I had just hung up with Taylor, when Jace and Clary came to get me. They told me that we were going to talk to Simon. I agreed and followed them.
"Simon, wait!" I called out.
"What's going on?" Simon asked as he turned to look at us.
"We need your help." Jace replied.
I thought I'd never see the day where Jace asked Simon for help.
"The Book of the White. It contains the spell that can wake our mom, but she hid it so Valentine can never find it." Clary continued.
"We have a lead." Jace added.
Clary held out the bookmark for Simon to see.
"The Bookmark of the White?" Simon questioned.
"It's a piece of the book itself. Magnus tracked its owner to the Hotel DuMort, but…" Clary replied, but I could tell that she was hesitant to tell Simon who it belonged to.
"It belongs to Camille." I finished.
"Okay, um… I'll set a meeting with Raphael." Simon said.
"Thank you." Clary said.
Simon nodded his head before leaving.
Clary, Jace, and I looked at each other because if this doesn't work, then we'll have to figure out another way to wake Jocelyn.
Jace, Clary, Serena, Izzy, and I gathered around the computer to see about the attack on Lydia. I hope she's alright, and I can't wait to find who did it so I can beat their ass.
"How's Lydia?" Clary asked as Alec joined us.
"Better. Magnus is doing what he can to help her, but it's bad. And the Cup is definitely missing." Alec replied.
"So is Hodge." Jace added.
He better not be implying what I think he is.
"Maybe he was attacked, too." Izzy said.
"Maybe he's the one who attacked her." I said.
"Hodge? No way. We've known him our entire lives. He would never do that to us." Serena replied.
We then watched as Hodge attacked Lydia and took the Cup. Serena lightly grabbed my wrist because she could tell that I was fixing to go after Hodge.
"I led him right to the Cup." Jace said.
"We treated him like family. How could he do this to us?" Alec questioned.
Izzy was clicking away and found the video that showed us more.
"That's how. What is that ring?" Clary asked.
"Looks like he's talking to someone." Serena said.
"And I can bet who it is." Jace said.
"Valentine." Clary and I said together.
"Well, that explains how he deactivated the punishment rune, but it doesn't explain where he got the ring." Alec said.
"You think someone smuggled it past the wards?" Clary asked.
"Maybe. Hodge wasn't the only ex-circle member around here." Jace replied.
"Look, I know I don't see eye to eye with my parents, but I know they're not traitors." Izzy said.
"Really? Isn't that what you just said about Hodge? It'd have to be someone we trusted, but if there was an intruder inside the Institute, we would have found them by now." Jace said.
"What about the forsaken attack?" I asked.
"No. We killed that thing, and Serena and I didn't see a ring." Alec replied.
"He didn't have one during the autopsy, but… maybe there's something in the footage." Izzy said.
She went looking through the attack footage and there was something there, but we needed a different view.
"Go to the other camera." Alec said.
Izzy changed cameras and we got the view we needed.
"There." Jace said.
Izzy started playing the video.
"So, it wasn't a random attack." Serena said.
"He was just the delivery boy." I said.
"If he gives the Cup to Valentine, he'll create an army of Shadowhunters. With that kind of power behind him, he'll kill thousands." Alec said.
"He'll kill thousands just creating the army. Most mundanes won't survive that." Izzy said.
"We won't let that happen." Clary said.
"I'm gonna make sure of it." Jace said.
"Jace, what are you doing?" Clary asked as we joined him, Alec, and Serena.
"Every second we waste here, Hodge gets closer to Valentine." Jace replied.
"Hey, we're a team, all right? I know you're mad right now, but Hodge could be dangerous." Clary said.
"Three of us, one of him. Check the math, but I'm pretty sure he's outnumbered." Jace replied.
I had to hide a smile because he's right. I trust them with my life, but as long as Alec and Serena are with Jace, then he should be fine.
"What is with you? Would you just talk to me for a second?" Clary asked.
"Lydia, Hodge… All this is happening because I didn't stop Valentine." Jace replied.
"Jace, you cannot let your emotions cloud your judgment. Your words, remember?" I started, but I was more focused on calming him down.
