Hey guys...so this is it...the last chapter...
I'm sorry for the delay, it wasn't on purpose to leave you all hanging, I just had trouble with finishing this chapter. I was never happy with a chapter I wrote (I'm still not), but this story needed to end, so here it is!
I want to thank you all for supporting me. I hope you all enjoyed this story and if Clary and Jace could speak for themselves, I'm sure-
Clary: "We can speak-"
*Shoves her back in my basement* As I was saying, if they could speak for themselves, I'm sure they would...well glare at you for enjoying their torment, but have a little bit of pride that you felt their story was worth reading!
So without further ado...The final chapters of 'Sebastian returns'
Clary walked up to the gates of the institute, reaching a hand out to push open the gate and was startled when her hand went through the metal barricade.
She looked behind her, unsure why she was expecting the angel standing behind her to do. He smiled at her, but made no move to walk ahead of her.
Looking back at the institute, Clary felt uneasy at the stillness of the building. She wasn't sure if she ever saw it so still. It was still early in the day so there wasn't any need for lights to be lit, but Alexus and Max could usually be seen running past a window or church could be seen lying on a windowsill.
Her home looked so lifeless.
Feeling strange as she stepped through the metal barricade, Clary made her way to the big oak door.
For a moment, Clary wondered if she would be able to enter the institute. She wasn't sure if she would be happy she could enter, or frightened that maybe other ghosts could enter unbeknowst to everyone within the walls of the institute.
Clary turned back to Ithurial and asked "Do you know where I am...specificly?"
"As far as I can tell, you are in higher levels of the building." Ithurial replied, his face pointing towards the sky.
Clary frowned. "I don't suppose we can just float up there or appear there?" Clary questioned, an image of Caspar the friendly ghost in her head.
"I'm presuming you are curious about your families reactions to your death. I can lead you to your family or to your physical self."
Clary's frown deepened. She felt guilty that she did indeed want to see her families reaction, but could she handle it? Jace had been crying – actually crying – when she left. How was he coping?
What had he told the twins?
What did Jocelyn know?
Was Isabelle okay?
Feeling guilt building in her chest, Clary answered "Can you take me to my family first?"
Ithurial looked surprised, but didn't object. He just walked past her, right into the huge oak doors like they weren't there and confirmed one of Clary's theory's.
Ghosts could enter the institute.
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Like the outside, the inside of the institue was also as lifeless. No one was to be seen.
Clary soundlessly followed after the angel. He made no attempt at conversation and neither did she, even though she had many questions swimming around her head.
She felt like an outsider as she passed through the hallways of her home. Would it always feel like this? Or was it just her imagination?
Ithurial didn't even glance back at her to see if she was following. Clary wondered if he was disappointed in her for wanting to see her family. She shook her head. What did it matter if she wanted to see her family? He gave her the choice and she was curious. She still felt guilt built tight in her chest, but her curiosity would always overpower her other senses.
She tried to figure out where she was being led. They had walked up a staircase and Arthurian seemed to know where he was walking to.
"Um...where are we going?" Clary asked, her guilt growing with each step.
Arthurian didn't answer. He just kept walking.
Clary frowned but didn't repeat her question. She was more than certain the angel was very displeased with her answer to see her family.
After what felt like hours, Ithurial finally stopped outside a door which Clary recognised as the sanctuary.
Puzzled, Clary looked at Ithurial for help.
He was also staring at her, as though waiting for her to change her mind.
Clary took a deep breath. She was sure she didn't to take a breath, but she was nervous. She wasn't sure what to expect on the other side of the door. Would all her family be there? Would her dead lifeless body be there?
'Only one way to find out...' Clary thought as she walked through the door, still feeling uneasy by the fact she could easily walk through solid things.
The sanctuary was bare aside from three long couches pulled in a circle and people sitting on them like they had all been told the worst news imaginable.
Clary knew them all and felt touched to see them.
Luke, Simon, Magnus, Jordan, Maia, Aline Penhallow and her girlfriend, Helen along with the rest of her family.
One face stood out particularity.
Jace.
The last time she had seen him, he had looked like he hadn't slept since she was with him. Now he looked like someone whose whole world no longer had meaning to it. He looked lost and pained. The shadows under his golden eyes had darkened and she was sure he hadn't eaten in a while.
