SITTING NEXT to Alec, Indiana holds his hand tightly, the forsaken attack had hurt Alec's arm badly despite the bullshit He spewed about being fine,
"Don't squirm." Robert Lightwood told his son drawing an iratze on his back,
"I'm not. It doesn't even hurt." Alec protests calmly, relaxing as Indiana's thumb draws soothing circles on his hand. Reminding him that she is here.
Alec's phone starts to ring, Alec tries to reach for it but Indiana can see the look of discomfort on his face and gets it first,
"No talking just healing." She says softly glancing at the contact.
"Alec, I need you." Jace says the second the phone is answered,
"It's Indi. We need you. There's been an attack at the Institute." She says moving slightly away from the Lightwoods,
"Are you and Alec okay?" Jace instantly asks,
"I'm fine, Alec's banged up but he'll live.
Valentine created a Forsaken that went through the wards." Indiana informs the blond,
"That's not possible, Indi. Nothing can get through the wards. They're-They're warlock spells to defend against all Downworlders." Jace replies and Indiana can hear the shock in his voice,
"Not this one. It had Seelie blood with angel properties. Jace, it went after Hodge, Alec and I." Indiana worries about Alec, she desperately wishes she could relax in the comfort of who she now considered her Alpha and Beta.
"I'm glad your okay." He states
"I killed it. It was after the-" Indiana is cut off by her sister making her realise she was on speaker,
"The Cup." Clary states.
"Indi, I'll be there as soon as I can." Jace states before ending the call.
Indiana heads back to Alec grabbing the hand of his good arm gently, they share a smile and watch as Magnus puts up wards to protect their home,
"Are the wards solid now? Nothing will get through?" Robert tries to clarify as a blue mist flows out of Magnus' hands and into the institute's walls,
"Even my magic has limits. The wards won't hold off that Forsaken attack. But my protections will slow them down." Magnus explains,
"Extra time is priceless." Robert chimes,
"No... say that after you get my bill." Magnus allows a small smile to appear on his face as he says this,
"Lydia will take care of that." Robert slides walking away.
"Magnus." Indiana says, stepping away from Alec to pull the warlock into a hug,
"Kitten it's good to see you, how are you both after the forsaken attack anyway." The high warlock of Brooklyn expresses his concern,
"We're fine Magnus, but thanks the concern." Alec says monotone,
"We've gotta go, but lovely to see you Mag." The Omega smiles,
"Yes, of course and kitten you must visit me some time, texting just isn't enough." He grins.
Indiana heads over to Izzy before they both see a Seelie walk in,
"Meliorn? What are you doing here?" Izzy pulls him into a hug that he does not return,
"The Clave called me in for some kind of conference." Meliorn states as he and Indiana mutually hug,
"I'm so happy to see you." Izzy says smiling,
"Spare me. Your fire message clearly stated you never wanted to see me again." Meliorn looks down at the Lightwood almost with disdain,
"My family-" Izzy is cut off,
"Despises Downworlders? That's common knowledge." The Seelie states as Indiana watches on awkwardly,
"That's not true. And even if it were, I'm not like that." Izzy pleads, desperate for him to understand the pressure the young women faces,
"I'm not here to talk about us. I believe that's your Clave envoy." Meliorn gestures to the blond making her way towards the trio.
"Isabelle, Indiana, please step aside. Meliorn, the Clave has ordered that you be placed under arrest." She continues when neither of the girls move,
"What?"
"What for?"
"Why?"
The trio respond both confused and outraged.
"Soliciting state secrets from a Shadowhunter on behalf of Valentine Morgenstern. Guards." Two Shadowhunters grab Meliorns arms and drag him away,
"Have you lost your mind?" Izzy takes a step towards the envoy,
"Are you fucking crazy?" Indiana chimes in angry at her Seelie friend being arrested,
"Me? You're lucky you weren't arrested along with him." Lydia ignores Indiana replying to Izzy,
"What are you talking about?" Izzy asks shocked as Indiana stays silent thinking that even her few hook ups with the Seelie may lead to her arrest.
"It's our understanding that your long-standing relationship with the Seelie, Meliorn, may have led to the disclosure of state secrets." Lydia informs the girls,
"What? No! Meliorn told me how to get into the Hotel DuMort so that we could save a mundane." Izzy rages,
"And you told him nothing in return?" At Izzy's silence she continues,
"Nobody is blaming you for the attack.
