"Hey-" I join Alec, Isabelle, Clary and Jace in the Ops Center, placing my hands on my hips, "Any word from Magnus or Luke?"

"No." Alec sighs deeply as I stood between him and Isabelle, "With Valentine free, the Downworld Cabinet has been holding secluded meetings- at the Seelie Court."

Jace crosses his arms, "Well, that's not good."

Clary scoffs lightly, "You think anything good happens in the Seelie court?"

When I notice the look on Jace's face, I look at my younger sister with a disapproving look, "Clary."

"The Clave isn't gonna let this go unpunished, and the Inquisitor's sent an envoy to assess the situation." Alec looks down at his palms that leaned against the surface, "Chances are they'll be the ones replacing me as Head of the Institute."

"Hey- no." I placed a hand on his, leaning into him and looking up at him as he looked down so I could catch his eye, "That is not going to happen- okay?"

"Not if we can recapture Valentine." Isabelle adds in, siding with me as both Alec and I looked away, "Sebastian and all available personnel are searching."

"We already know Duncan managed to hijack the portal." Jace spoke up, "If he was Luke's accomplice, he could have been orchestrating the secret transfer all along."

"Listen- I appreciate the effort, but Valentine escaped on my watch." Alec exhales deeply, taking the blame, "I deserve to take the heat for it."

"No- no, absolutely not." I moved my hand and looked at him with completely sternness, snatching the blame right away, "This is no one else's fault but mine. I was the one in charge of the transfer team, if anyone's taking the heat for it, it's gonna be me."

"Hey, so were Isabelle and I." Jace interjects, "Look Alec, you are a good leader- you can't just let Imogen fire you over something you didn't do."

Robert Lightwood's voice filled all of our ears, catching us off guard, "Alec will do as he's ordered."

My eyes almost popped out of their sockets when I looked at him, a whisper leaving my lips, "Oh god-"

Isabelle was just as shocked, "Dad?"

My entire impression of him was destroyed when Alec told me that he cheated on Maryse.

Alec wasn't happy to see him, as he didn't even let out a simple greeting, "What are you doing here?"

"I'm the Clave's envoy." Robert stared at his son, "We need to talk."

-

"Well, I appreciate the help." Alec's voice filled my ears as I stopped a few feet away as I was heading toward his office, "But- don't you think this makes up for what you did to mom."

"Alec," Robert's voice followed, along with a little shuffling of him sitting down, "Your mother and I have always had a complicated relationship."

I took a step closer, my steps quieter than usual due to not wearing heeled boots today, completely slipping on my leather jacket that I was putting on, my outfit consisting of all black.

"It's not complicated." Alec shot back at his father, "You cheated on her- there's a reason she returned to Idris as soon as you got here."

"I made a mistake- I never meant to hurt you, but-" Robert's voice was wary as he replied, "I fell in love- you of all people should know what that's like ."

I began stepping back, feeling guilty that I was listening in on a conversion that wasn't mine to be heard.

"Zee isn't an affair." Alec's time was suddenly stern and slightly angry, making freeze in my tracks, "I have belonged to that woman completely ever since I laid eyes on her, and I have stuck with her- through hell and back. I love her more than anything in this world- and you have the nerve to compare my relationship with the woman I'm irrevocably and unconditionally in love with to your affair?"

Before it got to heated, I came out from the corner and knocked on the door lightly, catching both of their attention, "I don't mean to interrupt, but- I just wanted to see you before I left on mission with Jace- since we're searching Staten Island for Valentine- I might not get to see you all day."

Alec's expression softened when his eyes landed on me, and it was like his anger vanished.

As Robert swallowed hard, looking between Alec and I from where he said, Alec got up and took a few steps closer to me as I met him half away, "Great timing."

I gave him a sweet smile, my voice quiet, "Oh yeah?"

"It's always great to see you." Alec wrapped his arms around me and leans in to his me right in front of his father.

I turn my head, his lips landing on my cheek as he pulled back confused, when he noticed my focused on his father who was looking right at Alec.

Alec moves his arms and grabs my face, leaning down and pressing his lips into mine right in front of him, making my heart skip a beat and melt into the kiss.

