Title: The Mortal Instruments: City of Forsaken Hearts

Chapter 10: Message

Authors Note: Hey everyone, thanks for the reviews and follows! It really makes my day I love hearing from you guys and it really does motivate me to update quicker. Also make sure if you enjoy my mortal instruments writing to check out short 12 prompts for the 12 days of Christmas on my fanfiction account! Just something fun I am doing to get in the spirit of the holidays! Hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Mortal Instruments or any of its characters. All respectful material belongs to Cassandra Clare – including the universe created for this story.

Clary held onto Simon, her arms frozen around his arm as they fought their way through the heaving storm that toiled and slammed against the unsuspecting New Yorkers. The wind was bitter, blistering against her skin as she tried to hide her face against her shoulder.

There was a stinging sensation against her eyes, and any tears that trickled down her cheeks stung and inflicted pain. She wanted warmth; the feeling of fire roasting in front of her open palms…and then an idea came to her. "S-Simon" her teeth chattered as she paused, drawing out her stele that felt especially cold and burning in the palm of her hand.

Simon paused, the snow up to his calves as he turned against the storm and shielded his eyes against the blustering gale. "W-WHAT?" he stuttered against the weather in response as he starred at the stele she pulled out. He couldn't think of any of her special runes that would help her now. His own temperature remained as chilled as granite. The sudden drop in temperature didn't affect him like it did to Clary.

Clary dug the stele into the side of her wrist, drawing a very simple marking of circles and spirals. Heat suddenly blazed to life in her veins. The snow turned to droplets of water as it pelted against her back. She inhaled deeply, relieved to the warmth that trickled through her veins, "Okay lets go."

"Clary…. we've been walking in circles." Simon sounded frustrated as he starred ahead of him. Where the hell was Isabelle? In his gut he knew she must have caught up to the demon. Damn it. What if she was hurt?

"I know. I know! I don't know a rune to give myself a better sense of direction," Clary moaned, twisting her fingers through her sopping wet carrot top head. She turned and noticed Simon was set in an unusually serious mood.

"Clary what if…" the words stuck in his throat, "What if they vanish like Alec…"

"They won't." she instantly rebutted the idea, denying the possibility. Jace was…Jace. It wouldn't happen again, he wouldn't let it….he wouldn't put her through that again. He wouldn't.

"But what if they do," Simon insisted, his stomach felt sick and it rolled nauseously. When was the last time he had fed? Shit.

Clary shook her head, "Simon, look at me." She placed both of her hands against his shoulders, her eyes squared against him, "We're best friends, right?"

He frowned, not really seeing how the two related, "…Right."

"Okay," her fingers released the tension against his shoulders, and there was relief in her tone, "That means no matter what happens, if Isabella or Jace or both are missing tomorrow, we're going to stick together and find them. Because that's what we do. We see each other through these things."

"Actually you usually run off and do something incredibly stupid and suicidal while I support and enable you – but I guess they are the same things," Simon considered, tone slightly mocking as she cuffed him on the shoulder.

"Shut up, my ideas are brilliant," despite the weather, and the fear she had for Jace and Izzy, Clary managed to smile. And it was all because of Simon.

She grabbed his hand and pointed through a thicket of tree's, "C'mon I don't think we went in a circle over in this direction."

The sun glinted heavily in the mid-morning; a layer of heavy snow blanketed the earth, crystalizing trees and sidewalks, creating an entirely different world. It was beautiful, and all the blemishes of the human world were for now, covered up by an illusion of something soft and pure and white.

Clary and Simon came trudging through the firm wall of evergreens and tall, ancient oak trees, leaving a heavy trek of footprints from their path behind. A Street cleaner came through, shoving the snow onto the side paths, leaving mounds and clumps of snow for Clary and Simon to battle climbing over.

When Clary's feet hit the cement, she nearly cried out, thanking the angel for finally getting them out of that goddamn forest. "I never want to see a tree again," she sniffed indigently, focusing her eyes back on the road as she trudged back to the institute.

Simon plodded next to her, his fingers squeezed into tight fists rolled up in his pockets, "If Izzy is there…" he mumbled, not able to finish the request, ducking his head so she wouldn't see the desperation and fear in his eyes. He didn't like being tangled up after a girl like this, not like a girl with Izzy who was sure to stomp over his heart with those thick wedge boots of hers that Jace and Alec had laughed about the first time he had followed her around.

"I'll send her out," Clary promised, resting a hand on Simon's shoulder. She squeezed it reassuringly, "You know, they are probably out looking for us, so don't get too freaked if I go in and nobody is there," at least she hoped.

Simon only nodded dully, stomping to rest against the wall, his eyelids shut, "I'll wait here, its close enough," he murmured, barely loud enough for Clary to hear.

