Chapter 15

Somehow, I didn't think my night would continue on after Simon ran off. But, here I am, standing between a freaking out Clary who is set on finding Simon and Jace who is calling reinforcements to help.

I just wanted to go back to the Institute.

Don't get me wrong, I care about Simon. I want him to be okay. But it seems pointless to chase after a new-be vampire when he could be anywhere. And we're all human.

Jace's voice on the speaker phone pulled me back to reality as we stood out of the cemetery gates.

"Alec, we need your help."

"It's Izzy. We need you. There's been an attack at the Institute."

My eyes go wide, meeting Jace's.

"An attack?" Jace asked worriedly.

Izzy came through the phone. "Valentine created a Forsaken that went through the wards."

Jace shook his head. "That's not possible, Izzy. Nothing can get through the wards. They're Warlock spells to defend against all Downworlders."

"Not this one. It had Seelie blood with angel properties. Jace, it went after Hodge and Alec."

"Are they okay?" I asked, worried about the two men.

"They're banged up, but they'll live. Hodge killed it. It was after the Cup."

A small sigh of relief left my lips, but that didn't stop any of our nerves.

"Izzy, we'll be there as soon as we can," Jace said before hanging up. Clary, Jace, and I ran down the sidewalks of the night. The only light being signs near-by and street lamps.

Suddenly, Clary starts to slow down to a stop, causing Jace and I to stop and look back at her.

"Clary, what are you doing?"

My sister didn't answer, instead she just looked at us with sadness, confusion, and desperation in her eyes.

Jace read into this, speaking up in an angry voice, "Valentine attacked my home. Alec's injured. We've got to go, Clary."

Finally, Clary spoke up, shaking her head, "I can't. You know I can't. Simon's in danger-"

"So what about Alec?" I asked, not believing my sister. Then again, when it comes to Simon, I believe Clary would always choose him over anyone else. Maybe even me if it came down to it.

But I'd hope she'd only do that because she knows I have Jace.

"It's not safe out here, Clary," Jace spoke up, bringing me back to reality once again.

Clary sighed, "I know I have a lot to learn but I've killed vampires, demons, and so many-"

As my sister's words continued, I could see Jace getting more and more annoyed. But he seemed to find the truth in her words, stopping her quickly.

"Clary, you're right, okay? You're right." My sister blinked a few times in shock at hearing those words from Jace. Not because he hasn't said them, but because of the situation that he'd say them. "Look, maybe Luke can help you find Simon. Werewolves are really great trackers."

Nodding, Clary seemed to calm her nerves somewhat, Of course, yeah. Good idea."

I spoke up, grabbing my sister's attention, "I'm going back with Jace." My eyes then pulled to Jace's, "Is that okay?"

Jace shrugged, but in a way that said that he didn't think there was ever a doubt. "Wouldn't have it any other way."

I hid my blush as I turned back to my sister. "Let me know when you find Simon."

Clary nodded, "Okay. Good luck."

"You too," Jace nodded back to my sister.

With no more words said, we were back running again. I swear, if it wasn't for the electric touch that would jolt my body when my hand or arm brushed Jace's, I'd probably be a lot slower. Thankfully, I was able to keep up.

We found the Institute, rushing inside. Jace and I's head moved like a swivel, looking around for anyone that could help us.

Jace noticed Maryse and Robert, Alec and Izzy's mom and dad, standing in the corner talking nervously. As he spotted them, my eyes picked up on Alec and Izzy sitting on the steps of the ruin room.

"I'm going to go check on Alec," I said, seeming to already know that Jace wouldn't be right behind me.

"I'll be there in a second," Jace said, letting his hand lift and brush against my arm before jogging away.

Getting closer to Izzy and Alec, I found Alec's arm wrapped in gauze with a slightly worried Izzy beside him. I grabbed both of their attentions as I spoke up and approached them, standing in front of them.

"Hey. You all right?"

Alec sighed, his eyes looking away in almost shame. "Yeah, I'm fine," He half mumbled.

Jace jogged his way over, speaking before he stopped next to me. His voice was dripped in worry, "I just spoke to Robert and Maryse. They're being sent back to Idris."

"What?" Alec and Izzy both said in shock. Both seeming to share their sibling shocked faces.

