*Serena's POV*

Alec and I were watching the monitors trying to figure out where Scarlett could've run off too since she shut off her phone.

"Alec, Serena, what are you doing? You can stare at this monitor all you want, they need angel blood to get past the wards. Both of you know that. No Downworlder can come into the Institute. And Scarlett will come back after she calms down." Jace told us.

"Not without an invite by a Shadowhunter." Izzy added.

I just ignore Jace because I'm still pissed at him for hurting Scarlett.

"Last I checked, Valentine is a Shadowhunter. The Cup is not safe here. We have to give it back to the Clave." Alec said.

"Give it back to the Clave? No. Not everything we went through to get it." Clary said.

This girl is now on my last nerve. Does she not care about anybody but herself? If the Cup stays here, then all of our lives are in danger.

"My brother is right." Izzy started.

"The Cup is extremely important." I finished.

Clary sighed and that told me that she didn't like the fact that both Izzy and I agree with Alec and not her.

"Are both of you agreeing with me?" Alec asked Izzy and I.

"We're full of surprises." Izzy replied.

"This Cup is the one chance I have at getting my mom back." Clary said.

"I agree with Clary. (I rolled my eyes because of course, he would agree with her) We can't give the Cup to the Clave, not now. We need it. It's our only bargaining chip." Jace said.

"Look, I know how powerful this Cup is. It has the power to create new Shadowhunters, control demons, and even kill a mundane if they drank from it. But I promise you, I will not let that monster get his hands on it." Clary said as she looked at all of us.

"There you go. You have her word." Jace added.

"Follow me." Alec sighed before taking Clary to go put the Cup in a safe place.

After Alec came back, it wasn't too much longer before Alec looked at the monitor.

"What the... Huh?" Alec asked right as the alarm started going off.

"There's something outside the perimeter." Jace said.

"I told you..." Alec started to say.

"Don't say it." Jace interrupted.

"What's happening?" Clary asked.

"Looks like someone's trying to break in." Izzy replied.

"Could be the circle." Jace said.

"Told you so." Alec added.

"Too soon." Jace sighed.

*End of POV*

Taylor, Raphael, and I were outside the Institute and we knew that the others were on their way.

"I'm sorry about your friend." Taylor told me.

"Thank you, but it's not your fault. The only person I blame is Camille." I said.

"Don't move." Jace said.

"Drop what you're holding. Put your hands up." Alec demanded.

Raphael turned around and showed the others, Simon.

"Oh, my God, Simon!" Clary exclaimed.

We went into this basement and laid Simon down. Serena hugged me and thanked Taylor for keeping me safe. Taylor gave her a nod and I could tell that Serena was happy that there were some vampires that were decent.

"People will be wondering what we found outside the perimeter." Jace said.

"I'll go. I'll tell 'em we didn't find anything. Nobody will come down here." Alec said.

Before Alec left the room, he walked over and gave me a hug. I hugged him back and gave Izzy a big smile. The only regret I have of running from the Institute is leaving Alec, Izzy, and Serena behind.

"I might be a vampire... but I was raised a good Catholic." Raphael said.

"The vampires breached the Accords. Killing Simon is grounds for war." Izzy said.

"The vampires were not behind this." Taylor started.

"Just Camille. She attacked Simon on her own." Raphael finished.

"And how do we know you're telling the truth?" Jace growled.

"I'm still alive, right? Why would they just kill Simon and not me?" I growled back at Jace.

"We could've gotten rid of him, but instead we brought him here." Taylor started.

"We don't want trouble with the Shadowhunters." Raphael finished.

I stood between them and locked arms with Taylor. I'm still iffy on Raphael, but I do know that I'll protect them if I have to.

"Smart decision." Izzy said.

"I warned the mundane to stay away... but Camille gave him a taste of her own blood, and like an addict... he came back wanting more." Raphael said.

"The only reason Simon ever tasted Camille's blood is because of you. You kidnapped him and Scarlett! You drug both of them to Hotel Dumort. You... You delivered him to Camille!" Clary yelled at Raphael.

I may love her, but she needs to back off. Raphael or Taylor didn't want this to happen. They didn't ask Camille to attack Simon.

"I never meant for this to happen." Raphael said calmly.

I lightly touched his arm and gave him a soft smile to let him know that I fully believed him. All they wanted was the Cup and then Camille did this out of spite. I can't wait to get my hands on her.

"Simon. Simon, please come back, please!" Clary sobbed.

