"Jace, you know you can talk to me- right?" I flipped the seraph blade in my hand, "I know you're hurting."

Jace laughs at me, "You didn't even touch me."

"I'm not talking about that- you know I'm not talking about that." I gave him a look, "I'm talking about the Downworlders- the massacre- Jace, you didn't know- it wasn't your fault."

Jace shot me a look back, "I never said it was."

"Shut up-" I roll my eyes.

"Come on, you got another round in you or startin' to get tired?" Jace smirks at me, as I swung my sword at him, our weapons swishing and clanging repeatedly.

I breathed heavily, looking at him, "So- what does your pure angel blood do for you anyway?"

"I don't know, other than the ability to activate that sword." Jace shrugs, standing a few steps away from me, "Maybe that's all it's good for."

"I can use my runes without a stele- and create new runes- oh, and I blasted- a group of soldiers back during the massacre," I reminded him, looking unconvinced, "If I can do all that, you must be able to do something special-"

Jace nods once, starting to smirk at me again, "You mean, other than kick your ass?"

"Other way around-" I glare at him painfully, before we were both throwing ourselves at each other again, our blades hitting against each other's with high velocity because of how competitive we both were.

I threw his blade to the ground, then tossed mine along with his, "Wanna go hand-to-hand?"

"Oh, I thought you'd never ask." Jace bent immediately, lifting me off the ground, his hands gripping my thighs as I hung from his shoulders.

"So-" I began, throwing myself to the floor, flipping onto my back, hitting the cold ground in the courtyard, my legs tight around Jace's neck, "You tell Clary she isn't your sister yet?"

"The only other person who knows is Alec." Jace grunts, holding my legs, "You know, She's lost so much- she's got a good thing going with Simon, you know I wouldn't wanna ruin that-"

"You self involved, conceited bastard-" I joked as he flipped up and had me against the ground, "You think you're so irresistible- as if she's gonna dump him as soon as she finds out you're not related-"

Jace laughed at me, ruffling my hair while he had the power, "I am irresistible-"

"Not true-" I knocked him onto the ground and got on top, my grip on his neck to keep him down, "I've never felt anything for you-"

"You are the only girl that's resisted my charms-" Jace shrugged lightly in a playful manner, "What a shame-"

"Shut up!" I hit his arm lightly, as he knocked me off him and had me in a headlock when I let my guard down for a second, my voice coming out raspy, "Did I mention how hot Alec is? God, that man is a dream- and he's great in bed-"

"I think you should worry a little less about my love life-" Jace was laughing at my attempts to playfully taunt him, "And a little more about your fighting skills."

"I think you should think before opening your mouth-" I caught him off guard and flipped him onto his back, then turned him to his front and twisted his arm, my knee against his chest to hold him down, "Because I just won."

Jace grunted and lightly hit the cement repeatedly, tapping out, as I started laughing, getting off him.

-

"Oh, Iz-" I sigh deeply, my eyes glued to her at the state she was in due to withdrawals, "Look- whatever it is- tell me what to do and I'll do it, whatever you need- I'm here."

"I'm okay." Isabelle was trembling and dampening the bed, "I just need to sweat it out-"

"Hey, hey-" I squeezed the cold cloth, leaning onto the bed on my knees, lightly pulling her onto her back and pressing the damp towel to her forehead.

"Stop!" Isabelle pushes my hand away and sat quickly, "It burns!-"

"I- I'm sorry-" I put the towel down, wiping my hands, "I could- make you some tea? I don't know, I've never dealt with this before-"

Isabelle hugs her knees, "No one knows, right?"

"No, nobody knows." I lightly shook my head, my hands on my lap, "Only Alec and I- everyone else thinks you have the flu."

Before I could say anything else, my phone buzzed in my back pocket, as I pulled it out, a sigh leaving my lips when I saw the text from Jace on the screen.

Isabelle looks at me, "What is it?"

"There was a demon attack." I huff lightly and looked up at her, "They need me."