She didn't say much, just squeezed his hand once and then turned back on her heels, quickening her pace to the institute. It was two blocks away and she felt each step trudging through the deep snow had her limbs heavy, her bones thick and muscles sore. She was exhausted; as soon as she knew Jace and Isabelle were back she was going to sleep for a week. Maybe longer. A month would be good.

Or you know, a year.

She rushed through the front gate of the institute, reaching its ancient and charming coble stone leading up to the door. She pushed it open and walked in. Church was there to greet her, purring around her ankles as he twisted himself and weaved through her legs. She bent down and picked him up, bringing him into her chest for warmth.

"JACE?! ISABELLE?!" She hollered out, glancing back at Church, "I don't suppose you know where they are?"

"They're gone," a voice cracked through the silence, surprising Clary. She let out a small shriek and jumped, her heart pounding in her chest as she spun around and on the staircase stood Caleb.

"Where did they go?" her voice was dry, heart pounding in her chest as he leaned forward and walked stiffly over. It occurred to her he had never been alone. He was always surrounded by Taran or Cyrena, and she had always been with Jace or Maryse when he was sulking around.

"Oh, they're out there somewhere…looking for you," he rolled his eyes, tone bored as he flicked a piece of lint off the banister,

Clary's throat thickened as she moved back from the door, "Okay, well. If they come back around, you'll just tell them I stopped by, right?"

Caleb glanced over, seemed irked that she would ask him for a favor. He shrugged subtly, "I guess so, if I'm here."

"Where else would you go?" her tone came off far more judgmental than she meant, and suddenly she was narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

"Places," he interrupted, starring at her with a mockery expression before brushing past her, heading into the kitchen. Church jumped from her arms and Clary watched in shock as the cat padded silently after the man.

Goosebumps were prominent on her flesh from running into him. She shivered, missing the warmth in her skin again before turning around and slamming the door closed. The air slammed into her face as she quickly walked around the corner and back the two blocks to Simon.

He was there, eyes closed and soaking up the sun. He seemed almost peaceful and unflinching – like a statue made of porcelain. It was easy to forget that he wasn't the mortal, geeky best friend Simon she had known all her life, that he was this…supernatural creature now she swore to continue to protect. He was still Simon, even if he did have a better fashion sense and caught every girls and boys eye on the block.

"They weren't there, but Caleb was. He confirmed that Isabelle and Jace came back. Simon. They're fine," she reached out and squeezed his hand, smiling under the façade of how spooked she had gotten talking to Caleb.

For the first time since last night, Simon relaxed and nodded. "Okay good. Lets…just go wait at Luke's. They'll come by there sooner or later, right?" he looked to her for confirmation.

Clary nodded stiffly, "Sounds like a good idea to me."

Simon flickered a smirk, "Of course it is. You didn't come up with it." he barely missed her elbow him through the ribs.

The knife slid through his eyeball, and the boy screamed, razor cries that slit through his larynx. The warm blood pooled to the floor, soaking into his knees where he listlessly dropped forward. Sweat dripped from his forehead, the heat was unbearable in the room and the metal cuffs burned against his wrists. His arms were heavy and sore.

He didn't know it, but his heart was failing him. He was giving up, losing hope, as the darkness seemed to shroud around him. His exposed back was flayed, the skin rotting and a massive piece of raw flesh. He could hear little tiny black bugs buzzing around, festering on his open flesh.

There was nothing he could do to stop them.

Powerless his body swayed with the chains. He felt a blow to his stomach, a rib cracked and the sound echoed through his head. His body slumped forward, trying to avoid the contact; he felt bile rise in the back of his throat. Tears burned his eyes, and he cried out where the bloodied socket unleashed blood soaked tears.

You are nothing. You are nobody. You belong to me.

The voice whispered into his ear, reminding him that nobody had come to save him, that nobody was going to save him. Every day he had to remind himself of a few details or else he'd go mad. His name was Alec. He was a shadow hunter. He had a sister named Isabelle, a brother named Jace and brother who had died, Max. His parents were Marsye and Robert. He loved Magnus Bane.

He loved Magnus Bane.

That helped him remember the best, even better than his name. Every time he thought it…for just a moment…he regained strength and he could fight again.

Magnus bolted out of bed. His breathing was heavy and the feeling of his heart exploding out of his chest left him with a tight, uncomfortable feeling as he rolled onto his stomach and turned on the lights. The bedroom was bare of all the horrors he had witnessed behind closed eyes.

So much blood.

He grabbed the nearest pillow and flung it over his head, trying to block out the images and the noises. The bloody tear streaks that had stripped down the boy's one cheek where his eye had been forked with a knife. Magnus felt his stomach roll. He had seen wars. He had killed men and women – his past was as ugly as it was long. He had never seen anything, or been affected as strongly, as the dream he had.

