Stronger Than Heaven

Chapter 6

"We need at least five Shadowhunters deployed to help out with the situation at the Los Angeles Institute." Alec, with his usual diplomatic stance and matter-of-fact tone, pointed to a section on the screen lit up behind him. It was a blueprint of the city streets circling the LA Institute with ominous red dots around the large building. "They've had an attack that's left them extremely vulnerable."

Beside him, Isabelle nodded. "I'll get right on packing the weapons we need," she said, her arms crossed and her expression firm.

"Great, Izzy I'll need you to stay here to look over the Institute. Meanwhile, let's talk about a game plan on how we can do this without..."

Jace stared at the screen in front of him, barely listening as Alec's voice trailed off in his head. He found himself deep in thought about the night he had just spent with Clary. He had just snuck back into the Institute not two hours ago when the sun was rising with a few questioning glances from the night crew. He'd gone straight to breakfast so no one would suspect a thing, but couldn't hide from Isabelle when he almost fell asleep at the table.

He didn't tell her anything except that he'd stayed the night at Clary's "to watch over her." But he knew that she wasn't dumb enough to believe that.

It was worth it. A small smile formed on his face as he thought of the night they had together. It was full of passion, to say the least. To kiss her again after an entire year... to touch her, to hold her... It was like old times, like nothing had-

"Jace!" Alec tilted his head at his parabatai, clearly annoyed. "Are you alright?"

He realized all eyes were on him at that point - Izzy's with the most pointed glare. He responded the best way he knew how. With casual confidence.

"Five Shadowhunters deployed to LA, yada yada," he said, feigning a yawn for effect. "There's like 5 or 6 rogue demons roaming around. How hard can it be? I've done a mission like that a hundred times by myself." He rolled his stele around his fingers as nonchalantly as he could. "WHILE thinking about what I should eat for dinner."

"Yes, Jace, we all know what a perfect fighter you are," Alec replied, his eyes flicking up to the ceiling. "That's why I'm telling you to stay here with Izzy to protect this Institute while five of ours are out fighting. But you're clearly bored with this meeting as you're off in your own world."

To his surprise, Isabelle giggled. "When is he not off in his own world? Or staring at a mirror or a picture of himself-"

"Hey, I'm not that-"

"Enough!" Alec cut in, looking from one sibling to the next, his glare of annoyance shifting to one of exasperation.. "You guys are ridiculous. You're both adjourned from this meeting. Izzy, if you can get those weapons prepared. And Jace... if you could get your ego in check."

Jace saluted him with his signature smirk before turning on his heel and making his towards the elevators.

"Jace," Isabelle hissed behind him, her heels clacking on the tiled floor as she caught up to him. "Where are you going?"

Jace gave her a sideways glance. "To take a nap," he mumbled, walking into the elevator and turning to face Isabelle. She had a concerned, yet amused look on her face.. "Let me know if you need me." The elevator doors closed and finally, he relaxed against the wall and let out a slow breath which turned into a small, disbelieving chuckle.

-

Clary felt like she was on cloud nine. She couldn't even begin to explain this feeling other than the ridiculous grin that wouldn't leave her face. Thoughts of the previous night with Jace flooded her mind and she felt a pink flush slowly spread across her cheeks.