Angels of Darkness

Chapter 3

Clary had seen many terrible things in her life, yet none so terrible as the devastated expression on Jocelyn's face as she stared up at Clary, sat on the enormous throne alongside Sebastian's. They were all staring up at her. The expressions they wore could have broken Cary's heart in two. She had anticipated shock and horror; she hadn't thought of hurt and betrayal. Jocelyn staggered back; the werewolf's arms caught her, to hold her up. But his gaze was on Clary. Jocelyn ran forwards, hands reaching for Sebastian, who had stepped out of his rune circle. "No! You hate me- kill me, torture me. Do what you want to me, but leave my daughter alone!" When had Clary stopped thinking of Jocelyn as her mother? She didn't know. "She's just a girl, my child-"
Sebastian's hand flew out and gripped the woman's jaw. "I was your child," he spat. "Lilith gave me a realm; you gave me your curse. You are no kind of mother, and you will stay away from my sister. You are alive on her wishes alone. All of you are. Do you understand?" Her brother pushed Jocelyn back, leaving a bloody print marked on her face. Clary felt a corner of her mouth twist into a small smile. What was happening to her? "You are all alive because Clarissa wishes it. There is no other reason."
Jace spoke at last. "You told her you wouldn't kill us. Didn't you? That's why she's sitting on that throne."
"Well..." said Sebastian. "Not exactly. I offered her something more substantial than that."
"The world." Said Magnus. His voice sounded like gravel was tearing his throat. "That's what you're offering her. You were closing the gates, weren't you? With your spell."
"It's annoying how perceptive you are." said Sebastian after a brief pause.
"Clary, no!" cried out Jocelyn. Her werewolf tugged her back, but she was only paying attention to Clary. "Don't do this-"
"I have to," Clary said, speaking for the first time. Her voice carried, unwavering and strong, incredibly loud in the beautiful stone hall. Everyone was looking at her. Everyone except Jace. He was looking down at her brother's silver bracelet as he twisted in his hands. "I have to do this. Don't you understand? If I don't, he'll turn our world into this. He'll kill billions of people. It's worth it. It has to be. I'll learn to love him. He won't hurt me. I believe it." By this time, Clary could sense the darkness welling up inside her, filling her, controlling her.
"You think you can change him, temper him, make him better, because you're the only thing he cares about," said Jocelyn. "I know Morgenstern men. It won't work. You'll regret-"
"You never held the life of a whole world in your hand," said Clary. She looked at her brother, her beautiful brother. "I choose what he chooses. The gift he gave me. I accept it."
She could see Jace swallow, the movement of every hair on his head. He dropped the bracelet into Sebastian's open palm. "Clary is yours," he said with pain in his voice. He stepped back to lean on the wall.
Her brother snapped his fingers. "You heard her," he said. "All of you. Kneel to your queen."
Clary felt like enforcing his ruling, but she forced herself into stillness and silence. She had to look like she was still following the plan that only Jace knew about. She watched, pleased, as all the Endarkened began to kneel, their heads bowed. Amatis was the last to kneel, and she did not bow her head. How dare she? Luke was staring at his former sister, emotion splayed across his face. It was the first time he had seen her like this, Clary realised.
Amatis turned and looked at the rag-tag group of misfits that were not yet on their knees. Her gaze caught on her brothers for just a moment; her lip curled. It was a vicious look. "Do it," she said. "Kneel, or I will kill you."
Magnus knelt first. She never would have guessed, he was so proud. The others followed, Jace the last to go to his knees.