"Dad?" Jace weakly said, staring at the man.

"Son." The man slowly got up, hugging him instantly, "Oh, Jace- I can't believe it."

"Son, you're hurt." He noticed the sting, "How did you find me?-"

"You're dead." Jace's eyes were wide with shock, his voice was low and weak, "Valentine killed you. Valentine's here-"

"No, Jace. It's me." He looks at my mother and I, "I'm Michael Wayland. I'm Jace's father."

I step back, squinting my eye in suspicion, keeping a guard on my mother.

"Look, I know what Jace told you, but I've been here for ten years. Valentine took off and left me-" Michael explained.

"What about Jocelyn Fairchild?" I question.

"He took her with him." Michael told me, staring at me, "You are?"

"I'm Zee-" I began, putting away my blade.

"My daughter." Margaret cuts me off, pulling me into her chest instantly, hugging me tight, "Oh my god-"

I hugged back instantly, holding onto her, tears slipping her eyes as she rubs my back.

Jace starts to fall, Michael catching him, "Jace, no!"

I looked at him, slowly slipping away from my mom, "Jace-"

"It's Ravener venom." I held on mother's hand, then held Jace's face, "He kept telling me he was all right-"

"We have to find your father, not my father-" Jace breathes heavily, "Valentine's-"

"Jace- it's okay, we'll have another chance-" I ran a hand through his hair, biting my bottom lip in worry, "It'll be okay-"

"His stele." Michael held him up, "Where is it?"

Michael dug through Jace's pockets, pulling out the card that held the Mortal Cup in it.

I snatch it instantly, shoving it into my pocket, "Back pocket-"

Michael grabs the stele, running it over the healing rune, "The rune is weak-"

"Ravener venom must be spreading." I breathed, "We have to get him help- but, we closed the Portal-"

"Valentine's got a standing Portal." Margaret told me instantly, pulling on my arm, "Let's get him help-"

I nod towards her, letting Jace wrap an arm around me for support.

"Hey, Jace, stay with me." Michael said, "Do you remember our first demon fight? We were way out past the Institute, way up at Kinshasa. You were only eight, but you were so brave. Do you remember what you said?"

Jace looks at him, "I'm ready to die."

"And then I said, "Sometimes it's as brave to live as it is to die." Do you remember?" Michael asked him.

"I do." Jace breathes heavily, "It's true. It's you."

"Let's go." Michael leads, as we made our way to the portal.

-

The shove the doors of Jade Wolf open, "Luke!"

"Zee, what happened?" Simon came into my sight, stopping before the sunlight hit him.

"We thought we found Valentine, but he was already gone." I exhale deeply, setting down Jace in a booth, Michael next to him.

Luke's eyes fall onto my mother, "Margaret?"

"Lucian-" Margaret expresses, hugging him.

"I thought-" Luke was in shock, "I saw-"

"I'll explain everything later- I just- we need to help Jace." Margaret pulls away, coming to my side.

Luke stares at Jace's father, "Michael Wayland?"

"Valentine took Jocelyn with him, but we found Jace's father." I held Jace's face.

"What? I thought Valentine killed Jace's father." Simon looks between us.

"He tried." Michael exhales, "Hello, Lucian."

"This can't be." He shook his head, "I thought I'd never see you again."

"I never thought I'd see anyone again." Michael mutters, looking at Jace's wound.

"What happened?" Luke questions.

"Demon got him- he can't fight the poison." Tears stung in my eyes, "His runes are too weak and he needs blood, but we can't go back to the Institute."

I got up, moving over to Simon, "Simon, there's gotta be some kind of blood at Hotel DuMort. Could you call Raphael?-"

"Calling won't work. We have to do this in person."
Simon held my arms, "My van is in the garage. You drive, I'll hide under a blanket to stay out of the sun, and- there's underground parking in the hotel."

I nod quickly, Michael looking at us, "He's weaker. You gotta hurry-"

"Luke- you don't take your eyes off her." I order, pointing at my mother, "I wouldn't be able to live with myself if she's taken from me again-"

I grab Jace's face, "Hey- listen to me. I'm coming back."

"Zee-" Jace's voice was weak, grabbing my wrist, his eyes barely open.

