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Disclaimer: I own Moriah and Celeste. Nothing else!
…
Chapter 6: Hunt Or Be Hunted
Jonathan met them outside the Institute. He led them to the outskirts of the city, a place of many vacant lots and abandoned construction sites. It was one of these, he ascertained, that the fairies were hiding out in.
Clary trudged past some buildings, everyone else scouting not far behind her. She tried to focus on the job and not on the fact that she was aching with worry.
Moriah had gone to Maryse willingly, with nothing more than a curious look at Clary. Clary knew she had to leave her side eventually. After all, she and Jace were Shadowhunter's. There were going to be times where they would both be needed on a hunt. Moriah would be fine with Maryse and Robert. It wasn't like they were going to hand her over to the Clave while she and Jace were away, no matter how many nightmares she had had on the subject.
This is hardly conducive to good hunting. With a sigh at herself, Clary turned away from the pile of rubble and began going back towards the others. ''Anything?''
Simon spread his hands. ''I don't think anyone's been around here for ages,'' said Isabelle next to him.
''Would the fairies be here, or perhaps have an entrance to the fairy world?'' Alec inquired. Jonathan shook his head.
''These fairies are of the Underworld, not the Fairy Realm. To have a hideout there would be too risky.''
Simon frowned. ''They did before.''
''And look how that turned out for them.'' Jonathan glanced toward a building. ''I'm going to start checking inside.''
''Not alone,'' Clary said.
''Groups of three?'' Jace suggested. ''There are going to be at least three fairies, likely more.''
Clary had to bite her tongue to keep herself from immediately going with Jace. Warrior. You are a warrior. And a warrior fights best with their parabati. ''Simon, Isabelle, and I. You, Alec, and Jonathan?''
She could see the flash of reluctance in Jace's eyes. Alec frowned. ''Why doesn't Isabelle-''
''Because Clary and I can communicate from far away,'' Jonathan said, his back to them all. He was still looking curiously at the buildings. ''Won't be helpful if we are in the same group. So if you can trust that I won't stab you in the back for just a little while-''
''I never said-''
''Oh, both of you be quiet,'' Isabelle snapped. She waved behind her. ''We'll take this side, you'll take whatever it is that you are looking at so intently?''
''Hmm?'' Jonathan turned to face her, eyebrow raised. ''Fine. Whatever.''
Isabelle rolled her eyes. Clary gave her an apologetic look; Jonathan wasn't one who felt the need to elaborate on his thoughts, unless of course he knew it would annoy you.
They turned to go, but Clary paused a moment as Jace came closer to her. She tried desperately not to think of when the fairies caught them and they took him away from her. She smiled and shrugged. ''See you soon?''
''See you soon.'' He kissed her cheek, and she had to resist some part of herself that wanted to cling to him and not let him out of her sight.
She walked away from him towards Isabelle and Simon. She stopped next to them and peered at the old, half finished building in front of them. ''Shall we?''
''Let's shall,'' Simon answered. In they went.
…
The building they were in had cobwebs and stairs in abundance. Upon being started, it must've been planned to become some sort of hotel. Large platforms with only half finished walls were no doubt intended to be individual rooms.
''Are you sure she's here?'' Alec asked as they trudged up another wide staircase.
''Somewhere near here,'' Jonathan answered. He reached the next landing and paused, glancing around again.
Jace watched him. ''What are you looking for?''
''Something.''
''How specific,'' Alec remarked dryly.
Jonathan looked down at him. ''The fairies want something from Celeste. You'd think they wouldn't want to risk her getting out. And yet-'' he gestured around them. ''Not a soul in sight.''
''Which leads me to ask again, 'are you sure she's here?'''
''Positive.'' He walked away from the stairwell.
Jace could sense Alec's annoyance as he followed reluctantly. He knew he was thinking that perhaps Jonathan was mistaken in where Celeste was being held and they were wasting their time. But Jace also knew Celeste and Jonathan were close (well, by their standards anyway) and that when it came to her, Jonathan wouldn't mess around.