Nodding, Jace finalized his words, causing Izzy to stand and throw her arms out in anger. "Another "order" from Lydia? And now she's convinced the Clave that Mom and Dad aren't doing their job?"

Alec shrugged, "Well, maybe they aren't. The Institute was under their control when the Forsaken got in."

Izzy's eyes squinted as her eyebrows pulled together in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

With a look around between the three of us, Alec paused only to drop a bomb shell on everyone. "Mom and Dad were members of the Circle."

Everyone's eyes went wise while our mouths dropped in shock. Both Jace and I having the same reaction and simultaneously saying, "What?" I quickly shook my head, trying to grab some sort of sanity from this night. "But, they don't have the Circle runes."

"That's because they made a deal with the Clave prior to the Uprising. In exchange for their cooperation, they were pardoned."

Izzy, though shocked by her brother's words, shook her head. "You're questioning their loyalty?"

Alec extending his arm out as if to make a point. "Valentine is back. The Circle is rising. They're under suspicion."

Jace crossed his arms, speaking up angrily. "And they ordered two of Lydia's guys to attack Faith and I." I knew he was still angry and hurt by that, seeing as he thought of Maryse as like a mother.

"They lied to us. For years, they've been telling us how to act. That we have to uphold the Lightwood name. Well, they're the ones who tarnished it. They're hypocrites."

All of us drew silent in thought, seeming to absorb Alec's words. Almost like hearing the pause in the room, Lydia walked over to a smile as she stood next to Alec. "Aw, perfect, you're all here." She looked at Alec, asking, "Did you tell them?"

Sharing the same confused look at the two, Izzy seemed to be the one to ask, "Tell us what?"

A sigh left Alec's lips as he glanced at Lydia before returning to us, almost nervious. "Lydia and I are engaged."

"We're getting married," Lydia said excitedly.

Yeah, that's what engaged usually means.

I shook my head, taken back by Alec's words, "Wait what?"

"You can't be serious," Jace said, cracking a smile as if he had caught Alec in a joke. But when Alec didn't laugh or crack a smile, Jace's face dropped in shock.

What the hell? We were gone for, what, a couple of hours? And all this crap happens? Did someone put a spell on the Institute or something while we were gone?

Izzy stepped down by Jace and me, looking at Alec angrily, "You were supposed to tell them "no."" Alec couldn't even look at his sister, causing her to shake her head. "It's your life to ruin," With those words said with a disgusted face, Izzy turned and walked away.

Jace shook his head, his arms still crossed as he looked at the ground, "Not sure what to say."

"How about, "None of this matters"? We have to stop Valentine," Alec said, seeming to grow annoyed by the reaction.

Well, maybe next time, give someone a heads up!

Looking at his friend, Jace nodded, seeming slightly angry, "Finally. Something we agree on." With those words said to end this conversation and subject, Jace turns to leave, causing my eyes to give one last glance at Alec before following.

Izzy was standing in front of one of the monitors, watching her Seelie boyfriend, Merliorn, get dragged into questioning by Lydia. Alec eventually joined the three of us, seeming to have no sympathy for his sister.

"This is insane. We have to put a stop to this," Izzy said, shaking her head.

"Yeah, well, enjoy Portaling back to Idris with Mom and Dad," Alec says, looking at the monitor.

Izzy glared at her brother before returning to the screen. "Meliorn is here because of me."

Jace sighed, leaning against one of the table, seeming to not like his next words, "Alec's right. There's nothing we can do to stop this interrogation."

Quickly, Izzy turned towards Jace, seeming to catch his change in words from the last time. "You're on Alec's side now?"

As Jace spoke, I moved over, leaning on the table next to him. "I'm not picking sides. Jace Wayland is Switzerland. We have got to find Valentine. Let see this play out, Izzy. Meliorn might have some important information."

Izzy turned to me, looking at me to agree with her. Although I understood where she was coming from, I didn't fully agree with her. Meliorn might have some information.

Putting my hands up, I quickly said, "I'm on Jace's island so..." Izzy cut me off with a groan before we returned to the monitor where Lydia was questioning the Seelie.

"Forensics don't lie. Tell me what you know about the blood in the Forsaken," Lydia asked.

"Have you considered that the blood in the Forsaken came from our dead scouts? Scouts sent to help you hunt for Valentine. Why do you think we would side with a murderer?"

