Lost || Jace Herondale

TEN

I walked back and forth in the guest room, gnawing at my fingernails until they bled. Imogen's guards remained stationed outside the bedroom door; they had not moved since escorting me here an hour earlier. My attention snapped to the abrupt uproar coming from beyond the room.

"Is this really necessary?" Jace's voice rose, causing the knots in my stomach to loosen. 

"Order's from Imogen." The guard answered, amusement in his tone at Jace's frustration. "All of this wouldn't have happened if you had kept your pet out of the loop."

Jace scoffed, "you don't get to talk to her that way. Let me see her. Now." 

"You know I can't do that." 

I crept closer to the door, as Jace's voice quietened. "I wonder would Imogen think to your involvement in the dealing of yin fen?"

I could almost here the guard's heart stutter as he choked on his words. "How-"

"Well, I might no nothing. It depends on what decision you make next." The corner of my lips lifted at Jace's sarcasm. 

Within moments, the bedroom door swung open and Jace entered with purpose. It was then I understood the depth of my feelings for him, and I sensed he shared them. Our gazes met, and without hesitation, he wrapped me in a warm embrace, drawing me close to his chest. A comfort I had never known washed over me. Through his mere touch, he eased the knot in my stomach and the tightness around my heart.

"I'm sorry," I blurted out, "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for them to find the necklace. I thought I was keeping it safe. But now I've jeopardised the mission and you and Alec and Izzy are all in trouble because of me. I'm so so-"

"Hey, shhh," He soothed, "I want none of that. This is not your fault. You did the right thing. It's not your fault darling."

He held me tightly until my grip on his shirt loosened and I asked, "what's going to happen to me?" 

Jace remained standing but maintained a gentle hold on my waist. He led me to the bed and eased me down onto it. Then, kneeling before me, he took my hands in his, holding them as if he feared I might vanish from sight. "The clave are going to take you to the silent brothers. They want to wipe your memories of the shadow world." 

My eyes widened and I shook my head rapidly, "no, no, no. They can't, please they can't-"

Jace wiped the tears trickling down my cheek with his sleeve. "They're not going to. The silent brothers are among the most powerful of shadowhunters. They have devoted their life to the the cause and in doing so, have abilities and runes that the clave could only dream to possess. But they will not harm you."

"How can you be so sure Jace, what if- what if I forget. What is going to happen?"

"We can't get you out of here without raising suspicion, and I've tried talking sense to Imogen, but her decision is made. She is letting me accompany you to the silent city. There, you will meet the silent brothers." Jace said with deep, sympathetic eyes. "Magnus knows a silent brother - Zachariah. He will make sure that you do not come to any harm. They will not wipe your memories." 

"I don't understand. The clave is in charge, they won't have a choice. They will have to. I'm going to forget everything, I'm going to forget you." My breath stuttered at what I had just said. But Jace's eyes only warmed more. 

"The brothers loyalty is to the angels, they answer to them. Trust your father. He will not allow this to happen. And if you don't trust him, then trust me." Jace hesitated, his eyes glancing from my eyes to my lips. He leaned his head against mine, before pressing his lips to my forehead. My eyes closed instinctively.