"Hey, am I late?" I whispered to Isabelle and Jace, after quickly rushing in at the briefing, noticing Alec's expression calming when he saw me, "I overslept-"

Isabelle places a hand on my back, "Right on time-"

"We've lost seven of our own, but- we can't allow a single, radical Seelie to define the entire Downworld, any more than we can allow Valentine to define all Shadowhunters." Alec stood in front of everyone at the briefing, "So, to restore unity with our allies, I will be hosting regular Cabinet meetings here with the Downworld leaders of New York."

"I'm all for unity." I heard Lindsay whisper next to me, "But- does he have to bring them here?"

"What do you expect?" Duncan whispered back to her, "Not only is he sleeping with Valentine's daughter- but, she's best friends with a warlock."

"Still can't believe Alec Lightwood is in charge." Lindsay scoffed quietly, "He's changing everything up to get laid- and out of all people, Valentine's daughter-"

"She's hot- I don't blame him." Duncan shrugged, "Just wait- in a week, it'll be someone else."

I pulled my sleeves up, Jace immediately grabbing my arm, his voice low, "No fights-"

I looked at him, whispering right back, "Who said I was going to fight anyone?"

"I know that look." Jace shot me a look, "Tell me-"

I roll my eyes and slightly gestured my head towards Lindsay and Duncan, so he could listen in on their whispers.

"Please, let's make the Downworlders feel welcome." I heard Alec dismiss everyone, stepping down from the higher platform.

"She's the reason he's doing all of this- he's changing how everything runs around here." Lindsay scoffed to Duncan, "If I were his girlfriend, I'd-"

"Alright, that's it-" I pulled my arm from Jace's grip and landed a solid right on Lindsay's jaw, right before twisting her arm behind her back and pushing her down against the closest table, "Now, that you've got my attention- why don't you say that a little louder for me?"

Jace didn't even protest, grabbing Duncan and pinning him down right next to Lindsay, "What did you say? I couldn't quite hear you-"

"Zee- Jace!" Alec rushed over to us, Clary and Isabelle by him, "What're you doing?-"

"Tell her to let me go!" Lindsay cries out, "I didn't even do anything- it was completely unprovoked!"

"I don't act unless I'm provoked, sweetheart-" I pulled her back and pushed her up against the pillar, my hands gripping her collar, "Listen to me, because I'm only going to say this once-"

"You say another word about me- or him, I will personally come after you myself." I stared at her dead in the eye, "You're messing with the wrong person- don't test me."

"Same goes for you-" Jace shoved Duncan to the ground, "Don't you ever talk about her- or him, every again- because you won't see the end of it."

When Duncan and Lindsay rush away, I looked back at Alec who was staring at me, "What? I had to wait until you were done- I didn't want to ruin it."

"We had good reasoning." Jace put his hands up on surrender, then changes the subject quick, "Look at you- in charge for a week, you're already shaking things up- I think this Cabinet thing is a good idea."

Alec stares at us for a moment, then sighs through his nose, "Yeah, I'm not sure everyone agrees."

"All the more reason to do it." Clary said, offering, "How can I help?"

"Actually, I need you and Jace for a mission." Alec spoke, "You're going to the Seelie Court."

Clary questions, "Where is that?"

"The nearest entrance is in Central Park." Isabelle answered her, "But- it's in another realm- where the Seelie Queen lives."

"I requested an audience with her to discuss Kaelie's crimes." Alec looked at us, "But- she said she'll only meet with Valentine's experiments."

"I'm one of those- why am I not going?" I sat on the table, looking at Alec, "Not that I'm complaining- she's a bitch."

"I was about to assign you to go with Jace, but- now you and I need to have a word in my office." Alec shot me a look, "Once I'm done addressing what everyone needs to do-"

"What about Jace?-" I pointed out almost immediately, "It was a team effort."

Alec shook his head, "Just you."

Clary questions, "So, you think the Seelie Queen is responsible for Kaelie's attacks?"

Alec replies, "That's what I want you to find out."

"It would make sense." Jace shrugs lightly, "Those murders weren't exactly Kaelie's style."

Clary looks at him, "How did you know Kaelie?"

