Waiting had to be the worse part.

Slowly, the days passed and the number of prisoners increased. The cells that had once been empty were now holding at least three or more creatures and Shadowhunters. Sebastian only came down once in awhile to feed his new possessions, but oddly enough, he never said a word to me. He only kissed my forehead and that was much more terrifying, to me.

Still, the echoing sound of his boots against the wooden staircase brought fear to me every time. Sometimes, if I was lucky, I got to go on a walk; released of my chains. I was fed every night, but not nearly enough to fill me up. The only thing I got enough of was water. I was brought a new glass every few hours.

At first, I thought that the water had been tempted with poison so I refused to drink it until I had become completely miserable. I had thought many times of how I could kill myself, but then my mind always travels back to Jace. Jace. My Jace. I tell myself to keep fighting for him because he promised that we'd see each other again. He said that he saved me and no matter how hard it was to believe him, I did.

Sun grazes through the tiny cracks in the walls and I often like to just admire the beauty of the light that still comes every day, despite all of the darkness I live in. Since the first night, Sebastian has been containing me with new chains, outside the cells and attached to the bricks. In a way, I like the arrangement much more.

To keep track of the days, I've been making tally marks in a softer patch of ground, almost like dead cement. So far, I have thirty. Thirty days and I'm still here. The thought makes me cry every night until I remember Jace again. I see his golden eyes and the distinct curve of his jaw; that's what puts the slightest bit of hope inside of me. Sometimes, I imagine his arms holding me when I fall asleep and I feel safe.

I can do this.

I'm strong and I will get out of here, I will.

You look beautiful. Jace speaks to me too.

I wonder what I'll do when I see him again. Probably run into his arms and kiss him for as long as I want. I think I'll cry too.

I love you, Clary.

"I love you too Jace." My voice sounds foreign to me now.

The sun begins to rise and I eagerly look through the cracks, letting the little warmth bathe over me. I close my eyes and smile. I can almost feel Jace through the sun. He's stroking my hair and placing gentle kisses along my neck. His eyelashes flutter against mine as our lips meet. I bring my knees up to my chest and run my hand through my wet hair.

That was another thing about living in theses dungeons. Water leaked often from the ceiling and it rained often making water seep through the ground, so that when I go to sleep every night, I sleep in water. The first night, I had been afraid that the water wouldn't stop rising and I'd drown, but it never got higher than a few inches––

Clunk, clunk, clunk, clunk...

Sebastian's coming.

I keep my eyes focused on the sun and shudder when I feel his hand stroke my back. He never bothered me. He just gave me a simple kiss every day. But, today is different.

"Clarissa, will you look at me?"

I slowly turn my head so that my green eyes clash with his black ones. He's kneeling beside me, keeping his hand in the crook of my neck. "You look very beautiful."

Beautiful? I sure didn't feel too beautiful. I was cold and hungry all the time.

He laughs softly and I see his fingers start playing with my hair, "Why are you talking to me?" I ask, my voice raspy and soft.

"What, I can't talk to my little sister?" He quickly scans over my body and I feel so exposed wearing these little scraps of clothing I had to change into every day. "Do you think you can handle moving upstairs?"

I shake my head, "No."

"No?" His smile disappears into a stern thin line. "So, you enjoy living like this? How about another month down here, hmm?"

"I'm fine down here." I honestly hated it down here, but if moving upstairs meant having to interact with my brother more than I already had too, then the dungeon was just fine.

"Well, we can't always get what we want, can we?" He pulls out a key from his jeans and unlocks the cuffs around my bony wrists. "Come on. Today, you will drink from the cup."

When I refused to move, Sebastian hauls me over his shoulder and I kick and punch him as hard as I can, screaming the entire way.

"Enough, Clarissa!" Sebastian demands, but I continue my efforts until we reach the top step where he throws me into the door. "You will be a good girl. Do you understand?"

I spit in his face.

His hand fires across my face, "Do you understand?"

"You can't make me," I spat, my voice holding aggressive fire. "I am not like you."

His hand strikes again in the same place. The power is enough to break my face, it seems, although unlikely. My cheek grows hot and prickles as the bruise begins to form.

"You're only hurting yourself, little sister. I hope you grow some common sense."

I keep my eyes to floor. I didn't want him to see the tears beginning to form. His fingers dig into my chin, forcing my head up. I glare at my brother through my lashes.

"Now, if you begin to act out again, I can always pull out the whip."

"I don't care. I'm not drinking from that cup," my voice is much too bold.

"You will."

I don't fight back though when he opens the door because I didn't want to get whipped, not ever again. The gashes have just started to heal it seems, and they still sting, but I've grown used to the pain, almost.

I'm forced to walk up a flight of stairs. Large double doors open for us and Sebastian pushes me into what looks like the throneroom. There are two red velvet chairs ahead of us, and a long red carpet leading to them. The walls are all occupied by large windows. The sun is a little too bright for my eyes though.

A guard, the same one I had seen on the first night, holds out the infernal cup in the middle of the room. He was the man that was slightly thicker than his partner––it was hard to believe that now though. He was skin and bones it seemed, awful.

Sebastian shoves me into the man's arms, replacing his hands with the cup. The guard, scrawny, but strong, holds me up like Jace had done when he'd still been under Sebastian's control. I buck my hips and try to jerk my body in every which way.

Sebastian forces my mouth to open and digs his fingers into my skin. I let out a wail as the deadly fluid trickles down my throat.

"Alright, let her go."

I fall to my knees, my heart pounding too fast and everything around me focusing in out, all too blurry. I scream, but in my ears, everything if muffled like it's coming from another room. I clutch my throat and gag on the burning sensation fluctuating throughout my body.

When I had seen Amatis take the blood from the Infernal Cup, she didn't act like me; not in so much pain. I pound my fist against the velvet carpet and claw at Sebastian's boots. I can hear him cackling, distantly.

"That angel blood, must be a bitch."

I cough, while trying to scream and place my hands on my throbbing temples. Why can't it just stop! STOP!

Then, I open my eyes gasping for the air that's finally allowed to enter.

I don't feel different at all, there's just a remaining ache in my chest.

"Clarissa, stand."

I do not.

Hey, I'm so sorry for taking so long on Chapter 5, but I just had to write a novel for my Advanced LA class (Nanowrimo). I think , even though it took a lot out of me, I've become a much better writer and I hope this chapter makes up for the delay. I'm working on Chapter 6 and I will post it tonight or first thing tomorrow morning. There's much more in store, you just wait(: Thanks for all the awesome reviews! Suggestions are always welcome!