disclaimer: Cassandra Claire owns all!
CHAPTER 9
Plans:
*Jace's POV*
Alec is here, here at this wildly colorful home of a very eccentric man, and he's here right next to me. I had hoped that I would get to see Alec again, I dreamed about it all the time, but I never truly imagined it would happen like this, and certainly not yet, but here he is. He looks well, better than well. He is finally strong and nourished. Back at home he would always give half of his share of food to Izzy and Max, said they needed to grow properly, which left him rather weak, but he'd never allow the two to see this.
He would go on as if he wasn't starving himself, as if he wasn't killing himself by working so hard with nothing to fuel his body. I tried to help, but he'd never accept any of our food, he always said he was well enough. He'd always joke it off, saying I needed to grow stronger and bigger if I was ever going to beat him. I can still remember hearing his soft cries of hunger pains in the middle of the night when he thought everyone was fast asleep.
I missed him so much and looking at him he reminds me so much of the family I left behind not too long ago. The same dark hair as Izzy and Maryse, sharp jaw and wide shoulders from Robert, bright grin and pale skin like Max. There are little bits of home in Alec. Alec looked to Magnus and his eyes softened as his mouth turned up a bit in a small grin before looking back at me, "This is Jace Herondale, my brother." Yes, I don't share the same name as the Lightwoods, nor any of their physical features but they are my family, they are the only family I know. Alec, just like Maryse has never never treated me as an outsider, not even now after how long we have been separated.
Alec's smile faltered as he stepped closer to me. "How bad is it?" He asked quietly. A sinking feeling arose in my stomach as I looked at him "They should be fine for a little while now that I'm gone, but..." I hesitated as I realised what would happen if our family were to fall behind again. Iz. "By the Angel, Alec she's only 15. Are they really going to send her out there!? Can they really do that!?" My voice rose and I looked around to see the shocked expressions of Magnus and Clarissa. My heart sank at the look of fear on Clarissa's face, I had to look away quickly before I could give in to comforting her. I can't do that right now, this is far more important.
"They can and they will," Alec whispered, rage marring his usually calm and collected features, "They'd get their hands on Max too if they could." Something rose in the back of my throat as my lunch threatened to make a reappearance, a gripped my hand over my mouth as I dropped my head down. "What are we supposed to do? I mean what can we do for them?" I questioned, that rage rising back up.
I felt a small tap on my elbow then and turned to see a frightened Clarissa. "I don't quite know everything that you're talking about, and you don't have to explain it to me, but if there is anything I can do to help I will. All you have to do is ask," Clarissa suggested. I've never wanted to hug someone so much in that moment, and I did just that. I swooped Clarissa up in my arms and hugged her tightly as I spun her in a circle. She gasped in surprise at first, but by the end of it she was giggling and hugging me back.
I put a scarlet faced Clarissa back on the ground and looked back at Alec, "If anyone can help us it'd be her. I'm sure of it." I reached back and grabbed ahold of Clarissa, bringing her forward to join her in our discussion. Magnus followed suit soon after and soon our little group of four was caught up on the important details of Alec and my family. Clarissa looked close to tears, but stood taller all the same as she prepared for the plan. Magnus reached for Alec's hand and squeezed it gently as he gave a curt nod.
"I'll help you with anything you need, just say the word and I'll provide it," Magnus said as he eyed Alec. Alec mouthed the words 'later' to him, and any other time I would have questioned him about it, but now is not the time nor the place. "The next auctioning will be next month, so we either need to get help to them before that or find a way to get Iz back from them at the auction. Magnus, do you know of a way to get information to our family? I'd go myself, but..." I said, focussing back in on the task at hand.
"Ah, yes, of course. I believe I have a few tricks up my sleeve," Magnus answered, a cat like grin in place. I didn't bother asking, instead I turned to Clarissa, "Okay, our job is to figure out a way get Iz back if the first plan doesn't work, do you think you could do that?" "Yes," she said with a small nod of her head, "I believe I could."
"Great! Magnus and Alec, we're counting on you to get the info across to our family. They need to know we have a plan, otherwise Iz... well lets just say she won't just sit back," I said as I envisioned the little spitfire known as Isabelle. She definitely would not go down without a fight. If she didn't have everyone else to worry about she would mist likely run away, and I have no doubt in my mind that she would make it.
"Uh Jace," Clarissa cold, drawing me out of my daze. "Hmm," I answered, looking down at her. "I know we're kinda in the middle of something big, but we really have to go. My parents are going to be wondering where I am," Clarissa said with a sad look in place. "No worries," I said, waving it off, "Can we meet back here once you get in touch with them?" I asked Magnus. That cat like grin curled across his face again as he crossed his arms across his chest, "Be my guest, family of Alexander's is always welcome in my home." "Thank you," I said before following Clarissa towards the door. I looked back at Alec before leaving, he still had that pained expression in place, but it was still him. I'm still looking at Alec.
Author's Note: Hey guys! Back again! And this time we have Jace's view on what happened, so what do you guys think? Also I snuck in a bit of a Clace hug for all of you, sorry I know their romance is a little slow, but I don't want it to just jump, it needs to flow together, if you guys get what I mean. Anyways, comments, concerns, and criticism. Always lcome. I'm not sure how you guys are feeling on the direction I'm taking this, I hope you like it thou, because I really don't want this story to be solely a cheesy romance between Clary and Jace, that's just no fun sometimes. I guess that's it for now so I love you all and thank you for reading!
-Haybell
