*rises up dramatically* I LIIIIIIIVE! That's right people, I am back! Sorry about the long wait. I haven't worked on this story on months, and I literally decided last night to get back to work. So I started and finished this chapter in less than a forty-eight hour period, so please don't cricify me if it doesn't all make sense. Anyways, most of my next chapter is already written, so it should be posted soon! Love ya!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of Cassandra Clare's work.

Chapter 14: The Meeting and Battle Strategy

"Are you so sure this is a good idea?" Alyssa asked tentatively as she pulled her shirt over her head. It was somewhat late in the morning, and she was in the process of choosing her outfit for the day. Normally, Alyssa didn't put much thought into her attire. Usually, she threw on a t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers, and she was set. It was light, mobile, and simple. Today, however, she did not have that luxury, and was in the process of trying to find the correct outfit for the today. Her wife turned to look back at her, an expression of confusion on her face.

"What do you mean, love?" Kiara asked as she turned back to the closet, which was full of weaponry of all shapes and types. Alyssa took a deep, silent breath before continuing, trying to calm her racing heart and nerves.

"Calling a meeting so soon? With all of the high dignitaries? I mean, the last time you did this, it was when we finally captured that spy, but nothing resulted from that. And is it wise to include the Shadowhunters and your brother on these affairs when we still lack so much concrete evidence?"

Alyssa kept her eyes glued to her wife as she asked her questions, worried that she would upset her somehow. The woman felt her heart stutter in fear for a moment as she watched the queen of her heart freeze in front of her wardrobe, her body tensing up. In her mind, she thought she had offended or upset her beloved wife somehow. What she didn't see, though, was the mischief in her wife's eyes.

"Are you doubting my judgement?" Kiara asked with a sly, playful smirk that could not be seen by her wife. Alyssa's eyes widened considerably as she struggled to find her words.

"No! Of course not! I just…I worry, what with everything that has happened recently," Alyssa rambled to cover her mistake. "What with the Institute attacks, and the ultimatums, and the injured soldiers, and the threats of war by Helena, I am just nervous. I don't think you are wrong, I just want to be safe. And I just—mmph!"

Alyssa found rant silenced by a pair of lips on her own. With a small moan, her eyes slid closed as she draped her arms around her wife's torso. Unable to stop herself, she melted into the feeling of her wife's lips on her own and the warmth of her body against hers. For a small eternity, Kiara kissed her wife passionately, making her mind melt and her nerves fire. She lost all sense of reality in that time. When Kiara pulled back, Alyssa realized that she was somehow on top of their bed, underneath her wife, who was smiling at her with loving, yet worried eyes.

"I understand your concern, my darling," her wife calmly, soothingly said, moving her hand to gently run her fingers on Alyssa's cheek. "And I worry as well, but I choose to trust that this is the right course of action. Helena is becoming more bold and dangerous in her attacks, and I cannot remain silent any longer. We need to discuss this with the council."

"I don't like those women," Alyssa muttered as she played with her wife's hair that dangled in her face. "They scare me sometimes. Are you sure they aren't demons in disguise?" Kiara's eyes widened in shock. Pleasantly amused shock.

"Alyssa!" Kiara exclaimed. "You never speak like this!" Alyssa gave a saucy smirk in response.

"Maybe I need to be taught to show respect?" she asked slyly, leaning up on her forearms to place kisses on Kiara's neck. The other woman let out a small moan at the sensation, but urged her mind to focus on coherent thoughts. After all, they were on a time crunch.

"As much as I would love that," Kiara ground out, "we are needed down at the meeting hall in five minutes. We shouldn't keep them waiting." Alyssa nearly rolled her eyes at that answer. Most people who met Alyssa assumed she was always the shy, timid, polite wife to the queen, never imagining that she would dare to defy protocol or initiate sex. Most people assumed Kiara was more risqué of the two, and that was true…in public. When they were alone, Alyssa was much more open about her desires and passionate love for her wife. Kiara knew that when Alyssa wanted something, she wouldn't stop until she got it. And in cases such as intimacy, Kiara usually melted, no matter how hard she tried to steal her mind. Alyssa sensed her attempts to fight against it, and smirked.

