"I thought these wards were airtight." Aldertree said to Alec and I when we met up in the Ops Center, everyone on the move, the alarms blaring and the lights blinking red.

"That apparently doesn't seem to be the case, does it?" I remarked, flipping my kindjals in my hands, looking at Aldertree, "How many soldiers are here?"

"Only two dozen." Aldertree said, "Everyone else is out dealing with the Downworld attacks-"

"I'll take the entry with Zee." Alec nodded once at him, holding his bow and arrow tight.

"We'll cover the weapons room." Aldertree nodded back and walked away with his group of soldiers.

I swallowed hard, gripping my kindjals tight while walking with Alec toward the entrance, "You think this is my dad?"

Alec exhales, "Only one way to find out-"

I halt when Madzie caught my eye, everyone stopping along with me, Alec instructing to them, "Hold your fire-"

"Madzie?" I let my guard down slowly, taking a step closer to her, "You didn't- do this, did you?-"

Madzie looks at me, "I'm sorry."

My eyes trailed behind her to see the trail of bodies, my heart stopping at the sight, not words leaving my mouth.

And then, Valentine slowly walked in behind her, his hands behind his back, grinning toward me.

My heart dropped, my breathing slow, "Dad-"

"Hello, Zee-" Valentine greeted me, and before we could get ready to defend ourselves, Madzie used her magic to throw Alec into the elevator, waving her hand towards me at the same time, as I suddenly felt dizzy, falling to the ground, my vision going black.

-

A small grunt left my lips when I came to, my body feeling sore as I felt myself on the ground.

My eyes opened, blinking a few times to focus my vision, noticing the chains around my wrists as I slowly sat up, looking around to see I was in an empty room.

I got up quickly, noticing how I was weaponless, rushing to the door to try and open it, only for it to be locked.

I raised my foot to kick it open, when Valentine's voice filled my ears from behind, "Hello, my dear-"

I froze and turned, looking at him, "Dad-"

"It's been a while- last time we saw each other- I recall you jumping off my ship?" Valentine crossed his arms and stared at me, "Now- what was that about? I thought we were in this together."

"Seriously, dad?" I swallowed hard, thinking of a lie on spot, "We are in this together- you think if I stayed on the ship, I would've won their trust over?"

Valentine scoffed lightly at me, "You've grown soft, Zee- you came back to them-"

"They never made me soft- I learned my lesson." I stepped closer to him, "You don't think I know you need me for the Soul Sword? As long as they think I'm on their side- I'm not a target. They won't stop me when they see me near the sword- they'll think I'm trying to stop you."

Valentine stares at me, his expression faltering, "You've been here undercover?"

"Of course." I pulled lightly on the chains he had around my wrists, "I'm with you- til the bitter end."

I took a step closer to him, "Now, why don't you let me out of these and we can go activate that damn sword?"

"Not just yet-" Valentine gripped my arm and pulled me out of the room and into Aldertree's office, where Simon sat tied to a chair, my eyes widening at the sight, "You need to prove your loyalty to me."

"What?" I snipped at him, playing the act, "Why would I need to prove my loyalty to the Circle- you're my father."

"Because you've been with them too long."  Valentine pulled out his seraph blade and put it in my hands, grabbing his phone out and setting it up against something.

"What're you doing-" I watched him, gripping the blade tightly, my thoughts going to use it on him but I stop myself, "What do you want me to do?"

Valentine dialed Clary's number for video chat, my heart beat starting to race, "Slit his throat."

I swallowed hard, staring at him.

If I tried to use this blade on him, I'd blow my cover.

I looked at Simon when Clary answered the call, stood with Magnus, "Simon!-"

Simon's strong.

He'll make it.

I'll make sure of it.

I slowly walked behind Simon, staring at the phone, holding the blade tight in my hand, Magnus going slightly wide eyed, "Biscuit-"

"Hello, Clarissa." Valentine crouched in front of the camera, "Your sister and I- we've come to an understanding. An understanding I wish you'd reach- but, it seems that you're too naive to do so. So- here's a little motivation."

Simon began, "Zee- you don't have to do this-"

Valentine looked back at me, as I clenched my jaw, masking my true feelings, before gripping Simon's hair and using the blade to slit his throat open.

Clary screamed as Valentine ended the call, smirking at me, "Welcome back, my dear."

-

"Aye-" I picked on the Circle member that Valentine left me alone with, still hesitant to leave me alone with Simon, pulling on my chains, "Care to help a girl out?"

He shook his head, "I have orders."

