"There." Alec points at the screen we stood in front of when we finally got up, his arms around my shoulders as held me against his chest, my hands on his arms, enjoying the embrace, "They said that was the angel."

I was dressed in Alec's gray sweater, and black ripped jeans, black heeled boots on my feet, my hair wavy due Alec wanting me to keep it natural today, rather than straightening it like I always did.

Isabelle walks over to us, "It could have been a shooting star."

"Yeah, cause a shooting star shoots from a rooftop." I sarcastically spoke and looked at her, "Are you saying you don't believe Jace and Clary?"

"Yeah, I thought you'd be impressed." Alec looked at her also.

"I'm not saying I don't believe them." Isabelle crosses her arms, "It's just that no one's seen an angel in hundreds of years."

Then she changes the subject, "So, did you take my advice?"

I looked up at Alec, "Advice?"

Alec purses his lips, "Hm?"

"You did, didn't you?" Isabelle began to smile, "Okay, start talking."

Alec clears his throat, "There's nothing to talk about."

"You needed advice to make a move on me?" I purse my lips to hold back a laugh, as Alec stared down at me, making it harder for me to hold it back.

Then, I turned in his arms and buried my face in his chest, bursting out into a fit of laughter.

"No, stop-" Alec drags out his words, his arms tightening around me, as we began rocking back and forth on our feet, my laughter muffling in his chest.

My laughter faded when I heard the familiar voice of Max, his footsteps coming closer to us, "Hey, you guys!"

"Hey, buddy." Alec doesn't let go of me, even when my arms dropped as I smiled at Max, "How are you doing?"

"Max!" Isabelle crouched as Max ran into her arms, "I missed you so much! You look so handsome."

I ruffled Max's hair lightly, "What are you doing here?"

Then, the heard heels beginning to approach us.

I instantly slip away from Alec's hold, Alec shooting me a look as I mutter under my breath, standing up straight, "If Max is here, so is Maryse-"

Speaking of the devil, she walks over to us slowly, her eyes looking between us all, "Alec, Isabelle. It's good to see you both."

Maryse then looks at me and barely nods, "Zee."

Isabelle stood up in spite, "Really?"

Alec warns under his breath, "Izzy-"

"'Cause the last time you were here, you turned your back on all of us." Isabelle mentions, "Especially Jace."

"I was following orders." Maryse inhales sharply, "I had no choice."

"Max has some big news." She changes the subject and places her hands on Max's shoulders, "Tell them, sweetheart."

"I passed my last trial." Max proudly smiled, "I'm ready for my Rune Ceremony."

"Max-" Isabelle gasped, "That's great."

Alec smiles, "Congratulations."

"So- you finally perfected your roundhouse kick?" I softly smiled down at him, moving into the position, my hands in fists.

"Yeah, and I knocked out two different instructors." Max mimicked my actions, bumping his fists against mine.

When I stood straight, Maryse was eyeing Max and I, before looking at Alec and Isabelle, "Sadly, your father won't be able to attend. So, Alec, as the eldest male in the family, you will be in charge of Max's ceremonial party."

Question crosses Alec's features, "What do you mean he won't be here?"

"He's tied up with the Valentine task force in Idris." Maryse stands firm, looking between them.

Isabelle looked down, "I can't believe Dad would miss this."

"He doesn't have a choice." Maryse said, "We're all on high alert, especially after what that demon did to the three of you- Margaret and Jocelyn."

Maryse's eyes land on me, "I'm sorry for your loss."

I slip my hands into my back pocket, "Your condolences mean a lot, Maryse."

"I was surprised not to see you at the Rite of Mourning." Isabelle stared at her mother before turning and walking away from us, "Dad called to see how we were."

"Isabelle-" Maryse sighed, and followed her daughter, leaving Alec and I with Max.

"Bet you wish you were back in Idris." Alec places a hand on Max's back as we walked through the Ops Center with him.

Max sighed and looked down, "I thought I was coming here to get away from the fighting."

