Chapter Twenty-One

Alec

For a moment, Alec thought he was going to collapse. His heart throbbed unevenly and he was come over with a sudden inability to breathe; his hand, resting on the table, was clenched into a fist. The room seemed to dissolve and all he saw was Jace, slipping a ring on Clary's finger and kissing her, but he seemed miles and miles away. It was as if the two of them were completely alone in the world, but separated by an entire ocean. He hurt, his heart hurt, and he felt horribly alone. Jace was far, far away from him.

"Alec," murmured a soft voice in his ear, but he couldn't look away from Jace no matter how much he wanted. "Alec, come on."

He's right there, but I wouldn't know, Alec thought miserably. He was in the same room as me all along but I didn't know.

"Alec, come on. Dance with me." Isabelle was tugging on his sleeve now and he jerked a little in her direction. "Please, Alec, I don't want to dance with Malachi."

Does he even wonder about me? Did he come here looking for me and Isabelle? Alec noticed how normal Jace seemed. He didn't look like he'd suffered from their separation, he didn't look he'd spent the time since lying in bed, he didn't even look like he'd missed a night's sleep. Does he even care anymore?

"Alec, they're tuning the instruments, please," Isabelle said again, and this time, not bothering to wait, she looped her arm in his and dragged him along.

Alec stumbled and caught himself before he fell, and Isabelle hurried him along. He looked about the room, seeing the faces of so many people, hearing the music, feeling the air move around him as people took their places for a set, but none of it matter much to him, not when his best friend, his brother, wouldn't even speak to him.

"Alec!" Isabelle hissed, and she dug her fingernails into his arm, finally drawing his attention.

"Ow!" he gasped, looking down as his arm where Isabelle's nails were even now cutting into him.

"Well, while you were busy mooning after Jace and Clary, I was trying to get us away from Malachi. Now, we can try and bump into them on the dance floor." Isabelle's eyes flicked her Alec's shoulder, looking for a familiar gold or red head. "I think they're in the middle, so let's move that way."

Alec licked his lips nervously. "Then what?"

"When we get there we'll figure it out," Isabelle said with a dauntless smile, and straightened up at the first notes vibrated through the air. "Just focus of getting us to them."

The music started and the people around them began to move in time to the beat. Isabelle, for her part, hated waltzing music; she had always loved the mind-numbing base of clubs. Alec, though, seemed more certain in waltz than in anything else, and swiftly began to cut a path for him and Isabelle to the middle of the floor. People shot them a few annoyed looks as they passed, pushing one couple out of the way completely. It was difficult with both Malachi and Valentine watching, but as the song ended, the Lightwoods were within eyesight of Jace and Clary.

Alec noticed, as they drew nearer, the way Jace seemed completely absorbed with Clary. He held her tightly, his eyes never leaving her face for a moment, and even from his distance, Alec could tell how completely enthralled he was with Clary.

You knew he loved her, you knew he would do anything for her; are you so surprised now that he's engaged? He wouldn't have changed for her. Alec was ashamed by how bitter he felt. It's a ruse. You know Jace that well; he wouldn't have done anything Valentine approved of if Clary wasn't in danger.

As the music ended, Alec and Isabelle were still too far away for Jace or Clary to spot them through the crowd, and it seemed that people were converging on them. When Alec looked around, he saw Malachi rising and eyeing him and his sister. He was coming to dance with Isabelle.

This is the only chance.

Something of Alec's worry must have shown on his face because Isabelle, sensing danger, threw all caution to the wind and cried, "Clarissa! Jace! It's been so long!"

Heads turned, none the least, Jace and Clary's. There was perhaps two or three seconds while Jace registered what he was seeing and then his face broke into an easy grin, hiding any real emotions. Clary, almost as quick as Jace, let go of Jace and rushed through the crowd toward them, her arms out for a hug.

"Isabelle!" she called, and then collided with her, and the two girls swayed with the force of the energy. Clary drew back, her and Isabelle's eyes met, meaning passed through them, and then she turned on Alec. "And, Alec. Oh, it's wonderful to see you two!" She embraced Alec just as Jace joined them. He kissed Isabelle's cheek and slowly, almost like he was resisting it, shifted to face Alec.

Alec felt a shiver pass through him and wondered if Jace felt that same chill. It was as if he had stepped through a cold shower and all the blood seemed to be draining out of him. Jace's smile slipped for the first time and something very much like loss crossed his eyes.

"Alec," he said softly, and embraced the other boy.