"Book Club." Jace replied without hesitation.

Clary blinks, "You read?"

"Yeah." Jace looked between us, "Why does everyone find that so hard to believe?"

"Oh yeah, Alec and I have a book club." I snickered, "Our favorite part is the climax-"

Alec immediately went red, clearing his throat, "Alright- look, let's focus-"

"We need to find out if she's complicit, an entire faction could be turning against us." Alec kept us all on topic when Isabelle quietly giggled and Jace shot me a look for the joke.

"That shouldn't be too hard, right?" Clary looked between us, "Seelies can't lie."

Jace responded, "Technically yes, but- after hundreds of years of practice, they can expertly manipulate the truth, and the Queen is the master."

"She's very dangerous." Isabelle has her hands on her hips, "The entire realm is- more than one Shadowhunter hasn't made it back."

"What could go wrong?" Clary lightly shrugs, "But we're, uh- Valentine's experiments, right? Don't mess with us."

"Sometimes I just want to- punch you in the face." I looked at Clary, holding my fist, "Like, literally- I just want to-"

"Zee-" Alec cut me off, then nods in a direction, walking away and towards his office.

I dramatically sigh, then followed him and walked into his office, closing the door behind me, "Look, they were being disrespectful, so Jace and I did something about it- why isn't he in here with me?-"

"Because you're not in trouble." Alec exhales slowly, leaning back against his desk, looking at me, "Thank you- for standing up for me- for us."

"I always will-" My eyebrows furrowed, before walking towards him, fixing his blazer as I stood in front of him, "Everything okay?"

"Do you know why I'm doing this?" Alec looked at me, "Why I'm- pushing this whole Cabinet meeting- and uniting the Downworld with the Shadow World-"

"Well, I figured it was because you're a good person-" I stared at him, "There's another reason?"

"There's always been another reason." Alec looked down, slightly quietly, "You don't remember this- but, when we were little- you would always persuade me to sneak out with you and Jace to explore the city when our parents went to bed-"

"Every single time- we'd always found ourselves lost in the wrong part of the neighborhood- places where Downworlders lurked-" Alec looks up at me, "But- you were never scared."

"You always said that- they were humans too- and it wasn't their fault that they were born, and raised the way that they were-" Alec continued to say, "It was always- our parents pulling us away from them, but you wanted everyone to- be together- united. They always thought- you were naive- and it was just- imagination-"

"But, I wanted to make that happen for you." Alec lightly shrugged and looked down, "I thought to myself every time- that, when I was Head of the Institute- I'd make it all happen-"

I just stared at him, not knowing what to say.

I was so used to the feeling of being alone, that I didn't know how to react when I felt actual love.

Or when someone was returning it in full.

"When people look back onto my life one day- I don't want them to think- Alec Lightwood was Head of the New York Institute- or he- destroyed his family's reputation by walking out on his own wedding- that he planned, might I add-" Alec's words made me softly laugh, along with him, then looked at me with complete seriousness, "I want them to think- Alec Lightwood loved one woman so much that he changed the world for her."

I grabbed his face gently, pressed my lips into his softly, silencing him, my heart erupting with the warming feeling I only got when I was with him.

-

"Blowing off some steam?" Sebastian's voice sounded from behind me as I stood in the training room, repeatedly punching a bag.

I stopped, looking back at him, my breathing heavy, "Yeah-"

I didn't say anything else, getting right back to it.

Sebastian slowly walked over to me and stopped, crossing his arms, "I'm a good listener."

I ignored him, my punches gradually getting harder and harder as I kept going, my jaw clenched.

"I saw you go down to Valentine's cell earlier-" Sebastian called me out, "What was that about?"

I stop, "You were watching me?"

"Observing." Sebastian shrugs, before exhaling slow, "Come on- the more you keep in, the bigger the explosion."

I stare at him, then huff, unwrapping one of my fists, "He taunted me- he kept saying I was delusional and soft- that being here- with my family- with Alec- has made me into the weakest version of myself."

