Our Fate IV ➰Shadowhunters➰

➰Chapter III➰

"So, how have you been?" Maia asked Jace, breaking the ruling silence among them as they walked through the dark, damp streets of the city.

He sighed heavily, unhappy to have to answer. "I'm fine."

"That's not what Izzy and Simon have told me."

"Why are you talking to my sister and her boyfriend about me?"

"Because I'm your friend, you idiot. And because, without Alec or Maryse around, someone needs to check up on you," Maia replied with an eye roll. "You can't shut down forever, Jace. There are plenty of girls out there—"

"We are not talking about my love life right now."

"If not now, when?" Maia snapped back. "She would—"

"Look, I don't want to talk about her, okay?" Jace sighed, as he stopped in front of a church. "By the way, are you sure that he'll know where Henry is hiding?"

"He knows, trust me."

The four went inside the church, which was barely lit up by some dim candlelight. Needless to say, it had been quite some time since Jace had entered a place like this. After everything that happened two years ago, he had gotten severely separated from any sort of faith. It was hard to believe that any Higher Power would allow him to go through what he did.

But not all of them felt the same way, it would appear. Lurking out of the shadows behind the altar, peeked out Raphael Santiago, former vampire and long-time acquaintance. Mortality had done wonders for Raphael. Not only did he appear unusually tan, but he also seemed to have grown since the last time Jace saw him.

Raphael welcomed them with a smile. "Maia. Jace. What a surprise."

"Raphael, it's been some time," Maia replied gently. "I heard you got promoted to High Priest last month. Congratulations."

"Thank you. It really means a lot," Raphael said, as Jace quickly realized how strange it felt to see a former vampire wearing a priest's tunic. "How's Isabelle?"

"Izzy's doing great, actually. Keeping busy with the Institute."

"And the boyfriend," Maia teased, making Raphael nod.

"I take it that it is Simon who is struggling most in that area?"

"You'd be surprised. He gives her a run for her money," Jace replied, smiling teasingly. "Look, Raphael, we actually came here to ask about a vampire named Henry."

"I'm sorry, but I do not meddle with vampire business anymore."

"We understand, but you were one of them for over five decades. You must have some useful info we can use," Maia retorted with a pleading look.

"Please, Mr. Santiago. My best friend... she's been taken hostage by Henry and his other vampire accompli. If we don't do something..." Walt couldn't bring himself to finish that sentence.

"You must know where the vamps would take a Mundane hostage. After all, you took Simon once," Jace continued, to which Raphael simply nodded.

"Well, now that the DuMort's out of business, there's only one place where they could have taken her without alerting their Clan Leader," Raphael frowned, giving Jace a warning look. "But you must know, a warlock guards the entrance. There's only one way in, and you may not like the entry price."

"We'll do anything. Just tell us where it is," Max replied quickly.

"Alright. It's in the Seelie realm. I can give you directions, but it's going to have to be you guys who get in there on your own."