"Champagne." The corner of my lip turned up when Jonathan handed me a glass, "I see you know what I like-"

"Of course- and, it is a special occasion." Jonathan poured himself some, "You saved me, Zee."

"Oh, don't flatter me- we both know you would've done the same for me." I leaned back against the wall, "Don't think I didn't notice how you saved me from the pain I felt when they injected you with that serum to try and separate us-"

Jonathan softly smiles, "I would die for you."

"Glad we're on the same page." I raise an brow.

"I've spent so long dreaming of the day that we'd finally be together." Jonathan held his glass up towards me, "To us."

"To us." I clung my glass against his, before taking a sip of the champagne, then setting it down, looking down at my wrist, my thumb gliding over Alec's name.

Jonathan notices, "Something's troubling you?"

"Alec might've broken up with me, but- it won't stop Isabelle and the others on working on a stronger serum to break us apart." I looked up at Jonathan, "Isn't that concerning?"

"No-" Jonathan walked toward me, grabbing my hands, "No one can hurt us if we get the Morning Star first."

I stare at him, "What do you mean?"

"Once we have that sword, the entire world will be terrified of us." Jonathan squeezes my hands, "And they will finally leave us in peace."

"Last time I checked, the Seelie Queen said she will only give you the Morning Star sword if you bring her Lilith's head." I reminded him.

"Well, those were her terms." Jonathan smirks at me, "You up for a trip to Prague, little sister?"

"I'm in." I smirked back lightly, walking past him, taking off my jacket, catching the fire message quickly that came flying at me, my heart stopping.

Jonathan looks at me, his hands in his pockets, "From your Shadowhunter friends?"

"It's from- Jace." I stared at the message in my head, confusion across my face, "He wants to meet."

Jonathan steps closer, "From- Jace?"

"He says his loyalty to me matters more to him than his loyalty to the New York Institute." My eyebrows were furrowed, "He said he loves me- and to prove it, he'll help us get back our family sword."

"No- it's a trap." Jonathan shook his head, "He wants to come between us like Alec did before- don't let his words fool you, little sister."

"He can't." I looked up at him, "I don't have to fight the rune influence because I've given into it. I want you be with you- how is he going to tear us apart?"

Jonathan scoffed quietly, staring at me, "Well, then why do you even need him?"

"He's my best friend, Jonathan." I held the fire message tightly in my fingers, "I thought you'd respect that."

"He wants me dead, Zee." Jonathan looked slightly hurt, "They all want me dead- and now you want to go back?"

"I never said I was going back. If what he says is true-" I said, "I want to hear him out."

-

[ alec's pov ]

"Going in unarmed?" I walked into my office, shaking my head, "I don't like it."

"It's the only way to save Zee." Jace followed.

"If Jonathan smells a rat, you're a dead man." I shot at him, "And if anything- I should be the one going- I'm the reason she went over the edge-"

"It wasn't your fault- alright?" Jace shook his head at me, "Anything would've sent her off the edge- and do you think she's going to be as easy going with her ex boyfriend? She's heartbroken- who knows what she's capable of-"

"Once I get on her good side, we're gonna have real-time intel on their exact location." Jace continued, "The second Isabelle is done with Glorious, we catch them off guard, separate Jonathan and Zee, and then we kill him once and for all."

"Now, remember, you need to make her think you're all for her- since you two have," I clenched my jaw just slightly, grabbing the Seelie rings, "History."

"Look, Alec- I know this is hard for you-" Jace looked slightly guilty, "And I don't want to deceive her either, but-"

"Don't- I deserve it." I muttered lightly, before walking toward him, handing him a ring, "In order for these rings to work and remain invisible, it is imperative that you stay alert."

"What, do you think I'm going to fall asleep?" Jace remarked, putting the ring on as did I, the ring disappearing.

"Stranger things have happened." I thought, as he shot me a look, hearing it right in his mind.

"Hey, um- look, I know you said the timing wasn't right with Zee the other day, but- why didn't you propose?" Jace's words made my heart ache at the thought, "And why did you end things with her?"

