The Prince of Hell

Hangover

Chapter 19

Inspirations: song & gif ^^^^

--------

"What about the East district?" Asked Maryse.

"Also clear," Underhill replied.

"Alright, good, good," Maryse nodded. It was a bit after 10:00am in the morning, and those shadowhunters who had been out patrolling all night, were now being debriefed. "Even with the decrease in demon activity, we still need to take our patrolling seriously," Maryse continued.

One of the other two shadowhunters standing just behind Underhill, who had also been a part of his team; a young female beta with short, light brown hair, stepped forward and handed Maryse a folder. Maryse, who remained seated behind her desk, collected the folder, and immediately began scanning throught it. Once she was satisfied that everything seemed to be in order, she place it atop the stack of others she'd received that morning.

"Keep up the good work," she praised. "If there's nothing else, then you're all dismissed. Go and get some rest," she encouraged the tired looking group.

"Yes ma'am," the three shadowhunters said in unison before taking their leave.

It was then that Jace made his way into the office; just as the last shadowhunter was exiting. Taking a rigid stance with his hands held at his back, "You asked to see me?" He said in way greeting, getting straight to the point as he was in no mood for pleasantries.

Maryse looked up at him, visibly perturbed at his disrespect but choosing to ignore it. Ever since the Jonathan incident, the bad treatment she had been receiving wasn't only limit to just Alec, but Izzy and Jace as well.

"Have a seat," Maryse offered, gesturing to one of the chairs before her desk.

"I'd really much rather stand," Jace insisted, his demeanor very much that of a soldier awaiting their next order.

"Fine, suit yourself." Maryse knew that it was best not to aggravate the situation any further. She sighed softly as she stood from her chair and made her way over to the stained glass windows overlooking the now withered garden below. She stood silently for what seemed like a very long time with her hands held at her back, looking out at the scenery somewhat dazedly.

With Alec's birthday fast approaching, decisions needed to be made; there was the Promise Rites, as well as the actual Mating Cermony to worry about. The most important decision of them all however; who was to be Alec's mate? Her choices at the moment were limited. She could either continue this fight with her son, and perhaps further damage their already strained relationship. Or... she could swallow her pride and give him her support. Even if she didn't agree with his choice, at the end of the day, it was still his choice to make. And ultimately, he was the one who would be most affected by it.

Just when Jace was beginning to wonder whether Maryse was going to tell him why she had asked to see him or not, she spoke up, her words coming out very calm, as if she had reached some sort of conclusion within herself.

"I know you're all still upset with me, and admittedly all of you have every right to be. Looking back now, bringing that boy here was the biggest mistake I could have made. Now everytime I look at Alec, I can't help but think about what could have happened to him, or what he might still be going through."

Jace was bit caught off guard by this sudden statement, and was not exactly sure how he should respond. The only thought that kept coming to his mind was; why the hell are you telling me this? Shouldn't you be talking to Alec about this, maybe? In the end, he didn't need to say anything.