A/N: I apologize that I have not been writing, a lot has been going on in my life. I lost my grandfather and with him I lost my will to write for a while. Though I am back it will take a while to really get back into the feel again so please bare with me.

Chapter Fourteen

As Jace was able to move the piano he rushed to aide us only to find the demon withering in on herself, its black blood gurgling about. Clary rushed out of the apartment grabbing the cup and placing it back inside the tarot card. Jace looked shocked if not impressed that the demon was dead. Catching our breathe silence reigned through the now destroyed foyer. Emotionally taxed Clary eagerly leapt into Simon's open arms just glad he was safe. I couldn't help but notice Jace looked dejected at this action but he quickly turned his attention towards me.

"Are you alright Riley?" he asked stepping a bit closer looking for any serious wounds besides the scrapes and bruises. Not trusting my voice at the moment I just nodded before gasping.

"Alec!" I quickly turned to run back into Dorthea's apartment, Jace not far behind. Isabelle was at her brother's head trying to use her stele to heal the demon bite on Alec's neck.

"Jace, the rune's not working." The anguish in Isabelle's voice was enough to crush my heart. Alec was her older brother and now he lay dying in front of her. I knelt beside Jace as he checked the wound over himself before meeting Isabelle's eyes again.

"We should get him back to the Institute, Hodge will know what to do." Jace stated quietly before quickly hefting Alec over his shoulder and out the door. Silently we all followed but not without haste.

Back at the Institute Isabelle barked orders as we entered the infirmary. "Simon you follow me." She led him to a counter where she instructed him to cut up bandages. As Jace lay Alec on the bed I stepped up to the other side to look at the significance of the bite. I didn't get far before I incurred the wrath of Isabelle. "Get away from him!"

"Isabelle calm down…" Jace started only for Isabelle to completely cut him off.

"No, this wouldn't have happened if she wasn't there." She growled turning her attention back at me, "This is your fault! If my brother dies it will be on your hands."

"Isabelle…" Jace said calmly his thoughts obviously occupied elsewhere.

"I'm sorry…. I, I'm sorry." I whispered quietly backing away from the bed.

"Clary, take Riley and go get Hodge." Jace suggested most likely to give Isabelle room to calm down and treat her brother as best as she could. Clary grabbed my arm to steer me out of the room.

My steps were quick but my head was not registering the direction in which I was rushing. I stopped momentarily as my emotions won their internal battle. "Clary she's right Alec is dying and it's my fault." Tears freely falling as I spoke. "I don't want him to die." I gasped realizing that even though I had met him days ago Alec held an important place in my heart.

"Listen to me, Isabelle is upset. Alec made his own decision. Come on we need to get Hodge."

Reaching the library I noticed Hodge sitting at a desk reading over something. I would never tell Clary but something seemed off about him, like I could no longer trust him.

"Hodge! Alec, he's getting worse." Clary called running down the stairs pulling Hodge's attention. I stood in the doorway cautious.

"I know, I already sent for someone." I tipped my head in confusion, who could he have possibly sent for. "Did you get the cup?" Clary silently placed the tarot card containing the Mortal cup on to a nearby desk, Hodge joining her. He looked confused or maybe it was hopeful as Clary steadied her breathing before reaching into the tarot card and pulling out the holy object. She handed it over to Hodge who held a brief smile, in awe that he was holding the Shadowhunters salvation.

"What now?" Clary asked, pulling Hodge from his moment. She spared a quick glance back at me before turning her full attention on the man in front of her. I didn't trust the look on his face as he ignored Clary and proceeded to walk towards the circular portal that divided the two stairways. "Hodge?"

"You have no idea what it is like…" he started, fiddling with something with the portal I couldn't see from where I stood. Hesitantly I made my way closer. "Living with the Clave's curse…"

"Hodge stop…." I began but he just went on speaking as if he hadn't even heard me.

"Unable to step so much as a foot outside. Afraid to even open a window. Try not to judge me to harshly girls." He finished as the portal open a man emerged from the bright blue glow.

"Hodge what have you done?" Clary asked clearly frightened. I had the sinking suspicion that this man was Valentine. Hodge wouldn't make eye contact as he held out the cup for the man to take. Valentine hesitated momentarily as he gazed upon Clary, from my vantage point I could hardly tell what he was thinking before he turned to Hodge and took the cup raising it to his forehead as if he was praising it.

"I always knew you would bring me the cup… I just did not think you would bring the thing I needed most to make it work." Valentine stated coldly as he spared a glance at me. The look in his eyes making my blood run cold.

"Where is she?" Clary asked drawing his attention back to her, the look she cast me told me to run as Valentine pointed into the portal. I assumed he showed Clary her mother. "You got what you want now let her go." Clary demanded using it as a distraction to give me the chance to flee. I didn't like this one bit but I knew I had to leave her, I had to warn the others. I backed quietly from the room as Valentine continued to speak to Clary, I prayed Hodge would not let on that I was gone as I raced through the halls of the Institute back to the others.