The Mortal Instruments

Aethelrick chuckled "Yeah, I know, but that's something I'll deal with when it pops up. He won't stay mad at me forever." He said, not too concerned with Cyrus' anger, it was for his own good. When Brianne said that the Inquisitor was up there, he knew he had made the right decision in knocking his friend out. "All the more reason to bolt." Aethelrick said, so the Inquisitor was here then, to what end was that? Oh well there was time for questions later, they had to get going. Brianne seemed to be weighing her options but in the end decided to come with him. "You made the right choice there..." Aethelrick said as he carried Cyrus with him, he checked the adress on his phone again, also mentioning the adress to Brianne, not who the text was from. Seeing he himself wasn't that familiar with the city he'd have to rely on Brianne for navigation.

 

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Clary felt the pain, but she let her mind drift, dissociating with it. The knife was taken from her hands, but it mattered little as she choked, trying to catch her breath from the knee driven into her stomach. That was when the world went red. Clarity heard herself screaming, or maybe it was Corvo talking. Maybe someone else was screaming. She didn't know, she couldn't know, all she could focus on was the white hot pain that coursed through every nerve, poisoned her bloodstream, and twisted her muscles.

He was talking now, she could vaguely hear him over the sounds of her voice cracking and breaking, her throat rubbed raw by her screams. She couldn't have responded even if she had wanted to. Please, just let me die.

​

Brianne took charge, leading Aethelrick to the address. "I hope I made the right choice." She murmured, her heart twisting. The wolf had failed to accompany them, instead going back towards the front of the Institute. She worried for the Downworlder, but there was little she could do. Alarick and Rhett and Roxanne and Nick were counting on her, Hendrick too. Brianne remained lost in her thoughts and offered little for conversation until they arrived at the townhouse. Squaring her shoulders, she walked up the steps, opening the door for Aetherick to step inside with Hendrick before following him in, and shutting the door.

She scanned the room, sighing with relief as she saw Alarick and Rhett, before stepping forward and into her leadership mantle. "We're in trouble. The Inquisitor is here. Quite the fellow." She glanced at Ash, frowning slightly as she saw the fairy once more with him. She was going to have to ask him about that.

"He's here to capture Downworlders, he didn't specify who, but I have my suspicions. He's already got....who rescued Hendrick?" She turned to Aethelrick, frown still in place.

 

Aethel followed Brianne through the city "You would have only gotten yourself hurt or killed if you had gone in... We need numbers if we want to take the Inquisitor out of the equation..." Aethelrick said as they walked through the city, Brianne didn't seem to offer much of a conversation which Aethelrick didn't mind after all he had to carry a full grown man around, something that didn't exactly make conversation an appealing prospect. They finally arrived at the Townhouse and he thanked Brianne as she held the door open for him.

Before joining Brianne and the others he went upstairs to put Cyrus in a proper bed and put his parabatai's weapons on a sheet on the chair in the room. "Sleep tight, mate and sory again but given your wounds you shouldn't have been out and about anyways." Aethel said to the sleeping form of Cyrus. He went back downstairs and he scanned the room. There was an odd assortment of people gathered here, both Shadow hunters and Down worlders. His eyes met those of the other Lightwood twin and they narrowed for a moment before turning to Brianne who took up the mantle of responsibility. "Hmmm, I'm not sure but I think her name was Clarity...told me to run if **** went south so I followed through." Aethel said, gauging the reactions in the room, but he knew there was gonna be a shitstorm at hand.

 

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Sien had silently followed behind Alarick as they entered the building. They went into the living room where they were greeted by a vast amount of people. Had Alarick contacted all these people here for the same reason? That question of his was soon answered when Alarick went into explanation as to what was going on. The feeling of unsureness that he had had yet to leave him even to this point and the fate of those captured certainly didn't help either. However there was one thing for certain that Sien was sure about. Alarick had helped him out numerous times and in return Sien helped him out. At the very core of this mess, this was just another one of those situations for him, thus there was really only one real option that he could pick. "You've helped me out before, and so I'll help you out."

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Alarick Lightwood, Creed had some idea on who he was, but prior til now he's never seen him in person. He knew his name solely because Brianne had given it to him. Outside that he'd asked a few random questions but nothing that would warrant knowing him for a long time. Creed continued to listen to what Alarick had said and it lead to him feeling somewhat bad for all the help Brianne's given him. Not like he could've foreseen any of this, nor was it like he was the only one here that knew her (probably), but he still couldn't help but to feel bad. "Normally I'd want to do this alone to avoid dragging other people into it, but since it's a bit late for that. I'll help."

