Chapter 1

Clary stared down at her father as he took his final breaths. Part of her wished she felt more remorse or sadness. Part of her wished he'd been the father she'd always dreamed of. But she'd stopped him; stopped him just in time to save the Downworld, to save everyone she cared about.

Although she hadn't.

She hadn't been in time to save everyone.

She should have killed him sooner.

Should have found some way.

Before he…

Before he killed Jace.

The words rang through Clary's head, sounding impossible and illogical. Jace couldn't be dead.

Suddenly an idea came to Clary, and, after allowing herself one more look at Jace, she burst into action. She'd stopped Valentine from compelling the Angel – maybe she could use the wish instead. There was only one thing in the world she wanted.

As she splashed into the water the world around her fell dark.

The Angel had gone.

"No!" Clary screamed, bringing the knife down on her hand, barely noticing the pain as her blood dripped into the water. "I have a wish!" Falling to her knees she felt for the Mortal Cup and Sword. But they were no longer there.

Rising to her feet, Clary desperately scanned the lake for some sign of the Angel, "Jace. Bring Jace back." All she could do was pray that Raziel was still tied to the lake, that he would hear her and be compelled to grant her request. "Please." Her voice broke as she begged.

No answer came, no brilliant display of heavenly glory. Just silence.

Clary rushed back to Jace's side; she didn't want him to be alone. Not if he woke up. Not if he was… if he…

She collapsed to her knees beside him, shaking his shoulders slightly, "Jace, Jace wake up. It's me. It's Clary. Everything's going to be okay. You just have to wake up. Jace." Every moment he didn't respond her desperation grew, as did the dawning realisation that this was very real, "I wish for you, only you. You're all I want. Jace please." Gently now, Clary stroked his face, wiping the tears away.

"I love you, Jace Herondale. I should have said it back. I love you, I love you, I love you." Clary's words turned to sobs and she collapsed against Jace, wrapping her arms around him as though she could somehow keep him safe.

Clary didn't notice the footsteps marking three other people reaching the lake. But when someone tried to take Jace from her she held on tighter, until she saw a tear that was not her own splash down. Looking up she saw Alec, but his eyes were on Jace, desperate, hopeless. Clary saw her own broken feelings mirrored on his face. She didn't stop him from taking his parabatai's hand. Together they held Jace and cried and shared in the utterly unspeakable grief consuming them.