"I swear, if that kid ruins one more jacket-" Raphael mutters as I ran over to him, Jace right behind me.

"Where is he?" I immediately question, breathing heavy, "Where's Simon?"

"He'll be back." Raphael dusts off his jacket.

"You just let him go?" Jace came to a stop next to me, "You said you'd look after him."

"I can't do that until he's ready." Raphael told us.

I breathe, "What does that mean?"

"It means he's where everybody goes when this happens." He looks at me, "His own personal hell."

"No-" I look away, "I did this. I put him there-"

"Hey-" Jace wraps an arm around me and pulls me into his chest.

"If it helps, he doesn't even remember it was you." Raphael adds in, "Those first minutes a complete blank."

"Are you kidding?" I looked at him, "I have to go through him hating me for my choice again?"

"Once you rein him in, he'll be walking, talking proof to the Clave that Camille broke the Accords." Raphael said, "In fact, as a new leader"

"I don't care about your vampire politics!" I set my hand forward, "We have to find Simon."

Jace nods towards me, "We will."

"He's out there, he's alone." I slip away from Jace, pacing, "He's scared- he's hungry. Who knows what could happen-"

"Give me a call when he turns up. He'll need my help." Raphael told us, then rushes off.

"I think we've had just about enough of your help." Jace mutters, then grabs his phone.

I stop and look at him, "What are you doing?"

"Getting reinforcements." Jace calls Alec, speaking the minute the phone is answered, "Alec, I need you."

"It's Izzy. We need you." Jace heard from the other line, bringing his phone between us, putting it on speaker, "There's been an attack at the Institute."

I repeat, "An attack?"

"Valentine created a Forsaken that went through the wards." She told us, Jace shooting me a look.

"That's not possible, Izzy." Jace denies, "Nothing can get through the wards. They're warlock spells to defend against all Downworlders."

"Not this one. It had Seelie blood with angel properties." Isabelle told us, "It went after Hodge and Alec."

"What?" I blurt out, "Are they okay? Is Alec-"

"They're banged up, but they'll live." Isabelle told me, "Hodge killed it. It was after the Cup."

"Izzy, we'll be there as soon as we can." Jace hung up and starts running, stepping onto the sidewalk.

"Jace- wait-" I chase after him, as he came to a stop at my voice, slowing down, "We need to talk-"

"Valentine attacked my home." Jace shook his head, starting to walk again, "Alec's injured. We've got to go."

"I know- and we will." I grab his arm to stop him from walking, "Believe me, there's nothing more I want then to see it Alec's okay."

Jace sighs through his nose and looks at me, "After we go check up on Alec- I'm going after Simon."

"No-" Jace instantly shook his head, "It's not safe out here, Zee."

"I'll be fine." I try to assure him, "And I'm gonna make sure Clary stays at the Institute-"

"What so she can be protected and not you?" Jace fought back, "Zee, let's not forget she's not the one being hunted right now."

"Okay, did you forget how I single-handedly battled a Shax demons to protect the Cup?" I mentioned.

Jace sighs, "No, I didn't, I was just- I was gonna say-"

"That I have a lot to learn-" I already knew what he was gonna say, "Yes, I know- but I don't know what else-"

"Zee, you're right, okay?" Jace cuts me off, grabbing my arm, stopping me from talking, exhaling deeply, "You're right."

"Did you just say I'm right?" A small smile forms on my lips, grabbing my phone, starting to record him, "Could you say that one more time for the camera?"

Jace looks away, smiling, then grabs my wrist, making the camera face me, "Don't get used to it."

I stop recording, putting my phone back in my pocket, smiling lightly.

"Look, maybe Luke can help you find Simon." Jace suggests, "Werewolves are really great trackers."

I nod, "Yeah, all right."

"Just promise me you'll be careful, okay?" Jace held my hand.

"I promise." I said, "Jace, we still have to talk about-"

"Us." Jace finishes my sentence, making me go silent.

He presses his lips into mine, holding my waist. I held his face with one hand, the other resting on his shoulder, kissing back.

He pulls away, looking at me.

I roll my eyes playfully, "That didn't have much talking in it, but it'll be suffice for now."

Jace laughs, grabbing my arm, pulling me along, "Come on-"

-

"Wait- you're telling me that you saw your mother?" Jace stops me, staring at me as we stood in the middle of the Institute after I had privately told Clary and he had spoken to Maryse and Robert.