"Jace- I'm coming back, okay?" A tear slips my eye, my voice quiet, "Please, just hang on-"

Jace wheezes, opening his eyes slightly, looking at me, his voice strained, "Zee- no-"

I kiss his forehead, "Hang on for me- okay-"

"Zee-" He weakly calls out again.

I pull away, running to Simon, "Simon, let's go."

"Come on." Simon grabs my hand, pulling me along to the back doors.

-

"Why can't we just take what we need and leave?" I question, pacing back and forth.

"If we were transfusing goat blood, no problem." Simon huffs, "But, human blood, that's against the Accords."

Raphael shows up behind Simon, "I'm surprised you know that much."

"Why do you keep doing that to me?" Simon looks at him.

"If you worked on controlling your enhanced senses, as you should, you wouldn't be surprised." Raphael comments, then looks at me, "Zee, you really have to stop barging in here."

"My bad." I huff, "We need blood."

"So I've heard. Human blood." Raphael says, "Funny how those rules for Downworlders stop being such a big deal when you need our help."

Raphael shook his head and sat down, "No can do."

Simon pulls him up, "Okay, listen. Last night, I bumped into Bernice. She overheard a couple of bridge and tunnel vamps gossiping about Camille."

"You said Camille took a leave of absence, right?" Raphael mutters to him.

"Yeah, yeah. They didn't care about that." Simon said, "They said she kept around a couple of humans. Apparently, she'd feed on them, but never went all the way."

Raphael questions, "What are they called?"

"Uh, sub- submissives?" Simon guesses.

"Keep your voice down." Raphael whisper shouts, "They're called subjugates. Horrible things. Even Camille got sick of them."

"Okay, so, they're gone." Simon crosses his arms, "But keeping around human beings just to drain at cocktail hour, that's against the Accords. Camille had a taste for the real stuff. I know from experience. She had to have something on ice."

"I'm sorry." Raphael chuckles lightly, "If you want to tattle to the Clave about Camille draining humans, fine. I'm the new administration."

"Yeah." Simon shrugs, "You could probably get over on them with that line, but you weren't exactly an innocent bystander in my case."

Raphael grits his teeth, "We agreed not to discuss that."

"Did we? Funny, I can't really remember." Simon looks at me, "Hey, did you ever tell the Clave what Camille did to me?"

"You can't." Raphael said instantly, "I'd be implicated."

"Well- then I guess you're gonna have to help us." I walked over, crossing my arms.

"I can't believe you'd do this to me." Raphael looks between us, "Blackmail."

"Save it." Simon says, "You're getting off easy."

Raphael shoulder's past him and walks over to the keypad.

"Double team-" Simon and i did our handshake, proud of our victory.

"What's his blood type?" Raphael looks at us, his blood collection right in front of us.

"Go for type O." Simon says, then looks at me, "Universal donor."

Raphael grabs two bags, then hands it to me, as I thanked him, "Thank you. Simon, let's go-"

"Yeah, not so fast." Raphael stops him, "I like the way you handled yourself in this negotiation. Stick around."

"I'm ambassador to the werewolves." Simon told him, "It's very time-consuming."

"Let me take that burden off of your shoulders." Raphael spoke, "As of now, you've been recalled. You're advisor to the interim chapter president."

"Don't complain." Raphael stops him from saying a word, "My new advisor has to stay here."

Simon looks at me, "It's okay. Just go. Really."

"Thank you." I kiss Simon's cheek, starting to back away, "Both of you."

-

"How are you feeling?" I quietly ask my mother, as we sat on either sides of the booth, waiting for Jace's transfusion to be done.

"Quite better." She weakly smiled, "I got some food in me- showered- got a change of clothes- I also healed myself."

"Who's stele did you use?" I question.

"Jace let me use his." She swallows, "Are you going to tell me about him?"

"Are you going to tell me about what really happened?" I shot right back at her.

"You have every right to know." She took my response calmly, "I've been Valentine's prisoner for the past two years."

I lean my elbows against the table, crossing my arms, my attention fully glued to her.

"Your father had found me." She folds her hands together, "He knew I was the one who hid the Mortal Cup. He tried to use you as leverage. He used his own daughter as leverage for power."

She scoffs in disbelief, "I refused to give him the Cup. I refused to give him the power- the power he needed to carry out his plan. What I remember- is being sedated and pulled out from one of the Circle Members, and a demon shapeshifting into me, running back into the apartment. I thought you were dead up until your eighteenth birthday."

