Carly POV
After we flew from Alicante, Jonathan landed in London. I was going to end him, but I needed the right opportunity. I wanted to keep his trust till the very last moment so when I finally ended it he would never see it coming.
We stopped at this cute little cafe as we ordered coffee. I couldn't taste it, but the warm feeling was nice. I looked up from my cup to see Jonathan looking distant. "Not feeling yourself?"
"I can't taste anything anymore." Said, Jonathan, as he took a sip and disgust appeared on his face. "There is no flavor to the coffee. As if my taste buds are malfunctioning."
Suddenly a woman appeared out of nowhere and sat down at our table. Jonathan and I both looked toward her to recognize the seelie queen sitting there. She looked intrigued while we looked annoyed.
"It is beginning." Said Seelie Queen
"What is?" I questioned
"Jonathan's transformation. His true nature is finally starting to burn away all that is left of his…" Began Seelie Queen
"Humanity." Said Jonathan and I at the same moment.
"Those wings you birthed once your sisters..." Said, Seelie Queen, looking over at me. "Were separated from you is a sign. You are becoming what you were always meant to be, and it's quite beautiful."
"You're not here to flirt with me." Said Jonathan
"I'm here to help you. Although, I'll flirt with you as well, if you'd like." Said, Seelie Queen, as I made a disgusted face. Jonathan noticed and made a similar one. She pushed off the looks we had and continued. "My predecessor, she saw this with her own eyes, when Lucifer was torn free from Michael with the very same blade that cleaved you from your sisters."
"And that allowed him to become what? The devil?" I asked
"A demon to end all demons. But not before he went through what I gather was a very painful metamorphosis. Without help, you'll be in agony before you complete the transition." Explained Seelie Queen
"While I appreciate the history lesson, I struggle to understand why it is you felt the need to share. " Said Jonathan
"I'm a bit of a preservationist. And you are the most unique thing in the entire world. I can help you and your sister." Said, Seelie Queen, as she placed a hand on Jonathan's. "If that is what you want."
"Don't touch me." Yelled, Jonathan, as he got up from the table and I followed after him. When the queen got closer, he pushed me behind him in case she tried something. Even with his humanity fading he cared for my safety, which blew my mind.
"Where are you going?" Asked Seelie Queen
"Away from you." Said, Jonathan, as he grabbed my hand and we flew into the sky.
Clary POV
Alicante cleaned up the mess Jonathan had caused while Isabelle, Simon, Alec, Jace, and I headed back to the Institute. We had to figure out a way to get Magnus and Carly back. Magnus was trapped in Edom while Carly was going on a suicide mission we all knew would end in tragedy. We all surrounded a table, aside from Isabelle as she was with Ethan in the weapon bay.
"What are we going to do?" I asked
"I think the first priority would be to get Magnus back. If we grab him now the rift will reopen and that can't happen." Said, Alec, as he leaned against the counter. "We need to rescue him without causing another catastrophe."
"Shouldn't we be focusing on Carly?" Asked, Simon, with worry. "She's the one in a life or death situation. If we leave Magnus for a little while he can handle himself, but Carly can't. If we leave her with Jonathan for too long she might succeed in killing them both or Jonathan will find her out and end her life first."
"That might be so, but finding Magnus first is more important." Said Alec
"Simon, Alec is right." I said as Simon's face became hurt.
"How is Magnus' life worth anymore then Carly's?!" Yelled, Simon, as he looked over at me with wet eyes. "How can you say that about your own sister? She is in danger and you want to leave her with the devil incarnate?!"
"That's not what I'm saying." I said
"What Clary means is finding Magnus needs to happen first." Said, Jace, as he explained what I had meant. "If we can get Magnus back, he can help us find Carly and save her. He knows a lot about magic and him being on our side would be better then not having him. If we go for Carly first we have a bigger chance of failure."
"I don't like knowing what she plans to do and having to sit here not knowing if I'll be fast enough to save her." Said, Simon, looking down at his feet.
"We'll save her, Simon. I promise." I said as I squeezed his shoulder.
Suddenly Ethan came out of nowhere as he was out of breath. We all looked at him with confusion as Alec spoke first. "What's wrong?"
