18
Transformation Hasten
A gasp escaped her lips as the pain came into her gut just like the first day she'd come back. When she began slipping to her knees, Alec's arms supported her.
"What's wrong?"
She opened her mouth, but no words came out. Just a shriek escaped them once more.
"Come on, Leigh-Ann." He heaved her up in his arms and hurriedly walked to the door of the library. Instead of reducing like it had last time, it just got worse and her hands gripped his shirt. She could hear the fabric tearing and noted through all that pain to apologize later.
"What's going on?" Isabelle's voice came to her ears, but she did not look.
"We need Brother Enoch. Mother, could you go to the Silent City and summon him?"
"Of course, dear, but what is wrong with her?" Maryse was there was well.
"I don't know. I just know that the only person who will is a Silent Brother."
"I'll be back as soon as I can." She heard footsteps go away from them and a pair of footsteps fast paced. A few moments later, another door was being opened.
"Alec…?" Her heart, through all of this, still fluttered when she heard Jace's voice. "What's wrong with her?" His tone…she didn't like how it sounded; worry.
"She screamed and hunched over. I don't know what it is, but mom is going to get a Silent Brother."
Her body was set down on a bed, though that did not stop her from putting her hand to her stomach.
"Alec…sorry about the…shirt?" she told him through gritted teeth.
"You're in enduring pain and you apologize about ripping my shirt?" Alec's voice was amused and she heard him chuckle. A hand went to her own; soft and secure ones.
"Are you all right?"
Jace…
"I'm fine." She refused to open her eyes. She didn't think that now would be the appropriate time to be kissing the boy.
"Yes you are." A giggle escaped her lips before she groaned in pain.
"You sure don't sound fine," Isabelle commented.
"She's clearly not."
"I'm FINE. SHUT UP," she commanded.
Silence filled the room and she relaxed a little more, especially with Jace holding onto her hand.
Her eyes were becoming heavy with exhaustion and she slipped out of consciousness.
Leigh-Ann Grace, a voice hissed in her head. She jerked and a scream caught in her throat. Someone pushed her back down on to the bedding.
"Let go of me!" she screamed.
Calm yourself, Miss Leigh-Ann. She looked up to see a hooded figure standing above her.
"Brother Enoch?"
It has been a long time, Miss Leigh-Ann.
"I'm…so grateful that you're here," she told him.
I would do anything to help someone as divine as you.
She flushed, but smiled up at him.
"You've seen him before?" Jace's voice met her ears and she looked over at him.
I will ask that you all leave me with Miss Leigh-Ann.
"I'm staying here with her," Jace said.
I'm afraid you will be but a distraction and I need her concentrated. Please leave.
"No-"
"Leave." It came from Leigh-Ann's mouth. She looked at him firmly, her eyes saying that it was what she wanted. His face got irritable, especially after Isabelle grabbed ahold of his arm and dragged him out with the others.
I am to understand that you've been having extreme pains?
"That's correct, Brother Enoch. It just…it gets worse each time it happens as if…something has been sped up."
Do you mind? He reached out his hand. She knew exactly what he was asking and she nodded her head in signification. She closed her eyes as his hand wrenched throughout her mind.
She sucked in a breath as everything went cold and it took all of her willpower to not scream.
Several minutes later, she was opening her eyes and drawing in short breaths as she came to realize that he had stopped searching throughout her mind.
It is as I feared, Miss Leigh-Ann.
"What's going on?"
Your transformation has hastened.
"You…know about the demon's blood?"
I've known for many years, Miss Leigh-Ann, but was told to keep silent.
"…But…by who were you told?"
The Council, Miss Leigh-Ann.
"So…they've known for all this time?"
It was told to be kept secret from you. Only Council members knew of exactly what it was to not be told, however, told all other Shadowhunters not to speak of what you did when you defeated all of those demons. Nobody but the Council knew of the truth.
"So the Clave has known?" her voice grew angry.
Yes, I am afraid so. I wanted to tell you myself, but would have gotten me silenced permanently.
"…How fast are we speaking of?"
Your transformation could well become finished within a week or two. It seems as though there is a particular reason why; love.
Her breath caught. "Love….That fast? But…I have no time! How could love be the cause?"
You have a particular interest in Jace, and demon's blood prefers to suppress love. An Angel has never failed. I have lived for many years and not one has failed.
"I'm not anything special, though!"
Oh, believe me, Miss Leigh-Ann. You are much more than special.