"Yeah-" I mutter, "She was chained- but she was alive."

"How did you see her?" Jace's attention was completely glued towards me.

"Uhm-" I swallow, "There was this portal shard- in this box Alec and I found- it was a letter from her and- I held it- and thought of her- and I saw her. Valentine has her trapped, Jace."

"Why didn't you tell me this sooner?" Jace held my arm.

"Oh- I'm sorry, I was kinda dealing with my best friend transitioning into vampirism- who now, hates me and is off alone- who I still have to find." I cross my arms, shooting him a look, "Is that enough or need I say more?"

Jace nods, "Well- I'm glad you told me."

"She calls Meliorn in and arrests him, then acts like it's all out of her hands." Isabelle spoke to Alec, as Jace and I neared the training room, "You're gonna hurt yourself-"

"I'm fine, Izzy." Alec clenches his jaw, continuing to punch the punching bag with his arm that wasn't injured, grunts leaving his lips, "It was the Clave that gave the order, not Lydia."

"Are you sure about that?" She shot back.

"Who's the blonde chick?" I walk up the steps and over to them, referring to the new face around the Institute.

Isabelle rolls her eyes at the mention, "Lydia."

I walk over to Alec, my hand touching his bicep, looking at him, wanting him to stop.

He tenses up, freezing, looking at me, the look on my face causing him to step away from the punching bag, breathing heavily.

Jace stands next to me, "You all right?"

"I'm fine." Alec exhales, holding his arm.

"I just spoke to Robert and Maryse." Jace crosses his arms, "They're being sent back to Idris."

"What?" Isabelle looks at him, then looks at Alec, "Another "order" from Lydia?"

"All right-" I look at her, "Who's Lydia?"

"She's in charge of the Institute." Isabelle crosses her arms.

Jace looks at her instantly, "She's what?"

"Temporarily." Isabelle adds in, "And now she's convinced the Clave that Mom and Dad aren't doing their job?"

Alec quickly shoots back, "Well, maybe they aren't. The Institute was under their control when the Forsaken got in."

"What are you talking about?" Jace questions.

Alec admits it, "Mom and Dad were members of the Circle."

"What?" Isabelle gapes, "They don't have Circle runes."

"That's because they made a deal with the Clave prior to the Uprising." Alec told them, "In exchange for their cooperation, they were pardoned."

Isabelle scoffs, "You're questioning their loyalty?"

"Valentine is back." Alec states, "The Circle is rising. They're under suspicion."

"No way." Jace instantly shook his head, "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 steps closer, "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. They're hypocrites."

The blonde woman Jace and I had noticed earlier walks over to us, standing next to Alec, leaving me to side next to Jace, holding her hand out in greeting, "You must be Jace Wayland- Lydia Branwell. You're quite the legend back in Idris."

Jace glances at her hand, not shaking it, "Don't believe everything you hear."

Lydia turns to me, "Zee Young. You've been the reoccurring news back in Idris."

I cross my arms, staying silent, raising my eyebrows once and looking away from her in response.

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

Isabelle stares at them, "Tell us what?"

Alec's next words make my heart stop, "Lydia and I are engaged."

Jace and Isabelle's expressions drop at his response.

Shock crosses my face, my eyes widening slightly in surprise, my mouth slightly dropping, not knowing what to say.

My eyes glance between them a few times, a bubble of laughter leaving my lips in a mixture of surprise and disbelief, not wanting to believe what I had just heard, "What?"

Alec's eyes were glued to me, Lydia speaking for him, confirming it, "We're getting married."

My expression changed, confusion and seriousness threaded in my features, "Wait- when the hell did this happen?"

"You're not serious." Jace stares at them.

"You were supposed to tell them no." Isabelle spat at Alec, being completely upset, walking away after speaking, "It's your life to ruin."

"Not sure what to say." Jace admits, clearing his throat.

"How about- "None of this matters"?" Alec suggests, "We have to stop Valentine."

"Finally." Jace snips, "Something we agree on."

He leaves me alone with Lydia and Alec, as I start to back away myself, "This is my cue to exit."

I turn, speed walking away, walking into the hall and towards my room.

Footsteps follow me, as I instantly came to a stop, my eyes landing on Alec.