Lydia shook her head, "Seelies always play both sides."

Meliorn smiled, "You should talk to your own people about playing sides."

Raising an eyebrow and peeking our curiosity, Lydia asked, "Excuse me?"

"You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you? If only Shadowhunters had a better relationship with us Downworlders, you'd know that Valentine's daughter has the Cup."

All of us quickly stood up straight, my nerves starting to kick in again.

Izzy turned to us, looking at the three Shadowhunters before her. "Still think we should let this play out?"

Alec turned, walking away and leaving us.

My nerves started to get the best of me which Jace could tell and looked over at me. "Hey, we're going to get through this. They don't know where the Cup is and they're not going too."

"If they find Clary though-"

"They won't, we won't let them. I won't let them," Jace tried to reassure me.

I nodded, trying to trust in his words. Jace wrapped his arms around me, seeming to calm my nerves some at the action. If I could just stay in Jace's arms I'd stay here and let all the problems of the world move around us. Nothing could touch us.

But, that doesn't happen. It can't happen, not with all hell seeming to break loose. Instead, we find ourselves heading back towards the rooms, finding men in Clary's room. Her room was torn apart with Alec and Lydia seemed to lead the investigation.

Although Alec knew where the Cup was, he didn't seem to let Lydia know that and kept her on the hunt.

Jace and I quickly moved into Clary's room, going straight for Alec. "Alec, call this off now," Jace half ordered to his friend.

Alec scuffed, gesturing over to me. "I would understand Faith's bedroom being part of Switzerland but I think your extending it a bit much having Clary's be it too."

I glared at Alec, not holding back the venom in my tone as I said, "You can't do this."

Lydia moved over, seeming to grab the heat from Alec. If I didn't hate her and all of this wasn't going to shit, I'd find it sweet. "We have to find the Mortal Cup."

One of the men, closing one of Clary's drawers, spoke up. "It's all clear."

Turning her eyes on me, Lydia took a small step forward, causing Jace to take a step forward on guard. "Where is the Cup, Faith?"

"Probable in the kitchen," I said, crossing my arms.

"Where is Clary?" She asked, her eyes now moving from me to Jace.

Jace turned and looked at me before returning to Lydia and crossing his own arms. "Probable in the kitchen."

Lydia seemed to grow more annoyed and angry with every word we said. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way. Where is the Cup?"

A smirk played on my lips, seeming to reflect on Jace's when we both spoke in unison. "Probable in the kitchen."

There was a pause, my hope that Lydia would roll her eyes and leave seeming to demission. Instead, it was replaced with slight fear, dropping both mine and Jace's face. "Take her in for questioning."

"Wait, what?" I said, shocked. Suddenly, two men grabbed my arms, causing Jace to snap.

"Hey! What are you doing? Get away from her! Let her go!" Alec held onto his yelling friend who was struggling,

I yanked and pulled at the two men, "Get off of me." But it was no use as I was pulled out of the room with Lydia. Behind me I could hear Jace yell at Lydia who stopped in the doorway, "You can't do this!"

"You left me know choice."

You know how before I said I just wanted to go back to the Institute? Yeah, now I just want to leave it.

I was tugged into the previous room that held Meliorn. Lightly, I was pushed onto the couch, the two men walking away while Lydia took front and center. Before she could get a word out, Maryse walked in, seeming like she was expected.

"You don't need to be here anymore," Lydia said to Maryse.

"If this has something to do with the girl, then I will be present for now," Maryse said with a determined voice.

Although, by just a look, Lydia clearly didn't want her here but didn't seem to argue it at the time. Instead, she returned towards me, "Where is Clary?"

"I don't know," I said, honest. I didn't know, none of us really knew.

"She's your sister. You mean to tell me you don't know where your little sister is?"

"Nope," I said, popping the P.

Lydia sighed, "Faith, listen, we just want the Cup. If you tell us where it is-"

"You'll give it to the Clave where Hell will literally be let loose. And before you tell me that I don't understand anything, you should note that even when I had no memory of anything I still knew more than even my sister did. And as for my sister, she's a growing up girl who can take care of herself. So, no, I don't know where she is."