"The demon was murdered in front of all of us." I exhale deeply, "It wasn't you."

She shook her head, "You don't understand- how scared I was when I found out you were alive and Valentine was after you."

"I found a note." I cross my arms, "It was in a box- with a portal shard. It was written by you, when did you write that?"

"Way before I was taken." She admits, "I told Jocelyn that if it ever came to it, to keep it with her and when you were finally introduced to the Shadow World- to give it to you."

"Well, she didn't." I huff, "I found it- with my friend- or whatever he is- Alec."

She reaches over, pulling my necklace out from under my t shirt, the wedding ring resting in her fingers, "This is my wedding ring."

"This was yours?" I question, "Jocelyn gave this to me- the day I met Jace-"

"I told her to give this to you also." She folds her hands again.

"Who's Scott Young?" I question.

She stares at me, "He was your step-father."

"Was?" I question.

"He was murdered." She looks away, the thought of it hurting her.

I instantly stop any further questioning about him, "You can tell me another time."

My mother stares at me, her voice cracking lightly, tears brimming in her eyes, "You've grown into a beautiful woman."

"Mom-" I got up, sitting next to her, wrapping my arms around her.

"I never thought I'd hear you say that again-" She held onto me as tight as she could.

"Well- you are-" I held her, my chin resting on her head, holding back my own tears, "I'm right here."

She pulls away, weakly smiling at me.

I wipe her tears, "Jace- he's- I don't know."

She sniffles, "You don't know?"

"I know what I feel for him." I smile at her, "I think he feels that way for me too-"

"You think?" She questions, "Do you see the way he looks at you? He kept calling for you when you were gone."

I look at my hands, "We don't have a label on it- right now. I just know- we've kissed a few times and he puts a smile on my face even when it's the worst time to be smiling."

"That's what you call love," She puts a hand of my hair behind my ear.

I looked at her, "Or a strong liking-"

Michael Wayland walks through the back doors, looking at us, "The transfusion helped. He's much better. He's gonna wanna see you."

I looked at my mother, unsure if I should leave her alone or not.

My mother smiles at me, "Go see Jace, I'll be fine."

"Okay-" I nod weakly, getting up, starting to walk over to the doors.

Michael stops me, "But, uh, can I, um, talk to you for a minute?"

"Uh- yeah, sure-" I stop, facing him, "What's up?"

"I feel as if I know you." He smiles down at me, "You're so much like your mother. You're fearless, and loving, and you got a mind of your own. A little stubborn, perhaps?"

"I guess- you could say that, yeah." I place my hands on my hips, "I should probably work on that."

"Maybe not." He chuckles, "It served Margaret well. She hid you from Valentine long enough for you to grow up without him poisoning your mind."

"Is there a point to this conversation, Mr. Wayland?" I question, "I'm sorry, but I'm not too fond on talking about Valentine."

"You don't even consider him your father?" Michael questioned.

"He held my mother captive for two years." I spat at Michael, "He's done so much harm to the people I love- past and present. He's taken Jocelyn. Do you really expect me to consider him my father?"

"Would it help if you knew how much he loved her?" Michael refers to Jocelyn, "And he would have loved you too. He's fierce in his love."

"Valentine is sick." I snip, "He's a twisted mass murderer who has Jocelyn."

"Zee, I swear, I will help you find Jocelyn."
Michael swears to me.

I scoff in disbelief, turning around, "Mr. Wayland, I'm done with this conversation-"

Michael grabs my arm, "I saw and heard a great deal while I was a prisoner. Maybe that's my destiny. To bring your family and mine together."

I stare at him, staying silent.

"Please- call me Michael." He nods towards me then lets me go, "Go see Jace."

I slowly step back, then quickly turn, walking behind the doors, Jace laying on the couch, playing with his stele.

"Someone's looking much better." I walk over to him, kneeling in front of him.

"Hey-" Jace smiles lightly, then gestures with his arm, "Yeah, uh fresh blood. These vamps may be on to something."

"Yeah?" I laugh quietly, Jace taking off the bandage, tossing it somewhere.

"I could say the same for you." Jace looks at me, "You're not crying anymore."

