Hello everyone! Hope this chapter wasn't too late. Writing comes easily to me sometimes, and sometimes it's just too much for me to handle, but luckily I was able to finish this with ease. I just read CoHF and tbh I didn't really like the ending, but anyway, this story might encompass a few events from the original series and let me reiterate that all the characters/storyline related to the TMI series belong to Cassandra Clare only! Thank you for the lovely reviews and I'm sorry that I haven't been able to reply to every of them; I don't really reply to pms on this website. But if you have any questions, feel free to leave an ask on my tumblr page (the link is on my profile) and I'll be more than happy to answer! Hope you enjoy this chapter too!

"Would she dare touch him just to die again? He fears her, for her, and who they are. They have sworn again to release that death-star that's pulsed for centuries inside their mouths. Their last kiss forced it back between her teeth and he must take it, now, away." - Stewart

Clary woke up with a gasp. She blinked slowly and tried to register her surroundings but she couldn't see anything - everything was pitch black. Yet her eyes started adjusting to the dark after a moment and she realized that the place looked familiar. Her drawings pinned up against the wall, her silver jewelry box, her black gear folded neatly on her chair... it seemed as if her room had been frozen in time since that day, the day of their most recent battle.

"Clary?" Clary flinched with surprise as she realized someone stir beside her. And she looked into what she considered the most brilliant shade of gold.

"By the Angel, you almost gave me a heart attack Clary! I was worried sick when you fainted like that after we came through the Portal!" Jace breathed out her name with anguish and concern clear in his voice as he gently cupped her face with his warm calloused hands. She felt their nose touch and smiled with joy and relief for the first time in the longest time ever. "What was that? Am I actually hearing Jace Wayland's confession about being scared like a little boy because a girl just fainted in front of him?" Jace chuckled. "Yes. So you are not allowed to do that ever again." She looked at him defiantly. "Oh? I think you know that I always tend to do things I'm not allowed to do." "Yeah, you were always the feisty type. I know. That's why I like you." They stared into each other's eyes for a long time in silence, relishing in the peace and comfort brought to them for the first time in four years even if it was a half-compromised one since Jace was technically still possessed by Jonathan... Clary thought.

"I missed you. Everyday. I... I thought you were gone. Forever." Jace's voice broke a little as he said that. "I'm back now Jace. I'm right here." She suddenly remembered the night of the fight, how she had told Jonathan she considered him and Jace as her angel heroes. She smiled bitterly at how the term seemed half-true and distorted now that she was back. Jace leaned towards her now and caught her by surprise; she felt what she longed for what seemed like forever. Their kiss wasn't wild or passionate, but behind the gentle caress there was a light tinge of desperation - it blossomed in their hearts from the fear of being separated once again.

Four years ago Clary was confused to what she was actually saving Jace from, because he'd looked so happy here. But now she knew that being tied to Jonathan, either by a blood bond or by the Infernal Cup, was to become Jonathan's little marionettes. A deep primal anger surged through her more and more as she thought of Jonathan. It had been too long since she'd been confused to who the real enemy was.

"Clary?" Jace broke the silence. "Let's go out to the living room. Jonathan might be waiting." At the name Jonathan, she snapped out of her thoughts and put on a smile she hoped would be convincing enough to hide her disgust. She squeezed Jace's hand in reply and stood up from the bed gracefully. Clary, however, stumbled swaying to the left but Jace luckily pulled her waist to stop her from falling. "Thanks." She said as she lifted her feet to a tip-toe to kiss him chastely on the lips before rushing to the door with a twisted sad smile.

Jonathan traced the rim of the wine glass with his fingers, his dark eyes staring into the churning blood-red wine. The moonlight shining through the wide gothic windows cast a silvery glow to his white hair as well as illuminating his already pale features. He was sitting on the leather sofa listening in on their conversation. Never had he hated the fact that he possessed over sensitive ears due to demon blood more than he was now. His face was perfectly still and he maintained his usual air of casualness yet he couldn't help but frown whenever his mind showed exaggerated images of them together inside the room right now.