"And those orders are to keep me in here-" I then took a step toward the door, "What if I just?-"

He pulled out his sword to threaten me, "I'm warning you- don't pull anything-"

"Or you'll what?-" I baited him, provoking him further, "You'll put me down? Do it-"

He swung at me to try and scare me, but I put my wrists up quickly, letting his blade break my chains, before roundhouse kicking his blade out of his hands and up into the air, catching it myself.

Before he could do anything, I pierced the blade into him, killing him in an instant, pulling the blade out.

I pulled off the chains and pulled open the door, heading out into the hall, moving through it to try and find my way back to the office without fighting another member so I could save Simon.

I moved down the hall when I heard Aldertree's voice from the roof, which's door was open, making me stop, "Four against two."

Alec's voice coming right after his made my heart race, "Could be worse."

A small huff left my lips when I admitted to myself that I couldn't leave them to fight alone, before rushing towards the sound, picking up a seraph blade that was discarded on the ground.

I flipped both blades in my hands and immediately pierced them in the backs of two circle members that blocked my vision from Alec and Aldertree, the other two looking back at me almost instantly.

I pulled my blades out, the two in front of my dropping dead, Alec's eyes widening, his expression falling into relief at the sight of me, "Zee!-"

I gave him a sly smirk for a moment, before dealing with the other two members, my blades clashing with theirs until I had the upper hand, killing the first and knocking the other to the ground, stabbing both blades into him at once.

"Hey, babe-" I breathed out after pulling out one of my seraph blades, looking up at him, letting the pet name slip, "Thought I'd come save your ass while I had the time-"

"Are you alright?-" Alec rushed over to me and grabbed my face, wiping a spot of blood on my cheek, his eyes scanning my face, "I thought you were hurt- that Valentine had you- after Madzie locked me in the elevator-"

"I have it handled-" I ran a hand through my hair to fix the mess it was, "Can't stay long, though- I've got to fix something I screwed up-"

Alec gapes, "What did you do now?-"

I fake gasp at him, and lightly shoved his shoulder playfully, "In my defense- I had no other choice."

Alec softly smiles at me, leaning down and pressing his lips into mine for a few seconds, before pulling away and looking back at Aldertree, who's astonished and admiring expression had hardened.

"You get that off-" I pointed, then took a step back from Alec, "I need to go find Simon-"

"The vampire?-" Alec looks back down at me.

I nodded once, "Yeah-"

"Okay-" Alec lingered his hand with mine for as long as he could, "Be safe-"

"I'll try-" I pursed my lips and swallowed hard, squeezing his hand, as I quickly turned and rushed off.

-

I turned the corner and quickly opened the door to the office, acting quick and killing the Circle member that watched Simon bleed out.

I pulled my blade out, then dropped it, rushing over to Simon, "Hey, hang on, okay?- I came for you-"

"Stay with me, Simon- you're gonna be okay-" I grabbed a small blade and slit my wrist open, dropping it before putting my hand on the back of his head, putting my wrist by his mouth, "Come on, Simon- drink-"

Simon opened his eyes lightly, barely shaking his head at me even though I was the one who had done this to him.

"Drink my blood, Simon- drink it right now," I raised my voice lightly, bringing my bloody wrist closer to his mouth so my blood stained his lips, "I'm not going to have your life on my hands-"

Simon slowly sung his fangs into my wrist, and the moment he sucked on my blood, my eyes rolled to the back of head, my head slowly falling forward and into his shoulder at the immediate ecstasy I felt.

No wonder Isabelle was hooked.

"Zee!-" Valentine's voice echoed, "He's drinking too much- stop him! Stop him!"

I was brought back to my senses when two men teared Simon's fangs away from my wrist, my gaze falling onto my father who stared at me with a small look of anger, "Do you have any idea what you've done?-"

"He was dying-" I stood up, grunting when he grabbed my bleeding wrist and ran his stele over my Iratze, healing my wound, along with the high I felt, "I saved a life-"

"A monster's life." Valentine let go of me, staring at me, "And for what? He's just gonna die with the rest of the Downworld when you activate that sword."

"You have demon blood, you lunatic!" I raised my voice at him, taking a step closer, "You have the same blood running through your veins as he does- he is not a monster."

"And to think I really thought you were on my side." Valentine blinked at my outburst, shaking his head at me lightly, "Tie her back up-"

Simon got up and tackled Valentine to the ground, as I grabbed the seraph blade from the ground and fought off the two Circle members that Valentine brought in here.

