Jace Wayland

"Clary, we can't panic," Lissa firmly stated as Clary began to do exactly the opposite of what she just said.

"He's a psychopath," the redhead screamed as she unleashed her fury on us, "He's capable of anything." She looked frantically between the two of us, "Simon is innocent, in all of this. The only reason Valentine took him captive is because I care about him."

"I care about him too," Lis slowly replied.

"Not enough-"

"Hey," Luke interrupted her rant, "All the prisoners are either dead or gone. No sign of Cleophas."

Lissa headed towards her uncle and gave him a hug. That left me with Clary. I approached her cautiously, like a hunter to a trembling Bambi. Wait. That's the wrong description; that makes it sound like I'm going to kill her any minute… "Hey, it's gonna be okay," I hugged her, knowing that she needs it now.

Is it sad to admit that I missed her hugs?

I stumbled away from her when her phone started ringing in her pocket.

"Answer it, Clary," Luke said as I turned around to gage Lissa's reaction.

I could feel the blush rush up my neck at the embarrassment of being caught in the moment, especially by Lissa of all people. She didn't look particularly happy and seemed to be trying to avoid any eye contact with me.

Ah shit. The Mrs is angry…

"Hello, Clarissa," my attention was brought back to the phone as I heard his voice. "Wish we were chatting under more civilized circumstances, but I'm afraid I've run out of options."

I admired my sister's look of determination as she steeled her words, "Let Simon go."

"Absolutely. Just as soon as you get the Princess to come back to the Institute." I looked up at Lissa, only to see that she was looking off in a daze somewhere, her eyebrows furrowed. "I need her to activate the sword for me."

"Ha," the princess spat, "That is never going to happen."

I watched him shake his head, "If not you, Clary?"

"-No," my sister stated, immediately cutting him off.

"Oh, but I think you will," he smiled maniacally at us, "Because if you don't show up within the hour..." I watched as Simon began frantically shaking his head, "Your vampire boyfriend here is gonna die a death I wouldn't wish upon anyone."

With those words, he immediately cut off the call.

"Clary," I turned away from the others and immediately began dialling Alec.

"What are we waiting for?"

"That was the institute," the brunette stated softly behind us, "How did they get in?" I shared looks of confusion with the others as I waited for him to answer his goddamn phone, "I need to go."

"Wait! Lis," before the words were even out of my mouth, she had already disappeared in a portal.

She's gone.

"What did she say?" I turned to the others frantically, "What did she mean?"

Clary immediately dismissed it, "She can take care of herself, Jace. We need to go."

I turned my gaze towards Luke, hoping he would take my side.

After a quick shake of his head to me, he returned his attention on his not-niece, "That's what Valentine wants. You know that if you or Lissa, at least she's not going anywhere near the Sword to touch it, he can destroy the entire Downworld, including Simon."

Come on, Alec. Pick up.

Pick up.

"No, Valentine needs an energy source," she seemed triumphant at the realisation, "He needs lightning."

I shook my head after sharing a glance with the wolf, "He's got it." I saw her head shake in disbelief, "Every Institute is powered by an Angelic power core."

I hung up when all I got was his voicemail, "Alec's not picking up." Lissa. I'm trusting you, "Let's move."

"Valentine is gonna wish he never laid a hand on Simon," the furious girl declared, "I'll make sure of it."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" we shouted as we grabbed her, "You're not going anywhere near that Institute. We're taking you to Magnus." I nodded my head, happy with his decision, "He can protect you."

She whacked our arms away from her body, "No!" I flinched moved away from her sightly, "I don't need to be protected. I need to save Simon."

"The Downworld knows that you or my niece are the key to activating that sword. They want you dead."

I stepped in, "I can save Simon."

"Doesn't work that way," why can't you just trust me with the vamp for once? "If I'm not the one who shows up, Valentine is gonna kill him."

"Wait!"

Who the fuck is that?