I could tell that everyone was hurting, and I was trying to be strong for all of us. Raphael went and sat down on a bench and Taylor led me over to it as well, and we joined him. I could tell that Serena was shocked but she was seeing that not all vampires are vicious.

"There is a way." Taylor started.

"'A way' what?" Jace growled.

"A way to being Simon back." Raphael replied.

"You can do that? How? How?" Clary asked.

She must not really read or pay attention to anything. Even I know what they are fixing to say next.

"He's a fledgling. It's a state of transition. Your friend can be resurrected." Raphael replied.

"No." Jace said.

"Clary, no." Izzy added.

"So I could have Simon back? Alive and breathing?" Clary asked.

"That's just it. He won't return alive or breathing. He'll be a vampire." Izzy replied.

"And not the sexed-up, romantic kind. The ugly, bloodsucking, coffin-dwelling kind." Jace added as he glared at Raphael.

"That's offensive." Taylor started.

"Really?" Jace questioned.

Raphael stretched his arm out on the back of the bench, and I could tell that Jace didn't like that because his hand brushed my arm.

"Coffin implies wooden box. We have caskets now. They're made of 14-karat gold." Raphael finished.

"My bad." Jace said as he clicked his tongue.

I had to stifle a giggle because it was nice to see someone put Jace in his place.

"It's almost sunrise. Simon must be turned into a vampire tonight or staked through the heart." Raphael explained.

"And if I do neither?" Clary asked.

"His soul will be trapped for eternity. You have until sunset to decide. The clock is ticking." Taylor replied.

I'm still surprised that both Raphael and Taylor are still here, but I'm also thankful for that because with everything going, I need all the support I can get.

"I'm so sorry I wasn't there. This is all my fault." Clary sobbed after listening to the voicemail from Simon.

"Clary, this isn't your..." Jace started to say.

"No, it is! If it wasn't for me, Simon would have never even known about the Shadow World. He would never have been kidnapped by vampires. He wouldn't have met Camille. He would... He wouldn't be dead." Clary interrupted.

"Clary, Simon would've known about the Shadow World regardless because of me. Some way or another he would've found out and then we would probably still be in this same predicament." I added.

Clary just looked at me and I couldn't tell is she actually believed me or not, but I was telling the truth.

"A fledgling. He's in transition." Raphael said.

"And now I am left with two... two reprehensible choices... And I can't figure out which one is worse." Clary said.

I don't even know what I would choose, but I know that Simon wouldn't want this, so I guess my choice is already made.

"If I, uh... if I bury Simon... what are the risks?" Clary continued.

"Clary, no. Absolutely not." Jace said.

"Jace, we need to know!" I growled out.

Clary and Jace were shocked because I was standing next to Clary by now. I may be mad at them, but I will always back Clary because that's what sisters do.

"If Simon is buried and he doesn't emerge... he would be trapped under the earth... starving for eternity." Raphael replied.

"Oh, my God." Clary gasped.

"And, uh, if we... if we stake him?" I asked because I know that Clary couldn't at this moment.

"He'll die a human death. It's painless, as far as we know." Taylor replied.

"Simon, I'm so sorry." Clary cried.

"Sis, the final choice is yours, but we both know what Simon would really want. I know what my choice is, so now you have to make yours." I told her.

Clary just looked at me, but knew that I was right. We hugged and I could tell that this was harder on her than it was on me. This moment just proved to me what I've known all along; Clary returned Simon's feelings but kept them hidden because she wasn't sure if he liked her back.

Clary and Jace went to tell Simon's mother, but I decided to stay with Serena. Serena then told me that we were going to Simon's house because Clary didn't tell Simon's mother that he wasn't coming back.

"Clary... what happened to the plan? Tell her that Simon's not coming back." Jace said.

"I tried, okay? I just... I can't. I'm not ready to give up on Simon." Clary said.

"Would you stop for a second, think about what you're doing?" Jace questioned.

I think I know where he's trying to go with this because he doesn't want Clary to make a rash decision and regret it later.

"I am, Jace, okay? It's like my brain is telling me to do one thing and my heart another and..." Clary replied.

"Okay. Look... there was this boy... and his father bought him a falcon for his sixth birthday." Jace started.

"Are you seriously telling us a story right now?" Clary asked.

"Please, just listen." Jace said as he looked from Clary to me.

"His father told him to tame the bird. Make it obedient." Jace continued.

"That's crazy." Clary said.

"And the boy would spend every day with that falcon. It would scratch at him. Make him bleed. But eventually... he earned its trust. He brought the bird to his father, to show him that the bird would come back to him. He thought his father would be proud." Jace added.

