let me help you."
Jace glared down at me. His eyes were shooting gold flames, and I knew I was pushing him, but what was the use of him busting my ass over the past month if he never intended for me to use the training he was giving me?
"Fine," Jace said. "But stay behind me; and for the Angel's sake Clary, don't do anything reckless."
"Fine," I answered glaring back to him. "You better not do anything reckless either."
He rolled his eyes, grabbed my hand, and then led me across the street. Once there he glanced down at the Sensor. He let go of my hand and signaled for me to get behind him.
"Pull out your blade," he whispered.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out a tube like object that I hopefully wouldn't have to use. I watched as Jace did the same.
Up ahead about twenty yards was an alleyway to the right. It looked as if we were headed in that direction.
Jace placed the Sensor back into his pocket.
"We're going into that alley," Jace said pointing. "Stay behind me, stay alert. We don't know what's in there. The moment we step between the buildings name your blade, and be ready to fight."
I nodded and followed closely. As soon as we stepped from the lit sidewalk into the darkness of the alley I whispered, "Sanvi", and watched as the glass like glowing blade appeared. Even after all this time I was still a little awed at the sight.
We walked silently, scanning our surroundings continually. We had gone about twenty feet when we saw it. A Ravener demon was coming from behind a dumpster and was headed straight toward us.
Its scaly body was muted in the semi-darkness, but the memory of the last one that had attacked me at my old apartment was fresh in my mind. I felt momentarily sick thinking of how it had felt against me as I had fought for my life.
Jace was running toward it with his blade outstretched when it attacked.
It moved so quickly it was almost a blur, but Jace was faster. Before it could even get close enough to try and sting him Jace had flipped through the air, came down behind him and shoved the blade through the Ravener's skull. I watched as it shriveled and finally disappeared.
"That was quick," I stated.
"Yeah," Jace agreed. "I wonder what it came for. Who sent it?"
As soon as the question had left Jace's mouth, we got the answer. Walking from the entrance of the alley appeared to be a man. He was dressed in a way that made him appear as if he might be a member of the Hell's Angels. He swaggered toward us; A smirk on his face.
"Who knew it would be so easy," he asked with a chuckle. "And I thought you would be smarter then this. What a disappointment."
I glanced at Jace. If looks could kill, the Demon would already be dead.
"The evil, gloating thing has been played out," Jace said menacingly. He took a step toward the demon. "Maybe instead of gloating, you should start begging."
At that moment, I heard a noise from behind. I glanced around and saw as another demon dropped from the roof to land twenty feet behind me. Jace noticed as well. Swearing, he looked from one to the other assessing the threat. I did the same. The new one, like the first, appeared to be a man who had just got thrown out of a biker bar. And like the first one, he had the same cocky grin.
I planned on wiping it off his face.
My thoughts of kicking demon butt were interrupted by the sound of Jace's voice.
"What do we owe the pleasure of this visit," Jace asked. His voice sounded nonchalant, but I knew better. I could hear the effort it was taking to keep his anger under control. "I know it isn't a friendly visit," he added.
Never taking my eyes off the new guy, I listened for the answer.
"We want you dead," the demon stated. "It's not personal, just business," he paused for a moment. "I take that back," he added. "It's also pleasure."
In that instant, everything was thrown into madness.
I heard the demon's body come into contact with Jace. I turned to see if Jace was okay, and in that moment of distraction I felt something hit me. I fell down hard and tried to roll to take some of the impact of the fall, but before I could do anything he was on top of me and I was on my back staring into black eyes filled with hate. Instinct took over and I brought both feet up and kicked with all my might. My opponent flew off of me and hit the ground hard. I jumped up and tried to bring my blade down into his chest, but he rolled away from me. He swept an arm out and pain sliced through my leg as his razor like claws pierced my calf. He pulled my leg out from under me and once again I was on my back.
I wanted to glance around to check on Jace, but I fought the urge. I was in a fight for my life.