I walked into my room, ignoring him, closing the door, sliding my back down it, sitting on the ground, needing a moment to process what had just happened, then wanting to change so I can secretly head out to go find Simon.

A small squeak leaves my lips when the door is opened, the door pushing me to the side with it as it opened.

"That was stupid." Alec's voice fills my ears, pulling the door back to close it, only for me to fall back onto my back due to me leaning on it, "You're tiny- okay, that was even stupider."

I got onto my feet, "What do you want?"

Alec walks over to my nightstand, opening it, "Where is it-"

"Where's what?" I walk over to him.

"The portal shard." He looks at me, my eyes widening instantly, my heart dropping to the ground at him knowing.

"I don't know what you're talking about-" I pull him away from my nightstand, then go over to my closet, grabbing out a pair of ripped black jeans, a white t shirt, a belt and a olive green jacket.

"I heard you and Jace talking." Alec calls me out, "What're you doing?"

"Getting clothes out to change into after I kick you out of my room-" I place my clothes onto the bed and grab his arm, starting to pull him to the door.

Alec easily pulls me back, my body hitting his chest with a thud at how quickly I swung into him.

"Ow-" I pull away from him, Alec opening my nightstand again, grabbing the small box.

"Alec- no!" I try to take it from him.

Alec opens it, grabbing the portal shard, placing the box down, walking out of my room.

I chase after him, "Alec!"

"This needs to be in a secure place." Alec walks towards the training room, "Not with you."

"Why are you taking that from her?" Jace joins in, now by my side.

"This is another door I have to shut." Alec uses his stele to unlock the little safe in the ground, pacing it in with the Mortal Cup, "Leave it there."

I clench my fists, spinning around, walking off, frustration building in me due to how he's been acting.

I walk into my room, changing into my clothes, sneaking out of the Institute.

-

I had went and spoken to Luke. And the first place I went to was Simon's house.

I ran upstairs, jerking to a stop at the door, stepping in quickly at the sight of Elaine hugging Simon, Simon's fangs out, temptation taking over him, "Simon!"

Simon jumps back, "Zee."

I looked at Elaine, "Hi, Mrs. Lewis."

She sweetly smiles, "Hi."

She looks at Simon, "Oh, are you all right? Doesn't he look so pale to you? Wait, what happened to your glasses?-"

Simon steps back, "No, don't!"

"He's got contacts." I quickly cover for him.

"Okay, someone needs to tell me what is going on here." Elaine looks between us.

I shook my head towards Simon, warning him.

"Mom, there's something I need to-" Simon began.

"-Do for me." I cut him off, "You won't believe this, but my identity was stolen. Bank account hacked. Apparently, I am not Zee Young."

"Uh, that's awful." Elaine swallows, "It happened to me last year, but Zee, I don't think he's well enough to go-"

I push, wanting Simon to leave with me before he sucked his mother dry, "Simon, we have always been here for each other."

Simon swallows, tearing up, "I don't know."

"You know what, Zee? I think maybe another time-" Elaine starts.

I ignore her, "Simon, I need you to help me through this. Like I will help you get through your situations."

Simon nods, looking away, "Yeah."

"Are you sure, baby?" Elaine questions.

"Oh, yeah, I'm fine." Simon nods, "You know how much of a hypochondriac I can be-"

"Zee?" Elaine looks at me, "You take care of my boy. You know how much he means to me."

"Of course." I nod, then look at Simon, "Okay, we should really go."

Simon starts to follow me, "I'll see you later, Mom."

"I'm holding you to that." Elaine said, "And when you come home, you and I are gonna have a serious discussion about what's going on with you."

"Love you." Simon whispers, then follows me out the door.

-

"I feel sick." Simon admits, walking with Luke and I.

Luke assures him, "Don't worry, we'll get you what you need."

"I need this to stop." Simon's voice was shaky.

"I've been there before." Luke told him, "It'll get better."

"Simon- I'll help you through this." I told him honestly.

"No, you can't." He shook his head, "Zee, I was a regular guy. I had a life. A regular life. And today I almost tore my mother apart. What if I do that to you?"

"Simon, you won't." I try to reach for him.

Simon walks away, "Get away-"

I looked at Luke, "Can you get the car?"

Luke nods, leaving me alone.

I walk over to Simon, who was leaning against the wall, "Once you feed-"

Simon snips at me, "Feed? Are you kidding? That's what this is now? That's what my life's about? Like I'm in a zoo?"