We all rushed towards the cage as this thing edged it's way to the light.

"Dot?"

Isn't that the warlock we were looking for at the start of the first book?

"There's another way to destroy the Sword," she revealed before promptly passing out.

Luke drove us to Magnus'. It's moments like this that I really appreciate that Lissa learnt the ability to open portals.

"There you go," Magnus said with a flick of the wrist, "You'll start feeling better in no time."

"Thank you," she hoarsely spoke out with a weak smile.

"Dot, tell us everything you know," my sister spoke up after releasing a tired sight.

She nodded to herself slightly before starting her explanation, "I heard Valentine briefing his men. If Jace touches the sword, his grip would destroy it."

Excuse me, since when was that a thing?

"Me?" I asked incredulously.

She nodded her head eagerly as Luke decided to speak the question running through my own head, "Why should we believe a word she says? It's probably just another trap."

The dark warlock seemed outraged at the fact she wasn't immediately believed by who she viewed as her friends, "Luke, Clary, you know me."

Clary immediately shot her down, "You've lied to me before."

"Because of the injections." She frowned at the girl above her, "But now that he has the warlock girl, he's cast me aside. I'm myself again."

I couldn't help but agree with Luke as he let out a scoff, "Good story, but I've heard better."

At least I know that when I marry Lissa, her uncle and I will get along because we have the same views. Yay for that at least?

I raised my hand, interrupted their little argument, "Wait, in the vision from Ithuriel, the demon that destroyed the sword had a clawed hand."

"Exactly. It has nothing to do with you," the redhead backed me up.

"Perhaps I can lend some insight," he raised his palms for us to hold, "Show me this vision." After a quick spell, the vision was quickly flashing through my head once again. Am I that Demon? Have I fallen so far that I am now a Demon in the eyes of others? "The star in the sky," he uttered as the vision ended.

"Yeah, I remember," Clary acknowledged.

"Angels are higher beings." Tell me something I do not know… "They communicate through metaphors. Morgenstern means "Morning Star," as in, "How are thou fallen from heaven, O, Lucifer, son of the morning. The vision seems to be speaking of a... Demonic Morgenstern."

I rolled my head and clenched my jaw, Of course, I'm the demonic one. "Me." I grimly stated, "That's why Valentine wanted me under his control. I can derail his plan. I can destroy the Soul-Sword."

Why couldn't Lis be here when I needed her? It doesn't matter. I don't deserve to be with an Angel like her. Haha… A demon and an angel? What kind of Romeo and Juliet shit are we living in?

"And destroy yourself in the process," Magnus revealed.

"No," Clary immediately denied. "That's a suicide mission." She's taking this a lot harder than I am. I've always known that I would die for duty… If this is the way I can regain my honour from being the Demonic Morgernstern, so be it. "No way."

I couldn't help but scoff at her, Who's gonna stop me? You? "Oh, says one-half of the girls who were willing to die for the Downworld, what, yesterday?"

"She's right, Jace." Oh, Lukey. I thought we were finally getting along. "It's too dangerous."

"I'm not gonna touch the sword," I tried to appease them, "I'll just get to it before it's activated and bring the Mortal Instrument back to the Clave, where it belongs." I maintained eye contact with Clary as I uttered the words that would produce a response that would make or break my plans, "Trust me."

As you can guess, they decided to trust me because it wasn't long until I was in the car with Luke, on our way to the institute.

"Alec, are you okay?" I immediately asked my brother when he finally picked up the phone.

"We're under attack," he revealed. I couldn't help but groan at the sound of more bad news, "Major casualties. Valentine used Madzie to take down the wards. She suffocated everyone." Sibling number one found. Now, where was the other? "Where's Izzy?"

"She wasn't here," my monotonous brother replied. Despite his tone, I could tell he was both worried and relieved too.

