Alec's mind was a blur but his movements were fast and precise as he chased out the building, desperately trying to get to Magnus. He knew Asmodeous was alive, that Magnus had shot him in the leg, not in the heart or head or anywhere else that would've been lethal. But Valentine was different... Alec was almost certain that if given the chance, Magnus would kill him. That means Jonathan would definitely kill Jace and Clary.

He reached the docks, looking around frantically and spotted movement on the far left side, where a huge cargo ship was anchored. A flash of a person in black climbing the ship by the railings. Magnus. Even from the distance, Alec could detect the way Magnus moved - determined, fluid and swift, like an assassin with its target in sight.

He picked up his pace, reaching the ship. He gazed up, in the dark it was hard to see where they were but he could hear shouting voices. He tucked his gun in and jumped, getting a hold of a rope tangling from the side and climbed. Just as his hands grabbed the railings, so he could heave himself up, a gun went off. He felt a coldness under his heart and struggled to get up, quickly. He hoped he wasn't too late.

When he jumped up on the deck, he felt a searing pain in his leg. He must've twisted it at some point, but right now he couldn't care less. He saw Valentine in the middle of the deck, on his knees and head thrown back in a sly grin, hands on his sides with no weapon in sight. Magnus was standing in front of him, gun pointed at the man and his hand didn't waver. There was another gun laying forgotten a few feet from Valentine. Alec stumbled over, the deck was slippery and grimy. He inhaled the smell of seaweed and for some reason, it made him so sick he almost gagged. 

When he reached the two, he shouted the conman's name, hoping it would distract him. Magnus's head didn't turn, his gaze still fixed on Valentine. "Magnus, you can't kill him." Alec shouted over the wind, standing to a halt next to Magnus. "Who says?" Magnus asked, calmly, his voice like ice. Even though he wasn't shouting, Alec could hear him perfectly fine. The tone made him shiver - Magnus looked like a different person. His eyes were still the brown he knew, but they were cold and hard, like he had shut some kind of door and locked it, throwing away the key. He was motionless, mouth in a hard line and jaw set, the gun in his hand so firm, not even wind could shake it. Alec shook his head.

With a small step, he tried to get to him, but to his surprise Magnus was swift. He pulled another gun from underneath his coat and held it out. Pointing it at Alec. He stopped in his tracks, heart pounding. His mind was racing and he felt very empty all of a sudden. He raised his hands slowly. "Magnus, I'm with you, okay? Same side, remember?" he said slowly, not moving any closer. Magnus's eyes didn't leave Valentine as he spoke. "You want to capture him and send him to prison, but you only know half of what he's done. He deserves to die for everything he ever did." the conman's voice was still like metal, cutting like a knife and Alec almost winced. He had never heard Magnus speak in that tone and it scared him. He was scared not for himself, but for Magnus.

"And I agree." Alec said, glancing at Valentine, giving him a venomous look and Valentine raised an eyebrow. "I thought you lot were honorable people." the criminal sneered and even though he tried playing indifferent, Alec could hear the tinge of fear in his voice. Valentine didn't want to die and he was well aware, just like Alec, that Magnus would be very capable of pulling the trigger. He hadn't done so, because Alec had interrupted them, but that wouldn't last long. Alec knew how Magnus felt and he'd seen many people like him and felt it himself - when you had the person responsible for your misery as well as your family on the other end of the gun, you felt powerful. And that power could be lethal.

"Magnus, listen to me. Just listen. I know what he's done. And I want this, just as much as you. But you can't kill him." Alec said again, speaking in a calm tone, still. He felt the wind blow through his clothes, making him shiver. He was still staring at Magnus, hands raised. The gun that was pointed at him looked menacing and unyielding. He tried his best to ignore it.

