s01e11 - "Blood Calls to Blood"

── ✦ ──

A day had passed since Lizzie and Alec's kiss and they both decided to act as if nothing had happened.

Alec and Lizzie left the elevator as they were talking to each other.

- My grandmother sent me a fiery message today that read: "Get everything ready, the trial will start immediately" - Said Lizzie who was stressed that her grandmother was supposed to show up at the Institute. - She's on her way

- Yes, but that doesn't make any sense - The black haired man noted as he stopped and looked at her. - What's the rush? We both know that Jace and Clary are out there somewhere

- Clary and Jace won't be tried for treason - Lizzie replied.

- Come on Lizzie, we both know they don't have solid evidence to accuse Isabelle - Said the black haired shadowhunter. - But if we postponed it for a few weeks, then... - Alec continued and a moment later the doors of the Institute opened and an escort of guards entered through the doors, who stopped a few steps in front of Lizzie and Alec.

A moment later Lizzie saw her grandmother - Inquisitor Imogen Herondale.

- Guards, stand down - The Inquisitor ordered and the guards did as she was told. The woman looked at her granddaughter. - Elisabeth Aurora Herondale we need to talk - She said to her granddaughter and started walking ignoring the looks of the other shadowhunters. Lizzie obediently followed her and tried to hide her stress.

- I heard rumors that you are engaged to Alexander Lightwood - Granny informed Lizzie as she sat down on the leather couch. - What did you come up with? - The red-haired woman asked.

- Yes, it's true, I am engaged to Alec - Lizzie confessed in a calm tone. - I did it because I'm ready to get married and Alec will be a good husband for me - Lizzie replied a little nervously.

- I won't talk about it with you unless it interferes with the case you filed against his sister - Granny informed her in a cold tone, and shivers went through Lizzie's body. The girl always reacted like this when her grandmother used that cold tone towards her. - I don't approve of your choice of fiancé and I think you're not ready for marriage yet

- I assure you that's exactly what will happen - Lizzie assured her. - Besides, it's my business who I marry and when.

- Elisabeth, I need your word, not assurances - The red-haired woman stated. - What we see here is the same attitude that Valentine had before the Uprising. Breaking the law, mindless rebellion against the Clave

- Grandma, I really don't think Valentine was involved in the Seelie escape - Elisabeth stated timidly, and her grandmother looked at her with a hostile look.

- Spare me your beliefs, everything has gotten out of control - Her grandmother told her. - We naively believed that Valentine died, and now his daughter has the Mortal Cup, and he is somewhere out there. I will not allow that, after he killed Celine and Stephen, and he can hurt you

- I hope you will do what is yours and not disgrace our name. You are to be effective, complete and useful to the Clave - Imogen said coldly and she did not want to be so harsh to her granddaughter, but if Elisabeth was to take over the position of Inquisitor after her, she had to expect a lot from her. - We will start tonight

A moment later Imogen Herondale left the office.

── ✦ ──

Alec went to Magnus apartment to ask him to be his sister's lawyer.

- Are you tired of complaining about the guest list at your wedding? - Magnus joked and he let Alec into his apartment.

- I have something to ask you - Alec said to Magnus and he entered the living room with him.

- Is this going to take long? I have my own life, and we have nothing to talk about - Magnus noticed and began to prepare himself a drink.

- This isn't about me or anything like that - Alec informed Magnus as he took a few steps towards the warlock. - It's about my sister.

- Oh, I see. You mean the fact that your lovely fiancée, who is the granddaughter of the Inquisitor Imogen Herondale herself, accused Izzy of treason? - Magnus asked with amusement, he took a drink from the table and then sat down in the armchair. - What can I do for you Alec?

Magnus started to feel something for Alexander Lightwood and he was convinced that the Shadowhunter felt something for him as well. However, he did not like the fact that the black-haired man got engaged to Elisabeth Herondale, just to improve the reputation of the Lightwood name.

