"We need to find her," Clary said with worry. Simon, Ethan, and Magnus were sent home after the Institute was cleaned up, so she was the only one there who knew how to save Carly.

"There's nothing we can do, Clary. She doesn't want us to find her and I don't blame her. After everything that just happened, I would want some alone time too," Isabelle sighed.

"Besides, there are more important things to worry about here," Alec said. "Valentine was just taken into custody and the interrogation will start soon. We might have the sword but Valentine is the only one who knows where the mortal cup is. Carly will surface when she wants to be found."

"The longer we wait the worse she will become. Her urges will take her over and she won't care who she kills," Clary insisted.

"We could try a tracking spell or get Simon to follow her scent, but Carly is smart. She would've covered her tracks. There is nothing we can do until she wants our help. We have important things to deal with like getting Valentine to talk," Jace said.

"Do you think they'll let us question him?" Clary asked.

"I think they will," Madame Inquisitor said, coming up to the group. The four gave her respectful nods as she continued, "You are his children and even though he is a monster, he does care about you. We'll give you two about 10 minutes and then I'm bringing in an expert."

"Expert?" Clary asked,

"You're not the only one who's good at runes, Clary," Madame Inquisitor hinted.

"How did you…" Clary began.

"I know everything, my dear. I also know what kind of power Jace has. Both of you have angelic blood in your veins and that comes with a gift. Clary you can draw runes that I have never seen and Jace, well, that is something we'll have to figure out," Madame Inquisitor explained.

"We'll?" Jace asked as he did not like the sound of that and Clary agreed with that feeling.

"After the questioning, I would like you too to work on your abilities. Fight against each other, while I watch, and see what you can do. I want to experience your abilities up close," Madame Inquisitor said.

"When does the questioning start?" Alec asked, finally joining in on the conversation.

"In a few hours. Be ready because you only have a short time," Madame Inquisitor said as she went off toward the Institute's guard room. She walked away with grace and honor.

"So, she wants to use us as weapons? Great. After dealing with everything else, I was hoping it wouldn't come to that," Clary said.

"I don't even know if I have a 'gift' like she says. I have never had some weird ability or cool effect from this crap," Jace groaned.

"She might not want to use you as weapons. Madame Inquisitor might just want to see what you can do and how you can help the Clave. Jace you're already a prized fighter and Clary will probably move to the top as well. It might actually be a good thing," Isabelle said with optimism. She wasn't a hundred percent confident with those words.

"I hope Carly is alright," Clary said, changing the conversation back to the original subject.

Clary knew how terrible a sister she had been our entire lives and wanted to make it up to me. But every time she tried, something happened and made us grow farther apart.

"Carly's a fighter and I have no doubt she's hanging in there. She has been through so much, she'll be fine," Jace said, pulling Clary in for a hug that was a little too long. When he pulled back he continued. "Besides, we need to worry about what we're going to ask Valentine during the questioning."

"Oh, I have a few ideas."


After escaping the Institute, I just kept running. I'd keep to dark streets with very few people. I had my rune activated so no mundane could see me but I didn't want a shadowhunter or downworlder noticing me either. Once I was far enough, I stopped in an alleyway and thought about where I would go.

I couldn't go to Simon's, Magnus' or near Luke. All of them would worry and try to fix this, which I wasn't going to allow. I wasn't going to let them get hurt because of me. I could go back to my old apartment but seeing it all burned up and broken down was not something I wanted to do. I didn't have money, or a credit card to my name so I was screwed.

I decided the best course of action was to keep moving and find shelter for the night. As I walked out of the alley, I bumped into someone. I moved into the shadows so they wouldn't see my eyes as I noticed the tattoo on their neck. I had to bump into a shadowhunter, didn't I?

"Are you okay?" The boy asked in a british accent.

I didn't understand what he meant until I looked down at my bloody t-shirt. This made me realize I still had my bullet-ridden shirt on and probably looked like I was dragged through the mud.

"I'm fine. Just ripped my shirt and spilled some jelly on it," I said as I studied the teen in front of me.

He looked like he was around my age but he had the height of an adult. His eyes were greenish blue and he had a warrior stance to him. His sandy blond hair looked brown in the early light. The sun would rise in about an hour, so I didn't have time to waste. I needed to get out of here, fast.

"That doesn't look like jelly to me," Said the boy

"Well, it is. What are you doing so far from the Institute?" I asked, switching the subject as he recognized the tattoo on my arm.

"I was called in from the London Institute and just got to town. What are you doing so far from the Institute?" The boy asked, crossing his arms over his chest. He wasn't in a fighting stance so I knew he wasn't going tell on me. He had a smile plastered on his dimpled face. Even in the dim light, I could tell he was not a bad-looking dude.

"I have business to take care of, so if you don't mind," I said, trying to push past him but he moved in front of whatever direction I went.

"Sebastian." Said the boy

"What?" I asked not really paying attention.

