"If I didn't care about doing right and didn't feel uncomfortable doing wrong, I should get on capitally." - Louisa May Alcott
Chapter 14
Clary and Jace emerged in Central Park out of Turtle Pond, both once more soaking wet and cold.
"I have the feeling I've just said a lot of idiotic things," Jace said in some confusion. "What did your rune do to me?"
"It made you fearless," Clary replied.
"I thought I was fearless already," Jace scoffed.
"Possibly, but you had control over what came out of your mouth before. Not so much wearing the rune," Clary said in amusement.
"What did I say?" Jace asked with a groan. "And why don't I remember?"
"I don't know why you don't remember, but I'm glad the rune wore off quickly," Clary replied. "You were on a roll."
"Please just tell me what I said," Jace implored, running a hand through his dripping hair.
"Look, you didn't say anything bad or inappropriate, or anything that the Seelie Queen can use against us, I think, but it's not something we should talk about now," Clary said firmly. "We can talk about it later, once we make it back to Alicante and get through dealing with what's happened here. And by the Angel, where is Maia?"
"Here," Maia said, slipping quietly to Clary's side. "I've been listening to you two since you came out of the pond. I want to know what Jace said too."
"Well, seeing as we won't be talking about it now I guess you'll just have to deal with any disappointment that may cause," Jace said brusquely. "Come on, we need to get back to Alicante now."
Maia followed the two of them through the dark Manhattan streets, street lights rendering their witchlight stones unnecessary.
"Did you find out what the Seelie Queen wants with you?" Maia asked as they walked briskly.
"Yes," Jace said shortly. "We can't talk about it now, not out here, and not before we tell the Clave."
"That does not sound good," Maia mused. "I'm surprised she let you leave."
"She got something she wanted," Clary said grimly.
"Did you find out anything else useful?" Maia pressed.
"Maia, we really shouldn't talk about it now," Clary said, echoing Jace. "Look, we found out a lot of stuff, and I'm not sure what half of it means, for me, or everyone else. We just need to get back to Alicante, okay?"
Clary and Jace let Maia into the Institute and led the way to the Library.
"Jace will go first, visualising our destination, just step in after him, keeping your mind blank, okay?" Clary instructed. "I'll go last."
Accordingly Jace stepped into the Portal, then Maia, then Clary, all tumbling out of the Portal at the Gard, one after the other.
Clary stood up and the first person she saw was Luke, who rushed towards her.
"Clary!" he exclaimed, grabbing her and hugging her quickly before letting her go and saying, "What were you thinking, running off like that? Everyone's been worried sick all the while trying to deal with the impending war! And why are you soaking wet, and who is this girl?"
"This is Maia Roberts, she's a werewolf from New York, and she has some information that we thought would be useful for the Clave, about the Seelie Queen's allies," Jace explained on behalf of Clary. "She's the one from Pandemonium who told us about the mundane being kidnapped."
"Surely the two of you know better than to bring a Downworlder through the Portal into the Gard! All Downworlders are supposed to enter through the north gate, particularly ones unknown to the Clave," Luke chastised. "And Jace, I would be on your guard, Jocelyn is going to be livid with you, just like she is with you Clary. In fact, there's not really anyone who isn't mad with both of you."
"Any chance they'll be so glad we're back, and with a lot of useful information, that they'll forget they're mad pretty quickly?" Clary asked hopefully.
"Why were you waiting for us? Surely it's about 5 a.m. Where is everyone else?" Jace asked.
"Most people are at home, sleeping, except for those of us with missing children, and of course the Consul, who is trying to talk your mother down from sending out half the Clave after you," Luke replied. "I'm here in case you two turned up, assuming this was the most likely place you'd arrive at."
"Where is Mom?" Clary asked imploringly.
"At the Penhallows, with your sister, brother, the Lightwood children, Aline and Sebastian. We decided that an adult needed to be present while we tried to sort out what to do with you," Luke said grimly. "Seeing as when we left you alone before you and Jace disappeared, and not in a 'gone off to make out' kind of way."
Clary had the good grace to look contrite and said, "I'm sorry for scaring people, but I did what I had to do, and we have found out some things you all need to know, things that will help, and Maia can help too. And please don't blame Jace, he tried to stop me from going, and when he couldn't he came with me to protect me."
"I believe that," Luke said grudgingly, knowing Clary's stubborn streak. "Well, we should get you all over to the Accords Hall, that's where we're based out of at the moment."
