After Theo collapsed, the others were in chaos. Zachary knew that they'd seen him kissing Theo. He didn't care. Theo wasn't moving, and his breathing was getting shallow. He hoisted Theo up into his arms and shouted at someone to get the car. Erelah rushed over and started drawing iratze after iratze on Theo's arm, following Zachary outside. Zachary knew he needed some runes, his body stung from where the demons had torn open his flesh. Honestly, it was a miracle that they hadn't poisoned him too.

His heart was thrumming in his chest, it was so loud he could barely hear anything else. Erelah had her phone out and was whispering—or at least it sounded like she was whispering. Probably with Thomas, Zachary figured. Hopefully, the Silent Brothers, who could treat demon poison, would be there when they arrived. Victoria whipped the car into the parking lot of the Distribution Center, throwing the back door open.

"Get in!" Her voice came through to Zachary muffled, but he was already running with Theo to the car.

Everything else was still drowned out by the sound of Zachary's heart, except when Theo muttered, "Apollo."

"I'm here," Zachary said as he climbed into the backseat, laying Theo across the length of the seats, and holding his head in his lap. Erelah jumped in the front seat and Victoria raced back towards the Institute.

Theo muttered again, "Apollo,"

"Theo, it's okay," Zachary said, holding his hand to Theo's cheek.

"He says that in his sleep sometimes," Erelah said, twisting her head around to look at him, "I don't really know why."

Victoria answered, her voice was flat, "The same reason Zachary calls him Hyacinthus. It's a myth from Ancient Greece,"

"How did you know I-"

"You said it when Theo went under," She said, "Also I know this is not the time but for the record, you totally could've told me that Theo was your girlfriend."

"Well it doesn't even matter, Theo and I seem to be on different pages anyway," Zachary said.

"You didn't seem to be on two different pages just a moment ago,"

"Victoria!" Erelah snapped, "Not the time."

Victoria focused on driving. Zachary looked down at Theo. He almost looked peaceful, aside from the sweat beading up across his forehead and his face turning red. Zachary took the palm of his hand—the least bloody part—and wiped it across Theo's forehead, wiping away the sweat. Theo's skin was almost scalding hot.

"Victoria, I need you to hurry up please," Zachary said, panic was rising in every fiber of his being.

"I am going the speed limit!"

"Screw the speed limit! We need to get back to the Institute now!"

The engine roared and the outside started to go by faster. Erelah's phone rang and she put it to her ear, "I don't know. We're coming as fast as we can Thomas." Silence, "How long will they be?" The Silent Brothers weren't there, "We'll make it there before they do, get the infirmary ready." Another short couple seconds of silence and then she hung up.

"Where are the Silent Brothers?" Victoria asked.

"They're on their way, they're coming from New York." She said, "We'll make it back to the Institute before they get there, so Thomas is getting ready to do everything he can."

Suddenly Zachary had a question and it flew out of his mouth, "What happened to you two?"

"Nothing important," Erelah said, "lots of worms, not fun."

Victoria whipped around a corner so sharply that Zachary felt like the car was going to tip. Finally, Zachary started recognizing some of the buildings and Victoria pulled onto the street where the Institute was. Thomas was waiting outside, his face as pale as Zachary's, and took Theo from Zachary as they clambered out of the car.

"What kind of demon was it?" Thomas asked as he looked at Zachary.

"A Kuri demon," Zachary said, hurrying after Thomas as he half-ran to the infirmary. He kicked the doors open and hurried inside, the others following him. The infirmary was just about what Zachary expected. A large rectangular room with multiple beds in a line separated by dividers. Against both the east and west walls were cabinets full of medical supplies.

"Victoria, get Zachary an iratze," Thomas commanded as he laid Theo down on one of the beds and began stripping off his gear, "Erelah, get some bandages."

"On it," Victoria replied, pulled Zachary aside to one of the beds in the Institute, and pulling out her stele. She sat him down, physically having to push him down because he was trying to watch Theo. She started drawing on his face. He felt a cool sensation and then his skin began to stitch itself back together. She drew a few more, closer to his hands, and on his neck. Then she grabbed a cloth and started dabbing away the blood on his face. Zachary barely noticed as the Silent Brothers burst through the doors, three of them in total, and moved to Theo's side.

Theo if you don't survive, I'll never forgive myself.

Theo wasn't really sure where he was. The scenery kept shifting. Sometimes he was on the hill from his dream, sometimes he was in Zachary's room back in Idris, sometimes he was in the Institute, and sometimes he was in the oval-shaped arena with the Kuri demons. There was one constant, however.

