So, this story has been getting a lot of reviews, and trust me, that is surprising. So, thank you, because I frankly can't fathom how you like it. But you do, so I'm still going to write it.

Cassandra Clare owns all the characters, except my OC.

Tessa POV

He took a step near me, reaching out his arms. I ran from the library, and down the corridor to Charlotte.

I couldn't believe what I just done. Yelled at Will? I admit that I would never take it back if I could, but it showed me just what was going on. It showed me that I was crazy, and if I wasn't out of the Institute soon, the people around me would be effected as well.

I wouldn't do that to them, just the thought sickens me.

Before I knew it, I was at the door to the drawing room, with still another thirty minutes until I could convince Charlotte to let me leave. It probably wouldn't be that hard, after all I was only bringing danger here with my mere presence.

I heard a female voice from inside, but I couldn't tell who it was. "Lottie, I do believe that you'll win the Council tomorrow, you just have to believe it yourself." Ah, so it wasn't Charlotte, but whoever she was meeting with.

"I know, Ms. Bane. It's just hard to believe that after all that's happened. And you yourself know that even if I do win tomorrow, after the meeting, I will still have many people who think I should be expelled form the post as Leader of the Institute."

"Oh, come now Charlotte, you may have people who still hate you, but that doesn't mean you won't ave twice as many who love you." I could practically hear the smile in her voice. But the Mrs. Bane? Was she Magnus' wife? I had never see him wearing a wedding ring, or speak of a wife.

I leaned forwards, and a floor board creaked. I hoped they thought it was just Sophie, or another member of the Institute passing by, not me eavesdropping. After all, what would Aunt Harriet think of that!

Mrs. Bane spoke again. "Lottie, I do believe that we're being listened to. Should we see who it is?" Oh no.

"I already know who it is, but Tessa won't be in trouble for her own inquisitive mind." And with that, she opened the door, and I nearly fell over. "Hello Tessa dear. Don't worry about getting reprimanded, I actually have someone for you to meet."

She led me inside, and I found a very pretty woman in a lavender dress, gloves, and hat, standing next to the coffee table. She had Asian features, with almond shaped black eyes, an small nose, and long black hair, which fell across her shoulders in small waves. She looked a lot like Magnus to be exact.

She greeted me with a warm smile, saying "Good evening Theresa. I presume that you had something to discuss with Charlotte?"

"Umm, yes, but it can wait 'til you two are finished. I swear."

"Oh, Tessa." Charlotte closed the door, probably to keep away other listeners. "There's no need for Ms Bane to leave, I'm sure whatever you have to say is perfectly fine with her here."

"I guess." By the Angel, I'll never get over Shadowhunter's familiarity.

"Good, why don't you sit, and I'll properly introduce you two." She gestured me to a chair facing Mrs. Bane.

"Hello, my name is Elizabeth, Elizabeth Bane." She held out her hand, which I took.

Then my question got the better of me. "Are you Magnus Bane's wife?"

Silence.

"Oh good heavens no!" Elizabeth laughed. "Oh, I'm not his wife, my mother help me if I am. No, my delusional warlock, I'm his sister."

Wow.

"Wait, how can Magnus have a sister?"

"Well, half sister. We had the same father, and our mothers were just a few miles and centuries apart. So yes, he has a sister."

"Oh, well then would you be willing to help me?"

"It depends, with what?"

"Yes Tessa, please tell us. What is going on?"

This was the hard part, but hopefully, it would get me where I need to go.
"Well," I squirmed. "It's hard to say this, but. . . .I need to leave the Institute."

Elizabeth looked confused, as if she didn't know why she was there. Charlotte just looked sad, but not as shocked as I expected. Did she not care for me?

"Oh, Tessa." She was close to tears, I knew from the way she focused on her tea cup. "I knew it would come to this. I don't know why, but something has taken your spirit, and with it, your heart. Dear, I care for you as if you were one of my own children, and so I wish for you to stay here, where it's safe. But I can also see that staying here will result in only pain for you."

I had no words. How was I to say that she had just expressed pain so great, that it made me want to stay all that much more?
I couldn't.

"I see why you need me." Elizabeth broke my reverie. "I can get you out of London without anyone noticing."

The both of us nodded.

"But the question still stands, when?"

. . .

"Hmm. . .I have it." Charlotte said. "Tessa, why don't you pack tonight then. . .you can leave tomorrow." Her sad expression betrayed the lighter tone in her voice.

"But Charlotte! I don't want to miss the Institute's victory!" I really didn't, and she probably didn't want me too either.

"I know dear, but we don't have many other options."

"Have you forgotten I'm here?" Elizabeth twirled a lock of dark hair. "I have another option."

"Which is?" I asked.

"I come and get you, after the Council meeting. It might look slightly suspicious, but Charlotte can say that Magnus wanted to see you urgently. Then, I take you to the ship yard, and we go from there." She smiled like she had solved all the problems in the world, wide with straight white teeth. Well, most were straight, except for her two incisors, which were long and pointed.

I pointed them out, saying. "Are those your warlock mark?"

"Oh, these?" Elizabeth rubbed one with a purple finger tip. "No, these are my warlock's mark." And with that, she pulled off her hat, revealing a pair of fluffy, striped cat ears. She wrinkled her nose, and they twitched, then started swerving in all directions.

I gasped, did this mean that she didn't have real, human ears?

"No, actually, I don't. And trust me, my ears are hard to glamour. Very hard."

"Oh."

"Yep."

Silence again, until Charlotte jumped up. "Oh no! Tessa, we've got to pack your things! Do you want me to call Sophie?"

"I'd rather you didn't. It's going to be hard enough for her as it is, I don't want to add any extra burdens on her. I can do it." For once in a long time, I was speaking pure truth. I really didn't want to cause poor Sophie any more pain then I was going to, which was already too much. "Yea, I can do it, and my things will be ready by tomorrow."

"Okaaayyy. . . if that's the way you want to do it." Charlotte's air was one of regret. And deep, deep. . . sadness.

"It is."

"Then why don't you and Elizabeth go along. I have some paper work I need to do."

"Of course Lottie." The Asian girl led me out of the drawing room, and down the hall. "Tessa, even if it doesn't mean much, I'm sorry you had to go through this. I really am."

"Oh, it's okay. I'm actually glad of it, a bit."

"Why?"

"Because, I'm not a Shadowhunter. Before I was dragged into this mess, I was just an ordinary mundane, and I'm more suited to that role than the one of a warlock girl with strange powers."

"I can see what you mean. Now, is this your room?"

I looked at the surrounding tapestries, and saw the familiar tear. "Yes, it is."

She proceeded inside, but I stayed back, thinking on something I had seen as we were leaving the drawing room.

There had been something in the shadows, a shape that I had noticed for a second, as it crept away.

Okay, here's the list of what this chapter had/was:

Filler (she's leaving the Institute next chapter)

Cliffhanger (my favorite ending)

New Character (don't know if she's evil or not)

YAY! 14 reviews so far, and I can't believe it!

Okay, first chapter was supposed to be edited by now, and so it's what's going to be updated on Saturday. I SWEAR ON THE ANGEL!

Seriously.

Okay, first week of school is next week, and so I won't be updating as frequently. But it will be updated every month.