Chapter 32

Faith's POV

Clary and I walked into the Opse Center of the Institute, discussing what had happened at the bar.

"I just got off the phone with Luke. He made it look like a tragic gas leak," Clary said.

Nodding, I said, "According to the autopsy, the victims died of massive brain hemorrhaging."

Clary rose a brow, "A demon can do that?"

I shrugged, "Don't really know. I talked to Jace and he said a Greater Demon can."

"What exactly is the difference?"

"Greater Demons are more powerful and harder to stop," I said, pulling up a holographic map of the city. "They're also incredibly rare I guess. When they do show up, there's a reason." Thanks to Jace and a lot of research, I was able to have some type of mind with this stuff. At least a little bit.

I noticed Clary's eyes studying me, causing me to suck in a deep breath, preparing for her to say something. Which, she did. "Hey, is everything okay? I've tried calling and you never pick up. I even stopped by the other day and you weren't at the house."

"I'm just going through some stuff right now."

Clary turned to fully look at me, putting her hand on my arm. "Faith, I'm sorry about everything that's been going on between us, but... When we were kids and something was wrong, you'd always try to help me. Now, something's wrong and I just want to help."

I gave her a reassuring smile, "Remember what mom always said to us when we fought?"

"Time heals all wounds that aren't too deep."

"I need some more time."

Clary paused, nodding slowly before mumbling, "Okay."

Thankfully, Alec and Jace walked over to us, stopping any other discussion that may happen. But the look on Alec's face said that his words weren't exactly good either.

"Izzy has been drinking Vampire venom, but now she's trying to get off of it. She went to Raphael to get help but she's missing and I think this man took her. Azazel."

He pulled up a picture of the man.

Clary, confused, asked "I thought Izzy had the flue. Why would she leave the Institute?"

"I don't know. But if he's hurt her..."

Jace put his hand on Alec's shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze, "Hey, she could have escaped. We don't even know if he has her."

"She hasn't called. And she's not answering her phone. But she's still alive. I know it, it's just... He's got her."

"What does he want?" I asked, watching the footage of Azazel walking out of the Heslodge bar.

Jace shrugged, "I don't know, but we should inform the inquisitor, okay?"

"She's in a meeting with the Alicante Council," Clary informed.

Alec shook his head, looking worried, "I don't understand. Why Izzy? What does a Greater Demon want with her?"

"I'm not sure. But I think I know who we could ask."

Jace, Clary, and I headed to the basement, walking upon and into Valentine's cell. Jace stopped me before I could walk in, "Hey, are you sure you want to do this?"

I looked into Jace's eyes, wondering if his words were directed towards me or himself. "I have too," I said, giving his hand a squeeze before we walked into the cell were Clary was filling Valentine in.

Valentine sighed, "I have no idea what you're talking about, but it's so nice to see all of you.

"Azazel wouldn't leave Duduael on his own. Someone broke him out. Someone with access to the Mortal Cup," Clary said, annoyed with Valentine's past words.

"Circle members. They released the Greater Demon to break you out of here," Jace said, putting the pieces together while I watched from the corner of the room, unable to speak.

Valentine looked at Jace, shaking his head, "I thought I raised you to have common sense. If the Greater Demon wanted to free me, how would I still be here, having this inane conversation with you three? I want to banish demon filth from our realm."

"If that's true, then tell your followers to give back the Cup. We can force Azazel to give us Izzy," Clary said, extending her arm.

Annoyed, Valentine said, "I don't know where the Mortal Cup is."

"If you're lying, so help the Angel..." Jace started.

"If you were smart, Jace, you'd use me as bait. The only way to control a Greater Demon is with the Mortal Cup. Azazel would do anything to destroy it. So summon him with your warlock friend, and tell him I have the Cup. Offer him a trade, me for Isabelle."

There was a small moment of silence before Clary looked at Jace and I, "That could work. Once we have Izzy, I can take him out with my sunlight rune."

I shook my head, finally speaking up, "This is a trap."

"I'm not sure I would trust me either, if I were you, but... the longer Azazel has Isabelle, the greater the chance she dies," Valentine said, making a point.

Clary sighed, "We don't have a choice." She took a step towards Valentine, "This better not be a trap. Your life is on the line, too."

Valentine smirked at Clary, "Clarissa, I would never do anything to hurt you. You're my daughter."

"Why would that stop you? Jace is your son. You've hurt him plenty."