"I'm sorry-" I stammer, "I-"

"Why are you so sorry, Raphael did this to me." Simon looks down.

"Simon," I took a deep breath, "It was my choice."

Simon looks at me instantly, guilt filling within me, "You died. Raphael brought you to us. I had a choice. I could stake your heart or I could bury you, and you could come back."

"Zee, why?" Simon's voice was dangerously low.

"Because I love you, Simon-" I began.

He lashed out, "You call that love? You brought me back to this? This nothing where I feed, and I have to hide from the sun, and I can't bear to be by the people that I love? Did you ever think about that, Zee? How I would feel, what I would be?"

"No- no-" My eyes start to sting with tears, my hand holding his face, "I was being selfish- I'll admit it- I needed you- and I couldn't lose you- I wasn't ready- I'm sorry-"

He pulls away from me, "Just stay away from me."

-

[ jace's pov ]

Isabelle walks over to the screen, Alec and I right behind her, "This is insane. We have to put a stop to this."

Alec mutters, "Yeah, well, enjoy Portaling back to Idris with Mom and Dad."

"Meliorn is here because of me." Isabelle shot at him.

"Alec's right." I sigh deeply, "There's nothing we can do to stop this interrogation."

"You're on Alec's side now?" Isabelle looks at me.

Alec stares at the screen, "We swore to protect each other, of course he's on my side."

"I'm not picking sides." I cross my arms, "Jace Wayland is Switzerland. We have got to find Valentine. Let's let this play out, Izzy. Meliorn might have some important information."

"Forensics don't lie." Lydia spoke as we watched the interrogation, "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 questioned, "Scouts sent to help you hunt for Valentine. Why do you think we would side with a murderer?"

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

"You should talk to your own people about playing sides." Meliorn comments.

Lydia stops, "Excuse me?"

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

Lydia goes silent, staring right at him.

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

-

I walked into Zee's room, Lydia having her room searched, my eyes snapping towards Raj, who was going through the drawer filled with Zee's bras.

I walk over, snatching her bra out of his hands, "I'm pretty sure that's not the cup you're looking for."

"Give me a break, Wayland." Raj puts his hands up, "I'm just trying to do my job."

I place the bra back in the drawer, shutting it, walking over to Alec, "Alec, call this off now."

"I guess Zee's bedroom is in part of Switzerland?" Alec questions.

"We can't call it off." Lydia walks over, "We have to find the Mortal Cup."

"It's all clear." Raj says.

"Of course it is." I mutter.

"It's not here." Lydia says, "Let's keep looking."

Lydia and everyone else leave the room, my eyes focused on Alec, "What is going on with you?"

"Look, Jace, we have to turn over the Cup." Alec said straightforward.

"Alec, she's risked everything to find it." I exhale.

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

I sigh, "I'll bring her back. But, please, let Zee be the one to give the Cup to the Clave. We owe her that much."

"It's the right call, you'll see." He nods at me, leaving the room.

My eyes land on the small box and photo album on Zee's bed. I walk over, taking the note that was still folded, placing it back into the box, putting the box and album back into her nightstand.

I make sure Alec's gone, before grabbing my phone out, snapping a picture of a rune, sending it to Zee, calling her.

-

[ zee's pov ]

"Just drink." Luke hands Simon a blood bag.

I urge, "You can do it, Simon."

My phone buzzes, as I took it out, a photo Jace had sent me shining on my screen, followed by his call, "Hey, what's with the picture?"

"Draw it, now." He told me instantly, "It's a Blocking rune. It prevents anyone from finding you using Shadowhunter tracking."

"What's going on?" I slip off my jacket, keeping the phone held to my ear, my shirt remaining tucked, grabbing out my stele, drawing the rune into my arm, trying my best to now make sounds of pain.

"Zee, the Clave heard you had the Cup." He told me, "They think you're working with Valentine."

"But- the Cup hasn't been found yet, right?" I question, "It's secure?"

"It will be." Jace said, "You need to get to someplace safe. Someplace the Clave would never look. I'll find you."

The call ends, as I walk over to Luke and Simon, slipping on my leather jacket, "We'll go to Jade Wolf."

Luke shook his head, "The Clave know you like family. They'll look there first."

I sigh, "Simon, we're going to see the one person who can help us both."

