Chapter 12:

City of Demons

I do not own anything of Cassandra Clare or any of the characters mentioned in this fan-fiction from the Mortal Instruments. The only thing I own are their actions and speech.

This is set after city of heavenly fire Jocelyn and Luke are on their honeymoon and Clary has the house to herself... What will happen?...

Chapter 12 - Telling Tales

Cary's Point of View

I was restless all night. At the moments I couldn't sleep I would take a blanket and sit the library going over all of our research, trying to find something, anything we might have missed. Before I knew it with only a few restless naps throughout the night the sun was rising. At this point I was curled up on a couch in the library, my blanket pulled up to my neck and papers scattered across the couch and the floor. By the time everyone had returned from their night time watch I was fast asleep in my position despite all my efforts to stay awake in case there was news.

I woke up to sunlight streaming through the high windows lining the library walls, the bright light blinded me temporarily and it took me a moment to realise that everyone had already arrived back home and were gathered talking around the large table in the centre of the room. I sat up and realised the papers that had been surrounding me had been gathered up and moved. As I continued to move and pull the blanket away, Jace looked over his shoulder and noticed me rising. He left the table and made his way over to me. He sat down next to me and I looked at him expectantly to fill me in on the nights events.

"Nothing to report, it was a really quiet night. No demon sightings... Nothing at all". I couldn't help but sense that Jace was a little disappointed in the lack of activity through the night. Maybe he was hoping to learn something quickly that would help us maybe he just wanted to get into his old fighting self. I couldn't tell which.

"That's okay Jace, we probably knew we wouldn't find out anything in one night. I can't say that I'm not relieved that nothing happed to be honest". I had been tense all night, we didn't know what we were up against, we didn't know yet the extent of the threat in anyway, or if we were prepared at all for what was coming.

"What time is it?" I asked realising that today my mother and Luke would be returning. I still felt guilty having to involve them and cutting their honeymoon short, when they were finally happy.

"It's 11 ' clock. We already got some sleep. I didn't want to wake you, it looked like you didn't get much sleep either. Your mother called, Magnus is going to portal them here at lunch time". It felt like there was a heavy weight on me as we discussed their return.

"Did you manage to get some rest last night?" I asked Jace looking at the dark circles beneath his eyes.

"Everyone took some time to sleep before we started doing more research this morning" Jace replied. Something was telling me that he was choosing his words carefully to leave out that it was everyone else that had rested and not Jace.

"Does that include you?" I poked more into the subject.

"Clary I have to figure this out, I can't keep doing this I want to be able to keep you safe. Sebastian has already been so close to taking you from me before, and there's even more to lose now". Jace looked as though he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. It was though he was still punishing himself from his reaction to the pregnancy combined with his already over protective nature regarding me.

"We will figure this out but we need to do it together and we need to take care of our selves, if you keep going like this you're going to burn out and then you'll be no help to anyone". I could tell Jace already knew this deep down, but I could understand how sleep could elude him as it had been for myself.

"I know. Anyway you're one to talk we came back to find you asleep in the library covered in books. I nearly had a heart attack when you weren't in our room". He laughed and helped me to my feet suggesting we go and talk to the others. He kept his hand on the small of my back as we walked across the library a small gesture but it made me feel safe. We sat down and Jace lazily rested his arm over my shoulders. We sat down mid conversation as the discussion was going the current plan seemed to be to carry on with the current plan and maybe try catching a demon to interrogate regarding their allegiance to Sebastian.

"We can talk to Luke about mobilising the packs tonight, he can convince Maya easy enough I'm sure". I was pushing down my anxiety at having my mother and Luke back. It was going to be difficult enough to explain everything that had happened since they had been gone. I was thinking through how I was going to tell them lost in my thoughts when I say the crumpled piece of paper among the books on the table. From where I was sitting I could see part of the rune I had created sticking out from underneath a particularly large, leather bound book. I reached over and pulled it out, everyone was still deep in conversation as I stared down at the rune willing it to show its purpose to me. No matter how hard I stared.

Jace leant forwards to look at the rune. "Still can't figure our what it means?" he questioned as I gripped the paper tight in my hands.