Suddenly, the look on Valentine's face changed, smirking slightly as he looked between Jace and Clary, before settling on Jace, "You didn't tell her."

"Tell me what?"

"Jace?" I asked, taking a step towards death who seemed to raise his breathing.

Valentine's eyes widened, "Oh, Faith doesn't know either? Well, this really is a pickle."

"Not another word!" Jace rose his voice, his hands turning into fists.

Clary stepped in between Valentine and Jace, asking, "What is he talking about?"

"You wanna do the honors, or shall I?"

Suddenly, Jace leapt forward, throwing a couple of punches in Valentine's face. "Shut up! You don't get to talk, you destroy everything!"

"Jace!" I yelled, running over and grabbing his arm, trying to stop him. I knew this would happen. I knew his sadness would turn to anger and he'd release it with a vengeance. And right now, he was releasing everything he had kept in.

Clary forced herself in front of Jace, pushing him back and causing him to collide backwards into me, making me hold his arm to steady both of us.

"Jace, what is going on?"

I watched Jace's chest move up and down as he tried to control his breathing. He sucked in a deep breath, letting it out in a sigh, before facing Clary fully. "Valentine's not my father. I'm not your brother, Clary."

Clary's mouth parted in shock, her feet practically stumbling backwards as she left the cell. Jace jogged after her, my own mouth parted in shock.

"Guess you two aren't as close as you thought," Valentine smirked.

My face morphed in anger, my feet stepped towards him as my hand lifted. The sound of my hand smacking Valentine's cheek roughly was heard as his head turned to the side. Red started to form on his left side, his voice seeming lost.

Quickly, I turned, leaving the cell and meeting Jace and Clary out in the basement.

"How long have you known?" Clary asked, seeming to be angry and overwhelmed.

"Just a few days.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked, standing next to Jace and causing him to turn and look at me.

"Because of everything that's been going on."

Clary rose his hands, shaking her head, "Okay, what else are you two keeping from me? And don't tell me to wait or whatever crap you two keep saying."

Jace and I found ourselves glancing at each other, seeming to be unsure what to say and who should say it. Clary seemed to get impatient, pushing harder, "Talk. Now."

A sigh left my lips, my head dipping down as the realization hit that I had to tell her. "I was pregnant." When I rose my head, I saw Clary's face form a shocked expressions, mixing with a sadness that was threatening to spill tears in her eyes.

I continued. "I didn't know, I mean I had my thoughts but I didn't know for sure until Valentine stabbed me. I lost it. We lost it."

"Oh my God. Who, who knows?" Clary asked, looking between Jace and I in shock.

"Just Magnus," Jace answered.

"He was there," I added, hoping she wouldn't feel left out.

There was a pause in the room, Clary's hand covering her mouth in disbelief before her hands wrapped themselves around me. "I'm so, so sorry Faith. I had no idea." Her hug was warm and strong, as if she was trying to squish the life back into me or the memories away. Neither worked.

Clary pulled away, hugging Jace next as she says, "I'm sorry to both of you."

"Thanks," Jace mumbled before she pulled away. Jace quickly turned and left, heading to the elevator and disappearing.

"I'm so sorry, Faith," Clary said, tears in her eyes.

I gave my sister a reassuring smile, putting my hand on her shoulder, "Thank you. I'm going to go check on Magnus, see if he needs any help."

Clary nodded, watching me leave and climb onto the elevator next before disappearing.

Heading to one of the empty rooms that was mostly used for training, I found Magnus preparing a pentagon to summon Azazel. I smiled slightly, "I don't know how you can keep your lines so straight when doing that," I said, grabbing Magnus' attention.

"Many, many years of practice," he said, standing as he sat his chalk down. He turned and approached me, putting his hands on my arms and rubbing them. "How are you feeling, my dear?"

"I'm doing good," I nodded.

"I didn't ask you how you were doing, I asked you how you were feeling."

A sigh left my lips as I dipped my head down, my voice cracking slightly as I tried to hold the tears back. "It's hard sometimes. One minute I'm fine and the next I feel this tightness in my stomach and I feel like I'm going to be sick or pass out."

"That's understandable. With time, it'll eventually go away." I nodded, hoping he was right. "And Jace, how's he doing?"

Raising my head, I said, "I think fine."

Magnus dropped his arms, seeming to search for his next words. Once he found them, he spoke with kindness, "I know this has been tough, but there is something you have to remember. Everything you felt, he felt. Everything you saw, he saw. He's in pain just like you are."