Sebastian repeats, "That's not true-"

"Isn't it?" I looked at him, catching my breath, "I mean- being here- makes me have weakness. They're all my weakness- and that makes me weak- it doesn't make me the best version of myself-"

"You can't let him get into your head- you realize what he's trying to do? He's trying to make it seem like you're nothing without him, and that love- is poison-" Sebastian said, "When that's no where near true- love is power- and strength-"

"And something I'm not used to." I cut him off, "Love isn't my strong suite-"

"You know, maybe that's the attitude that got you doubting yourself in the first place?" Sebastian shot back at me, "Zee- as long as you think you're at your weakest- that love is weakness- that is how it will always seem."

"I can't exactly forget it- it's what I've been taught my entire life-" I exhale, "I work better alone, anyways."

"The point is- that you're proving him wrong- by being here- every day- and living your life- your happy life- stronger than ever." Sebastian told me, "And you're succeeding-"

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

Sebastian sighs for a moment, but then swung his fist toward me, a swing that I quickly blocked and twisted his arm, flipping him onto his back.

Sebastian grinds when he hit the ground, before looking up at me with a proud expression, "I am."

-

"Look at what I did-" Isabelle gestured to me as I walked up to Alec into the outfit she had forced me into, "I dressed her all up-"

She had picked out a forest green playsuit, that was plaid designed, balloon sleeves and wrapped right in the middle, along with a pair of strap nude heels, my hair loosely curled.

"Wow-" Alec gaped at me when I walked toward him, "You are- absolutely gorgeous."

I softly smirk, "I'm almost positive that your bedroom floor would wear it better."

"What's up with all these jokes today?" Alec's eyes slightly widen at my words, raising his eyebrow and he leaned into my ear, "Trying to tell me something?"

I shrugged lightly, taking a step back when Meliorn walked toward us, "I must say, when I received your invitation I was skeptical-"

"I still am." Meliorn continued, looking at Isabelle, "Though your sister's presence is always heartening."

"As is yours, Meliorn." Isabelle softly smiles.

Alec nodded lightly, "Well, tonight, I hope to erase that skepticism."

"Raphael-" Isabelle walked off towards him when Meliorn went into the room they were holding the meeting, making me purse my lips but stay put.

Magnus walked up to his, clearing his throat, shaking Alec's hand, "Lovely to see you, Mr. Lightwood-"

"And you, Mr. Bane." Alec shook his hand back, "Thank you for taking the time-"

"I wouldn't miss it." Magnus added in, "I have tremendous respect for the new Head of the Institute-"

"I want to laugh." I looked between them, then lowered my voice, "Would that be professional?-"

Alec leaned into my ear, his breath on my neck when Magnus shot me a smile and walked into the room, "I'll punish you-"

My eyes widened, choking on air, my hand slapping right over my mouth as I looked at him, startled.

Alec stared at me for a few seconds, trying to keep a serious face, before letting out a bubble of laughter, as I pointed at him, "Oh, you are evil-"

-

"I understand your concerns." Alec said to the rest when Sebastian and I entered, quickly rushing toward him, "When Luke gets back, we can discuss a neutral location for meetings-"

"I- uh- Mr. Lightwood-" I greeted, placing a hand on the table, looking at him, "You think we could have a sec?"

Alec's eyebrows furrowed, as he opened mouth to speak, but I cut him off, clearing my throat, "Alec."

"Excuse me." Alec excuses himself, before walking away with Sebastian and I, stepping off to the side "What's going on?"

"I saw Lucian Graymark heading to the Annex a few minutes ago." Sebastian explained, "Now- I know there's a secondary door to the sub-cells through there, so I checked the security feeds."

"Alec." I cut in, looking up at him, "Luke disappears between the cameras-"

"Someone's looping the footage?" Alec looked up at me, before walking past us, the three of us rushing downstairs to the Annex.

When we had reached the sub level and encounter the cells, through the glass we could see Luke, having Valentine in a choke hold in the air.

"Luke, no!" I rushed into the cell, a blast leaving my hands, similar to the one at the massacre and when Kaelie had attacked me, making me gasp and stop in my tracks, as the blast forced them away from each other.

Alec stares at me for a moment, everyone completely caught off guard, before he grabs Luke and pins him against the wall, handcuffing him.