He didn't want to meet her.

He'd spent the days worrying about what had happened to her after the incident in the cave. He remembered that just as the cave started to crumble down he saw the brilliant exploding light with Clary in the middle of the fiasco. Jace had almost killed him in fury after returning home without Clary. Jonathan sighed at how hard it was to persuade Jace to calm down - manipulation and persuasion was something he excelled at, but sometimes he just wanted to squeeze the life out of someone when they were being like that. It took him an immense amount of control for him to try to talk to Jace instead of killing him; all the while he had to remind himself that Jace was his brother and companion, not a disposable demon slave. Jace had calmed down after he was promised that they'd keep a watch on Clary through the Portal, and if the situation required it, they'd intervene before it was too late. When that was not enough, he also had to promise that they'd bring Clary back no matter what.

So now here she was. Jace told him that she was back to who she was, and he knew what he'd meant. He felt the sinking feeling in stomach as the minutes passed by, the moment of meeting Clary inching closer and closer to him.

He didn't want to stare into her eyes that would now be filled with defiance and hate again. Hate towards him because of what he'd done, because of what he was, a monster. His lips formed a slight curve. Yes, he was a monster. He knew that. But he couldn't help it, it was what he was, and he couldn't do anything about it. He was born to hate and to destroy the world. He spent weeks of sleepless nights before imagining how it would've been different if he was tested with the angel blood like her. If their father (He frowned confused whether Valentine even deserved to be called that) chose to test the demon blood on Jace instead. Everything would've been different then. He would've known how to interact like a normal human being, how to love, and how to care for people. The Morgenstern family wouldn't have been so broken and Jocelyn wouldn't have abandoned him at all. And maybe, just maybe, Valentine might've found a better way to cope with his complaints against the Clave instead of trying to wipe out the whole population.

But everything had changed since that night when Clary came to him four years ago. He didn't have to imagine the what-ifs anymore. When he was with Jace and Clary he felt the empty hole in his heart, the hole that he'd suffered from since he was born, start to fill. He didn't feel it at first, but slowly, they'd taught him what true companionship felt like. He considered Jace, with old feuds cast aside, as his brother; it was Jace who taught him the word family. And Clary- he never considered Clary as just his sister. She was his goddess, his savior; a light that had been cast down in his cruel morbid world. She was what made him truly complete, his other half, and in some twisted way, she justified his damned existence.

He sipped the wine in his hands and closed his eyes. Soon he would have to face those lovely green irises again, only to find them filled with unforgiving cruelty towards him. He heard a shuffle and inwardly sighed as he steeled himself. He looked behind him and smirked. "Hello, sister mine."

Clary stared at him. She took his appearance in slowly one at a time from head to toe. He didn't look any different than he was a week ago. His usual air of arrogance and indifference was there, as well as his intolerable smirk. She wanted to slap the smirk off his face. Clary felt her fingernails dig into her palms and immediately stretched her fingers as she realized it hurt enough to make her bleed.

"Missed me?"

"Not one bit."

"Ah... That hurts. You just stabbed my heart. I missed you like hell Clary." He put his hands over his heart, feigning hurt. Clary raised her brows sarcastically thinking, as if you have one.

"I'm surprised that you even decided to come back." He mused.

"Of course I would." She said, her voice barely above a whisper. And at that, he frowned.

"You would?" Jonathan asked in confusion. But deep in his heart he knew the answer already. He knew that it'd pierce his heart but he had to ask. Because he hoped that he'd be wrong, and that Clary would tell him an entirely different reason. His heart raced as he watched Clary's mouth open.

"For Jace." Clary said as a matter-of-factly. And there it was, the sound of her words puncturing yet another hole in his crumbling heart. He wanted to scream, to throw something, to destroy. After all, that was what he was made for - he cursed at himself for trying to believe in her, even after everything that had happened. She was back, and she wasn't the Clary that laughed with him, the Clary that rolled her eyes adorably whenever he yelled victoriously after he'd beat her in sparring, and she definitely wasn't the Clary who'd kissed him with such passion and vigor that made their lips spill blood.