He pulls away lightly and gives me another peck, "Stay safe on your mission, okay?"

I fell back to my origin height, noticing how I was on my tippy toes, giddily smiling like an idiot, a rose color on my cheeks, rocking back and forth on my feet once, before taking a step back, "I will."

My hand flew up to my mouth as I bit my thumbnail gently, revealing my teeth in my smile now as I backed away.

Alec was smiling at me in adoration, "I love you."

"I love you too." I almost squeal, grabbed the frame and ran out of the room.

I walk down the hall and into the room Jace was in, where he was looking through a few books, "Hey."

"Hey-" Jace looked over at me, "What're you all happy about?"

"I just saw Alec." I shrugged lightly and came to his side, "Wait- I'm sorry, I'm practically shoving this in your face-"

"No, no- it's okay." Jace assured me, "I'm happy that you're happy, you don't need to not tell me about you and Alec."

I looked down at the map he was looking at, "Wait- this is Idris?"

"Yeah." Jace looks down at me, "You really think Valentine's in Staten Island?"

"Well- no, but-" I inhale sharply, "I'm pretty sure the Clave has Idris covered, don't you think?"

"Not if they're looking in the wrong place." Jace shook his head, "Did you remember the cabin in Brocelind Valentine used to take us to? You'd play in the snow for hours, and run out by the lake."

"Yeah, I remember." I recalled the memories and looked at him, "And you think he's hiding there?"

"Probably not, no." Jace crosses his arms, "But- I bet you we find more in that cabin than we do in Staten Island."

"Have you told anyone?" I asked, "Alec? The Clave?"

"I did." Jace looked at me with a look on his face that screamed I stated the obvious action, "The Clave denied my request for a portal."

I nod once, "What about Magnus?"

"Magnus is still in the Seelie Court with Luke." Jace shook his head and rounded the table, "Unfortunately as we both know, portalling to Idris without approval isn't exactly sanctioned under the Accords."

"There's not a lot of warlocks stupid enough to risk it." Jace's voice began to fade out as I stared at the map, watching a tune glow on it, "I was thinking, if I could find a warlock that could get me close enough to the Swiss border I could hike it- it's only about 30 miles and it's a long shot, but it's the best I can come up with-"

"Jace." I could feel a familiar coursing through my veins whenever I created a new rune, "What if I said we didn't need a warlock?"

"What are you talking about?" Jace stopped and noticed how my eyes started to glow gold, "What are you doing?"

Familiar to the rune I used to destroy the wards on Magnus' apartment, a rune was huge and glowing in front of me, as I pushed my palm out, in a way to activate it as the rune pulled away from me as I pushed, turning into a gold portal behind Jace.

Jace stares at the portal, "That's impossible-"

"Obviously- it's not." I stepped closer to the portal, "You're thinking of the cabin, right?"

Jace couldn't look away, "Yeah- look, just wait a second, okay?"

"C'mon- the portal's about to close." I grabbed his arm and impulsively pulled him along with me into the portal.

Then, suddenly I was in water.

Deep, water.

My lungs were tightening up from the lack of oxygen, pushing my hair out of my way as I looked around, noticing my surroundings.

For a moment it felt like I couldn't move, but I push through and swam up to the surface of the freezing cold water, noticing Jace rise up when I do.

He swims over to me and pulls me up with him onto the land, as I coughed up water, rubbing my back.

"God- that was stupid." I ran a hand through my wet hair, suddenly feeling how cold I was.

Jace rubs my back, "You okay?"

"I'm fine." I sat up, looking around, "My sudden found ability's navigation must be off."

"Welcome back to Idris." Jace got up and walked toward the woods, "I still can't believe you made a portal rune."

I got up and raced after him, hiding my shivering as we walked through the woods, "Neither can I- this angel blood ability is getting really handy."

"I wanna get out of here before dark." Jace looked around, "These woods are home to several packs of notoriously feral werewolves."

"Yeah, I know-" I began, then stumble on air, falling into a tree, catching myself, a wave of dizziness washing over me suddenly.

Jace looked at me and stopped, "You okay?"

"Yeah- I just, got dizzy for a second." I swallowed hard and ran a hand through my hair.

