Blood.

Crimson, dark and thick. It was warm and it stained my palms and clothes. My shirt was white and ripped in places, tinted with the gore.

I was at Kosti Lustr.

The room was empty and the blue tint from the light casted over my face. I slowly looked up from my hands and looked straight ahead. At my reflection in one of the reflective pillars.

Blood was splattered on my face like paint on a blank canvas. Hesitating at first, I tilted my face to look at the left side of my face. A scarlet colored handprint was plastered across the side of my face. It was smeared; like someone was trying to fight for their life. But worst of all, worse than being covered in someone's blood head to toe, worse than knowing by the pattern that someone was fighting for their life— I was smiling.

That's when I heard it.

Choking.

Gasping for air.

My head slowly turned toward the sound and on the ground laid Alec. He had many wounds, but the most prominent one was the one deep gash in his throat. Blood was seeping out of the gash and he kept coughing. Choking on his own blood.

Next to him laid my kindjals. Covered in blood.

His blood.

But then I realized it wasn't just his blood.

Because just a few feet away from laid Jace. There was a trail off blood leading to him, and he was wounded too. He wasn't struggling, he wasn't gasping for air— because he was already dead.

And the speed of my gaze quickened, following the trail to find more bodies. Isabelle, Clary, Simon, Luke— dead, dead, dead, and dead.

My eyes widened, taking a step back and examining myself. My eyes flickered back from them and myself, quickly and repeatedly.

I killed them.

My breathing quickened.

I wanted to scream.

My hands were trembling and my eyes were so wide that they could fall out of their sockets. I wanted to scream. I wanted to scream so loud that it felt like my voice was going to give out. But, no.

I was laughing.

"No!" My scream was so loud and panicked I felt Alec jolt beside me when I threw myself up into a seating position, breathing heavily and sweating.

"Hey, hey, hey-" Alec gripped my arms immediately but I jolted away from his touch. Alec grabbed onto me again, more firm but gentle. "Zee! Look at me— it was just a nightmare!"

My eyes scanned his face.

He was alive.

He wasn't bleeding, he wasn't wounded, he wasn't choking on his own blood. He was sitting before me, staring at me pleadingly, the grip he held on me being the first distinction between my nightmare and reality.

I tore from his grip.

Quickly, despite Alec calling out my name and telling me it was okay, I threw on his sweater that was draped on a chair. I left our room, blinking away tears as I went.

Our living room was cold, the floor feeling like ice when my feet padded further in and onto the carpet. And suddenly I regretted tearing away from Alec so quickly; I missed my warmth.

I sat down in the chair sofa, not even bothering to turn on a light. The moonlight and street lights from outside lit up the space. My arm rested on the arm of the chair, my chin resting on my fist, while my gaze rested on the ground.

I wasn't even upset. I was laughing.

How could I ever laugh over their dead corpses? Knowing what I had done? Was the worst version of myself— the woman I became really that ruthless?

Seemed like I was.

Shuffling in the bedroom broke my thought process and a sigh left my lips. He wouldn't go back to sleep. He was coming to sit with me.

"Zee." Alec's footsteps padded into the room, his raspy, sleepy voice breaking the silence around me from behind me. "Come back to bed-"

"I will soon." I shortly replied, my eyes glued to the ground. "Go back to sleep-"

Alec doesn't reply to this. I heard his footsteps shuffle away and into the next room. Thinking he listened to me for once, my eyes staring into nothing and my thoughts remained all over the place. My mind didn't shut off for a moment.

Minutes later, I heard his footsteps return and come closer to this time, my eyes tearing from the floor when I noticed a mug being set in front of me on the coffee table. He made me tea. Then, I watched as he started up the fire and grabbed a blanket folded over the arm of the couch, walking towards where I sat.

Alec sat down next to me on the sofa chair and claimed all the extra space I didn't take. My eyes followed him now, taking in his appearance. He was now in sweats, his upper half remaining shirtless and his hair sticking in all different directions on his head. He looked more awake now and there was a small sting in my heart that he chose to sit with me instead of going back to sleep.

"You know," Alec hooked his arm under my legs and pulled me onto his lap so my back rested against the arm of the chair. He wrapped the blanket around my shoulders and draped the rest of it across my legs, some of it falling off the edge and covering his just as much. He looped his arm behind me and placed a hand on my blanket covered thigh. "A badass Shadowhunter like you deserves sleep too-"

I shrugged lightly and my eyes now watching his thumb caress my leg over the blanket. "More like delinquent."