Jace gave me a look, but knew that I was only trying to calm him down so he didn't go do something half-cocked and get the others or himself killed.
"When I first wanted to find my mom, I didn't care about anyone else, even Scar. But you were the one that taught me that it's about a world that's bigger than us." Clary continued.
"That's why you need to wake her up. She was his prisoner… and his wife. If anyone can stop him, she can." Jace said.
"Jace, listen to me…" Clary went to say.
"You can do this." Jace interrupted.
"Maybe I can. But it's not about me, it's you I'm worried about. You cannot let Valentine's evil poison you!" Clary argued.
"He's my father." Jace said.
"Actually… he's our father." Clary said.
"You don't get it." Jace said.
Jace, Alec, and Serena left but Serena gave me a hug before she followed. I pray to the angel that they'll be alright and that Jace won't do something too stupid. Clary and I went and finally changed out of our dresses and went with Izzy to talk to Raphael.
"For Shadowhunters, you don't seem to do a lot of Shadowhunting." Raphael said.
"There is more to the job than killing demons." I said.
Raphael gave me a smile and Taylor giggled.
"We need to talk to Camille. We know you have her here. We tracked her to the DuMort." Clary said.
"It's true, but I'm afraid she's a bit tied up at the moment. Is there something I can help you with?" Raphael said.
"That went through my head differently than it was intended." I whispered to Taylor.
Taylor gave a quiet giggle because we didn't want the others to hear us.
Simon then pulled Raphael away, but not too far that we couldn't hear.
"Just a second. Look, I know this sounds crazy, but we have to let them talk to Camille. She has a spell book that could wake up Jocelyn Fairchild. Valentine might have the Cup. The entire Downworld's in danger." Simon said.
"She's far too dangerous. Or did you already forget what happened last time you "talked" to her?" Raphael asked.
"It's not like she can kill me again." Simon replied.
"You said it yourself… if Valentine has the Cup, the entire Downworld is at risk. Camille will only make things worse." Raphael said.
They then came back to us and I could tell that what he was fixing to say was going to piss Clary and Izzy off.
"I'll bring you what's left of Camille's things, but speaking to her is out of the question." Raphael said.
"Her things? This isn't the kind of book she would've just left sitting around." Clary scoffed.
"I'm sorry… but that's the best I can do." Raphael said.
"We're supposed to be allies." Clary said.
I rolled my eyes. Why did she just do that? Just because he didn't give her what she wants, she just throws that out there.
"And we are. But Shadowhunters have no business interfering with the Night Children's affairs. You may look to the Clave for justice, but the Vampires look to me. Camille stays where she is." Raphael said.
"You're making a huge mistake." Clary said.
I knew that she was planning something and I'm not too sure what to think. Taylor reassured me that everything would play out like it should, and I hope she's right. I might love Clary but she needs to use her head on this instead of trying to outsmart the vampires.
*Serena's POV*
I have no idea where Alec went off to, but I finally caught up with Jace, and he just got a hold of Hodge. I decided to hang back because Jace needs to bring him in alive, plus, I really don't want to get in the middle of this.
"Where is it?" Jace asked Hodge.
"Jace… I'm afraid you're too late. Valentine already has the Cup." Hodge replied.
They then begin to fight, but Jace kicked Hodge against the pillar.
"How could you?" Jace yelled.
"It was the only way to earn my freedom. I'd been caged long enough." Hodge replied.
"Caged? You were our teacher. We treated you like family. We love you!" Jace argued.
"Family? Family? The Lightwoods cut a deal, Jace, to have me punished for crimes that they themselves committed. Don't you see? I was their prisoner! And besides… let's be real for a moment. You can't win. (Hodge then chuckled) I taught you everything you know." Hodge said before brandishing his weapons.
"Not everything, Hodge." Jace said before opening his double sided seraph blade.
I watched their fight and almost ran out when Jace chopped off one of Hodge's hands. Jace was then fixing to land the final blow, but Alec tackled him to the ground. Luke and I joined Hodge and I tried my damnedest not to kill him myself.
"It's over!" Alec yelled.
"It's not over. He's a traitor. He deserves to pay." Jace growled.