"Of course." He snapped. She frowned and opened her mouth to shout some obscenities at him to give a piece of her mind but was stopped by a the warmth behind her. "Clary."

Clary turned around and saw Jace standing close to her. She entwined her fingers in his and felt the warmth spread through her. She sighed and turned back to face Jonathan who was silently watching their exchange.

"Let's make a deal."

Jonathan cocked his eyebrows questioningly. "And what would that be?" His eyes glittered with a devilish glee daring her to continue. He looked amused, as if he was prowling in the darkness from afar, carefully eyeing his prey, waiting for the moment to pounce.

"Release Jace. Sever the bond." She said with a grim determination.

He chuckled darkly. "Why would I do that?"

"Clary what are you doing? What bond?" Jace frowned, worry and confusion evident in his features. She turned around and stared into his golden eyes. Trust me. She whispered silently in her heart and took a deep breath and put on a brave face before turning back to Jonathan.

"Because I have information that would interest you."

He twirled his wine glass and looked at the churning red liquid inside once again. "Enough with the pauses Clary, just get straight to the point." He could feel the irritation creeping up on him, the hate towards the world all coming back to him once again.

"It's information about rebels against you."

Jonathan laughed. "That's hilarious Clary. I didn't realize that you were this stupid." He sneered at her.

"Whoa, easy there. That's my girlfriend you're insulting here." Jace protested. Jonathan gave him a sharp look as he caught onto the word girlfriend, but he put his hands up and smiled good-naturedly. "I apologize brother."

"Anyway, your promise of information doesn't interest me one bit because everyone's against me Clary. Clearly you of all should know that?" He enunciated the word in-for-ma-tion in harsh four letter syllables.

She flinched a little at how bitter and sad he looked, as he spat those words so lightly as if it didn't mean anything to him. He looked so lonely and fragile at that moment and she knew that he was trying hard to look casual and indifferent. Everyone's against me he said. The words seared her heart and she felt so bad for him that she almost took a step toward him. But this was Jonathan Morgenstern. No matter how unfortunate his life was, he was also the reason that hundreds of Shadowhunters were dead - including Max. He was unforgivable.

"Rebels as in demons."

"You're joking. They'd sworn allies with us already." Jace blurted in surprise.

"Well clearly, you guys didn't do a really good job on it, considering I'd been attacked by those rebels a while ago." She couldn't keep the sarcasm out of her voice. "Were you hurt?" Jace hastily asked. His crescent eyebrows furrowed with anger and worry. Clary shurgged and said I'm okay now; she was careful not to give too much information away before making a deal. But Jonathan maintained a blank stare as he looked at Clary, his eye deep and calculative. She could swear that she could almost hear the little tiny clicks coming from his brain as he was rapidly trying to decide whether or not she was lying. But she wasn't lying.

Jonathan's face became expressionless and Jace fell into silence once again.

"Well, can't say I'm surprised." Jonathan was inspecting his wine glass again fascinated by the different tones of red the liquid took as it swirled around in the glass. "But let's talk about ifs. If - just if - I let go of Jace, what's in it for me?" He asked with a mischievous dark smile.

"By the Angel, could someone please care to explain what is happening here?" Jace shouted out loud in exasperation. They were talking about him, that was for sure, but he was getting confused every second. Was Jonathan actually considering Clary's impossible request? She was being ridiculous!

"There there, brother, easy. Clary here, seems to misunderstand our tight brotherhood," he smirked. "I have no intention of abandoning you. I don't abandon people just like that." He spoke in a low voice and he looked at Clary with a hint of madness in his eyes as if he were referring to someone. And she knew. She knew he was referring to their mother.

Jace huffed. "Enough of this. Clary, I told you, I can't go back to the Institute. I need to stay here. Jon needs me. And I thought you made up your mind about this when you stepped through the Portal. Didn't you come back to stay with us?" He said with a patronizing voice, the voice he used whenever he tried to persuade her. Us. He used the plural form, the word which included Jonathan as part of the team. This isn't you. Clary thought silently and felt her heart ache. She gripped her fingers tight and felt the blood push back her fingertips. She used the slight pain as an achor to help her shove her emotions aside and return to reality - to the living room she was standing in with the monster she called brother and her golden angel standing on her two opposite sides.

