A/N: Wahhh! Thanks so much for the reviews, guys! Means a lot. I'm glad you guys are appreciating my take on everything. I'm kinda writing it how I wanted the book to go. I felt like everything was sorta rushed & the relationship between Jace & Clary was underdeveloped. I wanted to know how she was feeling inside not just about him, but about everything that was going on. It also didn't make sense that she didn't want to be more prepared for everything that was happening, so I felt like she would have wanted to train & learn as much as she could about who she really was & what she could accomplish if she wanted to try. Plus, it would give her an advantage to finding her mom & understanding what was going on. So yeah, that's just kinda why I'm doing it this way. Really happy you guys are digging it! :D
I sigh. "Just a sec." I turn to put my sketchpad away, but Jace grabs me by the arm to stop me.
"There's no time. We've gotta move quick. I'll fill you in on the way."
As we're racing down the hall towards the library, Jace hurriedly explains that Isabelle has gone missing. Apparently she told Alec she was going for a walk because she's going stir-crazy being cooped up in the Institute waiting for a lead. Shadowhunters are action-oriented, especially the violent kind of action.
"That was five hours ago. Alec's tried to reach her with fire messages, but there's been no response."
Isabelle, while impulsive at times, never does anything so rash as to not at least check in from time to time. That's more Jace's thing. Unlike Alec & Isabelle, Jace apparently forgets that he's not invincible with some frequency. Most Shadowhunters are extra cautious, fully aware of the dangers the world holds for them, especially when wandering the streets alone at night. They're walking targets for demons and the occasional rogue Downworlder. Like Alec said, though, at times, it almost seems as if Jace has a death-wish.
However, despite Jace's disregard for his own wellbeing, his family's safety is obviously the most important thing in the world to him and it takes priority over anything and everything else. I actually prefer deadly, serious Jace because it means he's less likely to torment me, though I'm of course never a fan of seeing people in distress. I'm too sensitive to other people's emotions.
"So what's the plan?" I ask, struggling to keep pace with him.
"We're working on it." He replies simply as he throws the doors to the library open. Hodge and Alec are already there, with Hugo perched nearby. Even Church is sitting stuffily on the arm of the dark sofa looking tense. No one can say the black-haired beauty isn't loved.
Alec's pacing frantically, while Hodge is watching him with a concerned albeit tired look on his face. Jace barrels in and immediately suggests we gear up and go out to look for her. Alec rounds on him.
"But where, Jace? Where do we start? She could be anywhere."
"We go underground. If anything bad has happened, surely someone will have gotten wind of it down there. The kidnapping of a Shadowhunter isn't exactly small news."
"Let's not jump to conclusions, though. We don't even know she's been kidnapped." Hodge cuts in, stepping forward gently.
"What else could have happened? Isabelle's not exactly incapable; even on her own she can take on far more opponents than I can. Plus, she's never been out for so long without at least checking in once." Alec's wringing his hands now; I've never seen him so agitated before. I suppose he and his sister are closer than I thought.
"I still think that hitting the subterranean scene is our best bet. It sure beats sitting around here wracking our brains for some alternative solution that's not going to come." Jace is next to Alec now, looking at him like he knows he just needs a little push and he'll be game. Alec's usually pretty hesitant to go looking for trouble, but his love for his sister will probably trump his fears. Hodge is the only one who looks unconvinced.
"I just don't want you two doing anything reckless. Besides, if you both go, who will be here to look after Clary? I have a meeting I have to attend soon, so I won't be able to stay with her." A shifty look crosses Hodge's face for a split second, but no one else seems to notice. I wonder if I'm just imagining things.
"She'll come with us. I've already given her some training, and she's a fast learner. Though we'll have to keep an eye on her, I doubt anything too bad will happen to her."
"Thanks, Jace." I say, not making an effort to conceal my sarcasm. "I'm glad to know my safety is just as important to you as Isabelle's."
Before he can respond, Alec interjects, "No. No way. Definitely not. She'll just be a liability and slow us down. I don't care what you think she's capable of. One training session a warrior does not make. We're going to go straight into enemy territory. We won't be protected by the Accords down there and we'll be sitting ducks if we make just one false move. We have to be fully alert and attentive to make it out alive, what to speak of rescuing Isabelle."
"It still may not be the case that Isabelle needs rescuing-" Hodge begins, but Alec's anger silences him.
"Hodge. I know my sister. Stop saying that. Something bad has happened and I have to go find her." Immediately Alec's face becomes the picture of remorse as he realizes he just yelled at his mentor and dear friend. He sheepishly turns back to Jace, but his voice is firm and resolute when he addresses him.
"Let's go."
Jace is next to me again, fixed in a steadfast posture.
"She comes."
Alec rolls his eyes and huffs as he turns and heads out of the room.
"She's your charge. If she dies, it's on you."
I gulp. Great. Greaty great great.
