The Aftermath Chronicles: A TMI FanFic

Part 8

Clary decided to go to bed early. 

There was nothing she could do about Magnus and Jace had disappeared. Even if she could find him, he would inconsolable. 

The only thing he cared more about than Clary was Alec. And he would never forgive himself if something happened to Alec because he wasn't there. She would never forgive herself from keeping Jace from his brother.

She tossed and turned in the unfamiliar bed for a few hours before turning on her witchlight and sketching something. She let her mind wander as her fingers and eyes focus on drawing Alec. He was all about angles and getting the right shape of his jaw and the glint in his blue eyes while making them soft.

The Institute was silent around her. 

The door that connected her and Jace's room opened and he stumbled in.

She closed her sketch pad quickly, setting it on the bedside table.

"Jace," she said, breathlessly. She got out of bed and ran the short distance towards him. He looked ready to collapse. What was the matter with everyone? 

She slipped an arm around him and helped him over to her bed. He remained quiet the entire time, laying on his side. He hadn't changed since she saw him last; the same casual day clothes that he had worn to the museum, a striped shirt with dark jeans. His feet were bare and the Marks on his arms were looking more grey than black.

Clary lay beside him on the bed, one arm around his shoulder, another stroking his cheek as silent tears ran down his face. His head rested on her flat stomach.

She let him cry for a few minutes.

"What did Magnus say?" she asked, quietly.

"He's still unsure," Jace whispered. There was no hiccup, no hitch in his voice. That scared Clary more. He was going to be ruthless now. He was going to find whoever did this to Alec and until he did--well, he wouldn't be her Jace. He'd belong to vengeance.

She didn't promise him that everything would be alright like they did in the movies. She just stayed silent. 

"Can I stay here?" Jace asked.

"You don't have to ask," Clary said. 

The weight of his head on her stomach was uncomfortable, but she was too exhausted to move him.

............

All the lights were out when Sienna got home from the dance studio.

She went to bed.

..........

Magnus had sent word to New York to be on the look out for anyone related to Venenatus Foedus. 

But he had truly believed that the group had died out hundreds of years ago with the signing of the first Accords.

Who was bringing it back?

Magnus had summoned a few of his things to Alec's bedroom. He wasn't about to leave until Alec was completely healed and Venenatus Foedus was silenced once again.

Magnus changed into a pair of pajamas that Alec had been particularly fond of and got under the covers with Alec. 

He got as close as he possibly could to Alec. He looked up at Alec's blank face. He was paler than usual. Magnus had spent countless nights in this same position but Alec would always be awake, watching him back, making Magnus feel whole, not empty as he felt right now. 

"Wake up, Alexander," Magnus begged. Then he closed his own eyes.

.............

James had discovered Charlie asleep on a couch in the library.