« 36–POWERLESS »
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Alec dabbed a cloth at Talia's neck, wiping the drying blood that had dripped down from her ears and canvased her pale skin.
When she had hoped for a bit of colour on her over the summer break, this is not what she had in mind.
She winced as the cloth caught on a bit of dried blood that clung to her sensitive neck. Alec shot his eyes up, muttering an apology whilst pressing a kiss to her lips. Shuffling himself forward, he placed his other hand beside the cloth so he had more control over the action.
Talia smiled at his concentrated form. His eyes were latched onto the task at hand, but there was a certain gentleness only he had with her intwined with his actions.
From the step she and Alec were sat on, Talia surveyed the courtyard of the Institute. It was quite plain in comparison to the indoor training room, but there was something irreplaceable about the feeling of being able to train in the open air.
She took a deep breath of air, just to embrace the smell of pine wood. And Jace's cologne.
Talia rolled her eyes as he continuously sprayed himself with Lynx Africa as if he worried there wasn't enough pollution in the New York air.
"Jace? Are you trying to suffocate us? Or is this an elite type of torture you're working on to take us all back to high school locker rooms?" Talia scoffed.
Jace paused his actions and whirled round to face her as Alec continued cleaning her up. Pulling a confused face at her for a moment.
She'd insisted on being outside of the Institute as soon as Rhianne had seen her over in the infirmary and given her a sling for her right arm after the strain of power drawn from that shoulder with her mark imprint.
"You know I enjoy torturing you, of course T," Jace smirked, then indicating to Alec with his sword held in his palm, "You gonna let me spar with him for a bit?"
Talia mocked a hand in thought on her chin, "Hmmm but he's giving me so much attention, why would I let you have him?"
"I'm literally right here."
Alec flicked her forehead. He turned to pick up the 'medicine' Rhianne had left for her to take periodically for the migraine that had surfaced.
Talia guessed it was just some crushed up paracetamol with a fruit shoot added in for the purple colouring. Yummy.
She thanked him as he passed the drink to her, his blue eyes full of concern and adoration for her.
A dark curl fell to his forehead as he examined her skin, looking over his handiwork for any imperfections.
Talia reached her free hand up to tuck the strand back into his hair, admiring the delicate fluffiness that caressed her fingertips.
A goofy smile claimed his features as he watched her care in the action. Alec's eyes bore into Talia's and she smiled widely in return.
"Hello? I am still here," Jace teased the two as he spun the sword around in one hand effortlessly.
Alec delicately wrapped his arms around her, embracing Talia's form. Resting the side of his forehead against his girlfriends. His bright eyes sparkled as his face presented nonchalance towards the younger man.
"So?"
The blonde feigned hurt as he stumbled back. Jace chuckled before carving a heart symbol between his hands, looking through it at the two of them.
Alec flipped him off with a massive grin on his face.
"I'll be alright for fifteen minutes Alec, I promise," Talia pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek, not wanting to be in the way of his training, "And besides, I am sat here in case I need anything."
The raven haired man hummed in acknowledgement, but continued to trail a finger across her chin.
Talia knew that he had been wanting to be close to her ever since the attack. Neither of them could fully understand what happened or how she repulsed the power of a Mortal Instrument, but his main focus was her.
Since they had admitted their love for one another, Talia had found herself reaching for him more. Their physical contact kept her grounded with everything that was going on. And she couldn't help but feel a warm sensation in her chest whenever he looked at her with those eyes.
Alec tilted his head in a way that reminded her of a puppy, "What's got you smiling like that?"
Talia blinked slowly before realising the gentle pull of her lips across her face. She hadn't even realised she was smiling at her thoughts.
Her eyes wandered across her boyfriend.
He still wore the clothes he had on during the attack, although his olive coloured shirt now had splotches of dried blood. Splatted across him when he moved Talia from the floor of the main section to the infirmary where Rhianne was found after returning from another Institute.
Blue eyes watched her carefully with a tinge of confusion coating them as she remained silent, a grin forming across her lips as she traced his jawline with her fingertips.
Her eyes locked on his, "I love you."
His dark eyebrows shot up in surprise. Alec blinked quickly, his smile melting her heart as the little dimples in his cheeks appeared.
"I love you too."
Talia heard gagging in the distance from a certain angel blooded Shadowhunter. In response, she threw the wet cloth at him.
The cloth made a wet slapping noise as it made contact with Jace's arm causing him to squeal an inhuman sound in surprise.
Laughter burst from Talia as she rocked herself back and forth in delight. Whilst Alec shook his head in amusement before standing and going to join his Parabatai.
"How did I get stuck with two of you idiots?"
~~~•~~~
As she watched the two best friends spar with the occasional conversation, Talia occupied herself by sipping at the purple liquid in the glass.