And even though it didn't bridge the gap between them or fix the connection that had been severed, Alec wanted the embrace to last. He knew Jace too well to want to lose him, and the familiar feel of Jace's body was like a balm on his shaking conscious. However, Valentine Morgenstern had risen and was looking down on them, his eye bright.

"What's this?" he asked, and even though he was smiling, Alec sensed a deep hatred, and he drew forward to cover Isabelle.

"Father," said Clary charmingly. "Surely you remember? This is Isabelle and Alec Li-"

"Dieudonne," Alec finished firmly before Clary said something condemning. He saw Jace's slightest frown as he tried to place a name to a face. "My family took Jace in during your…absence."

"Of course," Valentine said, and his smile seemed strained now. His eyes moved to Isabelle and there was a look of cunning there. "Yes…you look familiar, like an old friend of mine."

Isabelle blanched and Alec glowered. He's talking about my mother.

"Maryse," Isabelle said weakly. "She was my mother."

"You're her image all over again," Valentine said with a smirk. "It was a pity we lost her."

"Indeed," said Isabelle, lowering her eyes and Alec wanted to strike Valentine for being so cruel. "But, we were fortunate-no doubt by your grace-and were taken in by Malachi."

This time, Jace's face did register shock and outrage-but only for a second. He turned accusatory eyes on Valentine. "Why, Father," said Clary before Jace opened his mouth, "all this time you've been looking for a suitable study partner for me, and here she was all the time. Certainly Isabelle is an exemplary student and comes from good blood?"

She had landed a blow. "It was the decision of her father," he said thickly, "Well, why don't you four come here and-"

"Oh, but I'm sure they have so much catching up to do," said Jocelyn lightly, plucking Valentine's sleeve and drawing his attention back to her. She made sure her eyes were large and round, her lips pursed, and her neck bared to him. "Let them take the air and enjoy each other's company." When Valentine looked tempted but unsure, Jocelyn rolled her eyes playfully. She said in a secretive whisper, "As I recall, Valentine, you never seemed to want to stay indoors long."

"True," he said and then turned to address them. "Well, go on then, go catch up."

Clary sighed in relief and Alec wondered just what power Jocelyn had in the situation, but at that moment, Jace drew Clary to his side and then gestured for them to follow. Alec didn't need telling twice, and, like he'd done a thousand times in the past, followed Jace wherever he was going.

Isabelle

"Where have you two been?" Isabelle moaned once the four of them were out of earshot of any intruders. They had sequestered themselves in a corner of the room away from the dancing, a window open to let a cool breeze in. "Alec and I have been going mad trying to figure out where Valentine was keeping you. You had me worried sick! I thought you had been locked away somewhere, I thought Valentine was hurting you, I thought you were chained up in some dark-!"

"Isabelle!" Jace cut across her. "By the Angel, you'll work yourself into a heart attack if you're not careful."

"Jace, it's not funny. I thought Valentine was doing something awful to you." She gave him a hard look.

"Does forcing me to marry Clary to keep her safe from his anger count?" he asked.

"Jace-"

"Isabelle." Clary had taken her arm. "We were just as worried about you. All Jace remembered was you two being dragged away, and right after Valentine…split you." Her sympathetic eyes turned on Alec who looked away. He was seated as close as he could be to Jace, their shoulders touching. "We thought you were dead."

"And we tried finding you," Jace said before Isabelle could respond. "Aline's been looking for you all over, and reporting back to us. She said you weren't in school at all, and she hadn't seen or heard about you anywhere else. I thought whoever Valentine placed you with was keeping you locked in a cellar."

Jace noticed Isabelle straighten up and look oddly stiff. "Well, I haven't been allowed back to school."

"What?" Jace asked sharply. "Why hasn't Malachi been sending you to school? You're not twenty one."

"He thinks there is a better place for me," said Isabelle in a touchy voice.

"He thinks there's a better place for you than learning how to kill demons?" Clary asked, flabbergasted. "Has he ever had a conversation with you?"

Isabelle bit her lip and looked away, outside the window, and she was quiet a long time. Alec, stirring out of reverie, nudged her gently. She said in a very stilted voice, softly so that none of the dancing shadowhunters nearby heard her, "The only conversation he's ever had with me was the one where he told me we were getting married."

"Excuse me?" Jace asked loudly, his eyes narrowed to slits. "Did you say you're getting married?"

"Wedding bells all around it seems," said Isabelle sarcastically, but her heart wasn't in it, and Clary saw her lips trembling.

"Isabelle…what happened?" she asked.

She shrugged, clearly distressed. "He said he was going to hurt Simon and Alec if I didn't agree to go through with it. Instead of going to school I've been learning how to…look after a house."

