"Zee, we can't panic." Jace was telling me as I paced back and forth in front of him.

"He's a lunatic- he's capable of anything." I breathe heavily. "Simon is innocent, in all of this- the only reason Valentine took him captive is because I care about him."

Luke ran over to us, "Hey, all the prisoners are either dead or gone, no sign of Cleophas."

Jace grabbed me and pulled me into his chest, my heart beat quickening at this movement, "Hey, it's gonna be okay."

I held onto him tightly, closing my eyes for a few seconds, this calming me.

I had escaped reality for just a few moments when my phone began to ring, as I pulled away from Jace, fishing my phone out of my pocket, noticing that it said Simon was trying to video chat me.

"Answer it, Zee." Luke instantly told me, as I was hesitant.

I swiped and answered, Simon coming onto screen, tied up with duck tape on his mouth, his grunts muffled as Valentine crouched in front of the screen when he came in view.

"Hello, Zee." Valentine greeted, "Wish we were chatting under more civilized circumstances, but I'm afraid I've run out of options."

I inhale sharply, "Let Simon go."

"Absolutely." Valentine said, "Just as soon as you come back to the Institute, I need you to activate the sword for me."

I shook my head instantly, "You're insane if you think I'd do that."

"Oh, but I think you will." Valentine's look was smug, "Because if you don't show up within the hour, your vampire boyfriend here is gonna die a death I wouldn't wish upon anyone."

Then, the call cuts out, my phone now a black screen.

I shove my phone in my pocket, staring at the ground for a few seconds, debating what I should do in my head.

Jace stepped back, dialing someone's number, Luke's eyes scanning my face, "Zee."

"What are we waiting for?" I finally looked up, "Let's go."

"That's what Valentine wants." Luke told me, "You know that if you touch that sword, he can destroy the entire Downworld, including Simon."

"No, Valentine needs an energy source." I shook my head, "He needs lightning."

"He's got it." Luke inhales sharply, "Every Institute is powered by an angelic power core."

Jace walks over to us, "Alec's not picking up, let's move."

"Valentine is gonna wish he never laid a hand on Simon." I began, starting to walk away, all fired up, "I'll make sure of it."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Luke stopped me, "You're not going anywhere near that Institute."

"What?" I fought in his grip, "No-"

"We're taking you to Magnus." Luke's grip was firm, "He can protect you."

"I'm not the one who needs protection!" I pulled away from him, "Look- I need to save Simon."

"The Downworld knows that you're the key to activating that sword." Luke exclaimed, "They want you dead."

Jace nods, looking at me in assurance, "I can save Simon."

"It doesn't work that way." I was quick to reply, "If I'm not the one who shows up, Valentine is gonna kill him- they're not going to let you in, and who knows how many Circle members are there, ready to kill you."

"Wait!" A faint voice sounded from the side, catching us all off guard.

I ran towards the sound, Jace and Luke following me, my eyes landed on Dot, locked in a cage, in her worst condition due to the injections, "Dot?"

Dot's voice was weak, "There's another way to destroy the sword."

-

"There you go." Magnus poured something in Dot's mouth as she laid, looking a lot better, "You'll start feeling better in no time."

Dot barely nods, "Thank you."

"Dot." I cross my arms, "What do you know?"

"I heard Valentine briefing his men." Dot's voice was shaky, "If Jace touches the sword, his grip would destroy it."

Jace looked at her, then me, "Me?"

"Why should we believe a word she says?" Luke questions, skeptical, "It's probably just another trap."

"Luke," Dot inhales, then looked at me, "Zee, you know me."

"You have lied to me before." I reasoned, cautious about what she was saying.

"Because of the injections." Dot shot back, "But now that he has the warlock girl, he's cast me aside- I'm myself again."

Luke scoffs, "Good story, but I've heard better."

"Wait, in the vision from Ithuriel, the demon that destroyed the sword had a clawed hand." Jace crosses his arms also.

"Exactly." I nodded, "It has nothing to do with you."

"Perhaps I can lend some insight." Magnus spoke up, "Show me this vision."

Jace and I face him, Magnus placing his hands on the side of our faces, as he used his magic to recall the memory, looking at him for himself.

When he was done, he let go, his eyes wide with thought, "The star in the sky."

"Angels are higher beings." Magnus looked at us, "They communicate through metaphors."

I slowly nod, "And that was a metaphor of?"

"Morgenstern means Morning Star, as in," Magnus went in depth, "How are thou fallen from heaven, O, Lucifer, son of the morning."

Magnus' eyes land on Jace, "The vision seems to be speaking of a Demonic Morgenstern."

"Me." Jace exhales deeply, "That's why Valentine wanted me under his control- I can derail his plan. I can destroy the Soul-Sword."

