Chapter 8

I turned to run but I was surrounded by men. I gave up, letting my arms fall loosely to my side. Two of the men grabbed an arm each and dragged me in the path of the Inquisitor. I heard Jace shouting in the background, Maryse trying to calm him. It would be better for his safety if I was locked away. The Inquisitor led the way to a portal and I stepped through, we landed straight in Idris. I was blindfolded, had a binding rune put on me and loaded into a carriage. I felt the carriage pull away as they took me toward the jail.

For a moment I was stunned at what had just happened. Could they arrest her like that? She hadn't even done anything wrong.

"LET HER GO! SHE HASN'T DONE ANYTHING!" I yelled at the men taking her away, I earned a cold glare from the Inquisitor before she led the way out of the Institution. I tried to follow but two guys stood in front of me. "What're you doing? Move."

"Jace, she's Valentine's daughter. She has to be supervised" Maryse's voice was calm, meant to be soothing but it made me angrier.

"How could you Maryse? She's just like us. She hates Valentine, she killed him!" I saw shock flash over the men's faces.

"Then she has committed a crime, hasn't she Jace?" I growled in frustration.

"Like you wouldn't have killed him if you had the chance." At least let me go to Idris. After what you have done you owe me that, Maryse."

"No. You can't, Jace. I know you and you'll do something stupid." I sat on the ground and watched the guys walk the same exit as the Inquisitor. And Clary. I had to help her. I was thinking of a plan when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up into Alec's blue eyes.

"C'mon, Jace we're going to Idris." I laughed humourlessly.

"And how are we going to get there, Alec?" He blushed deep crimson and I raised my eyebrow.

"Two words. Magnus Bane."

I was so cold and hurt; they had beaten me around a bit then chucked me in this horrible cell. Luckily there was a window of which I could look out onto a beautiful field. But I was too sad to look at the moment; I was curled up in a ball with my cheek resting on the cell bars. I had come to ignore the guards' nasty remarks about me. Now the only thing that stopped me from giving up was those beautiful amber eyes of Jace Wayland. It was like I could hear his voice now. Calling my name, maybe I'd hit my head a little harder than I thought. I had blood on my cheek and forehead, but I didn't have my stele so I couldn't heal myself. The evil guard wouldn't give me a rune either, he seemed to be hoping I died. I closed my eyes and listened. The steady breathing of the guard, the wind rustling through the trees and people murmuring outside the cell window, probably just the Clave deciding how to torture or kill me.

"Jace, let me try." Isabelle? I got up and made my way over.

"Izzy? What are you doing here?" I whispered. My throat was killing and it hurt to speak. I didn't know when- if I was going to get anything to drink.

"Clary?" His gorgeous face was at the window but I stepped back into the shadows. "Don't hide from me, Clary. Please."

"You shouldn't be here." Although my voice was quiet I was worried the guard would hear. "Thanks for the visit but you better had leave. The Clave will be back soon." I saw Jace frown and wondered how they got here. I didn't think Maryse would let them nor would the Inquisitor.

"We've come to rescue you, Clary. C'mon. Come out of the shadows." Alec's face appeared next to Jace's. I sighed and moved toward the window.

"What did they do to you Clary?" I shrugged, the details were a bit patchy. "I need you to draw a rune to get these bars off. Here's a pen and paper."

"I can't, sorry. Just go before you get caught." I knew my voice sounded drained but I couldn't put them in danger.

"You say somethin', you redhead bitch?" Damn, I had disturbed the guard.

"Yes, you're ugly and I hate you." I replied.

"Right, that's it. You're getting it now."

"Oh, really? Bring it." I put my hands on my hips and breathed deeply, trying to get as much energy as I could. The guard unlocked the cell door and walked in. He went to hit me with a rod which I easily dodged. "Bitch, please."

"Keep still you stupid rat." I laughed and danced around him. He turned in circles getting dizzy. When he paused I snatched the keys from him and ran out the cell. I locked him in and then got my stele and seraph blade from the table.

