Tainted Soul • Lightwood. [ON HOLD]

T W E N T Y - F I V E

Apparently convincing the vampire to cooperate was easy. The four Shadowhunters plus Simon were walking ahead of the two rivals, Luke's pack and Raphael's clan. In his head, Justin thought they all look pretty dope, doing that entrance like they were going into battle, which they were.

"This dies not look like the City of Bones," Clary said as they came to a stop in the middle of the location. "This is the Downworlders entrance," Jace explained to her. "The City of Bone has a service entrance. Perfect," Justin said with fake excitement.

"I hooe I have betee luck here than I did last time," Simon commented. Justin raised his hand, fistbumping with Simon, agreeing with his statement. Jave and Clary looked at both of them, Simon cowering back.

"Everyone knows what to do?" Clary called. "Text when you're in position," Jace ordered.

Luke began walking, Raphael's whistle stopping him. "Stay. Good dog." Luke frowned. "Bite me."

"Roll over," Raphael fired back. "Play dead," Luke finished. "Boom!" Simon exclaimed, fistbumping Luke now. Raphael sent a look to his new vampire before turning around.

Luke started walling again, his pack after him. One of th werewolves pushed past Simon, makimg the brunette to stumble. That caused an uproar among the Downworlders, the vampires hissing at the wolves in anger for one of them attacking their own. The werewolves growled in response. Luke ran, grabbing his pack memeber's arm, stopping him from attacking.

"Hey, enough! Enough!" Clary yelled. "All our lives are at stake! It's time we put aside our differences, and work together! Tongiht we're all Downworlders." After finishing her speech, Clary glanced at both leaders. "Luke?" The policeman nodded. "Raphael?" The vampire sent her a sarcastic nod before both creatures left and got into position.

"I guess I should expect people to hate me for who I am now. I'll get used to it," Simon said. "Never get used to itm you hear me?"

"Let's do this," Isabelle interrupted the conversation between the two friends. The Lightwood then left with Simon and Justin behind them, leaving Jace and Clary.

The three walked alongside Raphael, being careful of their surroundings. "So what are we thinking? A little encanto action?" Simon asked. "You know there's a rune for that," Isabelle told him without looking at him. "Of course there is," the new vampire whispered to himself, making Justin chuckle.

"Just watch and learn from the master," Raphael said. Isabelle stopped him before he could walk any further. "Remember... no one gets hurt." The vampire leader nodded and left. Justin followed after Isabelle with Simon trailing behind him.

Hiding behind some crates, Justin saw how Isabelle runed a smoke bomb before swiftly throwing it under a truck and into the guards. She then used her whip to take out the guatds, Simon and Raphael speeding off. All that while Justin watched the perimeter in case someone saw them.

➰

They were all back at the Hotel DuMort, Isabelle and Meliorn having a pretty affectious reunion, one which made Justin almost gag. He watched with horror on his features before turning away and shivering in disgust.

Clary and Jace exited the building, much to Justin's relief, and awkwardly coughed. Isabelle and Meliorn ignored them before Jace spoke. "I hate to break up this reunion, Izzy, but we have to go."

The Shadowhunter and Seelie pulled away and Justin sighed in relief. "Thank you for that," Justin told Jace in appreciation. "I need to get back to the Institute, see what hell has broken loose. Try and talk some sense into Alec," Isabelle informed. She looked at Meliorn before sighing. "Take care of him."

"We will."

The brunette kissed her boy one last time, before taking Justin's wrist and dragging him away for a moment. "There's something I need to tell you."

The redhead stood there confused, thinking back about every conversation they ever had and what could be so important that couldn't wait. "I wanted to tell you after everything is resolved but things are complicated and I don't want you to think I don't care about you, because I do."

Justin felt grateful to have found someone like Isabelle and becoming her friend. "Iz, you can tell me anything." The girl sighed. "Alec's engaged... to Lydia."

Justin felt his heart drop, trying to play it cool. "Oh. That's- that's good for him. I'm happy... really happy..." he trailed off. Isabelle placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, squeezing it in pity. "I see how you look at him. It's the same look Alec used to send Jace. I just want you to know that I'm here for you when you need to talk."

Justin nodded and sent her a smile as he saw her disappear into the shadows. He gulped, walking back to his sister and the two other males there. "I've been surprised by more than one Shadowhunter tonight. You risked everything to unite us." Was the first thing Justin heard as he approached the group.

"Right after you tried to sell them out," Jace answered bitterly. "Not my finest moment. Which is why I'm offering you a gift... for your sacrifice. If you're ready... i can help you find your father," Meliorn said.

After accepring the offer, Clary walked after Meliorn to Raziel know where, while Jace and Justin trailed a little behind them. "Justin... I have something that belongs to you," Jace said. The redhead turned his head to look at him and saw his mother's bracelet in his hand. "It's safer with you."

Justin smiled, taking the object and clasping it around his wrist. "Thank you, Jace... for everything that you've done for us, for Clary, I mean." The blond smirked and winked before walking faster to catch up with the Fray girl.

Justin looked down at his wrist, the purple rock staring back at him, bringing back memories and dreams he wanted to forget. He thought back at Isabelle's revelation and something weird settled inside him. Something uncomfortable, something he didn't want to feel.

Especially now that the person he had feelings for was getting married to someone that wasn't him. Someone that was a woman.