City of Wayward Sons

by ValykirieRevolution

Set in between 5x04 -5x08 and the beginning of City of Ashes. As Sam, Dean, and Castiel struggle to stop the end of days, Clary and the shadowhunters are at a loss to defeat Valentine. After a chance encounter in NYC team free will and the nephilim are forced to work together to save the world. Various pairings and warnings inside.

10. Smash the world

Disclaimer: Don't own, just borrowing, I'll give em' back I promise.

Warnings: Character(s) Death, Violence-higher than usual, canon-divergence.

AN: Sorry this is late. Last part of the first third part. So, it's a little big. Hope you like it.

Enjoy!

Chapter 10: Smash the World.

Clary didn't quite wake. She languidly came back into awareness. The last thing she could remember off the top of her head was the satisfying sound of a zipper coming undone. She was too tired to fully reminisce, it was so recent. She was enjoying the heady sensation floating through her body. The scent on the sweaty sheets made her nuzzle harder into them. They were still warm. She blinked in the filtered sunlight, the morning light gentle on her eyes by the barrier of the curtains.

Clary stroked her thighs and rolled over. Something sharp nicked the corner of her nose. She pulled back, blinking. As soon as she did, she realized that she was alone. She rubbed the rest of her sleepiness away. An envelope rested against her pillow, her name in an elegant script staring back at her. Jace's handwriting. She snatched it up, tearing the envelope in half to get at the contents inside. She jumped when something solid slid out of the paper and landed on her knee. It was familiar as one of her own possessions as she picked it up.

The Morgenstern ring that hung on a chain glimmered back at her when she held it up to the sunlight. The falling stars emblazoned on the edges caught the morning rays, lighting the pattern to a silver fire. Clary smiled and let the ring rest in the palm of her hand as she turned her attention to Jace's letter. Just seeing his handwriting gave her a flutter of desire and she began to read.

'Clary,

I am sorry that you had to wake up alone. If there was one thing I ever wanted to do, it was wake up next to you, for the rest of my life. Especially after last night. It was not what I expected or my intention, but I do not regret it. I couldn't even if I wanted to. That's how I feel in regards to you, no regrets. I love you.'

Clary's breath hitched and she continued.

'I love you. Without reservation or regard for the consequences, with the entire center of my being. I'm not sure how well I explained myself to you, but to me, I cannot be evil because I love. If I love, then I have hope for myself because you have made me a better person. You have shaped me in more ways than anyone else I have ever known. Even more so than the man who raised me.

Speaking of, I have enclosed the family ring to you, as I no longer can wear it the way I used to, but strangely enough I don't think it should merely be thrown away. We should always remember where we come from but I'd rather think that it has a different meaning. Think of those stars as the love, the bond that burns only for us. I know that's how those stars look to me, as if they sensed something in us, that the stuff of our souls were drawn together. They acknowledge that, that's what this ring will do in my place. Clary,'

She could hear his smile.

'I want to shout it from the rooftops and maybe I will but for now, there is something I have to do. I must kill our father. I don't want to. Even after all this time, I still love him, even after everything he's done-to the rest of us. Yes, I have a plan and it's sure. I won't trouble you with the details, since I only want to tell you how much you mean to me. You've given e more than just honor and duty or belief in my people. You gave me belief in myself, in a way. Life was just a dream before I met you. Not only did you wake me up, you made me face myself without flinching. (Ok, minimal flinching). Honestly, I'm not sure how well I can even express this, but I want to because you are worth it. I wish we had a thousand days and nights, hours and years. I think I owe my life's happiness to you and hopefully see you once more.

Yours forever, Jace.'

With trembling fingers Clary folded the letter back up and unwound the necklace, slipping it over her head. The cool metal gave her goosebumps. At the new found weight she sighed. It was heavier than she thought it be, but a part of her enjoyed the weight. It had a certain calm to it. It helped as her mind began to buzz with feverish design. A plan meant she would not be able to stand still.

She got up and got dressed, borrowing a simple dress belonging to Amatis. She made sure the Morgenstern ring was visible at her throat. She hurried downstairs, already hearing the voices of the others.

"The terms Lucifer put to shadowhunters weren't just negotiations. They test the shadowhunter way of life." Luke said.

"There isn't gonna be a shadowhunter way of life if they don't oppose Lucifer." Sam said.

The air was subdued. Sam's gaze lost in thought.

"What now?" Dean asked. "The colt didn't work-"

"Big surprise there." Gabriel snapped. "Tried to tell you-"

"The hell you did." Dean shouted.

"Would it make a difference?" Alec asked. "We still need a plan." He stared at them.

"No really?" Gabriel asked.

Isabelle's eyes hardened. "To fight."

Before more arguments could break out, Sam turned to Isabelle and said,

"The sword." He craned his neck to Gabriel. "That will work right?"

Gabriel hesitated before nodding. "Easier said than done."

Dean scoffed. "Perfect."

"Well what's your idea, mundane?" Isabelle asked archly.

Dean glowered back. "Screw you, have you got any? Any shot at-"

"Teamwork?" Castiel offered. "If every nephilim allied with the downworlders here than we might stand a chance."

Gabriel shrugged. "Them's odds aren't very high. Which is why I was all for leavin' em to it."

"I'm afraid you won't be able to do that."

"Why not?" Clary asked as she walked into the kitchen.

Dean looked up at her entrance and Magnus answered her, despite still looking at Gabriel. It seemed Clary was the last one to arrive.

"Because I sensed a shift in the wards and went to the Silent Brothers of Alicante. While they were trying to fix the demon towers, a barrier has been placed around Idris. We're trapped like rats."

Gabriel groaned. "Please tell me you're joking."

Magnus stared grimly back at the archangel. "I wish I was."

"Fine. Hang on."

Clary cried out in surprise as Gabriel disappeared into thin air. Isabelle blinked in surprise and went back to making pancakes. Her brother sat at the table, trying to catch Magnus's attention, but the warlock appeared lost in thought. Sam sat at the table next to Alec and he eyed the pancakes with unease as Dean rolled his eyes. Cas stood across from him, not looking particularly interested in his surroundings. Clary fidgeted in the silence.

"So…where's Amatis?" she asked.

"At the Accords Hall with Luke. He's working out an attack plan I guess." Isabelle said.

"You guess?" Dean turned to her. "She said shadowhunters won't surrender right?"

Isabelle's voice became icy. "Of course not. Not anyone with a brain anyway. Besides, what we really need to focus on is getting the council to agree to ally with the downworlders."

Clary's nerves jolted at her. Jace's supposed plan in her ears and she turned to Magnus, intuition tugging her in his direction.

"Did you or anyone see Jace yesterday?"

The room went quiet except for the sizzle of pancakes. Alec eyed her curiously and Isabelle stared at her with a blanched face. However it was Magnus who met her gaze evenly as she spoke.

"Because he told me he had a plan, but didn't give me any details."

Magnus nodded. "I figured as much. He asked for my help."

"He's going after Valentine." Clary swallowed hard. "By himself."

Magnus clicked his tongue. Isabelle frowned, suddenly looking much older. Alec bowed his head, shoulders in a tense line.

"He wanted a tracking spell." Magnus said, holding up his hand. "And before you ask, no I won't be able to perform one since you don't have anything of Valentine's or-"

"Yup it's a barrier. We're locked up nice and tight."

Gabriel had returned. The Lightwood siblings were visibly shaken, and Alec spoke next.

"So there won't be any reinforcements?" At Gabriel's nod, he continued. "What about the demon towers? Are they warded again?"

"Doesn't matter really, Lucifer's tricks are pretty difficult to bypass."

Alec nodded and Clary was amazed at his calm.

"Well, it sounds like the Accords Hall is the place to be. I'm going to prepare for the attack."

With a nod, he rose out of his seat and strode out the door. Magnus watched him go and Clary could feel the concern in his gaze, but when he turned to look at her, it was gone. The kitchen seemed too small to contain the feelings of its inhabitants.

"So. I've got something of Jace's. I'll just use that instead."

Whatever Magnus was about to say was cut off by a loud slam from Isabelle's frying pan. A pancake flipped haphazardly in the air before flopping back into the pan with a messy 'plop'.

"Dammit."

Isabelle turned down the heat of the stove and swiveled around in time to see Clary hold up the Morgenstern ring. Her dark eyes widened then filled at the sight of glittering up by Clary's throat. She swallowed heavily. Clary blinked in surprise at the display. Isabelle tried to shrug.

"Well that's typical." She said with a raspy laugh.

Clary scowled. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh Clary." Isabelle's reply was two parts exasperation and pity. "Of course Jace is going to fight Valentine. It's what he has to do."

Clary made a noise in between a snarl and a sob. "What?! Not alone anyway, that doesn't make sense."

Isabelle's laugh was hollow. "No, but it's something he has to do. His sense of duty wouldn't allow him not to and he won't rest until he's finished it. I shouldn't have to tell you this. It's what we've all been taught."

"That doesn't make sense." Clary cried. "He can't do it by himself. Why aren't you helping him? Don't you care?"

At once, Clary knew it was the wrong thing to say, but she was too upset to care. Jace could be in trouble right now. Isabelle's eyes blazed with sudden anger.

"Stop. First off, it makes sense to us because it's how we were raised. To us, our duty is more important than our happiness-than anything else. Don't you dare say I don't care. You think I don't want to run out there and look for him?" She took a breath. "But, I'm needed here. To fight. Even though we're probably all going to die in a couple of hours, but I can deal with that. Second of all, you should have more faith in Jace. I know my brother-"

Clary flinched, transfixed as if Isabelle was hitting her with her whip. Her tone so cutting she got the implication immediately.

'I know him better than you-'

Clary swallowed hard. "...Right, I know. One of the best." She envied Isabelle's grip on her emotions. "Sorry for..." She trailed off.