Maryse looked at me with a disapproved look. "Don't sit there and act like this is some game. This is dangerous-"

I scuffed, "Dangerous? No, what's dangerous is Valentine. What's dangerous is the Cup. What's dangerous is sending two men to hurt me just so you could stir things up between Jace and me," I said. With each sentence I stood up more and more until I was facing both ladies.

"Well, guess what, it didn't work. And it won't ever work. Jace and I are Connected and no one and nothing can break that. You won't break us, you'll only make us stronger. And then at the end of the day I'll be the one in his arms and you'll be the one hurting him. You talk about leading people but clearly you only care about the outcome, not the journey. Because if you did you would see how much pain your daughter is in. You would see how ridiculous your son is being. And you would see how much Jace loves me. And I love him, more than anyone here. So, get off my ass about Jace," I said, before turning to Lydia.

"And get off my ass about my sister and the Cup. Because both of you, will only walk away disappointed."

Lydia and Maryse looked at me, both is silence and slight shock at my words. But they did their best to cover it up. They exchanged looks before turning and walk away, both seeming to have no response to my confidence.

The room was empty and silent after that, making me let out a sigh of relief as I sat back down on the couch.

This was all just too much. I could feel myself going more and more on edge, although those words I just said did help a bit. But I could feel Jace, feel his fear and his nerves run wild as he tried to come up with a plan. I could feel him getting angry as he probable tried to hack into the system to see the room only to fail.

But I knew he could feel me. Feel my burst of confidence and then my relief. Feel my heart racing with nerves. Feel my mind get rambled with different thoughts.

Maybe some of my feelings comforted him, but until I was standing right in front of him again and he in front of me, both of us wouldn't settle. There was so many things I still didn't understand about this whole Connection thing, but it also felt like I didn't need to understand it. I just needed to trust it.

Trust Jace.

I must have sat and paced in that room for a good 30 minutes before the door opened again. Maryse walked in, the same strong, leader type face still on her as if she just got out of a meeting.

It wasn't until the door was closed and she walked deeper into the room did she seem to relax her face somewhat. When she spoke, she spoke in a caring almost saddened voice.

"When we took Jace in, we didn't know about the Connection. He would get these bursts of pain throughout his body. Sometimes he'd even get sick. We took him to so many different places, but no one understood why. It wasn't until I heard about you that it all made sense. And I was terrified of it. I was terrified of how weak he would be. Because he's so strong that I never wanted him to feel weak, I never wanted him to feel like he couldn't do something. And with you, I thought he might feel that. But after the attack, Randy and Craig told me what happened. And I realized he isn't weaker, he's stronger than I've ever seen him be."

I let her words poke at me, but not sink in, in case it was all a game or joke.

She let out a sigh, looking at the ground before looking at me. "If you promise me that you will keep him safe. And that you will let that fire that you just gave to us shine bright for him. I can take a step back."

My head nodded, finally letting her words sink in. "I will never let anything happen to Jace if I can help it."

Maryse nodded back at me, "Good. Then go," She said, nodding towards the door.

At first, I was taken back by her words. But I didn't waste any time in letting them linger. I quickly took the chance, heading for the door, and opening it. I turned, heading down the hallway. Seconds later, Jace was turning down the hallway in front of me, dressed in his combat like outfit.

When Jace noticed me, he paused, only to burst into a job towards me. He quickly wrapped his arms around me, letting me do the same.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I said, pulling away and giving him a smile.

Jace leaned down, seeming to give my lips a strong kiss that I returned to him. It was short, but it gave me enough burst of energy to face whatever we might be walking into soon.

"Come on," He said, taking my hand as he pulled away. We both turned back from where he came from, jogging back down the hallways. Little to my knowledge, a pair of eyes were watching us with relief.

I stopped by my room, changing into some black skinny jeans, a black shirt that went to my elbows, combat boots, and my leather jacket. I threw my hair up into a messy bun before heading back out with Jace.

"Clary texted me, their at the vampire hotel," Jace said as we turned and entered the weaponry room. Izzy stood off in one corner, packing a bag of things.

"Sounds like she found Simon," I said, both of us walking over to Izzy.

We grabbed our weapons before being set and ready. As we turned though, we were met with Hodge holding a cup of coffee in his hand. He eyed us, asking, "Where do you think you're going? It's a very dangerous time, and no one is supposed to leave the premises without express orders. Especially Faith."