-

"Have you lost your mind?" Raphael looks at us, "A Shadowhunter and a werewolf? You do know this isn't a hotel?"

Simon comments in a mutter, "Technically, it is."

"Even starvation can't shut you up." Raphael remarks.

"Look, we just need someplace secure until we can figure out a plan." I persuade.

"These people never listen." Luke said, "Don't bother. Let's go."

"You should put a muzzle on that mutt." Raphael said, looking at me, "The fledgling can stay. But you aren't exactly welcome after you barbecued half a dozen of my people."

"Let's go, please." Simon quietly says, " I don't want any part of this."

"Look, there isn't any place else." I huff, then look at Simon, "You need Simon back, right? To prove Camille broke the Accords. What good will he be if he dies of starvation?"

Raphael stares at us, then sighs, "Fine, but the stray waits outside."

"If anything happens to these two, you won't have to wait till sun up, I'll kill you myself." Luke's eyes flash green.

"Easy there, Fido." Raphael looks at him, "They'll be under my protection."

-

"So- this is your idea of protection?" I question, Raphael locking Simon and I behind bars, enough room for us to talk.

"It keeps you away from my people, and my people away from you." Raphael says, looking at Simon, "Give a shout when you're hungry."

Raphael eyes me, "Of course, you do have a pretty decent snack right here, no?"

Raphael chuckles, "Oh, silly me. I forgot you two are such great friends. Or has that changed?"

Raphael leaves us alone, Simon clenching the fence, "Zee, you do not understand how this is."

He looks at me, hunger burning in his eyes, "I can hear your heartbeat. I can smell the blood in your veins. And I want it."

I sat down, sighing deeply, "I'm sorry. Simon, I would not blame you if you-

He cuts me off, "What? Killed you? Don't you understand anything?"

"No-" I shook my head, "But- there has to be a way for you to stay in this world. Maybe what I did was wrong and selfish, but I need you, Simon. I can't live in a world without you. I thought I could be strong. I thought I was a real Shadowhunter."

Simon stares at me, trying his best to hold back, as I continued, "Simon, when it comes to you, I am still just Zee Young. And you are still my best friend. I would rather you tear me apart than watch you die again-"

"Raphael!" Simon shouts, making me shut up.

"You ready now?" Raphael shows up.

"Yes-" Simon barely said, "Please!"

"Here you go." Raphael pours him some blood, handing it to him, Simon choking it down, "It's all about presentation and quality produce."

Raphael looks at me, "You see, us vampires look after one another. We take care of our family."

I got up, "Simon already has a family."

"Had a family." He corrected me, "That's all gonna change now. You're a Shadowhunter- he's a vamp. You two will never be equals. You'll have to learn that for yourself. Hasta luego."

-

"How are you feeling now?" I quietly ask, my jacket on resting on the table.

"I'm drinking blood, Zee." Simon stares at me, seated with me.

"I know, Simon." I sigh deeply, looking down.

"I never wanted any part of any of this." Simon stares at me, "The whole Shadow World."

"Neither did I." I looked up at him.

"At least you're a superior being." Simon mutters, "I'm a Downworlder."

I go silent, not knowing what to say.

Simon breaks the silence, "Well I don't wanna bite you anymore."

I weakly smile, "That's progress."

"Simon, I brought you back because I need you. But- I also brought you back because I wanted us all to be different, you, Clary and I." I admit, looking up at him, "I mean, suddenly I was this new person, who was meant to be something else and you were still living in our old world. I mean- I thought about staking you, but- I just couldn't fight this deep need for-"

"For us to be together." Simon finishes my sentence, getting up.

I huff, "Look, I understand if you hate me now."

"Be angry with you? Yeah." Simon looks back at me, "Hate you? Never."

"What's gonna happen to us?" Simon quietly said, "Luke and Raphael can't stand each other. Every Downworlder seems to despise Shadowhunters. Can't you see the divide?"

"Not between us." I got up, "We're gonna get through this."

Raphael walks over, letting us out, "It appears the cavalry has arrived. You'll wanna use the back stairs."

I grab my jacket, slipping it on, leaving Hotel DuMort, Simon right behind me.

I jog down the steps, Jace pacing outside.

"Jace-" I ran over to him.

Jace immediately turns at my voice, pulling me into a hug, holding me tight, "Thank God you're okay."