I clear my throat, "It's complicated."

"You guys are the least complicated couple that I know-" Jace shot back at me, "I mean- things got hard, but, you and Zee? You guys always made it work- I mean- I kid you not, you guys made me believe in love."

"No matter what happened, you always found your way back to each other- no matter how hard." Jace stares at me, "I can feel that there's something's wrong- that there's something you're not telling me-"

"She is not the woman I loved anymore." I hated myself for uttering the words I did, "I was trying so hard to make it work, but it didn't. Because we aren't meant for each other. I feel nothing but- anger and hatred when I think of her- and I realized that the night I was going to purpose- okay?"

They were far from the truth.

"Sometimes, life just doesn't go the way you want it to- alright?" I was desperate to end this conversation, "Now, can you just go?"

Jace didn't know what to say, "Alec-"

"Just- go, please?" I gestured to the door.

He sighs, leaving my office.

I slowly walked to my desk and sat down, pulling the fire message out of my drawer, staring at the words, small tears filling my eyes.

I was just trying to protect her.

-

[ zee's pov ]

"My sister made me promise not to kill you unless this is an ambush." Jonathan had a blade to Jace's neck immediately, "Maybe- it's my lucky day."

"Watch it." My eyes were glued to Jonathan, slowly walking towards Jace, coming to a stop, looking at him, "You know the drill."

"I came with no weapons, no stele-" Jace let me pat him down, and to my satisfaction, he was clean.

"Drop the dagger, Jonathan." I said, standing up straight, as he obeyed, looking at Jace, "Look, I want you with me- but, I do remember making you promise to kill me if I ever went bad-"

I place my hands onto my hips, staring up at Jace, "How do I know I can trust you?"

"The Clave reinstated the kill order on Jonathan." Jace locked eyes with me, "That means you too."

"Alec." I swallow hard at the mention of his name, "Is he enforcing it?"

"Yes." Jace said, "Look, I can't live without you, Zee- I won't, and so if that means I have to give up everything on everything I love to keep you safe- to keep you both safe, then- so be it."

Jonathan snips, "How touching, you're willing to put up with me as the third wheel."

"Jonathan, enough." I snapped right back at him, "You have no say."

"Look, Zee-" Jace took a few steps toward me, putting his hands on my shoulders, getting unusually close, making me slightly confused, "In your heart- you either know that I'm telling the truth, or you don't- if you don't, then leave me here."

"Excellent advice, let's go, sister." Jonathan cuts in, "You're a Morgenstern; you know better than this."

"No." I stared at Jace, "He's coming with us."

-

"A soldier's more effective with details." Jace's voice filled my ears when I headed towards the room him and Jonathan were in, "Did Daddy not teach you that?"

"You'll be filled in on a need-to-know basis." Jonathan's voice lowered, but I could make out what he was saying, "And while we're at it, I know you're here to get rid of me, brother- and the second you slip, I'll prove it."

"And then, it'll be just me and Zee." He said to him, "The way it's meant to be."

"Jonathan, don't try and scare him off." I walked in, dressed in a black mesh swiss dot dress, that ended mid thigh and was a V neck, "It's pointless."

Jonathan looks at me, "Zee, you look-"

"Stunning." Jace finished for him, his eyes unusually being glued to me, "Wow-"

"Don't be fooled." I lifted the side of my dress to reveal my kindjals in their sheaths; hidden.

Jonathan clears his throat, holding his arm out for me to take, "Shall we?"

"Zee-" Jace called after me when I walked toward Jonathan, "Maybe- you'd like to tell me what the plan is for obtaining Morning Star?"

"Why didn't you tell him?" I looked at Jonathan, to Jace, "We are going to kidnap the Seelie Queen."

-

"I've never been in love with a city more." I walked between Jonathan and Jace, "It's so beautiful."

"We'll have to come back." Jace said to me, making me stop and look at him, "I'll take you for a boat ride on the river-"

"A boat ride?" I tilted my head lightly, nudging his side a little bit, "Kinda romantic for us, don't you think?-"

"Ahem-" Jonathan cuts in, "We're here."

