Helllloooo! I'm back after a two-month hiatus! I just wanted to say I AM SO SORRY for promising a chapter practically a month ago…maybe longer. I hope that you guys are still enjoying my story…and please, please review to let me know.
Disclaimer: I own nothing MI related. This is just my lil' fanfic.
P.S. Please forgive any grammatical errors…I was in a rush to get this out to you :D
PART 1 OF 2
CLARY p.o.v.
I closed the door to the training room and slowly collapsed to my butt against it. My heart was pounding. So was my head. Not to mention the nauseating wave of emotion that has taken residence in my stomach; a ghostly presence rapidly declaring possession over me. I closed my eyes against a harsh stream of sunlight, searching for the courage to fight this. I won't give in. But what I found instead was Jace's face, staring back at me. With his emotions carefully guarded, in the end it was his eyes that gave him away. They spoke louder than any words he could have said - he just didn't understand. And how was I supposed to make him understand when I didn't even know for myself? All I know is that I was stung by a demon - a horribly dangerous demon - and the poison from that sting is still coursing through my veins, causing me to have headaches and severe stomach cramps. It reminds me of the time I got food poisoning from Luke's barbeque ribs, minus the puking. But what it doesn't explain, and what scares me more than any demon out there is the fact that my feelings for Jace are suddenly changing, dying. And I don't know how to fix it. I clenched my fists. I was loving my life and now everything is changing and I can't seem to stop it! Just then an idea started to form in my head – a plan. What if I can stop it? My gut is telling me that it's still out there – my demon. It's still alive, lurking, hovering, and waiting for its next chance. This didn't leave me with too many options. It was either wait for it to try and kill me again, wait to fall victim to its poison, or the best but most dangerous option, find it and kill it.
"You okay?" Tristan's voice echoed somewhere from my left, causing my mental image of Jace to fade into the backs of my eyelids.
I let out a sigh of emotional turned physical exhaustion and lowered my forehead to my knees. "Tired," I said. And for some strange reason the sound of your voice is medicine to me right now. But it shouldn't be, because I love Jace. I know I do. I just…don't know.
He must have taken my short answer as a shut up, because it took him a minute to speak again, and when he did he was very quiet and careful. "Hey, look…Clarissa…about what happened at Pandemonium-" He started to explain but I held up my hand to stop him.
"It's fine," I said, lifting my head and resting it against the door. "And I'm fine too. I don't want to talk about it."
"You want to hit me instead? I swear I won't block it." I could hear the smirk in his voice and for a moment I seriously considered it. I opened my eyes and turned to face him. "If that's all it would take to solve my problems, I'd happily oblige."
He chuckled lightly, shaking his head in amusement, causing his dark hair to fall into his eyes. "You're a feisty one." He shifted the blade in his hand and hurtled it toward the target across the room. It splintered the bull's-eye.
"Alright then, let's get out of here, you and me. You up for something crazy?" His light eyes glittered under his dark lashes.
"You mean no training? But I think after what happened I need to-"
"After what happened you need a day to," he drummed his fingers on his chin, searching for the word, "reflect."
I'm not sure what it was that made me say it, maybe the fact that once again my world was crumbling around me, but I agreed. "Okay. I'm in."
A smile spread slowly across his lips and something warm unraveled inside of me. "Good," he walked over and helped me to my feet. "Why don't you put on something," he took in my shorts and his smile widened, "less tempting, then we'll go."
I fidgeted nervously under his stare. Two days ago I would have scowled at him, telling him where he could shove it. But right now the only thing that mattered was that I felt good when I was near him, healed. I felt like myself. "Where are we going?"
"That's up to you. Meet me in the library in ten. And don't tell anyone. I don't need your boyfriend on my ass again." With that he was out the door, all of his warm energy following him, leaving me sick and alone once again.
Oh man. Not good.
…..
