Disclaimer: I do not own The Mortal Instrument series. Everything recognisable belongs to Cassandra Clare.
Next chapter is up, sorry about the delay. I didn't want to leave you hanging after a cliffhanger, but I wanted this chapter to be good. Thanks to all of you who reviewed!
Warning: May contain some violent scenes. They aren't too bad, but I just wanted to warn you. Okay, enjoy !
Also, i wanted to explain a few things. As this is an AU story, I've decided Stephen and Robert are parabatais, not Robert and Michael. And also the chapter begins a few hours before the last chapter ended.
Celine gave her husband a quick kiss and watched him walk through the portal along with Robert Lightwood and Frank Gladstone, another Shadowhunter. They had worked all week trying to figure out who this mysterious Shadowhunter might be. Stephen had told her they would be prepared for anything; they had even arranged a meeting with another two Shadowhunters, which would accompany them in the search for the Nephilim.
As they vanished the room grew quiet. Luke sat in a comfortable leather chair, a frown on his tired face. Jocelyn tried to speak with him, but he was still irritated with the others for not letting him help. They wouldn't risk it. They didn't know if this Shadowhunter was used to werewolves siding along with the children of the Nephilim.
Celine went out of the room and guilt began to build a wall in her head. They had promised the teenagers they would tell them if they found out anything about the unknown demon hunter. And yet had they lied to their faces; the truth was that they had tracked a Nephilim they were pretty certain to be the Shadowhunter they looked for. Imogen had spent countless hours with one of her high ranking Clave members, and the warlock Magnus Bane, and they had tracked the last places near New York Institute powerful portals had transported Shadowhunters from one place to another.
And as they needed a warlock's magic to open a portal and the Shadowhunter always had to inform the nearest Institute about the travel, it had been fairly easy to find the Shadowhunter.
One hour ago they had detected another unregistered portal opening in Brooklyn. And this was where Stephen, Robert and the other Nephilim had teleported to.
xxxx
"Please don't kill me, I beg you." The man's voice rang cowardly in the old warehouse.
Stephen and Robert had taken one side of the building, while the three others had crept to the back of the building.
"I'm not here to kill you." A young girl's voice replied coldly.
"Not yet anyway." She finished.
Stephen gave his parabatai a quick look of concern; they couldn't have found the Shadowhunter they were looking for. Robert silently moved forward, nonverbally giving Stephen the signal for him to follow, and they stepped closer to where the voices spoke silently.
"Then what do you want?" the man asked.
"I want information. And if you know what's best for you, you'll give it to me." The girl said threatening.
When Stephen got closer he could make out the black gear she was wearing, traditional Shadowhunter fighting gear.
The man sat on the floor, his back pressed against the cold brick wall. He was shivering, but Stephen didn't know if that was from fear or from the cold. The man's eyes were flickering wildly, not daring to look her straight in the eyes.
The girl pressed a thin, sharp knife against the artery on his neck and he let out a suppressed cry and pressed himself harder against the wall.
"I didn't do anything. I had nothing to do with its disappearing. "He whimpered and tried to push away the knife, which led to the knife being pressed even harder against his neck; a red stream of blood tracing its way toward his black jacket.
"Then why did you run? Why did you run if you had nothing to hide from?" She asked in menace. Her cold eyes fixed on the older man begging her for mercy.
Stephen gave his parabatai a confused look, the girl had a young voice, and he would guess she was no more than eighteen, why would the grown Shadowhunter be so afraid of her.
"You are pathetic Ashwood. Don't try explaining yourself to me. That's not why I'm here." She told him and they could see the man, Ashwood's, jaw tense.
"No. No." He cried, "I don't know where they hid it!" He tried to make his voice louder when he spoke, failing, as his voice trembled too much.
"You really shouldn't lie to me, you know, if I find you useless," she paused, taking a better look at the man sitting before her. "I'll just kill you."
He let out another cry, and from what it sounded like to Stephen, it was forced from his lips due to pain. Robert motioned questioning toward the pair of Shadowhunters standing feet away. Stephen shook his head, and they kept quiet for a few more minutes, listening to the conversation.
"You can't kill me! I haven't done anything to you." He hissed in a trembling voice, obviously growing angry. The female Shadowhunter let out an abhorrent laugh.
