"He said my name." Clary's voice came from Jace's room that very night as I neared it, almost running right into Alec who headed towards the room from the other direction, "He said, your mother for the Cup."

Alec and I stared at each other as we both jerk to a stop right before we ran into each other.

I felt drawn to him, but I pushed it away.

Alec and I turn towards the room, the words slipping out of my mouth instantly, "Who said that?"

Jace and Clary turn, speaking in unison, "Valentine."

"He's with my mother." Clary told us, looking between us, Jace holding up Clary's necklace.

"And he can speak to you through that necklace?" Alec walks in, "Here, in the Institute?"

I followed, as Clary nods, "It's like when I saw Dot."

"It's a Portal shard." Jace held it up, "That's why your mother made sure you had it."

"All I know is what-" Clary looks between us all, "My mother's alive. She's unconscious, but alive. And I saw-"

She stops, my eyebrows furrowing at her pause, as I crossed my arms, "What else did you see?"

"Zee- I-" Clary swallows, looking at me, "I saw- I saw Margaret."

My expression immediately changed, my heart plummeting to the ground, my voice low, "That's not funny."

"I'm serious." Clary honestly spoke, "I saw her. She was chained up, and looked beaten-"

I shook my head, "She was taken from me years ago- she would be dead by now."

"Well- she's not." Clary stared at me, "I'm giving you the littlest bit of hope that she's still alive."

"After three years of trying to bury that away- I don't want it." I step back, looking away.

Alec takes notice of my mood change and speaks up, "Where are they?"

"I don't know." Clary sighs deeply.

"But- you said you saw them." Alec pushed, "Were there any identifying characteristics? Equipment, weapons, photographs?"

"Alec-" I looked at him, taking notice of his rushed and pushing tone.

"I don't remember." Clary spat, "It was awful."

"Alec, lighten up." Jace looks at him.

"I'm trying to get something we can use out of this." Alec snips, "Clary, what did you see, exactly?"

"Valentine has both my mother and Zee's." Clary shot back at him, "That's what I saw."

"Emotions are nothing but a distraction." Alec stares at her, "You're ruled by them. We're taught to control them."

Clary looks between Alec and I, "And how is that working out for ya?"

"It is my job to protect the Institute." Alec made it clear, "If Valentine can see in, that's a door I have to shut."

"Now- let me take a look at that thing." Alec held his hand out, Jace sighing, setting it onto the palm of his hand, Alec looking up before leaving the room, "Now, it's in the proper hands."

"Alec- wait!" I chased after him, Clary and Jace right on my tail, "Alec- where are you going?"

"To put this somewhere safe." Alec walks up the steps and into the training room, "Where no one could be tempted to use it."

"We should use it." Jace came to Alec's other side, "Alec, we should use it to get to Valentine."

"If I were Valentine, I'd make you think that you could rescue Jocelyn." Alec got onto one knee and opens up the safe, placing the necklace inside, "And then I'd lure Clary to me and leverage her life for the Cup."

"I like Jace's idea." Clary crosses her arms, "We saved Simon from the vampires that way."

"Yeah vampires." Alec looks at her, rolling his eyes, "Bored, decadent, self-involved vampires."

"Valentine is a real threat." Alec closed the safe and got up, looking right at her, "He can't be handled by four-and-a-half Shadowhunters."

"Five." Clary held her ground.

"Whatever." Alec shoots us all a look, walking away, "Leave it there."

-

I was in the training room with Jace the next morning, our swords clinging together as we trained. My olive green jacket rested on the bench as I was dressed in black ripped jeans, a white t shirt, one that was tucked into my jeans, black ankle boots on my feet.

I brush my hair out of my face, blocking his every swing, our breathing uneven, small sounds of laughing leaving our lips with every move.

Jace grunts as our blades met at our feet, as he blocked my swing, looking up at me with his signature smirk, "Too slow, shorty."

I kicked his sword to the side, swinging my sword at his neck, Jace pulling back quickly, his eyes on me, as I brought my blade to my side, "Those would've been your last words."

"No way-" Jace played it off, grabbing his blade, "I let you have that one."

"Oh yeah?" I scoff in humor, "I'm pretty sure the cockiness disappeared from your face when I had the upper hand-"

"You think I'm cocky?" Jace throws me over his shoulder through my protests, putting out swords away, turning towards the steps, setting me down slowly, "Maryse-"

I face Maryse, Clary and Isabelle stood a few feet behind her.

