**************** Chapter 25 *******************
"Get your filthy hands off of my sister!" Jonathan shouted at the devil women.
"Really now is that anyway to talk to your mother Jonathan? Has that pathetic human mother of yours taught my son any manners?" Lilith snapped back.
Jonathan clenched his jaw as he looked at Clarissa's motionless body in Lilith's arms. Lilith followed her sons gaze downward and smiled.
"She really is beautiful. I can see why you would have fallen for her my son. Just look at her beautiful blood red hair and soft skin. I can sense her angel blood flowing through her veins even now as we speak. Demons have always been attracted to what they can't have. Leave it to Ithuriel to try and sabotage my plans once more." She hissed.
"Let her go. I'll go willingly with you if you just let her go." Jonathan pleaded.
Lilith looked at her son triumphantly and smiled.
"I will not let her go. You wish to mate with her and so she will be yours."
"You can't do that. She loves Jace-"
"Oh you will be surprised at what I am capable of Jonathan. When I am done with her she will be begging on her knees to be yours. Can't you just picture it my son?" Lilith spoke softly.
Jonathan turned his head away reluctantly trying NOT to picture it. His body cried out for his sister and he couldn't help but feel excited by Lilith's words. It was hard trying to keep a cool head when someone was trying to give you the very thing you had wanted for almost your entire life.
"I can see you are struggling against your human and demon side but let me assure you of one thing. You my dear son are a demon. My blood has burnt most of your humanity out of you. You are more demon now and will learn in time that desires can be very powerful and all-consuming to us. You will not be able to resist your urges forever. Eventually you will give into it so why not save yourself the hassle and take the gift that has been offered to you."
"And what 'gift' is that?" Jonathan spat refusing to look at her.
"I want you to join me by side. You and your mate can come with me and rule the void between worlds together. My son is capable of the best and I want him to seize the power which is his." She said proudly.
Jonathan hesitated for a minute. The offer sounded deliciously tempting and every fiber in his body was pushing him to step forward and take it. He could give into his demon side and take Clarissa. She might not like it at first but she would get used to it. She would be his and a queen at that. She would be his mate and they could be happy for eternity. Jonathan looked at her soft face…. but would she really be happy?
Lilith could manipulate her mind but she wouldn't be the same sister he grew up with. His Clary, the one he loved so much, loved Jace with every fiber of her being. He couldn't take that away from her could he? Jonathan brought his hands up to his head in frustration.
"I see you need more time to think this over my son. I shall give you until sunrise to decide. Meet me at the seventh scared sight before Sunrise or else you will never see your beloved sister again."
"NO!" He shouted pulling his sword out of its sheath. "You are not taking her anywhere!"
Lilith looked at him silently as a smile crept up her face. Jonathan heard a sound from his left that caught his attention. He turned his head and saw his father studying them both with the Mortal Sword in his hands. Jonathan sighed in exasperation. He thought his father would have waited until Jace and Clary returned from New York before grabbing the sword. Curse his idiocy. He knew his father was not a patient man. The promise he made to their mother obviously meant nothing.
Jonathan had bigger things to deal with than his father at the moment; like getting his sister back. He watched his father's eyes zero in on Clary and saw Valentine's demeanor change.
"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 shielded their eyes from the bright light. In a second the light was gone and Lilith had vanished; taking his unconscious sister with her.
****************** Line Break ******************************
"Jace!" Simon shouted barging into the front door of the instute.
After no answer he quickly rushed up the steps to the next floor with a girl following closely behind him.
"Jace! Where the hell are you blondie? Now is not the time to be hiding." Simon shouted.
Alec and Izzy came out from the library to look at him curiously.
"Simon what is wrong?" Izzy asked.
"Jace! I need to talk to Jace right now." Simon yelled angrily.
Isabelle tilted her head back. She had never seen Simon so angry before. The girl behind Simon bit her lip as Alec made eye contact with her.
"Jace Herondale where the hell are you?" Simon screamed.