"Of course you have, you betrayed my father." She reprimanded.
The man's eyes widened, "Your…Your.." He stuttered, "Your father?"
Again the girl laughed and Stephen gave Robert a bemused look. He saw Robert swing his crossbow from behind his back and steadied it, ready to attack. Stephen took out his own weapon and bit his lip thoughtfully.
"Yes." She replied emotionless. "And you are just wasting my time Ashwood. Ready to take a last breath?" She asked. Stephen could feel the smirk on her lips, even though her whole face was coved by the hood she was wearing.
The man cried out again, but before the girl could act Stephen saw an arrow fly through the air. It missed the girl by inches. Both Robert and Stephen dove at the girl, but before they could reach her she spun around and darted in the other direction. Out of sight.
She obviously didn't want to be confronted.
A loud yell was heard from the back of the warehouse and both Shadowhunters ran towards it. Frank Gladstone was knocked to the floor and the two other Shadowhunters was fighting the black dressed girl.
She had one rapier in her right hand and another in her left, fighting the two Shadowhunters with ease. She swung the left rapier at one of them, Stephen couldn't make out which one, but he was knocked off his feet, hitting the ground with a loud crack.
Robert fired another two arrows at the girl, but she swiftly avoided them.
Stephen watched her in awe, her fighting was exceptional, and not one flaw could be found in her techniques. He had little time to wonder about her skills as he saw a large dagger being sent in his direction. He got out of the way and ran toward the fight.
The teenager had knocked out two Shadowhunters already, which left Stephen, Robert and the one of the two Shadowhunters they had met outside the warehouse. Robert shouted for the other Nephilim to get a hold of the Shadowhunter trying to get away from the fight, Ashwood.
The man nodded and ran toward the large grounds of the warehouse, but before he could get out of sight a knife slashed into his shoulder and he stumbled to the ground. A loud cry left his lips and he tried to get back on his feet. The knife still in his shoulder. Stephen took one look at his parabatai and wordlessly agreed to help the wounded Shadowhunter, leaving Robert to fight off the teenager.
Stephen turned around and ran in the direction of the injured warrior. Taking out his stele and drawing a healing rune on the man's skin. Blood had stained his shoulder, and he looked disorientated, but he would be fine.
Stephen turned to see Robert still fighting with the female Shadowhunter, but noticed that both had dropped their weapons and were using their fists instead. Robert tried to pin the girl's arms behind her back, but she instantly hocked her leg around his and forced him to the ground. Robert was on his legs again before she could make another move; he slammed his elbow hard into her stomach and twisted her around so that he was holding her as a shield. She seemed surprised by his choice of defence and tried to gush out of his grip. It didn't work, Robert was holding her tightly and it looked for a second like he had overpowered her.
In the next second the girl smashed the back of her head into his face; Robert staggered backward, a few loud swearwords leaving his lips, but he kept fighting. He had fresh blood flowing from his nose and a large cut next to his eye. Stephen ran up to the man she had called Ashwood and yanked him back by the collar. "Stay here!" He yelled, the adrenaline kept his voice from calming down.
The man struggled, but one punch in the jaw from Stephen silenced him, and he gave Stephen a shocked and fearful gaze. At first Stephen didn't understand his fear, but soon memories came flashing back at him. Ashwood, he knew he had heard that name before. He was one of the former Circle members, one of those who were thought to be dead after the Uprising.
Why would this girl be after a former Circle member? He thought to himself. But he had not much time to think as the girl speeded towards him. He hadn't heard anything that sounded like Robert had been defeated. And just a few seconds later Robert came rushing after her, he seemed to be out of breath and his face was covered in blood.
The girl had a large cut of her own, blood engulfing her left shoulder.
She sent a dagger flying fast through the air, Stephen swiftly avoided the dagger, but soon realised it wasn't meant for him. A loud slashing sound could be heard from behind him. The dagger hit Ashwood in back and he fell to the floor, howling in pain as he pulled the bloody knife out of his sore back.
Stephen leaped towards the girl before she could make another move. Adrenaline pumping in his body as he unarmed fetched for the girl's wounded shoulder. He could make out the hissing sound she made when his fingers dug into her bloody wound.
For the first time he could see the bright green eyes of his attacked. It was only a flash, but it was enough to let a cold shiver run down his spine.
