Carly POV
I found Jonathan sitting near the fireplace with a somber look in his eyes. I pulled up a chair beside him. He looked over at me and gave me a small smile.
"Thanks for saving me last night. If it weren't for you the Clave might have gotten me." Said Jonathan
"I promised to stay by your side and that is exactly what I plan to do." I said as I placed my hands near the flames. "What I am curious about is why Clary hesitated. She hasn't tried to save you nor get near you since you came back. So why the hesitation?"
"I think I got through to her. Soon she will return to us." Said, Jonathan, taking a sip of his coffee.
"What do you mean?" I questioned
"You'll find out soon enough." Said, Jonathan, as he turned his chair to face me. "I have other news you might be interested in. Heidi news."
Heidi had been chased by the Praetor for weeks, but that is all I knew. Each time they got close to catching her she would escape, taking a life or two with her. Any news about Heidi meant I might find her first and end this for good. I know part of her feared me and I could use that to my advantage. "What kind of "Heidi" news?"
"Supposedly she orchestrated an attack on the New York pack and almost killed Jordan Kyle as he was protecting Simon." Explained, Jonathan, as anger rose up in me. She had put him at risk again, killed a ton of innocent wolves, and almost killed Jordan.
"Is Simon okay?" I asked
"He is fine, but the Institute decided to pardon Heidi if she gave the names of the vampires who attacked the Jade Wolf. There is no evidence to show her involvement, but many have an inkling that she did it." Said Jonathan
"So they are letting her go scot free?" I asked as I clutched the arm of the chair, leaving finger imprints.
"They have no evidence to charge her with. Simon and the others are going to question the witness Heidi incantoed to see if they can get proof. If they can get that they can arrest her and bring her to Idris." Explained Jonathan
"How do you know all of this?" I asked
"I have friends in high places. My informants inform me of what goes on in the Institute. They are a great asset when you need it. These friends of mine are the ones who will take Heidi to Idris if she is found guilty." Explained Jordan
"If they bring her to Idris, she might find a way to escape again." I said
"Then don't let her get caught." Said, Jonathan, as he got up from his chair. "I have business to attend to this afternoon and so why don't you go see what your friends have discovered. If you can figure out Heidi's location before they do, you can eradicate the problem before it becomes one."
"I thought you didn't want me leaving alone?" I questioned
"I did, but after last night I think you deserve a chance. You have had many chances to run, but you haven't. So I am trusting you to return after you handle Heidi. If you don't, then things will get messy." Said Jonathan
"I'll come back, you have my word." I said
Jonathan smiled and nodded. "Good, then go get that bloodsucker and teach her that messing with your friends means messing with you. Kill her so the problem ends and Simon can finally be happy again."
"Oh, I will and she will wish she hadn't pissed me off." I said as Jonathan looked proud as my eyes went pitch black.
Clary POV
After last night and discovering Luke was in jail this morning, I needed to let off some steam. I put on my gloves and began punching the punching bag with all the strength I had. The noise of my fists colliding with the bag actually made me feel better, that is until I was interrupted.
"Need a sparring partner?" Asked a girl
"Sure." I said as I turned around and recognized the girl's face. I took my gloves off and grabbed a practice stick and I figured out where I had seen her. "You're Consul Penhallow's daughter?"
"Aline." Said, Aline, as we began circling each other. "You're Valentine's daughter?"
"Unfortunately." I said as I lunged at her. Our sticks collided and we went back and forth until Aline took a step back.
"It's nice to finally meet you." Said, Aline, with a fake smile.
"I'm guessing you didn't come all the way from Alicante just to train?" I asked as I lunged at her with my stick. It slammed into her stick and the wood vibrated between our hands.
"I heard your brother was in New York. I was hoping you might be able to help me track him down." Said, Aline, pushing me backward on my feet. We paired each attack and dodged the others. It was almost a perfect match.
"If I knew where my brother was, I'd be out hunting him myself. I already told the Clave everything I know." I said
"You wrote in your report that he was looking for a sword called the Morning Star?" Questioned, Aline, as I could tell she was trying to get on my nerves by the look in her eyes.
"Yeah, he calls it a family relic. He somehow got it in that twisted head of his that Carly and I are gonna help him find it." I said
"Are you gonna help him?" Asked Aline
"No." I said as knocked her stick from her hands. She maneuvered around my next attack and summersalted to the practice stick. Once in her hands, she quickly stood back up and began to egg me on once again.
"What about Carly? She is with him right now, would she help him? She is his opposite half sort of speak." Said Aline
"She wouldn't." I said as I felt the anger rising.
