I'm sorry it's been so long. It's been a long and stressful few months but the third chapter is finally here. Pleeeeeeeease forgive me! But I hope you like it, please tell me what you think!

Chapter Three

The pounding of the hooves on Balios got slower and slower as Will approached the village outside London. It was bustling with life for an early afternoon and hardly anyone paid attention to a lone Shadowhunter on a horse, trotting through the streets. Half of them were walking in front of the horse, not even acknowledging Will's existence; mainly because he was wearing a long brown coat over his gear and the runes on his neck were covered by a scarf. He wanted to be subtle, he wanted this to be an easy hunt for the Warlock girl.

Will looked around at the different houses and plots of land around him. To his right, as you came into the village there was the farmers market, and Will could hear the farmer showing off all kinds of vegetables to the crowd surrounding him. To his left he found the tavern, or pub if you prefer to call it. Will figured it might be a nice idea to head there after his hunt was dealt with. Further along the road there was the village Church that Brother Micah resided in. There were people visiting graves and a funeral was happening as well. Clearly the mundanes of this village didn't care that a Silent Brother was living in the Church. Normally mundanes would steer clear of them. Far down the road, along a cobbled pathway there was the Inn.

The Inn was a tall building with at least three floors but Will assumed that there would probably be a basement. The village looked old and buildings like these normally have basements; pay for more space, but don't have to pay for windows. The Inn looked eerie, as if it didn't belong in the town. Everything else was nice and vibrant yet this place looked dull but interesting, as if it held lots of secrets inside. Will couldn't imagine anyone wanting to stay in a place like this. He didn't want to stay in a place like this. But then again, to the Warlock girl, it must feel like home to her.

Will hitched Balios up to the fence alongside a bench so he could examine his casefile one last time. There wasn't much to go on this Warlock, not even a portrait of her. Only that she was around 16 or 17, Will's age, and that she has long brown hair. She appeared taller than the average girl, but not considerably and that she is the only one the Silent Brother has seen in or out of the Inn.

Suddenly, Will felt a headache coming on. No, it wasn't a headache. It was like something was inside his mind. He was familiar with this feeling. It was when a Silent Brother was trying to speak with them. Will slammed his case file shut and unhitched Balios. He didn't ride him. Will felt the loyal horse needed a break, so he guided him towards the Church where he hitched him up to the tree just outside the cobble stoned wall. Within the graves, the funeral Will had saw earlier was still happening.

"And though young Peter found himself in the hands of the Lord, we will never forget the way he smiled and made us laugh. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, and this case, it was young Peter. May he be laid to rest in the hands of God. Let us pray."

Will tried his best not to disturb or cause disrespect as he reached the door of the church. It was quiet inside and dark except for the light coming from a room just to the right of the alter. Silent Brothers don't show their faces often, because of the way they look. They never spooked Will, but get on the wrong side of one and you're in for a world of hell.

As Will approached the door he could see the figure of Brother Micah standing at his desk with at least a dozen candles surrounding him. There were lots of papers around him and in his hand he held a piece of parchment similar to the one Will had in his file. It seemed the Silent Brother was doing a little investigation of his own.

"Brother Micah," said Will, greeting the ancient Silent Brother. He didn't know exactly how old Brother Micah was, but judging by his voice, that Will so solemnly heard in his head, he carried such wisdom only a man who had lived a hundred lifetimes could know.

The Silent Brother turned to see the Shadowhunter leaning against the door way. William Herondale. I see Mrs. Branwell got my letter of request. I take it you're here about the Warlock girl.

Will nodded, moving towards Brother Micah and looking down at the papers on his desk. "Has anything new happened since you sent the letter? Any new information?"

Yes. Brother Micah handed Will some pieces of paper. These are several missing persons logged from within the town. They have been happening more frequently lately which is why I've called upon your services.

Will looked over the papers thoroughly. There was nothing special about the missing people; the age ranged from as young as 12 to as old as 48, men and women. "Are these victims picked at random, do you think?" he asked.