Magnus let out a laugh, that sounded both unnatural and evil. Alec wasn't sure if he was talking to the same Magnus anymore. The thought made him very uneasy. He tried to steady his breathing, and with his hands still up, he took another step towards the man. "Don't." Magnus said, his voice warning. "He is a monster. The world will be better off without him." Magnus now said, his voice low. Alec closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them, he chose his words carefully. "If you kill him, you kill part of my family. Jonathan has Clary. If we don't deliver Valentine, he will kill them." he said, knowing what family meant to Magnus. It didn't need to be family by blood, they both knew and had proved that.

Alec saw a little movement in Magnus's posture and the gun pointed at the hunter lowered just a small fraction. "What?" Magnus whispered and Alec saw Valentine smile triumphantly. He pulled is gaze back to Magnus. He looked like an avenging angel in black. "I promise, he'll get what he deserves. Just let me restrain him. Let me get my family back." Alec tried again, now so close to Magnus, the gun was almost touching his chest. Magnus's eyes still didn't leave Valentine, like a cat that was watching its prey. His exhaled as if in defeat and then, he nodded. Lowering the gun that was pointed at Alec, keeping the other on Valentine. 

Alec felt immense relief, immediately walking over to Valentine and ignoring the heavy, cold feeling at the pit of his stomach. He leaned down, yanking the criminals arms behind his back and securing them with cuffs. He then grabbed him, pulling him on his feet harshly. "Move it." he said and Valentine stumbled before him as he pushed him. Valentine didn't say a word, but he had on a smile that Alec was sure was going to trigger Magnus. They walked towards the conman and Magnus kept his gun on Valentine. "Looks like you won't be getting your revenge after all." Valentine said to him, his voice mocking. "Oh, don't worry. I will." Magnus said quietly and Alec saw his eyes glint in the dark, under the lamps that shone over the docks. They were threatening and piercing through skin and bone. 

When they got back on solid ground and walked back towards the others, Magnus was quiet and Alec didn't say a thing. He wanted to say something, he just didn't know what. He was still imagining Magnus's gun on him, the bullet flying from it in slow motion. He shook his head to dispel the image.

"Thank god! We have to regroup back at the Institute. I still can't get ahold of Hodge, I'm pretty sure Jonathan has him, too." Isabelle said when they rounded the corner, seeing all the other hunters patching their wounds and rounding up surviving prisoners. Simon was standing over a fellow hunter, pressing on his leg with a cloth, trying to keep the blood from flowing. Catarina was running towards them. Alec handed Valentine over to a pair of hunters. "But him in the van, restrain him and then don't let your eyes leave him. Understood?" he said and the hunters nodded, quickly following his orders. Catarina lunged herself onto Magnus and finally, the conman lowered his weapon. "Magnus! You're okay!" she sobbed and Magnus soothed her, his hand rubbing her back. "How's Ragnor?" he asked, his voice muffled whilst he hugged Cat but Alec could hear the change in his tone. It was now worrying and sweet - so unlike what it had been just minutes ago.

Leaving them, Alec approached Isabelle. "I have a weird feeling. Why can't we find Hodge? It doesn't make any sense." Alec said to her, rubbing his temples. Isabelle put a hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?" she asked and Alec stopped to look at her properly. Her face looked terrible, swelling up and Alec put a hand on her chin gently, inspecting her. "Me? Iz, have you seen yourself?" he asked, gaping and the woman waved her hand dismissively. "I had a little disagreement with that white-haired bitch. Needless to say, she looks worse. But I do think she broke my nose, that little-" she didn't get to finish, because then, Simon was there. His hand went around Isabelle's as he took his place beside her. "I'm getting you to the hospital. Hey, Alec, you good?" Simon asked and Alec nodded. After making sure they were both as fine as they can be, he left them to get back to Magnus and Catarina, who were hovering over and ambulance. Ragnor was inside, looking very dead. According to the doctors, it was still questionable if he'd make it.