"My name is Sebastian Verlac and you are?" he asked.

"Carly. Carly Fairchild. Now will you please let me past?" I said, getting impatient.

"Fairchild? You're one of Valentine Morgenstern's daughters, aren't you?" Sebastian asked with surprise and wonder. He wasn't scared or nervous like others were, he actually looked intrigued.

"Yeah, now please let me by. I really need to get going," I said finally pushing past him. I hurried out of the shadows, squeezing my eyes shut as an extra measure. I got about two feet from him when he spoke.

"I can help you hide those eyes."

I stopped dead in my tracks. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

I guess it wasn't as dark as I thought. I shouldn't have stopped. If I hadn't stopped then I wouldn't have had to deal with this threat.

"I can help you hide your eyes. It won't get rid of your urges, but it will let you go in public. You can control your eye color," Sebastian admitted.

"How do you know anything about this?" I asked finally turning around to face him.

"Follow me to my apartment and I will tell you what I know," Sebastian said, walking in the direction he had come from. I contemplated for a moment and then followed him. I had nowhere else to go. As I followed him around the corner, his words jumbled around in my brain.

How did he know anything about this? Magnus had to do extensive research on this kind of stuff, but this guy somehow knew what was going on. I kept my hand on the shadowblade in my side pocket as we came to a door. He unlocked it with a set of keys and three flights of stairs later we stopped once again.

After some more fumbling with his keys, he got the door open. He squeezed through and held it open for me. Once he turned toward me I kept my eyes shut. He might have seen them in the shadows but that doesn't mean he knew the extent of the damage. I peeked through slits in my eyes as he turned toward me with a puzzled look.

"I already saw your eyes in the alley, there is no need to hide them from me," Sebastian said.

"I am not opening my eyes until you explain how you know any of this. How do you know how to help me? Do you work for my father? Helping him get his way while he is behind bars?" I said, keeping my hand securely on the blade, just in case.

"Behind bars?" Sebastian asked, surprised by the new fact.

"We captured Valentine after he took out 20+ downworlders. He is being kept in the Institute and well guarded. But you still didn't tell me how you know any of this," I said with a small smile, thinking of Valentine hidden behind bars.

"In my free time, I read articles in the Clave's database. Some they don't want me reading. I once read about them experimenting with demon blood and when I saw your torn bloody shirt with no wound, I knew something was up. The eyes just confirmed it," Sebastian explained.

"That still doesn't explain how you know how to control this," I said, opening my eyes so he got a full view.

Before he spoke I saw a hint of amazement and wonder. "In some of the files they didn't want found, I learned that controlling your eye color is not that hard. All you have to do is focus on the original color and imagine them turning back. But the only way they will stay normal is if you are calm. Sudden bursts of anger or sadness can break the wall and your eyes will change without your control."

"That sounds way too easy," I said.

"Try it and find out."

I rolled my eyes and walked over to a mirror on his wall. I did as he said, squeezing my eyes shut and focusing as hard as I could on changing them back. After two minutes of complete focus, I slowly opened my eyes. What I saw brought surprise and happiness to my face. The darkness vanished to reveal a luscious green. Once the darkness took over I never thought I'd see that green again.

"See, it's easy," Sebastian said.

"Why help me? Why?" I questioned.

"I know what it's like to be an outsider. And rumors of what you were spread to the London Institute. When you told me your name, I knew exactly what you were. Besides, if you're as evil as some think then you're safer here than out on the street," Sebastian pointed out.

"Did any of those articles mention anything to block the urges?" I asked as pain radiated through my fingertips. I wanted to kill something and I didn't care what. Human, animal, or anything in-between.

"No. But if you go back to the Institute they might be able to help you," Sebastian said.

"I can't go back there. My friends will try to fix this and I am not willing to put them at risk. I shouldn't even be here," I said as my eye color flickered.

"I'm not going to let you go back on the street. Stay here for a few days and get better control of yourself. Once you feel ready, we'll go to the Institute together," Sebastian suggested.

"I don't want to hurt you. I'm not going to put someone I barely know at risk for helping me," I said.

"I can protect myself. Don't worry about me. Just get comfortable and get some much-needed rest," Sebastian said.

"How do I know I can trust you?" I asked.

"I could say the same thing about you," Sebastian said with a raised brow. "Get some rest. If anything happens, we'll deal with it together."

"Thank you," I said with a small smile. I turned away from him and fell onto his couch. The minute my head hit the soft fabric, my tired mind took over.

"No problem," Sebastian said with a dark glint in his eyes.


The time finally came to grill Valentine. Jace and Clary were escorted to the lower levels where the holding cells were. After a few twisting hallways, the group stopped in front of a door. It was plain just like the rest of the lower levels. This was done on purpose so the prisoners had nothing to stare at.