"Clary should change first, she's soaked," Jace interjected. "I wouldn't mind some dry, clean clothes myself."
"Fine, I will deliver you two to Jocelyn at the Penhallows, and take Maia over to the Accords Hall," Luke decided.
At the Penhallows Luke knocked on the door and waited for Jocelyn to open it.
"The lost is found," Luke said lightly to Jocelyn, trying to remove as much tension from the situation as possible, and gesturing to Jace and Clary who were standing next to him in the early morning like of the Alicante morning.
"Come in and be quiet, the children are asleep," Jocelyn said in a quiet, removed tone. "We will talk as soon as you two change, you look filthy and wet. You better have a damn good explanation, both of you."
Clary and Jace stepped quietly inside, while Jocelyn had a few brief words with Luke, before shutting the door and going after them.
"Isabelle is staying in Aline's room, you should go up and borrow some clothes," Jocelyn said to Clary. "Are you alright?"
"I'm not injured, Mom," Clary said quietly. "I'm sorry for upsetting you, and I'll explain everything as soon as possible, okay?"
"That's fine, I know you will," Jocelyn said with an icy calm. "Jace, Jonathan, Alec and Simon are in an upstairs guestroom, with Sebastian. I assume they're all awake by now, if they ever slept, knowing the two of you were nobody knows where. Go up and see if Sebastian has anything he's willing to lend you."
Clary and Jace walked quietly upstairs, Jace placing a hand protectively on the small of Clary's back.
"Probably a good move, not telling her about us then, I don't think it would have eased the tension," Jace said lightly, causing Clary to smother a giggle.
They paused outside the closed door of Aline's room and Jace couldn't stop himself from giving Clary a soft kiss.
Just as they pulled apart Aline's door flew open, revealing an irate looking Isabelle.
"You two are so dead," she said in cold fury. "You could have been killed! Clary, get in here, you're filthy, wet and looking stupidly at Jace. Jace, get lost and put on some clothes that don't stick to your body."
Inside Aline was sitting in her bed, looking weary but intrigued.
"I will explain everything, but I'm only going to do it once, at the Accords Hall. I am sorry for worrying you all, but I'm not sorry for doing what I thought was necessary," Clary said. "Aline, can I please borrow some fresh Gear?"
As Clary changed Isabelle couldn't help from asking, "Why are you soaked to the skin and wearing bits and pieces of foliage?"
"If I told you you'd only ask fifty more questions," Clary said shortly. "You'll know everything soon enough."
"Are you okay, Clary?" Aline asked softly. "You look pretty white."
"Just tired and stressed," Clary said distractedly. "Nothing an energy rune shouldn't temporarily fix."
Accordingly Clary Marked herself once she had changed then looked at Isabelle and said, "Well, I guess I'm headed for the Accords Hall now. Are you coming?"
"Try and stop me," Isabelle said. "Aline?"
"Someone is going to have to stay with Valentina and Max, they're both still asleep, and I doubt Jocelyn will be prepared to let Clary and Jace go off without her. I think I should stay here, or at least offer to. I'm sure I'll hear everything from Isabelle soon enough. I expect the mundane should stay here too, he won't be allowed to sit in on this."
"Oh right, Simon," Clary said dumbly. "I guess you're right."
The three of them headed downstairs together, where Jace, Alec, Jonathan, Sebastian and Simon were standing in awkward, tense silence with Jocelyn.
"Mrs Graymark, I'll stay here with the children," Aline immediately offered. "Simon will be staying too, I guess, so Sebastian can stay with me to keep an eye out on everything."
"I will?" Sebastian asked incredulously.
"You will," Aline said firmly, knowing it would be best if he was not around Jace for longer than necessary, especially when tensions were already heightened.
"Thank you, Aline," Jocelyn said in relief. "Simon, Aline is right, you will need to stay here. The rest of you, come with me, and don't stray more than five feet from where I am at all times."
The two Morgensterns and three Lightwoods were silently obedient, knowing that it was not the time pushing any boundaries.
As they walked Jonathan grabbed Clary's arm and mouthed, "What were you thinking?"
Clary shook her head and mouthed back, "Not now."
They were at the Accords Hall in a matter of minutes and found it to be relatively empty, save for Luke with Maia, Robert and Maryse Lightwood, Jia Penhallow and her husband Patrick and Magnus Bane.
"Jace!" Maryse exclaimed, catching sight of him.
