Uhm. Wow? Thanks to everyone who has reviewed! It's fantastic to see that the cliffhanger did exactly what it was supposed to do xD

ICraveYou - You think you know, huh? Well, you might want to think again lol
ilyreid - lol Well they did have a sweet moment :) But what the blood in her system means, I don't know, keep reading? ;)
RonaldGarcia91 - Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe it's even something entirely different ;)
AlejandraMartinez - "Eww" covers it pretty good I think. I really didn't want to be Simon in that last scene.
Lily1111 - I'm always trying to :)
musicules1923 - lool I nearly laughed out loud when I read the beginning of your review (considering I was at work that would have been hard to explain xD). Thank you soo much! I'm glad I found the right amount :) Refering to your question, I'll have to go with "Maybe, Maybe not" again ;)
TheLittleRoguex - I understand why you would think that^^ Can I ask what changed your mind?
Whip and Fangs - Aww I'm so glad you are so exited over this fic!

Okay, so this chapter is like really really long. I had trouble to stop writing this time xD Anyway I hope you enjoy it! Things are going to take a different direction from now on.

CITY OF CRYING ANGELS
chapter nine: Gone

Simon felt the urge to throw up and Isabelle, by the look of her face, didn't seem to be far behind him on that matter.

"That's... impossible." she said but swallowed hard.

"I know but... it's true. I could never forget the way his blood tasted and right now your's tastes just like that. I mean, not completely, obviously... but it's definitely there."

Isabelle frowned and looked disgusted. "I think I'm gonna be sick."

Tell me about it, Simon thought but since this wouldn't help the situation he kept it to himself. Instead he said: "We have to tell Magnus."

"Why, because he's your answer to everything?" Isabelle snapped at him.

"Uhm..." He sensed this was one of those situations where there was not right answer. He could either go with wrong or really wrong. "Kind of, yeah. Why is this bothering you all over sudden?"

She took a deep breath, ran her hands through her hair and started pacing through the room. "It doesn't... I'm sorry. I don't know why I said that. I just... don't understand any of this." When she stopped pacing around she sat down on his the edge of his bed and buried her face in her hands.

Simon sat next to her and put an arm around her. "I don't understand it either. But we're going to figure this out. Of course when I say we I mean Magnus." Something was happening to Isabelle, that bastard was responsible for it and it needed to stop!

When Simon thought about what to do next when his phone started ringing. He got up, walked over to his nightstand and picked up. "Hello?"

"Wake me up before you go go." Ah... Magnus obviously had decided to spare Simon from actually singing and had just spoken the words.

He wasn't all too sure what he was supposed to say in response, all they had talked about was what Magnus would say. Therefore he went for: "'cause... I'm not planning on... going solo?"

Isabelle looked up and her expression made it pretty clear that she was very much questioning his sanity right now. Simon helplessly shrugged his shoulders while Magnus said: "Remind me to check your brain some time. Something is seriously wrong with it."

"I wasn't the one who suggested WHAM as a secret code!"

"It's not my fault your taste in music is rotten."

"Taste in music or in George Michael?"

When Magnus spoke Simon heard that he had a grin on his lips. "Give me some credit, will you?" The grin then vanished. "I just wanted to tell you, Alec and I are going to drop by in a couple of minutes. Alec has found a solution to the Jace-Sebastian-Problem." he sounded very proud as he said that, because Alec seemed to have figured all of that out.

"Seriously?" Simon almost felt his heart beating faster in excitement – this must have been the same thing when people had phantom limb pains. Feeling something that was definitely not there.

"Do you really think I would joke about something like that? There is, however, a small catch to the plan, you see..."

This didn't sound too good, Simon thought. "Which is...?"

"It might kill you. For good, this time."

: : : : : :

"You really need to work on your definition of a small catch!" Simon said as soon as Magnus and Alec arrived. He tried to ignore the alarm they triggered but it was very hard to not press his hands against his ears – which, of course, would be pointless, since the alarm was inside his head.

"I don't have to work on anything. I am perfection as it is. And since I have not told you everything yet, I ask you calm down and maybe offer us some seats. Up until now you haven't been the greatest host."

They all sat down at the kitchen and Simon tried to ignore that fact that Alec kept looking around with a look on his face that seemed to say And People live here? On purpose? Sometimes he really didn't think he liked him. When Isabelle came in his feelings toward Alec turned to sympathy. Alec got up immediately, walking over to his sister. "Izzy... how are you?"

But all she managed to do was to give him the hint of a smile. "Fine." She sat down and left Alec behind, like he was some kind of idiot. When he turned around Simon tried very hard to ignore the hurt-puppy-expression Alec had going on now. He of course failed – it was conspicuous.