"Wouldn't she?" Asked, Aline, as we continued to block and dodge each other's attacks. "Jonathan is the only other person in the world like her. Her identical twin in more than just looks. She stayed with him so you could escape, but maybe she had other motives. Maybe she wanted to stay with him to join him."
"Carly, isn't like that." I said as I grit my teeth.
"How would you know? From what I have heard you have always pushed Carly aside. With Jonathan she probably feels at home, what makes you so certain she won't join him? Besides you let him buy you a bottle of water. Is it really that hard to recognize your own brother?" Ranted Aline
"I was stalling for backup." I said
"Except when they got there, you let him go." Said Aline
"I didn't!" I yelled as I lunged at her. She quickly twisted, grabbed my stick, hit me with it multiple times, and then knocked me onto the floor.
I looked up at her as she smiled. "That hurt? Good. I want Jonathan and Carly to feel it. They are monsters and monsters deserve to be punished."
That last comment broke the wall I had around my anger. I quickly got up and tackled Aline onto the floor. I threw her stick across the room and then I began punching her straight in the nose.
Blow after blow I could feel the power behind my fists. I liked feeling the blood trickle from her nose onto my knuckles. I liked hearing her grasp for air. I liked seeing her unable to fight against me. I wanted to watch the life fade from her eyes, but Jace pulled me off of her.
Jace pushed me away from Aline. Suddenly I broke out of that mindset and what I had just done came rushing in. I felt awful and out of control. I had never meant to hurt her, I hadn't. "Aline, I'm sorry. I am so sorry."
"You alright?" Asked, Jace, as Aline was wiping the blood from her bruised nose.
"Do I look all right?" Snapped Aline
I began backing away, but Jace caught my hand. "I just I need some air. I just need to be alone."
Jace tried to follow me, but I told him to stay put. I ran out of the Institute and just wandered toward downtown. Suddenly I felt the urge to stop on a pier overlooking the water. It was peaceful just watching the stars and listening to the crickets hidden in the grass. It was beautiful.
Suddenly I felt the creeping suspicion that someone was watching me. I turned to find Jonathan standing beside me. "Beautiful night, isn't it?"
"What the hell are you doing here?" I asked backing away.
"Funny, I was gonna ask you the same thing." Said Jonathan
"Is this some kind of trap?" I asked
"I don't know. You tell me." Said, Jonathan, crossing his arms over his chest. "I find it hard to believe that our meeting here is a pure coincidence. I had no intention of stopping here tonight. I have my own business to take care of, and yet, as I was walking by, I felt a sudden urge to stop. And here you are. You must've felt it, too."
"You stay back." I said
"I was worried about you earlier. Whoever you were fighting, they must've gotten in a few good shots, didn't they?" Asked, Jonathan, taking a few steps closer.
"You come any closer, I will call the Institute." I said taking out my phone
"Shouldn't you have done that already? Or are you enjoying this conversation as much as I am?" Questioned Jonathan
"God, you make me sick, you know that?" I said
"And yet, we're destined to be together. Our meeting here tonight proves it." Said Jonathan
"This isn't destiny, Jonathan." I said
"You love me, Clary. I can feel it. It's why you let me go yesterday and why you won't turn me in now. Come with me. I know a part of you wants to." Said Jonathan
"No part of me wants anything to do with you." I spat at him.
"You know Clary you are a hypocrite." Said, Jonathan, with a stern look. "You want to save Carly, but I am off the table. We are identical in every way yet you treat me differently."
"I treat you differently because you are a monster." I said looking up into his eyes. "Carly, might be your twin, but that doesn't mean she is like you. You have killed innocent people and caused pain to a lot of people I care about. She is nothing like you."
"Carly has killed innocent people, Clary. She has also hurt the ones you hold dear. Stop pretending you can bring her to the light when we both know it won't be possible. She is just like I am, if she weren't then she wouldn't be going after Heidi on her own."
"What do you mean?" I asked
"Carly knows what Heidi did to Jordan and the Jade Wolf. She knows if the Clave gets Heidi there is a chance she could find another way out. Carly is going to end the problem before another begins." Explained Jonathan
"She's going to kill Heidi?!" I questioned
"She is and it was all her idea. So let me ask you again, is she really any different then I?" Asked, Jonathan, as he vanished from sight.
Once he was gone I pulled out my phone and called Simon. I told him about Carly's plan so he could watch out of her and maybe stop her before things got worse. Then I headed back to the Institute, keeping Jonathan and I's meeting a secret. I don't know why I couldn't tell them, I think something is wrong with me.
Simon POV
After hearing that Alec had pardoned Heidi, I couldn't just sit by. I needed evidence to support her wrong doing and I was gonna get it. Now that I knew Carly was trying to kill Heidi we had to be even faster. Once Jordan was secure at the Praetor, Ethan and I discussed the plan.
