Hey guys! So it's kind of a short chapter, but it's updated earlier than usual, so here you go. There have been some complaints about how there's no Clace - I KNOW. I HAVE A PLAN. But thank you to everyone who left a review, it really means a lot. I probably won't update for a while - finals are in the next couple weeks - but I'll try! (Also, I'm thinking about introducing Magnus to Alec... thoughts?)
Clary POV
I shimmied back up the pipe, blood roaring in my ears. The way they fought… they knew each other's techniques like the back of their hands. They knew exactly what the other was going to do, what move they were going to make - I swallowed heavily, and I realized why that bothered me so much. When Raven and I fought, even just sparring… that's exactly what we were like. I hated myself for it, but… it hurt, knowing that she had that connection with someone else, because Raven… she was the only person I'd ever been able to have that with.
I opened the window slowly and rolled my eyes, trying to pull back some of my confidence. I cleared my throat, an eyebrow raised.
Jem pulled hastily away from Will, his cheeks flushed and lips swollen. Will grinned lazily at me, while Jem scratched the back of his head as if embarrassed. I chuckled lowly.
"Would you two mind keeping that for when you're not in the room that Raven and I are sleeping in?" I asked dryly, jumping down from the window sill and leaning against the edge of the desk. Jem mumbled something unintelligible, but Will just smirked.
"We thought you'd be gone for another hour at least," he said, as if that was a perfectly reasonable excuse. His eyes flicked up toward the open window. "Where's Raven?"
I shoved down the feelings that were roiling inside of me, and examined my nails nonchalantly.
"Busy," I said shortly. Jem raised his eyebrows in slight disbelief, and Will snorted.
"Yeah, okay, whatever. We're gonna leave now," he said, turning back to Jem and raking his gaze up the other man, "There's something we need to do."
"Ew, gross," I wrinkled my nose, and Will laughed at Jem's flustered blush. Jem pulled Will towards the window, and with one last salute from the latter, they were gone.
I collapsed onto my bed, letting the mask drop and the tears fall.
Raven POV
I pulled my shirt back over my head, cheeks flushed slightly. I could feel Katya's gaze on me as she leant against the wall, a smug smile on her lips. I wiggled into my black pants and she chuckled lowly.
"God I've missed that," I sighed out honestly. Katya's smirk grew. Already dressed, she strided over to where our weapons lay in a jumble on the floor and slid a butterfly knife into her boot. She grasped a black handgun and slipped it into the back of her waistband, simultaneously strapping a small gun that was standard-issue into her leg holster. She continued to rearm herself with various sharp blades. I quickly followed suit, buckling on my belt of knives and sliding the other weapons into place.
As I laced up my boots, I felt Katya's arms wrap around my waist. She pressed her face into the crook of my neck, humming an old Russian lullaby. I smiled slightly, and closed my eyes, relishing the embrace after so long apart.
I turned around, kissing her lips lightly. She ran a finger down my cheek, her eyes so much brighter than when I'd seen her earlier that night. "At some point," Katya stated, her familiar accent making the words sound rich and comforting, "We're going to have a long, long talk about what happened in the last two and a half years."
I nodded. I knew that we would have to talk about it eventually… but for now, I just wanted to embrace the moment. I kissed her again, before drawing back and saying, "We should probably go back - Clary will be wondering where we are."
I could have sworn her expression turned cold, but it was back to a smile so fast I must have imagined it. "Yes," she said cautiously, "And - who exactly is Clary? Your girlfriend?"
I felt a strange twinge in the pit of my stomach, but laughed it off. "No," I snorted, "She's more like a… very best friend, sister-by-oath, platonic soulmate - that sort of thing." Katya nodded slowly and took my hand, pulling us toward the door of the warehouse.
As we made our way onto the empty street, Katya asked quietly, "So what happened?" I looked at her quizzically, and she elaborated. "You haven't contacted me in such a long time… something must have changed. It could be that it's safe now - but I don't think so. I think someone is after you, and you need help. So who is it?"
My throat seemed stuck. I had missed her so much - missed the way we could sense what the other was feeling, the way she could tell something was wrong.
"Well - do you remember the Circle?" I asked, preparing myself for a long explanation. Katya nodded, and her forehead creased slightly.
"Yeah, the mob in Japan led by that arrogant British asshole? Everyone says it was wiped out a couple years ago, it went totally off the grid." At my dry chuckle, Katya's eyes widened slightly. "You didn't… that was you? How?"
"A story for another time. However, the Circle… well, obviously you know that Valentine Morgenstern is dead. His son, however, is very much alive. And very, very determined to kill me and get Clary back."
Katya grew furiously calm at the mention of killing me, before she scrutinized my face as we walked. "Why would he want Clary? What's she got to do with anything?" She paused, awaited my answer.
"She's his sister," I replied shortly. Her face grew cold, and she stopped walking.