"And he was, right?" I asked even though I probably already knew the answer.

"No, Scar. His father took the falcon and snapped its neck." Jace replied.

"Okay, that is the worst story I have ever heard." Clary said.

"You're missing the point." Serena sighed.

"Yes... the boy was devastated. But he realized his father was right. He was told to tame the bird... not to love it. That's why you have to listen to your head. If I listened to my heart... I'd never be able to do my job. Third rule of Shadowhunting... emotions cloud judgment." Jace finished.

"Jace, if... if being a Shadowhunter means that I have to be dead inside... I'm not sure I want to be one." Clary said.

"Then I guess your mom was wrong. You're not cut out for this world." I finally spoke.

Clary went to say something but I stopped her.

"Our decision on Simon has to be together, and I already know what my decision is. I know that Simon wouldn't want to be a vampire, so my choice is to stake him and let him be in peace. Jace is right, emotions cloud judgment, but I know how you are and you'll probably do something selfish, so I guess only time will tell." I added before leaving.

Serena, Jace, Clary, and I went to the Jade Wolf to let Luke know what was going on.

"Luke, are you okay?" Clary asked as we noticed all the damage to the Jade Wolf.

"What happened?" Jace asked.

"Uh... you should see the other guy. We were attacked by a Forsaken if you can even call it that. Anyway, it's dead. It looks worse than it was." Luke replied.

"Luke, you're hurt." I said as I noticed a scratch on his chest.

"Uh, no. Already healed. Perks of being a werewolf." Luke said as he gave me a soft smile, which I returned.

"Anyway, I called Alec. He took the Forsaken back to the Institute for an autopsy." Luke added.

"We've got the best forensic pathologist in New York." Serena said.

"Yeah, so I've heard. Clary, Scarlett, what are both of you doing here? Now that you have the Cup, you know you should be back at the Institute, protected." Luke questioned as he looked from me to Clary.

"I haven't taken my eyes off of them." Jace said.

Serena went to argue but I shook my head because I didn't want any more blood shed.

"We needed to see you." I said.

"Luke, it's Simon. He's, um..." Clary started to say but I knew that she was having trouble finishing her sentence.

"Luke, he's dead." I finished for Clary.

"Clary, Scarlett, I'm sorry." Luke said as he hugged us to him.

This is exactly what we needed and I hope that Luke can get through to Clary and tell her that she needs to think about what Simon would want instead of what she wants. This isn't the time to be selfish, it's time for to be brave. Serena and Jace stepped outside so Luke, Clary, and I could talk alone.

"Luke, what do we do? If we bring Simon back then..." Clary trailed off.

"He'll be a vampire. A Downworlder." Luke finished.

I took notice that Luke spaced out on us and that told me that he was reliving what happened to him.

"It wasn't easy going from a revered Shadowhunter to a... werewolf. Suddenly, I was foraging for food, unable to control my own body. I lost my family... my friends." Luke said.

"But not my mom." Clary said.

"No. Jocelyn, or your parents, Scarlett, never abandoned me. Having you, Scarlett, and Jocelyn in my life kept me from using this (Luke showed us the knife on the able). Knowing that the three of you needed me." Luke said.

"We'll never stop needing you." I said.

"Clary, Scarlett... both of you know that I love Simon like a son. If both of you decide to bring him back, just know that his journey won't be easy. So make sure you do it for him... and not yourselves." Luke told us.

Thank you, Luke! My decision is made and I hope that Clary makes the right decision. But I know her and she'll do something selfish and then we'll all pay for it. All of us met back up in the basement where Simon was.

"The sun is setting." Raphael started.

"Have you decided?" Taylor finished.

Clary and I just shared looks because we knew that we had to decide now. As we were walking through the cemetery I kept thinking about all the times that Simon, Clary, and I were the goofiest bunch you could ever meet. As Raphael stopped, all of us followed, and Jace slowly placed Simon on the ground. All of a sudden, we heard rustling and then Camille showed up.

"What do you want?" Clary asked.

"I want my property back." Camille replied.

"Simon is not your property." I growled back.

"If you'll just hand him over, I'll be on my way." Camille said.

"You heard both Clary and Scarlett. You're not laying a hand on him." Jace and Serena said together.

"Fine. I tried to do this the nice way." Camille said before snapping her fingers.

A whole slew of vampires showed up, but I knew that we would be alright because Raphael and Taylor were there. Plus, I can tell that they have a plan.

"Jace." Clary said.

Serena and I shared looks because we knew that we would fight together to get through this dilemma.

