We reach the institute to report to Robert and Maryse. Alec, Isabelle, and Jace always do it, but as Jace is out with Clary tonight I'll be going in instead of him.
"Come in," Robert says
The three of us walk in and sit in front of them to report on today's mission that was given by Maryse
"Why's Jace not here and her in place of him? She wasn't there when the orders were given out?" Maryse demanded an answer
"Jace is running late and said to begin the meeting without him, that's why she's here " Isabelle explained to her mother
"Well, then we can start the meeting but before we do that we have something to tell you, this is a briefing about the institute personally among the lightwoods so I would like it if Veronica could step out please" Maryse emphasized on their Lightwood name demanded not so politely as Alec protested
"Sorry but if it's something related to the institute I believe Veronica has the right to know about this just like the rest" Alec contradicted his mother's request squeezing my hand. Just Alec being there defending me was something that touched me deeply
"I believe if Jace is not here then Lydia will be the one sitting amongst you both as she's the temporary head of the institute now and also your to-be wife Alec. I don't need a fellow down-worlder or a new shadowhunter here" she said as I understood that maybe I won't ever be able to get that respect for myself in Maryse's eyes
"I'm sorry for barging in I was just filling Jace's spot for tonight at the report, but if my presence bothers you then I'll take my leave," I said firmly walking away
"Thank you for understanding Veronica, it's an internal family matter," Maryse said as I nodded and left the room while they waited for Lydia to come.
"Mother you shouldn't have talked to her that way? She just came in to fill Jace's place for our sake, we were the ones who asked her and you humiliated her just after we asked her to accompany us, she's much more skilled in things than probably me and Isabelle" Alec confronted Maryse
"I don't wanna hear anything about someone of her likes and besides you out of all should know what to promise to whom," Maryse shouted as Alec grunts in response
"I agree with Alec, Mother Veronica may be new here but her skills and knowledge are beyond our match up with that. And she's a shadow-hunter just like the rest of us " Isabelle contradicted her mother's statement.
"Hey, you okay?" Harry asked seeing me leave the office and walk away
"Yes " I nodded walking away
I sit near my window space watching the hustle-bustle of the busy street waiting for the meeting to end so I could leave as I hear someone knock on my door
"Veronica" Alec was at the door
"Yes, Alec?"
"I wanted to apologize for my mother's behavior. I didn't think she would" he said opening the door and stepping into the room as I was pacing back and forth
"It's okay Alec, YOU told me on my first day here that you're parents are the head of the institute, and whatever they say is right. It's the rule here" I stopped in between to observe him and continued
"Whatever decision they take is right, your mother didn't do anything wrong she was right in showing me that I didn't belong there in the meeting. You can go ahead and train don't worry. Besides I was just waiting for the meeting to end so I could leave for Magnus's apartment to help Luke out. " I smiled gently turning my back to him facing the window
"Veronica you belong here, My mother is wrong-" I cut him mid-sentence before he could ramble
"Alec I heard you, trust me I did but it's okay, I would appreciate it if you could give me some space. I need to move out I'm sorry" Fixing my gaze on the wall behind him I stated knowing very well if I made eye contact with this guy right now I wouldn't be able to stop looking away
"Veronica just hears me out, I'm sorry for what she said out there, whatever you did for me today, not everyone does that and you belong with us. I want you to know that everyone wants you to be here. I want you to stay here" he says grabbing my wrist with guilt in his eyes
"Alec I understand you're feeling bad right now but I'm sorry, I'm not in the mood to know what you think or what you don't think was right or wrong because right now for me what's important is to rush out. I don't wanna talk about anything else right now I hope you understand" I said in a low tone
He nodded and walked out of my room as I sat down to take a breath feeling bad for pushing him away,
but that's just how I am I push people away when they try to get too close or when I start getting comfortable with them
I didn't want to do that, but after what Maryse said, I knew I had to maintain some distance between us and it could only be done if I maintain it,
because maybe he is getting attached too but I have to pull back before we cross the line. Even if I would say that falling for him lately has turned out to be the best thing in my life right now.
Training Room
Alec was attacking the punching bag by his rod blaming himself for Veronica's insult in the office. The conversation he just had with Veronica kept repeating in his mind even if Veronica was fine with what happened and was acting cool. Alec wasn't able to
"I'm mad about her behavior towards Veronica too. But you'll hurt yourself if continue doing this way" Isabelle stood beside Alec watching him unleash his anger on the lifeless thing
"I don't care. I'm not in the mood to hear any philosophy Izzy" Alec says swinging the rod
"I know and I'm sorry but I heard your conversation with Veronica while I was passing by around the corner. It's not your fault that she's feeling that way and it's okay to be frustrated seeing how you feel for her since the past few days" Isabelle confronted snatching away the rod from my hands
"I never said that I blamed myself for any of it. And I don't feel anything for her whatever happened yesterday was just a mistake" I said picking up the towel
"Really? Then you would've been acting like it was a mistake Alec not the other way round. I'm your sister I know you. I have seen the way you look at her from across the room when she doesn't notice or how you get jealous when she's around other guys. Just own your feelings up before it's too late or someone else might come along in her life." Izzy explained
"I don't like her okay? I have my duty to this family and the institute. Feelings are nothing but a distraction " I say as she gives me a stern look
"You'll see. I hope you do what's right" She leaves the room
"I may like Veronica but I can't abandon my duties, that's not who I am," Alec thought
My Room
I pack my bag for the night with my clothes and other stuff leaving a note behind for Alec
"Went over to Magnus. Will be back in the morning don't call I'll be busy- Veronica"
Reaching Magnus's house, I stepped in and it looked like a mess
"Clary? Magnus? Jace?" I call everyone out as my eyes land on Luke lying down on the couch with bandages wrapped around his body
"How are you, Luke?"