"It's Isabelle." Sighed Ethan
"What happened?" Asked Jace
"We were talking and we began kissing. While we did I felt her body get increasingly warmer, like way too warm. I looked her over to see why she was suddenly so warm when her arm lit on fire. I took a step back as the flames consumed her." Explained Ethan
"She lit on fire?" I asked
"Yeah, she did." Said Ethan
Magnus POV
I was sitting in my father's throne when I felt eyes on me. I looked up to see Lilith in the middle of the room. "Someone had a busy night."
"I'd say you were rude for neglecting to knock, but Dad didn't really seem to care much for doors. Or ceilings, for that matter." I said as I looked around at the drab place my father called home.
"Well, with weather like this, why bother?" Said, Lilith, with a polite smile.
"While I do enjoy the chitchat, I do wonder are you here to finish off what you started in my apartment?" I asked as I got up from the throne and approached her.
"Oh, no. Let bygones be bygones, Mr. Bane." Said Lilith
"And why would I believe a word you say after you came into my home and showered me with lies?" I asked as I got close to her face. She only smiled back at me and tried to keep her anger in check.
"I admit, the lengths a mother will go for her sick child can be extreme. That's in the past. I'm here to talk about the future. A future in which things between you and me are less complicated than they were between me and Asmodeus." Said, Lilith, as I made myself a drink. "After all, I'd still be your father's prisoner had you not trapped him in limbo."
"So, a cup of sugar, then, and you'll be on your way?" I said taking a sip.
"I had something a little bit sweeter in mind." Said, Lilith, as I turned toward her so we were facing one another again. "Just a tiny opening in the rift that you're holding closed, just large enough for me to fly through."
"And why would I ever do that?" I questioned
"So I can murder the matricidal nightmares I call a son and daughter. You of all people should understand family dysfunction, Magnus." Said Lilith
I set my drink down on the table beside me and got closer to her. "Oh Lilith, I understand family dysfunction, but Carly is a friend of mine and I personally don't want to see her dead. Besides, what's to stop your thirst for vengeance from extending past Jonathan and Carly to my other friends, hmm? To the rest of humanity?"
"My word." Said Lilith
"Your word. Right." I said laughing aloud. "That's enough to jeopardize everyone I love and cherish."
I began walking toward the throne when she spoke up. "If your friends really cared about you, they wouldn't have let you leave. Are you sure they're really worth all that trouble? Is Carly worth all the trouble? She has blood staining her hands almost as much as Jonathan does. Is it really worth it?"
"Carly, was damned because of you and Valentine." I said with my back to Lilith. "She doesn't deserve to die because all the death she has caused is not her fault. She never wanted to hurt anyone, unlike Jonathan. I won't risk her life for you."
"She's a monster." Yelled Lilith
"Maybe, she is!" I yelled back as I turned and sat down on the throne. "Maybe she is a monster. Yet so are you and at times, so am I. I won't let you go through that rift and kill her. You want me to open the rift for you? The answer is no."
Lilith's anger overflowed and she ran at me. With a quick flick of my wrist she went flying out the open door. When she tried to re-enter I pushed her back again. Eventually she gave up and disappeared, leaving me alone.
Isabelle POV
"Thank you for coming, Helen." I said as I laid on the cot in the infirmary.
After I had literally lit on fire, Ethan called Helen and she escorted me. She did a few tests as I laid there for the results. Having a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.
"Well, with Aldertree in the Gard, I suppose I'm the closest thing to an expert in heavenly fire there is." Said, Helen, as the bad feeling in my stomach got worse.
"That's definitely what that was?" I questioned
"The sword that you made to free Clary and Carly from Jonathan...When the shrapnel hit you, it infused your cells with heavenly fire." Explained Helen
"There must be a way to remove it. Chelation therapy, maybe? What they use for silver poisoning?" I suggested
Helen shook her head and crossed her arms over her chest. "When I started working with Aldertree, one of our lead scientists was struck with the debris of an unstable canister of highly concentrated heavenly fire that exploded. His condition was exactly like what's happening to you. The heavenly fire within him flared up every time he came in contact with anything demonic."
"What happened to him?" I asked
"Each time he came in contact with a Downworlder, he became increasingly unstable, until the fire within him raged out of control, and just like that sword exploded…" Began, Helen, as she sighed loudly. "He was blown into pieces. There was nothing that we could do to save him."
