Hunter's Moon Bar
Alyssa was seated at the bar counter, sipping her drink as she and Maia watched Simon and Clary's antics and displays of affection.
Alyssa scrunched up her face, then threw back her drink, drinking it all in one gulp.
"It'd be cute if it wasn't so… constant." Maia remarked.
"If you say so. I just know, that someone's bound to get heartbroken sooner or later and it's not gonna be Clary." Alyssa said, lifting her glass to the bartender to ask for a refill. Maia pulled a face as she poured more for the other she-wolf.
"Is there a reason why you're so against their relationship?"
"I'm not against it, Maia. I'm just being realistic. Clary is only trying to fill a void and Simon is still blinded by his obsession. But, hey, maybe you're right? Who am I to judge? I hardly know either of them, so I wouldn't know how they work together. Maybe I'm wrong and they'll make it."
Just then, Jace walked into the bar and walked over to them.
"Ladies." He said, taking a seat on the stool next to Alyssa. "Hey babe." He said to Alyssa, kissing her cheek.
"Hey. What kept you? You were supposed to be here half an hour ago."
"Sorry, Imogen wanted to talk to me about something." He said, then ordered a glass of club soda from Maia.
"Of course." Alyssa muttered under her breath lowly so Jace wouldn't hear, but Maia did and she gave the other dark-skinned woman a look.
"So this rumor about you being Shadowhunter royalty, that true?" Maia asked placing his drink in front of him.
"I don't know, can you get me free drinks at the Hunter's Moon?"
"Let's not get crazy." Maia said, chuckling.
"Oh, it's true, alright. He's a bona fide Herondale and he's got the birthmark to prove it." Alyssa said, taking a sip of her drink.
"What are you talking about?" Maia asked, curious.
"All the males in the Herondale line have always had a star-shaped birthmark on their shoulders. According to legend, it's where Ithuriel touched Jace's ancestor, Will Herondale when he appeared to him in a dream."
There is another story though but that's rated PG-13 and not really something that you'd discuss in a bar full of stray ears. Then there is this other thing that is particular to all Herondales but I'm not gonna say because you, Maia, would use it against Jace as blackmail material."
"You're no fun." Maia said with a mock pout.
"And how do you know all of this?" Jace asked.
"I lived with Magnus for 12 years. You know the guy who's lived for centuries and knows more about Shadowhunter history than even Shadowhunters themselves. Does that answer your question? Not to mention, my dad is Lucian Graymark, a former Shadowhunter turned werewolf Alpha." Alyssa said, raising an eyebrow.
"Point taken. Anyway, I don't know who or what I am. I've had three different names in a summer. Now I'm a Herondale. All I know is that I'm the same Jace."
"God help us." Both Maia and Alyssa said, rolling their eyes then looked at each other and shared a chuckle.
"Very funny." As they spoke, a familiar Seelie walked up to the bar.
"Two shots of tequila. Double." She ordered, then turned to look at Jace.
"Hey, Jace."
"Kaelie, hey. Long time."
"I see, you're still with, what's-her-name, here. Come find me when you get bored with her." Kaelie said, picking up her drinks then winked at him and shot a glare at Alyssa, who acted like she wasn't even aware of what's going on, before leaving.
"Wow, that girl has some nerve!" Maia said with a chuckle.
"I wouldn't call it nerve, more like a cry of desperation. Why else would she be throwing herself at a guy who is no longer interested in her?"
"True. Although I am curious about something. We wolves are supposed to be territorial right?" Alyssa nodded in answer. "Why then weren't you acting it?"
"I usually leave that for the male wolves. Besides, she's hardly anything to get worked up or jealous over."
"And this is why I love you." Jace said, planting a kiss on her cheek, which made Maia roll her eyes.
"Please don't make me compare you two to the lovesick puppies over there." She said, nodding her head in Simon and Clary's direction.
"You wouldn't dare. We're not that sappy." Alyssa said, taking out her phone which was buzzing with a text message. She sighed after reading the message and stood up. "I gotta go. My dad wants to see me," she said.
"Okay." Jace said with a nod.
"You two are talking now?" Maia asked, surprised.
"They're not," Jace said.
"We aren't but he's been calling and texting non-stop for the last couple of days and unless I go and see him and hear him out, he's not gonna stop. So I'll see you later." After gulping down the rest of her drink in one swallow, she kissed Jace and left the bar.
"She's not okay, is she?"
"Nope, but it seems she can't catch a break these days."
Alyssa's Apartment
Alyssa arrived to see Luke leaning against the wall opposite her apartment door, waiting. He had a tired look on his face.
"Hey kiddo," he said with a small smile.
"What are you doing here? I thought you said to meet you at the pier."
"So you do see and read my texts and my calls, you just decide not to reply or answer or call back."
"Didn't feel like it."
"I see. Well, to answer your question, I didn't think you were going to show, so I decided to wait here till you came back."
"Don't you have to be at the station?"
"It's my day off."
"Right." Alyssa said, then unlocked the door and opened it, entering the apartment and leaving the door open. "You gonna come in or not?" Surprised at the invitation, Luke quickly entered and closed the door behind him as if he was afraid she'd change her mind. Alyssa came out of the kitchen holding a mug of coffee which she held out to Luke.
"Thanks, but..."
"Dad, you look like you're about to collapse from exhaustion. Drink." Luke sighed and took the mug, sitting down on the couch. "I didn't stop knowing or caring about you just because I'm mad at you."
"I know that, baby. And I…"
"Finish your coffee, Dad. You're much better at apologizing when you're more awake." The two sat in silence as Luke complied and drank his coffee.