"Hey-" Jace gave her a hug, "It's great to see you."

Maryse barely smiled, looking at me, "Zee- always a pleasure-"

I purse my lips into a smile, running a hand through my hair, standing next to Jace.

"You need to work on your form-" Maryse stood straight, telling me right away.

"She would've killed me if we were actually in combat-" Jace defends me then changes the subject, "How's everyone in Idris? Where's, uh- where's Max?"

"No Max." Isabelle walks over, "Just Mom with her hair on fire."

"I love how Shadowhunters share." Clary also walks over, staring at Jace, "A hidden brother, and a secret country, and a private Portal."

"Mother." Alec walks over, greeting her with a hug, "Welcome back- we didn't expect you."

"You should be prepared, whether you expect me or not." Maryse pulls away, looking at all of us.

"I am." Alec nods lightly, "We are."

"We'll talk about the Institute later. Right now, we have a bigger problem." Maryse circles around us, "The Seelies have stopped communicating with the Clave and won't explain why. My guess is they're still upset we asked them to send scouts to look for Valentine, but no one in their realm will talk."

"I have Seelie friends." Isabelle spoke up, looking at Maryse.

"Yes, I know about your friends." Maryse stood in front of her, "Isabelle, we stay separate from the Downworld for good reasons. The wrong move, the wrong word- do you think there is such a thing as harmless rebellion? Who knows what offends these creatures? Maybe you told him- them something they shouldn't know. Maybe you trod on one of their ridiculous customs without knowing it."

"Wait, wait- I don't understand." Jace cuts in, "You're laying all this on Izzy for having a friend in the Downworld?"

"I mean- she can get us answers, Maryse." I side with Jace.

She faces us, "When someone upsets the natural order, everything falls apart."

"Natural order?" Clary spoke up, "What are you saying?"

"I can help." Isabelle stared at him, "I know how to talk to Seelies."

"She's right." Alec nods, "She can visit with Meliorn and see what he knows. I could go with her if you want."

"I'd rather Jace and Zee go along this time." Maryse gave us our orders, "Alec, you stay with the Fairchild girl."

"With all due respect, Maryse-" I softly spoke up, "I'd prefer if I stayed with Clary instead of Alec. She's my little sister- I'd like to keep her in check."

"You're foolish when it comes to family, Zee." Maryse looked at me, "You need to remember that emotions cloud your judgement- that is something you haven't fully understood til this day. You're too reckless to stay with her. I want her under control. She's caused enough trouble already."

I swallow hard, looking down, "Yes, Maryse."

"Maybe that's because I wasn't even a Shadowhunter until a few days ago!" Clary steps back for herself.

"And what an exciting few days it has been." Maryse exclaimed, "The Clave counts on us Lightwoods to maintain order here."

"You don't need to tell me that." Alec stood tall, "If the mission is important to the Clave, I would prefer to be the one who goes with Isabelle."

"You're all so eager to do what you would prefer. It's time to face the truth." Maryse said to us, getting strict, "Life is not about what you want to do, it's about what must be done."

"I have given you your assignments, now carry them out." She orders, pointing at Isabelle, Jace and I, "You three, with me, now."

-

"Alec- you're the acting head of this Institute." I walked with him out of the elevator, putting on my jacket, "If there's a diplomatic mission, you should go. Let's switch assignments- please-"

"Nope." Alec pops the p, "This time I'm actually gonna obey orders, and babysit your sister."

"Now that Jocelyn's kidnapped- Clary is now my responsibility." I stop once we climb the steps and stood in the hall, "I just- you'll keep an eye on her, right?"

Alec stays silent, looking away from me.

"What is wrong with you?" I question, staring at him, "You've been off almost all morning-"

Alec makes eye contact with me, "You have every right to be mad at me."

"What did you do?" My eyebrows furrow, "Accidentally rip one of my drawings?"

"This isn't a joke." Alec's tone was remained serious, causing my expression to drop, "At Magnus's. The demon image of you."

"We do have to talk about that- don't we?" My heart fell, not prepared for this conversation, as I pressed my palms together, "I mean- we love each other. We've known each other for three years."

