carvesdeath:
“I’ll go,” said Isabelle loudly, in a commanding tone. Her voice rang through the room. Even the Jiangshi stopped moving for a moment. “Isabelle, you can’t —” Alec started. “I’m going,” Isabelle said. “I’m going, and I’m going to find Simon. I swear I will.” She turned and held her arms out to the Jiangshi. A sort of sigh swept through them, like an exhale of relief. They ceased pouring through the doorway. “She has chosen,” said the Hua Zhong Xian. Jace whirled to face Alec. “They’ll kill her—” “No,” said Magnus in a tense, low voice. “This is already a place of the dead. They assume she’s dead. Whatever they do, it won’t be killing her.” Tears ran down Clary’s face. She didn’t even try to wipe them away. “Isabelle, no.” “Let her go,” said the painted woman. “Her choice is irrevocable. Should you try to take her back now, worse will come than the Jiangshi.” “You stay out of this,” Alec snapped at her. He started toward Isabelle, but it was no use—in the blink of an eye, three of the demons had seized his sister. She put up no resistance. Her eyes were fixed on Alec as the Jiangshi marched her toward one of the doors they had come through. Don’t follow me, her gaze said. I love you, but don’t follow me. “Isabelle,” Alec said desperately, “don’t do this. Please. We’ll find Simon—” Magnus caught hold of Alec’s shoulder. Isabelle was almost at the door. Jace was gripping the spear in his hand so tightly his fingers had gone white. Clary appeared to be in shock. “Remember, Lightwood girl,” said the Hua Zhong Xian. “Go to your torment with your head held high.” Isabelle turned and regarded her. “I swear upon the power of the Angel,” she said in a clear voice, “that I will return. I will return, and we will tear down this place. We will scatter the undead to the winds. And I will, personally, tear you into ribbons.” Then she was gone.

















