Hey guys !

Sorry for the cliffhanger, I couldn't help myself.

I love you all immeasurably, thank YOU for being so amazing.

Chapter 25…

{Clary's POV}

Having been taught to never show weakness in the face of death, I stared straight at the head of the arrow.

I saw as Stephen exhaled when he released the bow, I followed it all the way.

But it stopped dead a few feet in front of me.

Or rather it had been stopped by someone.

I saw a figure blur across in front of me.

With the arrow burying itself into his chest, I froze.

Jonathan.

I felt someone pulling me back, it was Jace.

But I wouldn't move.

My eyes still glued to my brother's body laying in front of me.

He, he had just saved me.

I tried shaking my head to see if it would make more sense, but I didn't understand.

We were strangers.

I was suddenly more aware of Jace's strong arms struggling to pull me back.

But I couldn't move.

"Clary wrap your arms around my neck"

He whispered in my ear.

Absentmindedly, my body responded and my arms were around his neck. He lifted me up and managed to carry me without touching my back.

Even as Jace neared the portal I continued to stare wordlessly at Jonathan's still body on the ground.

Some small part of me was desperate to go over to him and kneel by his side. But the more matured part of me decided it was wise to go with Jace.

My back was still searing with pain and I could feel my blood fizzing in my veins.

"Jace, do not dare take one more step towards that portal!" his father commanded.

Stephen was crouched next to Jon with the others, worry staining their features.

But Jace seemed unfazed and he carried me to the portal and as he stepped through I seemed to fall out of his arms instantly.

{Izzy's POV}

I bolted straight over to Jon, the arrow had embedded itself into the right side of his chest.

Thankfully missing the heart, but if we didn't get him back to the institute soon…

I gulped at the thought.

As I looked up I managed to see the last of Jace swirling into the portal with Clary in his arms.

He must really feel some connection to this girl, I thought.

"Hey Jon, hang in there. We are going to take you back to the institute okay?"

Robert spoke to Jon, adopting the fatherly role. Since Luke and Jocelyn we're both not here.

Jonathan's breath was becoming more and more weak.

{Jace's POV}

Part of me was surprised when Jon leapt in front of Clary - but another part kinda expected it.

Jon had seemed distant when he found out about his sister, he must have felt a strong connection to her. As I did.

But I knew there was only one way in which I could get Clary out of this alive.

I whispered in her ear,

"Clary wrap your arms around my neck"

Somehow she obeyed my request, but her eyes stayed fixed on Jon.

I slid an arm underneath her knees and put the other by her neck.

Bloody hell, this girl weighs nothing.

How could someone so fragile have so much strength.

I vaguely heard my father calling my name, but all I could think about was how Jon had just lied down his life for Clary. The least I could do was make his sacrifice worth it.

As I stepped into the portal I felt Clary's hands slip from my neck.

The next thing I knew I was landing flat on my stomach in.. a living room?

Seeing another body fly against the wall, I bolted upright.

Clary.

She let out a large and slightly sarcastic groan.

I smirked, only this girl could be sarcastic when she was still dying.

The second this thought entered my mind, I released that Clary was still in great agony. Even if she barely showed it.

As I went over to Clary she called out,

"That fucking hurt. When I meet this dumbass warlock, I will give him a lesson in portali-"

She was cut off as a loud voice echoed throughout the room.

Magnus Bane.

"Careful darling. I believe it was your ass I just saved"

"Then why was your portal like a goddamn washing machine!"

Clary retorted. I snorted slightly, but tried to hide my laughter.

Couldn't have me and Clary taking the piss out of Magnus.

"Because you little Nephilim, you left the portal open for so long. I was waiting here for a good few minutes"

"Hmph"

Was the only reply Clary could come up with.

I was trying to help Clary up, but as she was halfway off her back she collapsed back down again.

She let out a short gasp of pain - obviously trying to hide the real pain she was in.

I glared over at Magnus,

"Could you um, you know.. Do your warlock healing magic?!"

I almost felt bad for shouting at him, but when I glanced back at Clary's back I didn't.

"Oh okayy, if I have to"

He responded in mock exasperation.

But as soon as he spoke these words his face went to an immediate seriousness.

Like a switch had just been flipped.