"If you cook one meal for him he'll throw you to the curb," Jace observed, but his heart wasn't in it either. His face was very pale and he seemed to be waiting for Isabelle to say "surprise." It didn't come however. "When?"

"No clue," sniffed Isabelle. "We're announcing it tonight."

"But you're seventeen!" Clary said loudly.

"You're sixteen," Alec pointed out gruffly.

"Yes, but…I mean, my father is the leader of the Clave. He can do whatever he likes, can't he?"

"Well, I'm Malachi's ward, aren't I?" reasoned Isabelle. "If he says it's okay, then I guess it is."

"He can't," said Jace angrily. "Isn't there some way you could-"

"Valentine has Simon and Alec is Malachi's ward." Isabelle looked to Alec who ran a hand through his hair.

"I think he only wanted Isabelle; he thought Valentine was going to kill me." Alec wasn't looking at Jace, but it was clear that he was thinking of the day Jace had sacrificed himself for Alec's life. "Guess you kinda threw a wrench in that plan, huh, Jace?"

Jace smiled sadly. "It's what I do best."

"But, you'll have time, won't you?" Clary pressed. "You're not getting married this month? You'll be able to convince him not to, or find a way to stop him, or maybe…" but it didn't really matter what Clary suggested. None of it sounded like it was going to work. "It there anything we can do?"

There's only one thing to do, and I think we all know what that is, Isabelle thought darkly. "Valentine likes Malachi too much. So unless you can convince your father for some reason to suddenly do you a favor at the expense of him, I don't think so."

Clary looked down like she'd been hit, but Jace was giving Isabelle a very hard look. "So that's it? Isabelle Lightwood, one of the best shadowhunters I know, is just going to stand aside and let some man ruin her life? She's not going to suggest a fight? She's not going to suggest subterfuge? Not even suggest rebellion?" Isabelle still wouldn't look at Jace, and he frowned. "Maybe this is why Malachi wants you, because you're not putting up much of a fight."

"You have a plan?" Isabelle asked, her heart beating quickly. Jace always has a plan, he always has an idea.

"No, but I'm sure if put our heads together we can come up with one." Jace looked between himself and others. "We can stop Malachi marrying Isabelle, get rid of Valentine, and break this bond between me and Jonathan."

"The bond!" Clary gasped suddenly, and she looked about frantically.

"What about it?" asked Isabelle.

"Well, if you're bound to Jonathan, he's sure to pick up on something, isn't he?" Clary looked to Jace. "It might just be emotions or ideas or something like that, but he'll get it, won't he?"

Jace scowled. "He might. I doubt he'd know what it was about, but he'd know I'm happier about something."

"Could Jonathan hurt you?" Alec asked. Truly, he was curious to know the nature of this new bond. Were Jace and Jonathan really better suited to each other, or was Jonathan just being cruel.

Jace thought a moment. "He has in the past…but it's never been anything serious."

"He broke your rib," Clary growled under her breath. "That's pretty serious."

"But not vicious," Isabelle pointed out. "Could he kill you?" If he goes anywhere near another of my brothers I'll throttle him. "If you're in that much danger maybe you shouldn't-"

"I'm going to be a part of this," Jace breathed, looking furious. "I'm tired of being left out of things. I'm tired of being Valentine's good, little boy, and I'm tired of having to watch the people I care about suffer."

"No offense, Jace," said Isabelle with half a smile, "but I wouldn't call you a good boy."

"Well, you can now," he said darkly. "Valentine's seen to that."

"What do you mean?" asked Isabelle. "What's he done now?"

Jace seemed unable to look at Isabelle, and instead, stared at his hand, clasped now in Clary's. Isabelle got the impression that Jace was very embarrassed about something, which was quite surprising. What does it take to embarrass Jace Lightwood? she wondered. He never had anything to be embarrassed by, never had anything to be ashamed of.

"Jace?" she asked again.

"After what happened to Jonathan, Jocelyn was furious with Valentine; he'd taken her son away from her and he wanted to find a way to make amends." Jace shrugged but Isabelle wouldn't break eye contact. "He thought that if he…gave me to Jocelyn, she'd forgive him."

"Give you?" Alec broke in. "Like-like a replacement?"

"Yes," said Jace bitterly. "It's why he wanted me and Jonathan to be parabatai. That way, he could say I really belonged to their family."

"When did he think of that genius plan?" Alec asked, feeling angry for his friend.

"The moment he got his hands on me," Jace muttered. "He said he raised me to be like Jonathan, except kinder, gentler, a better son. It's why he taught me play the piano, sail, ride of horse, everything. I'm everything Jonathan should have been." It was hard not to hear the bitterness in Jace's voice, and Isabelle felt for him.