"No, I know sometimes the meaning of the rune reveals itself to me in the moment I need it like with the rune to transfer the heavenly fire to the sword, and I can't help but feel this is so important in all of this. It's like its the last piece of the puzzle but we don't have any of the other pieces". Jace took the paper from my hands and placed it back on the table, seeing that I was clearly getting obsessed over the tattered paper.

"Well then it will come to you when your ready until then it's best not to dwell upon it". After this the conversation changed as Magnus announced that he was going to make preparations for my mother and Luke's arrival.

"I might actually go and prepare them a room considering their house is kind of off limits since the attack". I said to Jace standing up from the table. Izzy offered her help and we began to walk toward the area of the institute with guest bedrooms. Before we left Jace suggested that he was going to go back to my parents place with Alec to retrieve some of their belongings, ready for them when they arrive. I thought this was probably a good idea given that upon their arrival all of the information they are going to get they probably wont feel up to getting it themselves. Jace leant down and kissed me gently and I told him to be careful before Izzy and I left to gather the necessities that my parents would need on their arrival.

Jace's Point Of View

Alec and I had arrived at Clary's house. Alec was currently in Jocelyn and Luke's room while I headed over to Clary's to fill a bag with some more clothes and things that she had left behind. After I had finished packing her a bag I sat on her bed for a moment and let my mind wander. So much had changed in just a short amount of time, I thought back to only 2 years ago I didn't know Clary at all, I didn't know who I was or who my family had been and neither did she. I couldn't imagine what it must feel like for Clary for every thing that I had found out about myself, Clary had to deal with 10 more. We had come out of it together in the end, but now all of this, Sebastian back, the baby. It feels like more is at stake than every before, we can't all just go barrelling into danger right now because we don't know anything.

I've always preferred fighting over thinking. Kill the demons, think it through later. It just doesn't seem that simple anymore. Everything got infinitely more complicated overnight, and now Jocelyn and Luke were coming home. They're going to hate me for this, of course they are, they didn't trust me around Clary from the start and now I've proven them right. We're only 17, granted most shadowhunters have children young, we don't live as long lives as mundanes, but 17 was still young by any standard, especially to Clary who had been raised mundane and to her it was not as normal to have children young. That wasn't the only complication, Clary was now in this vulnerable position whilst there is more impending danger, and I can't help but feel responsible for putting her there. I'm sure Jocelyn and Luke are going to feel the same.

At some point while I was lost in my train of thought Alec had walked in, he cleared his throat to get my attention. "I've packed a few essentials, just things I think they wont have with them on their honeymoon, battle armour and such, I think it will do for now. Have you got everything Clary will need?". I replied yeah that I was done and that we should head out. As we were walking out of the house I could feel Alec glancing at me every few steps we took. Eventually I lost my temper and snapped "What?". Alec quickly looked away again as I turned to catch his gaze. "Nothing, I was just wondering how you were feeling about Jocelyn and Luke coming back today?". I could feel Alec's concern through my parabatai bond, and I was sure he could feel my anxiety in turn.

"I don't know what to think, I know Clary's terrified which I suppose doesn't bode well for me". I replied.

"They were both raised among shadowhunters Jace they know how it is. Our kind love intensely, and live short lives. This kind of thing happens all the time. Even Jocelyn had Jonathon and Clary young herself. And she chose Valentine, at least Clary has shown better judgement than that, and Jocelyn knows it". Alec was right of course, but I just can't help but feel that their parental instincts and protectiveness of Clary might win out over rational judgment and compassion on the situation.

"I just don't want Clary to be upset by the whole thing, she's already been through enough".

"We all have Jace."

And with that we head back to the institute for the next step...

Clary's Point of View

Izzy and I had set up a guest bedroom with en-suite, stocking it with essentials, towels and fresh linen on the bed. By the time we had finished we could here the institute doors slamming closed, alerting us to Jace and Alec's return. Simon had been training in the weapons room this whole time and Izzy went off to get him so we could all be together when Magnus portalled my mother and Luke back. I headed to the entry way of the institute to meet Jace. When I arrived Alec and Jace were each holding two medium sized duffle bags. I went to take one from Jace to help carry them up to the room we had prepared and he merely shrugged me off stating that he is a very string man and as such will carry these bags with ease. I rolled my eyes at his jest and led them to the right room to drop off the bags.