"Fighting?" I looked between him and Alec.

Alec was shooting me the same look, "Mom and Dad?"

Max softly nods, "All the time."

"What's going on?" Alec questions as we came to a stop by the steps.

Max stares up at Alec's tall figure, "Mom doesn't like you having Zee as a girlfriend."

My mouth drops, as I didn't know what to say.

I clear my throat, and looked down at my feet.

Alec's tone dropped, "And you?"

"Whatever, I don't care." Max shrugs lightly, "I like her."

I softly smiled at Max, as he hugged my leg, before running off to wander around the Institute.

Alec looked at me, "I'm sorry-"

"It's okay." I inhale sharply, walking down the steps with him, "Now that your mother's back, I will be making myself scarce."

"No, I have something else in mind." Alec stops me by grabbing my arm, looking down at me, "How would you feel about throwing a party for Max's Rune Ceremony?"

I stare at him for a moment, slipping away from him, "I think I'll pass."

Alec gently grabbed my arms, looking down at me, "Zee."

"Alec, you know I love Max- but Maryse?" I shot him a look, "Come on- you know that woman hates me."

"That's sort of the point of the party." Alec pulled me closer, "So- that she can see that this, us, it's not going away."

His words make my expression soften, and my heart warm up, "Alec."

Alec shot me a hopeful smile, "Please?"

I gave in, "I better get to work, then."

-

[ alec's pov ]

"At the residence of Magnus Bane?" My mother read the invitation in a tone of slight disgust, "It's very kind of your friend to offer, but the Rune Ceremony is a solemn rite of passage."

"For Shadowhunters." She made it clear, "Not some Downworlder rave."

I glanced at the Invitation, "Where does it say anything about a rave? And why is it only for Shadowhunters?"

She looks at me, "It's tradition- and to add to that, Zee isn't even family."

"Traditions change, especially those based on ignorance." I exclaim, "Anyone who cares about Max should be there. That includes me and Zee, together."

She scoffs, giving into Zee being there, "Zee is a Shadowhunter, Magnus is not."

I stood tall, "If Zee wants to hold the party at Magnus', then so be it. Magnus is someone she cares about tremendously, and if she is hosting the party, she can invite who she wants."

She stays silent as I huffed, "If Dad were here he'd understand-"

She then quickly snapped at me, "Well, he's not."

"Alec- I don't want to fight with you." She slowly got up, "This dinner, it should be about family. Our family."

"What family?" I stepped back, "You wanted Jace dead."

She sighed in exhaustion, "I was following orders."

"You keep saying that." I stared at her, "After a while, it loses its meaning."

"You're right." She sighed once more, "Of course we'll be there. Thank you for going to all this trouble for us."

"Thank Zee." I said, before turning and walking out of the room.

-

[ zee's pov ]

I stood in Magnus' place, walking around, frantically looking to see if everything was perfect as Shadowhunters began filling his apartment.

I was dressed in a satin red short v neck dress, one that had spaghetti straps, gold heels on my feet to go with my necklace, my hair was straight but curled at the bottom, as it was tied half up and half down.

"Hey-" Alec grabbed my arm and spun me to face him, "I've finally caught you- you've been running around so much that I haven't gotten the chance to say hello."

"Oh my god, Alec-" Guilt burned in my chest as I instantly hugged his middle, "I'm sorry-"

"It's fine." Alec hugged back, kissing my head, looking down at me when I pulled away, "You look stunning, by the way."

I softly smiled up at him, "You clean up well."

Alec puts a strand of my hair behind my ear, "Why haven't you stopped and taken a break?"

"I want to make sure everything's perfect before Maryse and Max get here." I began to ramble, "I'm worried the empanadillas are soggy- I gave the chef specific directions-"

Alec cuts me off by pressing his lips into mine.

I instantly shut up, kissing back.

He slowly pulls away, giving me a soft smile, "Zee, everything is perfect."