"You nearly killed him!" Alec yelled.
"Maybe I should've killed him! He sided with Valentine, Alec. The Clave let him go once before and look where that got us." Jace argued.
"What are you gonna do? You're gonna kill every ex-Circle member, even our parents?" I asked as I joined them.
"Robert and Maryse aren't my parents." Jace said.
"You said it yourself. They raised you." I started.
"They are your parents! Just calm down." Alec finished before getting off of Jace.
"There's a dungeon in Idris with your name written all over it." Luke told Hodge.
Jace seemed to be in his own world, but I hope that we can lock Hodge up, wake Jocelyn up, and stop Valentine before someone else gets hurt, or even worse.
*End of POV*
"So these are all of Camille's things?" I asked as Izzy inspected the table.
"All I could find. But she has hideouts all over the city." Raphael replied.
"Interesting." Izzy said.
"I thought you were looking for a spell book." Raphael said.
"We are." Izzy said.
" "We"? Where are your friends?" Raphael asked.
Now that I think about it, where the hell is Clary, Simon, and Taylor.
*Taylor's POV*
I knew something was off, so I left Scarlett with Izzy and Raphael and went to check out where Clary and Simon ran off too.
"Give me a second. I gotta deal with this. No one told me anything about a new prisoner." a vampire said.
I knew right then that he was talking to Simon and that Clary was in the coffin, so I stayed in the shadows and watched the scene unfold.
"That's because you're not advisor to the interim chapter president. I mean, you can take it up with Raphael if you want, but, uh, I wouldn't… wouldn't wanna tell you what happened to the last guy that challenged him." Simon said.
"Don't go anywhere." the vampire said before leaving the room.
"Idiot." I mumbled under my breath.
I followed after Simon and I can't wait to see how he explains this.
*End of POV*
"Did you really think that this stall tactic was going to work?" Raphael asked Izzy.
I'm glad he did that because I'm confused at the moment. Did they come up with a plan and not tell me?
"No… but I thought this would." Izzy replied before snapping her whip at Raphael, who dodged with ease.
"Typical Shadowhunter… always underestimating a vampire." Raphael chuckled before leaving the room.
I shook my head at Izzy because I can't believe that they didn't fill me in on what was going on. Am I not important enough anymore?
*Taylor's POV*
I followed Simon into Camille's room and this is going to be fun.
"Sure this will work?" Simon asked as he opened the coffin Clary was in.
"Izzy's a pro. By the time that vamp finds Raphael, we'll be long gone. (Clary grunted as Simon helped her out) Let's get this over with. If anyone catches us, we're dead." Clary said.
Bad choice of words, girl.
"Some of us already are." Simon said.
*End of POV*
*Serena's POV*
Luke went to call Alaric and Alec and I stayed with Jace and Hodge. We figured that they would be cool for a few minutes without us, so we went to talk to Luke.
"How's Hodge doing?" Luke asked.
"He'll live. It's Jace we're worried about. Valentine really messed with his head." I replied.
"What? At Renwick's?" Luke asked.
"Yeah. He went through a lot recently. I thought we had settled it, but something's killing him inside. I don't know what it is." Alec replied.
"This is all too familiar. I saw a similar thing with Valentine 18 years ago." Luke said.
"Jace isn't Valentine." I growled.
"Not yet. We gotta keep an eye on him." Luke said.
"All right." Alec said.
"Where'd they go?" Luke asked.
"What do you mean?" Alec asked.
We all turned and saw that Jace and Hodge were gone.
"Damn it Jace." I growled.
*End of POV*
*Taylor's POV*
"Once we open this, there's no going back. Everything we've done to unite the Downworld goes out the window." Simon said.
"I wish there was another way, but if Valentine gets a hold of the Cup… there won't be a Downworld left to unite." Clary said.
I just rolled my eyes because there were other ways to go about this, but she jumped in head on instead of actually thinking this through.
Clary then cut the chains on Camille's coffin and both her and Simon opened it.
"She's dead." Clary said.
"Well, yeah. What'd you expect? She's a vampire." Simon said.
Camille then screeched as she sat up.