Isabelle leaned against the sink, drained. She pushed back a strand of her hair, eyes narrowed in thought. Clary turned inward, not caring that five men had witnessed their conversation. In fact, their presence was turning her gears. It was truly amazing to her that they were here-that all of this was happening.

'When did my life go upside down like this? How in the world did I even meet Jace? I mean, what are the odds? Or that Simon became a vampire...huh.'

Simon and Luke, both downworlders who loved shadowhunter women. Then there was Sam and Dean, mundanes who knew angels, and who snuck into the shadowhunter's forbidden city. There was herself, who never knew this all existed before, and her mother who prevented Valentine from his uprising by working with Luke and the other downworlders.

'Didn't Magnus say he was there...?'

A calm went over her as she remembered the basement, Ithuriel showing her Valentine's memories, and his rants of the unfairness of the skills of the downworlders. What Clary had mistaken for derision was actually envy. She shuddered at the memory of his voice; she didn't want or need his hate.

'We need...'

Her mind cast over Madeleine and Ragnor. The way they looked at each from across the room, so powerful Clary was almost overcome. Something flashed against her gaze, eyelids burning. A swirling pattern of a simple match knot blazed in front her with dizzying power. It couldn't be unveiled easily; she couldn't tell where it ended or began. The comforting whisper of Ithuriel echoed in her mind.

"Will this do?"

"Yes! It's perfect, thank you."

She didn't get a verbal reply, but she felt the satisfaction, like a flutter of wing beats. Clary ignored the frown of confusion on Cas's face and turned to Isabelle, suddenly overwhelmed with the desire to wrap her arms around the other girl. She resisted it however; somehow she couldn't see Isabelle appreciating it. A plan began to form in her mind. A crazy one.

SPNTMI

The Accords Hall was crowded, but it was Luke who found her. He strode to her the moment he caught a glimpse of her. His blue eyes widened, hair more flyaway than ever.

"Alec told me about the barrier." He said by way of greeting. "I think that's what pushed the council into their decision."

Clary's breath hitched. "Well?"

Luke smiled. "They've decided to work with us." His smile became grimmer. "We're going to fight Valentine in a couple of hours." He gripped her shoulders. "Listen, I want you to stay here."

"Like hell."

Luke's voice was firm, the way it did when he went all parent-y and prevented Clary from throwing a tantrum. It reminded her of all the sleepovers and field trips she never got to go on. The contrast of the situations brought her to a strange thought.

'No young lady, you may not go out to slay monsters. You have to wait until you get a license and if you even think of putting on that gear, you're grounded.'

She smiled at the voice and Luke misinterpreted it. His frown deepened.

"I mean it. I don't care what plan you have. Stay here. Please. I want to know that you're safe. This is where the minors are."

"But-"

"Clary. Just stay here. This will all be over soon."

Luke gave her shoulders a brief squeeze before he slipped back into the crowd, back to his pack. Clary scowled. This was one fight she did not intend on missing, especially since there was one thing she could do, even if it didn't have anything to do with rune...Clary peered around and seeing the no familiar faces in the crowd, quietly slipped out of the hall.

SPNTMI

Alec strapped the quiver of arrows to his back, the comfort of the thick leather gear putting him into a readied state. Behind him he could hear Dean's whistle.

"Not bad."

"It's more than that." He said dryly. "The accords hall has always had this room...just in case."

The weapons room was well stocked, walls lined top to bottom with blades, staff, crossbows, and others from all corners of the globe. Alec watched Gabriel heft a katana with smooth ease and suppressed a shudder. An archangel would be handy in a fight, although he didn't look it. The pile of spare gear gleamed; Alec watched Patrick Penhallow hand a brace to Mayrse. She looked exhausted, fuelled only by grim determination. Despite his worry for his mother, he couldn't help a swell of pride at seeing her accept the gear with a nod of thanks.

"So first dibs or what?" Dean asked.

Alec nodded impatiently. "Whatever you like."

Dean gave Alec a quick grin and for a split second he was reminded of Isabelle. The same anticipation for battle. Sam noticed and rolled his eyes. The taller man inspected a crossbow with a rueful smile.

"Ignore him. This is like a candy factory for him."

Alec snorted. "I can see that."

"Course' these are some pretty impressive weapons, I'll give you that."

Alec nodded. "Out of curiosity, have you ever seen some of these weapons before?"

Sam shrugged. "It isn't that, not really anyway. We just find this familiar...and not."

"So...how did you become hunters, if you don't mind my asking?"

Sam shrugged, handing Alec a feather staff he had motioned for.

"Our dad. He raised us in the life and we never really got out of it."

Alec raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Yeah. If you're in, there's no way out."

Alec nodded. "Yes."

Alec handed him a set of daggers. Sam took them with a small smile. Isabelle walked over to them.

"Boys."

Alec did a double take as his sister tossed a loop of electrum wire back and forth between her hands. Dean watched her with a smile; making a face and Sam rolled his eyes. Alec hissed at his sister.

"What do think you're doing?"

"Gearing up, what does it look like?"

Isabelle ignored her brother's glare and went to the gear pile, grabbing what she needed. She talked as she strapped the thick material to herself.

"Did you really think I'd sit around and do nothing?" To Sam she said, "I'd wear some gear if I were you, you'll need it." Without waiting for an answer, she tossed him a chest guard. He caught it with a surprised look, but Isabelle was busy looping her whip around her wrist.

Dean came over to them, a machete strapped to his back and arm braces laced up. His Beretta flashed briefly. He held up a wickedly curved blade, runes blazing along the length of the blade, ending at the point.

Isabelle snorted. "What are you going to need a sickle for?"

Dean shrugged. "I feel like I'm playing dress up." He searched for another piece for his ensemble.

"Well I feel like a ninja." Gabriel called.

The four turned and Alec could see why. Gabriel had equipped his katana with its companion piece, the kodachi. A strap covered in shuriken gleamed at his side and he held up a Bo staff, the sectioned metal pieces gleaming.

"You look ridiculous." Dean replied.

"Well at least I don't look like him."

Gabriel gestured to Cas, who was at more of a distance from the rest. He had grabbed a belt, which was stuffed with daggers of various sizes, but Gabriel was probably referring to the medieval shield, with its wickedly sharp point in the center. He was hefting a claymore with ease, staring up at the length of it, it broad blade reflecting his blue eyes. With the way he stared at the weapon, it was obvious that he held one before. Dean gaped at him, but to Alec he looked very much like a righteous angel. Dean cleared his throat and Gabriel called out to his brother.

"Hey bro, what's next-chain mail?"

Cas gave them a non-plussed look. "I am ready. You?"

Gabriel shrugged. "Eh, sure."
Sam picked up a pair of brass knuckles and put them on. While it wouldn't do too much, if he ran into Lucifer on the battlefield, he could at least get the satisfaction of punching the devil in the face.

SPNTMI

Jace urged his mount forward; the tracking spell had lead him through the Idrisian countryside. The familiar sweep of the land did not bring him peace, only the grim satisfaction that he at least knew the layout and wouldn't be distracted by it. A piece of paper ripped from Valentine's journal, held tight in his grip. Jace closed his eyes, letting the spell wash over him. In his mind's eye he saw the landscape rush forward as if he was flying over it, hills rolling in dark waves as he passed by the trees, and rocky outcroppings and the entrances all the way to-

"Lake Lyn." Jace grinned. "Gotcha."

SPNTMI

Clary made her way into the barn, she didn't know which member of the Clave this belonged to, nor did she care. All she knew was that it was still in Alicante and this was as good a place as any. The smell of horses was becoming a more welcome one as she got used to it. Fresh, sweet hay that was thick in the loft above her head. There were only three horses in their stalls. At Clary's arrival they perked up, lifting their heads and flicking their ears. She still wasn't the best judge of what was good in a horse or not, but she didn't care as long as it was fast. The one in the middle stall looked sturdy. A dapple grey with thick hindquarters and long legs. As her fingers moved to the bolt of the stall door she remembered the tack wall.

"Right, that'd be real helpful."

Clary hurried for it and picked by sight rather than knowledge. The black saddle. She had to grab a chair to stand on to take it down. She reached on her tiptoes, fingertips brushing the polished leather. Clary grunted, hands finally closing in on it. She strained to lift it, and it came down, its weight nearly making her collapse. Clary lifted with her legs, moving in a frantic crab-like scuttle and panting, collapsed the saddle next to the stall door. Straightening up, she raced back to get the reins and halter.

The only advice of Madeleine's that she could remember was not to be nervous. Clary stood in front of the horse, blocked by the stall door. She held out her hands, palm up, letting the horse smell her.

"That's a good horse-y."

It's ears flickered back and forth. Clary could have sworn it was listening. She kept her voice soft and slow.

"Good horse-y. Now, I'm just gonna ride you for a bit."

She moved her hands up its velvet nose, crooning as she began to pet it. Fingers that maneuvered behind the ears and eyes. With her other hand, Clary struggled with the saddle. To the animal's credit, it stood still as she fumbled with the straps and only swished its tail impatiently when she took too long in buckling up. After the horse was ready, all that was left was for Clary to get on.

"Ok, now I'm gonna climb up...and you're not gonna move ok? Oh, please don't freak out on me."

Clary grabbed the horn of the saddle and put one foot in the stirrup. She paused, but the horse-a mare-didn't move, so she hefted herself over, briefly feeling that nerve wracking vertigo of being halfway over as she swung her leg around. Her foot searched for the stirrup and she shoved her foot inside. Clary kept her back straight and she lightly dug her heels in the mare's side. She nickered softly and trotted out of the stall. Clary steered her out and once they hit the outside air, Clary kicked her heels. The mare shot forward like a cannonball and Clary screamed as they raced down the road.

SPNTMI

The plain was not too quiet, the breathing of waiting shadowhunters filled the air. Despite their own silence, the intrinsic hum of living beings would always give them away. The sun was setting on Idris, its rays filtering through the leaves, lighting the trees like fire. It shimmered on the weakened glass towers, their opaque filminess could not diminish the glory of the sun. It illuminated their army, as if to showcase the pride of the shadowhunters, no need to hide against their opponents.