Then, the doors open and in comes Max and Maryse, making my heart beat race in fear.

"Zee!" Max ran and hugged my legs, looking around, "You planned this for me?"

"Yeah-" I rubbed his back, "This is your night."

Alec greets Maryse, "Mother."

Maryse looks at me, handing over a bottle of what was an alcoholic beverage. "I heard you like to drink."

I blink, looking from the bottle to her, "What?-"

Alec was already shooting his mother a look of disapproval, as I cleared my throat right away, Max letting go of my legs and looking around, "Welcome, Maryse."

Maryse looked around, "You do have exotic taste, don't you?"

"Oh, uh- the Spanish theme is in honor of you and your husband." I gestured toward the party.

"Really?" Maryse's expression fell, "How so?"

"Alec told me that Robert proposed to you in Barcelona." I held the bottle tightly in my hands in pure nervousness of saying the wrong thing, "I wanted to celebrate a joyous memory- especially since he couldn't be here."

"How sweet that Alec feels comfortable sharing our personal family stories with you." By the look on her face I could tell she didn't like it, "Especially considering your- disparate backgrounds."

Alec's expression dropped at her words.

"How about a drink?" I offered, "Sangria for you, and a Roy Rogers for the guest of honor."

Then I looked at Alec, "Do you want anything?"

"No, I'm good." Alec softly smiled at me and kissed my temple, making my heart jump since his mother was right in front of us.

"Okay-" I trail off, before quickly making my way away from them.

-

"Hey!" I caught Clary as she was heading for the door, tears streaming down her cheeks, Magnus and I staring at her, "What's going on?"

"It's Simon." Clary sniffles, "He poured his heart out about wanting to be with me, and then- he hooks up with Maia."

My eyebrows furrow, "That doesn't sound like Simon, at all-"

"Are you sure you haven't had too much sangria?" Magnus questions, "It's strong- I made sure of it."

"Please." Clary spun for the door, "I just need to leave-"

"Hey, stop- don't." I stopped her again, "Listen- that doesn't sound like Simon at all, so- we'll figure out what's going on with Simon."

Magnus nods, "But- tonight's about Max- Alec and Izzy. You'll never forgive yourself if you're not there for your friends."

Clary sighs, nodding softly, "Okay."

-

I was stood on the balcony with Maryse, Magnus, Max and Alec, as Magnus was giving Max his gift.

My hand was over my parabatai rune under my dress, due to giving a weird feeling.

Something was wrong with Isabelle, but I just couldn't figure out what.

"I don't see anything." Max said as Magnus was crouched in front of him.

"That's because you're not looking hard enough." Magnus then uses his magic and make a gift box appeared in his hands, handing it to Max, "Congratulations, young Shadowhunter."

Alec pats his back, "What do you say, Max?"

"Thank you." Max thanked him, then stared up at him, "Where's your warlock mark?"

Alec looked down at him, "Max-"

"You were just as curious at his age." Maryse defended her youngest instantly.

"It's okay." Magnus said, "I only share with my closest friends."

Magnus shows him his cat eyes, Max almost flinching at them.

Then, Max looks at me, "How much of you is a demon?"

My heart dropped.

"Max, enough." Jace joined our conversation, "That's not how we treat our friends- especially when it's Zee. Apologize to her."

Max looked at him, "You can't tell me what to do."

"Hey, just because you're getting your first rune doesn't mean you can talk to your brother like that." Alec's expression was disapproving.

Max was quick to spat out, "Jace isn't my brother."

Alec's eyes widen, "Max!"

"Mom says you're not even part of our family." Max finished, staring at Jace who had a hurt expression on his face.

"Jace, I-" Maryse reaches for him, but Jace was already gone, Magnus and Max slowly leaving also.

I looked between Maryse and Alec, my jaw dropped as I head behind my best friend, "Jace, wait!"

"This is your fault." I heard Alec say to Maryse, making me stop in my tracks.

Maryse sighs, "I've tried to keep Max out of it."

