The Point Of No Return


Clary stood at the edge of Lake Lyn, the exact spot where she had woken up at when she had dreamed of this place, although the more she thought of it the more she knew that those dreams were in fact real. Softly, almost inaudibly the church bell sang out for midnight. With each dong of the bell Clary's breath became more scarce. She could hardly breath breathe, she was terrified to see that face again. All she could do was wait, she took comfort in a small stiff feeling in her boot which was a seraph dagger. Jace wouldn't allow her go weaponless even if it was useless. She knew that her life was entrusted to the army of the Clave who were dotted around the lake, positioned and prepared for when The Phantom would arise.

Every moment she waited felt like an hour being dragged across nails. She knew she wouldn't be able to handle this tortuous affair much longer, all she wanted to do was call out for Jace but she felt a sense of duty, she had to be brave and hold her ground.

Suddenly a chill came across her with a gust of wind. Clary's body tensed, petrified of what was to happen next. She ran over the plan one more time, she knew she had play her part and make it believable.

"Hello there, little sister." The sickeningly familiar voice came from the shadows. "So you have come here. In pursuit of your deepest urge, In pursuit of that wish which until now has been silent. I have brought you here that our passions may fuse and merge, in your mind you've already succumbed to me. Dropped all defenses, completely succumbed to me. Now you are here with me, no second thoughts. You've decided."

They were brother and sister by blood and the things he was saying revolted her to her core. Just play along she told herself, willing herself to continue. Clary took a deep breath in and exhaled slowly, not wanting to nerves to show. She could only nod at him, she was sure that if she spoke too soon he would catch onto the plan.

Jonathan held out his hand to her and she took took it, a grateful smile lacing her mouth. He led her to the boat, the same boat as she had once boarded before in her dream. Jonathan began to punt them across the river. She could hear the ore connecting and scraping along the riverbed. Clary took another deep breath desperately trying to calm herself, she gazed down at the the water below them, black as ink. She shuddered, thinking about what could lurk beneath the surface. The plan so far was going off without a hitch. "I have come here, and I hardly know the reason why? In my mind I've already imagined our bodies entwining, defenseless and silent. Now I'm here with you, no second thoughts. I've decided." She said mimicking his words back at him as they proceeded into the cave opening.

The boat knocked against a rock, startling Clary sober. It was almost time, she just needed to get him into place. They were back in the cave that she had woken up in the second time that Jonathan had lurked into her thoughts. This was the place when she first saw him, when he was no longer a voice in her head or a figure in the shadows but instead his true demonic self. Jonathan secured the boat and offered his hand again to help her onto the rock edge. Looking at the cave from a whole new angle was fascinating, it was much more intricate that she could have ever imagined. The cave looked like it could keep going for miles in some places.

Clary reached for Jonathan, drawing him to her and making him turn to look at her fully. His hands fell on her waist and her hands on his face, capturing his full attention. It felt wrong to be so intimate with someone who wasn't Jace and even more wrong that he was her brother. She could feel his warm breath on her skin, making it prickle up in disgust, it felt as if there were spiders crawling all over her. Everything in her body was screaming at her to let go, push him away and run but she had to suppress every instinct she had. She was past the point of no return, no going back now, no backwards glances. She had to complete the mission.

"Past all thought of right or wrong. One final question how long should we wait before we're one? When will our blood begin to race? The sleeping bud bursts into bloom? When will the flames at last consume us?" She playfully purred trying to be as convincing as she possibly could as her stomach turned at her own words.

His grip on her tightened, pulling her closer to him so much so that there was no longer space between their bodies. Clary could feel the heat burning off him. She gasped in shock and pain and he mistook it for a sign to continue, his lips grazing against her neck where her pulse jumped out. All she could do was close her eyes with a shudder, recoiling into herself.

"Let go of her now!" said a clear hard voice from across the room. Clary's heart beated even faster but now in joy and relief. Jace!

Surrounding Jonathan was Jace, Alec, Izzy, and three other members of the Clave's army, their weapons raised for battle, their stances low and firm, like rocks. Clary finally let out a breath that she didn't know she had been holding. She wanted to run over to them, to fight with them but she was still in the vice like hands of Jonathan.

Jonathan looked around sizing up his opponents carefully before a twisted smirk grew on his face. Clary's fear returned instantly, she knew that it was too good to be true. She struggled against him her hands balled into fists, bashing against his chest and pushing with all her strength against him but she could only squirm, like a mouse caught in the hands of a cat.