Alec didn't look at Catarina, her tears and face too painful to watch. After all, she had Magnus. There was nothing he could do. He tapped Magnus's shoulder and indicated that he follow him. He stepped away from the commotion, standing before Magnus. He looked defeated, his eyes back to his normal brown, softer and warmer, but also sad. "I'm sorry about Ragnor, but he'll make it. You should go with them to the hospital." he said gently, trying to assure the other man. Magnus's head snapped up, eyes on Alec's. "What about Valentine? And Jace and Clary?" he asked, with an edge to his voice and Alec sighed. "I will go right back and contact Jonathan. The exchange will happen as soon as I get to the Institute. I'll take my best men and we will make sure no one escapes, I promise." Alec said, knowing what Magnus was thinking.

The conman shook his head, eyes blazing up in anger. "No! I am going with you." he said and Alec tried to keep his voice calm. "Magnus, I told you, I won't let him escape. You need to be with your family." he told the man and to his shock, Magnus's posture was still determined, even though there was a tear making its way down his cheek. "Catarina will look after Ragnor. Jace and Clary are your family, Alexander. I'm coming." he said and there was no room for argument in his tone. Alec put his hands up in surrender. "Alright, let's go then." he said, turning, but stopped as he felt Magnus grab his arm. On instinct, he startled and immediately regretted it, seeing the hurt in Magnus's arm as he let his hand fall away. "Alexander, I'm... I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking, when I pulled my gun on you. I would've never-" Magnus started, but Alec cut in. "Are you sure about that?" Alec asked. He was surprised the words left his mouth. Of course Magnus wouldn't have shot him. Right?

Magnus's eyes were wide now and his tone was pained as he spoke. "I would never shoot you, Alexander. My mind was just clouded with anger and revenge, something that I promised myself would never happen..." the conman said but Alec shook his head. "I know. And I'm not holding it against you. It's just that you..." Alec looked for words. "... you seemed out of it. Like a different person. Someone who wouldn't hesitate to kill me, should I try and stop you from killing Valentine." Alec said, realizing how hurt he sounded. Magnus stepped closer and Alec stood still this time. He wasn't scared of Magnus, never had been. 

"I am so sorry. I am. But I could never hurt you, you have to know that." Magnus said quietly, his eyes not leaving Alec's and the bounty hunter almost lowered his eyes. Magnus's gaze was so piercing, it felt like he was seeing right through him. He felt Magnus's hand touch his and he curled his fingers, holding it. It felt warm and comforting. The coldness in his heart receded and he saw Magnus's pleading eyes, his apologetic look. He exhaled, pulling Magnus to him and embraced him. He felt Magnus relax in his arms and his heart was back to its steady rhythm. "I know. I was just scared, for you." Alec said, words muffled by Magnus's shoulder and he felt the conman tense for a split second. "For me? You were being held on gunpoint and you were scared for me?" Magnus asked, a slight shade of amusement lacing his otherwise tense tone and Alec chuckled a little. He pulled back, leaving no more than a few inches between them.

Magnus's eyes searched his and Alec smiled a little. "Yes." he said gently and Magnus stared at him in disbelief. "You are really something else, you know that?" Magnus said, shaking his head and Alec smiled now, for real this time. His arms were still around Magnus and he wanted to stay like that, just a little while longer, until they had to dive back into hell again. "Don't exaggerate." Alec said, amused and Magnus shook his head, his eyes sincere when he looked up at him. "When it comes to you, I never do." Magnus said and Alec felt his heart skip a beat. Breathing in, he leaned back to hug him again, wanting the secure feeling to last forever.

***

Another punch and Jace spat blood, his eyes still on the redhead as he groaned in his chair. His hands were hurting, being bound by some kind of copper wire and it bit into his skin. He hoped Clary was doing better. He had no idea, since he hadn't seen her since the shooting at the Lair. The bullet in his lower abdomen hurt like hell, but right now, his face was split open, so he couldn't really decide, which part of his body hurt the most. 

"You don't deserve her. She should be with me, and my father, her family. You should've stayed away from her." Jonathan sneered and Jace led his head fall back, letting out a loud but tired laugh. His throat hurt, his lip hurt, his cheek was so bruised he couldn't feel it anymore but the pain was still there when he tried to blink away the blood trickling onto his eye that was beaten blue and black. His blond hair fell from his face as he laughed and laughed, almost delirious. The bullet wound made him flinch. "Ouch. Don't make me laugh." Jace said, his voice groggy and he felt like he might be passing out again. He wanted to get to Clary, but he kept losing his sight every now and then. It felt like he'd been there for days, even though it probably had been just hours.

