Hey guys, I am so sorry for the long update, but I warned you. And listen, since school has just started up for me again, and with a recent natural disaster in my hometown, updating will be hard. But I don't plan to just abandon this story! So, without further ado, here is my chapter update. Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own any of Cassandra Clare's characters.


Chapter 7: The Verdict

The next day, or at least what they assumed was the next day, Magnus and Alec sat restlessly in their cell as they awaited the verdict. Kiara had said her final decision would be made today, and that literally meant their lives were in her hands. If they were guilty, it was most probable that all their lives would be lost. If they were not guilty…they had no idea what to expect. But the possibility of being either had both men on edge.

Suddenly, the door appeared on the wall. Magnus and Alec both stood up as the guard entered the room. She remained silent, and just held the door open for the men. They both walked through, into the dark stone hallway, which the others were stepping out into. As each of the pairs exited, the doorways and the guards opening them vanished in a wisp of green smoke. Isabelle and Simon looked ragged, Simon more tired while Izzy just looked pissed. Jace and Clary emerged directly in front of them, Clary slightly scared but hiding it well, while Jace held her hand slightly, his face guarded. At the end of the hall, Lady Hannah stood, at the base of a dark tunnel that probably lead to a staircase, looking as emotionless and ruthless as ever.

"So what's up now?" Jace asked, glaring at Lady Hannah. She said nothing, but clapped her hands twice. In a flash of green and searing heat, shackles clamped around the wrists and ankles of all the prisoners. All of them grimaced at the metal searing burns into their flesh and causing them to feel like something was blocked off inside them. Most likely magic restraints. Magnus glared at Jace.

"Had to say something, didn't you?" he muttered. Jace just glared back, trying to break the chains, pointless as it was magic.

"Follow me," was all Lady Hannah said, before entering the darkened tunnel. The other groups followed when they felt their chains yank them in Lady Hannah's direction. Must be enchanted. As they ascended the stairs, they were surrounded by torchlight and stone, which was all was visible. All of them remained silent, until Simon decided to try and ease the growing tension.

"So…" he began, somewhat tentatively. "The queen's your sister, huh Magnus?" Magnus lowered his gaze to the stone steps as they continued to move. A small yelp from Simon must have indicated that either Alec or Izzy had elbowed him for his lack of grace.

"Yes, she is," Magnus answered quietly, a tone that did not fit him at all. "And apparently she hates me."

"With good reason," Lady Hannah's voice cut through like a diamond. "Your actions unintentionally caused her fifty years of torment, physically, mentally, and emotionally. It may not have been in the way she had originally believed, but you are still as much a cause as her warden was."

"I'm sorry," Magnus muttered quietly, shame in his tone. Suddenly, the pull of the chains ceased and his body froze in place. When Magnus looked up, he was met with a terrifying sight.

Lady Hannah was not standing in front of him, but now her skin was covered in black, ink like stripes. Her eyes were now green, the pupils slit so thin they were nearly nonexistent. Through her barely parted lips, Magnus could see a set of razor sharp feline teeth. As she reached out to him, her nails grew into claws, and rested one of them gently at the base of his neck. Magnus kept completely still as she stared at him.

"You only apologize because she now holds more power over you," Lady Hannah said, anger radiating off her in waves. "I was there when she was first rescued, and I have vowed to protect her since then. So help me, if you try anything to harm her—"

"I won't," Magnus interrupted, mentally slapping himself for saying that while she was so close to slitting his throat. Said woman just applied a tiny bit of pressure to his throat, and Magnus felt a drop of blood slowly slide down his skin. He remained silent.

"For your sake, I hope you don't," the terrifying woman replied. "If I were to make the verdict, you and your friends would be in hell without a second glance. The fact that you assisted Shadowhunters also makes me hate you more. But you are lucky. Thanks to her experiences, Kiara is much more patient and open to reason and mercy."

Lady Hannah's form then retreated back to the former, the claw shrinking away from Magnus's neck. When Lady Hannah turned her back to them, they felt the same invisible force as the day before push them to follow her. Magnus remained silent, all of them did. Izzy and Jace were glaring daggers into Lady Hannah's back, while Simon and Clary were looking at him with concern and confusion. Alec gently slipped his hand into his boyfriends, who gently squeezed it in thanks.

