Sorry for the long wait, I know it's been ages I've been busy with Uni, I'll try to update more frequently.
Chapter Ten
One month has passed since Magnus had removed the demon blood from Seraphina's system. Everything should be back to normal, shouldn't it? The Shadowhunters feel that the worse is over, even though Jace and the rest of them are keeping a careful watch on Seraphina Jace can't help but continue to be worried and protective. Something the Shadowhunters don't know is that Seraphina has been hiding the truth from them. She doesn't want to worry anyone, especially Jace, and even though the demon blood was extracted she still can't help but feel different. It's as if a slaver or a lace of the blood has clung to her, demon blood that refused to be removed. Maybe Seraphina is just getting paranoid? She keeps telling herself that it's all in her mind and the voices…the voices can't be real can they?
Seraphina breathes deeply, trying to calm herself as her hands cling to the wash basin in the bathroom. It's been hard to push the voices and the thoughts away, they keep creeping up on her. Sometimes the voices are just in her head and sometimes they take the form of that mysterious Shadowhunter with ice blonde hair. "Valentine…" Seraphina whispers, recalling his name that he keeps reminding her of. Ten days. The voices in her head whisper to her. Yesterday they said eleven days and now it's ten. They're counting down and Seraphina has an unnerving feeling that something bad is going to happen. She's too afraid to tell anyone, especially Jace. They think that she's getting better, that everything the demon blood made her hallucinate is gone. But it hasn't and Seraphina fears that it never will.
Seraphina looks up into the mirror and notices the fiery hallucination of Valentine gazing intensely back at her. "Ten days and you will be mine. You and I will be the Gods that will transform this world, the Shadowhunter and the Angel, every being will bow down to us. They already fear me, but once I'm done turning you into the weapon you are meant to be, we will reign down terror on this world and everyone you love will then fear you." Valentine says to Seraphina, his voice distant yet intimidating, his very being holds so much power.
"No…no!" Seraphina screams and she hits her fist into the mirror, the glass breaking and the hallucination disappearing. Pain stings her fist and she gazes at it. Seraphina pulls out the pieces of glass, barely wincing and within only a moment her fist heals. Her powers have been growing rapidly and she's learnt how to adeptly use them. She then looks at the broken mirror, how will she explain this?
"Seraphina?" Jace's voice comes from behind her and she quickly turns around. Her heart beat raises, how much of that did he just see? His eyes open in surprise and concern at the mirror and the broken glass, good he didn't see what had happened. "What's going on? Did you…" Jace comes up to Seraphina, taking both of her hands into his and then narrowing his eyes as he sees no mark on them, but he knows that she can heal.
"Jace…it's nothing, I was practicing my swing and-," Seraphina tries to make excuses but Jace is having none of it.
"Don't lie to me. Come on, let's sit down." Jace says, leading Seraphina over to her bed and they both take a seat. "Tell me what's been going on. I thought everything was okay."
"Everything is okay." Seraphina states, but is unable to make her eyes meet Jace's and he sees right through her.
"Quit lying, we're supposed to trust each other. We're supposed to help each other, that's what people do." Jace's voice becomes frustrated, his concern turning into anger.
"Well we're not ordinary people Jace." Seraphina retorts and then noticing that arguing will get them no where she lets out a sigh. Maybe she should tell him everything. Jace narrows his eyes and she squeezes his hands. "Since what happened last month…with the demon blood and with everything. Trying to retract it from me nearly killed me. I heard everything that was going on around me, but my body was immobile I could only feel a burning pain, it was so excruciating. I couldn't move and I couldn't speak. But I heard you and you sounded so worried and so scared. I never want to put you through that again because if you become worried about me then you'll get distracted. Imagine if you're out fighting a demon, your head needs to be clear Jace you can't be worrying about what's going on with me it could get you killed."
Jace lets out a breath and his body relaxes slightly. "So there is something going on with you and you're keeping it from me because you think you'll put me in danger." Seraphina nods at his words and Jace shakes his head. "Angel, I care about you and I want to know exactly what's going on with you, even if you're going through hell I will go through hell with you. I'd do anything for you and protect you from all the demons and monsters in existence. Even if it means putting my life in danger, Shadowhunters are in danger everyday it's everywhere but I can handle it and I'd risk my life on countless fights and battles just if it means that you're safe." Jace confesses.
Seraphina lets out a gasp, everything Jace has just said is what she's wanted to hear from him ever since she started having feelings for him, but those words are also what she'd fear he'd say. Seraphina would do the exact same for Jace, yet she fears the idea of him being in further danger because of her…and if her hallucinations are real, she doesn't want Jace to get caught in the crossfire. "That means everything to me Jace. To be honest, things have been going on with me but I need you to trust me that I can handle it, I need to be strong enough to battle my own demons like you fight yours." Seraphina hopes her words will end the topic and as she gazes hopefully into Jace's eyes he understands that she doesn't want to be pried.
Jace nods, moving his hand towards Seraphina's long brown hair and pushes away the strands covering her face. "If it gets too much, or if you think it could put you in danger then tell me." Jace suggests and Seraphina nods.
"Okay." Seraphina whispers, unsure whether she had just lied or not. Only if her hallucinations aren't hallucinations and they become a real threat then she will tell Jace, but right now they're just figments of her imagination. "I'd do anything for you too…" Seraphina replies with honesty and Jace smiles his signature half smile.
Jace moves forwards and presses his lips lightly against Seraphina's, the soft feeling sending satisfying sparks through her body. Seraphina pushes her body forward, her hands resting on Jace's chest as the kiss deepens, becoming more intense. Jace lowers his hands to Seraphina's waist both exploring and longing. Seraphina lets out a small moan, wanting and needing more. Jace tugs on her lip lightly with his teeth, the feeling sending another passionate sensation between them. Liar. A voice in Seraphina's head whispers to her and she suddenly hesitates.
Jace notices the hesitation and looks at her. "Are you okay?" He asks and as Seraphina opens her eyes, behind Jace she sees Valentine gazing at her and leaning on the wall her hallucinations, her voices will never leave her.
"Everyone you love will soon fear you." The hallucination of Valentine whispers to her in a drifting voice.
Seraphina lets out a breath and pulls her hands away from Jace. "Yeah, I'm fine…I just remembered I was supposed to meet Isabella for sword fighting, it's an area I need to train on more." Seraphina stands up, making her excuses to leave.
Jace looks at Seraphina, confused but then shows her a reassuring smile. "Alright Angel, I guess we can finish this in a round of hand to hand combat later." Jace stands up and winks at Seraphina and she can't help but smile slightly. Jace leaves the bedroom, closing the door slowly behind him and Seraphina lets out a sigh. She looks back to the place by the wall where Valentine was standing and he's gone.
"I really am going crazy." Seraphina murmurs to herself, grabbing her jacket and equipment to go and train with Isabella. Ten days…but what will happen then? Seraphina's own thoughts try to work it out, a feeling of nausea and worry hitting her. They're just hallucinations, don't worry, they're not real they can't hurt you. "Hallucinations…not real…can't hurt me." Seraphina relays the words again and again, unaware that she's saying them. "Ten days." Just ten days.