Isabelle began, "Zee, you have to go-"

I shook my head, "No, I'll just- call Alec and let him take this shift- I just- you can't be alone like this, alright-"

"Zee, they're going to need you both." Isabelle's voice was shaky, "Zee, go- I'm gonna be fine, I promise."

-

"Hey, sorry I'm late-" I walked over to Luke, Clary, Jace and Alec on the scene, running my hand through my hair, putting my hand on Alec's shoulder as he was crouched down, kissing his cheek, "Hi-"

"Hey-" Alec pecked my lips, then looked back down at the body, "What's this sand on the floor?-"

Clary speaks, "This looks like a demon attack."

I slowly crouched next to Alec, "I've never seen a demon cause this kind of hemorrhaging."

"Neither have I-" Jace exhales then looked at Luke, "Is there any security footage?"

"Nothing in the bar." Luke replied, "Maybe CCTV caught something outside on the street."

Alec nodded and stood up, "We should get them back to the Institute."

"Yeah, that's a good idea-" I nodded at him and slowly stood up, noticing a woman striding towards us, "Uh, who's that?-"

"Detective Garroway?" She addresses Luke since she could only see him, "Who are you talking to?"

Luke held up his phone, "Just dictating some notes while they're still fresh- something you should start doing."

I immediately mouthed, giving him a thumbs up, "Smart-"

"That's a great idea!" She replied, "They didn't mention it in training, but- it makes perfect sense, is there some special app for that?"

"Uh- can you pull the car up?" Luke cut it short, "I'll meet you out front."

She nods and left us alone, as I looked at Luke, placing my hands on my hips, "She's pretty-"

Jace held my same teasing tone, "New partner?"

Luke sighs, "She's driving me crazy."

-

"Hi, I'm here-" I walked into Magnus' apartment, "Your life just got ten times better-"

"You must be reading my mind." Magnus looked back at me, "I was just about to call you-"

"Oh, no- I don't do calls- I just- show up uninvited- the looks on people's faces are worth it-" I walked toward him with a soft smile, holding the small bag of sand.

"You're always invited here-" Magnus pointed at me, then noticed the bag, "What's that?"

"Well, there's a Greater Demon on the loose." I handed it to him, "And we need your help- it's been leaving this on its victims."

"Oh, dear." Magnus exhales, "This sand, it's from Duduael."

My lips purse, "I'm going to take a wild guess and say it's a dimension of Hell?"

"The worst dimension." Magnus looked at me, "Did you find this on their face?"

I nod lightly, as Magnus sighed to himself, "How did he get loose? He's been shackled for centuries."

I question, my hands in the pockets of my leather jacket, "Who's been shackled for centuries?"

"The demon who taught man the weapons of war." Magnus replied, "A Greater Demon, Azazel, one of the princes of Hell."

"Azazel? Catchy name." I walked past him and to the windows, "Why is it so dark in here? I'm wearing orange- I mean, orange out of all colors- I want to show it off- the dim in this room is such a degrade-"

Raphael's voice filled my ears, "Hello, Zee."

I immediately spun around to face him, looking at Magnus, "What the hell is he doing here?"

Magnus stepped back, gesturing to him, "Raphael has something important to tell you."

"Oh, really?" I blinked and leaned back into the wall, "Don't tell me it's anything like what I heard come out of your mouth the last time I saw you- because if you try to justify your actions, I'll rip these curtains open and let you burn."

"Nothing of the sort." Raphael lightly shook his head, "She just came by the DuMort, begging for a bite."

"What?" I tensed up and stood up straight, "You're lucky you're talking to me and not Alec right now, because I'm willing to hear you out-"

"I didn't touch her, you have my word." Raphael assures me, "But- there are plenty of vampires more than eager to take a bite."

I was angry, "I never should have left her alone-"

"It's not your fault." Magnus places a hand on my shoulder, "Don't worry- we'll find her-"

"Here's the address to the closest den." Raphael handed me a piece of paper, "There's a good chance she's there."

