16

I gasp when I felt myself being engulfed in water, my palms resting flat on wet sand, as I pushed myself up onto my knees, coughing up water.

My chin ached, and I could feel my forehead hurting. My eyes were red and irritated from the salt water, and I was completely soaked.

I was on the shore, but I didn't see Jace.

He was no where.

I lost him.

I notice that I had no shoes or jacket on, looking around frantically, noticing Alec's jacket in the water, a few feet away.

I jump back into the water, swimming towards it, grabbing it, moving back towards shore.

The bottom of my feet were covered in hot sand, as I squeezed the salt water out of Alec's jacket.

I ran a hand through my wet hair, looking at my surroundings.

I needed to get to the Institute.

-

"Hey!" Raj was instantly trying to stop me as I walked into the Institute, holding Alec's damp jacket in my hand.

My feet were bleeding from walking all the way over here, my forehead dripping blood that I didn't even realize, my chin still scratched and red, my eyes still slightly irritated, holding a red tint in them.

My clothes and hair were damp and ripped, overall I looked like a mess.

"Hey, no-" Raj's arm shoots out in front of me, his other hand grabbing my aching arm, "You can't go in there-"

I shove him away from me with full force, pointing at him as I kept walking, speaking in a warning tone, "You touch me one more time and I'll punch you in the face-"

"I'm getting Aldertree-" Raj walked away from me as I walked over to the Ops Center, Jocelyn, Clary and my mother on my tail.

"Zee- oh my god-" Clary was gasping, "Are you okay?"

"Honey-" My mother walked faster to try and keep up with me, "What did he do to you? Are you okay-"

"I'm fine-" I looked around, "I need to see Izzy- where is Izzy?"

"Zee, wait-" Jocelyn grabbed my arm to try and stop me, as I ripped my arm from her grasp, spinning around and facing them, "What happened? Where have you been?"

"We're all curious." Aldertree joins the conversation, his hands folded, then looked at Raj, "Bring a change of clothes and a hot cup of tea to my office. Zee and I are gonna have a little chat."

"Whatever, I just-" I did a 360, trying to find Isabelle, "Where is Isabelle?"

Clary looks down, "She's with Alec, Zee."

"Okay, where are they?" I quickly ask, starting to move again.

My mother grabbed my arm, "Please- just wait."

I looked between them all, "What don't I know?"

"He was trying to help us find you, and something went wrong." Jocelyn admit quietly, "He's in a bad way."

-

I sat down in Aldertree's office, after using the Iratze rune to heal, showering and changing into a pair of medium wash jeans and a white thermal shirt, one that was tucked into my ripped jeans, the top button unbuttoned,, my hair now dry and slightly wavy and curly from not having anything done with it.

As much as I tried to go check on Alec first, still not knowing what happened with him, I was forcefully made to go to Aldertree's office first.

"It appears you've had quite the harrowing experience." Aldertree sat in front of me, handing me a cup of tea.

I say nothing, taking a sip of the warm liquid, letting it calm me down.

Aldertree stares at me, "Jocelyn tells me you were abducted by Valentine himself."

"That's what happened." I simply said in a monotone, sipping the tea some more.

"Did he Portal you to a tanker ship in the East River?" Aldertree questioned, eyeing me.

"I'm not sure." I lied, holding the cup in my hands.

"Three hours ago, a large tanker ship was found there, recently abandoned." He told me, "By the mottoes and the insignia on the boat, it's clear the Circle was on board."

Aldertree scans my features, "If you have any information about Valentine, about Jace- you need to tell me."

I set down the cup, pulling out my acting skills, "Honestly- the only thing I remember is seeing Dot. Then I was in the water- and finding my way here."

"Dorothea Rollins, the warlock until Valentine's control." Aldertree already knew, "If you're trying to protect your brother, lying to me is only gonna make it worse."

I looked up at him as he continued, "I can guarantee Jace's safety if you help me bring him in- and that's on record."

"I would if I could, but I can't tell you what I don't know." I barely shrug, "Dot must have wiped my memory."

-

"I can't believe you lied to Aldertree." Isabelle said, walking down the hall with me.

"If I said anything- he'd use it against Jace." I shook my head, "He'd try to put Jace more in the fault."

