A/N: Yay I finished this freaking chapter. Sorry it took so long, but my old PC had more Trojans than the pharmacy so I advise people to have protection; no glove no love I'd say…And now my PC is crashed :( luckily I had my drafts backed up stupid viruses!! Anyway all is good now, I bought me a laptop and I personally didn't plan on writing over ten chapters because I thought it would be too long and boring, but I did…..so there :P and I thank everyone for being patient, I hope I didn't lose your interest!! I'll make it up to you all with milk and cookies well have fun reading!!

Disclaimer: I don't know why I keep writing this, I think it's a habit of mine now, but I still don't own anything Cassandra Clare owns it all.

City of Jewels

--- 11. Good Riddance ---

Several black demons huddled in a circle just a few feet away from the altar and Clary happened to be centered in the middle of them. It looked as if she was laying out a grand plan for the latter of the ceremony.

Jace couldn't help but wonder why Clary kept rubbing her forehead. She looked like she continuously had a headache. Maybe it was the results of having an evil father like Valentine take possession over her, but still it was enough to obtain Jace's fear for her.

He reluctantly pulled his eyes away from Clary and rested them on the Downworlder children that lay unconscious in front of the altar.

A small pang of regret ran through Jace's body as his eyes rested on the little fey child, Skye. It seemed like just a few minutes ago that Jace had once promised her that everything was going to be alright, because he was sure that he was going to save the day and he wouldn't let anyone hurt her.

It was a promise that he knew was dangerous to make, but he wanted so bad for her to stop crying, and now he felt guilty that he couldn't save her.

At least the rising of her chest had reassured him that she was still alive, it was just a matter of time before she was dead. He looked away and rested his eyes on the wolf boy Darius. He noticed that he looked somewhat different and he furrowed his eyebrows to study him.

His body seemed to have changed as if he was morphing into his wolf-like body. Darius's face had more hair on it and his body was bigger, but all Jace was hoping of at that moment was that time was on his side. He had to do something.

Jace happened to be lying against the marble wall going in and out of consciousness. His energy was slowly seeping out of his body and his breathing grew ragged as he fought to keep his eyes open.

He watched Sebastian's hands continuously swipe against Jocelyn's face, plastering her with cuts and bruises while blood smeared around her lips.

It was complete torture what he was doing to her and it was a shock that she managed to stay conscious, but Jace was powerless to do anything. He shook his head to try stay awake and snap out of his dazed state but sleep tried its hardest to pull him under. Jocelyn's muffled whimpers jolted him out of his reverie and he fought the urge to speak.

"Why don't you pick on someone your own size? Or are you too much of a coward to fight someone stronger than you? " Jace managed to choke; his voice sounded a little raspy due to the lack of fluids and his eyelids were straining to stay open. Sebastian glowered back at him, clearly filled with anger but instead he chuckled.

"What, you mean someone like you? You're hardly a challenge for me Wayland, so I won't waste my time." Sebastian retorted as his fist slammed against Jocelyn's face once more.

"Yet, you continue to beat your defenseless mother? Just proves how much of a coward you really are. I'd call you a monster too if I were her." Jace taunted in an attempt to stare him away from torturing Jocelyn.

"Shut up! Just SHUT UP!" Sebastian yelled.

Jace was smirking now; eager to egg him on further. "Why? It's the truth isn't it?" Jace said in a taunting voice and then added, "Your father hates you, your mother disowned you, and not to mention a sister who despises you." He said as he counted them out with his fingers and then chuckled, "and I thought I had problems." He finished.

Clary strolled over toward them and intervened in their conversation.

"What are you two fighting over this time?" Clary asked in a voice that said she didn't care for an answer.

"I swear, you two could be so annoying sometimes." Clary added.

Jace's attention shot up as he saw her approach beside him. "Clary, wake up I need you!" Jace said in a weary voice begging for her to snap out of it. He thought he might as well give it a shot seeming as though he was going to die soon anyway. Clary flinched a little and her hands rubbed the side of her temples again.

"Shut up Jonathan, I need you to be quiet." Clary demanded.

"Clary, please I need you." Jace pleaded but this time he sounded desperate.

Clary flinched again and fixed her gaze on Jace, her eyes cast a shadow over them and it looked like they formed some sort of sincerity in them. She tilted her head in thought and studied Jace for a second. Pain shot through her gaze as she realized Jace was chained to the wall and her heart dropped.

He noticed the instant change in her expression and he immediately knew it was Clary, his Clary.

"Clary is that y―" Jace tried to say and was cut off as she raced toward him and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. She practically nearly bowled him over.

"Jace, oh Jace, are you okay?" Clary said out of panic and tightened her hold around him. Jace winced a little as she accidentally hurt his shoulder, but he instantly shook it off at that moment, because he finally had Clary and that was all that mattered.

"I'm sorry did I hurt you?" Clary whispered against his ear.

