Why So Silent...?


The main lobby of the institute was packed with a sea of shadowhunters in their gear, most of them were sent over from the Californian Institute after the demon attack. Everyone had been collecting for this month's annual 'pep talk' and overview of the last month's highs and lows essentially.

"Overall all this past month has been pretty good." Maryse informed the shadowhunters, her voice echoing off the church's impressive stonework. "Demon activity have been at an all time minimum ever since the attack on the California institute and those demons which have wormed their way through the woodwork have been dealt with sufficiently. Whilst this is good news it doesn't mean that we should slack off. I want everyone to remain alert. Carry on." She dismissed.

As soon as Maryse had finished everyone began to disband back to their allocated jobs. Although demon activity had been practically silent as Maryse remarked everyone was still very determined in their jobs.

Clary spotted Jace on the other side of the lobby. She squirmed passed and through a group of people who were coming her way, she felt like a salmon swimming upstream.

"Jace!" She called, grabbing for his arm to stop him. She pulled him closer so only he could hear her. "I can't be the only one who's a little suspicious here."

"You're not. I am too. Nonexistent demon activity for a month is weird alone but to have to correlate to almost the exact time as when The Phantom stopped whispering on your head?" He whispered back, crossing his arm. "It's doubtful that those timing up almost perfectly were a coincidence."

"So what do we do?"

"What can we do? There's no evidence to suggest anything, no leads to follow up on. Everything has just stopped. All we can do is be prepared." And as if the The Phantom had heard this all the institute alarm bells began ringing.

"Jace? What's happening?" Clary asked, looking around her as the wailing sound continued.

"An intruder is trying to get in. Clary make sure you have your steele and weapon. Alec, Izzy follow me." Jace hissed brandishing his weapon proudly. Alec and Isabelle ran to gather their weapons, Alec's preferred bow and arrow and Isabelle's gold electrum whip.

Clary knew that although on the outside he seemed excited and cocky, finally getting a fight after quiet month, she knew that he was equally terrified that this could be something bigger, like they were falling into a trap.

All of them marched out the door following Jace who was leading them. They knew they had to remain on guard, focused and sharp, one slip up and the whole institute could be danger. Clary followed closely behind them.

Right in front of the church was a glowing void. Usually if someone or something was attacking the institute they would at least try to be a bit more stealthy. Not this and that made everyone even more apprehensive. Jace held up his hand to shelter his eyes, this void was as bright as the sun. It looked almost exactly like a portal yet instead of glowing it's usually purple-pink colour it was completely white. They stood fixed in their place, bracing themselves for the worst.

Emerging from the white void came a figure. Tall, muscular, slender boy. He couldn't have been much older than they were. He looked like her was almost monochrome. He had horribly white skin and platinum blonde hair which only drew more attention to his fully black emotionless and maniacal eyes.

Clary sucked in her breath at the sight of him. Her heart stopped for a moment and then began began race full pelt, crashing against her ribcage so loud that it drummed on her eyes. "That's him Jace. That's the phantom." she whispered in horror. Jace held his hand out protectively cautioning Clary to stay behind him.

"Why so silent?" The Phantom mused. "Surely you didn't think I had left you for good? Did you miss me?"

"I never believed in you. I don't like to be wrong. So what do you want?" Jace growled in a low and vicious tone. His hands tightening their grip around his angel blade instinctively.

"Well I guess the phrase seeing is believing has never been more truer than now. I'll keep this short, simple but not necessarily sweet. I want Clary." He said as if he were just asking for a measly pen. Treating her as if she were nothing.

Isabelle, Alec and Jace instantly grouped around Clary defensively. There was no way on heaven or hell that he was getting anywhere near her.

"How about no." Jace barked back at him.

He just stood there, his hands behind his back. Weaponless. Defenceless. With a stupid arrogant smirk plastered on his deathly face. Something wasn't right.

He gave a low dark chuckle before replying. "How about you give her to me or I attack another institute."

At that moment everything fell into place. Clary was telling the truth, she was right. Jace felt awful for ever doubting her. He made a mental note to apologise to Clary the moment he could. They realised now that he, this...this Phantom as Clary called him had been behind the massive demon attack on California. He was probably the reason there had been less and less demon attacks all over that past month.

"And this time, I'll make sure that your institute is nothing but a crumbling pile of stone. Every brick broken, every glass shattered, every angel "He gestured up to the towering angel above them. "Fallen." He whispered maliciously.

Jace's eyes widened in terror "Get back!" he bellowed, throwing himself at Clary, pushing her out the way just as the head of the massive angel above them came crashing down. Jace checked over Clary quickly before twisting around to see if Alec and Isabelle were unharmed as well.

"Remember there are worse things that a crumbling church." The Phantom voice echoed around the graveyard.

Jace rapidly grabbed for his weapon and slashed at the now open air. He stood their astounded that the Phantom was gone. Vanished into thin air as quickly as he came. Jace raised his eyes skyward, staring at the angel above that had been above them. The cut was clean. Like the angel had gone through a guillotine.


Thank you to everyone who is still reading! You're the reason that this story is continuing without you're support, favourites, reviews and follows I probably wouldn't carry on!

Everyone go look at MagnusAtTheDisco's story Legally Magnus! They're a great writer, far better than me actually and they've been an incredible beta to me!