I got this idea when I was rereading the epilogue of Clockwork Princess. I hope you enjoy the first chapter!

London, 1886

The moon shone solemnly overhead in an overcast sky as the carriage rattled through the dark streets of London. Tessa sat in the back seat, fidgeting with her fingers, impatiently looking out the window. Her eyes had a wild look to them, and she desperately tapped her foot against the floor of the carriage.

"Too slow, too slow," she muttered to herself. "Too slow!"

Finally, the carriage came to a halt. Tessa flew out the carriage door before it had even properly stopped, landing painfully on her ankle. She winced but hurried forwards.

She was not in a well-to-do part of London, and all around her, the poor and the homeless turned their eyes on her. Usually, she would send them a smile of sympathy or even talk to them, but not tonight. Tonight, she had a graveyard to visit.

This was a graveyard not many people visited, not even the Shadowhunters, who gave it a wide berth. But Tessa had been here once before, and she knew where to go. She hurried to the statue of an angel with outstretched hands, holding out a stone cup. Stopping in front of it, she pulled out the stele she had concealed up her sleeve. Leaning down, she nervously traced the outline of a rune on the statue's base, unsure of whether it would work. The angel's mouth gaped wide, and a black hole, like an open grave, appeared in the turf before Tessa. Swallowing nervously, Tessa tucked the stele back into her sleeve and descended into the darkness of the Silent City.

This was not Tessa's first time to the City of Bones, and yet she was struck once again by its haunting majesty. The arches and tombs made her feel as though she should be kneeling on the ground, her hands clasped in prayer. This was the holiest place of the Nephilim.

As she descended further into the Silent City, a shape materialized out of the shadows. As it came closer, it took the form of a hooded man. The shadows wrapped around him like a second skin.

"Brother Enoch," Tessa breathed.

Tessa Gray. The Silent Brother's voice spoke in her head, cold and detached. Why do you come here? It is forbidden for anyone to enter the Silent City without our approval.

"I know, I know," Tessa said. "But I must see Jem – I mean, Brother Zachariah."

The Silent Brothers cannot be summoned on demand.

"It's an emergency!" Tessa blurted out. "Please! I have to see him." Her voice broke.

There was silence. Tessa was half afraid that Brother Enoch would order her out of the Silent City, back to the world above.

Instead, he turned. Follow me.

~~ Page Break ~~

Tessa.

With a half sob, Tessa turned and faced Jem.

He wore, of course, the parchment robes of the Silent Brothers. His skin was deathly pale, almost as it had been in life, and his eyes were closed. Every second looking at him was a dagger in Tessa's heart, for she was reminded of how Jem had changed.

And yet, her heart sped up when she saw him. No matter how he had changed, he was still her Jem.

"Jem," she breathed.

Why are you here? Tessa winced at the coldness in his voice – she hoped it was unintentional. It is forbidden.

"Jem, I had to," she said. "It is a matter of life and death."

Then speak, daughter of Lilith. What is it you seek?

Tessa winced at "daughter of Lilith", then took a trembling breath.

"Will is hurt," she said in a very small voice. "He was hunting down a Shax demon in Islington and it bit him. He barely made it back to the Institute." She stopped and almost choked. "Jem – I think he's dying."

There was silence, and now Tessa let the tears flow down her cheeks as she let the fear and the worry stream out of her in rivers of pain.

"Please come with me," she whispered. "Please come with me to see him."

Silence for a long time.

I cannot leave the Silent City, Jem replied. His disembodied voice was emotionless. It is forbidden.

"Jem, please!" Tessa begged, now openly sobbing into her sleeve. "He needs you. He's in bed, ill, feverish, too weak to lift a finger. All he wants is to see his best friend."

I cannot. I will be punished. Was that a crack in Jem's voice? A sign of emotion? Tessa pounced on it.

"Please."

Silence for a long time. Then Jem turned.

Follow me. Quickly. We cannot be seen.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Tessa followed Jem. They disappeared into the shadows of the Silent City.

Reviews please! How did you find this beginning?