As soon as I stepped out of the car, I felt sudden anxiety. The large brick church had snow piles scattered in piles here and there and lights decorated the trees and rooftops. Because of the snow, the sky was a darker blue, but still very beautiful. I could see my breath and my naked arms were violently being attacked by the below freezing air. I felt stupid for not bringing a jacket or anything. "Probably should get inside, huh?" Jace laughed beside me. I nodded stiffly and he put his jacket-covered arm around me.
The inside of the church was accompanied by instant warmth. I looked around at the familiar setting and saw that we were in the commons. I could hear an organ playing in the actual fellowship hall and smiled inwardly. I remembered that I used to come here every Saturday when I was a little girl up until I was twelve. I still didn't know why we'd stopped going, but it was like I still knew where everything was. Since Simon was Jewish, he went to a different church, but I still had a few friends that I'd run around with and get lost in the maze of hallways and talk to during youth group. "I've never been here," Jace said.
"I used to come here all the time."
"I can see that," he laughed. I bet my face had contorted oddly as I revisited the
memories and I blushed violently.
"Um, I'm going to go to the bathroom," I said quickly.
"Okay," Jace pouted.
"You're such a two-year-old," I said, while softly pulling my hand away and turning on my
heels to the bathroom I had remembered exactly where it was.
The floors were still speckled yellow and white and it was still as hideous as it was four years ago. The stalls were all tan and the counter had a similar pattern to that of the floor with three evenly spaced out sinks. I really didn't have to use the bathroom, but I just needed a moment alone.
My reflection was so different than what I was used to seeing and it still gave me a good
feeling, although it was odd. I dampened my hands and nearly splashed my face, but thought twice and rubbed my neck instead. That way, Izzy wouldn't kill me.
"My, little sister, you look beautiful." It was that voice that sent shivers up my spine and snap my head up to see Sebastian, right there in the mirror! I spun around, but he was gone. He was right there! I made a quick stride towards the door, when I was thrown completely off my feet and I slammed into the floor, only able to stifle a small scream before a hand was clamped over my mouth. "Shh, wouldn't want to give the others a fright, would we?" The corners of his mouth slivered into a sly smile. I felt like raking my fingers across his face, but I stayed tense and still.
His white hair was parted towards the middle and fine strands fell in his eyes. His black eyes were fiercely staring into mine and all I could think of was that dark abyss leading to nowhere. His pale skin and eerie presence gave made me shudder. I could feel the backs of my eyes stinging and my throat beginning to tighten with fear. His hand was still forcefully over my mouth and at this point I was completely stunned to do anything. "We should probably get going, shouldn't we?"
He was instantly on his feet and yanked me by the arm to join him. I was free to scream, but I couldn't manage anything but a small whimper. "You can't just take me out by the front."
"You obviously don't remember this church as well as you thought you did."
He walked out with total confidence and I realized that he wasn't afraid of anyone seeing us because he was taking me to the back exit of the church, in the courtyard that was practically a ghost town. I couldn't shout for help though, not unless I wanted anyone else to get hurt too, so I just started to silently cry. "Why are you crying. I hate seeing such a sad face on such a beautiful girl," he hissed, tightening his grasp on my arms. He released one of his arms to give the back door a simple push and then I was greeted with the familiar cold air. "It's really cold, isn't it?" He shoved me hard onto the snow covered grass and let the door shut behind him.
"What do you want with me!" I screamed as the snow stung my delicate skin. A shoe was thrust into my stomach and I tumbled over to my back. Sebastian leaned down on his left knee and lifted my head by clutching my hair in his fist.
"I think you know what I want from you Clarissa. Revenge, of course, but also, how could you forget? You belong to me," his voice was filled with venom and his eyes got impossibly darker. "You thought that your actions would've gone without any punishment? Stupid little bitch! You destroyed everything and betrayed me. I promise though, that you will join me. I don't care how, but you will." He pulled me up to my feet again, "Now come on, little sister. We need a little going away party don't we?"