"Boy, go fetch the Clave. Tell 'em the filthy Morgenstern has escaped." I heard a grow before I heard Jace say "That's my girl you're talking about." I almost froze at what he said but I needed any spare time I could get, so I ran up the stairs and out the back.

I got outside and ran straight into the Lightwoods.

"Nice show, Clary. Now what you gonna do?" Jace was looking at me all smug as if to say 'you've run out of plans'.

"I'd love to stay and chat but I'm running late. So Mr Arrogant, I'm going say goodbye." Isabelle and Alec laughed at what I called Jace but soon realised I was leaving.

"Clary, we have four horses waiting to get you out of here. You'll have to ride with Jace or Seb though." Isabelle informed me. Jace smirked but I flipped him off and walked toward the woods. When I got close enough I whistled loudly.

"Well done, Clary. Just let everyone know your whereabouts!" Jace yelled, I rolled my eyes and waited. Sure enough my beautiful white shire horse Argo cantered out and headed toward me. He got in front of me and bowed his head; I stroked his cheek lovingly and whispered to him how I'd missed him. He leant down and I climbed onto his back, gathering up the reins I rode into the woods. I heard thundering behind me and looked to see the Lightwoods following.

"Nice horse, Clary." Sebastian cantered up next to me, his horse was a black Arab. I patted Argo's neck and looked out for Finn.

"You have to either go ahead or bugger off, okay?" I said to everyone else. Argo slowed to a trot and then went to walk. Everyone shook their heads and sighed. "Okay, why not?"

"It's dangerous and we don't want you to be alone." I groaned.

"Okay, one person can come with me the rest have to wait somewhere else."

"I'll go with you" Sebastian and Jace said at the same time.

"Clary, I'll go with you." Alec said I nodded and told the others to go. Isabelle and Seb did but Jace stayed stubborn git. "Jace I won't let anyone hurt her."

"Pffft. I'll be protecting you." I replied matter-of-factly.

"But I want to go with you, Clary." I sighed and hissed a fine. I jumped off of Argo and told him to go wait elsewhere and look after Alec and Jace's horses.

"Ooh, we could have a threesome." Alec and myself shot Jace a glare. "I was joking, she's all mine, Alec." I huffed.

"Jace if you don't shut up I'll get Argo to trample you. He'd enjoy it, shh." I crouched to the ground and looked around. There were more fresh tracks. Moving forward silently, I kept look out for Finn. I saw him crouching on the opposite side aiming an arrow at Jace. I shook my head and he lowered the bow. After making sure we were the only people around I run to Finn and threw my arms around his neck.

"You okay?" He asked in his gorgeous irish accent. "I'm sorry, I heard that they were planning on getting you but not... so soon. Oh, Clary. Your face."

"I'm fine, Finn. Do you have my bow and the key?" He handed them over and I thanked him. I heard a throat being cleared. "Oh and this is Alec and Jace." I pointed to them when I said their names.

"Yeah, hi. You better get going, Clary. I can meet you there later and bring," he looked at Jace " the other thing." I rolled my eyes, that wasn't obvious.

"Flin, how do you know my girlfriend?" Jace said. Finn rose an eyebrow and I just gave a 'what can you do' shrug.

"It's Finn. And the rest is none of your business." I huffed and threw my hands in the air.

"C'mon guys. Jace stop scowling, Finn stop looking so obnoxious and Alec... Why can't they be like you!" I laughed with Alec and whistled. The horses arrived back and we mounted, I waved goodbye to Finn. He blew a kiss and winked. Laughing, I squeezed Argo's belly. He reared and we started to canter.

"By the Angel! What took you so long!"Isabelle cried, shrugging I jumped off.

"You guys really shouldn't be around me. You could get in trouble." Everyone sighed or rolled their eyes.