"Thanks." I walked past him, "Let's go, Magnus-"

-

"I thought Izzy had the flu." Clary said as we stood around the table, stressed about Isabelle's disappearance after finding her broken necklace, "Why would she leave the institute?"

I was gripping the table, my body tense, "If Azazel has laid a finger on her, I swear to the Angel I'm going to put him through so much pain-"

Jace stopped me from going further, "We don't even know if he has her."

Alec looked at him, "She hasn't called, and she's not answering her phone."

"She's still alive- my rune hasn't faded." I mentioned, "But- he's got her."

Clary sighs, "What does he want?"

Jace replies to her, "I don't know, but- we should inform the Inquisitor."

Clary mentions, "But- she's in a meeting with the Alicante Council."

"I don't understand- why Izzy?" Alec was stressed, "What does a Greater Demon want with her?"

"I don't know." I huff and slowly looked from him, to Jace, "I think I know who we could ask."

-

"I have no idea what you're talking about-" Valentine looked between Jace and I, "But- it's so nice to see the both of you."

"Cut the crap." I cross my arms, "We all know that Azazel couldn't leave Duduael on his own- someone broke him out- someone with access to the Mortal Cup."

"Circle Members." Jace said, "They released the Greater Demon to break you out of here."

"I thought I raised you to have common sense." Valentine stares, "If the Greater Demon wanted to free me, how would I still be here having this inane conversation with you two?"

Valentine leans closer, his voice lowering, "I want to banish demon filth from our realm."

"If that's true, then hand over the Cup." I place my hands on my hips, "We can use it to force Azazel to hand over Izzy."

"My dear," Valentine exhales slow, "I don't know where the Mortal Cup is."

Jace took a step closer to him, his teeth gritting, "If you're lying, so help the Angel."

"If you were smart, Jace, you'd use me as bait." Valentine's words made my head snap towards him, "The only way to control a Greater Demon is with the Mortal Cup- Azazel would do anything to destroy it."

"So summon him with your warlock friend and tell him I have the Cup." Valentine suggested, "Offer him a trade- me for Isabelle."

"I'll be honest- that could work." I looked at a pacing Jace, "Once we have Izzy, I can take him out with my sunlight rune- it's enough to wipe him out."

"This is a trap." Jace shook his head and looked at me, "What could possibly make you think that we could trust him? Don't let him use you vulnerability against you-"

I blink, "Vulnerability?-"

Valentine shrugs lightly, "I'm not sure I would trust me either if I were you, but- the longer Azazel has Isabelle, the greater the chance she dies."

I looked from Valentine, to Jace, shaking my head, "Alright- look, this is incredibly risky- but it's the only option we have."

-

"Hey, dude- what the hell?" I walked out by Jace, as he stood with his back to me, dead silent, "Why did you pull a whole disappearing act? I've texted you like three times and I had to walk all throughout the Institute to find you- that's a lot of work-"

Jace doesn't reply.

"Uh-" I trail off, taking a few steps toward him, "Magnus is downstairs and the Inquisitor's Council meeting will be over in an hour- if we're going to do this- we have to do it soon."

When Jace doesn't reply again, I grew suspicious.

"Jace, are you alright?" I question quietly, noticing how his breathing was shaky, and he wouldn't talk.

He was upset.

I reached over, my voice falling soft, lightly turning him to face me, "Jace?"

When Jace turned, my heart dropped at the sight of him, tears streaming down his cheeks, his eyes red.

Jace snuffed and looked down, more tears falling.

"Hey-" I began holding my arms out, as Jace didn't hesitant to hug onto me quickly, his face burying into my shoulder, quiet sobs filling my ears, "I'm here- it's okay- I got you-"

-

"Is the courtyard glamoured?" Alec asked us, making sure the chains on Valentine were tight.

Magnus nods once, "No one can see us-"

"I don't know." Alec exhales lightly, running a hand through his hair, "Still seems like a risk."

"It is a risk." I put a hand on his arm and looked up at my boyfriend, "One we have to take- alright?"

