metanoia | alec lightwood

18

"During the attack on the City of Bones, Zee Young and Jace Wayland fought bravely, and thus the Clave, in their wisdom, has exonerated them both from all crimes." Aldertree said to the Ops Center filled with many Shadowhunters, "And the chief physician in Idris reports that Lydia Branwell's condition continues to improve."

I stood far enough from Jace and Isabelle, staring at Aldertree, watching him give his updates and announcements.

I meant what I said.

I couldn't put them in danger.

Even if my father was long gone.

But I was filled in on what happened when Jace and I were gone in the City of Bones.

Jocelyn Fray was dead.

The demon my father released in the Institute possessed Alec and he had killed her.

Then the demon possessed Isabelle.

And now here we are.

"Hey- why isn't Alec here?" Isabelle moves through the crowd and comes by me, Jace right behind her.

I cross my arms, "How am I supposed to know?"

Jace exhales and looks at me, answering the question for me, "He needs some space."

"We face a new threat." Aldertree began, "Valentine has the Mortal Cup, and now possesses the Soul-Sword, two of the three Mortal Instruments. Our mission now is to find out what he plans to do with them and when."

"Hey," Jace nudged me lightly, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." I shortly said, looking around, "Are you? I mean- I'm used to all these stares, but you?"

"I'm good." Jace exhales, "But- yeah, apparently no one else is, judging by the way they're all looking at us."

"Guys, I'm sorry for letting them take you to the City of Bones." Isabelle suddenly interjected, looking between us, "I thought-"

I cut her off, "Don't stress it."

"It's all good, Izzy." Jace followed up, "You saved Alec's life and ours. I would've done the same thing."

"Tomorrow night's rite of passage will bring the total number of dead to 26 fallen Silent Brothers and three Shadowhunters." Aldertree continued to a finish, "Take this time to grieve and plan for what lies ahead- your orders will follow."

Isabelle grabbed her arm gently, making me glance at her, feeling that she wasn't okay, "Shoulder still hurts?"

"A little stiff." Isabelle nodded a little and rubbed her arm, "Uh, don't worry about me- keep an eye on Clary."

-

I reluctantly walked over to Clary where she stood over her dead mother, running her head through her hair, stood in silence, "Hey, redhead."

Clary looked up at the sound of my voice, "Hey."

"Uhm-" I trail off, slipping my hands into my back pockets, looking at Jocelyn, "You doing okay?"

Clary sighs deeply, "I'd be a lot better if people quit speaking in quiet voices and telling me it's okay to grieve."

I shrug, "Fair enough."

"How do you feel?" Clary questioned, staring at me, "I mean in a way she was- kind of your mother too."

"The woman tried to kill me." I was straight forward, shrugging, "Let's just say I wasn't very fond of her."

"I don't know why." Clary inhaled quietly, "I just don't feel much of anything right now."

Then she softly chuckled, looking at me, "Emotions cloud judgment, right?"