Having arrived at the safe house alongside Rhett, Valister listened to what was said by the two parties. He'd thought about what had been said by them and the three people who had spoken up. So far there were two people siding with the nephilim and one (assuming Ash counts) for the fairies. With a shrug he decided to even the odds. "As much fun as dealing with the Clave sounds, I'll help fairies in their quest."

 

When she started screaming, Corvo stood up and began to pace. She wasn't going to move anywhere while she was in that level of pain. He'd let that stand for a while, letting her experience agony while he watched. There was only one way to teach people like her who were stubborn and resisted at every possible opportunity. He considered himself an excellent teacher. It was effective with other Nephilim when it was necessary. He didn't think that there was anyone it wouldn't work on. His wounds annoyed him though. He'd check the rest of the Institute out once he was finished with Clarity. As he paced around her, he heard something coming faintly from the doorway. His paranoia tripped and he immediately drew the Contender and loaded it. Not a moment too soon as a woman threw a knife at him from the doorway. He mentally groaned. What's the deal with people and these bloody things around here? He stepped aside neatly and pointed the Contender at her, firing. Two more knives came in and he ducked, allowing both of them to sail past his head. His wounds twinged and he grunted. Blood leaked out between the makeshift bandages.
"Somehow, I really don't believe that. That doesn't explain why you're here, or why you brought a pack of wolves to deal with a single Inquisitor." He growled and reloaded swiftly, returning fire. He reloaded and backed away, knowing that the wolves were going to close in. He needed to find a way to handle this. "So give us the real reason woman before I start to lose my patience." ​

 

Lilly's pov:



She stood there. Why did no have any way to contact any Shadowhunters? Thinking back she did not really think that it would be an issue. She was sure that if the shadowhunters wanted to contact her they would find a way. She pulled out her phone and began looking at it. She was sure why she was looking at it just that she was. Then a question came to her mind. Why was she doing this? Why now? Was this was just because of the mortal cup? She walked off thinking to her self. She was not sure where she was going. She just wondered off thinking to her self. She wonder how the mortal cup got out of the sight of the clave. So many questions and no time to find out anything. That was when a text came through. She could not believe this. If it was not one thing it was another.



Jenny's pov:



She continued walking. She thought that now might be a good time to let Brianne know something. She pulled out her phone and sent a text to Brianne. She was unsure if Brianne got her new phone or not. It really did not matter to much as she would get it when she got a new phone. Now all that was left was to find this Clarity person and find out what they know.


Adam's pov:



'Jon told us.' "Really well I was out of school so there was no way I did anything." 'Really Adam you should be in school. You should get to class. Your mom has been informed.' He step out the office really he was not sure how much more he could take this. The only good thing was that he would be out of school for good and he would not have to deal with Jon.

 

Nick listened gravely to the situation. He already knew it all, but somehow it was worse with Alarick summarising it. "I'll go with you Alarick" He said with a smile at the older shadowhunter "Uh... I mean... you'll need all the help you can get. We might get attacked by pirates" he smiled, trying to make light of the situation "Fairy pirates?"

She's here. Most of the time Masque had just been looking down at his feet and trying not to be noticed, but as he briefly looked up he noticed her. What was her name? Morrigan? She was supposed to be dead. And yet Masque was happy she was not, another death not on his flickering conscience. Without thinking he slowly began to walk towards the fairy "You're alive" he stated with awe "Thank you. Thank you for not dying. You really do embody the spirit of the artwork I was trying to create, in fact, I would say your survival is more poetic than the original intent" the masque hid his facial expression, but at this point he suddenly seemed to adopt an angrier stance "But you defied the original intent, why do things never go to plan?!" he fingered his pockets for the gun or knife which should have been there, but found nothing.

​

Click

"Thank you for sending your knights away, rather convenient for me. I wouldn't want to have to deal with them on top of everything else" the voice stated from behind the Seelie Queen. Paragon stood with a gun aimed directly at her head. She wouldn't have to ask to know that within the gun were iron bullets. Slowly, Paragon walked around the room, his footsteps loud in the silence. He looked around the room, his gun still aimed at the monarch. He did not look like he had any qualms about pulling the trigger if need be. Picking one of her flowers he examined it absent-mindedly, then dropped it casually on the ground, using a heel to tread it into the ground.