"What is the emergency Simon? Comic book store run out of your favorite book?" Jace said sarcastically with his arms crossed walking up behind him.
Simon turned and lunged at him smacking Jace into the wall. Jace was too caught off guard to block. He stared up at Simons brown eyes staring him down with fury.
"You. Fucking. Moron!" Simon screamed pressing Jace's shoulders painfully into the wall. "What the hell were you thinking letting her go out after me all by herself at night!"
"I'm assuming you mean Clary? Well let me remind you that Clary is a full-fledged Shadow hunter unlike you! She went after you to make sure your scrawny ass didn't get in trouble!" Jace spat. "What did you not like being babied? Little Simon get embarrassed that a girl had to come help him-"Simon's fist colliding with his face cut him off.
Jace quickly recovered from the blow and lunged forward at Simon. Jace landed a punch into Simon's side before pinning him to the ground. He smiled triumphantly looking down at Simon who swiftly kneed him in the stomach. They were rolling around on the floor as each landed a new blow. Alec and the others didn't even bother to try and break them up.
"Enough!" The mystery girl who came in with Simon screamed. "Fighting won't bring your friend back!"
Jace froze processing the girls words before allowing Simon to pin him on the ground. He looked up at Simon dumbfounded; pure fear emulating from his golden eyes.
"Now you get it?" Simon said pointedly.
"What is she talking about Simon?" Helen asked joining the group.
Simon looked down at Jace with an expression of anger and pity. He lifted himself off of the boy and turned to face the others. He wiped the blood off of his check with his hand and began.
"Clary apparently followed me after I left to go see my family." He answered.
"We established that." Alec replied pointedly. "What happened after that?"
Simon closed his mouth and looked to the mystery girl beside him.
"Ugh, fine I'll tell them!" She groaned. "My pack master has had me keeping an eye on you and your friends since you came to New York. He was worried that you might get yourselves into more trouble than you could handle. Boy was he right! Tonight I followed your red headed friend Clary. She seemed to be looking for someone when a demon popped out of the shadows and knocked her out cold."
"And you did nothing to stop them?" Aline asked. "Surely if your masters goal was for you to watch over us to keep us safe wouldn't you have intervened?"
"You think we didn't?" the girl retorted bitterly. "This is the thank you I got for trying to help your friend." She said pulling her shirt up to expose a nasty cut that sliced her skin from her stomach down her leg. The skin seemed to be healing itself rather quickly. The girl watched the look of horror on Simon's face.
"If you think this is bad you should see my friend Bat. I mean luckily us werewolves heal quickly but the number she did on him will have him in recovery for a few days."
"So you're a werewolf then?" Izzy asked.
"Yep and proud of it! The name is Mia by the way just so you Nephilim can avoid referring to me as the 'werewolf girl'. I know how your kind loves to dehumanize us Downworlders." She said crossly.
The group looked at her suspiciously. It wasn't until Simon took a step forward that Mia let her scowl fade.
"Thank you for trying to save our friend Mia. We may not act like it but we do appreciate it. Do you know why the demon took her?" Simon asked softly resting his hand on her shoulder. Despite the touch being foreign its warmth calmed her.
"No I don't. It isn't normal for demons to take victims especially Nephilim. Normally it is a killed or be killed deal. I can't imagine what it would want with her but I can tell you that she was defiantly alive when the creature left. The demon didn't seem to be looking for a fight. It knew what it wanted, knocked her out and tried to leave."
Jace's phone buzzed in his pocket. He was too stunned to notice it at first. It wasn't until Aline reached into his pocket and removed his phone that he realized that it was going off. He looked down at the number and sighed.
"It's Jonathan just great!" he said hitting ignore.
"He is going to freak." Alec replied.
"Who is Jonathan?" Mia asked.
"Clary's brother." Simon answered.
"I thought he was Clary's brother?" she asked pointing at Jace.
"He is but not biologically. It's complicated." Simon sighed.
"Not really." Aline replied. "Jace is her adoptive brother."
"And her fiancée." Helen added.