"If I keep hunting demons, I'll die?" I questioned as I felt my eyes tear up. Being a shadowhunter was what I was meant to be, if I couldn't do that would I do?
"It's not just demons, Isabelle. Coming in contact with anything demonic, including those with demon blood, could set you off. Potentially killing them, too." Explained, Helen, placing her hand on my shoulder. "Meaning you can't be anywhere near Ethan."
"Is there anyway to fix this?" I asked desperately.
"No, I'm sorry." Said, Helen, squeezing my shoulder. "Look, I know that this is a lot to process. If you want, I could explain it to Alec and the others."
"No. I'll tell them myself. Thanks for the help." I said as I got up from the gurney and left the infirmary.
I began walking down the hall when I saw Ethan and Alec approaching side by side. Alec had his normal brooding look and Ethan looked like a nervous wreck. He was so cute when he was nervous, but I couldn't think like that because touching him could kill him.
"Hey, you two." I said as they both stopped at the sound of my voice.
Alec stepped forward and pulled me in for a hug. When he pulled away Ethan tried to hug me, but I took a step back. He looked at me confused, but it was the only option. I wouldn't endanger his life, I cared about him too much.
"Izzy, I was so worried. Is everything all right?" Asked Ethan
"Just some temporary side effects, but I'm gonna be fine." I said
"Are you okay?" Asked, Clary, as she and Jace appeared around the corner with Simon.
"The heavenly fire, from when the sword exploded, until it leaves my system, I can't touch anyone with demon blood." I explained
"For how long? Are we talking days, weeks, months?" Questioned Ethan
"I don't know. I don't know. But I'm gonna be fine, okay? It's manageable." I said lying through my teeth. I couldn't tell him the truth. Not after finally having him back, I just couldn't.
"Please tell me you have a lead on Jonathan." Asked, Alec, changing the subject.
"Yeah, we tracked down a mid-level demon known for associating with the Clave on Wall Street. He didn't have any information on Jonathan. But he did have news on Lilith." Said Jace
"What kind of news?" Asked Ethan
"She's gathering an army to take down Magnus." Blurted out Clary
"She'll kill him." Said, Alec, aloud to himself.
"And if she does, the rift will reopen." Said Simon
"He sacrificed everything to save us. If he's going up against Lilith, I have to be there with him. I can't let him fight her by himself. I couldn't live with myself if something happened." Said Alec
"Alec, you know that if any of us went to Edom, we'd die instantly." Said Clary
"The atmosphere is demonic, but maybe I can go. My heavenly fire might protect me." I suggested with fake confidence. I knew going there would be a suicide mission, but if I could save Magnus it was worth dying for.
"No, no. Only someone with demon blood can survive there." Said, Alec, as he looked over in Simon's direction. "Simon, I need you to turn me into a vampire so I can go."
"What?! Alec, are you out of your mind?" I questioned
Even my plan wasn't that dangerous. If I succeeded at least I wouldn't be damning myself. Turning into a vampire meant he wouldn't be a shadowhunter or Jace's parabatai anymore. If he turned he would lose everything he held dear.
"What else am I supposed to do? Please, just let me try this." Said Alec desperately
"We'll find another way." Said Ethan and Clary at the same time.
"What other way?! Huh? Tell me. Tell me something. Any of you?" Yelled, Alec, as he looked around at everyone. When the room stayed silent he stormed off down the hall. Jace followed after him to make sure Alec was okay while we stayed put.
"Okay, we've gotta figure something out." Said Simon
"Let's look in the archives under anything that even mentions the word Edom." Suggested Clary
Everyone headed for the door, but I stayed put. Ethan looked toward me with worry, but I assured him I was fine. He hesitantly followed Simon and Clary as I headed in the opposite direction. If the Heavenly Fire in my veins was gonna kill me, I might as well do something good with it.
Carly POV
When we left London, Jonathan began getting worse. We got to the shores of Ireland when he collapsed onto the sand. I helped Jonathan up and I carried him into the forest.
His skin began to burn away and he was screaming in agony. I sat beside him thinking this was my perfect chance to take him out. He was weak and I could overtake him easily. I began to take my knife out when he whimpered out my name.