"So- Dot took down the wards and you two jumped off the ship together?" Isabelle put it all together, looking at me.

"Yeah, but as soon as we hit the water, the tide was too strong." I cross my arms, "We lost each other- I looked everywhere. I couldn't find him."

"I don't know how much time Alec has left." Isabelle admits quietly, stopping in front of Alec's bedroom, "Jace might be his only hope, and for all we know Valentine and the Circle have already found him."

I gave her a hesitant look, before opening the door, my eyes landing on Alec laying on the bed, sweating, his eyes shut, his body pale and limp.

Magnus sat beside his bed, trying his best to help.

"Alec-" My voice came out as a whispered panic, as I rushed over to the bed, sitting down by Alec's side, grabbing his hand, "Oh my god-"

Instant worry and fear filled me, his condition sending me over the edge.

"I'm sorry, biscuit." Magnus noticed the look on my face, "I'm doing my best-"

"I know you are- thank you." I squeeze Alec's hand gently, looking at Magnus, "I really appreciate you being here."

"Anything for you, biscuit." Magnus gave me a weak smile, before returning back to focusing on trying to keep Alec from completely slipping away.

I got up, walking back over to Isabelle, stepping out into the hall, "His magic can't last forever- we need to find Jace now."

Isabelle's phone rings, as she pulled it out, answering, "Hello?"

Jace's voice filled the line, "Izzy, it's me-"

"Jace-" Isabelle broke out in a smile of relief, "Are you okay?"

"I'm a little soggy, but I'll live." Jace stammers, "Look, Zee and I- we jumped off Valentine's ship together- is she okay? Did she make it back to the Institute?"

"She's here, she's safe-" Isabelle told him, handing me the phone so I could talk to him.

"Jace, hey-" My voice was rushed as I put the phone to my ear, "We need to get you to Alec- as soon as possible. And as soon as possible, I mean- right now."

"What do you mean?" Jace questioned, "Why?"

"He tried tracking you with his parabatai rune- And now that I think about it- explains why you practically collapsed on Valentine's ship, but- now, it's like he's stuck in some kind of nightmare and can't wake up." I explain, "He was looking for you, so you're the only one who can help him. I'm really worried about him, Jace."

"Okay-" Jace inhales, "I'll- I'll get there."

"But- you also can't." I point out, "The Clave still wants you dead."

"Yeah, well, who doesn't?" Jace remarks, "They can get in line."

Isabelle speaks up and towards the phone by my ear, "Meet us at Magnus'. We'll figure out how to get Alec there."

"Okay." Jace agreed, "I'll get there as soon as I can."

-

"How are we gonna get Alec to Magnus' apartment?" Clary questioned as she was filled in by Isabelle and I, as we walked down the hall.

I paused.

The thought hadn't really crossed my mind yet.

"Izzy- how are we going to get him to Magnus' apartment?" I looked at her, thinking out loud, "Aldertree has people everywhere."

"Not a problem-" Isabelle said, "My parents want to get Alec to Idris. Magnus will create a Portal- we'll take it to Jace instead."

"Smart-" I point out, my phone ringing in my pocket.

I pull it out, answering, "Uh, hello?-"

"Zee-" Simon's panicked voice filled my ears, "Thank god you answered-"

"Simon?" My eyebrows furrow, "What's wrong?"

"Zee- my mom's missing." Simon's voice was rushed,

"I know- it's been a while- but you do remember when she used to drink right? Well- I- she's doing it again- she's drinking again."

"Simon-" Concern crosses over my expression, as I step away from Isabelle and Clary for a moment, "Breathe-"

"I mean- you're a Shadowhunter- you can help me track her down, right?" He stammers, "It's all my fault- she's been sober ever since that bender she went on after Dad died, but I found a bottle of vodka in her bedroom, and there hadn't been alcohol in the house for years-"

"Zee, if anything happened to her because of me, I-" Simon continued to stammer and I could tell he was on the verge of tears due to his shaky voice.

"Simon, slow down-" I told him, "How long has your mom been gone?"

"I don't know." Simon sighs, "I tried calling, but she won't pick up- I don't know where she is. Zee, please- I need your help."