His arm wrapped loosely around my neck and then I felt a sharp tip press against my forearm. I looked down to see a stele, but then instant pain fell over me and my eyes could only see fuzzy black spots fogging up my vision. I screamed as loud as I could manage and my throat started to close up as if I were inhaling acidic smoke from a building tumbling down in flames. My body trembled from the cold and the torment that wouldn't cease. I could feel my heart slam against my ribs and my head dying for relief. I screamed and cried and then...it all stopped. I dropped to the ground and clutched the snow covered grass in my still shaking fingers. "That was an outstanding performance, Clarissa. I can honestly say that you nearly-"
"LET HER GO!" My hair blew in my face and I remained on the ground, helpless and pathetic. "Sebastian! You son of a bitch, let her GO!"
"Oh, now I hate being called names, that's a little immature don't you all agree?" I felt my hair being pulled at and I was yanked to my feet. Sebastian's slithery fingers clamped around my jaw forcing me to look at my friends. "Besides, Jace, I'm never letting her go."
I didn't know who couldn't of heard my screams, but Jace, Simon, Alec, Jordan, and Luke were all standing opposite from us at least a hundred feet away. My fingers were clamped down at Sebastian's arm, trying to keep him from using any more force. I looked down, even though it was impossible to forget their faces. Jace's eyes held so much anger, but his guilt peered through even more. His eyebrows were furrowed and his muscles caged behind his jacket were stone-still. His jaw was held locked and I could even see his tears. I can't remember the last time I'd seen Jace cry, but this time brought the absolute worse feeling to the pit of my stomach. It's my fault I wandered off alone, how could anyone protect me if I won't let them protect me. I tried to stop more tears from falling, but that was like asking Sebastian to let me go.
Simon's face was much more childish than Jace's, but showed more fear than anything. His big brown eyes were hooded with his frowning eyebrows and his chest puffed out to match the rest of his strained body. However, Luke's face would probably haunt me the most. He looked so innocent behind his glasses and red cheeks. All he wanted was the perfect wedding and to marry the woman he loved with all of his heart, but instead he had to watch the girl he'd known so well to call his daughter being taken away by the boy he'd despised the most to call him his worst nightmare. The bulging of his eyes and the wrinkles formed with concern made me think of him as a dad watching his little girl being killed right in front of him, except much worse. If they all felt as guilty as they looked, then I wondered how guilty I looked right now. I couldn't even look them in the face!
Alec and Jordan didn't speak, but they didn't have to. I knew Alec probably didn't find me as his best friend in the entire world, but we had grown to like each other enough to actually become good friends. I cared about him, just as he cared about me. Jordan's beautiful skin seemed so dark compared to the blinding whiteness of the snow. His eyes were dark, even from here and he showed distress and tautness with the strong emotions in his face.
"What do you want with her?" Luke bellowed out, his voiced cracked achingly.
"You all know what I want from her. I find it pathetic that she asked me the same question, even though she probably knows the answer the best out of all of you." He leaned his face even closer to mine and he slid his free hand around my waist, digging his fingers into my skin.
"Stop!" Jace begged, "Please, just stop!" I wanted to wrap my arms around him and feel the comfort of his kisses. My heart was breaking.
"'Stop!'" Sebastian mimicked, his lips touching my skin. "Why on earth would I stop, Jonathan?"
"You can have me! Take me instead and I promise I'll do whatever you want me to do!" Jace shouted, stepping a little closer.
"Jace, no-" I screamed, only to get cut off by my brother jerking me backwards, shifting my entire body into a tighter strain.
"Clary, please," Jace said, daring to take another step closer.
"Brother, please don't make another bad mistake," Sebastian said indicating to Jace's feet. "I'd really hate it if someone very close to you had to pay for it."
"Sebastian?" Luke called out.
"What? If this is about accepting you as my father, you can forget it. I'll never see you as my father-"
"Cut the crap Sebastian!" Jace barked. I noticed that he was standing back with the others, he'd taken all of his steps back.