After we're all geared up and in the elevator, Jace draws a Mendelin rune on my arm after he finishes marking himself. Jace gives me a few other temporary Marks, but not nearly as many as he gave himself. Alec's lips are pursed in disapproval. It's not advised to give so many first Marks to someone at the same time, but I seem to be handling them pretty well.
We finish the descent in tense silence and I'm overtly conscious of the strange leatherish clothing tight against my body. It's my first time wearing gear and carrying weapons, and they feel slightly heavy around me. I'm worried they'll slow me down even more when I remember that Jace gave me a rune for speed. Hopefully it'll help me not fall too far behind them.
As we reach the ground floor, my heart rate picks up speed. I've never been a part of a fight before, much less an all out raid. I'm really not sure I'm ready. Jace seems to believe in me, though the fact that he's been known to be impetuous from time to time by no means reassures me. Without even thinking, I'm praying to the Angel in my mind for guardianship, direction, and courage. I've never done that before, but it feels natural.
All of a sudden we're in the cemetery. I don't even remember how we got here. Everything's just whirling past in a blur. We're entering a crypt and I peer quizzically at Jace. He doesn't return my gaze. His brow is furrowed with determination and I can tell nothing else in the world exists but his mission to recover his sister. I can't help but admire his bravery and devotion. He truly lives and breathes his duty as a Shadowhunter.
After what seems like an eternity of stairs, I'm stunned to realize that at the end of a dimly lit passageway, the sound of rowdy voices is rumbling from behind a closed door. There are two paths on either side of the door, giving us the option not to go inside. I can't tell if I should be more relaxed by the muted noise or less. On the one hand, at least there isn't any spooky dead stuff like I expected there to be underneath a crypt. On the other, the voices probably don't belong to friendlies ready to greet us with balloons and cake, and there sure seem to be a lot of them.
I glance up at Jace again. This time he returns my glance. I can see him telling me to be quiet with his eyes, but they're also trying to reassure me, as if to say, 'Don't worry. I've got your back.' This doesn't exactly put me at ease, though, as this is still totally unfamiliar territory to me.
Alec's leading us from ahead, moving silently and signalling us to follow him into the left tunnel. There are various bits of rubble and trash strewn about, and a distinctive mold smell that I've never encountered before rudely intrudes into my nostrils.
"Demon shit." Jace wrinkles his nose in disgust. "Everything they do has the stench of decay to it."
Alec shushes him testily as he ducks behind a large crate that stinks of rotten eggs. I wonder what's inside, but also feel fairly certain that I really don't want to know. Jace and I crouch beside him.
"We've got to wait until one leaves the bar so we can catch it on its own. We don't stand a chance barging inside and trying to take them all. From the sound of it, there's at least ten in there and with our friend here…" Alec shoots me a snide look. "Well, let's just say we may not be able to take as many as usual." I flush and chew on my lip contritely. I feel bad about being dead weight. I'm hoping there's some way I can be useful and not just a hindrance to them.
Jace gives me an almost apologetic look as if to say, 'Don't mind him. You're fine.' I don't believe him, though his faith in me makes me want to prove myself all the more. He may be awful sometimes, but he can actually be pretty kind, too.
The golden-eyed young Shadowhunter gets pushed from my mind, however, when the side door of the bar is shoved open and a huge creature emerges into the hallway groaning torpidly. It looks like one of the traditional humanoid demon depictions I saw in some of the Institute library books. The demon's skin is red and lumpy. It almost looks like it's made out of rocks. It has huge curling horns that look like a ram's and has cloven hooves to match. There are dark claws for nails on its hands and its eyes are fully black like a shark's. With wings and a pointed tail, the demon looks way too strong for the three of us to take. I'm looking at the two boys beside me with alarm, but they seem unfazed. They're not actually thinking of trying to go against THAT, are they?!
Alec and Jace are staring intently at one another. For a second, I wonder if Shadowhunters can communicate telepathically, but I suppose they probably just know each other well enough to speak with their faces alone. They are parabatai after all. Alec jerks his thumb to the left then to the right and Jace nods, then he turns his sparkling blue eyes on me and points downward emphatically, clearly telling me to stay put. I scowl but am mildly relieved. I really don't want to go near the massive creature that's the stuff nightmares are made of. The two of them pull out their seraph blades and whisper their names. I do the same, though I know it's unnecessary. Better safe than sorry, I figure.
An odor that overpowers the rotten egg stench punches me in the nose. It's accompanied by the sound of a heavy stream of water splashing the ground and I realize that the demon is… relieving itself in the hallway. Apparently corridor is synonymous with bathroom in demonic culture. Taking advantage of the demon's distraction, Jace and Alec race out and flank it, jamming their seraph blades into its sides and shoving it against the crypt walls. For a moment, I see Alec's parabatai rune shimmer on his exposed bicep. It seems the strength partner-warriors draw from one another increases their individual strength, too, doubling their total strength. Neat. The demon's face is smashed hard against the stone, but Jace hisses a warning for it not to make a sound or it'll become demon à la shish kebob. I struggle to suppress a giggle despite my terror.
