Part Eight – They Will Definitely Save Me

I knew neither how fast I ran, nor where I was heading to. All I knew was the trees flashed around me as I ran through the bare woods. Cold wind hit my face and blew my hair away.

Idris in winter was a beautiful place. I realized that when Jonathan brought me to the place where we saw our parents, but now, I could only feel the winds pricked my skin with its cold sensation and the deathly atmosphere caused by white snow.

Now I reached a wide area covered with snow. Maybe it supposed to be a meadow.

For deaths and mourning the colors white

White silks when our bodies burn

The piece of shadowhunter's poem slipped into my mind.

White. White. White.

All around me everything were white. My coat was the only dark thing here as I ran across the snowfield. My hair flapped, brighter than ever.

My brother was fighting against my father.

I noticed that with a strange feeling, considering the fact that I was the one whom he wanted to kill before. Jonathan was the one whom he raised to be a weapon.

Jonathan protected me.

That fact hit me with even more strange sensation. He not only couldn't kill me easily, but he even saved me from valentine.

It was really really weird.

I'd reached the end of the snowfield and entered the woods. My legs started to felt numb and my chest burned every time I took a breath. I stopped, panting heavily as I tried to catch my breath. I hid myself between two huge trees.

Slowly, my breath became easy and no longer burned my chest. I leaned myself against the trunk and looked at the gloomy sky.

I don't know where was I. Everything looked just the same. I lost in the middle of white that covered Idris.

Srek! Srek! Srek!

I just got my breath steady when I heard a sound of someone went closer.

My heart sank as my body tensed. I enforced myself and listened carefully.

"Clarissa!" suddenly Jonathan showed up from behind me and grabbed my arm. With one jolt he got me stood up and dragged me to keep running, "We have to go back right now!"

Without asking I'd already knew that Valentine was still chasing us. I could faintly heard his footsteps. Not so far behind us.

"He can't see us, right?" I asked. Trying not to slower my steps. I could hear a doubt in my own voice.

"Yes," my brother answered as calm as if he was standing still instead of running. He didn't lose his breath at all, "But he can see our footprint."

I couldn't handle myself not to curse.

Right. The snow made our footprint showed as clear as if we drew a red line for Valentine.

You know, actually, it was very ironic. This scene looked so alike with the one in Jonathan's dream last night. Just that, now Valentine was younger and he chased us without knowing that we were his own children.

I felt like I'd never been more relieved than the time I saw that lake. We were close with Valentine's house.

I and Jonathan wasn't slowing down. I let him lead us toward the portal which only known by him and God. I even didn't realize when we went through the portal. All I knew was, one second I still ran upon the snow, then the next second we were in the house. Rarely caught a breath after stopped in a sudden, almost hit the table.

As I tried to calmed myself, I saw Valentine behind the glass wall. He stopped a few steps before the portal. He looked so annoyed with disbelief. I imagined him looking at our footprint which vanished as if we just evaporate. Valentine then stepped carefully toward the end of our footprint.

"He can't come into this house, can he?" I asked in panic. I still panted. I looked at Jonathan which now was standing still next to me, he stared at valentine too. His eyes full with awareness.

"No," he said shortly. His gaze still fixed at Valentine when a figures in dark coat showed up from Valentine's back.

"Where are they?" my mother inquired swiftly. Her eyes scanned around her, but went through us just easily, "The footprint couldn't just ended like that. Did they create a portal?"

Valentine shook his head. He still looked around, ready for every single motion.

"I don't know."

Valentine's gaze stopped for a moment at us, but I was quite sure he was looking at the emptiness before him.

My mother looked at him with a bit worry. Carefully, she touched Valentine's arm, "Let's go. They must be far away by now."

Valentine moved his neck and returned her gaze with grim. I knew he was still thinking about us. However, he didn't refuse. He circled his arm around my mother's shoulder before turned around.

"Come on. Lucian must be looking for us."

Without saying any single word, they went away, left us who was sighing in relieved.

Okay, I was the one who sighed in relieved. Jonathan didn't make a single move. He kept watching our parents till they disappear from our sight.

"Why?" finally I asked after some minutes passed by and no one of us moved or even talked, "Why did you show me that scene?"

My question drew his attention to me. He looked down at me. His eyes were undefined.

"There's no particular reason," a faint smile flashed through my brother's lips. His pale cheeks now blushed due to the cold wind and running, "Just wondering, what do you think, Little Sister?"

My eyes widened.

If he thought I would believed that, then he clearly had no idea how far I knew him.

Jonathan Christopher Morgenstern would never showed something to other people just to know their opinion. Never. There must be something else behind his act right now.

I knew he was thinking about something, or worse, he was planning something.

