***************** Chapter 24 *****************

Clary sighed looking up at the ceiling. She missed Jonathan already but she was glad to be back in New York and far away from Valentine. The girls had welcomed her with warm embraces and smiles. Clary couldn't help giggle at remembering the look on their faces when Jace stepped out of the portal behind her. Isabelle's jaw almost dropped in surprise. Alec's sure did when she told them that they were engaged now. That was a few days ago and everything seemed to be returning back to normal at the institute. Well as normal as to be expected. Maryse didn't care for the fact that she was now betrothed. Hell she didn't think Maryse cared for Jace being here at all. Sure she liked Jace as a person but she had been watching both of them like a hawk since they got here. To her he was a rooster in a hen house.

Too bad she didn't know that Clary could portal anywhere whenever she wanted. It would be all too easy to portal into his room if she wanted to. That and the fact that they had already slept together multiple times should make placing Jace's room on the opposite side of the house really a moot point now. Clary sighed. They were only going to be here for another two weeks. After that she would be back home and could fall asleep in his arms every night if she wanted to. Then again two weeks wasn't going to be enough time to accomplish everything they needed to. They still needed to form a plan to stop her father.

Clary rose up from her bed quickly as she heard a knock on the door. Jace?

"Come in." she called.

The door slowly swung open revealing a dark haired boy with bright brown eyes.

"Oh, Simon it's you. How are you feeling?" she asked trying to keep the disappointment from her voice.

"A lot better than last time we talked." He replied happily; quietly closing the door behind him.

"I'm sorry I didn't get to see you sooner. I know Maryse is trying to keep you from interacting with Jace and I as much as possible."

"Yeah, tell me about it. If only she knew that you were the ones that saved me." He replied.

"She is trying to protect you. Can't deny that she cares." Clary argued patting the spot on the bed next to her in a motion for Simon to take a seat. He smiled and took her up on the offer. Once he was seated he crossed his legs and looked at her.

"So," Clary began. "What have you been up to since you were…what five?" She couldn't help but laugh at the stupidly of the question.

"Not much! Just the usual mundane things like going to school, doing homework, growing up and getting kidnapped by your local psychopath. Then of course there was being introduced to the world of angels and demons and trying not to turn into a monster." He shrugged. "Oh and I'm in a band. How about you? What have you been up to?"

"Well my father came and kidnapped us one day. Then I met my brother and Jace. Valentine trained the hell out of us and taught us that everyone else was the scum of the Earth. After extensive training and finding out that all of us were experiments we rebelled against him secretly. Shortly after that I saved you, got betrothed to my brother and am now trying to come up with a plan to avoid all out war." She shrugged.

"Just another day in the life of a Shadow hunter I guess." He smiled.

"When your father is the master of the damned and striving to bring the world to its knees than yeah I guess you could say that." She frowned.

"Yeah, Valentine is quite the narcissist. By the way I don't know if I got a chance to formally thank you for saving me. I am completely in debt to you, the Lightwoods, the girls and your future baby daddy. Don't know how I'll ever be able to repay all of you." He teased.

Clary looked at him for a moment in silence before bursting out laughing.

"Baby daddy? Is that what they are referring to fiancées now a days?"

"Yes and no. Depends how hip you are. Though by saying the word hip I think that might disestablish any street credibility I might have had." He grinned.

"Oh Simon! You haven't changed one bit!" she smiled widely hugging him.

"Wish I could say the same for you Clare Bear. I never thought I would see my childhood best friend in a dark dungeon." Simon said returning her embrace.

"It was quite a shock for me too! Did you know that I cried and begged my father to let me go back to New York to see you when he first brought my mother and I to his house. He wouldn't go for it of course but I had never forgotten about you Simon. I hope we can be close friends again?" she smiled sadly.

"I already consider us good friends Clary." Simon smiled back happily. "But we should probably finish this conversation somewhere else before your fiancé comes in and kills me for being in your room."