"Oh, thank the Angel," I couldn't help but reveal my relief. "Alec, he's there to use the power core instead of lightning. He's got Simon and he's threatening to kill him if Lissa or Clary doesn't come and activate the sword."

"You have to keep Clary away from that sword," I withheld the urge to roll my eyes at the obviousness of his statement.

"Don't worry," I reported, "She's with Magnus. Luke and I are coming for it now. Just get to the power core," I ordered, "Shut it down. That way, no matter who touches the sword, it won't turn on."

Ugh!

Oof!

"Alec? Alec?" at my look of concern, Luke immediately tried to make me feel better but nothing would until I knew that all my loved ones were safe.

Lissa Graymark

As soon as I left the others, I portalled into the institute. Stupid idea, I know, no need to shout at me. I grabbed my nifty little tablet that told me where exactly all my shadowhunters were before portalling to where the largest congregation was.

"Your highness?" One questioned as soon as I stepped through.

I nodded before quickly stating, "To hunt successfully, you must know your ground, your pack and your quarry."

At the sound of my safe quote, they immediately relaxed before bowing quickly.

I'd given several of the most higher up hunters a safeword quote to help identify when someone was glamouring as me or not. It helped weasel out traitors in our midst. I implemented it after the whole Hodge fiasco.

"The institute has been attacked," I announced grimly, immediately gaining all their attention, "I want you all split up and recall all the other shadowhunters from around the city before regrouping in front of the institute. You have fifteen minutes."

"Fifteen-" one woman stepped forward, "Your majesty, that's too short a-"

"I will open portals for you all," I declared, realising how short a time we had, "I know where everyone is," I waved my tablet around, "This is the one time I will allow this but steal cars if you have to. You need to be in front of the institute in fifteen minutes. Can I count on you?"

"Yes, Princess," they all dutifully intoned.

I nodded at them with a determined look on my face, or at least that's the look I hope I'm giving off, "Good luck, shadowhunters."

With that, I raised my palms before slowly flicking my fingers. Soon, twelve portals opened for them. They immediately stepped through and began their new mission.

Now what to do about the beasts attacking the city? I need all the hunters so they cannot be an option. I can't send the Downworlders because they hate me and want to kill me. I could always send Clary with maybe Magnus but realistically, she'll somehow make her way to the institute so they're not an option. What to do… What to do?

I could feel my mounting frustration as no solution seemed to come to me.

"Ahhhhh!" I couldn't help the scream of frustration leave me at the knowledge that I was stuck in a corner. Something weird happened though… A blast of white light seemed to exit my body, from my vantage point at the top the building, I could see it travel across the whole city, seeking out the enemy and taking them out one by one.

Well, there's that sorted. I thought tiredly as I sagged against the wall. I won't be able to do that any time soon… I really need a nap.

I slapped my face, succeeding in waking myself up.

Time to get Izzy.

With that thought, I reluctantly opened a portal to wherever Iz was.

I couldn't help but let my anger get the best of me when I caught sight of her lying down on the couch of whoever's apartment we were in, "Why haven't you been answering the phone?"

She immediately shot up, "I just-"

"No excuses. Let's go. The institute needs our help-"

Before she could argue any further, I portalled us to the front of the institute.

"Then why are you here?" I heard Luke ask his packmate.

"I trust you," he smiled back at my uncle.

"Luke?" I asked him, when we stepped through, "What are you all doing here?"

"Another one?" I heard Alaric ask Luke.

"What are you doing here?" my uncle stepped towards me and Iz, "You're meant to be away so you can't activate the sword."

I shook my head, "No one attacks my institute and threatens to kill my friends…"

"Where did you go?" Luke asked me.

I smiled grimly at him as I pulled my blade out. Just because they're not attacking me now doesn't mean they won't attack any time soon.

"The shadowhunters were spread thin across the city," I started to explain. "I did the sensible thing and gathered my people back together," I gestured to the shadowhunters that soon began filing up around me, "So that we could take our home back."