Earlier

A human captive had been taken in by Seelie knights and left in a cell to rot in the Seelie Court. However, they'd "forgotten" to take the man's phone. In fact, it was Paragon pulling strings and ensuring this outcome. Using the phone's internet Paragon appeared fully armed within the Seelie Court. It was a simple matter from there to find the queen herself.

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Titania smiled before raising her eyes, the green irises glowing momentarily before fading as she straightened, her fingers slipping from the mortar and pestle to gently stroke the as of yet uncrushed petals. "You don't appreciate natural beauty, I see." She said quietly, her voice low as she cradled the flower in her hand before gently placing it back on the table.

"But then, I suppose if you had you wouldn't have been such a stranger to our home. And it has always been our home." She turned to face Paragon, her head held high. "I suppose I should be honored you took time out of such a busy schedule to come visit me. I would thank you, but I find myself rather bereft of manners at the moment. I hope you don't mind." Flicking her fingers, she caught the vine that dropped from the ceiling as though it were a sn-lizard, and gently stroked the green plant before picking one of the tiny pink petals. The vine retreated as she crushed the pollen beneath her fingers, letting it rest on her palm.

"So, Paragon, after hearing your name whispered through the shadows for so long, what has finally brought you to come to me? And don't pretend it's vengeance. I would hope you're not as droll as that."

​

Clarity's voice was gone, her vocal cords beyond the abuse they could have withstood. She was trembling, either from the pain or exhaustion caused by the pain, she didn't know. Just when the ifrit thought it would become bearable, that she could perhaps get to her feet, the excruciating, mind numbing pain would start all over again, and she would be left in worse shape then she had started.

Slowly the waves ebbed, and she found herself staring up at the ceiling. Everything hurt, as though she had been beaten by a club for hours on end. Her hearing began to return to her, and she caught Felicia's voice. Angels and demons, what was the werewolf doing? Clarity itched to tell her to screw off, let Clarity take one for the team, but she couldn't move so much as her little finger.

Angels, God, Daddy, someone help me. She pleaded, a sob catching and sticking in her throat. She tried to swallow, and tasted the copper of blood. Somewhere along the way, she had bitten her tongue. As strong as she liked to think she was, Clarity didn't think her body would be able to survive another minute of whatever the Inquisitor had done to her. How many suffered like that before their end? Now it's clear how the Nephilim have remained superior for so long.

Tears burned at the corners of her eyes, but Clarity could only focus on keeping her body breathing, in and out, as she stared up at the glass roof, her eyes straining to find the stars amidst the glow of the city.

​

Alarick narrowed his eyes at Ash's demands. Honestly, how had Brianne put up with this fellow? "I'll agree to following your commands on the mission. It only makes sense to let those more familiar with the landscape lead. However." Alarick folded his arms over his chest. "Should those commands put any of my people in danger, I won't have a problem making the choice between loyalty to you or to them."

His lips twitched in a semblance of a smile as Nick agreed to follow him. After the debacle with Roxanne, he had half feared he would be the only Shadowhunter to agree to go. He raised his eyebrows as the younger Shadowhunter tried to remedy the situation, the expression on his face the closest he had come to smiling in years.

That ended when Brianne stormed in, eyes full of anxiety. That emotion lessened when her grey eyes landed on him, but after her entrance came Aethelrick. Alarick frowned, stepping towards them as the other man met his gaze before taking an unconscious Hendrick away. By the Angel, does it have to get worse?

His stomach dropped, when he heard the news the two brought. The Inquisitor had been there, at the Institute, and he had nearly gotten his hands on Brianne. Almost worse was that apparently, Clarity was either in extreme danger, or dead. He felt his heart twist in an emotion it had not felt in years, but kept those thoughts off his face. Of course, at that moment Masque began to act up. Alarick whirled, his hand landing heavily on the warlock's shoulders.

"Take it down a notch, before they decide to skin you alive." He said through gritted teeth. He was interrupted however, by the fairy.

​

Morrigan watched the warlock, watched him step forward, listened to his words. She wished she could have felt anger, or rage, or even fear, but all she felt was..pity. Stepping around Ash, the fairy cautiously walked towards the warlock, her hands close to her sword but her stance nonthreatening. "He's alright." She said to Alarick, her voice gentle. Before she moved any closer, she turned to Ash. "His life, by rights, is mine. And I do not call for his death, not until I can speak to him. Alone." The determination in her eyes indicated that she would brook no argument over this matter. "As the only known surviving victim of the serial killer known as Masque, I lay claim to his life and right to live. It shall be my decision whether he lives or dies. I believe I am owed that."