"Don't worry about me; I'm just glad you're still okay." Jace said in his angelic voice as he wrapped one arm around her.

"I missed you so much!" Clary cried.

"I know I missed you too." Jace whispered and kissed her on her shoulder.

Jace held her there for what seemed like forever.

It was as if the world had stopped spinning and all that had existed was Jace and Clary, just the two who seemed to always fit together like two halves of a whole.

Jace kept stroking her hair whispering soothing words into her hair as if he couldn't help it. It almost sounded like a sweet soft lullaby and Clary bit back the urge to cry. She knew that this was by far off from being over, but being wrapped up in Jace's arms felt safe, warm and comfortable and she wished that they could stay like that forever.

He looked over her shoulder and Sebastian seemed to be occupied with something so he had a little more time to kill. As much as he didn't want to break up this perfect moment, he pulled back so that Clary's face was right in front of him with both hands cupped around her cheeks.

"Clary, how long can you keep Valentine out of your head?" Jace asked in a voice that was a little over a whisper.

"I don't know, not that long I guess." Clary said matching her voice with his. "Why?"

Jace rubbed his thumbs absently across her cheeks. "I need you to distract Sebastian for me and keep Valentine out of reach for a little while longer, can you do that for me?" He asked with so much love in his eyes.

Clary nodded. "I'll try," she whispered back.

"You'll have to make Sebastian believe you are still Valentine too."

"Okay," Clary hesitantly agreed, "but how are you going to know it's really me, and not Valentine?" She asked worryingly.

Jace smiled. "I know you." He hugged her once more and kissed her on the cheek. "That's all that matters."

"Father, what are you doing?" Sebastian demanded breaking the silence.

Clary reluctantly broke apart from Jace's arms and stared off toward Sebastian. Clary felt nervous, especially because of the way Sebastian stared at her.

She looked back at Jace with pleading eyes, ones that said I can't do this, but Jace just gave her a subtle nod of encouragement. Her eyes fell on Jocelyn, her helpless, defenseless mother and her heart dropped seeing her like that. She hoped that her mother would manage to fight through the pain and horror for a little while longer until she found out a way to end it all. It took her all of her self-control to stop from running over to her mother, but knowing Sebastian would kill her, she instantly dismissed the idea.

"Are you okay father? You don't look so good." Sebastian asked curiously.

Clary pulled her eyes from Jocelyn's and rested them on Sebastian. A thick hint of anger boiled up in side her as she glared at him.

"Shut up Seb―Jonathan, just shut up!" Clary yelled and she hoped that Sebastian didn't catch her out on her slight mix up.

"I want you to stop! Stop this brutality. You're hurting her!" Clary demanded as she tried to seem powerful and scary in hopes of sounding like Valentine.

His eyes expanded. "But, you just said that I could have my way with her father, so that's what I'm doing." Sebastian protested as his eyebrows met into a frown.

"I know, and now I want you to stop!" Clary ordered as her eyes shot daggers toward him.

He muttered something incoherently then he spoke slightly annoyed. "Fine! But you're making a big mistake; she deserves to die! Just like the rest of them." Sebastian retorted and released his grip from her fiery red hair.

A tinge of heart ache jolted through Clary's body as he heard Sebastian talk like that about her mother, their mother. She wanted so badly to strangle him and put him out of his misery, but that was impossible. Instead, she said. "Just do what I say J-Jonathan, I don't want any back chat from you!" Back chat? Where the hell did that come from? She thought to herself.

"I was just saying t―." Sebastian was cut off mid-sentenced.

"Not another word Jonathan, I mean it!" Clary warned remembering how to use her mother's tone when Jocelyn used to lecture her about her constant nagging to go to Pandemonium. She actually felt like an adult at that moment. She was this much away from telling Sebastian to go to his room.

Clary smiled inwardly as she watched Sebastian's face lower to the ground in defeat. It was different for her to see a vulnerable side of him—even if it was just a little.

It was kind of comforting in a way that even a person like Sebastian was capable of respecting someone other than his self, even if it was just for his father. It made him that much human, and maybe he did have a hint of humanity left in his tainted black soul, but witnessing it beforehand, was weird. "I'm sorry father." Sebastian apologized.

Jace took this moment to tug at his chain. The light chip that Clary had cut through earlier was slowly peeling away. He continuously pulled at the chain in hopes of it breaking free. It felt like he suddenly had some strong kind of strength conjured up in his body as he tugged at it, maybe it was the thought of Clary's presence that motivated him that much more to break free.

Come on you stupid thing, break already he thought.

Suddenly a loud clang sounded from his chain as it finally gave way, and all eyes fell on him, Sebastian's in particular. Shit, so much for being inconspicuous.

Jace thought and in a split of a second Jace dashed toward the altar with his eyes on The Mortal Sword. The broken chain linked to his ankle dragged behind him and he skidded to a halt. He gripped his long pale fingers around Mallaertach and seized it in the air ready to strike Sebastian with it. It was heavier than Jace had expected it to be; due to his dislocated shoulder, but instantly shrugged the pain off. His eyes glowered at Sebastian with bloodlust.

