War of Hearts

Chapter 17

Val's POV

I couldn't sleep. I had Alec take Madzie to his room earlier when she had woken up and noticed I was still pacing like I had when she had fallen asleep. I had finished reading another journal and just to help me process the information I had to move. I couldn't go down to the training room. I didn't want to.

"No! No!" I heard Clary's shouts. I ran out of my room and was met by an equally frantic looking Jace. We both ran into Clary's room. I stood back and let Jace comfort her.

"My brother's alive. Somewhere out there, Jonathan exists." Clary said.

"I know. It's a lot to process." Jace told her.

I saw her grab one of the journals that Jace and I had already read and flipped through it.

"I mean, he was a child. Both of you." I flinched as I realized which one it was.

"And our mother had just left him. We have her hair and eyes. I had her love of drawing."

"With demon blood, don't forget that." Jace said looking at Clary.

"It's not his fault Jace." I said, looking at the Herondale. "We had no one but Valentine at that age. I learned the difference between right and wrong with each hit of the whip. Jonathan learned it from me but after I was taken to Wayland Manor he didn't learn it." With that I left the room. I walked into my own and pulled out the small box with my initials. I opened it and pulled out the note that was left on the shelf. I had already read it before so I knew what it said.

'Love made you stronger but I'm not you. I was raised by Valentine while you got away. Your teenage years were spent with the Lightwoods while mine was spent being burned in Edom. Forgive me, but don't ask me about this note when I'm back at the Institute. 

-J'

I knew his words were true. I sighed and put the note back in the box so I could get ready for the day. I placed a locking rune on top of it so no one would be able to open it and put it back under my bed. Once I was ready for the day I walked out of my room and over to the office where I smiled at Madzie playing behind my desk while Alec was pacing waiting on his younger brother. I looked up from my seat when Max walked into the room. I gave the boy a small smile.

"The Clave is very impressed with your progress. They think you're ready for your first mission. What do you think?" Alec told his brother.

"I've been ready since the day I got here." Max told his older brother.

Alec chuckled as I shook my head. "Well, then you better get your but over to training. You know how much our sister hates tardiness." Max nodded and then left the room as Jace and Clary entered.

"Any sign of Jonathan?" Alec asked his parabatai.

"No we tracked the box itself, but it was a dead end." Jace said as I turned and looked at the doorway where Max was still standing. Alec and I both give him a look and he quickly leaves.

"So, Valentine sent Duncan to steal a pair of baby booties?" Alec asked.

"Someone did. Someone who wanted to circumvent us from tracking Jonathan." I didn't miss the look Jace sent my way.

"And now we have no leads on either of them. We've got nothing." I rolled my eyes at Clary's statement.

"Actually we have less than nothing. There's something you should know." Alec said before he glanced at me and I sighed but nodded. I knew they were wondering why Madzie and I were staying at the Institute. "The Clave doesn't have the Soul-Sword. They never did."