- My sister wants you to be her defender... and I told her that I would ask you - Alec replied nervously, and Magnus avoided eye contact with him. - Sorry to bother you, I know that a Downworlder cannot defend a Shadowhunter in court - Alec stated and started to leave the living room, until Magnus spoke up.

- But a Shadowhunter accused of a crime can choose his own lawyer - Magnus informed Alec and he watched the Shadowhunter slowly walk away.

- But I doubt that applies to Downworlders - Alec stated confused and re-entered Magnus's living room.

- The Clave was so rigid and prejudiced, in the times they called the Angels' times, that it didn't even occur to them that a Shadowhunter might ask for help from a Downworlder, and they didn't even bother to exclude us - Magnus explained. - And since you still say 'the law is the law', there's nothing stopping me from taking advantage of that loophole, for the right price of course - The warlock continued as he stood up from his chair and walked over to Alec with a drink in his hand, which he downed a moment later.

- Pass it to me - Alec stated.

- You - Magnus said quickly and saw the shock on Alec's face.

- Something else - The black-haired night hunter suggested.

- What else is important to you? - Magnus asked. - What else will tell me that your sister means so much to you that you are ready to make a real sacrifice? - The warlock stated and turned away from Alec. - I already know. Your bow and quiver - He informed him and looked at him. - Is that okay?

- Done - Alec sighed resignedly, who was able to sacrifice everything to help his sister.

── ✦ ──

Lizzie sat in the prosecutor's seat in the courtroom where Isabelle was being tried. The blonde girl would be lying if she said she wasn't nervous about the trial.

- Will I survive if I touch this? - Magnus asked when he stood before the Silent Brother and was about to take an oath before the Soul Sword.

- If you tell the truth - Imogen replied with a false smile, and Magnus touched the Soul Sword.

- Do you swear by this sword to defend your client honestly and sincerely - The Silent Brother asked.

- I will not deny it - Magnus stated and dropped the soul sword, and the Silent Brother walked away from the Soul Sword.

- State your case, warlock - Imogen said, who was sitting in the judge's chair.

Lizzie saw the contempt for the warlock in her grandmother's eyes.

- My case is simple. It is true that Isabelle Lightwood disobeyed the Clave's orders by trying to free the Seelie, Meliorn, but she did not act against the Clave's interests - Magnus began to speak and pointed at Isabelle. - Preventing the forced interrogation and possible death of the Seelie could have prevented the violation of the Accords

- We are not here to assume what would have happened if the accused had not interfered - Imogen interrupted him coldly.

- You mean what would have happened if she had not stopped the Silent Brothers from torturing the Seelie? - Magnus asked with a sarcastic smile.

- I am waiting for a reasonable argument, do you have one? - The Inquisitor asked in a cold voice.

- What you really want is the Mortal Cup, and my client does not have it - The warlock noted. - And since the entire proceedings are about something completely different, I file a motion to dismiss the case - Magnus declared, Lizzie couldn't believe Magnus's impudence.

- This is out of place - Inquisitor Herondale noticed.

- No, this is all out of place - Magnus said in an irritated tone. - It's not Isabelle's fault, it's the Mortal Cup! Put the Mortal Cup on trial! - The sorcerer shouted in anger and looked at Isabelle before sitting down next to her.

── ✦ ──

Isabelle was sitting in her seat next to Inquisitor Imogen Herondale as Lizzie stood up from her chair. Her job was to honestly question Isabelle Lightwood and Lizzie had to be impartial (despite the fact that it was her future sister-in-law).

- You let us believe that you performed the operation yourself, but Clary Fairchild was seen that night near the City of Bones - Lizzie began to speak and looked at Isabelle as she began to question her.

- Maybe she went for a walk - Isabelle suggested.

- And we are to believe that you distracted the guards and escaped with the prisoner yourself? - Lizzie asked rhetorically and took a few steps towards Isabelle.

- Quite a good one, right? - Isabelle asked with a fake smile and Lizzie couldn't believe that even in such a serious situation Alec's sister was still able to joke.