I looked back at Simon when I pulled the blade out after killing both men, noticing how he had knocked Valentine out, breathing heavy, "Nice-"

"Thanks-" Simon breathes out and looked at me, "Thought you went crazy for a second-"

"Don't doubt me, Fangs-" I dropped the seraph blade when I noticed my kindjals and stele, rushing over to those, shoving my stele in my pocket and flipping my kindjals in my hands, "Sorry- by the way- did what I had to do to buy some time-"

"I get it-" Simon nodded lightly at me, understanding, "Just glad you're not on his side- then, we'd be screwed."

A stiff chuckle left my lips as I grabbed a dagger from the frame, tossing it to him, "Point and stab?"

"That's the basics of it- right?" Simon caught it.

"Just stick to it- come on, we've got to get to the sword-" I opened the door and rushed out into the hall, Simon following right behind me.

-

"Hey, about, you know, what happened back there-" Simon said to me lowly as we walked through the halls of the Institute; armed, "I've heard of blood thirst, even felt it, but- never that badly."

I held a tight grip on my kindjals, "Okay, and?"

"Once I started feeding, I- I couldn't stop." Simon exhales slowly when we came to a stop, as I slowly peaked my head to look into the Ops Center, "I'm really sorry."

"Don't apologize." I looked back at him, "I did that to you- I deserved whatever was coming for me."

Simon stares at me with guilt in his eyes, swallowing hard, "I would have killed you."

I stare back at him, my voice lowering at my words, "I would have let you."

"You, like, rescued me from actual death, so thanks." Simon didn't take my words into consideration at first, "A lot."

"Hey, you know how you can thank me?" I brought up, snipping at him, "Shut up-"

"Right." Simon nodded lightly, then points, "Looks like they have the sword tapped into that power thing."

"Get back-" I pulled him back, staring at him, "You're gonna get us caught, idiot-"

"Sorry, sorry-" Simon apologizes, whispering, "Alright, so- what's the game plan?"

"I don't know yet." I admitted, swallowing hard, "I say we just- run and kill-"

"Really?" Simon gapes at me for a second, "Zee, come on- you usually have good ideas-"

"Well, sorry- I'm out of creative juice right now?" I stood straight, "Fine, let's go around the corner- cover some more ground- wipe more members out before we go in-"

"Better-" Simon points at me.

I roll my eyes as we turned to start moving, but immediately came to a stop at the sight of Madzie.

"Madzie, no-" My voice fell into a gasp when her hand moved and put me back to sleep, as I fell to the ground, my vision going black.

-

"No!-" I let out an ear piercing scream, fighting in the grip of two circle members that were dragging me towards the Soul Sword, my wrists in chains once again, my kindjals being confiscated by Valentine.

I kicked my feet around after they had lifted me up, since I was trying to pull back with my feet on the ground.

I moved quick and kicked one right in the face, reaching my wrists back and bringing the chain to the others neck, flipping back and pulling him down, letting him struggle under the chain before he couldn't anymore.

I formed my hand into a fist and knocked the other one out, breathing heavy when I turned to look at the sword, only to see the two members from before guarding it, and Valentine stood in front of me, watching me, "Impressive."

"Shut the hell up-" I breathed out, taking a step back.

"You know, I never understood why you favored these over your seraph blade." Valentine held my kindjals, "I've got to admit- you really do work with them."

"Quit stalling." I snipped at him and pulled on the chains, "Let me out of these- I'll show you what you're up against."

Valentine smirked at me, before tossing my kindjals to the side and coming over to me, breaking me out of the chains, then placing a seraph blade in my hand.

"Didn't think you'd actually do it." I gripped the blade, staring at him, "Bad choice-"

"No, no- this is going- exactly how I've planned-" Valentine pulled his blade out and shook his head at me, before swinging his blade toward me.

I dodged, then immediately went for it, our swords swishing and clashing against each other's with every swift movement.

My jaw clenched with every block of his, as I swung my sword back and went to pierce it into him, but he was quicker, using his sword to force mine out of the way, then pierce his right into my middle.

A broken gasp left my lips, dropping my blade, looking down at the sharp end that was causing blood to ooze out of me.

"You're going to kill your own daughter?-" I mustered out in coughs, falling to my knees when he pulled the blood dripping blade out, my hands going to the wound, "This was your plan?-"

"Tough sacrifice to make, but-" Valentine grabbed my wrists, staring right at me, "Zee, this planet is under siege by demon-blooded creatures, intent on death and destruction- once I wield that sword, the Downworld will no longer be part of our world- and the lives of my children- your brother and sister- will be that much safer."