"Thanks for the coffee." Luke said, after he finished his coffee.
"You're welcome. If you're here to talk about why you lied to me all my life, save your breath."
"Alyssa, look, I didn't want to lie to you. I thought it would be better if you didn't know about Kayla or what she did to you. I was just trying to protect you."
"From what? She is dead, Dad."
"Exactly. Do you really think that I could tell you your mother was dead?"
"Maybe you should have. I'd have been better off knowing that I didn't have a mom than to think I had one but she just didn't love me because there was something wrong with me. I wouldn't have cared if you'd told me she'd left us or whatever. All I needed to know was that Jocelyn wasn't my mother. Because then, I wouldn't have felt as hurt as I was at the time. I almost killed myself because of that woman, literally. If it wasn't for Dot and Magnus, I wouldn't be here right now." Luke was stunned, shocked to say the least.
"If you'd paid more attention after I went to live with Magnus, maybe you'd have seen how depressed I was before Magnus pulled me out of my funk. I had to go to therapy. But you didn't know because one you were never around to notice and two, I asked both Magnus and Dot not to tell you. I may have been a kid, but I could see how in love you were with Jocelyn and I didn't want to mess that up. I was willing to always be put second after Clary just so you could be happy."
"Lys, but you know you were never second to…"
"But I was. You can try to deny it but that doesn't make it any less true. You were there for Clary, always. She grew up, loving you like a dad, having your full attention while I got bits of it whenever you decided to drop by or call. But I still said nothing because you were happy with her. Only to find out twelve years later, that she wasn't even my mother."
"I'm sorry, baby girl. I really thought I was protecting you. But instead, all I did was hurt you."
"I'm not mad at you, Dad. I'm just hurt and that is why I need more time before we can be okay. So maybe ease up on the fifty texts and calls." Luke nodded sadly and got up.
"Take all the time you need. I'm not going anywhere."
"Thanks Dad." Luke nodded and turned to leave. "Dad?" Alyssa called out. Luke turned around and was surprised when she walked over and hugged him. Getting over his shock, he hugged her back tightly. "I love you, dad, no matter what."
"I love you too, baby girl. And I'm sorry." Alyssa said nothing to that.
The Institute – Ops Center
After the talk with Luke, Alyssa went to the Institute, feeling lighter than she had in days. She stepped off the elevator with Izzy and they both approached Alec.
"Heard from Mom. Max is on his way." Alec told the two. "And she also asked how you were doing, Lyssa, with everything."
"Better than before. I'll go see her later." Alyssa said.
"Feels like just yesterday we were taking knives away from him." Izzy said in reply to Alec's earlier statement.
"He's lucky to have you as a tutor." Alec said. Izzy suddenly has an uncertain look on her face.
"Alec, maybe it's a mistake putting me in charge of him." She said, stopping in front of the stairs. Both Alec and Alyssa were surprised.
"Are you kidding? Izzy, you're the smartest one here, besides Alyssa that is, and one of our toughest fighters." Alec said.
"But it's just... I don't feel like myself yet." Izzy said.
"That's because you've only just begun to get help with your addiction. These things take time. There's no poof and you're fixed." Alyssa said.
"What about those mundane meetings you mentioned?" Alec asked.
"They're helping, even though they think I'm talking about heroin." Izzy replied.
"Well, the two have some effects in common so it's not a far stretch." Alyssa said. She was cut off from saying more when Jace interrupted the conversation.
"Shadowhunter down!" Jace announced.
"Milo Keytower," Clary added in.
"What happened?" Izzy asked.
"From what I understand, his runes were carved out. Is that true, Jace?" Imogen asked, joining in.
"Yes, after he was attacked by a wolf." Jace answered. Alyssa frowned hearing this.
"He had multiple bite and claw marks."
"What kind of werewolf randomly attacks a Shadowhunter?" Izzy questioned.
"One who's trying to send a message." Alec said.
"And get the attention of the Clave." Imogen added.
"That doesn't sound right." Alyssa muttered to herself, but everyone heard her.
"What was that, Ms. Graymark?" Imogen asked.
"I said that doesn't sound right. Why would any werewolf go through the risk and trouble of shifting to bite and claw a Shadowhunter to death, leaving DNA evidence all over the body and then shift back to use whatever tool to carve out the Shadowhunter's runes? Why not use the knife or whatever to do the job so they don't risk leaving evidence that can be traced back to them? It just doesn't make sense."
"You seem to have given this a lot of thought," Imogen said, an accusatory tone in her voice.
"It's just common logic, Madam Inquisitor; it's not rocket science. Not all of us have our noses so high that we can't see what's right in front of us." Alyssa replied, not bothering to keep the snark out of her voice.
"Alyssa!" Jace hissed, but was ignored.
"Be that as it may, we need to find them before this happens again." Clary said.
"Well, I think I have a pretty good idea who it is." Imogen said, not taking her eyes off Alyssa.
Forensic Lab
Alyssa walked out of the forensic lab after visiting it to see the body, only to see Alec and Luke coming that way.
"Dad? What are you doing here?" She asked, confused.
"The Inquisitor asked him to come in for a talk." Alec answered for Luke.
"She what? She actually thinks my dad is the one who did this? Is she out of her mind?"
"Hey, don't worry about it."
"Don't worry? I'm guessing you're bringing him in here for his DNA to be tested against the one on the body?" Alyssa asked Alec.
"It was my idea, baby," Luke said.