"Are you sure that this is about her being your sister? Maybe this is about the fact that you have very weird feelings towards her, from what Isabelle and Alec told me. That's just gross, man. You should probably go see a doctor." Jace mused, almost conversationally. If he was going to die, he wasn't doing it screaming or begging for his life. He was already tied to a chair, that was humiliating enough. 

He could see his words alighting anger in Jonathan and he felt immense satisfaction from it. "You think you're so clever. Let's see how clever you are when you have to watch her die. Unless your dear brother doesn't show up with my father." Jonathan snarled, his face close to Jace. "Could you maybe move back a little? Your breath smells horrible." Jace said, scrunching up his nose. Jonathan hit him again, this time kicking with his foot and Jace's breath left his lungs, when he fell backward with the chair, landing in a thud. He groaned in pain, everything hurt, like he was being stabbed and was on fire simultaneously. "Enjoy your jokes while they last. I will look forward to ending you." Jonathan snapped and Jace breathed out, lungs burning. "He will never- do it." he said, voice abrupt and breathing ragged. 

He saw Jonathan from the corner of his eye, stopping before the door. He had on a wicked smile, eyes so black, Jace was pretty sure that man had no soul. "Oh, he will. Alec Lightwood would never leave his brother to die. That we have in common - we value family." he said, opening the door and stepping out. The large metal door shut with a pang and Jace thumped his head on the floor. Everything was spinning, but he felt dread sinking in. Jonathan was right. Alec was never going to leave them behind. Darkness took over again and Jace closed his eyes, red spots dancing behind his eyelids.

***

"I want to see him!" Clary yelled, shackled to the metal pole with one hand. She was sitting on a couch, dusty and faded and it smelled of mold and dog hair. Her arm was slightly hurting from the metal chain around it, but she didn't care. Her other arm was on the edge of the couch as she struggled to turn towards the door, where Jonathan was leaning against. Another man was in the room, standing in the corner looking menacing and brooding. She knew it was Raphael Santiago, she's seen him before from pictures. "Dear sister, you are not in the position to make demands. I thought we might have a civil conversation, instead you are yelling like a mad person." Jonathan's voice was calm and friendly, making Clary want punch his face. "Civil? You call this civil?" she asked venomously, clinking the chains against the metal pole.

Jonathan chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. "I had to. You are too feisty for your own good. I doubt Raphael appreciated you almost taking his eye out." the redhead said and Clary spared a death glare at the brooding man in the corner. He looked way too young to be there, but his eyes seemed merciless and distant, his mouth a thin, disapproving line. "He can shove his appreciation-" she started but Jonathan laughed, cutting her off. "Now, now. Behave. Remember, Jace is still not feeling very well. I can make matters even worse for him." he said casually, but Clary could detect the threats in his voice perfectly well. She stilled, trying to make herself calm down. She needed to think.

"Alright, let's talk." she said as sweetly as she could manage. Jonathan's eyes betrayed surprise and he approached her. "Really?" he asked, hesitant and Clary smiled. "I've never known my brother. It's about time to, right?" she asked and saw Jonathan smile. He sat down next to her, way too close and she tried not to flinch. "What do you want, Jonathan?" she asked, her tone very neutral. Jonathan tilted his head to the side, like a puppy, eyes on Clary. She felt them on her skin and she suppressed a shiver. "I want us to be a family again. I want you to be with me and never leave again. We're meant to be together, you and I." Jonathan said and Clary was well aware he wasn't just talking about reuniting as siblings. She tried not to gag.