The demon doesn't seem scared, but it waits in silence for its attackers to speak again.
"Shadowhunter girl, black hair, hard to miss. Where is she?" Alec demands in a low tone, driving his blade harder into the demon's back.
"How should I know?" The demon's voice is so deep and garbled it's hard to make out what its saying. "You think I keep tabs on your lot? Sure your stench didn't drive her away?"
"You're one to talk." Jace interjects.
A woman's laugh echoes throughout the halls, faint but clear.
"Izzy…" Alec stands upright, his blade dropping to his side as he squints down the tunnels.
"Alec!" Jace shouts but before the dark-haired boy can react, the demon swats him aside with the back of his gigantic arm, sending him flying into the far wall with a crunch. Alec groans as he slides to the floor. The demon turns his attention to Jace, but the slender boy has already started sprinting away from him. Jace running from a fight? I marvel in disbelief, but sure enough just as the demon has started clomping steadily after him, he turns and heads straight for it. What is he doing?!
Without thinking, I'm about to leap out from behind the crate when I notice Jace dropping to the floor and sliding with tremendous speed straight for the demon's legs. He slams into them with incredible force, causing the demon to lose its balance and topple over the crouched boy. Jace rolls out from under it just in time to avoid being crushed by its weight as it falls face-first to the ground. These demons have crazy strength, but poor reaction time, I note.
Jace calls to Alec as he leaps on top of the prone creature's back and raises his blade, but Alec's still struggling to get to his feet. Realizing what Jace is going to do, I dart out into the hall and jump up next to him, raising my blade, too. Jace looks at me in surprise for a moment, but his expression quickly shifts into one of resolute assent. He brings his head down in a calculated nod and we simultaneously plunge our seraph blades into the demon's back as hard as we can. It groans loudly as its body begins to sizzle and melt underneath us.
"Quick." Jace grabs my wrist and heaves me off of the shrinking body beneath us. We rush over to Alec and thrust our shoulders under his, hoisting him clumsily to his feet. Jace has to bend down so he's level with me, tiny as I am. We half drag Alec into the closest tunnel. It's shrouded in darkness, the torch having burnt out. We press our backs against the wall just in the nick of time. Two demons identical to the one we just killed stomp through the side door and peer about lazily for their friend. Their fraternal bonds must not be that strong, however, because they seem to shrug and reenter the bar within a few minutes. I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding in a long stream, relief washing over me. That was close.
We set Alec down again and Jace pulls his witchlight out of his pocket, raising it and then handing it to me as he begins to mark his brother with an iratze rune. Within a few moments, Alec starts to regain some of his strength. To my astonishment, the first thing he says is,
"Nice going, kid." He manages a weak smile at me, and out of the corner of my eyes I see Jace beaming proudly at me as though it's entirely his doing that I was able to be helpful at all. I'd like to think at least part of that came from just me. Regardless, I feel my heart swell a bit under the rush of adrenaline coursing through my body. It feels like I might have finally redeemed myself a bit in Alec's eyes and that maybe there's hope for me after all. Maybe.
"Iz…" Jace says to Alec as he's getting to his feet.
"That way." Alec nods back to the main tunnel. We peek around the corner to make sure the path is clear before stealthily making our way to the next opening in the wall. I'm suddenly aware of the stealth rune burning on my skin. Crap, it's wearing off. Apparently my lack of stealth is so stupendous that it's eating up all the Mark's power fast. I decide not to say anything just yet.
As we creep down the new hallway which is also lacking in illumination, I wrap my fingers around the witchlight so it's only bright enough to light our next steps. I seem to have made my way to the front of the group, which I'm half gratified, half terrified by. I feel Jace's hand lightly resting against the small of my back encouraging me onward. I feel a tingle run down my spine from his touch.
I can hear a murmuring of hushed voices growing increasingly louder. I can't tell what's at the end of the corridor, but I'm pretty sure it's not a dead end because the voices seem to be coming from the left of us up ahead. I'm becoming more and more certain that it's a female voice and a male voice, but they're too quiet for me to make out what they're saying.
Alec suddenly shoves past us, causing Jace to draw his arm back. My back instantly feels cold where his hand was touching me, though I know I'm just imagining things. Alec stops in his tracks after a few paces and I bump into him, still thinking about Jace's hand on my back. I mentally chastise myself for not paying better attention.
When I look up inquisitively at the boy in front of me, I notice his eyes have gone wide and his jaw is clenched. My gaze flicks to Jace who's frowning at Alec, but when the girl's voice rings in the air again, his face also drops. I realize why just a few seconds later.
Without a doubt, the voice belongs to Isabelle, and she's giggling in the darkness just around the corner ahead of us.