My voice broke, "Well, what about me?"

"I wanted you to be a part of it- more than anything, you're my daughter- and who I thought- was my most loyal solider- but?" Valentine swallowed hard, pulling me to my feet, starting to drag me towards the sword, "If you are preventing yourself from helping me- save the rest of humanity? I have to do this-"

"I won't do it!-" I raised my voice, coughing lightly, tasting blood in my mouth, trying to pull from his grip, "You can't make me!-"

"Unfortunately, you don't get to decide that." Valentine pulled on my wrists harder, "Thankfully for you, you won't be here much longer to suffer being in this world- around Downworlders-"

I couldn't speak, my heart racing at the thought that my father was willingly sacrificing me for his own mission.

It took me a few moments to process what was happened as he dragged me toward the sword, no strength in me to fight back.

But, unexpectedly, I could feel the wound Valentine had carved in me start to heal, my eyes beginning to glow gold, along with my Iratze.

I let out a shaky breath, before acting fast, pushing my foot up against what held the sword in place and flipped back, gripping his arms and throwing Valentine to the ground in front of me.

I breathed heavy, staring at my father who was gaping up at me in shock, my eyes bright gold, my hands shaking at my sides, my wound healed.

My jaw clenched, wiping the blood from my mouth, grabbing my kindjals from the ground, charging for him as he got up, blocking my swing with his seraph blade.

Valentine was too shocked to say something, only fighting back in defense as our blades clashed together.

But, it wasn't long before the Ops Center started pouring in with circle members, an entire group making their way towards us.

They caught my eye, distracting me for just a moment, giving Valentine enough time to knock me to the ground.

I grunted, my kindjals falling away from me, looking up towards my father, scooting back lightly as he inched closer to me.

Before he could do anything, Margaret had suddenly thrown herself onto the field, taking my defense.

"Margaret?-" Multiple arms grabbed me, beginning to drag me away as I started fighting in their grip, shrieking and trying to break free to get to my parents, "Margaret- get out of here!"

I fought my best, trying to pry away from the group, as I watched Margaret and Valentine fight in the corner of my eye.

Valentine looked sympathetic, but didn't let his own love get in the way, impaling his sword right into her.

My breathing stopped along with my heart the moment I broke free, my eyes slightly wide, staring at what my father had done to my mother.

It was like time had slowed as he pulled the sword.

Her body fell to the ground, blood staining her shirt from the wound that was pouring out and slowly killing her.

I couldn't move.

My body felt like it couldn't function.

I didn't know why I felt.

It was too much.

My eyes were glued to her, my mouth slightly opened in shock, collapsing onto my knees.

But, the moment my knees touched the ground, a burst of energy erupted from me, a blast forming outward from me, knocking all the men, including Valentine off their feet and out cold.

This made me snap back into reality.

I looked down at my shaky hands, before swallowing hard and forcing myself up, rushing over to my dying mother, skidding onto my knees next to her, "Hey- hey, you're gonna be okay-"

"Zee-" Margaret breathes out, her hand over the wound, blood oozing everywhere, "That- that was insane- how did you?-"

"No, no, sh- save your strength okay-" I cut her off because even I had no idea, pulling out my stele and repeatedly tried to Iratze her healed, but it didn't work, "Don't worry- everything's gonna be fine-"

"Zee," Margaret coughed lightly and stopped my hand, looking at me, her voice raspy, lightly shaking her head, "No it's not."

"I'm so- I'm so sorry- you don't deserve this- not you-" I breathed slowly, dropping my stele, holding her hand tightly in both of mine, "This is all my fault- I came back- I came back, and now you're dying- it's not supposed to be like this-"

"Darling-" Margaret weakly smiles at me through her pain, her voice breaking, holding my hand tighter, "This isn't your fault."

I stared at her, tears starting to slowly burn in my eyes even when I tried to not let them, "Just- just, hang on- okay, it's- I'll figure something out, and- you'll make it-"

Margaret stares at me, tears slowly falling from her eyes as she watched me try to assure her that it would be alright, "Zee, it's okay."

My mouth was slightly opened, my eyes glued to her, not wanting to accept the fate that was right in front of me.

"I am- so happy you're home." Margaret's voice was shaky and barely there, "With your friends- your sister- with Alec. I only wish I could've been there for the wedding-"

"Wedding?" I whispered out, trying to keep her talking to keep her awake, "You think we're going to get married?"