She turned away from her warlock to step within reaching distance of the serial killer. Should he desire to attack her, she would be able to react with her sword in time. "Is it too much to ask for you to come with me?" Morrigan asked the warlock, her eyes flicking to Alarick, who removed his hand from Masque's shoulder. "I'd like to talk to you."

It would also give those present time to talk about this "Clarity", whoever she was. Judging by the reaction that rippled through the room, the name was known to more then one person in the room.

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Brianne felt as though the wind had been knocked out of her. She took the nearest seat, the edge of a couch, and rubbed her face with her hands, on the verge of tears. It was fitting that the one time she had been selfish, and not risked her life, that it would be someone she cared for. Oh Clarity. Brianne bit her trembling lower lip, refusing to show that kind of weakness in front of so many.

If the ifrit died, Brianne didn't know that she would ever forgive herself. If she was tortured, well...Brianne didn't know that she'd ever forgive herself for that either. She had seen bits and pieces of what had become of those the Inquisitor had taken, and death would have been a far kinder fate. "I had no idea." She murmured, her hand pressed to her mouth. The thought of what the Inquisitor would be, could be doing to the ifrit made her feel sick.

"If I had known..." She would never have left the Institute. "We have to help her. We have to get her back." It seemed the only course of action possible. She glanced at the interaction between Morrigan, noticing with some interest how the fairy reacted to the killer in front her, and especially her words towards Ash. It indicated a relationship of a deeper level, and she groaned inwardly. It would have been nice if they could have payed hell back in small increments, instead of the entire world crashing down on them all at once.

"We have to get Clarity back." Brianne repeated, her voice growing more determined.

​

 

Nick looked around the room awkwardly as the knights came in. If a fight broke out in the safehouse he wasn't sure about the survival rate of everybody involved "What do we do? We might have to fight them" he whsipered to Alarick "I don't want anybody to die" he stated with determination. If Nick had his way, the knights would leave and nobody would get hurt.

"You don't own me..." Masque muttered, but didn't object otherwise to Morrigan's request. That was when the knights entered. Masque looked between the two fairies. It was him. The knight who'd attacked him earlier. "I will talk to you later" He stated, before disappearing into the shadows and skulking behind the knights, in case any fight broke out. He would defend Morrigan, she was his masterpiece.

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Paragon didn't immediately respond. He continued staring around the room, almost disinterestedly. "I did not come to kill you. This is just security" He stated, gesturing to the gun "Point Number 1: You sent knights after me. If you don't call them off soon it may not end well for them" he said casually. "Point Number 2: I know you're working with the Clave. I know what the Clave wants, and I must say I'm rather against it. If the nephilim succeed they will become almost godlike, and we'll become even more oppressed than usual. I will ask you this just once. Stop assisting them. Point Number 3: I've been in the shadows a long time and I think it's time to bring my face out into the open. I'd like a position of power in the Seelie Court" There was a moment of silence after Paragon finished his requests "In return, you will gain the power and resources of my agents, and I may be able to help you find the one known as Morrigan Moonsong, and her accomplice Ash"

 

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Titania raised her eyebrows, gently rolling the pollen between her fingers. "Well, to respond to your assumptions, Point 1: Since you are standing in front of me, the knight's services can be rendered elsewhere." She stepped forward, circling Paragon with a gait that was similar to a prowling lion. "Point 2: I'm disappointed your intelligence has led you to the conclusion that I would ever acquiesce to the Clave's request. What they believe I want, and what I know I want are two very different things. You should have more faith in your Queen."

She stopped walking, her eyes rising to meet those behind Paragon's mask with a predatory grin. "It is Point 3 that is intriguing to me." She lifted her chin, studying the fairy in front of her. "You've been on your own for so long. You're not a sheep that simply needs to be guided back with a firm hand and a bribe."

Titania's mind raced through dozens of possible schemes, plots and plans that could have all led Paragon to such a response. She could not deny enough of them to be certain of any single path, but in front of her was an ally, with a most enticing offer. The kind she would make, were she in his position.