Alexus and Max were on either side of him, but every time he looked around, he wouldn't look at either of them. Clary wasn't sure if she felt more guilty or angry that Jace would refuse to look at either of their children.
Jocelyn didn't look as bad as Jace, but Clary presumed she hadn't known long that Clary was dead. Her eyes were bloodshot and her whole face was blotchy, only shades lighter than Clary's hair.
Luke had a blank expression on his face, but Clary could see tear tracks on his face. He also looked like he hadn't slept well, possibly having to stay awake to console Jocelyn after learning both her children had died after a semi-planned suicide.
Alec was holding a similar sickly pale Isabelle whose eyes were red and puffy. One of her hands were rubbing the back of her neck, where her parabatai mark was. Clary wasn't sure if she ever saw Isabelle without make up. She preferred the natural look on Isabelle and presumed she wasn't normally so pale.
Clary was just relieved to see she was alive. The scream she heard before being enveloped in darkness was booming in Clary's head like a record repeating itself in a horror movie.
Would her parabatai link with Isabelle return as soon as she came back to life? They were both past the age of eighteen and Clary was sure the consul would never repeat the ceremony. Clary would be lucky to still be classified as a shadowhunter when she returned. The clave would probably claim she was using dark magic.
As Clary stared at the people who had became part of her life, she hoped they wouldn't resent her for her actions.
Would Jace be angry that she had allowed herself to go with Sebastian in the first place and had taken her own life just to kill her brother as well?
Would her children resent her for leaving them without a mother?
Would...
Would...
Would...
That was the only word circling in her thoughts. All of those people had reason to hate her, yet they looked miserable. Even Jordan and Maia who she hadn't expected to see.
Clary found herself walking past her friends and family, heading towards Jace who still sat quietly in his own world that looked like pure misery.
She fell to her knees in front of him, slightly glad he couldn't see her, otherwise he would have made a rude innuendo about her position.
She reached her hand to his cheek, not expecting much less than for it to go through his head, but she pressed it as close to his face as she could without it passing through. She was surprised when he flinched. He raised his eyes from where they were staring at his hands to where he expected to see someone.
Clary, for one fleeting moment, thought he could see her. She didn't want him to see her. She still wore the blood soaked dress and was sure he would only think he was going crazy.
She watched as he slowly and gently lifted his own hand and placed it where hers was. He looked bewildered, like he had no idea what was going on. Clary tried to imagine feeling his warmth on her hand. She was sure she was able to.
"I love you Jace. No matter what happens, I will always love you." She whispered, a smile spread on her lips as she saw his eyes widen in surprise.
"Clary?" He whispered so quietly, she barely heard him.
She felt thrilled that he heard her. His eyes were searching his surroundings, his hand still on his cheek where hers still laid.
Unfortunately, he was in the same room as three werewolf's and a vampire with sensitive hearing.
It was Simon who asked "What?".
Jace took a moment to reply. His eyes still futility searched in front of him, looking for a sign that she was in fact there. All hope in his eyes evaporated and morphed into disappointment as he said "Nothing. I thought I heard something..." He trailed off, placing his hand back on his knee and resuming looking at anything but their children.
Clary took her hand away from his face. He shivered like he noticed her movement, but he didn't react otherwise.
Clary looked around once more at all her friends. Before reuniting with Ithurial in the hallway.
I'll be back with you all soon.
Clary momentarily forgot about not being able to open doors, so when she reached for the door handle, she continued walking forward only to fall through the wooden door and land on the ground in the hallway.
"Are you ready? " the familiar voice of the angel asked her as she pushed herself off the ground.
"Perfect." She said. "Can we continue?" Clary almost begged.
Ithurial nodded and without speaking, started walking away, away from Clary's family and friends.
She was content with the silence. She didn't want to talk about her family in their current state. She just wanted to join them as a living person and not an invisible spectator. She was sure Jace had heard her, but what kind of life was there with a ghost?
Ithurial continued walking, leaving Clary to her thoughts. She still had so many questions roaming through her head, but one was on the tip of her tongue.
"Where's my brothers body?" She finally asked as the silence made her nervous.