"I know it-" Margaret started to slowly close her eyes, "Tell him you love him."

I stammer, "I- love?-"

"I know your father- he's taught you that to love is to destroy and to be loved is to be the one destroyed- but that's- so far from the truth-" Margaret's blinked slowly, "It's strength- they're what you're fighting for- you're not alone anymore, Zee."

I squeezed her hand lightly in response, but then her head leaned back completely, her eyes closing, "I love you- so much-"

"Hey, hey-" My heart stopped, as I lightly shook her immediately, "Stay awake- keep your eyes open-"

"Tell me- tell me more, I want to know more-" My attempts had no response, my voice shaky as I noticed her go limp, "Mom?-"

When she didn't respond, I pulled back and scooted backwards until my back hit the pillar, swallowing hard.

She was gone.

And I felt vulnerable.

I blinked away tears the moment I heard rushed footsteps, along with Clary's shout, "Jace, don't do it!-"

My eyebrows furrowed when I saw Jace quickly walked towards the sword, his eyes glued to it, Simon holding Clary back.

"Jace-" I trailed off, slowly standing up to my feet, "Jace, what're you doing?"

Jace looked back immediately at the sound of my voice, his eyes shooting to Margaret, dead in the ground, then back to me.

"If he touches the sword, he'll destroy it!-" Clary immediately told me, "But, it'll kill him too-"

"What?-" I blinked, then looked back at Jace, taking a step closer, "Jace, don't you dare touch that sword-"

Jace's voice sounded broken while looking at me, his eyes filled with pain, "I have to-"

"Jace, please- I just lost my mother." I took another step closer cautiously, "I can't lose you too, Jace-"

Jace swallows hard, "I'm sorry-"

"Jace-" My voice started to raise when he turned and gripped onto the sword, a gasp leaving my lips, "Jace, no!-"

Jace grunted when he came in contact with the sword and fell to the ground, dropping it, groaning on the ground in pain.

"Jace!-" I rushed over to him and fell to my knees beside him, one hand falling onto his arm and the other on his chest.

Valentine stumbled up to his feet and immediately grabbed the sword before any of us could make a move, "You're nothing if not predictable, son."

"What- what was that-" I stammered, looking towards Valentine in triumph, "I thought he couldn't activate the sword- I thought I was supposed to- he- how did that activate the sword, he has demon blood-"

"I needed a back up plan in case you weren't in your right mind-" Valentine softly chuckled to myself when tons of Downworlders started to run into the Ops Center.

My eyes widen, "No-"

But, it was too late, as Valentine had raised his arm and activated the sword, the light bright and shining throughout the entire room, my hands flying up to cover my eyes, as his action made every Downworlder collapse onto the ground except for Simon.

When the blinding light disappeared, I slowly let down my hands to Valentine gone, and Clary being the first to speak, "Oh, my God- Simon, you're okay-"

"How?" Simon breathes out, "Every other Downworlder in here, they- they're all dead."

"I don't know." Clary swallows, "I just pray the adamas in the walls contained the blast- and that Magnus made it out before it-"

"Magnus-?" My heart stopped, my head immediately snapping towards her, my tone raising, "Magnus was here? You brought Magnus here-"

"I know, I know-" Clary immediately said, "Him and I parted ways- I- I don't know where he is-"

I stared at her, "If he's dead, you're next, Fairchild-"

Simon stopped me from going further, questioning, "Where's Valentine?"

I clench my jaw, "He's gone."

Jace gasped, blinking a few times, looking at me, getting up to his feet quick, pulling me up with him, his eyes starting to burn with tears as he looked around at what he had caused.

I pulled my hands from his, my jaw remaining clenched, my body tense as I took a few steps back, looking around at what had happened.

I felt an overwhelming amount of anger.

He tricked Jace.

He killed an enormous group of Downworlders.

One of them could be Magnus.

And he had killed my mother.

"I don't understand-" Jace broke the silence, "How did I activate the sword?"

"Only someone with pure angel blood could have done it." Clary replied when I didn't, "You don't have demon blood, Jace-"

Suddenly, Alec ran in, slowly coming to a stop, looking around at the countless dead bodies, then looking between us all, "Zee- the sword?"

"I did it-" Jace let a year fall, breathing out shakily, "I thought I was destroying it, Alec-"

"Zee?" Alec softly said my name and slowly took a few steps toward me, gently grabbing my arm in comfort, "Hey- look at me."

I slowly looked up at him, swallowing hard and pulling away from his touch, grabbing a seraph blade from the ground, my tone dangerously low, "Valentine-"

"Zee, wait-" Jace began to say, but I was already running off and out of the Institute.