Alec stares at me as I continued, "I mean- is this what's been bothering you? Because- I completely get it."

"Yeah- you're right." Alec broke out into a nervous smile, "I just thought you'd think that-"

"Think what?" I cross my arms, "I mean- what else would I have thought?"

I was pretending to be all namaste when in reality, I had thought and overthought whatever it could've meant.

Alec swallows hard, his eyes not leaving mine, "I didn't want you to get the wrong idea- as if I was in love with you or something. Because- it's not that- at all- you're totally right. How could we not love each other?"

It was then I felt an intense feeling in my chest that I couldn't decipher. The only thing I could make out was that his words hurt, and I had no idea why.

My arms dropped to my sides, my voice accidentally breaking, "Of course- yeah. I'm glad you cleared it up."

Alec's eyes scan my expression, noticing my reaction.

Emotions cloud your judgement.

I clear my throat, blinking, "If you want to follow Maryse's orders tonight, that's great. But- please, just do me one favor- promise me you won't take your eyes off of Clary."

Alec nods slowly, his lips forming into a pursed pucker, "I promise."

"Okay-" I stood up onto my tippy toes, wrapping my arms around his shoulder, hugging him, my leg folding up at how hard I was trying to meet his height.

Alec bends, wrapping his arms me tightly, closing his eyes, holding onto me.

My heart was racing for some reason, and once my fingertips had touched his neck, I felt his pulse sky rocketing also.

I pulled away, stepping back, giving him a smile.

I turn, heading down the hall, my smile instantly fading.

-

[ alec's pov ]

"Why'd you run out?" I came up behind Clary, "And what's the point of an Invisibility rune if you don't silence your phone? That was childish, sneaking out like that-"

"Simon." Clary answered her phone, "Hey. I know I should have called you right back. I'm really sorry. Are you okay?"

I roll my eyes, Simon speaking, "You know that thing when you think you're catching a cold, but you never actually get sick?"

"Yeah, I totally get it." Clary sighs, "Um, can we talk later? Things are kind of insane right now."

"Insane, how?" Simon questions, "Are you okay?"

"I kind of killed a demon and lost all my memories forever." Clary mumbles.

"You killed a what?" Simon repeats, "Okay, Clary, where are you?"

"I'm at the Brooklyn Academy." Clary spoke, "I'm on my way to-"

"Hang up." I cut in, "That's it, we have to go. Right now."

She ignored me, "I'm on my way to the loft. There's something there that I think could help me find my mother."

"Are you crazy? That's way too dangerous." Simon said, "You think nobody's watching that place?"

"I'm fine." Clary huffs, "I'm with Alec."

"And those words are supposed to make me feel better how?" His words made me roll my eyes, "Yeah, I'm coming to help."

"No, Simon, you've been through enough already." Clary began to deny.

"So have you." Simon argued, "Meet me at the old shortcut. You know the one."

I looked around once Clary hung up, muttering in annoyance, "Mundanes. Look at them. Running around like ants."

"Let's go." I walk past Clary.

Clary's voice stops me, "Why do you always look so miserable?"

I face her, "I don't."

"You do." She argued, "It must be hard being in love with Zee when she's the most oblivious person when it comes to relationships-"

I blink, staring at her, "Excuse me?"

"What- what's the big deal?" Clary scoffs, "I was there when that memory came out. Busted, no?"

I swallow, "You know nothing."

"Alec, just say it, you'll feel better." Clary crosses her arms, "You're in love with Zee."

"Forget it." I shook my head, looking away.

Clary decided to push it, "I don't know how you could be though. She acts as if she cares but- one day she'll leave you like she did me."

Her words angered me, as I became defensive over Zee, "You have no idea what you're talking about. She never stopped caring about you- she kept tabs on you- she gave you the presents you wanted most on the birthdays she wasn't there- she protected you- and still does. Do you know how many times she's saved your life since you've suddenly showed up? And with every stupid remark you've thrown at her- she hasn't said a word back. She takes it because she blames herself for what happened- when it was never her fault. Leaving you wasn't her choice- she was almost exactly in the same situation you're in now when she first showed up and making you think she was dead wasn't her choice. It happened without her consent, and you're putting it all on her."

"Before you try to down talk Zee in front of me-" I stepped closer, "Remember your roots."

Clary stood tall, "Look at you- jumping to her defense. I rest my case."