"I know it was. I also know that if it were up to her, you'd already be in a cell right now."
"It's okay, don't worry." Luke assured her, before entering the lab with Alec but not before Alec placed a hand on her shoulder with a small smile. She placed her hand on his, returning the smile before he entered the lab. Alyssa sighed and looked down at the tablet in her hands before walking away.
Ops Center
"Another Shadowhunter was found dead last night in Williamsburg." Imogen announced, standing at the top of the stairs with Jace beside her. "This time, murdered by a warlock. In this time of crisis, it is essential that we maintain strong leadership. That is why I am naming Jace Herondale head of the Institute, effective upon my departure to Idris. Dismissed." The crowd dissolved while Jace descended and joined Alec and the rest.
"Let's not make a big deal about this. She's still in charge until she leaves." He said as he walked along with them.
"Still, being appointed head of the Institute and finding out you're a Herondale? Don't let it get to your head." Izzy teased.
"So Herondales are what, like, the Kennedys of the Shadow World?" Clary asked. As they gathered around a conference table in the room.
"It's an old Shadowhunter family, like the Lightwoods," Alec replied.
"But we're the Kennedys." Izzy pinched in with a smirk.
"Let's focus on what matters. The Inquisitor would like us to reach out to our allies and see what they know. At this point, she considers all Downworlders suspects." Jace said, bringing them back to the topic at hand.
Izzy and Alec shared a look and glanced at Alyssa who said nothing, only looking down at the tablet in her hands.
"That's casting a pretty broad net." Alec said, looking up at Jace, at Alyssa again then back to Jace, trying to convey a silent message.
"She can't possibly think any of our friends did this." Clary said. Alyssa scoffed quietly but remained silently, showing that she was indeed listening.
"And, well, we'll prove that to her. Since Luke's DNA cleared him, we should collect samples from all of our friends to clear them as well. I'll make an Institute-wide announcement." Jace said, and everyone agreed.
"I'll go talk to Simon." Clary said.
"Great." Jace said after which Clary walked away.
"I'll go see Raphael." Izzy said.
"No." Alec shot down quickly, causing Jace to look at both of them suspiciously.
"Why not?" He asked, making both of them sigh.
"Subtlety really isn't your thing, is it, Alec?" Alyssa said, speaking and lifting her head to look at them for the first time since they had convened.
"Am I missing something here?" Jace asked.
"Jace, I'm a yin fen addict." Izzy confessed.
"Excuse me?"
"Why don't we save that story for later and focus on the fact that she's getting better and kicking that addiction, alright?" Alyssa said, then turned to walk away.
"Okay. Just report back with any leads, okay." Jace said to Izzy, then left to catch up with Alyssa. "Hey, you okay? You were really quiet in there. You hardly said anything."
"There was nothing to say."
"Come on, you always have something to say. I know you've got something to say about the strategy I just put forth. I want to hear it."
"I actually have nothing to say. It's a good strategy. But I'm not allowed to work on this case or mission, whatever you call it."
"What? Since when? Who…"
"Imogen. After I gave my not-so-welcome opinion when the first body came in, she wasn't so pleased, so she benched me till this investigation is complete. She said something about it being because of a conflict of interest, with me being part Downworlder, but we both know that's not entirely true."
"What? I'm going to talk to her. You're one of our best. She can't possibly think…"
"Jace, don't. That woman hasn't liked me since she met me. Being her grandson and me being your bonded or wife won't change that. So don't waste your breath. Besides, it gives me time to take care of somethings, don't worry babe. Just promise me something."
"Anything."
"Promise me that you won't let being a Herondale and what is going on right now change who you are. I know you're happy to have finally found your family, but don't let it change you into something you're not." Alyssa asked.
Jace smiled and took her hand, drawing her to him.
"I promise." He said, kissing her hand. Alyssa smiled and leaned in to kiss him.
Max's Room
"You'll have four training sessions a day: demon strategy, weapons, combat, and endurance." Izzy said as she and Max entered his room. "Breakfast starts at 5:00. If you're late, all you'll have is a cold bran muffin."
"I don't need breakfast. When do we start? Now?" Max asked eagerly.
"First thing tomorrow. Right now, I have a mission." Izzy said.
"Great, let's go." Max said, moving toward the door.
"Whoa, slow down, okay? Izzy said, holding Max back. Max sighed. "You don't get to go into the field until you complete your training."
"But I have more medals than anyone in my class." Max said. While the siblings conversed, neither noticed Alyssa enter the room and lean against the doorpost with a fond smile as she watched them.
"…I can handle it. Please, I'll follow orders." Max pleaded with his sister. Izzy got up from her kneeling position and placed a hand on her brother's shoulder.
"Patience, young Shadowhunter. You'll be out there soon enough." Izzy said. Max's face dropped in disappointment. This made Alyssa let out a small laugh, drawing the siblings' attention to her.
"Wow, Izzy. Since when did you become Yoda, Jedi Master, or in this case Shadowhunter Master?"
"Alyssa!" Max said happily, then went to hug her. A hug Alyssa happily accepted and returned.
"Hey, Max. How've you been?" The two pulled back from the hug. "Wow, I don't see you for a few weeks and you grow big and are already starting training."
"Yeah, and they made Izzy my trainer. How cool is that?"
"Very cool. In fact, she was my trainer once. It's how she and I became best friends. Although by then I already knew a lot of things and she was just more of like a sparring partner. One I beat more times than I could count." Alyssa said, looking at Izzy teasingly. Izzy rolled her eyes playfully.