"You are the queen, they can't start without you," Alyssa argued as she pulled her wife down on top of her. When she began kissing that spot between the junction of her neck and shoulder, Kiara lost any ability to argue.

Eh, Kiara thought idly as she rolled them over deeper onto the bed. They can wait a bit.

It was late in the afternoon when discussions regarding Helena commenced. Jace, Clary, Izzy, Simon, Alec, and Magnus all sat at a large, long table in one of the grand rooms surrounded by other women. Hannah was absent from the room. She had volunteered to spend the day with Max, Rafael, and Chairman Meow while the meeting commenced. Something about taking them to a magic show being hosted in the park. At the moment, all of the guests were waiting silently and patiently for the final two members: Queen Kiara and Lady Alyssa. The meeting was supposed to commence right after lunch. Now, it was nearly an hour and a half later.

Aside from the group of guests, there were at least six other people in the room. Each one of them was dressed in identical garb that consisted of chest plates, leather pants and boots, and their hair up and out of their faces. Each of the women looked completely different from each other. One of them had skin the color of dark chocolate, with hair that was bright red and a ring in her nose. The woman to her left was a pale-skinned woman with blond curly hair, freckles, and a gap-tooth smile. The woman to her left was Asian with silver streaks in her hair and silver eyeshadow. None of them seemed to be in the mood to make small talk as they waited, staring at the vacant head of the table.

"So when will Kiara and Alyssa be here?" Simon asked cautiously. "Do any of you know?"

"I was informed that Lady Alyssa needed to speak to the queen privately before the meeting commenced," the dark skinned woman answered. Her voice was cold as ice, yet as gentle as the wind.

"Any idea about what that was?" Simon continued. Everyone at the table stifled a groan of annoyance. Simon was a nice guy, but sometimes he didn't understand simple social cues. Like when to shut up.

"I do now know, nor do I wish to," the same woman responded. "It is their private affairs, and I do not wish to pry."

"Pry about what, Sheela?" a voice asked from the end of the table. Everyone turned their heads to see the Queen and her Lady enter the grand arched doorway and speed-walk to their chairs.

Queen Kiara had certainly dressed the part. She wore the silver toga-like dress they saw her in when they were in court. Her hair was down with two braids wrapping around her head to the back, streaked with gold. Wrapped around her forehead, the gold and black chain crown rested regally. Surprisingly, a pair of black, knee-high boots covered her feet and legs, the dark material easily seen through the fabric of the dress's skirt. A weapons belt rested on her hip, each sheath containing one of her dagger fans. She looked as though she were gliding across the floor, and regally took a seat at the head of the table.

Alyssa looked like a queen as well, but in a lesser sense. She bore no crown, hair stylings, jewelry, or weaponry. However, she also wore a dress identical to Kiara's only it was midnight blue rather than silver. She also wore a pair of black boots that clacked against the stone floor as she walked. Her auburn hair cascaded down her back, wavy and untamed and beautiful. She sat in the vacant seat to Alyssa right. The polite, skittish woman from training yesterday was gone replaced by a stone cold warrior ready to go into battle.

"Now let us commence," Kiara said as she sat down, as Sheela did not answer her previous question. "Bridget, what is your report?"

"We have counted nearly a hundred different assaults on a number of different Institutes or Shadowhunter-run facilities all across the globe," the Asian looking woman stood and informed. As she spoke, she snapped her fingers, the sound resonating throughout the room. In a flash of purple mist, a file appeared before each of the members, all with identical labels and markings. Some of the women began to open the files and scan through. Alec, Jace, and Clary began looking through there's carefully while Simon, Izzy, and Kiara glanced around. The only one who didn't seem too concerned was Magnus, who put on an air of aloofness to hide how truly nervous he was.

"At least one Institute in every country had been attacked in one way or another," Bridget continued. "The first one was on the Shadowhunters in New York City, New York, USA. After this, numerous attacks occurred simultaneously over the next few days, all of them too far apart for all of them to be taken care of immediately. Rest assured, every location and person attacked has had their memories altered of the incident. They believe these are demon attacks rather than Helena's soldiers."

