I held the necklace in my hand after Clary had run into my room that night, "And he spoke to you?"

"He said my name." Clary nodded, "He said, your mother for the Cup."

Alec was in my doorframe, "Who said that?"

"Valentine." The necklace dangled between my fingers as my eyes tear away from it, looking at him.

Clary faces him, "He's with my mother."

"And he can speak to you through that necklace?" Alec walks further in, "Here, in the Institute?"

"It's like when I saw Dot." Clary told him.

"It's a Portal shard." I held the purple jewel in my palm, "That's why your mother made sure you had it."

"All I know is what I saw-" Clary inhales sharply, "My mother's alive- she's unconscious, but alive."

Alec walks over to us, "Where are they?"

Clary hugged herself, "I don't know."

"But- you said you saw them." Alec stares at her and pressed further, "Were there any identifying characteristics? Equipment, weapons, photographs?"

"I don't remember." Clary shudders, "It was awful."

"Wow-" I looked at him with slight wide eyes, taken back, "Alec, lighten up."

"I'm trying to get something we can use out of this." Alec shot at me, "Clary, what did you see, exactly?"

"Valentine has my mother." Clary snapped in anger, tears filling her eyes, "That's what I saw."

"Emotions are nothing but a distraction." Alec stares at her with what looked like hatred, "You're ruled by them, we're taught to control them."

Clary scoffs, "And how is that working out for ya?"

"It is my job to protect the Institute." Alec told her straight and was stern, "If Valentine can see in, that's a door I have to shut."

"Now- let me take a look at that thing." Alec held his hand out for the necklace, as I sighed, handing it to him, "Now, it's in the proper hands."

I blink, "What?"

"Hey!" Clary chased after him when he left the room, as I quickly followed, "Alec- where are you going?"

"To put this somewhere safe." Alec only walked faster, "Where no one could be tempted to use it."

"Hey- maybe we should use it!" I struggled to keep up with him, "Alec, we should use it to get to Valentine!"

"As reckless as you are, I know you are not dumb enough to do that." Alec knew me too well, walking up the steps of the training room.

"Alec!" I chased after him and came to a stop next to him, Clary right behind me.

"If I were Valentine, I'd make you think that you could rescue Jocelyn." Alec crouched and ran his stele over the rune tiled on the ground, "And then I'd lure Clary to me and leverage her life for the Cup."

I went to snatch the necklace out of his palm, but he sprang right back up to his feet, holding the necklace above his head, "We both know you're too short to even reach the necklace."

I glared at him, my fists clenched at my sides childishly, as I stood completely still.

Alec crouched once more and opened the safe, as I watched him do so.

"I like Zee's idea." Clary sides with me, "We saved Simon from the vampires that way."

"Yeah, vampires." Alec places the necklace on the glass and closed the safe back up, standing straight, "Bored, decadent, self-involved vampires."

"Alec-" I stood in front of him, "Stop."

"Valentine is a real threat." Alec stares down at me, taking a step closer, "He can't be handled by four-and-a-half Shadowhunters."

I don't reply to this, my jaw clenched.

"You're not taking Valentine on alone- I won't allow it." Alec's eyes scan my face, before he walks away, "Leave it there."

-

"There you are." I walked over to Clary with Isabelle at my side the next morning, as she was seated on a bench, alone in the hall.

I was dressed in a emerald green thermal shirt, leaving the first two buttons undone, as it was tucked into my black jeans, my hair straight and black combat boots on my feet.

"Are you okay?" Isabelle asked as we came to a stop in front of her, as I could see that she was upset.

"I saw my mom." Clary's voice was quiet as she played with her hands, "Then your brother-"

"Zee just told me." Isabelle sat down on one of her sides, "And believe me, there have been many times where I wanted to kill Alec."

"Look, I know Alec can be difficult, but he means well." I sat on Clary's other side, "I mean- I was in over my head when I thought we could take Valentine- and that necklace is very dangerous."

Clary looked between us, "I'll take the risk on my own."

"The problem is, you're not on your own, Clary." Isabelle places a hand on her back, "You're part of us now."

"I just- I wish I knew what to do." Clary sighed deeply, "All of this, it's so new to me. I just- I'll do anything to save her."

