Anessa fell and Tavor fell soundlessly along with her. Alec, with surreal reflexes, caught them both before they even touched the ground. He kneeled them down while checking Anessa for any injuries. All he saw were scratches here and there but he knew that the fatal scar was the one on her heart. After having laid them down gently he looked up and glanced at the woman who stood before him. Never before had he not been able to control his anger or at least mask it. Yet at this moment, he felt ready to pounce on her if necessary. Jace, Alec's parabatai, sensed his aggression and stepped before him while glaring at the woman.

``Quickly, now, it is our chance to strike while she cannot run.`` The woman, not giving up tried tempting the shadowhunters. Her brown hair that resembled Anessa's so very much was coming out of her bun. She had green eyes and she would have been appealing if not for her angry features and tense posture. She would be that teacher everyone would fear at school, always getting students in trouble. But Anessa's mother did not look as sane.

``How dare you!`` Clary could no longer herself. Only witnessing this scene had been too much she could not imagine what it would must be like for the girl lying unconsciously on the ground. ``Strike her while she is down and you still think she is the monster?``

``Listen to me woman.``Isabelle said while unleashing her whip. The long haired girl had been silent this whole time, biting her tongue, fearful of what it would pronounce. But now she was ready to tear anyone limb by limb if they as much looked at the girl. At seeing Isabelle's whip be unleashed Anessa's mother recoiled. ``You will leave this forest,`` she continued while approaching her step by step making the woman step back with every step ``You will go back and tell the others that the girl is gone forever and that she will not come back. If I see or hear about anyone of you attempt to find the girl I will slay you without hesitation, just like you have done your son.``

``Also.`` Magnus approached the woman and grabbed her by the shoulders while she gave him a look of bewilderment. He made sure she made eye contact with him, that she got a good look at his cat eyes. When she realized what she was looking at she struggled and scream, trying to escape. Magnus, after hearing a satisfying plea for mercy, let go of the woman and let her stumble back to the village. After having gotten rid of her he turned around and faced his friends.

``Promise me,`` Magnus began saying uncertainly, afraid of the response he might get, ``Promise me that when we go back home we will not let the Clave's hand touch this girl. She has been through enough and she still needs to know the truth about the Shadow World and what she is. Having the Clave investigating her every moment will certainly not help her. Please, she will be my responsibility.`` Magnus searched his companions faces but to his pleasant surprise, he found no contradiction.

``How little you think of us, Magnus. You honestly believe that we we're going to let them even look at her. Come on, let's go back home.`` Jace reassured him and gave him his signature cocky smile.

``But, don't we have to bury her brother?`` Clary piped up while looking at Anessa's and Tavor's peaceful bodies on the floor. She had not noticed that Anessa's eyes were starting to open.

``We kind of can't, not without her being conscious.`` Isabelle said while putting a hand on her hips, to point out she was saying the obvious.

``I am conscious.`` Anessa, who still lay on the ground with her eyes slowly opening, said in a rough voice. She looked much older than she had when she was sleeping. In her sleep, she had a small smile tugging her at her lips, as if her dream held all the solutions, as if the dreams told her that her horrible reality was actually just a nightmare. Her eyebrows were not set in that line of anger but were relaxed and normal. Anessa's face was no longer set in a menacing snarl you could easily see through but in a welcoming restful state. In her sleep she looked peaceful, childlike. But now, Anessa, with her eyes opened she looked neither angry nor at bliss. She looked blank. A white sheet of paper that has not been written on. Her eyes no longer had that lively spark, they were simply dead.

``Don't make any efforts. Even if you haven't been badly hurt you are in no mental sha-`` Clary was stopped by Anessa's humourless laugh.

``Do not worry. I have been through worst. Thank you, though, for your concern but I need to go bury my brother. It is only right, it must be done here.`` She said in the same hoarse voice from before. With that she got up, bent down to grab Tavor and walked away. While she walked she felt her saviors following her.

``Why are you following me?`` She asked without looking back and kept her pace.

