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Chapter 29

Alec approached the lot with a mixture of triumph and dread. Triumph from the fact that Jonathan Morgenstern would soon be out of their lives again: Alec's family would be safe. Dread from the fact he still couldn't get Max's sobs of despair out of his head.

This is for the best, he had told himself when he watched Max wretch his arm from Isabelle's grip and run off to his room. He'll see that eventually.

Alec had been telling himself this since then. He told himself it as Magnus and his father emerged from the library, Magnus looking defeated and his father looking stern. He repeated it over and over as he showed them to the lot Max had led them to not long ago, trying to ignore Isabelle's and Jace's uninterpretable looks as they exited the Institute. They'll see eventually. All of them.

He remembered his conversation with Clary in the kitchen. 'I really loved my brother.' She had been so earnest, so…set. He dug his nails into his palm. This is for her, too.

They reached the lot. Alec groped around for the handle, surprised to find it unlocked. He led the way inside.

The atmosphere of the house seemed off to what it had been last time, thought Alec couldn't have said why. Jonathan Morgenstern was standing in front of the kitchen island, his back against it as he watched them enter. Alec put a hand on the hilt of his dagger.

Nothing was said for a moment as Robert Lightwood and Magnus entered after Alec. Alec watched Jonathan's eyes- hard, cold, green eyes- pass over each of them. Studying them all like a snake.

''Jonathan Morgenstern,'' Robert began. ''As Inquisitor of the Clave, I hereby charge you-''

His father's words became a buzz in Alec's ears. The list went on for a while. Treachery, murder, and conspiring with demons only the top three.

Jonathan's expression didn't change while the charges were being read. It was a hard look, but nevertheless vague. He might've been listening to his crimes or he might've just been doing math in his head. When Robert finally finished, he gave a nod. ''Fine then.''

He stepped forward. Alec couldn't resist flinching, nearly unsheathing his dagger. But Jonathan merely outstretched his hands, wrists crossed over each other. ''Shall we?''

Robert, his eyes flashing in suspicion, took out the enchanted handcuffs from his pocket. He began to put them on Jonathan.

Something overcame Alec, and before he knew it, he stepped forward and opened his mouth.

'' 'And every Shadowhunter has the right to a trial by their Clave or Con-Clave','' he quoted, the words seemingly coming of their own accord. '' 'And each warrior shall be treated with the trust and honesty his companion warriors received when he hunts with them'.'' At all of their baffled looks, he felt heat rush to his cheeks. ''The Book of Law, Section B 4-37.''

''Your point?'' Robert asked icily.

''I think his point is obvious,'' Magnus commented. His eyes were sparkling.

''My son can speak for himself.'' Robert's gaze hardened on Alec. ''Alec?''

Alec felt like there was a lump in his throat. Part of him was screaming at himself to shut up, the other part kept replaying Max's and Clary's heartbroken looks. ''While the law clearly states he must stand trial, it also states he must be treated with the respect and trust that his fellow warriors received when they fought side by side with him.''

''And?'' Magnus prompted.

''Clary and Max fought side by side with him.'' Alec turned to his father. ''And they clearly trust him.''

''What is your point?'' Robert demanded.

Alec was terribly aware of everyone's- including Jonathan's- gaze on him as he concluded, ''we can't arrest him. He trusted Max and because of that Max was able to return. We are bidden by law to extend that same amount of trust.''

Robert looked enraged. ''What are you suggesting we do, Alexander?''

''What the law states,'' Alec replied, his voice strong despite his feeling like he was about to faint. He turned to Jonathan. ''Do you swear by the Angel to report to Idris for your trial, may the Angels strike you down if you betray your word?''

Jonathan gave a slow blink. ''I swear.''

''That's it then.''

Alec figured he must've walked out of the house then, but he didn't remember doing it. He was very conscious of his chest feeling extremely tight. What the hell did I just do? How the hell could I have just done that?

Magnus was grinning next to him. ''Well done you.''

''I am an idiot.''

''An idiot who cares for your little brother.''

Alec gestured around weakly, wishing he could pluck the words he lacked out of the air. ''I- I- I don't-'' he sighed. ''It was pointless gesture. We both know he has to die.''

Magnus shrugged. ''Maybe. But not now. Give Max time.''

''I guess.'' Alec looked back toward the house. ''Though, Dad might be killing him now in there.''

''I'm sure he's just picking his jaw up off the floor.''

Alec groaned. ''He should kill him. He should kill me, too.''

Magnus just shrugged again. They were silent until Robert Lightwood emerged from the house and began walking towards them. Alec felt dread sweeping over him. ''Doesn't seem to have blood on him,'' Magnus whispered, rather unhelpfully, Alec thought.

Robert looked at Magnus. ''I wish to speak to my son alone.'' Magnus glanced at Alec and only at his nod did he withdraw.

Alec watched him go. ''Okay, so I screwed up.''

''Lot of it about, I hear,'' Robert growled.

''I'm sorry, dad. Truly, truly I am. I had no intention of saying those things I just-'' he faltered, knowing his excuses were pointless in the grand scheme of things. ''-I just hate seeing Max hurt.''

His father sighed. ''I know.''

Alec blinked. ''You do?''

''Do you really think I want him hurt?'' Robert shook his head. ''But there is no avoiding-''

''I know.''

''There is only one way for this to end-''

''I know.''

''Only one way we should want it to end.''

''I know.'' Alec felt relief. ''I know.'' They began to walk, away from the lot and back toward the Institute. ''So, what now?''

Robert was quiet for a moment. ''Magnus had a point earlier,'' he admitted. ''Perhaps feigning calm will be a good thing, and delaying will allow everyone to hide their panic.''

''Delaying for how long?''

''Idris will be busy with the Shadowhunter Academy graduates, especially with the Accessions. We will wait for that to be over, and then everyone can focus on this.'' Alec could sense his father's weariness. ''Let there be some celebration for a change before more horror.''

Alec gave a stiff nod. They walked on in silence. The graduations were less than two weeks away. Maybe Max and Clary would be spared pain for now, but they were only putting off the inevitable. Soon, Jonathan Morgenstern would be on trial. And every creature in the Shadow World knew there could be no other verdict than guilty.

…

Me: I don't know where this desire to write all the time came from, but I am really enjoying it and am afraid of it ending.

I hope you enjoyed! If you have a moment, please leave a review!

Happy Writing!