Magnus sighs, "And destroy yourself in the process."

"No- no way, okay? We'll find another way." I stutter, "It's a suicide mission."

Jace remarks, his eyes connecting with mine, "Oh, says the girl who was willing to die for the Downworld, what, yesterday?"

"She's right, Jace." Luke shook his head, "It's too dangerous."

"I'm not gonna touch the sword." Jace told us, "I'll just get to it before it's activated, and bring the
Mortal Instrument back to the Clave, where it belongs."

Jace looks through the disapproving look on my face, "Trust me."

My voice was low as I stared at him, "Promise me you won't touch the sword."

Jace stared at me for a moment, "I promise."

-

I slowly walked onto the balcony by Magnus, after Jace and Luke left, as he was quiet, staring into the night.

I came to his side, crossing my arms and leaning against the cement, looking at him.

"I'm not used to feeling so-" Magnus opened up when he felt my presence, "Powerless."

"I know how that feels." I exhale deeply, "It's a really sucky feeling, isn't it?"

Magnus exhales, "You have no idea."

Then, my phone buzzes in my pocket, as I fished it out, noticing another call from Simon.

I hesitantly answered the video chat, my heart dropping when Valentine and Simon came up onto the screen again, Valentine crouched right next to Simon, who no longer had duck tape on his mouth.

I looked between Magnus and the phone, "Simon, are you okay?"

"Simon's fine." Valentine answered for him, "We've just been having a nice talk."

"You know, he told me your greatest wish was to get to know your old man, which is funny, because it's always been my wish to get to know my daughter." Valentine continued, "And so, I'm here, and I'm waiting for you. And frankly, well Zee, I'm losing my patience."

Then Valentine got up, and slit Simon's through right in front of me, my hands beginning to tremble as a pained gasp left my lips, Valentine sighing, "The vampire has a half-hour, maybe 40 minutes, before he turns to dust."

"Come quick, Zee." Valentine urged before hanging up, "He needs blood to survive."

"That's it-" I shove my phone into my back pocket, making my way towards the doors, "Portal me to the Institute."

Magnus sighs, following me, "Biscuit, we can't."

"Now!" I spun to face him, my eyes stinging with tears, "Please."

-

"Well, here we are." Magnus exhales deeply when we came out the other side of the portal, a few feet away from the Institute.

"Magnus-" I looked at him, "I want you to know I'm not going anywhere near that sword."

Magnus' eyes fall on me, "I don't care what happens to me, Zee."

"I do." I said back quickly with meaningfulness, "Listen- Alec's gonna be okay- we're all going to be okay."

Magnus stared at me for a second before giving me a nod, as I swung around, a gasp leaving my lips when Raphael stood in front of me, two vampires appearing behind Magnus and grabbing onto him.

Magnus fought in their grip, "Let go of my hands!"

"So- you can use your magic against us?" Raphael questions, "I'm sorry, Magnus- none of us wanted it to come to this."

I stepped back, stammering, "No, I'm here to save Simon- I'm not going to touch the sword-"

"No, you're not." Raphael grabbed onto my arms.

"Raphael-" I grunt, trying to pull out of his strong grip, "Let go!"

"Stop this." Magnus shouts, "Stop it now!"

"If I don't do it, more Downworlders are on their way to do it for me." Raphael said, "You're too close to her, Magnus."

"Raphael- I couldn't care less if you killed me but let me save Simon first." My teeth grit as I pulled harder, trying to rip myself away.

"Quick and painless." Raphael said, pulling me into his, hissing, his face moving toward my neck.

I gasp, "Raphael!-"

Suddenly, Jace was behind Raphael, as he grabbed him and pried him away from me, holding his seraph blade toward him, "This ends now."

Luke had pulled the two vampires off Magnus, "Listen up!"

"You better be right about this, Luke." Maia slowly walked over to us and stood by him.

"Zee may be able to activate the sword, but I can destroy it." Jace held his sword steady, "The angel Ithuriel confirmed that in a vision."

"Angel?" Raphael repeated, "Impossible."

"I saw it, too." I sigh deeply, "He's telling the truth."

"You kill Zee, Valentine still has the damn sword." Luke spoke, "Over time, no doubt, he'll find a way to activate it. Now is our chance to destroy that sword for good, why not let Jace try?"

"Why would a Shadowhunter risk his life for us?" Maia questioned, still hesitant about it.

"Because you and Raphael are gonna tell your Downworld buddies not to lay a hand on Zee." Jace's words made my heart stop, "That's the deal."

Raphael scoffs, "And they'll listen to me?"

"Maybe." Jace dropped his guard and stepped closer to him, "You're the leader of the most powerful vampire clan in all of New York, they respect you."