Once stopped, a guard opened the door for them and let them go in. Madame Inquisitor and a few other guards would wait outside, listening in on the conversation. Hopefully, Clary and Jace could get some answers out of Valentine. But he was a sadistic man so the chances were slim. The minute Valentine caught sight of Jace and Clary he perked up in his chair, smiling a big grin.

"I knew they were going to question me today, I'm just surprised they let you near me. After everything that has happened, I thought they'd keep you as far from me as possible," Valentine said.

"Well, we have some questions and maybe we can persuade you to talk," Jace said with a forced smile and clenched fists. Valentine noticed his agitation and his smile widened.

"Ask away," Valentine said, looking at Clary.

"Where is the mortal cup? Tell us where it is and maybe the Clave will spare your life. You'll spend the rest of your days behind bars but at least you'll be breathing," Clary asked.

"That is the one question I will not be answering, Clarissa. That question is the only thing keeping me alive and once I reveal the answer, I won't have much time left. I already know I'll be executed but making you all wait is enjoyable," Valentine said.

"Answer the question," Jace said in a hostile tone. His clenched fists became tighter and the anger behind his eyes was rising. He might not have demon blood but he still could get very angry.

"I don't think so. Why don't we discuss something more pressing? Carly. How is she doing?" Valentine asked, knowing he hit a sore spot. He looked from Clary to Jace and recognized that look. "You don't know how she is, do you?"

"Shut up, Valentine! You're just stalling and I am not in the mood for stalling. Tell us where the cup is or I take out my fist. I don't think the others would care if I left you bruised," Jace threatened.

"She's going to get worse, you know. She'll kill even if she tries to resist. My greatest invention. You don't have a lot of time. You should be looking for her," Valentine said with a grin as he ignored Jace's comment.

"I am not taking advice from you," Clary said with disgust.

"Did Carly tell you what she asked me? Before you arrived at the courtyard?" Valentine asked.

"No, she didn't. And I really don't care what it was. I think it's time we leave," Jace said, grabbing Clary's hand and pulling her toward the door.

"Jace, isn't your brother," Valentine said, stopping Jace and Clary in their tracks.

"What?" Clary asked with confusion.

"Before you guys arrived I told Carly the truth. I'm guessing she ran off before she could tell you, but Jace is not my son. He is not my blood. Not your brother. I stole him from his mother's dead body and kept him as my own," Valentine said.

"You're lying," Jace said as he became teary-eyed and more angry than before.

"I'm not. You are the son of Stephen and Céline Herondale. While you were still in Céline's womb, I constantly gave her doses of angel blood to mix with her food. Once it was time for you to be born, I took matters into my own hands. Madame Inquisitor, I know you're listening. Now you know the truth about what happened to your grandson," Valentine said with a sadistic smile.

"I am not a Herondale. I can't be," Jace said with doubt.

"Why would I lie? I have no reason to. The cup is in a place only I know about. You're not going to get the answer from me, either you. I just wanted to leave you with the truth before you had to go. And I think your time is up," Valentine said as a guard came into the room and held the door open. Jace and Clary walked out as Madame Inquisitor came up to them.

"I want both of you to look out for Carly. If she does get worse, we need to stop it before terrible things happen. End this before something starts. And that other thing he said. I would like to talk to you about it later, Jace," Inquisitor Herondale said as Clary and Jace nodded.

She smiled as she and some guards walked into Valentine's cell. Madame Inquisitor looked at Jace with love and fear. He just looked down at his feet. Jace grabbed Clary's hand and they got out of there as fast as they could. Before they got to the elevator they both heard the Inquisitor smack Valentine; hard.

Jace and Clary sat in the elevator in silence as it rose to the main floor. Once the door opened, Jace started to walk away but Clary pulled him into the hall.

"Jace, we need to talk about this," Clary said.

"I don't think we do," Jace said, trying to walk past, but she pushed him back. He gave her a look and crossed his arms over his chest.

"You're not my brother, Jace. This is big. You're a Herondale and I've heard amazing things about that family. Aren't you happy about finally finding out where you come from?" Clary asked.

"Not really. All I want is to fight the good fight and be the soldier I was born to be. Being a Herondale will bring attention and I don't want to be in the spotlight. Besides, me not being your brother leaves you with even less family and makes things complicated," Jace said, referring to their relationship.

"It might make things complicated and maybe you will be put in the spotlight, but at least you know what happened. Tell Alec and Isabelle, because the secret will come out and them hearing it from the source is better than not hearing it at all," Clary said.

"Why does life have to be so complicated? We just defeated Valentine and now we have to save Carly, deal with our powers, and how I'm going to manage being a Herondale. Why can't things go back to being easy?" Jace groaned.

"Life is never easy. If life was easy, where would all the adventures be?" Clary said as a small smile spread across Jace's face.

"So what now?" Jace asked.

"We find out what your gift is and handle you being a Herondale. Then, hopefully, Carly will surface and we can save her from destruction."