Jace had loved this man who had raised him, taught him to fight, who was the only father he'd ever known. It must be terrible to know that your life was spared just so you could be a replacement son. It must be awful to know that your entire existence was defined by one man's desire. Isabelle reached out and took Jace's wrist, but he didn't seem to notice.

"That's why he wanted me back, and now, he just uses me to keep Jocelyn in line." Jace shot Clary an apologetic look.

"I was wondering how he was stopping Jocelyn from murdering him," Isabelle said softly as a pair of shadowhunters walked by, looking curiously at the four of them, clustered in secret in their corner.

"Well, he's got me too, and my mom is scared he'll hurt me," Clary said. "If he thinks she's unhappy, he'll blame me and then think the only way to make it right is to take me out of the picture."

"Talk about delusional," Isabelle whistled.

"It's hard for Jocelyn to really do anything," Jace said with a tired look, like he'd thought over the situation often. "She can't even help us because she has to choose which person to protect."

"Maybe my mom can complain to Valentine about Isabelle being married?" Clary offered hopefully. "She could probably think of some reason to make Valentine believe her."

Jace thought briefly of the situation Jocelyn was already in, and how Clary wasn't quite out of harm's way yet. "I think it's best to leave Jocelyn out of this."

Clary was about to argue, but Isabelle spoke over her. "Do you really think there's a way to stop Valentine?"

"It's all about what we need," Jace said thoughtfully. "We'll need help, and I don't think any shadowhunter is going to be offering me or Clary a hand any time soon."

"Luke, Simon, and Magnus are being held in a cellar in the Gard," said Isabelle swiftly. "What if we get them out? Luke still has his pack."

"And Magnus is still the High Warlock, isn't he?" Alec said, his eyes glowing.

"Then we should focus on helping them escape first," Jace mused. "They could hide out in the forest, gathering their forces together."

"Are there forces left to gather?" Alec asked abruptly.

"It sounds like it. When the battle ended, I think a lot of the Downworlders scattered," Jace said. "There are probably plenty of them in hiding right now, and Luke and Magnus would be able to summon them."

"We could get an army," Isabelle said hopefully, and her eyes were bright and she felt that familiar tingle of excitement just before she entered battle. "If we got the Mortal Instruments away from him-"

"I doubt he leaves them out in the open," Alec cut across her very quickly.

"Without them we'll still bound in service to Valentine, though," Isabelle said, frustrated. "We can't fight him if we're his slaves."

"I can make a new rune," Clary offered at once. They all looked to her, slightly skeptical. "It's been a while," she said quickly. "But, I just need time and the right inspiration and I'm sure I can make one. Something that can break us away from Valentine's grip."

"Inspiration?" Isabelle said smiling horribly. "How about me on my wedding night?"

Clary pulled a disgusted face and then rubbed her arm, trying to bring some warmth back into Isabelle. "We'll take care of it, don't worry. Jace, how do we get to see Luke and Magnus and Simon?"

Jace worried his lip. "We'll have to convince Valentine to let us…I could suggest wanting to celebrate with Luke and Simon. He might let us just out of spite."

That's a rather cruel thing to do, Isabelle thought, her mind resting for a moment on Simon's handsome, boyish face. "He's a vindictive bastard isn't he?"

"We'll convince Valentine to let us go visit with them, and leave them with an escape route. They can head out to the forest and the four of us can make plans to meet so that Clary can mark us. Once we're free of Valentine's control the four of us can sneak out to join them."

Alec and Isabelle shared a quick look. "How are we going to actually stop Valentine?"

"With an army," said Clary thoughtfully, "we might be able to attack him and his loyal shadowhunters. While they're struggling, the other shadowhunters might be able to free themselves and run."

"If Valentine still has the Mortal Instruments-"

"It won't matter to us as long as we're free from his power," Jace said with a dark glint in his eye. "It doesn't matter what sword he's got, I'll be able to stop him."

Isabelle nodded her head. "So how long?"

"Give it a week to see if we can speak with Luke and Magnus," Jace said decidedly. "Alec, are you in school?"

"Yes," he said, looking a bit embarrassed that Jace would ask.

"Find Aline and keep in contact with her," he said. "She comes over to our house at least once a week. She'll be able to let you know what's happening."

"Wonderful," Isabelle said, and she was about to continue when a loud voice broke over them.

"Isabelle, my dear," said Malachi, cutting a swath through the crowds of people. "Isabelle, I know you miss your friends but I can't let them keep you all to yourself. We have big news to share."