``Well, first off, to help you bury your brother and secondly, you're coming back to the Institute in New York with us. You have no idea what you're capable of doing and what harm may come to you. We won't be taking no for an answer.`` Alec gave her a look that dared her to try to say otherwise. Anessa remembered how that man from earlier had randomly been lifted off the ground and she thought it would be a good idea to just let them have her. So, having exhaustion way on her like a heavy blanket, simply nodded. She was following the secret path her and Tavor took -used to take- to go to their secret hideout. It cuts through the woods where the trees take up much more space than required but are impeccable for climbing. She stopped before an old looking one and rested Tavor at the root of the tree. Anessa, then, gazed upwards to find the little treehouse she built for him when they were younger. She could still remember how the hammer would hit her thumb instead of the nail and she would scream in pain. How Tavor would laugh about it good naturedly but would always check if she was alright. She might've hit her thumb on purpose a couple of times to hear his brilliant laugh resonate through the lonely woods when things were difficult. She couldn't stop the tears that slipped from her grasp as the memories rose from her head one after another. It was their paradise, where they could rest and be at ease. She never thought it would be where Tavor would rest for eternity, not so soon. Suddenly, she felt a tap on her shoulder and turned around. The cat eye fellow who she still did not know the name of, handed her a shovel. She thanked him softly, wondering for a second if he even heard her so much her voice sounded like the rustle of leaves in an autumn evening. She neither questioned the origin of the shovel, for he didn't have one before. Feeling the cool metal in her hands broke her out of nostalgia's grip and she brought down the shovel angrily. Over and over she hit the ground with the shovel and tossed the dirt on the side. Over and over again she heard Tavor's laugh echo in her mind. Over and over again she remembered every time Tavor slept in her arms, muttering childlike things in his sleep. Over and over again until she realized a hole to big for Tavor's small body had appeared before her. She took hold of her brothers cold body and laid him in the earth. All she said was , ``I'm sorry.`` because she knew if she said more she would break down, and the lump in her throat would overtake her. What other thing can she say besides that? She had failed him, it was as if it had been her who had killed him with her own two hands. Sensing many pair of eyes on her she once again began to put back the dirt. It covered her brothers body slowly and she envied him. He looked at peace, a small playful smile kissing his lips it made her want to scoop him up and crush him in her arms. To ruffle his face and smell his familiar odour, fresh grass and daisy soap. But no, he was gone. She had decided to take a nap in the treehouse and they slept and cuddled with each other. However, even though things were going on perfectly, there was no one to keep look out in case someone snuck up on them. They had had a long day of escaping and hunting that they simply collapsed the second they got back. And then, Anessa awoke, Tavor was gone and there was a letter telling her that the villagers had Tavor, and that if she wants him back she has to go to the village. Naturally, she ran to the village at full speed and was surprised for all her old friends and neighbors were heavily armed. Then. . . then. She could no longer keep going on this course of thought. She finished up and stepped back while feeling hollow. Things were too much, she knew, and she finally decided to simply let go and slip into refuge like sleep. She closed her eyes and let the tears fall, promising herself that this would be the last time she ever showed weakness, the last time someone she loved would get hurt. This was the last time.

Magnus, who was watching the scene before him intently, caught Anessa while she fell. The tears she was previously holding back fell silently and freely on her face while she once again lost consciousness. She is strong, he thought. How could such things happen? With the girl still in his arms he turned around soundlessly and began creating the portal to go home.

