Detained [2] 《SHADOWHUNTERS》

Chapter Thirty-One

The core five were gathered in the operations center after Alec had called them to a briefing. And Sebastian was there. Andy was the only one seated, her nose stuffed into yet another dusty book stained by age. Her brow pinched occasionally, flipping between pages frantically like she was trying to puzzle something out.

Izzy offered an apology for being late as she settled beside her brother. She said she had been looking for Max all morning. Her voice was riddled with worry. "Has anyone seen him?" She asked sharply.

"He's not in the library," Andy piped up without breaking from her book. It was a fair observation. That kid loved to read. Even though most of his favorite books weren't in there, he'd often drag them in and claim the big red couch for himself for hours.

"Have you tried the armory?" Jace suggested, a smirk on his face. "He's probably sharpening his blades for his first assignment." The youngest Lightwood was eager to get on with his training. He was even more eager to show off to all of his older siblings and prove he could be just as cool as them. He'd been begging Andy and Jace to train with him ever since he got his first rune, but they were too busy under the current circumstances to spare the time.

Izzy sighed, shaking her head exasperatedly. "I checked." She told him, a frown taking over her delicate features. 

"We have more pressing matters," her brother cut in impatiently. He was right, but Izzy didn't really appreciate her concerns being brushed off. "Thanks to Dot's help, we now have the Mortal Mirror."

"And you have it at the Institute," Sebastian asked, clarifying, "and it's... well-guarded I presume?" He seemed uneasy, though no one could blame him. He had walked into their lives in the midst of chaos and had been dragged into it with them. His constant politeness and offerings to help only got him more entangled in all of their problems. None of the others would be surprised if he was struggling to keep up.

Alec could sense that same willingness to please in Sebastian's words and let him down softly. "The Elite guards are the only ones who know its location. It's safest that way."

"Jonathan went after Elliot and Dot to get the Mirror. Now that he knows we have it, he's going to come back for it." Clary warned. She was becoming familiar with the art of war and the act of guessing the enemy's moves before they could make them. Her impulsiveness to save the ones she loved was now held back by something much more resilient. Even yesterday, when an old friend had turned up dead and another was marked with a death sentence, she stayed the course until they found the Mirror. Despite her occasional slip ups, she was shaping up to be a true warrior.

Alec nodded. "Agreed. Report back with any possible scenarios by which Jonathan and Valentine could attempt a breach." He ordered. Clary and Jace agreed and walked off to do as requested, Sebastian following after them soon after.

Alec spared a glance to his side as they left, scoffing. Andy didn't even know they were dismissed, still glaring down at a paragraph that had been aggressively circled with graphite. He doubted she'd paid attention to a single word since the first mention of the Mirror. 

Izzy, still spiraling herself like a worried parent, walked up to Alec. "Is everything okay?" She asked, already knowing the answer was no. At least she could channel her concern into someone.

Alec met her eyes and realized he wasn't going to be able to "fine" his way out of this one. But it was like Iz had read his mind, knowing exactly what was wrong. "You told Magnus about the Soul Sword, didn't you?"

Andy glanced up suddenly, trying to catch up when she found the room mostly empty. Alec sighed and looked back down to the table. He couldn't bring himself to do much else, the weight on his shoulders starting to wear him down.