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Chapter 28…
{Jace's POV}
I felt Clary stiffen beside me as her 'mother' scolded her.
But as she stiffened I saw her fists curl at her sides,
"You forget Lilith, I am half Nephilim too - part of me was always one of them."
This retaliation snatched Lilith's attention right up ; she rose from her throne and moved towards Clary with purpose and a contained fury.
I tried to move in front of Clary but she gripped my wrist, telling me to stay exactly where I was.
Lilith moved soundlessly, as she stepped on the earth it died beneath her - any contact with the human world resulted in death.
"Do you not remember our time together?"
She spat in Clary's face as she towered above her (Lilith was a tall woman, only just shorter than I.)
"Believe me, I wish I could forget."
Clary snapped back, her glare matching Lilith's.
Before I had been naive enough to think that Valentine was the only monster Clary had learned from in her life - now I knew he was actually the lesser of two evils.
Lilith sneered at her daughter before retreating to stand beside the Queen, who looked miniscule in comparison. This led me to wonder what concrete powers the Seelie Queen actually held, and how she had any influence over the Queen of Hell.
"I think we should address the reason we summoned you here."
The Queen announced to the tense atmosphere, speaking to no person in particular.
"I agree ; and we would love to know why you had to murder 5 Nephilim to send a message."
I replied fiercely - I did not mind a good fight between Seelies and Shadowhunters, but it was obvious that our guards were outmatched and the fight was nowhere near fair.
"But it did send a message didn't it?"
Lilith answered me, a glint etching into her menacing stare.
A blind rage consumed me in that moment ; before my mind could keep up I had drawn a seraph blade and was pointing it at Lilith's throat.
"You don't even feel remorse do you? They're lives are worth nothing in your eyes."
"Be careful Jace Herondale, making accusations with a blade out might not end well for you."
On command the walls started shaking, I looked to Clary for an explanation but her face was as blank as mine.
A banging sound then rumbled through the floor, sending Clary and I down to one knee, and I noticed Clary had drawn Heosphoros now. When I looked up again to survey the scene my eyes widened.
Walking out of the walls were more of the perish demons we had fought in the maze, except now there were 8 of them - each looking to their master for the signal to attack.
{Clary's POV}
Perish demons had never scared me.
But now I wasn't just gambling with my own life. I could take maybe 2, even 3 on by myself - but the others could not handle the other 5. We were outmatched and she knew it.
"Tell them to stand down."
I hissed at my demon mother, angry that she would cheat her way through a fight once again ; always getting others to do her dirty work.
"Why should I?"
Lilith gleamed back, as the perish demons continued to stalk forward slowly to me and my circle of friends : I was grateful that each had drawn their weapon ready for a fight if she was going to give us one.
"Because we came here to talk, not to fight."
Izzy perked up from my side, her ship coiled around her as she stared up at Lilith with a strong defiance.
A swell of pride grew in my chest, even I was unnerved by Lilith and her powers, yet Izzy just snapped back at her like she was talking to a child.
Although it did make me worried at how Lilith would react to Izzy's outburst. Thankfully, instead of being pissed off, she looked like she admired Izzy.
So in response she waved her hand at the disgusting monsters and they halted in their advances towards us - and I let out a sigh of relief I didn't know I was holding in.
Taking my gaze off of my mother I looked pointedly at the Seelie Queen, in anticipation for her to explain.
"For those of you who meddle with downworlders, you may have heard rumors of an in part is long have the balances of the shadow world been tipped in the favor of those with Angel blood - such as yourselves."
The Queen began, her once sweet and melodic voice was now bitter and harsh.
"The clave preaches about equality amongst all creatures in the shadow world, yet sneers and looks down upon any who have tainted blood in their proposition is simple, a new leader is required to balance the scales."
The blood rushing in my ears was the only audible sound in the room, even the birds and the bees had gone quiet. Nobody knew what to say.
The Clave had never been challenged in authority by a demon-blooded creature before - it was unnatural.