I shot him a crooked smile, "I was kinda hoping the demon blood effected you too much for you to notice-"

"Oh yeah?" Jace rolls his eyes playfully, laughing lightly, as I nod, a small laugh leaving my lips.

"I, uh- I just talked to your father." I brought up quietly.

"Yeah?" He nods for me to go on.

"Do you remember that story you once told me about the boy who trained the falcon with kindness?" I looked up at him, "That was you, wasn't it?"

He stays silent, just staring at me, giving me the answer I needed, "He broke your falcon's neck."

"I ruined it." Jace swallows, "It wanted to be fed. It wouldn't hunt."

"He seems so loving now." I huff, "Why would he do that? Why would he break your falcon's neck if it would hurt you?"

"We're not mundanes, Zee." Jace shot me a look, "He had a lesson to teach me. That's how it's done."

"I guess." I play with my hands.

"At least we found your mother too-" Jace weakly smiles at me, "She's really sweet."

"You've spoken to her?" I question, looking at him.

"Yeah-" Jace shrugs lightly, "It was just small talk- but it felt as if I was talking to you."

"So- you think I'm sweet?" I ask randomly.

Jace stares at me, his lips puckering, trying to a hide a smile.

"Jace-" I inhale deeply, "I need to talk to you about something."

Jace sits up, looking at me, "Tell me."

I swallow, stammering the words out due to the growing fear in my chest about what I was about to admit, looking away from him, "I have feelings for you. And in the other dimension- I slipped up every single time I was with you because I basically fell into what was happening- and I- I don't know if any of that was real- I don't know if that was me- or the other Zee-"

"Zee-" Jace grabs my face with one hand, shutting me up, making me looking at him, "This is real, Zee. This is you and me."

"And what we feel?" I question quietly.

"That's real too- very real." Jace stares into my eyes, his voice quiet.

In sync, we smash our lips into each other's, Jace grabbing my legs and pulling me up and on top of me, my arms wrapping around his neck, one hand running through his hair.

-

"But- why would Valentine tell a prisoner what he was planning to do?" I question, seated with Luke, Michael and Jace, as my mother went along and got some rest through my insist.

"He didn't." Michael said, "Well, not directly. But- he gave me a way to learn all about his plans."

Jace looks at him, "How do you mean?"

"He injected me with Downworlder blood." Michael told us, Jace looking down instantly, his hand reaching under the table and grabbing mine, "The pain was excruciating. Sometimes I was sick for days."

I squeeze Jace's hand lightly in comfort as Michael went on, "But it's not often you got a Shadowhunter to experiment on. So I guess that's why he always stopped short of killing me. But, little by little I developed enhanced hearing and vision."

Michael explains to us a memory he has of Valentine speaking to a man.

"Renwick?" I question.

"It's a deserted smallpox hospital on one of the islands of the East River." Luke told me.

"We can't track over water." I huff.

"He left me to die in that cage." Michael spoke, "Valentine never wasted time on compassion-"

Jace lets go of my hand and got up, "He won't get any from me when the time comes."

"Before it does, you need a strategy." Michael stares at his son, "Waiting a day could mean the difference between failure and success.

"Okay." Jace nods, "Zee and I will scout Renwick's tonight."

"I will, you won't." I stood up to him, standing directly in front of him, "Your runes are still weak. Luke and I will go. Just take this extra time to rest."

Jace huffs, "I'll be fine, Zee-"

"Jace," I stare into his eyes, "I'm serious- please."

Jace sat down, sighing, "Don't let her get you into trouble."

-

"What Jace's father said about you turning into a werewolf?" I mention as Luke and I walked, "You told me that's what Valentine said when it happened."

"It was common sentiment then." Luke shrugs.

"Luke- I didn't want to say anything to Jace-"
I huff, "But- something's not adding up."

Luke shoots me a look, as I questioned, "How did you know Michael was dead?"

"Rumors." He told me, "When the Lightwoods took Jace into the New York Institute, we thought Michael got hit. There were a lot of Circle members who were trying to avenge Valentine back then."

"Was that 19 years ago?" I question.

"It was 20." He corrects me, "Why?"

"Twenty." I quietly repeat to myself, then stare up at the building, demons peaking through, "Luke, look-"

-

[ jace's pov ]

I pant and grunt, throwing punches at the boxing pad my father held, him getting a hit on me every now and then. My body was sore and numb, but I kept going.