Clary giggled.

"Jace would never do that Simon. Though Jonathan might if you catch him on a bad day." She teased.

As if on cue the door opened revealing the golden eyed Shadowhunter just mentioned. Simon quickly withdrew from Clary as Jace stepped through the door looking at Simon and Clay sitting on the bed together. His happy expression quickly turned into a scowl as his eyes fell onto Simon.

"Okay…well never mind then. Point taken." Clary spoke addressing Simon.

Simon nodded hesitantly. In a one on one fight Simon might have stood a chance if Jace had been raised a mundane. Given the fact that that wasn't the case along with the fact that he was raised by a mad man set on rigorous training and perfection in battle; Simon knew better than to take Jace on. Though he wished he could sock him in the face right now for even thinking that he was low enough to make a move on Clary. He actually was actually quite fond of a raven haired Shadowhunter. He just missed seeing his childhood friend and wouldn't desperately wanted to be friends again. Of course he doubted Jace would understand or even care to listen to anything he had to say. To blondie he was enemy number one.

"Well I think it is time I should be going. I am going to see my mother and sister today." Simon spoke getting up from the bed.

"Then you best get going." Jace replied coldly. "It is getting dark and we wouldn't want anything to happen to you."

"Jace!" Clary scolded.

"No it's okay Clary, Blondie's right. Wouldn't want to run into any ducks." Simon grunted loudly under his breath as he passed Jace. Simon couldn't help but smile at the look that crossed Jace's face before firmly closing the door behind him.

When Clary was sure Simon was out of ear shot she looked up at handsome man before her. She loved the way his face lit up when he looked at her. She held back the smile and tried to concentrate on the problem at hand. Gosh he was so good at distracting her.

"What the hell was that all about Jace?" she asked sternly.

"I am going to kill Isabelle for telling him about the ducks!" Jace sneered.

It wasn't his fault that one of those beasts waddled up next to him when he went out with Isabelle a few days ago to go pick up take out from Taki's.

"I was referring to the cold treatment you have been giving Simon since we got here. What is your deal?" She clarified.

"Oh that! I just don't like the way that he looks at you Clary. You're my fiancé and forgive me if I don't want other guys checking you out." He huffed.

"He was not checking me out. Plus I'm sure he has his sight set on Isabelle. Haven't you seen how he practically drools over her?"

"No actually. I only notice him staring at you constantly." Jace replied.

"Jace Herondale! Are you telling me that you are jealous of Simon?" she laughed.

Jace wouldn't met her gaze and just crossed his arms and shrugged his shoulders.

"Oh Jace! I love you with all of my heart. There is no one else I would want to spend the rest of my life with but you. You have nothing to worry about. Simon is just my friend. I am the only connection he has left with the mundane world right now. I am sure his life is spiraling out of control and he just wants someone to help him. You, Alec, Isabelle, Aline, and Helen don't know a lot about the mundane world. I don't even remember much but I am the closest he can get to something…well normal. Please stop being mean to him Jace." She begged.

Jace looked at her softly. She was right and he knew it; not that he would willingly admit that. He had been a complete ass to Simon since he first saw how he looked at Clary. It wasn't even that he looked at her sexually. No he looked at her longingly, like he missed her. Of course Jace hated that he looked at her like that as well but it was understandable given Clary's explanation. He couldn't help but feel protective of her. Jace had been in love with Clary for most of his life. Now that he had her he couldn't help but be afraid that he would lose her.

"I'll give Simon a chance, for you." He whispered caressing her face gently.

Clary smiled her beautiful smile. With that Jace leaned down and kissed her.

"I'm going to go with Simon. It is getting late and it will be dark by the time he gets back. He is a new Shadowhunter; I don't want him getting bit by a vampire or something. Knowing his luck he would probably get turned into a rat or something."

Jace looked down frowning.

