The Rise Of The Morningstar (Eng. Version)

Chapter 96 - My Hiding Sun

Chapter 96 – My Hiding Sun

--- 30 minutes before sunset. ---

With each passing minute, the rush spread through Jace's veins. The sun was barely visible, creeping between the dense treetops. When the amber light did squeeze through the canopy of leaves and transform the surroundings into a late autumn day, he heard the ticking of the second hand incessantly and inescapably in his head. A rhythm that didn't resemble that of a long-ago dance; instead, itched in his fingers like a survival instinct, urging him to run damned faster.

Jace had to force his muscles not to step out of line. The fact was that any wrong or hasty move could mean his death, or the death of one of his group members. No matter how much his mind was seeking revenge. And so he clenched his teeth so hard that he could taste blood shortly afterwards, and let Lyall go first.

Lyall had taken on his wolf form from the moment they had left the rocky depression shortly after Alec. Equipped with a far superior sense of smell and sight, it was immediately clear that he would take the lead in navigating the unit to Valentine's camp. And he did so in an arc to avoid the heavily guarded area on the coast. On the one hand, Lyall could classify the scent of Valentine's warriors based on their freshness and thus avoid areas where guards had recently been. On the other hand, the faeries also had a more developed sense of smell and would sooner or later pick up their scent – arc or not. Then it was only a matter of time as to who could run faster.

Isabelle was also becoming increasingly unable to hide her impatience. She was a few steps ahead of Jace, following Lyall every step of the way. Only the fingers of her right hand were soundlessly tinkling on the hilt of a dagger on her weapon belt. A rhythm that was uncannily close to that of his imaginary second hand.

Progress was much quicker than under Magnus's guidance earlier, thanks to Lyall's keen senses, but a leisurely jog was still not fast enough for Jace. So as they approached Valentine's location with every breath, Jace fought against the ever-growing pressure to act on his own, a feeling in his chest that strangled him from his consciousness. His resilience melted away like snow with each passing day of spring.

It was more than just a feeling. His insides seemed to be going crazy. There was a voice in the back of Jace's head that Jace would have thought was instinct under normal circumstances. Something that called out to him, something that wanted him to stop and listen. Like the emotional transmission of the Parabatai bond between him and Alec. Or Ithuriel's consciousness, creeping into his head to share memories with him. No words, no. Emotions that sharpened his senses like a stone sharpens a knife. Emotions that made his heart beat faster. In a way that only she could.

Jace didn't notice how he turned to Adam. Adam was the only one wearing a watch. He had to know how much longer. He had to know how much longer he had to fight against this thing inside his chest.

Jace didn't notice his legs moving forward. He also saw little of his surroundings other than a faded spectrum of colors. All he could see in his mind's eye were memories that made his fingers tremble. Her voice, iron to the world and gentle to him. Her eyes, green as life. Her hair, orange-red like the setting sun. Jace's world had been shrouded in darkness as soon as his sun had disappeared.

The shock was all the more fatal when Jace suddenly spotted that very same hair a few dozen meters to the side of Adam's shoulder. Adam, who had pulled back his sleeve without a word to show him the clock face, winced as Jace tripped over his own feet and fell to the ground with the crunch of snow and dry leaves. The graceful, hardly conquerable Jace Herondale brought to his knees by nothing but an orange-red flash in his peripheral vision.