Chapter Twenty – Drive By.
Sebastian let himself be led down to the Institute's library, his grip tight on the hilt of his blade that was still pressed to the boy's neck. "How did you know I had it?" The girl asked from in front of him.
"I instructed you to lead me, not ask questions!" Sebastian snapped, his dark eyes narrowing at the girl's back. She turned her head back around and sent a silent glance to the other boy walking beside her, her Parabatai. The boy's face was drawn and pale and his hands trembled slightly as he glanced over his shoulder at Sebastian's hostage. His eyes seemed to beg, to plead but Sebastian paid the boy no heed. He needed that book and this was the only way he could be sure to get the correct copy. The girl pushed the door to the library open and headed over to stand in the middle of the room, "The book is over there," She said, her tone calm but hard, "now let Gabriel go." She pointed up at the one of the bookshelves lining the right side of the room. "Fetch it for me." Sebastian ordered, his dark eyes scanning the numerous bookshelves.
Cortana tutted. 'Fine you lazy brat! I'll fetch it for you!' She thought, turning her back on Sebastian and sending Elijah a glance full of all different meanings. She headed up towards the staircase that looped around the whole room and climbed up them until she reached the third flight. She reached up and pulled down a thick, heavy leather bound book. The leather was the colour of bark and the pages were yellowed with age, the binding was stiff and frayed as she clutched it gently in her hands as though it was a new born baby. "Hurry up! I don't have all day!" Sebastian snapped, Cortana glared down at him, "All right!" She snapped. Cradling the book in her hands she stared down at the fading elegant gold print on the front. Brushing her hand across it she let a single tear drop onto her cheek, 'I'm so sorry Mum. I'm sorry dad.' She thought, brushing the tear away and heading back towards the stairs.
A bright flash of fire filled the New York Institute's Sanctuary making Jace and Alec jump as a slip of paper landed right in the middle of their third game of Cludeo. A thick black fire rune was visible on the singed paper, the corners were still smoking. Messy, scrawled handwriting was visible on the other side. "What is it?" Clary asked watching as Jace picked it up, lightly between his thumb and forefinger. Everyone's eyes were tuned directly onto the message as Alec answered, "Fire message." Maryse stood and moved over to take the message from Jace, "It's from the London Institute." She informed them, her eyes scanning over the page; a frown set on her face. "Mom?" Isabelle called, "Mom? What is it?" Jace and Alec were already climbing to their feet scattering the pieces of their board game. "There's been a Demon attack." Maryse replied, her face paling slightly. "Why are they informing us and not the Clave?"
Jace's eyes widened, "It's him, isn't it?" He glanced over at Clary; from her expression it was clear she understood what he was getting at.
"Who?" Isabelle and Alec questioned.
"Sebastian." Jace replied monotonously, his gold eyes flashing dangerously.
Cortana held the book close to her chest as she stood in front of Sebastian, "Gabriel first!" She demanded, holding a hand out to the boy Sebastian still had his blade pressed to. "Oh no. I don't think you quite understand our little game Missy." Sebastian drawled, "You give me what I want and I give you what you want. It's simple."
"How do I know you won't take the book, hurt Gabriel and leave?" Cortana snapped, her Parabatai moved to stand beside her, backing up what she was saying with a nod.
"Because spilling his blood would be pointless to me. You have what I came here for - what I need - what use is killing this boy going to be? It'll ruin my Gear and it's a waste of time. Just give me the book and I'll be gone." Sebastian smiled at her and Cortana suppressed the urge to shiver, there was nothing friendly in that smile. "I'm sorry." She muttered under her breath, clutching the book tighter to her chest with her eyes shut for a minute before she thrust the book out towards Sebastian, her face turned away as though she couldn't believe what she was doing.
Sebastian grinned, shoving the boy towards them and snatched the book from her hands. He hurriedly flicked through a few pages, ensuring that it was the correct book. When he was certain it was he turned his attention back to them, "Pleasure doing business with you, little ones. Make sure you're on the right side. There's a storm coming and we wouldn't want you to get hurt now would we?" He turned towards the window, through which he had entered, he nodded towards them and leapt down into the night. He landed in the grass under the window, glancing up at the sun he hurriedly summoned Demons to enter into the library, he smirked, 'Run fast little children. If you want to live.' He took his Stele out of his pocket, tracing it over a rune he had drawn earlier and in a blinding flash of white hot light he was gone.
Cortana stood frozen for a moment staring at the window Sebastian had just exited from. Her whole body felt numb, she'd given him the book. The book her parents had told her to never let fall into the wrong hands and now she had given it to Sebastian Morgenstern. "Cortana?" Gabriel's tiny voice whispered as he slipped a hand into hers. "Are you okay?" She shrugged as she stared at him, his hands were grazed and blood beaded on the small cuts and scratches. He had a thin nick from where Sebastian had pressed the blade against his throat, a small trail of blood was running down his neck and his black hair was pasted to his forehead with sweat. His blue eyes were still wide with fear. "Cortana?" Elijah joined in next, an eyebrow raised as he glanced at her.
"Yeah. Fine." She muttered distractedly, "Let's go." They had barely moved two steps in the direction of the library doorway when the doors were blasted off their hinges and Demons streamed into the room…
"We need a Warlock's help to get us to London." Isabelle yelled barely managing to hide the glance in Alec's direction. "If it is Sebastian, we can't leave them to fight him alone. They asked us for help specifically." Alec sighed with a roll of his eyes, "Why don't you just say it Iz? You suck at being subtle!"