Once again the large black hood covered her whole face. And she continued her quixotic fighting.
He caught sight of something shining in her hand, and tried to move as quickly out of the way of a small silver device sent his way, but the quagmire he was in caused the device to cut him in the leg. Pain shot through his whole body.
He tried to keep himself from screaming, but the pain in his leg was unbearable. He looked down at his leg and saw black liquid burning its way thought the black trousers he wore. He knew instantly what had hit him. The small device the girl had tossed at him was filled with demon acid. Acid that was now pressing its way into his blood.
He heard Robert's timorous voice calling out for him, but couldn't find his own voice strong enough to answer. He saw the fight had started up again, glimpses of his parabatai and the female Shadowhunter rushed before his eyes. He couldn't see the entire fight, but heard thundering voices from both pain and the powerful blows they sent towards one another.
Stephen tried to fumble for his stele, but he had lost it when the Shadowhunter attacked him. He felt his body weaken as the toxic demon fluid spread though his body. He wouldn't make his way over to the stele without blacking out.
Again he heard Robert yell at the girl, but this time a flash of light blinded him. After a few seconds the light died down and he saw a large portal open in front of them. The girl ran forward, jumping into the variegated portal and disappear. The portal closing behind her.
xxxx
Stephen's pallid complexion was due to loss of blood and the black fluid that had intoxicated his body. He was extremely lucky to be alive. One of the Silent Brothers stood next to his bed in the Institute's infirmary. Celine sat next to his bed in deep conversation with Robert Lightwood.
It had been four hours since the dark haired Shadowhunter had carried his parabatai through the doors of the Institute, a pale, bloodied Frank Gladstone behind him.
After another twenty minutes Stephen let out a gasp and his eyes flew up. Celine could see the shock in the blue eyes of her husband and she hurried to his bedside.
xxxx
"He's awake." Imogen told the two boys sitting anxiously outside the infirmary. Iwan cheered jubilant, while the golden boy next to him sat silently avoiding his grandmother's words.
"Jace. You can see your father now if you want to. "She told him, but the boy shook his head.
Not in the mood for a discussion, Imogen walked back into the infirmary with the younger boy.
Jace sat with his head low, deep in thoughts when his parabatai walked up to him.
"You shouldn't be so angry with him. They did it because…" His words was cut off by the angry voice of the eldest Herondale boy, "Because what? Because they're so much better than us? We couldn't handle fighting her? Because obviously they couldn't either." Jace snapped at his best friend.
"Okay. Shut up Jace." Isabelle followed her brother and gave her friend a vexed look. "You do not have the right to sit there and mope; I know you are mad at Stephen for lying to you. But if you haven't noticed he is currently in the infirmary slashed open from a Shadowhunter attacking him!" She wailed at him.
"I know." Jace said with a furious look in his auric eyes. "I know that, that's way I'm mad. He should know we could've helped. They shouldn't pretend we aren't good enough to fight. That's why I am going to find this Nephilim and…" He lost his voice, not knowing what he would do if he found her.
"We shouldn't," Isabelle protested, "The Clave has a plan." Jace gave her a funny look, "I didn't say we. I said I. Nobody said you had to help." He spat at her. "Plus, The Clave has the collective intelligence of a banana." He added. Alec laughed. "Banana? Why a banana?" he asked his parabatai while a smile found its way to his lips.
"Dunno." Jace answered, "I guess bananas are the dumbest fruit out there."
Alec looked up at Isabelle. "Jace is right."
"Since when did you care what fruit's the smartest?" Isabelle gave her brother a confused look.
"I don't, I meant about not letting the Clave do all the work." He explained, giving his parabatai an unusual smirk.
Isabelle turned on her brother. "What do you mean? You can't go against the Clave? Alec you love the Clave!" She lowered her voice while speaking.
"I don't love the Clave Izzy," Alec said injured. "And I don't think we should go against the Clave. That would be stupid." He sent Jace a stern look, his blue eyes meeting Jace's gold.
"Okay, what should we do?" Jace asked eagerly.
Isabelle sighed, "First, you're going to talk to your father." She told him with a motherly voice and pointed at the door.
Jace rolled his eyes, but willingly walked through the door. Leaving the siblings behind him.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter, and i will update as soon as possible. Leave a review telling me what you thought.