If it was a dream. That's what caused his gut to wretch and revolt. His body was cold and clammy; he felt a raging headache come on. He could hear Alec's thoughts. He loved Magnus Bane.

"Fuck it," he grumbled, rolling out of the bed, so his bare feet hit the wooden floors and sent a chill through him. He padded into the kitchen, the lights automatically flickering on as he walked over and grabbed a rather thick, black box from the shelves. The key materialized out of thin air, and he flicked it into the box, cranking it left and opening the lid cautiously.

He peered down at the fairly harmless looking black leather book, no title and nothing to distinguish it from anything else.

The book of Abaddon; destroyer of angels.

He flipped the book open, a cold dread slamming into him as he turned the pages and glanced to the circle of his living room. It was going to be a very, long night. And he was out of candles, he would have to go buy out the department section at Bed, Bath & Beyond.

The first thing Clary did when she walked into her house was reach for her cell phone charger and plug it in. She paced around the room, her eyes darting to the screen until it finally lit up and became active. She all but leapt across the living room floor for it.

She speed dialed Jace and held it up to her ear, heart racing as she waited to hear his voice, the guilt cut in deep on how worried he must have been. Maybe next time they would reconsider chasing after a demon. Simon had slid onto the couch, his bones becoming liquid.

The phone dialed out, and hit the message system. A scream of frustration wanted to erupt, but instead she managed to keep herself calm, "Jace. It's Clary. Simon and I are fine, we just got lost. I'm home now…call me when you get this. Bye." She hung up and walked over to fall onto the couch next to Simon.

He groggily picked the wool blanket draped on the back of the couch and tucked her in against his side as he smoothed it out across them. His head slumped back and his arm fell around Clary as she caved around him and let her head fall against his chest.

It didn't occur to her how strange it was anymore that there was no heartbeat.

They fell asleep like that, drifting into an exhausting, deep comatose sleep. They would have stayed like that for hours, and did for several minutes until the front door slammed open and then shut again, nearly breaking off the frame.

Clary woke with a start, jumping two feet in the air and spinning around, peering over the back of the couch with caution.

She found herself a bit irritated that Jace, who had dark circles under his eyes and the cold raw against his face still seemed incredibly, and unfairly handsome.

His eyes met hers and something finally released in his chest, a pressure that had been building since his hand had lost hers and he hadn't been able to find her.

"Where the hell have you been?" He exclaimed, walking forward quickly.

"You know, just felt like a stroll through the woods," Clary muttered, expecting him to slide his arms around her. Instead Jace took her by the shoulders, and crashed his lips against hers.

Warmth exploded through her body, and she tossed her arms around his shoulders. From somewhere a content sigh released and she angled her head to kiss him deeper and longer with his hand trailing down her spine. She curved around him, feeding off the fire and heat his body radiated with the heaven's fire in his flesh.

"Excuse me," Simon coughed, glaring at the both of them, "If you could save the fornication for another room not commonly used for family game night, I'm sure Luke would appreciate it."

Jace made a face, cupping Clary's face in his hands as he ignored Simon – just another thing he excelled at. "Clary I thought…when we couldn't find you again…" his voice snapped. It just…snapped at the end.

Clary held her breath as she reached up, her hands sliding over his, "I know. I was worried too."

He scoffed at that, starring at her with an incredulous face, "Why?"

"…you…went after a…demon?" she sputtered out, starring at him. "Normal people worry about that kind of stuff, Jace," she pointed out, glaring at him.

Jace shrugged, "I'm not your normal shadow hunter," he reminded her, grinning.

"You're not normal anything," Simon muttered from the couch.

"Says the vampire who sunbaths," Jace whipped back.

Simon opened his mouth, and then closed it at the expression Clary sent at him. He crossed his arms and settled back into the couch with a frown.

"Great. We're all fine. Can we at least try to get along?" she eyed both boys, disappointed when they continued to either stare at a wall or down at their feet. Her face crumpled, "Never mind," she tried.

There was still a gold star for trying, right?

"Clary," Jace gripped her arm, looking over at Simon and then shrugging. He guessed the vampire could hear the news as well, "Before Isabelle and I killed the demon. It told us something, we weren't going to believe it but…" his voice dropped and he seemed uncomfortable as he starred at the wall.

Clary watched him, concerned by the way his face seemed to pale, "What? What did it say?"

"He said….The Clave will fall," Jace's voice tightened as he mimicked the message in a deeper, baritone voice. "We took the message to Maryse and…when she tried to contact the Clave…nobody was there to answer," he squeezed her hand tight, "We're going to have to go maybe…and don't even start, because you know you need to go too. Anyways I need to call Maryse to see how we are on the preparations for the trip."

Clary raised her eyebrows as he leaned in to peck her cheek before walking out to the kitchen to use the phone. Well…it wasn't like she hadn't made her own portal before.