"I've requested that we move Valentine to the Gard in Idris." Alec told Isabelle, Jace, Sebastian and I, "The Clave has approved the transfer."

Jace questions, stealing glances at me every now and then, "You told them about the assassination attempt?"

"No-" Alec lightly shook his head, "I explained to them that moving Valentine out of the city is the best way to restore relations with the Downworld- I left Luke out of it."

"Well, I support you." I nodded once, not glancing at Jace, "It's the right decision."

Alec gave me a calming look, then nods, "But- we have not given up on finding who orchestrated the hit on Valentine."

"I actually have a few leads on that." Sebastian said before walking away, "I'll get a report in by end of day."

"Could I lead the transfer mission?" I asked Alec, looking at him, "I could use something to put my mind to."

Alec nods, "If that's what you want, okay- Jace and Izzy- you will assist her on the transfer mission."

"We need to remove Valentine's Circle Rune." Isabelle mentioned, "The new wards in Idris won't let him pass with it on-"

"Zee- Jace, do you want the honors?" Isabelle looked between us, "You two more than anyone should get the right to do so-"

Jace softly smirks, "Thought you'd never ask."

"I- yeah, sure- I'll be down soon." I nodded lightly, avoiding eye contact with Jace, before looking at Alec, "You okay?"

"Tell me that I'm making the right call." Alec confided in me, "'Cause between you and me, I'm just not sure I'm good at this."

"What? Stop-" I lightly hit his arm, "What're you talking about? You were born for this job."

"If you're having doubts- just, think about it like archery- trust yourself." I patted his back, "And beyond that, just cross your fingers."

-

"Is that tight enough?" Jace tightened Valentine's restraints, "That's better."

"Go ahead." Valentine looked between Jace and I, as I held the device in my hand, "It's not gonna stop me."

"It's not some rune that makes us who we are- it's our blood." Valentine seethed through his teeth, "And yours, my children, is exceptional."

"He's not your kid." I looked at him, my expression blank, "I thought we already went over that."

"Our blood's only different because you experimented on us." Jace looked slightly upset, "On my mother. Why- why her?"

"Sweet Celine." Valentine thought our loud, "She wanted a child so desperately- when she and Stephen learned that she was pregnant again, with you, she was terrified that she was gonna lose her baby, so- she came to me, asking for help."

I scoff lightly, shaking my head, "And I'm sure you were so happy to oblige."

"The injections I gave your mother, laced with Ithuriel's pure angel blood made you strong." Valentine looked from me to Jace, "After her tragic death, after I pulled you from her womb, barely alive, I raised you to use that blood. I taught you-"

"You taught me not to feel." Jace stepped closer to him, "You taught me that to love is to destroy, and to be loved is to be the one destroyed-"

Valentine scoffed at his words, looking between us, "And you've proven how right I've been all along."

"Look at you." Valentine confronted Jace right then and there, "Your love for Zee, it will be your downfall."

Jace raised his voice, standing directly by him now, "Don't you dare bring her into this!"

"She is as much a part of this as you are." Valentine snipped, "I taught her exactly what I taught you. And that is why you guys will never be together- because you're both incapable of love-"

"Alright, enough of this-" I handed Jace the device, taking a step back, "Just shut him up-"

And Jace did, removing the Circle rune.

-

"Valentine's Circle rune has been removed and I've assembled my team-" I knocked on Alec's office door, leaning against the door frame.

"Good." Alec exhales, "I'll feel a lot better when he's out of the Institute."

I nod once, "Have you secured Magnus for the transfer?"

"I think we should consider using a different warlock." Alec got up and began walking with me through the hall, "Catarina Loss lives in-"

"Alec." I looked at him, "We're talking about portalling the Clave's Most Wanted into Idris- I want the best- and that's Magnus."

"Look, Magnus isn't exactly- in a great place right now." Alec told me, "He hasn't been sleeping."

I stopped, "What's wrong?"

"I don't know." He stopped as well, "He says nothing's wrong, but- I can tell he's not alright."

"You know, some people find it hard to ask for help." I shrugged lightly, "If Magnus is hurting, he might push you away- don't let him."

"That says a lot coming from you." Alec shot me a look, one which I glared back at, "Thank you for the advice, but- I know Magnus, he needs his space."

"Fine." I sigh, "We can use a different warlock."

"There you are." Sebastian hopped up the steps.

"Any update on the mole?" Alec asked.

"Yeah- whoever it was is a clever one, left absolutely no trace." Sebastian explained, "But, I've been auditing personnel files. I've found a few Shadowhunters who have a personal stake in wanting Valentine dead- family members killed, relatives lost to the Circle, all with enough access and clearance to pull it off."

Alec nods, "Send me the list when you're done."

"By the angel-" I spotted Aline, walking down the steps and hugging her immediately, "Aline- hi!"

She hugs back, "In the flesh-"

Alec followed, "It's been years-"

"What are you doing here?" I pulled away from the hug, "What a surprise-"

"I would've given you both a heads up, but- I didn't want to spook my dear cousin." Aline looks at Sebastian, "Who disappears for half a year only to show up here."

"Come here, you gorgeous Englishman." She threw her arms around him quickly, smiling widely.

He hugged back, "It's good to see you, Aline."

"Sorry, excuse me-" I stepped away, answering my buzzing phone, "Luke?"

"Hey, I need to talk to you- right now-" Luke's voice filled the line, "I think Simon killed somebody."

-

"Simon's shirt was in that dumpster, soaked in the victim's blood." Luke told me, as I held the bloody shirt in my hand, "His fingerprints were on her bracelet-"

"He would never hurt anyone." I shook my head lightly, "There has to be some sort of explanation for this- I know him, he's a sweetheart."

"The Simon you know is a vampire, Zee." Luke reminded me, "Demon blood- it changes a person, and you know that better than anyone."

I sigh, nodding lightly.

"I gotta find him before anybody else does." Luke got up, "Want to tag along?"

"I would- but, I'm leading a transfer to Idris-" I sigh, getting up, "Let me know if you need me- I'll come."

-

"Valentine Morgenstern, by order of the Clave, you are hereby remanded to the Gard in Idris." Alec said when we had gotten him out of his cell and ready for the transfer, Magnus stood next to him.

"I may be in a cell, but at least I'll be in Alicante- where the air doesn't reek of Downworlders." Valentine seethed through his teeth, his glare fixed upon Magnus.

I slowly nodded at Magnus, who opened up a portal for us to take him to Idris, as Alec instructed, "Get him out of here."

When we went through the portal, every person came through except for Valentine and Duncan.

Consul Dieudonne questioned the moment the portal closed, "Where's the prisoner?"

I stammer, "I don't know, Consul Dieudonne-"

Jace leaned into my ear, whispering, looking around, "What happened to Duncan?"

Consul Dieudonne raises his voice at us in question, "Where the Angel is Valentine?"

authors note:

this is a very short chapter, I'm sorry, it's not my faultttt, i didn't have much to write sksksks

but, next chapter will be longer, i promiseeee

i feel so bad, i'M SORRY, THERE'S NO CONTENT

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