So why wasn't there any sign of life? No fairies standing guard? No one at all to keep anyone out? Surely if the fairies knew of Celeste they knew of her connection to Jonathan. It would reasonably follow that he would come help her. So why no precautions?
Jace could think of no explanation for this and it angered him. Only a part of his mind was on the mission. Another part was with Moriah back at the institute, and another was with Clary. He was far too scattered to focus.
Force yourself, he scolded. He dug his nails into his palms. Moriah was safe with Maryse and Robert, and Clary had Simon and Isabelle with her. Celeste had done far too much for him for him to let her be hurt. He owed her this.
He cast his glance around the floor- this one too, was empty. He was just turning to rejoin Alec and Jonathan when he heard it. A wailing, clattering noise.
They all three froze as they listened to it. ''I suppose that counts as 'life', ''Jonathan stated simply.
''What the hell is that?'' Alec wondered. ''A demon?''
''I don't know.'' Jace could feel the air get colder. Whatever it was, it wasn't far. Either right outside the building or somewhere close by on another floor. He led the way forward.
…
Maryse bit the inside of her cheek, watching her husband as he held Moriah. He spoke to her as one usually speaks to a small child- quiet, casual sentences about anything and everything. Moriah didn't look Robert in the eye, but made quiet whines and grunts in her throat, which Robert took the liberty of interpreting. It wasn't too different from a toddler's excited incoherent babble, Maryse reflected.
Moriah noticed her and looked at the sippy cup in her hands. ''You want this, sweetheart?'' Maryse asked, handing it over. Moriah took it, placing it so it was in-between her and Robert as he held her in front of him. She had her hands wrapped around it, and Maryse wondered whether she liked the cold sensation of the milk inside.
''Not interested?'' Robert asked her. Moriah made a low sound. ''That's fine. I don't like to rush my drinks either.''
Moriah turned away, a slight gleam in her eyes as though she found the comment humorous. Maryse tucked a curl behind her ear. ''She's good, isn't she?''
''Of course.'' Robert looked at her, a thoughtful expression on his face. He asked quietly, ''She looks like Cèline, doesn't she?''
Maryse studied Moriah in this new light. There was something about Jace's hair and the mixture of his and Clary's fine features in Moriah's young face that was very reminiscent of Cèline. ''Yes. I think she does.''
They were quiet for a moment. Moriah tucked her cup under her arm and wiggled out of Robert's grip. He put her down and she went and made herself comfortable on the couch. Moriah Cèline, resembling Cèline. It hurt, Maryse realized. It hurt seeing the echos of Cèline in Moriah just as when she saw the echos of Stephen in Jace. She supposed it always would. Maybe that was best. If it hurt, than at least she wouldn't forget.
She was startled out of her pondering when Moriah came over to her. She held her sippy cup up, shaking it. ''Is it too tight?'' Maryse asked. She took it and loosened the lid before handing it back. ''That should be better.''
Moriah turned to go back to the couch but stopped suddenly, freezing in the middle of the room. ''Moriah?'' Robert prompted. She didn't respond. She didn't move.
Maryse frowned. Robert approached her. ''Moriah?'' He repeated. He knelt on the floor, outstretching a hand to her. ''Moriah?''
Moriah snapped her head to look behind her so quickly, Maryse jumped. Her black eyes were wide and there was not a trace of color in her face. She wasn't looking at them, but out the window into the darkness of the city.
''What's wrong?'' Robert asked. ''Moriah? Can you hear me?''
Maryse had to watch Moriah's chest as it rose and fell ever so slightly to assure herself the girl was alive. Hesitantly, she walked over and, when Moriah still didn't move, picked her up. She was so cold. ''Sweetheart? Are you okay?'' She looked to Robert as he got to his feet. ''Is there something outside?''
Robert went to the window to look. He peered down at the street. ''I don't see anything. Did you hear anything?''
Maryse shook her head. She turned back to Moriah. ''What is it?''