``How much do you think she knows?``

``Not much considering she didn't realize I used magic.``

Anessa slowly opened her eyes after having been awaken by the voices. She was in an infirmary, or something that resembled a lot like one anyway. The sunlight that came in through the windows reflected the white wall that surrounded her. The bed she lay upon was soft and comfortable and she just couldn't tear herself from it. But she knew she must. The picture of Tavor forever dead in her arms kept haunting her thoughts. It was stamped on the back of her eyelids, a lesson to never forget that she is weak. Anessa, still thinking of the voices she heard coming from outside, got up and went towards the door. She hated the feeling of being stuck in a room alone, surrounded by four white walls, imprisoned by her own thoughts. Before she opened the door she looked down at herself and saw that someone must've changed her clothes. For instead of wearing her ripped jeans and bloody t-shirt, she found herself wearing a nice sweatshirt and comfortable sweatpants. An unpleasant feeling dawned on her at that thought, that someone touched her without her knowing it. That she was at the mercy of a complete stranger and she didn't even have the opportunity to defend herself. But she also realized that all her wounds were attended to and she knew that she was in good hands but should still have her guard up. She was tricked so many times in the past she could never completely trust someone, except for Tavor. Anessa remembered how she was once heavily wounded, after having been stabbed from behind, and Tavor was sleeping in her arms. Her bleeding was getting worst and worst and she still had nowhere to stay and rest. Then some villager had welcomed her and healed her and even had let her stay a couple of days. Tavor had grown extremely attached to her and Anessa had completely let her guard down. But one day Tavor was playing outside in her garden and Anessa was hit by a fever. She was weak and couldn't get out of bed. The lady whom she was staying with told her to go to the washroom and wait for her so she could give her medicine. Anessa had no reason to not follow what the villager had asked of her. So, when she entered and found the bathtub filled with steaming hot water, it did not raise her suspicions. Minutes later she still hadn't heard anyone come in yet. She was growing more and more tired and she didn't hear when the villager snuck up behind her. The next thing she knew her head was underwater and she was struggling weakly against the strong arms holding her down. Anessa, feeling her lungs be submerged, had luckily found a hard metal hair brush next to her hand and grabbed it. She brought it down harshly on the woman behind her and Anessa fell to the ground, coughing out the water and she after having tasted it she knew that the water was not normal water, but holy water. After she had recuperated, she dashed down to the garden and went to find Tavor. He was there playing alone with the ball he was given and he was so surprised to see her wet and breathing heavily when she should have been lying in bed. She had grabbed him, ignoring his endless questions, and found a shelter in the woods. To this day, she still didn't know what hurt more, the stab she received before she met the lady or the betrayal the woman had shown her. She never honestly answered Tavor's innocent questions about what had happened to the woman, she always had some excuse. A child so young should not know that people are able to be so cruel. She would take all his pain she thought to herself that day. She would never let him suffer the way she did everyday because he had chosen to come with her. When one night he had stumbled on Mother cutting her wrists opened he knew it was not right and he accompanied her to her quest for freedom, despite her protests. She snapped out of her thoughts when she heard again an unintelligible mumbling. Her thoughts were easily drowned out by her curiosity. She walked barefoot towards the door and slowly opened it. Before her she found an empty hallway illuminated by little stones like things on the wall. Without knowing where to go, she randomly turned left and starting walking. Anessa, having absolutely no sense of direction, took time to stumble upon a door. On the other side she could hear angry yells being answered by a calm woman's voice.

``Tessa, I'm alright. I get it! He's dead, I don't need you guys making sure I'm alright all the damn time!`` Said a strange masculine voice.

``Kit, we wouldn't if you didn't always try to get yourself killed!`` The woman, probably Tessa, tried to reason with the boy.

``WHATEVER!`` He screamed angrily and Anessa internally panicked. Silently bickering with herself if she should run away or knock politely, the door flew open with a bang. The light coming from the room illuminated the dark hallway and gave an angelic light to the boy that came out of the room. He had dirty blond and bright blue eyes. A highly defined jaw with high cheekbones and Anessa knew he would have a beautiful smile if he tried. She obviously could see that he was the type of guy who had girls wrapped around his finger, that he could have whatever he wanted with a simple flip of his hair. The boy, having noticed Anessa's presence, looked her up and down and she flushed dark red at being inspected so closely. She had always hate attention, for she always thought of herself as anything but beautiful. Tavor had always had the good looks in the family, with his carefree smile and his puppy eyes. Though the boy had not noticed her flushed features thanks to the dark hallway. He had a slow wicked smile creeping on his face and Anessa could simply smell trouble.

``You must be warlock girl, I suppose.`` The boy said in a bitter tone.`` I don't see what the fuss is about, you look like any mundie to me -Ah!`` He faked horror. ``Wait! I see, it's those eyes, isn't it? That's what must've gotten your brother killed,huh? They're much brighter than Magnus's.``

Anessa tensed as she was once again picturing Tavor lifelessly being thrown on the ground. Tavor, his beautiful brown hair flowing in the wind and his sparkling green eyes always making her feel as if everything were truly alright and that her suffering was far away. After the cruel mention of her late brother, Anessa saw everything in red. Before she realized what she was doing, she heard a faraway crack and her hand was stinging. There was a flashing red imprint on the side of the boys face and his beautiful face was twisted in a look of pain and surprise. A part of herself whispered to her that she had slapped him and that she should apologise but she still was feeling bloodthirsty. The man that stood in front of her was rubbing his cheek ruefully and was giving her a respectful smirk.

``Well-`` The boy was stopped mid-phrase by a feminine looking shadow.