"Okay, well I was hoping for some more friends, Clarissa, weren't you?" He was speaking to me as if I were his pet, however, that was exactly what I was to him. "Where's the much taller girl that cut off my hand?" He snarled. I could see Alec become much more wrought up. "Or mother dearest?"
"You-" Luke started, but got cut off by another voice.
"She's right here!" Jocelyn stalked through the snow to line up with the rest of the "good guys" and Isabelle followed right behind her. They both wore Shadowhunting gear, rather than their dresses and Isabelle had her signature whip.
"Oh, good!" Sebastian cheered. "Isn't this exciting, Clarissa? All of these nice people here, just for you? This is your going away party."
"Maia's getting the rest of the wolf pack! They'll be here any second, and you'll regret ever coming here," Isabelle shouted.
Snow was beginning to fall hard now and I was freezing. My toes felt as if someone could just break them off one-by-one and the rest of my body desired to be next to a fire.
"I really don't think that'll be a problem. You see, we can leave whenever I want to, no wolf is faster than me," Sebastian
cackled. He gazed down at my arms and smiled, "Jocelyn, you really should get mother of the year. You forgot to get a coat for your own daughter. Don't worry I have at least twenty back at your new home, Clarissa."
"Take ME!" Jace shouted much louder.
Sebastian released his strenuous hold on me, but caught at my wrist before I could make a single move. He held it up in the air and I twisted my body so that I wouldn't have to look at him. "Clarissa, would you let your precious Jace take your place?" I looked at Jace and saw him beg me to say yes, but I stiffly shook my head.
"Clary, please!" Jace shouted.
"No!" I yelled back. "I won't let him take you again, not again!"
"As touching as this really is, it's really Clarissa I want at the moment, not you, so we best be on our way," Sebastian said and he let me go. He let me go? I looked down at my wrist and started to make my way towards my friends, just as confused as I was. "Little sister, give me a moment to make the portal. You can say your little goodbyes, but if you try and run, I'll find you again, and again, and again...See the pattern here? Oh and you won't be the only one with consequences, sadly."
I ran into my mother's arms first. Her arms were linked around my waist, never wanting to let me go and then I felt another body, Luke. They kissed my head repeatedly and Jocelyn was crying. "Mom," I croaked, "please don't cry, okay? I'm going to be fine and it will all work out," I told her.
"I love you Clary," my mother said and she gave me one last kiss.
"I love you guys both," I said and I urged myself to pull away and turned to Simon. He leaned down and buried me into his chest.
"You're so brave, Clary. I love you." he whispered only loud enough for me to hear.
I kissed his cheek, "I love you too."
Izzy stood there with open arms and I let her cling to me tightly
"Oh Clary, I just want to let you know that even though you get on my nerves a lot, that you're my best friend and I love you so much!" Izzy cried. I melted into her warm grasp and kissed her cheek. I hugged Alec and Jordan soon after, not wanting to let go of either of them because I dreaded when I'd have to say goodbye to Jace.
I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned as Jace pulled me tightly towards him, not even caring about the fire and our lips touched passionately. He rubbed my cheek and tried to use his body to warm me up and then he pulled my face close to his mouth, "Clary, I promise that I'm going to get you out of there. Okay?" He said. I could see that he was forcing back tears. I was usually the one afraid to show my emotions to him, but now it seemed like Jace was trying to stay strong for me and wouldn't allow himself to cry in front of me.
All I could do was nod, "Okay, I believe you." He pulled me in for one last hug and kissed me again, only delicately this time.
"I love you so much, Clary. More than anything in this world."
"I love you too Jace," I cried and I nearly yelped when Sebastian grabbed my arm. Jace defensively pulled me away but then released me and forced himself to look away.
"Come one, walk a little faster!" Sebastian insisted and nearly dragged me across the snow.
"Sebastian! She doesn't belong to you!" Jace shouted and Sebastian frowned, but he kept walking.
"Come along sister, your destiny lies with me," Sebastian said as we neared a portal swirling rapidly and twisting the snow into mini funnels. I looked back one last time before Sebastian tugged me through. Now all I was worried about was what my destiny truly was.