Clary fumbled for Simon's hand, dread spiking through her body like knives. Sebastian's in New York. There's something going on at the Institute- something's not right. Lilith's happy, and that's never good. We've got to find a window, somewhere I can whip up some condensation and portal us over to the Institute. Sebastian's heading there- he must be. We have to stop them before it's too late.
Without waiting for Simon to reply, she let go of his hand again and ran over to the edge of the building. She crouched behind the low wall and looked over the edge at the maze of alleyways below- one of the men with the red runes was positioned at each corner, the muscles bulging in their folded arms, the moonlight glinting off the shining weapons they held in their hands. Clary bit her lip, reaching out for Simon's hand once more. We'll have to jump- over the alleyway. We can make it across the rooftops- just get out of range long enough to portal out of here.
Are you crazy? Simon sounded incredulous, his eyes burning.
Yes, but that's rather against the point. Over there- can you see it? That one with the little shed thing on top. Go on, silently.
What about you?
I'll be right beside you, now go. She let go of his hand and watched as he backed away towards the centre of the building, then ran towards the edge. He closed his eyes as he jumped up onto the wall and threw himself across the alley, landing like a cat on the other side. Clary followed, her lack of physical being more than compensating for her lack of training.
Simon was gearing up to leap across the next gap, when something emerged from the night and ran into him, knocking him down. The hulking figure stood up, blocking out the light of the moon and hovering over the vampire like a death sentence. He brought his fist down, smashing the concrete where Simon's head has been one second before. Simon jumped to his feet, and the man lashed out with his fist again. The vampire lost his balance, and was suddenly handing from the edge of the building by nothing more than his fingertips. The man raised his massive fist again, and Simon's fingertips slipped on the ledge. He seemed to drop his arm in slow motion, hid huge fist heading towards Simon's face. It hit its target, and Simon's fingers lost their grip. He fell backwards, tumbling through the night, and landed unmoving in an unceremonious heap on the litter-strewn ground of the alley below.
Alec stepped out of the shower, the last of the stained orange water trickling down the drain as he grabbed one of Magnus' fluffy white towels from the pile on the laundry basket. He stepped over to the full length mirror to dry off, examining the bruises on his back and the cuts on his knuckles as he rubbed them dry. Magnus had run off into New York with no explanation- presumably to find a cure. However Alec knew, deep in his heart, that the time for a cure had passed. Vampire blood coursed through his veins now, and it would only be a matter of time before he felt 'the pull'. He'd have to go find Maureen again. He listed in his head the things he wouldn't be able to do once he had turned- he wouldn't be able to consume 'human' food- he'd have to live off blood, like Simon. He wouldn't be able to go out in the sun, or on holy ground… His head snapped up.
The institute- his home. If he became a vampire, he would never be able to enter his home again. His room with all his belongings would be lost- as would his life as a shadowhunter. His runes would fade, his parabatai would be gone from him forever… Crippling pain seized his chest as he thought about what the future would bring. He would outlive Jace, and Isabelle, and his mother, and Clary- and he would watch them all die. Wrapping the damp towel around his shoulders, he slunk to the tiled floor and rested his forehead against the cool ceramic. No. Quickly he stood, pulling his clothes on and slipping on the damp tiles as he sprinted from the room, slipped into his shoes and out of the apartment. Once on the streets, he knew where he needed to go- the Institute.
Lilith grinned, her tongue flicking between her lips as Brother Zachariah stepped into the room, gently pushing the doors shut with his simple staff. The demons behind Lilith rose to their full height, black and shadowy, towering over Clary's simple form like skyscrapers. The stench of garbage filled the room quickly, hitting the silent brother like a kick in the chest. His nostrils flared and he leapt forward, his bare feet sliding along the stone tiles of the ballroom floor.
His arm outstretched, his staff hit the first demon square in the chest, taking it by surprise. It immediately dissolved into a pile of ashy powder, spreading out over the brown tiles with the draft from one of the warped window frames. The Brother stood, straightened his back and turned to look Lilith in the eyes. Another of the demons charged and suddenly the fight was on- but the brother managed to take out each and every one of the demons in a matter of seconds. Lilith hissed and clapped her hands, and a multitude of demons emerged from the charcoal-black runes on the floor. Brother Zachariah cracked his shoulders and raised his chin, then stretched out the hand not holding his staff. His fingers twitched inwards, inviting the demons to fight. Come at me.
The doors to the ballroom swung open, and every set of eyes in the room turned to face the new arrival. Alec Lightwood stood on the threshold, his seraph blade lighting up the bright blue bruise that was spreading across his jaw. His skin was pale, the black runes glowing with a new sort of luminescence. He stepped into the room and grinned at Lilith. He licked his lips, then sprinted forwards into the thick of the fight.
The smoky demons twisted around the men as they fought in perfect synchrony, twisting this way and that and taking out the demons with a swipe of their weapons. Alec moved like a ballerina, a black swan carving gashes from the creatures with his shining angel blades. His hair flew with his movements, spiking out and swishing around as he moved this way and that. One demon swung out with a massive claw, catching Alec's cheek as he thrust his blade forwards into his chest.
The second round of demons had been vanquished and the team stood together, facing Lilith. "We can't kill Clary." Alec muttered, his eyes alight with the fire of the fight.
No, but we can injure her. Use a seraph blade- Lilith's still weak enough to require the use of Clary's body. This is risky- the most effective way to kill a demon is also the most effective way to kill a human, and we risk destroying things that can't be repaired- not by any degree. Whatever you do, don't aim for the heart.
Alec nodded and leapt forwards. He swung his foot out as he landed, kicking Lilith around the ankles so that she fell to the ground. The demon venom from the cut on his cheek had started to enter his bloodstream- his head spun and his eyes couldn't focus on anything, but he was determined to win this fight. He jumped atop the demon and straddled her hips, the glowing blade of Ithuriel held in the space between Clary's ribs. Her skin bled red when he pricked the surface under her mundane clothes, and Alec's hands began to shake. This was Clary- Jace's Clary. In hurting her, he would hurt Jace. His brother.
He shook the thoughts out of his head, but by now he had hesitated too much. Lilith had seen her opportunity and seized it, grabbing Alec's wrists and throwing him down onto the tiled floor. She grinned, and her black eyes flashed the gemstone green that Alec was now so familiar with. His head was foggy, his whole body feeling like it was sinking into the ground. As his eyes drifted shut and unconsciousness took hold, he felt the weight of Lilith lifted from his chest.
Brother Zachariah stood ready- his feet apart in a shoulder-width stance with his staff held out before him. Lilith smiled, her tongue sliding between her teeth. "Oh, but you can't kill me with that, Zachariah. You and I both know that's not going to happen."
No, precious Lilith. But perhaps killing you is not what I had in mind.