I spoke up, hoping he'd hear my worry for my sister in my voice. "Clary needs us, Hodge. The Clave is looking for her. She could be in serious danger."

Hodge looked over at me for a second before sighing. "Well, in that case, I'd make a timely exit before anyone of importance notices you're gone."

"Thank you," Jace said, him and Izzy taking a couple of steps past Hodge.

"We won't forget this," I added, making Hodge nod. Jace reached over, taking my hand before he, Izzy, and I headed out of the Institute undetected.

The three of us headed to the vampire hotel, immediately going to the back entrance. As Clary had apparently said, Luke was standing out back, waiting for Simon and Clary as well.

"Hey," I said, walking over to Luke and giving him a hug.

"Hey," He said, hugging me back. As if on cue, Clary and Simon walked out of the hotel, heading over to the small group.

Jace nodded toward the hotel behind Clary as she stopped in front of us. "So this is your safe hideout, huh?"

"Well, you think the Clave was gonna look here?" Clary asked, seeming to smirk slightly.

Izzy spoke up, doing a quick information sentence. "Can we please focus on the matter at hand? Unless no one here cares that the Clave is planning on murdering Meliorn."

"What?" Clary asked, shocked with wide eyes.

Jace spoke up, "They think Meliorn has more information on Valentine and the attack than he's saying."

"They're taking him to the Silent Brothers," Izzy added, growing nervous and worried.

Clary looked between all of us, "We have to stop them!"

I laid my hand on her shoulder, trying to calm her down a little. "That's the plan, Clary. Rescue and recovery."

"We get him from the guards, in and out, no one gets hurt," Izzy said, making it all sound a lot easier than it really would be.

Sensing this too, Clary spoke up, making a point. "You want us to go up against the Silent Brothers, and an elite Shadowhunter guard unit?" Yeah, defiantly sounds a lot worst when she says it.

"Without any backup?" Luke added, only adding to the bad idea.

Jace sighed, nodding as he crossed his arms, "Pretty much sums it up, yeah."

"Is Alec coming?" Clary asks, looking at Jace for the answer.

Both Jace and I exchanged a look before his eyes went down to the ground, "No. Not this time." I could see Clary's eyes pull together in confusion, her mouth opening to ask a question. I cut her off before she could breathe out a word, knowing that Jace didn't want to talk about it.

"If they're doing this to Seelies, no Downworlder is safe. But we can't go in alone, not if we don't want to be detected."

Luke nodded in agreement, "My pack will track the unit, create a distraction."

Simon shrugged, "I would suggest vampires, but I doubt they'll cooperate."

"As much as I hate to agree with Simon, vamps aren't exactly team players," Jace said.

Clary looked at Jace, "Let me talk to Raphael. I think I can persuade him."

We followed Clary back inside the vampire hotel, coming across Raphael as he stood in front of a small group of vampires. Clary, Jace, and I took front and center with Izzy behind us and Simon and Luke on either side of her.

"We're offering an alliance with the Seelies," Clary started.

"And the werewolves," Luke added, making me look back at him. He gave me a small nod that I answered with a small smile.

Raphael smirked, "Why should we believe you? You killed our people. You violated our home."

"You kidnapped Simon and because of that, he's a vampire now so..." I let my words trail off.

Clary shook her head, looking at Raphael, "Look you were just following Camille's orders. She violated the Accords. You are a different kind of leader. We are a new generation of Shadowhunters. We believe everyone can be equal. But we have to work together to stop Valentine. And to ensure the Clave doesn't repeat past mistakes. What do you say?"

Raphael looked back at the small group behind him, seeming to read their faces before facing us again. "This decision requires a consensus."

"I vote yes," Simon said, taking a couple of steps forward so he was ahead of us.

Raphael smirked, "Well, well, well, baby's first words."

"Don't make me regret them," Simon glared at Raphael.

Looking back at us, Raphael made a deal with us. "If our newest member pledges his loyalty to his new leader and joins our clan we'll all stand beside you."

"Simon's not a pawn," Clary quickly spoke up.

"No I'm not. But I accept your deal," Simon said, still facing Raphael.

At Simon's words, Clary looked at him shocked, "Simon, what are you doing?"