Without turning around, Ithurial said "Your family was against giving him a proper send off. In the end, to my knowledge, Jonathan has been placed in the silent city, awaiting a burial."
Clary wasn't sure if she felt a sense of guilt or sympathy towards her brother. Of course no one would forgive him for all of his crimes, especially Jace who had been the target of most of his plans. But it was because of Valentine that he was the way he was.
Without another word, Clary followed Ithurial as they climbed up the institute. Clary felt confused as she tried to figure out where her body was.
Was it on the roof as food for crows? Was that the punishment the clave deemed appropriate for her because she had demon influence in her body?
When Clary was sure they reached the top floor, She decided to ask Ithurial where he was leading her to.
"Are we going skydiving?"
The angel made no response to her joke other than "We are almost there."
Clary refrained from making a disgruntled noise. She shouldn't be angry at him. If it wasn't for Ithurial, she wouldn't be returning at all.
It wasn't before she was standing in front of the entry way to the greenhouse that Clary understood where her body was.
She had taken it upon herself to keep all the plants in the greenhouse alive when she became pregnant and was unfit to go shadowhunting in fear of hurting herself and her children. It had been the only thing to occupy her time.
Ever since, she had kept it alive, checking on the plants at least once a day. Was anyone else taking care of the plants while she was...kidnapped?
Instead of waiting for Ithurial, Clary rushed forward and into the fresh smelling room she had kept alive as so many memories were created there.
It looked the same aside from one huge difference. In the middle of the greenhouse, an open space had been created, her body was the centrepiece.
Her body was lying an what seemed to be a slab, decorated with various flowers Clary had grown. Clay swore she would have tears falling down her cheeks as she saw her body surrounded by midnight flowers.
She presumed Isabelle had been the one to dress her and do her hair and make up. Her curly red hair was sleek and shiny. Her pale face had a small amount of eye-liner and pink lipstick. Other than that, there was a natural look.
She was wearing a full length white dress, with cloak like sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. She actually looked beautiful.
She turned to Ithurial, who had a blank expression on his face. He was watching her, like he was waiting for her to do something dramatic.
"What do I do now?" She found herself asking.
"You must line yourself with your body than I will pour this-" He pulled out the vile of the strange liquid. "into your mouth. I've been told it is an uncomfortable feeling as you will feel confined and unable to move for a few minutes. You will feel your organs and injuries healing also you may feel a burning sensation as it expels the demon blood from your system."
Clary stared blankly at the angel. He made it sound so easy. Clary felt uneasy at the amount of pain she was most likely going to go through.
Clary nodded and stepped closer to her body. She was about to follow his instructions when she turned to the angel and asked "If my brother is dead, where is his soul now?" She couldn't help but be curious.
Ithurial had a blank expression on his face as he said "Jonathan Morgenstern's soul still trapped in his body for now."
Clary frowned. "We died at the same time. How come I wasn't trapped?"
"I freed your soul so I could tell you of a way to return to life. If I hadn't, I would have been too late to try and return you to your life. I'm not able to converse with trapped souls."
Clary looked down at her lifeless face. The faces of her family circled around her head.
She took a deep breath before turning to the angel. "Thank you for doing this." She said, a small smile playing on her lips.
Ithurial looked momentarily surprised but only nodded.
Clary smiled bigger before taking a deep breath. She felt strange and uncomfortable as she sat in the middle of the slab, in her body. Taking one last look at the angel, Clary lay down, doing her best to have herself in the same position as her body.
She didn't have to move much since because when she lined a part of herself right, she couldn't move any more. Like Ithurial said, she felt trapped. Like her body was carved into a stone and no matter how much she tried to move, it was futile.
She felt pressure on her chin as it was forced open followed by a burning sensation trickling down her tongue and into her throat. Her eyes were shut and wouldn't open. She desperately wished she could move as the burning sensation turned from chewing gum hot to blazing inferno.
The hot liquid made its way down her throat, she could feel it spreading through her body. It was ten times more uncomfortable and hundreds times more painful than when she gave birth. At least then she had known when it would end.
The fire coursing through her on the other hand, she had no idea when it would end.
