You guys are fantastic. Great job to all those who have been reviewing and following and favoriting! This story has been awesome because of you!

-L

Chapter 21

The only thing that kept Clary going was Jace. She had to to see him, she had to get to him, she had to hold him again. He still loved her, despite all the mistakes she had made, and she loved, despite everything he had done to her. He had thought her a murderer, a cold-blooded monster, but still loved her. And he had lead her to believe that he was so cold and distant that he was adulterous, and she still loved him. They had both been so prideful and stubborn, why had they kept themselves apart?

She thought then about Jonathon, and how he knew who the Midnight Flower was. Would he be ready to arrest her husband when Jace arrived in Alicante? She realized all the foul deeds she had committed to save her mother, condemned her husband in effect. It was either him or Jocelyn. How could one be saved? Without her Jace in the Gard, then Jocelyn would be arrested and killed instead. How could she choose one over the other. " She had to warn him." she thought resolutely in the rain. She didn't care if Jonathon found out. Kill her along with her loved ones was good enough for her. She walked faster through the rain, a light penetrating the haziness of the night. She had been walking for hours on end, finally passing into the Brocelind Forest. The canopy of trees protected her somewhat from the onslaught of the rain, now only a drizzle. The Ironwork Stop glowed dimly in front of her, less than twenty yards away.

She ran into the clearing, climbing the rickety porch steps, and pounding on the door. Simon opened it, peering at her. "Clary? What-"

"Where's Jace?" she blurted.

He stares at her in shock. She probably looked a little insane. She could feel her eyes bulging, her hair clinging to her face, her voice desperate. "Clary, what are you doing here?"

"I need Jace. I have to talk to him."

Simon narrowed his eyes at her, "And why do you think he would be here?"

"Because I know he's the Midnight Flower and you're an accomplice of his."

His mouth dropped, blinking rapidly. "How-"

"I found the ring in his desk." she explained, pushing past him into the warm inn, heading straight to the fireplace. She rubbed her hands together, trying to return the warmth to them.

"But-"

Isabelle burst in, smiling, but it wiped immediately when she saw her friends state. "By the Angel, what's wrong? Why didn't you use a carriage?" the room was completely deserted.

"What time is it?"

They both exchanged looks. "It's past three AM, Clary."

"What are you two still doing up, then?"

Again, a shared glance. Simon shifted awkwardly. "Well, you see, I can't-"

"If it's about Jace, tell me now. I know already." she told him urgently.

"Just because you know, doesn't mean I can tell you anything. I know one person who I wouldn't trust, and he knows the Midnight Flower's identity. Same goes for you as well." he looked at his feet.

"Am I not trustworthy?!" she yelled.

Simon jumped, rubbing his hands together. "Considering the whole incident with the Blackthorn family, and then Jonathon-"

"I didn't do that on purpose!"

"We don't know that for sure."

She stared at Simon, mouth agape. She looked to Isabelle next to him for support, but she remained quiet, her eyes fixed on the floor.

"Well then, I guess my information isn't trustworthy, even if it means danger to the Midnight Flower."

They both looked at her then, confused. "Jonathon knows about Jace, and who he is. He made a deal with me..." she paused, not expecting this to be the first time to confess the truth to anyone, "He said that he had intercepted a note from the Midnight Flower, which mentioned my mother helping them trying to save Luke. And so he threatened to turn in the information and have Jocelyn arrested, as long as I helped him find out who the Midnight Flower was, he would burn the evidence once he had him in Alicante." she stopped, waiting for them to sink it all in.

Simon's dark eyes were huge, "You mean...you can only save Jocelyn if Jace is to be put to death?"

She closed her eyes, nodding. Simon took a deep breath. "We have to stop him."

"What do you mean? Why now?"

"Because he's on this mission to save Luke right now, with the help of your mother." he paused, "Well, he's supposed to, but with this weather, we can't be sure. At least the execution will be on hold until this rain lets up."

"Is Jace on the road, then?"

"He should be in Alicante, at least. He won't be doing anything tonight, but in two days, that's when the saving is scheduled."

"We have to go find him." she said determinedly.

"Umm, well. I don't think we should..."

"Why not?!"

"Because that's not in my orders." he said with a little more confidence.

"Orders?" she shook her head, astounded.

"Jace told me not to visit him, nor should I distract him from anything."

At this, Isabelle slapped his shoulder. "This is important! Jonathon probably has a plan ready for whoever tries to save Luke. We have to tell him to come up with a different plan."

Simon looked from Izzy to Clary. "You know the plan," she told Simon, "and I have information. You need to take me to Alicante." this wasn't a question, it was a statement that would be obeyed through any measures.

He sighed. "Who am I to go against two women?"

Short again, but these go super fast, so updates will be sooner for now on. Even though not much has been happening these two chapters, tell me what you predict will happen at the end, just for fun.

-L