"I'm sorry?" She asked incredulously. "She's his sister - she's Valentine Morgenstern's daughter - and you're trusting her? Valentine Morgenstern's daughter is your 'platonic soulmate'?" Her eyes were icy. "Need I remind you that the Circle killed your parents? Killed Lilith? Killed Nyeta? And you're just fucking happy to be skipping along side-by-side with Clarissa Morgenstern without a care in the world? Are you insane?" She spat.
I held her gaze, ignoring the burning in the back of my eyes at the mention of Lilith, Nyeta and my parents. "She's not like them," I said desperately, "She helped me destroy most of the circle! She helped me kill Valentine! She saved my life!"
Katya's vicious expression softened, but her tone was firm as she said, "I still don't trust her."
I took her hands in mine and stared into her eyes. "Do you trust me?"
Clary POV
Two hours later, I heard a light tap on the window. I spun around, the tears on my face having long since dried and been washed off. I pulled the window open, and Raven landed lightly on the floor. There was nobody with her. I raised an eyebrow.
"Where's Katya?" I asked. She slipped off her jacket and pulled a soft grey hoodie on before answering.
"She's regrouping in a safehouse a few miles away. She's going to do it - help us."
I breathed a heavy sigh of relief. It wasn't futile - we had a chance now! We might be able to finally live without fear of Sebastien breathing down our necks.
A small, spiteful part of me wanted Katya to say no, and leave us alone. For her to never come back. I hated myself for it.
I nodded, and a smile tugged at my lips. "Your shift. I've been watching these cameras for the last couple hours, and I want sleep, dammit!"
Raven laughed. "Sure, Clare. Go to bed." I shot her a grateful look and crawled into bed, falling asleep almost immediately.
I blinked my eyelids open blearily as Raven shook me gently. "Time to get up," she said kindly, "Time for another day protecting His Oh So Pretentious Holiness."
Not an hour later, Raven and Jace were in the latter's car, and I was tailing them on Raven's motorcycle. We parked in front of the school, and I swung my leg off of the bike, tying my hair back up in a bun. Don't get me wrong, I didn't mind riding a motorbike, but it did get quite irritating when it blew my hair out of it's ponytail.
We met up with Jace's usual squad (Jordan, Alec, Maia, and Isabelle) in front of the school doors. Just as the bell rang, Jace caught me by the wrist.
"Yes?" I asked him, frowning.
"Can I talk to you? Alone?" He asked, looking nervous. I raised an eyebrow at this new side of Jace. I'd never seen him without his cocky, arrogant demeanor, and I had to say… I didn't hate this side of him.
I glanced at Raven and gestured for her to head inside to keep our cover; I'd keep Jace out of trouble. She stared at him, calculating, before nodding and following Alec inside.
"What do you want?" I asked Jace as he dragged me into a little excluded alcove. He ran his hand through his hair, and there was a small blush on his cheeks. If I was going to paint that moment, I would have called in The Humble Angel.
"So, Clary, I was thinking about what you said yesterday," he said quietly, refusing to meet my gaze and staring at the floor.
I rolled my eyes. "Look, Jace, I -"
"Let me finish," he said, cutting me off and raising his eyes to meet mine. "I thought about it all last night, and… I realized that you were right."
I opened my mouth to retort when I processed what he had said. "I'm sorry?" I asked incredulously.
He cleared his throat and continued, rushing now as if he was scared he might never get all of the words out. "I realized you were right, and that I was being pathetic, just trying to screw you. That I was being a coward, because I didn't want to face the fact that I don't just want to have you in my bed - didn't want to face the fact that I actual like you. That I like the way you laugh, and your sarcastic comments when I do something particularly stupid or arrogant, and your glare when someone insults Raven, and…" He trailed off, a blush creeping up his neck. I closed my mouth, unable to find words.
"What I'm trying to say," he added desperately, "Is that I apologize. For how I've been acting. And, if you'll let me start over…" He closed his eyes and drew in a breath, before opening them again and his sky blue eyes held my gaze. "Clary," he asked, "Would you like to go out on a date with me?"
I blinked, shocked. He'd gone from a cocky, arrogant pain in my ass to a nervous but kind possible date. All of the reasons why I could say no - why I should say no - ran through my mind. I would probably never see him again after this job, it might make him a target for Sebastian, it would never be fair because I would always choose Raven over him if it came to that… but then I remembered that Katya was back, and Raven had someone. That Raven would always choose Katya first; and it was with no little amount of spite that I made my decision.
"Okay," I said to Jace, "I'd love to go on a date with you." I hoped I wouldn't regret my decision.
His eyes widened, as if he had never actually expected me to say yes. "Really?" He asked, the joyous surprise evident in his tone. "I mean - awesome! I was thinking tomorrow night, just us, that new Harrison Ford movie?"
I let out a low chuckle. "Sounds good."
Sorry it was so short, but I wanted to get something on here. Please please please review! It really helps! If you have a small request for this story (like side characters you want to end up together, or if you want a flashback explaining something) don't hesitate to review or pm me.