"The hell you have." Alec shot at her instantly, "He learned this behavior from you. If you ever want to make things right with me, you better make them right with Jace."

When silence follows, I rush in the direction Jace went in, stepping into the room, "Jace?"

He looked at me, and I could see the red tint in his eyes as he tried to hold back his tears.

"Jace." My voice was soft as I walked over to him, wrapping my arms around his shoulders.

Jace hugged back, holding onto me tightly, "He's right-"

"No- he's not." I pulled away, "Your Alec's parabatai, Jace. You're closer than blood."

Then, Maryse was standing at the door, Jace looking at her, "What do you want?"

"I want to talk to you." Maryse has her hands behind her back.

"I'll give you two a minute." I gently said, before walking past Maryse, stepping out of the room.

I had found Isabelle, and was walking with her down the hall when Jace comes out of the room, his hair falling over of place.

"Jace?" I stopped and looked at him, "How'd it go?"

"Jace, I've been looking everywhere for Mom and Max." Isabelle stopped, "Have you-"

"Maryse just tried to kill me." Jace said pulling us both into the room where Maryse laid on the ground, unconscious.

"Jace-" I gasp, "Oh my god-"

Isabelle's eyes were wide as she dropped to the ground to her mother's aid, "Jace, what did you do?"

"I'll get Magnus-" I left the room, grabbing Magnus and telling him what had happened.

When Magnus headed towards the room, I headed for the door.

Alec caught me, "Hey, is the host of the party leaving?"

"No- I just need some air." I stammer, "Everything's going wrong and I think I might pass out."

Guilt crossed Alec's expression, "What are you talking about?"

My eyebrows furrow in confusion, "What do you mean?"

Alec stammers, not knowing what to say to me, as if my words had hit him like a bus.

Then, he backs away and turns, heading for the stairs that lead up to the roof.

"Alec?" I called his name in confusion, following the path he went, walking up the steps and up to the roof.

But once I got up there, my heart fell to the deepest part of my stomach, as Alec was stepping onto the ledge.

He was standing on the ledge, so close to the edge that if he took another step, or made the wrong move, he would plummet to his death.

"By the Angel-" I ran, jerking to a stop a few feet away, afraid he would jump if I moved closer, "Alec- what are you doing?"

Alec stares down at the city, then looks back at me.

"Why are you up there?" I slowly took a step closer, "You're scaring me."

"I'm sorry- I didn't mean it!" Alec cries out, making my eyes grow even wider, "I didn't mean to do it-"

"Didn't mean what?" I quickly asked, "Alec- what're you talking about?"

I held my hand out, as it was beginning to slightly tremble in fear. "Alec, please, come down from there."

"I didn't mean to hurt her-" Alec began to breathe heavily, "I didn't mean to kill your mother-"

"What?" My heart stopped at the guilt threaded in his tone, "Alec- I don't blame you-"

"I know I'm weak-" Alec's breathing only got heavier with every word, "I should've been stronger- I shouldn't have let that demon possess me-"

I panicked, "Alec- that wasn't your fault!"

"If I didn't let that demon possess me, your mother would be here right now-" Alec slightly moves closer, half off his feet off the ledge already.

"Alec, please, take my hand!" I moved closer, tears burning in my eyes as the fear intensified, "I swear on the Angel, I don't blame you for any of it!"

Alec stutters, "I know- I know you wish I was dead instead of Margaret."

"I don't wish you were dead." My voice came out defeated as he wasn't listening to any of what I was saying, "Alec- I could never-"

Alec faced me, then stepped off the ledge.

"Alec!" I screamed, making a run for the ledge and catching his last minute.

Alec seemed like he was just waiting for death to come, knowing that I couldn't hold onto him for much longer.

I held his hand as tight as I could, but he was beginning to pull me with him due to how heavy he was.

Suddenly, I felt the familiar rush.

"No-" My voice came out as a whisper, "No- no- not now-"

I began to pant, "Magnus!"

