Detained [2] 《SHADOWHUNTERS》

Chapter Twenty

The next morning, they had all gathered together again sans Magnus to attend Max's rune ceremony. Maryse had managed to convince Aldertree to grant Jace and Andina access into the Institute. For that hour, when Max took his first major step into the Shadow World, things almost felt normal again.

After the ceremony, Andy shared some kind words about trying hard and kicking ass with the youngest Lightwood. Jace managed to pull her to the side of the room with Clary, but not before Max got her to promise that she'd train with him once he was comfortable with all of the weapons.

She followed Jace slowly, crossing her arms as she glanced around the room. She kept counting heads, trying to make sure all of her people were there. The Silent Brothers who had performed the ceremony were packing up their books and gear. Andy still found it hard to believe that there were only a handful of them left to protect the City of Bones.

"You should know," Jace started, speaking mostly to Clary. The morning sunlight streaming into the room glinted off of his golden eyes.

"Valentines coming for us, isn't he?" Clary cut him off, sparing a glance towards a now tight-lipped Andina.

Jace frowned. "Which means I'm never letting you out of my sight," he swore. He heard Andy's distinct humph and aimed his gaze on her, too. He grabbed her arm lightly and gave her a nod.

She met his eyes fiercely. "I can–"

"I know you can," he stopped her, letting their crystal irises truly align for the first time in months. "Just let me help, okay?"

He watched her walls crack as she gave him a small smile. For once, even she could recognize that she couldn't handle this on her own. Her father had his ways of pulling strings to get what he wanted, and despite Andy wishing that she could handle this alone, she was sure that everyone else knew she couldn't. "Okay," she relented.

Jace held her gaze for a moment before using his hold on her to guide her out of the Sanctuary. Clary followed, asking Andy what her rune ceremony had been like as they caught up with Alec. Andy replied honestly about how it was in Idris and it was boring. "Honestly, you're kind of lucky that you got to skip that part," Andy joked.

Clary turned her attention to Alec as they entered the hall, waiting until they were in front of him to speak. "The ceremony was beautiful," she complimented, knowing he had had a major role in making sure it was perfect.

Jace shared a wide smile with his family as he said, "Max did great."

Andy was delighted to see Alec return the grin. Everyone was in pretty high spirits in spite of the rough day before. "He didn't even flinch," he said proudly.

Jace nodded before something caught his attention down the hall and he told them to give him a minute before going to meet Maryse. "Alec," Clary started almost as soon as Jace had turned. "Whatever you heard me say when you were under that spell. I don't blame you for what happened to my mother... I don't."

Alec took a deep breath in and gave Clary the best reassuring smile he could, which wasn't much considering he still didn't believe he should be considered innocent. Still, he reached out and put a hand on her shoulder. They shared a moment before Clary nodded and walked off to go change.

Andy stepped up beside him after the redhead trudged away. "Still blame yourself, huh?" She hummed, pursing her lips.

When he was quiet, she glanced up at him. He lifted his gaze from the floor and offered a lame, "yeah."

She smirked, resting her hand on his arm and turning towards him. "Join the club, babe." He raised an eyebrow but didn't comment on her words, instead choosing to prod her like she had done with him.