"I have a training session with Aline in ten minutes. I don't like you going out at night but I know better than to try and stop you. Please just take some gear with you and your cell phone. Call me at the sign of any trouble and I mean any Clary!" Jace said sternly.

"I will." She kissed him on the cheek. "See you in a few hours. Love you future baby daddy."

Jace looked at her surprised.

"It is what Simon refers to you as. I thought it was pretty funny." She giggled.

"Well I would refrain from using that nickname around Maryse, Jocelyn, Valentine, Jonathan…hell just don't use that name period. Everyone would kill me if you ended up pregnant right now."

"Whatever you say stud muffin." She called leaving the room.

Jace laughed. Well he couldn't argue with that nickname; he was a stud.

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

Simon slowly walked through Central Park dragging his feet and biding as much time as possible. The sun was close to setting and he had decided to take the long way home in order to have more time to think. Of course he was just delaying the inevitable. His mother would be frantic and probably try to ground him for eternity. He couldn't help but chuckle at that thought. His normal life was pretty much gone forever. He would be spending the rest of his life lying and deceiving his family. He had thought about staging his death many times but didn't have the heart to do it. Isabelle and Clary had come up with an elaborate idea of telling his mother that he was going to a military school. He doubted his mother would go for it but it didn't matter. He was almost an adult now and he needed to make his own choices.

He decided that telling her the truth would be too much. He needed to come up with a better lie but what?

"You really shouldn't be walking through central park by yourself at night. You've already tempted fate enough for one lifetime have you not?" A voice spoke up behind him.

Simon turned quickly and saw a beautiful girl sitting in a tree looking at him. She had beautiful blue eyes with long flowing blond hair that reached the mid of her back. Her ears had a slight point to them. Her slender frame was covered with a short green dress that showed off her long legs. She would have looked like any other supermodel around New York City if it wasn't for the weapon she was holding. Laced over her shoulder was a sleek wooden bow with a bag of arrows beside it. He normally would have froze upon seeing this but her stance told him that she had no intention of hurting him. Simon looked at her face intently; she looked familiar. He studied her a few seconds more before it finally hit him.

"Vidia!" he said shocked.

The faerie girl smiled upon hearing her name and leapt down from the tree she was sitting in.

"I am surprised that you remembered. You were in so much pain last time I saw you. I guess Clarissa Morgenstern's idea worked. You are a shadowhunter now." She said happily.

"Yeah, leave it to Clary to come up with something as crazy as using the Mortal Cup to stop someone from transforming into a Forsaken." He said.

"She is a very bright and powerful Shadowhunter; her family and friends. I heard she is engaged to her brother Jace now. Is that correct?" she asked rather seriously.

Simon wondered why she was so interested in Clary's personal life. He just shrugged and chopped it up to wanting to know about the family who captured and ironically saved her.

"Yes but Jace isn't her real brother. He is her adoptive brother; Jonathan is her biological brother. She is actually really happy about it." Simon replied.

"She was in love with him. Anyone could see that by the way they looked at each other." Vidia said matter-of factly.

"Well I suppose being a faerie you are more observant than most especially more than a mundane. I'm happy for her but living with Jace at the institute is not the ideal scenario. I think he thinks I'm trying to steal Clary from him." Simon frowned.

Vidia smiled sweetly.

"He will come around. Is Jonathan staying with you at the institute? I must speak with him." She whispered softly drawing her face closer to his.

"No just Jace though I am sure he would come immediately at the first sign of trouble." Simon replied quietly.

"I need you to do me a favor Simon." She whispered once more. "I need you to tell Clary, her brothers and her friends to come to Faerie. The Steelie Queen wishes to speak with them immediately. Jonathan has to be there. It is very important and must be done quickly before certain things are set into motion."

"What things are going to be set into motion?" Simon asked trying to keep his voice calm.

"Bad things Simon; really bad things. I must go now but please relay the message. Time is of the essence."