Then, the rush spread through my entire body, as I tried with every piece of strength in me to fight it.

But, I couldn't.

My eyes went all black, as my grip of Alec's hand loosened.

And then I let go.

Before Alec could plummet to his death, Magnus ran up and used his magic to catch and save him, slowly pulling him up and onto the ground.

Then Jace ran up, looking between Alec and I as I backed away, my eyes slowly turning back to normal.

Jace came over to me, "Zee-"

"What did I do?" I shamefully shook my head, tears filling my eyes almost instantly, "I- I can't believe I just-"

"Hey- that wasn't you, okay?" He grabs my arms, rubbing them in comfort, "It wasn't- it was the demon blood-"

"Jace, Valentine was right." I shook my head, the tears in my eyes falling, "Even an ounce of demon blood makes me a threat to the people that I care about-"

"Zee- no." Jace shook his head, "We're gonna figure this out, okay? Just- don't mention this to anyone else. Who knows what Maryse will think if she found that out."

I stare at him for a moment for nodding, "Okay."

Then, Jace and I went over to Alec, crouching in front of him, Isabelle and Clary running up, "What happened?"

"I don't know- all of a sudden, he started talking about how I hated him for killing my mom and then he just-" I couldn't even finish my sentence, as I held Alec's arms, trying to wake him.

"Alec?" Maryse ran outside by us and to her son in. aid, crouching over Alec also.

"It's okay." Magnus said, "I sedated him when I pulled him from the ledge."

"You know what, you stay away from him." Jace pointed at Maryse, "You can't be trusted."

"I can't be trusted?" Maryse scoffs, then looking st me, "Now you see why I was wary of having a party at a warlock's house- yet, you didn't even seem to care when you hosted it here."

My mouth drops, not knowing what to say to her.

Simon came out by us, stuttering, "Wow- what's going on here?"

"Oh, what do you care?" Clary spat, "Maia is at the bar."

"Yes, and Alec's on the ground." Simon glanced at her in confusion, "Is he gonna be okay?"

"You're all gonna be okay." Magnus got up, "Everyone just stay here- I'll be right back."

When Magnus left, all the argument began between Jace and Maryse, and Simon and Clary.

"Will someone tell me what the hell is going on?" I stood up, shouting in frustration, "Simon cheated on Clary, Maryse tried to kill Jace, and my boyfriend just threw himself off a roof!"

Simon looks at me, "I didn't cheat on her!"

"You made out with Maia!" Clary shot back at him.

"I went over by Jace to apologize!" Maryse was next to shout.

Jace points at her, "You tried to kill me- you threw an axe at my head!"

Maryse turns toward me, "What did you say to my son? You don't think that Alec feels guilty enough?"

"What did I say to your son?" I repeat her words in disbelief, "I would never-"

"You're Valentine's daughter!" Maryse spat at me, "Alec was too foolish to choose you over Lydia-"

"Hey!" Jace cuts in, "She did nothing, and you categorizing her, trying to put her in a position where you convince everyone that she did this is what's foolish!"

"You bring him up here and-" Maryse shook her head in disbelief, "You let him throw himself off the roof- you want him dead, don't you?"

"I didn't bring him up here, I followed him!" I shot back, "I caught him before he fell to his death!"

Magnus ran back up, holding his spell book, as we all argued amongst ourselves. Magnus said a spell outside, before using his magic, suddenly all our voices quiet.

We all looked between each other, not knowing what to say.

Then, I heard a soft call of my name, "Zee-"

I gasped, instantly dropped to my knees in front of Alec, his eyes opened as he reached for me, pulling me into his chest.

Tears burned in my eyes as I processed what had just happened.

I almost killed him.

Everyone let out small apologies to each other, but Maryse and I didn't say not one word to each other.

When Magnus closed his spell book, it disappeared from his hands, instantly putting his wards up, "Someone has taken my spell book."

Clary looked around, "You're putting your wards up?"

