The gang start the spell but it will involve the children and some pain.
Chapter Six.
Clarissa Adele Fairchild has always been a very brave woman. When Clary was thrown into the shadow world on her sixteenth birthday she was brave, scared but brave. When Clary went into the dimensions of hell and fought off every known demon, she was brave, though she was terrified. When Clary went into the Seelie realm with Jace she was brave. She has always put on a brave fact because she felt that if she did not, she may break. She was not afraid that her emotions were cloud her judgement. She merely felt that using her emotions to push toward her goal would make her brave. She was always afraid but that did not mean that she would give up. Being brave meant that you pushed through the fear. That is what she intended to do today.
When Jace got the phone call and they ran the entire way here, Clary was sure that she would have to pick up the pieces once this was over. Jace looked so afraid and shattered at the thought of Alec being hurt. It had ben a long time since Alec really hurt. Jace always felt what Alec did but when Jace doubled over in pain and told Clary something was wrong, she was scared. She needed Alec to be okay because she loved him like the others but she also needed him to be okay because if he wasn't, Jace would not be either. Clary was brave when she walked into the quiet house and realized quickly that it felt like a funeral in here. Everyone is scared. No one really knows what to say about what is happening. The children continue to play as if nothing is going on.
"Clary, we need to begin," Magnus says as he walks into the room carrying his blue son. Magnus gestures for them to follow him. With Simon by her side, Clary bravely stands and walks back to their bedroom where Alec is laying on their large plush bed with silky golden sheets. She has never been in their joined bedroom before and to be honest, it feels odd, like an invasion of their sexual privacy. It is a very romantic room, filled with ordained jewels and pretty things but it is clear that this bed is not just for sleeping. She tries to ignore that thought as she enters the room with courage, standing before her sick friend.
The proud Alec Lightwood is laying on their golden bed with one of his hands clutching the sheets so tightly Clary wonders if he is going to tear the sheets and the other gripping Jace so badly it is clear that Jace is in pain but he would never pull away. Izzy is standing on the other side of the bed with her arms guarded around her abdomen and her face staring down at her brother with so much concern Clary wants to walk over and hug her. But Simon beats her to that feeling. He gives Izzy a quick squeeze and whispers something that is only between them before walking back to the edge of the bed beside Clary, always near his parabatai.
"We're ready," Magnus says. "Everyone needs to listen to me very carefully. You will each link hands with another who you are deeply connected to. That should not be hard given our familial connection. We are all to keep these bonds the entire time. I will perform the spell that will release some of the fear Alec is feeling. We will each feel it."
"Will that effect us?" Simon asks, always ready to volunteer to help the Lightwoods, not for his parabatai and not even for his fiancé but actually for each of them because they are his friends too. That would make Clary smile if she were not so scared for Alec. He looks horrible. He is shaking all over and moaning. There is sweat on his face and his eyes are clenched tightly together as he writhes. He turns his head over to the side, trying to open his eyes. He catches eyes with Magnus.
"This will hurt, Alexander," he warns his lover, putting his hand through his hair in a gentle gesture that makes Clary want to look away. When Jace does things like that to her, she would hate it if someone else was watching.
"You shouldn't be using magic," Alec says.
"Max will help me," Magnus assures.
"We shouldn't be asking him to do that."
"I'm just going to take his energy and strength. He has a lot of it for such a young one. He will be fine and so will I and so will you," Magnus says with a small smile. It is a gentle smile that should assure his lover. Clary looks down at her hands while this exchange takes place. Magnus sits down on the bed beside Alec and puts Max in his lap. It is a cute gesture but it does not look anything like they are about to perform a strong ritual that can change the fate of their family member.
"Alec, are you ready for this?" Jace asks.
He nods.
"He will take some of our energy. We will feel his fear but before that happens, Alec you will see the vision again, probably the entire time that we are doing this ceremony. You have to hold on. Jace and I will keep a hold of your hands," Magnus says and then takes a sigh. "Anyone need a strong drink before we begin? Or is that just me?"
Alec gives a small smile before it falls into a grimace and he writhes in pain. His back arches and his body starts shaking again. He groans with a sound Clary has never heard before. It is terrifying and shaky and clearly filled with agony.
"Let's do this," Clary says quickly. She holds out her hand to Jace. He takes it. Simon takes her other hand and connects with Izzy. Izzy grasps Rafe who is also holding onto Max. Max sits in his papa's lap with his hand on his shoulder as Magnus does the magic needed. Magnus's free hand grips his lovers tightly. Each of them is connected as the spells begin.
Clary focuses on Alec, on saving him, on everything that he has ever done for her. She takes a long deep breath and gives all of her energy to him. She pushes her energy in his direction and feels as his illness starts to creep into her body as the fear finds its way into her fingertips. It grows up her hands and into her forearms like a darkness that begins to engulf her. It threatens to overtake her entire being but she does not let it. She holds tightly onto Jace and Simon, the two men who have always meant the most to her. But she does love Alec. At first she hated Alec but after she realized the pain he had been in his entire life, the bravery that he must have had to put forth to lie for the good of his family all of those years made Clary realize what a courageous and good man he was. Alec does not deserve this pain.
She can only imagine the kind of fear he has felt his entire life. Fear of getting found out. Fear of not feeling what he thought he was supposed to. Fear of never being good enough. Fear of never having what he so desperately longed for. And he always faced with a brave face and a noble heart.
The spell continues and the feeling of horror grows stronger and stronger. Alec begins to writhe and wither. He begins to call out in horror for each of them.
"Clary! Don't! No, Jace! Come back! Izzy! What's going on? Leave them alone! I have to get to them! Max! Save them! Rafe, get out of here!" he shouts over and over again. His shouts don't make much sense but it is clear that he is going over each of the names, seeing them for the first time in his head and watching the fear grow worse and worse.
"Magnus! Magnus! Please!" Alec starts to beg.
Clary throws her head back as the darkness reaches her heart and takes her over.