Clary P.O.V.
Over the years, I had imagined my death many times. Death by hotdog cart was a very popular one, for some reason. But I had not imagined it to be from a wet werewolf who was in desperate need of a dentist visit. The ugly beast huffed a cloud of the nasty smelling funk from its mouth into my face, snapping for my throat with it's sharp teeth and wide, strong jaw. Unfortunately, while I was protecting my oh-so-precious throat, it went in for my shoulder. I really need to get better at deflecting multiple attacks. I think I screamed, but I'm sure.
I jerked up in the bed, a a scream trapped in my throat. I kicked the navy blue sheets off of me and threw my legs across the side of the queen sized bed. My hands braced my weight behind me, but even they shook. "Hey." A sleepy-voiced Jace asked. I couldn't see him, but still, I could imagine him blinking and rubbing his eyes while slowly sitting up. "You okay?"
"Yeah." I said, reaching up and putting a hand on my shoulder, which was encased in a thick bandage. Three days. I told myself. Three days and then you'll know. "I'm fine." I felt like I could crawl out of my skin at any minute.
"Are you—"
"I said I'm fine." I snapped, and then closed my eyes at the venom in my tone. "I'm sorry—I just—I need some time alone."
Jace P.O.V.
I had to fight every instinct not to go after her when she left the room, but somehow, I held back. I knew she needed the space, but it killed me inside not to be able to help her. If those stupid werewolves hadn't came and attacked the institute so they could bite her and turn her, so that she wouldn't become and Apollyon, then we wouldn't even be in this situation. I used to thing that in your dreams, you were always safe, that nothing could hurt you. That you were invincible. Call me crazy, but I didn't think we were safe even in our dreams anymore.
Clary P.O.V.
The weapons room was dark as I stepped into it. I walked past the light switch without even turning it on. Maybe in the dark, my problems couldn't find me, at least for a little while. I sat with my back to the wall for about a minute, but then I'd had enough of being still. I walked over to the punching bag and beat my fists against it slowly, and then faster. My knuckles throbbed, but still, I didn't stop. "What'd that punching bag ever do to you?" So, My problems could find me even in the dark. I ignored him, still pounding the leather sack full of sand. I beat my fists lightning fast, and before I realized it, tears started streaming down my cheeks, and the sobs finally broke their way free. I leaned my head against the punching bag as my fear poured out of me in body-rocking sobs. There were hurried footsteps, almost like running, and then Sebastian drew me into his chest in a rare show of vulnerability and tried to shush me, running his hands up and down my hair, swaying our bodes back in forth in a slow, steady current from side to side. I tired to stop, but I couldn't. I just cried, I shook, I had a freaking breakdown. This wasn't the time for this, but I'd had enough of being strong. You know when a water ballon holds to much water, it droops, but then, after all the weight it can handle has been forced onto it, it bursts? I'm the water ballon, and I'd bursted. "Hey. Look at me." I shook my head, but Sebastian's grip was too strong. My eyes were forced up to his, and what I saw shocked the tears right out of my system. I saw faith. Faith in me. I wasn't sure I deserved it. "They can't run you down. I know that you can fight this. In three days, when that full moon comes, you will stay a shadowhunter, an Apollyon. I don't know how I know, but I do. You won't be cut down. We Apollyon's can do anything. Okay? You'l be fine. You'll get through it, angel."
"Did you just call me angel?" I sniffed.
He ran the back of his hand across my cheek, and even though his knuckles were rough and worn from years of fighting, they were still soft against my cheek. "Yeah. I did."
"Why?"
"Because you're my angel. My salvation. You made me realize that I had something to live for."
The emotion had changed in his eyes, and what had replaced the faith scared me more than anything in the world could've.
It was love.
*o8o*
Clary P.O.V.
The days passed agonizingly slow, but eventually the third day did come. Sebastian avoided me during them. I just couldn't figure him out. He was the one puzzle I couldn't solve. It was just like a painting my mom had painted once. It was a woman trying to walk through a closed door, except that on the other side, the door was open. I think now I understood it. There are two sides to every story.
Sebastian leaned against the window, gazing out at the passing cars, the ones oblivious of everything around them. Sometimes he felt that he was what the people thought he was. Just another piece of wreckage strewn across thousands. The full moon glared dazzling white, almost mocking him. The moon turned blood red for a second, and then changed back to the innocent shade of white it always should be. He knew she was here. He didn't even look behind him. "Aren't you a little early, Dena?" The silver eyes in her reflection on the window sparkled with something that was purely wicked. "I like to make a grand entrance. I do live in hell most of the time, you know."
"Oh, I'm well aware of that." He turned around and walked toward her. "You know, if you don't hold up your end of your deal, I will kill you."
"Oh, sweetie, I'm a greater demon. I doubt you'll be able to."
"Don't underestimate my character."
"Well, aren't you a fierce little thing? But, yes, as promised, I'll take the lyncanthrope curse from Clary. Still, you owe me something."
"Being a werewolf, and being what she is, it would kill her the minute the curse triggers.I think she's worth my soul. After all, if she dies, what do I have left?" Sebastian meant it. Clary was his everything.
"Does angel boy know you're in love with his girl?"
He didn't answer, just gave a dead glare right into her eyes.
"I see. Well, have fun in hell." She leaned in and whispered in his ear, "Burning a thousand times over is quite the treat." Her hand landed on his shoulder, and as her eyes flashed completely red, he felt the burning all through his veins. He gritted his teeth, but still he couldn't hold back a scream. He heard her scream seconds later. "What are you doing?" Sebastian gritted out, struggling to grab her hand.
"I promised I'd take her curse away. I never said it wouldn't hurt her. Or you. Everything has a loophole. This is mine."
That was the last thing he heard before he felt Clary's presence drop from there connection. A second later he dropped to the cold, wooden floor.