"He's going to be okay and you're just in time" I turn to see Magnus walking in
"Don't worry your healing powers are stronger than you think. Just focus on healing" he explained as I nodded. Clary walked in passing me a smile
"Ready," he asked and we joined hands I felt a shift in power within my body and infused our magic together to treat Luke. The room started trembling after a while because of the power being produced by both of us as grabbed something to hold onto as I informed her to get the ingredients that Magnus instructed her for the potion
"Go Clary" Magnus shouted
"But what about you two," she asked
"We'll handle here you go" I said pushing my magic through
"Magnus let me handle it from here. I have much more energy left in me. I'll treat him from here out you go and check on Clary" I instruct him as he went after Clary to complete the potion
Letting all my magic through to treat Luke my vision starts to blur as palms start sweating under the pressure as I pushed myself more eventually losing the energy to stand as I drop the floor before I'm grabbed by a pair of hands keeping me steady
I looked up in haste to find Alec there "You okay?" He asked as I sighed "Yeah a little" I replied
"I need your help," I say out loud as Magnus rushed in with Jace and Simon beside him
"Just focus and don't push yourself," Magnus said as Alec pushed me up and after Luke drank the potion I completed treating him
"Thanks for saving me, Veronica" Luke said watching me half opened eyes as I smile
"You need to thank me, Luke"
"Rest now, Okay" I said letting go of my magic as I collapsing
"Veronica" Jace, Simon, and the rest called out as Alec picked me up
"Bring her in here pretty boy," Magnus said as Alec looked over at him
"Thanks" I said as he settled me down on the bed
"If I remember someone said that they'll never say thank you" some water" Alec teases as I chuckle nodding He rushed out as I took a breath of relief and hit my head on the pillow
"Here" I opened my eyes and saw him standing beside me with a glass of water I took the glass from him as he sat in front of me helping me drink
"If I remember then I left a note saying not to follow me" I asked watching over him as I relaxed
"And you think I would listen to you?" his eyebrow popped out with a smirk on his face
"You don't listen do you? but you need to understand that I'm a witch and a down-worlder first and then a shadow-hunter" I speak
"I don't care whatever it is, you're a shadowhunter for me and we consider you as one and I'm not going anywhere till you get well on your feet" Folding his hands across his chest he replied
"I read your note, but I was worried and as soon as Magnus called I said yes" he explained
"You know what's more important to me than my work," I asked him as he looked at me
"What? Veronica I tried my best"
"My self-respect Alec, and as much as I love you for defending me in front of your parents. I need nothing more than just some peace and calm right now please" I replied as Alec had the look of guilt in his eyes as Magnus walked in
"Sorry for interrupting, I heard something so just wanted to check," he said as he walked
"No you didn't interrupt anything at all," I said as Alec turned around
"I was hoping this time you're going to stay for breakfast and then maybe we can work on your healing powers more properly" he suggested playing with his hands as he looked between me and Alec
"Uh breakfast sounds nice Magnus, Luke will also be here in the morning so yeah," I thought for a moment as Alec excused himself, walking out of the room
"Trouble in Paradise," he said looking at me from the corner of his eyes
"You don't know anything," I said looking at the ceiling
"I did hear a thing or two, I would have gone after Alec but he has eyes for you. And I think you should know that because he fought for you in there"
"Yeah he did"
"Well, no one fights for someone if they don't like them Peaches," Magnus explains
"I know Magnus, it's not like I don't like him but there's this gap between us that I can't seem to fit into and I'm tired of pushing it" I exclaimed as he nodded
"Well then you need this," he said as he quickly got up and threw a pillow at me with his magic I looked "Some fun" and laughed after seeing my face
"Ohh you don't just start a pillow fight with me," I laughed as we both fight each other
Alec met with Jace and told him about what happened in his absence at the institute and about their mother's treatment to Veronica
"I just don't know what more I could have said for her, it just felt so wrong when I stepped in the room and saw her crying because of how mother treated her," Alec says placing a hand on the sofa in frustration
"It's okay Alec, it's not your fault whatever happened it was all a misunderstanding. You did what you could for her" Jace said comforting his Parabatai
"She says that she doesn't wanna come back, I don't know why I rushed here even after knowing that she doesn't want anything to do with me?" he questions himself looking at Jace
"The answers are clear man, you've started liking her. And it's okay if you do feel for her there's nothing wrong with it. You wanted to make sure she's safe or not and it's fine." Jace said as he placed a hand on Alec's shoulder comforting him
"I don't feel anything for her, it's not like that I'll just check on her a last time and leave back for the institute," Alec grunted when Jace called out his feelings as he shut them down
"Do as you see fit. I'll also be heading back thanks for coming here" Jace said as he and Alec both hugged