"I am here to stay. But not with you Jace." She said sadly and watched Jace's features freeze slowly in shock.

She turned around to face Jonathan again. He was watching her every movement. His eye full of anticipation of what she was going to say next. Clary closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Jace was going to kill her for this, she was sure. But she really didn't know what else to do. The Clave wasn't going to do anything soon since they had no idea where these two were at right now, heavens, she didn't even know their current location either. They couldn't ask any Downworlder for help anymore because they'd decided they were unreliable (such was the case with the Fairies). It was now or nothing.

"Let Jace go. With no strings attached. And I'll stay in his stead." She declared, unsmiling, and steeled herself.

"Clary!" Jace shouted. Oh, he was angry alright, more than anything. And for a moment she wanted to throw away everything and just run to him, to hug him and say everything would be alright. But again, she couldn't. Instead she turned around and took his hands.

"I'm sorry. It's the only way." She said, and before Jace had the time to react, a red light burst from his palms. "Clary, what did you-" His eyes rolled up and she rushed forward to catch him before he fell. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry Jace, but trust me.

"Interesting." Jonathan eyed Clary with a bemused smile. "Been practicing a few tricks with your rune powers?"

"You bet." Clary's face was blank but underneath the calm mask she felt her anger simmering inside. She felt like she was betraying Jace again, but this time, she really was trying to save him the right way- or was she? Jonathan must've saw her etch the rune onto her palms before holding Jace's hands but he hadn't said a word the whole time. Did he really care about Jace? Of course not. Jace was still one of his marionettes. He was before, and he always will.

"Take the deal, Jonathan" She pressed on, hoping she didn't sound to pleading or desperate.

"Ah. Well, how would I know that you won't try to run away and create your stupid little schemes again? Why do you think that I value you higher than Jace? You're not the Clary I want, and you know it. Why should I take the deal when I know that you're going to backstab me again? And if I really wanted to keep you with me, I could've just taken you away by force." Jonathan drawled with an air of superiority in his voice, he was now moving towards the gothic windows, standing in the center of where the moonlight was pouring through the glass.

"Because I have information that could keep you alive. Isn't that enough? Don't you only worry about saving your own skin? These Greater Demons are deadly, even you can't fight them off alone." She reasoned in a firm voice.

Jonathan flashed her an irritated glare. "Do you really think I'd let a couple of demons get to me? I share Lilith's blood, sister, she watches over me. And incase you haven't noticed, I'm pretty much impossible to kill."

"Not if they were sent by her equal." She said quietly. She wasn't bluffing. The day after she'd been attacked, they'd assembled at Magnus's house (much to Magnus's annoyance) to pour over ancient books on demonology in order to identify who'd sent the demons after her. Naturally, they'd first thought it was Jonathan, but after she told them about the demons' seeming hostility towards Jonathan, they'd abandoned the idea.

"This is getting nowhere." Jonathan sighed exasperatedly and threw his hands up the air. "Clary, you're in no situation to make whatever kind of deal with me, because you're here already. You've made your decision when you've decided to follow Jace here, and now you can't leave. You don't have the cards to play my game."

"When I said that I'll stay in Jace's stead I meant that I'd be bound by you."

Jonathan looked at her a bit warily. "I don't want to bind you sister. I wouldn't do that to you."

And yet you dared to force me to drink from that damned cup. She felt her anger levels rising steadily.

I swore to myself that I'd teach you how to love me but to bind you, never - Jonathan silently thought.

"I don't mean the twinning spell. No, not the spell you performed on Jace. I'd like to keep my will thank you very much." She clipped. "I'm talking about us becoming a parabatai."

There was a tinkering sound of glass breaking and Clary looked up to Jonathan's hand torn and bloody with little glass shards protruding from his fingers. The wine pooled beneath his feet was now being blended by the droplets of blood falling steadily from his hand.