It didn't taste as horrible as she had been expecting, but it still wasn't a mixture she'd lay out in front of Gordon Ramsey.
Usually, an Iratze rune would have healed any injury, but since she hadn't been wounded in the battle, it has been unnecessary. She was only strained and sore, which was easy enough to deal with.
What was not easy to process was how Jace was no longer related to Clary, Simon could now walk in the sun still as a vampire and Talia's grandmother was within the Institute interrogating Valentine.
The older woman had even been so gracious as to bring her a packet of Haribo Tangfastics after remembering their last conversation of Talia being a complete sweet tooth.
What was happening with Simon was beyond Talia. She had heard from him that Jace had offered the younger vampire some of his own blood during the attack so he could heal and this seemed to be the effect.
If she had the time between the event, Talia would have happily investigated in the library about it for him.
Jace's situation however, hit a lot closer to home for Talia. Having thought she was Clary's sister herself just a year ago, she felt how much it might sting to hear he wasn't family either.
In his form however, Jace seemed more at ease. Less tension riddled his shoulders as he went about his days. But with that, Talia could see he carried the weight of the truth.
He'd asked both Talia and Alec not to speak of the matter to Clary before he could, after he found out from Valentine during his capture.
Talia brushed a stray blonde hair from her face as her eyes watched Alec.
His actions were fluid and effortless as he spun around Jace, almost like a dance, as his eyes were locked in concentration. Alec blocked and dodged the incoming attacks whilst holding his own in ferociously intricate movements.
Even though Jace seemed to match the movements and overpower him with little strain, Talia still thought Alec was the most beautiful fighter she had seen.
"You two are the only ones I've told, you know she's lost so much," Jace breathed out, twirling around Alec, "She's got a good thing going with Simon, I wouldn't want to ruin that."
Alec paused his attack and looked up at Jace, his eyes rolling in light amusement, "You think you're so irresistible, thinking she'll dump his ass as soon as she finds out you're not related."
Jace grinned teasingly in response.
"Jace?" Talia called out to him.
"Yeah?" He beamed up at the taller girl.
"Can you get out of your head out of your ass, this is meant to be a PG conversation."
"Wha-"
Talia flashed him a sickly sweet smile as Alec took the distraction of his friend as an opportunity to tackle him to the ground, pinning Jace by pulling his arm out from under him.
Jace scowled, "You're both insufferable."
Walking over to his spot on the ground, Talia wandered towards her boyfriend, planting a sweet kiss on his lips before crouching in front of Jace.
"And yet you still love us," Talia winked.
A grin spread across his lips as he tapped Alec's leg. Of whom willingly released him and pulled the former from the ground.
Jace rolled his right shoulder back, "As long as you don't get mushy around me, sure."
Alec smiled over at Talia, seemingly ignoring Jace's previous statement, "We make a pretty good team."
She smiled in return, "Always have been."
"This-" Jace pointed between the two of them, "Is what I mean."
Alec rolled his eyes as he wrapped his arms around Talia, resting them on her lower back.
"Stop flirting, I'm lonely," Jace mock pouted.
Talia could see how much he appreciated her and Alec being together, he just liked to tease regardless.
"Don't you have book club?" Talia hummed against Alec's chest, feeling the vibration of her vocal chords running across his skin. A knowing look was in her eyes.
"Book club isn't on good terms with me."
Talia proceeded to hum Womanizer by Britney Spears as she spotted Magnus walking towards the courtyard.
Alec furrowed his eyebrows, "What did you do at book club?"
"Well-" Jace started but found himself cut off by an exaggeratedly loud sigh erupt from Magnus' throat, startling Jace who muttered profanities as the warlock began to speak.
"Ugh, don't even get me started on that, it was traumatising, I'm never letting you stay over again. If I have to hear one more 'wow you're amazing Jace' or 'I wonder how the stamina rune works' my hair will start greying."
Magnus waved his hands around in the air as he exclaimed whilst Jace's face seemed to start burning up. He began to shuffle backwards towards the doors that led to the Institute.
Alec started laughing, hiding his amusement in Talia's hair as he leaned down to reach the top of her blonde locks.
Talia raised her eyebrows at the younger blonde as Magnus continued, "You know Magnus talks right?"
Jace raised his middle finger and saluted her with it before sliding around the door and out of sight.
Alec let go of her waist, dropping down to retrieve his discarded blade from earlier. As soon as his warmth left her, she felt herself yearn for him to be close to her once more.
"I should go check on him, it's possible that he'll start eating from your snack pile out of spite," Alec mused as he spun the blade, his eyes bouncing between the Talia's and the sling holding her arm, "Don't go chasing any ducks whilst I'm gone."