I had to tell Magnus about it.

Immediately.

I'd tried to reach you all day long, you know?

Magnus sounded annoyed when I finally could talk to him.

I had to spend my precious breaths to tell Jace that You're okay, that the only reason why I couldn't reach you was simply because you didn't think of me. Poor me, he completely didn't believe it, that you don't spend your day asking for our help.

I smirked.

I was back in my room. It'd already dark outside and I'd just finished a silent dinner with Jonathan who almost didn't say a word after we got back from that place where we met Valentine and Jocelyn. It did seemed like he was planning something.

I'm okay, Magnus, I answered. Now I understood that I didn't have to speak aloud. He could still hear me.

Where are you now?

Idris.

I rolled, looking at the view of snowy night outside my window. From inside my room, I could faintly see that lake, the one I saw in Jonathan's dream.

Did you have some fun with your brother?

Magns tone was teasing, but maybe I just imagined it.

Strangely, I said with an unfocused mind. Again, I thought about the scene which I saw today, I can't say no, even though I can't say that I had some fun either.

So, it turns out that he's a talented womanizer.

Or maybe he's just trying to incite me, I answered bitterly, one of those things must be true. Whatever it is, it can never be a good news if we talk about my brother.

There was a moment of silence before Magnus spoke again and he sounded surprised.

What did you say just that?

I rolled my eyes, which one? I asked. Felt a little bit annoyed, the part where I said that maybe he's just trying to incite me?

No, not that. But the part where you said, "it can never be a good news if we talked about MY BROTHER."

Magnus raised his tone, mimicking a girl's voice. You should know, that was annoying.

Oh, I'd never know that you are also Valentine's son. Last time I heard that your father is the prince of hell.

Not funny, he sulked, although Valentine was as evil as demons, still not funny. At least my father is a noble.

Oh yeah, I rose from my position and moved toward the window. I pressed my forehead against the cold glass, in other words, I have no differences with demon's daughter.

That's not bad, just for your information.

I wanted to regret about saying that words to him, but his teasing made it hard to do.

What's the matter if I said that he's my brother?

Magnus laughed softly, I remember you said that you wanted to get him killed, so why do you even call him a brother now?

I tilted my head.

It was very quiet around me. There wasn't any sound at all. It was so different with my head that felt so crowded even tough there were just me and Magnus in there.

Let me tell you, it turned out that our head is very very narrow. Just add one person there, then you would feel everything was too full and crowded.

Today I saw my parents, I reported, right when Valentine asked my mother to marry him.

Magnus whistled.

I guessed it's the most romantic scene you've ever seen.

Yeah. If I didn't keep on imagining how they would hate each others someday.

Nothing lasts forever in this world.

Magnus voice sounded full of irony. I was sure it because he'd knew what kind of thing that became the exception of the theory of mortality.

Warlock, Fey, and Vampires. They are the exceptions.

There will always be some exceptions, I replied tiredly, always, Magnus.

You tell me.

I chose not to respond his words and looked at the darkness outside my window. The silhouette of things out there seemed a little bit clear due to my dark room. I had turn the light off before calling Magnus.

Does Jonathan always live like this? Amid the silence like this? I've seen the house where he'd been raised and that house was more quiet than this house. How it felt to be raised in the huge mansion alone? The only person he'd ever met was Valentine. Not a big surprise if he grew up to be a psychopath. Or was that the natural trait of demons?

My mother had ever told me that Valentine couldn't handle the demons inside Jonathan. Was my brother really that bad? Or maybe he became like that because of what Valentine did to him?

Something stabbed my heart and I had to closed my eyes to repressed the feeling of loneliness which suddenly rushed in my mind.

So many question kept on popped up every time I think of my brother. He was just like an egg, covered himself with a fragile barrier. You could never pierced that barrier using a rough way. You could try, and you would just broke him. He would explode, and you got nothing.

Then I realized something.

I knew that I was afraid. I was afraid if I let my guard against him down, then I would love him. Because however he is my brother. I was afraid because that's completely wrong. So wrong because he was the bad guy. But, in other side, if I let my feeling controlled me, even just for a moment, that love would felt right.

It really made me scared.

Earth to Clary, suddenly I heard Magnus called me, you hear me, Clary?

Yes, I sighed. At first I really wanted to speak with him, but now I just wanted to be left alone, what do you want, Magnus?

To be honest, I really want the latest edition book of spell which only sold in the black market, but for now, I need to know what you did today.

I've told you, we followed Valentine.

All day long?

I could imagined Magnus raised his eyebrows when he said that words. His voice showed a clear disbelief.

