Smokescreen 》Alec Lightwood

22

A/N Hello! 3+ Comments and 3+ Votes for the next chapter! :)
Also, 15k reads? That's insane! Thank you guys so much!
Just a heads up, this chapter is all over the place because it's the Alternate Universe episode! It was kinda fun to write though aha :) 
Again - Not edited! 

*****
'I need to get back to the institute, talk some sense into Alec.'

Clary looked sideways at Jace as he shifted uncomfortably. 'What?' She questioned in suspicion, drawing Isabelle's attention.

'I uh, I didn't realise Adelaide was there. She knows about Alec's engagement.' Jace looked down, guilt settling heavily in his stomach.

Isabelle visibly paled. 'Oh no. No, I was supposed to talk him out of it. She wasn't supposed to find out.'

'I didn't know she was there. She was still in there with him when I left.' Jace glanced at the girl he considered family. 'You should have seen her face.'

'This can't be good.' Isabelle whispered.

'Does he love her?' Clary asked with dawning realisation. She'd seen the signs of course, but she hadn't been sure, not until now.

'I'm not sure even Alec knows the answer to that.' Jace admitted, still feeling the sting of betrayal from Alec's actions. Unconsciously, Jace reached out to Alec through the parabatai bond, feeling the crushing sadness and quickly withdrawing.

Alec was hurting.

Adelaide was hurting.

Everything was one jumbled mess of misplaced anger and regret.

Isabelle gave Meliorn one last kiss as she left, heading back towards the institute. Meliorn watched her go with a smirk on his face.

'Isabelle told me it was your idea to rally the downworlders. That you spear headed my rescue.' Meliorn looked to Clary who looked embarrassed.

'Don't give me too much credit, Isabelle made this happen, we just helped.'

'She's being modest.' Jace interrupted. 'You're a shadowhunter now.' He looked at Clary.

'I have been surprised by more than one shadowhunter tonight.' Meliorn admitted. 'You risked everything to unite us.'

'Right after you tried to sell her out.' Jace reminded him.

Meliorn looked regretful. 'Not my finest moment. Which is why I'm offering you a gift for your sacrifice.'

Clary and Jace looked wary.

'If you're ready, I can help you find your father.'

Adelaide heard Meliorn's statement as she rounded the corner. 'Well well well Meliorn, looks like you know more than you told the clave.'

Meliorn smirked at her. 'Adelaide Renhallow, surprised to see you around considering most of the shadow world thinks you died.'

Adelaide scoffed. 'Cut the act, Meliorn. You know exactly who I am.'

'Valentine's daughter.' Meliorn smirked. 'You're right, I do know.'

Adelaide smirked back at him. 'Now, what do you know about our father?'

*****

'Where the hell have you been?'

Isabelle rolled her eyes as Alec approached her, looking sterner than usual.

'Exactly where I needed to be, away from you and your fiancé.'

'Jace and Clary are on the run.' Alec warned her. 'I can't protect you if you don't tell me the truth.'