-

"I always thought this moment would bring me joy." Valentine stood over a wounded and bare Luke, just outside the Institute, holding the Soul Sword, "But- I was wrong."

Valentine raised his sword to finish him off, but I was quick, running onto the grass and blocking his swing with my blade, pushing him back with force.

My jaw was clenched, fumed with complete anger as I swung my sword at him, our blades connecting, the both of us trying hard to push back at each other.

Valentine knocked my blade out of my hands, making us both grasp for the Soul Sword, gripping onto it tight, my angered scream leaving my lips, "Murderer!"

My tone remained the same, "You killed her- you killed the love of your life- did you ever love her? Did you ever love me? Did you take a second to think about how her death would affect me?"

"Of course, I loved her- her death is going to be something I regret my entire life, but it was a sacrifice that I had to make- because the outcome- will be worth it." Valentine snipped back at me, "As long as she was here, she would continue brainwashing you- look at what she's done to you-"

"For the past three years, all I've needed was you- Zee, you are my greatest achievement- that- power- that struck us all back in the Institute- you're so powerful." Valentine continued, "But- look at what's being here- with your mother- what it's done to you-"

"What it's done to me is taught me how to love someone- it's given me a family- it's given me light." I grit my teeth, "With you, I was always surrounded by darkness- with pain, emptiness- murder-"

"Are you out of your mind?" Valentine gaped at me, "You aren't capable of love."

"You can't reciprocate what he feels- because you aren't capable of it- you're wired this way." Valentine went on, "Love, isn't in the cards for you, my dear- it's about time you understand that- you think your boy's going to stick around after he realizes that?"

I began to speak, "Stop it-"

"You think after who you are- who you're wired to be, he'll stay with you? That you two will make it?" Valentine taunted me, "He's merely a distraction-"

I broke, "You don't have all the facts!"

"Which are?" Valentine questioned.

My entire body was tense as I shouted at him, my eyes glued to his, "I love him!"

My heart raced at admitting it out loud.

And I held the Truth Sword.

"Alec has stuck by me since they had me locked up in a cell- he's been there for me- he's risked his life for me- even before we were together- when everyone thought I was going to betray them because I was your daughter." I breathed heavily, tightening my grip, "He brought me back."

"He was by my side through all of it- and that's someone you don't give up on- that's someone worth fighting for-" I raise my voice, "And I will not stop fighting for him."

Valentine scoffs, "You're lying to yourself-"

"You're the only one lying here!" I called him out on the spot, "You said Jace had demon blood- you- lied- about him- you experimented on your children- you're playing us like pawns!"

"Jace isn't my child." Valentine breathed out, "He's not your brother- Margaret was not his mother-"

I scoffed at him, "More lies-"

"Don't I wish." Valentine scoffed right back at me, "Truth sword, remember?"

This fueled me farther, as I pushed him off and knocked the Soul Sword out of his hands, clenching my jaw as my fist came in contact with his jaw.

I saw red, my fists flying towards him repeatedly, fighting him off, not taking a moment to breathe.

All you heard was our grunts and groans in pain as we threw ourselves at each other for what felt like the hundredth time today.

But, this time, I had him on the ground.

My foot had come up and shoved him onto the ground, where he lied in pain, bleeding from wherever my fist had come in contact with.

The corner of my lip was bleeding, along with my head, and I felt overwhelmingly exhausted, but that didn't stop me.

I breathed out, taking a few steps back, grabbing my seraph blade from the ground, flipping it in my hand, my eyes glued to him.

Many rushed footsteps filled my ears, but I ignored them, making my way voice to Valentine, pulling the sword up, a small shout leaving me lips.

"Zee, wait!" Clary's shout made me freeze in place, my head snapping towards the sound, noticing Jace, Alec, Simon and Clary, "The Mortal Cup is still out there- he's the only one who knows where it is."

"You think I give a damn about the Mortal Cup?" I gaped at her, raising my voice at her almost immediately, "He killed my mother!"

"Zee- please." Jace locked eyes with me, "You and I both know what the Clave will do to him-"

I stared at him for a few seconds, then clenched my jaw and dropped my position, holding the blade towards Valentine, "You're lucky."

-

"A sight to see." Aldertree breathes out when I walked into the Institute with Valentine cuffed, "Valentine Morgenstern in the custody of the Clave, where you will rot for your remaining days."

Valentine gave him a smug look, which Aldertree questioned, "Where is the Soul-Sword?"

