Chapter 21

A bright light blinded me for a moment, causing my head to spin. It settled though when the bright light vanished, replacing itself with the inside of a half lit ship. My feel stumbled when I landed, my grip on Jace seeming to grow as to steady me.

Instantly, my eye recognized the ship as the one that I had "soul visited" Jace.

Valentine stumbled a bit, holding his shoulder as he stumbled over to a pole and leaned against it. Jace released my hand, but still kept me half behind him.

"You set me up to kill that vampire," Jace said to Valentine, anger in his tone.

Valentine lightly glared at Jace, "You killed her because it was the right thing to do. The world's a safer place without that thing wreaking havoc." He grips the arrow still in him and rips it out, letting out a gasp for a moment before speaking again. "Would you rather turn her over to the Clave to stand trial?"

Jace's voice rose, "That is my job! "The Law is hard, but it is the law"."

"Yet the Clave does nothing, nothing to enforce that. Downworlders multiply with a bite or a scratch, while our numbers dwindle year after year." He pulls out his stele, using it to heal his injury. "If we don't do something, a den like that one is gonna be on every corner on every street in the world. This is the only way."

Shaking his head, Jace says, "You're wrong." In seconds, he has my hand again, lightly tugging me away as he starts to take a couple steps away. I'm still slightly dizzy from the portaling, but I can still pick up on everything.

Valentine speaks up again though, halting Jace's and my's steps. "Look, I know you even better than you know yourself."

I watch Jace as he seems to breathe his anger in, quickly turning to Valentine and lightly releasing my hand. "You don't know me at all."

"You saved my life. You could've Portaled us anywhere, handed me over to the Clave in Idris, but did you? No, because deep down inside, you know that I'm right."

There's a moment of silence before Valentine turns and leaves, vanishing into the darkness of the ship.

I settle my attention and eyes on Jace, watching him as he releases a breath and looks at the ground for a moment. When his head turns to me, I can see that his anger has subsided somewhat. Instead, he looks at me with a different emotion, almost saddened.

"Faith, I'm so-"

Before he can finish, I'm practically jumping on him, wrapping my arms around his neck and holding him close to me. I can smell his scent, feel the sparks as his hands and arms wrap themselves around me and pulls me closer. He sucks in a breath, as if filling his body with me once again and relaxing him.

Maybe he thinks I should be mad at him for bringing me here, bringing me to Valentine. And maybe I should be. But the part of me that's missed Jace so much overpowers me and takes over all other feeling.

When we pull away, he takes my hand again, looking around at any prying eyes that seem to linger around. "Come on," He says, leading me out of the basement like ship and up some stairs. He leads me down a more lit hallway, doors on either side of me. We get to about the fourth one and he opens it, stepping inside.

I don't know what I expected, but for whatever reason, a bedroom wasn't one of them. The double size bed sat in the middle of the room with a bedside table next to it. Off in the corner sat a small desk with a table lamp and wooden chair. Next to the door we just walked in through was a double door closet, filled with little to no clothing.

"Is this, yours?" The words came out almost confused, but it was clear that this had to be Jace's.

"Valentine gave it to me, it's the only privacy I seem to get. And even then someone seems to storm in every now and then," Jace said with a sigh as he sits on the edge of the bed.

I can feel that he's worried, but what I can't seem to place about what yet. Maybe it's me? Maybe it's what he did? Maybe it's something more?

Part of me wants to spill all of this information and thoughts out of me, but I don't want to overwhelm him, so I start with the information part.

"The Institute is falling," I say, making Jace look over at me confused and shocked. I slowly walk over to him as I talk before claiming the spot next to him. "A man named Victor Aldertree has taken over. He sent out a warrant for your arrest, and probable mine now too."

I look at my hands that sit on my lap. "He wanted me to find you, to tract you through our connection. He claimed he was trying to help you, help us. But even Clary knew that was a load of crap. I tried though, to find you, but I kept hitting this blockade. The only thing that I managed to do is just send a few words."

"Hang on," Jace said next to me, making me quickly look at him. A relieved breath and small smile crossed my face, "You got it."

"It's what kept me going," Jace said, looking down as he took one of my hands in his. My eyes followed, seeming to tangle with his fingers.

There is a moment of silence, it's not comfortable, but it's not uncomfortable. It's more of a silence that gives you a moment to think about your next words. And although I almost regret them afterword's, I can't help but spill my thoughts out as my forehead scrunches together.

"I hated you for what you did, leaving me. Part of me wanted to forget about you all over again, just so I could stop the pain I was feeling. It felt like someone was taking my heart, my mind, my body, and strangling it. And then when you would get hurt, I could feel every jab, hear every scream that you had. Then it would vanish, and the pain would subside, but I felt more empty afterwards then I every have in my life."