Zachary. His back was turned and no matter how far Theo seemed to run, he couldn't reach him. He tried calling out to him, "Apollo," he'd shout, but Zachary never responded. He felt like he was floating for some time, and even heard someone shout something about Zachary needing an iratze. Then he remembered the Kuri demons, and kissing Zachary, how Zachary's face had been shredded. He felt even more desperate to get to Zachary and tried running faster, but still never seemed to get any closer.

Zachary collapsed, falling to the ground like a ragdoll and blood begin to gust out from underneath him, flowing towards Theo like a huge river. Theo's heart felt like it was caught in a bear trap, teeth crushing it with impossible weight.

With every ounce of desperation in him, he screamed, "Apollo!"

The Silent Brothers had ushered everyone out of the infirmary, and they were now all waiting in the lounge. Zachary was sitting in a chair, chewing his nails down to the bed. Erelah and Victoria were leaning against each other on the sofa, and Thomas was pacing back and forth behind them.

"What's taking so long?" Erelah said, sitting up a little, "it's been hours."

As if he'd heard her, one of the Silent Brothers stepped into the lounge and began speaking in their minds, Zachary Silverguard did you say a Kuri demon is what poisoned Theo?

"Yes," Zachary said, "They were definitely Kuri demons. I've killed them before in San Diego."

The poison in Theo Beaugrove's body is not from a normal Kuri demon. This poison is much stronger than we originally thought. The Silent Brother said. Zachary couldn't see his face, it was covered by his hood, though he knew his eyes and mouth were sewn shut, like all Silent Brothers.

"Then what—"

We have everything under control but we ask for your patience. Theo will recover.

The room filled with sighs of relief.

"Thank you Brother Sammuel," Thomas said, dipping his head just a little.

"Yes thank you,"

Thomas, you may come with me. Brother Sammuel said. The rest of you however must stay here.

Thomas nodded and followed after the Silent Brother, disappearing into the infirmary.

Victoria watched him, and then turned to Zachary, "Spill."

Zachary hadn't been expecting to be talked to, "What?"

"This isn't the time Vic," Erelah said politely, "Zachary is probably racking his brain."

"Well I don't like being lied to," Victoria replied harshly, "I want to know why Theo didn't tell us he was gay, or why you didn't tell us you were gay or why—"

Zachary snapped, "Well maybe because it's none of your damn business Victoria," he said, "or maybe because most of the Clave looks down on gay people or maybe because it's a terrifying thing to have to tell the people you love—I take that back, it's terrifying to have to tell anyone that you're different. Especially when you don't know their reaction, and I wasn't gonna out Theo or myself just because you wanted to get in my pants."

Victoria went pale and then red, "I wasn't trying to get in your pants asshole, I asked if you wanted to get coffee! I was trying to be friendly!"

"Right, because 'Zachary is the leader' and all your ass-kissing bullshit was friendly!"

"Excuse me?"

"BOTH OF YOU STOP IT!" Erelah shouted at the top of her lungs, "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU TWO?"

Zachary stopped, and immediately felt guilt, "Sorry, I'm stressed about Theo."

"We're all stressed," Erelah said, "which is exactly why we can't be fighting right now." Erelah folded her arms and started rubbing her parabatai rune. She shuddered, "I still feel like those worms are crawling all over me."

Victoria sighed, "I'm going to shower, let me know if anything changes with Theo." She stood up and headed for the stairs.

After she was gone, Erelah sighed, "I know why Theo didn't tell me," she said, "but I wish he'd known he could've trusted me. I don't think any less of him."

"I told him that," Zachary replied, "he used to talk about you a lot."

Erelah looked up at him, "Do you know where Theo got his sword?"

Zachary sighed, "Yeah, I gave it to him."

"Oh, I wasn't expectingthat answer," She said.

"It's a Silverguard family heirloom of sorts, but I thought it looked better on Theo—not to mention he'd already wielded it in battle, so I let him have it." He paused, and then found himself saying, "Also I was told to give it to the one I was going to marry."

Erelah gasped a little, "Wait are you and Theo—"

Zachary chuckled, "No, no, no. Nothing like that. I don't think Theo realized I was giving it to him for that reason anyway. He still thinks I'm going to take it back one day."

"Are you?"

Zachary shook his head, "Even if Theo hates me forever, it's his sword now."

Erelah didn't say anything else, she just looked down and rubbed her parabatai rune.

Things had changed for Theo. Zachary was gone, and now there was no one. The scenery had also changed. He was standing in Idris. Angel Square to be exact. Endarkened soldiers were charging him, their demonic runes seemed to be glowing on their skin under the red light of the sun. Theo pulled his sword and prepared himself, but as the soldiers charged the ground rumbled, and the statue of Raziel came to life, swinging the Mortal Sword through the Endarkened like they were butter.

"Thank you," Theo said.