She wanted desperately to cry out from the pain welled up in her. She could feel different points in her body feel like they were bloating. She wondered if it was her organs being restored...
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After what could have been hours, Clary felt the fire begin to die down. She wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or nervous.
She attempted to stretch her stiff body, surprising herself when she felt her body respond to the movement.
She took a deep exhale, her nose filled with the scent of flowers. Trying not to raise her hopes, Clary carefully opened her eyes.
Her surroundings were reflected in the glass dome of the greenhouse, the grey sky outside allowing her to clearly see herself surrounded by flowers. It looked like she was floating on the sweet smelling flowers.
Clary carefully sat up, her body felt stiff from the lack of movement, but at the same time she felt energetic.
Clary looked behind her, checking the slab. She felt exhilaration when she saw half the slab was empty since she moved her body. She looked back up at the glass dome and saw her smiling self reflected.
She couldn't help but stand up on the slab and started doing a dance that would humiliate anyone watching her.
Looking down at her dress, Clary saw she was wearing the clean white dress her body had been wearing. There was no blood stain. Clary pressed both hands to her chest, happy to find a strong and steady heartbeat pounding.
Shaking her head in bewilderment, Clary noticed a difference in her hair that fell into her face. She was sure when she had seen her body lying on the slab, her head had been the same red from before. Now it was shades lighter with gold tinted in strands.
Clary ran over to a pail of water she kept for easy access to water plants. She leaned over it and felt giddy as her emerald green eyes were back to normal. There was no sign of black aside from her pupil.
Her eye caught sight of her arms. How she missed it, she wasn't sure.
Her runes were back.
All of her permanent runes were clear on her skin! Her marriage rune stood out mainly. She scratched the back of her neck, wishing she could see if her parabatai rune was back. When Jace had momentarily died, he was still parabatai with Alec. But he hadn't been dead as long as Clary had been.
Laughing out of pure joy, Clary saw flashes of her families sad and grieving faces. How could she be rejoicing when her family thought she was dead?
Picking up the skirt of her dress, Clary ran towards the greenhouse door, exhilaration that she was free.
Free from death for awhile longer.
Free from her brother.
Free from every danger that hunted her around every corner.
As Clary sprinted through the halls of the institute, making her way to the sanctuary, she realised something.
Her and Jonathan had been connected through blood. Everything that happened to one, happened to the other. If Ithurial gave her a potion that rid her body of demon influence and brought her back to life, was there a chance it brought Jonathan back to life? If so, would it burn all of the demon influence in his body?
Halting in her sprint, Clary considered two options.
Go to the silent city where her brother was waiting to be buried, to see if he had in fact come back to life and see if he was still a demon.
Or go straight to the sanctuary, have to explain everything and let Sebastian escape if he does in fact come back to life.
Ithurial had been unsure if the liquid would affect Sebastian. Clary didn't like the odds of her brother roaming the world again after everything he put her through.
No. Sebastian had caused her family misery. She needed to console them first. Besides, from Sebastian's past experiences of being dead, no one would be stupid enough to leave his body unguarded. Unless it was the dark shadowhunters that were guarding his body then once again, Sebastian would escape death...again.
Clary continued running towards the sanctuary until she heard voices and her own name. Stopping in her tracks, Clary followed the voices, curious to know who was speaking and on what topic.
"-we going to do? Jace isn't fit at the moment to take care of himself, let alone the twins." said the unmistakable voice of Alec. "-Jocelyn is barely holding herself together, Isabelle keeps crying her eyes out that I'm sure she'll be crying sand soon and the twins have no idea what's going on, but Jace isn't capable of reassuring them!"
Clary soon realised she was the end of one of the hallways leading to the entrance of the institute. Peaking around the corner, Clary could see Alec pacing back and forth. There was tear tracks visible on his pale cheeks, his blue eyes were staring angrily at the ground.
"Alec, you have to understand that they need time. Jocelyn lost both of her children. Jace lost his wife and of course he isn't capable of reassuring his children. Would you be able to if you were in his shoes?" Clary recognised the voice of Maryse.