Simon turned around quickly and began heading back to the institute. He would have to see his parents another day. Some things took priority and he knew it wasn't going to be the last time his duties came before his family. Simon quickly glammored himself like Alec showed him and took off running. He was in too much of a rush to see a flash of movement or the pair of golden eyes watching him from the shadows.

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

A scream echoed through the long dark narrow corridor. Too bad no one was still alive to hear them scream Valentine thought. He was surprised that one of them could scream at all though he admitted that the sound was just in his head. They couldn't make real noise. These were the silent brothers; their ruins prevented it.

"That was easier than I expected." Valentine spoke coldly.

"I agree, I was quite disappointed. I expected more of a fight." Agramon replied.

The floating demon followed Valentine as he walked across the blood stained floor to the statue of the angel that looked over the room. He took a moment to admire how the sword shined in the light of the setting sun before he carefully removed the sword from the angel's hands. Valentine looked over the smooth surface of the soul-sword as its silver blade reflected his cold eyes back at him. His hands brushed over the hilt and the jewels that laced the handle. He had wanted it for so long and now it was his; all his.

"I have been waiting for this moment for a long time." Valentine smiled.

Agramon looked at him silently looking around to make sure they didn't have any company. After a few minutes of silence Valentine lowered the sword and headed back out of the entrance. The silent city as a graveyard of bones and memories. He didn't like to remind himself of the people he lost or killed in order to achieve his goal. Valentine took no pleasure being here and wanted to part with the city as soon as possible. He could hear a bell ring in the distance sounding the alarm for aid.

"One of the brothers must have survived. How quant." He spoke.

"It needn't matter. We got what we came for." The demon replied impatiently.

The demon was right. He got what he came for and now all he needed was blood. Lots and lots of blood but it would be for a good cause; yes a noble cause. Sometimes lives had to be sacrificed for the greater good. Valentine swiftly exited the gates and entered the portal.

After a moment of spinning his feet landed gracefully onto the grass not making a sound. He grinned with pride but his grin quickly vanished as he too in the scene playing out in front of him. Looking at the clearing in the forest Valentine saw his son on one side of the forest opening and Lilith on the other. Valentine hissed in utter annoyance. Jocelyn would have his head if he let Jonathan fraternize with Lilith.

He went to step forward to announce his presence with he saw that his son had his long sword out ready to fight. He didn't want his son to see her but he also knew that attacking the great mother would hurt his chances at having demon support once he went to attack Idris. He had told Jonathan to meet him in the forest next to their old house but wasn't prepared for this.

In the moonlight stood Lilith in all of her glory. He had met Lilith before when she offered her blood to him. It was at that moment that Valentine's eyes fell on what the demonic mother was holding. Valentine took a step closer as he tried to get a better look; it appeared to be a person.

A twig snapped as Lilith turned her body to face the nose. At that moment Valentine's vision seemed to clear as his eyes narrowed in on the lifeless body in the demons grasp.

"Clarissa?" Valentine squeaked. "What are you doing with my daughter?" he yelled.

Jonathan stood his ground waiting for the opportune moment to attack. He would have to be careful if he didn't want to hurt Clary.

"Just giving our son some proper motivation." She smiled wickedly before turning back to Jonathan.

"You know where to find me my son. Pry you not take long to think about what we have discussed." She addressed Jonathan before a giant ball of flames rose up and engulfed her and Clarissa. Valentine and Jonathan shielding their eyes from the bright light. In a second the light was gone and Lilith had vanished; taking his unconscious sister with her.

************* Authors Note ***************************

Sorry it took me so long to update, I have been VERY busy. I am beginning Graduate school in the fall, starting a new school year and buying a house. Needless to say that writing is probably going to fall on the back burner. I promise I WILL finish this story but it won't be as quickly as I would like to. Keep up the reviewing. It honestly does motivate me to write faster!

By the way I went back and edited chapters 1-5 to give the story more detail and plot. You should go back and reread them if your interested.

As always, let me know what you thought of this chapter and what you think Lilith has planned? ;)