"Before I forget" Magnus said, got up and gave Simon a bag. "Jordan dropped this off earlier. It's the blood you still had in his apartment. He though you might need it and I agree. You don't look too healthy." Simon nodded but said nothing. He couldn't even thank him, because he couldn't help the thought that the reason he didn't look to healthy was because of what he had just discovered about Isabelle's blood. He wished he'd had an opportunity of talking to Magnus in private to tell him about the blood thing. To be honest, he wanted Alec to know it, too... but there wasn't a way to tell him that without telling him everything and Isabelle didn't want that.

Simon sat down next to Isabelle when Magnus started talking. "Alright. Like I already told you, my super intelligent and attractive boyfriend", Magnus began but Alec didn't blush, as Simon half expected. In fact Alec didn't even appear to pay attention to Magnus at all, he seemed pissed off. "has found a way of cutting the umbilical cord between Jace and Sebastian. We have re-thought the idea of summoning an Angel. Now, it is impossible for at least three of us to survive such a thing. But then there's you" he looked at Simon, who froze. "And your Mark of Cain." now he pointed to his forehead and all over sudden Simon felt like his forehead was a person by itself.

"No!" Isabelle protested. "That's insane! We don't know if the Mark of Cain will protect him against an actual Angel! Alec, how can you even suggest that?"

"Because it's the only way we have to get our hands on a weapon that might separate Jace from Sebastian!"

"Might! Might, Alec, that's exactly it! There's no guarantee the Angel will even help us!"

While Isabelle got back to her old self and fought with Alec Simon had fallen silent and lost on his thoughts. It wasn't until Magnus said: "What do you think about this?" when he looked up again.

"He thinks it's suicide." Isabelle answered for him.

"And I think he can speak for himself." Magnus said.

There was a moment of silence when everyone was waiting for Simon to say something. "I... I think that's a good idea." Isabelle gasped but before she could say anything he turned to her and added: "Iz, it's not suicide. Maybe a little world-wearly, insane, attempted suicide at most. But the Mark has protected me against everything else so far."

"Actually" Magnus tossed in. "she has a point. The Mark is a protection of Heaven, I can't guarantee you that it will protect you against Heaven. In fact I can't even tell you I'm sure it will. It's 50/50 really."

Simon took a deep breath – which he didn't even notice this time – before he said: "Well... if we get the weapon we can kill Sebastian with, this nightmare will be over. If we don't get it Sebastian is going to win and in the long run I am going to die anyway, right? So... 50 is really better than zero. I'll do it."

He felt Isabelle jerking beside him but didn't dare to look at her.

Magnus smiled. "I'm proud of you, Sawyer."

Without another word Isabelle took Simon by his arm, forced him to stand up and nearly pushed him out of the kitchen and back into his room.

The moment the door closed Isabelle turned around, had her arms crossed and asked: "Are you doing this because of what he did?"

"Magnus? Yes, I think it's really nice of him to bring me the blood. I figured I'd pay him back by risking my life. – No, Isabelle, this is not because of what Sebastian did! I mean, sure, it doesn't exactly make me not want to do it either, but it's not the reason."

"Then why?"

"Because of the reason I said. There's a bigger picture here, Izzy. If we don't stop Sebastian there's not telling how many will die. We have a chance to find something that can kill him without killing Jace. We have to take it."

"You're starting to sound like Jace. I want to kill Sebastian as well but not at the expense of you!"

Simon suddenly felt really bad about doing a good thing. Looking at Isabelle made it feel like this was actually insane and the worst decision he could have made. He'd leave her alone. If the Mark didn't work and the Angel decided he didn't like him he'd leave Isabelle alone with… all of this. He wasn't worried about dying (at least not as much as one would assume), he was worried how Izzy would handle it, especially after everything she's been through already. She'd said it herself – in this situation he was the only one who kept her from falling apart. Though he was sure, if she told her brother, he'd be able to help her as well.

As she looked at him her eyes got a certain shine. Simon walked over to her and, resisting the urge to take her into his arms, ended up placing his hands on her arms. "I'm not half as suicidal as Jace, believe me. But from all of us I am the only one who has a real chance of surviving this. It has to be me."

Isabelle swallowed. He knew that understanding the situation wasn't the problem here – it was accepting that Simon might die. He wasn't too keen of that thought either but it was a risk he had to take. "If something happens to you I'm going to kick your ass."

Simon lightly smiled. "Knock yourself out."

: : : : : :

"I'm still not sure you should be here." Alec said, looking at Isabelle.

