VII.

Clary felt like she was fifteen again, racing through the streets of New York to get home to her mother. Only this time, she wasn't running away from the ones who hunted the things that went bump in the night. She was running towards one. The idea of Jonathon breaking the rune was a thought she had been having for a long time now.

She didn't want Sebastian back. Sebastian came attached with too many memories and too much pain. Too many names.

Too many times Alec had never forgiven himself for falling in love with his brother's murderer.

Her eyes moved to the archer beside her. His runes were now bright and more white than silver. Alec's face was scrunched, but his emotions played out like a movie reel. There was fear, anger and concern.

If Jonathon broke the seal, there was a high chance Alec was going to have to kill him. And that weighed heavy on his heart every time he thought about it.

Their eyes met and he shook his head before picking up speed. Now was not the time to worry about what ifs. Now was the time to act. Clary followed after him, pushing herself towards the direction they were sure he was going to be.

A clap of thunder stuck, though there was no cloud in the night sky. They were getting closer. Clary just prayed to the Angels they weren't too late.

:::

Victoria had always known fear. She knew it intimately, from all the times she had caused it. She knew anger as well, rage and even sadistic joy. But she had never thought she'd be on the receiving end of any of those emotions during her quest for vengeance.

Her leg had been severed from her body. She has several cuts along her arms and he had been close to cutting off an ear before he had stopped. She would have moved but his had taken that pause to jam his sword into her back, through her middle and into the ground. Her vision was starting to blur but she tried to keep focus on the monster standing over her. His eyes were green and cold, different from the sadistic smile on his lips.

"You've been awfully quiet, little rat." He spoke and then knelt down in front of her. His hand found its way to the side of her face, caressing it almost with a tenderness. The cold look in his eyes seemed to melt and an unsettling lust flickered in his eyes. Victoria shuddered. Just what was going on through his mind?

"You're disgusting," he mused and his hand moved from her cheek to her hair. "Why in the world would someone as pathetic as you wish harm on my family? Why would you even try?"

"James was my mate," she hissed. "And that little bitch took him from me."

The hunter pressed his lips together, a far off look in his eyes. He said nothing as he reached for the blade in her back. "Such a shame," he murmured and dragged the blade along her spine. Victoria gritted her teeth to keep from screaming. It burned. Like a fire had started from the tip of his blade and as he dug it along, it spread faster than an wildfire she had ever experienced. "I should kill you."

"Then why don't you?" she asked through her teeth.

"You're valuable." He answered and removed the blade from her back. She let out a howl of pain and it was silenced just as quickly as his boot connected with her face. She felt herself slip into unconsciousness. How? Vampires couldn't sleep.

Jonathon arose, reaching for the bindings in his back pocket. The runes burned his skin, but he had to keep a better hold on his demons. He could hear them, demanding that he just end her. He wanted to. She threatened his family, his peace. But he had to keep a good reign on the seal. Clary worked too hard to keep it active. Alec worked too hard.

He couldn't disappoint them. Tying the bindings around Victoria's wrists, he drove his blade into her back once more. She made no noise and he was happy the poison was keeping her unconscious. He had taken to using venom in his blades when battling Cold Ones and he was glad his father taught him how to concoct a poison for their kind. Dropping to his knees, he waited for the others to arrive. He could feel Alec drawing closer and he had to close his eyes and get his emotions under control. Alec had never seen him like this. He never wanted him to.

Minutes passed before the brushes rustled. His eyes still closed, he let a smile cross his lips as Alec's scent surrounded him. The other hunter dropped to his knees, cupped his face in his hands and pressed his forehead to his.

"You fucking idiot." His lover hissed, relief thick in his throat. It made the insult sting just a bit less.

Jonathon laughed. He was an idiot. He raised his hand and cupped Alec's cheek, rubbing his thumb along it. "I'm sorry," he whispered, not letting his eyes open.

"Open your eyes," Alec said, his blue eyes soft.

"Don't want to."

Alec sighed and kissed his forehead. "Okay."

Clary rolled her eyes at them before turning her eyes back on the vampire. Edward came rushing into the clearing, not that far ahead of Jasper and the other Cullens. Their eyes widened at the sight of Victoria. She hadn't moved one bit and her eyes were closed. Just what had happened?