"So this is your safe hideout, huh?" Jace says when we pull away.

"As if the Clave was gonna look here-" I cross my arms.

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

My eyes widen, "Wait- what? Someone- fill me in?"

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

Clary stood straight, "They're taking him to the Silent Brothers."

"We're gonna stop them, right?" I looked at Jace, saying in a mumble, before clearing my throat, speaking in my normal tone, "We have to stop them."

"That's the plan, Zee." Jace half-heartedly smiles at me, "Rescue and recovery."

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

"You want us to go up against the Silent Brothers, and an elite Shadowhunter guard unit?" I question.

Luke adds in, "Without any backup?"

"Pretty much sums it up, yeah." Clary shrugs.

I notice Alec not here, my eyebrows furrowing, "Is Alec coming?"

"No." Jace shook his head, going quiet, "Not this time."

"If they're doing this to Seelies, no Downworlder is safe." I cross my arms, "But- we can't go in alone, not if we don't want to be detected."

"My pack will track the unit, create a distraction." Luke offers, nodding towards me.

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

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

"Let me talk to Raphael." I looked at Jace, as he shot a hesitant look, a small smile playing at my lips, "I have an interesting effect on people, remember?"

-

"We're offering an alliance with the Seelies." I lead, standing my ground, shooting Luke a look.

Luke swallows, "And the werewolves."

"Why should we believe you?" Raphael questions, "You killed our people. You violated our home."

Jace backs me up, "You kidnapped a mundane, remember?"

"That was me." Simon raises his hand.

"You were just following Camille's orders." I stare at Raphael, "She violated the Accords. You are a different kind of leader- and I trust you'll make the right decision, one that is good for your people."

I continue, "We are a new generation of Shadowhunters. We believe everyone can be equal. But- we have to work together to stop Valentine. And to ensure the Clave doesn't repeat past mistakes. What do you say?"

Raphael spoke up, "This decision requires a consensus."

Simon steps up, "I vote yes."

"Well, well, well, baby's first words." Raphael remarks.

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

"If our newest member pledges his loyalty to his new leader and joins our clan we'll all stand beside you." Raphael puts out a condition.

"Simon's not a pawn." Clary began.

"No I'm not." Simon steps closer, "But, I accept your deal."

I look at him, "Simon, what are you doing?"

"Whatever it takes to protect the Downworld." Simon nods towards me, "It's my world now."

Raphael nods, "Then we're in."

-

"This does not look like the City of Bones." I look around, Jace beside me, Clary, Isabelle and Simon behind us as we walked, Luke's pack and Raphael's clan following us.

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

"The City of Bones has a service entrance." I roll my eyes, "Perfect-"

"I hope I have better luck here than I did last time." Simon comments, "I'm just saying."

I look at them, "Everyone knows what to do?"

"Text when you're in position." Jace adds in.

Luke and Raphael start to move together, Raphael stopping, looking at Luke, whistling, "Stay."

Luke stops, Raphael smirking, "Good dog."

Luke rolls his eyes, "Bite me."

"Roll over." Raphael picked back at him.

Luke quickly shot back, "Play dead."

"Boom!" Simon makes a sound effect, him and Luke sharing a fist bump.

A werewolf shoves into Simon, Simon stumbling forward, the vampires hissing at the werewolves, the werewolves growling at the vampires.

"Hey- stop- enough-" Jace tried to stop them from getting closer to each other.

I come between them all, screaming, my voice cracking with how loud my tone was, loud enough for them to hear me through their growls and hisses, "Hey, enough!"

Raphael stares down at me once they all went silent, his fangs revealed from his hissing, "Dangerous for a tiny girl to come between a vamp, werewolf fight."

"Hey, all our lives are at stake!" I shout at all of them, my voice still cracking due to me never screaming this loud, "It's time we put aside our differences, and work together!"

They all stare at me in silence, my tone dropping, my breathing heavy from all that screaming, "Tonight we're all Downworlders."

I looked to my right, "Luke?"

Luke nods, my head turning to the left, "Raphael?"

Raphael nods, the clan and pack retreating, heading to their positions.

"I guess I should expect people to hate me for who I am now." Simon sighs, "I'll get used to it."

I point at him, "Never get used to it. You hear me?"

Clary pats my back, "Damn- you're all fired up."