"As to not reveal our existence to them," Alyssa said as she closed her file. "Did you make sure to question them about what happened before wiping their minds? Did you acquire any new information on Helena's plot?"

"Unfortunately, every report came up the same as the New York Institute's," a dark-eyed woman with a Southern accent answered. "Each one was attacked by a figure or figures clad in black, 'like ninjas,' and given an ominous message regarding a new war that will soon come to pass."

"Any evidence left at the attack sights?" Kiara asked. "Any DNA samples or abandoned weapons that we could use to track them?"

"Nothing, my queen," Sheela answered. "It was as if they had never been there."

"With all do respect, my queen, how can we be sure that this is Helena?" the red-haired woman asked with a voice that sounded as if she were a hundred and fifty years old. Maybe she was. At this question, Kiara turned her gaze to the woman.

"Please elaborate, Jessica," Kiara asked.

"There is no evidence that this is even her," the woman, Jessica, continued. "You are asking us to focus on the Shadowhunters only, but if you look at the entire population, no mundanes or Downworlders have been attacked either. In addition to that, each attack location reveals high levels of demonic energy in the nearby areas. Perhaps this is something else entirely, such as another group of rebels who wish to stir us up?"

"No, it is Helena," Kiara answered, her voice cold and hard, like titanium. "I know it."

"I intend no disrespect, my queen, but why do you focus on the Shadowhunters so?" another woman continued. This one had a half-shaven head with black hair that turned gold near the bottom. Her eyes were like poison as she turned to glare at the Shadowhunters.

"Trinity," the woman at her side urged, but Trinity did not listen.

"Your highness, I understand your desire to keep your brother and new-found family safe, but why keep the Shadowhunters safe here in our domain? Perhaps this is their doing. After all, their ancestors attempted to eradicate our kind from the earth centuries ago. Who is to say they are not plotting to do that now? Why trust someone who has caused our people so much anguish?"

"Because they did not do that," Kiara replied, her eyes like ice as she glared at Trinity. "Yes, their ancestors attempted to kill us, and nearly succeeded, but that sin is not theirs. They came here looking for information, and I wrongfully treated them as criminals. That was my mistake. Like you, I allowed anger over past actions to cloud my sense of judgement and my better nature. That is no way to act in times like this."

"But how can you trust them so completely?" Trinity asked, her eyes flaring green as she glared at the Shadowhunters still. Her nails bore holes into the table. "You have only just met them, and yet you invite them into our meetings as though they are high dignitaries. Do you not think it better to leave them out of these matters so that they may not steal our information and give it to the enemy?"

"Are you accusing us of being spies?!" Izzy jumped out of her chair in anger, itching to draw her whip. Alec and Simon each placed an arm on her, forcing her to sit back into her chair, somewhat begrudgingly. Trinity's face did not change. She continued to glare.

"Yes," she replied coldly. "You show up here, and then suddenly, as soon as you disappear and our queen is occupied with your trial, nearly a hundred and fifty attacks commence all around the world. I do not believe that is a coincidence."

"Trinity, that is enough," Kiara's voice rang through the halls. "I understand your concerns, but do not let your anger cloud your judgement. These are not the people who killed your brother."

"Marcus has nothing to do with this!" Trinity yelled, her claws protruding and digging into the table further. "This is about safety! I do not feel safety for my children with these Shadowhunters in our lands. We have reason to not trust them! Look at how they treat other Downworlders they consider allies. They treat them like pests, diseases, less than human! So why should we allow them in our kingdom to do the same thing to us?"

"Um, lady, with all due respect, I am not a Shadowhunter," Magnus interrupted, feeling somewhat offended for being forgotten about so quickly. "And by the way, I feel that way about some Shadowhunters, but not all of them. One of my sons happens to be a Shadowhunter, so you may want to watch what you say about them."

"My apologies, Magnus Bane," Trinity said, though she clearly wasn't sorry at all.

"Enough of this Trinity!" Kiara's voice bellowed. "This meeting is not about why not to trust the Shadowhunters, it is about how to proceed with these attacks and threats. I understand that you are still angry that those Shadowhunters killed your brother all those years ago, but they were not of the Clave, nor the majority of Shadowhunters. Remember, that was Valentine who murdered your brother."