I step back, swallowing hard.

"Alec, we have a real problem to solve, okay?" Clary walks past me, "Come with me."

I huff, "This better be quick."

-

[ zee's pov ]

"Isabelle." Meliorn smiled when she walked in, then noticed Jace and I follow her in, "I see you brought friends."

"More like brother and sister." Isabelle introduced us, "Jace Wayland and Zee Young."

"Here to deliver a message?" Meliorn looked between us.

"Here to ask questions." I correct him, crossing my arms.

"So- you do want something." Meliorn steps closer to Isabelle, "Nice to know that some things never change."

Jace and I step away, letting them speak amongst themselves, especially since how close they were getting.

"But the information we want will cost you nothing." Isabelle told him.

"Sometimes knowledge is the most precious thing of all." Meliorn held her chin, "Ask away- we can discuss the price later."

"Is it true that your queen has broken off communications with the Clave?" Isabelle questioned.

"You've heard that's the case?" Meliorn questions back.

"Yes." Isabelle nods, "Does it have anything to do with the scouts you sent out after Valentine?"

"Is there another reason you can think of?" Meliorn asks, his attention fixed on her.

Jace eyes the butterflies, deeply invested in them, in intense thought.

I stood on my tippy toes and rested my arm on his shoulder, breaking him away from his thoughts, "Interested in something other than yourself?"

Jace looked at me, shooting me a look, a small smile playing at his lips, shaking his head, facing Meliorn and Isabelle, "Butterflies can mean only one thing- Fair Folk are in mourning."

Meliorn looks down, "How do you know our customs?"

Isabelle smiles, "Apparently, I'm not the only Shadowhunter who enjoys the company of a Fair Folk."

Jace and I walked over to them, Meliorn looking at us, "Maybe if more Shadowhunters exhibited such good taste things would be different today."

"The scouts are dead." I crossed my arms, "That's who you're mourning. Valentine killed them, right?"

"If you know so much, maybe I should be asking you." Meliorn looks between Jace and I.

"If that's true, Valentine needs to be stopped." Isabelle spoke up, "Don't you agree? Why break the Accords now when there's a threat?"

"Perhaps the Accords don't provide equal protection for all Shadow Realms." Meliorn exclaimed, "Perhaps all threats don't affect all of us the same way."

"Valentine threatens everyone." Jace said, crossing his arms.

Meliorn steps back and turns away, "Those who antagonize an enemy stand to lose more."

I scoff, "Which is another way of saying you'll side with whoever wins."

"I promise you, that will be us." Jace stepped up.

"I'm sure you believe that." Meliorn shot us a look before leaving us all alone.

Jace's phone buzzes, as he took it out, looking at the screen, "Damn it, Alec-"

I looked at him, "What?"

"Clary snuck out of the Institute." Jace was already making his way out.

"And yet you're blaming our brother?" Isabelle spoke as her and I followed him, "Fascinating."

-

"Where is she?" Jace walks into Clary's room at the loft, Alec stood alone, kicking something over, "Where's Clary?"

"She's gone." Alec swallowed, not making eye contact with me.

I came next to Jace, "What the hell do you mean, gone?"

"She and Simon got arrested when I was securing the fire escape." Alec stammers out, "I got distracted."

Jace got even more frustrated, "The mundane was here?"

"Simon?" Isabelle repeats, "He's gone, too?"

"It was an unmarked car." Alec finally made eye contact with me, "I don't know where they took her."

Jace stepped closer to him, "What did you do, Alec?"

"Woah-" I stop Jace, "Don't put this on him-"

Jace steps away, grabbing something off Clary's bag, walking out.

Isabelle followed, grabbing her backpack.

Alec looked at me, "Zee- I'm sorry- I broke my promise-"

"It's not your fault." I head right behind Jace and Isabelle, "We just- need to find her."

-

"Damn it." Jace huffs, holding the drawing, as we stood at Simon's short cut, trying to track Clary, "She's not showing up."

Jace faces us, "We need to parabatai track."

Alec walks over, Jace using his stele to draw the rune on his hand, the both of them holding each other's hands tight.

"Alec, concentrate." Jace said, as they tried again, only for Jace to get more frustrated, "Alec!"

"I'm doing it." Alec pulled away, "She's not showing up."

Jace huffs and steps away, running a hand through his hair.