I looked down at him and saw the pain in his eyes. I didn't feel bad for him, not in the slightest as I could not care. Yet looking at him and seeing the emotion he had, made me put my knife back. I wouldn't kill him in this state, not until he could fight back.
"Carly…" Whimpered, Jonathan, as he grabbed onto my hand.
"Yeah, Jonathan?" I questioned
"I want you to bite me." He begged
"What?!" I asked with surprise
He sighed in pain and looked up into my eyes. "If you bite me the pain will lessen due to the venom. I know that it will make you sick, but I just can't take it anymore. Please help me."
"Jonathan, if I take your blood we will both be weak. I need to be here to protect you if someone tries to harm us. Drinking your blood will make us both defenseless." I said
"Please." Begged, Jonathan, as I saw a tear fall from his eye.
I looked down at his weak form and decided to do as he asked. I needed no doubt between us if I was going to end this. My fangs extended and my eyes went dark, I began for his throat when I heard footsteps behind us. I quickly turned to see the queen and two of her guards.
"You poor things." Said Seelie Queen
"Go away." Threatened, Jonathan, as he gasped in agony.
"Volatile as you may be, you will be completely vulnerable during your transformation." Said Seelie Queen
"I think I can handle protecting him on my own. I'm a lot stronger and faster then I look. He won't be vulnerable with me around." I said
"If a group comes for him, you won't be able to take them all out. So, let me help you both. I can take you to the Seelie Realm and lock its doors. You'll both be safe as Jonathan will feel worse before he feels better." Explained Seelie Queen
"Why are you helping us?" I asked
"Because I see potential in both of you. It took time for me to truly see it, but now I do. I see how powerful you, both of you, are. I can't let that go to waste, now can I." Said Seelie Queen
"If you betray us…" Began Jonathan
"Now, why would I ever do that?" Questioned the queen with a smile.
Alec POV
Jace had calmed me down as we tried to figure out another way to get Magnus. As we looked for something, Meliorn had called in distress. Jace, Clary, Simon, Ethan, and I met in the main meeting room with Meliorn.
"She said the heavenly fire in her veins would shield her against Edom's demonic atmosphere." Admitted Meliorn
"Why would she take that on herself?" Asked Simon
"She didn't want all of you putting your lives at risk." Said Meliorn
"And you didn't try to stop her from going?" Asked, Ethan, with anger in his tone.
"I did. But she convinced me it was the only way to save Magnus. She begged me not to tell you, but I couldn't. I wanted to honor my word, but the thought of Isabelle in danger, all alone. I had to tell you." Explained Meliorn
"Can you get all of us into Edom through the Seelie Realm?" Asked Clary
"I'm afraid not. My queen just sealed our borders. I know not why." Admitted Meliorn
"Even if we could, we'd die. We've been over that." I said
"What if I could create a rune that binds Downworlders to Shadowhunters? We could share skills, powers, and immunities. Kind of like a temporary parabatai rune." Suggested Clary
"Look, bonding one Shadowhunter to another, that's one thing. This is different. It's dangerous. Remember what happened when you runed Valentine back to life? What if something like that happens again? What if it backfires?" Said Jace
"I can make this work, Jace. Trust me." Said Clary
The group went silent as we thought about what Clary said. We didn't have any other ideas about how to get Magnus back. Now that Isabelle was also stuck down there we had to be fast. I couldn't lose my fiance and my sister in such a short time. I just couldn't.
"If it's the only way to save Izzy and Magnus, I think it's worth a try." I said
The others looked at each other and nodded. We headed into one of the training rooms and locked the doors. Clary stepped forward pulling Simon with her. He pulled up the sleeve on his shirt and offered his arm to her. She took it in her hands and made sure he was okay.
"You ready?" Asked Clary
"Bubbie Helen would kill me if she knew I was getting a tattoo." Said, Simon, as Clary leaned forward to start the rune, causing him to pull his arm away. "You sure one of you guys doesn't want to go first?"
"Absolutely not." Said Meliorn
"No, thank you." Said Ethan
"Simon, it's gonna work. I promise." Reassured Clary
"I've never doubted you before. Let's do this." Said, Simon, as he offered his arm to her again. Simon squeezed his eyes shut as she began drawing the rune.