"Something's wrong." He said, "Us Shadowhunters mend quickly, but after all my time in prison, I shouldn't be able to get a shot in on you. You're still weak."

"It's my bond with Alec Lightwood." I touch my parabatai rune, "He purposefully weakened it trying to find me and Zee."

"Zee." He repeats singly.

I grunt, running a hand through my damp hair, "What do you mean, "Zee"?"

"You were with Zee instead of Alec." He said, following me as I walked to the table, "If he was so desperate he weakened the bond to find you, you were hiding from him. How does that happen?"

"Zee has the Mortal Cup. The Clave wants it." I explain, grabbing a water bottle, "Alec sided with the Clave. We can't trust the Clave."

"And you don't trust Alec?" My father sat down, "So Zee means more to you."

I held my finger up, swallowing some water, then looking at him, "No, I do. I trust him. This is different."

"It should be." He nods, "But- I've been watching you. When she suggested that she and Luke go to scout Renwick's-"

"Well, she was right." I cut him off, shrugging, "You said so yourself, I needed to train."

"Nothing would have stopped the Jace I know from going on a mission, even as a child." He stares at me, "I see how attached you are to her, but this kind of thing doesn't always make you stronger."

I reason, "Shadowhunters have relationships."

"Yes, of course." He nods, "When we find someone, it's for life. But we're also warriors, born to serve. And some of us are meant to render greater services than others. I thought you were one of those. Getting involved too deeply with any woman will only weaken your resolve."

I took a step closer to him, "So you're saying I can't be with Zee?"

"I'm saying it wasn't what I expected of you." He stood up, "But seeing you two-"

"What kind of father would deprive his son of that happiness?" He sighs, then pats me back, leaving me alone, "Maybe you should rest."

-

[ zee's pov ]

"We couldn't even count the demons." I cross my arms, looking at Jace, Michael and my mother.

Luke reasons, "Yeah, but we still gotta get Jocelyn out of there."

"That would be a suicide mission." Jace looks at us.

"Doesn't have to be." I cut in, "I have the Cup. Demons have to obey me."

"Yes- But this is Valentine we're talking about. He's going to find another way." My mother crosses her arms.

"That's what Valentine wants." Michael stares at me, "He knows you'll do anything to save Jocelyn. He wants you to take out the Cup and use it."

I step closer, "And if I do?"

"He'll take it." Michael said, "And he'll kill us, too."

I gave him a hard look, "I'd like to see him try."

-

My mother and I hid behind the bushes, watching at Michael, Luke and Jace fought through the endless amount of Circle Members.

My mother and I slowly sneak into Renwick.

I held my blade up, guarding her, even if she was already guarding with her own blade.

"You do realize I'm the one who's trained, right?" She looks at me, as we slowly walked through the building.

"Well-" I walked further into the building, pushing through doors, halting immediately, my eyes landing on Jocelyn Fray, unconscious, and floating, some sort of green spell around her, "This untrained Shadowhunter has accomplished many things-"

"Jocelyn-" My mother ran to her, staring at what had become of one of her her closest friends.

"We found her-" I say in relief, rushing over, trying to get her up, "Joss- Joss- wake up-"

Jace and Michael come running in, shutting the doors immediately.

I put my blade away, "Where's Luke?"

"We left him fighting Blackwell." Jace told me, the both of them drawing runes on the doors, I open my mouth to speak, but he beats me to it, "Luke told us to leave him, Zee."

The demon's snarl, throwing themselves against the doors, Jace grunting, stepping back.

I rush towards the door, Jace instantly getting in my way, stopping me, "No- what are you doing? Get back!"

"Jace, we can't shut Luke out!" I shout, trying to move past him, "He has to make it inside!"

Jace grabs onto me, lifting me up, walking away from the door, setting me down, keeping a hold on my arms, "No, Zee, there is not enough time!"

"We have to secure the room." Michael told us, "We don't even know if Luke is still-"

"Alive?" I finish his sentence for him, looking at Jace, only shouts that were filled of fear leaving my lips, the thought of losing Luke pouring within me, "Jace, no- I'm serious, Jace- we cannot shut Luke out! He will die for nothing! I can't wake her up."