"Clary can I talk to you?" Jace asked. "Alone." I nodded and followed him away from the others.

"What's wrong, Jace?" I asked, he looked worried.

"You really scared me. I'm so- I shouldn't have let them take you in the first place. I wanted to come after you but Maryse wouldn-"

"Jace don't worry. It's fine." Well it was until they came along. Seeing Jace's face made me realise how much I wanted to live and see that face more. I had to go to the Clave tonight and talk to them, if they try to take me to jail again I'll kill them or die trying.

"What are you planning, red?" I laughed, I must be like a book. "No seriously, I don't wanna save your arse again..." He did a fake stern expression.

"Good, I don't want you to." I poked my tongue out, Jace leaned in and licked it. I squeeled.

"Ew! Jace, why!" He chuckled and pulled me to him. I pulled back to look into his beautiful eyes. "You have to let me go. It's too dangerous. You could get killed." I jerked back and walked to the others.

"Clary? What's wrong? Are you- are you crying?" I laughed humourlessly and shook my head. I hadn't realised I'd been crying until then.

"Tut tut, Clarissa. Endangering other Shadow hunters," a cold voice cut through the awkward silence. "Jace will not be harmed if you come to the jail by tomorrow morning, if you don't however..." The Inquisitor dragged a nail across her throat, I gulped. No way was Jace getting hurt. She turned on her heel and left.

"By the angel! What're we going to doo!" Isabelle wailed.

"We have to come up with a plan" Alec said in his calm voice.

"'We' don't have to do anything." I looked around, wait a second. "Where's Sebastian?" Isabelle and Alec looked around and shrugged. I whistled and Argo came striding toward me. Greeting my friend I rubbed his cheek. I mounted up and was about to leave when I turned back to the Lightwoods.

"Get everything ready, food, water, clothes, etc and wait here. Jace will be back. Be ready to make a quick exit. Thank you for everything. And be careful." Argo cantered off and I ignored Izzy's pleas.

We made it to the Accords Hall in record time, I loaded myself up with weapons from Argo's saddlebag. I put on a black cloak with a hood and covered my face. I let Argo hover around, I'd need him to get Jace out of here.

I walked up the steps and swung the big doors open. Much to my delight they caused a massive crash. Heads turned and whispered buzzed in to room. I stalked up to the platform where the Inquisitor and other important court members sat.

"Ah, Clarissa. So nice for you to join us, I assume you know the crimes." I pulled my hood down and met her evil gaze.

"I had a wanker of a father that everyone in this room would've killed if they could've. Except I did that. But apparently I'm a threat. I haven't done anything wrong but it can go this way if you want."

"Guards!" The inquisitor ordered. Just before they pounced on me I pulled out my bow and shot them.

"Choose your moves wisely, Imogen." I snapped.

"No, you do that Clarissa. Jace will take the consequences of your actions."

"Arghhh! How do I know you have him? I've been lured here." I knew she had him but it was all part of my plan.

"Bring the boy. Maryse don't do anything stupid." The bitch's harsh words make me want to smack her. I heard a rustle and looked behind to see Jace being pulled around by a guard. I grabbed my throwing knife and chucked it at the guard. It landed in his head and he fell to the ground. I ran over to Jace and grabbed his arm pulling him to the doors.

"Argo!" I called, the Shire horse arrived immediately. I pushed Jace to get on and once he was on I spoke to my horse. I told him exactly where to go. Then I turned to Jace, I got the necklace from my neck and put it in his cold hand.

"Clary, wait-" He started but I smacked Argo's backside and he cantered to the wood. I watched as Jace disappeared into the woods, trying to make Argo turn around.

"Goodbye, Jace." I whispered. I heard the shouts of the people of the Clave gaining; I was going to be killed. I should be wanting to fight, survive. But all I could think was 'at least Jace and the Lightwoods are safe'. I was seized by the rough hands of the guards who then started dragging me to the Accords Hall to most likely be executed.