Meliorn and the Seelies were likely working with Valentine all along." The blond says as if her words are comforting,
"Valentine has been murdering Downworlders and draining their bodies for months. He's always been against Downworlders, why would he suddenly team up with them now. He probably killed those Seelie scouts and used their blood-" Indiana is cut off by the blond,
"Do you have proof?"
"Do you?" Izzy raises her eyebrow,
"I have orders. That's all. I never wanted any of this." Lydia informs with a hint of remorse,
"I don't believe you for a second." Izzy spit before walking off, Indiana in tow.
[][][][][]
"She calls Meliorn in and arrests him, then acts like it's all out of her hands." Izzy rants at her brother,
"You're gonna hurt yourself." Indiana stops Alec from punching,
"I'm fine, Indi. And it was the Clave that gave the order, not Lydia." Alec defends, he's tired of always being in the wrong, for once he's gonna be on the right side of the law. No matter what it takes.
"Are you sure about that?" Izzy snaps as Indiana cradles Alec's Hirt arm,
"Hey. You all right?" Jace walks up the stairs, his eyes trained on Alec's bandages,
"I'm fine." Alec breathes out,
"I just spoke to Robert and Maryse. They're being sent back to Idris." Jace informs the group,
"What?" Izzy turns to Jace,
"Yeah." Jace confirms.
"Another 'order' from Lydia?" Izzy raises her eyebrow at Alec,
"Who's Lydia?" Jace looks between the three, clearly confused,
"She's in charge of the Institute." Izzy mutters,
"She's what?" Jace almost explodes,
"Temporarily." Alec chimes,
"And now she's convinced the Clave that Mom and Dad aren't doing their job?" Izzy looks at her brother in shock, confused at his actions.
"Well, maybe they aren't." Alec grabs Indiana's hand for strength,
"The Institute was under their control when the Forsaken got in." Alec tells the group,
"What are you talking about?" Jace asks,
"Maryse and Robert were members of the Circle." Indiana adds as Alec takes a deep breath,
"What? They don't have Circle runes." Izzy says outraged at even the thought of her parents being in league with Valentine,
"That's because they made a deal with the Clave prior to the Uprising. In exchange for their cooperation, they were pardoned." Alec lectures.
"You're questioning their loyalty?" Izzy lowers her voice in horror,
"Valentine is back. The Circle is rising. They're under suspicion." Alec grunts,
"No way. Robert and Maryse took me in.
They raised me as one of their own. I know what kind of people they are." Jace denies,
"Are you sure? They lied to us.
For years, they've been telling us how to act. That we have to uphold the Lightwood name. Well, they're the ones who tarnished it. They're hypocrites." The male Lightwood steps forward in anger.
"You must be Jace Wayland." Everyone's attention is drawn to blond making her way up the stairs,
"Lydia Branwell. You're quite the legend back in Idris." She holds her hand out but drops as he doesn't even bother to look at it,
"Don't believe everything you hear." Jace states.
"I just heard, congratulations!" Lydia says to Alec and Indiana,
"Congratulations on what?" Izzy asks looking lost,
"Jace and I are mating Indiana." Alec explains, Jace's face explodes into a huge grin as Izzy smiles.
"Wow, a triad I had no idea. Really, congratulations." Lydia says before departing, Jace picks up Indiana spinning her round before pulling both her and Alec into a hug.
"You didn't know?" Izzy asks Jace looking amused, instead he just grins at the two he will soon be mated with and smiles just taking the moment in.
[][][][][]
Indiana's ring tone goes off, on the contact she sees Simons name. Answering she waits,
"Indiana." A whisper calls out,
"Simon." Indiana replies,
"She did this to me, how could she do this to me." He dry sobs over the phone,
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry but it's okay your gonna be-"
"I'm never gonna be okay again Indiana!" Simon shouts through the phone,
"No you listen to me Simon Lewis, you will be okay, it will take time but you will get there. I love you Simon. You-your my best friend and you always will be. So you stay strong, where are you I'm coming." Indiana states barely holding in her tears,
"No-"
"Yes Simon. It doesn't matter I'll just track you." She states as Simon crumbles, wanting nothing more than his best friend,
Indiana makes her way to exit the institute, and hears Meliorn
"You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you? If only Shadowhunters had a better relationship with us Downworlders, you'd know that Valentine's daughters have the Cup." Catching eyes with Jace he looks quickly towards the door indicating she should leave, sneaking she quickly exits the institute, breaking into a run towards her undead best friend.