"Valentine knew about you guys?" Clary asked in shock. Kiara shook her head.

"No, but he came close," the queen answered. "But that is not what we are talking about. Trinity, if you do not feel comfortable with this meeting, that you are more than welcome to leave it. You know that leaving this meeting and this land is not frowned upon. If you are unhappy with us, you do not have to stay. If you do stay, however, I ask you to refrain from treating our guests as spawns of the devil."

Trinity glared between the Shadowhunters, Magnus, and Kiara for a few minutes before giving a huff in anger and plopping back into her seat. The women at her sides rubbed her shoulders in an attempt to calm her down.

"And as for why I trust them, it is because I tested them," Kiara continued. "You all know what I subject the accused to if I wish to know the truth. And you all know that my truth spells are infallible. But even if they weren't, I still trust them."

"Why?" Trinity asked, her voice suddenly small and meek.

"Because I have done my research on them," Kiara answered gently. "I have looked at all of them. They are heroes of the Dark War and the Second Mortal War. They piqued my interest, and I decided to look into them. After discovering what I did, I find myself willing to trust them and their actions. Also, keep in mind that this battle does not just affect us, but the entire world if Helena succeeds in her plots. We need all the help we can get, and I am willing to let them help, and help them."

All of them were touched by Kiara's words, to some extent. Everyone was staring at her now, all with varying expressions of awe, approval, or thankfulness in their gazes. However, Jace had been growing restless for a while, and couldn't take it any more.

"Listen, we don't have time for this ," Jace said impatiently, slamming his fist on the table, snapping everyone out of their stupor. "You said Helena was coming to try and take back the throne, right?" Everyone snapped out of their trances, each with different levels of annoyance and gratitude for getting them all back on the right track. All eyes turned to Kiara, waiting for her say. Her expression seemed just as shocked as everyone else's at the force of Jace's tone and voice, but she quickly recovered. The next moment, her eyes became serious again.

"You're right Jace," Kiara answered. Then, the queen clapped her hands twice, and the table became littered with maps and files, swamping the entire table.

"That's the only reason she'd attack," Kiara said, sitting straight on her throne at the head of the table, her eyes glued to the maps and plans laid before her. "And if she does, it won't end well for the rest of our people. No one will be safe if she becomes queen again. Be it Downworlder, Shadowhunter, or mundane, none would be spared from her cruelty; all will be affected and all shall suffer from her tyranny in some way."

"Then what do we do?" Izzy asked, gripping her whip placed on the table. "Attack her before she has the chance to attack us?"

"If only it were that simple," Alyssa said gently. "Problem is Helena is conniving, calculating, and incomprehensibly tricky. She has never thought like traditional queens or people of her time. Whenever she went into hiding or battle, she had a strategy that no one was prepared to face. We've been trying to track her for years, but we've found nothing. She's very thorough with her work. It's one reason she remained queen for so long."

"Well that helps a bunch," Jace said sarcastically, earning a whack in the head from both Alec and Clary. Magnus would've chuckled at the action if the situation weren't so dire.

"What I am more worried about is numbers at the moment," Kiara said sternly. Waving her hand, an image of the map floated above the table, three dimensional, complete with moving figures. With a flicker and snap of her fingers, the people were rounded up into a group. There were around five hundred in all.

"This is a number of my people who are prepared to battle. This many people makes up about a tenth of my army." Kiara then made a pushing motion, and the group moved aside. Another group formed, with about three times the number of people.

"For every one person in my army, Helena has three," Kiara stated, her mature tone tinged with worry and sadness. "When I was made queen, most of the people followed Helena out of fear and denial. The people who remained with me were nonexistent compared to her numbers. Over time, my queendom's number has grown since then, but so has hers. Most likely due to coercion or manipulation of some sort."

"So that leaves you hopelessly outmanned?" Simon asked. Kiara simply nodded.

