Guest - Thank you!
ICraveYou - Told you it was obvious :) I think you're going to feel the same way about how I'm unraveling everything else.
1wayoranother - Aww thank you! Why the Cliffhangers... see, the thing is, I don't chose them. They call out to me xD Oh, I'm so sorry you're going to have to find another way to stay sane because this fanfic is ending soon!
musicrules1923 - All your questions will be answered in this Chapter :) And thank you!
RonaldGarcia91 - That's right, no one's able to hold back a greater demon for long. As for Alec, you'll see what he does in this Chapter!
ilyreid - 'I'm sorry lol But I'll stop doing it soon, after all this is the last Chapter.
sam - Thank you so much :)
Cassiel Lorna - Thanks!

Okay, so this is the last Chapter. There is going to be an Epilogue, though, so it's not quite the ending yet.

CITY OF CRYING ANGELS
chapter sixteen: Ice and Fire

"What?!"

Jace nearly yelled at Sebastian. In that moment Alec thought he old Jace was back... but of course, he wasn't. Even the Jace he was now cared about Clary. But enough to save her if Sebastian didn't tell him to? Jace was supposed to care about Alec as well and yet he had still killed Magnus, because Sebastian had ordered him to.

"You can't be serious?"

Sebastian simply waved at him. "Oh relax. He would never do it... no matter how desperate he is." He looked at Alec again, although it felt more like he was looking right through him. "Even if he wanted to and, believe me, a part of him does... you killed Magnus. Killing Clary would really just be payback."

Alec said nothing in reply.

"Let's face it, Alexander… even if you manage to defeat us, which you won't. Your friendship with Jace is ruined because there will always be this little voice inside of your head, telling you that he got away with killing your boyfriend. And, no matter how the circumstances were… that it's just not fair. So if you think about it… isn't it better to let us win? There will be no voice inside of your head torturing you, then…"

"You're right." Alec said. "There won't. Because there won't be anything of my head left, as well."

Shrugging his shoulders Sebastian said: "It doesn't matter what you do. Like you said... you and the Vampire are all that's left. And there is absolutely nothing you can do against us. So either you kill Clary now and you die or you don't kill her and you die... it really doesn't matter."

"I think it does." Alec pointed out. "You care about Clary. Your sick twisted mind wants her to be yours and once she's dead... that can't happen. Ever." He saw a flicker of rage in Sebastian's eyes and pressed the knife harder against Clary's neck. "That's a pretty troubling thought, isn't it?"

"Don't let him do this..." Jace said. Sebastian's mind was obviously racing but he didn't say anything. He was probably still trying to figure out if Alec was truly capable of killing Clary just to hurt him... if he was able to take an innocent life to get back at Sebastian.

The truth was: Alec was capable of doing so. A couple of days ago he didn't think he would be, but he realized now that he was. Of course there was a difference of the things people were capable of and the choices they made. Choices, based on morals, were the only thing separating them from wild animals.

However, right now, he had made the choice to stall.

At no point had he wanted to kill Clary. All he needed to do was buy Simon as much time as possible, hoping he'd succeed. And maybe this would even lead to him gain the sword... if he scared Sebastian enough, maybe he'd give in.

Clary sobbed when Alec cut the soft skin of her neck. He was sorry to do this to her, to scare her like this, but he hadn't a chance to explain his spontaneous plan to her.

"How would you prefer her to die, Sebastian?" he asked. "Should I just... slit her throat, so you can watch her bleed to death? Or maybe..." he moved the knife so the top of it now touched her neck. "... I should run the knife right though her windpipe. Make her choke to death. It'll be faster. I'm not sure which is more painful, though..."

Sebastian swallowed. Alec could almost see his mind changing about his prediction of what Alec was about to do. "If you do this-"

"What?" Alec cut in. "You're going to kill me? You made it pretty clear that you're going to do that anyway, so I might as well take her down with me. Like you said: It really doesn't matter what I do."

If looks could kill Alec would drop dead twice – one time because of Sebastian and the other one because of Jace. Speaking of; Jace turned to Sebastian instantly, begging: "Do something!"

Before Sebastian could say or do anything Alec asked: "Why don't you do something, Jace?"

His Parabatai looked at him as if he'd just said fire could freeze someone. To him, obviously, the thought of doing something, without Sebastian having told him to, was simply unimaginable.