The Silent Brother circled his desk and sat in his chair, Yes, he began, apart from the fact they have been seen entering the Inn for any reason and haven't been seen since.

"So you think it's the Warlock girl taking them, but for what?" he asked.

Brother Micah shook his head, For reasons I do not know.

Will handed the missing persons back to Brother Micah, "I shall investigate the Inn, see if I can dispose of this Warlock once and for all."

He turned to leave, but was stopped by Brother Micah, Be careful, William. This place you're going to…I don't like it. Something dark is happening there.

Finding a spot just away from Village Inn, Will settled up against a tree, Balios securely tied to one of the branches. Will promised that he will come back once he has done his job. Will hung his coat up on top of Balios and took out his case file. There was no level for this girl, so Will didn't know how to assess the darkness Brother Micah was going on about. Considering she was around the same age as him, how dangerous could she be?

He packed his case file back into his bag, leaving Balios tied to the tree along with his coat and belongings, and headed towards the Inn. The only items he was carrying were two seraph blaces, his stele and his witchlight, all hidden away inside his belt and trouser pocket.

As Will approached the Inn, he noticed something strange about the property. It was eerily quiet and he didn't like that. It sent a chill up his body.

A chill? That wasn't a chill. A rush of energy went through Will's body and there was a change in the atmosphere. Will stumbled slightly and gathered his bearings as he looked around. What in the Angel? he thought. Will shook his head, wondering if it was the demon energy that caused the change, considering her was getting closer to the Inn.

He turned back and he could see it. It was a very large Inn, with a moderately sized stables around to the side. There were no lights on in the Inn...it looked rather dark and gloomy. Will wondered who would want to stay here. Suddenly, Will saw movement towards the stable. Very quickly, he drew out his steel and revealed his arm, sketching a quick vision rune to enhance his sight. When the rune kicked in, he could see it was a young girl tending to the horses. She had long brown hair tumbling in waves down her back. She was wearing a grey dress with a black pinafore. She looked ordinary and she fit the description. Will moved quickly, swiftly dodging anything that would make a sound.

Will got closer and he could hear the young girl speaking to the horses.

"What?" she asked them. Will realised the horses didn't like his presence. They could sense his Nephilim blood and they were scared. They were normal horses and they were nothing like the ones permitted to the Shadowhunters. "What's the matter with you all?" she asked, as Will took out his seraph blade and moved against the crunchy straw.

The young girl turned around, catching Will's eyes as he pushed her against the stable walls and placed his cold seraph blade on the girls pale neck.

"Don't move, and I'll make it quick."

Tessa stood, wide eyed. She did not move; she did not cry. She felt slightly hopeful, that this man, this Angel in front of her, could end it all; the suffering, the torture, the mistreatment and injustice. Tessa's eyes started to water. She thought of her Aunt, wanting to see her one last time. She steadied her breathing and in that moment, shut her eyes.

"Get it over with," she said, and Tessa heard the young assassin gasp ever so slightly. Then she opened her eyes. His expression changed. He was curious about something. Maybe he wasn't expecting that kind of response. "You said you'd make it quick? Please, I can't take this anymore. If you're going to kill me, then get it over with."

The man was taken aback, and his grip on his blade softened as he studied Tessa. She felt impatient. "You are here to kill me, aren't you?" she asked.

The man lowed his blade, "What are you so afraid about?"

Tessa swallowed the lump in her throat, "You're not going to kill me?" she asked, furrowing her brows.

The man grew more agitated, "Give me an answer!"

Suddenly, Tessa heard a banging from the Inn and the door flying wide open. Her heart sunk as she heard the screeching voice of the Dark Sisters, "Tessa! Where are you?"

Tessa gasped, her heart quickening. She turned to the boy, "There's your answer!" she cried, "Now if you're not here to kill me, then get me out of here."

