The Oldest Morgenstern (An Alec Lightwood Love Story)

Chapter 4: Raziel

Pandora's POV
I moved toward Jace after freeing Clary while watching the angel. I cast a quick glance toward Clary as the angel spoke. For once I decided to listen to the conversation Valentine was having.
"It has been a thousand years since I was last summoned to this place," Raziel said. "Jonathan Shadowhunter called on me then, and begged me to mix my blood with the blood of mortal men in a Cup and create a race of warriors who would rid this earth of demonkind. I did as he asked and told him I would do no more. Why do you summon me now, Nephilim?"
"A thousand years have passed, Glorious One, but demonkind is still here." Valentine said eagerly.
"What is that to me? A thousand years for an angel pass between one blink of an eye and another." Raziel scoffed. Even I knew at this point that the angel would never give Valentine what he wanted.
"The Nephilim you created were a great race of men. For many years they valiantly battled to rid this plane of demon taint. But they have failed due to weakness and corruption in their ranks. I intend to return them to their former glory--"
"Glory?" The angel said, sounding faintly curious. "Glory belongs to God alone."
I was surprised that Valentine didn't waver. "The Clave as the first Nephilim created it exists no more. They have allied themselves with Downworlders, the demon-tainted nonhumans who infest this world like fleas on the carcass of a rat. It is my intention to cleanse this world, to destroy every Downworlder along with every demon--"
"Demons do not possess souls. But as for the creatures you speak of. The Children of the Moon, Night, Lilith, and Faerie, all are souled. It seems that your rules as to what does and does not constitute a human being are stricter than our own." Raziel said, interrupting Valentine for the second time. "Do you intend to challenge heaven like that other Morning Star whose name you bear, Shadowhunter?"
"Not to challenge heaven, no, Lord Raziel. To ally myself with heaven--"
"In a war of your own making? We are heaven, Shadowhunter. We don't fight in your mundane battles."
I waited with bated breath for Valentine to speak again and when he did he sounded almost hurt.
"Lord Raziel. Surely you wouldn't have allowed such a thing as a ritual by which you might be summoned to exist if you did not intend to be summoned. We Nephilim are your children. We need your guidance."
"Guidance?" Raziel sounded amused. "That hardly seems to be the reason you brought me here. You seek rather your own renown."
"Renown?" Valentine echoed hoarsely. "I have given everything for this cause. My wife. My children. I've not withheld my sons. I've given everything for this-- Everything."
'He won't give Valentine what he wants Pandora. My brother doesn't believe in his cause.' I heard Aurora whisper through my mind. Raziel hovered, gazing down at Valentine with his odd inhuman eyes. At last he said, "God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son on an altar, much like this one, to see who it was Abraham loved more, Isaac or God. But no one asked you to sacrifice your son, Valentine."
I glanced at the altar by Valentine's feet that was splashed with Jace's blood before looking at Jace then to Clary who had tears in her eyes.I blocked out what Valentine said in response as I took in the defeated look in her eyes before watching them harden and turn to a vibrant green. She moved until she was on her stomach and began crawling toward the sand. I smirked as I looked back toward the angel knowing what my sister was doing.
"When Jonathan Shadowhunter summoned," said the Angel, "I gave him assistance because I could see that his dream of a world free of demons was a true one. He imagined a heaven on this earth. But you dream only of your own glory, and you don't love heaven. My brother Ithuriel can attest to that, as could my sister Aurora if she could."
"But--"
"Did you think I would not know?" The angel smiled. "It is true that the master of the circle you have drawn can compel from me a single action. But you are not that master."
I cast another glance toward Clary who was now laying half-conscious in the sand and staring at Valentine defiantly.
"My Lord Raziel-- there is no one else--"
"But there is," said the Angel. "There are your daughters."
I felt Valentine turn and stare at me before shifting his gaze toward Clary. He was silent as he looked at her. "Clarissa," He finally said. "What have you done?"
I saw Clary write something in the sand, but couldn't see what it was as I looked toward the man who raised me. He was bone white as he turned back toward Raziel slowly, raising his hands in supplication.
"My Lord Raziel--"
I glanced toward the angel as he opened his mouth and spat a shooting spark of white fire. It reminded me of a burning arrow in flight as it flew across the lake and tore into Valentine's chest. I watched as Valentine crashed to the ground and lay still-- his mouth still open in a silent cry and blind eyes fixed forever in a last look of incredulous betrayal.
"That was the justice of Heaven. I trust you are not dismayed."
I stayed quiet as I looked at my father's face. I ignored the conversation between Raziel and Clary, but looked up at the Angel when it was silent.
Raziel met my gaze and spoke, "My sister will stay with you until your last battle, Pandora Morgenstern. When you die after your long life Aurora will return to heaven. Now close your eyes and rest." I did as the Angel said and closed my eyes before I could be blinded by the light as Raziel disappeared.