Simon's face scrunched up in pain and the room began to shake. The angels were not happy about this, but right now I didn't care what they thought. I needed Magnus and Isabelle back.
Clary finished the rune and she gained vampire speed. Then I was connected to Ethan and Jace was connected to Meliorn. Ethan had borrowed a book from his father's library and made the rune to open a portal to Edom.
"Maybe, if we're lucky, we'll find Izzy and Magnus in the same keep." I said
"Right, where's the keep?" Asked Simon
"We'll use the ring that Magnus gave Alec to track him once we arrive." Explained Clary.
"Okay, everyone ready?" Asked, Ethan, as he moved his hands around and the rune on the floor lit aflame. Ethan looked at each of us as we nodded in agreement.
"What could go wrong? It's just...hell." Stuttered Simon
"This might burn a little." Warned Ethan
We all stepped forward and felt as the fire consumed us. It started out as a warm feeling and then you could feel as if it were burning your flesh off your bones. We all screamed as the Institute faded away to dark skies and screeching demons.
Magnus POV
I was staring out one of the many windows in my father's keep when I thought I heard Alec's voice. I ignored the sound and stayed where I was. When I heard it a second time I turned around to see Alec standing on the other side of the room.
I almost started crying at the sight of him as I ran into his arms. "Alexander, I thought I'd never see you again."
"I told you, it's only Edom." Said, Alec, as he pulled away from the hug. "And we weren't going to let you fight Lilith alone."
"We?" I questioned
"Magnus." Said Clary
"Biscuit." I said as I pulled Clary in for a hug. I hadn't called her that since she was a kid, but I think I might start saying it more often.
Suddenly Ethan and Simon burst into the room. I gave them hugs just as I had with Alec and Clary. Ethan looked around the room as if he were looking for something or someone.
"Jace and Meliorn are on the way. But where's Isabelle? Is she here?" Asked Ethan
"Isabelle? Should she be?" I questioned
Ethan became even more down in the dumps. I looked over at Alec with confusion as he explained the situation. I used a trinket of Isabelle's that Alec had to track their location. Once I hit the jackpot I opened a portal and we all jumped through.
On the other side we were in Lilith's keep. Jace was keeping pressure on a wound that was across Meliorns chest while Isabelle kept watch. When we appeared Isabelle ran over to us, but kept her distance from Simon, Ethan and I. I was confused at this reaction, but pushed it out of my mind as there were more pressing matters.
"What happened to Meliorn and where is Lilith?" I asked
"She's gone. She turned into this enormous flying wraith. One of her wings sliced right through Meliorn." Explained, Jace, as blood painted his hands.
"We'll help." Said Ethan and I at the same. We looked at one another as Ethan got closer. "I'll take care of the bleeding."
"I've seen Lilith like that before. When she stole a sliver of my soul, she was strong enough to murder Ithuriel." Said, Clary, as Jace squeezed her hand.
"Where is she?" Asked Simon
"Coming for Magnus. She wants to reopen the rift." Said Isabelle
I left the group as I noticed something flying above. I looked closer and noticed a giant wraith had turned around. It began flying toward us with a high pitched screech. "Oh, looks as if she's found me."
"Not a good look on her." Said, Alec, as we all stood side by side with Meliorn joining us. He wasn't 100%, but if he had to fight he would.
Everyone unsheathed their weapons as Ethan and I formed balls of energy in our hands. She continued to nose dive toward us as I saw Isabelle take a step forward out of the corner of my eye. Ethan noticed her sudden movement and tried to pull her back, but she moved out of his grasp and shot fire out of her hands.
"Izzy, don't! Don't!" Yelled Ethan
Isabelle ignored his pleas as she hit Lilith directly with her heavenly fire. Lilith screeched out in pain as the fire consumed her to the point of causing her to explode. When she dissipated, Isabelle fell onto the ground with her body began to light on fire.
"Isabelle!" Yelled Alec
"Magnus, heal her." Begged, Ethan, knowing he didn't have the strength to do so.
"I'm trying." I said as blue mist spread around Isabelle. Yet the blue had no effect and she was just getting worse.
"Well, try harder!" Said Ethan
"It's not working. The heavenly fire's stopping me from getting through. I can't heal her as long as it is in her veins." I said as I continued to try and heal her with no avail.