Talia rolled her eyes, "I would never do that, hey don't deserve my time, and tell Jace if he touches the snacks, he will lose the ability to produce children."
Alec grinned and nodded before slipping around the door, bidding her a final goodbye.
She sighed in contentment as she turned back to the warlock in front of her that was strangely not wearing anything too eccentric.
He looked at her with soft eyes, "You're truly happy aren't you?"
Talia smiled gently, seating herself back on the step, "It feels like how home should feel, he feels like home."
Magnus nodded as he sat beside her, his brown eyes on the sky as the light began to fade.
"I came to let you know how the Downworlders were doing, since you asked so insistently on your message," Magnus gave her a knowing look, having sensed from their first meeting that she wanted the best for others.
Talia's facial expressions pushed him for an answer as the light breeze picked up on her skin caused her to shiver slightly.
"They're all alive, some that were closer to the blast at the time are comatose but most got away with a few scratches," He explained, his hands placed in his lap. The dark blonde sighed in relief as Magnus began again, "You're a hero to them Talia, I've even heard whispers of some calling you the Downworld Queen."
She pulled a face at the name, she didn't believe she deserved such a high honour, even if there truly was one.
Magnus chuckled, placing a hand over her free one, "My thoughts exactly, your own decree as their supreme leader would be 'watch Mamma Mia or die'."
Talia laughed, nodding her head in agreement, "You know it, Cher."
He flourished his hands in the air as he indulged the nickname.
A comfortable silence overcame the two of them. Talia noticed Jace, Clary and Alec quickly exiting from another part of the building and hurrying into the city. She imagined Alec had left a message for her if it was anything important.
"I'm glad you're alright Magnus, when I heard you weren't in there at the time, you can't imagine how relieved I was," Talia admitted, turning her head so she could look at him.
A wistful smile graced his features. His dark eyes were set on his lap as he regarded her words.
"You can't get rid of me that easily cupcake," He glanced at her sideways, sending her a wink, "More than anything, I'm glad you're okay, apart from a few bumps and scratches."
Magnus blew out a breath that hung in the cold evening air. Talia watched his eyes, trying to identify what was behind them.
"I don't think I've ever been as proud of something in my centuries of life, than I have been of you."
Talia's eyes widened in surprise. Magnus revolved around humour and light hearted banter; hearing her mentor speaking of his feelings shocked her.
Magnus smiled at her, "Your heart is a million more times powerful than your abilities. Without that part of you, our people wouldn't have been saved. Your strength of heart will be what wins this war, I know it is. You're the best of us all Talia, both Downworld and Shadowhunter. It's been the pleasure of my life to be your friend."
Tears welled in Talia's eyes at how he spoke about her. Magnus' respect for her matched how she respected him. She sniffled and laughed lightly at herself.
"I'd like a warning if you're going to say something as lovely as that, I cry at everything you know," Talia smiled a watery smile as Magnus regarded her.
He pulled her into a friendly embrace, patting her hair gently as he rocked the two of them, wiping her tears as best he could. When he pulled away, he finally eyed the sling around her arm, tilting his head in confusion.
"Oh! I think I strained my magic a bit during the making of the barrier, it came from the mark of the star on this shoulder so Rhianne just added a sling to take any strain from it just in case," Talia said, tapping the material.
Magnus stared for a moment before something seemed to click behind his eyes, "Use your magic."
Talia raised an eyebrow, "Huh?"
"Just...humour me, produce a ball of energy with your magic."
She shot him a strange look but complied, shuffling her arms so her free hand could open up in front of her.
Talia flicked her wrist and fed into the power she drew from as a warlock. The blue light filled her palm, warming her skin.
But her eyebrows drew together in confusion when the light fizzled out without her command. She blinked, exchanging a look with Magnus who had a hard set look on his face.
The blonde tried again but this time the energy ball was half the size and shrunk out of existence just as quickly.
Her heart began to race in a panic. She shook her head, her eyes clouded with confusion and worry. What had the Sword done?
"Magnus? What...how did you-?" Her voice was tripping over each sound as her heart thudded in her ears.
The warlock flicked his hand in front of him, twirling his fingers before a purple glow scanned down her.
He hummed as Talia stared at him, hoping for an explanation before her brain exploded.
"It's as I thought," Magnus affirmed, yet his face still looked as if it were confused, "I couldn't sense your warlock presence when I hugged you. I thought it may have been masking itself within you but it looks like your magic levels are dwindling."
"How is that possible?" Talia gasped, her arm wrapping around her waist as comfort, "I thought it was wrapped into my being?"
Magnus shook his head, "I have no idea cupcake, I haven't seen anything like this before, but then again, I've never seen anything like you before."
She nodded, placing her hand over her heart to calm herself. Deep breaths and look at the sky she chanted in her mind.
