Forgetting the Past

Chapter Twenty-Two: Homesick for You

Clary crawled down into the depths of the tunnel, feeling her way toward Lewis's room. When she finally arrived, the fallen angel was just as she had left him: chained to the ground in the corner of the room. He looked up when she strode in, and she saw a light flicker in his eyes- was it hope? Clary could only wish she gave him hope, but at the same time she didn't want to give him faith in her. Clary didn't think she could ever save him.
"Clary," he said softly. She smiled at him, glad to have a friend here in her personal hell.
"Hello, Lewis," she greeted him, seating herself on the floor just outside his invisible prison. He was in the same kind of barrier they had found Ithuriel in; if she had a stele she could have broken him out of it. But she didn't have one, and there would be nothing to do about it if she did liberate him.
"Are you alright?" He asked, his hazel eyes lined with black searching her with a worried expression. Clary realized she probably didn't look okay- her hair was a mess, she had bruises up and down her legs, and though he couldn't see it, her cracked ribs were excruciatingly painful. Sebastian's fingers had left bruises all over her body, whether Lewis could see them or not.
"I... I'll be fine."
He pursed his lips, giving him the appearance of being gentle yet concerned. "I don't want Sebastian to hurt you," he said so quietly she almost didn't hear him.
This took Clary aback for a moment. Why was he suddenly protective of her? Then it dawned on her- she was probably the only person who had come to see him in, well, forever. She could understand that he wouldn't want to lose her.
"I can take care of myself," Clary said. "At least, I think I can." Stupid, she thought. How comforting is, "I think"?
He still looked tense, but changed the subject anyways. "Is there something else you wanted to ask me about?"
Clary nodded. "Yes. If I can ask you for a favor..."
"Of course," he said almost eagerly. "Anything."
"Okay," Clary replied, relaxing fractionally as she exhaled. "What I need is..."

Jace and Alec came back from Taki's feeling even worse than when they had left. Jace's heart was heavy from the discussion; he worried for Clary and the baby, and he was homesick for her. All he wanted was to hold her. Jace could hope to see her in his dreams, but that had been an experience he didn't care to relive.
Still. It had given him vital information they needed for rescuing her. There was the chance that Jace might learn something even more important if he was sent another dream.
"I'm taking a nap," he informed Alec. His parabatai sighed and nodded, settling himself down on the couch and leaning on Magnus. He hadn't realized that Alec was as exhausted by this as he was.
Jace entered his room and closed the door behind him. Slipping off his weapons belt, which went everywhere with him, he slid under the covers and waited for sleep to come. After much tossing and turning, he closed his eyes and fell into darkness. But it only lasted a moment.

"It's hard work," Lewis said. "And it won't be exactly like the real thing. But I can do it."
Clary nodded. "It's better than nothing."
"Okay." Lewis closed his eyes for a moment, and Clary snapped her head around when she saw movement. There on the wall, above and beside her head, a swirling hole was forming. But it was more like a mirror than a hole- a mirror that showed a different face. Struggling to her feet, she faced the image as it formed.
"Jace," she breathed, hardly able to believe it. It was him- from his head to toes, looking as real and beautiful as she had ever seen him. He stared at her, wide eyed, and stepped through the portal.
A sob caught in her throat and she covered her mouth in disbelief. "It's really you," she whispered.
"Yes," he said in the same amazed tone. "Oh, Clary-" he said, lifting a hand to cup her cheek. But when his fingers neared her face, they disappeared through her like a warm breeze, or golden smoke. The look on his face was wretched.
Clary's heart nearly cracked in two. After all this time, she only wanted to hold him, to be held by him. And here he was, the real Jace, and she couldn't. The tears came down her face, but she didn't sob anymore.
"I'm sorry," she said in a quiet, sorrowful voice. "This was all we could do."
"We-?" He asked, but turned and saw Lewis in the corner. Surprise and realization crossed his features. "Who is that?"
"It's Lewis. He's a fallen angel, but he didn't- doesn't- side with the demons. He sent me the dreams, and he's been sending them to you, too."
He nodded, understanding. "He's been helping you?"
"Yes", she answered with a small smile. "He's been the only one here who's helped me. If it weren't for him, I don't knew what would have happened to me."
She had thought these words would bring Jace comfort, but his expression looked strained. "I see," he said. That was all.
"Jace..." She started.
"Is there anything you were going to tell me?" He asked almost coldly. Clary blinked in confusion. They were finally talking, he should be relieved, not upset. Frustration rose within her.
"Yes, as a matter of fact. I'm being kept prisoner here by my evil brother, Sebastian, you see-"
But Jace cut her off, looking regretful. "Clary, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude. But if there's anything you need to tell me, say it."
This didn't comfort her, but she realized he was right. "Sebastian. He's..." She trailed off, not sure what to say. But Lewis filled the silence.
"I'm starting to loose the connection, Clary. You don't had much time left."
"You have to help me-" Clary rushed to say, but she turned around to see Jace's image flickering. "Jace, don't go!"
"I'm trying," he said in a wavering voice. Suddenly a loud bang sounded through the tunnel that scared Clary stiff.
"I know you're down here, sister..." Called a voice that sent shivers up her spine. Clary's eyes went wide, and she spun around to Jace. "I can't stay-"
Jace was disappearing before her. Like a black and white predatory cat, Sebastian came through the doorway and strode toward Clary. She flinched away as his hand grasped her upper arms, and she tried to fight him. But his hold was like iron. Jace faded into nothing, and the last look she saw on his face was panic.
"You've really done it now, Clarissa," Sebastian hissed into her ear. "I've run out of mercies to show you."
Clary shuddered but tried to sound brave. "I'm not scared of you."
His laugh was bitter and raspy, mocking her. "You can't fool me, bitch. I terrify you out of your wits, and you know it." With that said, he jerked her away from Lewis, who looked utterly remorseful, and steered her toward the ladder. Shoving her upward brutally, he climbed up after her and presumed his previous position.
Sebastian pushed Clary out of the closet and bedroom, directing her through the corridors. They finally came to an iron door that was full of rivets, and he opened it with a vicious yell in a demon language. "Now you will learn to fear me for good," he snarled. Pushing her forcefully into the pitch black darkness, Clary's head hit a stone wall and all she heard was the resounding slam of the door before she fell unconscious.