The Academy

Chapter Twelve

Tink:

    I stand a little bit back with Peter as Rose gives her speech and I end up crying by the first sentence. By the end, I am crying so hard that Peter holds me tight and drags me inside. "God, it shouldn't have been him. He was looking for us Peter. I shouldn't have brought them here. Rose is practically dead and it's because of me. It shouldn't have happened," I say. "Everything happens for a reason. Right now it seems pointless and useless, but there had to be a bigger picture. Stop blaming yourself," Peter says, holding me so tight that I can barely breathe. "How am I supposed to not blame myself when it was my fault?" I ask. "Stop," he says sternly. 

   "Look Mag, we can't do this right now. Tink just found out that she is pregnant and I need to be here for Rose. You and Alec should do it," Jace says. "Dont worry about me. If you have to go, you have to go," Rose says. "Not a chance beautiful," we say at the same time. "Its not a case morons! It's a revelation. I've been doing research. Wendy gave up a baby in 1999, the same year that Rose was taken in by that orphanage. Also, the thing with Killian. Demons only tell the truth if it will mess with your mind. Rose is Wendy's daughter," Magnus screams into the phone. "I could've told you that you nitwit. Look at the both of us," I yell back.

      "Rose, go back into our room," I say as she comes into the boys' room. "Why? It's about me right?" She asks. "I wanted to tell you this a bit more delicately, but we're sisters," I say. "Oh, well okay then," she says, practically falling into place next to Jace. Jace pulls her over so her head is on his shoulder. "You're cute," I comment. "Rose your lips are blue, let's go get you some apple cider or something. You look so cold," I say, grabbing her hand.

     We make our way to the kitchen and it's empty, thank the gods for that.  I put water in the microwave and avoid talking to Rose. "Rose, I'm sorry, I feel like its my fault. If I wasn't busy feeling sorry for myself, we would've been down there, Nathan wouldn't have stood up for us and he wouldn't be dead. Its my fault he's dead, I'm sorry for taking him from you," I say, tearing up. The microwave beeps and I pour the hot water into a cup with the powder.

     "Its not your fault. It would've happened one way or another," Rose says. "I wish everyone would stop saying that! If you guys were safe at the Academy, not here, no one would be hurt!" I exclaim. "Tink, calm down," she says. "Your right. I shouldn't be mad right now. I can't do anything about the way things turned out," I say.

     We go back up stairs and I catch her sleeve. "Oh shit," she cusses as she spills stuff down her shirt. "Can I show you something?" I ask, biting my lip. "Yeah," she answers warily. We go into our room and she sits on her own bed. I show her the rune I have on my wrist, the parabatai mark. "What is that?" "Well, it's the Mark of Parabatai. It Jace has the same one in the same place. I'm showing you this because I want you to know that I am lawfully forbidden to love him in any romantic way. We are siblings on the battlefield, so if I need strength, this helps. If one of us does, the other will know immediately. There's much more to it but those are the basics. I wanted to let you know that I wouldn't dream of taking him from you but it also is seriously sick if you fall for you Parabatai," I explain. "But all that at the school," she starts to question. "A girls gotta keep her acting skills on point," I say.

      We go back into the guys' room and Jace is finishing telling Peter about it. "So, brother in arms? That's good. I wasn't worried, but it is good to know," Peter comments. "Sure you weren't," I mutter, sitting beside him. "Now what?" Jace asks Rose. "We've got a wedding to plan..." Rose says, obviously trying to give him something to do. "No, we mean, what do you want to do?" I ask. "It'll take my mind off things right? Let's plan a wedding," Rose says. "Rock band," Jace and I say with a nod.

      We go into Rose and I's room and set up and when Logan comes in he looks sorry that he interrupted. We are all laughing and having fun, smiling when we miss a note and laughing even harder when we all belt out lyrics to classic songs. "Wayland, Tink, we've got a job for you. Go get it guys," Logan says, tossing us my keys. "How long is it going to take?" I ask. "Ten days, maybe two weeks plus drive time," Logan says. "Okay," I sigh. "Take your phone," Logan reminds me as I pack up. "I'm going to," I say, slipping it in my back pocket.

      "Be careful okay?" Logan says, hugging me tight before leaving the room. "You ready?" Jace asks, seeming annoyed. "If I say no do we still have to go?" I ask. "Yeah," he says, aggravated. "Don't die out there," Peter says, hugging me. "I'll call you before I go to sleep," I say, before kissing him. "I won't be gone long. Stay safe okay? I'll email you or something. I'll be back soon," Jace says to Rose, tucking a strand of hair back into place behind her ear. "I might fall for Bobby if your gone for too long. Ice powers, I really love snow and all," she teases. Jace kisses her and grabs his bag by the door. "Bye guys," I call as we leave the room. "I hate this job," I say as we climb into the car and put our stuff in the back.