"But I need Jace alive, in that case. I can do what you ask of me, just don't hurt him or any of the other Lightwoods." she said carefully, putting her hand on Jonathan's thigh for effect. She saw his eyes soften and tried not to show her excitement - it was working. "I just don't get your fascination with that guy. He's so worthless." Jonathan said, now slightly hurt and Clary smiled gently, her hand going to Jonathan's face. Trying to keep her face calm, she looked him in the eyes. "I just care for him deeply. You wouldn't want to make me miserable, would you?" she asked and Jonathan gave her a hesitant glance. He exhaled in defeat and Clary felt hope sparking in her chest. "Fine, for your sake, I won't hurt him anymore, sister. But when they come to exchange our father for you two, you will have to be careful. They will try and take you from me. Promise me you won't give in to the temptation. Stay with me, and I'll let Jace live." Jonathan said then and Clary tried not to shiver from his look.

His eyes were staring at her lovingly, but there was something else, that made her skin crawl. Swallowing, she nodded. "Yes, of course." she replied, trying her best to sound sincere. Jonathan's face lit up. He leaned in and Clary tensed, while Jonathan kissed her cheek. "You will be so happy." he whispered and Clary managed to smile. "They'll be here soon. I have to make preparations. Raphael, make sure she's ready when the time comes." Jonathan said, getting up and walking to the door. "Wait, what about this?" Clary said, pointing to the chain. Jonathan halted, smirking. "I'm afraid we're not quite there yet." he said and with that, left. Clary let out a huff of breath and then remembered Raphael was still there.

The man moved towards her and she tensed, ready to punch, bite, scratch. The latino stood before him, looking at her like he was bored. "I suppose the job pays well? So well, that killing people doesn't have any effect on your conscience. If you even have one, which I doubt." Clary sneered, but the man stood unaffected.

To Clary's surprise, he leaned over and, with a jolt, she realized he was releasing her from the chain. His fingers opened the lock and slid it away from her wrist. She stared at him in shock, but took the first thing she found - a vase - and held it up. Raphael was quicker, though, getting a hold of her hand, making the vase drop, but not shatter, and held her wrists. "Dios, calm down. I'm helping you and this is what I get?" he snapped and Clary stopped struggling, only to let out a dreary laugh. "Helping? You are Jonathan's right hand man, you would kill me if it didn't mean he would kill you." she said but Raphael turned her around, still holding her arms on the sides but now looking at her.

"Right hand man? He wishes. I am on your side, so stop your struggling, little girl." he said, pushing her onto the couch, looming over her. "I am not a little girl." she snapped but the man rolled his eyes. "When Catarina came to me, telling me of your plan, I was hesitant at first, knowing you would never succeed. I underestimated Alec Lightwood. Now, we finally have the chance to end this, so do you really want to debate over how I am calling you?" Raphael asked her and she could detect a hint of boredom, detest and urgency - but there was something else. The way he stood and the way his eyes were intently watching her, the way his voice  was determined - he was being truthful. Clary blinked. "Why would you-" she started but Raphael waved his hand. "None of your concern. For now, you just have to know, that I want to kill them both." he said and Clary shook her head.

"And why should I trust you?" she asked and Raphael laughed, It was joyless and eerie. "You shouldn't.  But you don't have much of a choice, if you want to save your boyfriend. Jonathan may have promised him to stay alive, but he never said in what condition. Besides, I freed you, didn't I?" Raphale spoke and Clary had to admit, he had a point. She could use an ally. But she had to be careful, not to turn her back on this man. She was still hesitant, when suddenly, she heard a cry of pain from somewhere in the building. The voice was familiar, cutting through her skin like a knife, moving right to the heart. Jace.

She stood, fixing her posture, eyes on Raphael. "Fine. What's the plan?" she asked and suppressed all doubts and fears wanting to surface - for now. Jace was all that mattered.

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A/N: Okay, so we have just a couple of chapters left, I'm not really sure, but it IS coming to and end soon, so... Sorry for all the angst, lmao, it'll get better, I hope. Thank you for still reading this, I never thought this book would make it so far! I LOVE YOU ALL. Alright, nerds, I'm out, biiiiiii xxx