Half way there she receives a picture,
"Hey,why the picture of the blocking rune?" Indiana question answering Jace's call,
"Draw it. Now." He says tensely,
"Already on it." Indiana replies stele in hand, rune half complete.,
"Indi, the Clave heard you and Clary have the Cup. They think you're working with Valentine. I sent the rune to her as well." Jace states quietly,
"Oh, for fucks sake. Why would they-Shit, Jace, is the Cup safe?" Indiana hopes that it is,
"It will be. You need to get to someplace safe. Someplace the Clave would never look. I'll find you." Jace says as Indiana ends the call.
Seeing three figures in the distance she sprints towards them, pulling Simon into a quick hug, it's much quicker than she wants but it's for both of their safety,
"Simon, we're going to see the one person who can help all three of us." Indiana says before leading the group to the Hotel Dumort.
"Have you lost your mind? Two Shadowhunters and a werewolf?" Is the greeting they get after asking Raphael for shelter from the clave,
"You do know this isn't a hotel?" He says causing Indiana to mentally count down, three, two, one-
"Technically, it is." Simon adds glancing up to sigh, his usual grin no where in sight.
"Even starvation can't shut you up." The clan leader grits out,
"Look, we just need someplace secure until we can figure out a plan." Clary states, eyes pleading with Raphael,
"These people never listen. Don't bother. Let's go." Luke says turning round,
"You should put a muzzle on that mutt.
The fledgling can stay, as can Indiana.
But you aren't exactly welcome after you barbecued half a dozen of my people." Raphael says glaring at Clary,
"Let's go, please. I don't want any part of this." Simon says lowly despite knowing everyone in the group can hear him.
"Look, there isn't any place else." The taller redhead snaps,
"You need Simon back, right? To prove Camille broke the Accords. What good will he be if he dies of starvation?" Clary plays on Raphael thirst for power,
"Fine, but the stray waits outside." Raphael dictates casting a look to Luke,
"If anything happens to these three, you won't have to wait till sun up, I'll kill you myself." Luke threatens,
"Easy there, Fido. They'll be under my protection." The vampire says heading inside.
[][][][][]
Indiana watches as Clary and Simon walk into a small section of the Hotel Dumort,
sharing a look with Raphael as he types in a passcode causing a gate to keep the two separated from the rest of the buildings inhabitants.
"So this is your idea of protection?" Clary fumes,
"It keeps you away from my people, and my people away from you. Give a shout when you're hungry. Of course, you do have a pretty decent snack right here, no? Oh, silly me. I forgot you two are such great friends.
Or has that changed?" Raphael smirks lightly before leading Indiana away.
They enter a room full of vampires sat around a poker table,
"Indiana." Lily greets fondly pulling the Shadowhunter into a hug before taking a seat back down, a few more vampires greet her kindly, its common knowledge that Indiana is a Shadowhunter like no other, at least to the vampires anyway.
Sitting behind Lily, Indiana smirks seeing her cards and shares a triumphant look with the vampire, a bluff but the others don't need to know that yet,
"Raphael!" Simon screams, the vampire grabs Indiana before flashing them both with vampire speed to in front of the cage.
"You ready now?" He smiles knowingly at the young vampire,
"Yes. Please!" Simon prompts, Indiana passes a glass to Raphael,
"Here you go. It's all about presentation and quality produce. You see, us vampires look after one another. We take care of our family." Raphael looks at Clary smugly.
"Simon already has a family." Clary snaps,
"Had a family. That's all gonna change now.
You're a Shadowhunter he's a vamp. You two will never be equals. You'll have to learn that for yourself. Hasta luego." Raphael corrects passing the vampire another glass.
[][][][][]
"How are you feeling now?" Indiana asks the young vampire from her seat outside the cage,
"I'm drinking blood, Indi." Simon deadpans,
"I know, Simon, but-" She goes to reassure him,
"I never wanted any part of any of this. The whole Shadow World." He tells the two girls,
"Neither did I." Clary adds,
"At least you're a superior being. I'm a Downworlder. Well I don't wanna bite you anymore." Simon let's a hint of a smile show,
"Well, that's certainly a bloody improvement." Indiana returns his smile,
LSimon, what if I brought you back because I wanted us both to be different? I mean, suddenly I was this new person, and you were still living in our old world. Maybe I-I just couldn't fight this deep need for-" Clary says and Indiana mentally slams her head against the wall, as her twin is unaware of the hope she is dishing out,
"For us to be together." Simon finishes,
"Yes. Look, I understand if you hate me now." Clary says,
"Be angry with you? Yeah. Hate you? Never." Simon replies.
