Yes, I know this is only a Monday, and since I updated yesterday, this is actually a pretty early update.
One quick note: There was only ONE review. I'm not really expecting fifty reviews an update, but... one review. I can be kind of upsetting sometimes, in no means of offense. Please review a bit more, no offense.
Oh well, let's begin.
The Shadow World
Chapter Twenty-five
Clary went home, sad and wet. She showered mechanically before lying down and falling into a thick, dreamless sleep.
(((())))
The next morning, Jocelyn woke her again. Clary said what had to be said, ate what had to be eaten and went to school. Isabelle chattered about whatever she chattered about. Clary said the, "Mm-hm"s, "Yes"s, and the right answers at the right time.
No one seemed to realize that Clary felt more hollow than ever before.
Simon was a Vampire.
Maia was a Werewolf, and most likely dead.
Clary walked numbly to Greenburg's class, sagging into her seat. Isabelle had to go to the bathroom.
As Jace walked in, Clary surprised herself by throwing herself into his arms.
"Whoa!" Jace stumbled and caught her.
Jace's friends glanced at Clary, as if wondering why a redheaded nerd suddenly fell into their golden boy's arms.
"Go ahead first," Jace said. "I'll see you in class,"
Shrugging, the gang left, but Alec shot Clary a particularly nasty look.
"Don't worry, there's still five minutes till class starts," Jace said as he settled her down on a seat. He dragged another chair over, so they were face-to-face. The locker room was surprisingly empty.
"Simon's gone," Clary said numbly, retelling the previous night's events.
Jace was a pretty good listener. He listened without interrupting until Clary was done, and nearly in tears.
"Hey, it's fine," Jace said reassuringly as he passed her a tissue. "Simon's a good kid, he'll be safe. Besides, Raphael's there with him. As long as Raphael's there, the Vampires won't kill him."
Without hesitating, Jace leaned forward and kissed her on the lips.
The rest of Clary's body seemed cold as ice, but her lips seemed warm, even when Jace leaned back.
The warmth dissipated immediately when Valentine walked past, holding a packet of files. Valentine's eyes narrowed at the two of them before saying, "Parents present,"
"Hey, Mr. Morgan," Jace said easily.
"Good day, Mr. Wayland," Valentine said frostily as he entered the classroom.
"Guess so," Clary mumbled, drying the last of the tears as the Warning bell rang.
"Better get to class," Jace suggested as he grabbed his books and walked ahead first.
Most of Clary's books were already in the classroom. All she really needed to grab was her pencil case, which she did.
Clary stood up and walked over to the classroom door. Just as she was about to open the door, Kaelie bowled right into her and slammed her in the wall.
"Stay away from Jace, you ugly little witch!" Kaelie hissed.
"Why?" The fear and sadness melted away from Clary in an instant. Suddenly, she felt angry. Who was Kaelie to tell her who to love and who to not love?
"Jace is in danger, and you're doing nothing to keep him safe!" Kaelie snarled.
The Shadowhunter senses came right in an instant. Clary pivoted, her foot slamming into Kaelie's stomach. Kaelie gasped in shock as she stumbled back, holding her abdomen as Clary stood, furious.
"Yes, and I should stop loving Jace," Clary said. "Nice try, Kaelie."
Kaelie hissed and scuttled away. Clary strode into the classroom as the bell rang. Guilt, nervousness and anger boiled so furiously inside Clary she didn't even feel uncomfortable around Valentine at all.
(((())))
Clary was still fizzing with the anger when she stormed to the Institute for her training. Isabelle, oblivious, chattered on about who-knows-what.
When they reached the Institute, Clary was in for another surprise.
"SIMON!" Clary screamed, flew out of Isabelle's car and ran towards Simon.
There he was. Simon stood at the edge of the Institute, pacing nervously and glancing at his watch. When he saw Cary, he grinned.
Clary stopped.
Simon's incisors were sharp, razor sharp, like tiny needles.
"Oh, yeah, my teeth," Simon said. His smile dropped like a stone.
"Happy reunion, eh?"
Clary turned around, and dread settled in her stomach. Jace stood there, arms folded and a scowl on his face.
"Yeah, it's a happy reunion," Simon said wryly.
"Look, let's not fight. I'd rather not have another version of Twilight in front of the Institute." Isabelle sighed as she got out of her car and unlocked the door.
Jace, Isabelle and Clary trooped into the Institute, but Simon didn't.
"Simon?" Clary asked.
"I can't get in!" Simon said.
"Right," Jace's voice was dripping with sarcasm. "I forgot to tell you something. Downworlders are not allowed in the Institute. Sorry!"
"Stop acting so superior!" Clary snapped.
"Oh, I apologize," Jace said airily as he went in.
"Ignore him," Clary fumed.
"Easier said than done," Simon agreed.
Maia's POV
It had been a long time.
Maia was losing hope, feeling just like the warlock boy. Clary was probably looking for her until Valentine threw that fake dead body by the river. Clary probably thought she was dead, and... No one was going to rescue her anymore.
Slowly, Maia released the sob she had kept inside of her for so long. The warlock boy whimpered and sobbed along with her.
"Good night, Downworlders," Valentine entered again, dressed in a crisp white shirt and trousers, carrying the doggie bowls.
"Good night to you too," Maia snarled.
Valentine smirked, set the bowls down, and left.