"I'm going to send you back to the hell pit, once and for all big brother!" Jace muttered and lunged in toward Sebastian slashing his sword across his chest, but Sebastian was too fast and dodged the attack. Sebastian instantly had his sword out of its sheath now, ready to strike back.

"I couldn't agree more, because I'll be bringing you with me!" Sebastian replied and with that he named his angel blade and the glow of it cut through the air toward Jace, but Jace blocked it with grace.

Sebastian snarled low in his throat knowing that he missed and it made him that much more furious. A malicious chuckle escaped from Jace's mouth as Mallaertach came crashing down toward Sebastian.

It cut through the thread of his sleeve and sliced a bit of his flesh—making Sebastian fume with rage, but Jace just smiled in triumph. A brief moment had passed and both of their swords slammed against each other simultaneously making a loud clanging noise as metal met with metal.

Their swords swiftly moving at a speed that could be easily mistaken for wind with how fast they swung them.

It would've looked like a big blurry mess. Jace swung a right hook into his face and Sebastian staggered back from the blow. He shook it off and then his leg went flying into a round house kick and kissed the side of Jace's face. Blood flew from Jace's mouth as direct contact of Sebastian's black solid boots slightly phased his vision.

They fought each other with the same intensions of wanting to kill the other. It was a matter of who could accomplish it first.

Clary stood there slightly admiring both of their moves. They were closely matched; one was just as fast as the other.

It was interesting to her in a way that she wished she could sketch them right then and there; she mentally sketched out a replica of the two; picturing Sebastian as a dark angel with black wings shaded around him like the few drawings she already had of him, with blood seeping from the side of his mouth; while she pictured Jace as a delicate white angel, feathers sprawling out to his sides with a halo shining at the top of his head. It was a sketch that she was dying to draw.

A loud shriek came from the other side of the cave and a huge army of Demons started swooping around the cave.

It almost looked like a herd of bats skimming above their heads and Jace and Sebastian stopped fighting in order to protect their selves from the peasants.

Sebastian scowled and they both looked at each Demon in annoyance, it was more of a distraction than anything. Jace looked up and realized that the Demons were headed their way so he swiped his sword across the first demon he could strike at. Sebastian done the same and in a brief second both of them were back to back fighting off the demons.

At that given moment it would have looked like both were working as a team. One by one the demons vanquished and black ichors splattered everywhere leaving trails and smudges of black ink on the concrete walls.

Clary ran toward Jocelyn in the midst of the chaos trying to avoid the herd of demons, she was clueless to why the demons hadn't attacked her yet, but she had to go defend her mother. As soon as she was near her she ran into her arms. Carefully she cut the links off her hands with her stele that she had retrieved from her duffel bag and ripped the tape off her mouth.

"Mom, are you okay." Clary said complete with concern.

Jocelyn nodded as she rubbed the blisters around her wrists and wrapped her daughter in a tight embrace. "Clary, oh thank God you're okay." Jocelyn said full of relief.

"I'm okay mom…but I don't know for how long." Clary pulled back to study her mother's face and she gasped in surprise; tears started to well up in Clary's eyes as she studied the wounds that Sebastian had plastered her with. She touched her mother's swollen cheeks and she couldn't help but feel a mixture of pain to see her face so battered and furious toward the culprit who put it there.

"Mom I'm sorry…this is my entire fault I…" Clary whispered.

"Oh sweetheart…no one is blaming you, don't you ever think like that you hear me? None of this is your fault." She reassured her.

"But if it wasn't for me, then you would've been safe, everyone would've been safe." She cried and most of it was true, after all Clary was the reason why any of them were in Idris, if it wasn't for her selfish reasons everyone would've been safe.

"Come here…" Jocelyn said and pulled Clary against her chest allowing her tears to stream down her face. There was nothing in the world that could describe the comfort of a mother's sweet caress or even the way her mother's warmth radiated off of her as she cradled her only daughter. It was as if she was rocking her to sleep. In that brief moment, Clary felt like she was home.

Clary flipped her stele absently and then pulled back from her mother's embrace. She held out her stele and slowly carved an Iratze rune over her mother's wounds. Slowly one by one, Jocelyn's wounds had faded and a pale white scar shimmered on the side of her face.

Jocelyn smiled "Thank you." She said and kissed her on the forehead.

A/N:

"Hey you okay?" Isabelle asked as Clary came into the room.

"Yeah, just needed some air," Clary lied.

"Oh, your mom and Luke are here too.." Simon said pointing to the seats a couple of rows behind him.

Clary turned to see Luke and her mom waving frantically.

"I called them, I thought we could do with some help." Author says.

"Help for what exactly?" Clary asks.

"For more people to review silly, we don't have Jace with us, so they'll have to do." Author says.