"Have you ever met Morrigan?" She changed the subject, turning away. "Strong willed, even though her power as a fairy is shamefully diminished. The only hope she had was a good marriage with powerful bloodlines. Such a shame." Titania's eyes glowed once more as she turned, her smile gone. "Bring her to me, and it shall be done."

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Alarick rested his hand on Nick's shoulder, squeezing it gently. "Just wait." He murmured. "Brianne and I are fast enough that we'll have time to defend everyone if they attack first. But it is not a good idea to provoke the anger of the Seelie Knights." His eyes flicked to his twin's, who nodded, getting to her feet with determination back in her eyes.

Alarick himself, reached for his bo staff, cautiously preparing for the more pessimistic option as he stepped forward, putting himself in front of Nick, as well as the others. Morrigan was beside him, a strange expression on her face. Cin was staring at them all with a smirk that didn't quite fit the situation presented, and Alarick found his brain working into overtime, trying to read into it. Something was amiss.

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Morrigan remained where she was as Masque disappeared, her hand gripping the hilt of her sword. "Cinead, you were to be my brother once, bound by words that have remained in our families through centuries of time. You know what will happen to me. You know what will happen to him." She met the other fairy's gaze with quiet courage and determination. If she didn't stand up for herself, for Ash, for everyone here, it would be too late when she was forced into subjugation once more by the Seelie Queen. Then there would be no escape.

"Cinead, be my brother by choice. Choose us over her. She will give you nothing but pain and centuries of despair."

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Brianne got to her feet, stepping in front of Rhett and jerking her head at Aethelrick to get either behind her or at her side. She let Morrigan do the talking, for one because she knew the other fairy, and for two because she was one of the reasons the fairy was here in the first place. Morrigan chanced a look at Ash, her eyes narrowed. What have you gone and started this time? She wondered, taking Rhett's hand and squeezing it before grabbing her Seraph blade.

She took strength from the werewolf at her side and her brother, even if he was across the room. Between the two of them, they would be able to defend those in the room. They would have to be able.

 

Aethelrick saw Brianne cave with the realisation of who it was she left behind. "If you had known, you'd have gone back in there, just like Cyrus and you know what would have happened to you." Aethelrick said "We'll go back there, in force, get her back out again. Don't beat yourself up over it, it ain't your fault, nothing you could have done except something stupid." Aethel said, he knew his words weren't comforting, he hardly knew the girl he had no right to dictate she'd get left behind. But he knew he was right, there was no way she could reasonably deny it to be the truth, then again she was emotional and that tended to cloud judgement, a lot.

A bloke already went closer to her and tried to comfort her some more, Aethel didn't pay too much attention to it or the other conversation going on in the room, something about a trip elsewhere? Well hadn't he found Cyrus he'd be game, but he couldn't leave his buddy here and he doubted that Cyrus wanted to go on that trip, he needed to rest. "Cyrus nor I will be joining you, he needs to rest. And I don't leave " Aethel said, just as he heard the door being kicked down. He let the fairy do the word, she obviously knew the fairy that just walked in. Brianne gave him a signal and first standing behind her he got out the P90 and expertly swapped out the magazine, behind her back, out of sight of Cin, sure he didn't have iron bullets, but the standard cardridge was made with a steel penetrator and even high school physics students knew that steel had a high percentage of iron and it was the second best he had. He held the gun pointed at the floor idly as he took up position beside Brianne with a look on his face that didn't betray what kind of ammunition was loaded. Within his free hand he took his Seraphim blade and merely watched it play out.

 

Corvo was furious. He had this stupid Ifrit in his grasp and he was about to get everything that he needed out of her, but then the Werewolf had to show up. And she just had to be leading the pack around here. Clearing out the Institute so werewolves could live in it? That was brave, and usually it would have failed. Apparently their plan was going to go off without a hitch. The other Shadow Hunters were conveniently missing and he hadn't heard a peep out of Alarick or this Nick which Brianne claimed were here. That meant that they were all traitors. He gritted his teeth, reloading his Contender, flicking the safety on and holstering the weapon. He knelt down and drew the Rune of Cancellation, stopping the pain for Clarity but as a last, spiteful act, he stabbed his Seraph Blade into her arm.
"Fine." The Inquisitor hissed. "But I will remember you wolf girl, and I will kill you." He wasted no time after his threat, running for the window and jumping out. He suppressed a shout of pain as the shock from the landing twigged his wounds. He jogged away from the Institute until he was what he believed to be a safe distance away, and then ducked into an alleyway. Drawing his Stele he carved a pair of Iratze Runes over his wounds, quickening the healing process. He should be back in action in a few hours, but first he needed to reach his hotel to rest. Hence, the Inquisitor made his way to his base of operations. It was a stroke of luck that he had already forseen this turn of events. Now he could prepare. He'd need to contact Yorick and draw Runes on his bullets. They'd last a while before burning out. Long enough for him to be able to start hunting efficiently. ​

