Hey everyone, hope you're all okay.
This is where the finale is beginning.
Chapter 45…
{Jace's POV}
As soon as Clary had delivered her speech Nephilim had received orders from the Consul and Imogen to complete.
Leaving the hall feeling much more empty once they had all left.
Clary had collapsed and leant her back on the table, exhaling loudly.
"Not a bad speech Tiger"
I said coaxingly, which received a small smile from her.
I looked at the wall just above Clary's head and saw that we were to leave in 20 minutes.
Noticing the time also Clary glanced at me and said softly,
"It's time to say goodbye now."
Nodding at her I turned and walked towards Alec first, this one was going to be the hardest so I decided to get it out the way.
Alec embraced me in a tight brotherly hug, I had never had to say goodbye to Alec before - and it felt like crap.
Parabatai were supposed to fight alongside one another, that was what we had always done. However, this time Alec could not follow where I was going, besides he was needed here in the real fight.
Pulling back, Alec craned his neck so our foreheads were touching and our hands clasped together.
"Entreat me not to leave thee,
Or return from following after thee—
For whither thou goest, I will go,
And where thou lodgest, I will lodge.
Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.
Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried.
The Angel do so to me, and more also,
If aught but death part thee and me."
Alec and I alternated lines of the oath, as we had during the real ceremony.
"I will come back Alexander Lightwood. You can bet your ass on that."
He broke out into a small laugh and pulled himself away, giving me one last smile before he turned and left the room.
I don't think I could blame him, if it were the other way round I wouldn't be able to watch him leave, not knowing if it was the last time I'd see him.
{Clary's POV}
I remained leaning back on the table as Jace said his goodbye's to Alec, Izzy, his parents and the others.
Assuming I had nobody to say goodbye to, I was surprised when a hand landed on my shoulder. Looking up into those all too familiar green eyes I saw Jon smiling back at me.
"You'll come back won't you?"
Startled by the desperation in his voice I asked,
"Why would you care? It's not like we are real siblings."
I knew my words had cut him, although I had not intended it.
He stared at me thoughtfully then answered,
"We may not be yet, but I would have hoped to be able to get to know Clary. Not big, bad Clarissa Morgenstern, you. So you'll come back for that won't you?"
His words touched me, a part of my soul that hadn't been touched in a while. Some part of me did have hope for my relationship with Jon, and with the pleading look on his face I could tell that he was the closest thing to a real family I had ever known.
Wordlessly, I pushed off the table and wrapped my arms around my brother tightly.
That was the first time I had thought of him as that - my brother.
He responded the hug fiercely and I whispered to him into his gear,
"I will. I will come back for you big brother. Make sure you're here when I get back."
And with that final ultimatum I turned away from him and moved towards Jace who had seemingly finished with his goodbyes.
Jace faced me and nodded,
"Good to go?"
He asked me politely, I could tell he was very tense from saying his farewells.
"Yes, I am."
He responded with more confidence than I would have anticipated.
Starting towards the exit we were stopped,
"Take care of my son. His life is in your hands."
Stephen Herondale spoke to me nicely, but with an undertone of threat.
"I will. You will see your son again."
Finally, me and Jace were allowed to pass and fled through the open oak door and began our journey towards Lake Lyn.
{Jace's POV}
I was grateful that Clary hadn't asked me any questions when we had left the Guard - I needed the time to think.
Currently, we were just outside of the city, approaching Brocelind Forest. Although Clary had pre decided it was best not to enter the forest and get lost, we remained close to the treeline ; hoping it would give us shelter if needed.
It had been about an hour before I broke our silence with,
"Are you ready?"
I asked as Clary walked deep in thought beside me.
"For what?"
I had hoped she would have known what I was referring too, perhaps deep down she knew but couldn't admit it to herself.
"You know that we can't let him walk away from the fight."
Was the most reserved way I could think of saying 'You ready to kill your dad'.
Thankfully this time Clary realised what I meant and her face paled and remained stone cold before she spoke.
"I know. A part of me has always known that the only way this is going to end is with him and I."
Somehow her voice came out calm and thoughtful, though I know inside she was troubled.
"Clary, if you want I could fight Va-"
"No. No, Jace. This has always been my fight, it is enough that I am dragging you here with me and putting you in danger. I will not allow you to play the hero and to what I must."
I had expected this to be her answer, but her words did still hurt a bit.
"You know I am not just here because of my ability to destroy the Cup, I am here because of you, Clarissa Morgenstern."
I had now turned and stopped walking, looking Clary straight into the eye.
When she didn't meet my gaze I gently placed my hand under her chin and lifted her head to look at me.
"You know I would do anything for you."
"You don't have to die."
"I'd rather not do that, but Clary I am yours. You could ask anything of me and I would give my life for it."
Desperately I wanted Clary to see how much I cared. As the only man she had ever loved had betrayed that love with torture, I wanted her to know that I belonged to her, and I have since I met her.
"But I don't want you to."
She mumbled, her troubled eyes scanning my face for dishonesty.
"That's tough Tiger, because that's what it is when you love someone."
As I spoke I interlocked my fingers with hers and began walking again along the treeline.
"I love you Jace Herondale."
She smiled back a small but honest smile, my heart lifted slightly as I knew it was true.
{Jon's POV}
Once Jace and Clary had left the Consul called everyone to the centre around the table once more.
"Now that Clary and Jace have left in pursuit of Valentine and the Mortal Cup our thoughts can no longer be with them. We must now focus on our assignment, protecting our home."
I nodded along in agreement, as much as I wanted to worry and fret about whether Jace and Clary would be alright, all of our concentration had to be on protecting Alicante.
"A lack of concentration or preparation could lead to defeat and loss. You here will be the Nephilim in charge of a certain squadron, so you will be divided by 3."
Imogen continued.
"Maryse, Alec and Isabelle - you are assigned to the North-East sector. Squadron 1"
"Robert, Stephen and Jon - you are tasked with the Southern sector. Squadron 2"
"And Celine, Jocelyn and Luke shall protect the North-West sector. Squadron 3"
An unexpected feeling of pride washed over me, I had been entrusted by none other than the Inquisitor herself to lead an entire squadron of Nephilim into battle.
Consul Penhallow still had more to add however,
"Squadron 1 will have the assistance of the Night Children, I have been in contact with the New York clan leader Raphael and he has offered his clan to us.2
"Squadron 2 will have the assistance of Lilith's Children, leaders Magnus Bane and Ragnor Fell have offered their city's warlock's in assistance."
"Finally Squadron 3, with Luke as leader your pack shall fight alongside you. They are all to have arrived by dusk tonight, as the vampires cannot arrive during sunlight hours."
I was gobsmacked.
It was unheard of for Downworlders to assist in the affairs of the Nephilim, so being told they had volunteered to fight alongside us made the situation even more grave. Valentine had inspired so much fear in the Downworld, for he had the means to see them destroyed, I had not expected them to stand and fight off this evil that poses a threat to not just Nephilim but all the Shadow World.
"What of the Fair Folk? What of the Queen?"
Luke demanded,
"The Seelie Queen has declined her services to us Nephilim. However, has not commented on why, so we shall stand without the assistance of her and her people."
Luke frowned angrily, I couldn't blame him - the Seelie's were tricky to deal with on the best of days.
"There will be a meeting held here at 9pm with downworlder and shadowhunter alike. It is then I will supply all with the methods of our defence."
The Inquisitor finished.
Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, drop a review and let me know.
I will consider doing a sequel then and may have a few ideas for one.
Thanks for reading !
Song 23 ~ Smooth Criminal - Michael Jackson