"Faith, I'm so sorry. I didn't want any of this," He said, making me look at him, watching as his eyes filled with their worry again. It was then that I realized what the worry was for. Me. He was worried I hated him, that I couldn't stand him, that I was so mad at him for bringing me here, for leaving me.

Jace continued to talk. "The minute I went through that portal I wanted nothing more than to return and come back to you. Every day I thought about you, dreamt about you. And Valentine, he knew this, he messed with my head over and over, made me think you were here. When you appeared at the restaurant, I thought maybe it was a trick."

Looking down at our hands again, Jace continued. "But then I felt your touch, and I knew it was you." He looked back up at me, "I'm sorry for bringing you here. But I just, couldn't do this without you."

My hand left his, only to return at his cheek softly. "No, I'm glad you did. I'm here, with you. That stands better odds with Valentine then anything."

Jace put his hand on the back of my head, pushing me foreword to capture my lips before resting on my back when I kissed him back. I missed this, I missed his kiss.

When we broke away for air, I leaned my forehead on his, sucking in a breath. My eyes closed as the next subject rushed to my mind. "I hate her, I hate my mom so much," I said, causing Jace to pull away and allowing me to look at him. "She used me, trapped me, and shot at you. I wanted to forgive her, and for a moment I did, but she added fuel to the fire I have for her."

Wrapping his arm around me, Jace let out a sigh, pulling me close and leaning his chin on my head. I leaned my head into his chest, just listening to his heartbeat as we sat there for a bit.

There was a couple of bangs on the door, making me jump and Jace move away slightly. A man's voice came through the door, "Out in five. We're lining up."

A sigh left Jace's lips as he dropped his arm from around me, looking down at his lap for a second before standing up. "I have to go," He said, taking a step away from the bed.

Quickly, I reached out and grabbed his hand, stopping him from moving any farther away. "What's going on?"

"They line the Hunters up to analyze them. Valentine has me join him to pick out the best fighters for missions. I've been able to turn some away, but most find themselves joining him."

I stood up, keeping my hand in his. "Well, maybe I can help. I can be very persuasive after all," I said, smiling and wiggling my eyebrows a little.

Jace smiled, leaning in close to my lips, "More then I like to admit." His lips locked on me for a brief moment before he pulled away from me. His hand didn't release mine as we exited his "room" and entered the main room downstairs where Valentine, Jace, and I first portaled too. Lined up sat a row of people, all listening to Valentine talk.

Some men stood off to the side, holding their hands behind their back as they seemed to look around a little. Jace released my hand, making his way over to one of the guys and stopping next to him. I kept my distance, watching and waiting for a moment to enter.

"If you're thinking of trying to escape, don't. The wards around this ship would fry you like an egg," Jace said, eyeing around to make sure he wasn't being noticed.

"I want to be here. I can't wait to get out and start killing Downworlders," The guy said, his face straight but held anger behind it.

Jace scuffed, "Trust me. It's not as glorious as you think."

The guy scrunched his face up, looking at Jace almost angrily. "Screw glory. I want justice. I lost my father 'cause of these monsters."

Well, shit, he just had to pick probable one of the hardest guys.

Looking sympathetic, Jace said, "I'm sorry."

Turning to look back at Valentine and the men, the guy responded. "Valentine said if the Clave did their job, he'd still be alive right now."

Abort, abort mission!

"Valentine can-" Jace started, only for Valentine to practically pop up behind him and interrupt him.

"I see you've met Jeremy," Jace turned to him. "The others are gearing up for tonight's mission. You should get ready."

Both Jace and I looked at Valentine confused, my head wondering what he was talking about while also wondering if he noticed me spying on them.

"What do you mean mission?" Jace asked, asking the question on both of our minds.

"Part of our first phase. While we're increasing in numbers, we're also finding suitable Downworlders to hold on to for research. You should join them. They could use a good leader like you."

"I don't lead hunts for innocent Downworlders."

Valentine rose an eyebrow, "Innocent? Like that vamp, Maria, who almost killed you? Don't be naive, Jonathan. See, you were trained to see Downworlders as your allies and that I'm your worst enemy. But I'm not asking you to do this for me. I'm asking for humanity."

"The answer's no," Jace said, eyeing Valentine angrily. He gave one last look to Jeremy who looked like he was not giving up anytime soon. I heard a slight groan before Jace walked away, seeming to leave everyone in the dust.

My eyes watched Jace, not realizing I had another set of eyes on me until he said my name. "Faith!" I whipped my head, looking at Valentines before stepping towards him. "I see you were listening in on our little discussion. So, what do you say? Care to join Jeremy?"

"Sorry, but I'm only in if Jace is," I said, half sarcastically. Of course I wouldn't go, and he knows this.

Valentine nodded, taking a step towards me, "As figured much. Maybe you can use that to talk Jace into coming. Mention to him about the hunt and he'll join us. This way, you both can show these men what real fighting is like. I hear your very good for someone whose only been a Shadowhunter for a short period of time."

