Sunlight poured through the large window, lighting up the room. I opened my eyes groggily, blinking a few times. I didn't recognise the room I was in and I felt arms wrapped tightly around me from behind. I panicked, my first thought being that I was back with Valentine and nobody had come for me, but then I realised that I was a). In a bed and b). Could see sunlight. I also realised that the arms belonged to my amortai as I could feel the bond flowing between us.
I turned myself around in Alec's arms until I was facing him. His eyes were still closed and his breathing even. I brushed away the messy hair that had fallen over his forehead and he stirred, opening his piercing blue eyes to look at me.
"Morning," He mumbled through a smile, his voice thick with sleep.
"Morning," I smiled back.
He turned his head and kissed the hand that was still resting on his face. "We should get back to the institute," He murmured. Suddenly his eyes widened as he realised something. "You still don't know! We woke your mom up!"
I sat up, "What? I'm only just finding out about this now?"
"Come on, let's go," Alec was up and out of bed, "Izzy sent these over for you." He passed me some fresh clothes.
We thanked Magnus again before quickly - or as fast as I could in my state - making our way through the streets of New York and back to the old abandoned church that had come to be my home. I still needed to lean on Alec for support and he kept his arm securely round my waist to steady me as we went.
"I need to go and talk to Aldertree," Alec said once we were safely back inside the Institute, "You go and find your mom, I'll see you later." He kissed me hard on the mouth and headed towards the office while I caught sight of Isabelle.
"Izzy!" I called out.
"Sam! Oh I'm so glad you're okay," She crossed over to see me.
"Do you know where my mom is?" I asked.
"Oh yeah, of course, you haven't even seen her yet have you?" Isabelle helped me through the op center, up a few flights of stairs and out into a quiet greenhouse that I never knew existed. "Jocelyn?" She called out.
My mom's head popped up out of nowhere and a smile split her face. "Samara!" She exclaimed, running forwards and pulling me into a hug. "Oh I missed you so much, Clary told me what happened - I've been so worried about you."
I sighed into her shoulder, "I missed you too mom."
"I'll wait by the door, give me a shout when you're ready to go back down," Isabelle smiled, backing out of the greenhouse.
My mom pulled away and looked at me very seriously. "There's something I have to tell you."
"If it's about my brother I already know-"
"No its not that - the Clave is reassigning me to Idris," She cut me off.
I looked at her, shocked. "What? Why?"
"I'm Valentine's ex-wife," She replied sadly, "I hid the Cup for eighteen years, they're testing my loyalty."
"But the Clave has to know that you're not on Valentine's side," I protested, "Just tell them you'll prove your loyalty here."
My mother shook her head, "I wish it were up to me, but it's either I go to Idris, or I run - and I've done enough running."
I looked at my feet. "But I just got you back," I said quietly.
"I know. That's why I want you and Clary to come with me." Her words made my head snap back up to her in surprise.
"Move to Idris?" I clarified.