"Security cameras in the cell are down." Jace joined us, "We've got a half hour until the Inquisitor's done with her meeting-"

Alec looks at me, "Are you ready?"

I nodded just lightly and kissed his cheek, walking past him and to the steps, waiting behind the door for when they summoned Azazel.

"I call upon the power of the Pentagram." Magnus began, "Azazel, I summon thee- from within our realm, into this mystical confinement, I summon thee."

"You seek the Mortal Cup, we seek the return of our friend." Magnus summoned him, "For this exchange, I summon thee."

"Well- if it isn't Magnus Bane." Azazel breathes out when he was summoned, "Brave move."

"Return Isabelle Lightwood- and we'll hand over Valentine." Magnus barged, keeping the barrier up, "He can lead you to the Mortal Cup."

"Valentine Morgenstern." Azazel acknowledged his presence, "The man who dares to dream big."

Azazel looks at them, "It is a tempting offer, but- I don't have your friend Isabelle."

"He's lying." Alec immediately said.

Jace lightly shook his head, "I'm not so sure."

"There's no time for debate- the barrier's weakening." Magnus struggled to keep him held.

"We can still find Isabelle, but we can't let Azazel get away-" Jace instructs, "Zee, now!-"

I came out on my cue, my eyes starting to glow as I could feel the rune burn on my hand, but unexpectedly it faded within seconds.

"What the hell-" I looked down at my palm and tried again, but ended up with the same result, "Uh- it's not working-"

Jace looks at me, "What are you talking about?"

"What does it look like?" I looked at him, "Nothing's happening!-"

"You thought you could contain me?" Azazel boomed, throwing us all back with a blast of power, a grunt leaving my lips when I landed on the ground.

A gasp left my lips when there was a piercing pain in my head, everyone on the ground, screaming at the pain they felt, as Azazel was causing it.

My jaw was clenched, holding my head, trying to force myself up to my feet but the pain was brutal, as I fell again, clutching my head tightly.

Jace saw this, his eyes starting to glow gold, similar to what I went through with my abilities, as he leaped up off his feet, flipping in the arm, grabbing his seraph blade.

The moment he swung his blade towards Azazel, who stood over Valentine, Azazel disappeared into the air, escaping.

"Dude-" I slowly sat up with Alec when the pain went away, rubbing my temple with one hand, staring at Jace, "What the hell was that flip for? You could've gotten him with those three seconds you were in the air-"

Alec stares at Jace, showing the confusion that I felt, "How did you do that?"

"I have no idea." Jace breathes out, looking around, "Doesn't matter- he got away."

-

"Iz-" I immediately said when I answered my phone, stood in the hall with Alec, "God, you idiot!-"

Alec looked at me quickly, "Izzy?-"

Isabelle's voice filled the line, "I'm sorry- I know I shouldn't have snuck out- but- I'm okay-"

"You're so lucky that I care more about the fact that you're alive than the fact that you snuck out-" I breathes out, putting a hand on my head, "Thank the Angel-"

Isabelle replies, "Of course I'm alive-"

"No, there was a- a greater demon attack." Alec joined in, his arms wrapped around me from behind so he was close to the phone, "We thought he had you- we were all- going insane-"

"I'm so sorry- I should have called you, but-" Isabelle went quiet, "I figured you'd be so angry with me, and-"

"Izzy, we're not angry." Alec denied, "We just- we want you back home- safe."

"I'm safe. I promise." Isabelle assures, "And, um- in a good place- I'm getting better but I can't come home, not now."

"What?" I spoke, "I'm sorry for calling you an idiot-"

"No, no, it's not you-" Isabelle softly laughed at me, "You guys have been great- just- this is just a battle I need to fight on my own."

I swallow hard, "I get it."

Isabelle sighs, "I love you, guys."

"We love you, too." Alec replies for me, rubbing my arm in comfort as I leaned back into him.

"I'll be home soon." Isabelle then hung up.

authors note:

the zace moments in this chapter made me so soft

brotp goals tbfh

thank you for 30k !!

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