"Let's do this." Isabelle nods, her, Clary and Simon leaving Jace and I alone.

"We're risking everything." I run a hand through my hair, "Going against the Clave, against the other Shadowhunters-"

"Valentine's trying to destroy the world, Zee." Jace told me, "We're trying to protect it."

"Before I forget-" He pulls out the card with the Mortal Cup in it out, along with the portal shard, "These belong to you."

"Did Alec give you these?" I question, taking them from him, shoving the card in my pocket.

"Let's just say this is where they're safest." Jace exhales.

"Is that code for- you took them without him knowing?" I question, looking at the portal shard in my hand.

Jace shot me a look, then looks at my hand, "Be careful."

"Don't worry. I won't activate it now that I know how it works." I place it in my pocket, "Thank you."

"Thank me if we make it out of this alive." Jace's hand touches my arm.

"When we make it out." I correct him, pecking his lips, before running right in.

-

"Come here." Jace says, his voice raspy, grabbing out his stele.

I take a deep breath, letting him draw the rune right into my collarbone.

I blink, my sight feeling as if it had been zoomed in by a hundred percent, looking past the walls, only to see Alec walking along with Meliorn, a few Shadowhunters with him.

"Oh no-" I whisper, "Alec?"

Jace waves his stele over the same rune, looking at Alec, "Damn it- Lydia must have sent him."

I looked at him, the thought of her slipping my mind, "Lydia?"

"Alec's future wife." Jace looks at me, "Temporary head of the Institute?"

"Future wife?" I repeat as if I didn't know, "Wait, never mind- I knew that-"

Jace holds back a smile, his smile then fading when looking back at Alec.

"Just say the word, and we'll call the whole thing off." I offer, "I don't want Alec to get hurt in the process-"

"No, there's no turning back now." Jace shook his head, "So whatever happens, follow my lead."

Jace pulls me along, is beating Alec to entrance, taking our places.

Alec walks in with Meliorn, holding onto him, using his stele to draw a rune on the pillar, the wall destroying, revealing the entrance.

I ran in front of them, "Alec."

Alec stares at me, his eyes squinting.

Jace was right behind me, Alec staring at the both of us, "You told me you were taking Zee back to the Institute. You lied to me."

"I did what needed to be done." Jace stood his ground.

"Alec, the Clave has gone too far, you have to see that." I plead, stepping forward, "Please, just let Meliorn go. Come with us- please."

"I have my orders." Alec doesn't bother to look at me.

"Alec." I step closer to him, deciding to try something, "Can you honestly look me in the eye and tell me you won't come with us?"

Alec's eyes lock with mine.

I await for those words to come out of his mouth, my chance of trying to get through to get through to him getting thrown out the window.

He stays silent for a few seconds, his eyes lingering with mine.

He blinks, looking away and at the ground, "I said I have my orders."

"You and your damn orders." I huff, running a hand through my hair, "What you're doing- the orders you're following- it's wrong, Alec. Who cares about orders?-"

"See?" Alec looks at me, "That's how little you know about being a Shadowhunter.You couldn't possibly understand-"

Jace cuts him off, "It's you that doesn't understand, Alec. Not this time. I'm really sorry."

Jace runs, shoving Alec to the ground, "Zee, Meliorn, go, now."

I grab Meliorn, pulling him along with me, running out by Isabelle and Clary.

"Meliorn-" Isabelle says in a sigh of relief, huffing him instantly.

I use my stele to break what was holding his wrists, then run back to where Alec and Jace were.

"You always broke the rules, but never the law, not until she showed up." Alec was held down by Jace.

"You've had it out for Zee from the start." Jace held him down, "And now you're getting married, Alec? We both know what this is about."

"Oh, do we?" Alec breathes heavily, "Okay. Why doesn't the legend, Jace Wayland, tell us what's it about?"

"It's about me!" Jace says, "It's about your feelings. It's because you're-"

Alec pushes him off, the two of them throwing punches at each other, Alec getting the upper hand , then having Jace on the ground, the blade against his neck.

"Do it- do it!" Jace shouts, "I don't wanna be alive if we're on different sides, Alec."

"Alec-" I ran over, stopping a few inches away from them, my hair a mess, my eyes wide, staring at what he was about to do.

Alec's head snaps towards me, along with Jace's.

I shook my head, my voice going quiet, "No-"

Alec looks back at Jace, holding his ground.