As we were leaving I pointed out that Jace was still carrying one bag. "Oh this ones your stuff. I brought some extra clothes and things for you, not much but we didn't bring much here with us." I smiled a thank you at him as we walked over to out room to drop of the bag. When we got there I sat on the bed for a moment taking some deep breaths. Jace came to sit beside me and we sat in silence for a moment.

"It feels like every time I finally get a handle on a new reality, something else happens and it just puts us right back at the start." I looked up at Jace knowing he felt the same way.

"I know, but we always make it through. Together. We will figure this out Clary. I promise." We sat in silence until Izzy came to get us, telling us that Magnus was ready and waiting to bring my parents back. Jace took my hand and we walked to the library to wait. before long we could hear voices we all stood up from where we were sitting and turned to face the doors in time to see them swing open. My mother ran straight towards me wrapping her arms around me and holding me tight, I could see Luke over her shoulder looking concerned.

"Clary, what happened, are you okay? Are you sure he's back?" my mother started reeling off so many questions I couldn't keep up.

Magnus broke her off "why don't we all sit down and talk?... we have a lot to fill you in on".

Jace Point of View

we were all seated at the large table in the library where we started to fill Jocelyn and Luke in on everything that had happened since the day Clary was attacked. We told them about the demons, Sebastian's return our research and the only plan we really had. They investigated Clary's rune to see if they recognised it. Though everyone, especially Clary seemed to steer clear of telling them that Clary is pregnant.

When we had filled them in Luke left to call Maya to organise the pack and discuss whether they had any information or had seen anything that could help. The plan was to let the pack cover the lay lines tonight, while we rested, and alternate our efforts where necessary. We had originally paired off to stake out the areas in search of anything at all that would be useful to us. Last time it had been Alec and myself, Izzy and Simon, with magnus checking in where he could.

"So tomorrow night, I want to help, Luke and I will cover another position and see what we can find. Clary I'm assuming you'll be with Jace?" A couple of heads whipped round and I'm sure Jocelyn noticed.

"NO!" I said probably too loud and a little too fast. Clary cut me off before I could say anything else.

"We decided it was too risky, Sebastian has always tried to get me to join him, we didn't want to give him the chance" Jocelyn seemed appeased by this answer but still looked suspiciously at us all. After this altercation the others started to leave with some random excuse or another, but presumably to give Clary and her parents space to talk so Clary could tell them. The four of us had been in the library for a while when dinner time came around. I left them in the library to go and check with the others on what we were eating.

As I walked into the kitchen the others were all sat quietly at the table, there were pizza boxes on the counter waiting.

"Why didn't you come to get us if there's food here already?" I asked.

"Magnus is keeping it warm. We didn't want to interrupt, how are they taking it?" Alec spoke moving over to make space for me. I sat down next to him, running my finger through my hair.

"She hasn't told them, I kept trying to get her too, hell we went outside and talked about it. She thinks it's too much at once. So please just don't say anything yet, I really think Clary isn't ready for them to know."

"You know you're going to have to tell them soon. Eventually they're going to start questioning why Clary isn't being involved in everything, they know she's powerful and can help. I don't think they see her as that vulnerable little girl anymore. Damn you all walked into hell together not too long ago. I'm sure they're wondering what the actual reason you wont let her walk around Brooklyn. You weren't exactly subtle before Jace." I knew Magnus was right of course. I also knew at some point we were probably going to need Clary's help at some point. She can do things that none of us ever could dream up.

"I know just give her some time" everyone nodded in agreement as Clary and her parents walked in. Clary sat down beside me and I kissed the top of her head, Jocelyn and Luke sat at the other corner of the table in a space next to Simon. Alec grabbed the pizzas and put them in the centre of the table and everyone began to tear into them. I spotted what seemed to be a plain cheese pizza and placed it in front of Clary, hoping it would be the least objectionable option considering she was having difficulty with keeping food down. I figured it would be for the best for her not to run out of the room throwing up, from what looked like meat feast and seafood topped pizzas at the other side of the table. Seeing what I did Clary smiled at me, silently thanking me, and took a slice eating it with more gusto than I had seen her do for a while.