"We get it." I placed a hand on her knee, "You love her."

Clary looks down, "More than anything."

"What's your mom like?" I asked.

"She's kind, fun." Clary's face almost lit up at the thought of her mother besides her being kidnapped, "Uh- the kinda person you always want to be around. I have friends who used to always want to hang out at our house, just to hang out with her."

Isabelle softly laughed, "She sounds more like a friend than a mom."

"She was both." Clary smoldered, "She's basically sacrificed her life for me, and I'm willing to do the same for her."

"Clary." I stared at her, "Just because you can't have that necklace, doesn't mean you won't see her again."

"Walk with us." Isabelle got up, grabbing my hand and pulling me up, holding her hand out for Clary, "Tell us everything about her."

-

"So, Alec blew right by you and did what he wanted." Isabelle crosses her arms, "I'd be angry, too."

"He took the only way I had to see my mother." Clary sighed deeply, "Plus, he kept asking what Valentine's room looked like."

"He was interested in Valentine's style?" Isabelle smiled lightly, "Fascinating."

"No, Iz." I shook my head, "He thought she might have seen something that could help us find him."

Isabelle looked at Clary, "And did you?"

"I didn't see anything there, but I think I might know another way." Clary said, when the doors open.

A portal shined purple as Maryse Lightwood walked in.

"Isabelle." Maryse greets, "Dressed to impress, I see- and you've been playing with the family heirlooms."

Then she looks at me, "Zee, it's always a pleasure."

"Hi, I'm Clary Fray." Clary introduced herself.

"Clary Fairchild." Maryse corrected her, "You look just like your mother- we know all about you in Idris."

Clary was confused, "Idris?"

"The Shadowhunter homeland." I placed my hands on my waist, "If you think the Institute is well-hidden, wait until you see that place."

"How's Max? We all miss him." Isabelle asked, then looked at Clary, "Little brother, cute but clingy- kinda Simon-ish."

"Robert's picking him up at the Mumbai Institute." Maryse walks through Isabelle and I, "Where's Jace? We have a situation that has to be handled now."

Isabelle watched her leave, "Well, that's my mom."

"Well, she hasn't changed one bit." I exhaled deeply, comfortingly wrapping an arm around Isabelle, using advantage of our same height, as we followed Maryse, who walked towards the training room.

"Is your mom always like that?" Clary asked when we came to a stop, "She didn't even hug you."

I wasn't paying attention, my eyes glued to Jace as he practiced, his hands firm on his seraph blade.

I always loved watching him do that.

Isabelle clears her throat, "Shadowhunters aren't big huggers."

"Maryse, hey." Jace notices us, walking over to her and hugging her, "It's great to see you."

"How's everyone in Idris?" He pulls away, a smile on his lips, "Where's, uh- where's Max?"

"No Max." Isabelle walks over to him, Clary and I following, "Just Mom with her hair on fire."

"Mother." Alec joins us, "Welcome back- we didn't expect you."

"You should be prepared, whether you expect me or not." Maryse matched Alec's actions and had her hands behind her back.

"I am." Alec clears his throat, "We are."

"We'll talk about the Institute later." Maryse inhales sharply and got straight to business, "Right now, we have a bigger problem."

"The Seelies have stopped communicating with the Clave and won't explain why." Maryse walked around us, "My guess is they're still upset we asked them to send scouts to look for Valentine, but no one in their realm will talk."

Isabelle speaks up, "I have Seelie friends."

"Yes, I know about your friends." Maryse stops in front of her, "Isabelle, we stay separate from the Downworld for good reasons. The wrong move, the wrong word-"

"Do you think there is such a thing as harmless rebellion? Who knows what offends these creatures?" Maryse continued, "Maybe you told him- them something they shouldn't know. Maybe you trod on one of their ridiculous customs without knowing it."

"Maryse." I interject, "Enough."

"Wait, wait." Jace cuts in, "I don't understand- you're laying all this on Izzy for having a friend in the Downworld?"

Maryse looks at him, "When someone upsets the natural order, everything falls apart."

"Natural order?" Clary repeats her words, "What are you saying?"