"Hang on-" I put the call on mute, turning towards Clary and Isabelle, "Guys-"

Clary stares at me with confused eyes, "What happened to Simon?"

"Simon needs me- it's serious." I looked between them, "You guys can get Alec to Magnus' apartment, right?"

"We have everything under control." Isabelle assures me, "Be there for him."

"I'll meet you at Magnus', okay?" I nod, spinning around, walking down the steps, unmuting the call and putting it to my ear, "I'm coming, okay? Grab something of Elaine's- something important to her."

Simon shuffles around, "Okay, I got just the thing-"

-

"Anything?" Simon questions, walking with me through the night.

"I'm trying-" I huff, holding the necklace in my hands, "I'm sorry- there's just a lot of my mind right now."

Simon looked down at me, his hands in his pockets, "Clear your mind- or something-"

I scoff gently, "You know, it's actually really difficult pretending to be the master of Zen when my boyfriend's on the verge of death, my best friend is being hunted down- your mother missing- and how I just recently gotten back from a torture chamber on Valentine's ship."

Simon sighs, looking down, also venting to me, "If only I'd checked in, called every once in a while instead of totally avoiding her."

"Well, maybe it's worth telling her the truth." I stop suddenly, looking at him.

"What?" Simon gaped at me, "Come out of the coffin? Do you have any idea how she'll react?"

"Yes- come out of the coffin." I softly smile at his choice of words, "There's only one way to find out how to react, you should tell her."

"I don't know, Zee." Simon stammers, "It's a lot to wrap your head around."

"Simon- from what I remember," I recall, "This is the woman who made you those revolting mustard sandwiches when you refused to eat anything else- and dealt with your incurable hypochondria- and probably for countless other things after I left. If she can accept you for all that, I'm pretty sure she can accept you for who you are."

Simon stares at me for a second, then spoke, "You know, mustard is actually high in antioxidants- It's actually pretty good for you."

"But- just mustard and white bread is disgusting!" I bust up, shaking my head at him, my hands squeezing the necklace in my hands.

Simon doesn't stop, "And the white bread-"

"Wait, Simon-" I cut him off, "I feel her-"

I began running in the direction the tracking was leading me to, "She's this way, come on!-"

-

"Thank you-" Simon engulfed me in his embrace, slightly lifting me off the ground when we had found his mother, "Thank you so much-"

"It's not a problem-" I held onto him tightly, then pulled away, "What are you gonna say?"

"A good friend of mine convinced me I should tell her the truth." Simon smiled lightly, letting go of me.

I handed him back the necklace, "Well, she sounds like a very smart friend."

"Who said it was a she?" Simon chuckles, then glances at his mother, inhaling deeply.

"Hey, you got this- okay?" I weakly smile at him, my phone ringing in my pocket, as I pat his shoulder, walking away from him, answering the phone, "Iz-"

"Zee, Luke's pack wants Jace dead." Isabelle instantly spoke, "They think he killed one of their own."

"Hold on- what?" I blurt out, "No- Valentine killed her."

"Well, nobody told them that." Isabelle sighs, "They're closing in on him, so I had to make a deal with Aldertree. He has a warlock creating a Portal now, but even then, I don't know if I can get to Jace before the pack does."

"Maybe I can-" I hung up, instantly darting through the streets.

-

"Luke- I'm serious- you have to call off the pack." I follow him through Jade Wolf, "They're closing in on Jace, and they will kill him. You're the alpha- they'll listen to you- they have to."

"It's not that easy." Luke faced me, "The pack operates by code, blood for blood."

"Well- it's not Jace's fault!" I burst, "He was tricked into kidnapping Gretel- it was Valentine who killed her. Jace and I jumped overboard- it wasn't him, please- believe me, Luke."

"I do- believe me, I know his manipulations better than anybody," Luke sighs, "But- that doesn't mean-"

Alaric comes up behind him, "Luke."

"Give me a sec." Luke stepped to the side with Alaric.

"Maia's caught up to Jace." Alaric told him, "He's on Front Street heading towards the Brooklyn Bridge."

Luke exhales, "That's near Magnus' loft."

"Yeah, not near enough." Alaric said, "Sounds like she's moving in for the kill- what do you want to do?"

Luke looked back at me, as I stared at him, the straight look on my face.