"Ha ha. Very funny. Anyways, I gotta go. See you both later." Izzy said walking past them.
"Oh, wait, when you see my brother, tell him he owes me." Alyssa said.
"Owes you what?"
"He'll figure it out once you tell him." Izzy shook her head and walked out of the room. Alyssa chuckled and looked down only to see a downcast expression on Max's face. "Hey, why the sad face?"
"I wish Izzy would stop babying me just because I'm her little brother and let me do the real stuff. Like go on missions with her and hunt for demons, you know, like most Shadowhunters do." Max said, moving from her side to sit on the bed. Alyssa sat down beside him.
"Max, Izzy was right. You need to be patient. Izzy's one of our best, one of the bravest, strongest and smartest. If she didn't know her stuff, they wouldn't have listed her as your trainer and it's because you're her brother that she'll teach you the best way she can and all that she knows, so you can protect yourself.
You can't rush stuff like this, they take time. It's like climbing a ladder, you have to take it one rung at a time. You can't skip some rungs just so you reach the top. You'll fall back to square one and hurt yourself in the process. Haven't you heard the saying that 'Sometimes, slow but steady wins the race'?"
"I just want to prove that I'm as good as Alec and Izzy are."
"Oh, Max. You don't have to prove anything, not to your siblings, to your parents or anyone. You're already smart, brave and strong like your siblings and you'll be even more once you finish your training. Just try not to compare yourself to others or try to be them.
We're all different, strong, brave, and smart in our own ways. If you try to be like someone else, you might end up burying your true self down. You can learn what you can from people and then make it your own. But don't rush it.
Take your time and you'll see that eventually, it'll all pay off." Max nodded with a smile and hugged Alyssa from the side. She smiled and gave him a one-armed hug back.
"Thanks, Lyssa. For what it's worth, you're a great big sister." Alyssa smiled even more and squeezed him gently. "And I think you would have been an even greater mom."
This last bit startled her and made her pull back slightly to look down at Max with a questioning eyebrow raised. Max saw this and pulled away from her.
"What?"
"I heard you and mom talking the day you came to Idris and I overheard what you and mom were talking about. And before you ask, I heard everything. And I'm sorry for what happened, to your baby and with your dad." Alyssa smiled gently, almost sadly.
"Thank you, Max. It means a lot. But you know how Maryse and I feel about you eavesdropping. It's okay though."
"How do you do it? How do you go about your day with everything that has happened to you?"
Alyssa took a deep breath at the question.
"To tell you the truth, I don't even know. It still hurts when I think about it. But it helps when I also think about you, your family and Jace. That's what sometimes helps me get through it. Knowing I have a family like you guys with me, helps me deal with most things that are thrown at me and I don't let them consume me."
"Family?"
"Yes, Max, you guys are my family and I love you all." Alyssa said with a smile, pulling Max back into a side hug and placing her cheek on top of his head.
Hunter's Moon Bar
Jace and another Shadowhunter entered just as Maia finished cleaning a table and was heading toward the bar.
"I'm sorry, gentlemen. This isn't a leather bar." Maia joked.
"Hmm." Jace said, not amused by the joke. "I'm here on Clave business," he added.
"Clave business? Do I curtsy?" She asked mockingly.
"If you really want to. Are there any mundanes in here?" Jace asked.
"No." Maia answered.
"There's a new mandate for everyone's safety." Jace said as the other Shadowhunter took out a syringe from his pocket. "GPS implants," he added.
Maia scoffed.
"You've got to be kidding me." She said, shaking her head.
"The Clave has always been able to track Shadowhunters through their runes. This is no different," Jace said.
"This is very different." Maia said then raised her voice to call out to the inhabitants of the bar. "Hey, everybody! The Clave wants to implant tracking chips in all of us. Like pets. Who's in?" Jace shook his head.
"It isn't like that. This is just temporary until we catch the killer." Jace said, trying not to anger Maia and the other Downworlders in the bar but failing as Maia's eyes glowed in anger. He took a step back and gave her a look. "Again?"
"I thought you would've learned the first time, but apparently Shadowhunters aren't the brightest bulbs." Maia said, almost directing the last part towards the other Shadowhunter. "Except for one who you and I both know won't be pleased with what you're doing."
"Alright, no need to bring her into this. We can get this done without any violence." Jace said, casting a look between the other Shadowhunter and Maia.
"Where's the fun in that?" Maia said with a smirk before delivering a punch in the stomach to both Shadowhunters then she elbowed the other Shadowhunter in the face before turning to Jace.
"No." He said, right before Maia punched him in the face.
She kicked him back, sending him towards the bar and causing him to knock down some glasses. Jace tried to stop her and defend himself but was unable to. Luke then ran in and went to stop Maia.
"Maia! Maia, stop." But he was held back by some other Downworlders.
"The Clave's gone too far, Lucian. Let them fight." One Downworlder said and turned back to the fight.
Jace managed to get a hold of Maia and stopped her, looking up to see the other Shadowhunter raising the syringe to implant the chip in Maia.
"Wait." He said but the other man wasn't ready to listen. He brought the syringe down but before it could make contact with Maia's skin, his wrist was caught by another hand, one that looked feminine.
All of a sudden, the bar went quiet. No one dared to make a sound. The hand that caught the Shadowhunter's wrist was revealed to be Alyssa's and, boy, did she look angry! Her eyes were glowing green with her sclera all black.
"That is quite enough." She said in a deathly calm voice, yanking the Shadowhunter to face her. "That...is no way to treat a lady, Downworlder or not. Now be a good boy and drop the syringe before I show you the wrong end of my bite." Alyssa all but growled, baring her fangs at the man.