For what felt like hours, they walked through the dark tunnels. As they walked, they felt slight vibrations in the walls and air, as if there was a football stadium full of screaming fans that could be heard from miles away. Soon, they saw a bright light at the end, which Lady Hannah lead them silently through. Once they went through, were struck blind, deaf, and dumb. Metaphorically speaking.

When their eyes finally began to adjust, they looked around. They were standing on a dirt floor, in the middle of what appeared to be some sort of medieval Grecian arena. They looked around, surrounding them was a long, high stone wall, with guards posted. At the top of the walls, there were people seated on bleachers that stretched up. The stands were full, all eyes on them. Countless women and teenage girls filled the stands, dressed in battle gear. To their shock, they also caught sight of a few men, who were holding hands with the women they sat next to. So they weren't all female? Whatever, not important right now.

All eyes were trained on them as Lady Hannah led them to a platform in the center of the arena. Once they were at the steps, Lady Hannah gestured for them to go up. One by one, starting with Jace and ending with Magnus, they went up the stairs and stood on the marked spots. When they all were set, they looked ahead of them, to Kiara.

She was sitting in an isolated box, walled off from the women sitting at her sides. The seat she was sitting on was similar to her throne in the castle. It was a high chair, with blood red leather padding. The wood was dark, maybe mahogany, and had a lustrous shine to it as the light was shining in that direction. It was a throne befitting a true queen.

Kiara herself was as beautiful and astounding as the arena itself. Her face was that of a painting, regal and almost unreal in beauty. Her brown hair was down, a cascading chocolate waterfall past her shoulders and disappearing behind them. Around her head, she wore a black and golden chain like headband, which was around her forehead. The rest of her attire was as regal as her position. She wore a silver, Grecian style dress, which was covered by her breastplate. Around the middle of her upper arms, there were identical gold bands wrapped around them. When she crossed her legs, they could make out golden weaved sandals on her feet.

"My, subjects…no, that's wrong. My friends," she said, her voice echoing through the stone structure. "See these people before you, standing in our home. What do you believe they are? What do you think they are here for?"

The crowd erupted at her question. Many of the women yelled obscenities. Some bared their weapons, aiming them at the in their direction. Others just glared at them, their eyes feline and their teeth bared. But one thing was clear, they all seemed to hate them. Clary and Simon looked around nervously. Jace, Izzy and Alec kept their faces expressionless. Magnus just watched his sister, his face unreadable.

"Please, my friends," Kiara's voice said, firm but soothing, causing the crowd to settle. "Please, settle. I shall tell you.

"These people, one of them is a warlock, a fellow Downworlder. However, his reputation is not the most…commendable. The rest, the other five, they are something we have not seen in our home for many centuries. Nephilim."

When that final word left her lips, the crowd erupted again, even louder than before. All of the women were on their feet, weapons out, teeth bared and claws itching. Despite their facades, even the three lifelong Shadowhunters had traces of fear in their faces. Clary and Simon tried to keep brave faces, but it was hard, and their gripped their loves hands tightly. Magnus was unfazed, just staring at his sister. It was a little unnerving.

"Please, settle my friends," Kiara's voice spoke, much more firm and demanding than before. After a minute, the crowd settled, but tension was radiating in the air. The people in the crowd sat stiffly, rage masked on their faces.

"Now, I know that our people had much blood spilt because of their people," Kiara's voice said, gentle but firm, like a mother talking to an irrational child. "But, please, perhaps they are not like their ancestors. After all, many of us are here because we were not accepted and different from our original species." As Kiara said that last line, her eyes bored into Magnus' head. He felt shame as he looked at her.

"I shall tell you what they have told me," Kiara continued. "I personally kept them in my dungeon, under my lock and key, to protect you if they meant harm. I also personally interrogated them. So, please, if you do not believe them, believe me when I give you my information.

"These people are heroes of the Second Mortal War and the Dark War," Kiara continued. "Each of them had a major part in ending the war that could have caused great destruction to the world. Keep in mind, that includes our people." At that sentence, the crowd began to murmur, some begrudged, others in awe, but all of them silenced when Kiara raised her hand.