"If the ratio and numbers in the armies weren't so drastic, I could most likely formulate a plan of attack," Kiara stated. "However, because this is the largest estimation we have in regards to our numbers, I don't want to risk it and lead my people into a bloodbath. I've already spent so long trying to rebuild their spirits and lives. I don't want it to be in vain."

"So you're outmanned, outgunned, and have no hope of winning?" Alec asked. All eyes turned to him, shocked by his bluntness. Magnus was especially shocked. However, Kiara remained unfazed.

"You are correct," she stated formally. Sheela then turned to face Alec directly.

"Alexander," the woman began. "I have heard a number of positive remarks about you. How you work well with the Downworld leaders in New York, in alliance with them. They are your allies and friends. Am I correct?"

"That's right," Alec answered politely, having an idea of what she would ask.

"Do you believe that if we ask them for assistance, they will oblige?" Sheela asked quietly, almost timidly.

All eyes widened, except for Alec's and Magnus's. All eyes turned to them. Magnus shrugged and turned to Alec, knowing he was better acquainted with them and therefore better suited to answer the question.

Alec remained silent for a minute, pondering the answer. The room became more tense as they waited. Kiara and Magnus seemed to be the only ones who remained relatively calm and relaxed as they awaited Alec's word. Finally, Alec sighed, looking towards Sheela, seemingly oblivious to the eyes staring holes into him.

"Possibly," Alec said slowly. "Lily and Maia trust me, but they don't know you. Also, they are still trying to run their clan and pack steadily back home. I honestly don't know if they would help or not. But I do know this: don't ask the faerie. Ever since the Cold Peace started they have been much more prone to trickery and mischief. I don't know if that's out of anger or the fact that they are free from the Accords, but I don't think it would be wise."

"The day I ask for the faerie's help is the day that I openly give Helena the throne and let my father take my immortality," Kiara said coldly, her eyes flashing. "I know all about the faerie. Honestly, I wouldn't trust them for all the knowledge in the world. Because with them, every favor comes with a price. There are a few of them I know and would trust with my life, but they cannot keep a secret of this magnitude without raising suspicion in the Courts, which means the queens may get involved, which is almost never a gamble you should make. And I am not going to put that risk on my people."

"At least that's settled," Magnus said coolly. "And before you ask, I'm not sure the Spiral Labyrinth will help either. They are nearly as secluded as the faerie are. Aside from yours of course. However, that does not mean they won't help. I'll try to get in contact with them, but don't be surprised if they don't answer. At all." Kiara nodded her head, deep in thought.

"That leaves three options," Alyssa said, saying what everyone was thinking. "The vampires, werewolves, and Shadowhunters."

"Milady," Bridget spoke formally to Kiara. "With all due respect, do you believe it is wise to ask the Clave for help? I understand everyone here can be trusted, but all Shadowhunters? Because—" Kiara held her hand up, and Bridget silenced immediately. When Kiara lowered her hand, she spoke softly and patiently.

"Not all, no," Kiara stated calmly. "I would not make our kind known to all of them. We have already had a bloody history. They believe we are myth, most have forgotten us, and until necessary changes are made, I do not wish to open relations with them yet. They are moving in the correct direction, but for now, I shall not.

"As for asking Alexander's Downworlder allies for assistance that is out of the question. They have their own issues to deal with in New York, and I will not drag them into this war. I do not want to create more casualties."

"But my queen, we would have the element of surprise if we had them on our side," Bridget argued politely.

"Or we would have more people for Helena to target," Kiara argued back. "No, I will not bring in more people into this fight. Having the New York Institute and Magnus here are already too many targets. They are already in incredible danger by being here. I refuse to endanger anymore people."

"But what about the attack?" Simon asked. At this question, Kiara turned to him, her face etched with confusion.

"I beg your pardon?" she asked, her tone completely perplexed.

"I thought you were asking about allies to plan some sort of attack, even though it is hopeless?" Simon asked, glancing around the room. "Am I wrong?"

"No, you are half correct, my friend," Kiara answered with a somewhat amused smile. "That is a reason Bridget inquired about allies, but I have no intention of launching an attack against Helena."

"Why?" Simon asked curiously, yet seriously.