I turned my back on him briefly, knowing out of everyone, he definitely had my back. I faced my comrades, happy that they made it back in time.

"Our home has been attacked," I quickly cut to the chase, "Valentine has attacked us at our weakest and is holding Simon Lewis, one of our allies, captive," murmurs started to take over the group as well as the Downworlders behind me, "He intends to have me or Clarissa Fairchild activate the Soul Sword to exterminate the Downworlders whom you've all sworn to protect." I paused, letting that sink in, "Are you going to let him ruin our alliances?" I could see that my words were hitting home, "Are you going to let Valentine storm your home?"

"No." I could hear several people state.

"Are you going to let him ruin the peace we've worked so hard to maintain?"

"No." They all began shouting back.

"Are you going to let him mock you by making you fail your sacred mission?"

"No." They all screamed back at me.

"Good." I smiled at that, raising my seraph blade in the air, "Fight for our freedom from Valentine's wretched ways slandering the shadowhunter name."

I couldn't help the proud feeling I felt at the cheers I heard shout back at me. Good thing I put a silencing ward around us when we stepped through.

"Allied." I started ordering, "Take five men through this portal," I waved my hand, opening a new one up, "This will take you to the lower grounds, take any of the enemy out, look for any survivors." At their nods, I continued, "There is a little girl inside, Madzie, she is a warlock. If you see her, run the other way. She is too strong to be fought despite her young age."

I continued to assign people to places around the institute with Izzy supporting me at my side, the whole time. People slowly began to move to stand in front of their designated portals. I could feel the strain this was placing on my already depleting magical core. When I assigned everyone, I turned to my last hunter, the middle Lightwood child.

"You are being portalled to the roof where Alec and Aldertree are. Help them shut down the power core if you can," she gave me a determined nod as she also stood in front of her portal.

"Go," I ordered, "Ut Filia Reginae ex venari: ut benedicat tibi omnia".

With my blessing, they all stepped through, immediately starting the attack on the institute.

I finally turned back to the Downworlders whose space we did technically invade just now, I asked them the most logical question I could think of, "Did anyone invite you into the institute?" I saw their looks of confusion. Okay, definitely not then. "A leader of the institute must invite you in otherwise you'll be vaporized as soon as you touch the wards. The only other way in is via a portal, which is how Madzie got them inside." I shrugged sheepishly, "-we still need to fix that."

At their dumbfounded looks, "Right…" I awkwardly nodded, "-how remiss of them."

I turned towards the institute and slowly raised my arms. I took a deep breath as I slowly shut my eyes. Concentrate. Their lives depend on you.

"Non dimisit in custodiis locum contra mundum infra." I opened my eyes, catching a brief reflection of the golden shine to them in a nearby window. A while mist soon exited my palms and quickly hit the edge of the wards. The light quickly crept up and around the wards until they were all encompassed. The spell completed with the wards fully glowing and iridescent light. As soon as the spell finished, I could feel my energy diminish even more.

I need a nap. What I would do to be asleep in Jay's arms right now… Hmmm… Nap… Nope. Not now…

"You can go through now," I panted out to the others, my hands resting on my knees as I took several deep breaths. I took one last look at my uncle and knew he needed to be an alpha now and not an uncle. I gave him a nod, hoping that it would convey everything I was currently feeling, "Stay safe. Good luck."

With a flick of my wrist, I opened a portal that swallowed me up, causing me to end up in the corridor outside the hall we use for briefings.

Huh… I must really be losing energy if I can't even portal to the right place. Please please please, don't let there be another apocalyptic counterspell that I need to do. I need a major nap first.

I hobbled. Yes, hobbled. I'm definitely too tired for this. I hobbled into the room the sword was being kept and only managed to see my worse nightmare. Jace was on the floor knocked out. Clary was trying to shield a very bloody Simon from the maniac that is her father. Speaking of maniac, he was holding the bloody sword.