Simon looked back at Clary, "Whatever it takes to protect the Downworld. It's my world now." His words, his expression, seemed to bring a darkness over the two. Although I had no doubt they were still friends, my thoughts that these two becoming something more than that quickly diminished for now.

Raphael nodded, seeming to take that answer, "Then we're in."

Our group of Izzy, Clary, Jace, and I seemed to lead the way while the Werewolves were led by Luke and the vampires were led by Raphael. We headed out to an abandoned warehouse, seeming to hold a coldness to it.

"This does not look like the City of Bones," I said, my eyes scanning the building.

"This is the Downworlders entrance," Jace said next to me.

I hummed, "The City of Bones has a service entrance. Perfect." We came to a stop in the middle of the warehouse, my eyes looking between the two teams on my sides. "Everyone knows what to do?"

"Text when you're in position," Jace comments.

Luke and Raphael nod in understanding before Luke steps out. Raphael quickly whistles, grabbing Luke's attention.

"Stay. Good dog," Raphael said with a smirk before taking a step forward as well. The two seemed to go at each other with come backs.

"Bite me," Luke responded.

"Roll over."

"Play dead."

Simon smiled wide, yelling out, "Boom!" before high fiving Luke. The two enjoyed the moment before it went south again. One of the werewolves harshly bumped into Simon, causing the vampires to attack.

In seconds both specials bore their teeth, hissing and growling at each other with nothing but Izzy, Jace, Clary, and I to keep them apart.

"Hey, enough! Enough!" I said, roughly pushing Raphael and Luke. "Alright! All our lives are at stake! It's time we put aside our differences, and work together! Tonight we're all Downworlders. Luke?" I said, looking over at him. He nodded in agreement.

"Raphael?" Clary asked, looking over at the vampire. He nodded as well, both seeming annoyed and angry but no more fights were thrown their ways. Instead, they both went their own ways.

Izzy looked at Simon and Clary, "Let's do this." The three went in a different direction, leaving just Jace and I.

For a second, only a second, there was nothing but silence before I ruined it. My eyes stared ahead as I directed my words to Jace. "We're risking everything, aren't we? Going against the Clave, against the other Shadowhunters."

Jace looked over at me, "Valentine's trying to destroy the world, Faith. We're trying to protect it." I turned, meeting his eyes. "Before I forget..." his voice trailed off as his half gloved hand reached up to my cheek. He leaned in, giving it a sweet kiss before pulling away. He kept his skin to mine as he half whispered to me, "If there was any doubt, I chose you."

I blushed, smiling from ear to war. "Good, because I don't think I'd let you choose anything else."

Smiling and chuckling, Jace nodded, "Yeah, I think your right." He leaned in once more, giving my lips a quick peak before pulling away from me again. "Come on," He said, nodding for me to follow.

We head towards the back of the warehouse, and up a couple of steps to a window. Once we reach the window, Jace pulls out his Steele. "Here," He said, lightly taking the top of my shirt and jacket and pulling it away. On the skin between my neck and shoulder, he carves a ruin into it.

The second he'd done, my eyes feel like binoculars and I can see far away. Quickly, I spot the one person we hoped we wouldn't see tonight. "Alec? What's he doing here?"

Alec is holding onto Meliorn who is in cuffs. Six men follow behind them as they head towards the warehouse.

Jace activates his ruin, noticing it too. "Damn it. Lydia must have sent him."

I looked back at Jace, my eyes adjusting back to normal. "Just say the word, and we'll call the whole thing off."

Shaking his head, Jace starred off at Alec, "No, there's no turning back now. So whatever happens, follow my lead." I nodded I response.

Everyone did their part, knocking out or taking care of the Shadowhunters till only Alec and Meriorn were left. When they headed inside, Jace and I moved into our spots.

Alec walks inside, moving over to one of the walls. On a pillar, he waves his Steele over it, causing the wall to crumble away and reveal the City of Bones. I walk out, taking the place behind them.

"Alec!" I call, causing him to turn and see me. When he looks back towards the City of Bones door, Jace is standing in front of it. Both of us are weaponless, but that doesn't mean we don't have them hidden away.

"I thought Faith was locked up?" Alec asked Jace.

Jace answered with a straight face. "Looks like even your mother knows somethings going on."