Then the Angel turned, its eyes burning with heavenly fire, and raised the Mortal Sword towards Theo. He barely moved out of the way before the sword came down.

"You have no place among the Nephilim, you are a sin, a disgrace. You will humiliate your entire family! We have already caught your 'lover,'" The angel spoke.

Then everything shifted, and there was Zachary, crucified. His eyes were lifeless, his body was badly burned, holes in his flesh where his Marks used to be covered his body, and his face was twisted in pain. Theo fell backward and screamed.

The only sound that came was the sound of marching. He looked back, and being led by the Angel Raziel, was an army of Shadowhunters, Erelah at the front. Each one of them held a seraph blade, and when they spotted Theo they all yelled, "SINNER!" before charging towards him.

Victoria didn't know how she felt. Her face was still hot from her fight with Zachary, and she felt ashamed.

"Right, because 'Zachary is the leader' and all your ass-kissing bullshit was friendly!"

Zachary was right. Whether Victoria wanted to admit it or not, she was definitely coming on way too strong. But Victoria was seventeen, and had never had a boyfriend, never kissed anyone, never fallen in love. And then a hot new Shadowhunter showed up and she had lost her cool. Still, she felt stupid. Not only for embarrassing herself, but for not realizing that Zachary was obviously in love with Theo. Thinking back it had been incredibly clear, all the comments, the way he naturally tried to orient himself in their group to be nearer to Theo, the way he'd panicked back at the Distribution Center when he thought the werewolf was heading towards Theo.

She sighed and fell back on her bed. This whole demon ordeal had gotten out of hand. Now there was this mysterious warlock who had tried to kill them—but who was it? Their magic hadn't been neon green, so it definitely wasn't Fane Voss, but who else…

She grabbed a piece of paper and her pen, and began to write:

Fane, I need a list of every warlock that's been in the area for the last two months. This is urgent. I'll come down to the Complex tomorrow night and give you more blood if you'd like. Thank you in advance.

Then she sent it off.

Zachary sat up straight as the Silent Brothers, led by Brother Sammuel, and followed by Thomas, left the infirmary.

We've done all we can. Brother Sammuel said. Theo will be okay.

"Thank you again Brother Sammuel," Thomas said, "Erelah and Zachary, you two can come to see Theo now."

Erelah shot a look at Zachary as he stood up and then turned to Thomas, "Actually Thomas, I need to let in on what happened. Zachary can watch over Theo, and then we can come back down."

"Erelah—"

"Thomas you're gonna want to hear this." She said, her voice hard.

Thomas sighed, "Alright, let's go up to my office." Erelah smiled at Zachary, a smile that Zachary returned, and hopped up off the sofa.

Zachary headed for the infirmary.

Theo looked entirely peaceful now. His torso was bandaged, and he looked like Snow White, asleep in her coffin, waiting for her prince. The Silverguard sword was leaning against the table in its sheath, the red pommel staring at Zachary. Zachary took a seat on the edge of the bed.

"I'm sorry Theo," He said, "for whatever made you hate me, and for not being strong enough to protect you, again. I panicked, again. And again, you had to save me. I'm sorry." He took Theo's hand and gently ran his thumb over the Voyance rune.

"Apollo," Theo muttered, "What have they done to you?"

"Theo, I'm right here." He said quickly, wondering if Theo could hear him, "No one's done anything to me. I'm alright Hyacinthus. I'm right here. I'm right here." He pressed his lips gently to Theo's hand and squeezed it.

Everything had changed for Theo again. Raziel and the mob of Shadowhunters were gone, the crucified Zachary was gone, Idris was gone. Now he was outside the Institute. Blood poured down the face of the church, spreading over the ground like spilled paint.

And Zachary's body laid in pieces in front of the doors. Victoria stood over him, holding the Mortal Sword.

"Victoria, why?!" He screamed. She turned around; her eyes black holes set in her head. She smiled.

"Theo he never wanted you!" She shouted, "He betrayed you and you wished him dead. I was only doing as you asked. You wanted this Theo."

Theo couldn't understand. He didn't want Zachary dead, but he knew that he'd wanted it once. Things were beginning to swirl. Sometimes Victoria was Victoria, other times she looked like what Theo always thought Sebastian Morgenstern looked like. Sometimes they were at the Institute, other times they were in Idris.

"You did this to him, Theo!" Victoria shouted.

"I'm alright Hyacinthus," Zachary's voice carried through the wind and Theo took off in the direction that it was coming from, "I'm right here."

"He won't protect you, Theo!" Sebastian screamed, "He never loved you remember?!"

Theo didn't stop. Not even for a second. He ran as fast as he could towards Zachary's voice.

"I'm right here."

And then, Theo broke through the surface of his dream.