He was right. I feel so selfish, so broken. All this time I've just been pushing away and here Jace is not only trying to take care of me, but himself as well. "God, I've been such a horrible connection," I mumbled but Magnus heard me.

"No, you haven't. You needed your time and he was there. Now, it's time for you to be there for him."

He was right, I needed to at least let Jace know I was here for him. To let him know he can let it out.

I started my search for Jace, looking all around for him before someone told me he was on the roof with Alec. I started my climb up to the roof, hearing voices talking. By the time I had reached the roof top, I realized Jace was talking to Alec about what had happened.

My head peeked around, finding Jace in tears before he seems to break into a harder cry. Alec quickly engulfed him into a hug, causing my heart to break at the sight.

I wasn't there for Jace. But at least Alec was.

My feet carried me back downstairs and into the main part of the Institute. I went and grabbed a Blade, preparing for Azazel to be summoned before getting in my place with Clary. Jace, Alec, and Magnus were in the courtyard while Valentine was with them, tied up with a mask over his nose and mouth.

We waited for our cue before we would enter the Courtyard, preparing to fight.

"Clary, Faith, now!"

Clary and I rushed out, me at the ready with my Blade while Clary drew the sunlight rune on her hand. She pointed it at Azazel but it did nothing. She tried again but still nothing.

"It's, it's not working!"

"What are you talking about?" I asked, my face falling.

"Nothing's happening."

Azazel smirked at us, "You thought you could contain me?"

Suddenly, Azazel threw a blast of demonic energy, throwing us all back and onto the floor. My head feels like someone is pushing against it, ready to explode from the pressure. I held my head, my eyes opening just enough to see Azazel walk over to Magnus before kneeling next to Valentine.

"Jace! Jace!" I yell, my hands reaching out towards him.

Jace's eyes turn to a gold, causing him to stand and grab his blade. He quickly wings at Azazel causing him to transform into a dozen flying creatures.

The huge pressure in my head suddenly stops, causing me to let out a sigh of relief as I leaned my head against the concrete flooring.

I hear faint talking, but all I can focus on is the still irritating headache. Though when I feel hands on me, the pain starts to subside and I lift my head to see Jace next to me.

"Hey, are you okay?" He asked, looking at me worriedly.

I nod, taking his hand as he helps me up. All of us seem taken back by what just occurred, doing our best to comprehend what had just happened. Jace and Clary go over to Valentine, pulling him up. Even from where I stood I could see the fear in his eyes, making me wonder what he had seen.

With Azazel gone and Valentine back in his cell, I found myself in my room, unpacking the few things I had brought back with me. I wasn't exactly excited to be back here, but for now it was safer than anywhere else. Hopefully.

I'm deep in thought, or no thought at all really, when Clary walks in. I barley heard her, but when she spoke I stopped my unpacking and faced her.

"Need a hand?"

"No, I'm just about finished. And just when I was getting used to the house again."

"It'll be there tomorrow," Clary said, moving over and standing in front of my bed. She paused for a moment before continuing, "Listen, I'm sorry for pushing you to tell me what happened. I was upset and-"

"It's okay, I needed to tell you anyways," I reassured her, happy to finally have it out in the open.

There was a small knock on the open door, both Clary and I turning to see Jace standing in the doorway. "Am I interrupting?"

Clary smiled, "No, I was just heading to Simon's." She turned, wrapping her arms around me in a hug that I returned. "Love you."

"Love you too," I mumbled against her hair before pulling away. Clary turned and walked out, letting Jace close the door behind her.

I sucked in a deep breath, playing with my hands in front of me as Jace made his way to me. "I'm actually glad you're here, I wanted to talk to you. Throughout all of this, I forgot that you had just witnessed tons of people's death and felt everything I felt. I should have been there. I should have listened and helped you instead of you helping me."

"Faith, I'm not upset about that," Jace said, putting his hands on my arms before lowering them to my hands. "Even if you tried to comfort me, all I'd want is to do the same for you."

"Well, if you want to talk, I'm here." Jace nodded, leaning in and giving me a little peck on my lips. "How did you do it? You activated a rune without your stele," I said, confused.

Jace shrugged, glancing at the ground before looking at me, "I don't know. I saw you lying there... and it just kind of... ignited on its own."

I smiled slightly, trying to look at whatever bright side there was. "Maybe it's a good thing we're not pregnant, this is all too crazy to raise a kid in right now. But we'll figure it out, together."

"Together," Jace said, wrapping his arms around me and holding me close to his chest.