Why is the sword bloody glowing? I took one look at Jace's unconscious form. Of course, he tricked us. He never had demon blood. He's always had the blood of an angel running through his vein. Like me.

My head sprang towards the door on the other side of the hall that was flung open. Downworlder and shadowhunter alike entered the hall side-by-side, screaming their battle cry, only for half of them to start collapsing as the sword began to do its job.

No. This can't happen. Not today. Not tod-

With those final thoughts, I used the last of my strength to run into the middle of the room. I screamed as I made the final effort to raise my arms, "protego". A large golden barrier soon divided the room, separating the sword's power from its targets from all over the world. I could hear the Downworlders screeches of pain stop as mine increased tenfold as I began to take the pain for them.

"What's happening?" I heard Raphael mutter in awe beside me as he approached the barrier.

"I need you all to grab on to me," I screamed, "Link hands with each other if you have to."

I guess my pain was a good indicator of urgency because I could feel our souls connecting as more Downworlders and even Shadowhunters link with me.

I used the borrowed strength to start to slowly bring my arms together, the swords affect slowly decreasing in size as I did so. Now it was only those in this room that could be affected.

I knew now was the right time to leave otherwise I would burn out and the Downworlders would be killed not long after, but I couldn't help the last look I took in my parabatai's direction.

"I'm sorry," I whispered brokenheartedly.

I'm sorry for leaving you behind when we promised we would always do things together.

With that final thought, I portalled those I was connected with, hopefully, any and all Downworlders that were in the institute, out with me.

I'm glad that we left when we did because as soon as I arrived, I managed to knock the code on the door before soon passing out in the arms of my hunters that were tasked to guard over the Downworlder Safe Haven.

I don't know how long I was out for. But when I woke up, pandemonium was going on around me.

I groaned when I sat up way too quickly. I need to not do that again. I looked around, we made it.

I stumbled towards the commotion and made my way slowly through the crowd.

"Woah!" Lydia said when I crashed into her on the other side.

"What's going on?" I gasped out. At the sound of my voice, everyone immediately shut up, "Why aren't you all getting healed and patched up?"

"They didn't trust us," Lydia spoke up.

I shook my head slowly, trying to not let the dizziness get to me again.

"Please," I pleaded them, "They're here to help. I trust them… Please let them heal your injuries."

I saw Raph, Alaric and a Seelie exchange looks before nodding and reluctantly letting their people head towards the shadowhunter medics that I had instructed to stay and prepare for the possible injuries we would encounter.

"You-" Lydia said, pulling me back to my cot, "-need to rest. You passed out as soon as you guys arrived."

I shook my head before quickly wincing at the movement, "I need to head back. I need to get the sword back from Valentine so he can't use it again."

Lydia instantly fired back, "You can't go back when you're this weak."

"Why did you save us?" Raphael cut between us, when we turned our gaze to him, he continued, "Why do you continue to save us and putting yourself in further risk?"

I couldn't help the sad smile that I gave him, "You're all worth saving. You didn't deserve the fate that Valentine had in store for you." I patted his shoulder before raising my voice slightly, knowing that they could hear me, "I need to go back to the institute and grab Luke and Meliorn. I need to let him know you're all safe. Lydia will watch over and take care of you all whilst I'm gone."

"Thank you, Princess," I heard Alaric call out as I went to walk past him towards the portal that I soon managed to open.

I turned to him with a smile, ready to say that it was no problem. My words were stolen from me when he started to bow to me. Soon all the fractions were kneeling in gratitude. I couldn't help the tears that formed in my eyes at the sight.

"No please," I said as I reached over to get him up, "I don't deserve the respect you've given me after failing to prevent this from happening. I'm meant to be some great Visionary but my powers have been blocked-"

"No, Princess," he and everyone else started to rise, "You saved us."

"And prevented one of the biggest massacres in history," a Seelie spoke up.