- I suggest you think about how good it would be if Valentine used the Mortal Cup to create an army of rebel Shadowhunters - Lizzie's grandmother stated as she leaned towards Isabelle.

- I don't want Valentine to win - Imogen informed Isabelle, the smile disappearing from her face.

- That's the first sensible thing I've heard you say - Inquisitor Herondale replied as she continued to look at Isabelle.

- You know what's unwise? Thinking that we have the right to treat a Downworlder's life as if it had no value - Isabelle stated with a raised voice.

- Isabelle, I must warn you that everything you say here will be included in the verdict - Lizzie spoke up after the exchange between Isabelle and her grandmother.

- Fine - Isabelle said with a fake smile before standing up from her seat. The black haired girl turned to the Shadowhunters who were sitting. - Consider this, Valentine didn't appear out of nowhere. We use our angel blood to justify what we do, just like he did. Just like he does, we forget that we're not just angels, because we're also part Downworlder - Isabelle said with a raised voice, and Lizzie felt annoyed by the black-haired girl's impudence. - We can be afraid. Fear makes us cruel, and we turn our fear against Downworlders, just like Valentine did. And just like him, we'll end up at each other's throats.

- Do you think we're doing this to you? - Imogen asked, and Lizzie could hear the growing irritation in her grandmother's voice.

- You'll have to answer that question for yourself, Inquisitor - Isabelle said, a little quieter, and she returned to her seat, as did Lizzie.

Lizzie knew that her grandmother could intimidate anyone, and she had learned that the hard way many times.

A moment later, Magnus stood up from his seat.

- I would like to call Elisabeth Herondale as a witness - Magnus stated when he looked at Inquisitor Herondale. She and Lizzie did not expect this.

- I do not see the connection - Inquisitor Herondale replied and looked at her granddaughter.

- There are two of us, I do not see the point of this whole trial - Magnus answered quickly before looking at the stunned Elisabeth. - Miss Herondale, would you like to come up? - He asked the blonde girl after a moment, and she stood up and sat down on the seat where Izzy was sitting before. Magnus took a few steps towards her. - I only have one question. Why are you accusing in this case?

Lizzie did not know what to answer and looked at her grandmother.

- Please answer the question - Imogen ordered her granddaughter.

- Because the law is strict, but... it is the law. But that doesn't mean it's good - Lizzie replied intimidated and she felt the gazes of the other night hunters on her. - We accuse someone for compassion, for thinking independently. She saved a life that was supposed to be sacrificed for nothing - Lizzie noticed and decided to support Isabelle.

- Enough, Elisabeth - Her grandmother interrupted her, who didn't expect such words from her granddaughter, who always did everything she wanted.

- No, that's not enough - Lizzie opposed her grandmother and saw the shock on the faces of the other night hunters. - I look at the faces here and I see a brother and sister who don't agree on everything, except how much they love each other and how loyal they are to each other - The blonde girl stated and avoided eye contact with her grandmother. - And the man who took this case pretending to want payment in rare items, but in reality finds the injustice done to his friend unacceptable - Lizzie continued, even if her grandmother took umbrage with her. - Loyalty, decency, compassion, love... . These are the concepts we should consider to decide guilt or otherwise in such a case.

- These are not the concepts of the Law - Imogen shouted angrily and hit the wooden armrest. - Enough of this nonsense

- I agree - Lizzie stated and stood up from her chair, despite the evil look her grandmother was giving her. - This case is nonsense, I withdraw the charges - The blonde girl said, and all the shadowhunters gathered in the room started clapping at the same time, and a cheerful Izzy stood up and hugged Magnus, and then her brother.

Lizzie stood next to Magnus.

- Silence! - Imogen shouted furiously and struck a small wooden hammer, and the room fell silent and everyone looked at Imogen.

- If you think that dropping the charges acquits the accused, then you are wrong. She is guilty - The Inquisitor said as she stood up and looked at the shadowhunters coldly. - The defense was right. The Clave wants the Mortal Cup. If it is returned within 24 hours, the verdict will be dismissed - Imogen Herondale informed them. - But if not, Isabelle Lightwood will be stripped of her runes and banished from the Shadowhunter community forever - The red-haired woman said after a moment and struck her hammer again.