The downworlders were spaced behind them. Sam, Dean, Cas, and Gabriel in back with them. Across from them Luke stood at the head of his pack and the Idrisian werewolves. Magnus kept clustered to a small group of warlocks. The field in front of them was a sea of grass, the sight marred only by Valentine striding through it. He sat astride a white stallion. His black eyed gaze swooped around the crowd, as if searching it for familiar faces. Luke and the remaining council men stepped to meet him. Valentine did not dismount, but stared down at them with a smile leer.

"So this is what the clave has been reduced to? Needing the help of filthy beasts is the only thing keeping you from forfeiting this world to-"

"Enough." Luke said voice soft. "Do your worst."

Valentine smiled. "Well said, old friend."

SPNTMI

Jace was ready to throw the paper, its images jumbling together like a broken signal, almost static-y. Yet something told him to stay where he was. His marks burned from their application. He relished the feeling, as it pushed back his sense of foreboding as he stared at his surroundings. He was close to the cave that was past the old cottage nestled in the hills that were near the Brocelind Plain. The small thick woods that he stood on the edges to was across from there, very near Lake Lyn, the infamous site where the angel Raziel appeared to Jonathan Shadowhunter. Despite this, not many went near the lake because of its poisonous content for shadowhunters. A breeze lifted the smell of the lake to him but it was a cry from the cave that got his attention. He turned around, the air whistling into the mouth of the cave, reminding him of the tunnels inside it. If he concentrated hard enough, he thought he could hear a snatch of malicious laughter.

"Come and get me."

Jace walked to the mouth of the cave, pulled out a witchlight stone. He grimaced. The cold wind from the cave blowing inward and ruffling his hair. One step through it and his instincts peaked. He wasn't alone.

"So that's where you are, Father."

He kept his footsteps quiet as he ventured further in, keeping low to the ground, and blade at the ready. Jace could only venture a guess at the size of the cave; it was much deeper than the outside suggested. From the looks of it, it had many false passages and dead ends. The dampness of the air clung to him; water droplets beading in his hair and making him shiver. The sound of running water was coming from somewhere, but he couldn't pinpoint it. The witchlight scattered patterns against the craggy rocks, their shadows overlapping as they turned this way and that. Jace scanned the dark space, he had a few options about which direction to take, since he was running low on time. He tightened his grip on his seraph blade.

He directed his witchlight to the corridor to the right of him, a faintness that lured his eyes. He walked through the corridor, ignoring the crunch of what was probably insects and bones beneath his feet. He had to stoop through the narrow passage. He scowled as his head scraped against the top, feeling something crawl in his hair. As the tunnel widened, he straightened up until he was fully upright again.

Jace walked into a colder area. He looked up to see the ceiling was pointed, as if he were in the mouth of a great beast, its teeth ready to descend on him with bloody delight. He could see easier here and it was just as easy to see why. A faint light was farther down the space, which Jace moved towards, stepping away from the questionable pits that pocketed the ground. Nothing but the sound water dripping and the chirping of hidden insects. Jace froze, ears pricked. Yes, that was the sound of insects and he went to the sound. The mouth of the area got larger and suddenly he was there, brightness overwhelming for a moment.

Moonlight filtered down and Jace looked in. The cave opened up, like a natural skylight, or the opening lip of a volcano. The rim of the cave was at least thirty above him. A small plateau of sorts was a direct drop below it; its smooth surface contrasted the jagged stalagmites below. One had an angry red color swirling inside it. As though it were hollow and made of glass. It off an aura of malice that hung heavy as moisture, dampening the light. Jace had the sudden thought that it was pulling him to it, instinct stating that he must kill it.

"I wouldn't touch it if I were you. It's uh...radioactive you might say."

Jace whirled; the voice was not Valentine's but softer, almost courteous, and for the moment unfamiliar. Before he could tell the speaker to reveal themselves, they beat him to it. Moonbeams illuminated the figure, which walked onto the plateau and smiled at Jace's shock.

"Sebastian Verlac?"

Sebastian's grin widened. "I know right?"

"...What?" Jace's eyes narrowed. "You're with my father. Who'd have thought, though I guess that's why it works so well." Jace took a step forward. "Now, you're gonna tell me everything."

Sebastian laughed. "Doubtful, little angel boy."

Jace smirked, full of bitter delight. "Well, I gotta tell ya, I can be a little devil myself."

"So we do have something in common after all."

Sebastian unsheathed the blade at his side. It was a dark color all over, almost ore-like, its thick handle looked cold, but the stain around the hilt were more eye catching. Jace scowled, his seraph blade comforting in his hand. Sebastian's grin widened and Jace was struck by the similarity. The broadness of his shoulders, dappled in moonlight making him look like a fallen angel.

Jace gripped his blade tight and whispered. "Ithuriel."

It came to life in his hand with a bright, violent shudder. The promise of a fight tightening his instincts and honing his joy. He could see his emotions mirrored on Sebastian's face as the black haired, black eyed boy lifted his sword high.

SPNTMI

Valentine was unmoved as the councilmen advanced, their weapons tentatively raised as they fanned out to surround him. Luke barred his teeth, eyes now gold as he starred down his old parabatai He kept himself at a distance as he looked for an opening.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Valentine asked. "You might regret it."

He didn't wait for an answer. His horse plunged and he yanked hard on the reins as the councilmen rushed forward with frenzied shouts. Luke was pushed back into the crowd, caught by hands he didn't know and pulled back up.

Valentine raised his weaponless hand, curling his fingers into an easy shape and snapped them. The councilmen froze against their will, briefly suspended in the air and then in rapid succession, exploded. Blood splattered outward like the bursting of rotten fruit and chucks of flesh hit the first row of shadowhunters. Luke got a face full, a jaw bone slithered out of his hair and fell at his feet. For a moment, the crowd was silent, but as a clean Valentine raised his hand again, shouts arose as if he were some kind of demented conductor. Shadowhunters hastily began unsheathing their weapons as Valentine raised his fingers to his lips and whistled.

SPNTMI

Sebastian perked up, straightening like an attack dog that had just heard his master's voice. As if he could hear something Jace couldn't. The wind blew fiercely just as Sebastian hefted his sword and swung it at the stalagmite. It held the sword for a second before shattering with a winded vicious echo. The shards scattered around Sebastian like flower petals, each surface reflecting his face. A thousand black eyes stared back at him. Then released from its prison, the red smoke shot out, coalesced, and then spread outward-expanding.

The smell was awful and one Jace recognized. Demons. Tusks, fangs, claws, limbs, and poison dripped and spewed as one maelstrom. Thousands upon thousands of demons moved together. The noise terrible, all manner of shrieks, howls, hisses, and growls. It was almost like laughter, the joy of those about to do carnage. They reeked with anticipation. The stench of rotten flesh and blood made Jace stagger, as the demons swirled about the cave, limbs knocking into walls. The shook the cave, pieces shearing off, their debris smearing the walls. They swooped low and Jace ducked, covering his head.

He was unable to move, skin crawling as the demons brushed against him. He felt their movements more than heard it, unable to do so over the sound over their laughter. Rage curdled in his gut. Suddenly as soon as it came, they gathered themselves up and shot out through the opening in the ceiling. Jace watched in horror as they expanded once again, blotting out the nights' stars and unfurled in the sky. He lowered his gaze, expecting to see Sebastian and finding no one.

Jace studied the plateau and the ceiling. It only took a moment of calculation before he began to run. Seraph blade clenched between his teeth, his hands hit the plateau wall and he scrambled up it, its surface scraping at his hands. He made it to the top faster than he thought. Jace looked up to see the wheeling stars, too buzzed to be affected by the vertigo as he calculated the height. He focused his vision on the rim of the opening, its details clearer and sharper. Jace could see the cracks in the surface and he bent his knees, barely feeling himself jump.

He shot through the air. Wind whistled through his hair as he soared over the edge of the cave's ceiling, its surrounding top below him. The moonlight at his back, he sensed it and spun around. Behind him, facing him was Sebastian-he had leapt into the air. Arms outstretched, he looked like an angel rising up from the underworld, as he seemed to float in the sky. The backlight of the moon behind him like a stage prop, its light shattering across Jace's body.

Despite the illusion, they were both in free fall. Sebastian moving closer to him. Jace felt for the witchlight stone and clenched it as tight as he could, the light bursting to life with an overwhelming brightness and he threw it as hard as he could. It hit Sebastian who screamed with anger, batting it away as quick as possible. Sebastian darted to the side, spinning like a top as he maneuvered away and for a moment, Jace didn't know where he went.

Thick arms encircled him and Jace couldn't slip from their grasp. He thrashed in fury, feeling Sebastian's chest rumble with laughter. They began to fall in earnest, wind slicing them as they grappled in the air. Jace had to get a decent impact, even a shadowhunter would have trouble from a fall at this height. Sebastian shoved him downwards, fumbling for Jace's blade. Jace angled his head, ramming the blade into Sebastian, vaguely aware that it broke skin and Sebastian kneed him hard in the groin. Jace grunted but held fast, digging his hands into Sebastian. Together the two of them flipped head first. Jace caused them to jackknife, sending them into the trees. Sebastian kicked himself away from Jace, disappearing into the trees as if the foliage pulled him into themselves of their own free will. He had a smile on his face. Jace heard the impact before he felt it.

He slammed into a tree. His back screamed as it shuddered, making his teeth rattle. He fell, arms outstretched in instinctual frenzy. Jace managed to grab a branch before going too far. Jace swung himself upward, landing in a couch in the crook of a tree, and he pressed against the foliage. Before he could catch his breath, his own seraph blade singed through the air, narrowly missing his face as it lodged itself into the bark, knife handle trembling. When Jace pulled it out, a small chunk of wood popped out with a tiny clatter. Jace called out through the dense trees.

