While I still have muse left in my non-functioning brain, I shall continue this story.

Just so's you know, this will be set ten years in the future. And guess what the title for this chapter is called.

Ten Years Later.

DUN! DUN! DUNNNNNNNN!

Cassandra Clare owns all

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Chapter I: Ten Years Later

Jace Herondale gazed down at Delilah from atop one of the towers of Morganstern Castle. He ran on them, the wind going through his golden hair. He reached the edge, ran along towards the battlements, find the hardest jump possible. He needed to get home before some guards caught him goofing around the castle. He couldn't help it though. Jace loved the view, gazing at the sun as it set, the shadows the tall towers cast, the people who then looked so small when he was up so high, and the smell of the bakeries as they baked fresh goods.

He wished he could have this view all days of his life, but there was no princess to fall to his knees and fall in love with his scarred looks. No person that could give him this. He shrugged and slid down the tower and landed on the battlements. He then jumped off the wall and ran through the streets, past the bakery, from which he stole from often.

They were used to it, never called the guards on him. They knew who he was.

Jace, his adopted brother Alec Lightwood, and Alec's father Robert had to steal in the night, mostly from Morganstern Castle. Jace usually was the one who got caught. One time, it was Alec who got caught, but Jace freed him and took the punishment himself. Thus, he had scars all over his chest and face from the tortures and "lessons" that Valentine and Jonathan had to "teach" him. And every time he was caught he always heard them saying something along the lines of:

"Clary would have liked him, I think. He's a free spirit, like herself."

"But Clarissa is not here, and he is a troublesome, delinquent child, Jonathan. Now, Thelonius, bring me my scourge."

It made Jace wonder, if that Clary person had been there, would they have just let him go with the goods? Or would the punishment have been even worse?

Just because he was Jace, he was curious to find out. What was so important about this Clary or Clarissa that the royal family might turn a blind eye to a thief like him if this person was around? Was she like a princess that was supposed to marry Jonathan? Jace doubted it.

He ducked into the blacksmith's shop and went through the back door that led into a bright, green backyard. In the center of the yard, though, was a wooden door that led to where Alec and his family and Jace were living. He now opened this door and went down the stairs. It had originally been a store house, but the blacksmith allowed them to stay because he wanted Valentine's rule to be over as well. He gave them shelter, food, water, and clothes, all that they needed to get by.

Jace pulled the witchlight out of his pocket and let it light his way like a lantern as he descended the steps. He was careful, like a cat choosing which brick wall to walk on. When he reached the bottom of the stairs he found the familiar messy, inky black hair and dark, cerulean eyes that belonged to Alec Lightwood. The two boys smiled at one another before walking deeper into their "house."

"So, where were you, Jace?" Alec asked, tugging his white shirt's sleeves down a bit. "Father was looking everywhere, he's back, though."

"I was at our old friend Valentine's castle," Jace replied proudly.

"Get anything good?"

"Alec, have patience we're all going out tonight to get what we need. I'm going back to the castle to steal from the crowned prince. I should get something valuable then, shouldn't I?"

"Why you?" Alec grumbled. "Why can't I go and you stay with my father?"

"Because you're clumsy, Alec. The guards come after you and you won't stand a chance against them. Remember when they caught you?"

He hung his head. "Yes, I remember, Jace."

"Then let me do my job."

"But I'm older!" Alec objected, stamping his foot.

Jace chuckled. "Whatever helps you sleep at night, Alec."

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Jonathan was tempted to sneak out and visit his little sister. This thought crossed his brain as he looked through huge, wide, glass window in his room, as he stared at the kingdom below. His mind thought about how much she might have changed over the years. Since the last time he tried to escape and go see her, Valentine had posted guards at his door and escorted him wherever he went. The only freedom he had was when he was alone in his room, and even then he was in danger. His own mind battled like a great army him for dominance.

He collapsed onto his bed and felt familiar excruciating pain going through his head. The demon was trying to win him over again. Forget what your father says! Go find your precious little Clary! Just accept what you are and you'll be able to find her in no time!

He closed his eyes, screamed, fisted his fingers in his hair. "NO! GET OUT! GET OUT! GET OUT OF MY HEAD!"

I can't and you know why. I am you, and you are me! You can't help who you've fallen in love with! So what if it's your dear, little sister? Just accept that I can help you!

"YOU CAN'T HELP ME!" Jonathan felt his fingers dig into scalp. He shook his head and was tossing and turning on his bed, as if he was having a nightmare. "MOTHER! FATHER! HELP ME! FATHER, WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME?!"

The door to his room flew open and Valentine was immediately at his side. He grabbed his son by the shoulders and forced him to look at him. Valentine's onyx eyes stared him his son's identical eyes. "Think of Clarissa, Jonathan."

"That makes it worse!" Jonathan sobbed. "Why did you do this to me?"

"So you could control the demons of this world, and it was a mistake. The demon was too strong for you too handle."

"You're damn right it was a mistake! Take the blood out, Father! Please!"

"Jonathan?!" Jocelyn ran inside his room as, her ruby-colored hair flying behind her and her green dress flowed as she ran. He held him in a long embrace, slightly rocking him as Valentine held his stone cold hands.

"We should call Magnus, maybe he could help keep the demon contained," Jocelyn suggested. "Maybe he perform some tricks in the court later as well. We know you looked up to him as a child." She brushed her son's snow white hair out of his gorgeous, black eyes. (Okay. So, maybe I have a small crush on Jonathan . . . maybe not a small crush. I did say gorgeous, after all.)

Valentine nodded solemnly. "An excellent idea, Jocelyn. What do you think, Jonathan?"

"Anything to keep the demon at bay, even if only for a few days," his son replied shakily. "It's getting stronger. It's terrifying, Father. He says he wants to do things to Clary. He makes me watch the images in my head. They're horrific."

"Guards!" Valentine roared, almost like an angry lion. "Call Bane! His presence is requested immediately!"

"Yessir!"

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Shorter than the prologue . . . good job, WalkingByMyself.

You know what, because this was so short, I will upload two chapters today if possible, maybe tomorrow. If anyone continues reading this, then, YAY!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, there are plenty more to come in the future.

Now, I go . . . BACK TO THE FUTURE!

*Comes back real quick* (If you're possibly interested in my other Clace fanfictions, I recommend Little Ghost. That story is actually one of my well-written stories. It may be a bit sad, but I think it's one of my best.)

NOOOOOOOOOOOW I GO BACK TO THE FUTURE TO WATCH FROZEN!