── ✦ ──

A few hours had passed since Isabelle's trial. Clary and Jace returned to the Institute with Jocelyn and the Mortal Cup, which Lizzie received in exchange for Izzy's acquittal.

Alec's conversation with Jace ended in an argument about Jace being willing to sacrifice Izzy for a girl he had recently met. Alec then went to meet Magnus to give him his bow and quiver as payment for defending Izzy.

Of course, Magnus tried to convince Alec to call off his engagement to Lizzie, arguing that he and his fiancée would not be happy together, only lonely and unhappy for the rest of their lives.

However, Alec wanted to marry Elisabeth, so Magnus to give back him bow and quiver. A moment later, the sorcerer left with a sad face, but Alec did not care and went to his fiancée's study.

- Can we talk? - Alec asked when he entered Lizzie's office. His fiancée was sitting in front of her desk and was focused on reading reports. Her blonde hair was tied in a low bun.

- Sure - Lizzie replied with a smile and looked at her fiancé. - Is something wrong? - The worried blonde girl asked, got up from her chair and leaned against the desk.

- No. I wanted to thank you for supporting my sister. By making such a decision, you risked your good relationship with your grandmother and the good name of the Herondale surname - Alec stated and noticed the tiredness on the girl's face.

- You don't have to thank me, because thanks to you I dared to oppose my grandmother and make my own decision. But of course I got a good reprimand for it and she got mad at me - Lizzie confessed. - But I have feelings and I couldn't let your sister become a scapegoat for my grandmother.

- You impressed me with that, because I know what it's like when someone tells you what to do and how to behave - The black-haired man said and for the first time he opened up to someone, - he didn't even do it to his siblings.

- My grandmother planned my entire life, and I obediently did what she wanted, because she was my Idol and I wanted to be like her - The blonde girl stated, and Alec took a few steps towards Lizzie. - Only today did I gather the courage to change something in my life and make my own decisions and face their consequences - The girl said and walked closer to Alec. - Maybe I'm a member of the Herondale family, but I want to earn my name myself, and not do it with the help of the Inquisitor's grandmother

- You are extraordinary, beautiful and smart and you will achieve your goal, and I will help you in this - Alec stated sincerely and tucked a falling strand of Lizzie's hair behind her ear. - After all, we are getting married soon and we will run the Institute together - Alec noticed after a moment, before he connected his lips with his fiancée's, and she returned the kiss.

Alec sat her down on her desk and put his hands on Lizzie's waist. Lizzie felt a pleasant arousal that spread through her body and she automatically wrapped her legs around his waist.

Of all the men Lizzie had kissed, only Alec could bring her to such a state. He was her drug, which she wanted more of.

- Do you have feelings for Magnus? - Lizzie asked suddenly, when she took a breath after a few minutes of kissing her fiancé and tensed.

- Why do you think so? - Alec asked curious, but also confused by Lizzie's question.

- I'm not stupid and I know that he feels something for you - Lizzie stated. - And before we get married, I want to know if you reciprocate this feeling. I don't intend to live with the thought that you love someone else and are unhappy with me and for duty - The blonde girl confessed sadly.

- Lizzie if I loved him I would break up with you and be with him - Alec said in a calm tone and put his hand on her cheek. - Now I care about our wedding and the Institute - He informed her after a moment and started kissing her neck.

Lizzie moaned and relaxed.

- I'm glad that we care about the same thing - Lizzie stated with a smile.

- Go to sleep, because I can see that you're tired - The black-haired man stated, and Lizzie got up from the desk and fixed her dress and hair.

- I would, but I have some papers I need to sign and send to the Clave by tomorrow morning - Lizzie said tiredly and looked at him. - I'll probably go to bed late

- Then I won't bother you - The black-haired man said and kissed her on the lips before leaving Lizzie's office.