A half-ass laugh escaped my lips as I crossed my arms and walked up to Valentine. "You must be really desperate to ask me to help you talk to Jace. In case you haven't realized, we pretty much see eye to eye on the same things so... looks like you're out of luck."

"Yes, well, I wouldn't say you see eye to eye on everything. I mean, he did leave you to join me. Whether it was to save you or not, he still left you. I mean, he very well could have had you join us."

My smile whipped away and my face turned cold, "He was protecting me."

"By leaving you?" Valentine looked at me questionable, "Seems more like he was hurting you. But, then again, I don't have a Connection so I guess being tied together only works half the time apparently, right?"

He knew what he was doing. I knew what he was doing. And he wasn't going to win, so silence sat between us for a good, stare down, moment before Valentine smiled and walked away with Jeremy following like a little puppy.

I wanted to cast some spell on him, throw something heavy at him, but instead I let my eyes burn holes into the back of his head. Once he was out of sight, I felt my anger dissolve, telling me that Jace was starting to get over Valentine's past words as well.

Following my gut lead me outside, to the deck, where I found Jace leaning on the railing of the ship, looking out into the water. I walked up to him, joining the empty spot next to him and looking out into the water as well.

"Valentine just spoke with me," I started, making Jace quickly look over at me and me look at him. "He wanted me to join him and Jeremy in the hunt tonight."

Scuffing and shaking his head, Jace stood up straighter. "Of course, he goes to you to try and get me to join him."

"I told him I wouldn't go without you," I said, making Jace look out into the water and squint a little. I could tell he was contemplating something in his mind, but before he could release it into the world another voice spoke up.

"Faith! Jace!"

Jace and I quickly turned around, watching as Clary walked over to us. Both of us looked at her confused, my sister's name slipping off my lips. "Clary? What are you doing here? How did you get here?"

"Dot, she brought me here," Clary said, stopping in front of us.

"Dot? But she's dead."

"No, Valentine never killed her, he just wanted us to think he did. But he found me, talked to me about his plan," Clary said, making Jace throw his hands up and look away while I closed my eyes and looked at the ground. "I think you two should go with him."

Quickly, almost giving us whiplash, Jace and I looked at my sister in shock.

"What? Are you nuts? Valentine's the enemy," Jace said, anger rolling off his tongue.

Clary sighed, "I know it sounds crazy, but I heard his plan. He's right, the Downworlders that are causing trouble have to be stopped, for good."

I opened my mouth to counteract my sister's words, but instead Valentine's voice came out. The three of us turned and looked at him as he walked over with two men. "My children. This is what I've always wanted. To be with my family."

At his words, my face turned sour. "You and I are not family."

Valentine stared at me for a moment, letting a pause in the air before turning to Jace. "So are you gonna join Jeremy? He's going big game hunting. We just got intel on the wolf that killed Jeremy's father. We're gonna bring the beast back to the boat."

Jace stares at Valentine before shaking his head as his answer. Valentine turns to me soon after, looking for a different answer from me, only to get the same one.

Sighing, Valentine turns to my sister, "Well, since Jace and Faith don't want to go, why don't you come along, Clary? Hone those Shadowhunting skills of yours, huh?"

Quickly, my mouth parted and I shook my head, stepping in front of my sister, "No. She's not ready." Valentine's head turned slightly, eyeing me as if he waited for me to add more to my comment. Sadly, I did. "I'll go."

Jace stepped forward, taking the spot next to me, "We'll both come."

No, this is exactly what I didn't want. Jace has been through enough of Valentine's mind games, he didn't need to add more to it. I quickly looked at him, "Jace-"

Before I could finish, Jace looked at me, stopping any further words. "I'm not letting you go alone." I went silent, my eyes staying with Jace's as Valentine smiled wide.

"Great! I'll see you two tonight then," With that he turned and walked away.

Jace let out a sigh, seeming to follow in step with Valentine, but headed off in a different direction. I turned to look at my sister who stood there like a statue, barley even looking at me. I lightly glared at her before following Jace as well, leaving my sister behind.

Just as I had thought, Jace went to his room, with me to follow. He was already slipping off his shirt when I closed the door behind me. "Why did you do that? I could have gone alone."

"I wasn't going to leave you alone with Valentine on a hunt. Besides, it's me he wants out there. And you knew that, so why did you volunteer?"

"Because he was trying to pull my sister into all of this," I said, pointing to myself as I lightly glared at Jace. He let out a sigh, grabbing a black, short sleeve shirt, and slipping it on.

A sigh left my own lips as I grabbed a long sleeve, black shirt that sat folded on the bed. I slipped off my own shirt and slid that one on over my body, not missing Jace's eyes glance over at me as I did so. The room was silent when I turned and left, half storming out into the hallway.

