When Jace and Simon made it down the stairs and into the lobby they came across the bodies of those that didn't survive the battle that had taken place. Jace winced, he wanted to believe that they could save everyone, but when had anything gone his way.

Luke and Isabelle ran over to them. "Where's Clary?" Luke asked after looking around and not spotting her with Simon and Jace.

Simon didn't know what to say so Jace stepped in. "She got caught in the explosion. She's gone." His voice caught on the last word and he cleared his throat.

"What do you mean she's gone?" Luke asked

"I mean, that she isn't up there. Nothing's up there. Simon got blown off the roof and by the time I made it up there, there was nothing left."

"She can't be gone." Luke said.

"I'm so sorry" Simon sobbed "I just did what she wanted. If I would've known what would have happened I never would have agreed to her plan." He told Luke. Though he could barely look him in the eyes. Luke was like a father to him and Clary, and he killed her.

"What happened exactly? Izzy asked Simon. Tears were in her eyes, and the only way she knew to distract herself was with information.

"I got to Clary after whatever plan Lilith had was almost complete. She told me the only way for us to stop her from resurrecting Johnathon was to kill Lilith, but neither of us was strong enough for that. The only way it would work was if she attacked me. Clary knew that my mark would activate to protect me and more than likely kill Lilith. I was supposed to attack the box where Johnathan was underneath, and wait for her to come after me. Everything went according to plan until my mark activated. The force sent me through the window and off the building. I could see Clary running towards me, but she was stopped by Johnathon.

Jace looked up at this. He didn't know that the resurrection was a success.

"He grabbed onto her arm stopping her from moving. At that point I'm assuming Lilith exploded taking everything in her vicinity out with her. Clary included. I'm so sorry Luke." Simon cried. He already lost his mother and sister, now Clary, he really couldn't take not having Luke in his life.

Luke had one hand on his hip and the other on his head. He roughly wiped the tears from his face and looked at Simon. "It wasn't your fault Simon. You guys had a solid plan, there was no way to know that would have happened." His voice was rough as he fought off his tears. He looked towards Jace who'd been quit after his confession about Clary's death. "Jace, you okay?"

Jace looked over at Luke and nodded his head. He removed his hand from his rune; the aching pain from before having never really left. "Yea, it's just... I need to check on Alec." He said trying to hide his discomfort.

"What's wrong with Alec?" Izzy asked. She was standing next to Simon rubbing his back.

"I attacked him in the alley. He was hurt pretty bad, but I left him with Magnus." He explained.

"Well Magnus can heal him right?" Izzy asked

"No. He... He doesn't have his magic anymore. He gave it up to free me from the demon." Jace said, guilt laced in every word. "I have to see how Alec's doing." His eyes were red-rimmed both from crying and exhaustion.

Luke looked up, not wanting to leave but at the same time reminding himself that Clary wasn't up there. Wiping his eyes again Luke nodded his head. "Let's go"

Jace started moving but stopped. "Wait, what about the bodies?"

"We already talked to the clave. Their sending people in to take care of it." Izzy answered leading the way outside. She needed to get to her brother.

They walked into the institute and for once no one was stopped for one reason or another. Who was even in charge right now?

"Oh thank the angels" Izzy said as she spotted her mother. "Mom, where's Alec? How is he?" She questioned after embracing her. Her mother's lashes were wet from her tears. "Is Magnus with him?"

"Slow down sweetie. Alec's with the healers. Their doing what they can for him, but he was injured pretty bad. It won't be a quick fix."

"But he'll be okay won't he?" She asked worried

"Yes, I believe so." She looked around at the group of people and noticed someone missing. "Where's Clary?" The silence was answer enough. "Oh no" she said as she put her hands to her mouth in shock.

Luke walked over to her. "How about I fill you in on what happened while everyone else goes to see how Alec is doing." She nodded her agreement. He'll be happy to see you guys.

Jace stayed back while Izzy and Simon walked away.

"Jace?" Luke questioned, seeing the young shadowhunter standing awkwardly to the side. "Didn't you want to see Alec?"

"I doubt he wants to see me. I'm the reason he's in there in the first place." He did plan on seeing Alec, he was desperate to see him and make sure he was okay, and he was, or he was going to be. Now all he could think about was getting as far away from Alec as he could. He remembered everything that happened while he was possessed. Every person he brought to Lilith, every person he killed. His grandmother. He remembered attacking Alec. How he begged the demon to stop, pleaded, cried, but it seemed to feed off his pain.

Jace couldn't look Alec in the eyes after basically torturing him. No, he had to stay away. At least until Alec was strong enough to tell him how he truly felt about him.

Maryse walked over to Jace. "Jace, honey I don't blame you for what happened. No one blames you and more importantly Alec doesn't blame you." She touches his cheek.

"But I do." Jace whispered to her. Turning away from them he walked in the direction of his room. As he sat on his bed in his room his mind raced with thoughts of everything that happened. His grandmother was dead, Clary was dead and he didn't have a way to fix it. He couldn't bring them back and he couldn't stop his guilt from eating him up.

Jace stretched out on the bed. He was so tired. Physically and mentally exhausted. As he closed his eyes he prayed that he wouldn't be plagued with the nightmares he'd just lived through.

~Thank you to those who reviewed and added my story the their favorites. This will definitely be a short story, just a few chapters, so I'll try to upload a chapter a week, but it depends on my work schedule. As always reviews are appreciated . : )