"I can help." Isabelle spoke up, "I know how to talk to Seelies."

"She's right." Alec agreed, "She can visit with Meliorn and see what he knows. I could go with her if you want."

"I'd rather Jace goes along this time." Maryse pats his shoulder, "Alec, Zee, you stay with the Fairchild girl. I want her under control, she's caused enough trouble already."

Clary steps in to defend herself, "Maybe that's because I wasn't even a Shadowhunter until a few days ago!"

"And what an exciting few days it has been." Maryse steps back and stood tall, "The Clave counts on us Lightwoods to maintain order here."

"You don't need to tell me that." Alec said, "If the mission is important to the Clave, I would prefer to be the one who goes with Isabelle."

"You're all so eager to do what you would prefer." Maryse scoffs, "It's time to face the truth."

"Life is not about what you want to do, it's about what must be done." Maryse points at Jace and Isabelle walking away, "I have given you your assignments, now carry them out- you and you, with me, now."

Isabelle and Jace follow her, as Clary crosses her arms and steps over to Alec and I, "Well, that was a window into the weird- what did you do to piss off your mom?"

"I'd guess, for a start- all the unsanctioned missions on your behalf didn't go over that big with the Clave." Alec doesn't even look at her as he says this.

Before I could say anything, the alarm starts to blare loudly, making me jump; startled.

Clary looks up to see where it was coming from, "What's that for?"

I don't reply, jumping down the steps and where the monitors were, noticing the red dot on the screen, Alec skidding to a stop next to me.

"Someone's outside the Institute." Alec stares at the screen, already having his bow and quiver, "They're trying to intrude-"

Within moments, Jace, Isabelle, Alec and I stood at the entrance of the hall that led to the door, our weapons ready, Clary stopping next to Jace, a few fellow Shadowhunters behind us.

A door opened, the sunlight shining in, as a woman I couldn't make out slowly took a step in.

The sunlight was hitting her back, making her face dark, none of us being able to make out who she was.

"Don't move!" I held my kindjals tighter as the door shut behind her and she took another step.

Then I realized who she was.

Isabelle was the first to speak, her voice coming out as a whisper, "By the Angel."

Margaret Young; my mother.

She was wearing the same outfit she had on the night she was kidnapped.

She looked beaten, bleeding, and as if she was on the verge of passing out.

It was like everything was in slow motion.

My eyes were wide with shock, my kindjals slipping from my hands, clanging against the ground.

I broke my position and ran to her as fast as I could, almost falling as I jerked myself to a stop in front of her.

She fell into me, her voice coming out barely there, "Zee-"

"Mom?" My voice broke, feeling an overwhelming rush as I heard footsteps behind me, her eyes closing, "Mom!"

-

I sat next to my mother's medical bed in the infirmary, my arms crossed, her blood all over my shirt.

I stared into nothingness, her laying under the covers, unconscious.

"Zee." I heard Jace's voice from behind me, making my head turn, my eyes landing on him.

I hugged myself and got up, walking out of the infirmary and over to him, "Hey."

"I wanted to see you before I left for on mission." Jace held a shirt in his hands, "And to give you this- you're drenched in your mom's blood."

I slowly took the shirt from him, noticing that it was his, "Thank you, Jace."

"How are you doing?" Jace looks down at me in sincerity, "How's your mom?"

"The medic said that her injuries are severe and she's fallen into a coma." I inhale sharply and stared down at the shirt in my hands.

Jace trails off, "Zee, maybe-"

"I know what you're about to say." I don't even bother to look up at him, beginning to tear up again, "I know it's her- it has to be her."

"Actually, I was gonna say that you need a minute." Jace places his hands on my arms, "You've been by her side ever since she came in."

I looked at him, "Jace."

"You're still drenched in blood, and you look like a mess." Jace rubs my arms, "You need a minute."

I sigh, a tear slipping my eye.

Jace wraps his arms around me and holds me to his chest for a moment.

I knew he was trying to be there for me, but he seemed off ever since Magnus'.

He kisses my forehead, catching me off guard.

"Take a minute." Jace told me, before turning and leaving me alone.

I exhale deeply, looking back at my mom for a moment.

