Chapter 8: Clary

I stand by the main entrance to the manor, waiting for the others to arrive. Calohaya is strapped to my back and Dombra is hanging at my side. The former provides a comforting warmth, always showing that it's there. Dombra doesn't emit any feeling and I don't know whether that is because it's the Sword of Darkness or because it's not truly mine.

The craziness of the past 12 hours has been...crazy, I guess. Zara's already gone, though it's probably because of her wounded pride. It feels like an entire weight has been lifted off the manor's shoulders because of her absence. She was a terrible influence.

Don't get me started on this whole sword business. I'm still pissed at my mother but this ordeal did give me Calohaya, which I'm thankful for. I don't know what life would've been like if I had never known about it and quite frankly, I wouldn't even want to imagine. I'm already unhealthily attached to this sword and I've only had it for less than five hours, I'd say.

I'm jerked out of my thoughts by the heat emanating from Dombra. I stare at the sword in wonder. It hasn't done anything all day and now I'm getting a second-degree burn. Wow. Just wow.

"What're you staring at Red? I'm wounded that it isn't me," I hear from in front of me. I look up to find Jace leaning lazily against the opposite wall. Despite his relaxed composure, his gaze is sharp and attentive.

I hate to admit it but I kind of lucked out in the forced-fiancé department. I mean, for the most part. He's gorgeous, a talented Shadowhunter, smart, and even some times, sweet. I don't know how this whole marriage thing will bode with his player ways but I hope it doesn't come down to me finding out about him cheating. I also don't want to kill him because of his ego and sarcasm but as we turn 18, we can go out on more missions and slicing demons into itty-bitty pieces always helps my patience.

"This sword of yours is burning a hole into my leg, literally," I reply, looking back down at Dombra. The sword doesn't look any different than it did two minutes ago when it wasn't burning up. Same sleek, dark silver and even darker hilt.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Jace quirk his eyebrow. "'Burning a hole'? Could you elaborate?"

I shrug. "All of a sudden, it started getting really hot really quickly." It still hasn't stopped getting hotter and now I'm afraid it will burn through the formal gear I put on. I remove it from its hilt and weirdly enough, it doesn't burn my hand. It provides the same warmth Calohaya does, just an eensy bit less.

"Let me see." Jace struts over and stops when he's almost touching foreheads with me. For the first time in my life, I'm painfully aware of his proximity. My skin tingles all over but I'm determined to not allow it to show.

"Put your hand on the blade," I say. "Tell me if it's hot for you."

Jace obliges and places a calm hand on the blade. As he does, his eyebrows furrow. "I don't know what to say except that it feels totally cool to me." He glances between the weapon and me.

I touch the blade again. To my immediate surprise, it's not hot at all. It's warm again. I scrunch my nose in confusion.

Jace laughs, his minty breath fanning across my face. "You know you're cute when you do that, right Red?"

I step back and re-sheath Dombra. I couldn't stand that close to Jace any longer or else all of my resolve would've dissipated and I would've initiated a huge make-out situation.

A flicker of hurt darts across Jace's face after I remove myself from his proximity so fast that I doubt if I ever actually saw it. A coolness settles over his features and Jace rocks back on his heels.

We wait in tense silence for roughly about 15 minutes. I'm surprised it only took Izzy that long to get ready.

Stephen stands at the front of the group, Jace right beside him. The older Herondale looks at me. "Do you have the sword, Clary?"

I nod. "Haven't taken it off since I put the gear on."

"Let's go, then!" Jon cheers and we respond just as enthusiastically. The horde of Shadowhunters exit and I find myself in step with Aline.

"Something's up with Jace," she whispers. "He looks...conflicted, almost." She looks at me accusingly. Not in a bad way, just a did-you-do-something kind of way.

I shrug. "Boys are that way sometimes."

"Clary!" My mom yells from the front of the group. She points at the big oak behind her. I guess this is the new destination for Portals.

I run up and skirt around Jace. He seems better than he did when I pulled away but I notice him tense when I pass. I don't know what his problem is and I hope this doesn't last all that long.

I thought you despised him, a voice counters from the back of my head as I step up to the tree. As much as I would love to debate with the voice, I need my full attention on the rune. Soon enough, a Portal emerges from the bark, swirling and blue. I step through first. It's a common rule when I create one of these that I always go through before everyone else.