"You are not delinquent." Alec's gaze burned on my face but I did not meet his eyes. "Zee, how many times do I have to tell you that it wasn't your fault-"

"That doesn't make it okay." I mumbled, nuzzling my cheek into the softness of the blanket.

"I know." Alec reached and put a strand of my hair behind my ear. "But, you're back to yourself. That's what matters— you're the same Zee you've always been."

"No I'm not. Not after the things I've done. I can't come back from it all— I'm tainted." I finally met his concerned eyes with my watering ones. "All the people I've killed- the stunts I've pulled- the things I've said. Almost killing you- I- I can't- I don't know how- I mean, I can't sleep properly- I feel sick to my stomach every second of the day-"

"You will come back from it. Just how you've come back from every difficult obstacle that's been thrown your way. You've always come back stronger than ever." Alec grabbed my face in both of his large hands. "And I'll be here to help you, no matter what happens. I'll always be here."

"I tried to kill you, Alec." I stared at him incredulously. "Your love for me seriously blinds everything-"

"Or maybe it just helps me see you more clearly." Alec kept his gaze locked on mine. A sigh left his lips, "I was a spy, was I not? I was a spy and I was filling everyone in on your plans. We were planning on ambushing you at the club. I was trying to separate you and Jonathan— and when you found out, you acted. That's all it was. Yes, you almost killed me- but, Zee- you weren't yourself. You thought I was betraying you- you were a victim to Jonathan and Lilith's crusade and thought I was the enemy. I don't blame you for that."

A tear slipped my eye. What did I do to deserve him? How was he so deeply in love with me? How did I manage to win over someone so forgiving?

Unfortunately, my mind didn't have time to even begin to come up with any answers to those questions because the next moment I knew, Alec was pushing the warm cup of tea into my hands.

"Drink." Was all he said, blowing over the liquid a few times. "It'll help you fall back asleep."

I took a small sip of the tea, the warm liquid sending waves of heat through my veins the moment I swallowed. I rested my head against his shoulder. "Any word on Magnus?"

"No." Alec raised his arm higher around me so that he could run his fingers through my hair comfortingly. "I'm sorry. I'm trying everything I can-"

"I know-" I murmured, taking another sip of my tea, careful not to spill any on him. "I just- I wish I could talk to him. Tell him it'd be okay soon-"

"Zee." Alec trailed off slowly, his voice filled with hesitation and guilt. "Magnus made a sacrifice. We both know that he can't ever come back home— the rift would reopen and all of Edom would come back with him. He saved our lives-"

"And we're going to save him." I tightened my grip on the mug. "I promised him."

Alec went silent, his fingers never stilling running themselves through the strands of my hair.

"I'm going to find a way." My voice dropped to a whisper; a promise to myself. "And I'm going to get him back."

-

"I've never planned a wedding before, Alec." I held my phone up to my ear with my shoulder, holding the binder in my left hand and a pen in my right, pacing around Magnus' apartment. "You know, you're supposed to be helping me— you are the groom. And you have experience in this department, remember? Should I portal to Idris and ask Lydia for advice?"

"Zee!" Alec blurts out with a shrill voice. "You know I'm in a meeting-"

I stopped short. He did tell me he was being called early this morning. "If you were in a meeting, how did you answer my phone call?"

"I stepped out." Alec seethed through his teeth. "I thought we agreed you'd only call me at times like these when it's an emergency-"

"This is an emergency!" I emphasized, setting the binder down on the table in front of me. "I don't know what flowers to choose!"

"Oh my god-" breathed Alec, and I could practically see the exasperated look on his face.

"Lilies? Roses? Tulips? Hydrangeas?" I listed off, clicking my pen. "And what's the color theme of our wedding? And who's on our invite list? What cake do you want? How many tiers-"

My continuous questions came to end when I heard a beep at the line. I pulled my phone back from my ear, staring at the call ended screen in disbelief. He had hung up on me.

A deep sigh left my lips, tossing my phone next to the binder and placing the pen behind my ear. I sat down on the couch with a huff, staring at a picture frame of Magnus and I that sat on one of the tables.

I slowly picked it up, staring at the photo.

"This would be so much easier if you were here." My voice was tiny and a whisper to myself. "I don't know the first thing about this kind of stuff."

