ʜᴇᴀᴠᴇɴʟʏ ꜰɪʀᴇ ~ ᴛᴍɪ

Chapter 19 - Wayward One

Alec was feeling rather proud of himself.

He had managed to talk to Jace in the weapons room and clear his consciousness. He did earlier a bit of a back-stabbing statement to Jace, but it did get him off the Inquisitor's radar. She had given him a mere glance when he entered the library. Seated in an armchair, the Inquisitor looked even more skeleton-like; her spine straight and her hair pulled back into a tight knot.

When he had slipped an Unlocking Rune from his mother's desk, she didn't even bother to notice. Her mind was in another place. For the first time, Alec noticed that she was troubled. Her long bony fingers tapped against the arm, feeling unrest. He knew some big fight occurred between Allison and her grandmother when she had folded in against George. Jace had cleared it up, that the Fearless rune of Clary's apparently worked, but Allison had fought against it until she burst out in the weapon's room.

Could be because of the extra angel blood content in her, Jace had speculated. Otherwise, she would've opened up in Luke's house itself, embarrassing herself.

It was that bad? Alec asked.

Jace had hesitated but his expression was hidden behind the firewall. It had to do with her father, Stephen. I...actually didn't expect how much she had hidden about her life. I mean, I knew her father was dead but...he didn't even know she was going to be born. Maybe that's why the Inquisitor hates me since Stephen's death had to do something with Valentine. 

Isn't the Inquisitor's son married to Luke's sister?

Jace nodded. We should ask Luke, cause I highly doubt Allison would spill her life history to me when she wants to spill my blood. Then, we could convince the Inquisitor.

After that meeting, Alec did want to talk to Luke. But decided against it. He had to save Jace first.

The Inquisitor still didn't look to his side. Alec wanted it to remain that way and so, he walked as calmly as he could to the door. He felt a spark of joy as his hand reached the doorknob. He would get Jace out and prove his innocence. 

"Do you know where Investigator Graymark is?"

Alec didn't listen to the words, only the warmthless tone of the Inquisitor. His heart stopped for a minute, thinking he was caught and would join Jace inside the Malachi Configuration. After a long second, he registered the words.

He turned back. "Oh, you mean Allison." For the Inquisitor's raised eyebrow, he hastily added, "Mam."

"I haven't seen her since morning." She said, prodding him.

"Probably in her room," Alec replied. "But she was a bit troubled when I last saw her."

A flash of hurt, almost unnoticeable, crossed her face. "How is she now? We had an unpleasant argument earlier. And she is one to be alone in troublesome times."

"Um...you should ask George, mam. I don't know why you assume I know her so well."

"I thought you both were well acquainted. She was - shockingly - inclined to trust you in the incident in Silent City." She leaned forward and interlaced her fingers, her expression turning suddenly curious. "Her trust is hard to be won."

Alec could do nothing but blink. "I'm sure it's because she trusts the exact truth of what happened that night, not because of me."

A smirk, surprisingly similar to Allison's, settled on her lips. "Oh, you don't know how much she values your friendship, Alec Lightwood. Too much, in my opinion, I'd dare say."

Alec felt his face turn bright red.

"Trust has always been a problem in our family," the Inquisitor continued. "We do not let our trust on someone entirely, but be privileged to even have a small portion gifted to you." Her grey eyes studied him. "You are not exactly your parents' son. Then again, you don't need to be. But I wonder if you'd follow your parents' way or make your own path."