I walked into the hall and to my room, closing the door behind me and pulling off my blood drenched shirt.

I wiped away any blood I had left on my body, putting my hair behind my ears, pulling on Jace's shirt, the strong scent reminding me of him instantly.

There was a knock on my door after I tucked in Jace's thermal shirt into my jeans.

"Come in." I called out, pulling out the shirt just a tad bit so it was more loose and oversized as it was, my head turning back to see Alec at my doorframe when he opens the door, "Hello, Alec."

"Hey." Alec walked in hesitantly and closed the door behind him, looking at me, "I'm sorry."

I face him, "You're sorry?"

"For earlier- considering the turn of events, I feel bad for how I acted towards you." Alec scratched the back of his neck, "So- I'm sorry."

I walked over so I stood in front of him, giving him my best smile, what wasn't very much, "You were right anyway- so, I really can't blame you."

"How's your mom?" Alec asked, "Is there any progress?"

"She's in a coma." I looked down, feeling myself tear up, "So- not very good, but- at least she's here, right?"

It was like Alec could sense that I could break down any minute, as he held his arms out and took a step closer to me, "Come here."

Right away, I closed the distance between us and hugged his middle as tightly as I could, a small sob leaving my lips as he held me.

"You need a break." Alec held me tighter, and I could hear his heartbeat, "I can watch Clary on my own."

"Clary's my responsibility, not yours." I shook my head, stepping back, wiping away my tears, "I'm assigned on this mission too, and she's a lot to handle- I'm not letting you do this alone."

"You're not getting a choice." Alec said to me, "Listen- you need a break- with your mom showing up and all- you're not in the right mindset to go on mission right now."

"What happened to emotions are nothing but a distraction?" I looked up at the ceiling and purposefully deepen my voice, mocking what he said earlier, "You're overruled by them, we're taught to control them."

Alec stares down at me, breaking out into a small smile, "I don't talk like that."

"Yeah, I know-" I went back to my normal voice, clearing my throat, "It's just the deepest I can go-"

Then, I notice the change in his expression, "Alec, are you okay?"

When Alec doesn't reply, I speak again, "What's wrong?"

"I, uh-" Alec stammers, "You have every right to be mad at me."

"Why would I be mad at you?" I asked, "What did you do? Did you break one of my necklaces again?"

Alec was serious, "This isn't a joke."

"At Magnus's." Alec began when I stopped smiling, "The demon image of you."

Memories came rushing back.

"Oh- right," I recalled quietly, "I mean- you love me. I love you, too, Alec- you're my best friend."

I stared at him, waiting for some sort of reaction. I didn't understand what the demon image meant to him, but, I didn't know what to do with that information.

Something crossed his face that I couldn't decipher, him remaining silent.

"I always knew our bond was strong, but I didn't know it was that strong." I grabbed his hands, "How could we not love each other? We're best friends, we've known each other our entire lives."

"Yeah- you're right, that's true." Alec stammered and broke out into a small smile that I knew he forced, "I just thought you'd think that-"

I looked between his eyes, "Think what?"

He goes silent, his eyes lingering with mine.

"Whatever, okay- just, please promise me that if you need me-" I squeezed his hands, "If something goes wrong- just, you'll call me."

Alec nods and looks down, "I promise."

-

I sat next to my mother, my eyes staring into nothingness.

While everyone was gone, I decided to sketch but quickly lost motivation to draw anything when I sketched my mother.

I was so worried, but I didn't know how to put it into words.

I just wanted her to wake up so badly.

I hadn't seen her in years, and the first time I've encountered her, she falls into a coma?

I couldn't even begin to imagine what she went through these past few years.

All the pain, and suffering-

I'm teared away from my thoughts when my phone buzzes in my pocket, blinking.

I grabbed my phone, answering the call when I see who was calling me, "Hey, Alec."

"I lost Clary." Alec's slightly panicked voice filled my ears, making me sit up quickly, "I'm sorry-"

"You what?" I was suddenly alert, putting my sketchbook to the side, holding the edge of my chair, "What happened?"

