(Chapter 21)
(Ronnie's POV)
Today was the first morning of the twins at the Institute and of Jace's strict new, rules. I understood why he had them in place since he was instructing a bunch of semi-dangerous misfits with the exception of his children, Ramon, and James. I was kind of in my own category of dangerous though, because I had everyone's worst fear inside of me. Last night, I slept on Magnus's and Alec's floor (much to Alec's displeasure) because they wanted to make sure Sebastian didn't try to overtake me in my sleep. I would be sleeping on Jace's floor tonight and I think I would rather stab my eye out with a fork.
After Magnus checked over to me, I was allowed to go to my room and get ready for another day of Jace running his mouth. I was dressed in black gear with my hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail. I looked myself in the mirror, and I didn't recognize myself anymore. My face had sunken in and my eyes had bags under them, and it was all because of Sebastian Morgenstern and the Herondales.
I turned away from the mirror and made my way down the hall towards the library where Jace held his lessons for the twins, Jack, Ramon, and I. James and Tessa had their own lessons which were taught by Isabelle and sometimes Alec. I didn't mind being taught separately from James and Tessa, we were getting the same education just at a different pace. It really did not matter to me.
I walked into the library and I saw a white board had been put up. There were also individual desks all set up next to each other in the center of the library. Jace was actually transforming this place into an actual classroom. I scowled at the thought as I walked to one of the desks. I was the first one here, Jace hadn't even come in yet.
"You're the only punctual one, I'm afraid." Jace called from a corner of the library. It seemed he had been in here after all. "I'm not surprised."
I simply rolled my eyes as I turned in my wooden seat to look at him. "I know how to keep time." I replied neutrally, my eyes taking in his form.
"That you do," Jace chuckled, his golden eyes danced with amusement. He came to the front of the room where the whiteboard was.
The library door slammed open and the twins came in like a tornado. Both of them seemed to have stuffed their pockets with all sorts of things because the pockets were bulging. I watched as they came in and sat on either side of me with a grin.
"Morning Ronnie!" They said at the same time, a scheming look in their eyes.
"Morning," I replied skeptically watching as they shared grins with one another before turning and looking at Jace.
Coming in not so far behind the twins, were Luke, Ramon, and Jack. Luke looked like he had woken up on the wrong side of bed, and Ramon mirrored his look. Ramon always looked like that though, so I wasn't surprised. Jack simply had his hands in his pocket as he took a seat next to one of the twins. I think he sat next to Daniel, but they were identical, I wasn't for certain though. Luke sat next to another one of the twins and Ramon next to Luke.
Jace turned around and his eyes were drawn immediately to the twins whose pockets were busting at the seams. "You both know if something explodes in the class I will hang you by your ears?" Jace asked the two of them with a half serious expression on his face.
Daniel and David just grinned over at Jace. "We would never do such thing." Daniel announced with a smug look on his face.
Jace rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Right," he said before turning to the rest of us. "Did everyone sleep well?"
"I slept on the floor so-" I started but I was then cut off by Jace.
"Alright, pull out a piece of paper. We're going over the Dark War." Jace said and there were a collective round of groans except for Jack. Jack seemed to have some concern over the topic.
"Jace," Jack said, interrupting the process of Jace beginning to write something on the board. "Do you think now is a good time to talk about this? I mean, with everything going on?" He asked looking pointedly at me.
I frowned, what was he going on about? I didn't know what the Dark War was. Everyone else seemed to, but they had grown up around here. "What is he talking about?" I asked Jace with a frown in Jack's direction.
Jace ran a hand through his hair and put down the marker he was using to write things on the board with. "The Dark War was the war that was fought against Sebastian Morgenstern. That is what he is referring to." Jace said addressing me first before turning to Jack. "This is a vital part of our history and I think it's relevant more than ever. If I didn't think everyone in this room was able to handle it, then I wouldn't be giving this lesson. There is a reason James and Tessa are taught separately then you guys."
I pursed my lips at the mention of my father's name. I was going to learn in detail about the things he has done and how they have affected the people around him. I have learned a little about it from Jace and a good portion from Sebastian's journals, but he never outright calls it The Dark War.
"Are there anymore questions?" Jace asked looking around and when the room was silent he cleared his throat. "Right, now this is a very serious conversation." He gave a pointed look at the twins and at Luke. "So, I expect you to all treat it as such, is that clear?" Jace said and we all nodded our heads. Even the twins were taking this seriously.
"Who can tell me something about The Dark War?" Jace asked us, his eyes surveying the room. I looked over and saw that Jack's hand was the only one raised. This came as a shock to me, because by now in most lessons he would be passed out. Jace mirrored my look of surprise. "Go ahead Jack."
"It was one of the worst wars the Shadowhunters have ever seen. The two sides included the Shadowhunters and the Endarkened. A lot of people died." Jack said, his green eyes watched the board as Jace wrote Endarkened and Shadowhunters on the board in black marker.