"I'm glad you brought everyone here to witness your demise. Camille killed this mundane. Now, we have all the proof." Raphael started.

"She's been breaking the Accords for too long now. He's the evidence we need to show the Clave what Camille has been doing." Taylor finished.

"Are both of you trying to overthrow me?" Camille chuckled.

"No." Taylor started.

"We already have." Raphael finished as both of them bared their fangs.

The vamps moved closer to Camille, but she wasn't done trying to win them over.

"Don't listen to them. Neither of them know the first thing about leading. You need me. I've given you everything you could want. All the riches. All the pleasures you could desire." Camille said.

"By breaking the law. Which will only destroy us." Raphael said.

"We can fix this. If we just get rid of the body, this mundane means nothing." Camille said.

"Means nothing?" I asked as Clary and I stepped closer to Camille.

"Over our dead body." Clary said before punching Camille.

As we walked back to the others, Clary and I fist bumped each other because we knew that we just put that bitch in her place. After all the vampires left with Camille, Raphael and Taylor walked up to us.

"Clary, Scarlett... it's time. Which will it be?" Raphael asked as he held up a stake and a shovel.

Clary glanced at me but I just shook my head because I knew what my choice was. Clary then looked at Jace and I had this feeling that he was telling her not to be selfish. I watched as Clary took the shovel and went to stand with Taylor. I knew that Clary would do that and I hope this doesn't come back and bite us in the ass. After Clary dug the hole, she talked to Simon before Raphael put him in the ground. Jace hugged Clary, but then Clary pulled me to them so that way all three of us were hugging. Clary went to throw dirt on Simon, but couldn't so Jace took over as Clary stood by Raphael.

"I'm sorry you're going through this." Taylor told me.

"I appreciate that. I don't blame either of you for this and I'm glad that you're here taking care of Camille." I said back.

Taylor, Raphael, Serena, and I stood off to the side and just talked before I decided to join Clary and Jace since Jace asked Clary what the first rule of being a mundane was.

"It's that love makes you stronger." I told them.

"It was my mother's love for me that made her betray Valentine and steal the Cup. It's love that makes you fight harder for what you want." Clary added.

All of a sudden, the ground rumbled and I had an idea on what that meant. Clary and Jace stood up and Serena joined us.

"It's happening." Raphael said as he and Taylor joined us as well.

"Simon." Clary said as Simon emerged from the ground.

"Simon, it's me. It's... It's Clary and Scarlett." Clary said again.

Simon hissed at us and both Serena and Jace pulled us back, even though I knew that Raphael and Taylor wouldn't let him hurt any of us.

"Once reborn, you emerge hungry. Very hungry. Drink up." Raphael said as he kept throwing blood bags to Simon.

I was sandwiched between Taylor and Serena when Simon finally looked at us.

"Clary... Scarlett... what's happening?" Simon asked.

"You, um... you died." Clary replied.

"I what? What's this? That's blood! Oh, my... Oh, my... Why can't I say..." Simon sputtered.

"God. It'll take time to regain the ability. There's a lot you will need to learn." Raphael said.

"Oh, my... Damn it! Am I... Am I a vampire?" Simon asked as he looked at Clary and I.

"Yeah." I whispered with a slight nod.

"Clary, Scar, tell me... tell me this isn't real. Tell me this is not really happening!" Simon yelled.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!" Clary cried.

"I'm... I'm repulsive!" Simon yelled.

"No, please... please don't say that, okay?" I whispered.

"You're still the same, Simon. You're the same Simon we've known our whole lives." Clary continued.

"The same guy who... loves sci-fi. And who can recite every line from... from every Nicolas Cage movie." I added.

"The same Simon who carried me over the Brooklyn Bridge when I lost my shoe, okay? Listen..." Clary finished.

"No, Clary, Scar, I'm not!" Simon yelled.

"Yes, you are, Simon! You are the same Simon! You're our best friend!" Clary yelled back.

"I'm not. I'm nothing more than a monster." Simon said.

"No, Simon, you..." Clary said.

"Stay away! Please just... stay away." Simon told us before running off.

"Simon." I said after he ran off.

"We'll look after Simon. You have our word." Raphael told us.

Taylor hugged me and I took a risk and hugged Raphael.

"Thank you for everything." I said after I stepped back from Raphael.

Raphael nodded his head before him and Taylor took off after Simon.

"What did I do? What did I do?" Clary cried as Jace hugged her to him.

I had to bite my tongue to keep from answering her, but she should have known that this was going to be the outcome. Guess she only cares about herself instead of thinking of others.