"I have no idea." Valentine said.

"Our interrogation techniques have improved since you were one of us." Aldertree smirked lightly.

"You can torture me all you want." Valentine replied, "I don't know where it is."

"Don't believe a word that comes out of his mouth." I stood in front of Aldertree, staring right at my father, "Last chance- what else have you lied about?"

"I know after all that you've learned- I seem deceiving." Valentine huffed lightly, "One thing I didn't lie about is my love for you, Zee."

"Get him out of my sight-" I rolled my eyes and ran a hand through my messy hair, looking at the two guards, who pulled him away from Aldertree and I.

"You never cease to impress me, Zee." Aldertree suddenly spoke, making me turn my head and look at him, "You're an- extremely powerful woman."

I shot him a look, then walked past him, walking through the Institute because he wasn't my priority right now.

Magnus was.

"Where's Magnus?" I didn't stop moving, questioning Clary, "Has he still not shown up? Have you found a body- is he- god, Magnus-"

"He's-" Clary didn't get a chance to answer, as I was already walking away and looking throughout the entire Institute for him, dodging all the dead Downworlders on the ground.

I pushed the doors open, my eyes squinting at the sunlight when I walked outside as I jumped down the stairs, looking around, huffing in defeat, not having found Magnus.

The worry and fear that was present in my chest burned, as I stared at the door, watching countless Shadowhunters walk into the Institute.

A hand touched my shoulder, making my head turn to look back at the person, my gaze landing on Magnus.

"Oh my god-" I immediately threw my arms around him and hugged him tight, "Oh my god, Magnus- I thought- he-"

"I'm okay, biscuit-" Magnus held me tightly off the ground, "I found Madzie- I got her out just in time- I took her to Catarina's- she's safe-"

"I had- I had no idea you were there- and when I heard-" I held onto his arms, looking up at him when he put me down, "I thought I lost you- I can't- I'm so- so glad you're okay-"

"Oh, biscuit-" Magnus noticed me bleeding, gently lifting my chin up, using his magic to heal my wounds.

I stare at him, "Thank you-"

Magnus pushed my hair out of my hair, "It's just a few cuts, no need to thank me-"

"No- thank you- for everything." I blinked a few times, swallowing hard, "Look, I've realized- that- being here- means- giving a damn about other people- and I don't know what I would've done if I found your body in there- I just- I love you- so much- and I would die before I let you go without knowing that-"

Magnus pulled me into his chest, holding me tight, resting his cheek on my head, "I love you too, biscuit-"

-

"Hey, Jace- come here-" I gently grabbed his hand and pulled him along with me into the halls, seating down at the step with him, "I need to talk to you-"

"Alright-" Jace squeezes my hand lightly and stares at me, "What is it?"

I held his hand in both of mine, my voice gentle, "When I was fighting Valentine- in battle with him- before I brought him in- he- said something-"

"What do you mean?" Jace's eyebrows furrowed, "What did he say?"

"I called him out on his lies- about everything- and," I slowly spoke, hesitant because I feared his reaction, "He said that you weren't his son."

Jace stammers, "What?-"

"You're not a Morgenstern, Jace." My voice lowered into a soft tone, "He said that you weren't his son- that we weren't siblings- that- Margaret- she wasn't your mother- he lied- to all of us."

Jace seemed slightly caught off guard, but lightly infuriated, "How do you know it was the truth?"

I purse my lips, looking down, swallowing hard, "Uhm- he had the Soul-Sword in his hands."

"I wanted to tell you- before anyone-" I looked back up, "Do you wanna tell Clary? What do you wanna do? I just- want to run it with you-"

Jace exhales slow, "I'm gonna tell her."

-

I sat on the road path right outside the Institute, surrounded by grass, the sky's clouded as it poured down hard on everything, including me.

But I enjoyed the rain.

It made me feel at peace.

And I needed that more than anything right now.

The clouds made it dark, and the water pouring down harder than ever, the sound of the thunder, that was leave for me.

"Hey-" Alec's soft voice filled my ears, my eyes landing on him, as he sat next to me without care of getting as soaked as I already was.

"Hi-" I quietly replied, giving him a soft smile, tilting my head lightly to the side as I looked at him.

"What're you doing out here?" Alec was already soaking wet from sitting with me for a minute, "All alone in the rain?"

"Relaxing-" I laid back on the road, closing my eyes, "Long day."

"Yeah, no kidding-" Alec laid right next to me with no question, reaching and grabbing my hand, intertwining our fingers, "I'm proud of you, you know?"