"Clary snuck out of the Institute earlier because she was talking about some box that could help us locate Valentine that was back at her loft, but I refused to take her until we had permission." Alec explained, his voice rushed and I could here him slamming things in the background, "I came after her to protect her and- she and Simon got arrested when I was securing the fire escape- I got distracted."

"Simon?" I was already up, grabbing my sketch book and walking towards my room, "He's gone, too?"

"It was an unmarked car- I don't know where they took her." Alec swallowed, "Zee, I'm really sorry-"

"It's fine, it's all right." I placed my book on my dresser and grabbed my leather jacket, "I'm coming- have you already called Jace and Iz?"

"Yeah, they're on their way." Alec's breath was slightly shaky, hearing another crash after his words, "I'm at the loft."

"Okay, I'm coming." I hung up.

-

"She's not showing up." I held Clary's drawing tightly with Isabelle as we stood in the alley, trying to track her, "The signal's too weak."

"Just like I thought." Isabelle pulls out her phone and read off the screen, as I set the drawing down, "She wasn't arrested."

Alec looks at me, an emotion crossing his expression that I couldn't decipher, "I don't understand, why aren't you upset with me?"

"Alec." I faced him, taken back lightly, "I know- it's not your fault."

Alec looked like he was at a loss of words as he stared me, his hand gesturing that he wanted to say something but couldn't figure out how to.

Alec finally stammers out, "I mean- I let you down."

"You didn't let me down." I stood in front of my best friend, staring up at him, "All that matters to me is that you went after her and tried to protect her, stop blaming yourself, okay? We'll figure something out."

Alec pulled me into his chest and held me for a few moments, as I smiled into his chest, despite the bags under my eyes, and how they held a small red tint from crying earlier.

Jace walks over to us from the steps, cutting in, making me pull away from Alec, his voice unsteady as he spoke, "Whoever took Clary and Simon must be holding them over a body of water, that's why your tracking rune won't work."

I looked at him and gave him a sarcastic smile, "Thank you, Jace- for stating the obvious."

Jace winks at me playfully, but I could see behind what he covered up.

There was something wrong.

Then, a phone ringing catches all our attention, all our heads snapping towards the backpack that rested on the step.

Isabelle looks at us, "Clary left her phone in her backpack."

I rushed over to the bag and pulled out the phone, answering the call, "Hello?"

"Oh- thank God- it's you." Simon's shaky voice filled the line, "It's me, Simon."

"Where are you?" I asked as Alec, Isabelle and Jace crowded around me, "Where's Clary?"

"I don't know, some Chinese restaurant, I think?" Simon stutters quickly, "This cop Alaric arrested us, but it was a total fake-out. Him and his buddy, they took us to their hangout and then they told Clary that they'll kill her if they don't find the Cup."

"Slow down- keep calm, we're going to find you." I assured him, "Tell us what you see."

"Okay, uh, we're definitely on a pier, there's a ton of water." There was shuffling in the background, "Uh- I see lockers and I'm in some sort of torture chamber, there's claw marks all over the wall."

"Werewolves." Isabelle inhales sharply.

Alec nods, "That's possible."

"Okay, Simon, you need to get more specific." Jace urges, "Tell us what you see, help us find you."

"There's nothing else that can help, wait, hold on!" Crinkling of paper filled the line, "I'm at the Jade Wolf Chinese Restaurant on the pier at Greene St- and they have really inexpensive cocktails."

"Uh-" I trial off, "Okay?"

Simon clears his throat, "Just hurry, just hurry."

"You need to create a diversion." Jace pulled out his phone to jot this down, "Stall them."

"How?" Simon asked, "All I have are clothes and a lighter."

Jace doesn't even look up from his phone as he replies, "Start a fire, Simon."

"That never works!" Simon replies, "Have you ever seen an action movie?"

"Just do it." I sigh deeply and spoke before hanging up, "We're on our way."

-

"Where are you taking me?" Clary's distant cry filled our ears as Jace, Alec and I ran faster, speeding up to make it to her in time.

"Someplace safe." Luke's deep voice filled my ears, "These people aren't messing around, they will kill you."

I skid to a stop in realization in front of them, "Wait-"

"Alec!" Jace called out, already knocking Luke to the ground.