I changed into my black skinny jeans and black demon hunting boots - a gift from Isabelle on my first day of training. No reason not to look smokin' while you're slaying creatures of another dimension, she'd said. I smiled to myself and embraced the rush of power I got from lacing them up my shin. I knew all too well that demons could be lurking anywhere, so it's best to be prepared.
My heart was racing the entire way to the library, afraid of whom I might run into. Why did I feel like I was doing something illegal? Sneaking away with Tristan, I'm not sure it would be a favorite amongst my friends and boyfriend. I came to a screeching halt when I rounded the corner and found Alec sitting against the wall, reading a book.
"Hey Clary," he closed his book. "You have a second?" I had a suspicious feeling that he'd been waiting here to talk with me.
"Of course, what's up?" Alec and my relationship had progressed immensely since the battle in Alicante, and I didn't want to do anything to screw it up. We had a mutual respect for one another, and even, sometimes, we could enjoy a joke or two at each other's expense.
He seemed to have noticed my restlessness because he narrowed his eyes ever-so-slightly, just like Jace did when he was trying to get a read on me. "I just want to make sure that you're doing well? You didn't say much last night during the altercation between Tristan and Jace. Usually you like to speak more than anyone," he smirked.
Shoot. He sensed something was up. I realized I was tapping my foot when he glanced down at it. I stopped immediately, trying my hardest to ignore the fact that my headache had gotten significantly worse in the last ten seconds. "How are you handling all of this? Ithuriel, Tristan and Jace, training…"
"I'm hanging in there." I tried to sound as optimistic as possible.
"Uh huh," he mused. Yet another reason I like Alec - he never tries to force information from anyone, even if he senses there's more to it. "So, have you come across anything in regard to the information Ithuriel gave you, any possible leads?"
"No," I said, annoyed with my lack of progress. "And it really sucks. Ithuriel presented me with that rune and apparently I'll know when I'm supposed to use it, I guess. Even though I don't even know what it's called. And then I came across a book that had some information about Asmodeus demons, and how the side-effects of a sting could last days…" I stopped, finding myself on the verge of crying, fighting to hold back the tears. I had to be strong. I'd made up my mind that I was going to handle this myself, and I'm sticking to it. I'll find out what I need to know one way or another.
His face was soft with concern. "I was just doing research on that very subject." He held up the book to show me and it warmed my heart knowing that he had taken the time to do that for me. And with that came guilt for not being completely honest with him. "I haven't found much, but I'll keep searching." And I knew he would.
"Thanks, Alec." He nodded and watched as I rubbed my fingers to my temples.
"Clary, I realize how much of a burden this wealth of information is, and I'm sorry that we don't know much at this point, but I swear on the Angel that we're going to do everything within our power to help you. Understand?" He got up and hugged me, the first hug I'd ever gotten from Alec. It caught me off guard and completely went against his formal way of speaking, but I sighed and rested my head against his chest, taking a moment to just be.
"So where are you headed in such a rush?" He glanced at his watch. "I thought you had training?"
"Apparently today is a day of self-reflection," I used my hand as quotes. "I'm just going to take it easy, see where the day leads."
"Aaahh I see," he smiled. "Well I think that, that will do you some good. Go have fun and get your mind off of everything that's going on."
"Have you seen Jace?" I bit my lip, thinking he must know about our fight.
Suddenly he was the one that looked flustered. "Um..no.. I haven't actually."
"Jace split," Isabelle's voice carried from the kitchen. Eavesdropper. She swung the door open and came through licking something sticky from her fingers; Alec narrowed his eyes at her. "What did you say to him anyway? He was pissed."
"I didn't say anything!" That was the problem. And that's why he was mad.
"Okay. Sheesh, relax." She looked at me curiously.
I released a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Iz. I'm just…I don't know, I'm tired I guess. Can you just make sure that he doesn't do anything stupid? Make sure that he doesn't go out looking for trouble. Do you know where he went?"