It took Will a moment to consider his options. Should he take the girl to safety or kill her where she stood? It was his duty and his mandate to eliminate Downworlders who were a threat to mundane society. But was she a threat? She was scared of something…and judging by that voice he heard coming from the Inn, she was scared of someone.

The girl turned to Will and said, "Please! She's coming, please take me away from here!"

Will was frazzled but in that moment he looked at the girl; truly looked at her. Her grey eyes were strikingly frantic, holding weeks of torture and tears. She wore a necklace around her neck that resembled a golden Angel. She was shaking the girl, out of fear for her life. Will took a second and decided she was actually quite beautiful.

"Helping you was never my intention," he began, taking her arm and leading her away from the Inn heading towards the back streets of the village. "But if you need safety from a threat even bigger than yourself, then I can take you away from the village and into the City. From there you must go into hiding, because if a Shadow-"

He stopped. Something stopped him. Will and the girl were out in the open and yet they couldn't go any further.

"What is this?" he asked, to no one in particular. Will stretched his hand out and felt the presence of a shield, normally designed to protect something but in this case, it was to keep something in. He turned to the girl next to him, "How long has this been here?" he asked, gesturing to the shield.

The girl shook her head, franticly, "I don't know, ever since I got here. It goes all the way around from what I know. What is it?"

Will looked around the property of the Inn. Just beyond the trees he could see the Inn. And someone was moving around the outside. "It's a barrier," he replied, keeping his eyes on the Inn. "At least now we know why the missing people haven't been seen. They can't leave."

"Missing people?" asked the girl.

Will looked at her with his eyebrows raised, "Like you didn't know?" he said, with more disgust than he intended, "They've been coming here and never been seen again. Men, women and children all because of you."

"Me!?" the girl cried, earning herself a 'SHHH!' from Will. She lowered her voice. "I know of a few travellers who have come to the Inn for a place to stay but it's not me who's harming them."

Will scoffed, "If it's not you," he replied, "then who is it?"

"Tessa! Where have you run off to?" cried a voice, different from the first one. There were two of them. "You know you can't run, dear!"

Will cursed under his breath. When he stretched his hand out towards the barrier he felt the shock running through his fingers. Next, he pulled out his stele from his belt, the basic tool for any Shadowhunter, and drew a simple open rune, at least giving it a go.

When he drew the rune against the barrier, it wavered slightly until there was a moment it looked at is if was going to disappear, but Will underestimated the strength of the barrier. It made him wonder who put it there. Definitely Warlocks, he thought. Maybe it was this young girl.

"Is there another way out? We can't seem to go through so maybe we can go underneath this?" Will asked the girl.

She seemed to think for a moment, then she tensed up slightly. "All I know is there's a basement under the Inn. There are tunnels leading all over the village, but I haven't been down them. I never dared."

Will furrowed his eyebrows, but shook it off. "It's our best shot."

Tessa guided the young man to the far side of the house, around the back. She had to be cautious of the windows and anyone in sight, in case the Dark Sisters ever saw her. Behind the house there was a small hatch leading down into the basement. It was an easier way of getting in without having to go through the house. Tessa began to pull on the handle but found that it was chained shut.

"It's locked," she said, turning to the man, "I don't know where to go next."

The man moved her out of the way and told her to keep watch. Next think Tessa heard was the lock breaking and the chain falling to the floor. When she saw what he had done, the hatch was already open and the chain was undone.

"How did you do that?" she asked, but gasped when the young man took her hand and pulled her closer to him.

He was right in her face, glaring into her big grey eyes. His were a deep set of blue, like pools of the deep ocean. Tessa could get lost in eyes like his.

"If this is a trap," he growled, "I'll kill you." And proceeded down the steps into the basement, shutting the hatch behind them.

Will held the girl tightly by the arm, his witchlight in the other, guiding him through the winding pathways of the basement. They never spoke a word of conversation. The girl in his arm daren't provoke him as he threatened her, and Will could feel the tension between them. They had been walking for ages, is there a way out?