"Wha-" Clary took a step forward half in confusion and half in surprise.

"Don't you dare." Jonathan snarled at her. "If you think I'd let you betray me like Lucian had done to father, then you're taking me for a fool." He was glaring at her, his black eyes now containing a dangerous storm, threatening to destroy everything. He wouldn't let her become his soul partner and abandon him in the dark. He'd experienced abandonment already, from Jocelyn, from the world. He wouldn't let anyone ever do that to him again, not even his sister. Clary grew solemn, realizing that he was talking about Valentine and Luke. The word 'father' threw her offtrack a bit because she didn't know Jonathan would still consider that man as his father.

"I'm not betraying you. This is me trying to stop you from burning the world down. This is me trying to stay by your side in order to protect those I love." She was slowly walking towards him now step by step. "This is me trying to save you too. I'm trying to save you before you destroy yourself completely." Clary took Jonathan's hands and inspected the wound. It's already healing, she noticed. "This is me declaring that I'm willing to put everything down and stand by your side if you'd do the same for me. I can't promise that I'll look at you the same way you look at me," Jonathan opened his mouth but Clary stopped him. "I know you don't consider me as just your sister. But just because I'm letting myself be your parabatai doesn't mean you'll have my heart. You of all should know that romantic bonds are banned to parabatai- but you'll still have me by your side. Always."

Jonathan was now staring into her eyes like she was the most peculiar creature he'd ever seen, his eyes were wide, confusion evident in his features. He didn't understand why she was differentiating "having her heart" and "being by his side". Yes, he'd read that romantic bonds were banned to parabatai, but he never understood why. Wasn't it practically the same thing? Being together, two souls bound together, two hearts beating in sync, never being able to get away from each other- wasn't that love? He remembered how he raised the question in front of Valentine and received several whiplashes because of it.

But what was even more confusing was why she'd want to do this. He didn't understand her selfless actions - he actually considered them foolish and stupid. He wouldn't believe that she'd decided to forgive him, he knew that there was something she was hiding behind this nicely wrapped offer. It was not in his nature to trust easily. His demon heart purred in pleasure at the thought of Clary being beside him once again, and now, for permanent.

He'd get Jace back later somehow, but right now, Clary was waiting for his answer. And she was offering something he'd wanted since the beginning of all this tiresome mess. His blood was whispering her name, he wanted her. He knew that she would still be different from the Clary he'd been with the past four years, but she'd learn. She'd learn to love him gradually.

But could he get rid of his plans? His stubborn heart growled at the thought, but really, what were his plans for anyway? The majority was to fill the emptiness in his heart, and now his sister was offering to come back to him. And be with him, forever. He didn't know what to think anymore. She dropped a bomb on him. Her proposition jumbled his thoughts and he couldn't decide what was wrong or right. Which was funny because he had absolutely no sense of morality. He was once again drawn to the living room by the sound of Clary's voice.

"Say yes, brother. We'll be together, side by side. The two halves together once again." Clary whispered. She was so infuriatingly beautiful, he thought. Under the moonlight her beauty was ethereal, with her evergreen eyes and wine red hair giving off a bright glow against the dark room. "Say it Jonathan." Her voice was so intoxicating. She sounded like one of the water nymphs trying to tempt the seamen with their songs from the dark. He never knew his name could sound so beautiful; he had hated his name ever since he'd learned Valentine had given the same name to Jace. But now, after hearing his name coming from her lips, it sounded so sweet. Everything about her was so alluring and if it wasn't for the subtle sting from his wounds that helped him grasp on to reality, he might've succumbed to the dark whispers of his heart and kissed her already. But they were currently dealing with cards, it was plainly business, he needed to keep a cool head and a calm demeanor. Valentine had taught him better than that.

"You have yourself a deal, little sis." He murmured softly.