"He went to Hot Wings for a drink."
"What? This early in the morning? Why would he do that?" I looked from Isabelle to Alec and back again.
"You tell us," she said flatly, implying that they did in fact know more than they lead on to. Suddenly my insides flared up and I hugged my abdomen out of instinct. Whatever it wanted couldn't be found in the presence of my friends. I glanced toward the library.
Her eyebrows drew together and she stared at me. "Is everything okay, Clary? You don't look so good. And don't you dare lie to me."
Just tell them Clary. Tell them what has you all mixed up inside. Tell them that you think the demon poison is still running through your veins, rapidly breaking you down. They can help.
But what I said was, "I have to go," before hastily turning on my feet in the direction of the library. I heard frantic whispering as I retreated.
…..
"It's about time." Tristan was leaning against the wall skimming through what looked like a journal, he didn't' look up. He had changed into a not-too-tight, white t-shirt and jeans that rested low on his hips. I could see his faint scars and runes reminding me that even beneath his simple attire was a deadly hunter.
"This isn't a date." He looked up at me then, my insides immediately reacting to his presence, beckoning me to touch him; the promise of more relief. No, Clary.
"You're right." Those words snapped me out of my reverie. He mocked seriousness. "I'm your teacher and it would be morally and ethically wrong if we were to be involved with one another."
"Not to mention I have a boyfriend." Was I reminding him, or me?
"Right," he smirked. "And where is he now? Off drowning his sorrows, most likely enjoying the view of the bartender's chest while doing so."
I narrowed my eyes at him. "Just shut up, it's none of your business. Where are we going?" I looked around. "Why are we in the library?"
"Because we're going to portal somewhere, your choice. And this is where the last portal was summoned."
"No." I crossed my arms. "Absolutely not, it's against the rules. The Clave listed only a handful of people that could request a portal from me. They were very specific, and you weren't one of them."
He sighed. "Look, Clarissa, the Clave sent me here in order to train you. They sent me here so that we could harness your ability-"
"My fighting abilities, nothing more."
He crossed the room and gently grabbed my shoulders, his eyes holding mine. "Look, I know you're scared. I know that you wish you could fight alongside your family and friends. And I know how much it tears you up to not be able to do so. What you don't know is that the possibilities are endless when it comes to portaling. There is much more to it than you know, and I can teach you these things. I can help you understand that this can be used as a weapon, not just an easy way to travel. You just have to trust me."
"Really?" I could feel my resolve crumbling. Why has no one told me this before now? Why would they hide this from me?
"Yes. Do you trust me?" he asked again, releasing my shoulders, holding out his hand.
It was now or never. "I do," I said, placing my hand in his.
His smile turned big; the first genuine one I'd seen since he'd arrived here. He nodded his head and motioned to the wall where I last summoned a portal for Maryse.
"Okay, first things first," he released my hand and crossed the room, coming to stop in front of the large framed picture of the towers in Idris. Before I knew it he was opening the picture like a cupboard, revealing a safe behind it.
"How did yo-" I stopped myself. I didn't want to now how he knew the code to a safe I didn't even know existed.
The thick metal door swung open revealing a single rectangular wooden box. Tristan grabbed it, cradling it as if it were a newborn child. Shutting the safe and closing the picture behind it, he came to stand in front of me. "Here, open it." His eyes were glimmering with muted excitement, as were mine.
I slowly lifted the lid to reveal a stele. My breath caught and I could feel Tristan watching me. I ran my fingers down its spine, marveling at its beauty. It looked as if it was made from the purest form of ivory; light beige in color, beautiful runes carved into the exterior. This was nothing like the ones that I'd come across in the short time I'd been a shadowhunter. I released it from the velvet casing and lifted it, examining it more closely. Purity, power, escape…I listed the runes in my head one by one, committing them to memory.
"It's beautiful," I breathed. "Whose is it?"