Moriah was still staring in the direction of the window. And then, shaking so suddenly and violently Maryse nearly dropped her, she let out a horrible, terrified scream.
…
They ran up another flight of stairs, the sound of that creature's cry still ringing in their ears. ''I'm going with some puppet that was cut out of Fraggle Rock for being to ugly for kids,'' Simon guessed between breaths.
''Every puppet in Fraggle Rock was too ugly for kids,'' Clary argued as they darted around another railing. ''I still have nightmares about the Trash Heap crawling out of the garbage disposal to kill me while Philo and Gunge sing in the background.''
''All of this is very interesting,'' Isabelle interrupted. ''But may I suggest you two shut it?''
The sound got louder. The floor was shaking, and Clary sincerely hoped it was the vibrations from the noise rather than the floor actually giving way. As she watched Simon and Isabelle a few paces ahead of her, she knew that wasn't the case. ''Simon!''
With a burst of sped she didn't know she had, Clary tackled him and pushed him forward before he could place his footing down on what was about to be empty space. The only drawback to this was now she herself was on empty space.
She fell so fast it took her a moment to even register it. Instinct let her catch herself just as she had been taught, crouching and rolling so she landed more or less in one piece. She sat back on her heels with a groan, giving herself a moment to mentally register any injures.
''Clary!'' Isabelle's voice called down. ''Clary! Are you down there?''
As opposed to falling up? Clary wondered. She got to her feet shakily. Besides some new scraps, she judged she was fine. ''Yeah, I'm here!''
''Are you crazy?'' Simon shouted down.
''Yeah, but I don't see how that is relevant here.''
''We're coming down!''
''Don't bother.'' Clary cast a glance around her. ''I think I'm in the basement. I'll just find the stairs and meet you back at the entrance.'' Even from down here, she could still hear that creature. Wailing and whining. ''Just figure out what that thing is, okay? Preferably without getting caught by it.''
She could hear Simon about to protest, but Isabelle cut him off. ''Okay. See you at the entrance.''
''See you there.'' She could hear them take off running again.
Clary turned her attention back to her surroundings. Apart from the concrete floor as opposed to wood, this level didn't look much different from the one she had been on. Same amount of dust and cobwebs.
She followed the floor above her as her path for going back the way she had come. It was darker down here since there were no chinks of moonlight coming in through the walls to guide her. She was digging for her witch light when she paused, her ears pricking for noise.
A scuffle, like shoes coming to a stop. She wasn't down here alone.
Her fingers skipped over her witch light in exchange for her dagger. She drew it. ''I know you're there,'' she announced. ''Show yourself.''
Silence. Just as Clary was about to take a hesitant step froward, she heard the footsteps again. This time they were coming towards her.
''My, long time no see.''
Clary had to swallow the bile in her throat. Even in the dim light, she could make out the fairy. The dark skin and hair, the single golden earring loop that she tugged whenever she was bored. Bored being waiting for Clary to stop screaming in pain from the burning in her veins. ''Fern.''
Fern put a hand on her chest. ''You remembered, how sweet. How's the darling babe?''
''Where's Celeste?''
''How should I know?'' Fern gave a shrug. ''Annoying bitch, that one. Can't wait to be rid of her.''
''If you hurt her-''
''Who said anything about hurting her? Haven't I got better things to do?'' she smiled wide, her teeth all showing. ''Now, if you would be so kind, Ms. Clarissa, I think I have something for you.''
Clary's stomach tightened. ''What?''
''An offer.''
''Offer of what?''
''An offer you will no doubt laugh in the face of, but I think the outcome of you hearing this offer will be beneficial to us both.''
''If you don't think I'll accept, then why-''
''Not my choice.'' Fern spread her hands. ''My boss thinks it's the best option, but that's just because he is in the fickle position of having to cover his ass. So hard being the one in charge, yeah?''
Clary narrowed her eyes. Fern rolled her's. ''Honestly, Clarissa. Let's be honest; it's not like you can say no. After all, there is only one exit here.'' She gestured to the path in front of them. ''Well?''