"Jace carry her through to one of my guest rooms."

I obeyed and asked Clary to put her arms around my neck again.

But this time I could not manage to lift her without hurting her.

"Clary, you need to wrap your legs around my waist, is that ok?"

I thought I saw her blush, but when I blinked and looked again her cheeks were still a pale colour.

As she wrapped them around my waist I felt myself blush a little, thankfully her face was facing the opposite way to mine so couldn't see.

I carried her evenly into the room with Magnus in, placing her gently down on the bed.

Placing her with her back facing up so it wouldn't be disturbed by the bedsheets.

"Okay Morgenstern, I am going to need you to relax"

I saw Clary flinch harshly.

"I do not require help from a warlock."

"I have been perfectly fine without any of your kind all my life - I don't need you now"

Magnus rolled his eyes dramatically,

"Look biscuit, I don't know about you. But you don't exactly look in the right shape to be declining my expertise as of now."

Clary gave no reply, indicating she had accepted defeat.

"Perfect, now try to not scream."

The second Magnus clicked his fingers a blue flame like substance emerged and began working atop Clary's back.

I saw her clench her teeth - even now she wouldn't show pain.

I did not wish to stay and watch, so I left the room and decided to speak with my father.

{Stephen's POV}

"What are we going to do now?"

I asked the group in defeat.

Once we had arrived back at the institute, Jocelyn and Luke went straight for Jon and took him to the infirmary.

I was informed that brother Jeremiah was awaiting him.

I was glad that the boy was going to get the best care now, the guilt was eating at me.

But as much as I wanted to worry about Jonathan, the betrayal of my son was even fresher in my mind.

What had Clarissa done to his head to make him feel this way?

I had raised Jace to be the perfect man, a formidable warrior - and all of this undone by a girl.

But I guess that was the repeating pattern for men wasn't it - a woman was always their undoing, their weakspot.

Perhaps Clary was Jace's?

We had all gathered in the communications room, seating ourselves around a circular table with my mother.

Believe me she had a lot to say.

As Imogen was ranting about something, a white light flickered in the centre of the table.

"Someone is requesting a hologram meeting"

Alec stated.

"Answer it"

Imogen replied instantly.

Gasps echoed around the room as I saw my son standing on the table.

(Well not actually standing there)

"I am sure you have many questions"

Was the first thing Jace said.

"A few?"

I began,

"Jace, when you return with Clarissa tomorrow morning we will have a lot more than a few things to talk about"

I spoke with an underlying ferocity, I had never believed I would need to use a tone like this with my own son.

"Father. I will not be returning to the institute for a while. Not until Clary recovers at least-"

He was cut off by Alec,

"Since when was Valentine's daughter your no.1 priority? What has happened to you Jace?"

I could feel the hurt in his voice.

Being against your parabatai on a matter was a horrid feeling, like an awkward pull in your gut that wouldn't leave. I had felt it with Robert on occasions.

"Since I have decided you all need to be reminded what Nephilim is"

Jace fired back.

"And Imogen, getting Luke to torture Clary before her trial?"

He spat at his grandmother.

I saw Imogen look down and go a darker shade of red, so it was true?

"What the Clave fears the seek to destroy"

"That is not something I could ever agree with. Clary had no choice in whom her father was or what blood runs through her veins. But you are all so ready to execute her for this"

Everyone around the room fell silent, nobody knew what to say.

"So I will return soon with Clary."

"We will find her and bring you home first"

Celine addressed Jace.

"No. You won't. We are at Magnus Bane's apartment, the wards he has set up are far too powerful for you to breach"

I felt a small inkling of pride, Jace sounded just like me.

"Son, have you considered that Clary is controlling me. If she has the power to destroy Mataellarch, then she could be inside your mind?"

I persisted.

"Father, I have never seen clearer in my life."

Before Jace disappeared he spoke,

"Tell Jon that I will keep her safe. And I wish his recovery smoothly."

And at that he vanished.

Leaving us all dumbfounded and speechless.

Hope you enjoyed guys.

I will be updating as often as I can, but I do not want it to become more of a chore than a luxury.

So if I am ever inconsistent please be patient.

I love you all SO SO SO much x

Song 3 ~ Glass House - Morgan Saint