Then, I heard scrapping. Against glass.

My head slowly tilted up, looking across the room to a small glass habitat. My eyes fell onto a lizard. A small, green lizard. Magnus had a lizard?

The lizard was looking my way expectantly, pointing expressively to what it had carved into the glass. The word help scraped into the glass.

Slowly I set down the frame and stood up, my eyes on the lizard as I grabbed for my phone. Once my hand hit it, I dialed Catarina's number and brought it to my ear as I neared the habitat.

"Hey, Zee-" Catarina answered in a few rings.

"Uh- hey, Catarina." I trailed off slowly, my body rigid when I came to a stop in front of the relieved looking lizard. "This is gonna sound a little bit crazy, but— I need you to come over to Magnus' and check on his, uhm— lizard."

"Lizard?" Catarina's voice held the same shock that I felt. "Magnus has a lizard?"

"Apparently." I blinked.

Catarina stammers. "I thought he hated reptiles."

"That's what I thought too." I replied, but pulled my phone from my ear to look at the text I had gotten in that very moment. I brought the phone back to my ear. "Listen, you have to come over here quickly, I have to go— something happened to Isabelle."

-

"You set Iz on fire." I drawled off, walking beside Simon through the corridor at the Institute as he filled me in and what had happened to Isabelle. "She went up in flames-"

"I didn't set her on fire!" Simon defended immediately. "We were just kissing, and-"

"You were kissing my sister?" Alec's turbulent voice cut through, both Simon and I's heads snapping up to see Alec walking right towards us. By the expression on his face, we could both see he had heard what had happened.

"I mean, she was kissing me, too-" Simon stammered, taking a few steps back and hiding behind me when we came to a stop and watched Alec approach us.

"Huh, you two really must have a— spark." My voice was monotone as I clicked my tongue, putting my hand on Alec's abdomen when he stopped before me. "You can't kill him, I forbid it."

Alec looked down at me. "Zee-"

"I said no." I pushed my pointer finger against his chest. "I like Simon."

Simon's peaked his head over me to look at me. "You do?"

I rolled my eyes and looked at Alec expectantly.

Alec heaved out a huff and unclenched his tight fists at his sides. My eyes rake up his body, waiting for him to calm down. But despite him backing down, his shoulders remained tense and his jaw was tight. In other circumstances, I would love to help him relax but right now was not the time.

"Thank you." I nodded once at him, gesturing for Simon to come out behind me. "Now, let's go see how Iz is doing."

Simon came to my left side, making sure I was between him and Alec so that he was the furthest from him when we began making our way to the infirmary as quickly as possible.

Turning the corner, Alec suddenly bent down to mumble in my ear. "Roses."

"What?" I turned my head lightly so my ear was closer to his lips. His warm breath on my skin sent shivers down my spine and his soft hair grazed the side of my forehead when he spoke.

"Roses. For our wedding," Alec said in my ear. "I'm not sure about the color theme and who we'll invite, but— I know our friends have to be there. I think we could invite the Penhallows, and the Blackthorns. Oh, and obviously Magnus and Catarina. And Madzie— the cake, we'll have to leave that up to the cake testing because I haven't got the first clue-"

But, I didn't let him continue. I turned my head and pressed my lips into his gently, cutting him off mid-sentence. The kiss was short and sweet, followed by a few pecks to make up for it before I turned my head forward again so that I didn't bump into anyone or run into anything.

Then Isabelle came into view, walking towards us. "Easy-"

"Iz!" I jogged toward her ahead of Alec and Simon and threw her arms around her. "I was so worried-"

"Is everything all right?" Alec asked her when they reached our side, our hug tight and lasting long seconds before I let go of her so she can hug her brother.

Isabelle hugged him just as tight and pulled back. "Just some temporary side effects, but I'm gonna be fine."

"Thank the Angel." Simon breathed out in relief and then paused when Isabelle pulled back from him and didn't let him hug her. "What, am I not allowed to say that?"

"No, uh-" Isabelle started slowly.

Jace suddenly joined us with Clary at his side, engulfing Isabelle into his embrace. "Izzy, hey, are you okay?"

"We came as soon as we heard." Clary was next to hug Isabelle, who was accepting every hug except Simon's.

This didn't escape Simon's notice. "Great— hugs for everybody else."

"Simon," Isabelle sighed. "The heavenly fire, from when the sword exploded, until it leaves my system, I can't touch anyone with demon blood."

"For how long?" Simon asked so fast his words came out in a ramble. "Are we talking days, weeks, months-?"

"I don't know." Isabelle admitted, swallowing hard. "But I'm gonna be fine, okay? It's manageable."

Jace looked between the two of them and then gestured. "What is going on here?"

"Oh, get this-" A wide smile stretched onto my lips, excited for Jace's reaction. "Iz and Simon were kissing when this happened."

Jace's eyes almost fell right out of their sockets. "What?"

"Oh." I placed my hands onto my sides, clearing my throat. "You know, it's when two people passionately bring their lips together to share a hot and steamy-"

Jace clamped his hand over my mouth immediately. "Alright!"

I snickered into his hand as Isabelle desperately looked at Clary and Jace to change the subject. "Please tell me you have a lead on Jonathan."

"Yeah, we tracked down a mid-level demon known for associating with the Clave on Wall Street." Jace suddenly tensed and dropped his hand from my mouth. "He didn't have any information on Jonathan, but— he did have news on Lilith."

"What kind of news?" Alec questioned.

"She's gathering an army to take down Magnus." Clary purses her lips and presses her palms together.

All humor vanished from my veins and tone. "She'll kill him."

Jace nods. "And if she does, the rift will reopen."

"No, no— this can't be happening." Panic strikes through my veins, running my hands through my hair as I took a step back. "He sacrificed everything to save us— If he's going up against Lilith, he can't do it alone-"

Clary's gaze fell into me. "Zee, you know that if any of us went to Edom, we'd die instantly."

"The atmosphere is demonic, but— maybe I can go." Isabelle thought out loud. "My heavenly fire might protect me."

"Like hell, Isabelle." I dropped my hands to my sides, my gaze fixed onto the ground.

"No." Alec was also not in favor of the idea. "Only someone with demon blood can survive there-"

I whirled around. "Simon-"

Simon stammered when he met my waiting gaze. "I don't have my mark anymore, but I'm sure if you give me enough swords, maybe I can-"

"Simon, I'm not going to send you into Hell not armed enough and completely unprepared." My impulsiveness was rushing through my veins and clouding my mind. "I need you to turn me— so that I can go."

"What?" Alec snapped his head towards me and I was no longer looking at Simon anymore. Alec was staring at me incredulously, his stare burning right into me. "That's insane. There's no way that's happening-"

Jace was staring at me in disbelief, matching everyone else's expressions. "Zee, are you out of your mind?"

"Alec-" I sigh through my nose and focused on my fiancé rather than all the eyes glued to me. "Just listen-"

"No!" Alec took a stern tone with me, pointing a finger right down at my face. "Do you have any idea how ridiculous you sound? Do you even hear yourself?"

"Yes, I do!" I raised my voice at him, forgetting for a moment that everyone else was here with us. "I know I sound ridiculous, I know it sounds insane but this is my fault! He ended up in Edom correcting my mistake and now he's going to get killed because of it! If anyone should be sacrificing anything- to go down there and protect him it should be me-"

"Like hell, Zee." Alec rebuked and his temper sparked. "I know you feel guilty and I know you're carrying the weight of the damn world on your shoulders every second of the day and I'm sorry but that does not justify this nonsensical idea of yours. I don't care if I have to throw you in a cell downstairs for hours on end until this ridiculous whim of yours is over so we can come up with a real plan."

I pointed my finger up at him. "Alec, I swear to the Angel if you throw me in a cell-"

"I will if I have to!" Alec raised his voice at me.

I opened my mouth to speak but Isabelle was the one to cut into our argument. "Zee, no! Absolutely not."

"They're right." Simon spluttered out, looking at me. "I'm a terrible sire."

Clary interjected. "We'll find another way."

"What other way?" I was exasperated, looking around at all of them. "Which one of you has that million dollar idea that I'm not thinking, hm? Because, please- enlighten me!"

Silence followed my shout as my eyes slowly trailed from one person to the other. My gaze locked with Alec's once more and met his ice cold glare.

Matching his glare, I turned on my heel and stormed away from them.

-

"She said the heavenly fire in her veins would shield her against Edom's demonic atmosphere." Meliorn stood before us in the middle of the Ops Center after he had informed us that Isabelle, despite our intention for her not to, went to Edom anyways.

Alec was pacing back and forth, his arms crossed over his chest. "Why would she take that on herself?"

"She didn't want all of you putting your lives at risk." Meliorn folded his hands behind his back.

Simon whirled his head towards him. "And you didn't try to stop her from going?"

"I did." Meliorn said defensively. "But— she convinced me it was the only way to save Magnus and she begged me not to tell you."

"Yet here you are." Jace retorted.

Meliorn sighed. "I wanted to honor my word, but the thought of Isabelle in danger, all alone— I had to tell you."

"Thank you, but what can we do?" Alec pressed, abruptly stopping his pacing to stare at Meliorn more intently.

I place my hands on my hips. "I have an idea."

"I don't want to hear any of your ideas." Alec directed his gaze onto me. "You have ridiculous ideas."

"Yeah, yeah— whatever." I waved him off and looked at Meliorn. "Can you get all of us into Edom through the Seelie Realm?"

"I'm afraid not." Meliorn admitted. "My queen just sealed our borders. I know not why."

"Even if we could, we'd die." Jace interjected. "We've been over that. And I'm not as crazy as you are to willingly be turned into a vampire-"

"Oh, would you all quit it with that!" I pinched the bridge of my nose and looked between them. "Hear me out. This is a good idea-"

Alec inhaled. "Zee-"

"What if I could create a rune that binds Downworlders to Shadowhunters?" I spat out before he could deny me the ability to.

Alec went rigid. "What?"

"What if I could create a rune that binds Downworlders to Shadowhunters?" I repeated myself more clearly. "We could share skills, powers and immunities— it'll be kind of like a temporary parabatai rune. This way, no one needs to get turned into vampires or anything— we'll have the blood so we can survive in Edom."

"Look, bonding one Shadowhunter to another, that's one thing." Jace was the first to speak, a sigh leaving his lips. "This is different. It's dangerous— remember what happened when you runed Valentine back to life? And what if you can't? What if you get hurt- the Angels-"

"But, that's just it! I can do it-" I looked at him, pressing my palms together. "Look, I've literally created a necromancy rune with ease! I jump in and out of portals I create with my literal palm— I can make this work, Jace. I know I can-"

"If it's the only way to save Izzy and Magnus," Simon took a step, being the first to side with me. "I think it's worth a try."

I gave him a small smile and then looked at Alec. "Well? Bad idea this time?"

Alec sighed through his nose and placed his hands onto my shoulders. "Creative."

-

"Lorenzo," I greeted him with a nod when he walked towards us. "Thank you for coming on such short notice."

"Thank you for restoring me— not that it changes anything between us. I'm here for my fellow warlocks, not you." Lorenzo returned the gesture and then turned to greet Alec and Meliorn. "Mr. Lightwood, oh- Meliorn, envoy of the queen."

Meliorn stayed still. "Good evening, Mr. Rey."

"And Mr. Lewis, "Royal Blue" himself." Lorenzo recognized him with a nod as well. "I can appreciate a good melody when I hear one."

"Uh-" Simon stammered. "Thank you?"

"I see the representative for the wolves has yet to arrive." Lorenzo took a glance around for Luke no doubt. "As my first act on the Downworld Council, I move that we start the proceedings without them— give a dog too much leash, and they never learn to heel."

"Well, that won't be needed because this isn't actually a council meeting." I gave him a sweet smile. "You're here because you're going to help us save Magnus and my parabatai."

"Help you save the warlock who stood by and watched while his father turned me into a reptile, left to dine on dead flies?" Lorenzo's face turned sour as he looked upon me. "May your precious boyfriend spend eternity in Edom. Goodbye and good riddance-"

"Hey!" I caught his arm as he turned to leave. "If it weren't for me, Lorenzo— you'd still be eating dead flies. You owe me."

"This isn't just about Magnus." Jace chipped in.

Alec stared. "It's about Isabelle, too."

"And the fate of every other living creature on the planet." I gripped his arm tighter, my voice monotone. "If you help us, and you'll forever be known as Lorenzo Rey, the warlock who helped save the world. Isn't that something you want?"

-

"Bold move volunteering to go first, red head." I looked at my little sister as I slowly pushed the rune floating in the air ahead and seared the mark onto her arm. "Trying to impress someone?"

"More like being your number one supporter." Clary met my eyes. "I trust you enough to let you put a rune you've created out of thin air onto me despite how dangerous it is-"

"Well, would you look at that— I've got a fan." I stepped back, letting go of her wrist. "Would you like an autograph?"

"A picture, actually-" Clary's response made me snicker as I turned to face Simon, who stood only a foot or two behind me.

"You ready, pale face?" I looked at him, my eyes glowing bright gold as I waited for him to roll up his sleeve so I could put a matching rune on his arm identical to the one I put on Clary's.

Simon swallowed hard and pulled up his sleeve. "Bubbie Helen would kill me if she knew I was getting a tattoo-"

"Rebelling every once in a while is healthy." I grabbed his wrist gently with one hand, holding my other palm up at my side as the Alliance rune shone brightly in the air for everyone to see.

Before I could bring the rune closer to Simon's skin, he flinched away from me and made me break focus, his head snapping towards Meliorn and Lorenzo. "You sure one of you guys doesn't want to go first?"

"Absolutely not." Lorenzo immediately denies.

Meliorn smiled innocently. "No, thank you."

"Simon, do you trust me?" I met his eyes.

Simon exhaled slowly through his nose. Then, he placed his arm behind into the hold of my hand. "I've never doubted you before, Young— go."

The corner of my mouth quirked up just slightly at him before I lifted my free hand to my side. My eyes shone again when I brought my ability forth, the rune glowing before us all. Slowly, I brought the rune down onto Simon's skin like I had Clary.

But, the process wasn't as easy.

I grunted, my eyes widening slightly when I realized that the rune wouldn't stick. The more I pushed on the rune, the more it pushed back; resisting.

No.

"Zee, this is a lot of resistance." Jace was the first one to point it out, and it was when he spoke that I realized the ground beneath us had shook but only slight. The lights around us were flickering rapidly and dust was leaping off corners around the room. "Maybe-"

Whenever there was resistance, it meant the Angels were not in favor of what I was trying to do.

But, I didn't care.

This had to work.

"I got it." I said through gritted teeth, pressing further on my ability to force the rune onto Simon's skin. But the more I resisted the urge to give up, the more I forced on the rune, the weaker I felt. I felt as though the energy coursing through me was being sucked out of me.

With a final grunt, I pushed the rune onto Simon's skin and took a step back, breathing heavily.

The moment I stepped back, Alec was next to me in an instant. "Are you okay?"

"It stings a little." Simon was looking at his arm.

"I was talking to my fiancée." Alec narrowed his eyes at Simon before looking at me again. "Did that take a lot out of you?"

"I'm alright." I placed a hand on his bicep and then looked at Clary and Simon. "So? Did I do it?"

Clary then abruptly ran around the training room and a speed only Simon could muster out. She slid to a stop next to me, barely getting a grip of the floor. "Whoa-"

"Well, there you have it." I felt a wide smirk stretch across my lips at my success and looked between everywhere. "Who's next?"

-

"Almost there." Lorenzo announced as he drew the pentagram on the ground of the training room while we all experimented with our new abilities.

Simon stared at the rune on his arm and thought out loud. "You really sure this will work?"

"It has to." Clary heaved out a sigh.

"This is incredible." Alec was mesmerized by the magic sparks moving between his fingers, my eyes following his every move as I attempted to activate my stamina rune for an adrenaline boost. "Zee, you're phenomenal-"

"Told you I could do it." I mumbled, my eyebrows furrowing when the rune didn't take with the stele. I let out a silent sigh— I was more Downworlder than I bargained for. I could activate my rune with my rune ability, but putting the Alliance rune on everyone had already taken enough out of me. So, instead I put my stele away. I'd manage.

"Okay, so, Zee and Alec gets magic, Clary gets vamp speed, and what do I get?" Jace crossed his arms over his chest and turned his head to look at Meliorn. "Pointy ears?"

I forgot my exhaustion for just a moment, my eyes widening with curiosity as I neared him instantly. "Oh my god, did that really go through?"

"No-" Jace smacked my hand away lightly when I reached up and pushed away a strand of his hair so I could see his ear better. Disappointment flooded through me when I saw that there was no change to his ears.

Meliorn shot him a brittle smile. "You'll learn my true powers next time you take your lover to bed."

"What, you're saying you're like a sex god or something?" I looked at Meliorn for a moment. I cursed under my breath and looked at Alec, "Damn it, why didn't I think of pairing you with him?"

"Zee," Jace shot me a look. "This is a rescue mission— it's not like you're going to be having sex in the burning pits of Edom-"

"Says who?" I jeered at him, tilting my head to the side slightly. "Scandalous sex is always fun."

I snickered as both Alec and Jace reached their hands out and pushed my head playfully, while Lorenzo stood up after finishing the pentagram. "Impressive, if I do say so myself."

Alec dropped his hands to his sides. "And you're positive this can get us into Edom?"

"Not just in— out, too." Lorenzo assured with a nod. "Although, it feels like a waste to ignite such craftsmanship. I suppose thus is the ephemeral nature of my art."

"Let's do this." Jace went over to the pentagram. "Maybe, if we're lucky, we'll find Izzy and Magnus in the same keep."

Alec looks around. "Okay, everyone ready?"

"What could go wrong?" Simon trailed off slowly. "It's just— Hell."

"This might burn a little." Lorenzo took a deep breath through his nose. Then, he snapped his fingers and magic sparked between them, every line on the pentagram erupting in flames that reached as high as they could. Slowly, we stepped into the pentagram, letting the flames burn us and toughing our way through the process as we were sent down into Edom.

Edom was just as horrid as it was described. Demons creeped in every corner and the temperature was over burning. I was regretting wearing leather now.

But worst of all, I was alone.

My hands flew to my kindjals and pulled them out defensively immediately when I realized none of my friends were in sight. Was I the only one who made it? Did we all get scattered all around Edom? Where were they?

Then I heard slow footsteps a few feet away from me. My hands tightened around the grips of my blades as I slowly turned to look behind me. A rock that was three times the size of me stood tall before me and I was almost positive there was someone— something, behind it.

I inched closer to the stone, pausing by the corner. The footsteps halted near me and my body went rigid. I inhaled slowly and then spun around the corner the moment the— thing did the same, my kindjal going to the neck of the beast.

But, I was met with a piercing threat pressed against my collarbone. And it was then I realized that it was no claw or talon, but the sharp end of an arrow.

What I thought was a demon, was actually my fiancé. And behind him trailed the warlock, Lorenzo Ray.

"Alec-" I breathed out in relief and dropped my defense as he did the exact moment I did realizing it was me, throwing my arms around his neck. "Thank the Angel it's you-"

"I was so worried." Alec hugged me tightly, the side of his bow pressing against my arm. "I thought I lost you-"

Lorenzo had his hands in his pockets, nearing us. "I'm here too-"

"Where is everyone else?" I questioned, pulling away from Alec, putting my kindjals back into their sheaths.

Lorenzo shrugs. "We thought you could tell us."

"I think we're on our own." Alec exhaled.

I purse my lips. "Great."

-

"Magnus-?" I dropped the tracking through my rune ability, picking up my speed as I ran into what was now Magnus' home. "Magnus!"

"Biscuit-" I caught eye of him. His eyes were wide and his head snapped back quickly at the sound of someone he knew. He rushed to me and hugged me tightly, lifting me off the ground. "It's really you! I thought- how— what are you doing here?"

"I told you I'd figure it out." I held onto him tightly for a few moments before pulling away. "We're all here— we came here to help you fight Lilith."

Magnus set me down gently. "We?"

"I'm simply doing what any High Warlock would do." Lorenzo walked in with Alec at his side, his hands folded before him and simply nodding his head.

"Magnus-" Clary rushed in a few moments later and hugged onto Magnus. "You're okay."

"Jace and Meliorn are on the way." Simon glanced at all of us. "But— where's Isabelle? Is she here?"

"Isabelle?" Magnus looked between us all, confused. "Should she be?"

authors note:

haha hey besties it's four am i have been writing all day, my energy has been drained

but ahhhh, i sorta loved this chapter ?? idk, the vibes are very much— satisfying

zee and simon >>>

zee messing with jace >>>

zee bothering alec when he's in a meeting >>>

AND HIM REMEMBERING HER QUESTIONS TO ANSWER THEM LATER >>>

alec comforting zee and talking to her after her nightmares >>>

alec threatening to throw zee in a cell to cool down and think it over whenever she has a completely nuts idea LMFAOOO that cracks me up

zee and clary actually having a sisterly relationship ??? wOULD YA LOOK AT THAT, look at how far they have COME

but, thank you so much for 131k !!!

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