"I was trying to save you any more pain!" Isabelle snapped back, "Sorry for caring about you Alec!"
"This isn't getting us anywhere." Jace sighed, when Isabelle and Alec started yelling at each other nothing ever turned out good.
Alec sighed, knowing Jace was right, "Fine. Ask him!" Now it was Jace's turn to whirl to face Isabelle, "I thought you told him!" He whispered harshly, barely aware that Maryse, Clary and Simon were watching this discussion with confused expressions.
"No! That was your job! You're his Parabatai!" She retorted and Jace growled in frustration, rubbing a hand over his face.
Now it was Alec's turn to look confused, "Told me what?!" He demanded, Jace and Isabelle stared at him, glanced at each other and stared back at Alec, "I'm waiting!"
"Magnus left New York. Left America altogether." Jace replied, his tone sympathetic as he watched the pain, confusion and distraught wash over Alec's face. Alec sank to his knees on the floor, ignoring Jace as he sank to the floor in front of him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I told you he'd take it badly." Jace said, sending Isabelle an accusing glare.
"He was going to find out at some point Jace! So don't make this sound like it's my entire fault. How long do you think did you think it was before he went looking for him?! This. Isn't. My. Fault!" Maryse hadn't moved from where she was stood, despite her eldest son's pain. Instead she turned her attention back to the message in her hands, trying to look extremely bored with everything that was going on around her.
Jace turned his attention away from Isabelle, "Alec. Come on. You can't stay down here all night." When Alec showed no sign of paying Jace any attention, he continued in a comforting tone, "We have to get to London." He glanced over at Clary beseechingly; she moved to kneel down beside Alec, nudging Jace away lightly. Jace stood watching as Clary lowly whispered something to Alec and he smiled a little as Alec climbed to his feet, however when Alec lifted his head the pain in Alec's eyes caused his heart to break slightly. 'I had no idea. No idea he hurt so much. Why didn't he tell me?!' Jace thought as he stared at his Parabatai, Alec looked up into Jace's eyes and smiled a tiny smile and returned to his staring contest with the floor. Jace quickly hugged his Parabatai, catching everyone by surprise - including Alec - at his actions before moving back, "We have to get to London, yes?"
The sound of an engine roaring into life outside the Institute caught their attention. "It's probably just Catarina collecting her car." Maryse muttered. Jace stared up at her, glanced once at Alec before muttering, "Catarina." And tore off through the doors to attempt to catch up with Catarina before she drove off. He burst through the doors, racing around the side of the Institute. "Wait!" He yelled, his muscles starting to ache, "Catarina! Wait!" He tore out into the yard, Catarina had her car in reverse heading for the street, she couldn't see him. She hit the road her wheels turning as she straightened up and began to drive down the road. Jace swore loudly and began racing after her, he knew the alleys surrounding the Institute well enough that he knew exactly which one would help him get in front of her car. He ran forward, leaping over the boxes lining the inside of the dark alley, it twisted to the left and he skidded round the corner. He had to catch up! He could just see her car between two buildings as it came round the corner.
Jace raced forward in a burst of speed and leapt in front of the car, Catarina slammed on the brakes. Tires squealing in protest as she skidded to a halt inches in front of him. Jace sighed in relief slamming his hands down on the bonnet. "Catarina…" He gasped, his hands braced on the car.
"By God, Jace!" She exclaimed opening the car door, "I could have run you over!"
"But you… didn't." He breathed with a hurried flash of a bright grin.
"Are you trying to get yourself hospitalised?!" She demanded, fear had made her feel slightly angry as she glanced over at the gold boy in front of her.
"No," Jace replied, "at least… not yet. I need your help. There's been a Demon attack in London and Magnus has left and there's no one to make us a Portal so we can get there! Please? Can you help?" He hurriedly said, his words blending together in their hurry to escape his lips. The few drivers in the car behind Catarina's were staring to get very annoyed at being held up now, horns were hooting and drivers yelling at them to move off. Catarina shot them a glare over her shoulder, "Get in." She said to Jace.
Once they were both in the car she hurriedly performed a U-turn and drove back to the Institute. "I'd better not get any points on my license because of you Jace!" She grumbled, turning her car back through the gates of the Institute. "Where are we setting up?" She questioned, locking her car.
"In the Sanctuary." Jace replied, leading her around the side of the Institute and through to the Sanctuary. Everyone was exactly where he had left them, except with more weapons and runes. "And who's going through?" She asked glancing around at the other occupants of the room.
"Just me, Clary, Isabelle and Alec." Jace shrugged, sending Maryse a glare as she opened her mouth, no doubt to argue.
"A one way ticket to London for four. I can do that." Catarina muttered opening a Portal to the London Institute on the far side of the room. Isabelle and Clary went through first soon to be followed by Jace and Alec, Catarina glanced at Alec with a sympathetic smile, "I hope you find what you're looking for." With that said she quickly hugged him, Alec frowned but didn't question it as he stepped into the Portal. Catarina stopped Jace once Alec had gone, "If I was born a Shadowhunter instead of a Downworlder, I wouldn't have wished for a better Parabatai than you. Alec's lucky to have you looking out for him." Jace nodded at her, glanced once at Simon and Maryse and stepped through the Portal.