Clary was sitting on top of the Institute's roof. The snowflakes were standing out in her hair and melting as fast as they touch it. It was freezing outside but it seemed she didn't notice or maybe she didn't care. Thousands of memories were running through her head but one of them was always somewhere in behind.
'Her hands were all in blood but she didn't know anymore whose blood was it. She tried everything to stop the bleeding from Jace's injury but even the strongest runes, she had hardly drawn on his skin, didn't seem to help. Tessa had called brother Zachariah. Clary still couldn't believe that he was parabatai of Jace's grandpa. She thought that he was called to help Jace. That was what Silent Brothers do, wasn't it? She didn't notice their talk. If Clary was listening, she would hear how Tessa was whispering "But he is just a child. This can't be happening. He is only a child!" '
Clary came back to reality when Alec's warm hand hugged her. Both of them had lost in this war everything important in their lives. Everything, except the memories. He tried to give her his jacket but she just refused silently and hugged him back. Now the tears didn't mean anything. They were always there like a grim reminder of their reality.
Tear after tear fell from Clary's eyes. Alec just silently wiped them. He had cried so many nights for Magnus, for his sister and his mother. His father had run from the battle, leaving Alec all alone, without family.
At the end there were only him and Clary. The tears were keeping them alive. Now silent, the Institute was reminding them for their losses. They couldn't forgive themselves for all bad decisions in the past. Wasn't it obvious how would end this bloody war? Why didn't they stop after chaining Sebastian? So many years lived in blood and sadness just to be alone at the end.
A small kick stopped Clary's tears. She looked surprised at Alec. He fondled her stomach and said gently with smile and little bitter: "Let's go inside. It seems that the little Jace is as stubborn as his father."