The Shadowhunter hesitated, causing Alyssa to lose her patience and grip his wrist tighter, breaking the bone. The Shadowhunter cried out in pain and dropped the syringe immediately. Alyssa then head-butted him and threw him into the bar, knocking him unconscious.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Maia punched Jace once again before Alyssa's voice stopped her.
"I said that's enough, Maia." Maia immediately stopped and backed away, bowing her head slightly in submission.
Luke shook himself free of those holding him back. Alyssa moved close but still a bit away from Jace. "Is this where you've gotten to now, Jace? Following grandmother's orders to the point of forgetting your own values. Have you so quickly forgotten how to think for yourself and to do what's right despite what the Clave wants or orders you to do?"
"You want a Downworlder revolt? This is how it starts." Luke added in.
"They came after Clary." Jace said in his defense.
"What?" Luke said. This was news to him and Alyssa.
"Look, she's okay, but…"
"That's beside the point, Jace. It's not about her or the dead Shadowhunters. You and your grandmother are going to start a war that nobody wants." Alyssa said, glaring. "And I can't believe you bought into that crap Imogen sold you about being able to track Shadowhunter through their runes. If that were really true then they would have found Valentine a long time ago before he and the circle rose back up again." Jace had the grace to look ashamed as he looked down.
"So unless you want all the blood that's going to flow from the war you're trying to start on your hands, I'd suggest you and Imogen get off your high horses, stop trying to persecute Downworlders, and try asking for their help."
Shadowhunters talk about not letting emotions cloud judgment, well it might serve you well to remember that 'fear' is also an emotion and currently it's what's driving your grandmother and you idiots into doing something as stupid as what you attempted to do. Why don't you do them a favor by picking up your buddy and getting out of here before you get killed?"
Feeling ashamed, Jace did what she said and left, helping the other Shadowhunter who'd had just come to, out of the bar.
Some of the Downworlders tried to block their way, but a glare from Alyssa changed their minds.
"Hey, Alyssa, thanks for saving me and sticking up for us. Those Shadowhunters just…"
"Next time you pick a fight with a Shadowhunter, Maia, make sure it isn't with one who could have put you down within minutes if he wanted to." Alyssa reprimanded, cutting Maia off. Maia blinked in surprise at the tone in her voice.
"What?"
"Jace is one of the best fighters there are among the Shadowhunters. If he'd wanted to, he could have put you down before you could have thrown a second punch at him. He was raised and trained by Valentine, in case you've forgotten. And last I checked, Valentine is as ruthless as they come. You should be lucky that his training in combat was that only thing that got ingrained into Jace and not his view on Downworlders as well."
"I can't believe this. You're defending him?"
"No, I'm not. He more than deserved the punch you threw and he's gonna hear it from me when I get back to the institute. But what I am doing is just giving you a warning. Stop letting your temper rule your actions. Just because you're a wolf doesn't mean you have to be hot-headed." Alyssa said, then walked out of the bar.
The Institute – Jace's Room
Jace just walked into the room. He'd just been laid into Clary after finding out her boyfriend been locked up while she'd been unconscious and now so was Maia for the suspected murder of another Shadowhunter, Lockhart.
"Well, you look terrible." He heard from the bed and looked up to find his wife sitting on the bed and leaning back on her arms while she smirked at him. "I can't believe you were just laid into by a pint-sized redhead that I have to share my father with."
"Hi to you too. Look, if you're here to also lay into me about how I'm failing and letting my grandmother change me into someone who I'm not, you can save it."
"Whoa, slow down there, grumpy-pants. That's not why I'm here. I already made my point back at the bar. Besides, I know you're not really to blame here."
"Look, I… What?" Jace was surprised. He'd been expecting a lecture from her and not that.
"Look, Jace. I get your situation, alright. I've been there before with Jocelyn remember? The only exception is that no matter what I did, it still wasn't enough. I get that you just discovered your family and you want her to accept you so much that you're willing to do whatever she tells you even when you know deep down that it's not right." Jace sighed and sat down beside her.
"But Jace, you need to stop now before it gets worse. She's changing you and she doesn't even see it in her drive to look good in front of the Clave. You've always been someone who stands up for what's right, even when it could mean trouble for you. It's part of why I love you."
You shouldn't have to change who you are to get Imogen pleased with you. If she doesn't accept you for who you really are then it's her loss. I know you've trying your best in the situation we're in right now."
"And I've only just made a mess of everything. If you hadn't stopped me in the bar…"
"Well, that's what I'm here, isn't it? It's my job as your wife to keep you from doing stupid things. Even if I have to let a hot tempered she-wolf beat the crap out of you first." She said with a smirk. Jace chuckled and smiled weakly. Alyssa scooted to sit closer to Jace, placing a hand on his back. "We all make mistakes, Jace. We all do things that we may not like doing but we still do them for family. I know you weren't happy but you just didn't want to disappoint Imogen."
"But I still did it. I knew it was wrong, but I still went along with her and did what she asked. And I even broke my promise to you."
"Maybe. But it's not too late to make amends and make things right. You can start with the mess that's in the basement cell." Alyssa said, kissing his cheek. Jace nodded.
"Okay. Thank you. I love you." He said to her.
"I love you too." She said back, as Jace leaned in and captured her lips with a kiss.
Basement Cell
"Why couldn't you just leave? There was nothing you could do for her." Simon and Maia were sitting in the cell, on one of the beds and talking, unaware that someone was watching them as they spoke.
