Despite her tension, her hatred for what they had done to her when she thought she was finally safe, Skylar found it in herself not to attack right away. She stood from her hiding place, Ana at her side. The others remained hidden, knowing full well that the angels could sense them.

"Michael, to what do I owe the pleasure?"

The archangel smiled, yet it was as forced as her pleasantries. "A gift for you, young half-breed. A warning." His eyes darkened, conveying it without words.

As his voice rang in Sky's head, Ana stiffened beside her, unable to comprehend what was going on yet. "Relax. They are a scouting party, not a battle patrol." We wouldn't be able to fight them if we tried, Sky mused silently. "I have not seen Axel since last night, Michael. Why do you ask such things of me?"

"We fear he is becoming more human. That is not a problem, usually, except that his blood dictates he is a warrior. A servant of God, his father."

"Yet he gave up his birthright to come live on Earth. To protect a dying girl – the same girl he believed he should be the guardian for." It was all she could do to disguise her hatred. Her time with the Silent Brothers, and shortly after that the Iron Sisters as well, was his doing. He wanted her to be safe even when he was gone. Then he fell. "Axel has only returned to Heaven to restore his glamour."

Michael continued to smile darkly. "Is that what he told you?"

"Enough." Axel materialized in front of her. "I never lied to you, Sky. But I won't stay here if my siblings need me." His golden-silver eyes locked with her own. She sighed in defeat at the determination etched on his face. He would protect her one way or another, she knew.

"Sorry to think otherwise, my lord," she responded stiffly, each syllable enunciated carefully. She walked away from the angels, away from him. "Home, guys. We've wasted enough time here."

Instead of the Institute, they were brought to Magnus' apartment. Her self-control faltered for a moment. She aimed a punch at the nearest person – unfortunately Alec – and he caught her fist with ease.

"C'mon. We'll go to Taki's."

Sky let Alec lead her out but paused in the doorway. Without pulling from Alec's comforting grip, she turned to Ana and Jace. "I won't be at the Institute tonight."

"Are you coming here?" Magnus asked, cat eyes locking on hers.

Averting her gaze, she shrugged. "I don't know yet." This was not the first time she and Axel got into a fight, nor would it be the last, with his family. She appreciated Alec's attempt at distracting her. Part of her still longed for Sebastian. In the back of her mind, if she was being honest with herself, she knew that was where she would end up.

Ana watched Sky leave until her dark head was too far down the street to see. With the angels in front of them, she had felt powerful, whole. She was home with her parabatai, facing down enemies. Alone, though, she realized how broken their relationship had become.

It made her heart ache.

Someone touched her arm lightly. She turned to stare into the golden depths so much like Sky's. "She thinks you're still mad," Jace murmured.

The dirty-blonde-haired girl sighed. "In a few ways, I am. But at the same time…"

"Magnus, can you soundproof one of your rooms in the back? Ana and I have to discuss something privately." He walked toward the hallway, leaving Ana no choice but to follow.

Her temper flared, yet she complied. She felt green daggers on her back. Clary did not seem to be the jealous type, but with everything going on, Ana could understand why. Jace had grown up with Sky and, to a lesser extent, Ana. He would have platonic feelings for them, nothing more, and she needed to see that eventually. It was Clary he loved.

"I might kill your girlfriend, if she doesn't kill me first."

Jace smirked. "Skylar might beat you to it." His easygoing smile faded. "I'm worried about her. Something is keeping her here, and she doesn't like whatever it is. If you–"

"No," she said instantly, cutting him off. "I will never abuse our bond like that, no matter what's wrong. Why would you even ask me to?" She narrowed her eyes in suspicion. "What are you planning, Jace?" she continued, voice nothing less than a growl.

He tried to smile innocently, but she knew him too well for that. "Why must I always be planning something?" he inquired in a tone that reminded her of a manipulative little kid.

Ana would have folded her arms across her chest, if she didn't want to reach for a weapon so badly. She stiffened even more when she sensed Sky's fear, as potent as it had been when facing off Michael. Jace's golden eyes lost their playful gleam.

"Is she okay?" he asked after a few seconds.

The fear melted away, replaced by familiarity, a feeling of contentment. Sky seemed to be calming down, but something was off.

Puzzled, Ana responded, "I don't know."

No one had ever soothed Sky like that. The waves of happiness were different now than the peace when she was near Axel.

If it wasn't the angel, then who?