Magnus points at us, heading towards the door that lead back down to his apartment, "Nobody leaves until I get it back."

-

Raj stares between us as Magnus used his magic to make sure he didn't have his spell book.

Raj was the last person, his hands slipping into his pockets, "I was this close to lining up a three-way and- you guys let yourselves get spelled?"

"Well, it seems like you've gotten spelled too." I shrug, "I mean, who would want to sleep with you?"

Jace high fived me as Raj shot me a look, after being shoved out by Alec.

Jace spoke up, "Is he the last one?"

Magnus took down his wards, "It appears I'm the only warlock here."

"Magnus, what happens if we don't find your spell book?" Clary questioned, looking at him.

"That's not an option you want to explore." Magnus said to her, "That book can undo every spell I've ever cast- from the elementary to the complex. In new and old languages- champenois."

"It's an old French dialect." Magnus realizes, looking up, before putting back up his wards and rushing toward his room, "The red-haired cat."

I sniffle from crying earlier, sighing deeply as I followed him, "Magnus, what cat?"

Magnus uses his fingers to signal for me to be quiet, as he gestured for us all to search around the room.

I looked around, looking under the cushions and behind the shelves.

Then, we all caught eye on the bump under the red sheets.

Magnus signals for Jace to pull it off, as he does, a red cat yowling, jumping off the bed, beginning to make a run for it.

Magnus used his magic to reveal who it was, as it was Iris Rouse who shouted a spell instantly before we could make a move on her, "Duratus!"

We were all frozen, Magnus and Iris moving towards the living room as sounds of crashing and groans filled the room.

Minutes later, we were released and rushed to where Magnus was, who was holding Iris trapped in his magic.

When Iris spots me, her eyes slightly widen, "Zee Young."

"You made a blood oath." Her voice was strained from pain, "Find Madzie."

Magnus opened up a portal and threw her in, "She's the Clave's problem now."

Alec was the first to question, "Okay, what is Valentine up to anyway?"

Clary blinks, "I don't know-"

Jace was staring at her, "It's too dangerous."

"Jace, they're our family." Clary sighs, "They need to know."

Isabelle looks at her, "Know what?"

"The angel Ithuriel." Clary confesses, "Valentine was going to use him to activate the Soul-Sword. He needs someone with pure angel blood to activate it."

Simon inhales, "Well, that doesn't sound good."

"It's not." Jace told him, "With the Soul-Sword activated, Valentine could decimate the entire Downworld."

"The angel showed us a vision of a demon who could destroy the Sword." Jace said, "If we could find that demon, we could stop Valentine."

Magnus looks between them, "How did you two save the angel?"

"With runes the angel gave to me." Clary admits, "It was like what happened with Zee- expect the rune didn't sear itself, I had to draw it."

"New runes, Magnus." Jace nods, "Ones no one's ever seen before."

Isabelle stares at her, "Why did he choose you?"

Clary shrugs lightly in honestly, "I have no idea."

"I might." Magnus spoke up, "Years ago, a Silent Brother told me about a special connection the original Shadowhunters had with the Angel Raziel."

"That they could communicate from afar through visions." Magnus explained and went more in depth,
"Because they were created from his blood."

I stare at him, "Are you saying that Clary may have a blood connection to that angel?"

Magnus nods lightly, "And that must mean she has pure angel blood."

"That's why Valentine wants Clary unharmed." Jace said what was on all of our minds, "Clary can activate the Soul-Sword."

-

"To the Angel I entrust my life," Max recited after Alec had walked him up during his rune ceremony, "And vow to uphold the laws of heaven."

It was small, yet so elegant. I stood next to Isabelle, as Jace stood with Clary, all of us watching it happen.

"I take this mark to honor Him-" Max continued, "To bring His light into me and vow to uphold the laws of heaven."

"So, I may join the ranks of the Shadowhunters the guardians of peace." Max finished, the Silent Brother drawing the angelic rune on Max's arm, as everyone walked over to Max in the end to congratulate him.