``Kit, what are you doing? What is going on?`` A teenager around Anessa's age followed him out the door. She had beautiful chocolate hair and stormy gray eyes but there was a look of wiseness that made Anessa debate her true age.

``Nothing much, just Miss Lion Eyes over here welcomed me with a nice slap on the face.`` announced the boy - Kit - happily.

``I suppose you have a warmer welcome to give me? I have been here talking to you for less than a minute and you act as is you know me.`` Anessa knew she was rambling, but she couldn't help the anger that was bubbling inside her. ``As if you can define me because of my eyes!`` She was still seeing red. This was not the first time encounters went like this and her mood was less tolerant than usual. She closed her eyes and saw that Tavor was waving at her, telling her to stay calm the way he would when she was on the edge of anger, when her self control was escaping from her reach. How dare he talk of Tavor, she fumed. Before she could attack him once more she left, not caring where she was going. She just wanted to make sure that no one saw the tears stinging her eyes, her lion eyes. Kit, regretting the hurt he had caused the girl, turned towards Tessa who was staring him down with cloudy eyes.

``Go ahead, Tessa, scold me. Go on.`` He taunted her in a provoking tone. He wanted to be hated, he simply wanted to be left alone. To not feel the pain of losing someone after the high of being with his loved ones.

``It does not mean you hurt others that we will ignore you pain, Christopher.`` He flinched at the use of his full name. `` Your grief is new and raw, and so is hers. You both have something in common, you try to be strong and hide your pain yet that will do you no good.`` With that Tessa left him speechless because instead of being yelled at or cursed at, he was reassured and read, as if he were an open book.

Anessa, after many twists and turns, finally found another room in which the door was wide open, almost inviting her in. It was a large white room decorated with a variety of weapons and training devices. Bows, knives, swords, whips, sabres were hanging endlessly side by side on the wall. Combat gear and punching dummies stood everywhere, beckoning the young girl to try them out. Anessa, still tasting anger and regret, grabbed a long sword from the wall and starting to climb a ladder that was hooked on the training wall. With her grip on the weapon and the higher ground, she felt invincible. When she arrived at the top she was about seven meters off the ground. To practice freefalling with a weapon, she thought bitterly. What's up with these people? Are they training an army of warriors? If so, should I be reassured or freaked out? She kept climbing higher until she was at the highest level which was 13 meters from the ground and she breathed in. She knew if she she jumped from this height without the proper training she would get hurt. But that was what she wanted. She wanted her emotional pain to somewhat feel real, that she could see the mark that was left from it, matching the one on her soul. Nearing the ledge, she simply stepped off into the training ground. She had planned to fall and just land on the mat below her but instinct took over her. She found herself remembering all the times she jumped in to help Tavor from the highest building, the tallest tree and the steepest mountains. She spun over and over again, sword still in hand swaying around her wildly, as if it were an extension of her arm. Approaching the ground she huddled herself in her arms and rolled when she got on the ground and gracefully got on one knee. Anessa,then, got up and made her way towards a dummy. She positioned herself, her knees slightly flexed and her feet far apart, like she had seen the guards of the village do so many times, and lunged forward. She kept swinging the sword at the metal training dummy, her eyes closed, as if it were a long forgotten choreography. It felt right. The sweat dripping off her back, the feel of the sword in her palm and the sound from the encounter of sword on dummy felt, oh so satisfying. She no longer felt weak but as if the world were at her mercy and she could do whatever she wishes. She was no monster, no little girl, she was simply Anessa. It was her and the sword, no one to attempt defying her because the sword is her and she is the sword. She is as free as the wind and she will not let go of this ecstasy.

``Feels nice, huh?``

Anessa, finally having landed on planet earth, dropped her sword and turned towards the voice. She had a guilty look on her face, like a child being caught from stealing from the cookie jar. As if she should not feel true joy, or at least personal safety. But when she saw who it was, the look left her face. It was the cat eyed man from the forest.

``It feels amazing.`` She responded honestly, not seeing why she should hide her short lived happiness when it was clearly written all over face.

``That's good. I'm Magnus, by the way. Sorry to interrupt you but I want to introduce you to everyone if that's alright with you. What was your name?``

``Anessa Sindile, call me Anessa. I'll come with you but could you explain to me what's going on? When we were in the forest, I remember you said something about magic.``

``Well, if you came with me all of that will be explained. Come on now.``

Wissame put the sword back on the wall and quickly followed the man who held all the answers.