Chapter Twenty-two: Ugh, Again?

I just finished telling Mum what had happened when I heard a scream. It came from upstairs; Izzy jumped us and ran to the elevator, Mum and I followed. 'You two stay here!' I called back to Raphael and Dad. I was about to go into the elevator when I felt someone grab my arm; it was Dad.

'Son, I'm sorry about everything.' I didn't have time for this; I needed to know what was happening upstairs.

'Dad it's fine, I need to go, I'll be back in a minute.' Dad let go of my arm and I walked into the elevator. As the doors closed I saw Dad's face, it looked like he was sad.

'Who screamed?' Izzy asked Jace and Magnus. They were standing outside Jace's room.

'Clary, she won't let us near her, she asked us if we could give her a minute so she can change into one of my shirts, because of the blood. So we left the room and now she won't let us back in.' Izzy walked up to the door and knocked. This is why I left Dad downstairs? Ugh.

'Clary? It's Izzy will you let me in?'

'No! Leave me alone! All of you!'

'Why won't you let us in?'

'Because I don't want to see any of yous! Now leave!' Izzy turned to us and shrugged.

'Maybe we should just leave her and come back later, when she's calmed down.' Jace looked like he was going to argue but then thought better of it. This must be hard for him.

'We must get back to Raphael and Dad.' I said and started heading towards the elevator.

'Alec, wait up.' It was Magnus; I slowed my pace so he could catch up. 'How are you? You haven't talked much tonight.'

'I'm fine.'

'Alec, I can tell you're not fine.' I didn't say anything. 'Alec?'

'Hold the elevator.' I looked up to see Jace walking towards us.

Ding. The doors opened, we stepped out and headed to the kitchen where we left Dad and Raphael. Jace pushed open the door; what waited on the other side was chaos. Dad was holding someone by the neck and had them pressed up against the wall. I couldn't see the face, because Dad's head was in the way. 'Raphael! What's going on?' I asked a little scared of the answer.

'There was someone spying through the window and your father brought him inside.

'Who is it?'

'Robert could you please put him down?' Dad did and stepped aside, I gasped. It was Marius, again! Man, I wish he would stop stalking Magnus! I'm getting sick of seeing him. He looked scared to death; I wouldn't blame him, he was just held by the neck and pressed against a wall by a crazed fledgling.