Sixteen

Valentine paced back in forth of the abandoned warehouse going over again and again what his men told him happened with Mangus and the failed attempt of grabbing the warlock. As angry as he was to learn that not only did the warlock get away, but most of his men had been killed in the act thanks to the Shadowhunters. To say he wasn't expecting them was an understatement. He needed Clary – that was on his list – but with Jocelyn in her magical coma – she was not on his list of worries at the moment. But now with her interfering into his plans twice that might have to change. Along with acquiring Veronica Lightwood.

Valentine knew of the girl and her high ranging of not only skill, but of high importance to the Clave. He used to be of the higher ranked Shadowhunters, and he knew that he would need her in order for his plan to go smoothly. With Jocelyn, the Cup and Veronica on his side he knew that he would unstoppable and easily take over the Clave.

"You wanted to see me boss?" a voice spoke from behind him, causing Valentine to stop within his tracks and turn towards the boy in front of him.

"Yes." He smirked and stepped towards him, gently placing his hands on either side of the boys shoulders "How is the investigation of the Institute happening? Any news on our girl?"

"Veronica has been submitted back to patrol. Her healing from her demon attack complete and was given clearance." the Shadowhunter spoke "She is already patrolling with Jace and her siblings. Also she's not a fan of your daughter."

Valentine chuckled "Of course she's not. She's a smart girl. I want moves to begin to be made on her. Do you have the vials?" the Shadowhunter nodded his head. "Good. Don't use them all too quickly. If her file take from the Brother's is true we don't want things to move too quickly. We want things to slowly begin to happen so her family doesn't notice the change. Then we can take her. She'll be easier to turn after a few weeks."

"Yes, sir."

Valentine smiled down towards him and gently patted his shoulder, before pulling away and letting the boy leave. Valentine couldn't help but smile more to himself as he thought more and more of the plan he had. He knew that Veronica wouldn't come willingly to his side without some persuasion and factors being put into place. He thought of every step. Every aspect. And nothing was going to get in the way this time.

Veronica quickly threw her bag into her apartment and left the door open behind her as she walked towards the kitchen and quickly grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. She has just come back from patrol and ran into a few troubles on the way back. With most Downworlder's knowing that Valentine and the Cup – along with Clary being at the institute – Downworlder's were more and more making it their mission to get information on the Cup and it's whereabouts. She let out a loud exasperated sigh after chugging down nearly all of her water and set the bottle down to the side on the counter. As she moved to take off her jacket, Jace walked into her apartment and rushed towards her quickly, closing the door behind him on the way out.

"Let me see your side." Jace spoke with exasperation in his voice.

"I'm fine." She sighed and rolled her eyes slightly as she tossed her jacket onto the back of one of the bar stools. "It barely knocked into me."

"Veronica don't. You just got clearance and we don't need something else coming along to take you off patrol."

Jace gently placed his hands on her waist and looked down towards her and rubbed his thumb against her exposed skin. Veronica took a deep breath and slowly stared to calm Jace's scent washed over her. When she nodded her head, he reached down and gently pulled up her shirt exposing the bruise that was starting to form along her ribs.

"They aren't broken." Veronica spoke as she twisted slightly and looked towards him. "Like I said, it barely ran into me. We gotta get better on communication. Cause if the Institute catches wind that we're getting hurt on missions they are gonna pull us apart."

"I agree." Jace spoke softly as he pulled down her shirt. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gone off alone. I just..."

Jace groaned and moved to bury his face into her neck and pulled her closer into his chest, before turning his head and kissing her skin softly.

"You can't watch my back and yours too." Veronica pulled back and caressed his cheek softly before rising slightly onto her toes and kissing his lips.

Jace deepened the kiss and pressed her harder against the counter of the bar behind her, his hands moving down along her sides before moving up to fist her hair tightly. Veronica's arms wrapped around his neck and whimpered slightly as his bit her lower lips slightly.

"How is it I can't keep my hands off you now?" Jace whispered against her lips, their breath mixing together as his forehead rested against her.

"Mmm, think it's cause now you know that I'm not mad at you." Veronica teased "And that I actually love you." Jace's smile widened as he started down towards her. "Another reason why we gotta stay together. It makes us stronger."