Clary stifled her gasp. Her emerald irises dilated in surprise; she didn't believe that he'd take the deal but he did. She felt half worried and half relieved at the same time. She knew Jonathan was lying about getting rid of his plans; it was ridiculous to throw away a plan he'd been working on for so long just to possess her. She couldn't trust him. Never.

Jonathan leaned into her and pecked her forehead. Clary gasped both in anger and surprise. "What the hell was that?" He didn't look sorry one bit. Instead, he chuckled, his eyes curved into a lunette. "It meant offer granted. The deal is now sealed." He moved his long legs in a fast pace towards Jace who was collapsed on the sofa.

"Angel, Clary. What'd you do to him?" His voice contained awe as he glanced back at Clary.

"Just a temporary unconscious rune. Nothing serious." Clary said brusquely. "Now. Your part of the deal?"

"Impatient, are we now?" Jonathan almost sounded bored. "No worries little sis. I'm breaking the spell right now as we speak." Clary grunted in response.

His back was turned towards her but she could see him drawing a rune on top of the twinning rune on Jace's chest with his blood and stele.

"The spell can be broken by Lilith and my blood only." He explained shortly after he withdrew his bloody hands. "Malerium Rah-dor." He whispered in a low voice and Clary saw a spark ignite from Jace's twinning rune, and when it subsided, there was a large gash in the middle of it and she knew that their bond was finally broken. Clary thought she caught a glimpse of a streak of silver fall from Jonathan's eyes but she shoved the thought away. It must've been her imagination.

"Now that this is sorted - Your part of the deal?" Jonathan turned around to face her again, his features wild with an animalistic excitement that made her frown.

"No. We have to get Jace back to the Institute. That was still part of your deal." Clary folded her arms, her eyes laced with an unspoken venomous threat, as if daring Jonathan to make a retort. But Jonathan only threw up his hands and rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say my queen. But-"

He looked at her sharply. "I will return Jace to the Institute. You will stay here."

Clary narrowed her eyes. "Don't tell me what to do." She hated being told what to do. She had enough of it from Jocelyn.

He wore a bemused expression at that but eventually shrugged and went over to the sofa where Jace was, and pulled Jace up with his arms. Clary's heart pace quickened and she rushed forward three steps to stand closer to them. Jace was now slung over Jon's arms, his face still unconscious. Clary stared at him, feeling dread and anguish causing chaos in her heart. I don't even know when I'll see him again. She thought sadly. She desperately hoped that her rune had worked and Jace would know what to do. Don't give up on me Jace. She pleaded silently and struggled to keep her tears down as she watched the distance between her and Jace widening as Jonathan walked away with him to an empty wall.

"Later sis-" He deftly drew the Portal and flashed her a wide grin before he walked in, carrying Jace along with him.

And they were both gone.

Clary felt her knees give away. A strangled sob came out and her vision blurred with tears. He was really gone. Jace was gone. Never had she felt so alone. She had no magic rings to get in contact with Simon or her family, she didn't have any heavenly fire nor sword, she didn't have anyone in this god forsaken house. She was by herself. And now she was waiting for her doom, to be bound to Jonathan eternally - forever.

She lied down and curled herself in a ball. Any minute now, he would be back. And she'd have to-

"Now. Your part of the deal."

She opened her eyes and found Jonathan staring down at her, his eyes sparkling with evil and mischief.

"Impatient, are we now?" She replied in a deadpan tone.

Jonathan's lips quirked, amused at how his sister was repeating his retorts back at him.

"Yes I am." He grabbed her arms with brutal force and pulled her up, ignoring her angry remarks.

"Let me go!" She yanked her arm away and huffed. She was sure that her arms were now bruised.

"So. How are you going to give me your part of the deal sister? You know we can't be parabatai since you know, we're over 18." He reminded her.

She sighed. "You know how we're going to do this. Don't play dumb, unless you wouldn't have taken the offer already."

He laughed. "You're right. I know exactly what you're going to suggest." He said smugly.

Clary nodded with a grim face. "We're gonna do it the old way."

"Ah - Blood magic. My specialty." He paused and said in a voice that made Clary wonder again whether or not she made the right decision after all.