Jace stares at me, "You know an Iratze might be able to help you out with that."

"I don't have my stele." I sigh deeply when I check my pockets, "I must have dropped it when I hit the water."

"Don't look at me- I left mine in New York." Jace crosses his arms, "Someone pulled me through the portal before I had time to get it."

I roll my eyes, "Well- technically you and I don't need our steles- I can activate and create new tunes without mine- and you can activate your runes without them."

Jace shrugs, "Yeah, I mean- you know, theoretically."

I scoff at him as he followed up, "I didn't say I couldn't do it."

I then felt another wave of dizziness over me and stumble, "Yeah, on second thought, my stele might actually come in handy- I can't control my ability."

Jace agreed and followed me back through the path we came despite it wasting the time we had left before dark.

We walked through the woods and to the lake him and I were just in, as I looked around, "Do you see it anywhere?"

When there isn't a reply, I look back to see that I was alone, "Jace?"

Suddenly, I heard his piercing scream, making me immediately forget about my stele and run back into the woods.

I pulled out my kindjals and rushed down the path we came, shouting his name, "Jace?"

Then, I slid to a stop when I see black leather on the ground; completely drenched in blood.

Fear sparks within me as I ran further into the woods.

-

[ alec's pov ]

"What are these things?" I held the glass in my hand that showed a reflection of some sort of beach, in the room Zee and Jace previously were, which was now a mess.

Simultaneously, Isabelle and I both realized something had to be wrong with Zee and Jace.

Isabelle had gotten a weird feeling from Zee, saying that she felt lost and confused, and she could feel something on her side.

At the same time, I felt something on my palm and then, we both realized something had to have been wrong.

Isabelle picked one up herself, "They look like portal shards."

Clary speaks in question, "So- Jace and Zee are at this beach?"

"Assuming they went through together." Isabelle looks at Clary and I, "But- none of it makes sense, how were they able to create a portal inside the Institute?"

My father's voice filled the room, making us all stand up and face him from our crouching position, "Clearly, it wasn't a normal portal."

He walks in further, "Whatever it was, there's something strange about the portal for the wards not to recognize it."

"That should explain these." Clary hands him one of the shards, as he looked at the reflection in suspicion, examining it.

"This isn't a beach." He looked up from the glass and hands it to me, "It's Lake Lyn."

"The Lake Lyn?" I took it from him, "How can you tell?"

"Because Jace requested a portal to Idris this morning." He told us, "He thought he might have a lead on Valentine, but the Clave denied it."

"Seems like they went anyway." Isabelle places a hand on her parabatai rune, looking lost herself, "We need to help them- I have to get to Zee."

I looked at my father with all seriousness, "You have to get that portal approved-"

My father began, "I'll try my best, but the Clave."

"I don't care what the Clave says." I cut him off, stern, "Zee and Jace are in trouble."

My father stayed calm as he spoke to me, "I agree, but as long as you're acting head of this Institute, you need to remain here."

I was angry, my voice slightly raising, "This is Zee we're talking about."

Clary's eyes almost went wide, "What?"

"Zee and Jace are family." Isabelle was also defensive, "You can't expect Alec to abandon them."

My father inhales sharply, "If he goes on the mission, he could be in jeopardy- he could lose his position as Head-"

"I don't care what I lose." I cut him off with a small shout, being completely straight with him, "It won't matter if I lose her."

"I'm going after Zee, that's final." I stood by my decision, "I'm not abandoning her, or Jace."

Isabelle was siding with me along with Clary, "Get us a portal to Idris."

My father reluctantly obliged, "I will but there's something you should know about this Lake."

-

[ zee's pov ]

I breathe heavily, stumbling through the woods, alone, feeling cold and lost.

I couldn't find anyone, I was completely alone.

What was worse, I couldn't find Jace.

My side ached from accidentally cutting myself from a branch while running through trees, falling onto my knees into the ground in exhaustion, scraping my knees they're my rips.

I hissed and sat down, looking at my bleeding side and knees, setting down my kindjals.

Then, someone in white landed on their feet and was inching over to me.

I backed away, whimpering quietly in fear.