They were standing in front of Luce's farm house. After Simon had drunken some blood Magnus had created a portal to bring them here. The lake near to it was big enough to summon an Angel, plus, there weren't many people living in this area. It was the perfect place, but even the fact that he knew this area very well didn't make him feel better about what he was going to do. He was scared like hell... he didn't admit this to anyone but he was. Of course he was, he was going to summon an Angel for crying out loud!

"Considering what happened the last time you left me behind I don't really care about what you're sure of." Isabelle snapped at her brother and for a moment Simon thought Alec would fall into silence. To his surprise, he didn't. He actually got mad.

"You won't even tell me what happened! You tell everyone but me! I'm not stupid, Isabelle, I know you told Simon and even Magnus! I'm you're brother and I'm the only one you don't tell!"

Isabelle looked at him with a steady face and Simon forgot about the book in his hands. Magnus, who had started to explain to him what to do about a minute ago, looked taken aback, he might have forgotten about Simon completely. He obviously hadn't known that Alec had figured out he knew about what happened to Isabelle until now. Of course, that did explain Alec's mood. They both knew why Isabelle couldn't tell Alec of all people but if they were to say something Izzy would kill them before the Angel got a shot.

"Oh, are you feeling left out? I'm so sorry for you. That must be so awful." Isabelle said and Simon frowned. Why was she this mean to him?

He had a feeling Isabelle was about to say something she'd regret later, therefore he decided to let everyone know he was still there. The best way to do his was always to make a bad joke. Looking at the book again he said: "I don't know about this. It looks very complicated. Is there a chance I'll end up in Knockturn Alley or something when I get it wrong?"

Magnus seemed glad for the change of topic. "What are you asking me for, I've never used it myself. I don't know anyone who has either."

"So how do you even know it'll work?"

"Huh. Good point."

Simon wasn't sure if he was kidding or not but he didn't dare to ask. He had also given up the hope to find a moment to talk to Magnus alone, about Isabelle's blood. Leaving her and Alec alone like this might end bad.

"Alright... I'm off then."

Isabelle looked at him again, hesitated for a moment and then walked over to him. "I still can't say I'm happy you're doing this." she said in a monotone voice. "But get that weapon. We need it."

He nodded. "I know." He was about to promise it to her he didn't want to make a promise he might not be able to keep.

Simon tried to give her an encouraging smile but knew it came out nervous, when he turned around to walk away. Isabelle suddenly grabbed his arm – so hard, it actually hurt – and looked at him out of scared eyes. Very scared. Panicked, really.

"Simon, don't-" She broke off. The panic in her eyes was gone – but there was confusion in his.

"Izzy?" he asked.

She looked at him for a moment, as if she was confused herself but recovered quickly and lightly smiled "I'm fine. You can go."

This time he hesitated.

"I'm not alone. I will be okay... the sooner you leave the sooner you'll be back."

Magnus stepped forward and Simon managed to look away from Izzy. Seeing him nodding made him feel a bit better about leaving her behind. Also, he saw respect in Magnus' eyes. That wasn't something you saw everyday, but of course the Magnus didn't bring himself to say something meaningful. All he said was: "Try not to die."

Alec, still worked up, said: "And don't make any jokes. I'm not sure the Angel will get your humor."

"Well, if he's anything like you he won't."

"I highly doubt Angel's are gay and too chicken to come out for 18 years." said Isabelle and if Simon didn't knew better he'd think she said that only to hurt her brother, but she'd never do that. Of course, intention or not, Alec was obviously hurt by that and Isabelle didn't even look at him.

Simon felt bad for leaving the group behind like this but he was counting on Magnus to defuse the tension between the siblings. If anyone could do it it was Magnus – but then again, Alec seemed to be mad at him as well. That had been foreseeable, but still, Simon felt bad for Magnus. All he had been doing was respecting Isabelle's wishes, as had Simon. They still both did, none of them had told Alec what'd happened.

Right now, however, he had other problems to worry about. He stepped into the lake and did as Magnus had told him. It was all over very quickly and afterwards Simon wasn't sure he remembered all too much of it... looking back it seemed like a dream or a hallucination. The Angel, Raziel, had appeared and lectured him about summoning him. But they had come to an agreement – Raziel would give him the sword of the Angel Raphael, which would enable them to kill Sebastian without hurting Jace, if Simon gave up the Mark of Cain. Simon had been paralyzed by fear but had taken the offer. What the Angel hadn't mentioned, of course, was that he'd knock him off his feet taking away the Mark. When Simon woke up Raziel was gone but, as promised, he had left a sword with him.