Sebastian looks at me; just as shocked as everyone else, "How did you do that?"

I breathe out, watching Alec take Luke away, swallowing hard, "I don't know-"

-

"Hey- are you okay?" Alec quietly said to me as we stood right outside of Luke's cell, putting a hand on my arm, "You seem- on edge-"

I hugged myself, "I'm alright-"

Alec then uses his hands to demonstrate the blast gesture, "Uh- where did- you know, that- come from?"

"I don't know- honestly." My voice was quiet, looking at it, "I'm assuming it's from my pure angel blood- I can't- control it, it just- happens when I need it- it happens at the massacre- then when Kaelie attacked me-"

Alec realized, "That's why she wasn't in sight when we found you-"

"I don't know what it is-" I gripped my arms, "What if- I accidentally blast you guys or something-"

Alec opened his mouth to speak but I continued, "Wait- don't get me wrong, I'd love to fling Clary around like a football, but-"

This made Alec softly smile, then shake his head, putting a strand of my hair behind me ear, "It's alright- you won't blast any of us-"

I whisper shout when he opens the door, "You don't know that!-"

"Come on-" Alec lightly pushes me into the cell, right behind me as he closed the door, walking past Sebastian, setting a chair in front of Luke.

He sat down, folding his hands, "Why would you try and kill Valentine?"

"Well, he escaped once." Luke said, his wrists in cuffs, "He can do it again."

Alec snips, "And if your plan failed, it would have endangered everyone in this Institute."

"The security logs have been wiped clean." Sebastian points out, "There's no data on whose clearance was used to unlock the Annex door-"

"You really have no idea who this mystery accomplice was?" Alec looked at Luke.

"No-" Luke was honest, "They used a burner phone and a voice modulator- no discernible speech pattern, hell, I can't even give you a gender."

Sebastian speaks, "But- they had to be inside the Institute in order to loop the cameras, right?"

"Everyone in this Institute has been affected by Valentine- it could be anyone." Alec huffed and sat back in his seat, "We have nothing."

"Well, you got me." Luke said, "The Clave would love to put me behind bars-"

"And they'd be right to- what you did tonight was reckless, innocent personnel could've been hurt." Alec leaned forward, his voice lowering, "You deserve to be in prison."

I slowly walked behind him, putting one hand on his arm, the other on his back, "But-"

"But-" Alec sighs, then gets up, using the stele to break the chain of his cuffs, "Consider this your get out of jail free card."

Luke looks up, "Why is that?"

"Let's just say you're lucky you're on my good side-" I shrugged lightly, putting my hands on my hips, "I'm an excellent persuader."

"What she means is you're lucky she's my girlfriend." Alec put his stele away, "I'm trying to prove to the Downworld that we don't see them as an enemy- and arresting you would prove the opposite."

I playfully scoff, "You're telling me that that's the only reason you agreed?"

"And I love her." Alec adds in.

I push myself onto my tippy toes and kiss his cheek, "Better."

Sebastian questions, looking between us, "Look, so what do we do about the mole?"

"We track him down-" Alec said, "One thing's for sure- Valentine's not safe here."

-

"You kissed Jace?" My eyes were wide after hearing what Clary had come crying to me about, my voice coming out as an excited whisper, putting my hair in a low bun after I had changed out of my dress, "Wait- poor Simon- oh no-"

"I tried talking to him, but he won't talk to me- he locked me out- and he-" Clary started to sob just as she started to calm down, covering her mouth, "It was all a trick- and he hates me now-"

"I don't- do good with the crying-" I stilled up, staring at her, "This is usually the part where Alec hugs me-"

Isabelle then walks right in, having the same energy that Clary did, "Zee, I just had the worst-"

"Apparently I'm just a therapist-" I looked between them, then held my arms out, "Best I can do- take it or leave it-"

They did indeed take it, then both of them walking towards me and wrapping themselves in my comfort.

authors note:

SHE LITERALLY CRACKS ME THE HELL UP, I LOVE WRITING THIS SHIP SO MUCH

zace in this chapter >

but anywayssss, the blasts zee keeps having are just her rune power enhancing and pushing through whenever she needs it, nothing special

thank you for 35k !!

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