"It's yours now." I looked up at him in disbelief. "It belonged to a dear friend of mine. He's gone now and he asked me to make sure it ended up in the hands of someone worthy of its power." He closed my hands over it. "That's you."
"It's power?"
"Yes, it's far more impressive than any other stele you will encounter. You have to be very careful when you use it. It will make your runes significantly more powerful, and with the slightest error it could harm you in the process. And when you use it to create your portals you must be precise about your destination, or you could be lost forever. And it…" He stopped himself from continuing.
I looked up at him. "What is it?"
It took him a moment, but then he said something that shocked me to my core. "It allows you to portal to other dimensions, too."
Silence. A long one. My eyes grew wide with disbelief.
His words terrified me, biting at my skin. "Don't worry," he said calmly. "I can teach you."
"But I don't want to know how to portal to those horrible places! Why would I ever want to go?"
"Hey," he gently grabbed my chin, forcing me to listen. "This is all part of being a Shadowhunter. Sometimes we have to do things that we don't want to do. Do you understand?"
I didn't answer, not yet wanting to give in to the idea of voluntarily portaling myself to a dimension filled with hate and murder.
"Clarissa, we're at war. You may not know it, but we are. The Clave may not want to acknowledge it, but it doesn't change the facts. Even though Valentine is dead he still has allies that will return one day. We mustn't forget that. And if you possess this kind of knowledge, together with your abilities, you could once again save everything and everyone you've come to know and love. Do you understand now?"
It was an odd feeling, being held to such a high standard, especially by someone that barely knows you. But it didn't change the fact that it felt good to be needed. It felt good when he spoke of me like I'd be the one fighting to save us all.
I stared back down at the other worldly object in my possession. "I do. Thank you, Tristan."
"You're welcome, Clarissa."
"Clary," I said, quietly.
"Huh?"
"Clary." I cleared my throat and straightened up to meet his eyes. "Call me Clary. That's what my friends and family calls me."
He smiled, another genuine one, too. "Alright Clary, enough with the serious stuff. Where we headed?"
It took me a moment to understand, but when I did, I smiled, knowing that there was only one place I really wanted to go, one place where I could escape my own life. "Idris." His eyes widened in shock, but he quickly recovered.
"Gutsy, I like it." But there was something lingering in his expression that I couldn't exactly pinpoint. Alarm? Before I could think anymore about ithe turned me to face the wall. "You don't need me to show you this one."
I took a deep breath and lifted my hand to the wall; letting images of Idris flood my mind. The warm perfect sun, the soft green landscape, the beautiful lake…I opened my eyes and began. The moment the stele made contact with the wall it felt like my body had collided with a force field of pure, raw energy. I could almost reach out and touch it, feel it circling me; its power making me stronger, clearer; my body momentarily ridded of all the negativity. The runes on the stele began to glow a bright white, blazing a trail of glowing liquid where I traced the portal. I stepped back to look at it, my arms falling limp at my sides, all the remaining energy seeping from my fingertips. It took all I had not to curl into a ball right there on the floor and sleep. Instead I stared in wonder as the solid wall began to melt and swirl, it's edges expanding, slowly revealing a painting inside. Although this wasn't a painting at all, this was Idris, and I couldn't get there fast enough.
I held out my hand to Tristan, who was staring at me in wonder. "You ready?"
…
ISABELLE p.o.v.
"What is up with him?" Nix asked, fluffing her blonde teased-hair and smacking her gum. She was staring at Jace who was sitting at the bar, shoulders hunched, staring at the glass of brown liquid in front of him. Thank the Angel he was over his bimbo phase. She was a fairy Jace had "met" on a couple of occasions back when he was the Old Jace, as we call it. "He always wants to flirt. Is he sick?" It was funny how surprised she was. It really did prove just how much Jace has changed.
"Sorry, honey, but you might as well consider your time with Jace a thing of the past. His focus is on one girl and one girl only these days, and I don't see that changing anytime soon." I gave her a half-assed smile and made my way to Jace.
