Disclaimer: Not my characters! Cassandra Clares's from Clockwork Angel.

In the days that followed the battle with DeQuincy and the skirmish in the Institute, everyone seemed solemn and cautious. The Shadowhunters were nowhere nearer to catching the Magister or stopping his army of Clockwork cretins from rising in untold numbers. Of course, the silver lining was there. The enclave was fairly certain Mortmain would be unable to animate the creatures with demon energy- seeing as he had no shadowhunter blood with which to open the Pyxis box. Though, they had also been quite sure that someone without Shadowhunter blood would never be able to trespass upon the Institute in the first place.

Hulking Shadowhunters, unknown to Tessa, guarded the Institute fastidiously, putting a damper on the spirits of the Institute's inhabitants. They were a not-so-subtle reminder of what remained out there. A reminder that the threat had not yet subsided. And a reminder to the Institute's permanent residents that they had failed.

However, they also created a lot of down time for Tessa, which had given her the rare opportunity for self-reflection. Tessa knew now that she had been blind to her brother's true nature. She and Aunt Harriet had always been overly optimistic about his character. She saw him clearly now- selfish, prideful, and greedy. Of course, Will had not been fooled. He never looked for the good in anyone, always assuming the worst.

Now that her mind rest upon him, she realized she had also been eager to find the good in Will- to fix him- and that in doing so, she had mistaken his true character as well. Yes, she had felt a magnetic pull towards him. But now, she had learned to question her instincts. His most recent words to her had been cruel and dealt great insult to her character. She may not be human, but she was still a lady. She would be no man's whore. She had been mistaken in him, too forward from the moment she met him. Calling him by his Christian name. Disucssing literature. Kissing him.

From here on out, she would forget about Will. Instead, she would spend her free hours seeking her identity. Since Mortmain's cryptic words, she had wondered endlessly of her true parentage. She would never be safe nor free till she understood what she was and why she had been "created."

Jem had offered her his assistance in her search and spoken such kind words as had touched her heart, but she felt alone in this task. What if she were half-demon? even related to the monster which had killed Jem's parents and left him with a half-life? She couldn't bear it.

Monster.

The words echoed through her mind. Will's words. What would he think of her if he knew more about her parentage? Would he try to have her removed from the Institute? Surely, Charlotte would never allow it. And yet, deep in her heart, Tessa dared to hope that perhaps she was human. Maybe, she wasn't a monster. After all, what reason had she to believe a liar such as Mortmain?

Tessa was jolted out of her reverie by a knock at the door. It was Sophie.

"I've come to change the linens, miss."

"Oh," Tessa mumbled, "Wonderful. Thank you Sophie."

"Of course. It's been several days since I've last seen you. I know it's been trying for us all after..." Sophie wiped at her eyes stubbornly, refusing to be seen crying. She emulated the Shadowhunters in many of her personal habits, and death was a a part of the Shadowhunter lifestyle. Unavoidably so.

"Yes. It's very sad without them," Tessa said, catching on. "I only wish I had gotten to know them both better."

Her mind floated to Thomas and his love for Sophie. He had died for her, and he would have made the same choice over and over. It was too cruel to say. He was a good man. As brave as an Shadowhunter. And more a gentleman than some...