Everything happened so quickly that Clary could hardly understand. She saw a flash, then a thick grey cloud of smoke. "Clary!" someone called out for her. The sound fell distant as she felt the whoosh of air rushing passed her and the stomach churning feeling of falling. She was still in the boa like constricting arms of Jonathan, he threw her over his shoulder like a fireman would, to get a better grip on her. She couldn't see where he was taking her. She tried to focus her eyes passed the smoke as it began the fade, she saw the small pool and the boat that brought them here quickly getting smaller.

"Down once more to the dungeon of my black despair, down we plunge to prison of my mind, down that path into darkness deep as hell!" Jonathan screamed manically, cackling as they continued to descend lower and lower. With each foot they dropped, her hopes of ever finding a way out of this place became just as low. They twisted and turned through tiny gaps and tunnels, she would have never of guessed would be there, this cave was like a maze. Some of the cave was lit up by lanterns that were hung from the wall, other times Jonathan would be in pitch black. Clary wondered how he could find his way and not slip or fall when trying to clamber through the cave in the darkness. Finally they stopped and he put her down. Behind her was a small stream that trickled down the cold rock wall. She was in a corner with no way out other than to fight her way out but even then she knew she would get lost.

The area around her was one that you would never expect to see in a cave. Rags, tattered blankets and torn cushions thrown onto the floor on a heap that somewhat resembled a makeshift bed. A scrap metal bowl, with a spoon near a burned out fire pit. But these weren't the most strangest items down here. Scattered around were mirrors, at least a dozen, full length ones, hand held ones, medium ones, they came in all sizes. It dawned on her all at once, clearing her confusion with a sharp tang of pity, he was living down here. How didn't the Clave know about this place?

"Why you ask? Was I bound in chains in this cold and dismal place, not for any mortal sin but the wickedness of my abhorrent face!" He answered her unasked question, know what she was thinking as if he were reading her mind.

She was about to speak when she was cut off by distant voices that echoed and bounced throughout the cave. "Find him! He's a murderer and he must be found!"

Jonathan snapped his head in the direction the voices seemed to be coming from briefly before he turned his attention back to Clary. "Hounded out by everyone, met with hatred everywhere, no kind word from anyone, no compassion anywhere Clary-Clary Why? Why?!" He asked her desperately, he seemed demented and frantic like he was a fox running from vicious dogs.

Clary couldn't help but have pity for this man. He was outcasted from Valentine after his experiments had failed them both. He hadn't asked to be his son, hadn't asked to be experimented on but was made to live in the deepest parts of a cave, hiding away from society and humanity as a consequence of his face. Those inhuman eyes. She was torn, while she felt pity she also knew he was a murderer, he had opened the wards for Valentine to attack Alicante, he attacked an institute with a demon army he had raised and tortured Clary more than she was mentally capable of, putting her on the brink of insanity. Did he really deserve her pity?

"Have you gorged yourself at last in your lust for blood?" She spat venomously. "Am I now your prey to your lust for flesh?"

"That fate which condemns me to wallow in blood, has also denied me the joys of the flesh." He hissed back, ripping her away from the corner and back into his arms, grabbing at her skin like a wolf ripping away at it's catch. "This face, this infection which poisons our love, this face which earns a mother's fear and loathing. I had to wear a mask, my first, an unfeeling scrap of clothing. Pity comes too late! Turn around and face your fate!" He barked as he quickly spun her around making her face one of the many mirrors littering this place, planting his face cheek to cheek with hers before spinning her back to face him again violently."An eternity of this before your eyes." He spat viciously grabbing for her left hand and driving rusty and dirty ring down her wedding finger. Clary inspected the ring on her finger, it was a Morgenstern ring like the one Jace had.

The voices echoed again making Jonathan and Clary break away and turn in their direction. "He's here somewhere. Spread out. Find him!" They were getting closer.

Clary closed the distance between them, staring back at him squaring him on. She gripped his hand tightly to gain his attention. He turned away from the voices and gazed at her, listening intently. "That haunted face holds no horror for me now. It's in your soul that the true distortion lies." She whispered wanting to hurt him.

His lip curled up, almost like a dog baring it's teeth as he snatched his hand back. He turned away from her now looking back in the direction of where the voices had come from before. "Wait!" Quickly he threw a hand up to stop her from saying anything more. "It would appear that we have a guest!" Jace came from behind a large rock pillar his seraph blade at the level of his eyes, ready to pounce. "Sir-"

"Jace-!" Clary shouted in horror and yet relief. She was overjoyed that he had come after her but they both knew what Jonathan was capable of.

She was cut off quickly before she could say anything else, Jonathan's hand rapidly clasping around her throat, raising her up so that she struggled to touch the floor. Her tiptoes only nearly grazing the rocks beneath her. She clawed at his wrist, fighting against his grip so she could get a few gasps of air.