"What's gonna happen to us? Luke and Raphael can't stand each other. Every Downworlder seems to despise Shadowhunters. Can't you see the divide?" He looks panicked between the two Fairchilds,
"Not between us." Indiana strongly states,
"No. Never." Clary adds.
"All for one and one for all." Indiana states firmly, letting her two best friends know that no matter how distant she was, nothing could break them.
"It appears the cavalry has arrived. You'll wanna use the back stairs." Raphael says unlocking the gate, forcing it to life up,
"Hey." Indiana whispers throwing herself at Jace,
"Hey. Thank God you're okay." He replies,
"So this is your safe hideout, huh?"
"Well, you think the Clave was gonna look here?" Indiana claps back.
"Can we please focus on the matter at hand? Unless no one here cares that the Clave is planning on murdering Meliorn." Izzy interrupts,
"What last I checked, it was just an arrest." Indiana exclaims in a mix of shock and anger,
"They think Meliorn has more information on Valentine and the attack than he's saying." Jace informs
"They're taking him to the Silent Brothers." Izzy looks down sadly.
"We're stopping the clave. Rescue and recovery." Indiana nods to Izzy who explains the plan,
"We get him from the guards, in and out, no one gets hurt."
"Where's Alec?" Indiana looks sadly at Jace dreading hi answer,
"No. Not this time." They share a sad look, wondering how things could have turned so quickly. Just hours ago they were celebrating their mateship and now their not even all on the same team.
"If they're doing this to Seelies, no Downworlder is safe. But going in alone, suicide mission. Luke can your pack track the unit and create a distraction allowing us to go in undetected." At his nod she shouts up at the building,
"Raphael." He and his clan come down, standing in front of the group.
"We are offering an alliance with the Seelies, through Meliorn once rescued, the werewolves," Indiana gestures to Luke who nods,
"And the vampires." She finishes looking at Raphael,
"Why should we believe you? You killed our people. You violated our home." Raphael looks Indiana dead in the eye,
"You kidnapped a mundane, remember?" Jace added sternly,
"That was me." Simon smiled sarcastically,
"Look Raphael, I understand you were just following Camille's orders. She violated the Accords. You, you are a different kind of leader. We are a new and improved generation of Shadowhunters. We believe everyone can be equal. But we have to work together to stop Valentine. And to ensure the Clave doesn't repeat past mistakes. What do you say?" Indiana steps forward.
"This decision requires a consensus." Raphael turns to his clan,
"I vote yes." Simon steps forward,
"Well, well, well, baby's first words." Raphael smirks,
"Don't make me regret them." Simon snaps,
"If our newest member pledges his loyalty to his new leader and joins our clan we'll all stand beside you." Raphael informs the group,
"Simon's not a pawn." Clary snaps as Indiana stays silent,
"No I'm not. But I accept your deal." He turns back to Raphael,
"Simon, what are you doing?" Clary asks,
"Whatever it takes to protect the Downworld. It's my world now." Simon explains, Raphael looks at his clan seeing the nods.
"Then we're in."
[][][][][]
Walking towards the City of Bones, wolves on her right and vampires on her left, Indiana prepared herself.
"This does not look like the City of Bones." Clary states,
"That because this is the Downworlders entrance." Indiana replies, quickly growing tired of her clueless sisters questions at a time as important as this,
"The City of Bones has a service entrance.
Perfect!" Clary sarcastically notes,
"I hope I have better luck here than I did last time. I'm just saying." Simon contributes earning a deadly look from Indiana.
"Everyone knows what to do?" Indiana takes their silence as confirmation, "Text when you're in position." She continues,
"Stay. Good dog." Raphael whistles,
"Bite me." Luke snaps,
"Roll over." Raphael chimes,
"Play dead." Luke claps back as Indiana watches on unimpressed,
"Boom!" Simon fist bumps Simon before a werewolf barges his shoulder causing the vampire to turn at them hissing loudly.
