7

Proposition

"You don't have to greet me so disdainfully, Leigh-Ann Grace," he said, a smirk coming across his lips.

"Putridae spumae," she spat at him.

"That hurts, Leigh-Ann. If anything, it's those Shadowhunters who are rotten scum."

"Daemones residendi in Infernum; VOBIS residendi in inferno." (Demons reside in hell; YOU reside in hell.)

"I see that your latin comes out more when your anger is at its peak."

"Tunica pauperi autem iugulum et tibi sanguine." (I shall slit your throat and let the blood poor out of you.)

"You have such a violent mind when that demon blood is working your brain. You see, dear Leigh-Ann Grace, we both belong in Hell."

"I belong in Heaven with whoever cast me out because of you."

"Would a true Angel cast out his beloved daughter? Would he…princess?"

"…..What…did…you call…me?" The words came out one by one through her gritted teeth. Her eyes narrowed.

He took a step forward. "I called you "princess", Leigh-Ann Grace."

Her lips curled back into a snarl and she lunged for him. Strong hands caught her arms firmly. She struggled against whoever had stopped her. Arms locked around her rather tightly though she knew she was winning against whoever was holding her from killing her Aunt's killer.

"Leigh-Ann, stop," a deep voice in her ear pleaded. She growled and struggled further. "Please, Leigh-Ann." The tone was pleading, caring and desperate.

"She is a princess; or soon to not be." Jace's look gained curious though his restraint against Leigh-Ann was beginning to become feeble.

"STOP CALLING ME THAT!" She screamed. She was nearly free of Jace's grasp.

"It seems as though the work of the demon blood inside of her is working tremendously. She really hates that word and she doesn't even understand why."

With that, Leigh-Ann's struggling stopped.

"W…What…?" she turned to Jace, eyes glassy. "Jace….what does…he mean?"

She swayed and he swung her into his arms before his eyes became a cold stare toward Jonathan.

"What does that mean?" he snarled at Jonathan.

"I said she was a princess, didn't I?" Jonathan replied. "You can figure it out on your own. I'm here to merely make a proposition."

"No proposition will be made as long as I'm here," Jace answered him.

"Leigh-Ann is listening. I know she is." Her head was relaxed on Jace's shoulder, her breathing coming out in rasps, and arms interlaced around his neck, though he felt her tension against his body. "She can either come with me now-"

"NO," Jace replied, firmly.

"I wasn't finished. She can either come with me now or suffer the consequences of watching her precious Shadowhunter realm decease by HER OWN HANDS."

Her head turned quickly toward him. "What does that mean?"

"Leigh-Ann, don't listen to him. He's trying to trick you," Jace whispered to her.

"What does that mean?" she repeated, ignoring him.

"It means, dear Leigh-Ann, that if you do not come with me and let me help you transform into the demon you will soon be, your transformation itself will be painful and once you become it, you will not control it properly. With your Angel blood seeping in your blood, you'll become a Fallen. With the Angel blood inside of you, you're strong enough to wipe out the entire race of the Shadowhunter realm."

Jace looked at her face; she was horror stricken. His grip around her tightened, and he was bringing her more into his chest. Her arms, he could feel, tightened around his neck.

"So, Leigh-Ann, will you come with me?" Jonathan asked again.

"She's not going anywhere with you," Jace growled.

"I'm rather sure Miss Taylor is capable of making her own decisions."
"Jace," she muttered. "I don't know what to do…"
"Well, it's obvious what you do, isn't it?" he whispered to her.

"…Destroying the entire race of us all? I can't bear it."

"It's not going to happen. I will help you. I will protect you." His voice was soothing. "I promise."

Her eyes looked up at her, obviously ridden with fear. He never pictured her having that terrified of a look on her face. She hesitated a moment before turning her head toward Jonathan.

"I'm not going anywhere with you," she replied, firmly.

"You're making a big mistake, Leigh-Ann Grace," Jonathan said.

"You made the mistake of killing my Aunt."

"She was not your Aunt. I'm fairly certain you overheard that part of the conversation.

Leigh-Ann tensed. Jace looked down at her, curiously. This was something she had not explained to him.

Jonathan looked rather pleased as if this were the statement he'd been excited to say to her. It disgusted Jace to no end.

"One last chance to come with me," Jonathan said. She sucked in a breath and began shaking.

"No," she replied simply, though her voice shook.

"Have it your way. Say goodbye to your precious Shadowhunters for me while you can."

"We can't let him get away," Jace yelled. He set Leigh-Ann down and took after him.

"Goodbye, Shadowhunter." He snapped his fingers and like that, disappeared instantly. Jace stopped and for a second stood there before turning to Leigh-Ann.

"I think…I may…vomit…" she muttered, putting a hand to her mouth.

He hustled back to her, putting his hands upon her arms.

"Breathe," he told her. "Just breathe. I'm not going to let anything happen."

"Killing people makes me sick, Jace," she muttered. "Especially when it's my own kind and I'm expecting you to help me?"

"I WILL." He emphasized himself hoping it would reassure her, but she just shook her head.

"I've never pictured myself as a demon, Jace. I've only pictured myself destroying them. I'm becoming a demon and if that is the circumstance, I would rather die than become something so malevolent."

"Don't talk like that. You haven't earned your wings yet. That's all you have to do!"
"I don't even know how, Jace!" she sounded exasperated.

"But you will!"