"Hello, Zee." The young man took a step closer to me, coming clearing into my blurry vision, "My name is Ithuriel."

I scooted back until my back hit the tree, "Ithuriel?"

"My child." Ithuriel stepper closer to me, "You're confused- and lost."

Fear picked up within me as he reached over and puts a strand of my hair behind my ear, "It will all be okay, just hold on a little longer."

I stared at him, "What're you doing?"

"Jonathan is alive." Ithuriel got up, grabbing my hand and helping me up.

"Jace?" I was suddenly interested in what he had to say, "Is he okay- where is he?"

"I can only direct you toward the correct path." Ithuriel stepped back, "You must walk it yourself."

I stepped closer, "What?"

Then, he pushed himself off the ground and disappeared into the sky.

-

"Zee?" I heard a deep voice say, making me look up from the ground and notice four people walking towards me slowly.

I jump onto my feet, holding my kindjals out to protect myself, backing away, "Who are you?"

"Zee, it's me." The dark haired boy that towered over everyone stepped closer to me, "It's Alec."

"I don't- I don't know you." My voice was quiet and helpless, "I can't- I don't- get away from me!"

The blond haired boy followed the taller one's actions, "It's Jace."

"Stay back- stay back." I stumbled back, holding good form, ready for a fight, "I- I don't have anyone here."

There was a sudden ringing in my ears, making me drop my kindjals and clutch my head, "Ow, ow-"

The red haired girl looked at the dark haired one, "Is she okay?"

"It's the lake water." The dark haired girl replied to her, "We need to cure her now-"

"You're confused." The blond haired boy inched closer to me, "We're here to help you."

The dark haired one walked over to me, as all their voices were now echoed and distant besides them being so close, "Just hold still."

My eyes were glued to what was in her hand, as I backed up again, my hands dropping to my side despite the ringing in my ears and voices in my head, "Where's Jace? Or- Clary?-"

"And Alec- and Izzy-" I fell to my knees and grabbed my kindjal, ripping my skin open, slashing a wound onto my palm as the dark haired girl reacted to this, "Izzy- Izzy-"

The dark haired boy's eyes widen, "Wow, wow, wow-"

I repeatedly said my parabatai's name, as the girl in front of me looked like she was tearing up, "Zee- I'm right here, okay? Just, hold still-"

My foot flew up and knocked the grey utensil in her hand when she inched it closer to me, pushing myself onto my feet, "Izzy. I need to get to Izzy, I need her-"

The blond haired boy reached for me, as I spun kicked, fighting the four off when the red head grabbed me tightly.

I grabbed her arms and threw her into the ground, before the dark haired girl grabbing me, the blond haired boy stood in front of me, "Look, we're not gonna hurt you!"

"You're not gonna get the chance!" I stomped my foot on the ground where the grey utensil was, snapping it in half.

I fought the girl off, stumbling back and warningly pointing between them all as they surrounded me,
"Back up."

Right as I made a move to punch the tall boy, he grabbed my fist and spun me, my back hitting his chest, as he held onto me tightly.

"Let me go!" I was striking with fear, forcefully trying to tear myself out of his grasp.

"Grab her!" The boy shouted as the red haired girl and dark haired both grabbed my legs and arms tightly, while he held onto me, despite my fight to break free.

"It's us, it's us!" The blond boy shouted, staring into my eyes where his eyes glowed gold, and suddenly, I no longer felt a wave of anything over me anymore.

"Jace." His name slipped out of my mouth, Clary's, Isabelle's and Alec's grip on me loosening, letting me go, "I heard you scream- I thought-"

Jace exhales deeply with a small smile on his lips, "I'm okay."

I turned to Isabelle and hugged her tightly, "Iz."

"Zee." Isabelle hugged my body even tighter, "I'm so glad you're okay- I don't know what I'd do if you lost your mind, I love you so much-"

"I almost lost my mind- good to know." I didn't want to let go of her, "I love you more, Iz, you know that."

Before Isabelle could protest, I pulled away and looked at my boyfriend who stood watching me in relief, "What're you doing here? You're acting head, you can't leave the Institute-"

Alec looked down at me, breathing heavily just as everyone else was, "You were in trouble."

