Hey guys. Sorry for the delay for the update, I was really busy this week. But I'm happy that the story got over 600 views and 11 reviews. I'd like more reviews, if you guys like it, because it gives me more motivation to write for you guys (:

Marissa

Marissa could already her voice, a high pitched squeaking sound. "How many mundanes did you bring in here, guys? We don't even accept one; what makes you think we want a whole pack of them?" Maryse threw her hands up in exasperation, staring at Alec and Jace, and her gaze traveled to Isabelle. But Isabelle shrugged, skipping into the kitchen.

"I have nothing to say," said Isabelle. "If Marissa is one of them, then we respect that. Besides, Mom, they're not doing anything." Isabelle walked forward, then spun on her heel, smirking, "Correction: They're not mundanes, Mom, they're demigods. FYI."

Maryse glared at her daughter, "By the Angel, Isabelle, do you really believe that nonsense?" Maryse put a hand on her hip. "How do we know they're not pure mundane and are just hanging around with Marissa, brain-washing her?"

Marissa butted in, "I wasn't brain washed," she defended, "I just hit my head."

"See?" she pointed out. "This is the doing of brainwashing. They brainwashed her into thinking she's a demigod, then brainwashed her to think she wasn't brainwashed so she wouldn't know she was brainwashed."

"Mom, you're not making sense. Just drop it and accept it."

"I make sense!" Maryse defended and stormed off, her heels clacking behind her.

"That was a nice start to dinner," Jace said, quipping a smile. "She sure seems pissed at you, Isabelle."

Isabelle rolled her eyes agitatedly, "I don't care, Jace. Can we just eat now?"

Jace's smile dissolved, and he anxiously looked up at Isabelle. She eyed him, and he cleared his throat. "Did you make this?" he asked in a small voice. Isabelle rolled her eyes again, pulling out a chair and sitting besides Leo. Isabelle scowled.

"I didn't make the whole thing," she protested, "Mom helped me. Besides," she said, taking a spoonful of whatever was in the bowl. "It tastes good." Isabelle chocked on it a bit, and Jace smirked, putting down his fork.

"Why are you choking, then?" he mocked.

"It's spicy."

Jace turned to Alec, "Or it's just plain disgusting."

They both cracked up into hysterics, tears leaking from the boys eyes. Isabelle groaned, and twisted her lips into a snarl. "You can stop before I stomp on you with my stilettos." That seemed to shut them up, though both boys were cowering their laughs by turning the other way. The room was silent again, the demigods taking curious glances at each other. "Now that everyone is quiet, we can eat."

"Eat poison," Jace said, though Marissa guessed it wasn't supposed to be audible to anyone but Alec.

"Jace," said Isabelle, in a warning tone that actually made Jace's face go neutral. Alec, too, and they picked up their forks, stuffing their faces before they said anything else that would make Isabelle go over the edge. Jace cringed as he swallowed, but Izzy didn't seem to notice, and gave a slight smile to him, even though Jace was trying to turn away and spit it out.

Clary said nothing the whole time, and she surprisingly didn't draw attention with her fiery red hair. Though Leo was staring at her a bit. Marissa knew he would try and hit on her, and she would have to stop him before Jace crushed him into a pile of bones. She barely ate anything; twisting her spoon around aimlessly in the bowl. Nico gave her worried glances, but didn't seem to think too much of it.

It had to be at least two o'clock, Marissa presumed. The sun wasn't at its highest, but a fair amount of light leaked through the chapels' windows, making shadows across the silent room. Marissa wasn't sure what would happen next, especially with the fact that she was supposed to be fighting a war right now. A war that lasted a long time.

If she had to train, she could never go back to CampHalf-Blood. Not right now, at the least. What would everyone think? Would Percy let her? She was apart of this, anyway, she couldn't let this go because she found another family. Marissa had to do what was right; though she was fairly concerned about everyone's feelings. Presumably Nico and Percy. But it did give her the option to stay away from Jason.

She was snapped out of her reverie when Nico shook her. She noticed she was in an awkward faze: Her spoon almost at her mouth, and her eyebrows furrowed in deep thought. Luckily, no one said anything, but Nico did, his voice hot on her neck, making her shiver.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

Marissa breathed, "I'm thinking."

"About what?" he requested.