"Without you…" Raphael said, waving his arm in the direction of his coven, "We'd all be dead. So on behalf of the vampires, thank you, you have our respect and our eternal loyalty."

"Thank you," I whispered softly as I brushed my tears away. Seeing that I was not ready to face any more emotions, the other shadowhunters began to take their attention away by starting to heal them again. I turned towards Lydia, "Stay hidden. I don't know where Valentine got to when I portalled us out of there."

"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked cautiously when she caught sight of my trembling knees.

"I'm fine," I dismissed, "-just used too much of my strength at once. I'm fine."

I stepped through the portal before Lydia could say anything more.

"Jace led us into a trap," I heard Maia scream when I arrived.

I immediately began to dry heave when I stepped through.

"He wouldn't do that," I heard my uncle defend my parabatai, "It had to have been Valentine."

"It's true," I said, bringing their attention to me, "Valentine tricked Jace."

Luke immediately rushed over to me, "What are you doing here?" He took one look at me before quickly putting a worrying hand on my forehead, "Have you got a temperature? You don't look too good."

"Shoot me whilst I'm down why don't you?" I teased weakly as he helped me stand up properly.

"Why didn't you stop-" I guess my joke didn't sit well with the she-wolf because she immediately got riled up and tried to attack me. Luckily Luke and Meliorn were there to hold her back.

"Your pack members are safe," I announced before she could do me any harm, immediately stopping her short. I turned to Meliorn and another vamp, "So are your warriors and coven."

"How?" she suspiciously asked.

"It doesn't matter how," I shrugged before swallowing deeply as I focused on opening a new portal, "This portal will take you through to your people."

Not even waiting for me to explain anymore, Meliorn and the vamp didn't hesitate to step through to join their comrades.

"Well, it doesn't matter he still has the sword," Maia spat out, "which means he could do it again."

"Maia, the other half of the pack needs you. Go back to the Jade Wolf," my uncle ordered her as I shut the portal, preventing anyone else from stepping through, "Keep what's left of the pack indoors. Take them underground. I'll deal with Valentine."

"Alaric is with your pack, he'll keep them safe," I comforted them, "I'll tell your pack members you're safe," I turned to my uncle, "After I get the sword back."

They nodded at me before rushing off in different directions. Luke turned wolf mode and ran after Valentine's scent. I tried to run as fast as I could after him. When I got there Luke had detransformed and was bleeding to the ground.

"-But I was wrong." I spun my seraph blade. Castiel. And clashed it against the Soul Sword as it came down to end my uncle's life.

"That's not very nice," I teased as I pushed him away from my injured uncle.

"Ahhh," he mused as sparks began to form between our clashing blades, "my son's girlfriend. How does it feel knowing my son will never love you as much as he loves his own sister?"

"That's not true." I hissed through my teeth as I ducked and rolled out of the way at the slash aimed at my head. "Jace loves me."

"That's true," he grinned as he managed to disarm me, sweeping my tired legs out from under me, "But not as much as he loves her. It's okay," he shrugged, "Parabatai are never supposed to fall in love anyway so you saved yourself the trouble of making an excuse to end it…"

"I wouldn't do that," I declared. "I-"

"You'd what?" he teased, "You'd suffer in silence as your husband loves another? Let him stay in a relationship he's not fully committed to?"

I couldn't help but consider his words as he expressed my own deep fears.

"I-"

"It's okay. I'll save you the trouble," he gave me a manic smile, "The royal line ends today."

Out of nowhere, Jace appeared and knocked him away from me. I sagged to the ground as his words began to sink in.

It can't be true.

"Liar!" I heard Jace shout, "You told me I had demon blood."

Jace loves me.

"Why?"

"Because that's how you are," Valentine responded, "Always ready to right the wrong, to stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves. A real-life hero."

But he's never said it, a dark thought entered my head.

"So, you used me."

He doesn't love you.

