Chapter 6:
"Duck!" Jace did as Alaska ordered him too as Alec swung his sword. "No, not duck. Duck." Jace and Alec both stopped their training to look at what Alaska was pointing to. "It's so cute!" she squealed getting down on her knees to pet the scared duckling.
Jace didn't know whether it was Alaska's enthusiasm or the daggers around her waist and ankles that scared the poor duckling away. "Come on, Ally. Your turn." Said Jace. As much as Alaska hated her nickname, it sounded nice coming from Jace's mouth. So she let it slide.
Central Park was nothing like she'd ever seen. It amazed her how the mundies didn't even look away from the sandwiches they were munching on to look at the teenagers covered with weapons.
Alec and Alaska walked in circles, their eyes never leaving the others. Although they were just playing around, you could feel the tension. "Alaska?" Alaska dropped her gaze on Alec to meet Isabelle's worried eyes. "Is it just me, or are those two cops demons?" She said pointing to what looked like a police officers to Alaska two seconds ago.
Alec dropped his sword and picked up his bow that he had left on the floor. After all, he was much more likely to survive an attack with his shooting skills. The 'cops' had dark faces with eye sockets that reached their jaws, their eyes only taking up about an inch at the top.
"Fuck." Alec heard Alaska mutter. She motioned for them to shut up and hide behind the trees. "Alec," she whispered as they split up, each taking a spot behind a tree out of the demon's sight.
"Shoot." Jace and Alaska sent each other strange looks as the muttered the same word in sync. Alec also held a weird face as he took a deep breath and positioning his bow and pulling the string back. Alaska could've sworn he went in slow motion, but he let go and the arrow zipped through the air.
Due to the lack of noise escaping each of their mouths, the sound of the arrow was audible to Alaska. That might have something to do with the fact that it barely nipped her ear.
"Now run." Said Alec. Alaska didn't think twice, she grabbed their fallen weapons they left all around the ground and ran. Jace wasn't far behind and Izzy and Alec followed. "Fuck." Muttered Alaska as she tripped over an uneven step on the small set of stairs that lead to the sidewalk.
Jace didn't even allow her to cry out before he lifted her up and carried her bridal style. "Jace put me down, I'm slowing you down. I can walk on my own." She protested. Jace shook his head. "Jace, this is very sweet of you. But we all know that sweet is what is going to get you killed." Jace didn't show signs of hearing her. "When I talk, do you hear me or is it just a faint buzzing in your ears?" she asked crossing her arms.
Jace rolled his eyes. "Aha! You heard me!" he took an unexpected turn causing Alaska to yelp. They were in some sort of alley and Jace set her on some wooden crates. "Are you alright?" he asked, inspecting her for scratches.
"Yes," she said slapping his arm. "What was that for?" he said rubbing the spot on his arm that was most likely red underneath his black leather jacket. "Why don't you get your head out of your ass and go check on your brother and sister." Jace's eyes widened.
He couldn't believe he could be such an idiot. Jace kissed her head before sprinting out of the alley, sword in hand. She grabbed her mother's stele and traced the healing ruin on her twisted ankle. "Good as new." She muttered sticking it back in her pocket, or so she thought.
It fell on the alley floor, not making any noise audible to Alaska. She grabbed her dagger and took the same route Jace did when he left. "Alaska." She heard as she took a right slamming into Alec. "How's your ankle?" he asked. "It's fine. Where's Izzy?"
"With Jace." He reassured. "He told me to come back and get you. They're almost at the institute." Alaska nodded and walked back with Jace. "You should have seen her, Alaska. Izzy straight up grabbed her whip and killed those bastards with the flick of her wrists!" he said enthusiastically. "As much as I hate to admit it, you're a good teacher, Bellestern."
Alaska smiled. "Thank you, that is very kind." The walked for a bit longer before Alaska decided it was time to break the silence. "Why did you come back for me? And not Jace. Not that I have a problem with that, but-"
"I know," said Alec. "Izzy got hurt. Jace noticed before I did and took charge. I knew that going to get you was as much help as I was going to be." They had just arrived at the institute and Alec had pushed the doors open.
"To the infirmary?" asked Alaska. "To the infirmary." Confirmed Alec. They both jogged to the room, their loud steps echoing throughout the large medieval-like building. "How is she?" asked Alec as Alaska swung open the door. He pushed past her to get a good luck at Izzy. She lay asleep on one of the many beds, her dark hair spread across the white pillow.
"She's fine. Just sprained her arm, nothing a simple healing rune couldn't fix." Alec nodded, wishing he were the one to help his poor sister. "Speaking of healing runes, it seems like you're in great need of one."
Jace nodded at Alaska's words and took off his jacket. Alaska walked over to him, her hand fishing in her pockets for her mother's stele. "Fuck." She said once she noticed it wasn't there. "Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck." Alec lost count of how many times the girl had cussed, but he was grateful that Max wasn't here to hear it.
"It's alright, Alaska. We'll get you another one-" started Alec, but Alaska shook her head. "You don't understand-" she said. "It was my mother's."