Jace nodded his head and sighed softly, pulling away from her slightly. "I agree. Are we gonna tell anyone?"

"Alec and Izzy already know." She looked towards him confused.

"I'm talking about the Institute and the rest of the Clave." Jace paused as Veronica's back straightened slightly.

"I don't think that would be a good idea. My parents already pulled us apart once I don't want that happening again. I'm finally home, Jace."

"You really think they did that? Send you off." Veronica nodded her head and that was enough for Jace to believe her. "Alright, then we'll keep this between us and your siblings."

"Thank you." Veronica whispered and grabbed on his jacket to pull him closer.

"Don't have to thank me, Ron. I'm always gonna have your back."

Jace smiled before bending down to once again kiss her. The two were so lost into each other that they didn't notice or hear Isabelle, Alec and Clary walk into the apartment. They all halted quickly when they noticed the two together in the kitchen, neither of the quite sure what to say. Isabelle couldn't hide the smile that spread across her face and the sound of joy that left her lips.

"Finally!" She nearly yelled out.

Veronica and Jace jumped away from each other and turned towards the small audience, a deep crimson spreading across all of their cheeks.

"H-hey guys." Jace cleared his through and reached his hand behind his head and scratched his neck.

"Having fun?" Alec teased as he looked between the two. "We came to share some news with you guys...but it looks like you're a little more preoccupied."

"No. No." Veronica walked around Jace and towards the living where everyone was already starting to take a seat. "What's up?"

"I saw Valentine...s-spoke to Valentine."

"What?" Jace and Veronica spoke in unison as they looked towards Clary in shock.

"When? How?" Jace moved towards her and took a seat beside her on the couch. Veronica had to bite down on the jealousy that was quickly making it's way up her throat as she watched them.

"While you guys were on patrol. I had a necklace of my moms...and I was thinking about naturally, and then suddenly I was in this warehouse. It was foggy around me and it was like I was hovering over it." Clary spoke, her focus mainly on Jace. "And then Valentine was there and he spoke to me."

"Tell them what he said." Alec from beside Veronica, his arms tightly crossed at his chest.

"He wanted my mother for the Cup."

"That sounds like a bullshit trap." Veronica rolled her eyes and placed her hands on her hips "This warehouse, was there any indication of where it is?" Clary shook her head quickly. "Damn it."

"What do we do?" Jace asked turning more towards the rest of the group.

"I had no choice but to send the information to the Clave." Alec sighed, releasing his arms from his chest. "Valentine now as a possible way of seeing into the Institute and we can't have that."

Veronica's stomach dropped into her chest. "T-That means..."

"Mom's coming for a visit." Isabelle spoke, interrupting her sister and sending her a look of empathy.

Jace stood up and moved towards Veronica quickly and wrapped a protective hand around her, whispering words of comfort. The last time Veronica had heard from her mother she was speaking of sending her away on a war that no one thought was happening. And now that Valentine was confirmed to be back, this would only seem as something to further push Maryse's agenda to take her daughter away. Away into battle.

It has been two days since Alec sent word back to Idris, and awaiting for word on whether or not Maryse was coming. Veronica sighed deeply and threw down on a file onto her desk and swiftly took a seat. She reached into her drawer and grabbed a few of her dragonfly glass files and took a dosage, aching for a relief to the pain building in her head.

"She's here." Isabelle spoke quickly as she walked into the Ops room floor and towards her sister, her long black hair flying behind her like a cape.

"Fuck." She quickly took down her dosage before standing from her desk.

The Ops room stopped the moment Maryse Lightwood walked out onto the top balcony. Her presence commanding attention, order and obedience from every single person in the room. Her cold eyes scanned across the room, before landing on her eldest daughter, she turned her head slightly to the person beside her and whispered something, before turning back towards the Ops room.

"Is everyone here?" She spoke out, her eyes scanning more and more over the room. Veronica took that as a opportunity to look around too and noticed that nearly every single Shadowhunter was within in the Ops room. When her eyes landed on Jace she couldn't help but feel a little relief. He stood towards the far back walls with Alec and Clary beside him. He gave her a small nod, before turning his eyes back towards Maryse.