Raphael looked back at Maia, then inhales sharply, "What exactly is your plan?"

-

"On the video call, Simon was in Aldertree's office." I held my blade, slowly walking through the living space with Magnus, "This way."

"Careful, Biscuit." Magnus stopped me before I turned the corner, "Circle members could be anywhere."

I hesitantly peaked my head, noticing Madzie down the hall, "It's Madzie."

I sigh, looking at Magnus when she walked away, "Go get her- I'll find Simon."

Magnus looked at me, "Are you sure?"

"She's being used, Magnus." I inhale sharply, "She thinks I'm the reason Valentine won't let her see Iris- so she won't listen to me. None of this is her fault, but she needs to be stopped."

Magnus gently nods, "I'll meet you in Aldertree's office."

"Okay." I nod back at him, walking down the other hall when Magnus goes over to Madzie.

As I made my way further down the hall, I heard footsteps coming closer.

As a Circle member ran over to me, I slashed my sword at them, piercing it through them, killing them.

I spun when footsteps came behind me, already piercing my blade through them also.

But before I could turn around, two sets of arms grabbed onto me tighter, a gasp leaving my lips when my blade was knocked out of my hands and I was being pulled down the hall.

"Let go!" I yelled, trying to fight our of the two men's grip, as I was being dragged into the Ops Center.

My eyes went wide when I noticed the sword, and Valentine, making me pull harder, "I said let go!"

Then when they did, Valentine had grabbed my arm and was pulling me towards the sword, "No, stop!"

Valentine barely struggled, and pulled me toward the sword as if I weighed nothing, as I tried my best to pull back with all my strength, "Let me go!"

You can't make me do this-" I grunt, letting out a cry, pulling back as hard as I could, "I won't do it!"

"Unfortunately, you don't get to decide that." Valentine stopped, holding a tight grip on my fist and stared at me, "I am doing this for you, for your sister- your brother, and for the rest of humanity."

I pulled again, as he held me in place, "Zee, this planet is under siege by demon-blooded creatures, intent on death and destruction."

"Once I wield that sword, the Downworld will no longer be part of our world." He continued, "And the lives of my children will be that much safer."

"Was that your sick way of trying to get me to soften up and give into your psychotic plan?" I spat, as he began pulling me toward the sword again, as I jumped and pulled back with all force, letting out a scream, "No!"

He grabbed me, and pulled me toward the sword, holding my hand out for the grip, "Zee, please."

"No!" I cried out, balling my hand into a fist and trying with whatever piece of strength I had left to pull back.

Suddenly, both Valentine and I were shoved to the ground, Simon and Clary using the blades in their hands to take down the Circle Members guarding us.

I jumped away from Valentine, Clary running over to me and helping me up, "You all right?"

"Yeah- I'm fine." I stammer, hugging her instantly, her grip on me tight.

Simon runs over to us, grabbing my arm when I pulled away, "Let's go."

As Simon and Clary began leading me away, I jerk to a stop when Jace walks past us and toward the sword, complete eye contact with me until he was behind us.

"Wait- what is he doing?" I ripped away from Clary and Simon, turning around, "Jace-"

Jace stayed silent, dropping his seraph blade, standing a few feet away from the sword.

"Jace!" I called out, taking a step closer, Jace looking back at me, remaining silent, "Don't- if you touch the sword, it'll kill you-"

Jace stayed silent, as he began to turn back toward the sword.

I ran over to him, grabbing his arm, a pleading look on my eyes, "Jace- please-"

Before I knew it, Simon had grabbed onto me and pulled me away from Jace, a yelp leaving my lips, "What're you doing? We have to stop him!"

Tears burned in my eyes, as I could notice the red tint in Jace's eyes also before he looked at the sword again, focused.

"You promised!" I pulled and fought in Simon's grip, Clary grabbing into my other arm, "You promised me you wouldn't touch the sword!"

"Jace, don't do it!" My tone got louder, I grunted in Clary and Simon's grip, the fear in my chest increasing when Jace reaches for the sword, "No, Jace!"

When Jace grabbed the sword, his body jolted, before the sword fell out of his hand and he fell to the ground.

"Jace-" I was finally let go, as I ran over to him.

Simon and Clary were behind me, Clary staring at Jace laying on the ground, "Why didn't that destroy the sword?"

"I don't know." Simon stared in astonishment also, looking between Jace and I.

"Jace, are you okay?" I questioned, before my attention was brought elsewhere.

Valentine got up, grabbing the sword, "You're nothing if not predictable, son."

Snarling and growling filled our ears, along with charging screaming Downworlders, running towards us.

Valentine raised the sword high, my eyes widening as I grabbed Simon and covered him, a bright light shining over all of us, all the Downworlder's screams increasing before they faded with the light, all of them on the ground, dead.

