The Other Wayland

More Questions than Answers.

Elizabeth's POV

My father led me out into a room full of people. It went silent as they spotted my father walking in.

"My fellow circle members." He called his voice dooming around the room and as I processed the name, I lifted my head to stare at him. How could he be part of the circle? "Today, I have brought to you our greatest asset against the Clave. My daughter, the incredible Elizabeth Morgenstern. She will be the thing that brings us greatness." A cheer went round the room as I was still reeling from shock. Morgenstern? As in Valentine Morgenstern? Who was this man? Was he my father? Wasn't he Clary's father? Was she my sister? Were Jace and Clary related? Or was this man, who claimed to be my father just plain old crazy? "I know that this must be a little confusing for you my Darling, but you are so much more than you know. You are perfection. You will be the Clave's undoing and everything will seem clear soon."

"I...I can't... I don't..." The whole room turned to look at me and I felt hundreds of pairs of eyes staring at me. It was unnerving. I just wanted to hide. I couldn't take it anymore and so ran out the same door I came in from. I was tempted to run, to find a way out before things got too dangerous but I knew if I did that he'd just come for me again and he wouldn't stop until he had me back and the last thing I wanted was to cause anymore harm to those I loved the most. So I leant against the wall and waited for my father to find me while my mind drifted back to New York.

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Joe's POV

We, myself, Jace and Clary, stood outside Magnus door waiting for someone to knock on the door.

"By the Angel!"  Jace exclaimed frustratedly and knock harshly on the door.

"Jace, you don't have to be here if you don't want to be." Clary whispered softly to him. I rolled my eyes. They were slightly sickening. Then I swallowed a laugh imagining what Liza would say about this situation.

"Well, someone has to tell Magnus that one of his darling girls is missing and Joe doesn't seemed to have the courage to." He said sarcastically.

The door opened slowly to show a rather bright Magnus. "Oh, Joseph, you look terrible. What did Eliza do?"

"Actually Magnus, we need to tell you something." I said softly.

"Well that doesn't sound ominous." He said while waving us into his apartment.

"You might want to sit down."  Jace declared. Magnus looked at me nervously before sitting down on one of the couches.

"Magnus, last night something happened to Liza." I started, I didn't want to finished, it would make it too real but I took a deep breath and continued. "Liza, well, she was taken last night."

"Taken? I don't think we should be talking about this with her brother and biscuit in the room." He joked nervously.

"I woke up and she wasn't there with me but her father was. He attacked me and when Liza came back to the room, she agreed to go with him if he stopped hurting me. I'm so sorry Magnus."

"You lost her! You let my darling Eliza go with her psychotic father?" He whispered dangerously. "And you dare come here to my home?! When you are the reason that the girl I raised, my daughter, is in the hands of a mad man! You may love her Joseph, but you are the worse thing that has ever happened to her!" And with that he portalled out of the room.

As it closed with a crack, Jace  rolled his eyes and said. "Well that went well."

"Shut up Jace. You're the reason she was in New York in the first place!" I yelled angrily. "She wouldn't be in this mess if it weren't for you. All of this started because she want to be with her brother. I have never been enough for her. For as long as I have known her she wanted her family back and as much as I tried I can't replace you. So you should maybe think about that before you start with your snarky comments!"  I stormed out of the room after that. I was fuming and desperate. I wanted to have Liza back. I needed her back. She was my only family. I was going to get her back even if I had to do it alone.
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Elizabeth's POV

I waited about an hour before my father - could I call him that?- emerged from the hall and found me in the corridor.

"You didn't try and escape. I'm very impressed." He said approvingly.

"You're Valentine?" I asked warily.

"I am sorry I lied to you all these years my Darling girl. I had to, do you think the Clave would let me live after what happened? I had you and your brother to think of."

"But I don't understand. If you're Valentine, then you're Clary's father too but Jace..." I was trying to make sense of it but it just kept getting mixed up in my head.

"Yes, I am Clarissa's father too. Although I did not know until recently. Jocelyn, my wife, ran away while she was pregnant without my knowledge. However, just because you have a sister, doesn't mean I don't love you anymore. You will always be my baby girl."

"And my mother?"

"Was a young woman who came to me, the daughter of a family friend, pregnant with the child of her seelie lover. Her father sent her away disgraced but I could see the beauty and potential in such a child as you. So when it came time for you to be born, I told your terrified mother that I'd give you the best life possible. She loved you though and cried as she said goodbye to you." He came over to me and placed a gentle hand on my cheek. "You may not be my child biologically but you are my daughter. I raised you."

"Debatable." I shrugged holding back tears as he told the story of my birth.

"That sarcasm is utterly your brother. Such a bad influence." He sighed and removed his hand. "Elizabeth, you are my daughter in every way but blood. I made you the person you are standing here in front of me today. In the most literal way."

"You keep saying things like that! But what does that mean?! I don't understand?!" I said letting out all my anger.

"All in good time my darling but first, we must get you on track with your education. I don't suppose you've been keeping up your French while I've been gone. Now come along."