Chapter 31

Jace's POV

Night has sat over the Institute Courtyard, but the few lights that were in the yard lit up Alec and me as we trained. My head felt a little foggy, seeming to melt into my bones and pushing me harder to fight.

Alec took a step back, catching his breath as he nodded towards me, "Your upset."

Pulling my brows together, I asked, "What makes you think I am?"

"Because you're fighting like you are." I stop my fighting, glancing at the ground before looking at Alec as he spoke. "Jace, you didn't know. It wasn't your fault what happened to the Downworlders."

Shrugging slightly, I said, "I never said it was."

"Then what's up with you?"

I drew silent for a minute, only a minute before I shook my head, "Nothing, just a lot on my mind."

"Is it Faith?"

"No, I mean yes and no. It's a long story."

Alec shrugged, "Well, I'm listening."

Part of me wanted to tell Alec, to tell him what was really going on, but this wasn't the right place or time. Readying my blade again, I smirked slightly, "Come on, you got another round in you or are you starting to get tired?"

Alec tilted his head a little before smiling and jumping up to attack. I dodged him, blocking his second attack.

"So what does this pure angel blood do for you anyway?"

I shrugged, "I don't know. Other than the ability to activate that Sword, maybe that's all it's good for."

Alec took a step back, "Clary's got the ability to draw new runes, Faith can see the future, so you must be able to do something special."

Smirking, I said, "You mean other than kick your ass?"

We both chuckled before continuing to fight. Every hit I blocked or counteracted with a different one, seeming to over top even Alec in a fight. I was always a good fighter, but now things seemed to have escalated, my fighting skills becoming a second skin with my body and controlling itself.

Once we finished up, I climbed into one of the showers before changing. I checked my phone, finding no messages from Faith. A sigh left my lips before I texted her. "Hey, I'll be home soon. Want anything?"

Before I could even put my phone in my pocket, I heard a ding and checked it. "No, I'm good. See you when you get back. Love you."

"Love you too" I texted before I slipped my phone into my pocket. Once again, it dinged, causing me to look at it and sigh. Slipping the phone back in my pocket, I headed out of the Institute and headed to the park.

Simon and Clary were sitting on a bench, making out when I approached, causing them to pull away at the sight of me.

"What are you doing here? Is everything okay?" Clary asked.

"Inquisitor Herondale just arrived at the Institute. She wants to speak with us. Now."

Clary nodded, grabbing her jacket as she stood, "Okay." She kissed Simon goodbye before we headed back to the Institute in silence.

We headed to the basement where a glass cell was, holding Valentine who was strapped in a chair. Imogen was in the cell, questioning Valentine, which we got the last bit of.

"Valentine, you and I both know the Cup can control demons. In the wrong hands, it could be catastrophic."

"In your hands, I'm a dead man," Valentine said.

Imogen eyed Valentine, "Nineteen Shadowhunters died on your assault on this Institute, along with hundreds of Downworlders that you massacred with the Soul Sword. Justice will be served." She activates the burning rune again, burning his skin and causing him to yelp in pain.

Leaving the room, Imogen approaches Clary and I, Clary speaking up as she glances at Valentine. "How long can you keep torturing him?"

"As long as it takes."

"If you want the truth, why not just use the Soul Sword?" I asked

Imogen, with her straight face, asked me, "Are you telling me how to do my job?"

I sighed, "No. But you said you retrieved the Sword after the attack. I just don't understand why you wouldn't–"

"The rune your sister drew to deactivate the Sword ended up damaging it in the process. It's been sent to the Iron Sisters to be purified. You're Valentine's children. Tell me what you know."

Clary shrugged, shaking her head in annoyance, "Nothing. Haven't we proven ourselves? Valentine attacked the Institute. We captured him."

"At what cost?" Imogen asked, causing me to sigh in annoyance. "By taking matters into your own hands, you've planted the seeds for rebellion in the Downworld. The Accords will be near impossible to maintain now."

Imogen turned and headed to the elevator, stopping to turn around and face Clary and I. "Fall in line, or you'll end up like Aldertree, in Idris facing reprimand. And I want you and Faith back at the Institute."

"I don't think that's a good-" I started but was cut off.