When I turned, Valentine was gone and so was the sword.

Clary stares at Simon as he stood up, "Oh, my God- Simon, you're okay."

"How?" Simon stammered, looking around in horror, "Every other Downworlder in here, they- they're all dead."

"I don't know." Clary inhales sharply, "I just pray the adamas in the walls contained the blast."

I looked at them, "Where's Valentine?"

Clary sighs, "He's gone."

A gasp filled our ears, my head snapping towards the sound, "Jace."

Jace forced himself up, taking a few steps away from us, "I don't understand- how did I activate the sword?"

I took a step closer to him, realizing burning in my mind, "Only someone with pure angel blood could have done it."

Jace's eyes connect with mine as I spoke, "You don't have demon blood- you never did. You've had pure angel blood. This entire time, Jace. He fooled us all-"

Then Alec ran in, noticing the Downworlders, looking at me, "No- you did this- you activated the sword?"

I began shaking my head immediately, "No-"

Jace stopped us, dreading the thought, "I did it. I thought I was destroying it, Alec, but-"

"Where's Magnus?" Alec cut him off, my heart dropping, "He wasn't here, was he?"

Jace swallows, stuttering, "I- I don't know."

"We portaled in upstairs." I spoke up, "I- he went after Madzie- I haven't seen him since-"

"Oh, God." Alec's eyes flashed with fear as he began running to look for Magnus.

"Alec-" Jace called after him, but Alec doesn't reply, leaving the room.

-

I ran outside a few minutes after Jace ran out, noticing him on holding the Soul Sword with Valentine, holding it between them, Luke on the ground next to them, completely bare, blood oozing out of his wound.

Jace's teeth were gritted, "More lies."

"Don't I wish." Valentine barely chuckles, "Truth sword, remember?"

Jace pushes him back, the both of them fighting for the sword, before the sword was knocked out of their hands and onto the ground a few feet away from me, the both of them not having notice me yet, throwing punches at each other, grunting and panting.

I ran over to the sword and grabbed it, suddenly feeling slightly dizzy.

I looked up, noticing the rune glowing in front of me.

I pulled out my stele, drawing the rune onto the sword, as it began to glow, followed by every rune of it.

Then, it covered in steam, burning my hand, making me drop it.

When I went to pick it up again, it sizzles against my skin again, making me drop it once more.

When I looked up, Valentine was on the ground and Jace was grabbing his seraph blade.

Jace made his way back to Valentine, ready to kill him right there, letting out a yell as I ran over, letting out a panicked yelp, "Jace, don't!"

Jace stops midway at the sound of my voice, holding position.

"The Mortal Cup is still out there." I breathe heavily, "He's the only one who knows where it is."

Jace stopped and held his sword toward Valentine, "You're gonna wish you were dead after the Clave gets through with you."

"Jace." I called for him, looking around as he looked at me, "The sword's gone."

-

I was seated on the bed Luke laid in after everything, caressing his hand with thumb, staring at my feet.

The sun had risen, and everyone was still collecting after everything that just happened.

Luke's eyes slowly open, my head instantly towards him, "Luke-"

"Tell me we got him." Luke asked, his voice quiet and raspy.

"Yeah-" I softly laugh, "Yeah- we got him."

Luke let out a smile of relief as I spoke up, "How are you feeling?"

"Better now that you're okay and Valentine's locked up." Luke blinks a few times and leaning more into the pillow.

"Oh, no." Simon was by us, "Luke, are you okay?"

"He's been sedated." I simply told him, Luke's eyes closing, his breathing slowed down, showing me that he had fallen asleep.

"Zee- I know it's not a good time, but there's something I have to show you." Simon had grabbed my hand and pulled me away from Luke and down the hall.

"What?" I stumble after him, "Simon, what's going on?"

Simon had a bubbly smile on his lips as he pulled me toward the entrance, "It's a surprise."

"What are you doing?" My eyes widen, "The sun's up- you'll get fried!-"

As I tried to stop him, he pulled me outside and into the sunlight, catching me completely off guard when he doesn't burn up.

"Simon!" I gasp, following him down the steps, "How?"

"I mean, does it matter?" Simon's smile widen as he scooped me up and spun me around, a gasp leaving my lips again along with a pleased laugh.

Simon put me down and connected our lips, as I kissed back, this time feeling less weirded as I was getting used to the fact that I was dating him and moving on.

At least this was some more good news.

authors note:

ok don't worry you zace shippers, THEY WILL HAPPEN OK

jus let my baby simon be happy for a little bit, y'all gotta wait like just a tiny bit

and I actually mean a tiny bit, like shits gonna happen soooon

vote and comment loaddds !