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This is where it starts to get interesting…
Chapter 31…
{Jace's POV}
Thanks to Clary for knocking out both my brother and sister - it was a challenge to tie my siblings to some chairs.
Never thought I would say that sentence. Ever.
I knew my hands were shaking - but I thought that if I ignored it then it would just go away - alas the continued to wobble.
Thankfully, Clary came over to me and placed her hand over mine, then she tied Alec's wrist to the arm of the chair.
"Jace, are you going to be ok?"
Her soft coaxing voice enchanted me as per usual.
"Yeah I think so - let's just not hurt them again"
I looked into her eyes and pleaded.
"Uh about that, I'm sorry I leapt at them like that. Izzy just said something that triggered me"
Even though she wasn't looking directly in my eye - I knew Clary was regretful for what she did.
"I'm just glad you didn't kill them"
I joked - causing her lucious green eyes to light up and meet mine.
I still wondered how she did that. This girl in front of me was damaged, maybe beyond repair - but she could still look at you and smile like there was nothing wrong in the world.
How I longed for that reality.
"If you two start kissing then i'm out"
Magnus' irritated voice called out - snapping me out of my reverie.
Clary just sent daggers his way, making Magnus rise to his feet and stride over to us - we were all facing Izzy and Alec now.
"When do you think they will wake u-"
Jace was cut off by a loud moan.
Izzy tilted her head to the side - wincing at the bruise that had formed where I had hit her.
Nodding at me to go forward, Jace let me know I could wake Alec with the Vigilance rune.
Just as I had finished etching the swirling patterns into his shoulder, he jerked awake.
Unlike Izzy, Alec did not take in his surroundings - he just stared in disbelief at Jace.
Who would not meet the gaze of his parabatai.
Izzy spoke first,
"Where are we? Why the fuck are we tied down to a chair?"
"So many questions, you're going to give me a headache."
I answered, rubbing my temples to emphasize my point.
"You bitch, what have you done to Jace?"
Normally I would have masked any emotion - but the gravity of her accusation caused a flicker across my face.
I pivoted to look at Jace - who had an equally puzzled look plastered to his features.
"What do you mean 'What has Clary done to me?'"
"She's in your head Jace, you're not thinking straight. Just let us take you home"
Wow, the Clave thought that little of me. They thought only mind control could make someone protect me.
Carefully hiding my hurt as Jace answered.
"Izzy, I love you so much. But Clary has done nothing to me, I am here because I want to be."
The confidence in his voice made my mouth break into a small smirk.
"But why Jace? We don't understand, she's a demon"
This was the first time Alec had spoken, and the feeling of betrayal in his voice shone clear.
Another surge of hatred rose up in me, I despised as being referred to as only a demon.
As I stepped forward to give these two half-wits a piece of my mind - Jace held out a hand to stop me.
"Clary, could I have a moment with them?"
Against my better judgement I nodded and twisted on my heel to retreat to my bedroom.
{Jace's POV}
"Fine, what do you want to know?"
I huffed out as Clary left the room - when she was gone it felt like there was something pressing on my chest, I felt uncomfortable, as if I were missing something.
"Why do you trust her?"
Well that was the question was it, the question I could barely answer.
"You guys saw what was happening in the courtyard, nobody should have to go through that. Clary needed help, I couldn't just have left her to die."
The other two looked at each other, maybe starting to see where I was coming from.
"But, how is Jon?"
I had to know - even though Clary might act like she had forgotten about her brother's sacrifice - I knew she hadn't really. So if she was too stubborn to ask, then I would for her.
"He's doing well, you might say. He's in a coma"
"That means he's fine though right - Jon will wake up soon?"
I queried - but I lost all sense of hope when I saw the two exchange a concerned glance prior to replying.
"Truth is, we don't know when he is going to wake. Brother Jeremiah said it could last as long as 5 years - maybe more"
Although Izzy's voice was soft, her words cut deep.
I couldn't help thinking it was somehow my fault that Jon was injured. If I had dragged Clary through the portal earlier, then he would still be walking around on 2 legs.
"When you come home, you can see him"
Alec coaxed.
"Alec, we've been over this. I can't go back - not until Clary is recovered."
"What's so special about this girl?"
When I didn't reply he continued,
"Since when did you ditch your family over some stupid girl? There are easier ways to get laid brother"
I recoiled instinctively at his words, I had seen Alec angry before ; this was different. I could feel a sensation of betrayal underline his tone.
"I'm not trying to 'get laid' as you so nicely put it."
"I believe Clary is the turning point for the Clave, they are too set in traditions. Clary is part of a future I want to achieve - and if I allow the Clave to carry out her death sentence, that's not really possible"
"Well what is this glorious future you speak of?"
Izzy asked, not angrily but curiously.
"One where the Clave does not fear all that are different. What they fear, they seek to destroy."
They were both silent for a little while before addressing me again,
"You really believe in her, after all she has done?"
"I do Iz, she had a shitty upbringing. Only having Valentine to teach her what is good and evil, I think she can change."
Izzy gave me a subtle smirk, before turning to Alec.
"What if we stayed?"
Izzy proposed, my eyes lit up. Being away from them, even for a few short days had taken a small toll on me.
"If I stay, it is only to keep an eye on her. And to save your asses"
Alec retorted, in his typical matter-of-fact tone.
"So can you untie us now?"
Izzy pleaded, with fake puppy eyes.
Hastily getting to my feet I untied their wrists.
Then Clary strolled into the room.
I saw Alce scowl in her direction, thinking he was hiding it from me.
Sighing I realised it was going to be a lot more effort than I had first anticipated to keep these 2 from ripping each other apart.
Alas, it would be worth it. To have my family here with me.
"Are we all friends now?"
"Most certainly not. I am simply here to make sure you are telling the truth and to keep an eye. Call me your bodyguard if you must."
Clary burst out laughing, leaving Alec looking dumbfounded.
The way she laughed made me want to laugh.
I wondered if this girl would ever stop having such a deep effect on me.
Secretly I wished it continued.
"Bodyguard? You think I need a bodyguard?"
She spoke through sining eyes,
"Trust me princess, it's not my first choice. Especially after what you did to Max."
The air in the room seemed to go cold,
"I did not hurt your brother in any way."
"Apart from traumatising him, he is only 10."
During my stay with Clary I had learned to analyse her facial expressions and what they meant.
The one she had on now, where her brows furrowed and her lips pressed together, implied she was recounting a painful memory.
"There are more traumatic things you can do to a child."
The finality of her voice cut through the room like a knife. Indicating she would speak no further about the incident.
After a couple moments of awkward silence, Magnus entered the room.
"Well well well. I hope you all know that this won't be a bed and breakfast. There is one issue however."
"Which is?"
Clary asked
"I only have 3 guest bedrooms…"
His voice trailed off at the end, his eyes looking delicately at Alec's.
It seemed as if the two were communicating telepathically, I gave up trying to understand.
"Jace can stay in my room."
Clary announced - surprising me enough that I did a full 180 degrees turn to look at her.
"You can have the bed - I will take that sofa in the corner of my room."
I felt my eyes widen,
"No."
"What do you mean no?"
I almost laughed out loud, it seemed Clary was not used to being told 'no'.
"Clary, your injuries are still severe. You will have the bed."
She opened her mouth to argue, but I stared at her into silence.
"Fine."
Magnus spoke next, in a much more light tone.
"Now that's taken care of, cocktails anyone?"
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Song 9 ~ Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol