"Don't squirm." Robert said to Alec as we were in the infirmary after the attack, Robert fixing up Alec's wound.

"I'm not." Alec scoffs lightly, looking down, "It doesn't even hurt."

My eyes were glued to his wound, staring at every aspect of it.

I didn't like that he took it for me.

Not because I could handle myself.

But, because I didn't like seeing him hurt.

And I didn't like that either.

With Alec, at first I was just messing around with him because I felt myself be attracted to him.

There was just something about him that made me want him. It made me want to be around him as much as I could.

I felt drawn to him, and I'd always find myself softening up when it came to him and being much colder to everyone else.

Whatever this was, I needed to keep in mind that to love is to destroy and to be loved is to be the one destroyed.

Suddenly, Alec's phone buzzes, making my head snap towards it when he picks up his phone, about to answer Jace's call.

"I'll take it." I grabbed his phone from his hand, stepping back, "He probably has some Clary problem he needs help with and you're not dealing with that right now."

Before he could reply, I turned and walked off and into the hall, answering as Jace's voice immediately filled the line, "Alec, I need you."

"How glad are you to hear Alec's beautiful, feminine voice?" I remarked, placing a hand on my hip as I walked.

Jace realizes that this wasn't Alec, "Zee?"

"Yep." I stopped in the hall and leaned against the wall, "Your problem can wait, there's been an attack at the Institute."

Jace repeats, "An attack?"

"Yeah." I looked down, my vogue quieting down at the thought of it, "My father created a Forsaken that went through the wards."

"That's not possible, Zee." Jace denied, "Nothing can get through the wards, they're warlock spells to defend against all Downworlders."

"Do you think I don't know that? I wouldn't be saying it if it weren't true, you moron." I snipped st him, "This Forsaken had Seelie blood with angel properties."

I exhale deeply and looked down at my feet, pinching the bridge of my nose, deciding to leave myself out of this, "Jace, it went after Hodge and Alec."

"What?" Jace immediately said, "Are they okay? Is Alec-"

"They're banged up, but they'll live- Hodge killed it." I sigh, "It was after The Cup."

"Zee, I'll be there as soon as I can." Jace hang up.

I walked back to the infirmity where Alec sat on the bed alone, his wound now bandaged up, Isabelle and Robert no longer with him.

I don't bother asking him where they went as I handed him his phone, sitting where Isabelle once sat, looking at him, "Why did you do that?"

Alec looks at me, our faces inched apart, making both our voices low, "Do what?"

"Take the hit for me." I swallowed hard, my eyes glued to his, my head tilting to the side lightly.

Alec's answer made something spark in my chest, "He was going to hurt you."

"Just, don't do it again." I exhale deeply, turning my face and leaning my head against his arm, staring ahead, "If anything were to happen to you, I- just, I don't know."

"Same goes for you." Alec lets me lay my head on his arm, his words making a small scoff in humor leaving my lips, "I don't know."

-

"She calls Meliorn in and arrests him, then acts like it's all out of her hands." Isabelle rants to Alec and I in the training room, as Alec was repeatedly hitting a boxing bag.

Except this time, I was really irritated with him for doing so because of his injury.

I cross my arms, "Alec, stop."

Isabelle stood next to me, staring at her brother, "You're gonna hurt yourself."

Alec keeps going despite his grunting and small hissing in pain, "I'm fine-"

"Alec!" I grabbed his wrist and jerked him back, looking at him, frustrated, "I know six, very different ways to put you in more pain than you're already in using just my index finger, do you really want me demonstrate?"

Alec huffs and pulls his wrist from me, putting his hand on his wounded arm, "It was the Clave that gave the order, not Lydia."

"Are you sure about that?" I place my hands on my hips, "She hasn't been the nicest since she's arrived."

Jace joins us, "Hey."

"Hey blondie." I nod my head towards him, smirking at the nickname.

"Hey." Jace wasn't effected, a small smile on his face as he shot it to me, then looked at Alec, "You all right?"

Alec seemed annoyed by everyone asked him this or telling him to rest, "I'm fine."

"I just spoke to Robert and Maryse." Jace told us, "They're being sent back to Idris."

"What?" Isabelle's eyes widen, then looks at Alec, "Another "order" from Lydia?"

Jace was confused, "Who's Lydia?"

"She's in charge of the Institute." I almost glared at Alec about the thought of Lydia, "Iz and I haven't grown too fond of her."

Jace was caught off guard, "She's what?"

Alec shot me a look, adding in what I didn't, "Temporarily."

"And now she's convinced the Clave that Mom and Dad aren't doing their job?" Isabelle scoffs at her older brother.

"Well, maybe they aren't." Alec seemed to know something we didn't, "The Institute was under their control when the Forsaken got in."

Jace was confused, "What are you talking about?"

"Okay, and?" I was unaffected by what he just said, "Just because the Institute was under their control doesn't mean it was their fault."

Alec looks Jace and Isabelle as he said this, "Mom and Dad were members of the Circle."

"The Law is hard but it is the Law tried and true were part of the Circle?" I was amused, "Damn, even I didn't know that-"

"What?" Isabelle argues in disbelief, shaking her head, "They don't have Circle runes."

"That's because they made a deal with the Clave prior to the Uprising." Alec shoves the hard truth in their faces, "In exchange for their cooperation, they were pardoned."

Isabelle scoffs in anger and surprise towards her brother, "You're questioning their loyalty?"

"Valentine is back." Alec snipped at all of us, "The Circle is rising- they're under suspicion."

"No way." Jace didn't want to believe it, "Robert and Maryse took me in- they raised me as one of their own- I know what kind of people they are."

"Are you sure?" Alec shot back at him in spite, "They lied to us- for years, they've been telling us how to act- that we have to uphold the Lightwood name."

"Well, they're the ones who tarnished it." Alec's tone was filled with anger by the thought of it, "They're hypocrites."

Lydia then walks up the stairs and to where we were, towards Alec so she could stand next to him, "You must be Jace Wayland-"

I sigh deeply, crossing one arm over my chest and leaning my elbow against that arm, pinching the bridge of my nose as I muttered under my breath, "Oh, just kill me now-"

"Lydia Branwell." Lydia stood next to Alec and held her hand out for Jace, "You're quite the legend back in Idris."

I looked at Jace, my arm dropping and crossing over my chest as well, my expression screaming for him not shake her hand.

Jace doesn't, crossing his arms as well, making me smirk, "Don't believe everything you hear."

Lydia looks at Alec, "Did you tell them?"

"Tell us what?" Isabelle glances from Lydia to Alec.

Alec inhales sharply and confessed, his expression remaining straight as he said this, "Lydia and I are engaged."

Lydia confirms his words, "We're getting married."

There was a pain in my chest when those words we said, and for some reason it didn't go away.

But, what overpowered the pain that I unusually felt was how pissed I was.

I blink long and hard, clearing my throat, completely caught off guard, but you could see the anger in my eyes, "You've known her for- two seconds."

Jace's face twisted in an emotion I couldn't decipher, "You're not serious."

"You were supposed to tell them no." Tears filled Isabelle's eyes as her voice shook, her turning and walking away, "It's your life to ruin."

"I'm with her on this one." I scoff since I was always on Alec's side, except for this I wasn't.

Jace didn't like this either, "I'm not sure what to say."

Alec's eyes were glued to mine, as I shook my head at him, walking away as well.

-

"This is insane." Isabelle immediately said when her, Jace, Alec and I came behind the screens to watch the interrogation, "We have to put a stop to this."

"Yeah, well, enjoy Portaling back to Idris with Mom and Dad." Alec remarks, leaning against the table.

Isabelle put her hands on the chair and looks at her brother, "Meliorn is here because of me."

"Alec's right." Jace leaned against the table across from Alec, "There's nothing we can do to stop this interrogation."

I sat on the table next to Jace, my feet resting on the arm of the chair no one sat in, playing with my necklace, "I bet I could go kick her ass and stop it."

Alec looks at me, adding in, "And get arrested."

"I'm sorry-" I looked up at him, my eyebrows furrow as I kept a straight face, my voice filled with lack of emotion, "Did it looked like I cared? Because I don't."

Isabelle looks at Jace, knowing I was on her side, "You're on Alec's side now?"

Alec rolls his eyes and looks back at the screen, "We swore to protect each other, of course he's on my side."

"I'm not picking sides." Jace made it clear, "Jace Wayland is Switzerland- we have got to find Valentine."

"Let's let this play out, Izzy." Jace said, "Meliorn might have some important information."

"Forensics don't lie." Lydia stood in front of Meliorn, "Tell me what you know about the blood in the Forsaken."

"Have you considered that the blood in the Forsaken came from our dead scouts?" Meliorn stared at her, "Scouts sent to help you hunt for Valentine- why do you think we would side with a murderer?"

Lydia crossed her arms, "Seelies always play both sides."

"You should talk to your own people about playing sides." Meliorn remarks, sitting up.

Lydia stops, "Excuse me?"

"You have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?" Meliorn wanted to laugh, "If only Shadowhunters had a better relationship with us Downworlders, you'd know that Valentine's daughter, Clary Fairchild, has the Cup."

When we all went gray, Isabelle stares at the screen, "Still think we should let this play out?"

-

I walked in, Jace right behind me, my eyes immediately landing on the multiple Shadowhunter's searching through Clary's things in her room.

Alec watched as Lydia had them go through everything in Clary's room, just to locate the Cup.

"Well, I understand you don't much action in your sex life-" I began when I saw Raj looking through Clary's bra cabinet, "But, I'm pretty sure that's not the cup you're looking for."

"Give me a break, Young." Raj shot back at me with a sigh, "I'm just trying to do my job."

Jace walked over to Alec, "Alec, call this off now."

Alec stares down at Jace, "I guess Clary's bedroom is in part of Switzerland?"

"We can't call it off." Lydia joins the conversation suddenly, "We have to find the Mortal Cup."

I looked at her, placing a hand on my hip, the pad of my finger from my free hand rubbing my bottom lip gently as if I was rubbing in lip balm, "I'm sorry- I didn't realize you were a tall, muscular, very attractive but empty-headed man by the name of Alec Lightwood."

Alec eyes me, his gaze raking up and down my body for just a moment.

Lydia opens her mouth to speak, but Raj walks over to us, "It's all clear."

"Of course it is- it's not here." Lydia huffs, "Let's keep looking."

When they walked out of the room, Jace breaks the silence, "What is going on with you?"

Alec crosses his arms, "Look, Jace, we have to turn over the Cup."

Jace began shaking his head, "Alec, she's risked everything to find it-"

"And we've risked everything for her." Alec shot back at him with the truth, "Either she gives the Cup to Lydia, or I'll do it myself."

"I'll bring her back." I offered, but it was a lie, "But, please, let Clary be the one to give the Cup to the Clave, we owe her that much."

"It's the right call." Alec nodded toward me, lightly pleased and leaves me alone with Jace, "You'll see."

I looked back when he walked out, my voice quiet as I spoke to Jace, "Call Clary- get her to draw a blocking rune- she's not coming back just yet."

-

"Where are you taking him?" Isabelle raises her voice at Lydia and Alec as two Shadowhunters moved and pulled a hand cuffed Meliorn away from them.

"To a holding cell." Lydia replied as Jace, Isabelle and I followed them, "And a guard unit will transport him to the Silent Brothers."

Isabelle immediately yells, "You can't do that!"

Alec's voice had no emotion in it, "It's not our decision, Isabelle, the Clave made the order."

Jace voices what we all know, "That could be a death sentence to a Downworlder."

"Are you trying to start a war with them?" Isabelle yells again as I stood between Jace and Isabelle, Lydia and Alec stopped and facing us in the hall towards the entrance, "Meliorn's told you everything he knows."

"You don't know that." Lydia had her hands behind her back, remaining unaffected, "Maybe we haven't asked the right questions."

I put my hair behind my ears and cross my arms, tilting my head and raising an eyebrow, speaking for the first time since this conversation had started, "Well, isn't that a you problem?"

"Seelies often skirt the truth." Lydia ignored my comment and continued, "If he has information on another terrorist attack, it is our responsibility to get it."

Isabelle's voice shook, "Let me talk to him."

I didn't like the way Isabelle reacted to this.

And I felt how she felt.

And I didn't like it either.

That only made my anger grow.

Lydia shot back at her, "That wasn't exactly helpful in the past."

"But- he may not know anything." Jace turned to his parabatai, hoping that he would realize this, "Alec, this is going too far."

Alec doesn't, keeping a straight face, "We don't have a choice."

"You know what?-" I clicked my tongue, my hair falling from behind my ears, rolling my sleeves up, looking right at Lydia.

I tackled her to the ground, throwing punches at her face, a gasp leaving Isabelle's lips, as her and Jace don't make a move to stop me.

Lydia grabs one of my fists to stop me and try and get the upper hand on me, I pull my fist away and caught her wrist, beginning to twist it.

Alec was the one to pull me off within seconds, Lydia pushing herself up, quickly recovering from what had just happened.

I breathe heavily, my straight hair a mess, Alec's grip tight on my arms, "If you don't let go of me, I swear I'll kick your ass too!"

Lydia hid her bleeding lip, clearing her throat, "Zee-"

Alec looks at her, his voice stern, "Lydia."

Lydia looks at him for a moment, then at me, not arresting me, "You're lucky."

"I'm lucky?" I scoff in disbelief as Lydia walked away, "You're lucky he's holding me back!"

Alec jerks my arm, forcing me to face him, "Why the hell are you pushing it?"

"Why don't you just stay out of it?" I shove him back, walking past Isabelle and Jace, "Is Magnus still here?"

-

"Let me get this straight." Magnus began, "You need Alec's stele to open the safe, and you want me to steal it from him?"

I place my hands on my hips, clearing my throat, "We prefer the word- borrow?"

Isabelle adds in, "Without his knowledge."

"No, no- can do." Magnus shook his head in denial, "Not happening."

"Magnus, ever since Alec found out our parents were in the Circle, he's been messed up." Jace stopped him, "He can't see the big picture."

Isabelle crosses her arms, "If the Clave is willing to subject Meliorn to the Silent Brothers, if they're willing to go this far what do you think will happen if they get the Cup?"

"This affects everyone, okay?" I persuaded, putting my hair behind my ears, "Help us get into that safe- help us stop this."

"You're all going to owe me." Magnus points out, "I'm talking 14th century, gold, rubies- definitely diamonds."

Jace nods, "That's a given."

Magnus exhales deeply, "If we're going to do this there's no turning back."

-

"He's in there?" I quietly whisper to Magnus, pointing at what was Lydia's office now, as he nodded to me, "Lydia's not with him right? I don't think she can take another punch."

"You're fine, biscuit." Magnus squeezes my shoulder lightly, nodding for me to go on.

The plan was for me to distract Alec, while Magnus used his magic to easily pop Alec's stele to Jace and back.

I inhale sharply, gently knocking on the door, opening it slowly, halfway stepping in.

My eyes landed on Alec, who looked up at me, his button up half off, leaning against the desk, his fingers holding the gauze pad that bled through.

I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding in.

"I, uh-" Alec didn't know what to say, his eyes glued to me, not moving from his spot.

I fully step in and close the door behind me, leaning my back against it, not staying a word.

I spot his stele in the pocket of his jacket that was behind him.

Alec began to peel off the gauze pad, his face twisting in pain as he started to quietly hiss because of how much it hurt.

I immediately made my way over to him, my voice quiet for some reason, "Let me help you-"

Alec shook his head, continuing despite the pain, "I'm fine-"

"Alec." My tone became more sudden and stern.

In that moment I truly wanted to help him, not to just distract him from noticing his absence of his stele.

Alec sighs, letting go of the gauze.

I sat down on the desk next to him, folding my leg on it as I faced him, my eyes scanning the new gauze pad and wrap on the side, and the absence of his stele in his jacket.

Alec exhales deeply, as if he was bracing himself for the pain to occur at the wound once more.

I hesitantly grabbed his hand, not saying anything.

It was so if he couldn't handle the pain, he could squeeze it.

Alec's eyes fell onto our hands but he doesn't move.

I use my free hand to gentle pull off the blood stained gauze pad, using a fresh one to softly clean up the blood around his wound.

Alec watched my every move, his hand staying in mine, his hand warm against my cold one.

I knew how close we were in this moment.

Our faces were inches apart, and his stare was burning into me that I could feel it in my chest.

I grabbed a fresh pad and placed it on his wound gently, pressing it in softly, then letting go of his hand and wrapping his wound slowly.

My eyes glanced to his jacket, noticing the stele back in it's place.

I finished, rubbing my hands together, my eyes catching his unintentionally.

Alec's gaze burns into mine, and for some reason my breathing and heart rate quicken.

For just a moment I glanced at Alec's lips.

And I could tell he was caught up in the moment as well.

The connection was strong.

The chemistry.

Except, I blink and teared myself away from the trance I fell in, standing up straight.

I gave him one last look, before turning and quietly leaving him alone in the office once more.

-

"You might wanna pick up the pace." Jace said to Isabelle as we were gearing up, ready to head out.

Isabelle snipped at him as she shoves things in the duffel bag, "You do not wanna be on my bad side right now."

"Hey-" I put my kindjals in their sheaths, "Are you gonna be okay?"

"The whole world is turning upside down." Isabelle sniffles, "Simon turned into a vampire, now Meliorn might die because of some-"

"It's not anything you did, okay?" I stopped her, "They just put a bunch of unrelated facts together, and came up with a big lie."

Isabelle grabbed the duffel bag as we turned to leave, "I wish that made me feel better."

"Where do you think you're going?" Hodge stopped us, standing right in front of me, "It's a very dangerous time, and no one is supposed to leave the premises without express orders."

I inhale sharply, shrugging, "Just because you can't leave the Institute doesn't mean we can't."

Isabelle swallows hard, "Hodge, we were just about to-"

Hodge cuts her off, "Lie to me?"

"Clary needs us, Hodge." Jace told him, "The Clave is looking for her, she could be in serious danger."

Hodge stepped aside, allowing us to go, "Well, in that case, I'd make a timely exit before anyone of importance notices you're gone."

"We won't forget this." Jace smirked at him, as we all ran off, leaving the Institute before anyone could see.

-

"Hey." Jace hugs Clary right when she ran out of Hotel DuMort, "Thank God you're okay."

"Simon?" I did a double take when I saw him, walking over to him when he joins us, noticing how he lost the glasses and his hair looked so much better, "Wow, you got hot- impressive."

"Can we please focus on the matter at hand?" Isabelle interjects, "Unless no one here cares that the Clave is planning on murdering Meliorn."

Clary's eyes widen, "What?"

Jace crosses his arms, "They think Meliorn has more information on Valentine and the attack than he's saying."

Isabelle sets the duffel bag down, "They're taking him to the Silent Brothers."

Clary almost yells, "We have to stop them!"

"Clary, we're literally right here." I looked at her with wide eyes, scoffing at how unnecessary that was.

"Rescue and recovery." Isabelle said, "We get him from the guards, in and out, no one gets hurt."

Clary looks between us all, "You want us to go up against the Silent Brothers, and an elite Shadowhunter guard unit?"

Luke speaks, "Without any backup?"

"If you have me on your team, you have an army." I scoff, placing my hands on my hips, "I was trained by the best."

Clary inhales sharply, "Is Alec coming?"

"No, he's not." I said it straight, clearing my throat and looking down, "Forget him- we have a problem of our own."

"If they're doing this to Seelies, no Downworlder is safe." Clary shook her head, "But- we can't go in alone, not if we don't want to be detected."

Luke nods, "My pack will track the unit, create a distraction."

Simon adds in, "I would suggest vampires, but I doubt they'll cooperate."

Jace sighs deeply, "As much as I hate to agree with Simon, vamps aren't exactly team players."

"I'll talk to him." I offered, all of them looking at me, "What? I'm good at persuading."

-

"We're offering an alliance with the Seelies." I announced, stood in front of the vampire clan.

I looked back at Luke, who reluctantly spoke, "And the werewolves."

"Why should we believe you?" Raphael stood tall in front of me, "You killed our people, you violated our home, and you're Valentine Morgenstern's daughter."

"You kidnapped a mundane, remember?" I stepped closer to him, placing my hands on my hips.

Simon raises his hand, "That was me."

"And being Valentine's daughter means I should have a deep hatred for Downworlders, so much so that I can't stand in the same room as them, but- I don't." I continued, "Because if I did, I would've kill you all by now."

Raphael stares at me; silent.

"I understand that you were just following Camille's orders when you kidnapped the mundane." I press my palms together, "She violated the Accords."

"But, you are a different kind of leader." I went on, "We are a new generation of Shadowhunters, and believe everyone can be equal. The only way we can stop my father from diminishing your kind is to work together. We need to work together to ensure that our so beloved Clave doesn't repeat past mistakes."

I finished, "So, what do you say?"

Raphael inhales sharply, "This decision requires a consensus."

"I vote yes." Simon spoke up, raising his hand.

Raphael scoffs in humor, "Well, well, well, baby's first words."

"Don't make me regret them." Simon shot back.

Raphael gives us an ultimatum, "If our newest member pledges his loyalty to his new leader and joins our clan we'll all stand beside you."

Clary stepped up, "Simon's not a pawn-"

"No- I'm not." Simon interjects, "But- I accept your deal."

Clary looks at him, "Simon, what are you doing?"

"Whatever it takes to protect the Downworld." Simon said to her, "It's my world now."

Raphael smirks in satisfaction, "Then we're in."

-

Clary looks around as she walked behind me, "This does not look like the City of Bones."

"This is the Downworlders entrance." Jace told her.

"The City of Bones has a service entrance." Clary nods once, "Perfect."

"I hope I have better luck here than I did last time." Simon remarks when we all came to a stop, "I'm just saying."

I looked around, "Everyone knows what to do?"

Jace nods, "Text when you're in position."

When Luke moves, Raphael whistles at him, "Stay."

"Good dog." Raphael smirks when Luke stops.

Luke scoffs, "Bite me."

"Roll over." Raphael snipped back.

Luke shot back, "Play dead."

"Boom!" Simon blurts out, bumping his fist against Luke's, mimicking an explosion sound.

Suddenly, Taito shoves Simon, making all the vampires and werewolves snark at each towhead.

"Hey, enough!" I shouted, getting between Luke and Raphael, "Enough!"

When my loud shouts didn't stop them, I pull out my kindjals, one to Luke's neck and one to Raphael's, suddenly it going silent.

"That's exactly what I thought." I put my kindjals away, "All our lives are at stake now, so you all need to put your childish differences aside, because we don't have time for this!"

"Luke?" I looked between them, "Raphael?"

Slowly, they both nod, as the clan and pack followed their leaders and headed to position.

"All right, let's get a move on." I nod towards Jace and Clary, as I ran to my position.

-

"Oh no-" My eyes widen when I had used my vision rune to see past the walls, stood next to Jace, "What the hell is Alec doing here?"

"What?" Jace used his rune, seeing him as well, "Damn it- Lydia must have sent him."

"There's no turning back now-" I deactivate my rune, running into the building, "Follow my lead-"

Jace follows me as we hid behind a pillar, Alec drawing a rune on the pillar across from us, holding onto Meliorn himself, the wall tearing down to reveal the entrance of the City of Bones.

I signal for Jace to hide behind another pillar, making sure that he understood that when I came out, he did too.

Alec took only a few steps toward the entrance, pulling Meliorn along before I jumped in front of him, Jace right behind him, Alec stopping and looking between the both of us.

"Sorry-" I put my palms together, shrugging, giving him a fake sympathetic look, "Can't let you do that."

"You told me you were taking Clary back to the Institute." Alec stares at me with betrayal in his eyes, "You lied to me."

"Lied?" I repeated sarcastically, "Oh no, my mouth does this thing where it writes fiction, it does it sometimes- I can't control it."

"Alec, the Clave has gone too far." Jace remained serious, "You have to see that."

"Look, we did what had to be done." I made it clear, "We're giving you a chance- just- let Meliorn go, and we can all go home in one piece."

Alec doesn't budge, "I have my orders."

"That means nothing when what you're doing is wrong, Alec." I scoff deeply, "It's either you let him go, or I will make you give him to me."

Alec stares at me, but doesn't move.

"Jace, get Meliorn to safety-" I pretended to stretch my arms, "I'll take care of him."

Jace grabs Meliorn, Alec teaching to stop him but I was quick to tackle him to the ground, Jace running out with Meliorn.

Alec hits the ground, as I held his arms down, my legs on either side of him as I was on top of him, my hair falling to my sides as a curtain shielding our faces from everything else.

Alec fought under my grip, as I almost laughed, grunting as I kept him held down with whatever strength I had in me, "You know they say you are what you eat? Maybe you should lay off the nuts-"

It was an inappropriate time for jokes, I admit.

But, it only made it more entertaining for me.

"What is wrong with you?" Alec seemed like he wasn't even trying to get out of my grip anymore, "You always broke the rules, but never the law-"

"What is wrong with you?" I used his question against him, holding him in place, "You find out your parents are in the Circle and you're getting married to Lydia and escorting a Downworlder to the Silent Brothers?"

"And out of all people, you choose Lydia Branwell?" I added in disgust, "I mean, come on- her?"

Alec grunts under my grip, "I'm doing what's right for my family."

"When I said to do what's in your heart, this was not what I meant-" I replied, shaking my head, "We both know what this is about."

"Oh, do we? Okay." Alec scoffs, breathing heavily, "Enlighten me, tell us both what's it about."

"It's about me!" I blurt out, finally understanding what the demon memory meant, as it ran through my mind, "It's about your feelings- It's because you're-"

Alec elbows me in the face, knocking me off him, getting up, showing me that he wasn't going down without a fight.

I forced myself up, my fists clenching at my side, now angry, "Valentine Morgenstern trained me- do you really want to see how well?"

Alec doesn't reply, as I took this as a yes.

Alec swing at me, as I quickly blocked his attempt, spinning kick at him face.

The only thing you could hear was our movements, heavily breathing and our grunts as we traded hits, throwing each other to the ground.

I didn't want to hurt him as much, which is why I didn't try as much as I would with anyone else.

And I could tell even through how brainwashed he was, he didn't want to hurt me either.

I ducked when he swung at me, knocking him off him feet, but he was quick to get up, pushing me against the wall, his hand around my neck.

"This would be so hot if we weren't on different sides right now-" I bit my bottom lip, my eyes connected with his, saying this just to throw him off.

As it did, I grabbed his arms and brought my legs up, pushing him back, him falling to the ground, letting go of me.

Alec got back up, grabbing my arm as I purposefully let him flip onto my back, suddenly a seraph dagger at my neck, him hovering over me, breathing heavily.

"Do it." I stared at him in the eyes, my face straight, "It's not like I have anything to live for now anyways."

I stayed at the Institute for him.

Not only because of my father betraying me, but for him. And if we weren't on the same side, I honestly didn't want to live anymore.

Something flashes in Alec's eyes, as he dropped the seraph dagger beside me, slowly sitting down, hugging his knees.

I got up and crouched in front of him, "Come with me, we can fight my father the right way- together."

"If we do that we'll be considered traitors like my parents." Alec stared at the ground, not looking up.

I placed my hands over his, my eyes scanning his face for any emotion, "Please, Alec, come with me."

Alec pauses for a moment, before looking up at me, his eyes locked with mine, "No."

I inhale sharply, slowly standing up.

I exhale deeply and turned, running off the find Jace, Clary and Isabelle, leaving Alec.

authors note:

:(

alec went coocoo for cocoa puffs

^ i laughed for a solid five minutes and it's not even funny, smh

but hey, zee kicked lydia's ass, what a queen

also during the moment when zee helps alec change her bandage, I was listening to everything I wanted by billie eilish and I was really vibin with it so give that a try

also, ahhh thank you for 1k !

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