"What's going to happen," she spoke softly, "after this. I have a war to fight, Nico. I don't want to leave anyone behind –believe me- but I have no choice. Either I cower behind everyone, caring about the fact that I'll hurt someone if I die, or I go out there and die, and kill everyone else along with myself. So either away, I'm in a doomed position. I may be a girl but I can't be a coward. I'm a warrior. Hiding behind everyone isn't an option."

"I understand," he said, "but you can't just throw yourself out there-"

Marissa recoiled from his grip, "I can," she said sternly. "It's my life," Marissa countered. "I do what I want. This is what we're supposed to do: But our lives on the line for everyone else. It's our destiny."

"But you're not just a Shadowhunter," Nico's voice trembled. "You're one of us."

"And you also put your life on the line," Marissa pointed out. "Just like us." Before Nico could protest, Marissa exited and excused herself, heading back to her room, Nico following behind her as Percy and Jace gave him scornful looks.

"Go away," Marissa groaned, as she placed her head in the already damp pillow. Crying wasn't something that normally happened; only when she was at the edge of losing it. Nico was banging on the door, and the jolts of the door kept rattling, telling her either she'd let him in, or he'd get in himself- by knocking down the door. Nico stopped, but started up again, clearly pissed that she wouldn't open the door. "Leave me alone."

"Just let me talk to you," he offered.

"No!"

"Yes!" he yelled back. "Please!"

Marissa rolled over, breathing heavily, muffling her withering sobs. She was surprised no one came to the dorm to come and see what was going on. What would she say when he finally broke down the door? Marissa cried even harder, trying to wipe away the flood of tears. Then, the banging stopped. Marissa sighed heavily, hoping he'd finally five up, when he finally mumbled something under his breath.

"Should've thought of this before," he said.

Marissa almost choked. She totally forgot about the key she kept on top of the door, and she cringed, mentally yelling at herself for being that stupid. Yet Nico only realized that now, and it's been twenty-five minutes. Keys jingled as they were taken down, ready to open the door. In a panic mode, she made a dash for the closet, closing the door swiftly before the door opened.

"Oh my Gods." She heard Nico say, "She snuck out."

Marissa snickered. There wasn't another way they could get out. He'd just walk away- hopefully leaving the keys so he wouldn't be able to get back in. Nico turned on the light with a swift click, and Marissa backed away. She hit something hard, and she realized it was the wall. She made it to the end. This was the farthest she could go.

"I know you're in here," she heard him say, his footsteps traveling to the other side of the room. She breathed in; hoping her inhale of breath didn't attract any attention to Nico. Hopefully, he didn't have good hearing. But she gulped when he came closer, his footsteps ceasing at the beginning of the closet.

He reached for the knob, and she could hear it crank, but he stopped. Marissa's breath caught in her throat as her fingers shook. His footsteps backed away, and she made sure not to make another sound, though, that didn't mean he wouldn't find her, which he did.

Marissa screamed when he flung the door open, her eyes bulging. She didn't expect that- not at all. He knew she was in there; he was just playing with her. Marissa couldn't be that stupid, but she knew she was. Nico looked truly upset that she ran- and that she screamed, for that matter, like she was actually absolutely afraid of him.

Nico bended down, so they were both at the same level. "Come on," he put his hand out, but she furiously shook her head, trying to hide herself into the darkness; blend in, to never be seen again. "You have to get up," Nico protested, his shaggy hair cascading into his dark blue, almost black eyes.

"No," she pursed her lips. "I don't want to talk about this. That's why I said to leave me alone."

"I'm not leaving."

"Then don't." She said. "I just don't want to talk."

"Why?" Nico asked, "You have other things in mind?"

This time she flushed, but she hoped that he wouldn't see it in the dark, "No," she answered, laughing lightly. "Nothing like that."

"Are you sure?" Nico raised an eyebrow.

"I'm sure." She clarified, but she knew it wouldn't be too bad to kiss him right now…Especially when no one would see them. But Nico moved away, and she frowned. She still stood in the corner, though, hoping that Nico would finally go and let her think.

"Are you getting up or do I have to do it for you?" Nico asked from a distance.

"I'm staying here," she complained, "leave me alone."

"Ha, ha," Nico smirked. "That's not happening. You can't hide in there forever. Besides, you're the one who said you couldn't be a coward." He used Marissa's words against her, shaking his head slowly.

Marissa narrowed her eyes, "I'm not being a coward. I'm just thinking."

"In a dark corner?"