"Exactly thirty-eight hours ago, they arrived at the New York Amazon facility, where they were quickly apprehended. They would have been killed on the spot, but as you all know, no Nephilim have found our people in centuries. It was quite intriguing that these young Angel-descendants searched for us and were able to find us. So, I decided to interrogate them rather than killing them off immediately.

"For the past day, I questioned each of them in pairs. Here is what I have learned: they searched for our people in an attempt to find answers to a dilemma that has arisen. At first, I believed their intentions selfish, as many people who have searched for us have. However, none of them spoke lies."

"How do you know?" someone shouted from the audience. Lady Hannah and the guards looked ready to kill, but Kiara remained unfazed.

"Because I cast my truth spell upon them," the queen replied. "What they said was true. They did not seek us out to destroy us, rather to just find their existence."

"But does that justify their right to live?" someone else shouted in anger. "Their kind tried to eliminate us!" One by one, voices began to rise in agreement or protest of the question. The group looked around at the chaos, which was silenced when Lady Hannah snapped her fingers, a sound that was somehow louder than all the voices. Everyone silenced immediately.

"And now, I give you my verdict," Kiara concluded, acting as if the question and commotion hadn't happened. Everyone straightened up, eager to hear. On the platform, every couple held hands, for reassurance and for comfort in what was to come. Kiara looked at them for a while.

"After careful deliberation and consideration," Kiara said slowly, her eyes trained on them. "I have decided that these people…are not guilty of any crime against us."

The crowd erupted, some in pleasure, others in confusion. On the platform, there was also a sense of relief and confusion as well. They felt so sure that Kiara was going to sentence them as guilty. Magnus was the most shocked. He stared at his sister in confusion, and she just stared down at her hands.

"QUIET!" Lady Hannah's voice boomed. "Let the queen speak."

"Thank you, Lady Hannah," Kiara spoke softly. "My friends, you know my story, do you not? I was not exactly trust worthy, was I not? But because you opened your minds and hearts to welcoming and trusting me, I now stand before you as queen. I am willing to give these people the same benefit of the doubt that you had given me all those years ago. Please, my friends, won't you give these people a chance, like the one you gave me?"

"No one is supposed to know we exist!" someone else shouted. "Those who know of us but don't join us are to be eliminated!"

"That law had changed; don't you recall?" Kiara answered. "Our race is of secrecy. Those of you who have joined our kind left the world and swore to a life of secrecy to protect those you cared for. Therefore, anyone who knew of our existence and did not join us was to be eliminated. At least, that is what custom dictated, but we now have allies who live away from our people. That is one way our people have risen from the ashes of our past."

The crowd was quiet. For a few minutes that seemed to go on forever, the arena was completely silent. All eyes were on the group on the podium.

"I ask you, would you be willing to give them a chance?" Kiara asked them somewhat emotionally. "I am fully willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, and I believe that if we can begin to make alliances and friendly ties with our past enemies, both of our people will prosper. Our duty is to protect the world, as is theirs. Does it not make sense to try work together?"

"How can we even trust them?" the second voice asked, sounding a bit scared. "I mean, if they do turn on us, how will we remain safe?"

"I shall personally see to them," the queen explained. "They shall be residents in my home, where they can feel welcome, yet guarded. Although, I doubt they will do anything. If you do not trust them, then trust that if they rebel, I shall protect you. But please…will you please give them a chance?"

The crowd was quiet. For a few minutes that seemed to go on forever, the arena was completely silent. All eyes were on the group on the podium. Suddenly, out of the corner of their eyes, a single woman stood up. She was elderly, maybe in her seventies, and wore a dark cloak that covered her body. When she looked at the group on the stage, they saw her brown eyes were filled with warmth.

"Our queen was an outsider," the elder's voice rang out. "She was not originally one of us, and yet she has lead us. In all her years of service, she had never once deceived us as our previous queen did. If anything, all of her actions have saved lives and wrought prosperity to our kind. I shall trust her judgement now, and so should you."

When the elder woman finished speaking, she sat again, and the arena was silent for a moment. Then, another voice was heard, one of a young woman, who said that if not for the queen's actions and her judgement in the past, they wouldn't be here today. One by one, voices filled the arena, stating reasons that the queen should be believed. The group on the podium looked around in awe at the devotion to their queen. Kiara smiled down, her eyes glistening.