Oh, go away! Isabelle begged. Please, just go away you disgusting traitor. When Isabelle scooted away from him and closer to Jace and Clary, Malachi stepped up and grinned down on them. "It's been so long, Malachi."

"Yes, I know, but I can't let them keep you all to themselves," he chided gently. "Now come along, dear, I'd like to ask for a bit of quiet from Valentine to make our announcement." He held out his arm and Isabelle stared at it with dislike. When she didn't move, Malachi's eyebrows raised up. "Isabelle, come along."

Don't order me about you-

"Isabelle, right now, or would you prefer I sent you and your brother home to be dealt with later?"

"Alright, alright," Isabelle snarled, and she grabbed his hand and brushed her dress off with the other. She didn't look at Jace, Alec, or Clary when she said, "Let's go let everyone know the good news." Malachi gave her a rather harder jerk than necessary and Isabelle was tugged along after him, her face set grimly.

Jace

If he even thinks about touching my sister I'll drive a stele so deep in his chest I'll sever his spine, thought Jace as Malachi made his announcement. Isabelle was standing by his side, her face composed, but her eyes were blank. I'll kill him if he touches her.

The memory of the way he'd pulled her away like she was some rag doll had stung Jace. He'd jumped to his feet the moment Malachi turned his back, ready to lunge at him, but both Clary and Alec pulled him back. Causing a scene wouldn't have helped their cause any, though killing Malachi would have made Jace feel better.

Now, standing in the crowd of shadowhunters, Jace was fighting a very nasty inkling that involved smashing a bottle of wine over the man's head. At his side, Clary was seething. "He's disgusting. Does he think it's okay for him to force a girl to marry him?"

"Shh, Clary," Jace whispered, but the fact that the girl he'd just promised to marry was shaking with outrage pleased him. "This doesn't mean anything. He won't get the chance." If it's the last thing I do, I won't let him get Isabelle.

No matter how much he told himself, though, Jace couldn't stop hating the man for even thinking he was going to marry Isabelle. Jace had known Isabelle since he'd been ten years old. She was one of his first friends, one of his only friends until he met Clary. She was everything a good shadowhunter was supposed to be: brave, talented, and powerful. She was a beautiful woman, a woman who should grow up to have everything she ever wanted, and if this man thought he could take it away from her, he was going to have Jace to deal with. There were some bonds, he thought, that stay with you, and my sister is one of them.

"What an exciting evening," said Valentine after Malachi was finished, and there was a definite note of malice. Jace knew he was taking pleasure in watching Isabelle Lightwood's predicament. "Two proposals."

"We are lucky," Malachi said, hugging Isabelle closer now. "It wouldn't have happened without your good graces, Valentine."

"Yes, well, I can certainly say that this evening has been a stunning success. I think we can, perhaps, end our celebration with one more dance." He turned to Jocelyn and offered her a hand. "Jocelyn, would you care to join me? Malachi, would you and your fiancé like to share a dance?"

Malachi led Isabelle down to the floor where the crowd cleared. Jace wanted to draw back and spend the rest of the evening with Alec, but Valentine's eye's found him and told him he was going to be joining them. Regretfully, he turned to Alec to apologize, but Alec held up a hand.

"Don't worry, Jace," he said easily. "We'll make this right soon."

"Clary and I will help you." Jace helped Clary toward the dance floor, but he couldn't leave it like that. "I'm not going to be bound to Jonathan. I'm not."

"I know," Alec said, and he smiled for a brief moment. "I know."

Jace wanted to stay, to remain with Alec as long as he could, but he knew Valentine was watching. "A week," said Jace before he turned. "We'll speak with Luke and Magnus in a week."

Alec nodded and Jace took Clary's hand and pulled her toward the dance floor. He set himself and Clary beside Valentine and Jocelyn, and the music started. As the room spun, Jace caught glimpses of the people around him. Most of the shadowhunters were watching him like he was luckiest man in the world, and he hated them all the more. He saw Jocelyn in Valentine's arms, looking perfectly poised with empty eyes. He spotted Jonathan, standing in the crowd, looking dark and dour. There was Alec, his arms crossed, watching his sister with sharp eyes.

It may not have been a perfect night, but it had at least proven useful. He knew where his brother and sister were, and he knew what had to be done now. Clary pressed a bit closer to him, watching him with very concerned eyes. And then there's Clary…

Yes, he still had Clary, and that could be counted as one of the only good things that had happened that evening. When he looked up again, Valentine was watching him and Clary closely.

Just be careful to keep her.