"You can always try and get me away from Clary. Look at him... he's not going to do anything. Before he admits defeat he's going to let her die... do you really want that?"

Jace swallowed hard but in the next moment Sebastian acted. Maybe he was afraid that Alec would get through to Jace, maybe he was tired of getting referred to as the guy who'd let his sister die. Alec didn't know what Sebastian's motivation was, but he took the sword out of Jace' hands.

"What do you really want, Alec?" he asked. "Let's say you get the sword. What then? You're going to kill me with it? Because that's not going to help the situation with your sister."

Alec ignored everything Sebastian had said when he asked: "What do you want it for?"

Sebastian frowned but didn't reply.

"You don't, do you? It's all Lilith... Lilith wanted the sword. Do you have any idea why? Has she ever told you?" Simon had told Alec all about Lilith's true plan but by the look on Sebastian's face he had no idea about what that was.

"She doesn't need to explain herself to me."

"Funny. Isn't that what Jace thinks about you? And what is Jace again... oh yeah: A willingness slave."

Sebastian breathed heavily, staring at Alec with anger in his eyes. "Stop talking." His voice was trembling. He was obviously fighting to contain himself.

"Why? This is what you are to her... don't you realize that? You're a puppet in her real agenda. A replaceable one, even. She doesn't love you. No one ldoes. And no one ever will. Not Clary... not Jace... not your real mother and not the one you think of as your mother. The only way you can ever experience love, even appreciation... is when you complete the Infernal Cup and have your own little army of puppets. But even if you succeed, even then no one is going to love you. So if you're going to kill me... that's fine. Do you want to know why? Because I had people in my life who actually cared about me and loved me for who I am."

At that Sebastian snapped. Alec could see it in his eyes before he actually moved – the anger became rage so fast, Alec could only just push Clary out of the way before Sebastian yelled and leaped at Alec. He stumbled backwards, trying to avoid getting hit by the sword, because they still needed it, it couldn't be wasted on him. But Alec had forgotten about the bed behind him, his attempt to move away ended in him falling on it.

Sebastian lifted the sword over him, madness reflecting in his eyes. "Say hi to Magnus from me." He lunged back and the next thing Alec saw was the sword rushing down on him.

"JONATHAN!"

The sword stopped, only a few inches over Alec's chest. When he breathed his chest actually touched the top of the sword.

The voice had been Isabelle's... of course that meant it was Lilith. She was suddenly standing next to Jace, looking at Sebastian with disapproval.

Sebastian turned his head around but didn't move the sword away from Alec. "Mother..."

"What do you think you're doing?" Lilith said and slowly walked over to them.

"I... he... he provoked me."

"And that's how we handle provocation? I taught you better than that, Jonathan. And I surely taught you better than to WASTE A VALUABLE SWORD LIKE THAT!" As she yelled Sebastian flinched, but still held it over Alec's chest.

"He deserves to die. It doesn't matter if I use the sword, we don't need it for the Infernal Cup! And he knows about that, he knows!"

Lilith nodded. "I know. The Vampire did, too. Apparently they have managed to talk to Isabelle."

Sebastian frowned. "What? How?"

"I don't know. But it doesn't matter. Not anymore."

"Did you-" Sebastian started to ask when Lilith already answered.

"He's dead. It was his own fault for wanting to talk to me..."

While Clary gasped, Alec's eyes widened. Their plan had failed. If Simon was dead, there was no way of still executing it.

"Now... be a dear and give me the sword. It needs to be put away and not used to kill a Shadowhunter. That's beneath it." She still looked at Sebastian. Alec found it weird that she hadn't looked at him once since she arrived. Not that he wanted her attention but, still.

Sebastian hesitated.

Lilith stepped next to him. "Don't make me mad, Sebastian. Give me the sword. Now."

At that Sebastian took a deep breath and finally moved the sword away from Alec, giving it to Lilith. As she grabbed it he still held on to it, suddenly frowning.

"Did... you just call me Sebastian?"

Alec looked up in surprise. That's right she... had... Lilith never called him that.

She looked at Sebastian for a while before she said: "Right... oops." She then kicked him away from her and the sword.

"But thanks for the sword." She said. As Sebastian stared at her in terror she looked at Alec for the first time. Now he knew why she hadn't before... he'd seen it. He might even have given her away... but the one looking at him was his sister.