"Not so fast." Clary said as she put her seraph blade against Camille's throat.
"What took you so long?" Camille asked Simon.
"Excuse me?" Simon asked.
"I knew you'd come back for your sire, just like you did before. We're forever linked, you and I." Camille replied.
"How do you know I don't want to stake you?" Simon asked.
"Do you?" Camille asked.
"No." Simon replied.
"I do." I said as I stepped out of the shadows.
They all looked at me and I could tell that Simon knew he should've known that I was there.
"But that's not why we're here. Where's the Book of the White?" Clary asked.
"The book of the what?" Camille asked.
I knew she was playing dumb, but I don't think that Clary and Simon have picked that up yet.
"The Book of the White. Big, white spell book. Kind of explains itself." Simon replied.
"Never heard of it." Camille said.
"And yet we tracked it to you." Clary said.
I see that Scarlett had rubbed off on her.
"Darling… what would I possibly want with a spell book?" Camille asked.
"We don't have time for this. Put her back in." Clary scoffed before trying to shove Camille back.
"Okay, okay, okay. You said it was a warlock book?" Camille questioned.
"Yeah. I think my mom gave it to you. She ran an antique store. Vampires sell that sort of stuff, right?" Clary replied.
"All the time. But if your mother was even half as charming as you, I'm pretty sure I'd remember her." Camille replied.
"What about Dorothea Rollins? She was my mom's assistant." Clary asked.
"Dot? Oh, but of course. She was our favorite customer. So your entire life has been paid for by my antiquities. I guess that means you owe me." Camille replied.
"Do you know where it is or not?" I growled.
"It's in my apartment on the upper east side. My own pied-a-terre. I can take you there… but you'll have to get me out of here first. Or you can leave me in here, and never get the book. Totally up to you." Camille replied.
Clary and Simon shared looks and then they looked at me. I just shrugged my shoulders because I'm just here to make sure that no one dies and I just wanted to find out what they were up to.
*End of POV*
"I can't believe that you guys kept this secret from me." I told Izzy.
"We were doing it to protect you." Izzy said.
"How? Do you really think that low of Raphael and Taylor? Just remember this, when I left the Institute, I ran into Taylor and she protected me." I said.
I could tell that that hurt Izzy, but she needed to understand that I don't like being left in the dark because then I can't help when needed.
*Taylor's POV*
Simon opened the door and all of us followed.
"Simon, it's 6:00 am. The sun's almost up." Clary said.
"No problem. We'll go downstairs and take the tunnels out. Come on." Simon said.
"Going somewhere?" Raphael asked as him and other vampires came around the corner.
I joined them because Raphael knew that I was only following Clary because of Scarlett.
"Raphael." Camille said.
"You should have stayed put." Raphael said.
Man, I wish Scarlett was here to see this. She would get a total kick out of it.
Camille hissed at Raphael but I hissed back to shut her up.
"I'm disappointed in you." Raphael told Simon.
"I… I guess it's too late to put her back in the box?" Simon questioned.
"I'm afraid so. Our alliance is finished. The Accords may prohibit killing mundanes, but they say nothing about sunburned vampires. Simon's betrayed us… just as Camille did. They deserve the same fate. Adios. Kill them." Raphael said.
Before anyone moved, the wall crumbled and sunlight was let in. I watched as Izzy and Scarlett came into the room, and I could tell that something was off with Scarlett because she wasn't herself.
"Seriously, guys?" Scar asked but I knew she was actually talking to Simon and Clary.
"Typical vampire… always underestimating a Shadowhunter. Adios." Izzy said before they walked away.
Scarlett looked back and I could tell that she was trying not to cry. I then pieced it together that they never told Scarlett what they were planning. I guess Raphael figured it out as well because he glanced at me.
*End of POV*
"I think I'd have been better off just staying in the coffin." Camille said.
"But you didn't. We got you out." Clary said.
"Technically, Scar and I got you out." Izzy said.
"Noted. Now, tell us where the book is." Clary said.
"Patience, my dear…" Camille said.
"Enough! Just because we got you out doesn't mean I won't kill you right here." I growled as I pointed my seraph blade at Camille.
