"Where is he?" I immediately ask Raphael as Jace, Clary and I ran around the corner, to see no Simon.

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

"You just let him go?" Jace skid to a stop as I almost ran into him, "You said you'd look after him."

Raphael shook his head, "I can't do that until he's ready."

Clary cries out in worry, "What does that even mean?"

"It means he's where everybody goes when this happens." Raphael shot back at her, "His own personal hell."

"I- I did this." Clary inhales deeply in guilt, "I put him there."

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

Clary's face twists in horror, "But- I have to tell him the truth."

"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-"

"Okay, just stop it! I don't care about your vampire politics!" Clary cuts him off, "We have to find Simon- he's out there, he's alone scared he's hungry."

"Give me a call when he turns up." Raphael said before leaving us, "He'll need my help."

Jace remarks as he left, "I think we've had just about enough of your help."

When Jace pulls out his phone, my face twists in confusion, "What are you doing?"

"Getting reinforcements." Jace dials the number, speaking when the person answered, "Alec, I need you."

"It's Izzy- we need you." Her familiar feminine voice filled the line, "There's been an attack at the Institute."

"An attack?" I interject, as Jace put his phone on speaker and between us.

Isabelle sighs, "Valentine created a Forsaken that went through the wards."

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

"Not this one." Isabelle said, "It had Seelie blood with angel properties- it went after Hodge and Alec."

"What? Are they okay?" I instantly ask, "Is Alec-"

"They're banged up, but they'll live." Isabelle exhales deeply, "Hodge killed it- It was after the-"

"The Cup." Clary finishes her sentence, scoffing.

"Izzy, Zee and I will be there as soon as we can." Jace hung up the phone and nods toward me as I turn to run.

"Wait!" Clary grabs my arm, "I can't go- Simon's in danger-"

"What about Alec?" I argued.

"I know- but, I can't- okay? I need to find Simon." Clary stared at me with pleading eyes.

I shook my head, "It's dangerous."

"I can handle myself." Clary shot back.

I scoff, "Do I need to bring up the amount of times that I've saved your life in what- the past week?"

"Zee- I really need to find Simon." Clary said, "Please."

I sigh deeply, "Werewolves are great trackers- maybe Luke could help you track him down."

"Thank you-" Clary unexpectedly hugged me, as I slowly hugged her back and let go, nodding toward her and running off with Jace.

Jace slowed down a few blocks later, breathing heavily, "Looked like you were weirded out when she hugged you-"

"I'm just not used to it-" I slowed down as well, trying to catch my breath, "You know, we still haven't talked about-"

"Us?" Jace stopped, finishing my sentence.

I stop in front of him, nodding, "Yeah-"

Jace grabs my face and pressing his lips into mine for a few moments, running a hand through my hair.

The moment we pull away, I quietly spoke as Jace smiled at my words, "That was a rather excellent talk."

-

"Hey." I jumped the steps into the training room, Jace right on my tail as I walked over to Alec and Isabelle, "You all right?"

Alec sighs, putting his hand over his bandage, "I'm fine."

"We just spoke to Robert and Maryse." Jace filled Isabelle and Alec in, "They're being sent back to Idris."

"What?" Isabelle looked at Alec, "Another "order" from Lydia?"

I place my hands on my hips, "Who's Lydia?"

Isabelle looks down, "She's in charge of the Institute."

Jace blinks, "She's what?"

"Temporarily." Alec adds in.

Isabelle looks back up at her brother accusingly, "And now she's convinced the Clave that Mom and Dad aren't doing their job?"

"Well, maybe they aren't." Alec looks between us all, "The Institute was under their control when the Forsaken got in."

Jace was as confused as I showed, "What are you talking about?"

Alec exposes the truth he had been keeping to himself, "Mom and Dad were members of the Circle."

"What?" Isabelle blurts our in surprise but she isn't buy it, "They don't have Circle runes."

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

"So- now, you're questioning their loyalty?" I put my hair behind my ears, crossing my arms.

"Valentine is back, the Circle is rising." Alec looked between us all, "They're under suspicion."

"No way." Jace didn't buy it either, "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 snapped, "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." Alec scoffed, "They're hypocrites."

"You two must be Zee Young and Jace Wayland." The blonde woman walked over to us and stood by Alec, holding her hand out for one of us to shake, "Lydia Branwell, you're quite the legends back in Idris."

I stay still, staring at her, "Is that so?"

"Don't believe everything you hear." Jace crosses his arms instead of shaking her hand, reacting just as I did.

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

"Tell us what?" Isabelle stares at the two of them.