Isabelle was back.

"Hey." She said and smiled at him.

Alec smiled back. "Hey? Lilith has taken over your body for days and all you can think of is hey?"

She helped him get up from the bed, shrugging her shoulders. "Be thankful. That was nicer than what Simon got."

Clary walked up to them and asked: "He's not really dead, is he?"

"Don't be silly. He's outside."

While Clary exhaled in relief Sebastian got up again. "I don't understand... how is that possible?"

: : : : : :

"You stupid Vampire. Do you really think you-"

Shut it, Bitch! Isabelle thought and in that very moment clicked back into her own body taking a deep breath. She felt Lilith struggling from the moment she did but fought her off as good as possible.

"Simon, what are you doing?!" she asked and looked at him, her eyes showing desperation. "I can't hold on for long, I told you... and once Lilith is back she's going to kill you!"

The first thing Simon did was smile at her. As good as it was to see that smile again, right now Izzy wanted to punch it right off of his face. They had no time and he just stood there, smiling.

"Simon!"

As if he snapped out of a trance or something he shook his head. "Right, sorry..." Losing the axe, he pulled out something out of the pocket of his pants. "I was just... never mind. Here, take this." He walked over to her and handed her a bottle. "Drink it. It'll destroy Lilith... or at least I hope it will."

Isabelle frowned. "What is it?"

"Do you mind drinking first and ask questions later? Look, just trust me... it's all going to be okay." He looked at her with such confidence that she trusted him immediately.

Don't you dare. She heard Lilith inside of her.

Isabelle smiled, opened the bottle and drank the liquid inside.

From the moment it touched her lips she felt like she had drunken pure ice. Soon, it felt like her entire body was frozen, but she could still move. Isabelle choke and panic fell over her as she realized that she couldn't breath any more. She tried to say Simon's name but nothing came out. Stumbling back she held her stomach as it began to hurt. She soon fell on her knees, hearing herself screaming but she didn't scream herself... it was Lilith.

"Izzy... are you-?" Simon started but Lilith growled at him.

"You are going to pay for that", she said and then screamed again. "I will be back. And then you are going to PAY!"

In less than a second Isabelle's body went from frozen to burning and right when she thought she'd die – it was over.

She opened her eyes (though she didn't remember closing them in the first place) and realized that she was lying on the ground (which, she also didn't remember hitting).

"Izzy? Iz!" Simon was kneeing besides her.

As she moaned he exhaled in relief. "Thank the Angel. For a second there I thought you were dead..."

Izzy frowned and sat up. He instantly enfolded her in his arms and for a moment she just closed her eyes, enjoyed being close to him and returned the hug.

And another moment.

And another.

When she pulled away from him she still felt a little shaky but all in all... she felt normal. Something he hadn't felt in what seemed forever.

"Thank the Angel?" she repeated with a light smile on her lips.

"Well, I have to thank someone and since I can't say the name of you-know-who... and I'm not Voldemort... Besides. Since you drank the Tear of an Angel it's only appropriate."

Isabelle blinked. "I drank what?"

"It's a really long story... now, do you want to hear it, or do you want to go save your brother?"

: : : : : :

Isabelle looked at Sebastian and said: "You tried to mess with Lightwoods. That's how this is possible. We are not to be messed with..."

"But... but everything was going according to the plan..."

"Yeah, well, now it's not. So you can either deal with it, or... what's the other thing... ah of course." she flipped the sword in her hands. "Die. Or, maybe you won't even die... it'll be interesting to see what happens, don't you think?"

When Sebastian looked past her she followed his gaze and saw that Jace had started to move towards them. But Alec quickly jumped at him and pushed him away from them. "Stay out of this."

Jace's eyes were troubled. "I am... trying..."

Clary, who had moved next to Alec but stared at Jace, said: "Alec..."

"I know. I see it, too." he replied. Isabelle did as well. Jace was obviously able to at least try to fight Sebastian's influence. It was probably because Sebastian's in shock. He was losing control...

"Jace..." Clary took a step forward.

Breathing hard Jace took a step backwards. "Stay were you are... I don't..."

"JACE!" Sebastian yelled. "You are going to help me. Do you understand?"