Before long all the pizza had gone and Magnus had sent to boxes to the angel know where, but they had vanished from the table. By this point it was getting late. Jocelyn and Luke excused themselves clearly exhausted by the days events and went to the room which Clary had shown them to earlier. when they were gone it was quiet for only a moment while we waited for them to be completely out of earshot.

"I know you don't have to say it.. I'm a coward" Clary said looking up at the table.

"No one thinks you're a coward biscuit. I think you probably made the right call. You're mother was already torn up by everything else. I don't think they would take the news very well tonight. There will be a better time, and you can do it then," I knew he was right, Clary didn't look too convinced. I put my arm around her and pulled her closer to me breathing in her scent as I did so.

"I guess, it's not like that's our biggest issue right now anyway." she replied back to Magnus.

"Well there's not much we can do tonight, we will get in contact with Maya and the pack tomorrow and see if they found anything. Until then, we may as well get some rest, it's our turn on guard tomorrow night." everyone started to stand and move towards the door leading out of the dining area.

"You mean you're all on guard tomorrow night" Clary mumbled folding her arms over her chest in protest of her house arrest.

Clary's Point of View

We made it back to Jace's room, as my mother and Luke had already gone to bed I did not have to sneak in. We had also purposely given them a room far from ours for this reason, so they were unaware Jace and I were sharing. When we got to the room Jace took off his shirt and walked towards the shower, I couldn't help but stare at his golden skin, his muscles in his as back perfectly sculpted as the rest of his body. He closed the bathroom door and I could here the shower turn on. While he was showering I found a plain white t-shirt in one of Jace's drawers. The inside of the chest had two rows of perfectly folded shirts all neat and undisturbed until I took one out.

I threw the shirt on the bed and walked across the room to find a discarded pair of my shorts on the floor, throwing them next to the shirt. I began to take of my clothes and pulled on my shorts I was about to grab the shirt when I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror on the closet door. If I tried really hard I though I could almost make out the slight curvature of my stomach in the reflection , but that may be caused by the 6 pizza slices I had eaten at dinner. I let my hand drift down and hold my stomach turning slightly to different angles to see if I could see something there.

I was still standing like this holding my stomach, dressed only in my bra and shorts when Jace finished his shower and walked into the room. I didn't notice him at first too engrossed in my investigation. It wasn't until he came behind me running his hands along my arms until they met my own resting on my stomach just above the waistband of my shorts. He moved closer so that his chest was flush against my back, and leant his head down into the curve of my neck, placing gentle kissed along there.

I turned to face him and his arms wrapped around the small of my back, while my rose up to his neck. Jace began to lean down, and I leant into him slightly prepared to kiss him. However, when he reached level with my lips he kept moving down my body until he was kneeling in front of me. He rested his forehead do gently on my stomach and placed a gentle kiss where his lips landed, so light as though a butterfly had brushed past my skin.

"I love you so much, you are so loved" Jace said quietly, almost a whisper but not quite. "I will do everything I can to protect you" I moved my hand and rested it on Jace's cheek, stroking it with my thumb. His eyes lifted to meet mine looking at me through his beautiful long golden eyelashes. He moved as though to get up, instead I joined him, lowering myself to my knees, remaining in his arms. When I reach the ground I pushed myself closer to Jace and pressed my lips against his. Sweet, love filled kisses, conveying every loving thought and feeling I had for Jace, for our baby, our family. After a few minutes we pulled away breathless. It wasn't until now that I realised Jace was only wearing a towel around his waist, and a hunger rose inside me.

I reached down and began to pull his towel away, Jace following suit reached around and unclasped my bra. I pushed my shorts down past my legs, and we stumbled towards the bed. Jace was moaning, kissing my neck.

"Clary we - we sh shouldn't" he mumbled our between kisses. I pulled back momentarily looking him in the eye.

"Why not Jace? I can't get anymore pregnant" I said with a smirk. He smiled a a me a hint of playfulness in his angelic grin.

"That sounds like a challenge, believe me if anyone could it would be me" he said. There was a deep almost growling quality in the way he spoke, and laughed before taking me placing me gently back underneath, moving together until we become one.

Thanks!

Louiseee1499