Alec confessed, "Lydia and I are engaged."

Lydia nods in confirmation, "We're getting married."

"What?" My face twisted in surprise.

Jace looked like he was hoping for someone to pop out and say that this was a prank, except he knew it wouldn't, "You're not serious."

"You were supposed to tell them no." Isabelle looked like she could break down right there, walking away,
"It's your life to ruin."

Jace sighs, "Not sure what to say-"

"Neither do I." I shook my head and walked away right after Isabelle.

-

"This is insane." Isabelle said as Jace, Alec and I followed her behind the monitor's so we can tune in on the interrogation, "We have to put a stop to this."

Alec leaned against the table, looking at the screen, "Yeah, well, enjoy Portaling back to Idris with Mom and Dad."

Isabelle looks at her brother, "Meliorn is here because of me."

"Alec's right." Jace spoke up, standing next to me, "There's nothing we can do to stop this interrogation."

Isabelle scoffs, "You're on Alec's side now?"

Alec rolls his eyes at her words, "We swore to protect each other, of course he's on my side."

"I'm not picking sides." Jace made it clear, "Jace Wayland is Switzerland."

Isabelle looked at me, "You're on my side-"

"Of course I am." I cross my arms, "But, there's not really anything we can do- and Meliorn might have some important information in locating Valentine."

"Forensics don't lie." Lydia crosses her arms, standing in front of Meliorn, "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 crosses his legs, "Scouts sent to help you hunt for Valentine- why do you think we would side with a murderer?"

Lydia stood still, "Seelies always play both sides."

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

Lydia shot him a look, "Excuse me?"

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

Isabelle crosses her arms, "Still think we should let this play out?

-

"Hey, don't touch that!" I raise my voice at Raj as he was looking through my bra cabinet as Lydia had them search my room, since Meliorn didn't specify which daughter had the Cup.

Alec watched as Lydia had them go through everything in my room, messing it up just to find the Cup.

Jace walked into my room and snatched my bra out of Raj's hand, putting it back into the cabinet and shutting it, "I'm pretty sure that's not the cup you're looking for."

"Give me a break, Wayland." Raj shot back, "I'm just trying to do my job."

I walked over to Alec, staring up at him as he towered over me, "Alec, they're messing up all my things!"

Jace came to my side, "Alec, call this off now."

Alec stares down at Jace, "I guess Zee's bedroom is in part of Switzerland?"

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

I placed my hips, infuriated with what they were doing, "And who the hell asked you?"

Raj walks over to us, "It's all clear."

"Of course it is- it's not here." Lydia exhales deeply, "Let's keep looking."

When they walked out of the room, I immediately speak, "Alec- what the hell is going on with you?"

Alec crosses his arms, "Look, Zee, we have to turn over the Cup."

I began shaking my head, "Alec, she's risked everything to find it-"

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

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

"It's the right call." Alec squeezes my shoulder lightly and leaves me alone with Jace, "You'll see."

Jace looks at me, his voice lowering, "We're not really handing it over-"

"Nope." I grabbed my phone, grabbing his wrist and turning his arm lightly, taking a photo of his deflect rune and sending it to Clary, then dialing the number.

Clary answers, "Hey, what's with the picture?"

"Draw it- right now." I instruct, looking back to make sure no one was looking, "It's a Blocking rune- it prevents anyone from finding you using Shadowhunter tracking."

When I heard her drawing the rune, I clear my throat, "Clary, the Clave heard you had the Cup- and since you haven't handed it over, they think you're working with Valentine."

"Oh, my God, why would they-" Clary gasped, "Wait, Zee, is the Cup secure?"

I looked at Jace, sighing deeply, "It will be, you need to get to someplace safe- someplace the Clave would never look- we'll find you."

-

"Where are you taking him?" Isabelle questions immediately, as her, Jace and I follow after Lydia and Alec when we see Meliorn being pulled away in cuffs.

"To a holding cell." Lydia replies, "And a guard unit will transport him to the Silent Brothers."

Isabelle's eyes widen, "You can't do that!"

"It's not our decision, Isabelle." Alec's tone was blank as they came to a stop and faced us, "The Clave made the order."

Jace reminds us all what we knew, "That could be a death sentence to a Downworlder."

"What the hell are you trying to accomplish here?" I raised my voice as well, "Are you trying to start a war with them? Meliorn's told you everything he knows."

"You don't know that." Lydia points out, "Maybe we haven't asked the right questions, seelies often skirt the truth. If he has information on another terrorist attack, it is our responsibility to get it."

Isabelle's voice varied, "Let me talk to him."