Jace pointed out, "Clearly the bouncer isn't happy about it."

"What's Kosti Lustr?" I questioned.

"It means Bone Chandelier- the Queen's favourite hangout, for Downworlders only." Jonathan told us, "Wait here- I'll work my connections to get us inside."

"I'm watching you." Jonathan said to Jace, before walking away from us, walking over to the bouncer.

"Just- give him time." I slipped my hands into my coat pockets, sighing at Jace, "Once he trusts you, he's a lot nicer- all he wants is love."

"And all I want is you, Zee-" Jace took a few steps closer to me, making me blink a few times, staring at him.

I was caught off guard, "What?-"

"Zee, do you remember the first time we trained together?" Jace put a strand of my hair behind my ear, "Or when you tried to teach me how to draw-"

"How could I forget?" I lightly joked, not thinking anything of it, "Our nights always ended up- very, eventful-"

"Please, come back to me-" Jace stares into my eyes, looking between them, sighing, "Please come home."

"Are you okay?" I blink, "You're being- really weird."

Jace stares at me, going quiet.

"I'll- give you a minute?" I patted his shoulder, "I'm gonna go help Jonathan sweet talk us in-"

-

"Nice chandelier-" I ran a hand through my hair and messed it up lightly when we walked into the club, "Whose bones are those?"

"Shadowhunters." Jonathan replies to me, "Stick with me, sis- you won't become part of the decor."

"Unless that Seelie sees you." Jace slyly gestured, "The blue sigil mark means he's part of the Queen's security detail- probably best we don't buy him a drink."

"Evening, Tsunae." Jonathan walked us over to the bar, "The regular, three shots."

"All right- the Queen will arrive shortly." Jonathan instructed us, "She'll be seated at her favourite table, our opportunity arises when her head knight takes her upstairs for a rendez-vous with her new warlock lover."

"She'll be distracted." I nod once, "Okay- Jace and I will take out the knight."

Jonathan nodded along with me, "I grab the Queen, Zee portals the three of us away."

"The four of us." Jace corrected him, "Including the Queen."

"Yeah, of course." Jonathan says, "That's what I meant-"

When blue droplets started to fall all throughout the club, making everyone squeal and be quick to take it, I question, "What's going on? What is this stuff?"

"It's clearly some kind of Seelie drug." Jace said, "Don't take it-"

I didn't hesitate, sticking my tongue out, taking it.

"No!" Jace grabbed my arm, "Why did you-"

"Ah, surely you're not against having a little fun?" Jonathan cut in almost immediately, looking between us, "You know, all work and no play makes Jace a dull boy."

Jace snips at him, "We are on mission- we need to stay focused."

"Are you worried about everyone? Or just you?" Jonathan took the drug, "Prove it."

Jace clenched his jaw, then took the drug, swallowing it, "Happy now?"

"Ecstatic." I grabbed his hands, pulling him onto the dance floor, almost immediately feeling the effects, "Dance with me."

I swayed my body to the music the moment we hit the dance floor, my body close to his due to how crowded it was.

My arms wrapped around his neck, his hands grabbing at my waist, the both of us high off the drug.

I took the drug to get my mind off Alec.

The closer we got while dancing, the closer did our faces, one of my hands to the back of his neck, our foreheads together, our lips inches apart, as I felt his hot breath right on me.

My lips brushed against his, and for a moment, I thought about how Alec was his parabatai and best friend, "Alec-"

"He doesn't matter anymore-" Jace's voice was low.

I then remember, "And Clary?-"

Jace shushed me by pressing our lips together.

My leg immediately hooked around his waist, pulling him closer to me, the kiss starting to become more fast paced and lustful.

I was desperately trying to get Alec out of my head.

It didn't work.

I pulled away from Jace, my hands gripping his arms, taking a step back, realization crossing over my face, my voice quiet, "I don't- I don't want this-"

Before Jace could reply, I walked past him and quickly rushed over to the bar, pulling out my stele, running it over my Iratze, freeing myself from the drug's influence.