"I lost a friend! But I'm staying strong for my family!" Alec shouted. Clary would be surprised if no one else heard that. "I was horrible to her when we met, and then when I saw how happy she made Jace...I swore I'd protect her with my life for Jace. Now look." Alec pressed his hands to his eyes like he they were trying to escape their sockets.
Maryse finally entered Clary's line of sight. She pulled her son into an embrace, allowing him to wrap his arms around his mother so tightly, it made Clary wince. Clary felt tears of her own as she heard Alec's sobbing.
It was rare to see Maryse let her guard down and comfort someone else. She was always someone of little expression, in Clary's opinion. Maryse never showed any emotion unless it was a big deal.
All too soon, Alec broke away from the embrace. His face was entirely red, probably from embarrassment.
"You should go back. Isabelle needs you more." Alec said, staring at his hands.
Maryse nodded. She steeped closer to Alec before whispering something to him that Clary couldn't hear before walking towards another hallway.
Alec remained where he was. Clary watched as tears streamed continuously down his face before doing something bold.
She stepped out of the hallway and into view of where Alec could see her.
"Please don't blame yourself." She said, loud enough for him to hear.
She watched as Alec tensed up. He slowly turned towards her, bewilderment and shock covered his face.
"Clary?" he said, low enough that she barely heard him.
She nodded her head, smiling as Alec ran towards her. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders as he wrapped his around her waist and lifted her off her feet.
Clary listened to him laugh, enjoying another rare occasion as this action was unique.
"How are you alive?!" Alec demanded as he set her back on her feet, amazement now filled his expression.
Clary shrugged. "It's a long story." she smiled.
Alec shook his head. "Only you could pull something like this off." he muttered under his breath.
"I'll ignore that." she enjoyed the blush on his face compared to the tears any day. "Where's everyone else?" she asked shyly.
"Everyone's in the sanctuary. Since there was an uproar about the werewolf's entering the institute by the clave, it was better not to cause another argument..." Alec said as he began to walk in the direction Maryse had walked earlier.
"That's my fault..." Clary said, following Alec. "I wasn't thinking when I made the portal. I was trying to get away from..." It was harder to say his name out loud than she thought.
Alec nodded in understanding. "It wasn't your fault. You did what you had to. Besides, if you hadn't, who knows where any of us would be right now."
"What do you mean?"
Alec glanced at her before staring straight ahead. "Some of Sebastian's followers came here after...well you know..." Clary nodded, wanting to hear the rest. "They're able to enter the institute, but mom had nearly have the clave here from Idris to decide what to do with you or Sebastian, so they didn't get far."
"Did they escape?"
"Maybe a few, but most were killed or imprisoned. The clave has a manhunt set up to find the remaining dark shadowhunters. Jace and I were suppose to be leaving tomorrow, but in the state he's- was in – sorry – he's not capable of fighting."
"He's in that bad of shape?" Clary instantly regretted the question. She had seen him already. She already knew he was in bad shape.
Alec nodded. "It nearly killed him. He's refusing to eat and sleep. We had to drag him away from you just to get him to the sanctuary."
Clary bowed her head. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I just...needed to end my brothers plans."
Alec remained silent, but Clary wasn't expecting him to reply. They walked in silence till they stood outside the door of the sanctuary. It was just as nerve wrecking as when she was a ghost. Only this time, she was more nervous because she was going to be seen.
"Ready?" Alec asked her. He was watching her, his blue eyes seemed to be analysing her, like he was expecting her to turn translucent.
Clary could only nod. She was afraid her voice would shake with nerves if she spoke. She didn't want to show fear in front of Alec, especially because she was afraid of her families reaction.
Alec put his hand on her shoulder in a reassuring gesture before stepping ahead of her to open the sanctuary door.
"Look whose back!" he said with an enthusiastic voice.
"Alec!" a familiar voice that belonged to Maia chastised. "What is wrong with- what's that smell?" Clary could hear loud audible sniffing.
Alec turned around and motioned with his head for her to enter the room. Clary felt her legs shaking. The white dress covered them luckily.
"What is that smell?" Clary could recognise Simon's voice from anywhere. From behind Alec, Clary could see her still sixteen looking best friend.
He gaped at her. Clary would have found the surprise on his face hilarious under much different circumstances.
"Clary?" Simon said, his voice squeaking.
