Pride Goeth...

“Jace! STOP!”

He didn’t even pause as he darted around the corner though, making Alec race after his parabatai. Their new bond was white hot with adrenaline as they chased the last demon further down the alley.

There was a moment of complete terror. Once the shock of panic ebbed, a tenseness traveled down his neck and shoulders. Alec swore both their hearts stopped beating. No, not his. A new part of him felt that way though. The part that was Jace. Pushing his legs Alec sprinted hard, his lungs starting to burn along with their rune. He had to get to Jace. They always fought better together, never alone.

Rounding the corner, Alec growled in aggravation. Jace was surrounded. The demon had transformed into a thick black smoke making it nearly impossible to hit. Without breaking his stride, Alec shot an arrow that the demon easily dodged. It had left an opening for Jace to quickly land a few slashes with his seraph blades. The bond pulsed with frustration when the demon seemed to melt through the locked gate ahead of them.

Starting down the alley towards the battle, Alec stashed his bow behind himself for the climb. Glinting adamas soared through the night with deadly accuracy. Pained screams and sputtering embers erupted from the knife’s smoky target. The smoke curled into itself before disappearing all together.

Alec finally caught up, skidding to a stop. Jace was halfway through the gate. His head and right limbs had slipped easily through. Jace was shifting his leg back when his other knife, still in his thigh holster, got caught on the post. He pushed himself as far through as he could again, repositioned, and tried...again. Alec could hear him growing more agitated by the second with quiet, disbelieving grumbles and curses. A distinct snapping sound echoed off the brick walls around them. Jace’s body went completely limp.

He couldn’t hold back any longer, bursting with laughter, “Izzy just fixed your stele too. She’s gonna be pissed!”

“Shut up, Alec!” Grumbling Jace leaned back, attempting now to get his arm back through first instead. It wasn’t working either.

Alec doubled over, tears gathering in his eyes, at the pathetic sight his parabatai made. Their generations best, Angel descended, hardened warrior was stuck in a gate.