Ch.14

"Okay, we have all the candles necessary…just waiting for a surge in magic." Magnus clapped his hands together as he finished placing the last candle on his newly drawn pentagram.

"That's if they end up in a world where they can use magic." Alec mumbled.

"Okay, what's wrong?" Magnus turned to his grumpy boyfriend.

Alec mumbled something and sank back further into the couch.

"I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that." Alec shot him a glare, "Don't be like that, Alec. You're acting like I'm the one who jumped into a portal to only God knows where, and left you behind." Magnus sighed.

"Sorry," Alec relented, "It's just that they do this every time!" Magnus gave him a strange look, "Jace always does this! We're parabatai! And does he care? Nooo! Just follow the leader! Wherever Clary goes, he goes! Does he even think to take me?! Not a chance!"

Magnus looked at Alec, surprised, "Are you jealous of Clary and Jace still? I thought you got over that." He calmly asked.

"I'm not jealous of Clary and Jace! It's just… I'm his parabatai! We used to watch each other's back. This is the third time he's jumped into a portal. At least before I could follow him, but how am I supposed to know if he's okay now? He's in another world, Magnus! That's if he's lucky! And Izzy! I'm her big brother! I already lost Max, I can't lose Izzy to!" Alec was tearing at the holes in his sweater in his anxious rage.

Magnus put an arm around him, "Alec, if Jace is okay, you'll know because you'd feel it if he got seriously hurt. And if he's okay, you can be assured that Isabelle is to." He said comfortingly. Alec nodded.

"I know," he said, "It's just so frustrating." He leaned into Magnus and closed his eyes, 'I really hope you guys are okay.' He thought.

888

"In the guild? I doubt it. I would have noticed a new scent in there." Natsu disagreed with Jace for the fourth time that day. He really didn't want to believe a crazy demon woman was hiding in his home.

"Are you sure? Maybe she's hiding in the basement?" Lucy suggested.

Natsu shook his head again, "No. I would have noticed." He and Lucy were sitting extremely close together. It didn't escape the sight of Gray.

After the fight in the forest, they had all gone back to the guild to tell Master Makarov what happened and what they had found out. They were currently in the infirmary. Clary had placed another iratze on Jace, to try and heal his acid attacked face. It was working very slowly, but at least it was working. He was able to see out of both of his eyes now.

"I'm telling you, she's in here somewhere. Are you sure no one new joined the guild? Or anything like that?" The Fairy Tail mages shook their heads.

"No. I've even asked Mira-Jane earlier, and she said no one new has come in or out for at least a month." Lucy stated. She stood up and stretched, "Speaking of Mira, I'm hungry! Does anybody want anything?" Lucy offered. Everyone stood up except Natsu and Gray.

"I am! And that chicken looked delicious!" Simon drooled. Isabelle rolled her eyes at her boyfriend, and followed Lucy out of the room.

"Natsu, can I talk to you for a minute?" Gray asked.

Natsu shot him a curious look. 'Natsu? Not flame brain? Must be serious.' "Yea, I guess. What's up?"

"What happened while you two were gone?" Gray asked.

Natsu gave him a blank look, "We already told you. We ran into those weirdo's. And they brought us back here."

"No, you moron! I mean between you and Lucy!" Gray punched him in the back of the head.

"What was that for!?" Natsu yelled in pain.

"Answer the question!" Gray yelled back.

"Nothing happened between us, Ice princess!" Natsu denied, rubbing his head.

"Yeah right," Gray smirked, "Even I noticed how close you two are now. Holding hands, hugging? C'mon man. When did you start dating?" He knew it wasn't the time to be harassing Natsu about his relationship with Lucy, but he needed something to take his mind off of Juvia.

"Nothing happened! I told you already."

"They liiiike eachother!" A small voice joyfully cried out. Natsu looked up.

"HAPPY!" He cried. He caught the blue exceed in a hug, "I missed ya, buddy!" He laughed.

"Natsu! I'm so happy you're back! I was so worried! Happy cried.

"We're back now, buddy. And we're not leaving again!" Natsu promised.

"So Happy, Natsu and Lucy are dating." Gray butted in, ruining the moment.

"WHAAAT!?" Happy shrieked, "Natsu! You didn't tell me!?" Happy looked at Natsu with huge eyes, making him feel guilt in his chest.

"I…what…Gray!" Natsu punched Gray, making him fall over, "Lucy and I are not dating!"

"Natsu!" Natsu glanced at the door to the infirmary. Lucy was standing there. How much of this conversation did she hear?

"Uh…yea?" He asked, his fist several inches from Gray's face.

"I think I know where Lilith is!"

888

Jace and Clary had left the guild, deciding to go explore Magnolia for a bit. "I can't believe how beautiful it is here." Clary breathed.

Jace nodded, "I know what you mean. It reminds me of Alicante." He said. The rolling hills and old style homes definitely made him miss the shadowhunter home country.

"Do you think we'll ever make it back?" Clary asked, voicing the worry they both had.

"Once we find Lilith, we'll be able to." He pulled Clary close, "We got out of Hell didn't we? We'll get out of here to." He promised her. She smiled against his shoulder. "Do you want another iratze on your eye? I'm worried it's going to scar." Jace accepted gladly, and closed his eyes as she traced a healing rune onto his face.

"You know, Clary, I think this stele makes your runes even better." He joked, pleased she hadn't lost it yet.

"Actually, I think you're right. The admas and crystal seem to make it stronger. My runes usually don't feel this easy to draw." She agreed. She felt a shove from the back. She scrambled to straighten herself before she took Jace's eye out.

"Excuse Juvia. Juvia must see Gray-Sama." The woman who bumped her stepped around her. She had a cloudy look in her eye, almost as if she weren't aware of what she was doing.

"Juvia? Why do I know…Wait! You're friends with Lucy and Natsu, right?" Clary asked.

The woman, Juvia, spun around, "WATER SLICER!" She screamed. Blades of water slashed Clary's clothing, leaving bright red cuts on her skin. Clary stood in slight shock. Juvia turned around, and continued walking as if she hadn't even noticed Clary.

"Clary! Clary! Are you okay? Clary answer me!" Jace shook Clary's shoulders. She turned her eyes up to meet Jaces.

"It hurts." She touched her side and pulled red fingers away.

"It's okay, Clary. It's okay. Give me your stele." Jace gently pulled her stele away from her bloodied fingers. He drew an iratze rune on her. She felt the pain melt away, and Jace could see her cuts healing.

"What was that about?" She said to herself.

Jace gripped her hand tightly, "I don't know, but if that's Juvia, we should probably get back to the guild and let the others know." He walked ahead of Clary as they made their way back.

"I just hope Juvia doesn't get back before us." He muttered. If Juvia could hurt Clary with just water, what was she capable of under Lilith's magic?