Drapetomania | Shadowhunters [Jace Wayland]

13; Hellfire

The girl had stopped struggling against the chains for hours now. Her throat was dry and aching from the screams that tore her throat, while she had been kicking her hands and legs everywhere, fighting, struggling. Now she had her head rested on the wall of the ship, her bound and bruised hands on her sides, touching the cold floor. She was cold, too. New York wasn't exactly pleasant at the time, and it was unfortunate that Valentine had made her get rid of her shirt, only a thinner shirt given instead. She was thankful he hadn't asked her to strip off all her clothes.

Tris already missed everyone. Simon's geeky comments, Tyler's sly comments, Alec's snarky attitude, Isabelle's flirtatious charm, Magnus' hilarious remarks, and Nick. . .she did miss him. She exhaled loudly and closed her eyes. And then Jace. He was taken away from her, and she was worried. More than worried. There was a plate of uneaten food outside the cage, and even looking at it she felt nauseous.

Occasionally, the Downworlders trapped beside her would snarl, but she was used to it already. She didn't flinch, she didn't scream. She just sat there, almost lifeless. Hours ago, she'd heard the screams of the dying Circle members. 

Tris' eyes flew open when she heard a thud in the same room she was in. It was Jace and. . .Clary? She couldn't believe her eyes and she stood up, her bare feet making contact with the ice cold floor, but she ignored the shivers. 

"Clary," Tris croaked out. Clary and Jace both looked at her, and Jace's eyes widened as he ran towards the cage she was put in.  

"Tris," he breathed out, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears he choked back. "Did-Did Valentine do this to you?"

"Clearly," she cleared her throat and was finally able to speak a little in her regular voice. "How did Clary get--"

Tris' lips parted in surprise as she saw Clary run her stele through a rune, revealing the true face: Valentine. He soundlessly walked behind Jace and when the blonde looked at the brunette girl's surprised face, his brows furrowed. He turned around and was caught by Valentine, the elder man's hand fisted on Jace's collar.

"Your skills may be unparalleled but your loyalty is sorely lacking," he threw Jace to the ground, and the blonde Shadowhunter grunted. Valentine looked at the nearby Circle members. "String him up. Let her out."

▪▪▪

"Follow me," Valentine ordered the girl.

Tris slipped into the shoes she'd finally been provided and wore a jacket around herself, sighing at the instant warmth it gave. She followed the man to the deck of the ship and stood beside him as he stared out into the waterways. The brunette girl stared at him dubiously, as if he would whip out a knife and plunge it through her heart.

"Do you know, Tristen, how important you are?" Valentine asked.

"All I can do is see spirits, demons, Shadowhunters and Downworlders when they're glamoured," Tris shrugged. "I'm not important."