Welcome back, sorry I couldn't write for a few days.
But I hope this chapter was worth the wait !
Chapter 27…
{Clary's POV}
The sickening smell engulfed me.
The stench of my own burning flesh scorched my throat as I fought for air.
Pain lanced through my body, surging through all of my muscles and bones.
And I could do nothing to stop it.
It was then I realised that I could hear him.
His malevolent laughter vibrated in my ears.
I twisted around to see my father towering over me, as I lay helplessly on the cold concrete.
He was holding the whip.
Gasping, I noticed the whip was lanced with fire.
I tried to shuffle back, away from him.
But my boots scraped uselessly, some invisible force concealing me to the spot.
The whip snapped across my face, and I could feel the fresh blood pouring down.
He then knelt down so we were eye level and spoke,
"There are 2 more trial's Clarissa. I'm going to find you little bellator"
My whole body was shaking violently.
Wait, no.
Somebody was shaking me.
I leapt up out of my bed, colliding with someone harshly.
They must have been standing over my bed, because I had now knocked them over.
I had landed awkwardly and was now stradling their hips.
Preparing myself to punch them across the face, I felt two steady - yet powerful - hands grasp at my wrists.
It was only then I heard his voice.
"Clary! Clary, please calm down. It's me. Jace"
The soft pleading of his voice made me relax instantaneously.
My eyes connected with his as I looked down at him.
My hair tumbling down over my shoulders as I did.
He smiled back up at me,
"Is this how you wake up every time?"
He grinned, flashing his perfect white teeth as he spoke.
My lips tugged up at the corners,
"Nah, I just save this kinda stuff for you Blondie"
I winked jokily at the end.
He was about to respond when I felt a flood of pain wash over my back.
{Jace's POV}
I don't think Clary was aware of the very intimate position we were in as she joked.
I was about to point it out, but her normally fiery green eyes went a sudden hard pale colour.
"Clary?"
I whispered.
She crumpled onto my chest, a barely audible wince escaping her lips.
Her head was resting in between my neck and shoulder.
But it felt right, as if there was a specific dent right there where her head fit perfectly.
Breaking me out of my thoughts, I heard her murmur something to me.
"Jace, my back. How long have I been out?"
I gulped slightly, wishing she would not panic too much.
"Urm, 3 days Clary."
Her whole body seemed to go still, if I hadn't known any better I would have thought she had fallen into a sudden sleep, or even died - that's how motionless her body became.
Suddenly, she then placed both hands on my shoulders and pushed herself back up into a sitting position.
I saw her face flush slightly as she realised our compromising position.
Cautiously, Clary rose from my hips and moved to sit cross legged - leaning her side against one of the bed posters instead of her back.
Obviously wary of the healing marks on her back.
"Wait, let me get this straight. I have been a sitting duck in bed for 72 hours?"
Her voice was a mixture of worry and anger.
"I wouldn't exactly call you a sitting duck"
Magnus had obviously entered the room silently. He always seemed to move as swift as a cat - something I secretly envied of him.
"Because, biscuit my wards are strong enough to even conceal your power from others"
Clary shot a low glare at him before speaking,
"I do not care for your pet names Warlock"
She scowled.
"I'm sure what Clary meant is that we are extremely grateful for your circumstances"
I swooped in to correct Clary quickly.
"Don't speak too soon Nephilim. I have not yet demanded my price"
Clary's eyes snapped up to Magnus',
"What price?"
She demanded.
"You see biscuit-"
Clary once again scowled at Magnus's continued use of her nickname - I smirked slightly.
"-you are very unique, which I assume you are already aware of. However I need to take a sample of your blood as payment"
{Izzy's POV}
"Alec, it's been 3 days. Tell me again why we haven't gone and dragged Jace's ass back here?"
I pleaded with my brother.
"Because dear sister, I think we should give Jace until the end of tomorrow to decide he should come home by himself. If he doesn't then we will go tomorrow evening. Is that okay?"
I knew he was taunting me - I had already been reminded of his method about 5 times this hour.
But it just didn't sit right with me, I think maybe because I knew that when Jace set his mind to something he would always follow through.
So if he was willing to go against his own family, his whole world for this girl - then there was absolutely no way he was going to come back.
However, Alec being Alec meant he was more than prepared to hope for the good to come out in Jace.
And as much as I wanted to agree with Alec, as much as I wanted to believe Jace would come home of his own accord - I can't believe it.
"Brother - you know I love you. But Jace isn't going to come home - we both know that is the truth. I think we should go at dawn tomorrow."
I begged with my eyes - knowing Alec would still decline my offer anyway.
He just looked at me with his soft blue eyes looking at me,
"Iz, I have to give him a chance. We leave at dusk tomorrow."
The finality of his tone caused me not to complain.
Suddenly Jocelyn entered the room.
"Hey Jocelyn, what's the latest on Jon?"
I asked politely, she smiled warmly at me.
"Brother Jeremiah has said that he's going to be fine, when he wakes up. But that could be in 2 minutes or in 5 years for all I know"
Throwing her hands up in despair she went to the Calarette, pouring herself some whiskey and ice.
Whenever a shadowhunter turned to drinking, you knew it was bad.
Yet because our blood is much stronger than mundanes, it takes us longer to get drunk.
So normally we don't bother - but seeing how distressed Jocelyn was, I decided not to comment.
{Clary's POV}
"Let me get this straight. You wantmy blood?"
I repeated Magnus' request.
"Yes that is right, not much. Just one vial"
I could feel Jace's eyes resting on me, clearly worried about my reaction.
"Why? What could you gain from my blood?"
Magnus smiled, one of those smiles you received when you had just asked something so stupid, and the answer was obvious.
"Specifically for the purpose of science, in all of my 500 years - there has only ever been 1 of your kind. You."
He tried to phrase the 'your kind' politely - but it still made me squirm a little.
"I won't be your little science experiment"
I spat his own words back at him, out of the corner of my eye I saw Jace tense up a little. I wanted to look at him - but decided to keep my gaze fixed on Magnus.
"You misunderstand, 1 vial of blood and I won't ever bother you for more again."
His words sounded sweet - but I only felt a bitter sensation towards them.
Jace moved over to Magnus and must have said something meaningful, as the Warlock left the room.
I looked at him from the floor questioningly,
"I don't think you should be bothered with the payment yet. Clary you are still badly injured, you need rest."
His words made sense logically - most Nephilim would be dead now.
There it was, that separation I felt. Ever since I was younger I knew I was different, and that was what made me the warrior I am.
Nevertheless, what came with my power was a constant awareness that I was alone. Nobody would ever know my pain, or who I really was.
"Blondie, you may be forgetting who you are talking to. I don't need rest. What I need is action."
I spoke roughly - trying to convey that I was tougher than I actually felt.
I pushed off the floor to stand up, but as I did a sudden wave of dizziness overcame me.
I leaned against the bedpost for support, but it was too slippery.
Before I knew it, I was off balance and about to land face first onto the wooden floor.
Though, I only felt a pair of strong arms wrap around me and pull me into their chest.
"Clary, don't play the tough act. Especially since you have fallen on me twice today"
I wanted to speak a witty reply, but he only made me smile.
"I will take your silence as a defeat. Now, fancy some dinner?"
Such a common phrase brought some warmth into my face.
"Let's see if your cooking skills are better than your combat"
I retorted, joking.
And allowed him to steer me into the kitchen, where he sat me down on a bar stool.
"I bloody hope you are hungry"
He grinned playfully at me.
Sorry for the delay - review and tell me what you think !
I hope you enjoyed it.
Song 5 ~ Comatose - Jxdn