Mia looked at them before turning her head back to face Simon and the heartbroken Jace.
"Yeah Simon that sounds defiantly complicated." Mia said seriously.
Jace felt his phone vibrate again. He looked down and saw Jonathan's number once more. Jonathan was not one to call anyone over and over again. Hell he didn't even really call anyone but Clary. Jace was lucky to get a text back from him. Reluctantly Jace hit accept and placed his ear to the phone. Did he know about Clary already? No probably not but something was up.
"Yes Jonathan?" he answered as everyone's eyes fell silently on him.
"It's about time you fucking answered! Lilith has Clary Jace!" Jonathan shouted loud enough for the entire group to hear him.
"Lilith? Are you sure it was her?" Jace asked.
"Am I sure? Of course I'm damn sure! She paraded her body in front of father and I in the clearing! I don't know how the hell you let her out of your sight Jace but you better get your ass back here now and help me get her back if you know what's good for you!" Jonathan screamed before hanging up.
Jace stood frozen before finally sliding down the wall. He grunted placing his hands to his head in frustration.
"So Lilith took her? At least now we know who we are dealing with." Alec stated.
"Yeah, a princess of hell. Just great!" Helen added.
"Well we aren't going to just abandon our friend! Let's get our weapons and meet up with Jonathan. It's time to rescue Clary!" Izzy replied beginning to turn around.
"I don't think that is a good idea." Said a voice behind her.
Everyone looked up quickly and saw two men standing in the library doorway.
"Magnus! What are you doing here?" Alec asked bewildered.
"My friend here came and got me. Apparently you all are over your heads…. again. I really hoped that you were planning on calling me before rushing to go face some Greater demon Alec." Magnus shrugged sending bits of glitter cascading into the air.
Alec looked away which was enough of an answer for Magnus.
"Who is your friend-"Aline began to ask but was cut off.
"Luke!" Mia screamed hugging him. Luke had been the only father figure that Mia had ever known and they had grown very close the last few years.
"I'm Luke Graymark, leader of the New York wolf pack." He smiled.
********************* Line Break **************************
"Well I hope you are happy now!" Jocelynn yelled. "Not only did you let her take our son from me now you're going to let her take our daughter as well! How long will your family suffer for your idiotic beliefs!"
Jonathan looked at his mother with pain and admiration. He had been waiting for her to 'go off' on their father for years. If Clary wasn't missing and he wasn't worried out of his damn mind he would be tempted to grab a bowl of popcorn sit back and enjoy the show.
"Lilith will not harm Clarissa darling. I swear I will go after her immediately once the soul sword ritual is complete." Valentine spoke calmly turning to leave the room.
Jonathan had to hand it to him. He knew when to leave. There was no point in arguing, he was going to lose no matter what the outcome. He normally hated it when Clary played those womanly mind games with him but this was different. His father was in the wrong completely.
"Where are you going?" Jocelynn called out after him.
"I am going to the ship to begin the ritual. I will come and get you when it is complete." His father said angrily.
"If you walk out that door don't expect me to be here waiting for you to return." She countered viciously.
Valentine stopped in his tracks as a look of pain and malice came over his face.
Wow! Go mom! Way to hit him where it hurts. Jonathan thought.
"So you're telling me to choose my life's ambition, the ambition of the entire circle or you?" Valentine asked calmly.
"And our family but Yes."
"I am saddened to hear that Jocelynn but every man must make sacrifices for the greater good. I hope you will think over what you are asking me to do and reconsider. Once I have summoned Raziel there will be no place in this world that you will be able to hide from me. I pray you will think long and hard about your choices." He said sternly turning to gaze at Jonathan.
"Remember what happened last time you left me." His father added cruelly.
Jonathan met his father's gaze with hate.
"Come Jonathan." Valentine called turning to leave as his mother fell to the floor sobbing.