There was the sound of someone clumsily getting to their feet before a voice Clary longed for spoke "What are you talking about bloodsucker?!"
Clary bit her lip as Jace came into view. He froze, his purple highlighted golden eyes stared wide at her, drinking in her appearance.
Without a word, Jace pushed Simon and Alec out of the way to pull Clary into a bear hug that made breathing impossible and took her literally off her feet. She returned the hug, smiling as she felt Jace bury his face into her hair.
"H-how?" she heard him whisper.
She smiled wider as she said "It's a really long story."
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A day.
A whole day.
It took a whole day for Clary to tell her family everything that happened since Sebastian kidnapped her until Alec saw her, mainly because she had to repeat the whole and parts of the story. She then had to repeat the story multiple times for the clave after Maryse notifyed them.
Clary was imprisoned in her and Jace's room, a trusted member of the clave stood outside her door. The Clave was arguing whether to allow Clary to be a shadowhunter, or was she to be stripped of her marks and and leave the shadowhunting community.
Jace was currently in one of the meetings along with the rest of her family. Jocelyn had been refused access to the meetings, and after trying to force her way in, was thrown out of the institute.
Clary wasn't allowed access to her children till the silent brothers cleared her body of all demon influence. Brother Fredrick who had been tasked with the job had no success in entering Clary's mind. She could hear his voice, but he got no furthur than that. He left to 'console' with the others, but Clary knew he was stumped.
After what could have been hours, Clary lay on her bed looking at the blank ceiling she had always wanted to decorate when a soft knock landed on her door.
Clary didn't even need to reply because the door opened without invitation and Isabelle entered. She still looked pale, but she was smiling instead of crying which Clary was happy with.
"How are you feeling?" Isabelle asked, closing the door behind her.
Clary smiled. "Good. you?" She felt guilty that she hadn't asked Isabelle sooner. What she must have gone through when Clary 'died' had to be horrible.
"Great! Alec just informed me that our rune is back!" Isabelle did a small dance in her spot.
It took Clary a moment to realise what she was talking about. "The parabatai rune?"
Isabelle figerously nodded her head. She turned around and lifted her long black hair, showing Clary the parabatai rune she had marked Isabelle with years before.
Clary touched the back of her own neck, but couldn't tell if the same rune was there or was it faded.
"Turn around!" Isabelle instructed. Clary did so, felt Isabelle hastilly pull her hair aside and say "Yep, we're still parabatai!" Clary felt both of Isabelles arms circle around her.
Clary wanted to join in Isabelles happiness, but the realisation that at any moment, she could be stripped of her marks by the clave made her hold off on celebrating.
"Easy Iz. We might not be parabatai for long..." Clary hated saying the words, but what other choice had she?
Isabelle stopped smiling, but tried to give Clary an encouraging smile, but it turned into a horrible smirk. "Don't think like that. You know that the clave need you. They're not about to kick you out of the institute."
Clary refrained from saying that they might sentence her to death. Although, they would probably think she'd come back to life after a while.
"What is taking them so long? It's been hours and I really want to leave this room!"
Isabelle sighed. "You know what they're like. They don't want to leave any accusation unsaid."
Clary groaned. "I'm surprised Jace hasn't been thrown out."
Isabelle had a blank expression on her face. "Clary...Jace isn't at the meeting."
"What? Where is he?!" Clary felt panic rise in her heart.
Isabelle shrugged. He was at the meeting at first, but left not to long after. I figured he was here with you and that he told you where he was."
Clary shook her head. "I haven't seen him since he told me that he was going to the meeting!"
Isabelle stood up. "I'll get Alec." then she left the room.
"I guess I'll stay here." Clary muttered, knowing she wouldn't get a step out the door without the guard telling her to remain in the room.
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"Clary?" She managed to open her heavy and groggy eyes.
"Jace?" She asked since all she saw was gold.
"Yeah it's me."
Clary sprang from the bed and wrapped her arms around her husbands neck. "Where the hell have you been?!" She growled.
"In the silent city."
Clary froze. "Why?"
Jace sighed as he sat down on the bed and lifted her so that she was sitting on his knees. "I had to see if he was still dead. I didn't want to take that chance." he whispered. He was looking at the ground, but his hands rested on her hip.