"Thanks for this back, I'll put it to good use."

Laughter rang out through the woods. "I'm sure you'll try."

Jace smirked. He had a pretty good idea of where Sebastian was. As quietly as he could, he shifted and then using a branch as a balancing beam, swung outward. He whirled, nothing but air as he gained momentum until his speed made too much noise and he let go of the branch. He didn't go far before his feet connected with flesh and he heard Sebastian's grunt of surprise. Jace kicked out hard, dislodging the other boy from his perch. Both fell for a second time and landed on the uneven surface of the cave's ceiling. Standing apart by at least ten feet.

Sebastian's hair was out of place, haloing into his eyes and his shoulder bled from where Jace's seraph blade stuck him. However, he seemed unperturbed by this, breathing through his nose as he sneered at Jace. Before the gold haired shadowhunter could taunt him, Sebastian began to move. Jace threw the blade; Sebastian laughed as he caught it and threw it back at Jace, who ducked. He was unable to keep his footing and he tumbled down the side of the cave. He threw up his arms, feeling the impact as his limbs pushed him back up, managing to land on his feet, and nearly losing his balance from the brief sheer drop that he was forced to leap down. Jace bent his knees as he saw a small ledge rise to meet him. He clipped it, wincing at the sudden bloom of pain, but it slowed him down enough so that he could control his descent.

Jace's feet skimmed over rocky debris, it flew outward of him as the ground finally evened out, despite running too fast to fully stop. A large rock jutted out, warped and smooth. Out of the corner of his eye, Jace saw Sebastian racing to it and he swerved to meet him. Jace bounded down, almost moon bouncing as he hurtled himself forward. They arrived at the same time and Jace kicked the ground. Its smooth surface launching him up. Sebastian hit mid-stride, shouting as Jace tackled him midair. Sebastian's arms shot out, gripping Jace tight and head-butting him. Jace spun away, kicking in retaliation. Both landed heavily, some hundred feet from the cave, the trees overhead blocking the sky. Sebastian grinned at him, quick and gums dark with blood. They leaned forward in unison, weaponless as the raced for each other. They were within striking distance.

Sebastian feinted to the left, swooping low, and bringing his fist up to hit Jace in the jaw with enough force to crack it. It sent Jace reeling, but he grabbed Sebastian's arm, seeing the wound that he gave him was shallower than Jace thought. He dug his fingers into it, blood welling hot and thick around his fingers. Sebastian yowled, elbowing Jace in the chest. This time Jace did stumble back and Sebastian shoved him with enough force that Jace's feet skimmed the grass. Sebastian chased him, leaping and bringing his knees up in one smooth motion, and kicking Jace in the chest. He couldn't block it, hands struggling to get a good grip on Sebastian's foot as he was flung. He hit a tree, finally crying out as stars burst in his vision. Sebastian collapsed against him, head striking a branch and their combined weight made the tree groan beneath them. The two sagged to the ground.

"Tell me something." Jace panted. "Why betray your own kind?"

"Please." Sebastian jeered. "You aren't my kind."

Jace felt Sebastian's chest rattle, the vibration causing his heart to pump a little faster. The other boy smelled familiar, his frame making the Jace's muscles to twitch at the too close proximity. Jace twisted his head despite his body's protests to look Sebastian in the eye. Jet black eyes, full of nothing, tar-shiny with hate. The only way they could convey emotion was with the help of Sebastian's mouth, which was pink and plump. As if ready for his thoughts. Sebastian brought it closer, widening it. Jace's body rippled with disgust.

"Who are you?"

Sebastian chuckled. "How bout' I tell you what I've done instead?" taking Jace's silence for a yes, he continued. He brought his mouth inches to Jace's. "I like your sister." He bucked his hips, letting them brush up against Jace, keeping him pinned there. "I'm pretty sure you already know this, but haven't you noticed the way she gasps when you kiss her? Or hell, touch her? She thrashes so beautifully, I thought I'd have to fight her-"

Jace struggled hard, wrists aching. "Bastard."

Sebastian continued over Jace's string of obscenities. "But in the end, she was gagging for it-"

"Shut up, shut up you ugly motherf-"

Sebastian's laughter spiraled into the night, becoming hysterical and he had to shout over Jace. "And let's not forget your brother! Poor poor little Max. You should have seen the look on his face when-"

At hearing this, Jace became silent and bone white. He shook in Sebastian's arms, unable to hear the rest of what Sebastian was saying, like he had hit the mute button. Sebastian's lips kept opening and closing with garish presentation. All Jace could feel was a wild rumbling, a tidal wave crashing in his ears and he was no longer still. With a roar, he launched himself at Sebastian, throat rippling with the sounds of his fury. Sebastian ducked, swerved, and whirled away from Jace, laughing all the while. He leapt back from Jace and sprinted into the trees.

"Catch me if you can."

Jace gave another incoherent roar and gave chase.

SPNTMI

The main ballroom of the accords hall was empty, dark, and silent. The only one standing guard was the mermaid fountain, its carved expression seeing nothing as nobody walked up the steps or went into the hall. A shadow passed over it, like the ghost of an apprehensive look, but the statue wasn't a person. It couldn't look up to see the demons racing through the sky, darkening the ground like clouds covering the illumination of the moon. The way their shadows were perfectly seen from the ground. If it could, it might notice the ones that flew low, their bodies skimming the glass domed ceiling, causing it to shudder as if dealt a mortal blow.

The cracks appeared like magic and the glass almost shattered instantly, the sounds echoing as the shards rained down. Reflecting the stars like glittering diamonds, the mermaid statue witnessing it, all silence as glass surrounded it, explosive as the glass hit polished marble, shattering into further fragments, bursting outwards. Silence quickly regained control and the moon shone brighter on the statue through the shattered dome as the demons made their way across Alicante. There were so many, each one hurrying to answer the call and one rather large creature slammed into one of the thickest of the glass towers, its barbed tail wrapping around it, making it sway dangerously. However, it untangled itself quickly from the tower, leaving a deep crack in its wake.

SPNTMI

As soon as Valentine's winding whistle ended, the plain was filled with ancients and demons. They charged across the field and the battle erupted as seraph blades were brought to life with righteous screams. They crashed into each other as ancients attack with unusual precision. The larger ones charged with lowered heads and bowling shadowhunters over, some flung into the air.

Familiar faces of those now possessed, took advantage of those who hesitate, using their bare hands to strike at their opponents. Those that didn't hesitate hurried to say the necessary Latin; black smoke filled the air, knocking shadowhunter and downworlder alike in their haste to repossess another body. Luke saw one of his wolves' mouth fill with the funneling black smoke, and he is blocked by this wolf, who leaps and crashes down on him. Luke thrashed, whirling away from it in time to see Valentine vanish into thin air.

SPNTMI

Clary urged her horse further on, its piston muscles straining beneath her. Cold wind whipped her hair back as the ground darkened. A horrific screeching filled the sky and Clary couldn't help but look up. The sky was filled to the brim with demons, as if they were the sky itself. She kept the scream clamped shut inside her as a sudden loathing began to fill her up. Its intensity did not come from her and her hands shook as she resisted the urge to fill them with weapons. Clary briefly closed her eyes, trying to send reassuring thoughts to Ithuriel.

"We're almost there. Somehow, I know it."

She dug her heels in harder, her horse snorting in protest as she tried to outpace the demons above her.

SPNTMI

Maryse ducked, the tail whistling above her head. The creature whined in agitation. She looked up to see that its tail was lodged deep in the bark of a tree. Maryse kept low as she moved, her arm shooting out, and her seraph blade impaling the lizard-like hide. It was driven deep inside. Its top teeth along its forehead clattered in pain as it continued to thrash. Maryse pulled back the blade, aiming for the killing blow when she felt the ground shake as something collapsed behind her. A raspy growl followed and the Ahab demon in front of her replied in kind. Maryse inclines her head to see more of the same. She reached for another blade and it advanced on her quicker that she expected, tail and talons whipping towards her.

A thread of gold shot in front of Maryse, blocking from the attack as it looped around the tail of the second Ahab. They crashed together, talons and tusks burrowing into each other as the golden wire wrapped them around the tree, which cracked under the strain.

"You ok?"

"Isabelle." Maryse smiled tightly. "Do you ever do as you're told?"

She grinned. "Nope. You're welcome by the way."

Maryse's next smile was freer. "Your father would be proud."

SPNTMI

Alec's arrows sunk into the kuri demons that hid in the foliage. The stench of their blood was overwhelming. He resisted the urge to snap out a taunt; they wouldn't understand it and he couldn't think of anything anyway. Another kuri darted in his path, black coat matted with blood from the thin awl that were thrown by another shadowhunter. Its razor teeth slippery in the fading light. It launched itself in the air and Alec swerved, watching it collapse, panting at its feet. He quickly impaled it before it could get up again. Its slinky limbs briefly thrashed before it crumpled in on itself.

A bright, crackling blue light erupted yards away, lighting up the trees, making them blaze. Alec's breath caught through as he heard the screams from the recipients of such an attack. He recognized those flames.

"Magnus."

Without thinking, Alec charged past the kuri blood, ignoring the branches that snapped at him. He came upon the scene in no time. Magnus in a clearing surrounded by oni and moloch demons. His face was taunt with concentration. The oni demons lowered their heads and charged, the wickedly curved tusks, absurdly large as they moved with impressive speed. The moloch demons shot fire from their eyes when they had an opening. As Magnus shot a running oni with his own sparking flames, a moloch darted forward, claws whirring as flames burst forth in angry spits, and catching on the hem of Magnus's coat.

Alec loosed an arrow, not bothering to watch as it pierced the eye of the moloch. He interrupted it mid-flame as it collapsed on one of its fellows with a screech. Another moloch spewed flame and Magnus dodged, the orange flames hitting an oni instead. With a bellow of pain, it charged blindly, inches from goring Magnus. Alec shot another arrow, hitting another vital spot and the oni collapsed at Magnus's feet.

