Tensions were high between the group. Alec still wanted to secure the Cup even more, Clary and Jace wouldn't let them have it, and Clary was at a lost for Isaac. He was still ignoring her, keeping an obvious distance between them, that even Alec was beginning to wonder what was going on with Isaac.
But Isaac was trying to protect them. He was protecting Clary from the hard truth that he had learned. Or maybe he was just protecting himself. He wasn't sure if he wanted a sister yet, it was better to pretend that they weren't related. Clary didn't know – and she would never know – and Isaac would train himself to forget. Jocelyn would just be a mother figure not mom, and Clary would be the sister he never had.
He watched Isabelle snatch the Cup from Clary with her whip, smiling at how elegantly she had done it. It scared him to become attached to her, to like her, but he had a feeling he wouldn't be leaving Brooklyn for a long time.
"Alec, what are you going?" Jace asked, coming to the area at which Isaac and the Lightwood were standing, the latter crouching over a monitor. "You can stare at this monitor all you want, they need angel blood to get past the wards. You know that. No Downworlder can come into the Institute."
"Not without an invite by a Shadowhunter," Isabelle added, sending a wink to Isaac.
"Last I checked, Valentine is a Shadowhunter," Alec turned to them, "The Cup is not safe here. We have to give it back to the Clave."
"Give it back to the Clave? No," Clary defied, looking to Isaac for help, but he gave her none, "Not after everything we went through to get it."
"My brother is right," Isabelle spoke up, "The Cup is extremely important."
"Are you agreeing with me?" Alec asked, genuinely shocked by his sister's words. All she ever did was disagree with him.
"I'm full of surprises," she almost smirked, but that was the old Isabelle. The new one was more mature.
"This Cup is the one chance I have at getting my mom back," Clary held the card in her hands, and Isaac sympathized for her.
Their mother was asleep, taken by Valentine, their father, and Isaac did want her back. He wanted a chance to properly meet his mother, but then again, he didn't. Jocelyn was never there, he was fine on his own. He didn't need his mother anymore, but a part of him still craved her.
"I agree with Clary," Jace said, "We can't give the Cup to the Clave, not now. We need it. It's our only bargaining chip."
"Look, I know how powerful this Cup is," Clary walked forward to Alec, "It has the power to create new Shadowhunters, control demons, and even kill a mundane if they drank from it. But I promise you, I will not let that monster get his hands on it."
Monster. Their father was a monster, and Isaac hated that. He hated how Clary spoke so easily, unaware that two of them shared the same heritage. But she didn't know – Clary didn't know, and I was his fault. He never told her, so he couldn't blame her.
But he didn't just hate her words – he hated the fact that Valentine was a monster. He was a monster, and that scared Isaac. He was so utterly terrified of turning out like him. But in a way, he already was like his father. Isaac was a werewolf, a disgusting, ugly werewolf who was cursed with that for his whole life. He was a monster in a different way, but it seemed so much worse to Isaac.
"There you go," Jace spoke, looking at Alec, "You have her word."
Alec sighed, looking dead at Clary before saying, "Follow me," and the two walked off.
Isaac thought about listening in, making sure that Alec didn't go too far in their little chat, but he didn't. Clary wasn't his responsibility anymore, she chose Jace. She told him her problems first, like she used to do with Isaac. He was the backup friend now, only needed when Jace wasn't around.
Isaac sighed, going to sit down beside Isabelle. The girl looked at him with concern, "What's going on between you and Clary?"
It was a simple question – it should have been a simple question. There was nothing complicated about it, but everything was. He couldn't tell, he couldn't tell the secret to someone else before Clary. He couldn't, that would be a betrayal in Isaac's eyes.
"Nothing," he shook his head, but it was clear that the girl didn't believe him, "It's just – it's just I feel like she doesn't like me anymore."
It wasn't a lie. It was more of a half-truth. That was a fraction of the problem. Not half, not one-third, just a small portion of the problems he was having with Clary at the moment.
Isabelle laughed slightly, "Of course she likes you. You're like a brother to her."
That was the problem. They were already like siblings, and Isaac knew they were. Clary didn't. He knew, she didn't. That was the problem. They were related and Isaac never told her – and he wouldn't tell her. He couldn't.
"Thank," it didn't help him at all, but it was polite to say that. "I needed that."
Isabelle smiled. It was a smile that he had never seen her wear before. "Thanks," she said.
But, their sweet moment was ruined, however, when an alarm started to go off, signaling that there was a threat outside. Isaac and Isabelle stood up quickly, looking to Jace.
"There's something outside the perimeter," Jace went over to Alec with the other two trailing after him.
"I told you..."
"Don't say it," Jace was quick to cut Alec off, not wanting for him to continue.
"What's happening?" Clary asked, and Isaac stole a glance at her. It didn't help his guilty conscience at all.
Isabelle sighed, looking at the monitor, "Looks like someone's trying to break in."