"And I presume that you are so generously offering yourself."
I spat at the Queen to clear the silence hanging over us in the air.
A smile leapt up onto the Queen's lips then, taunting me with information that I severely lacked.
"Will you do the honors?"
The Queen turned to Lilith who seemed more than happy to oblige.
"The only way to restore balance in the world is to have upon the throne one of angel and demon blood. The fair folk do indeed fit that description - but there's no way that the Nephilim could ever accept her as their true leader."
My senses dulled.
The air in the room stretched thin.
My head began to swim.
They wanted me to lead.
"You can't be serious…"
I spoke out of breath, disbelieving their proposal.
"Deadly. But you haven't heard the best part yet daughter."
Lilith continued, that awful gleam in her eye penetrating my confidence.
"You won't be ruling alone."
{Izzy's POV}
It was as if the rule was suddenly deprived of oxygen.
Clary. Rule the ShadowWorld.
I loved Clary with my whole heart, but she was 16, still a child in the eyes of the Clave. A leader needed wisdom and years of experience, things Clary didn't have.
Her expression suggested she felt the same way, disbelief splattered all over her face.
"You won't be ruling alone."
Lilith's words hung in my mind, printed on the back of my eyelids - sending me a signal, a sign. That something very awful, and very evil was to come.
I'm sure my jaw had hit the floor, and I picked it up quickly with more rational thought.
"You're suggesting a rebellion, a war."
I exclaimed, voicing my thoughts aloud.
"Not exactly. Contrary to what you believe, I do not want a war-"
The Seelie Queen was cut out by a hysterical laughter that erupted from Clary's mouth.
"Liar. You feed off of death and destruction - it brings you peace doesn't it your majesty. Don't forget that I know you, so don't fucking lie again."
Clary said in a deadpan voice, her tone carrying a threat.
The Queen was outraged by this and snapped,
"And don't you forget that you are within my Kingdom, I own you here Clarissa."
"Prove it, come over here and take a shot. I dare you."
If looks could kill then the Queen most definitely would be, even I was scared of Clary in this moment and her anger wasn't even directed at me.
"This is futile, you two can sort out your differences afterwards."
Lilith dismissed the whole situation and moved on,
"I do not want a war either, wars mean bloodshed and too many lives are at stake on both sides."
"You can't expect the Clave to just sit and accept this though, on the path you are choosing war is inevitable."
Alec explained, his mind obviously working hard to figure out what the two Queens were planning.
"If executed effectively then it can be evaded - the Clave would accept Clary as a leader, they would believe her to have their interests."
Clary's head snapped up, her interest in the conversation reinstated.
"And they would be assuming correct, my loyalties to you or any demon is long gone."
"Which is why there will be another leader, one to balance you out. Where you are weak she is strong, and where she is weak you are strong - the perfect pairing."
Clary threw her arms out wide, maddened by the lack of information we were actually receiving.
"By all means, reveal to us who this perfect leader is. I can't wait to meet her."
Which basically translated to, 'I can't wait to beat the shit out of this new person'.
Lilith turned her attention to the curtain of flowers on the opposing wall, and so did the rest of us.
{Clary's POV}
My blood was boiling, the frustration and anger flooding my veins making it hard to stay still.
I glanced at the curtain of vines and flowers, eagerly waiting to see 'my partner'. Partner my ass, I was a solo warrior - and there was no way in hell I was going to rule the ShadowWorld.
My anger evaporated. My grin dropped. My sword slipped from my grip and clattered to the ground.
It couldn't be.
That was impossible.
But my eyes weren't lying.
It was me.
The girl who emerged from the greenery was dressed head to toe in fighting gear, two black swords strapped to her back and winding down her shoulder was a tight braid of black hair.
Her smile sent shivers through my skull.
Her smile reminded me of him, of Valentine.
"Hello dear sister, it was about time we met."
Sorry for the cliffhanger!
Let me know your thoughts. Thank you for being so patient.
Song 28 ~ Gasoline - halsey