Isabelle turned back to the person who had attacked her. He remained still, not making any other movements other then to just look at her. He seemed almost perplexed, and Isabelle knew it was because of her lack of fear.

She was not going to give them any satisfaction.

She had meant to get caught, and now she was going to deliver her justice-not that she was God, but Clary was her best friend. She was the heart of their little family, and striking against her had struck at all of them.

Isabelle smiled, not giving the chance for him to respond as she yanked one arm out of his slackened grip and pummeled her fist into the face that was inches from her.

He let out a cry and released her completely, stepping back and holding his hands up to his face. Isabelle slid away from the wall, following him.

"Oh come on, I'm sure more of them fought back. You can't take what you dish out, huh?" She leaned forwards, her fingers curling around the collar, before yanking him towards her.

"Tell me, did you partake in the rape of my best friend?" Isabelle snarled, enjoying the look of surprise on his face.

"You'll have to be more specific sweetheart," he said mockingly, waggling an eyebrow at her as he took her hands and attempted to push her away from him.

She didn't give him the chance.

Isabelle latched onto one of his hands, and then onto his arm, twisting it and bending it an unnatural angel. He let out a satisfying screech of pain, all confusion and bravado gone as he realized the position he was in.

"Where are your boys? What-they care only to partake in the demoralizing, objectifying, unlawful, unmoral, disgusting event, but not come to your aid when we strike back?" Isabelle demanded, her voice carrying over his pathetic squeaks and whimpers.

"That's some nice vocabulary. But no, we watch and wait-usually for a good entrance and this seemed as good of a time as any. I mean, if I'm going to commit this-what did you say? Demoralizing, objectifying, unlawful, unmoral, disgusting event-as you so kindly put it-then of course I'm going to defend it." A voice purred, and Isabelle froze, but did not let go of the man she was holding. Her head jerked up, just as Kevin and another person stepped out of the shadows.

"I'm Josh. I'm the one who assesses. I'm the one who gives the okay. We like the challenge, we like the conquer-and more then anything, we like putting you women exactly in your place."

Isabelle swallowed thickly against the lump in her throat, and against the words that were pleading for escape. She wanted them to rush out and at Josh, wrapping around his neck and choking him. Instead, Isabelle lifted the man she had a hold on, and placed him against her chest, her arm sliding around his neck.

Josh smiled at this, but Kevin's eyes narrowed slightly, alerting Isabelle to the closeness of the two.

"Ah, don't hurt David. He's pretty harmless. He just does the attacking. Doesn't really like to partake in it." Josh shrugged as if it didn't bother her what he was doing. Isabelle could see the anger brimming in his pupils, and knew it wasn't because he particularly cared about David.

It was because she was a women, and she was hurting a man.

"He's just as guilty. So-you all have the mentality that women are beneath you? What-did mummy abandon you? Did some woman scorn you? Because that mentality is weak-you are uneducated-"

"I thought you were here to avenge your friend, not give me a psychological lesson." Josh was still smiling pleasantly, but there was a coldness to his voice that hadn't been as present as earlier.

"Why not give both? I am a woman-and we can multi-task. So-Clary. That's who you hurt. That's who I'm avenging tonight."

Josh cocked his head, looking as if he was concentrating very hard. But Isabelle knew-she had see the recognition in his eyes at the name.

Isabelle knew that people like Josh would not forget a single victim.

"Oh yes. She was looking for a monster. Oh-you look surprised. Did you not know that certain demons liaise with humans? Oh yes, come on how can you look so shocked? According to this world, what we do is evil, so of course demons want to get on board. I, on the other hand, don't care what the reason is. It works," Josh shrugged, taking delight in Isabelle's horrified expression.

"So little Clary had just scouted it out and was on her way home. She didn't even spare poor Kevin a glance. She walked as if she was not afraid of anything. That's a dangerous thing for a woman to have-that confidence. So, Kevin followed her. She denied his help, but he kept walking with her. She tried to run, and he knocked her out. There was no real thrill in that, no real challenge. Until, she started fighting back. It's not just about raping someone."

"Oh okay, is that supposed to make me understand why you do what you do? Because I never will. There is not justification in what you men did, just like there is no justification in your belief." Isabelle shot back, fuming. His words had painted the picture in her mind, and as hard as she tried she could not rewrite it, could not redraw herself into it as a savior. She could only do what she was doing now, and it had to be enough.

But, it never would be. It might be for someone else, but not for Clary.

Josh threw back his head and laughed.

"You are the most challenging yet. Clary was pretty-she was pretty exciting. But you, all gun-ho and ready to maim, injure or kill us for her. Even knowing you're outnumbered, you still stand there with your head held high, insulting us." Josh cocked his head now, assessing her.

"I can already tell you're going to take first place. What an honor." He started to step forwards, Kevin following.

"I can't begin to explain how much I am going to enjoy this. How I'm going to strip you piece by piece, clothe by clothe. The only thing you will be dressing in now, is shame." Isabelle backed up, holding David in front of her still as the other two closed in on her.

As each calculated word spilled neatly out of Josh's mouth, Isabelle's terror began to make itself known. Now that they were advancing on her, and attempting to do exactly what they had done to Clary, Isabelle wasn't ready for it.

She had thought she was, but it was now only in the middle of it did she realize that there was no training that covered this, and that is exactly why Jace and Alec had been so reluctant to let her be involved. This was a strike at not her species, but at her gender by other humans, and there was no real way to fight against that.

She could only do what she could-and there was only one thing that seemed practical enough to do.

She slid her arm away from David's chest, and propelled him forwards with as much strength as she could muster. With the distraction in play for only a short time, Isabelle did not waste a moment in turning around and crossing the short distance to the corner of the alley. She knew that if she could just get around it, and alert something that she could be okay.

If it came down to a fight, it would be the biggest fight Isabelle would ever partake in.

She rounded the corner and felt a scream building in her chest, when she collided into a body. Isabelle panicked, believing that they had caught up to her.

The scream released powerfully, and Isabelle felt the person fight the urge to back away from the force of it.

"Isabelle, hey! Izzy! It's me, it's Alec!"

Arms went around her, turning her away from the sounds of knives being sheathed, voices exchanging threats. Isabelle finally managed to look up and into the wide eyes of her brother.

"Alec!" Clary's voice broke through, and brother and sister turned to see Clary jogging up to them, wincing every so often. Isabelle turned away and glared up at Alec, her eyes accusing at first, before they softened as she realized he was every bit as surprised and disapproving to see her here. Clary ignored the hostility and reached for Isabelle, pushing Alec away and towards the scene unfolding just meters away from them.

And strong Isabelle, who in the face of the others had only showed strength and a fierce determination, broke down in the wake of her friend. Clary's face softened, and she reached up, wrapping her arms around Isabelle and pulling her close.

"I know." Clary whispered, her own voice breaking.

"I know."