I sat down on the barstool next to him. "Jace, you alright?"
He slowly turned his head to look at me, expression blank, but turned back without saying anything. His knuckles were bloody but I didn't point that out.
"Can I get a water, please?" I yelled to the vampire that was tending bar, but who was really only flirting with a patron for higher tips. She shot me an annoyed look before hastily filling a glass with water (no ice!) and shoving it in front of me. Bitch.
"I got a hold of Meliorn and he's willing to take us to the Seelie Queen tonight. Eleven o' clock at the pond if we're in." He didn't say anything. "Jace, I trust you so I'm only going to ask you this once. Are you absolutely sure that you want to involve the Seelie Court?"
He turned to me then, showing me just how serious he was. "She is the only one that can tell me what I want to know. She's the only one that can tell me where Tristan went when he fled Idris, and what he found that made him scatter." I nodded, understanding. He seemed to measure me for a moment, contemplating his next words. "And she's the only one that can help me figure out what Clary is hiding."
He felt it too then, the same way Alec and I had felt it. Clary was hiding something. I didn't deny it.
"She's not herself. Has she said anything to you?" He was searching my eyes, hoping to find some sort of explanation, one that would ease his worries.
I shook my head. He sighed and turned back to his glass. "She's been through a lot, Jace." His jaw twitched and his gaze hardened even more. "Alec says that the side- effects of Asmodeus poison can last days, even weeks maybe. It really messes with you, that stuff. Plus, all of the pressure from the Clave, and having to make up for six years of missed training. She's only one person. One little person with a huuuuge responsibility."
He closed his eyes as if he was in pain. "She won't talk to me." These emotions were fairly new to him and he didn't know what to do with them. "She's going through all of this and she's going at it alone. I'm here and she won't trust to tell me. Whatever it is, I want to- no I need to know. How can I protect her if I don't know what to protect her from?"
"It'll be okay, Jace. I don't know exactly how, but it will be okay. We're all family and nothing is going to happen to any of us." I grabbed his forearm and made sure he'd heard me. "I won't let it."
He smiled genuinely, a great smile; one that is slowly going endangered and would soon be extinct if Clary ceased to exist. "You're just like your mom. Except I've never known her to slay six demons all while wearing a dress and heels. You're badass. You know that, right?"
"Why yes, I do," I boasted, lifting my chin into the air. "But it never gets old to hear it," I winked. "Hey, Bartender! Two more brown ones down here." I turned to Jace, excitedly. "Ok, so I need your advice. I was thinking of asking Clary if she would want to be my Parabatai, but I wanted to talk to you first. It's serious, and I want to make sure that you think it's a good idea, too."
He smiled, and I relaxed. "It's a great idea, Iz. She'll love it." He brought his glass to mine, "Congratulations. Cheers."
"Cheers." I grinned.
AN: TA-DA! All done with this ½, which was more of a set up for the next 1/2, but still full of information! The next half is where all of the ACTION begins. I hope you guys liked it! What do you think about Clary being able to travel to other dimensions? Can't wait to see what happens with that! Please let me know if you enjoy where the story is headed. The next part will include Jace's visit with the Seelie Queen. Who knows what he'll find out…Is Tristan all that he says he is? Will he find out what Clary has been hiding? Stay tuned!
A special thank you to all of my reviewers: Story Writer-In Books I Trust-, MyLifeSucks12, Golden-Iris158, SilverGoldsun - .Day., westpointfd, ImpartialMoroi, Fairchilde. I'm going to start responding to all of my reviewers with this chapter! LOVE you guys.
Until next time…xoxo livealovestory
Sneak peek:
"I'm sorry, too," he muttered. "I shouldn't have done that." I turned to face him. For a moment I imagined his eyes were narrowed in fury, but he blinked and it was gone, replaced by the beautiful face of Jace's mortal enemy…"