I couldn't tell if we were mad at each other, frustrated, or just overly worried. We both wanted all of this to end without the other getting hurt. Now, we saw no ending, and we both were walking into a trap most likely.

By night fall, the top of the deck was half lit for us with Valentine waiting for us with two men. A white haired girl was dragged out as Jace and I walked over to him with straight faces.

"Ah, there you are!" Valentine smiled wide, outstretching his arms. When we came to a stop in front of them, Valentine held out a Shadowhunter's blade to Jace. "There's only one last thing for you to do. Kill her."

The wolf begged with plead in her eyes as she looked between Jace and I. "No! Please! Don't do this!"

Part of me recognized the girl, though how was still a mystery in my mind. I found myself shaking my head and looking at Valentine, "She's our prisoner now. She can't hurt anybody here."

"If only she had shown her victims as much mercy," Valentine states, rocking on his toes in wait.

Jeremy looked at the wolf with anger and fire in his eyes, "After what she did, we're letting her off easy."

The wolf squinted her eyes as she struggled in the men's grips. "What are you talking about? I've done nothing wrong."

"Five years ago, my father was mauled to death by a white wolf."

Jace paused before looking at the girl, her white hair gave her away. "That was you. You did that, didn't you? You murdered him, an innocent mundane."

"No, I've never killed anyone. I swear. I'm telling the truth," The wolf shook her head furiously. There was another pause in the air before she started up again, yanking and pulling at us, "Please don't kill me. I've obeyed the Accords. I'm part of Luke's pack. We don't hurt anyone. We're not like that."

That's how! It was like a lightbulb turned on in my head. She was the one at the restaurant with Clary, Simon, and I. She was hot headed and quick to act. There was a few times that I thought she'd jump at us if others weren't around. I'm not sure if I'd put it past her to kill someone, but I also don't think she'd kill an innocent.

I missed Valentine's last few words but caught my and Jace's name being yelled. I turned to find my sister and Dot running towards us. Dot seems to hang back slightly while Clary comes right up to us.

"Clarissa, how nice of you to join us. Perhaps you can convince Jace, here, to finish what he started," Valentine smiled.

Ignoring Valentine, Clary looked between Jace and me, "I need you guys to listen to me. Everything I said before, I was under a spell."

Jace and I turned to Valentine, my voice seeming to be the only one that comes out. "I knew it. This was all a trick." Quickly I snatch the blade from Valentine's lazy grip and go to strike, causing him to jump back and lean in order to miss. He uses that moment to grab my outstretched arm and spin me around. My back is slammed against his chest and the blade is ripped from my grip.

Valentine uses one arm to wrap itself around me tightly, almost like a snake. The other he digs into his pocket for something before grabbing my right arm and holding it out wide.

Jace and Clary go in high alert at that moment, both seeming to get into a fighting stance.

"This all could have gone so much smoother if you all would just trust me," Valentine said, his words directed towards me as he lets out a frustrated sigh.

"Never," I spat at him with venom.

"I thought so," Valentine nodded. It's then that I get a good look at what's in his hand. His Stele.

My body starts to rustle but he's already leaned the ruin down to my Connection ruin on my arm. He starts to slide over the ruin, roughly pushing it into the skin. Suddenly, my ruin starts to burn, sending a cry of pain from my lips.

Jace is quick to act when he sees our ruin being touched. He races towards us, ready to know, God knows what. But, as my ruin starts to burn, he suddenly falls to his knees in front of us, crying in pain as well.

I can faintly hear Clary's voice yelling something, but it's drowned out by the cry of pains from Jace and me.

Suddenly, I'm roughly pushed away from Valentine, my body being ripped from his grip. I land harshly onto the ground, catching Dot attacking Valentine and holding him back by a field that he's trying to break. She uses that moment to rip open the one placed around the ship, breaking a spot.

"Go! Get out of here!" Dot yells at us.

Clary grabs Jace's arm, who grabs me, both him and I stumbling towards the edge of the ship. My head is dizzy and my body can't seem to work right as I stumbled and nearly tip over a few times. But I pull myself together long enough to hang onto Jace as we step onto the railing and through the open field.

I feel myself falling, I feel Jace's hand still on my arm, and I feel the rush of water take over and claim me when I land. Then, everything goes black.

Oh my god, this took to damn long to write! I would write a little, take two weeks off, then write some more, then take more time off. Some of it was because of not feeling inspired while the other half was work, vacation, moving, more work, and extra work.

Anyways... so that ending probable got ya all freaking out, rightfully so. But, fear not, more Jace and Faith will come in the next chapter. Also, who is hating Clary a bit more because of this chapter? I mean, even under a spell she still manages to ruin everything for Jace and Faith!

Comment what you guys think and so, so sorry for it being so long! Love you guys and thanks for the support!