Shadowhunters {Alec Lightwood}

Chapter 4

Mackenzie PoV

''I still don't understand. How can Shadowhunters be better than what you people call mundanes?'' Clary asked, as we were walking through the hallway of the Institute.

''Because we protect humans'' I replied.

''Right. Humans. You protect humans. You left Simon all alone in the van. Great job guys, you rock'' Clary accused us.

''There is some truth to the idea that human beings should have a modicum of common sense'' Alec said.

''Alec, not now'' Izzy warned her brother.

''They won't do anything to Simon. They just wanted to draw you out. They want the Cup and they think you have it'' my brother explained.

''But why do they think that? Why does anyone think that? What, my mom lies to me my entire life except, 'Oh, by the way, there's this magic cup I hid on like, planet Bongo, but don't tell anyone'. What am I supposed to do now?'' Clary asked.

''We have to report to the Clave. They have to know what we've learned about Valentine'' Alec said and started to walk and we all followed him, but Clary stopped him.

''What, that he's my father? Great, fine. Tell them. What good does that do to Simon?'' Clary questioned, glaring at Alec.

''Clary, it's all connected. The vamps want the Cup'' Jace told her.

''Why? It makes new Shadowhunters'' Clary told us.

''Nobody wants Valentine forming an army loyal to himself'' I stated.

''Plus, it controls demons'' Isabel added.

''They'll propse a trade. Simon for the Cup'' my brother finished.

''So vampires will trade Simon for the Cup and Valentine will trade my mother for the Cup. Either way, I lose someone I love'' Clary said, while we looked down in disappointment. ''What if I just toss it up in the air and let them fight it out among themselves?''

''So this doesn't matter to you?'' Alec asked.

''Yes of course it matters!'' CLary spat and looked at my brother. ''Listen, when you saved my life I put my trust in you'' she said and looked at all of us. ''Now I need you to put your trust in me. I can't turn into what you're overnight''.

''It's true. She was raised as a mundane'' my parabatai defended Clary.

''What are you, her spokesman now?'' Alec questioned.

''I don't need a spokesman, I need a plan'' Clary said, walking in the main room. ''Look at all of this stuff, these screens. Can any of this help me find Simon? Where is he anyway? Some kind of crypt in Transylvania?'' she asked as we all gathered around a table.

''Actually, no. That was Camille's outfit, right? They're locals'' my brother explained.

''They're at the Hotel DuMort, in Gansevoort Street'' Izzy said.

''And we came back here, why? We have to go there now, let's go'' Clary said but neither of us wanted to go.

''We need a Clave resolution for that'' Alec said.

''The 4 of us can't declare war on the vamps all by ourselves'' I added.

''And we can't react without considering our options. Downworlders are slaves to their impulses, we're not'' Alec explained.

''Alec, you can't just jump on all the Downworlders'' Izzy said.

''That's right. Seelies have their charms apparently'' I smiled at my parabatai.

''Seelies?'' Clary asked confused.

''Like faeries. The Fair Folk. Pixies, Nixies, Elves, anybody half angel, half demon. It's pretty much a catch all term'' my brother explained, looking at Clary.

''Izzy can tell you about them. She's got a thing'' I smirked.

''We've all got our things, don't we?'' Izzy remarked, while looking at me and Alec and my smirk faded away.

''Ok, I can't listen to this. Simon's been kidnapped by vampires. I guess I'll just take care of it myself'' Clary said, walking to the exit.

''Clary, you're gonna get yourself killed'' Jace yelled, but didn't stop her. ''Simon too'' Jace said and Clary walked back to us.

''Then help me. While we consider options, my best friend is suffering. Is that something Shadowhunters understand or am I just being a mundane?'' she asked us.

''Clary's right. They made the first move. We're going to take care of this ourselves'' my brother told us.

''This is a bad idea'' Alec said.

''What, you have a better one? Look, the vampires broke the Accords. They kidnapped a mundane. That's a big no-no. The Clave will give us a lecture and then they'll be glad we did it'' Jace explained.

''Hard to argue with that'' I supported my brother and Alec just looked at me.

''Even if we went ahead, I don't see how we get out of here without having to explain where we're going. We need weapons and we can't let anyone see us get them'' Alec insisted, still looking at me. I looked away and I looked at my brother and he sighed.

''I know where to get what we need''.