"I think that the best idea for you now, if you really have over-exerted your body's capabilities with your protection cast against the Soul Sword, is rest. Maybe speak to that friend of yours in the infirmary, Rhianne was it? About setting you up with a place undisturbed in there so you can sleep with a watchful eye over you."
Talia smiled at his calming voice. If anything, she trusted his judgement second to Alec's so she knew it was the best idea she could have.
"Okay, it's the most I can try for now," She rose to her feet, collecting the glass she had finished from the ground beside her, "I was starting to feel a little sleepy anyways."
As if on cue, a yawn escaped her lips as Magnus stood beside her. He smiled gently, placing a hand reassuringly on her shoulder.
"We'll figure this out Talia, I'll do what I can."
She nodded appreciatively, waving a goodbye as she felt a sluggish weariness overcome her on her walk to the infirmary.
She briefly remembered acknowledging Rhianne and telling her the situation before falling into the nearest empty bed and immediately falling asleep.
~~~•~~~
"What in the holy burnt chicken nugget is this?"
Talia woke to the sight of Magnus and Jace in front of her, Jace with his hands bound and chained to the floor with a grim expression on his face.
Magnus stood beside him wearing an unusually put together outfit. A scowl masked his features as he regarded her.
The dark blonde traced her eyes over where Jace was being held, raising her head slowly to meet his eyes.
She tilted her head, "This better not be some weird kinky shit I've been brought to, because hell no."
Jace pulled a face at her, making to speak before she interrupted, looking around the open living space that she had suddenly found herself standing in.
"Wait, did I sleep walk over here? Or am I somehow in Jace's book club subconscious? No, that'd just be a nightmare," Talia shivered, sticking her tongue out in disgust.
Magnus turned to Jace, "Does she often speak to herself?"
Jace shrugged, although his eyes were narrowed at the warlock, "Sometimes."
Talia tilted her head. Jace was being unusually quiet and blunt with how he spoke to Magnus.
She pointed between the two, "Did something happen when I was asleep? Or are we playing a game?"
Magnus blinked, "How did you ever get into Harvard Talianna?"
Talia froze.
Magnus never calls her Talianna.
She took a step back and shot Jace a look, her eyes once more darting down to the chains that bound him from leaving.
"This isn't Magnus is it?"
Jace shook his head slowly. He discretely nodded down to her hands which were unbound.
Taking his hint, she raised her fists, drawing from her magic and pushing a blast towards 'Magnus'. Except that nothing came.
Talia's eyes widened in realisation, remembering how her powers had not been working. Her eyes darted up to meet the warlocks, his eyes looked like a cats as he grinned maliciously at her.
"Oh shit."
The man sent a blast of magic towards her, sending the girl flying back into the wall. Her head bounced off the hard surface, causing her to wince as her free arm rested protectively over her other.
"Talia!" Jace shouted, pulling at the chains that bound him but it was no use.
The man stalked towards her, wearing Magnus' face as he crouched in front of her. He reached a hand out and grabbed a handful of her hair, forcefully bringing her eyes up.
"Valentine, how-?" Talia's voice was a whisper as she met the eyes of Magnus, but the look of the man who had destroyed her parents.
He grinned wickedly, "You see, Talianna, the next time your friends try summoning a greater demon without you, they should try to consider that using me as bait won't work out in their favour."
Valentine clicked his tongue as he somehow summoned Magnus' magic to bind her wrists, similarly to Jace's, of whom was still pulling on his chains.
He continued on, "However, sticking me in the body of a filthy warlock was not on my agenda, but nonetheless, being able to overpower you in your weakened state was quite the rush."
Talia's eyes widened, she turned to Jace, "You summoned a greater demon? And you didn't invite me? I'm so never letting you share my cereal ever again."
"Talia-"
Valentine waved the man off as he looked at Talia, "They were looking for that lovely Isabelle, turns out she went on a little wander. But, that is none of my concern."
Talia narrowed her eyes at Valentine as he pulled her to her feet, "How did you know about me?"
Valentine waved Magnus' hand absentmindedly, "Your dear Alec was asking about you with Magnus, since you had been knocked out for so long, no one had seen you, it appears."
The dark blonde shuffled herself so she was stood beside Jace, who took it upon himself to position his body as a block between her and Valentine.
Valentine hummed in amusement.
"Isn't this ironic."
Jace exchanged a glance with Talia as she shrugged her free shoulder in confusion.
"Well," Valentine clapped his hands together, "Shall we begin?"
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a/n
a late one sorry guys hehe, a bit caught up in moving to uni so i'll update the best i can but i hope you're all enjoying because we're about to hit the final arc for this story!
Also, if this feels like a bit of a filler, it is slightly since you all know what happens next.
Cliffhanger time.
-G x