My expression softened, as I grabbed his face and pulled him in for a kiss.

-

The cabin was a complete bust, because when we arrived, we had been too late.

There was no Valentine.

In other news, Alec's position as Head of the Institute remained, and he managed to get something out of his father.

I stared at my boyfriend as him and I leaned against the railings, Alec watching his father pack for Idris in the Ops Center, "The Clave doesn't have the Soul Sword?"

Alec shook his head lightly and looked at me, "They never did- they've been lying about it the entire time."

I looked from Robert to Alec, "Have you told anyone else?"

"You're the first person I told." Alec inhales sharply, "Even if my father's intentions are good, these secrets only end up making things worse."

"Honey, I don't know what to tell you." I grabbed his hands, "If it got out there that the Clave lied about the Soul Sword, it could mean the end of the Accords."

Alec sighs deeply and squeezed my hand, "Maybe you're right, but- I've got to do something."

"I don't know what you should do." I held his hand between both of mine.

Alec looks at me, "Are you going to tell Magnus?"

"You told me that Robert said you couldn't repeat this to anyone." I stare at him, "As much as I want to tell him, I can't just go around and repeat this to everyone."

I felt guilty, but stood by my choice, "I will tell him- just not right now. The sword's been deactivated anyway, it's power was nullified that night."

Alec sighs and pulls me into his chest, holding me delicately, kissing my head.

-

Alec pushed me against the wall of my room, my arms around his neck loosely, him holding me up by my thighs.

His shirt unbuttoned, his hair a mess and sticking in so many different directions, his lips in contact with my neck, his breathing heightened.

My hair was a mess as well, my back pressed against the cool wall, shirtless,  gripping his hair as he kissed my neck, letting out a small cry of pleasure.

Then there was a knock at my locked door.

Alec continues to kiss my neck as I clear my throat, looking up at the ceiling as I called out loud enough for the person behind the door to hear me, "Uh, who is it?"

"It's Jace." His familiar was muffled through the door but enough for us to recognize, "I need to talk to you."

"I'm-" I held back a sound of pleasure when Alec decides to continue and make it harder for me to speak, "I'm a little busy right now!-"

"This is serious." Jace presses, making me look down at Alec with a sigh.

Alec gently sets me down and huffs, falling back into my bed, "Every time."

I walk over to him and kiss his head, grabbing one of his shirts and buttoning it up, walking over to the door and unlocking it, opening it and peaking my head through, "Hello, Jace."

Jace stared at me for a moment, before pushing on the door and walking into my room, making me fall back onto my ass, as he held two journals in his hands.

Alec looked irritated with his parabatai, sitting up on the bed, "What do you want, Jace?"

"Look at these journals." Jace held them in front of me when I got up and walked over to him, "Jonathan Christopher."

"Yeah- that's you, so what?" I wasn't paying much attention until he handed me one of the journals.

"There's one on you, and then," Jace points at the two names on the page, "Morgenstern and Herondale."

"Wait, that doesn't make any sense." I flipped through the pages, my eyes scanning the words, "Clary told me that Jonathan- he died in a fire that Valentine created when he was an infant."

Alec stares at me, "Wait, you don't mean-"

"These were hundreds of notes from ten years ago." I looked up from the journal to the two, "How could Valentine still be studying him if he was already dead?"

This caused Alec and Jace to be both speechless, not knowing what to say to that.

Then, flashes of Ithuriel were in my mind.

I blurt out in realization, "When we were in Idris, I saw Ithuriel."

"The Ithuriel?" asked Jace, staring down at me, "The Angel?"

"Yes- he told me that Jonathan is alive, and I thought he was talking about you because I heard you scream, so I didn't think much of it, but he was talking about a Jonathan- not you, but Jonathan Morgenstern." A new flood of thoughts was flushing my mind.

"He was talking about Jonathan." My stare fell onto the ground, realization filling my veins, "Oh my god, my brother's still alive."

authors note:

they're literally. so. cute.

but, js- y'all ain't ready for what's coming

almost omg it's 5 am , i need to sleep

thank you for 12k !

but, go read metanoia !!!

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