Anger rolled inside of Clary, but she knew her options. Her dagger still in her hand, she let Fern lead her further into the basement.
…
Wind whipped around the building so hard that Jace could hear the wooden posts creak. The air had gotten colder somehow, no doubt related to whatever monster was prowling around outside.
Alec cast a worried glance around. ''We have to go back,'' he said over the wind. ''If that thing isn't by us, it's by the others. They'll need our help.''
Worry rose up in Jace. ''We haven't found Celeste yet.''
''We don't know if she's here.''
''We haven't looked everywhere.''
''We don't have time.''
''She doesn't have time.''
''Jace-''
''Yes we do,'' Jonathan interjected. He looked to the stairs. ''She's here.''
Alec gave an angry sigh. ''Yes, I'm sure another staircase will do it.'' Jonathan didn't bother replying, but disappeared up the staircase.
Alec looked to Jace. The wind grew worse. ''Jace, come on. We can't stay here.''
A horrible feeling kept gnawing at Jace. He wasn't sure if it was from whatever creature was outside or something else. ''I'm sorry,'' he said. ''I owe her. I can't just leave her.''
''Do you really think she's even here? Apart from whatever the hell is outside, there has been no sign of those fairies. Why would they leave her here without any sort of guard?''
''I don't know. But I have to be sure.'' Alec looked at him imploringly. ''You go ahead. Go find the others and make sure they are okay.''
''Like I'm leaving you alone.''
''I'll be fine.''
''Until we know what that thing is, no one is fine on their own.'' He looked up the stairs. ''And on that note, let's go find the guy that led us here in the first place.''
Jace gave a grateful nod and together both he and Alec darted up the stairs. This floor was narrower than the others as it was only half finished. Jonathan was standing at the end of it, looking down over the half formed wall. The wind and temperature was even worse.
''You see something?'' Jace called. He and Alec approached, and Jonathan turned to look at them. His face was as white as his hair.
''We need to get out of here now.''
''Are you kidding me?'' Alec said irritably. ''What is wrong-''
He stopped mid sentence. Down below them, Jace could now see the creature. It's silhouette was hard to distinguish since it blended so well with the night, but he could make out a huge, bulking frame. It was only a story or two shorter than the building they were in. Out of it's back were two masses that might have been wings or spikes. It was looking up at them, it's yellow eyes fixating on them like a car's headlights. It cocked it's head to the side.
Jace had to remind himself to breathe. ''What,'' he whispered. ''In the actual hell is that thing?''
''It's from actual Hell, in all honesty,'' Jonathan replied lowly.
''You know what it is?''
''Not really.''
''Is it a Greater Demon?'' Alec asked.
''No.''
''Do you know how to kill it?''
''Also no.''
''So you are no help?''
''And our similarities end there.'' They were silent and unmoving for a moment, looking at the creature as the creature looked at them. ''Okay, I'm going to back up now…''
Jonathan stepped back away from the overlook. ''Did it move?''
''Not at all,'' Jace replied.
''Alec? You come away.''
''What?''
''Do it,'' Jace argued. Bitting his lip, Alec did so. Still the creature did not move.
Jace knew he was next. Ignoring the worry that as soon as he looked away, the creature would spring up at them, he backed away from the overlook. There was no noise from below.
Jonathan shuffled forward slightly. ''It's still there,'' he informed them all.
''Just waiting?'' Alec asked. ''It's not doing anything?''
''Nope.''
''Well, good than,'' Jace said.
'' 'Good'?''
''Better than it attacking us.''
''You do realize that it's probably the thing guarding Celeste, right? It's probably an engineered creature by someone in the Underworld.''
''No it's not,'' Jonathan said.
''How do you know?'' Alec challenged.
''Because.'' With no other explanation, Jonathan turned away from the ledge. ''Check the rooms?''
''We cannot leave this thing unattended!''
''She's close.'' And with that, Jonathan pushed open the nearest door and entered.