"Well for one, I have no clue where she and her army are holed up," Kiara answered. "I have ways to communicate with her, but I am not going to give her access to my land in an attempt to find hers. Second, as I said earlier, we are outnumbered, so attacking Helena directly would result in a bloodbath. That will not happen, not while I sit on the throne. Thirdly, Helena will most likely be anticipating something like that. I will not give her that satisfaction."

"So you'll focus on defense then?" Alec asked, picking up one of the many maps and reading it. Magnus glanced over his boyfriend's shoulder.

"That is correct," Alyssa answered in place of the queen. "But is it wise?"

"At this point, we cannot focus on what is wise, but what is the best course of action for future events. What will the results of the decisions we make here today be? That is what we have to focus on."

"If you bolster your defenses, Helena will most likely try to force your hand again," Trinity warned. "She may turn to more drastic measures to force your hand."

"But if we attack with what we have now we are asking to be slaughtered," a familiar voice responded. All of them turned to the end of the table to see a woman with blond hair leaning on one elbow, looking half-asleep with the meeting. Mandarin symbols were on the inside of her write. It was Tracy.

"I'd rather have her attack us later while we are better prepared that march into a bloodbath," Izzy chipped in.

"Then let us cast a vote. All those in favor of attacking Helena head on, say 'aye.'"

The room remained dead silent. Everyone just glanced around at each other, as if waiting for someone to say "aye." It was so quiet you could hear the crickets outside through the stone walls.

"Those opposed?" Every hand shot up and a chorus of "ayes" were heard.

"It is decided to focus on the defense, then," Alyssa concluded. "How do we go about it?"

"Since the attacks on the Institutes stopped a couple days ago, I believe that we should bring back all those who are not necessary outside. Bring in all the troops we can spare," Jessica suggested.

"It is overdue, my queen," Trinity argued. "In the past month, ten of our stations have been attacked and compromised. Who's to say that Helena won't attack more since you aren't giving in to her wishes?"

"Agreed," Kiara said gravely. "We shall bring back as many of our girls as possible. Better to have all of our warriors in one place so we can work as a unit, rather than scattered around the world to be picked off one by one. Any other suggestions?"

"Close as many access Portals as we can spare," Sheela continued. "Lessen Helena's chances of getting in."

"Shouldn't she be able to get in if she makes a Portal of her own?" Clary asked. "I made a rune that creates Portals to anywhere. Maybe Helena has a way to do the same thing. I mean, she knows where this place is, right?"

"Yes and no," Sheela responded. "This realm is in its own pocket dimension, protected by the magic of the angel Michael. Only those who are welcome here can find this place. The Portals we created are the only ways into this land. If you are not welcome, you cannot come in."

"So it's like a one way door," Simon said. "You lock it from one side, and the other side can't get in no matter what they do."

"Precisely," Kiara said. "But Helena knows magic that can trace our Portals if she gets her hands on one of them. So closing as many Portals as possible would be the wisest option."

"Perhaps we should have more guard stationed around the city," Tracy spoke up. "More security. As said earlier, Helena will move to drastic measures in order to get you to make your move, your majesty."

"True," Kiara answered. "I shall have Lady Hannah post more guards around the city as precaution. And I think this concludes out meeting for the day."

"Why would you say that?" Jace asked, confusion and frustration combining in his tone. Kiara gave a knowing smirk before silently pointing behind him.

All of them looked around to see that the stain glass windows behind them had gone dark.

No action this chapter, sorry about that. But I hope y'all enjoyed. I kinda wanted to show that not all are happy with the Shadowhunters, and that not everyone believes the situation is that bad. There is always cases of denial and doubt in times of crisis. Also, I wanted to show a bit more of Alyssa, since so far I have mainly written about what Kiara is like.

Also, please let me know if you guys want me to write a short story about the lore of the werecat race. I have literaly HAND-WRITTEN nearly TEN pages of content for their story. I mean seriously, my hand has cramped up so many times it's not even funny. PLEASE comment and tell me if you would like that! Also, PLEASE comment and tell me what you think! I like comments! And likes! ANd sleep...I think I should get some sleep now, I haven't been sleeping well lately. Goodnight all. Love you!

-KiaraBaneTMI