AU. Leaves off of Clockwork Prince and jumps into an alternate reality that still has some details of the final book but mostly goes in another direction.
Prologue
There was a time when I despised the lies, the legend, the "happy" ending story written for us… but now I find it of great use.
It did not end like most believed. That I, Theresa Gray, brought down Mortmain and his army of infernal devices with my friends, family and the men I loved by my side. That they witnessed the glory of my change into a blazing angel from heaven for a mere mortal 30 seconds. I give credit that they were accurate in the nature that I burned Mortmain to a puddle of blood mixed with crushed bones and therefor his army fell. But…the shadow hunters, the silent brothers, Will and Jem were not there. They were not even close to us in the final moments Mortmain inhaled his last breath as I smighted him with my burning touch. They were safe in the Institute. Jem was alive and not a silent brother yet. Everything was a lie in the tale involving Tessa Gray following the timeline of myself getting engaged to Jem. From there, the paths of reality and fantasy diverged. I live in reality. Most of the downworlders and shadow hunters live in a pretty little lie that was wrapped neatly in a bow and presented by Charlotte Branwell.
Maybe I should begin there. Following my engagement to James "Jem" Carstairs. Looking back, at that time it was the happiest day of my life. Not too soon after, William "Will" Herondale confessed his love to me. That day, my fate was decided. Will had just left my room, and in a daze of pain and bewilderment, I found myself subconsciously drawn to grab the poker by the fire place, thrust it in the flames, and then rest it in my left hand. The iron tip of the poker seared into my skin. Although I did not have runes carved into my body like the nephilim, I felt as if I was making my own mark on my body. To carve out the pain of my heart. And instead of screaming to call attention to Sophie to rush to my aide, I dealt with the pain in the silence. As if it was retribution for the pain I had caused and was about to inflict on those I loved. I released the poker rod after the third-degree burn was accomplished. The scarred skin left remaining in absence of the poker marked the palm of my hand. It was a small external wound that could not mirror the devastation felt in the internal wound of my heart. I was startled out of my bereavement in a flash with a knock on my door.
"Miss? Can I be of any service miss before I turn in for the night," Sophie asked quietly outside of the door. Her voice was so soft spoken and filled with compassion I could only assume she saw Will leave my room with that same look of despair on his face he parted from me with.
"I am set. Thank you, Sophie. I am about to go to sleep as well. I will see you in the morning. Good night." She replied with a muffled 'goodnight miss' and then I heard her footsteps grow more distant.
Now was my time to act. Sophie's interruption into my self-pity party woke me up to the reality I was facing. Two men, no two best friends- parabataihad chosen to give their hearts to the same person. I could not accept one without throwing it into the face of the other. I loved them both too much to let myself come between their relationship which transcended anything I could fathom apparently. They shared a soul. Due to my unknown nature at the time, I questioned if I had a soul. Or if I was even worthy to be loved by a shadow hunter, let alone two of them. My only option left was to leave the Institute, my new home. To leave the mess I had made to be picked up by those I loved. I promised myself they would fare better off without me. An immortal with unknown origins such as myself was not meant to love such pure, mortal men.
Okay, okay I will stop. I know you are getting sleepy, little one. Mommy will continue the story tomorrow night. Good night, my little Angel.