"I just…couldn't. And I kind of thought Jace would stand up for me." Simon replied to Maia.
"Yeah, Jace looks lost. Like a deer caught in headlights. I guess I get it." Maia said, feeling for Jace.
"Get what? That he's under the inquisitor's spell?" Simon asked.
"I know what it's like, to want so badly to have a real family. The things you'll do." Maia said.
"Yeah. Even for the world's most terrifying grandma?"
Maia smiled at the joke.
"Totally. I mean, you should have seen her face when Clary went off on her. That woman was legit scared. Clary was on fire." Maia praised.
"If I didn't know better, I'd say you like Clary."
"She's growing on me. Don't screw it up, Simon." Maia advised him.
"I don't plan to, if I ever get out of here."
"And you're a Daylighter now. Does that come with any other new tricks that could break us out of here?" Simon held up his finger, pretending to think before answering, but before he could, a voice cut through their conversation.
"Unless you count the huge increase in his levels of stupidity lately, I don't think so." The two turned their heads and saw Alyssa leaning by the entrance. "I, on the other hand, can get you out of here without having to 'break you out'. Alyssa continued, making air quotes.
"Alyssa?" Maia questioned. Alyssa waved sarcastically with a smirk.
"How did you get in? They didn't even let Clary in when she came down here." Simon asked.
"I have a higher level of clearance than she does currently, being the wife of the current head of the institute. And it helps that the head of the institute is also here himself to grant you two release." Alyssa said, stepping away from the door to let Clary and Jace enter the cell as well.
"Clary!" Simon exclaimed happily, Maia and him getting up as Clary rushed over to hug him tightly. Alyssa couldn't help but roll her eyes at their actions. "You okay? I tried to stay put. They wouldn't let me…"
"It's all right." Clary said, calming him down. The other three turned away from the two of them.
"You know damn well I didn't kill anyone," Maia said to Jace.
"Even so, I should probably let you cool out down here for that right hook you landed." Jace threw back.
Alyssa rolled her eyes and jabbed him in the stomach with her elbow, making him grunt slightly. "But I deserved it. I was wrong. I'm sorry." Maia was stunned.
"An apology from you, wow. There's a first time for everything." She teased. Jace smiled at her and rolled his eyes.
"Aw, how sweet. Want me to leave you two alone so you can kiss and make up?" Alyssa said sarcastically, batting her eyelashes in faux innocence.
Maia and Jace looked at her weirdly, and she just smirked back at them. Her phone vibrated with an incoming call then. She stepped out to receive it, leaving the other four inside.
"Hey, Izzy? What's up? You playing nice with hermano?" Alyssa said, with a smirk playing on her lips. The smirk faded away once she heard Izzy's words. "I'm on my way."
Dark Room
Max lay on a table unconscious. Coming to, he slowly opened his eyes, his vision blurred, and looked around him, seeing all sorts of equipment around him. He looked up and saw a figure, his vision still blurry. The figure took their hood off, revealing the figure to be a woman, a Seelie. Max's vision sharpened enough for him to see his attacker. It was Kaelie.
"Awake already?" She said.
"Come near me and I'll kill you." Max threatened weakly.
"You don't deserve this." Kaelie said, almost remorsefully. "But the Shadowhunters need to feel what it's like to lose the ones they love. My brother, Samuel, was all I had in this world and now he's gone." She continued angrily, slamming a knife on the table. "Thanks to your brother, Jace," she added.
Roughly grabbing Max's wrist, she turned it so the angelic rune would be visible. Max gasped, knowing what was about to happen.
Before she could even bring the knife close to his skin, a seraph dagger was thrown at her, hitting her in the shoulder, making her step back and drop the knife. She looked to see Izzy, Meliorn, Alyssa and Raphael standing on the stair platform.
"One more move and you're dead." Izzy threatened. Kaelie ripped out the dagger from her shoulder without flinching, faced Meliorn and Raphael who were advancing towards her, while Izzy swung down from the platform to go and release Max from his bindings.
"It's over, Kaelie." Meliorn said.
"The Shadowhunters led us into a massacre. Why are you on their side?" Kaelie said.
"It's not a matter of sides, Kaelie. It's a matter of what's right." Meliorn replied as Raphael approached the female Seelie.
Kaelie moved to attack the vampire, but Raphael dodged each attack. This frustrated Kaelie, who threw her dagger at Meliorn. However, Alyssa knocked it away with another dagger and leaped down from the landing between Raphael and Kaelie. Without exchanging words, Alyssa began fighting Kaelie.
The fight was over before it even began as Alyssa took hold of the Seelie's arms when she tried to punch her face and broke them, making her cry out in pain. Both Meliorn and Raphael winced when she did this, feeling almost sorry for Kaelie.
Alyssa then grabbed hold of Kaelie's throat, gripping it tightly and making it hard for the Seelie to breathe.
"No one hurts my family and lives." Alyssa growled, baring her fangs and making her eyes glow green then snapped her neck just as a seraph blade impaled Kaelie. "No one." She repeated, letting go of the Seelie and watching her fall dead to the ground.
Hunter's Moon Bar
Alyssa was back at the bar, but this time instead of sitting in front of the bar counter waiting to be served, she was behind the bar, working.
Maia was surprised when she showed up and offered to help her with her work. She picked up some empty glasses from the table she was cleaning and took them to the bar.
"Okay, time out. What's going on?" She asked, placing the glasses on the counter, which Alyssa promptly grabbed.
"What, don't you appreciate the help?" Alyssa asked.