I slide out of the way once I hit the stone floor of the Silent City. The red-and-bronze tile glistens dangerously in the torchlight, sending shivers up my spine. I've never liked either the Silent City nor the Adamant Citadel.

Feet pound the floor behind me. I look over my shoulder to find Jace, looking bored but on guard at the same time. To my surprise, he walks up and stands next to me.

"Can I see it, please?" he asks.

"Sure." I slide it out of its sheath. The torches cast odd shadows over the coloring, making it look demonic.

Jace looks entranced. He reaches out and brushes the hilt almost reverently with his right hand. "I still can't believe this."

I don't respond. I know how it feels. My brain still can't seem to grasp the fact that Calohaya is mine. Not anyone else's. Mine.

The group files in behind us and Stephen takes back the lead. I put Dombra back but I don't miss the longing in Jace's golden eyes.

We travel about halfway down the hallway before two Silent Brothers appear. I know I should be used to their appearances by now, but the stitched mouths and scars still freak me out.

What brings you here, Shadowhunters? The voice of the Silent Brother on the right echoes through my head and I unconsciously move toward Jace. It's freezing down here and this guy beside me is a human heater.

"My son, Jonathan Herondale, is here to claim…" he trails off, looking to me for support.

I move up. "Jonathan Herondale is here to claim Dombra, the Sword of Light." I pull it out for what seems like the kjphillionth time in the past hour. The Silent Brothers near and I suppress a shudder.

Are you the chosen of Calohaya, Clarissa?

I bring out my sword and hold the two side-by-side. "Yes."

Very well. Clarissa, please follow my fellow Brother. Everyone else, if you may follow me. The Silent Brother that didn't speak turns around and starts walking down the hallway, then disappearing into a doorway. I sprint to catch up. Their gait may be odd but it ss quick.

Ignoring the curious stares, I walk in the steps of the Brother. The door he went through leads to a stairwell and I can faintly make out his body figure.

Clarissa, the Brother speaks from in front of me, this is an unusual experience, I'm sure you realize. These are immensely powerful swords that should not be taken for granted.

I finally catch up to the Brother, slightly out of breath. "Of course."

By surrendering Dombra to Jonathan, you will be bound forever, in a manner similar to that of your relationship with Simon Lovelace. These weapons were crafted in honor of parabatai after all and that means they hold mostly the same qualities. We end our descent and enter a room that had a large number of Silent Brothers. The design of the room wasn't much different from above but it was still disorienting. Wait here while I converse with the others. The Brother swept off, leaving me feeling awkward by the door.

The Brother returns, flanked by the others. You went through the test at the Adamant Citadel, correct?

I nod. "Yes."

Good. We have a few questions for you and then we will join your friends and family above.

Another Brother moves forward. He's one of the only ones I recognize. It's Brother Enoch. Answer each question truthfully and on your honor, Clarissa. Now, what is your full name?

"Clarissa Adele Morg-Fairchild," I stutter. I feel like I'm back Adamant Citadel but the only difference is that my last name hadn't been changed.

How old are you?

"17."

Who are your parents?

"Valentine Morgenstern and Jocelyn Fairchild."

Who are your brothers?

"Jonathan Morgenstern and Sebastian Morgenstern."

Who is your parabatai?

"Simon Lovelace."

Are you romantically promised to anyone currently?

I hesitate. I'm not sure if that's what you would call it and the term made it very real. "Y-yes."

Who?

"Jonathan Herondale."

Do you seek to stay in good standing with Clave?

"Always." As long as my father stays who he is, I have to stay in good-standing with Clave. It's a must.

You have passed. When we join your companions, you will stand next to me with Dombra in whichever hand is Jonathan's dominant one. Easy, it's the left. Most of the ritual will be done by the Brothers but the most important part will be by you. We will prompt you to ease your worry. This will be a bit different than the one you underwent but not by much.

Great. Just what I want to go through again.

Brother Enoch leaves and I start walking, eager to get away from that room. Something about it unsettles me and things that unsettle me are things I don't like.

The walk is quiet, at least out loud, but I expected that. I mean, for all I know, the Brothers could be having a conversation about sex inside their heads and I wouldn't know.

