War of Hearts

Chapter 5

Val's POV

I left the roof when Alec asked. I walked through the halls and stopped outside Clary's room. I knocked on the door and waited for her to look at me.

"Hey. I heard what happened." I tell her.

"You weren't here so don't act like you care."

"I wasn't here because the demon was after me. Lydia and Elijah sent me to get Aldertree from the Silent City. I knew if the demon had the chance to possess me that I would've probably been the one to kill her. I left so I wouldn't be."

"I should've just gone with her to Idris. At least she would still be alive." Clary said.

"She asked me to go too." I whisper. "I spent thirteen years in Idris. All of my memories of the homeland are filled with pain, tears, and abandonment. This is my home now. I found myself here in New York. Jace and I made a family here. We found our parabatai's. And for the first time since Jocelyn abandoned me for you, I felt a mother's love and I didn't have to worry about Jace or I getting hurt." I sigh. "She'd want you to move on. To live your life and protect the world."

"Is there a point?"

"Don't blame Alec for it. Or me. I know I lashed out at you since Jace went with Valentine and then was arrested. I'm sorry." I look at her. "For years it was always Jace and I. We were barely out of each other's sight unless we were sleeping. Even when we came to the Institute. It took us a year to actually let the Lightwoods see the real us. I think when Jace left to protect all of us I went back to what I knew. Me and him against the world. And I hated that it was you that caused him to leave. Yeah we got along while he was gone but then Aldertree gave the dead or alive order and I blamed you, because I hated the idea that he would be taken from me like she was. All because of you." I take a breath. "Now that I think about it maybe she was right to keep you hidden from all of this. If she kept going through with the memory wipes then she'd still be alive and you would be going to art school." I start to walk away.

"Val!" Clary called out. I stopped and turned to face her. I was unprepared for her to pull me into a hug and start crying. I wasn't used to comforting someone other than Jace and Jonathan back when he was around. I wrapped my arms around the crying girl.

"Don't push your emotions down Clary. Let them out." I whisper the words that I could remember Jonathan whispering to me and then me later on telling Jace as well. We stood like that for a few moments before Simon showed up. I sent him a grateful smile as he pulled Clary into his arms and began comforting her. I made a hasty exit out of her room and headed down to OpsCenter and listened as Aldertree started talking. I push my way through the crowd to stand with Lucy, Jace, and Izzy.

"During the attack on the City of Bones, Jace Wayland fought bravely, and thus the Clave, in their wisdom, has exonerated him from all crimes." Aldertree says.

"Out of the infirmary in record time." Jace whispers to Izzy. "Looking good."

"I always look good." Izzy tells him. "Why isn't Alec here?"

"He needs some space." Jace tells her.

"He just needs some time, Izzy." I reply.

"We face a new threat." Aldertree says gaining our attention once more. "Valentine has the Mortal Cup and now possesses the Soul-Sword, two of the three Mortal Instruments. Our mission now is to find out what he plans to do with them, and when."

"You okay?" Izzy asked Jace.

"I'm fine." Jace tells her while glancing around at the other Shadowhunters. I glare at them causing them to turn back around. "But apparently no one else is, judging by the way they're all looking at me. At least until they're met by Val's infamous glare."