Well, you can say so. We went to Idris, watched my parents romantic scene, then suddenly Valentine found out about us and started to strike. Jonathan protected me as I ran away. After that we went back and then he's been consumed by his mind. You know, it make me got a bad feeling. I think he is hiding something right now.

Who?

Who what? I replied. Did not understand what Magnus mean with his question.

Who was the one that protected you?

Who protected me? Of course Jonathan.

Magnus paused in a long time and made me lost my patience.

Magnus!

You sounded as if he'd brainwashed you, Clary. Magnus answered a bit louder. I think you are right. Maybe he's trying to incite you right now. He wants you in his side. That's why he showed you that scene. Are there anything else he showed to you?

Magnus loud voice made me fell silent. I lifted my feet and inched toward the bed's head. I sat there, hugging my own legs, and laid my head upon my knees.

I'd dug my own grave pit, Magnus, I said softly, letting my tears flew down along with my decision to tell him everything.

I came into Jonathan's dream.

There was another silence.

I should have known, when Magnus responded to my words, I could hear that he was annoyed. What did you see?

A nightmare.

I hope so.

Magnus! I jerked, lifted my head. I saw Valentine tortured him, and.. oh… I really feel bad. I think, come into someone's dream not only change the owner of that dream, but also the intruder. I can't forget what I've seen there. Every time I look at my brother, I see valentine. I'm really scared of him. I'm afraid if I let myself unguarded, even for a brief moment, he would make me completely bound to him. and the most scary thing is that everything felt so right.

I heard Magnus took a deep breath.

Okay, now you call him your brother and you feel like you are about to be bound to him. I think it's really a bad news. Especially for Jace.

Jace!

Hearing Magnus said Jace's name felt just the same as if he hit me right in my face.

Oh, no! I groaned in frustration. If I really bound to him, I think I can never face Jace anymore. How could I look at his face and tell him that now I am bound to Jonathan?

I knew my mind started to lose control. I screamed hysterically and Magnus realized that.

Calm down, Clary, he said softly, I will save you immediately. Now, after I know your location, it will be so easy.

I jerked and lifted up my head.

Really? You can save me?

Magnus agreed my question with a small laugh, but I have to be fast, Clary. As long as you haven't move…

Sssshhh! I hissed to stop Magnus. I heard something from outside my room.

No one can hear me but you, remember?

Yes, I replied as I listened carefully, but I need my ears, Magnus. Someone is coming into this house. Many people. I hear noises downstairs.

Who do you think will come at this time?

Magnus was teasing me. I knew that.

I have no idea, I replied bluntly. Whoever they are, Jonathan is the one who invite them. I think it's not a good news.

It seems that you are quite smart.

Now I was sure, there were so many people down there. Their voices flew through the walls and reached me in a vague buzz.

Then, I heard one sound which made my stomach twisted.

I heard a footsteps reaching towards my door.

Someone's coming, I hissed as I slipped into my blanket.

I am leaving you. Magnus said with a stern voice. I'll gather people to pick you up. Don't stop thinking of me, Clary.

If I was in a normal condition, Magnus words would make me laugh. It sounded like he was seducing me. But, considering that the situation now is very urgent, I said nothing but agreement.

I pulled my blanket to my chin right when someone turned the door handle and stepped into the darkness of my room.

Magnus? I called but he'd already disappear. That was perfect, so I could concentrate with my situation here.

I tried to calm my breath down, then I closed my eyes, pretending as if I was sleeping. Not so easy because right now my heart was pounding hard in my chest. Maybe it was better if I pretend that I had a nightmare.

I felt someone was standing right beside my bed. That person looked down, and silence filled the room.

One minute passed by. That person still hadn't move yet.

Two minutes.

I started to feel uncomfortable, but I couldn't make a suspicious motion.

Finally, after three minutes that felt like a century, the person who was standing beside my bed took a deep breath. I heard the sound of some fabric rubbing against each others followed by a very familiar sensation in my arm.

Cold. A touch in my arm felt cold. I didn't have to see to know who was touching me.

A moment later, in the same arm as where that cold sensation touched me, I felt a sting. The familiar one.

I opened my eyes in an instance, forgeting the fact that I was pretending as I was sleeping. I wanted to pull my arm, but it was too late.

Close to my face, I saw Jonathan's face. He was still holding my hand with one of his hand. While the other one was holding a stele. He'd just finished a rune.

I looked at him with terrors filled my eyes as my body weakened and became unmoved.

Jonathan had just draw a paralytic runes in my arm. Now my body had no difference with a broken-rope-marionette.

No! I screamed in frustration, but that scream never reached my lips. I stared right at him with wide eyes.

What did you do? I wanted to barked, but I couldn't. I thought he understood even I didn't say it out loud. My eyes must have said everything.