The warlock looked up in time to see Alec load and shoot at the crowd of molochs', but there were too many for proper long range fighting and when Alec ran out of arrows, he dashed into the fray with a feather staff. He barely registered that he was shouting as he launched himself into the air with his staff, hitting an oni mid-charge. It stumbled, growling as it swiveled to regard Alec. The oni charged at him and as he tensed for the blow, blue flames shot out and engulfed the oni. Alec was brought up short and grabbed by the shoulders, to come face to face with an irate Magnus.

"Alexander, just what do you think you're doing?"

The tone sent a shiver through him, but his voice was indignant when he replied.

"Saving you of course."

Magnus frowned. "At the cost of your life?"

Alec was spared from answering when another oni demon charged at them. Without thinking, Alec threw a dagger right at the same time Magnus shot out another burst of flame. The blade burned white, super-heated as it easily slid into the thick green hide. The oni sunk to the ground with a gurgle. Magnus looked back at Alec, cat eyes gleaming with an emotion Alec couldn't readily identify. He opened his mouth, when his eyes widened and he suddenly shoved Alec behind him, throwing blue fireballs at another moloch. It shot out its own flame. The two fires hit each other at the same time. The impact was tremendous, flames exploding around each other with enough force to knock Alec backwards. Angry sparks threw Magnus into profile.

The crazy hair, tall frame that stood proud and unafraid. Eyes like none he had ever seen, that could hold so much because they had seen so much. Eyes that could make the entire room blaze. They were blazing now, but with fury. It made what was tumbling inside Alec snap; he stood up at the sight of them, pulled closer. Alec rushed forward, propelling himself in front of Magnus just as the flames died away. Two oni demons ran to them, bellowing and Alec's staff shot out, slamming into its tusks. Ignoring its cries of pain as he shouted.

"Go out with me!"

Magnus's eyes widened in shock but before he could reply, he threw another fireball into the crowd, finally shouting back.

"I'm a little busy right now."

Alec threw another dagger as an oni leapt high in the air. It found its mark, blood spattering down on Alec, but the monster kept coming, its mouth gaping.

"Magnus." Alec shouted.

The warlock looked back in response, eyes widening and he shoved Alec out of the way. He collapsed heavily to the ground horrified as the demons rushed Magnus, obscuring him from Alec's view. He screamed, words drowned out by a sudden explosion of fire.

SPNTMI

The battle had become a riot, the frenzied press of demons and ancients. Dean stumbled back, unable to keep an eye on Sam as he became surrounded by creatures with smoke for bodies with yellow eyes. They gathered around Dean with shuffling hisses. At the sight of them, he shuddered with revulsion and he quickly shot round and round into them. The salt made them wheeze in pain, but made no move to get out of the line of fire. A shadowhunter stepped in front of him, slashing at them with a bright seraph blade.

His arm went into a wide arc and the creatures forms wavered briefly before turning to ash and crumbling to the ground. The shadowhunter turned to Dean, a small smile on his face. Dean nodded in thanks and before either could move, a winged creature swooped low, screeching as its mammoth talons embedded themselves into the man. Dean ducked, firing into the air as the beast took off with the shadowhunter. Dean fired another shot and there was a pain filled scream and the shadowhunter was dropped into a tree, the top half of his body missing.

Dean grimaced, turning his attention to a cluster of ancients, a variety each more gruesome than the last. Insectile creatures with shells and pinchers leapt and scuttled in the direction of Castiel, his trench coat whirling as he darted forward; a creature with eight legs jumped high from a tree. Castiel brought his shield up, covering him as the spike in its center gleamed. The ancient couldn't pull up in time and impaled itself on his shield. Silently, the angel turned, thrusting his sword into the neck of a spider ancient. His blue eyes burned brighter than a seraph blade and Dean unsheathed a machete, racing to him and weaving his way through the crowd. When he reached Castiel, he shouted.

"Have you seen Sam?"

"No, and Gabriel?"

"Nope."

The ground shuddered as an ancient that looked like a cross between a rhinoceros and a python lumbered to them, roaring as it lowered its head and prepared to charge.

SPNTMI

Clary raced down the small hill, the thunderous hooves making her saddle shudder and she had to stop herself from screaming. As the ground became flatter, she straightened. The strange, slightly briny smell of water heightened her senses. Clary scanned the area, a shoreline in the distance and the shouts of men close by. She ignored the whinny of the mare as she kicked harder. The ground became bumpier and she saw the lake and on the beach was a familiar frame. Valentine.

SPNTMI

Jace caught Sebastian, tackling him to the ground. Sebastian even laughed as he was hit, even as he countered and returned the hit. The two grappled, rolling down a glossy hill; Sebastian tucked his legs under him and kicked Jace just as the hill dropped off.

SPNTMI

Clary pulled a large stone from the saddle bag and as she got closer, she could see that Valentine had made a small alter of stones and on their smooth surface held the mortal cup and sword. The former held the latter balanced on its rim, though she wasn't sure how. An enormous circle was in front of the alter, burned into the sand with a sickly sweet stench. It had a complicated pattern, with runes that made Clary's head spin. They spoke of binding, submission, and summoning. Not unlike the one that trapped Ithuriel.

Clary trembled in fear and revulsion. She could see Valentine walk to the sword. Without thinking, she hefted the rock, throwing it as hard as she could. It sailed next to his ear, narrowly missing the alter. He froze, turning in the direction of the throw and Clary was savagely pleased of his glare of surprise as she galloped down to him. He moved toward her, arms outstretched.

"Ah, Clarissa. This is a pleasant surprise. It is nice to see you again. You look more and more like Jocelyn every time I see you."

Clary's mare plunged violently. "Don't. You don't get to say her name." She snarled.

Valentine merely smiled and Clary wanted to punch him. The mare reared, legs kicking the air, keeping Valentine at bay. Clary could sense more than see his frustration. The mare twisted, but Valentine was quicker, stepping to the side and grabbing the reins. He yanked downwards, forcing the mare's head down. She stilled, snorting in agitation. Clary tried to move away, unwilling to touch Valentine. Her father grabbed her hands, burning her as they gripped her sides. Clary screamed at their touch. She thrashed as he brought her closer to himself, pulling her off the mare. Clary struggled, but his hands only gripped her tighter. Clary's mare bucked, her rump knocking into her legs as she was forcefully dismounted. Clary could have sworn she heard someone call her name but she tried to strike out at Valentine.

Valentine suddenly grabbed the back of her neck and she shivered, cold all over. An ache spreading from the inside of her throat all the way to the rest of her body. Against her will, she went limp and fell into Valentine's arms. She worked her mouth furiously as Valentine scooped her up and to her horror, she could not make a sound. He gently laid her in the circle. Clary shuddered. Though it hadn't been activated yet, she could still feel its power as it pushed against her, pinning her in place. Valentine began to speak to her.

"As nice as it is to see you Clarissa, I would have enjoyed Jonathan's company as well. Jocelyn too, but that can be arraigned later."

His quiet confidence, the casual, almost confiding tone filled her with loathing.

'So I'm just a substitute. He doesn't even really care that I'm here.'

Valentine continued speaking. "I am glad you are here. It appears you can be useful after all. Using Morgenstern blood for this ritual is only fitting."

Clary blinked; the only physical thing she felt she could do apart from breathing. Her vision watered as she looked up she saw a scuffle. Two boys-one bright and the other dark tumbling down the hill. They came closer. It was Sebastian and Jace. Shock and confusion at seeing the former were muted at the fierce joy at seeing Jace. She wanted to shout.

'I'm right here.'

Valentine stared as Sebastian kicked Jace down the small outcropping. Clary's heart swelled as Jace flipped in the air and landing on his feet, coming out a tucked roll. Sebastian leapt down to the sand bar. Valentine nodded to him.

"Thank you for bringing him here." Valentine turned to Jace. "Jonathan-"

Jace shoved Sebastian to the ground and charged at Valentine, wrenching a dagger from his belt. Valentine made no move to stop him, instead he stepped back. Sebastian grabbed Jace with a snarl, ignoring the whistling of the elbow length dagger. Sebastian grabbed Jace's wrist, twisting it to and impossible angle and he shouted as he dropped the blade. Sebastian wrapped himself around Jace.

Clary felt her rage grow as Valentine halfheartedly watched, standing before his alter, hands reaching for the mortal instruments. Clary stared past him, looking at Jace. Their gazes locked and she felt something shift inside her, sparking and awakening, like great big wings unfurling. With an almighty cry, Jace grasped Sebastian and lifted him over his head, arms shaking with the strain. Face contorted as the other boy thrashed above him. Jace couldn't move every far, as Sebastian moved too much and Jace lowered his arms briefly before shoving Sebastian as hard and high as he could. He shouted, flailing his arms as he soared past the sand, unable to find a safe place to land as he quickly became surrounded by water. Sebastian fell into Lake Lyn with a scream and a splash. Valentine stared at Jace as if he had never seen him before.

"Impossible."

Jace wordlessly dropped low and sprinting, never slowing as he picked up a dagger and raced to Valentine. His father briefly turned his back on Jace to grab the mortal sword. They moved almost too fast to track. In one fluid motion, they struck at the same time. Valentine brought down the mortal sword as Jace thrust forward. They clashed with a metallic ring, throwing up sparks and Clary could just make out a small spurt of blood as Jace's dagger seemed to split. With a grunt of effort, Jace shoved his arm up and the mortal sword flew out of Valentine's hand and into the air. Jace dropped the dagger, which had been cut in half and left the pieces to fall into the soft sand. The soul-sword fell back down and Jace caught it by the handle and leveled it at Valentine. Jace's golden eyes swirled as the tip of the blade hovered against his father's chest. Valentine still looked unperturbed, almost smiling.

"You won't do it. You are much too kind hearted for this."