My heart aches in pain, as I touched my necklace, holding onto it tightly, tears starting to burn in my eyes.

I couldn't bring myself to take it off.

"Sister-" Jonathan walks over to me, noticing me holding onto my bracelet, "He's not worth it."

I don't look at him, "You don't know anything, Jonathan."

"I know that you loved him with all your heart and he broke up with you because you were going through a hard time. I know enough." Jonathan smacks away my hand, then pulled the necklace off my neck, "You don't need this reminder of him-"

"No-" I got defensive, "Jonathan, don't touch that-"

"You need to forget him- I'm trying to help you, sister-" Jonathan raises his arm to throw the necklace into the crowd, "The thought of him will only bring you down and you're better than that-"

"Jonathan, I said no!" I raised my voice and snatched the necklace from him, my eyes wide with slight anger, "I'm not ready to let go of him."

Jonathan stares at me for a few seconds while I put my necklace back on without another question, then notices something across the hall, "It's time to get what we came for."

I walked away from him without another word, grabbing my stele and activating Jace's Iratze, "That's us."

Jace began when we started to follow Jonathan, "Not to question your brother's strategy, but- it might be nice to have something before I take out a Seelie-"

"Sorry-" I snuck a dagger into his hand, "He made me promise not to arm you until the last second."

When he walked away, I noticed all the guards surrounding him, Jonathan coming to my side "Jonathan, what did you do?"

"He's a traitor." Jonathan said to me, "He's been using a Seelie ring to foil our plan."

I shook my head, my eyes glued, "No-"

"This is our chance to get to the Queen; to get our family sword!" Jonathan put me a tough spot, "Who do you trust? Me or Jace?"

I look at him, "Don't put me in that position."

"Zee, stick to the plan!" Jonathan pushed when they started to attack Jace, who struggled to stay in one piece.

"He's my best friend, Jonathan!" I snipped at him, "I can't let him die!"

Jonathan continued to try and persuade me, "I swear to you, he is against us, not with us!"

I looked between the two, before shaking my head and taking out my kindjal, throwing it to him, "Jace!"

Despite Jonathan's protests, I rushed over to Jace and helped him fight off the guards, until I heard Jonathan call out for me after we had taken them all out, "Zee, we've gotta go! Now!"

I flipped my kindjal in my hand and put it to Jace's neck, "Jonathan says you're wearing a Seelie ring-"

"You betrayed me." I grabbed his hand and pulled it off his finger, looking up at him, "I trusted you- are you trying to take me away from my brother?"

"Hey, listen to me!" Jace grabbed my arms, looking right into my eyes, "I'm trying to save you!"

I scoff, "Save me?-"

"This isn't who you are, Zee! You have a good heart-" Jace tried, "Come home with me!"

"This is who I am." I felt nothing but hatred towards him, tears of anger starting to pool in my eyes, "I'm only going to say this once- you try and take me from Jonathan again? I will show you just as much mercy I'll show the rest of your friends. None-"

My eyes started to glow gold, as I pushed open a portal and threw him into it, sending him right back to the Institute, before portalling Jonathan, the Seelie Queen and I back to the apartment.

I knocked the Seelie Queen out right as we got there, her body going limp on the ground, my body tense.

Jonathan hesitantly put a hand on my back, noticing my anger, "Are you okay, sister?"

"Jonathan, once we get the Morning Star Sword-" I stayed still, a tear falling from my eye, "I want every memory I have of Alec erased from my mind."

authors note:

LET ME EMPHASIZE: JACE ONLY DID ALL THAT BECAUSE HE WAS TRYING TO GET ZEE TO BELIEVE HE WAS ON THEIR SIDE. HE WAS DECEIVING HER. period, y'all can't be pressed

zee's loyalty to alec tho- even if he broke her, and now she wants to forget him, oh my godddd

and alec's putting all the blame on himself, awh

tbh, i kinda like evil zee

although, i'm anxious publishing this, i hope you guys like this chapter ! for some reason , i feel like it isn't the best

but- another update, i be overworking myself skskskks it's okay tho !

but, thank you for 124k !!

go read metanoia !

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