Jonathan looked at Jocelyn tenderly. He doubted that she really loved this monster but she was playing her hand in order to get Clary back. Surely it would be easier to get her daughter back with Valentine's assistance than without it. It shocked even Jonathan that Valentine put his goals over Clarissa's safety. Then again he guessed he shouldn't be surprised. Valentine was the one to poison his first born son with demon blood and hack Jace out of his dead mother's stomach. Though he was grateful for the later. His father reached the doorway before he noticed that his son was not following him. He slowly turned around to face Jonathan once more.
"Jonathan come." His father commanded.
"No." Jonathan snarled.
"You dare to defy me. Are you really choosing the mother who abandoned you over me; the father who took care of you while your own mother couldn't stand the sight of you?" he asked.
"Well it was because of you dear old dad that she couldn't now isn't it. As for the choosing who over whom I've been choosing mom over you for a while now." Jonathan grinned as his moved to stand next to his mother who looked up at her son. Valentine smiled as he gazed at his tear faced wife.
"I knew Jace would surpass you, I just didn't think it would be in obedience. He has proven to be a better son than you will ever be Jonathan." Valentine grinned wickedly.
Valentine was really going to hit where it hurts. Normally that statement would have crushed Jonathan but not now. The thing he loved the most was his sister and Valentine choose to toss her life away. That made his decision easier. Sure he would probably never really love his mother but she would give her life to protect Clary. That was one thing that they had in common and that alone cemented his decision.
"I wouldn't count on that. See Jace, Clary, mother and I have all pretty much have turned against you now." Jonathan smiled.
"You shouldn't speak for your brother and sister while they are not present." Valentine snarled.
"Oh I think I can attest perfectly well to the fact that they hate you. We had been plotting your downfall for a while now Valentine." Jonathan smiled seeing the fury in his father's eyes when he addressed him by his first name. "We turned against you when we broke into that caller and broke Madam Dorthea out. We turned on you when we released your experiments, killed your guards and slaughtered your forsaken that night. We turned on you when we gave you the cup so you would let us into the circle to better spy on you. I would say we have been undermining you for a while now."
Jonathan beamed watching his father's face as he revealed the truth at last to him.
"You little ungrateful brat. You will pay for what you-"
"You're not going to lay a hand on my brother." A voice called out snapping the group's attention forward.
Valentine turned to see Jace standing in the doorway with his blade out ready to attack. Behind him were Alec, Isabelle, Simon, Aline, Helen, Magnus and Luke."
"Lucian?" Valentine said confused.
Jocelynn raised her eyes to look at her childhood friend. Luke looked down at her with determination and anger.
"It's been awhile Valentine. Still see your treating your wife and children like shit. Guess somethings never change. You okay red?" he called out to Jocelyn.
"You're here?" His mother gasped looking at the brown eyed man before them.
"You better believe it! Though I am regretting ever letting you marry these creep." Luke said addressing Valentine.
Valentine scowled.
"Yes, I am sure you rather she had chosen you Lucian." He sneakered.
"I should have." Jocelyn peeped.
Valentine obviously didn't expect that response and glared back at his wife.
"You're out numbered my dear friend. So why don't you give us the sword and we won't kill you." Luke spat. Valentine ignored him and continued to look at Jocelynn. His eyes burned with heated betrayal.
"You will regret this decision Jocelyn. I will strip everything you love in the world away from you while I make you watch. Then you will see that you were a fool to betray me!" Valentine said ignoring the others.
Jocelyn raised her head and looked at Valentine in fear. She couldn't help but place a protective hand on Jonathan's shoulder. Jonathan moved in front of his mother with his blade drawn.
"Enough talking. Are you going to surrender or fight?" Jonathan growled.
"Neither." Valentine smiled as he turned his ring and disappeared.
*********************************A/N*********************************
Wow thanks for the review guys! It actually motivated me to write this last night and edited it today. I'll try to update as soon as possible but like I said in the last update I have A LOT going on. Hope you enjoy this chapter. It is defiantly setting the tone for the remaining chapters. I can't believe that this story is already more than 60,000 words! That's a book! So Crazy!
Either way let me know what you think! :P
Peace out!