"There's still one more thing I require of, um…" Camille said while pretending to not know Simon's name.
"Simon." Simon said.
"A writ of transmutation." Camille added.
"What the hell is that?" Simon asked.
"A document stating that you asked her to turn you into a vampire." Izzy replied.
"Signed and sealed in your blood, of course." Camille added.
"Haven't you had enough of my blood?" Simon asked.
Stupid question, Simon.
"Never. And I definitely don't want the Clave to falsely accuse me of killing mundanes." Camille replied.
"You want Simon to pardon you? You killed Simon. The least we could do is return the favor." Clary said and I agreed with her.
"And yet… the second I go up in smoke, so does any hope of you finding your precious book." Camille said.
Simon placed his hand on Clary's shoulder and gave me a look to back down. I did and so did Clary.
"It's okay." Simon told us.
"So where do we get this document, huh? I can't imagine you have many friends left." Clary said.
I couldn't help but giggle because that's the truth.
"I know a guy." Camille said before walking past us.
We followed her and ended up at Magnus's place. Why am I not surprised?
"So, Magnus, how long has it been? One hundred? One hundred fifty years?" Camille asked as we walked into Magnus's place.
"One hundred thirty-eight. Oddly, I haven't missed you." Magnus replied.
"Of course you have, my love." Camille said.
"All right, you two can catch up later. Right now, we need to find the Book of the White." I said.
"And you will, but not without payment. You of all people should understand that." Camille said.
"Of course. And what is it you require?" Magnus asked.
"A clean slate." Camille replied.
"She wants a writ of turning me into a vampire." Simon added.
"And we need you to draft it." Clary added as well.
"Hmm. I thought I was done with you." Magnus said to Camille.
"We'll never be done with each other." Camille chuckled.
"I'm gonna call for backup." Izzy said before walking off.
"Simon, can I talk to you for a minute?" Clary asked before her and Simon walked off.
I walked away because I was left alone once again. This is where I need Serena because then we could forge out a plan to keep us all alive and in one piece. I only came out of my thoughts when I heard Magnus say something.
"Well, this is awkward." Magnus said.
I looked and saw Izzy, Serena, and Alec in the doorway. I joined them and Alec and Serena were happy to see me.
"Where's the book?" Alec asked.
"It's complicated." Magnus replied.
"Clearly." Alec said.
"I have it." Camille said.
"And she's graciously offered it in exchange for her freedom." Magnus said.
"And her freedom requires a lip-lock?" Izzy asked.
"We don't negotiate with prisoners." Serena said.
"Prisoner? I beg to disagree. You see, I'm your only chance at saving the world. You need me. You certainly have a type, don't you, Magnus? He's cute. Too bad it won't last." Camille said.
"Say that again… you won't last." Izzy and I growled together.
"I'd say he's about 20 years from male pattern baldness." Camille said.
"I don't have time for this. Where's Clary?" Alec asked.
Magnus pointed to the room behind him and Alec motioned for me to go with him. Serena stayed with Izzy and I'm glad because if me and Izzy were left alone, then I can't promise that Camille would still be standing.
"Alec, Scar, did you guys find Hodge?" Clary asked.
"Yeah, but Valentine has the Cup." Alec replied.
"What? We're too late." Clary said, but then I noticed something.
"Where's Jace? Is he okay?" I asked once I realized that Jace wasn't with us, or had joined us by now.
"He went after Valentine by himself. It's like he's totally lost it. I tried to stop him, but he wouldn't listen." Alec replied.
"We need to find Jace. He's in a dark place. We don't know what he's gonna do." Clary said.
"Luke is out looking for him. Jace wants us to stay on mission. That means we have to find the book." Alec said.
"They're right. We have to wake up your mom." Simon added.
"It's our only way to stop Valentine." I added as well.
"Ready to sign?" Camille asked as she waltzed into the room.
"Take us to the apartment, give us the book, then you can have your pardon." Simon said.
I'm so proud of him right now. Camille looked at us before looking back at Simon.
"I wouldn't have it any other way." Camille said.
"Good." Simon said.