Alec glared after him. ''God, why are we hunting with him…''
Jace, after another glance at the creature still standing below them, followed after them both.
The door opened into a hallway. In addition to the creature seemingly waiting outside, the wind was still raging. It brought a sense of urgency. Whatever the case may be, they had to hurry up and get out of here. Something wasn't right.
''Celeste?'' Jonathan called out, doing away with stealth. ''Celeste, are you here?''
A soft reply was heard. ''Celeste?'' Jonathan yelled louder.
''Jonathan?'' The reply came from behind another door. Alec was closest, and he flung it open quickly and they entered.
This room was as dusty as the others and was missing it's outer wall. On the floor, in the center of a red circle, Celeste sat back on her heels. Jace was relived to see she looked unharmed aside from her messy braids and pale face.
Celeste, however, didn't seem relived to see them. She looked…shocked. ''No.'' She stared at Jonathan. ''I- I told you not to come.''
''Well, and a happy to see you too,'' Jonathan replied, approaching the circle. He wiped some paint off the floor with his shoe.
Celeste got to her feet, still staring at him in shock. ''I said 'don't come'. 'Don't let them come'!''
''No you didn't,'' Jonathan argued. ''Why wouldn't we come? What's wrong?''
But Celeste was looking at Jace. Her eyes were wide in fear. Jace had fought side by side with Celeste, been terribly out numbered, and she hadn't been afraid then. ''Where's Clary?'' She asked. ''Tell me Clary isn't with you.''
Something cold wrapped around Jace's heart. ''Why does that matter?'' Alec asked.
''Is she here?''
''She's with Simon and Isabelle, looking over another building,'' Jonathan answered. ''Why?''
Celeste stumbled backward. She shook her head. ''No. Oh, no.''
Jace opened his mouth to demand answers, but caught himself. He already had the answer, as did everyone else around him. Here was Celeste, safe and unharmed. She was not being guarded. Why? Because the fairies didn't need her protected. They needed her as bait, a decoy. A reason to lure them all out here.
A reason to lure Clary out here.
…
There was a little light in the basement from a lantern perched on a table. Behind the table, a man sat, fiddling with some small pieces. He looked up as Clary and Fern approached. He smiled. ''Well, well, well. If it isn't mommy.''
Clary tightened her grip on her dagger. She knew that voice. She knew his voice and she knew his face. And now she knew his name. ''You're Aster?''
''Did you not recognize me?''
''Oh, I recognized you. You just never bothered to tell me your name.''
''Really? Apologies. I was terribly busy with other duties.''
''More babies to torture?''
''Something like that.'' Aster continued to smile at her, looking exactly the same as when he had come into her cell to take Moriah away. Clary had to remind herself to breath. He looked to Fern. ''You can go now. I have to talk to Clary here.''
''Why would I leave?'' Fern put her hands on her hips and looked from Aster to Clary. ''I want to see how this is going to play out.''
''Don't be so negative, Fern,'' Aster said. Clary could hear the annoyance in his voice.
''You're an idiot,'' Fern laughed. She began to walk out of the room from another exit besides the one she and Clary had come from. ''Lovely seeing you again, Clarissa. And Aster- don't say I didn't warn you.''
She disappeared into the shadows. Clary could hear a door click shut behind her. At least she knew there was an exit now.
Aster looked to her again. ''So, how have you been, Clary?'' he asked. ''Enjoying some family time, I imagine. How is the little tyke?''
''You don't get to talk about her,'' Clary said icily. ''I mean it. Don't even mention her.''
''But how can I not? After all, we are all here because of her.''
''No, we are here because of you. Where's Celeste? What do you want from her?''
''What do we not want from Celeste?'' Aster scoffed. ''That girl's got plenty of wonderful Underworld secrets in that mad head of her's. Simply put, I only wanted to be informed of the goings on in Idris, the Clave, and…'' he smirked. ''You.''
''What about me?''
''Come, Clary,'' he purred. ''Be truthful with me here. Away from your parents and family, away from Jace, be honest; how do you feel about what we did to your daughter?''
