Thank you everyone for reading the last chapter. Feel like I need to put in a notice - domestic violence is a serious issue in our world today. And I do apologize if anyone was upset by that, I thought it would fit in well with the character I want Valentine to be. So there will be references in the future to the abuse - but it is how I envisioned Valentine.
ALL compliments for this fanfiction go to Cassandra Clare.
Chapter 7...
{Clary's POV}
The next couple of days were pretty dull, mainly consisting of me avoiding my father.
His temper was much like mine, it lasted a good few days at least. So I occupied myself by working in the training room.
It was the only way I knew how to entertain myself - plus it felt good as a stress release.
I pulled back my elbow so the fetching just touched my cheek, then I let the arrow fly. It flew with such precision and exploded straight through the target's head. Leaving a gaping hole where the targets face would have been.
I kept playing my game for another 10 minutes, my game of picking a body part and firing an arrow at it. Until I got bored, but mostly because the target was ripped to shreds. There were more holes than material now.
"Good to know you haven't lost your aim bellator"
I didn't need to turn around to know whose voice it was. Recognising when my father was present was one of the things you had to learn when you lived with him.
"Well I learnt from the best didn't I domine" I smirked back at him. We were using our latin names, meaning he wasn't as angry any more.
"Ah you did, which is why I have chosen to give you a second chance. Are you ready for redemption?"
{Jace's POV}
Over the past couple of days I had tried the tracking rune with the sleeve on dozens of occasions. Each time they failed.
So this mystery girl was either using her anti-tracking rune, or she was in a heavily warded place where my runes couldn't reach.
Robert's arm had almost fully healed, fast healing was one of the perks of being a shadowhunter. And my father had recovered fully a couple hours after we had returned.
Didn't mean that my mother didn't consistently fuss over him though.
I was in the training room, letting out my anger on a boxing bag when I felt a hard hand on my shoulder. Due to my instincts I twisted around and grabbed their arm, then continuing to flip them over my shoulder.
It was only then I realized that I had just flipped my father over my shoulder and smacked him hard on the floor.
In a normal scenario a parent would have scolded their son harshly, my dad's a bit different.
"Good instincts," he smiled at me as I helped him up. I made a scoffing sound at his response.
"Look, Jace. I think we need to talk, you haven't spoken to me or your mother since the mission. And everytime I have seen you, you have been training in here like your life depended on it."
I knew this was going to come at some point, my dad was more like me than I would have cared to admit.
"Dad, there's no point in talking. We both know why I have been in here, so no need to discuss it really" I spoke in a hopeful voice, but I knew there was no way he was going to drop this.
"Jace, what happened at the hotel wasn't your fault. We got what we went there for, Starkweather is chained up beneath us as we speak"
"You know that is not what is bothering me"
"I do. It's the girl isn't it?" my father said sadly.
"I just don't understand how anyone could have been that good. She beat you AND Robert in a 2vs1. Then I let her get away, she hurt you and I couldn't do anything" I gritted through my teeth - that was the first time I had admitted it out loud.
"Son, you have to accept that this is what being a shadowhunter is about. We grow and learn, but don't beat yourself up. That girl was unnatural, there was something off about her. I recognised the sword she used - but I don't know where from." Stephen seemed perplexed, a frown plastered on his face.
"Thanks for the pep talk dad. But I think punching a bag is a good enough stress release. Talking to you just adds to the stress" I added with a small smirk.
Dad playfully punched me on the arm and then said something that grasped my attention suddenly.
"I am going down to question Hodge, want to come? You might be able to help me get him to talk."
"Yeah.. Of course" I was a little flustered - which was rare for me. But I had never been in the questioning room before.
{Clary's POV}
My father had given me a thorough run through of the plan, and I was secretly beaming inside.
He had entrusted me with a second chance, something Valentine Morgenstern was definitely not known for.
"I will not let you down father. Not again. Not ever." I chose these words to show him the certainty of success I felt.
"I would hope not Clarissa, for your sake and mine" and he left the room on that ominous note.
I was to leave at nightfall.
{Time Skip}
I had suited up into my now sleeveless gear, faint white lines from scars and runes blurred into one another.
To replace them I burned into my skin new runes, for sure-footedness, sure-strike, agility and fearless. Fearless was a new rune I had created, even though not much could scare me it felt right on my arm.
I braided my hair in two tight braids down the back of my head, reaching my lower back. I would never be able to understand female shadowhunters who could fight with their hair down.
Lastly, I took Heosphoros out of my weapons case, and carefully sheathed it in my belt.
{Jace's POV}
When my father and I entered the room I saw Hodge cuffed down to the concrete floor in the centre of the room.
There were 2 chairs opposite the way Hodge was facing, and we slowly sat down.
"Long time no see Stephen" Hodge's voice spat out at my father.
"Indeed it is Hodge, look at the little mess you have found yourself in since we last spoke" my father reminded me of myself in the witty way he spoke.
"I wouldn't be in this mess if it weren't for HER" Hodge put special emphasis on the last word.
And I couldn't help myself…
"Do you know who she was then?" I questioned rather aggressively - resulting in a side-eye from my dad.
"I fear I do. Jace is it? You look like your father you know"
"Starkweather we are not here for a catch up." sighed my father.
"Where have you been all this time Hodge, what hole did you crawl into?" my father demanded.
"The 'hole' you speak of is as much your home as mine. I have been in Idris, maily on the mountains"
I had to admit, this Hodge wasn't as brainless as he appeared, the mountains by Brocelind Forest were infested with werewolf packs. The Clave wouldn't dare look there.
"Why show your face in Manhattan now?"
"Rumours. I had to find out if there were any truth behind them"
"And what rumours are these?"
Hodge remained silent for a few moments before replying.
"Thats above your pay grade" he spat dryly"Fine, the Inquisitor is going to see you tomorrow anyway." my father retorted.
"Oh I am perfectly fine in here, rather here than out there." he mumbled the last part so quiet I thought I had misheard at first.
"What does that mean?" I persisted
"It means young Herondale, that I fear a greater threat than life imprisonment" the way he said it sent a few chills up my spine, what could he fear more than the City of Bones?
"What would that be?" I asked again. Even though my father was motioning for me to leave.
Hodge seemed to be thinking carefully about his answer in his head and when he finally opened his mouth to speak.
Everything went pitch black.
{Clary's POV}
I had managed to make my way to the New York institute, and clung to the shadows as I slid down the outside of the rather majestic building.
Once I had reached the back, I saw the steps. Right where my father said they were going to be.
These stairs led down to the Sanctuary, the place Starkweather was most likely to be held.
I slid down the steps, my rune of silence masking any noise I made. I saw the black doors looming in front of me.
Carefully placing my ear near the doors I heard voices - one I recognised as being Starkweather. So father had given me the correct directions indeed.
As I heard Hodge's words of…
"I fear a greater threat than life imprisonment"
I knew instantly I had to act - or Starkweather would say something he couldn't take back.
I dug one of my knives into the electric panel next to the door - the room was pitch black when I burst the doors open.
My night-vision rune allowed me to see Hodge chained to the floor.
And without hesitation I went straight for him and slit his throat with Heosphorus. I could feel his life force slip from my hands, his body went limp and he fell from my grasp.
And then I felt a strong pair of hands on my shoulders.
This is a slightly longer chapter - tell me what you think.
I will get the next chapter out as soon as I can.
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