"So it is decided," Lady Hannah's voice boomed in Kiara's place. "Let us welcome these Shadowhunters and warlock into the kingdom of Krymmeno Florr!"

The crowds cheered in approval as Lady Hannah finished her statement. In a flash of light, the chains around the groups wrists and ankles vanished.

Lady Hannah smiled at them, a kind motherly smile, as she led each of them off the stage. When they reached the ground, they were surrounded by smiling figures, many of them young girls, who excitedly tried to reach the now welcomed guests and friends. Before they were knocked down by a sea of girls, the guards against the wall created a barrier, allowing them to move freely. Lady Hannah guided them through the crowds of people, to where Kiara emerged from a tunnel under her throne box. She smiled at them, a friendly smile full of warmth.

"I am truly sorry for the way I treated you," Kiara said, her voice full of regret and a bit of shame. She looked embarrassed. "As queen, I have to make sure there are no threats to my people. That's why I held you in my personal dungeons."

"You didn't trust us?" Jace asked, still a bit guarded. Kiara gave him a look that said "really?"

"If people that tried to exterminate your entire race just waltzed into an Institute one day, wouldn't you find that a tad bit suspicious?" Kiara asked him. Jace looked down, seemingly embarrassed. The rest of the group snickered.

"Anyways," Kiara said, smiling softly at them. "I hope you can forgive me. What I did was out of concern for my people. You are truly extraordinary. Not many of your people have found mine and lived. And not just because we eliminate those who know of our kind."

"I don't know whether to be honored or terrified by that compliment," Simon muttered. They all heard him, and Kiara gave a laugh.

"Both are reasonable, I suppose," Kiara said, embarrassed and amused. Then, she turned to them, and held out her hand. "I apologize. Not just for your imprisonment, but for my actions and hostility towards you all. What I said to my people was true, I do want to try and break the barriers between our people. Perhaps we can try to friends?" All of them looked at her for a moment, contemplating what to do. Surprisingly, Izzy was the one who stepped forward and took her hand.

"You were just trying to watch out for those you loved," she said. "I'm sure we can all understand that." Kiara smiled a relieved smile, like a weight dropped off her shoulders. She then beamed at the rest of the group.

"I hope that this can be the start of a great friendship," Kiara said. She then turned to her side, and motioned for someone to come over. "Aunt Hannah." Lady Hannah approached.

"Please prepare three of the best guest rooms available in the castle," Kiara said. Lady Hannah nodded and walked off. The rest turned to her, confused by the way she referred to the woman.

"'Aunt' Hannah?" Clary asked. Kiara smiled shyly, and shrugged her shoulders like a kid.

"She basically raised me when I joined the kingdom," Kiara said happily. A moment later, Hannah approached again.

"The rooms are ready," Hannah announced.

"Wonderful," Kiara replied with a bright smile. Lady, or Aunt, Hannah turned to the crowd, her eyes soft and welcoming. She made a small bow.

"If you will follow me," Hannah said, gesturing to the left. One by one, each of them followed Hannah. However, Magnus remained behind. When it was only him and Kiara, her smile disappeared.

"What?" she asked coldly. Magnus was slightly shocked by her tone.

"I wanted to thank you," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. "I know that we had bad history—"

"That's an understatement," Kiara interrupted, her voice vacant of all kindness and anger. It was clipped, but not hostile. "And let me make one thing clear: the only reason I let you go free with them was because I truly want friendship with them. And I have a feeling your boyfriend wouldn't have been open to friendship if I killed you. That is the only reason you are still alive, and that is the only reason you are living in my castle. I still haven't forgiven you, and I don't plan to. Now, I have to return to my people."

Kiara then moved past him, roughly barging into his shoulder. Magnus just stood there, feeling ice water move in his system. Then, he moved to join his boyfriend. Even Alec's touch didn't help the growing ball of misery in his stomach.


Yes, I know people are sick of Magnus getting the short end of the stick in life, especially with all that he's gone through. But trust me, it's going to get better. Keep in mind, sometimes things have to get worse to get better. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this and I'll update as soon as possible.

Please review on what you think! Love you all!

KiaraBaneTMI