Anger rose in waves inside of Clary. She kept her fists clenched and her eyes narrow as Aster continued.
''You, Clarissa Fray, are from the blood of the angels, more so than any other Shadowhunter, including Jace. Your child is an abomination and not just from the demon blood. I assure you, we did much more than that to her.'' Aster looked at her almost pityingly. ''No one could expect you to love a thing like that. Which leads me to my offer: give her back. Give her back and I can swear on all that is holy that every creature in the Underworld will never bother you and your family again.''
Blood pounded in Clary's ears. ''You want me to give Moriah back to you?''
''You can't deny your life would be simpler,'' Aster said. ''No more worrying about the Underworld, worrying about Jace, worrying about the Clave. If Moriah were gone, virtually vanished, everything would be fine again, yes? The Clave wouldn't put you through another Inquest.''
Clary was silent for a moment. She wanted to scream at him, to take her dagger and carve that smug look off his face. But she needed to stay calm and be in control. She studied him, an idea occurring to her. ''You don't want an Inquest.''
Aster shrugged his shoulders. ''Are you claiming you do?''
''The Clave does,'' Clary continued. ''Because they want to know if Moriah is something to fear. Which means they are going to ask questions about the Underworld, specifically you.'' She smiled. ''I'm going to guess there are some creatures you don't want knowing all that you did to us and Moriah.''
Aster kept his nonchalant smile on his face, but she could see the fear in his eyes. ''We aren't all friendly and neighborly in the Underworld,'' he confessed. ''And I will say that there might be a few creatures who weren't exactly thrilled upon hearing of our…endeavors.''
''I like them already.''
''You won't when you meet them,'' he warned. ''And you will. Because the fact of the matter is that though they didn't want to be the ones to turn Moriah into what she is, now that she exists, I assure you they will be far more than eager to get their hands on her.'' He leaned forward. ''And there's no telling the damage they will do in the process.''
''So your solution is to whisk Moriah away? 'Cover your ass', as Fern puts it?''
''Such a way with words, she has.'' He straightened up. ''Do you not agree that this would be the best course? The safest for everyone involved?''
''Almost,'' Clary said. ''Everyone except for Moriah.''
''Yes,'' Aster said carelessly. ''But it's not as if she feels it, does she? She doesn't feel anything.''
''Really?'' There was no holding the anger back in her now. ''Cause I seem to recall hearing her scream from the pain she felt.''
''Demons are excellent liars.''
''Fuck you.''
Clary lunged at him, bringing her dagger down. He rolled out of the way, going around the table. He was armed as well and took a swipe at her with his knife. ''I had so hoped you would see sense. It would've been much neater.''
He grabbed something off the table top just as Clary threw herself at him again. She managed to slice his arm.
Aster then grabbed her, but instead of pushing her forward as she expected, he pulled her closer, holding her against his chest with his injured arm. She gasped as he pressed his forearm into her neck, nearly choking her.
''Screw Shadowhunters,'' he grunted. ''Annoying pests under Heaven.''
His other hand moved and Clary felt something cold and sharp pierce her neck. She knew this feeling. A syringe.
No. There was no way in hell she was undergoing anymore of Aster's messed up procedures. No way was she having anymore poison in her veins.
Clary fought and screamed and kicked, pushing herself away from him. He let her go. Her hand went to her neck. ''What did you just do?''
Her vision was beginning to blur, but she could see him laugh. ''I told you this would be messy,'' he said. His voice sounded far away.
Panic threatened to overwhelm her. I won't go back to the cells. I won't lose Moriah. I won't lose Jace.
I won't lose to you.
What happened next would forever remain a mystery to Clary. It was as if something inside of her snapped. She remembered reading a poem of some sort once, about how every human being had a monster inside of them. She supposed she had just let her's out.
She came at Aster with her dagger and nails, not caring which one she had to use. He was taken aback by her force, but tried to fight her off.
But it didn't matter.