"Good Jack," Jace praised him before turning back around to the rest of us. "Who can tell us what an Endarkened is?"
This time, Luke's hand went up. Jace nodded to his son giving him approval to speak his mind. "Endarkened warriors are people who drank from Sebastian's form of the mortal cup and turned their angel blood against them. It gave Sebastian the ability to control them and use them to kill their loved ones and anyone who got in his way. Who knows? Maybe his daughter has the ability." Luke said with a smirk on his face. He knew that last part stung.
"Well if she does," I said speaking up. "You'll be the first one she uses it on." I said cheekily, and Luke rose to his feet an angry look on his face.
"Stop it!" Jace snapped looking at the both of us. "Luke, sit down you know that was far from okay. This is an intelligent discussion, not a rage filled or provoking one." Jace reprimanded his son before turning to me. "Ronnie, you know better than to say those type of things. What if someone other than us had heard that? Do you know that could have gotten you killed on the spot, no matter what you meant by it." Jace snapped at me.
This was so unfair, Jace was angrier at me than Luke who actually made the snide comment. Everything was always my fault because I was born. Did I choose to be born with demon blood? Did I decide to be raised by a mother who is a demon and not really my mother? Did I choose to be a monster? No, none of these things were my choice. Nothing is ever my choice.
"Now," Jace said clearing his throat and bringing back the conversation to the Dark War much to my annoyance. "An Endarkened Warrior is someone who drank from Sebastian's cup. They were individuals who were completely loyal to him." Jace sighed as if this wasn't working before turning to us.
"Sebastian Morgenstern was a very…unstable person. He wanted to burn down the world just for the hell of it and he wanted demons to rule. For whatever reason, even hell cannot kill Sebastian. He is very much alive, just not alive enough to resurface out of hell." Jace said bluntly, and he looked directly at me. It was almost as if he was telling me something directly. "That's why we are talking about the Dark War. Jack was not wrong when he said this is not the best time to have this conversation."
I looked over at Jack who was sitting stoically while Daniel snatched his pen to write something down. For once, Daniel and David looked serious. Luke's and Ramon's faces were both ashened which they had a right to be so. From what Jace has told me while I have been here, the war directly revolved him, Clary and the Lightwoods.
"But," Jace continued on, rubbing a hand across his face. "We need to prepare. If Sebastian ever managed to bring himself out of hell, ruin would ensue. The Consul does not believe it is possible even though I have given her vague details of what has happened." He said turning his attention on me.
"I thought I was here, so you could keep me alive," I grumbled looking down. If the Consul wanted to kill me so bad, wouldn't this be the perfect excuse? She could claim Sebastian was possessing me or something. People would believe it.
Jace sighed again, he seemed to not know how to combat that expression. No one did, the room was silent because we were all trying to understand the situation. Sebastian needed me to bring him back, but what if he found another way? That would explain why he hasn't tried to make another appearance in broad daylight. I think Jace was thinking the same thing and that's why we were having this conversation.
The nightmare of seeing my father in person made the marks on my back sting more than usual. Magnus's herbs and spells helped with the pain, but it would never truly go away. The pain was a comfort though, it meant I was still alive. If my father came back I'm not sure I would be alive, or I would suffer a worse fate. I wasn't really into suffering Sebastian's wrath again.
"If Sebastian comes back," David said from beside me, his green eyes full of thought. "How are you going to make sure he….you know…doesn't come back again?" He posed the question to Jace.
Jace simply shook his head. "I wish I had a good answer but, I need the Consul to be open to the possibility that Sebastian could. The Clave has resources, things they have saved up for occasions as drastic as this, there are measures in place, but I don't know if we would be able to have access to them."
"Well this is just fantastic," Ramon grumbled, a scowl lighting up his face. "Sebastian is going to be coming back and we're going to be the first one he targets with his stupid kid here," Ramon said glaring directly at me.
Jace quickly stepped in before I had time to reply. He put his hand up asking for me to be patient. "Well Ramon, we would be the first he goes after anyways. Our family is the reason he is where he is. He is going to be more than a little pissed." Jace informed him, that earned a chuckle from the twins. "And our family is special to him."
Luke frowned as he now offered his input. "Why is our family special? Is it because of Mom?" Luke asked with a shake of his head.
"Yes Luke," Jace said with a troubled look in his eyes. "Sebastian will want Mom."
I couldn't help but feel as if the world was ending. It sounds very dramatic, but Sebastian being back is a game changer. I needed him to tell me about my own mother, not the Mom who raised me. I also need to make sure he doesn't hurt anyone. I may not like Jace or his family, but I did not wish them any harm. They were good people, no matter how annoying they acted. The twins also didn't deserve his wrath even if they were punks. And Jack, Jack was just like me. He had a parent that was disappointed in him. Sebastian would use that and twist him to his will.
Class ended an hour earlier than usual. I think it was because of how dark the conversation was. I started to stand up when Jack came over to me. "Meet me in the garden in an hour." He said, and without waiting for an answer he walked away.
What the hell was that about?