"I do, but it's just so out of the blue."
"Well, don't get too comfortable. It's just a distraction I needed. I'll be leaving soon once someone gets here."
"Who?" Maia asked, curious.
"You'll see. Anyway, your entertainment for the night just walked in with his manager." Alyssa said, nodding towards Simon and Clary who had entered.
Simon seemed overwhelmed by the crowd of people in the bar. He walked over to where Maia and Alyssa were, with Clary following him.
"Hey, what's going on? Are you giving away free alcohol?" Simon asked. Alyssa snorted.
"They wish that were the case." She remarked. Maia held up a flyer featuring Simon's band.
"Turns out some vampires got wind of a singer they're really into." Maia said.
"See? Your vampire friends know a good thing when they see it." Clary said encouragingly.
"He has vampire friends?" Alyssa remarked, earning a look from the redhead Shadowhunter. "Besides, I'm pretty sure it's not so much the music as Simon's new day-walking abilities."
"For once, I agree with your sister." Simon said to Clary without thinking, making Alyssa stiffen for a moment and Clary and Maia look at her. Realizing what he said, he tried to backtrack. "Sorry, I forgot… Izzy told me"
"No, it's okay." Alyssa said, forcing a smile. "You should get up there. Don't wanna keep your fans waiting."
"I…"
"No seriously, go before Clary starts to think you're backing out and pushes you to the stage herself." Alyssa said, smirking.
"And you know I would." Clary backed up. Simon nodded, raising his hands in slight surrender and walked to the stage. Clary went to follow him but was stopped by Maia who handed her one of the two glasses of beer Alyssa placed on the counter.
"Oh, hey, um, this is on me." She said. Clary smiled at her softly.
"Thanks, Maia." Clary replied, making Maia smile back and walk away to serve others. Clary sat down on a stool and faced the stage to watch Simon.
"Hi, we're Rock Sol-" He pauses, catching Clary's eyes. "I'm Simon Lewis. Thank you all for coming.. Um…This is for the Downworld." He finishes saying earning some cheers from the crowd. He presses a key on his laptop and begins to play the keyboard, singing.
Got a drop in my throat
Chill in my bones
When nobody's around
See a light and a flare
Nobody's there
They don't hear a sound
Oh the burden that I face
Inside every night
I'm a stranger when I wake
Wake up in your eyes
When the world I've come to know
Is a replica
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Forever alone
Unseen by everyone else at the bar as they were all focused on Simon, Alyssa hunched over, feeling a familiar pull in her gut. Her eyes began to burn as they glowed and her fangs and claws grew. Casting a look around and thinking that no one saw, she resisted the urge and pushed back her shift, only breathing easily as her features returned to normal.
Unknown to her, Luke had seen everything and watched as she bid Maia goodbye and left through the back door.
The Institute – Training Room
Alyssa walked into the room, taping the last bit of the boxing wrap to her wrist. She went straight for the punching bag and began to let out all her pent up emotions on it.
Someone else entered the training room, having seen her enter and followed. It was Sebastian. He watched as she moved, punching away at the bag. Not stopping what she was doing, Alyssa spoke up, having felt him when he entered.
"What do you want, Sebastian?" She asked, not breaking her rhythm once.
"I was wondering if you could use a sparring partner. I'm pretty sure that poor bag needs a break from all the abuse it's receiving." He said. Alyssa let up on the punching, holding the bag to prevent it from swinging back to hit her.
"That's not a good idea, trust me."
"Why not? Afraid of getting beaten?" Sebastian teased, but received no reaction from Alyssa.
"No offence, but do you have a death wish? What makes you think you can keep up with me? Even Jace can sometimes barely keep up with me and he's soul-bound to me. He's my husband." Alyssa said, turning to face him. He just shrugged with a smirk, walking in to stand a little away from her. Raising an eyebrow, Alyssa shrugged and moved from the punching bag. "Suit yourself."
"So how do you want to do this? With weapons or just—whoa." He exclaimed, dodging a punch and kick that was sent his way. "Little heads up first."
"Always gotta be on your guard." Alyssa said unrepentantly, throwing another punch which Sebastian deflected.
The two began to spar as Sebastian surprising kept up with Alyssa but he could tell she wasn't giving it her all. Pulling a surprise move, he managed to pull her against him, her back to his chest in a headlock. She immediately gripped his arm to lessen the pressure on her throat.
"Come on, is that all you've got? I'd have expected more from the hybrid I heard so much of in the Paris Institute. When did you get so soft?" Sebastian taunted, trying to get a rise out of her. Alyssa took in deep breaths trying not to let her anger take hold of her while still struggling out of his hold, knowing the damage she could do in that state.
"You've gotten weak. Still in denial about the truth? Just face it, Alyssa. Clary was never your sister, never your family. The only family you have left is your dad and he cares about Clary more than he does about you. Why else would he lie to you all your life? You don't have anyone but Jace and even he has divided attention for you when it comes to Clary. It's always about Clary. After all, saving her was the reason you lost your baby, isn't it?"
That was the last straw. Alyssa let go and let her wolf and demon surface, as her eyes shifted, her sclerae turning black and her irises glowing a darker shade of green.
She delivered a sharp elbow punch to his gut, causing his grip on her neck to lessen, allowing her enough of a chance to twist out of his grasp. Sebastian looked up, recovering quickly from the sharp punch and had to react quickly to deflect and evade Alyssa's onslaught of attacks.
He realized his mistake in taunting her as he barely kept up with her, barely managing to defend himself. Alyssa was moving too quickly and savagely for him, not to mention she was stronger than he was, especially in this state.
