War of Hearts

Chapter 4

Val's POV

I followed Brother Zachariah as we walked through the Silent City. I was somewhat glad I had taken Alec's jacket and pulled it on over the small one I had on as I felt the cool breeze.

'Stop. Someone is already visiting him.'

"Who?" I ask him.

'Clarissa Fairchild.'

I sighed. "I'll wait until she leaves." I tell him. "Why did you decide to reach out to me and help me?"

'I was a Shadowhunter once. Back when I was a child my parents ran the Shanghai Institute until a demon attacked and got me hooked on yin fen. I was sent to the London Institute and became parabatai with Will Herondale.'

"Why are you telling me this?"

'Because you know Jace isn't biologically Valentine's son. Who else was pregnant around the time of the Uprising?'

I thought about as much as I could from when I was 3. "The only one who I can think of is Celine Herondale." I tell him, before it dawns on me. "She killed herself after she found out Stephan was killed and she was nine months pregnant. Are you telling me Jace is Inquisitor Herondale's grandson?"

'I watched Herondales come and go but Valentine needed someone to do the protection ceremony. You were there but you were sleeping. Jace is Imogen's family legacy. You fought to keep him safe and you treat him like family. The question is why?'

"Blood or not he's my brother. When I first saw him there was this vulnerability about him. Even as we grew up that vulnerability never left him." I tell the Silent Brother.

'In a way Jace is your brother. Your mother told you that you were the only one who could calm your twin. You might have been born with demon blood but you also got some angel blood. The same angel blood that Jace was born with as well.' He was silent for a moment. 'Clarissa has left. You can see him now. I'll wait here to lead you back out. You did what I did back when I was a teenager, Valkyrie Morgenstern. You protected a Herondale with your life.'

I smiled at him gratefully and walked the rest of the way toward Jace. "Hey Jace."

"Val?" He looked behind me hoping to see the others.

"He's back at the Institute with his sisters. All waiting on me to get back to tell them how you are." I sighed. "Aldertree is making a visit here soon for your trial. By the Soul Sword. But I need to know, did you kill that wolf?"

"No. The wolf was still alive when Clary and I jumped off the ship." Jace replied. I smiled, knowing he was telling the truth.

"When you come home me and you are gonna have a talk after we deal with the threat Valentine poses. I think I figured out who your biological parents are. You still have a living relative though." I tell him. He nods. "They won't derune you. You'll be cleared of your crimes especially if it was to protect me, Jace."

"Can you do me a favor?" Jace asked. I nodded. "Keep Clary away from me. She's a weakness that I don't need."

"Us against the world with the Lightwoods?" I asked him. He nodded. "I'll see you soon, baby brother." He smiles and I walk away and rejoin Brother Zachariah. When we were far enough away from Jace I spoke. "I won't get the chance to tell Jace who his parents are. Valentine will find a way to beat me to it."

'Possibly. Until next time Ms. Morgenstern.'

"Zachariah, be careful. Valentine has the Cup. I doubt he'll stop with one Mortal Instrument."