The Mortal Instruments: City of Tainted Blood (Book 2) (ON HOLD)

Chapter 4: Rivers Running With Blood

"My good opinion once lost is lost forever,"

—Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

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Clary watched as the color of Alec's brilliant blue lamps darkened. And darkened. And darkened.

The color of his irises reminded her of roiling thunderclouds that promised a roof-tearing, wall-striping hurricane. The intensity of his glare—which was so full of livid anger and disbelief—would have set Robert on fire if it was possible. His fists were balled, trembling to the point where his hands looked like they were vibrating. Robert met his son's glare with an emotionless, leveled gaze before turning to speak to the Shadowhunter on his left in a lowered voice, too soft for them to hear.

"Robert, there has to be some mistake." Jace said, his forehead lined with confusion as he looked at his parabatai who appeared to have lost all means of speaking.

"Jace, this has nothing to do with you. Stay out of it." Robert spat, making Jace widen his eyes in surprise at the harshness of Robert's voice.

"Magnus couldn't have—he—" Jocelyn said, her voice reasoning as she stepped forward.

"You, Fairchild, are no longer a member of a Clave so I do not see how this concerns you." Robert said harshly and there were several gasps that echoed through the guests. Clary wanted to punch him and throw him over the side of the bridge. Jace rubbed soothing circles on her hand but it barely did anything to lessen her annoyance and anger towards Robert.

Jocelyn glared at him before being pulled back slightly by Luke as he whispered something in her ear. She seemed to visibly deflate for a moment before she continued glaring at Robert.

"Arrest him," Robert said in a very business-like voice. The two Shadowhunters walked around him and walked towards Magnus who's eyes were narrowed. Alec held a protective stance in front of him as the two Shadowhunters approached.

"Back. Off." Alec snarled. The two Shadowhunters hesitated as if Alec were a wild creature that would attack at any moment, unsure how to proceed.

"Alec!" Robert barked, his nostrils flaring. "Do not go against the Clave." Clary couldn't tell if Robert's voice had faltered at the end because he didn't want to yell at his son or if he had choked on his words from anger.

Alec looked at his father, his teeth gritted. Clary expected Alec to lose whatever tiny shred of control left and lunge for his father but surprisingly he stayed put.

Robert looked livid himself and Clary guessed that if Alec had left his protective stance in front of Magnus and lunged for Robert, it would have been partially better than defying Robert's orders and going against the Clave.

"Alexander, no." Magnus said softly. Clary rested her gaze on Magnus again and watched as he stepped around Alec. He glared at the two Shadowhunters before looking at Robert, his eyes turning cold.

"I'll go with you to the Silent City willingly," Magnus said, his voice soft and cold. "There's no need for a scene at such beautiful event."

Alec grabbed Magnus's arm. "Magnus, no—"

Magnus glared at Alec and shook his hand off his arm. "Alexander. I'll be fine. I didn't do anything so there isn't anything to worry about." Magnus's cat eyes softened slightly at Alec's broken look.

One of the two Shadowhunters scoffed softly and Jace shot him a deadly glare, his gold eyes narrowing to slits.

"Follow us, Magnus Bane." Robert said, his voice softer than before as the two Shadowhunters—carefully avoiding Jace and Alec—went to either side of Magnus and, like escorts, led him away from their group.