"Could be the Circle," Jace said, walking to the door with the others following.
"Told you so," Alec smirked again, feeling the tiniest prideful for being correct in the situation.
"Too soon," Jace sighed.
There was no more talking as the raced outside, ready to attack whoever had shown up to the Institute. The Lightwoods and Jace raced to the front while Isaac stayed in the back. He was tired of fighting.
It wasn't long before they saw a figure of a man holding a body, and when Isaac listened, he couldn't hear a heartbeat from either of them. Vampires.
"Don't move," Jace spoke first before Alec continued, "Drop whatever you're holding. Put your hands up."
The man turned just as Clary ran up. Isaac saw Raphael holding the body of the very familiar, annoying mundane.
"Oh, my God, Simon!" Clary gasped, and Isaac pieced it together;
Simon was dead.
____________
"People will be wondering what we found outside the perimeter," Jace spoke after they brought Raphael and Simon inside, smuggling them to the basement. Simon was placed on the table.
"I'll go. I'll tell them we didn't find anything," Alec spoke, "Nobody will come down here."
Isaac couldn't help but be taken back by the statement. Alec, Mr. Grumpy, was actually offering a sort of help. Isaac was sure that they were in an alternate universe then.
"I might be a vampire...but I was raised a good Catholic," Raphael spoke, making the Holy Trinity.
"The vampires breached the Accords," Isabelle looked at the body, "Killing Simon is grounds for war."
"The vampires were not behind this," Raphael defended his kind, "Just Camille. She attacked Simon on her own."
"And how do we know you're telling the truth?" Jace asked harshly.
"I could have gotten rid of him, but instead I brought him here," the vampire smirked, "I don't want trouble with the Shadowhunters.
"No one does," Isaac said for the first time that day, "They already have enough drama within themselves."
Everyone knew what he talking about – Valentine. The Circle as well. They had enough, so Downworlders knew not to get involved. They were already being hunted by Valentine, it would only become worse if he knew they were helping the Clave.
"I warned the mundane to stay away...but Camille gave him a taste of her own blood, and like an addict...he came back wanting more," Raphael explained.
"The only reason Simon ever tasted Camille's blood is because of you," Clary cried, "You kidnapped him! You drugged him to Hotel DuMort. You...you delivered him to Camille."
"I never meant for this happen," Raphael said calmly, but Isaac was angry.
"And why was he kidnapped, Clary? Because you foolishly brought him into a world that he didn't belong in," Isaac ranted, "You put yourself first every time that he needed you because your mother was more important. Guess what, Clary, your mother isn't here. And she hasn't been for a while. But Simon was here, he stayed with you while you casted him aside."
He took a breath before finishing, "If there's anyone to blame, it's yourself."
Isaac looked to see the shocked expression on Clary's face. She was crying, her face red as she stared at the werewolf. Jace looked at him anger, while everyone was also shocked.
He couldn't be there anymore. Too much was happening, and he loved Clary, but she was annoying sometimes. She tried to blame others for everything, but she was the only one to blame in that situation, and everyone knew it.
So, Isaac did the one thing he was good at; he ran. He flashed out of the room, going to his temporary bedroom, punching the wall in all his anger.
He sighed in frustration. He was just so angry. Isaac loved Clary, she was his sister, but she was selfish. She was so selfish, and that would be her downfall. It would always be her downfall. Clary wanted everything, but she would have nothing.
She was already losing Isaac because of that flaw. Clary wanted everything her way. She wanted her mother back, she wanted Simon alive, she wanted her family, Valentine gone, and Jace to be hers. And she would get nothing because of it. Isaac knew he wouldn't stick around his Clary turned like that. France was nice.
It felt like Isaac stayed alone for hours, wallowing in his anger as he thoughts about all the reasons Clary annoyed him so greatly. He stayed there until a knock was heard at his door.
Carefully, he walked there and opened it, revealing a semi-sad Isabelle Lightwood. She brushed pass him, going straight into the room as Isaac closed the door.
"What's wrong?" Isaac asked her with concern, going to sit on the bed as she paced.
"It's just – it's the Clave," Isabelle said, "They're sending someone to 'observe' the Institute. They're letting someone else take control of the Institute that my family is supposed to lead!"
"I'm sorry," Isaac told her sincerely, stopping her pacing and bringing her hand into his.
Her hand was soft and it felt nice in his hand. It was different Allison, whose hands were rougher and more calloused from the daggers and bow. Isaac liked Isabelle's hands, they were soft and gentle.
"What about you?" Isabelle whispered, looking at him, "What's wrong with you?"
Isaac sighed, "Clary's going to turn Simon, isn't she?" she nodded and he continued, "Of course. Typical Clary."
"Why's that?" Isabelle's face turned to confusion, "She just wants to save him."
He laughed, "If Clary wanted to save him, she would let him die. It would save him from an eternal life of misery. Clary's just being selfish – Simon wouldn't want to become a vampire."