"What if I put the Alliance rune on Izzy? We could bond her to all of us. We could maybe absorb some of the flame." Suggested Clary
"How do we know it's not gonna fry us up? Remember, we all have demon blood now." Said Jace
"We all have Nephilim blood, too." Said Alec
"Let's do this. Form a circle." Said, Clary, as everyone stood around Isabelle.
Clary drew the ruin I noticed on the others on my arm as we all surrounded Izzy. She tried to make us stop, but we wouldn't let her die.
"Izzy. If it's the only way to save your life, we're all gonna die trying." Said Ethan
Suddenly we all lit aflame as Isabelle had. It felt like we were burning from the inside out, like gasoline had replaced our blood. We all screamed as the flames surrounded us. When it finally went out we all sighed in relief.
Ethan ran over to Isabelle and pulled her up to her feet. He placed a hand on her cheek as she smiled back at him. They pulled each other into a deep hug as Ethan smiled. "Thank the Angel you're okay."
"Isabelle might be okay, but it appears Edom is very much not." I said as they pulled away and everyone looked into the sky.
The flames that left us were killing everything. Fireballs were falling from the sky and demons were dying in every direction. The ground began to crack and shake, causing the keep we were in to begin collapsing.
"What's going on?" Asked Simon
"It looks like the heavenly fire destroyed Lilith. But the chain reaction is destroying the entire realm." I said
"Then we should get out of here." Said Jace
I opened a portal as Alec stopped in his tracks. "Wait. Don't we have to close the rift?"
"There's no reason to close it if Edom doesn't exist anymore. Come on! Hurry!" I yelled as Alec nodded in agreement.
Ethan helped Isabelle through, then Jace, Clary, Meliorn and Simon followed suit. Alec stayed back and gave me a peck on the lips before jumping through. I smiled to myself as I looked back at Edom one last time before jumping through the portal.
Carly POV
The beauty of the Seelie Realm never ceases to amaze me. When we arrived Jonathan and I were taken to the court where Jonathan could rest. As he did a black cocoon formed around him as if he were a butterfly.
A few hours later the cocoon cracked and Jonathan began to rise out of the black goo. He pulled himself up and had no emotion on his face. He looked empty as if nothing of Jonathan was left. The queen was all for it and had him cleaned up. Once clean, Jonathan, the queen, and I went on a stroll.
She hung onto Jonathan's arm as I walked behind them. I could tell she wanted to use him for some dastardly plan. It was obvious how excited she was about him. I knew I was only here because if she got rid of me, then she couldn't have Jonathan.
"Isn't it beautiful?" Asked, Seelie Queen, as we walked through the woods. "Nature never ceases to bring a smile to my face."
"I have no interest in taking a stroll through the woods with you." Said Jonathan
"Patience, dear." Said Seelie Queen
A few feet ahead four shadowhunters were bound and on their knees. Seelie guards stood behind them to make sure none could escape. Jonathan and the queen stopped before them as I came up beside the two.
"What is this?" I asked
"A gift." Said, Seelie Queen, as she took a step back from us to show off the hunters. "Sacrificial lambs, so that you might hone the art of slaughter. Stolen while they slept from an island at sea. Take your wrath, Jonathan, and focus it. Away from nature and toward those who would stand against you."
Jonathan looked over at her and then back at the shadowhunters. The one on the end looked like he might pee his pants and that made Jonathan smile. His eyes went black as the man screamed, muffled by the gag in his mouth. The man's body began to burn as he died instantly.
Two of the others looked scared, but the man beside the girls got the gag removed from his mouth. "If you're going to kill anyone, let it be me. Please. Let the rest of them go. Take your wrath out on me."
Jonathan stared at the man for a long moment before he turned to me. "Would you like to do the honors? I'll take the girls, but you can drain this one dry. Sound like a deal?"
"I haven't eaten in awhile so why not." I said as I rushed the man.
He barely had time to scream as my fangs sunk deep into his neck. As I drained the man dry Jonathan killed the others. If I was going to kill Jonathan I had to be strong. He was more powerful than he has ever been and I couldn't afford him winning. I might be unable to care, but I had to die doing something good. It's the least I could do.