"And?"
"He had already been burned and buried. Apparently Jocelyn went there after she was kicked out of here and gave permission for his burial to commence."
Clary was surprised. "Really?" Jace only nodded. "Then where have you been all day?" She looked out the window "And most of the night?"
"In the silent city. It's a horrible place, but I just needed to think."
Clary felt a lump in her throat. "About?"
"What if Valentine had raised me like him? What if I was exactly like Sebastian? Would I be married to you? Would I be buried next to Sebastian? Would I be plotting to take over the world like him? Would I be a monster?" Jace said quickly and quietly.
Clary stared into his face before placing one of her hands on his cheek until he looked straight at her. "You would be you. I think I'd love you no matter what."
Jace raised an eyebrow. "How could you love someone like that? You hated your own brother, there is no way you would have felt any different for me.
"I hate the monster Valentine turned my brother into. I don't hate him. I feel sorry for him. He grew up training to be a monster and a monster is what he became. I'm sure if Valentine brought him up to think he was a unicorn, I'd have a mini Magnus for a brother!" Jace laughed along with Clary. If Magnus ever heard that, he would be out for revenge.
"The day we named the twins, you were set on Max's middle name being Jonathan. What's the real reason you were set on it?"
"I guess...in a way, I wanted Alexus to have a brother I never had the chance to help. I will admit I wanted to name him Max Jonathan because of my brother, but I didn't want the name to represent all of my brothers bad traits. I wanted Max to be the version Seb- Jonathan could have been."
Jace nodded in understanding. "I guess that's as good a reason as any." He remained quiet before pulling her closer to him. "Please swear you'll never leave me like that again."
"I can't promise that. But I can promise you that whatever happens after death, I will always be with you. No matter what."
Jace smirked. "So...if I ever get remarried-"
"I will come back to haunt you for even suggesting that." Clary hissed.
Jace laughed before lowering his head and crushing his lips to hers. She instantly kissed back, turning all her fea, pain and anger into the kiss. Jace seemed to do the same. He licked her bottom lip, asking for permission.
Clary wasn't sure how, but she broke away from the kiss knowing she had more important things that needed to be sorted first.
Clary stared up into Jace's gold eyes, hurt and uncertainty clearly visible.
"Do you know what the clave has decided to do with me?" Clary couldn't help the tremble in her voice, but she knew Jace would see through any attempt at trying to seem strong.
Jace smirked. "Well, I cn't speak for the clave, but I know what I want to do with you-"
Clary slapped his arm playfully, feeling a twinge of annoyance by Jace's timing of humour. I'm being serious!"
Jace shook his head, when he looked at her, all traces of humour lefft his expression. "I couldn't bear to listen to their accusations any longer than I had. I left before I could get thrown out because the clave didn't appreciate being interrupted after every accusation they said."
Clary felt her eyes moisten and vision blur slightly as she realised her chances of being free. The clave wouldn't allow her to go back to her normal life, especially after spending time with her brother. "I want you to promise me something." Jace frowned at her, but his eyes told her to continue. "Promise me, that no matter what happens to me, you'll always be there for Alexus and Max. That you won't go on some suicidal mission and-"
Jace pressed his fingers to her lips, ceasing her from speaking. "Don't say that. Nothing of the sort will happen. The claqve is going to realise you're still you and allow to be a shadowhunter and stay with with your family. Besides, the worst thing they can do is strip you of your marks, but that won't stop me from being with you." Jace cupped her face between his hands, his gaze burning into her eyes.
Clary blinked as she tried to fend off the tears from escaping. "They won't strip me of my marks. They won't imprision me. They'll kill me."
Jace's eyes widened. "Over my dead body, and not even then will I let them lay a finger on you." Jace said harshly.
Clary tried to smile, Jace's protectiveness would never end to amuse her. "Promise me. If anything happens-"
"Nothing will happen!" Jace insisted, his eyes glowing with determination.
"Just promise me!" Clary begged. If something did happen to her, at least she would know her family was together and safe.
Jace looked determined to continue arguing with her, but something in her expression must have made him change his mind. "Only if you swear that you won't let anything happen to yourself."