"What do you mean 'Clary's just being selfish'? All she's ever done is try and help people," Isabelle defended the redheaded girl.
Isaac shook his head, "No, she's been selfish. Clary wants the Cup to get her mother back – not to save everyone else. She could care less about the rest of the Shadow world, just as long as she has her mother. It's why she wants Simon back, because she wants her best friend. She's completely disregarding anything that Simon would want."
"Are you speaking from experience? The bite?" Isabelle asked him, "Because I thought you were bitten voluntarily."
"I was," Isaac agreed, "And now I regret that decision. I would rather be human any day, life was much simpler then."
It wasn't. Life was never simpler for Isaac, he was always running from something, he was always afraid of something. There was always a crushing weight on his chest when he was human. Getting the bite didn't change a thing. It just made all his problems more dangerous, giving him a better chance at dying.
Nothing was ever easier for him, and it never would be. He would be a fool to think otherwise.
The two sat in silence for a while longer, neither wanting to speak or ruin the moment. It was calming for Isaac – Isabelle was calming for Isaac.
Isabelle was so nice, and she listened to everything, taking every words he said into consideration. It was easy to talk to her, he never had someone like that before. He felt like he could tell everything to Isabelle and she would never judge him.
And that scared Isaac. He knew he was falling for Isabelle, he knew that she made him feel things that he hadn't felt since Allison. Just like the Argent girl, Isabelle had a nice smile that made him fall, charm like any witch, and was brave enough to let go of things of the past and move on.
Isaac had a type. And at first, he didn't think that Isabelle would fit. But as he got to know her, he realized that Isabelle was everything he had ever wanted. She was brave, kind, understanding, and would do anything for her family. She cared for others, and put them before herself.
And Isaac like Isabelle Lightwood. He hadn't liked anyone since Allison, and he didn't want to. He felt like he was betraying the girl – his first love. But she betrayed him when she died in Scott's arms, saying 'I love you' to him when she knew that the Lahey (Fairchild) boy loved her.
But he knew that Isabelle wasn't like that. She was too good, she was amazing and spectacular and there was no one else like her. She wouldn't hurt him.
With his head on her shoulder, he stared at their hands, still locked together. He heard her sigh, and she knew what it meant. Reality was calling, and she couldn't stay any longer.
"I'm sorry, Isaac, but I have to go," she told him with a soft voice, her hand gently squeezing his.
He nodded as she stood up, letting go of his hand and going to the door before turning back, "They're going to the graveyard if you want to be there. Bye, Isaac."
And she was gone, and Isaac was alone. He was alone, and he didn't want to be. It crushed him – the silence – and he didn't want it anymore. He didn't want to talk about his problems, or hear someone else, he just wanted a drink. He wanted drinks and alcohol and to forget everything that had happened that day.
But where to go? He barely knew anyone in Brooklyn, not wanting to get attached if he ever had to leave suddenly. Isaac did it before, and he didn't want to do it again, so he stuck with being friends with Clary, Jocelyn, and Dot. But two of them were gone and the other wasn't acting like herself.
He just needed someone who would talk about petty little things, helping him forget about everything that was happening. He would go to a club, using his fake ID, but those were even more lonely than just staying by yourself. He didn't want that.
Then, a name came to mind. Someone who would pour him a drink, talk about his latest fling, and make him forget everything. Just what he wanted. But Clary would be angry at him if she knew that he left her, so would the others. Isabelle would understand, though.
Isaac had made his decision. So, without a note or any indication of where he was going, the Fairchild boy walked out of his room, passing others would didn't spare him a glance. As he walked, he saw Isabelle walking with her mother, and he couldn't help but let his heart sink at the sight.
She was still trying to be just like Maryse, and she shouldn't. Sighing, he continued walking, he had to leave.
Isaac walked the streets of New York alone, looking everywhere to make sure no one was following him. His thoughts were clouded, everything was clouded, and he didn't know how to make them clear. Clary was his sister, and she was wonderful, but she was also so incredibly selfish.
Isaac had only been selfish a few times in his life. He was selfish when he took the bite, letting the venom of the alpha bite spread through is veins because he wanted to be powerful. He was selfish when he left Chris, who was alone, because he wanted to find his family.
But the werewolf didn't regret his moments of selfishness. They got him to Brooklyn, to the Frays, and to Isabelle. It also led to him falling in love with Allison, her dying, and his adoptive father's death. Joseph Lahey may have deserved to die, but Isaac was still distraught after it happened.
He did regret not telling Clary the truth. Maybe things would've been different if he had. Maybe she wouldn't be so selfish, so set on finding Jocelyn, letting their sibling bond grow. Maybe they would have been closer through everything, and all of the pain Isaac felt because she didn't tell him anything wouldn't exist.
Sighing, the werewolf finally reached his destination. Knocking at the door, it swung open to reveal a very sparkly warlock.
"Hi."
dedicated to ArlanHanson for commenting and being so sweet!