 

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When the knights stormed into the safe house, the first thing Sien did was to look around at the room. He didn't doubt that there were people here would could handle themselves in situation like this. Himself however, if a fight were to break out in this enclosed area, then he wasn't entirely sure sure what to do. Sure he had a weapon and knew how to use it, but it was a ranged weapon. As in, kinda hard to use when a knight is swinging his sword at you. With that in mind, he hoped that he would be able to get some distance so that he could actually help out should something go wrong.

 

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Clarity couldn't help but laugh weakly as the Inquisitor canceled out the rest of the Runes, the sound dying in her throat when he stabbed her. She was too broken to scream, despite the pain, but not enough to keep her from taunting him. Nobody had ever called her sane, anyway. "You lose to a wolf." She hissed, the laughter bubbling in her throat again. "My mistake thinking you were something to be feared." She rolled onto her side, clamping her hand down on the wound as best she could to keep the blood from spreading all over the floor. She kind of needed that.

Felicia was by her side soon enough, tying it off with something that suspiciously resembled Hendrick's favorite blanket. Clarity was in too much pain to care. "I must have been passed out while he took the baseball bat to me." She muttered, her voice cracked and broken. She wondered if it was possible to tear vocal cords, because if it was, she probably had.

She froze when Felicia touched her hair. "Look, you're cute and all, but I'm really not in the mood for foreplay. Maybe later when my body doesn't feel like it's going to cave in." She tried to say it with her usual sassy flair, but now it just sounded like the groan of a dying duck. Close enough to a dying ifrit, I suppose.

Forcing herself to sit up, she pulled herself to the nearest wall, gasping with effort. "We need Ash." She said through gritted teeth, her hand once more pressed to her wound, despite the tourniquet. "He's..." She stopped. She couldn't just give the address away. Gingerly, she used her injured arm to pull her phone out of her pocket, swearing as the phone screen revealed itself to be cracked. She must have landed on it when Corvo knocked her backwards. Slowly, painfully, Clarity typed out a message to Ash, using as few words as she could.

Inquisitor. Institute. Hurt.
​

Hopefully he would get the message.

​

When Cin began to move, Alarick tensed, then gritted his teeth. While he was glad not to have had to put anyone in danger by fighting, it burned him to see Cin turn on his fellow knights and slaughter them like animals. When Cin spoke, Alarick averted his gaze to his sister, gauging her reaction. He silently vowed to never leave her alone with the fairy. After today, Alarick didn't know if he would be able to trust the fairy who had led danger to their door before erasing it with the brutality of an execution right before their eyes.

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Morrigan stepped forward, her face strained as Cin spoke. She drew her sword and leveled it at him, her eyes cold as the steel she held in her hand. "Cinead Coldspring, I want the truth from you now." She whispered, her voice soft enough only the two of them could hear. It wasn't her intent for this private moment to be seen by so many eyes, but she couldn't risk Cin hurting Ash, hurting any of them.

"Do you intend to harm or betray me or any of those gathered here?" If he couldn't reply, she would allow him the chance to leave. Cin had never personally harmed her, but neither had he stood in the way of those who had done so. She ignored the blood that pooled around her bare feet, the still warm liquid touching her toes. She ignored the newfound allies behind her, and her uncertainty of the one in front of her. She ignored everything but the fairy she now pointed her weapon at, waiting for his response.

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Brianne wished she could have closed her eyes, sparing herself the sight they beheld. Instead she forced herself to watch, knowing that to show any weakness could result in her death, or the death of those around her. When it was done, she pressed a hand to her temple, hoping that the empty faces of the knights that now adorned her brother's floor wouldn't haunt her dreams. "Whatever happens, he does not come with us." She muttered to Rhett and Aethelrick, her body still tense and wary after the fairy's sudden turn on his allies. But neither did she want him to accompany her brother.

She looked Alarick with a helpless sigh, indicating her frustration. Now, more then ever, they needed a way to defeat the Seelie Queen, before she used the quickest avenue of vengeance and murdered all of them.

​

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