A Hint of Deadly: TMI

"Last words," Arcadian Starkweather hissed, pressing the edge of his blade against the other boy's pale throat, "What are they?"

Smirking slightly, the boy said, "I didn't know Hodge had a son… It's really not hard to see why he kept you a secret."

"Don't talk about my father to me!" Arcadian shouted at him, "You killed him and I'll kill you for it!"

Jonathan Morgenstern's dark eyes blazed. Even in his weakened state, he still felt the burn of demon blood inside him, urging him on to fight. But, he had to admit to himself, Arcadian was much stronger than he anticipated.

"No you won't," he said, "If you really wanted to kill me, you would have done it already. Stop playing games."

"I don't play games with a murderer."

"Really? And once you kill me, you'll be no less than a murderer yourself, Starkweather."  Jonathan goaded.

Arcadian didn't fall for it. His eyes narrowed. "Shut up. Last words. Say them."

"Sh'ma Yisrael, adonai elohanu, adonai echod." Jonathan rolled his eyes, as if the words were trivial and meaningless. Like this was some sort of practical joke. He inconspicuously tried to push himself up into a kneeling position but Arcadian forced him back down with his foot.

"Now," Arcadian growled with a touch of triumph, his face an inch from Jonathan's, "Now you're going to tell me something. You're going to tell me how you are alive. How you survived fighting Jace Wayland."


A dark light sparked in Jonathan, a cold fury and a deep bloodlust spread through his body. It took all the self control he had not to tremble with rage as he slowly raised his gaze up to the other boy. The other boy, who knew so little, who knew nothing.

"Why," he asked, slowly and very deliberately, "is Wayland any of your concern? Unless, of course, he stole the heart of your beloved. My dear sister. She's not even that attractive in my opinion."

Arcadian couldn't believe he was having this conversation with the son of Valentine Morgenstern. Especially since Jonathan even had the nerve to bring this up with a sword to his throat.

He had known about Clary since his father had brought him back to Idris. He had learned a great deal about her from Hodge but never really thought much of her, except her power.  

"Jace is none of my concern," Arcadian said coolly, "You are my only concern. Why. Did. You. Live."
For a moment, the two Shadowhunters stared savagely at each other. Then, Jonathan smiled. It was a hollow, horrible smile like a sunken skull.

"I lived because I wanted to," Jonathan said, "And I always get what I want."

And he struck out suddenly at Arcadian's legs with his own, knocking him hard to the ground. Before he even had the chance to stand up, Jonathan had exploded into the night, through the broad opening behind the field.

"Coward!" Arcadian shouted back after him, but he knew Jonathan was too clever to fall for such a trick. He had fled a fight, something Arcadian would never do. He stared at the spot that Jonathan had disappeared for several moments. Then he swore and started back towards the Institute.