"Kind hearted enough to do what I just did to Sebastian?" Jace's voice didn't waver.

"He was a stranger. However I-"

"Am blood?" Jace's voice grew raspy. "Give Clary back."

"Your sister is staying right where she is."

"She is my family and I'll do what I have to."

"Even if it means killing me?"

"Yes." Jace didn't waver. "Because I stayed my hand, so many have died, because I wanted you to be something you'll never be. Do I want to? No, but I'll do it to stop you."

Valentine paused. "Stop me?" His eyes became thoughtful, almost sad. "I think not." He sighed. "I always thought of you as my son."

Jace frowned in confusion and before he could react further, Valentine's bloody hand grabbed the soul-sword and swung hard. He hit Jace with the hilt, knocking it out of Jace's hands and flipping it so that he caught it by the handle. Valentine plunged the blade into Jace's chest.

Clary's mouth opened in a silent scream, unending and spiraling upwards as she stared transfixed at the shock on Jace's face, uncontrolled by any binding magic and she couldn't even flinch as Jace's body hit the sand. Valentine walked carefully to Jace, slumping next to him. His shoulders looked so absurdly big, even as they slumped and heaved with emotion. It didn't suit him to have his body shake with grief. Clary wasn't sure if she heard tears, because she couldn't see Valentine's face, his bowed head obscuring Jace from her sight.

Clary felt no sympathy, only a cold fury at the all too brief, contradictory display. It ended quickly. Valentine straightened, pulling the sword out of Jace with a wet sluicing. Clary blinked heavily in place of flinching, bile rising in her throat. She willed herself not to be sick as Valentine carried the dripping sword in his hands and he began to speak, chanting in a language that made her heart flutter and a voice inside her spoke out.

"The language of the angels. This is for summoning."

Clary willed herself to look at Jace again, his gold eyes dulled and half lidded, the liveliness of his final expression fading. She clenched her eyes shut, not wanting to that glossy, slackened pose be the way she'd remember Jace, but a part of her rebelled. She'd know exactly what he'd say if he saw her shutting out reality. Inside the lids of her eyes, she saw him. Jace flit upwards with grace, smiling with a slight haughtiness to his features. Teasing her. Clary felt her resolve hardening. She opened her eyes in time to see Valentine throw the sword in the lake.

It somersaulted in the air, catching the moonlight and as Valentine walked back to the cup, she averted her gaze, hearing the splash of the sword as she saw it fall into the lake out of the corner of her eye. Valentine filling the cup with Jace's blood. Clary turned her attention to the circle, its intricate pattern blinding her. She stared at a single portion, determined to break it down piece by piece.

"The name."

Clary's eyes were dragged to the scrawl, the identifying mark of the caster, the one who summoned creator and master. All it needed was a change.

"Yes, make it your own."

Clary's fingers twitched. Her stele was in her back pocket and every inch she dragged her hand to it caused burning pain to course through her whole arm. She gritted her teeth, frustration mounting as her hand spasmed against the handle. The stele fell into the sand and Clary's body screamed as her finger curled around it, the glass of it soothing against her fingers as they closed around it. Clary evened her breathing, concentrating on the strength of her arm, feeling the energy flowing from the center of herself and spreading out. She wasn't sure how long it took for her arm to raise her stele to the runes, but she forced it to move, dragging it against the sand. The burning power of her stele visible from its tip, runes spurting out as she made this one tiny change. She looked it over and satisfied that it was correct, rested her aching head against the sand. She watched the glow of seraph blades from across the way, cries of pain from friend and foe alike. Valentine threw the cup into the water and its contents flew.

Jace's blood sailing through the air, droplets like rubies scattering into the water moments before the cup plunked into the water. Valentine stepped back a pace, posed and waiting. However nothing happened, but then-

The ripples on the surface of the water became stronger, until they became waves that built, frothing as in a storm. Cresting as it seem to part, swelling on either side as if something was emerging from the water, something large.

"He's here. He's come." Valentine breathed. "Raziel."

Clary's heart trembled as Ithuriel seemed to be in a similar state, fluttering with anticipation and dread. The air quivered like a heat wave as the lake bubble over and a figure began to emerge from the water. The curly hair glistened like liquid gold, droplets adorning the hair with crown-like grace. The head crowned, sending water cascading down sculpted shoulders. They sent up a spray, misting over the lake as the overwhelming heat brought the swell of brine, ozone, and some heady thing Clary couldn't identify. Wings began to emerge, at first as indistinct as bad reception on a television, her eyes squinting for it to become clearer. The wings expanded, unfurling and Clary felt something inside her do the same. Ithuriel. Who was responding to the power that Raziel displayed and Clary felt fierce joy for the angel, as her fear heightened.

"Don't worry. You'll be able to see an angel's true form without harm-at least for the most part. My presence and your mind-your mind protects you with illusion, you'll see what you want to."

Raziel emerged, dripping and glorious. Tall as a building, taller than any she had ever seen, New York City be damned. Yet he was tall as a regular human. Skin bright, not dark or light, but bright in a sense of purpose, of thrumming energy like a furnace. In Raziel's hands were the sword and cup, emerging from the water, the objects gleaming in powerful hands. They were set down so quickly, it was as if they had never been moved at all, and Clary wondered if she imagined it.

The body was built, more definitive than a Michelangelo, but when Clary looked down there was so discernable genitalia. However, the most defining feature were the wings. Three on either side, thick and golden. At first, there looked like there were individual feathers, then smooth as blades, but what was even more overwhelming were the eyes affixed on each point of the wings. They stared down at the beach, swirling. They didn't seem to have any pupils or sclera, but maybe those weren't needed. Raziel seemed to hover and walk at the same time.

When the angel's gaze swept over her, she shivered. Pain racking her body at the motion, but Clary didn't want to avert her eyes and they burned from the effort. Raziel appeared to be taking measure of her; power came off it in waves, nearly causing her to seize and thankfully Raziel's gaze moved to Valentine, who gave a happy jump and stood straighter.

"Mighty Raziel, progenitor of the shadowhunter race. You have been summoned to help save the race you crafted from certain destruction."

"Oh?"

Raziel's voice heated the sand, echoing like a shout but soft enough to be heard next to Clary. There was a whine behind it, like a signal she couldn't quite reach, the whispers of the words that were older than time.

"Calm yourself. You will know soon enough."

Clary twitched as Raziel's voice filled the lake. Valentine looked non-plussed and frowned at the attention taken away from him. He cleared his throat and Clary could have sworn she felt impatience coming from Raziel, whose gaze bore down on Valentine.

"How so? The Nephilim are a proud race."

"Yes and one bordering on extinction. The demons you have charged us with destroying have infiltrated us in a way they never have before. With their descendants the downworlders. They have entered our politics, our beds, even our homeland. We have been defiled, polluted, and with your help, I will create a stronger breed of shadowhunter. One that will bring back the glory to God."

A wave of fury made the air spark. "Glory? I see into your heart, Valentine Morgenstern and the glory you have in mind is only for yourself. Glory belongs to God alone. Destroying those you call downworlders is not justice, for they have souls as much as you shadowhunters. When Jonathan Shadowhunter summoned me, I gave him my blood because I saw his pure heart. Yours is anything but."

Valentine, startled and insulted, took a step forward, spreading his hands imploringly. "But don't you see-"

"No." Raziel cut him off. "I don't."

Valentine's face contorted. "Obey me! Obey me damn you, I summoned you. According to the ritual, you must grant my wish."

"No you did not summon me. She did."

Valentine slowly swiveled, almost sluggish as if he was under water. At first he was confused. Then he looked down at the circle, then back up at Clary. Shock blanching his features to almost comical proportions and probably would continue looking back and forth if not for Raziel's presence. He faced her, full of fury and shock and Clary realized with a start that this is what he looked like as he saw her for the first time. It saddened her to think that this will be the only time she'd been acknowledged, not just as Jocelyn's daughter, but as a person with her own merits. He advanced on her.

"Valentine Morgenstern."

As if compelled, he turned back to Raziel. He held up his hands.

"Please."

Clary didn't know what he was pleading for. Raziel shuddered, speaking for a moment.

"Quiet little man. If it were not for your daughter, my brother would still be chained in a cellar."

Valentine looked terrified, his face twisting and becoming gaunt as Raziel seemed to puff his cheeks and pucker his lips. Clary squinted seeing the image waver, something far more frightening taking its place for a split second, so that it felt imagined. She let the image drop and watched the angel, as it seemed to spit. Fire flew from his lips, wings flaring up. Valentine was frozen in fear as the fire hurtled toward him, illuminating him perfectly for a second before being engulfed in fire. The fireball punching through him. The fire smoldered out as quickly as it came. Valentine sizzled, a perfectly round hole the size of three basketballs-completely see-through, Clary could see the other side of Lake Lyn through Valentine's chest.

Valentine stood for a few seconds more before he slumped as if his pull strings had been cut and he crumpled to the ground that trembled from the impact. The hole in his chest still smoking as Raziel regarded her.

"Not too upset I trust?"

Clary blinked.

"Of course." Raziel said. "Here."

Something that felt like a caress about her throat that made her gasp and she sat up quickly, the closeness of Raziel felt like a slap.

"Better?"

Clary nodded.

"Since you have summoned me, I can grant you one wish. Use it well."

Out of all the things that she could-should ask for, only one thing burned in her mind, like a neon sign in screaming letters. Almost unnecessarily, she looked at Jace.

"I see. If that is what you wish."

Raziel strode forward it seemed, bending down to Jace's prone form, wings brushing his body. Raziel exhaled, fluttering Jace's hair and returning color to his face.

"It is done."

"Thank you." Clary croaked.

"Think nothing of it. It is repayment for your treatment of my brother Ithuriel."

"What about your other brother?"

Clary shrieked. It was like watching slow motion, like a plot twist in a horror movie as Valentine gingerly sat up, chest whole and bare. As though time had been rewound. As though he had never been smote by an angel.