At that Jace looked up and tried to find Sebastian but Clary moved between the two of them and kept staring at Jace. "You don't have to. You're so close... don't give up now."

He shook his head, trying to stay in control.

"Jace, GRAB THAT LITTLE BITCH!" Sebastian yelled again.

"Na na" Isabelle said, turning to him again. "Language!" And then, with a quick movement, she ran the sword right through his chest.

Sebastian let out a terrible scream – and so did Jace. Only a second later both of them seemed to be on fire. Alec grabbed Clary, pulling her away from him. Isabelle also moved away from Sebastian but didn't take her eyes off of him, or at least as long as she could. When the fire was getting too bright she had to close them.

Suddenly the screaming stopped.

When Izzy opened her eyes again the fire was gone, the sword was gone... but Jace as well as Sebastian were still there. Both were lying on the ground but on the contrary to Sebastian, Jace was still conscious. He was out of breath and completely beaten but he was fine. Clary instantly dropped on the ground in front of him as he managed to sit up.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

Jace had trouble catching his breath but looked at her and then smiled. "Stunning, as always."

Isabelle smiled relieved but said: "Can you believe that? He's back for one second and is already flirting again."

"I was talking about me." Jace said as he looked up but was almost pushed down to the ground again, when Clary sprang on him in an attempt to hug him.

Izzy shook her at Jace being, well, Jace but when Alec said "Hey..." she turned to him. "Welcome back." Izzy smiled and hugged him as well.

He let go after a while and looked at Sebastian. "Is he dead?"

Isabelle shrugged her shoulders. "How should I know? Did you see me check?"

"Okay... I didn't miss that." Alec said smiling and Izzy softly punched him in the shoulder.

She then walked over to Sebastian and checked his pulse. Her eyes widened in shock. "He's alive..."

"What?" Clary, who had let Jace breath again, was back on her feat and looked at her in disbelief. Not that Isabelle could blame her. She hadn't thought Sebastian would survive either.

"But... what is he?" Alec asked. "The sword was supposed to burn everything demonic out of him... so what's left?"

Of course, no one had an answer to that.

"I'll inform the Clave." Jace said and everyone turned to him, looking surprised. At that Jace's eyes widened. "What?"

"Jace Wayland, playing by the rules?" Isabelle asked. Turning to Alec she added: "Are we sure we didn't all die?"

Annoyed, Jace sighed. "I can do things according to the book, you know."

"When have you ever?"

Ignoring this question Jace said: "I'll inform the Clave and that's that. They'll know what to do with him. And while I do I can thank them for believing in me all this time... Sebastian told me they gave up on me. It's very touching."

Clary said: "I believed in you."

At first Jace smiled but it soon faded. "You shouldn't have..." He looked at Alec, taking a deep breath. "I don't know what to say. What I did-"

"It wasn't your fault." Alec cut it but avoided to look at him. Isabelle lowered her head. This was between the two of them. Jace had done the most horrible thing to Alec... she didn't know if he'd be able to forgive him. She didn't know if she could, if it would be her.

"No, but Sebastian was right about one thing... this is always going to stand between us. Isn't it?" Jace said with desperation in his voice.

At that Alec looked at Jace but was silent for a moment, before he said: "Let's not talk about this now. You go inform the Clave... take Clary with you. Isabelle, you should probably tell Simon what happened, he must be going crazy out there. I'll watch Sebastian, in case he wakes up."

"Well well." A voice said and everyone frowned.

"Was that...?" Isabelle asked and almost to answer her the owner of the voice walked into the room.

"Look who's calling all the shots. I should die more often."

It was Magnus.

While everyone's jaw dropped – except for Alec's (he simply stared at him before he was able to form a smile on his lips) Magnus took a look around.

"It appears I have missed a lot... who wants to fill me in?"

... :)
I know, another Cliffhanger (kind of), but this one is just lovable, isn't it?

It's so good to FINALLY reveal the Magnus thing! It's been so hard to keep it a secret. I have decided to bring Magnus back the moment I decided to kill him. Because, let's face it... it would be really harsh to tease all the Malec and then let Magnus die and stay dead. I may be mean with all the Cliffhangers and all, but I'm not evil lol

I hope you liked how everything turned out and that I was able to surprise you :)

Stay tuned for the Epilogue! (The end is coming... oh I'm getting all blue... it's been such a long journey!)