They were facing each other, separated by their individual rings of fire, and another ring of fire that stood flaming behind them. The orange flickering flames reflected off their eyes, and the shadows of the fire danced around them creating an ominous atmosphere.

Clary took out her seraph blade from her back pocket and held it over her palm. She looked at Jonathan who was staring at her intently, with an intensity that made her feel half annoyed and half uncomfortable. It was as if he still didn't believe she'd decided to do this. She frowned and looked back at him with a face that said what. He merely shrugged, twisted his mouth, smiled, and took out his own seraph blade and held it over his palm. He didn't even flinch when he made a quick, but firm, swipe with the blade. He held his bloody hand over the fire, letting the blood drop freely. Then he moved his hand over the silver cup he clutched in his other fine hand. He glanced back at her, gesturing her to do the same.

She clenched her teeth tight as she felt a sharp pain as she cut open her palm, and she reiterated the same procedures Jonathan did. It had to be perfect, she thought as she stared at the bloody gash on her palm. They were tempering with elements that could bring catastrophic consequences. They were re-enacting the ancient parabatai ritual that dealt with blood magic, and the only ones whom were known to have done this were Shadowhunter Jonathan and David. It was known to require enormous amounts of power, and since blood magic could go wrong from the slightest mistakes, the Clave encouraged Shadowhunters to use alternate safer methods to complete the ritual. But the modern ritual had its age limits - so this was currently the only method possible for them.

She filled her silver cup with her blood and handed it to Jonathan with a straight face. She gritted her teeth as she saw Jonathan hand over his cup with a smug smile. She felt utterly powerless.

"Bottoms up." Jonathan quipped as he downed her silver cup. He didn't look one bit displeased from drinking blood. He actually looked like he was drinking something sweet. Clary couldn't stop herself from opening her mouth half in wonder and half in disgust. She had to struggle to keep a blank face. She looked at the silver cup she was holding. Would it be painful? His blood was, in a way, evil - would it be painful like last time when she was forced to take Lilith's blood? She shivered from the dark memory and shut her eyes and hoped it would be different. She nearly gagged at the taste but she didn't feel the acidic pang in her throat like last time so she almost sighed in relief. But that didn't mean she was okay with the sharp metallic taste of blood. "Ugh." She made an expression and wiped her mouth after she downed the liquid.

The flames surrounding them flared up once and the individual rings of fire vanished, leaving only the middle ring of fire; the fire was small, giving them space to jump inside. As they entered the middle circle the flames once again flared up high, entrapping them inside. Jonathan gestured to her and she nodded. She remembered the words perfectly.

"Entreat not to leave thee, or return from following after thee- For whither thou goest, I will go, and where thou lodgest, I will lodge." She started, and held Jonathan's right arm and started inscribing the binding rune. "Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God. Where thou diest, I will die, and there will I be buried."Jonathan followed after her and started inscribing the same rune upon her arm. "The Angel do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me."

The ring of fire was once more a vigorous blaze, Clary held her hands over her face to protect herself from the heat. When she opened her eyes, the only light she saw came off from the freshly drawn runes from Jonathan and her arms, the ring of fire was there no more. She inspected her arm, the one that now held the parabatai rune that bound her soul to Jonathan's. And then, she felt it. The invisible string that now knit their souls together; she could now feel everything. She could channel Jonathan's emotions through the invisible joint and she marveled at the intensity of them. He was staring at her, wide eyed, and she knew he could feel the connection too. The palpable connection astounded both of them and for the longest while, they were at a loss of words.

Well that was this night's chapter! It was huge, I know, and I feel like I just made a ton of mistakes (grammar, spelling, fact-wise...) ugh. I'm going to be editing and redoing some of the previous chapters because I reread it over the break and I was just like omg did I actually write that?! There were a couple of major no-nos that completely messed up story's emotional arc and the plot, so I'm planning to edit them in my spare time. But anyways, I'll always be thankful for reviews, likes, or follows! I feel like a lot of you actually like and follow my story, but not all of you leave reviews and it makes me sad :( Until next time!