Lydia puts her hands behind her back, "That wasn't exactly helpful in the past."

"But- he may not know anything." Jace looked at his parabatai, "Alec, this is going too far."

Alec walks past us, "We don't have a choice."

-

I sigh, "And neither do we."

"Let me get this straight." Magnus began to repeat all what we've just told him, "You need Alec's stele to open the safe, and you want me to steal it from him?"

"We prefer the word borrow." Jace inhales sharply.

Isabelle adds in, "Without his knowledge."

"No- no can do." Magnus denied, "Not happening."

"Magnus, ever since Alec found out River And Maryse were in the Circle, he's been messed up." I persuaded him, "He can't see the big picture."

Isabelle backs me up, "If the Clave is willing to subject Meliorn to the Silent Brothers, if they're willing to go this far what do you think will happen if they get the Cup?"

"This affects everyone." Jace said, "Help us get into that safe- help us stop this."

"You're all going to owe me." Magnus gave in, "I'm talking 14th century- gold, rubies definitely diamonds."

Then he quietly adds in, "And Alec can never know."

I nod, "That's a given."

Magnus inhales sharply, "If we're going to do this there's no turning back."

-

I shove Clary's necklace and the Mortal Cup's card into the inside of my jacket, as Jace, Isabelle and I quickly geared up.

Jace looked at Isabelle, "You might wanna pick up the pace-"

Isabelle immediately shot back at him, "You do not wanna be on my bad side right now."

I placed my hand on Isabelle's back, "Are you gonna be okay?"

"The whole world is turning upside down." Isabelle had tears in her eyes, "Simon turned into a vampire, now Meliorn might die because of some-"

"It's not anything you did." Jace stops her, "They just put a bunch of unrelated facts together, and came up with a big lie."

Isabelle sighs and grabbed the duffel bag, "I wish that made me feel better."

When we turned to leave, Hodge stops us, "Where do you think you're going?"

My eyes widen, "Uh-"

"It's a very dangerous time, and no one is supposed to leave the premises without express orders." Hodge sipped whatever liquid was in his mug.

Isabelle began, "Hodge, we were just about to-"

"Lie to me?" Hodge finished her sentence.

"Clary needs us, Hodge." I spoke up, "The Clave is looking for her- she could be in serious danger."

Hodge stepped aside, "Well, in that case, I'd make a timely exit before anyone of importance notices you're gone."

"We won't forget this." Jace softly smirked as we walked past him and rushed out of the Institute.

-

"Hey-" Clary ran over to Luke, Isabelle, Jace and I outside, Simon following her.

"Hey-" I looked up, "Hotel DuMort?"

Clary shrugs, "Well, you think the Clave was gonna look here?"

"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."

Clary's eyes widen, "What?"

I sigh, "They think Meliorn has more information on Valentine and the attack than he's saying."

Jace nods slowly, "They're taking him to the Silent Brothers."

Clary immediately said, "We have to stop them!"

"That's the plan, Clary." I shot her a look.

"Rescue and recovery." Isabelle set the duffel bag down, "We get him from the guards, in and out, no one gets hurt."

Clary was confused, "You want us to go up against the Silent Brothers, and an elite Shadowhunter guard unit?"

Luke adds in, "Without any backup?"

Jace nods once, "Pretty much sums it up, yeah."

Clary looks between us all, "Is Alec coming?"

I clear my throat and look down, "No."

"If they're doing this to Seelies, no Downworlder is safe." Clary inhales sharply, "But we can't go in alone, not if we don't want to be detected."

Luke nods, "My pack will track the unit, create a distraction."

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

"Let me talk to Raphael." I offered, "I think I can persuade him."

-

"We're offering an alliance with the Seelies." I lead, standing my ground, shooting Luke a look that screamed for him to claim his side as well.

Luke sighs, "And the werewolves."

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

Jace backs me up before I could say anything, "You kidnapped a mundane, remember?"

"That was me." Simon raises his hand.

"You were just following Camille's orders." I took into consideration, "She violated the Accords- you are a different kind of leader- you can be better than she was."

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, scoffing at him.

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 gives us a choice.

Clary immediately shook her head, denting this, "Simon's not a pawn."

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

Clary whispers to him, "Simon, what are you doing?"

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

Raphael nods, "Then we're in."

-

"This does not look like the City of Bones." Clary points out as she followed Jace and I, Luke's pack and Raphael's clan right behind us.

"This is the Downworlders entrance." I came to a stop and looked back at everyone, "Everyone knows what to do?"

Jace lead with me, "Text when you're in position."

