***************** Chapter 16 *******************

Jonathan came down the dark tunnel. He had completed his task and was reporting back to his father. He passed many dungeons where werewolves, vampires, and even a faeries were shackled to the wall. Most appeared almost dead and wouldn't meet his eyes. Jonathan had never interacted with Downworlders that much but even the site of the broken creatures made his stomach turn. For the first time he was happy that he had his mother. He didn't really trust her and probably would never have a great relationship with her. Still, he knew that she loved him. If it wasn't for the affection of his sister, Jace, and his mother he might have ended up a heartless monster like his father.

He continued down scantly lite hallway. He wasn't sure where his father was but he assumed he would find him if he continued to follow the sound of screams. Whoever was screaming was in a lot of pain. It sounded like a boy and Jonathan didn't want to know what his father was doing to the boy to make him scream that way.

After a few minutes he finally came to the door where the death chilling curl was coming from. He knocked softly but there was no answer. Finally he slowly pushed the door open. Valentine was sitting in a chair taking notes as a boy about his age was shackled to the wall screaming bloody murder. Jonathan could see three runes glowing red on the boys skin. The boy had to be a mundane. The runes on his skin were simple speed and agility runes. They wouldn't cause a shadowhunter pain. It looked like he walked in on his father creating another Forsaken.

The sick bastard is even taking notes!

The boy's screams quickly turned into pants. Jonathan cleared his throat which got his fathers and the mundane boy's attention.

"I've completed my task. May I be permitted to leave now father. It is dusk and mother wants to know if we will be home for dinner?" he spoke casting his eyes down.

Valentine looked at him and then the mundane boy for a moment before sighing.

"I will meet you outside of the cave in ten minutes. We will head back together on horseback. Tell your mother that we'll be back in a few hours but not in time for dinner." Valentine instructed.

"Yes father." Jonathan said leaving the room promptly.

There was nothing he could do to save the boy now. The marks would either change him or drive him mad. He could save the poor creatures that remained imprisoned here though. He stopped abruptly in front of a door that held a faerie. The girl weathered in the corner hiding her face with her hands shaking.

"I'm not going to hurt you fair creature." He spoke with as much charm as he could muster.

The faerie peeked her eyes out over her arms to look at him.

"I will be back tonight with help to get you and the others out of here." He whispered. "You have to tell the others once my father leaves. Can you do that for me?"

The faerie looked back at him frightened. She nodded her head but her body was still curled up in a ball.

"But how…" she whispered.

"You just let me worry about that sweetheart." He winked.

There was a noise down the hall. Someone opening a door.

"Tonight." He whispered to her before turning on his heel and leaving.

*********************************** Line Break ****************************************************

Jace opened his eyes. His body was completely relaxed and warm thanks to the beautiful girl still curled up asleep next to him. Jace lightly kissed her on the forehead and watched her sleeping face. A light knock on the door sent a thrill of panic through his body.

"Don't come in!" he shouted; his voice a little off key.

"Oh! Are you getting dressed?" his mother's voice replied back softly.

Clary's eyes opened softly and looked at him.

"Yes…I just got out of the shower."

"Oh! Did the marks finally work? You are able to walk now?" she asked.

"Yep! I feel like new." He said getting up from the bed and throwing some clothes on.

"I brought you some dinner. Would you like me to leave it outside your door for you?" she asked sweetly.

"Or I can wait and bring it in. You really should keep off of that ankle." She added.

"Just leave it outside. I'll be alright! Thanks mom!"

"All right Jace. Just don't let it get cold!" she sighed.

After a few minutes Jace quietly opened the door to make sure she had really left. Clary had wrapped her naked body in the covers in an attempt to shield herself.

"Coast is clear." He smiled at Clary who nodded in return.

Being satisfied he grabbed the food and locked his bedroom door. Clary got up and threw on her bra and underwear facing away from him. Jace chuckled at her modesty. She finished getting dressed as he sat down on the bed and took a spoonful of Mac'n Cheese. Jocelynn knew it was his favorite and had probably cooked it especially for him since he had gotten hurt.

"Someone's getting spoiled today." Clary teased.

"It's been a pretty good day for me actually." He winked at her mischievously.

Jace held out a spoonful of pasta and Clary giggled taking a bite.

"Yummm." She grinned. "Mom made her homemade five cheese kind. She really is spoiling you."

They both finished off the giant bowl together. The portion was large even by Jace's portion standards. They figured Jonathan must not have come home yet since he didn't knock or return any text messages. After a little while Clary began to get worried. Clary had showered in Jace's bathroom and changed into a pair of clean clothes that Jace had snuck out of her room. She didn't want to leave without seeing that Jonathan was alright. Two hours had passed and he still wasn't replying to any messages.