"Are you sure this is gonna work?" Asked Ethan
"Nora Kendall's the one who gave Jordan the tip about Heidi being at the DuMort." I said
"But wasn't she encantoed?" Asked Ethan
"She was. But if she could prove that Heidi coordinated all of this, I think that's the evidence Alec needs." I said
"But what good is our witness when Heidi wiped her memory?" Asked Ethan
"I'm gonna un-encanto her." I said not with the confidence I was trying to convey.
"Can you really do that?" Asked Ethan
"We'll find out. She's at the hospital as we speak." I said
We drove a few more miles and then I turned into the hospital parking lot. Ethan and I got out of the car and walked to the third floor where Nora was being held. We approached the wing when a doctor walked toward us.
"Um, we're looking for Nora Kendall?" Asked Ethan
"Are you family?" Questioned the doctor
"I'm the one who brought her in." I said
"Oh, I see. Um, right this way." Said the doctor
She showed us down the hall to Nora's room. She looked worse for ware. Nora had a mask over her face and her body looked almost limp. We looked at her and then back at the doctor who explained the situation.
"Nora seemed to be on the mend and then she suddenly stopped breathing. Poor thing. I'm just glad her friend got to see her before it happened." Said the doctor
"Her friend?" Asked Ethan
"Yeah, a blonde girl, about your age. She was very nice." Said the doctor
"Heidi." Whispered, Carly, hidden behind one of the walls. Ethan nor the doctor noticed, but my keen hearing picked up her voice.
Ethan went to sit with Nora as I went after Carly. I followed her around the corner and saw her stealing something from one of the racks. Before I could grab her she had vanished, sensing me most likely. I didn't know what she stole, but it probably wasn't good.
I made my way back over to Nora's room and thought of a plan. "Ethan, do you think you could heal her out of the coma?"
"I could, but I would need help." Said Ethan
I nodded and walked over to the side of the room. I pulled out my phone and scrolled down to Alec's name. I pressed talk and waited until Alec answered, "Hello?"
"Alec, it's Simon. The Daylighter." I said as I realized what I had just said, placing my palm against my forehead.
"I know who you are." Said, Alec, in a joking tone.
"Ethan and I found a witness. She can prove that Heidi set this whole thing up. Is Magnus there with you?" I said
"Where is the witness?" Asked Alec
"That's sort of the thing. She's in the hospital. Heidi got to her first. The doctors say she's in some kind of irreversible coma, but I thought maybe Magnus could help Ethan heal her." I explained
"Magnus is on the way." Said, Alec, as he hung up on me.
I slid the phone into my pocket as Magnus and Alec appeared beside Ethan. I made my way over to the bed as Ethan and Magnus both placed their hands above Nora. With a few latin words, Nora sat straight up, breathing heavily. She looked around with confusion until she spotted me. "You brought me here."
"It's okay. You're safe now." I said in a calming voice. "I just need to ask you question. Is that okay?"
"Yeah, that's okay." Said, Nora, as she laid her head against the headboard.
I pulled up a chair, took a deep breath, and stared deeply into Nora's eyes. At first she resisted, but then her mental block shattered and she was compliant. "Did Nora set up the attack at DuMort?"
Nora stayed quiet for a moment before giving her answer. "She said that she wanted to make the wolves pay for what they did to her. Heidi wanted to attack the pack without getting her hands dirty."
"Thank you, Nora." I said as Ethan used a spell to put her to sleep.
Once she was out cold, we all grouped together outside the hospital room. With Alec speaking first. "Simon, I am sorry I didn't believe you. Now that we have the evidence we just need to find her."
"And we need to hurry." I said as they looked at me with confusion.
"Why do we have to hurry?" Asked Magnus
"I caught Carly listening in. She knows Heidi visited here recently, meaning she in the area. I went after Carly, but by the time I got close she was gone. On her way out she grabbed something from one the racks, probably nothing good." I explained
"So, she is planning to kill Heidi?" Asked Ethan
"That is what Clary told me. We need to find her and fast." I said
"Good idea." Said, Alec, as we readied up.
Ethan went back to help Isabelle as Alec, Magnus, and I went after Carly. If we didn't find her fast enough, she might do something she will regret. I couldn't let Jonathan take what good Carly had in her and snuff it out. I couldn't let it happen.
Clary POV
I stared into the fire of my fireplace as if nothing else mattered. I focused on the flames and watched as they danced across the logs. The fire was warm against my face as if I were aflame.