"You...who...?"

Raziel stood up, fury radiating from him, seemingly realizing who was speaking to him.

"Lucifer."

The water rippled.

"Bingo."

Clary suppressed another shriek. Now, she could tell. The voice was different, not the sound but the quality. Slower, softer. Somehow more intelligent or feeling. She shuddered. Raziel looked at Lucifer, the disgust more of an aura than an expression.

"Typical. Hiding behind that little man. It explains why your presence went by undetected."

Lucifer shrugged. "I suppose I was letting him take the wheel. It provided some amusement. Your little toys are very entertaining."

"How dare you."

"No." Lucifer snapped. "How dare you. Perverting our Father's work. Us with those flawed, little insects and try to make them like us."

"To give them a chance. After your little rebellion, none of the others were interested in safeguarding the universe from the ancients-as our Father charged us with. All anyone wanted was the end, even our brother Michael-"

"Mine. My brother." Lucifer looked murderous. "And you will not say his name. You call me cowardly? Yet you wait until God leaves the room to make your arrogant little pets with our sacred weapons. Why else would you be here, hiding in a lake? Because you thought you knew better than the old man."

"Silence. I made the choices I made on my own terms, with no regrets. Humanity is the future, because they have a choice."

"Free will huh?" Lucifer sneered. "And they always make the wrong choices."

"You only believe so because being wrong means that you have destroyed your family for no reason."

"Oh I have a reason. Michael betrayed me." Lucifer spat. "Just like you've betrayed your kind."

"I don't have to justify myself to the devil."

Lucifer's eyes danced. "Nope, but how about this. Let's settle this the old fashioned way."

Raziel was all heavenly wrath and he flared his wings, the eyes on each tip widened and began to spin, the pattern making Clary dizzy. She was all but forgotten as two angry angels stood, firm as towers and about to fight.

"Just remember, it's gonna take more than a little spit ball to kill me."

"Likewise serpent."

Lucifer laughed, striding forward and then, very deliberately crushing the mortal cup underneath his foot.

SPNTMI

Across Lake Lyn, the fight suddenly diminished and Gabriel, his weapons all but forgotten, already lost or given away. He looked around in confusion as ancients froze, some in mid strike before fleeing the field. He grinned at the sight, for a moment allowing himself to enjoy it. Demons raced away as fast as they could, but Gabriel didn't feel like giving chase. The shadowhunters raised a cheer and the remaining werewolves howled. There was a hum in the air, one that had nothing to do with joy.

The archangel frowned. Something wasn't right; like that story about the nun with all those kids. She always woke up with a feeling and it was never wrong. Something in the air and then it hit him. Grace. He realized what was about to happen a split second before it did. A brilliant shaft of light exploded, shooting upwards, the torrent like a flood of electricity, except more. The overwhelming sensation of Lucifer everywhere.

"Oh shit."

Gabriel raced back inside the woods, pushing past exclaiming shadowhunters as the ground began to shake. Trees groaned and snapped. Gabriel looked up in time to see wings crash into trees, causing them to explode, splintering into shadowhunter and downworlder alike. He didn't care, he had to find Sam.

"Sammy." He gritted his teeth. "Dammit Cas-stupid rib tagging. Sammy, where the hell are you?"

"Over here."

Gabriel turned to see Sam pushing past two fey warriors that narrowly missed being trampled by a shadowhunter.

"Well that was easy."

"How?" Sam asked. "How is any of this easy?"

Gabriel shrugged. "Ok, we gotta get the hell outta dodge."

"Not without Dean."

"Kid-"

The air began to reek of ozone and another loud crash echoed and the ground began to shake in earnest.

Sam turned to him with wide eyes. "What the hell is going on? That light-it's like Ilchester."

"When Luci's box popped. Yeah I know. Looks like he's duking it out with another angel."

Sam's eyes widened. "What? Who?"

Gabriel closed his eyes in concentration. "...Raziel."

"What? Then we need to get out of here."

"What do you think I been trying to say?!" Gabriel said.

"Not without Dean." Sam replied and raced off.

Gabriel threw up his hands and hurried to follow.

SPNTMI

Luke felt his pack mates panic as the high whine caused him to pin his ears flat to his head and he instinctively crouched down and looked up. The air was catching fire. Angry blasts of red came after as pieces of fire hurtled down to the ground. He could see some of them shoot off in the distance, briefly lighting up their destruction before they reached their destination. Smoke billowed up, doing nothing to sooth the raw sky.

Shouts and screams of confusion and panic as shadowhunters and downworlders began to run helter skelter. Still in wolf form, Luke howled, hoping to hear back and when he got a reply, he quickly raced to the wolf. Something heavy collided with him and he fell heavily to the ground. A group of shadowhunters, one on horseback was carrying another smaller, wounded shadowhunter. The horse plunged and reared. Panicking even as Luke struggled to move.

"Out of the way." Someone from the crowd shouted.

As Luke stood, one of the horse's hooves struck him full in the face, breaking both his nose and jaw as was flung backwards and knocked unconscious. The party, already moving, didn't pay much heed where they stepped as they scrambled to get off the battlefield. The howling of the other wolves went unanswered.

SPNTMI

Lake Lyn exploded upwards, cascading down like a wave, crashing into the forest, the water flooding Brocelind Plain, swallowing shadowhunters and downworlders, unfazed by the landscape as it continued to flow down the hills and glens, its thin reach extending to Alicante.

The demon towers began to crack, uprooting from the ground and shaking. Two of them leaned towards each other, collapsing on top of one another. A fireball careened into another one, set ablaze. It gave long wheezing groan, smoking as it hit the Gard, re-setting it on fire. The building protested, fire roaring as the Gard was engulfed in flames. The large demon tower, with its own equally large crack splintered even further and finally split in half. The right side crashing into the square and causing the canal to swell, rushing into the shops, smashing windows and invading wood. The left half slammed into the accords hall.

Aline Penhallow gathered the children around her arms, trying to sooth their cries as they huddled together in one of the spare rooms where the council members kept their odds and ends. Only Aline looked up, seconds before the left half of the tower crashed into the room, collapsing the ceiling, and crushing the inhabitants as the floor gave way.

Outside the screeching became too high, windows shattered in the shops and homes. Amatis Herondale held dish towels to her bloody ears as she raced to her closet. She ran inside and shut the door behind her. She let the dishrags fall as the grabbed the box; she knew its location by memory. The silver cranes were smooth to the touch and she felt herself calm as she continued to touch the cranes and tears gathered at her eyes. She whispered a litany of names, as though they were with her already.

"Imogen, Celine, Lucien, Stephen. Oh Stephen..."

Water burbled into her house, finding the hard to reach spaces and it didn't take long for her to feel wetness at the soles of her feet. The shops next to her were hit by debris of the own merchandise and foundations. Dislodged cobble stones clattered into rooms and helped destroy roofs. In the square, the angel statue collapsed, broken into a dozen pieces and rolling down a paved street before disappearing.

The Penhallow house on Princewater Street was flooded. The shoji screen prints floating in the kitchen, the water washing Isabelle's blood off the walls and one Max's Naruto volumes floated past the refrigerator, the witchlight set up sparks in the water. Farther out, in the cottage of Ragnor Fell's, two bodied tumbled together, still together as the ground opened up and caused them to slide down the crevice, their belongings racing down after them as if determined to follow their masters. Outside brilliant bursts of light collided against each other, creating ear splitting cracks, and the sky shook with the effort of containing it. It groaned under the strain and even the fire seemed to be pulled upwards. The stars screamed in protest, even if only a few could hear them.

SPNTMI

Magnus carried Alec, both blood spattered as the warlock waded through the water. The briny stench of Lake Lyn rising in the air. Alec, ears ringing and dazed from the thunderous shaking, made no complaint at being carried. At the next shake, the ground cracked in the distance and Magnus cursed in Chthonian. He adjusted Alec with one hand, resting him on his side like a mother with a small child. Magnus didn't notice as he raised one hand with precision.

"What are you doing?"

"What does it look like? Getting us out of here."

Before Alec could protest, Magnus began to chant. He squinted his eyes tight, face becoming paler and paler as he struggled with the spell. Magnus swallowed heavily as the small, insubstantial portal finally shimmered to life. The earthquake dislodged a heavy boulder. Magnus hastily dodged it as Alec's remaining seraph blade clattered to the ground.

"Hold on tight."

Alec did as he was told as they leapt through the portal. Alec didn't even have the energy to scream as they were pulled in. Colors and sensations blended together as Magnus twisted against him, his words lost to Alec. It was over as soon as it happened, the force of it pushing them out and nearly crashing into a wall.

Alec held his hands out against the wall, resting his cheek on the cool stones and his nausea abated. He turned to look for the warlock, only to find him slumped in the corner.

"Magnus!"

He wobbled over to Magnus and crouched down. The warlock was remarkably pale but breathing. He opened his eyes a slit before they widened.

"Alexander..."

Alec smiled. "Yeah it's me."

He helped pull Magnus to his feet. He was taller so when he swayed against Alec, the shadowhunter had to grip him tight to keep the other from collapsing on top of him.

"Where are we?" He asked.

"...Uh...an alley."

Magnus rolled his eyes. "Yes but where?"

Together, making slow steps, as Magnus used his free hand to brace against the wall. Sounds gradually came back, the roar of midday traffic coming to life. The alley went out to a square and Alec stared in shock, not caring about the smell of the garbage on either side of him as a red double decker drove past.

SPNTMI

Gabriel raced after Sam, who kept shouting his brother's name. They past the flooded glen full of thrashing shadowhunters until a cry startled Sam. Isabelle had been pulled down into the water by a hysterical shadowhunter. She was submerged for only a few moments, surfacing just as Sam ran to her. She elbowed the shadowhunter who tried to keep a hold of her. Her whip shot out and wrapped around a branch and she swung herself out. As she landed, the branch cracked, falling into the water. Sam caught her before she could fall back in. Isabelle slowly straightened up, her whip returning to her side.