"I have my own thing, you have yours."

"Please, just get up." He pleaded.

Getting up seemed like a bad idea. She didn't want to go back inside and face everyone. She'd burst into tears. Nothing had her more frustrated and worrisome then this. Marissa knew she barely had a choice; she was picking sides. Either she was with one or the other. And it seemed the Shadowhunters needed her more then anything, though she couldn't hurt everyone else.

"If I get up, will you leave?" she asked.

"I'm making no promises," he said.

Marissa sighed, "Why do you have to be so difficult?" she said, getting up.

"I'm the difficult one?" asked Nico.

Marissa got up reluctantly, pouting. She made her way towards the door, but she tripped over the bag she had on the floor, landing on top of Nico. She fell right on his chest. She could feel his body vibrate as he laughed, a red blush creeping on her cheeks. Marissa was about to get up when Nico pushed her back down, his eyes crinkling as he laughed again.

"I think this position is comfortable," he snickered.

Marissa rolled her eyes, "Pig."

"You know you want to kiss me," Nico teased. "Just do it."

"If someone walks in they'll-"

Nico wiggled his eyebrows, slapping his pocket that jingled. "I have the keys and the door is locked."

"Well," she smiled, bringing her face closer to him, "that makes a whole lot of a difference."

Marissa pressed her lips against his; the heat of their bodies pressing together. She wrapped her legs around his muscular frame, his hands finding their way through her blonde hair. Marissa gasped when she felt part of her body go cold: Nico had tugged up part of her shirt. She wasn't sure if she should me nervous or elated. But Marissa went along with it, as her hands reached under his shirt, tracing patterns over his chest.

She groaned when her whole shirt was thrown across the floor. She felt exposed, and she stopped, catching her breath. Nico kissed her again, him rolling on top of her now, his body crushing hers. She moaned when his tongue danced with hers; she never did anything like this, and she was surprised Nico would do this kind of thing.

Nico stretched out of his t-shirt, his abs coming into view. Her heart raced. Marissa wasn't sure how far this would go. She was fifteen after all, but didn't teenagers do this? Marissa wasn't sure, but she liked the feeling of him pressed against her, and nothing was stopping them, so why shouldn't they do it?

Nico sucked on her neck, sending shivers up her back. She closed her eyes, running her hands through his dark hair. He kissed down her jaw, and kissed her lips again. He reached behind her, his hands hesitating under the bra clip. Marissa gasped, and he turned to her with a smile.

"If you think it's too far we'll stop," he informed her.

"I'm just nervous," she said.

"We won't do anything you don't want to do."

"I think it's too far," Marissa said, and saw Nico's face drop, but she was happy he respected her. "Could we just stay like this?"

He answered with a kiss. They stood like that: Kissing, until they heard footsteps.

Marissa quickly threw her shirt back on and so did Nico. Nico unlocked the door and three himself on the bed, imagining they were in deep conversation when Jace came into view, his blonde hair like the sun. He seemed a little livid that Nico was beside her, but he didn't say anything about it.

"What is it?" she asked.

"They're leaving."

"Am I going?" Marissa asked slowly.

"It's up to you," he said. He gestured to the hall with his head, "Let's go."

She gave an anxious look at Nico before she headed to the main entrance, the elevator intact. She swallowed the lump in her throat, taking a deep breath. Jace crossed his arms, glaring at the demigods. Marissa licked her lips, uncertain what to say about the situation. They were literally making her choose, and she knew the one she didn't pick wouldn't talk to her.

"I-I think I'm going to stay," she elucidated. She saw their vexed looks and added hastily, "For now. I'll visit. I mean I don't know how I'll keep in touch…" she trailed off, shaking her head miserably. "But they need me," Marissa said almost choking on tears.

"Here," Percy said, handing her some coins.

"What are these going to do?"

"Drachmas." He answered. "They are used to communicate. Iris Messages. You'll need to make a rainbow out of mist. You should know the rest, 'Iris, please accept my offering, blah, blah blah. Then think of the person and place. We're always at CampHalf-Blood."

"So it's like a phone call?"

"But you can see people."

Marissa shook her head and turned to Nico. "I guess this is goodbye," she said, gripping him hard into a hug. "I love you," Marissa whispered, hopefully not being heard by the rest of the crowd, but she was wrong.

Jace went into panic mode, waving his hands, "Oh, no. She said the 'L word.'"