"I want everyone to hear me, and to listen closely. We as an Institute need to prepare." She gripped the balcony banister tightly. "We have confirmation that Valentine Fairchild is alive and rebuilding the Circle." Gasps and murmurs spread across the room quickly, before turning their eyes back. "We need every single of you to keep a look out for anything suspicious. Any activity, people around the Institute, or any rumors you hear while on patrol. Also no one is allowed out of this Institution after 11 o'clock at night without permission and clearance." Maryse spoke. "We are in Code Four, everyone. Prepare yourselves."

Veronica sagged slightly in relief as her mother turned and walked towards the back of the Institute. Alec, Clary and Jace moved quickly through the crowd towards Isabelle and Veronica as everyone moved back to their work.

"Code Four, I think that's a bit extreme." Alec spoke as he stood in front of his sisters."

"Mom always goes for the extreme you should know that, dear brother." Izzy rolled her eyes.

"How long do you think till she asks to speak with us?" Ronnie spoke, speaking more to her siblings than any one else.

"Oh I don't think long at all." Alec spoke as he locked eyes with a Officer from the Clave walking towards them. Veronica turned around to follow her brothers eyes and noticed it was the person their mother has whispered to before.

"Fuck," Veronica groaned before the Officer got closer.

"Veronica Lightwood, Clary Fairchild and Jace Wayland. Mrs. Lightwood would like to see you in the Director's office." The Officer turned quickly and walked away from them before stopping and turning back towards them. "Now."

Alec reached over and gave his sister's hand a gentle squeeze before they all walked behind the Officer and headed towards the Office. Isabelle shot her brother a worried look and stepped closer to him.

"You don't think Mom is going to take her away already, do you?" Isabelle whispered

Alec looked down towards his little sister and could see the worry etched across her features. He opened his mouth to say something, but quickly closed it without a word. Because truthfully he wasn't sure and was just as worried.

Veronica took a deep breath and reached behind her to take Jace's hand and squeeze it, just like Alec had done for her, but before the Officer could open the door he kissed the back of her hand. They dropped hands quickly as the double doors opened and they walked inside, Clary walking between the both of them, before the door was closed tightly behind the door. Maryse sat behind the desk already going through paper's and reports from missions. When she looked up, Maryse stood up from the chair and walked around to greet them.

"Jace! Oh it's so good to see you my dear." She smiled and walked towards him first, before embracing him with a hug. Her smile faltered as she looked towards Veronica. "Veronica...sweetie, you look well."

"Mom." She forced a smile on her lips. "You wanted to see us?"

"Yes. I wanted to see how your training is going." She stepped back "I see you were just taken off of leave from a injury?"

"I'm fine now." Veronica spoke quickly. "All healed up."

"Good. We're going to be increasing your training." Maryse straightened her back. "Your father will be coming to train you."

"Training for what?" Jace asked, shooting his eyes between Veronica and her mother.

"For Valentine of course. You will be trained as well, Jace." She clasped her hands together. "We need our best for what is to come. Valentine won't be taken down lightly."

"So you're sending me on another death mission?" Veronica snapped and stepped towards her mother. "No. Not this time."

"You don't have a choice." Maryse spoke sternly. Veronica took a step back and bowed her head. "Jace, I'm also gonna need for you to go with Isabelle to the Seale territory. They have cut off communication with us and I wanna know why." Jace nodded his head. "Now leave me wit Ms. Fairchild. We have some...acquainting to get to."

The moment she was dismissed, Veronica turned on her heal and headed out of the office, Jace following close behind. They walked quick and briskly and the moment they turned down the hallway towards their apartment, Jace grabbed her hand and pulled her towards his apartment. He looked around quickly to make sure there weren't any watchful eyes before he opened his door and pulled her inside. Jace watched as she let out a scream of anger before walking towards the wall and punching it over and over. Jace walked over and quickly grabbed her, wrapping his arm around her waist and pulled her against him. Her screams turned to cries, violent cries, and she shook against his hold. Jace turned her in his arms and buried his face into his chest as she cried. Gently rocking her. Veronica was the strongest person that he knew, but the one thing to crumble that strength was her mother.