Just before Will was about to give up hope, he and the girl turned a corner and right in front of them were a set of double doors. A symbol was etched on the both doors. The symbol was of two snakes, connected by mouth and tail, forming a circle, and Will knew exactly what that symbol mean.

"Ouroboros."

The girl frowned, "What did you say?" she asked.

Will stayed silent for a moment. What was that symbol doing there? It only meant one thing…trouble. Gingerly, Will pushed the double doors open and, using his witchlight, illuminated the room with a white glow.

Next to him, the girl nearly shrieked with horror if it hadn't been for Will putting his hands over her mouth. Will had seen plenty of crap in his lifetime as a Shadowhunter, but never had he seen something so grotesque. The smell was almost unbearable.

Human bodies were laid out on long wooden tables, rows of them to be precise. There must have been over a dozen. Innocent people that were slaughtered, blood oozed and stained the tables and along the many, sharp metal objects around the room. A white sheet covered the bodies all the way up to their necks, but it didn't help to cover the damage already done.

"By the Angel," Will gasped, as the girl tried to supress any cries. Will recognised the faces. These are all the missing people reported. He remembered them from the case file Brother Micah gave to him.

Suddenly there was a thunderous shriek that nearly shook the inn around them. It sounded almost like a cackle and they were calling someone's name.

"TESSAAAA!"

Tessa? Oh yes, it was the name of the girl Will was accompanied by. She's a warlock, Will thought. Be sure to remember that. But who was screaming?

"It's them!" cried Tessa. "We need to find a way out of here."

Searching around the room, using the witchlight as their one source of light. There was one door that appeared to be locked, and no amount of runes could open it. Frustration crossed Will's face. They were running out of time. Will found another door to the other side of the room, but as he was about to put his hands on the handle, there was a bang on the other side of the double doors. And another. Bang. Bang.

"Tessa!" shrieked the voice from before.

Will found Tessa stepping backwards, with her hands over her mouth, trying not to scream. They were after her. What do they want with her?

"Tessa!"

Bang.

Will tried the door in front of him, but cursed when he found it locked. Before he could say anything, the double doors bust open, almost coming off of its hinges. Before them stood two white haired, scrawny faced women in full length black gowns. They looked similar. Any relation.

"Tessa, dear," said the one on the left, with a sinister grin, "Did you really think you could run down here and find a way to escape?"

The other one next to her said nothing. She wasn't glaring at Tessa, she was glaring at Will. Her eyes cold, almost like steel.

"Shadowhunter!" she spat, disgust dripping from her words.

Will stepped forward and retrieved his seraph blade from his side, unleashing it's bright blade. "So this is your doing," he said, gesturing to the people around him on tables. "What is this?" he asked, "Some kind of experiment."

The two women grinned widely, "Let's just call it that."

"They're monsters!" Tessa cried, tears streaming down her face.

Her outburst only earned a cackle from the women, before they straightened their faces. "You get the girl," said the right one, "I'll take care of the Nephilim boy."

Mrs. Branwell. Being head of the Institute was a difficult job as everything, even the lives of Shadowhunters and the humans in her country, fell atop of her shoulders. Letters would come flooding in through the Institute doors, asking for Shadowhunters or sanctuary within the Institute. Charlotte wished she could help everyone but there simply wasn't enough man power nor space. And there were regulations and rules in place. The Clave were very touchy when it came to people asking for sanctuary. If there village was overrun with demons or downworlders, or if a family had lost their home and had nowhere to go to, then they would seek refuge within the Institute.

But the Clave didn't believe humans should enter the Institute, unless they were to pledge their fealty to the Shadowhunters and their cause. But or a place to stay….no. The Clave believed, that, once the threat of society was eliminated, then a Shadowhunter has done his/her duty. What happens after doesn't exist to them.

Charlotte sighed as she sat at her desk and stared down at all the documents and letters in front of her. By the Angel, she just wanted to curl up into a ball.