My mother touches my shoulder, "Luke's a fighter- he'll make it out-"

"No- no-" I shiver away from her touch, anger sparking within me, mixing with the fear, forcefully try to pull away from Jace, "Jace, we have to get Luke!"

"Luke wants you, Margaret and Jocelyn out of here."
Michael says, "That's all he cares about. Pull yourself together."

"Pull myself together?" I screech, trying to shove past Jace and over to Michael, "Did you really just tell me to pull myself together? The only man I could ever consider as my father is out there and is at the risk of dying and you're telling me to pull myself together?"

"Zee-" Jace jerks me back to face him, staring at me, "Zee- if you don't help us, no one survives. Do you understand?"

"We will get her home." Jace tried to assure me, as I broke eye contact with him, him grabbing my face, "Look at me!"

I look at him instantly, "We will find a way to wake her up. Do you believe me?"

-

"Zee, now! We can't wait any longer." Jace tells me, signaling for me to get the Cup out and command for the demons to go away.

I casted a glamour on a mug, not trusting Michael. I stepped up, holding up the makeshift Cup, one that I only knew was fake, "Demons, I command you! Find Valentine!"

The banging and screeching from the demons continue, a sigh leaving my lips, "Demons, find Valentine!"

"Let me try." Michael held his hands out after it didn't work once more.

I slowly hand it to him, Michael staring at us, a small smile forming on his lips.

"Come on." Jace urges.

Michael chuckles, using his blade to cut into his rune, Jace staring, his voice falling weak, "No- no."

"Valentine." Jace held his blade straight, staring at him with pure hatred.

"Demons, attack my enemies!" Valentine calls out, the demons snarling, "I command you!"

"All right- cut it out!" I shout, the screeching stopping at my command, Valentine staring at me in shock along with Jace, as I revealed the real Mortal Cup, "You're not the only one who knows how to cast a glamour, father."

I looked at Jace, after Valentine shatters the mug, "Should we let the demons take care of this?"

"No. Send them away." Jace carefully orders, his voice filled with hatred and betrayal, "He's mine."

"Demons, be gone!" I shout, the demons moving away and disappearing from our sight.

My mother stayed with Jocelyn, watching the whole thing go down.

"You pretended to be my father." Jace said in a low voice.

Valentine shook his head, "I wasn't pretending, Jace."

"You murdered him- you're a liar!" Jace's voice was low, his blade now up against Valentine's neck.

"I am your father. I always have been." Valentine quickly said, "The face that you saw as Michael Wayland was mine. Then and now. It was a powerful glamour. I want you to know me as I am. To know the truth about me and you."

"Jace- don't listen to him. He's messing with your head-" I pull out my blade, "He's my father. We know that for a fact."

"Yes, that's true. That's a fact. I am your father, Zee." Valentine confirms, "And Jace's."

Jace shouts, stepping closer, the blade pressing against Valentine's skin, "You're lying!"

"Think about it." Valentine spoke, "Why are the two of you so drawn together? You are meant to be. Blood calls to blood, no?"

"No-" I step back, staring at him, "No-"

Valentine shrugs him off, Jace's arm dropping to his side, holding his blade, breathing heavily.

Valentine goes to the mirror and opens a portal, then looks at us, "My dear family together at last. Two mothers, found. A brother and sister, finally united- yet a sister missing."

Jace screams, running over to him, putting his blade against his neck once more.

"You won't kill me." Valentine chuckles, challenging Jace, "You won't kill me. I said that you were weak, and I meant it."

Jace was frozen, sniffling, his eyes red and filled with tears, "What's wrong, Jace? Can't kill the man who raised you, hmm?"

"I damn well can-" I start to make my way over to them.

Valentine is quick and takes the blade from Jace, holding it to his neck, "Go ahead, Zee. Two for one."

"You're sick." I stare at who was my father, tears starting to brim in my eyes as well.

"You've called me that many times, Zee." Valentine stares at me, "You have the darkness inside of you too-"

"Shut up!" I raise my voice.

"You're my daughter, Zee." Valentine stares at me, "You're weak now- but you were born with that darkness in your heart. The same darkness I have-"

"I said shut up!" I shout, a tear slipping my eye.