Alec catches Clary as she fell, "Got her-"

Jace knocks Luke out, then looks at me, "You okay? Why'd you freeze?"

"That's Luke-" I ran a hand through my hair, taking a step closer, "He's on our side-"

"No, he's not!" Clary interjects, "You don't know what I heard at precinct, he's not on our side-"

I looked at her, "What?-"

"We need to find Simon-" Clary runs off, Jace pulling me along as we followed after her and to the front of the Jade Wolf, "Simon!"

"Clary!" Simon wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug when they ran to each other.

"Oh, my God." Clary held him, "Are you okay? I was so worried."

"Guys, we have to move." I looked between them, "We got a bunch of werewolves trying to kill us so maybe reunion hugs later?"

"Wait, wait, the box." Clary pulls away, "My backpack- I think I left it at the loft."

"No, we've got it." Alec looked away, "I didn't screw up everything."

I looked at him, feeling guilty for him.

"Let's get out of here, then." Simon began to walk.

"Wait, Simon!" Isabelle stops him, "Whatever you do, do not make any fast moves."

Jace grabbed out his seraph blade when we were all surrounded by wolves, their eyes green in the fog, "This can't be good."

"We're surrounded." Alec aimed his bow and arrow, "Everyone, stay together."

"Believe me, I'm not going anywhere." Simon stuttered as Isabelle and I got out our weapons.

Jace then noticed the wolf walking out of the Jade Wolf, typically bigger than everyone, "Everyone, get back, that's the alpha leader."

I then notice the wolf jumping over our heads when the alpha tried to leap toward us, "Jace, behind!"

The wolf tackled the alpha behind the dumpsters, as they fought behind them, knocking over things, growling and snarling filling our ears.

All our attention was fixed there as Alec spoke, "He's challenging the alpha."

Clary almost gasps, "He's helping us!"

Simon shrugs nervously, "Or cutting in line to kill us."

Then, a bright light shines from behind the dumpster, a dead man on the ground.

Isabelle exhales deeply as we inched closer, "The alpha's dead."

Then, Luke emerged from behind the dumpster, bleeding, wounded, and exhausted.

Clary gasps, "Oh, my God, Luke."

All the wolves turn back, bowing down to their new alpha; Luke.

"What is it?" Clary looks around, "What's happening?"

"When a werewolf kills the alpha leader, he becomes the new alpha." I let my guard down, beginning to take a step closer to Luke, "Luke's the leader of the pack now."

Jace grabbed my arm and stopped me, "No."

I looked at him, "It's okay."

Luke looked between Clary and I, "I promised- that I'd always protect you."

Then, Luke fell.

I ran and caught him, "Luke!"

Clary ran over, "Oh, my God!"

Alec stopped Jace before he can walk over to us, "Hey- we need to get Clary back to the Institute and stay out of Downworlder business."

"Why don't you stay out of it?" Jace shot back at him, "I'm going to help Zee."

Alec stares at him, "We have to report back to our mother."

"You and Isabelle can do that." Jace stepped back, "I'll be fine on my own."

Simon and Clary grab him, as Jace pulls me to the side, small tears of worry in my eyes as I hand my palms pressed against my temples.

"His wounds are deep-" I stammered, looking everywhere but him, my hands dropping and my eyes wide, "Only a warlock's magic can cure an alpha's bite- we have to get him to Magnus-"

"Hey, look at me." Jace grabbed my face and made me look at him, "That's exactly what we're gonna do."

I bit my quivering bottom lip, as he wraps his arms around me and help me like I'm the most delicate thing, "It's gonna be okay."

My heart filled with warmth, but I pushed it deep down.

Clary walked over to us with Luke around her shoulder, "We have to get him to his car."

"Here, I'll drive." Simon handed Luke off to me, "I'm the only one with a mundane license."

Then, Jace, Clary, Simon and I were rushing to the car, placing Luke in the back and driving off as quickly as we could.

But, I watched Alec as he went out of sight, and I knew he was watching me too.

authors note:

ok jace is clearly jealous of zee and alec's friendship

but wow plot twist, zee's mom?

holly marie combs plays margaret young btw !

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