I stepped out into the hall during the end of it all, noticing Alec stood alone.

I slowly walked over to him, my voice quiet, "The ceremony was beautiful, Max did great."

Alec gently nods, "Didn't even flinch."

"Alec, whatever you heard me say when you were under the spell-" I looked down, "Please believe me when I say that I don't blame you at all."

Alec stares at me, staying silent.

"I don't." I looked up and caught his eye, "I don't think I've ever been so scared my entire life seeing you stand on that ledge-"

"Zee-" Alec began, "I would never, never-"

"I know." I stopped him, my voice becoming weak as I repeated went over what I was about to do, debating whether or not it was the right thing, "But- Magnus once told me that magic doesn't create fears, it only brings them out."

Alec went silent, sighing deeply through his nose.

"Alec." My voice broke, as I looked down at my feet again, standing as straight as I could, feeling the tears beginning to burn in my eyes, feeling deep fear in my chest, "I-"

Alec stops me, taking a step closer, concern crossing over his features, his hands touching my arms, "What's wrong? Why are you upset? Did I do something?"

"No- this is about what I did." I inhale shakily, stuttering, "What I did- when you- you were on that ledge."

I looked up at him, staring into his eyes, "We both know what happened."

Alec began shaking his head, "Zee, that wasn't your fault- that wasn't you-"

"But, it was me." I warily said, "I let go- you could've died, Alec-"

"That was the demon blood, Zee." Alec squeezes my arms in comfort, just wanting to be there for me, "That wasn't your intention-"

"Stop defending me!" I ripped myself out of his grip, the tears in my eyes slipping, "Alec, I'm not good for you."

A wounded look crossed Alec's face, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means I can't be with you like this." My voice broke, my bottom lip beginning to tremble, "I'm a consistent threat to you- I almost killed you- twice, Alec!"

"Valentine and Aldertree were right-" I looked away, "Even the littlest amount of demon blood makes me a threat to you. I can't ever be with you if I have demon blood in my veins because this is my nature now. I can't- put you in danger like that, Alec."

Anger crossed Alec's features, "Aldertree said something to you?"

"He told me about the time he was in love." I sniffle, more tears falling, "How it never worked out because she was a Downworlder."

"We can work through this, Zee." Alec was grasping at every string of hope as I saw the red tint in his eyes, "I helped you fight it- I can pull you back, I will always be here for you."

This hurt so much more than I thought it would.

"I can't control it, Alec- don't you understand that?" My voice was quiet, "No matter how hard I try- it always breaks through and makes me do things- that I never thought I would ever do."

"I mean- I'm Valentine's daughter. I have demon blood." I listed in disgust, "There's nothing good I can give you."

Alec stepped closer, "Don't say that- you've made me the happiest I have ever been- Zee, please-"

I reached up, my hand grabbing his face gently, "I'm sorry."

Alec leaned into my hand desperately, "We can figure this out, okay? Please- you don't have to do this."

"I don't have any other choice." My hand dropped, more tears falling.

I took a step back, and Alec was grabbing my wrist, a small tear slipping from his left eye, "No- please-"

The hurt look on his face was engraved in my mind.

I pulled my wrist, and turned, walking down the hall, turning the corner as quickly as I could.

From the corner of my eye, I could see him watching me leave him.

That's when I could feel all the oxygen in my chest escape, as I choked out a sob, the pain being too much for me to handle.

I needed to understand that this was the right thing to do.

But, it hurt so much.

Clary turned the corner of the hall, her eyes widening with concern, "Wow- what happened?-"

My eyes were screwed shut, my hands clasped over my mouth as I continued to sob, shaking my head.

Clary grabbed my arms, "Zee, what's going on?-"

"I broke up with Alec." My voice was weak, and then I broke, Clary pulling me into her chest, holding me tightly as I cried.

authors note:

I'm sorry for breaking your hearts :( <3

but, it's gONNA BE OKAY.

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