"We can't even fight back, huh?" Valentine taunts Jace, "No? Come with me, son. You know that you love me. Your sister is welcome to join us. And bring both mothers along. We can find a way to get Jocelyn again."

Valentine shoves Jace my way, dropping the blade, walking through the portal.

Luke barges in, rushing over to Jocelyn.

I step away from Jace, my mouth wide open, feeling as if all oxygen had left my lungs, tears just falling.

-

"Zee gave Lydia the Cup." Jace walks over to Alec, as I finally sat down with Clary after helping my mother settle into the Institute, "Hodge is taking her to lock it up until she goes back to Idris."

"Okay." Alec simply said.

"Okay? That's it, Alec?" Jace questions.

"I don't want to get into it." Alec starts to leave.

"Stop." Jace stops him, "I do wanna get into it. You almost killed me. You weakened our parabatai bond just to find me."

Alec steps closer to him in argument, "You betrayed me. You lied to me. You attacked me when I was doing what we should've been doing together."

"I didn't betray you, Alec." Jace shook his head, "I saved you from yourself! If you'd have taken Meliorn to be tortured, you would have that on your conscience for the rest of your life."

"Really?" Alec scoffs, "Everything you do is for a higher principle. You took the Cup, and you nearly handed it over to Valentine."

Jace stood his ground, "That was not our intention. You know that.

"Our intention?" Alec repeats, "Was it your intention to risk Izzy's life for hers? This isn't about Zee. This is about you."

"Now, I'm gonna go tell my sister that she still has a future." Alec said, before walking right out.

"Do you think she can hear us?" Clary looks at me, "Where is she? Is she trapped in there? Is she somewhere else?"

"I don't know, Clary." I whisper, my stare fixed on the ground, tears present in my eyes.

"I mean, I- I look at her, and I see my mother, but-" Clary stammers.

My head snaps towards her, my tone was strict, "I don't know, Clary."

Clary hugs me, "Thank you for being her back to me."

I stay silent, pulling away.

Jace walks over to us, causing me to get up, and start to leave the room.

He stops me, grabbing my arm, his voice low, "How did you know that he was Valentine?"

I stare at the ground, my voice also low, "I don't want to talk about this."

"How- did you know." He repeats, more as a demand now, our voices remaining low so only we could hear each other.

"There was just something off." I told him, "I had a feeling."

Jace swallows, "You should've told me."

"And would you have believed me?" I couldn't dare look at him.

"There's something wrong with me." Jace quietly said, "I'm weak. He was right about that."

"He said the same about me." I match his tone, "He was right about that too."

"I should have killed him." Jace scoffs lightly.

"He's our father." I forcefully pull my arm away from him, "Neither of us could've."

With that, I walked away from him and out the room, deciding to sit on the bench of the training room.

Tears remained in my eyes as I looked up, noticing Alec and Magnus.

"As promised payment in full." Alec sighs, handing Magnus his bow and quiver.

"Thank you." Magnus took them, "I just want you to know Lydia was wonderful in court. She's great."

"So- you get it." Alec barely smiled.

"No, Alec. I get her." He corrects him, "I like her. But you don't have to marry her."

Alec huffs, "Yes, I do, Magnus."

"You'll be lonely all your life, and so will she." Magnus said, "Neither of you deserve it. And I don't either."

Magnus turns to walk away, but then turns and hands him back the things, "I don't know what to do with these. You keep them for me."

Magnus turns, walking in my direction, his eyes landing on me, full concern crossing his features, "Are you okay, biscuit?"

"I'll be okay." I quietly said, giving him my best smile through the gleaming tears in my eyes.

"If you need to talk, I'm here." Magnus places a hand on my shoulder.

"I know, Magnus." I nod, "I know."

He nods, leaving me alone.

My eyes are glued to the ground, my tears threatening to fall, as I felt only pain in my chest, not knowing what to do with myself.

Alec Lightwood decides to sit next to me, looking at me for a split second, then looking at the ground, "What happened?"

"Don't you already know?" I whisper, barely glancing at him.

"I wanna hear it from you." Alec stayed seated with me, "What happened, Zee?"

I gave up, leaning my head against his arm, the tears in my eyes falling instantly, "Everything fell apart."

authors note:

uhhh double update cause i lowkey pulled an all night to write this

but oop there you have it guys, zace is now broken