"Make it happen, or she'll pay the consequences." With that, Imogen turned and we watched the elevator doors close before leaving Clary and I alone. Minus Valentine who was practically passed out in his cell.

I could barely take a step towards the elevator before Clary stopped me, crossing her arms in anger. "Okay, what is going on?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean the fact that you won't let me see my sister. I literally broke into your house and she wasn't there. Where is she, Jace? What is going on?"

A sigh left my lips as I rubbed the back of my neck, "She's just, going through some things right now. We both are."

"Like?" Clary pushed, but I couldn't answer her. It wasn't my place to say anything to Clary. If Faith wanted to talk to Clary about what happened then she would.

Seeing as I wasn't answering, Clary sighed, "Jace, she's my sister-"

"Which means when she wants to tell you, she will. Until then, just.... Just give her some space."

I turned and climbed into the elevator alone, my hands rubbing my face as I leaned against the wall. This was starting to be too much, yet I still found myself saying nothing. As much as part of me wants to tell someone, to cry about the situation, I find myself more worried about Faith. This was hard on her, mentally and physically, and she is just accepting it and moving on. How she deals with things is up to her, but it makes me worried still.

Heading back to the house, I find myself unable to think until I've walked through the door and find Faith sitting on the couch with a book in her hands. She looked peaceful, beautiful as she seemed lost in something that wasn't the air.

At hearing the door, she looked up from the book, seeing me as I closed the door behind me.

"Hey," I said.

"Hey."

"How are you doing?" I asked, making my way to the couch.

Faith shrugged, setting her book down, "Okay. How's Clary?"

"Asking about you," I said and sat down next to her, sighing at the next words that would have to leave my lips. "Imogen wants us to return to the Institute."

"I'm not surprised," Faith whispered.

I can't help but drop my face in worry, my hand reaching out and grabbing her's. "Faith, you know I would never push you to say anything to anyone, but maybe telling your sister would help."

"She's happy, Jace. I'm not going to ruin that, and I don't need people tip toing around me. Like you are doing."

"I know you're still hurting," I said, my eyes looking her up and down.

Faith nodded, sucking in a breath, "Your right, but I can't shut down and I can't forget so all we can do is move forward." She patted my hand before standing, "I'll pack our stuff."

Suddenly, Faith's and I's phones went off simultaneously, causing both of us to look at them. I spoke up, reading the text, "Demon attack at Heslodge Bar." I looked at Faith, "You don't have to come if you don't want too. I can tell them you're sick or something."

Faith put her phone away, "I just said I need to move forward Jace. This is moving forward." With that, she left the livingroom and headed to the bathroom to pack and change.

Faith and I met up with Clary, Alec, and Luke at the bar. The police were investigating, causing us to turn invisible so only Luke could see us.

Sand laid next to one of the dead bodies, causing Alec to point it out, "What's this sand on the floor?"

"This looks like a demon attack," Clary said.

I studied the body, shaking my head, "I've never seen a demon cause this kind of hemorrhaging."

Faith looked at Luke, "Is there any security footage?"

"Nothing in the bar. Maybe CCTV caught something outside on the street."

"We should get them back to the Institute," Alec said.

Luke nodded, "Yeah, that's a good idea."

Suddenly, a women walked up to Luke, looking at him concerned, "Detective Garroway? Who are you talking to?"

Luke held up his phone, "Just dictating some notes while they're still fresh. Something you should start doing."

The women nodded, "That's a great idea. They didn't mention it in training, but it makes perfect sense. Is there some special app for that?"

Slightly annoyed, Luke asked, "Can you pull the car up? I'll meet you out front."

"Okay," She nodded, still confused before she left.

"New partner?" I asked, smirking slightly as everyone packs up to leave.

"She's driving me crazy," Luke commented as everyone started to leave. Suddenly, Luke stopped me, looking a little worried as his eyes moved over to Faith who was walking out the door. "Hey, is everything okay with Faith? She left me a strange message but then hung up."

"She's just, going through some things. When she's ready she'll talk."

Luke nodded, watching Faith, but speaking to me, "Hey, take care of her."

I followed his eyes, watching Faith out the window. "Always."

Hope you enjoyed Jace's chapter. More to come soon!