I jumped up as quickly as I could and noticed the demon had done the same. It grinned at me and beckoned with a razor tipped finger for me to come and get him; I obliged.
Feigning a move to the left, I went instead to the right. Knowing that he would think I would go for the kill, I instead went for his legs. He fell to the ground with a howl of pain as I cut the back of his knees almost completely through. He lay face down in the dirt howling. He pushed himself up on his arms and tried to crawl away. Before he got too far, I stood over him and brought the Seraph blade down stabbing him through the back. He convulsed on the ground his black blood pooling around him, and then folding in on himself he vanished.
I immediately looked to see if Jace needed help. Jace had the demon on the ground with the end of his Seraph blade pointing at his throat. Jace's hair was matted with sweat, and blood was running down the side of his face from what looked to be claw marks, but other then that he looked fine; he also looked enraged.
"Who sent you," Jace shouted.
"I will tell you nothing, Shadwhunter; so kill me now."
"You'll wish for death when I get done with you, Demon."
Jace almost spat the last word. His voice was filled with venom. He pushed the blade into the demon's neck a little deeper. The demon winced, but looked unafraid.
"The only thing I'm going to tell you Shadowhunter is your days are numbered. Enjoy this small victory."
With those final words the demon grabbed hold of the blade, howling with pain the moment he touched it. He then pulled down with enough force to cause the blade to push completely through his neck. Demon blood spurted from the wound and Jace and I looked on with shock as the demon began to twitch and smolder.
It was in that moment of complete distraction that I saw it; a dark shape in the form of a man dropping silently from the nearby roof. It landed in the space that separated me from Jace, and Jace was completely oblivious to the new arrival.
For just a second the demon seemed to glance from me to Jace as if deciding who he wanted to take on first. I knew he had made his choice when his gaze sharpened onto me, and with unbelievable speed he leaped toward me.
Several things happened in the next minute.
As the demon leaped, he changed. For a split second I saw a man, in the next I saw a huge tiger whose teeth were exposed and aiming for my throat. I was held paralyzed with shock. My brain simply could not process what I was seeing; that moment of hesitation was all he needed.
I screamed Jace's name, but it was too late.
I felt the weight of the huge cat as it slammed into me; I felt the teeth as they bit into my neck; I felt its hot breath against my face as it breathed heavily in and out.
Then as quickly as the tiger was on me, it was being pulled off.
I heard a howl of rage, a short struggle, and then all was silent.
Jace's face was suddenly above mine. It was filled with fear and horror. I picked up my hand and touched the side of his face, and then it fell limply beside me. Why did it fill so heavy? I tried to tell him I was okay, but nothing would come out.
"Clary….please…God." Jace sounded desperate. "I've got to get you to Magnus. I've got to pick you up. I'm sorry."
Jace gently picked me up . I could tell he didn't want to hurt me, but all I felt was numb; I wish there was some way for me to tell him.
As Jace walked, he kept looking down at me; his tears mixing with the blood that was on his face. I wanted to comfort him, buy I had lost control of my body; I felt disconnected from it. I could tell Jace was talking to me, but as the seconds passed his voice seemed to come from farther and farther away.
Everything I knew was suddenly enclosed in that one moment. The feel of my heart pounding against my ribs; the trickle of blood flowing from my neck; Jace's voice telling me he loved me and begging me to be alright. This was all I knew. These were the things anchoring me to this world.
Then suddenly it felt like a steel vice was squeezing my chest. My heart began to speed up, and Jace's voice faded until only the memory of it remained.
My anchors had been cut; I was adrift. Everything faded to black, and then I knew nothing at all.
Author's Note: I want to say thanks to all of you who are sticking with this story. I've had almost 1000 hits on it, and that blows me away.
Also, I'm resorting to bribery. If you take the time to review (good or bad) I'll send you a sneak peek of the next chapter to show my appreciation.
So what did you think of this chapter?
On a personal note, I want to say Happy Birthday to my sister and best friend. Love ya, Rach.