I moved closer to the fire and placed my hand above the flame. At first I only felt the heat, but then the pain kicked in. In the moment I didn't really feel anything. I didn't care. I was hurting Jonathan and Carly. I didn't really care.
Suddenly I felt hands on my shoulders that pulled me away from the fireplace. Whatever trance I was in broke when my hand left the flame and the pain came rushing in. I began gasping as Jace activated my healing rune. He looked me over to make sure I had no other injuries.
"Clary, what were you thinking?" Asked Jace
"I don't know." I said staring down at my now healed hand. "I just wanted to feel pain. I wanted Jonathan and Carly to feel pain. I don't know what is wrong with me."
"It has to be the rune." Said, Jace, helping me stand up. "We need to get you to the Silent Brothers. Right now."
Carly POV
I left the hospital and injected the holy water into my veins. It felt like liquid fire coursing through my body. I knew I was stronger than demons and vampires, but I wouldn't last against holy water. I had to find her soon or else I would die.
I followed Heidi's scent to an alleyway near the hospital. I walked into the alley and Heidi appeared on the other side. She was trying to stay brave, but I could tell she still had some fear against me.
"Hello, Heidi." I said
"Carly, nice to see you again." Said Heidi
I took a step toward her as pain radiated throughout my body. If I knew Heidi like I thought I did then this plan would work perfectly, if not I might be the one dying today. I kept a straight face so she wouldn't see my pain and I crossed my arms over my chest.
"I thought I told you to stay away from Simon." I said
Heidi scoffed with a smile. "I haven't touched him."
"But you did cause the vampires to slaughter the wolves and you almost got Jordan killed. Do you think I would let you get away with that and what happened with Simon? You will be punished for what you have done." I said
"You can't kill me, Carly." Said, Heidi, as she appeared before me. "That would go against what Simon and your shadowhunter buddies want. Besides now that you aren't controlled by the darkness in you, you won't hurt me. You have the strength, but wielding it is a whole different story."
"I know they want to take you in and watch you suffer in Idris, but I can't take the chance of you escaping again. You hurt Simon and people close him, so I will destroy you. I will wipe that smug smile off your face and I will watch as you turn to dust." I said
"That darkness isn't completely gone is it? It's still there lingering, waiting to emerge and take control. You might not be under its spell any longer, but you are still just as much a monster as I am. Just wait and see." Taunted Heidi
"I'm going to kill you." I threatened
"You don't even have a weapon." Stated Heidi
"I don't need one." I said as my eyes went black.
Even with my limbs on fire, I lunged at Heidi. She dodged my attack as I went for another. I landed a few punches until she grabbed my arm and flung me a few feet away.
"You can't beat me, Carly. I hurt Simon, I caused the death of the those wolves, and I was the reason Jordan almost died. I killed a lot of people and you are just another on the list." Said Heidi
Heidi ran at me as I used my strength to trip her onto her back. I stood over her ready to crush her windpipe with my boot, when she quickly rolled out of the way. I kicked at her and she dodged most of the blows. When she got back up we threw a few more punches. I then slammed her head into a metal pole beside us as the pain began to get worse in my hand.
I gritted my teeth and looked down to a see a burn forming on my palm. I knew it wasn't Jonathan because he knew what I was doing. Which meant Clary was hurting herself.
I clutched at my hand as Heidi used this opportunity. She used her speed to appear behind me, she held my arms down, and tilted my head to the side. I tried to struggle out of her grip, but the holy water had weakened me greatly.
"I wonder what you taste like?" Questioned, Heidi, to herself aloud.
"I don't think you would know since you only drink the blood of lowlifes like yourself." I said as she pulled tightly back on my hair.
Without another word she quickly sank her fangs into the side of my neck and relief spread across me, not just from the venom. I could feel Heidi sucking the holy water from my veins and the pain faded. Suddenly she dropped me onto the ground as she began coughing.
"What's happening?" Asked Heidi
I stood up as the wound on my neck healed. I looked down at her as she collapsed onto her back. "I injected myself with holy water. Hurt like a bitch, but I knew you would try to feed on me. Now you will go where you belong. Hell."
Heidi cried out in pain as she began disintegrating. I watched her limbs dissipate, then her chest, and lastly her crying face. It was satisfying to watch her wither away, but that was ruined when I turned to see Simon, Magnus, and Alec watching me from a few feet away.
"How did you find me?" I asked
"Clary called me. She told me you were going a mission to stop Heidi." Said Simon
"Jonathan…" I whispered to myself.
Jonathan must've told Clary. She wouldn't have known any other way. Some of his business must've been visiting Clary as well. Why would he tell her? Was he trying to seperate us or bring us closer together? At this point I had no idea.