There was no opponent strong enough for the rage Clary felt.
When her senses returned, she was lying on the floor by the far wall. She managed to sit up. She pressed her back against the wall, her fingernails gripping the grout in the tile. Dark spots were dancing in her vision. No, she scolded herself. You will not panic. You will not panic…
With great effort she got to her feet, pushing herself forward away from the wall. She breathed deep to steady herself and forced herself to walk. One step, two steps. She stumbled when she came to Aster's body.
Through the spots in her vision, she could make out his blurry shape. He was sprawled on his side, blood splattered on his chest and mixing with his red hair. His eyes were open. Never again would they sparkle with pleasure at her's and Moriah's pain. Rot in hell, bastard.
But it wasn't enough. It wasn't enough of a punishment. Clary wanted to kick him, wanted to pummel his dead body and hear him cry and scream like her daughter had. There was this anger in her, this anger and fury and darkness she never knew she had. He deserved worse. He deserved worse for what he did to Moriah.
Moriah. And Jace. Everyone. She had to find them and make sure they were okay.
Clary dragged herself further away from Aster. She made it down the path Fern had disappeared down and reached steps. She dragged herself up. One step, two steps, three. The spots were still dancing in her vision and her entire body was so, so heavy. She tried making her breathing uneven to speed up her heart rate and make her feel awake, but it wasn't enough. Her grip on the stair railing was becoming slack.
Jace. She had to make it to Jace. She'd find him, and everything would be fine. Jace. Jace…
Clary? That wasn't Jace's voice. That was Jonathan.
The mind link, of course. Relief that everyone wasn't as far away as she thought flooded through her. It also broke her concentration and made her stumble, falling three steps shy and lading awkwardly on her knees.
Clary? Jonathan repeated. Are you alright?
Clary struggled to correct her position. She manage to lean against the wall. She wanted to ask Jonathan something, something important, but her mind was too scattered. She could only form one thought. Jace?
He's fine. He's with me. Clary gave a shuddering breath, and pain shot though her side. She looked down and saw red. Are you alright? Where are you?
Clary shut her eyes tight against the pain. That was a mistake. Another wave of exhaustion washed over her. Infinite, infinite darkness.
Stay where you are. We're coming.
Clary didn't listen. The walls felt like they were closing in on her. If she stayed here she would be trapped for days and days, just as she had been in the Fairy Realm. She couldn't stay here. She wouldn't stay here.
Hissing through the pain and weariness, she again got to her feet. Her heart was pounding now, brining a surge of adrenaline with the panic. Jace, that was all she had to focus on. Get to Jace.
One step. Two steps. Shuffle across the floor and hold to the wall for support. She could make it. She could do this. I have to.
The night air was what let her know she made it out of the building. Clary wasn't sure whether to attribute her lack of sight to the nighttime or the spots in her vision. The wind whipped around her. She was cold. So, so cold.
''Clary! Clary!''
Angrily blinking the spots away, Clary peered through the darkness and could make out a golden outline. ''J-Jace…''
He was running towards her. She tried to bridge the distance, but stumbled. He caught her and she clung to his neck. ''Clary? What happened? Are you okay?''
Clary tried to even her breathing. Panic and exhaustion were both washing over her in waves, each competing to be the thing that dragged her down. She shook her head, wanting to communicate this. ''S-sorry. I- I can't.''
Her legs were giving out. She collapsed, bringing Jace down with her. In an awkward heap they fell to the ground. Jace pulled her close to him. ''Hey, hey stay awake. Clary? Clary!''
Clary bunched up fabric from his shirt in her fist. She was so dizzy and so tired. She shook her head again, finally giving into the feeling and laying her head against his chest. ''I'm sorry…''
Her words were a mumble. Her eyes slid shut even as Jace talked to her and shook her. She let the darkness wash over her and even through she knew she had killed him, she could've sworn she heard Aster laughing in the distance.
…
Me: I hope you enjoyed! If you have time, please leave a review and tell me what you think!
Happy Writing!