"Calm down, Jace," Isabelle whined. "She's clearly hoping you'll let lover-boy stay."

"I am not-"

"Stop being so protective," said Isabelle. "She needs some space."

"From him," Jace grumbled, folding his arms.

"Oh come on," she begged, pouting, "Please let him stay."

"So you could do things in your room?" he asked.

Marissa blushed but rolled her eyes. Isabelle groaned, "I think she's more responsible then that," she chided. "You have to trust her," she huffed. "You can't control her forever, Jace."

"I trust her, not him," he bellowed. "Besides, I can control her until she's eighteen."

"Just say yes already."

"Okay. Fine." He glared at the boy. "You can stay but if you do anything-"

"-which were not," Marissa proceeded.

"Then I get to legally kill you."

Jace

"Are there any leads?" Jace asked, swindling his blade. "Anything at all?"

"We're not sure," Isabelle nodded. "The Clave are on high alert. We're all expecting something to happen."

"Like what?"

"An attack," she rolled her eyes. "You know: Swords, knives, killing?" Isabelle caught on her breath. "Okay, maybe the last part was unnecessary, but it's still going to happen. I can feel it."

Jace shook his head, "I have a feeling where he'll go first."

"And that is?" Isabelle inquired.

"Here."

Clary

She wasn't sure why they wouldn't go away; the almost real nightmares haunting her sleep. She'd come to the institute scarcely conscious, with rings under her eyes. She wouldn't be able to do any training; Clary would pass out in about two hours. No matter how many times she tried to run away from the horrid thoughts, they still came after her, sword at her throat.

Clary rolled over in her bed, he hands in front of her face. The pale moonlight came in through the blinded windows, casting shadows across the bedroom floor. She could hear the mild noise of the TV inside, guessing Luke had fallen asleep on the couch. She tried to focus on the noises, hoping to dream of something pleasant, but the grasp of Jonathan was so tight that the dreams felt like they were apart of her, and it just kept playing in her mind like a DVD.

Clary cried out, feeling her eyes closing shut. Her mind swirled, pictures and images floating through her head. She tried to think of thing she liked: Drawing, Jace, Luke and Jocelyn's upcoming wedding, but all her mind was chanting was Jonathan, and she couldn't stop. Everything closed in on her, and though she was conscious, she had no way of escaping the dream.

His voice was raspy when he spoke, and it sent jitters up her spine, even though she was so used to his voice and the way he spoke. "Hello, Clarissa," he said, grinning maliciously, looking at her like she was coming to eat. She hated the way he said her name. He was the only one beside Valentine who called her that. To everyone else, she was Clary.

"What the hell do you want?" Clary argued, folding her arms.

Clary was still curious on how he did this: Dream traveling. It was only recent, but she wasn't sure if she was the only one getting visited. She said nothing to anyone else, just said they were nightmares, when really, they were real nightmares. Jonathan just shook his head, his white hair falling over his black eyes.

"No need to get hasty," he warned. "I just wanted to see how you're doing, Rune Girl."

"I'm doing fine, thanks for asking," she snapped. "Before you got here."

He rolled his eyes, "You don't need to be snippy. Is there something wrong with visiting my sister?"

"When your brother is a psychopath murderer, then yes," said Clary, a menacing look in her eyes.

"I killed them because I had to, you have to understand," he came closer; "it's not something I can control. Either they're with me, or against me, and you know what happens when I'm your enemy," he said. "Besides, Max wasn't important. He was barely a Shadowhunter. He was just a little boy."

Clary knew he was only saying this to get under her skin, and she wanted to explode. Jonathan grinned, knowing what was going through her mind. She gritted her teeth, "He was just a little boy. You don't kill little boys. You're a Shadowhunter; you're supposed to kill demons, not your own kind." She said harshly, though Jonathan didn't seem affected.

"I am also demon, Clarissa, and demons kill Shadowhunters. You should know that." Jonathan said. "I have to go now, Clarissa, but I'll see you again tomorrow." He disappeared, and Clary was sent into circles, her eyes finally opening to the frightful night. But when her eyes opened, it wasn't night, it was morning.

Nico

Nico felt pleasant that he could stay with her besides anyone else; yet Jace made them go to different rooms, but that didn't stop Marissa from sneaking into his room, using a Silent rune so she wouldn't be heard. Hopefully, she wasn't heard, otherwise Jace would kill him.

