Detained [2] 《SHADOWHUNTERS》

Chapter Twelve

Andina knew perfectly well the severity of the situation she and her brother had unknowingly put the entire world into. Valentine had been able to escape with the Soul Sword after his ambush on the Silent City, neither of his children able to stop him with the aid of a deranged warlock on his side.

Because of this, she felt like it was her responsibility to help find a solution to end this thing, preferably with the death of the entire Circle. For good. So, she found herself in the library to begin researching anything and everything related to the Mortal Instruments.

There were quite a few Nephilim in the room, all hoping to find answers to the most dangerous question among the towering shelves of literature. Only one of them decided to cast her nasty looks occasionally, which she was grateful for. Apparently, more Shadowhunters had faith in her loyalty than she had ever realized, although she understood the uneasiness that many still held. 

She had just pulled a pile of books off of the shelf and was struggling to balance them as she brought them over to a table. She hadn't calculated the end of the old Persian rug being flipped up, causing her foot to catch and making her stumble forward.

The books would have gone everywhere if someone else had not caught her tumbling tower. She was almost entirely grateful until she realized it was Victor Aldertree.

The man who was currently in charge of the Institute hadn't always gotten on her nerves. In fact, she even recalled a time in Idris years prior where they had nearly become friends. He was kind when he was younger, just a field medic at the time. Andy–young and stupid and way too ambitious while training–ended up needing his aid quite a few times. 

And then–like most men Andy had watched begin to climb the ladders of the Clave–Aldertree inherited his family's responsibilities. He lost all kindness and respect for anyone who wasn't in a higher position than him. No longer did he wear loose t-shirts and his heart on his sleeve–no, he settled into fitted button-up shirts and dark vests that made him nearly a carbon copy of his father as he hid behind mahogany desks and red wax seals.

Andy had experienced the blatant prejudices he had acquired first hand when he had adopted his position. While she had forgotten the specifics of the occasion or what brought on their interaction in the first place, she remembered his insinuation that her family was useless in the eyes of the Clave. Although Victor hadn't gotten much farther than calling Michael Wayland "nothing but a weapons maker" before Andy had swung her fist into his jaw.

She tried not to smirk victoriously at the memory, though it definitely shined in her crystal eyes as she pulled the books back from Victor's grip. "Thanks," she grunted reluctantly, making her way to the table successfully this time.

Just as she let the pile tumble onto the table top, Aldertree sparked her anger by asking with narrowed eyes, "What exactly do you think you're doing?"

Andy raised an eyebrow in annoyance, picking up a book. "Valentine is out there with two of the Mortal Instruments, what do you think I'm doing?" She quipped. When he only gave her a blank look, she sighed. "You said it yourself, we need to figure out what he's doing and how we can stop him."

He considered it for a moment, but he kept his gaze on Andy as if calculating a problem. "Perhaps," he offered, making her really feel the urge to punch him again. Twenty-year-old Andina would've done it.

She frowned and set the book back down, laying her hand on top of it. "Look, I get you don't trust me. I should have stopped him before he got the Sword, and–"

"Andina," he interrupted her gently, shocking her. Of course, his expression was still the same; stone cold with furrowed brows and a creased forehead. "There are times when we must work, and there are times when we must grieve."