"This is indeed an unparalleled delight." Jonathan exclaimed, sarcasm dripping from his voice, his usual sickly smirk appearing. "I had rather hoped that you would come and now, my wish comes true. You have truly made my night."

Jace's sword dropped from his hands with a loud clatter. He had straightened up from his fighting pose. He was now just Jace. His hands were raised in defence. "Free her! Do what you will only free her! Have you no pity?"

"Lover boy makes a passionate plea." Jonathan joked glancing up at Clary, still hoisted in his grip.

"Please Jace it's useless-" Clary just managed to choke out before Jonathan's grip tightened on her throat once again.

"I love her, does that mean nothing." Jace pleaded trying to reason with Jonathan. "I love her! Show some compassion?"

"The world showed no compassion to me!" Jonathan snapped back.

"Clary!" Jace shouted to her. "Let me see her!"

"Be my guest!" Jonathan hissed throwing Clary down on hard rock floor.

Jace bolted towards her, his hands wavering over her crumpled form. "Clary- Clary, speak to me, are you okay?"

Clary coughed slightly her hand rubbing at her throat, purple marks of where Jonathan's hand had gripped were already forming. She had a cut on her forehead where she had collided with a rock which was now bleeding down the side of her face but she was okay.

"Sir. Yes you, I bid you welcome. Did really you think I would harm her..," Jonathan mused, chuckling slightly, making his way around Jace. "...much?" At this point neither of them were concentrating on Jonathan, their eyes were solely focused on each other. "Why should I make her pay for the sins which are your's!" Jonathan growled as he placed a noose around Jace's neck, pulling him away

from Clary and slowly yanking him up.

"No!" Clary screeched as her hands uselessly reached out for him.

Jace pulled at the rope, battling with it, trying to free himself but it was no use.

"Nothing can save you now except perhaps,Clary. Start a new life with me, buy his freedom with your love. Refuse me and you send lover boy to his death. This is your choice, this is the point of no return." Jonathan spoke obstinately, staring Clary waiting for her answer.

"The tears I might have shed for your dark fate, grow cold and turn to tears of hate!" Clary said before she doubled over, her hands covering her face as she weeped. This was all her fault. She didn't know what to do.

"Clary forgive me, please forgive me," Jace barely mustered out "I did it all for you and all for nothing. Say you love him and my life is over...he'll take you away. I don't want to live in a life without you, Clary."

"Too late for turning back. Too late for prayers and useless pity. Past all hope of cries for help. No point in fighting, For either way you choose you cannot win." Jonathan cackled manically as he yanked the rope, torturing Jace, choking him.

Jace hooked his fingers around the rope, creating a barrier between the noose and his neck, finally managing to take a full breath. "Either way you choose he has to win!"

"So do you end your days with me, or do you send him to his grave?" Jonathan sneered at her.

"Why make her lie to you to save me?" Jace barked back at him.

Clary glanced at them both, one angry, self loathing man who had never seen humanity or kindness and the other the man she loved. She couldn't let Jonathan kill Jace, he was right she couldn't win. There was no way out of this.

"Angel of my mind-" Clary began

"For pity's sake, Clary, say no!" Jace roared at her.

"Who deserves this?" She continued on trying her best to ignore Jace. She couldn't bare to look at him anymore, not when they were about to be parted so soon, not like this.

"Don't throw your life away for my sake!" Jace carried on to argue against her. They both loved each other so much, they would both give their life for the other.

"Why do you curse mercy?" She questioned as she wiped away any reminisce of tears.

"His life is now the prize. Which you must earn!" Jonathan teased.

"I fought so hard to free you, Clary." Jace stifled out before Jonathan could yank him up again almost like a carnival doll.

"Jonathan…" She pleaded.

"You've passed the point of no return!" He replied savagely his demonic eyes seeming more crazed that usually.

"Jonathan! You deceived me. I gave my mind, blindly." She explained, remembering the moment and pure fear she felt when he had first spoken to her.

Jonathan's grip on the rope that was linked to Jace's noose loosened. Jace's feet fell firmly back on the ground, as he pulled to loosen the the noose at much as he could, gasping for breath.

"Blindly." Jonathan murmured as he gazed at his reflection in a mirror. His jaw clenched together, fighting back rage. "You try my patience. Make. Your. Choice."

Clary used her arms to help herself up, she began to stumble towards Jonathan, her footing uneasy on the uneven ground. "Pitiful creature of darkness, what kind of life have you known? May the Angel, give me courage to show you, you are not alone." Suddenly there was no space between them, she had leap over to hug him, holding him close to her, in a tight embrace. She pulled back momentarily before bringing his face to hers and kissing him. Clary could almost sense the electricity that ran through him as their lips connected.