"Well dad may have been a shit parent, but at least he was good for something." Clary said, nudging her boot against Victoria's face. She shuddered, feeling eyes on her. She glanced back at the couple, noticing the flickers of black in her brother's eyes. Her stomach coiled as the far off memory of her brother's eyes shining with a very unsettling emotion flashed across her mind. She wrapped her arms around herself, silently wishing Julian had come with her.

No matter how much she wished she was over it, the reminder that her brother once lusted for her made her sick. She caught the hurt that shimmer of hurt before Jonathon buried his face in Alec's neck. The archer noticed but said nothing, but she knew it was getting to him.

"How the hell did you do this?" Edward demanded, his attention on Jonathon. The blonde kept quiet, breathing in Alec's scent. He was pretty sure if he stayed there, he won't have to think about anything else.

"We can discuss this back at the house," Carlisle said as he came over. Jasper picked up Victoria and with one last look at the group, headed off to the house with Carlisle behind him.

"We should head back soon," Clary called to the others. The Cullens nodded and head back to the party. Clary stole one last glance at her brother and Alec, noticing that when her brother opened his eyes, they were the same emerald green as hers. She said nothing but nodded to them.

They'd come back to the party when they were ready.

:::

Jacob watched as the woman he loved laughed happily while in the arms of another man. At least this one wasn't a leech, he thought bitterly before taking a sip of his champagne. When Charlie had told him Bella was in a relationship, he had been heartbroken. Even now, as she danced and laughed and love shined in her eyes, he was heartbroken. She was happy with someone who wasn't him.

"Stop pouting," Leah said as she walked over to him. "And let it go."

"Like you let go of Sam." Jake spat and instantly regretted it. Leah had been doing well and he was pretty sure he just set her back. And yet, she said nothing as he moved to apologize. She simply held her hand up to him.

"I'm only going to say this once," she started. "Get your head out of your ass. Between you and Cullen, you two idiots are so strung up on the past you can't see that the one you both love is happy. She's got another family, she's got a kid. She has more than enough problem to deal with and your lovelorn looks aren't one of them. So let it go, Jake."

"But she should have been with me."

"You can't force an imprint, Jake. That isn't how it works." Leah huffed. "And besides, you'll find the one. Just please, let her go."

Jake turned his eyes back to Bella as she and the man leaned in, lips brushing against each other. The man's tawny colored were bright as they pulled away, mapping out her face. He focused his hearing, listening in on their conversation.

"What's with the look?" Bella asked.

"What look?"

"Jace, you know the look. The one you always give me." Bella said, wrapping her arms around his neck. "That look of 'I can't believe this is real'. You give it to me all the time."

"Do I?" he asked, a playful look in his eyes.

"You do." She answered, and rested her head on his shoulder. He swayed with her, letting the music guide them. His eyes moved from the crown of her head to the little boy sitting on Sam's lap. He was catching with Sam about something but the shifter was listening to every word. Beside him was Emily, completely enraptured by the little boy.

"Hmm, well I guess I never thought I'd be here." Jace answered. "A kid, a beautiful woman in my arms."

"I'm waiting for the ring."

"How did you know I had one on me?" Jace grinned down at her. He jolted a second later, "You little minx."

"You wanna marry me." Bella singsonged.

"You're gonna say yes." Jace said in the same singsong voice.

"Nope."

"One day." sighed the blonde. "We all know you can't get enough of me."

"Hmm, hard to believe our relationship start with a hook up."

Jace dipped her. The frown on his face was playful as he spoke. "You know that was a secret. Now every supernatural here know the truth about me being your daily bootycall."

"Not everyone," Bella prompted. "Leah has known since my first bout of morning sickness."

"And with Leah comes Seth, then Sue and Charlie. And next thing you know, the whole pack knows." Jace huffed as he brought her up and spun her again. "Seriously Bella, how does a secret get kept around here?"

"Trust." Bella answered. "He's still looking huh?"

"Yup and I'm pretty sure he's been listening in on our conversation. Doesn't he know it's rude to eavesdrop?"

Bella rolled her eyes skyward but pulled away. She gave Jace one last kiss. "Let me know when Alec and Clary get back? I wanna know what happened."

"Of course." Bella smiled and turned to walk towards Jake. Neither said a word but Bella nodded her head towards the house. It was time they had their talk.