"What did you do?" Asked, Alec, as Heidi's ashes blew away in the wind.
"I injected myself with holy water. I knew she would try to drain me dry and so I took the opportunity. Better riddance." I said truthfully
Simon walked away from the other two and pulled me off to side. Alec was informing the Institute and Magnus stood beside him. Simon pulled me behind some stairs as I pulled his arm off of mine.
"You killed her." Said Simon
"What other choice did I have? If I hadn't killed her, she would have killed me. Besides I thought you would be happy that she was gone." I said
"I wanted Heidi punished, not killed." Said, Simon, with a look of disappointment. "Besides that stunt you pulled could have killed you. If she had decided to not bite you the holy water would have burned you out from the inside. Why did you take such a risk?"
"I took the risk because I knew how much she hurt you. I wasn't gonna take the chance of her escaping again. If I brought a weapon I might have won, but I could have been killed. I knew the holy water would work and it was the only option I had." I explained
"Carly, it wasn't right. Killing her wasn't right." Said Simon
"I wanted to protect you and I knew letting her go meant more of a chance she could hurt you again. This was my way of getting rid of the threat." I said
"This isn't how we do things." Said, Simon, as he hit a chord.
"You mean how you do things? Simon, I'm a monster. Monsters do monstrous things." I said as my eyes went black. "This is what I did to protect you and I'm not sorry for doing it."
"Carly, you are not a monster." Said Simon
"Simon, we both know that isn't true." I said as my eyes changed back. "I might not be controlled by the darkness, but the urges are still there. I still want to hurt people and give into temptation. I am not a saint and I don't think I will ever be one. If I can save Jonathan, I might have a chance."
"Are you sure Jonathan even wants to be saved?" Asked Simon
"Maybe not, but the least I can do is try. If Jonathan, who has killed many innocent people, can be saved then I know I can be." I said
"You are nothing like him." Said Simon
"Simon, I am exactly like him. We are identical twins. We are both half demon and me also being half vampire means I might be even worse then he is. Nothing can change that." I said
"You could have called the Institute or even me to help you." Whined Simon
"The institute wouldn't side with a demonic vampire who is with Jonathan Morgenstern, Simon." I said as I looked near Alec and saw guards headed this way. "Well, that cuts things short."
I tried to run, but Simon grabbed my arm. "Don't go back to him. Stay here with me and we can sort this whole thing out. Please."
"If I stay the Clave will lock me up and torture me to get Jonathan's location. I am trying my best to stop him from killing and if I am caught that is all lost. Stay strong and stay safe. I love you, Simon." I said
The guards were closing in and so I pulled Simon in for a kiss, more of a peck. I pulled away quickly, whispered I'm sorry, and vanished from the alley. By the time the guards made it to the Simon, I was long gone.
Alec POV
After returning from the failed capture of Heidi and Carly, Magnus and I portalled to the Institute together. Magnus wanted to rest so I went to my office and got to work filling out the paperwork explaining what happened. As I worked, I noticed Magnus at the door.
"You were looking for me?" Asked, Magnus, coming into the room.
"Yeah." I said getting up from my desk.
"Alexander, if this is about what we were talking about earlier, I was wrong. You have every right to talk out your problems with your friends, no matter how good-looking they are." Said Magnus quickly
"This isn't about that." I said as I came to stand right in front of him. "This is about you living at the Institute."
"Oh." Said, Magnus, with a sad look in his eyes.
"Believe me, I want to live with you, but you were right. Having an outsider live at the Institute, that is against protocol. And how can I expect everyone else to follow the rules, if I don't follow them myself?" I explained
"I understand. I'll move out first thing in the morning." Said, Magnus, beginning to head for the door.
"However…" I began as I grabbed Magnus' hand and pulled him toward me. "There is no protocol that says the head of the Institute has to actually live at the Institute. So, when you find a place, I was hoping that we could both move in...together."
"Only if I get my own walk-in closet." Said Magnus
"You mean that?" I asked as a smile spread across my face.
"Of course. I love you." Said, Magnus, as his face became pained.
Magnus turned away from me and began harshly coughing. I tried to turn him around so I could get a good look at him, but he wouldn't let me. "Magnus?"
"I'm fine." Coughed Magnus
His coughing stopped to be replaced by shaking. I came up behind him as he collapsed into my arms. I slowly lowered him to the floor as the shaking got worse and he started murmuring in Indonesian. I tried to make him snap out of it, but he wasn't reacting.
"Magnus? Magnus? Magnus?! Medic! Somebody get help! Magnus! Someone get help!" I yelled as I pulled Magnus in and tried to make him as comfortable as I could.