I spoke up, causing Alec to turn and look back at me. "Alec, the Clave has gone too far. You have to see that. Please, just let Meliorn go."

"I have my orders."

"You and your damn orders. Who cares about orders right now?" I said, getting annoyed.

Alec gestured over to me, slightly angry but more annoyed. "See? That's how little you know about being a Shadowhunter. You couldn't possibly understand-"

Jace interrupted him, causing Alec to look back at him. "It's you that doesn't understand, Alec. Not this time."

Although he let out a sigh, making us think he'd say something different, Alec made it clear it didn't matter what we were saying. "I'm really sorry." He begins to walk Meliorn towards the door, only for Jace to run and tackle him to the ground.

I quickly grabs Meliorn's arm, pulling him away from the fighting friends.

Jace yells over his shoulder towards me. "Faith, Meliorn, go, now!"

Although I swore to myself I'd never leave Jace in the middle of a fight, I knew Alec would never really hurt him. No matter what, Alec and Jace were like brothers. Sometimes, brothers fight. Sometimes, you just have to let them tackle it all out.

So I left with Meliorn. Leaving the two friends to struggle out their differences and hopefully come to an agreement.

As the plan said, once you had done your part you were allowed to head back home. Raphael let Shadowhunters meet at the vampire hotel, but Meliorn had to wait outside with Izzy.

Clary was, of course, with Simon, talking about tonight. We only waited about ten minutes before Jace joined us, looking upset. I quickly ran over to him, wrapping him in a hug that said I was happy he was okay.

Just because I thought they wouldn't hurt each other, I was still relieved to see I was right. Jace wrapped one arm around my waste, giving me a small hug before pulling away.

"We have to go. Meliorn is a wanted man, we have to get him back to the Seelie court where he's protected."

Clary and Simon stood up, both looking at each other and making small talk. It gave me the perfect moment to check on Jace.

"Where's Alec?" I asked, hoping for a good answer.

Jace looked at the ground, "Probable headed back to the Institute."

"Did he understand?" I asked, not sure how to ask it any other way. It was either, Alec didn't understand and was angry with Jace or did and was covering for us. But by Jace's face I knew it wasn't the last one.

A sigh left his lips as he lightly shook his head, "I don't think so."

My heart sank for Jace, feeling the tug of his as it cracked. "I'm so sorry Jace," I said, wrapping my arms around him. For once, this wasn't a "Glad you're okay" hug. Instead, it was an "I'm here if you need me" hug.

I could tell this was strange for Jace, but that didn't stop me.

"We'll fix this. We'll fix all of this. I promise," I mumbled against his neck. He didn't hum, nod, or say anything, yet I knew he understood my words.

When we pulled away, Clary and Simon were just ending their conversation, causing Clary to turn towards us. The three of us headed out the back while Simon staid back.

Of course, entering the outside, we came across Meliorn and Izzy kissing.

"I hate to break up this reunion, Izzy, but we have to go," Jace says as we approach her.

"You're in good hands," Izzy reassured her Seelie boyfriend. She then turned to Clary, Jace and I. "I need to get back to the Institute, see what hell has broken loose. Try and talk some sense into Alec. Take care of him."

"We will," I reassured her.

Izzy gave one last kiss to Meliorn before she turned and left.

Good luck, Iz.

Meliorn turned to us, looking at us with a smile. "Isabelle told me it was your idea to rally the Downworlders. That you spearheaded my rescue."

Clary smiled, "Isabelle was the one to make it happen. We just helped."

"I've been surprised by more than one Shadowhunter tonight. You both risked everything to unite us," Meliorn said, looking between me and my sister.

"Right after you tried to sell both of them out," Jace commented.

With a small chuckle, Meliorn nodded, "Not my finest moment. Which is why I'm offering you a gift for your sacrifices."

All three of us exchanged shocked looks at Merliorn's next words. Them sounding too good to be true. "If you're ready I can help you find Valentine."

A new update, finally! Hope you enjoyed it! As far as I can tell, the next chapter or two will hold some sweet Faith and Jace scenes that I'm really looking forward towards. And did anyone catch the powerful scene with Faith standing up for herself AND that she said she loved Jace. So cute!!!

Thanks for all the comments, love you guys <3