"Alec-" I came closer, crouching, "Give it to me."

Alec unexpectedly grabs me and pins me to the ground, "If you think you have any effect over me anymore-"

Jace slowly sat us, watching us, processing everything they had just happened.

"Anymore?" I try to push him away.

Alec pathetically laughs at my effort, "Do you really think you can go up against me?"

"No- but I got you off Jace." I shrug, then look at him, "I know- you're in the process of basically battling us right now, but- I find it impressive that you do everything for family."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Alec breathes heavily.

"I'm talking about Lydia." I kick him off me, trying to make due with the little training I had, standing up, "How you're suddenly engaged to her? You're doing it for family. When are you going to do something for you?"

He grabs my leg, pulling me back on the ground with a thud, "Look at what you're doing- does this come in the package of an engagement with Lydia Branwell?"

He holds the blade to my neck, trying to stop me from speaking, "What happened to Magnus? Isn't he what you really want, Alec?"

Jace gets up, his shout echoing, "Alec!"

"You won't kill me." I lean up, completely positive, letting the sharp blade touching my neck, "No matter how much you hate me."

Alec slowly slipped away from me, sitting down, dropping the blade, muttering, "The only thing I genuinely wanted, I can't have."

Jace walks over to us, helping me up, then held a hand out for Alec, "Come with us."

Jace continued, "We'll fight Valentine the right way together."

"If we do that we'll be considered traitors like Mom and Dad." Alec stares at the ground, hugging his knees.

"I'm begging you, my parabatai- my brother." Jace's voice grew weak, tears starting to brim in his eyes, "Please, Alec, come with us."

Alec looks up at him, "No."

Jace let out a sound of defeat, before grabbing my arm, pulling me along with him.

"Wait- Alec-" I call out, only for Jace to pull me right out.

-

"Zee, we have to go." Jace told me as he lead me through Hotel DuMort, "Meliorn is a wanted man, we have to get him back to the Seelie court where he's protected."

I stop, looking at Simon, "I wish you could come with us."

"I've got a lot of stuff to work on here." Simon nods, "Like controlling my murderous tendencies."

"We'll see each other soon." I smile weakly, "Simon, listen, I-"

He cuts me off, "What's done is done. I'm a vampire and you're a Shadowhunter. Maybe that's supposed to mean something, but you're still you. And I'm still me. Sort of. Enough anyway."

I nod lightly, giving him my best smile, giving him a hug.

He pulls me away gently, "Let's work up to hugging because I haven't had dinner yet."

I nod quickly, "Sorry-"

"It's okay." He smiles.

I wave at him, walking over to Jace.

Jace places a hand on my back, walking down the stairs with me, as I stop him, "Jace-"

He looks at me, "Yeah-"

"Are you okay?" I quietly ask, "Because Alec-"

"I don't know." Jace admits quietly, "But- I'm glad you're here with me."

"I've got your back." I walk outside with him, "Just like you have mine."

Jace weakly smiles, then him and I walk over to Isabelle, Meliorn and Clary.

"Oh, thank god-" Clary sighs in relief, "I'm not a third wheel anymore."

"I hate to break up this reunion, Izzy, but we have to go." Jace spoke, breaking Isabelle and Meliorn apart from their make out session.

"You're in good hands." Isabelle nods, "I need to get back to the Institute, see what hell has broken loose. Try and talk some sense into Alec. Take care of him."

"We will." I nod.

Clary hugs me, "See you soon."

"Sooner than you think." I hugged back, before her and Isabelle run off, back to the Institute.

"Isabelle told me it was your idea to rally the Downworlders." Meliorn looks at me, "That you spearheaded my rescue."

"Don't give me too much credit." I cross my arms, "Isabelle made this happen. We just helped- we all did."

"She's being modest." Jace looks at me, "You're a Shadowhunter now."

Meliorn admits, "I've been surprised by more than one Shadowhunter tonight. You risked everything to unite us."

Jace snips, "Right after you tried to sell her out."

"Not my finest moment." Meliorn admitted once more, "Which is why I'm offering you a gift for your sacrifice."

My eyebrows furrow in confusion, his next words making my expression drop.

Meliorn looks at me, "If you're ready I can help you find your father."

authors note:

sucky ending bleh

but it's okkkk

i was like crying while writing this so like my bad if it's bad

but we chillin now