Jonathan was bewildered stiff, his hands had let go of the rope entirely, now hovering in the open air not knowing where to place them. He was so shocked that he couldn't close his eyes, he just kept staring at this girl's perfect ivory face, her eyes, sweetly closed like rose petals, and her fiery hair erupting around her.

"Track down this murderer, he must be found! Hunt out this animal, who runs to ground!" The voices echoed again making Clary pull away from Jonathan. They were so close now, any minute and the Clave would be here to take Jonathan to condemn him to his death.

Clary instantly focused her eyes on Jace who still was captured by the tight noose around his neck. She glanced back at Jonathan, studying him, her eyes wide and begging for him to let them go. There was silence between them as Clary waited to see what Jonathan would do, the only sound was the ever closing, marching footsteps of the Clave army. Time seemed to become gruelingly stagnant. The marching footsteps grew louder with every moment, sounding more like the drums of war.

Jonathan, stared at them long and hard before picking up Jace's seraph blade. Clary inhaled sharply in terror as Jonathan directed the blade towards Jace. Clary coudn't help but run towards Jace trying to stop Jonathan from harming him but she didn't need to. The Seraph blade sliced through the rope that was holding Jace, freeing him from the noose.

"Take her, forget me, forget all of this." Jonathan finally said breaking the silence. "Leave me alone, forget all you've seen. Go now, don't let them find you, take the boat. Swear to me, never to tell the secret you know of this angel in Hell." He continued on, becoming more aggressive and unhinged with every breath. "Go now! Go now, and leave me!" He screamed at them hysterically, finally breaking down into a mangled form.

Jonathan inhaled heavily, trying to catch his breath as tears crawled down his face. He sat crumpled on the floor staring at a mirror propped up against a rock wall. "Masquerade, paper faces on parade. Masquerade, hide your face so the world," He paused, taking on another deep and ragged breath. "Will never find you…" He whispered to himself pitifully.

Jonathan continued to stare at himself in the mirror, his hands now coming up to tenderly graze under his eyes. He loathed himself, he wished he could change himself, he wished he had the chance to be a better person but his eyes...they were too vicious for the world to understand. Slowly his eyes focused on the figure in the mirror behind him. Clary. She was standing behind him. Jonathan turned swiftly around to see if it was true and not just a vision of his mind. She was there, his angel. She gave a soft smile as she stepped towards him, crouching down with him and placing her hand over his. She squeezed it tightly before she removed her hand. He looked down at his hand, opening it up slowly. Clary hand was now replace by his Morgenstern ring. He stared up at her, astonished, he was surprised she had come back but was entirely too grateful that she had returned his ring.

"Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime. Say the word and I will follow you. Share each day with me, each night, each morning. You alone, can make my song take flight. Clary, I love you." He whispered to her, tenderly bringing his hand to her face wiping away tears that were now streaming down. She smiled apologetically, capturing his hand momentarily before she stood up, to leave. Jonathan watched her reunite with Jace their hand clasped on one another's as they left him.

He glanced back down to his ring. He was alone again, far away from the prying eyes of everyone, hiding away from humanity. He grabbed a rock from the floor getting up finally before smashing the rock into the mirror in front of him, viciously colliding the rock with the fragile mirror glass, not stopping until nearly every last mirror, except one, as shattered. He made sure to leave almost no remnants, nothing to reflect his ugly face back at him. He knew the Clave were still searching for him and that they would be here at any moment. Jonathan crossed over to the last mirror, demolishing it and revealing a hollow back, a place where the cave turned into a series of tunnels that led even lower. He gazed back at the cave behind him studying at what was left, at what the Clave would most likely find. "It's over now." He breathed before he disappeared, slipping away into the darkness.

It wasn't long after the Clave members came into the clearing, seeing the chaos that had been left behind. Shattered glass, a noose, drying blood on the floor, a hole in the rock wall that seemed to have now been caved in, rags and tattered blankets. They searched for clues but couldn't find anything. Nothing of substantial evidence, except for a piece of paper that had been buried in the blankets. It was a picture, slightly crumpled and torn at the edges. In the picture was Valentine and a small boy, no older than five or six, they were smiling and Valentine had his arm around the boy. They looked happy, Valentine and the boy with demon black eyes.


Ahh! Thank you to everyone who has read the story! As Jonathan said it's over now! That's it. The End!

I'm thinking about writing another story but please tell me first what you thought of this one? What did you think of the ending? Did you have any sympathy for Jonathan? Was it wrong for Clary to kiss him?

Also some of you might think this story was slightly familiar or words were familiar and if you did you're not crazy! It was because I drew a lot of inspiration from the musical Phantom of the Opera! If you type into youtube phantom of opera 25 you'll find all the songs/chapters that inspired me and that I listened to relentlessly whilst writing the story.