"Clarisse," my brother finally spoke sadly. In the dark, his eyes looked as if it reflected the moonlight. Just like the lake out there.

I remembered how he spoke in my head, so I tried to think about him, and then yelled at him. Screamed my protest into his head.

What did you do?!

Jonathan made a single jerk with his chin, but there was no other sign that he was surprised I could reach him.

"I have plans to do, Clarissa," he smiled faintly, "This time, I wanna make sure that both you and my plans are safe."

What do you mean?

Jonathan sat in the edge of my bed. Still looking at my face with such an undefined gaze. He stretched out his hand and touched strands of my hair. He removed it from my face with a touch which was as light as feathers.

"Do you know, Clarissa," he said calmly, "That every rune leaves a mark in our body?"

I didn't reply. Still trying to guess what did he mean with his question.

Jonathan sighed once, then he pulled off his shirt.

My eyes widened in surprise.

Does it really necessary?

Jonathan ignored me. Instead of that, he touched and wiped his chest slowly.

"I have so many runes marks in my body," he said as if I'd never said anything, "But I don't remember this one, and this one."

Now I realized, Jonathan was touching the runes marks Which I drew in the night I came into his dream. Then, the understanding came into my mind in such a way that would make my body tremble if it could.

"I had ever bear runes from you, Clarissa, and my body recognize these runes as yours," my brother tilted his head again and looked straight at my eyes.

"If you wanna know," he said with a soft tone. I'd never heard he used it before, "You felt so warm in my dream, when you hug me like that."

Jonathan once again stretched his hand and touched my face with his fingertips. Went along my jawline toward my chin.

"I know, Clarissa. You came into my dream," a melancholy hue covered Jonathan's face, "I'm sorry you had to see that."

So, he knew! A real shock rushed into my mind. He knew. All day long…

"But I'm glad," this time I heard a shiver of joy in Jonathan's voice, " I'm no longer alone. That was the opposite of what my father always said, but I think I do want to hear that."

I blinked.

He really remember that. Was that the idea which bother his mind all day long?

"I know," he continued, made me shivered, "I have my army. They will be ready to fight till death."

My body was still paralyzed, but if it could move, I was sure I would be trembling hardly.

"And there's you, Clarissa," he smiled at me. His smile was filled with an evil joy, "Like I'd said, this world will be surrender beneath our feet. You and me, My Little Sister."

I don't want that! I blurted wildly. I will never let you destroy my world!

"Ah! Ah!," he chuckled, "Your world, Clarissa, your world. Not mine. Now I will create our world. You don't have to be worried."

If I could, I wanted to shut my eyes closed because suddenly I felt the heaviness in my head.

Why? I asked, feeling a real fatigue crept in my voice. Why do you want to destroy the world?

Jonathan looked at me with a blazing gaze. If I could see the heavenly fire in Jace's eyes, in Jonathan's eyes I saw a demon's fire. Hot and burned everything mercilessly. He hissed.

"Do you think I have a place in this world, Clarissa?" he said with a vengeance, "This world ruled by the clave, and there's no place for them who have a thought against them. I will create a pure world. Free from the clave's grip. Free from them who don't deserve the nephilim's power."

I was shocked. A deep grudge reflected in his words. No one could ever stop him, I knew that. Only death could stop him.

The thing was, could I watch him being killed?

Magnus! I screamed. This time my scream wasn't aimed to Jonathan. Where are you, Magnus?!

On my way, Clary.

Fulled with relieved, I listened to Magnus voice as Jonathan caressed the side of my face.

"You know, Clarissa," he said slowly, "I know you are thinking about that Angel Boy right now."

Jonathan's words about Jace caught my attention, but I forced myself to think about Magnus.

Hurry up! I yelled. Come here!

I'll be there immediately.

"Do not bother calling him," Jonathan continued. His hand felt cold as he rubbed my cheeks, "You won't see him again."

Magnus! Now I practically screamed. It was hard for me to concentrate while Jonathan told me the possibilities that I couldn't see Jace anymore. When will you really come here?!

At that time, all what I felt was Jonathan bent and brushed his lips toward my cheek. So smooth and careful.

"Wait here, Clarissa," he said softly. His breath hit my face, "I'll come to pick you up, and that time, you'll be the first person to hear the good news, that the world finally free from tha Clave's grip."

I was dazzled. Very very dazzled till I wanted to puke. As if from a great distance I heard Magnus returned my call.

Now, Clary.

The next thing I felt was a tremor.

This house was shaking as if someone was drilling the walls in order to broke it.

That's all for now. I am writing the last two chapter right now and I hope I could post it as soon as possible. :)