I turned my head to look at him, "You are?"

"Of course I am." Alec squeezes my hand lightly, "You brought him in- you won- you realize that, right?"

"I guess you're right." I scooted closer to him and into his side, hugging his middle lightly as he wrapped his arms around me tight.

"Are we actually- cuddling- on the ground- in the rain?" Alec rubbed my arm lightly, looking down at me.

"Oh yeah-" I softly smiled to myself, my eyes closed, "I'd say it's a great chapter in our epic love story."

Alec was sarcastic, his remark making me look up immediately, "Oh yeah- most interesting chapter."

"Oh- really?" I pulled away from him, then grabbed both his hands and pulled him up to his feet, "Fine- I'll make it more interesting for you-"

Alec looked at our hands, "What's happening?-"

I intertwined our fingers, "Dance with me-"

"But-" Alec began to protest, "I don't know how to dance-"

"Oh, sh-" I pulled him into me, then twirled us both around, laughter beginning to sound from the both of us as I had no idea what I was doing either.

"Zee, god- we probably look like idiots-" Alec laughed, spinning me back so I faced him, placing both of his hands on my waist.

I placed mine on his chest, "We could sway?"

"Swaying is good-" Alec pulled me up against him, swaying with me lightly, "I need to learn how to dance- so I don't step on your feet for like- parties- or weddings- and stuff-"

My mind immediately when to Margaret's last few words when she died with me by her side.

Tell him you love him.

"Uh, yeah- no kidding- don't want a dance partner with two left feet-" I began to say but accidentally squealed when he twirls me suddenly.

I let go of his hand when he spun me, stopping after a few spins, looking at him, softly smiling.

Alec ran his hands through his wet hair, smiling back at me, "We're gonna get sick-"

"Well, what's a few sick days if it's together, right?" I stare at him, hugging myself, the smile never leaving my lips.

Alec's smile grew wider, walking over to me, slipping off his jacket and putting it around my shoulders.

His actions made an overwhelming feeling of warmth erupt in my chest, just watching him.

"If we're both sick, then I can't take care of you-" Alec pointed out, "And I'm the only one who knows that you hate chicken noodle soup- and that's the first thing anyone is going to bring you-"

He knew every little detail.

And it made my heart race.

"I also know that regardless of your condition, you will refuse to drink any kind of tea besides green tea-" Alec continued to list off, as I watched him in awe, "And you absolutely hate eating fruit whole- you prefer them cut up- and it's the only thing you'll eat-"

I stared at him, blurring out in a stutter before I could stop myself, "I- I love you."

Alec immediately shut up, his eyes locking with mine, blinking a few times as if he was processing that I had actually said that to him.

"I- I held the Truth Sword today-" I stammered, gripping my arms tight in nervousness, "I- was- I was arguing with my dad- because he kept trying to tell me that you and I- that we weren't real- that we were temporary- but- I told him I loved you-"

"I thought I wasn't capable of love before you." I stared at him, deciding to just get it out all in the open, fear burning in my chest that he didn't feel the same way, "I thought- I'd never find someone that I'd be so scared to lose- someone who'd- make me believe anything but what I've been taught about love-"

"You've- brought so much light into my life." My eyes started to burn lightly in fear of him not feeling the same, "Before you- I was- so empty- and alone- you were the first person I let in, and because of you- I- I know how to love."

I blinked a few times, then looked down, my voice quieting, "Look, it's- completely okay if you're not there yet, I just- I needed to say it now or I wouldn't have ever brought myself to tell you-"

Alec cut my words off by grabbing my face and pressing his lips into mine passionately, my heart leaping at the action.

My arms loosely wrapped around his middle, melting into the kiss, pushing myself lightly onto my tippy toes to bring myself closer to him.

Alec slowly pulled away, leaning his forehead against mine, his eyes closed, "I love you too- god, I love you so much-"

I opened my eyes, "Really?-"

"Yes, really-" Alec softly laughed and pecked my lips a few times, before lifting me off the ground by my thighs and pressing his lips into mine again.

authors note:

extremely long chapter, i am so sorry

like so so sorry

a lot went into this, and zee losing margaret made me so sad omg

the 'blast' was a reaction from her special abilities ... because she was feeling so much emotion that it all unleashed at once in a burst of power if you guys didn't catch that

but anyways listen to one woman army by porcelain black and only by ry x during thissss

and also , go onto my message board to read an important addressing about my two alec books !! very important

thank you so much for 29k!!!

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