"Thanks."

"No problem." Sam gripped her shoulder tight. "Have you seen Dean?"

She shrugged. "I think he went this way."

The three made their way past the fallen trees when Isabelle suddenly stopped, white as death. Sam followed suit, watching as he finally saw what Isabelle was staring at.

Maryse pinned beneath a tree, a branch sharp at her side. She looked haggard and drawn, but proud as she saw her daughter approach.

"Mom." She gasped

The sound caused Maryse to lift her head, her blue eyes softer in pain. She smiled at Isabelle.

"Oh." she wheezed. "There you are. I wondered."

"Yeah, I'm here."

Isabelle flicked her wrist, her whip frantic as it wrapped the tree and struggled to move it. Maryse coughed, her lips flecked with blood. Isabelle's eyes widened.

"Don't bother with that." Maryse protested. "You have to get out of here."

"Mom!"

Isabelle strained harder, but even her strength was no match for a wide trunk of a felled tree. Maryse struggled to remain conscious; Sam could see her fight to keep, and she turned to him. Even in this state, her gaze was formidable.

"Take her with you."

Sam found himself nodding frantically and he went to Isabelle's side.

"Come on."

She ripped herself out of his grip, but her mother snapped at her.

"Now is not the time to act like a child."

"But mom, I have to get you out."

Maryse clicked her tongue and smiled. "Listen you must leave. I'll be alright. I'll tell your father what a wonderful woman you've become."

Isabelle swallowed thickly, not trusting herself to speak, she bent low, and kissed the top of Maryse's head. She let her hands get as close as they could. They locked eyes and Maryse suddenly nodded. Isabelle stood up and hurried back to Sam, who gave one final look at Maryse. She had closed her eyes, a slight smile on her face. Gabriel, who had lifted both hands, a little ways off, now, turned to the two.

"Ready? Grab on." He said.

"But-"

Isabelle pushed Sam into Gabriel, whose hand was forced and clamped onto by Isabelle.

"Alright everybody keep their arms and legs inside the ride at all times." Gabriel called.

Sam shut his eyes tight. The feeling of flying so disorienting, he clutched tighter, willing the vertigo away at the sound of wing beats and he could have sworn they were being followed. They stopped and Sam tentatively opened his eyes. Sunlight filtered through the trees, quiet snatches of laughter and bird song tantalizing him. The solid grass beneath his feet a comfort.

Gabriel snorted. "Ok kiddies, does everyone have their limbs and organs intact?"

Sam turned. Behind him Isabelle looked worn, almost green and Gabriel swayed alarmingly.

"I think so. Isabelle?"

She wheezed, giving a halfhearted rude hand gesture. Gabriel nodded warily and shakily slid won a tree's back.

"Good. So if you don't mind, I think I'll just pass out."

"Sounds good."

Sam slumped down next to him, letting the pleasant and warm air overtake him as he closed his eyes.

SPNTMI

Dean shouted over the ringing, piercing shouts of angels, making it hard to walk. Cas was right behind him, dodging the crazed shadowhunters, who tried to collect friends and family as they ran.

"Sam!"

"We need to leave."

"Sammy!"

"He'll be-"

"If you say he'll be alright, I swear to God-"

"No I was going to-"

"Sammy!"

"Dean!"

Cas grabbed the hunter by the shoulders and what he was shouting was drowned out, clogged in his ears and Dean was given no warning as Cas put two fingers to Dean's forehead with a look a deep concentration. Dean didn't have enough time to pull back and when he opened his eyes, stumbling away from Cas, crisp clear air filled his lungs. Silence buzzed in his ears. Dean tripped, hastily grabbing a tree for support. He looked around. Nothing but a frost covered field. Not even the distant roar of a highway to go on.

"Dude, where'd you take us?"

"I think we're-" Cas broke off suddenly, coughing.

Dean turned in time to see bright blood spill out of Cas's lips and he hurried to him as his eyes rolled up in his head and he collapsed to the ground. Dean knelt at his side, shaking him slightly.

"Cas? Cas!"

SPNTMI

Clary seized her chance, racing to the sword and grabbing it by the handle. It nearly over balanced her, the hot-cold sensations running up her arms as she struggled to heft it up. With a free hand she made a grab for Jace. The ground shook, beach lit up impossibly bright, like a blinding search light. Clary zigzagged, trying to find Jace and seeing him for just a split second. She fell to his side, hands all over his chest.

He still hadn't stirred, but she couldn't worry about that right now. She pulled out her stele, tracing it on the sand, feeling the power, calling it to her as she searched for the right rune.

'Portal, portal, portal.'

It came as quickly as if she snapped her fingers, feeling the wavering in the air that signaled her chance. She pocketed her stele, grabbing both sword and boy and leaned down, falling into the portal. She felt the explosion as it happened above her, a scream of excruciating pain and the portal cut off suddenly. For a moment she was horizontally suspended in between worlds and then, like a roller coaster, began to move again.

It was faster than remembered, angry roaring in her ears as they spiraled like a tunnel. Something knocked into her and she felt Jace wrenched from her grasp. Clary tried to scream but she could no longer see and for a few moments, she thought she'd be sailing in the portal forever, but then she was dropped.

Clary screeched as she fell, body twisting to break the fall. Luckily, it was a short drop and the landing stung more from surprise than actual pain. As she stared, the lights and sounds came rushing back, familiar as the paved road she was sitting on. Clary struggled to her feet, jumping as the sudden blaring horn and bright lights that quickly filled her vision and fixed her in place.

SPNTMI

The traffic blared as Simon took a swig of deer blood, his nervousness not subsiding as he continued to watch Jocelyn eye the two hunters. The hotel room was cleaned, bags packed and lined up.

"So run this by me again. What do we do now?" Simon asked.

Jo's mouth was set in a grim line. "Find Sam and Dean. See if they got out of Idris."

"No." Jocelyn spoke up. "Something is wrong. Very wrong."

"How do you figure?"

Jocelyn shrugged. "A sense. I know Valentine. We were married. He confided in me and what he did not share, I pieced together. There is a way to destroy Idris. By taking down its wards with demon blood or what you have been calling ancient's blood. With the wards down and the mortal instruments in his possession, it would not surprise me if had destroyed Idris."

Simon took a hard swallow of blood. "I did talk with Freaky Pete. He took me to a warlock that told me that he tried to reach the border and...nothing, but the wards were gone, like "the place had never been." I don't really know what that means, but..." Simon trailed off.

"I do." Jocelyn replied.

She didn't look the same, not the way Simon remembered her. The soft artist had disappeared beneath a hard veneer. A sharp edged woman of calm focus took her place. She continued speaking.

"We must assume then that Idris has been destroyed. Which means it will be chaos. Downworlders will go out of control."

Ellen nodded. "A given."

Jocelyn eyed her. "The only reason I believe you is because you were the ones responsible for waking me up."

"That mean you trust us enough to come with us?" Ellen asked.

Simon perked up. "Come where?"

"To a friend, he lives pretty far south of here." Ellen said.

"And leave Clary?" Simon was incredulous. "Just pack up and go?"

"As Jocelyn said, it's going to be chaos and folks oughta be warned." Ellen was upset as Simon had ever seen her. "If the boys and the rest-if they're all dead-" She took a breath. "Then we have to keep going. Come up with a new plan. We can't do that here if we're too busy fending off attacks from pissed off downworlders."

Simon felt his eyes sting, despite not being able to actually cry. "But what about Clary?" He whispered.

Jo opened her mouth, but it was Jocelyn who spoke.

"The last thing I remember was boarding a flight to Paris. I just escaped from Valentine, from the circle, and from Idris. My home, which is in all probability destroyed and my daughter-" Her face twisted in grief, voice choked as she struggled to continue. "She was still inside me and when I woke up she was gone. Went to the very place I hoped she would never see and died defending it. We carved out a life here. A life I can't remember. So no, I don't see a point in staying here."

Jocelyn could say no more, her body so tightly held together that she shook. Simon was amazed that she simply didn't crumple to the floor and scream. Her eyes were bright with tears but she hadn't made a sound. It was almost unnerving. Jocelyn and Ellen locked eyes. The two women stood at least three feet apart, not touching or unwilling to, but they kept a silent exchange between them and it was over. Jocelyn nodded.

"Who's driving?"

Simon stared as Ellen began to direct Jocelyn to the car, carrying a duffel for the red haired woman. The two quietly gathered their things. Jo and Simon watched the former with an expectant look at her friend. She held a knife in her hand as she groped for a duffle bag full of weapons. Simon saw for a brief moment, himself standing high up over the edge and something stretching out below him that he couldn't quite grasp, only that there were two paths of insurmountable consequence. It only lasted for a moment, but it was enough to give him a feeling of foreboding. Which one to choose he wasn't sure. All he could really tell for sure was that somehow, just somehow, Clary had to be alive. Any thought otherwise was impossible. His mind short circuited at the mere notion of a Clary-less world, it simply could not exist. He tossed aside the empty water bottle, blood drying at the bottom. Simon shuddered, knowing he did not want to do this.

"I-I can't go with you."

Jo turned to him. "Yeah?"

"Because if there is a chance that Clary is alive...that somehow we can still help." He continued in a rush. "You're right. I know it's crazy and dangerous but I have to try." He willed his voice to remain steady. "You understand right?"

Jo looked unsurprised. She smiled. "Of course." Her eyes glimmered as she nodded. "Do what you have to. Just...keep me posted."

Simon smiled; that would be easy. "Of course."

Without thinking, he embraced her. Jo grunted in surprise, but she returned the gesture. Her hands brushed his shoulder blades and Simon couldn't tell how tightly they clasped. The scent of her briefly overpowered him, but it was over as spontaneously as they came together. The two hastily unlocked and Simon cleared his throat. Without another word, Jo grabbed her things and walked out the door.

TBC...