They sat in the training room, which Nico noticed was quite similar to theirs. Yet they had different weapons: Steles, and some kind of magical swords or whatever, Nico didn't really care. Marissa and he was sword fighting, which she insisted on doing, even though Nico was afraid of hurting her. She was pretty good, if he had to admit it. But with his high ego, he couldn't say that his girlfriend could kick his ass at sword-fighting.

"It's been like a half-hour," Marissa breathed. "Can you just be a good boyfriend and surrender?"

"I am not surrendering to a girl," he said, sweat leaking down his forehead.

"I won't tell anyone," she teased.

Nico groaned, "Why don't we just say it's a tie?"

"If this were real war, there wouldn't be a tie."

"And there wouldn't be anyone surrendering," he shot back.

She pulled the sword away, "You got me there." Marissa sat down, reaching for the water bottle that was only half-way full. She sipped down the rest of the water, hoping to feel refreshed and regenerated, hoping to train some more, but she still felt sticky and sweaty and disgusting. She peered at Nico, who looked as hot as she was, pulling his shirt over his head, panting.

"I'm going to take a shower," she declared, getting up from her sitting position.

Nico looked up, a playful smirk escaping his lips as he flipped his hair out of his face, "May I join you?"

Marissa stopped. She thought he was joking, and so the answer slipped out of her mouth, playing along. "Okay," she said, slipping into the bathroom, closing the door. She didn't know that he came in, undressing and stepping in, making her scream. It echoed off the walls. "What are you doing? I was kidding!"

"I wasn't!" Nico defended.

"Close your eyes, Nico!" She screamed.

"Why do you only get to see me naked?"

"Stop being a pervert, Death Boy. Right now, I want to take a shower."

"With me?" He offered again, smirking.

"No. Okay. Maybe." She sighed. "Yes, but Jace."

"I don't think he'll know we're in the shower together."

Marissa sighed, "Okay," she said slowly, "no touching, got it? No touchy-touchy, no lookey-lookey, no doing things we shouldn't be doing."

"Like what?" Nico asked as she turned on the water, hopefully not touching.

"You know what."

Nico felt the water spray onto him, the heat pressing over his body. He stood in front of her, so he didn't see anything, yet she couldn't stop ogling his butt. Or his abs, or anything lower then the waist line. She took her gaze away, washing her hair and her body. They hadn't said anything over the last five minutes, yet she wanted to kiss him, even though they were naked, and she knew it would lead to other things.

He felt her arms wrap around his waist, her body pressing against his. She kissed his cheek, and she could feel him freeze, his hand in mid-air. She didn't realize how much their bodies were pressed together. They fit like puzzles pieces, and he shivered at the touch.

"You know what you're doing, right?" he spoke softly.

"Yeah." She said.

"You're the one who
said no touchy-touchy no lookey-lookey-"

"I'm not looking. And I'm just kissing you. And besides, those rules apply to me, not to you."

"That's not fair."

"Life isn't fair."

Marissa

Nico had gone to the bathroom, and she was walking down the hall when she heard whispers from behind one of the doors. She stopped in her tracks, and leaned against, trying not to make any sudden noises. Marissa could tell it was Clary, Jace and Isabelle inside. Her breath caught in her throat when Jace said, "We can't tell her. We can't tell her what you saw."

"She's going to find out."

"Not if I can help it."

It was Nico.

She gulped. Whatever they were keeping from her, she wasn't supposed to find out. She listened in again, and she could hear Jace's voice. "Distract her, okay? She doesn't need to know he's after her."

Who could they be taking about? She thought. It couldn't be Jason, right? They didn't know about Jason. Marissa bit her lip, moving her hair over her ear. "I'll try. But I can't always be with her."

"We have to ask something of Magnus tomorrow. So I was thinking we can bring her over Simon and Jordan's…"

"Can't she stay here? It's protected right?"

"But he can get in," Jace insisted. "He's a Shadowhunter, too. We won't want him here when she's here alone."

"Then I guess we go along with your plan," Nico said.

She could hear them get up, and she dashed to her room, closing the door before they knew that she was eavesdropping. She slid against the door, thoughts bunched up in her head. Did they think she was a baby? Did they think she couldn't be trusted? But what hurt the most was that they trusted Nico, and not her, even though Jace hated his guts. Marissa didn't understand what was going, and honestly, she didn't want to find out.