Indiana interrupts the growls and hisses,
"Hey, enough! Enough! All our lives are at stake! It's time we put aside our differences, and work together! Tonight we're all Downworlders. Luke? Raphael?" She gives each side a stern look in turn they nod and walk off, going in separate directions.
"I guess I should expect people to hate me for who I am now. I'll get used to it." Simon looks down,
"Never get used to it. You hear me?" Clary confronts,
"Let's do this." Izzy says leading Clary and Simon away.
"We are compromising everything, aren't we? By defying the Clave, confronting the other Shadowhunters. But the one thing I just can't accept is that Alec isn't here with us." Indiana says softly willing tears not to well up in her eyes,
"Valentine's trying to destroy the world, Indi. We're trying to protect it. And Alex, we both know he hasn't been the same since he found out Maryse and Robert were part of the circle, he'll come around." He states staring at the Omega intensely,
"Before I forget these belong to you." Jace pulls out the card with the mortal cup on it and Clary's portal shard necklace, handing them both to the Omega.
"Did Alec give you these?" Indiana has hope for a second that Alec was still with them,
"Let's just say this is where they're safest.
Be careful." Her hope is crushed at Jace's words and she nods in reassurance,
"Don't worry. I don't think I can even activate it, only Clary knows how it works.
Thank you." Indiana looks at him, heart heavy as the lack of Alec's presence,
"Thank me if we make it out of this alive." Jace always the pessimist,
"When Jace, when we make it out alive." Indiana smiles slightly,
"Right." He says as they link hands and make their way into position.
"I need to rune you." Jace says pulling her top down slightly as they reach the top of the stairs, Indiana's eyesight automatically reaches further forward due to her new rune,
"Alec? What's he doing here?" Indiana's voice breaks in time with her heart,
"Oh, no. Damn it. Lydia must have sent him." Jace snarls,
"How could he? I-I-" Indiana stutters lost
"Hey you have to be strong okay, we have to be strong. This mission is more important than our relationship." Jace tells her seriously,
Indiana nods softly and takes in a deep breath.
"Your right, there's no turning back now." She reassures,
"No matter what happens, follow my lead." Jace says strongly and Indiana nods firmly.
Emotions cloud judgement.
They see Alec open the entrance and Indiana walks out behind him,
"Alec." She calls allowing Jace enough time to skip in front of him,
"You told me you were taking Indi back to the Institute. You lied to me." Alec says angrily,
"I did what needed to be done." Jace said almost in pain at the fact he has to go against his parabatai and mate,
"Alec, the Clave has gone too far. You have to see that. Please, just let Meliorn go." Indiana begs,
"I have my orders." Alec says stoically,
"I understand that Alec, but in life decisions have to be made on prospective, not orders. And you can't stand there and tell me that this is what you believe in." She cries desperately.
"See? That's how little you know about being a Shadowhunter. You couldn't possibly understand-" Alec starts and Indiana misses Jace's reply as Alec's word play on a loop in her head.
Jace leaps for Alec,
"Indi, Meliorn, go, now." Indiana shouts sorry and grabs meliorn and starts to run.
"Indi, we have to go. Meliorn is a wanted man, we have to get him back to the Seelie court where he's protected." Jace states as they drop Clary and Simon off at the Hotel Dumort.
"I hate to break up this reunion, Izzy, but we have to go." Jace says as Indiana coughs loudly, interrupting the kissing Seelie and Shadowhunter,
"You're in good hands. I need to get back to the Institute, see what hell has broken loose. Try and talk some sense into Alec.
Take care of him." Izzy says instructing the group before taking off.
"We will." Indiana clarifies,
"Isabelle told me it was your idea to rally the Downworlders. That you spearheaded my rescue." Meliorn thanks Indiana,
"Look, none of this would have happened with Izzy, getting everyone into team was easy enough. Izzy made this happen." Indiana tries to avoid the credit,
"She's being modest." Jace states before turning to Indiana,
"You're a Shadowhunter now." They share a smile.
"I've been surprised by more than one Shadowhunter tonight. You risked everything to unite us." Meliorn smiles,
"Right after you tried to sell her out." Jace snaps, and Meliorn turns to Indiana apologetically,
"Not my finest moment. Which is why I'm offering you a gift for your sacrifice. If you're ready I can help you find your father."