"I know, I've got a lot of explaining to do," Jace said tiredly. "That's why I'm here."
"Jace, Clary, you will of course be dealt with in due course, probably by your parents, but it would be best if you told us everything as quickly as possible, so that we know where to go from here," Jia instructed.
"Yes, Consul," Clary said submissively. "I'll start. It's quite a long story, with a lot of surprising details, so if all questions could just wait until I've finished, that would help me."
Clary launched into her tale, explaining that she'd snuck away because she thought it was the best thing she could do to help the Clave, and that Jace had caught up with her just as she was leaving and when he couldn't stop her, had gone with her for her own protection. She explained that her intention from the start had been to go to the Seelie Queen and find out what she could. She continued on to how they had sought out Maia, while they'd waited for nightfall, in the hope of perhaps finding out if Maia had any information of what the Downworlders knew of the Seelie Queen's plans and declaration of war. Maia had shared information they had found useful, so they had decided to bring her back to Alicante on their return, so she could speak directly with the Clave.
The Consul then interjected at this point to say, "We have heard what Maia had to say, and we do appreciate you bringing her to us with the information. Could you please just clarify one thing though? She said that her pack had been instructed to detain Jace, as well as yourself and your brother, if spotted. Is this true? If it is, can you explain why?"
"It is true," Clary said clearly. "And I can explain why, but in due course."
Clary then moved on to their trip through Turtle Pond and into the underground tunnels to the Seelie Court where they were met by Meliorn. She moved quickly along to being taken to the Queen's chambers and the information she shared with them.
As she drew near the end of her tale Clary looked over at her mother and noticed that Jocelyn looked a little green and definitely rather shocked. In fact, most of the room looked rather shocked.
"And it's true? You were able to create a new rune that worked?" Robert Lightwood asked seriously.
"I did, I can demonstrate later, if need be, but it's true. That's why she let us leave, according to her conditions, so that should be proof enough for now," Clary said tiredly.
"Thank you, Clary," Jia said. "Now, just to summarise, so I've got all of this clear, the Seelie Queen wants you for two reasons. One as part of her revenge because your father thwarted what her alliance with Hodge Starkweather would have brought her. That's also why she wanted your brother, Jonathan. She also wanted you for the powers she believed you possessed, according to Hodge. That is also why she wanted Jace. Do you have any idea why she didn't request Jace in her declaration of war? And do you have any idea what her other grievances are?"
"I expect she thought it would be more straightforward to ask for siblings to start with," Jace answered on behalf of Clary. "She wanted them to start with I guess, and probably assumed she'd acquire me in good time."
"And she let you both go simply because Clary demonstrated that she could in fact create new runes?" Robert asked.
"The Seelie Queen always has her reasons," Luke said grimly. "Clary has already told us that the Queen seems pretty confident in her ability to regain Clary and Jace, as well as Jonathan."
"Not if I have anything to say about it," Jocelyn said vehemently.
"Children, I think that's about all we need from you," Jia said, standing. "Magnus, I think now would be as good a time as any for you to contact Camille Belcourt as any. We need to find out what side the vampires will be taking, especially with the information we now have about the werewolves."
"Very well," Magnus said, standing quickly. "Any chance you'd like to send a hostage with me, to ensure my return? Perhaps that dark haired, blue eyed boy?"
"Enough Magnus, it's not time for games, please," Jia said tiredly. "Just know that we appreciate your help, more than you can know. Once we have figured out what to do from here we will take care of your payment."
With that Magnus gave a nod of his head and swept out of the room.
Clary stifled a huge yawn as Jocelyn said, "Jia, I will take the children back to your house and stay there with them. I expect they could all use some sleep."
All five 'children' looked particularly irritated at the term, but none dared to make any protest.
"Thank you, Jocelyn," Jia said gratefully. "We shall be here for at least the rest of the morning, attempting to process this information and decide what to do from here. Send Aline if you need anything."
As soon as they were out of the Accords Hall, Jonathan turned to Clary and burst out, "Clary, how could you? They wanted both of us, if you were going to go you should have taken me with you, or at least told me!"
Jace was receiving a similar lecture from Alec and Isabelle in tandem about sneaking off on stupid suicide missions without them.
"Enough!" Jocelyn called. "We all have a lot to say about this, I can promise you that, but we will not do it here, and I have first priority on lecturing my daughter and her co-conspirator. We can continue this back at the Penhallows soon enough."