"Just like I thought." Isabelle stepped down the stairs, "She wasn't arrested."

Jace clenches his jaw and walked back over to Alec, "It was your job to look after her-"

"I did my best, Jace." Alec looked at him.

"Then maybe your mother was right, and your best is just isn't good enough-" Jace spat at him.

"Jace!" Isabelle and I raise our voice in him in unison, as he had taken it to far.

"Hey!" Alec stepped closer to Jace, "Are you so blinded by your feelings for Clary, you've lost sight of us?"

Jace argued, stepping toward him also, "Are you so blinded by your feelings for Zee, that you're too worried you'll disappoint her rather than doing your job?"

They both went dead silent, staring right at each other.

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that." I stared at Jace, slowly walking over to them.

Alec sighs, "Clary snuck out. I went after her to protect her. I did nothing you haven't done a thousand times before."

"Yes, you did." Jace said through gritted teeth, "You lost her."

"Okay- enough, both of you." My voice cracking as I raised my voice, coming between them and pushing them apart, "My sister is missing and you guys arguing isn't helping the situation at all."

Jace sighs, "Whoever took Clary and Simon must be holding them over a body of water. That's why our Tracking rune won't work."

Suddenly, a phone rings in Clary's bag, Isabelle looking up, "Clary left her phone in her backpack."

Jace grabs it quickly, answering the call, putting it on speaker, holding it between us all, "Hello?"

"Oh, I thought I'd never utter these words, but- thank god it's you." Simon's voice filled the line, "It's me, Simon."

"Simon-" I exhale, "Where are you? Where's Clary?"

"I don't know." Simon stammers, "Some Chinese restaurant, I think? This cop Alaric arrested us, but it was a total fake-out."

"Alaric took you?" I question, "Isn't he a friend of Luke's?"

"Yeah- him and his buddy, they took us-" Simon was stuttering, "They took us to their hangout and then they told Clary that they'll kill her if they don't find the Cup."

"Simon- breathe-" I spoke, "Tell us what you see."

"Okay- uh, we're definitely on a pier." Simon shuffles around, "There's a ton of water. Uh- I see lockers and I'm in some sort of torture chamber. There's claw marks all over the wall."

"Werewolves." Isabelle looked up.

Alec nods, "That's possible."

"Okay, Simon, you need to get more specific." Jace asked again, "Tell us what you see. Help us find you."

"There's nothing else that can help- wait, hold on!" Simon spoke, "I'm at the Jade Wolf Chinese Restaurant on the pier at Greene St. And they have really inexpensive cocktails- just hurry, just hurry."

"You need to create a diversion." Jace told him, "Stall them."

Simon huffs, "How? All I have are clothes and a lighter."

"Start a fire, Simon." Jace instructed.

"That never works!" Simon blurts out, "Have you ever seen an action movie?"

"We're on our way." Jace hung up, and with that, we were on the move.

-

"Where are you taking me?" Clary's voice filled my ears, making me speed up, Jace and Alec right next to me.

"Someplace safe." Luke's voice followed up, "These people aren't messing around. They will kill you."

I instantly halt, my eyes landing on Luke, who had Clary over his shoulder, confusion and hesitation falling over my actions.

"Alec!" Jace calls, running up behind Luke.

"Got her." Alec stood in front of Luke, stopping him.

"Put her down!" Jace said, hitting Luke in the knee, Luke kneeling, dropping Clary, Alec catching her and setting her down.

"Wait- no- that's Luke-" I rushed over to them, "Jace- wait-"

Jace knocks Luke out, Luke falling to the ground, unconscious.

"What're you doing?" I rushed over to him, "Luke-"

"Luke can't be trusted, Zee!" Clary raises her voice, "Come on- we gotta go-"

Jace looks at Clary, "You okay?"

"I will be." Clary nods, "As soon as we find Simon, come on-"

Clary and Jace start to run in the direction we came in, Alec grabbing my arm, pulling me along no matter my protests.

We reunite with Isabelle and Simon in the front of Jade Wolf, Simon and Clary running into each other's embrace.

"Are you okay? I was so worried." Clary held onto him tight.

Jace cuts in, "I hate to break up this little reunion, but we got a bunch of werewolves trying to kill us so maybe we should get going-"

"Wait, wait, the box." Clary stops him, "My backpack. I think I left it at the loft."