Clary wanted to protest, but it was easier to just agree. "I swear on the angel."
"I swear by the angel to protect my family, no matter what." Clary wanted to make him change the wording, but it would be pointless.
Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck, her head resting on her arms as Jace leaned his head on top of hers. She inhaled his scent, happy to be in the safety of his arms.
"I missed you."
She could feel Jace smile. "I missed you too."
SRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSRSR
Clary couldn't stop fidgeting with the dress Isabelle had forced her into. It was midnight blue, white designs of random desings. The top of the dress was like a blouse, which annoyed Clary as it felt scratchy and uncomfortable. Luckily she got away with wearing flats instead of heels like Isabelle insisted.
"Clarissa Morgenstern-"
"Herondale." Clary fought a losing battle as a smile tugged at her lips as Jace spoke up. She dared not to look for him, instead she kept her gaze on the panal of shadowhunters sitting in front of her.
They were in the library of the institute. Apparently, they wanted to give their conviction as soon as possible and didn't want to waste time in sending Clary to Idris to await trial.
"Mr Herondale, if you interrupt the inquisitor one more time, we will have no choice but to escort you out of the room." Clary felt a grip of fear clutch her heart. Jace couldn't leave, he had to stay as close to her as possible.
Luckily Jace remained quiet.
The inquisitor fixed his steely gaze on Clary, no emotion broke through his blank expression.
"As I was saying,-" The inquisitor siad. "Clarissa Morgenstern, after a large discussion of the matter the events of the last few days, we have come to a decision."
Clary stopped breathing. This was it.
"After much debate, it was decided that you will remain a shadowhunter, but for a indefinate amount of time, you will not be allowed to leave the institute until told otherwise."
Clary blinked. "I-I'm sorry?"
The inquisitor seemed to think he had said enough as he stood up from his seat and began shuffling papers. He looked over at her, seemingly irratated. "The silent brothers will be testing you daily until they are certain you are no longer possessed by demonic influence. We were informed by the silent brohters that it wasimpossible to penetrate your thoughts, so until a time when we discover the cause of it and you are free of demon influence, you will not be allowed to lleave this building unless absolutely necessary. Do you understand?"
Clary wanted to snap, to argue. She would be trapped like Hodge was, except she had a chance of one day being free. At least she had a chance at surviving. "Yes sir." she breathed.
A weight lifted off er shoulders. Freedom wasn't in her grasp just yet, but one day, hopefully soon, she could be free.
The whole table of clave members started to stand up and leave. It didn't escape her notice that they all seemed unhappy with the verdict. If they had all wanted her gone so bad, why was she given a chance to live?
"I told you it would all be okay." Jace's voice whispered in her ear.
Clary leapt off her seat and before she realised it, she had her arms wrapped tightly around Jace's neck. He wrapped her arms around her tightly. She couldn't help the tears that escaped her eyes, staining Jace's shirt, but he made no protest.
"They don't seem happy with their decision." Clary couldn't help her curiosity.
"They're not. But they can't punish you for accusations you had your reasons for." Jace said.
Clary frowned. "Really? They listened to reason?"
Jace chuckled. "Apparently."
"Can we go see Alexus and Max?" Clary desperately wantedto see her children. She felt like it had been years since she had them in her arms.
"Of course we can." Jasce kissed the top of her head.
Neither moved for a while, they just stayed in their embrace.
For once in a while, Clary didn't have to fear about never seeing her family again. She didn't have to look over her shoulder in fear her brother was there. She was now able to enjoy life with her family without worrying about being watched or having put others in danger.
She was going to enjoy that life.
And that's it!
I might do an epilogue or short stories about their life before and after this story, but for now, I think it deserves to finish.
Once again, thank you all for your continued support! I know my updating stories skill isn't great, or even good, but I finally finished a story and I hope I did it justice!
I know the whole council part sounded rushed and incredibly stupid, but I'm not great with something formal like that! But I hoped you enjoyed none the less!
If anyone has any questions about this story, I'm planning on adding one last chapter to thank everyone. It isn't going to be another chapter to the story, but I wanted to thank each and every one of you , and when better than at the end of a story you've all been patient with!
Till next time ~Maraudergirl68448