It was almost 10:00pm before they finally heard a commotion outside the door. It was Valentine saying goodnight to Jonathan who apparently was going to the kitchen for a late dinner. She couldn't make out the words but she recognized her father's tone. Something was up. After a few minutes Clary's phone vibrated.

Jonathan: Are you still here Clary?

Clary: Yes, I'm in Jace's room. I didn't want to leave without seeing you.

Jonathan: Good! I'll be there in a minuet. We need to talk.

"Unlock the door. Jonathan needs to talk to us." Clary whispered.

Jace nodded and quietly got up to unlock the door. Clary couldn't help but wonder what this could be about. Jace came back onto the bed and wrapped his arms around her. He leaned down and brought his lips to hers. He was true to his word. He wasn't going to hide his feelings anymore. She lightly returned the kiss.

They heard the microwave ding and after a few minutes saw the bedroom door open. Jonathan must have used a silent rune. He closed the door, locking it behind him before he walked over to the bed. He handed her a bowl of food and grinned when he saw Jace's arms locked around her. Clary blushed catching his eyes. He handed another bowl to Jace and sat down digging into his own larger bowl.

"Looks like mom made your favorite." He joked.

"Yep!" Jace said digging in like he hadn't eaten in weeks.

Clary was grateful. She had been getting hungry again after that dinner she shared with Jace. After a few bites she quietly looked up at her brother.

"So what did you do all day? Did you drop off the face of the Earth?" she asked.

Jonathan finished his bite and looked up at both of them.

"I tracked that creature back to where it came from. Long story short. Father is creating a Forsaken army in the mountains. He won't tell me what he is going to do with them but it can't be good."

"Forsaken? He is hurting innocent people now!" she asked.

"Mundanes… and I saw a lot of Downworlders in those cells too."

"Same old Valentine." Jace grunted pushing his empty bowl to the side.

"We have to do something. We can't just let them all die." Clary whispered.

She put her bowl down suddenly losing her appetite. Jonathan looked down at her.

"Are you going to finish that?" he asked.

Clary rolled her eyes and handed him the bowl. Somethings never change.

"Sounds like we need to put on some masks and play superheroes again. Anti-Valentine league unite!" she joked.

Jace and Jonathan looked back at her curiously.

"Sorry." She replied. "I've been hanging around Max too long but in all seriousness we do need to do something."

"No Clary, I am not going to let you put yourself in danger again." Jace spoke sternly gripping her tightly.

Clary could feel the depth of emotion laden in his words. She looked from him to her brother.

"If we all go together we will be fine. It is the right thing to do. We are shadowhunters guys. I know you both love me and I love you but putting ourselves in danger is part of our job." She pleaded.

"No." Jonathan said.

Clary sighed and got up from the bed shaking off Jace's grip. She began walking to the door.

"Clary!" Jace called after her.

"You know I am going to do it anyway and there is no way you can stop me. So either come with me or let me go alone. The choice is yours but I will tell you it would probably be easier to protect me if you both came."

They knew this was true. Clary was headstrong and reckless. Controlling her or keeping her from doing something was like trying to cup water in your hand. Nearly impossible.

When they were little Valentine showed them how to ride a horse. Clary was too small and father commanded she stay at home. About an hour into the lesson up rode Clary on a small pony she had stolen from the stables. Valentine laughed when he saw her attempt to ride the large animal. He was too impressed to be mad. It had been one of the few times he actually saw his father laugh. From that point on he didn't exclude her from anything. Whatever the boys did, she did.

"Fine but we do things my way." Jonathan grunted.

"Yes sir." She smiled.

**************************************** Line Break ************************************************

Clary had listened to Jonathan's plan in detail before heading back to her room to get into gear. She had felt bad for the poor mundane boy. She was surprised he lasted that long. Normally people turn into Forsaken after just one rune. Jonathan had told her not to bother with him. That even if they had released him there was nothing they could do to save him. The runes would always cause him pain until he changed or was driven mad. In the shadowhunter codex it said that Forsaken could be saved if they drank from the mortal cup in time. It was a theory and no one had survived the ordeal but the experiment hadn't been tested thoroughly given the nature of its cruelty.

Clary put on her gear and threw on a red cloak to hide her face. In a split second decision she opened her secret compartment door and took out the Ace of Cups card. If she did need it at least she would have it and if not then it would just look like a card to everyone else. It was worth a shot if it meant saving the boy's life.

She shoved the card into her gear with her stele and grabbed her weapon. She then quietly headed back to Jace's room to meet them.

"Alright, we all know the plan. In and out!" Jonathan commanded.

They both nodded. Jace reached up to grab her hand and squeeze it tightly. This made her smile. She kissed her softly and went to draw a portal on the wall. Jonathan eyes Jace suspiciously but she shrugged it off. When she was done a giant blue light illuminated the wall.

"Alright. I'll go first you both hold onto my jacket." Jonathan ordered.

They complied and entered the portal together.