"No, we've got it." Alec exhales, "I didn't screw up everything."

"Let's get out of here, then." Simon starts to walk.

"Wait, Simon!" Isabelle stops him, "Whatever you do, do not make any fast moves."

Growls and snarls filled the cold air, glowing eyes surrounding us, as we were now surrounded by many werewolves.

"This can't be good." Jace exhales sharply, grabbing his seraph blade.

One by one, Isabelle had her whip, Alec pulling out his bow and quiver, as I did my dual kindjals, as we guarded Simon and Clary.

"We're surrounded." Alec eyes our surroundings, "Everyone, stay together."

Simon swallows, "Believe me, I'm not going anywhere."

Jace's voice makes us all face where he was, holding our weapons ready, "Everyone, get back, that's the alpha leader-"

As the alpha was ready to make it's move on us, a howl comes from behind us, another wolf preventing him from doing so.

As they went at each other for a few moments, growls and snarls with every movement, blood was split.

"He's challenging the alpha." Alec told us, as we all watched with a mix of fear and astonishment.

Clary blurts out, "He's helping us!"

Simon shot her a look, "Or cutting in line to kill us."

Suddenly, crates fall over and there was a bright light behind them.

We slowly approached, a man now on the ground, dead, Isabelle exclaiming, "The alpha's dead."

The wolf that defended us steps out from behind the fallen crates and transformed into its normal form, revealing to us that it was Luke.

"Luke-" I exhale out, my eyes widening, my grip of my daggers loosening, noticing the blood dripping down his chest, his clothes ripped up.

Clary's eyes were wide, "Oh, my God, Luke-"

The wolves around us start to howl, transforming into their original forms and bowing before Luke.

"What?" Clary questions, "What is it? What's happening?"

"When a werewolf kills the alpha leader, he becomes the new alpha." Jace explained, "Your friend Luke's the leader of the pack now."

"Clary." Luke spoke, "I promised your mother that I would always protect you."

Clary stared at him, her breathing uneven, blinking as if she was trying to process.

I put my daggers away, taking a step closer to Luke, only for Alec to hold my arm, "No."

I pull my arm away, walking closer to him, Luke's eyes landing on me, as he softly smiled, "Zee-"

Luke's eyes rolled to the back of his head, him falling forward, my eyes widening as I ran and caught him, a small shriek leaving my lips, "Luke!"

"Oh, my God!" Clary rushed over, "Luke-"

"Luke- hey-" I unwillingly teared up, keeping him held up as best I could, "Luke-"

"Hey-" Alec stops Jace from coming over to us, "-we need to get Clary back to the Institute and stay out of Downworlder business."

"Why don't you stay out of it?" Jace snipped, "I'm going to help Zee and Clary."

Alec stares at him, "We have to report back to our mother."

"You and Isabelle can do that." Jace told him, "I'll be fine on my own."

"Jace, think about what-" Alec began.

Jace cuts him off, "Zee is my best friend. I'm going to help her- I'm going to help them."

Alec walks over to me, "Zee- we need to get back to the Institute, please-"

I looked up at him, trying my best to hold Luke up, tears brimming in my eyes, "I am not going back to Institute right now."

Alec goes silent, not knowing what to say to me.

"Luke is a part of my family- and I don't leave my family behind." I told him, "You and Izzy can report back to Maryse."

"His wounds are deep." Jace wraps Luke's arm around him, Luke's other arm around me, "Only a warlock's magic can cure an alpha's bite."

"We have to get him to Magnus- right now-" I moved past Alec, holding Luke with Jace.

"We have to get him to his car." Clary lead us, rushing towards the car.

"Here, I'll drive." Simon ran, "I'm the only one with a mundane license."

We got Luke into the car, Simon starting it, as we piled in, my eyes glued to Alec who was watching us.

"Luke, hey- it's okay." Clary sniffles, holding onto him, "We're getting you help, okay? Just, please, don't leave me again. I can't have anyone else die because of me."

With that, we drove away, my eyes glued to Alec who soon disappeared as we got farther.

authors note:

ahhh zace is such a good brotp yo

was y'all ready for alec to stand up for zee like that or nah

zalec in this chapter has me screechin

it's 3 am and I'm so tired oml-

vote and comment loadsss