"I just made sure Dot overheard me. That's why I left her behind, so you would come to save the day."

He never has.

"And activate the sword instead." He only loves Clary. "You didn't inject me with demon blood. It was angel blood."

"You are my greatest achievement, Jace."

He can't love her… they're siblings.

"I'm not your achievement. I'm your son."

"No, you are not my son," what? "I'm not your father. Jocelyn is not your mother." I slowly sat up as his words began to register in my mind. That means… "And Clary... Clary is not your sister."

I stumbled to my feet and willed myself to run away. Runaway from his words. His truths. This heartbreak.

"More lies."

I wish.

"Don't I wish?" I stared at the Soul Sword in his hands, "Truth sword, remember?"

No.

I made my way towards them as I tried to figure out a plan on how to get rid of the sword. The perfect opportunity came when the not-father and son started to brawl again, causing Jace's not-father to drop the sword.

I ran over and picked up the blade just as Clary arrived.

"I just saw a rune that could destroy it," she announced.

I shook my head, pulling away from her touch or anyone else's. "No need." From now on. Duty comes first. You must protect the mortal instruments and do your sacred duty! No one else is touching this blade but me. With those final thoughts, I carefully raised the swords using both my hands, not having enough energy to hold it with the one. I shut my eyes. Deactivate. Withdraw your power. When the runes on the sword began to lose their glow I quickly asked it for one last thing. Return home. An image of the townhouse appeared in my head. Hide in my vault. With those thoughts, the sword slowly began to crumble to dust in my hands.

"Jace, don't!" I heard Clary yell. I looked up in time to see Clary running towards Jace as he went to finish Valentine off. "The Mortal Cup is still out there. He's the only one who knows where it is."

"You're gonna wish you were dead after the Clave gets through with you." I looked on in sadness as Clary grabbed his hand, comforting him in his anger.

I was distracted at the sound of rustling behind me. I spun around, expecting to see someone but no one was there. Maybe my senses are going haywire after such an excessive use of my powers.

"Lis." I heard Jace call me. I turned around to see he had already bound his not-father's hands and Clary was by Luke's side calling for help. "Let's go."

I gave him a dazed nod before leading the way back inside.

"A sight to see," Aldertree greeted us when we stepped inside. "Valentine Morgenstern in the custody of the Clave, where you will rot for your remaining days. Where is the Soul-Sword?"

I stepped forward slightly, bringing the attention to me, "It's been returned to where it belongs," I vaguely reported.

"The mortal cup?" Aldertree once again asked the criminal.

"I do not know," he shrugged.

"Our interrogation techniques have…" he stalled trying to think of an appropriate word.

"-improved," I cut in.

Aldertree gave him a feral grin as he nodded at me with a thank you, "improved since you were one of us."

He remained in his nonchalant attitude as he said, "You can torture me all you want. I don't know where it is."

"Don't believe a word he says," Jay warned the previous institute head as he stepped up to confront him, "What else have you lied about?"

"One thing I didn't lie about…" he said after a deep sigh, "…is my love for you, Jace."

Knowing we weren't going to get anything else from him, I nodded at some nearby shadowhunters, instructing them to take Valentine to his cell.

I quickly turned to Aldertree and pushed my tiredness away once again, "I need more healers."

"Why?" he asked me, completely baffled.

"I have many wounded Downworlders that need taking care of."

"That's where they went," he muttered in awe before smiling briefly and giving me a resolute nod, "Show me."

I turned to Jace not really knowing how to treat him, "I'll see you see soon, yeah?" I cautiously asked him with a smile. He gave me a grim nod making my smile to instantly drop from my face. Should I still kiss him goodbye? "Do you wanna come with?" I asked, hoping he would say yes. My hopes were dashed as he shook his head.

Oh.

I tried to hide the hurt I felt as I cautiously stepped towards him and decided to just settle for a meaningful kiss on the cheek.

Maybe Valentine is right… He doesn't love me.