.

Previously:

"Well all have secrets, Princess. And I have a way of figuring them out." I swallowed. "Tell me. How are you recovering from that incident earlier? I feel bad, I really do. But-"

He never got to finish.

I screamed.

Chapter 17

Screams, Redemption and Chains

(Jace's pov)

I woke up without warmth. I frowned, Clary must have left. I got up to go find her. Everyone was in the kitchen, talking about something. It turned into awkward silence as I walked in.

"Uh, have you guys seen Clary?" I asked no one in particular.

"She went outside to get some air," the thirteen year old boy said. I nodded. I really need to learn their names.

I turned to leave, since the awkwardness was, well, awkward. "Wait!" a girls voice said. I turned in surprise. The girl that looked like an older version of Clary said it. "Why don't you come sit down. We've never formally introduced ourselves."

"Um, okay." I sat in the only empty chair, which I presumed to be Clary's.

"I'm Jocelyn," she pointed to herself. Then she pointed at each person in the room, listing off their names: Alec, Isabelle, Simon, Max and Luke. It's going to take a while to remember everyone's names. I've never been good at remembering them.

They each gave me a greeting or wave in return. That's when I heard the scream. "Clary!" several of us yelled and wasted no time running to the door.

(Clary's pov)

I knew then and there that this is where I will die. The Queen had finally found a way to finish me off. My life flashed before my eyes. I tried to remember good memories of my father. How he used to play with me all the time, and read me books before I went to bed, and tucked me in. I miss him so much. Maybe now I'll see him again.

A huge beast stood in front of me. It was easily twice the size of the lions told in stories. It seemed like a mix of a lion and a wolf. With a long nose and sharp fangs coming out of its mouth, a golden fur color and long swishing tail. I watched in horror as it ripped apart Sebastian. He screamed louder than I've ever heard anyone scream. Then it was over, the screaming stopped. Guess its my turn.

My back hit a tree, I didn't even realize I was backing up. "Clary!" someone yelled in the back of my mind. But I couldn't tell who it was or if I even heard it at all. The beast slowly started towards me. I had dropped my sword, my dagger! It may not be as good as a sword in this situation, but it was something. I think the cool hilt of the dagger calmed me down slightly because I now know that I will take this monster down. No matter if I die in the process.

Then it pounced.

Time slowed down as I whipped my dagger at the face of the beast. It let out a shriek when the blade made contact. It still continued to jump at me. I landed on the floor with a thud as it knocked me over, pinning me there. I turned my head to the side and closed my eyes. So that I didn't have to see it start to rip me apart.

It never came. The beast released me when someone stabbed it with a sword. I rolled to the side, so it wouldn't crush me. I quickly got up to see my savior. Jace.

With a whimper, the monster started running away. "Oh, no you don't!" I yelled. I grabbed my sword and dagger off the floor and chased after it.

"Clary, no!" Jace yelled at me and grabbed my arm. "It'll kill you!"

"That's a chance I'm willing to take. The Queen sent it to kill me. It'll keep coming back and hurting or killing innocent people. I can't let that happen."

"Fine, but I'm coming with you."

I shook my head. "No," I said firmly. "This is my fight, not yours." With that I kneed Jace in the chest, so he would let go of me. "Sorry!" I called back at him as I ran towards where the beast was going.

Following the footprints in the floor and the constant roaring, I made it to a dark cave. I let the torches on the wall lead me to where the monster was. "Hey!" I yelled to get it's attention. It looked up and growled. "Come and get me!"

I was suddenly full of adrenaline. I charged at it with a raised sword and stabbed it in the side. It stood on it's two back legs and roared in rage. I took that as my opening. With a running jump, I delivered the final blow to it's heart.

It's over. I did it. I killed it! I let out a whoop of victory and let myself catch my breath.

"Clarissa?" came a quiet, unsure voice. My breath caught. I recognized that voice any where. I whipped my head towards the sound. There he was, chained to the wall of the cave.

"Father," my voice came out as a whisper. I surged forward. We stayed in each other embrace for I don't how long. I couldn't believe he was here, alive and in my arms. I have my father back.

We both cried. "Look at you. You're all grown up," he whispered with a hoarse voice. I let out a mixture of laugh and a sob. We stayed like this until someone came and separated us. I cut the chains from his wrists and finally took a good look at him. He was dirty and looked as fragile as glass. He must have not eaten in a while. At least I was right. I did get to see him again. In life not death.

"Guys," I gestured to my dad and took a deep breath. "This is king Valentine Morgenstern. My father."

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