-

"My brother is counting on me." I heard Jace's weak voice as I ran down the alley as fast as I could, Luke by my side, "You can kill me- just please let me get to him first."

Wolves growling and snarling follows, a feminine voice speaking, "Well, I wish I could, but, uh It's them you'll have to convince."

"Stop!" I skid to a stop right in front of Jace, guarding him, "You come anywhere near him and I'll kick all of your asses!"

Luke stood a few feet away, "Stand down!"

"Keep out of this, Luke." The girl I assumed was Maia told him, standing tall.

"Jace didn't kill Gretel." I told her loud and clear, "It was Valentine- we were overboard before he killed her."

She stares at me, the wolves growling louder, one leaping towards Jace and I, but fell to ground and whimper, Isabelle's whip around it's neck, as she had just came through a portal, "Stay."

The wolf stayed down, as she softly smiles, "Good doggy."

"By the order of the Clave, Jace Wayland is coming with me!" Isabelle demanded, pulling her whip to her side.

"Maia-" Luke's eyes went green, warning, "I said stand down."

"Thanks, Izzy." Jace looked up, "I owe you one."

Isabelle stares at him in remorse, "Don't thank me yet."

-

I sat with Alec, holding onto his lifeless hand as tight as I could, caressing his cheek, eyeing his condition.

I was so worried.

"I don't think you can hear me, but-" My voice was quiet, even if no one was in the room with me yet, "Please- come back."

"We all need you-" I bit my bottom lip to hold back tears, "I need you."

I sigh, panically blurting out, "By the Angel, Alec- if you die on me, I will personally bring you back to life and kill you myself."

Magnus walked in, followed by the others.

He came by me, and quietly said to me, "He can't last much longer."

A sharp pain pierced through my chest at his words, "I know."

"Alec." Jace's voice filled my ears, as I looked up, as he walked over to where Alec laid.

I gently move away, standing with Clary, Isabelle and Magnus, watching as Jace took the stone, holding it between his and Alec's hands, the stone glowing between their palms.

"Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee-" Jace softly said, his eyes glued to Alec.

A sharp gasp comes from Alec's mouth, as his body stiffens, the stone falling onto the carpet.

Isabelle's eyes were glued to her older brother, "What's happening?"

"He's slipping." Magnus replied, his voice still quiet as he watched.

Clary's eyes held a red tint as she teared up, "No-"

As much as I wanted to hold them back, my eyes burned with tears.

The pain in my chest wouldn't leave, and watching this made it so much worse.

But I couldn't look away.

Jace's hand held Alec's face, "Thy people will be my people, thy God will be my God."

"When thou diest, I will die." Jace's voice fell weak, "And there will I be buried, the Angel do so to me."

Then, the light in the stone faded.

Alec's head fell from Jace's hold, and landing on the rest, as he exhales slowly, taking his last breath.

I unintentionally gasp quietly, my hand going to my mouth, a tear slipping my eye.

I never actually cried.

I never let myself shed a tear.

I don't think anyone but Jace had seen me cry in the past three years.

But, this time I didn't stop the tear.

Magnus grabbed my hand, holding it tight, intertwining our fingers.

"And more also If aught but death part thee and me." Jace pulled Alec's lifeless body into him, hugging him, his voice breaking, sobbing, "Please don't leave me, Alec."

Weakly, Alec's voice was heard, "If aught but death part thee and me."

Jace slowly pulled away, eyeing his parabatai in surprise, before hugging him again tightly, the two of them holding onto each other as if it was for dear life.

I quickly moved my hand, wiping the tear that fell before anyone could see.

Suddenly, Aldertree barges in with a few of his men, "Jace Wayland!"

Jace let go of Alec and faced him, as Aldertree stood in front of him, "You are hereby sentenced to the City of Bones to await trial for the charge of high treason and aiding Valentine in the war against the Clave."

The words instantly slipped out of my mouth, "Wait- what?"

Isabelle stares at them, muttering to me, "Remember that deal I told you about?"

"Wait, what-" Alec tried to get up, but was too weak, "What the hell is going on?"

"It's all right, Alec." Jace looked back, "All that matters is you're back."

Then, Jace was pulled out of the apartment by Aldertree's men.

authors note:

well, oh shit

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