"Alyssa! Alyssa!" He called to her, trying to get her out of her rage state but all to no avail. "Alyssa, stop! Stop this! You're letting your anger take over." He said, trying to get through to her. Alyssa just knocked him to the ground and kept on attacking, hearing nothing in her rage fueled state.
Luckily for him, Jace, Alec, Izzy and Clary burst into the training room. Without wasting any time, Jace and Alec grabbed hold of her and pulled her struggling off of Sebastian. However Alyssa proved to be stronger than both brothers as they struggled to hold onto her.
"Lys! Lys! Hey! Baby, stop this. You're gonna kill him if you don't stop." Jace said but Alyssa was hearing none of it. Clary, who'd rushed out with prompting from Izzy returned with a syringe full of a sedative which she gave to Izzy.
"Hold her still or I could insert this in the wrong place." Izzy cautioned her brothers.
"We're trying, Izzy. She's just too strong for both of us." Alec said. Exerting more effort, the boys managed to hold Alyssa almost still enough for Izzy to inject her with the sedative.
Soon Alyssa's struggling became less and less as the sedative worked its way through her until she eventually just stopped fighting all together. Her eyes returned to normal as her muscles relaxed.
"Jace…" She whispered before falling unconscious, Acting quickly, Jace took hold of her body as it went limp, pulling her to him.
"What the hell just happened?" Alec questioned no one in particular. "How did she lose complete control?"
"That is my fault." Sebastian said, moving towards them, clutching his side. His left eye was swollen, his nose was bleeding, and he had a lot of other bruises on his face. It was obvious that he'd taken a huge beating from the brunette in Jace's arms way before the four had arrived.
"What do you mean?" Clary asked.
"We were sparring and I may have goaded her into not holding back." Sebastian said, barely holding back a wince as he moved the wrong way and pulled at his side.
"What did you do?" Alec asked.
"I used the method I used on Clary to get her runes working again. I thought it would help her release some of her anger, but I think I went too far."
"If you hadn't already gotten your ass kicked enough by Lys, I'd do so myself right now." Jace said angrily. "Alyssa doesn't need this right now, especially when she's already under so much scrutiny from the Clave. Someone else could have come in here and thought she was attacking you, not sparring with you, and reported her to the Clave. Count yourself lucky that we got here in time or you'd be way worse than you are right now." Jace glared at him then picked Alyssa up in his arms and left the training room.
Alec glanced at the hurt blond Shadowhunter and walked out of the training room, leaving Clary and Izzy to help Sebastian to the infirmary where Izzy attended to his wounds.
Jace's Room
Entering the room, Jace placed Alyssa on the bed, making sure she was well settled before turning to face Alec who'd followed him.
"Think she's gonna be okay? Should we restrain her in case she wakes up and is still in that state?"
"No, don't worry. She's back to being the Alyssa we all know. The brave, strong as hell, tough as nails, sassy and ever brutally honest, Alyssa, whom we all love." Jace said, drawing a chuckle from both of them.
"Yeah." Alec responded, as the two turned to look at the unconscious brunette. "You think she's fine? I'm not talking about tonight, though it technically plays a part, but I meant generally."
"Honestly, no. She's still recovering from all that's happened. I mean first we lost the baby. And then before she could even process how she felt about that, Valentine decided to drop that truth bomb on her, throwing her into another tailspin of emotions, especially when she discovered that Valentine wasn't lying as usual.
She hasn't really had time to deal with all of that properly. She tries to convince us that she's fine, but she's not. I feel so helpless not being able to help her. She won't let me in and tries to convince me that she's fine, but I know she's actually close to breaking. I don't know how to help her."
"She doesn't have to let you in for you to be able to help. Just being there for her, ready to catch her if she stumbles or falls is enough help. She'll let you in when she's ready."
"Yeah, okay. Thanks, man." Both men hugged, unaware of the pair of eyes watching them from the bed. Alec bid Jace goodnight and left the room.
Jace closed and locked the door, turning to find his wife sitting up against the headboard, looking at him. He quickly made his way over to her, sitting beside her and taking her hand in his. "Hey, you okay?"
"Been better, but I'm okay. Don't worry; I'm not blood-rage mad anymore. I don't feel like tearing Sebastian apart anymore. The sedative took care of that." Jace nodded with a soft smile.
"That's good." He leaned in to give her a kiss, but Alyssa leaned away and pushed him back, causing him to frown in confusion.
"You should take a shower. You reek of the bar and you smell like Maia, and it's beginning to bug me for some reason." Jace looked at her strangely.
"What? Sin…since when do you have a problem with me smelling like other girls?" He asked with a frown, as he stood up and shed his jacket.
"Since today. Go shower before I decide to spend the night in Izzy's room." A smirk grew on Jace's face as he shed his shirt next.
"Well then maybe, you should join me just so we can make sure the only person I'll smell like is you." He said, walking backwards towards the bathroom.
"Why don't you get the water running and I'll join you in a minute." Alyssa said, with a smirk. Jace grinned at this.
"Don't keep me waiting, baby." He said and then entered the bathroom.
Alyssa's smirk disappeared as she looked down at her clenched fist, which she uncurled to reveal her claws digging into her palm.
She willed her claws away and watched as the cuts in her palm from digging her claws in, healed. Even though, Jace had been with her, she was still having trouble controlling her shifting. "Babe, are you coming?" Putting away her thoughts, she got up from the bed and went into the bathroom, shedding her clothes as she went.