We all left and went to find the book. I hope Jace is okay. I can't believe he went off on his own, but I'm not surprised either.
Once we got inside, I went straight to looking through the books. I ignored all the conversations going on around me, and Serena stayed near me just in case.
"Something doesn't feel right." I told Serena.
"What do you mean?" Serena asked.
"I can't explain it, but I feel like something is coming." I replied.
"We gotta go. He's here." Izzy told us before going to find Clary and Simon.
We all met up but weren't fast enough because a portal appeared and Valentine and a few others came through it.
"Clarissa. So good to see you again. Where's your brother?" Valentine asked.
"You think I'd tell you?" Clary asked.
"You won't have to." Valentine said.
"Stay away from her!" Simon yelled as he tried to attack Valentine.
"Simon!" Izzy yelled as Valentine threw him to the ground.
Izzy then attacked Valentine herself, but got jerked to the ground as well.
"Stop! This time you're not getting away." Jace yelled.
Simon, Izzy, Serena, and I were grabbed and had seraph blades held to our throats. Clary had the book, so she just stood there.
"Finally ready to kill your own father?" Valentine asked.
"You abandoned me." Jace replied.
"I was protecting you. You weren't ready then, but you've grown. You've become the warrior I've trained you to be." Valentine said.
"You trained me well." Jace said.
"And yet, I still have so much to teach you. I brought you here for a reason. Look, fight me, and watch your friends die. (Alec and Magnus were then brought in) See, you are strong, but they make you weak." Valentine said.
"The only weak one I see is you, coward." I growled.
Valentine was going to say something but didn't because Clary then spoke.
"Let us go. You can have the book. We won't be able to stop you without it." Clary said.
"Ah, Clarissa. So like your mother. Willing to do anything for those that you love. I'm touched, but… the book was never part of my plan. I want you to wake up your mother. I know that you'll both join me eventually, along with Scarlett. It's fated. You ready?" Valentine said to Clary before turning to Jace.
"If I go with you… promise me you won't hurt them." Jace said.
"You have my word." Valentine said.
"This is insane." I said.
"I'm sorry, Clary. Scar." Jace said.
"Jace… what are you doing? You can't be serious! Valentine is wrong. You're not like him. I'm not. You're not!" Clary said.
"You don't know that, Clary. You don't know that." Jace said.
"Let them go." Valentine said.
We were let go and Simon went to Clary. I followed Alec and Izzy and went to go after Jace.
"Get back, get back. Alec, Scar, I mean it." Jace said and Alec, Izzy, and I stopped in our tracks.
"Jace. Jace…" Clary called out as she shoved the book into Simon and tried to go after Jace and Valentine, only to be stopped by Alec.
"What are you doing?" Clary asked as she jerked away from Alec.
"Saving your life. If you enter a portal not knowing where you're going, you'll be stuck in limbo forever." Alec replied.
Clary then fell into him crying, and I soon joined them. Clary then held onto me as we both cried. I may get mad at her, but I'm always going to be there for her. We got back to the Institute and I let Clary and Simon talk before we gathered around Jocelyn.
"Do you really think this is going to work?" Clary asked.
"Let us hope." Magnus replied.
I grabbed Clary's hand and gave it a squeeze. She squeezed mine back and we waited with bated breaths.
"Jocelyn." Magnus called out while speaking in another language.
The barrier around Jocelyn broke and Luke caught her.
"I got you." Luke said.
"Luke." Jocelyn said before she hugged him.
Clary and I hugged each other because we're so happy. Luke sat Jocelyn down and she took in her surroundings before turning to us.
"Mom." Clary and I said together.
Jocelyn hugged me before hugging Clary.
"Mom. I've missed you so much." Clary said.
"Oh… I'm so sorry I didn't tell you about your past, and made Scar keep it a secret." Jocelyn said.
"No, not now. I have had enough for one day. We can talk about all that later. Right now, I just… I just really need my mom." Clary said.
They hugged again and Clary just completely broke down. Jocelyn motioned me to join them and I did. I'm so glad that she's awake, and now we have to save Jace and figure out what the hell is actually going on.
Scarlett's outfit: pin/553731716695284866/