War of Hearts

Chapter 10

Val's POV

I heard the alarm blaring before Madzie and I walked into the Institute.

"Hold your fire." Alec and Lucy said at the same time as they saw me and Madzie. Both he and Lucy walked forward.

"What's a little girl doing here? And with Val?" Longford asked.

"She's a warlock." Alec said. "Madzie... did you..." With her magic Madzie threw both Alec and Lucy into the elevator and I let the shadows around me protect my air while Madzie sucked in the air around the others after she removed her scarf. While Madzie was doing that I pulled out my phone and sent a text to the twins.

Valentine is using her but I barely got her trust. I'm gonna get her out of here before the Sword is activated. Valentine also has Simon as a way to lure Clary to the Institute.

I sent the message as Alec and Lucy started shouting my name and Madzie's. Madzie put her scarf back on as Valentine walked inside and I quickly hid my phone. Valentine knelt down by Madzie.

"Who is my favorite little warlock?" Valentine asked as the Circle members circled around me. I released the shadows knocking them back as one tried to lay a hand on me.

"Touch me and you're dead." I snap letting my eyes shift to black. The man cowered in fear and I let my eyes go back to their usual emerald green and allowed the shadows to dance between mine and Madzie's hands. We make our way through the Institute and I push Aldertree back with the shadows before Valentine can see him. He looked confused for a moment before he understood what I was doing, at least I hope he understood. We ended up in what I would one day hope would be Alec's office rather than Aldertree's. I pulled Madzie over to the couch that luckily still had one of the many books I had left in the room only a month prior when Alec and I were the acting Head's while Maryse and Robert were in Idris. Valentine had one of his men tie Simon to the chair in front of us and Valentine took Simon's phone and called Clary. When one of them went to tape Simon's mouth shut I glared at him and willed the shadows to clamp his mouth shut. I sent him an apologetic smile.

"Hello, Clarissa. I wish we were chatting under more civilized circumstances, but I'm afraid I've run out of options." I scoffed at his words.

"Let Simon go." Clary demanded.

"Wow I feel the fucking love Clary." I snap from my spot.

"Absolutely. Just as soon as you come back to the Institute. I need you to activate the Sword for me." Valentine said as if I hadn't spoken.

"That will never happen."

"Oh, but it will. Because if you don't show up within the hour... Your vampire boyfriend here is gonna die a death I wouldn't wish upon anyone." Valentine said. "And Jonathan can say goodbye to his big sister." He added with a smirk as he moved to where they could see me sitting with Madzie.

"Didn't I teach you nothing a few weeks ago?" I ask him. He paled as he remembered me taking down the Circle member that had held me hostage at Camille's. Valentine quickly ended the call and I let the shadows move away from Simon's mouth. Valentine left the room. When he came back in the room I was barely listening to Simon tell Madzie a Disney story.

"It seems Clarissa needs more incentive." Valentine said.

"No what she needs is a real father. Look, I've been best friends with Clary forever. And the one thing she's always wished is to be able to know her real dad. And she's had that chance. And she found a homicidal maniac. She wants nothing to do with you. She hates you. Doesn't that bother you? Doesn't it make you wanna change? For her?" Simon said. Valentine looked at Simon in silence.