"Stay." Raphael whistled to Luke when he moved, as when he listened, he smirked, "Good dog."

Luke scoffs, "Bite me."

"Roll over." Raphael replied.

Luke snipped, "Play dead."

"Boom!" Simon joins in and using his fist, bumping it into Luke's, adding affect to it all.

Suddenly, Taito shoves Simon, breaking out disagreement and separation between the vampires and werewolves as they growled and hissed at each other.

"Hey, enough!" I immediately shout and came between them, as they quieted down, "All our lives are at stake! It's time we put aside our differences, and work together!"

"Luke?" I looked at Luke, then Raphael, "Raphael?"

They both nod, leading their group to their positions.

"Get in position." I nod to Simon, Isabelle and Clary, Jace and I running off the get in position as well.

-

"Damn it-" I almost gasped when I saw Alec escorting Meliorn himself, using my vision rune, "Jace, Alec's here-"

"Oh no-" Jace used his rune to look past the walls as well, "Lydia must have sent him."

"Damn it-" I huff, "What do we do now?"

"There's no turning back now." Jace shook his head, "Let's go-"

I nod, Jace and I running, beating them to the entrance, as we took our places.

Alec walks over with Meliorn, drawing the time on the pillar, the wall breaking down and revealing the City of Bones.

Before Alec could move, I ran in front of him, stopping him, "Alec, no-"

Alec then notices Jace behind him, and looks back me, "You told me you were taking Clary back to the Institute- you lied to me."

I shook my head, "I had to, Alec."

"Alec, the Clave has gone too far." Jace told his parabatai, "You have to see that."

I sigh, in hopes he would listen, "Please, just let Meliorn go."

Alec doesn't listen, "I have my orders."

"I hoped it wouldn't come to this." I inhale sharply, "I'm so sorry, Alec."

Before he could reply, I tackled him to the ground, "Jace, get Meliorn out of here!"

Alec fought in my grip as Jace got Meliorn out, "You always broke the rules, but never the law, not until she showed up."

"This is wrong, Alec!" I argued, "Everything is turning upside down- I mean, you're leading Meliorn to his death and you're marrying Lydia? We both know what this is about!"

"Oh, do we? Okay." Alec scoffed as if he could laugh right there, "Why doesn't the legend, Zee Young, tell us what's it about?"

"It's about me!" I yelled, "It's about your feelings- it's because you're-"

Alec knocks me off him, a grunt leaving my lips, my confrontation coming to an end.

I got up, charging towards Alec as he and I blocked each other's hits. I grunt with every movement, even letting out cries of pain when he gets the upper hand on me, pain erupting through my body.

Footsteps approached quickly, as Jace skid to a stop a few feet away, his eyes landing on Alec and I fighting where he once left us.

Moments after swinging and punching at each other, Alec flipped me onto the ground, a seraph dagger on my neck.

"Alec, no!" Jace ran over to us, "Don't do it!"

I ignored Jace, "Do it."

"You're my best friend." I stare at Alec in the eyes, breathing heavily, not moving, "I don't want to be alive if we're on different sides."

Alec stares at me for a moment, processing what had just happened, throwing the seraph dagger to the side and sitting on the ground, hugging his knees.

"Come with us." Jace helped me up, as we stood in front of Alec, "We'll fight Valentine the right way together."

Alec doesn't look at us, "If we do that we'll be considered traitors like Mom and Dad."

Jace's voice fell lower and weaker, "I'm begging you, my parabatai- my brother."

I pleaded as well, "Please, Alec, come with us."

Alec looks up at us, his eyes filled with something I couldn't decipher, "No."

Jace swallowed hard, grabbing me arm and pulling me along, small tears in my eyes as I followed.

-

"I hate to break up this reunion, Izzy, but we have to go." Jace said to Isabelle when we walked over to her when her lips were connected with Meliorn's.

"You're in good hands." Isabelle told Meliorn as she pulled away from him, "I need to get back to the Institute, see what hell has broken loose."

"Try and talk some sense into Alec." Isabelle added in, nodding towards us, "Take care of him."

I nod once, "We will."

When Isabelle runs off to join Clary, Meliorn looks at me, "Isabelle told me it was your idea to rally the Downworlder, that you spearheaded my rescue."

I barely shrug, running a hand through my hair, "It wasn't all me, Isabelle made this happen, I just helped."

Jace grabbed my hand, "She's being modest."

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

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

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

My eyebrows furrowed, "A gift?"

Meliorn's words shocked me to the core, "If you're ready I can help you find your father."

authors note:

ahhh the best friends are now rivals

temporarily

thank you for 1k !!

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