We emerge from an alcove that had a door I never knew existed until this moment. Everyone's heads quickly shot to us but I look down. I could feel Jace's gaze before everyone else's and it was like someone was branding his gaze onto my skin.

In my peripheral vision, I could make out Jace's feet inside a runed circle. Everyone else was standing against the far wall in a single line.

Remember what we told you to do, a Silent Brother says.

I stand to the right of Brother Enoch, who took a place at the top of the circle. I take out Dombra and hold it in my left hand. I'm unsure whether or not I should bring Calohaya so I leave it be.

State your full name, Brother Enoch commands to Jace.

"Jonathan Christopher Herondale."

State your parents' names.

"Stephen and Céline Herondale."

State your parabatai's name.

"Alexander Lightwood."

State your romantically promised's name.

I bite my lip. I don't know if Jace heard about my last name change. I look up and meet Jace's eyes, somehow miraculously, and mouth Fairchild to him. I hope he understands.

"Clarissa M-Fairchild." He stutters a bit but I nod vigorously, try to convey that he was correct.

Do you believe yourself to be a direct descendant of James Herondale?

"Yes."

Another Brother speaks, but this time just to me. Keep one hand on Calohaya's hilt. Don't draw it just yet, but keep your hand there. I follow his orders and calm flows from the sword through me. I feel confident and strong with Calohaya which is exactly what I need to feel right now.

Jonathan, repeat after me. Light bursts from the runes and the ritual looks exactly like the parabatai one from the outside as it did the inside. Jace repeats the same oath I did before the flames burst up, lifting him with them.

It is your turn, Clarissa, Brother Enoch says. Stand where I stood. I do so. Repeat my words.

I say what the Brothers tell me to. "As the carrier of the Sword of Darkness," I announce, "I endow to you the weapon of choice, Jonathan. As you accept Dombra, you and I will be bound alike parabatai, as our ancestors were before us." I swear I sound like Shakespeare right now. "You and I will fight together as Light and as Darkness, as one." I finish the rest of my piece which isn't very interesting.

Step into the circle and place Dombra in Jonathan's hands.

I tentatively move toward the fire, the weapon outstretched. My hand is still on Calohaya, which is currently the only thing pushing me forward. Unlike the Iron Sisters, I am not immune to fire and I can't move easily through it.

I put a foot inside and quickly draw the other one behind it. The heat is suffocating and I can tell Jace wants to get this over with. I place Dombra in Jace's hands and exit swiftly.

The light flares brightly before turning dark. The once yellowish-whitish color darkens to a dark-blue, almost black shade.

Then all at once, the fire drops. Jace crumples in a heap, the tip of Dombra sticking out from under his body.

Alec and Stephen immediately run forward but Brother Enoch stops them. Only Clarissa can safely touch Jonathan at this moment.

Seeing the desperation, I move toward Jace. As soon as I enter the circle, the air charges with some sort of electricity.

I crouch down next to the golden-haired boy. Placing a hand on his shoulder, I push him over and he's now lying on his back, Dombra resting in the crook of his armpit. Jace's eyes flutter before flying open.

"C-Clary, i-is it over?" he asks weakly.

I run my hand through his silky waves. "Yeah, it's over. But that's not the worst part."

He groans before groggily sitting up. "What do you mean? I thought you said it was over."

I grin and he looks alarmed, even in his loopy state. "We still have to go the tailor's."

Jace abruptly grips Dombra in a white-knuckled manner. His eyes dart to it, staring at it in awe. "Is this really mine now?"

You are now the chosen of the Sword of Shadows, Jonathan Herondale. May it serve you as it day James: faithfully.

I unharness the sheath from my back and hand it to Jace, who slips it onto his torso. I outstretch my hand to help him up after he returns it to its holder.

"Tailor time," I tease.

Jace's groans echo throughout the Silent City.

Hey guys,

I just wanted to apologize for the delay in updating. School recently kick-started for me, sometime around late August, and I've just been so wrapped up in homework and studying that this was put on the backburner. Now, I hope you guys enjoy it and if you have any suggestions for what I should put in, please don't be afraid to comment.

And don't worry, Sizzy and Malec will be included in this fanfiction 100%.

-AgentLadd