"Simon!" It was Isabelle. He sat up and saw her running towards him. "It worked! You've got it!"

Something was wrong about this. Where were Alec and Magnus? And Isabelle asked him about the sword when he had just been knocked out by an Angel, he could have been dead. "Yeah... it did." He stood up, holding on the sword. "I'm fine, by the way."

Isabelle stopped and gave him a smile. "Yes, I can see that. That's great. But what happened? Why did he attack you?"

"He-" Simon hesitated. Something was holding him back to tell Izzy about the Mark. She wouldn't be able to see it through his hair – or more likely, to not see it – therefore he'd have to tell her. "He wasn't happy that a Downworlder dared to summon him. And I have to say, message received..." That was true. Every bone in his body seemed to hurt (if bones could hurt but it sure felt like it).

"Well, you're alive. That's what matters. Can I see it?"

He swallowed. "Why?"

"Duh – because I've never seen an Angel's sword for real?"

There was nothing right about Isabelle right now. It made him feel sick inside to even talk to her but he couldn't quite tell why... was it the blood? Was it making her act this way? "Where are the others?"

"Who?"

"Uhm... you're brother and his boyfriend?"

"Oh. They went inside the house to get some stuff."

"What stuff?"

For a very long moment Isabelle simply looked at him and then – then it wasn't Isabelle anymore. Well, it was, of course, but it wasn't. It was hard to explain but her whole expression changed and she stopped trying to pretend to be his Izzy. Who, right now, she wasn't.

She exhaled in annoyance. "You ask way too many questions." Even her voice sounded different and he now realized that she had been different ever since they had arrived here. That was what had been bothering him about her before...

"You know. This could have been much easier. For the both of us."

Simon backed away from her. His instincts told him she was going to attack him. Which, of course, would be stupid, since she thought he still had the Mark. "What do you care? You're not Isabelle!"

"Oh, but I am. Well – sort of."

Suddenly – Simon didn't even know what was happened, he felt the sword being taken from him. He didn't see who did it at first, but the person carefully avoided trying to hurt him at any time but also didn't give him chance to defend the sword. It was a perfect attack, which wasn't an attack and when Simon turned around he knew how that was possible.

"Jace!" his voice was barely a whisper but walking over to Isabelle, Jace ignored him completely.

He looked at Isabelle with the most loving expression on his face. "Izzy..."

Isabelle smiled at him. "Jace. It's good to see you again." He hugged her and Simon saw that the look on her face went cold and calculating, the moment Jace couldn't see it anymore.

"You're him?" Simon asked Isabelle and they parted. "Sebastian?"

She laughed. It was a cold and mocking laugh. "And here I thought you'd be smart enough to tell a boy from a girl." She then turned to Jace. "You're here to take me home, aren't you?"

Jace nodded and took her hand. "Yes. Clary is really looking forward to see you!"

Simon's stomach ached by the mention of Clary and the thought of Isabelle going to Sebastian right now. Even if he knew it wasn't his Izzy anymore.

"Clary would be even more thrilled to see me." he said and Jace looked at him, honestly confused.

"We didn't think you'd want to come."

"He doesn't." Isabelle said. "You know how he is... he follows me around everywhere. Like a puppy." She looked at Simon out of the coldest eyes and this time he really thought he might vomit.

Jace shrugged his shoulders. "You can't come. I'm sorry, Simon. But I'll tell Clary you said hi!"

"I'd rather you tell her I said that I promise to find and kill Sebastian. And that I stopped caring whether or not it'll effect you as well. " Simon wasn't sure if he really thought so but right now in this moment – he meant it. "He took away Clary. He took away Isabelle. I will not let this stand. That's a promise."

"That's a joke!" Isabelle said. "Even if you were able to find him, there's nothing you could do. You're nothing but a puppet, Simon. You all are. Up until now you've all done exactly what he had wanted you to do. And that won't change. No matter what you do... what brilliant plan you make up to defeat him – it's what he wants you to come up with. Keep that in mind. He's always ten steps ahead of you. If you accept that and walk away from all of this... you might even survive."

He snorted. "Like you care."

There was a long pause in which Jace used some glittering powder and a rune to create a portal. Simon didn't even ask how that was possible... he was tired of asking questions he would never get an answer to.

"I do." she finally said and stepped into the portal. It closed, after Jace went through, leaving Simon behind, who fell down on his knees, staring helplessly at the place where the portal had been.

Isabelle was gone.

The story's hit a pretty dark point, I know :( YES, it breaks my heart as well...
Bright side: We've reached the main plot by now which means now Team Good can start working on a way to get out of it. Let's hope they find it, hm?

Please remember to leave a review!