Her five charges were surprisingly submissive and became subdued almost immediately and trailed Jocelyn back to the Penhallows.
Once inside Jocelyn said, "Everyone but Clary and Jace should go upstairs and at least pretend to try and get some rest. Clary and Jace, I want to speak to you before I let you sleep."
Clary and Jace exchanged a look of apprehension and followed Jocelyn into the kitchen, which was the room furthest from the upstairs rooms.
"Clary, I'm not going to yell at you, either of you," Jocelyn eventually said tiredly. "You were both reckless, and Clary we will talk more about what you did, but for now I'm just thankful you're back safely. Jace, I find it a little hard to believe you couldn't physically have stopped Clary from going through the Portal if you'd wanted to, but I understand that my daughter can be very stubborn, and very persuasive, so I at least appreciate you going with her."
"Thanks Mom," Clary said, weak with relief.
"We should also talk about the issue of the angel blood," Jocelyn added quietly. "I had no idea about it, but from what I know of Valentine it is definitely possible, especially judging from what the two of you seem capable of doing. And Valentine did supply both Celine and I with special supplements during our pregnancies with both of you. I didn't think about it at the time, I was young, and there was nothing suspect, especially as your father always had an interest in health and science."
"You think it's definitely true then?" Jace asked.
"I do, and it's not a bad thing, just a new thing," Jocelyn said reassuringly, looking at the two tired, young faces before her. "It seems you both have gifts you are going to have to learn how to use for the best. It also seems to have made you both a target, but we're going to protect you. We'll talk more later, go and take a nap now, wherever Aline says you can sleep. I'll be down here whenever you wake."
Clary gave her Jocelyn a big hug, enjoying the comfort of her mother's arms, while Jace watched on, patiently waiting for her.
Once Clary stepped out of Jocelyn's arms, wiping her moist eyes, she and Jace headed for the stairs together.
"That could have been worse," Jace said lightly. "On the downside, she wasn't mad enough to make it worth it for you to tell her about us."
"Probably for the best at the moment," Clary agreed. "It would just be one more thing to add to her plate, and trust me, I will get a lecture before too long, and I don't need it to be any longer than it already will be."
They stopped once again outside Aline's room and Clary tapped on the door.
Aline opened it and said, "Isabelle just told me everything. You are incredibly brave and incredibly stupid, Clary Morgenstern."
"And she's also incredibly tired, as am I, Aline," Jace said shortly. "We'll all have time to have a lovely long chat, but not until we both get some sleep. Where can we crash?"
"When you say we, do you mean 'we' as in both of you together, or just both of you somewhere?" Aline asked curiously, Isabelle listening keenly a few feet away.
"Aline, it doesn't matter, just somewhere with a bed. Regardless of what Jace and I may or not be it's not like we want anything now but to sleep," Clary said exhaustedly.
"The room at the end of the hall is empty," Aline said quickly, realising it was no time for teasing.
"Sleep well," Isabelle called impishly.
Jace led Clary down the hall and opened the empty room, revealing a room with a double bed and a couch.
"I can sleep on the couch," Jace offered quietly.
"Don't be an idiot, Jace," Clary said shortly, her fatigue making her short tempered. "It's a big bed, and I meant what I said to Aline. It's not like we'll be making out now."
"I guess not," Jace said, smothering a small smile. "You may be the first girl to ever invite me to bed, however brusquely, with no intentions other than sleep."
"I think we've already established that I'm not like other girls," Clary said dryly, kicking off her shoes, discarding her weapons belt and falling into the bed.
Jace removed his shoes and weapons belt as well and sat down on the other side of the bed, looking at Clary's small form as she climbed under the covers. Jace lay down, staying on top of them.
"You can hold me, if you want," Clary offered softly. "I wouldn't mind that."
Jace immediately moved over and put his arms around her, pressing a kiss to the top of her head where it now rested on his chest.
"Sleep well," he said softly, but she was already asleep.
Jace wondered for a brief moment what he had said under the influence of the Fearless rune, and before he could spend too much time guessing how long it would be before he and Clary could talk about it, he too was asleep.
AN: Thanks for reading :) Doing my best to have a nice little bit of Clace every chapter! Mangus popped up again, and I'm trying to weave in some pre Malec :)
Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, followed or favourited!
Please review, it really great hearing from you guys, with suggestions or thoughts or opinions :)
500 word preview on offer if you review, as usual.