Raising Hell

14. In Another Life, Magnus Would Have Been a Great Attorney

"You're an idiot," Isabelle says as she digs through her closet. "You shouldn't have sacrificed yourself like that."

The Clave had agreed to hold my trial in New York, given that my connection to Valentine made me a manipulative sociopath that could convince anyone to do anything I wanted and my chances of escaping were likely— their words, not mine. They also allowed Isabelle to help me get ready, assuming that she hated me enough to make sure I didn't escape. So far, she has only offered to accidentally leave the door open and allow me to escape once.

"I'm tired of running. I figured now would be a fantastic time to get this over with." I stand in front of her mirror, trying to cover the circles under my eyes with Isabelle's concealer, which was a few shades too dark for me. Isabelle had already straightened my hair and was in the process of finding me something to wear.

She approaches me with a navy blue bodycon dress. "How is that better than running?" She holds the dress in front of me and I shake my head at it. Those dresses were not meant for people with rectangular builds.

"I deserve what the Clave has planned for me," I say as Isabelle hands me a pair of faux leather pants. I take them with a look of approval and move behind her changing wall to try them on.

"You're the only one that believes that," Isabelle calls to me. "You're the best of us, Adelia. You don't deserve this any more than I do."

I emerge from behind the curtain and Isabelle tosses me a grey sweater. I put it on quickly and hold out my arms to display my outfit in its entirety. "How does it look?"

"Absolutely stunning," Magnus says from the doorway.

I smile and run over to Magnus to hug him. He returns the hug with a chuckle. When I pull away, I let out a breath of relief. "Thank you, Magnus. Now I have everything I need."

Magnus' eyes go to the poorly covered circles under my eyes. "Almost everything."

"Maybe it will help her look like a victim," Isabelle says with a shrug. "After all, her torture was inflicted by Alec."

"Well, I'm not going to say I didn't do him any damage." I go over to her mirror and gently wipe away the concealer. "Besides, I'm not on trial for saving Meliorn--"

"You're on trial for murdering in the name of Valentine," Isabelle says bluntly. An apologetic look immediately crosses her face. "Sorry,"

"It's fine," I chuckle. "I just wish everything hadn't gone to hell like this."

"You're talking about Alec, right?" She questions me.

My eyes meet hers through the mirror. "I'm talking about everything. Alec hating everyone, Jace and Clary going on the run, Valentine coming back--"

"None of it was your fault, cupcake," Magnus states softly.

He's wrong. I played a part in all of it. Even if there were multiple factors, I'm still partly responsible for all of it.

I turn to face the two of them with a forced smile on my face. "Can you guys promise me something?"

"Anything," Isabelle says at the same time Magnus says, "That depends."

I let out a breath. "If things don't go our way today--"

"Are you doubting my abilities?" Magnus cuts me off. "I may not be formally trained, but I can be very persuasive."

Surprisingly, my laugh is genuine. "I trust you-- one hundred percent. But we have to admit that there is a possibility that things will not go our way and if they don't, I need you guys to promise me that you will let me accept my punishment." I look between the two of them, gauging their reactions. While Isabelle's face remains neutral as she nods, Magnus looks sad.