City of All Things Ruined - A Mortal Instruments Fan Fiction (COMPLETED)

Chapter 39

FINISHED MA ESSAY :D Exam week next week though, and piano lesson tomorrow which I totally didn't practice for...

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CHAPTER 39 – BUT A DROP

CLARY

Clary and Sebastian had been walking for many miles, Jace trailing behind them like a lost dog, tail between his legs. The moon was now at its peak in the sky, providing a pale glow illuminating their path, the rest covered by a velvety shadow of darkness. According to Sebastian, his informants in Idris had told him of that the new consul and inquisitor had installed Portal-tracking security, alerting them when and where a portal was opened or closed anywhere inside Alicante. So they walked, walking until their legs ached, trying to leave the glowing city behind them. Sebastian had also given her a stamina rune, so the walk was easier to endure, but by the deep red flush of Jace’s cheeks, he had been given no such rune.

Noticing Clary staring at Jace, Sebastian lightly squeezed her hand, drawing his attention to him. Clary raised an eyebrow.

“Do you hear that?” Sebastian spoke calmly and informatively, as if he was giving a guided tour. Clary strained her ears, but couldn’t hear a thing over the sound of Jace’s feet trudging in mud, snapping twigs and the sound of his heavy breathing. Sebastian extended an arm sideways, causing Jace to walk into Sebastians arm, then trip backwards. Once everything was silent, Clary tried to listen again. Somewhere in the distance, there was the sound of howling. Looking up, Clary noticed the moon was full, connecting the monstrous howling with werewolf clans in the forest. Even with Sebastian and Jace there, she didn’t like the idea of going into the woods.

An hour later, they had reached Lake Lyn. Somewhere in the back of her mind, Clary remembered being dragged through this lake by her shirt, before she started choking on the water, and the hallucinations that followed afterwards. She shook off the thought as the group came to a stop at the edge of the lake. The lake was about 50 metres across, and stretched to either side of Clary’s vision.

“What are we going to do?” Clary asked, her eyes meeting Sebastian’s.

“Lake Lyn is the border of Idris. Once we get passed, you can portal us, so we’re going across.” Sebastian replied calmly, as if the statement was obvious.

Jace stepped forwards, momentarily forgotten by the group, “Are you crazy? Lake Lyn is toxic, one drop of that and the fever and hallucinations could kill you!”

Sebastian spun around to Jace slowly, locking his eyes with Jace’s, though Jace showed no fear at all. “Then don’t swallow any,” Sebastian fumed.

“Sebastian, I don’t wan-“ Clary whispered.

“Clary,” Sebastian purred, cupping her face in his hands, forcing their eyes to meet, “Swim across.” Clary felt her own body compelled to take one step closer to the edge of the bank, before her brother’s voice froze her to the spot.

“It will be easier if you’re not wearing all those clothes, sister.”

Clary heard Jace growl at Sebastian. She reached at her dress and unzipped it, letting the absorbent material fall to the floor. The reflection in the lake water showed Jace and Sebastian both staring at her, Sebastian with longing, Jace with something warmer, yet with a protective glint in his eye. What was his problem?