There was a knock on her study door. Charlotte took a breath and straightened up. "Yes?"

The door opened and in came Sophie, her head peering around the door. "Brother Michael here to see you, Mrs. Branwell."

Charlotte nodded, "Thank you, Sophie. Please send him." Sophie opened the door wider and in came Brother Michael, a Silent Brother who took residence in the village Will visited on his last mission. The one with the young girl. "Brother Michael," greeted Charlotte, standing up and offering the seat in front of her desk to the ancient Silent Brother.

Thank you, Charlotte.

"I see you got my letter. How is the village fairing?" she asked.

The Silent Brother took a deep breath, I want to tell you the village is safe but it's not. There are other demons being spotted in the surrounding area, and I fear the village may be under attack once more. I alone can't simply fight them, I don't know how many of them are out there.

Charlotte nodded, "I understand that something needs to done, Brother Michael. How many Shadowhunters do you require?"

I only ask for the one Shadowhunter: William Herondale.

Everyone asks for Will. "I'm sorry," replied Charlotte, "Unfortunately, Will has been called for another mission. I do, however, have two more Shadowhunters living in the Institute; the Lightwood Brother. Would they suffice?"

The Silent Brother nodded. Of course, I understand the Lightwood family are exceptional Shadowhunters.

"Absolutely," Charlotte agreed, "As are the Herondales. I hear Will's younger sister, Cecily, will soon be joining us once her training is complete. I hear she has achieved exception marks."

Yes, replied the Silent Brother, I believe she may be better than her brother.

All Charlotte could do was agree with him, she knew she needed to get the conversation growing. "I hate to get straight to business, Brother Michael, but I need to bring up an urgent matter with you. As you know, a substantial amount of demon attacks have been happening more recently up and down the country, and it's only a matter of time before the Clave take action. I wanted to get your insight on these attacks, since your village was the last targeted."

Brother Michael paced around for a few moments, I have noticed the rise in demon activity, however, the way these attacks are formulating it appears they are strategized. Demon's don't have a sense for things like that. They see prey and they attack. But these attacks have targets and they are mainly large families. Demons aren't smart but they are powerful. I believe someone is wanting to control them.

Charlotte blinked, concerned, "Do you have any idea how it could be?" she asked.

The brother shook his head, I have not. But someone is dabbling in the art of demon magic.

Tessa screamed as Mrs. Dark came for her. She searched for something on the table she could use as a weapon. Before she reached for, what she gathered was a saw, Mrs Dark grabbed hold of her by the arms and pulled her away from the table, pushing her to the floor where she slammed her body hard. Mrs. Black was being taken care of by the young man who saved her. What was his name? His movement was impeccable, almost inhuman. What did Mrs Black call him earlier? Nephilim?

Tessa tried to pull herself up, but something pulled her up by her hair. She screamed and immediately found Mrs Dark, her hand clutched within Tessa's locks. "You little bitch!" sneered Mrs Dark, trying to drag Tessa back through the double doors, but was stopped with a blade whizzed past Mrs Dark and embedded itself into the door frame.

The young man had thrown the dagger as a way of grabbing Mrs Dark's attention, as he held his long silver blade high in the air, bringing it down on Mrs Black neck, slicing her head clean off.

Mrs Dark shrieked and threw Tessa to the floor, banging her head. Mrs Dark cried out for her accomplice, obviously there was a mere friendship between the two of them. "I'll get you for this, Shadowhunter!" she spat, before rushing through the doors and out of sight.

Tessa's head was pounding, as she struggled to pull herself into a sitting position. She suddenly felt strong arms around her and a faint sent of musk hit her nostrils. She looked up and a deep set of blue eyes were staring down into hers. This had happened before, but she this time there was no blade against her throat. His eyes were full of concern.

"Hey," he began, "Stay with me."

But she couldn't. Darkness took over before she could ask her saviour his name.

I'm so happy I finally got this chapter going. Sorry for its been a long time but I hope you enjoyed it

Brokegirl97