DISCLAIMER- The Shadowhunter world, the characters from the book and some elements of the plot belong to Cassandra Clare. The Original Characters and the story is mine. Hope you enjoy!


PROLOGUE

My hands gripped his shoulders as they shook.

"I can't…I ca… No… I can't!" Tears streamed down his face as he shook his head and gasped.

Tears blurred my vision as a pain gripped at my chest. This was the last time I would get to see him. This felt real, now that I was actually standing on the cliff. Oh, how I wished it was just a bad dream but it didn't feel like a dream. Not when I could feel my heart beat so loud within me, not when I could feel the blood running through my veins.

I cupped his face. "It's okay… You have to…" I brought his forehead against mine. Our eyes meeting. "It will be okay…"

His eyes closed as he grimaced in pain. We both knew this was coming. We both knew we had no other option. But we both couldn't change how we felt about this.

I lifted to reach his lips as they met mine. One last taste. One last taste… A sob left me as we separated. I didn't want to do this. Oh God, please- I stopped the thought. This was my purpose. I had to do this. I let out a breath and looked at him. "Do it. Now."

His eyes didn't leave mine as he gripped my wing and ripped. Pain rang through my entire body and a scream left me. My nails dug into his neck, drawing blood. We were both sobbing. We had no words.

"Other…" I managed a whisper.

His trembling hand didn't move so I reached out mine to grab his. I moved it to my left wing. His grip tightened and pain shook my body as I felt another scream tear through me. I could feel the blood running down my back, as we both cried. I stepped away from him as he tried to hold me close, meeting his tear-filled eyes one last time, wanting to memorize them.

I whispered, "I love you…" as I fell, but not before I heard his reply.

"Always."

And so, I fell, with a smile on my face. Endings were supposed to be bittersweet after all.


CHAPTER 1

"A bunch of idiots, these Nephilim." I muttered.

These Jonathan Christophers were set on making my life hell. I stormed through the gates of my palace, ignoring the curious glances sent my way. I didn't have time for pesky mortals and their business. Always summoning me for the most useless shit.

"That doesn't seem like a happy visit?" Sophia's voice rang.

I ignored my sister and reached out for a bottle of vine which was immediately snatched by my brother. I growled. "What do you want?"

Arneil didn't flinch. "You have been assigned a new mission, Raziel."

I paused. "When?"

"Right about the time of your visit down to Earth."

I snorted. "You say visit as if I had much of a choice. These Nephilim are turning into a huge pain in my ass." I sighed. "Maybe I should just end them and create a new race. A much better one that follows the rules and don't summon their creator as if he's their servant!"

I shook my head. Sophia snorted. "You are certainly dressed like one."

I glared at Arneil when I saw him stifle a smile from the corner of my eyes. "So," I breathed, "what's the mission?"

Arneil cringed. Well that didn't seem good. "You've been assigned to…" he muttered something under his breath.

I straightened up. "What is it? Talk clearly."

"You've been assigned to protect a human girl."

"I'VE BEEN WHAT?" I thundered.

Sophia sighed and sauntered up to me. "Look we tried reasoning with Michael, but he was adamant that this is a serious case that requires your help."

I narrowed my eyes. "That's it?"

Arneil paled.

"There is more to it isn't it?"

My siblings exchanged a glance that told me as much.

I sighed. "What is it?"

Sophia spoke up. "They want you to protect Nesrin."

I froze. Nesrin. Nobody dared uttered that name to me. Ever. I had lost her. I had lost my hope and it was my fault. "You're telling me that he wants me to protect the very person I had been forbidden to interact with." Rage layered my words and their gazes found the ground.

"You are to protect her from a distance." Arneil repeated.

I huffed a laugh. Unbelievable. They had some nerve. My heart pounded as I clenched my teeth. "Tell him that I refuse."

"We can't do that." Sophia said with caution.

"And why is that?"

"Because Michael was just the messenger. The order has come from higher authorities…" Arneil answered.

I sighed. This was going to be a long day.

Oh Gods, Damn you.


ANASTASIA

The bell of the shop rang as a client of mine walked out. I stood up and stretched.

"Complicated one, huh?" Nina handed me my Chai.

"That's an understatement for that one."

She pulled up a chair and adjusted her sari as she sat. I met her wise eyes. Eyes were indeed the window to the soul. She was the wisest person I knew. Old people tended to be annoying but Nina was the sweetest person in the world. I loved her.

I smiled as I tasted the Chai.

"So, what are you planning for the rest of the day?"

I sighed and shrugged. "Lily and Fiona asked me to hang out with them."

Nina analyzed me. "But you don't want to, do you?"

I narrowed my eyes. "I'm the psychic here, you know that right?"

"Hmm, hmm."

"I'm the one who analyzes people."

She nodded. "And if I were you, I would say that you're deflecting."

I cursed internally.

She sighed. "Stacey, you can talk to me about it, you know. I know how much Melody meant to you."

"She was my best friend or at least I thought she was but apparently I am 'too crazy' for her." I blinked back the burning in my eyes. "Anyways, what's done is done and I've got better things to do."

She nodded, probably knowing she couldn't convince me otherwise.

I straightened up. "Anyways, how was your date last night?"

Her wrinkled cheeks flushed and she tried to stifle a smile. "I think it went great. Ian and I are meeting again this evening."

"Cool."

"So, will you meet with them this evening?"

I sighed and twirled on my toes. "Maybe. I'll decide later." I looked at her. "Don't worry, I'll close the shop tonight, if I do decide so."

She smiled and kissed my forehead and walked back to her counter.

The bell jingled and I looked up to find a regular client of mine walk in. I smiled and let out a breath. This was going to be a long day.

I shivered and rubbed my arms over the coat as my steps echoed on the sidewalk. I definitely didn't like winter. I had decided to join my friends. We weren't close but then again, I wasn't close to anyone. Fiona waved and nudged Lily as she was talking to someone. Melody. What the hell was she doing here? I swallowed and realized that I had stopped walking. I shook my head and reached them even though every cell in my body protested that it was a bad idea.

"Hey…" I fidgeted as my eyes bounced between them. Fiona and Lily echoed a hello while Melody just rolled her eyes.

I narrowed mine. What was her problem?

Fiona picking up on the tension clapped her hands for attention. "Come on now. Its been so long since we did this."

Lilly bounced to the restaurant door.

I seated myself beside Fiona and in front of Lily, and as far from Melody as I could. I was being petty but whatever.

"So," Fiona began, "what have you guys been up to?"

"Nothing much… Just Uni and well after my breakup with Josh I have decided to just focus on my studies."

" – Or date Dan," chimed Melody.

"Or, date Dan." Lily agreed with a sly smile.

They looked at me and my eyes widened. What I was doing, oh? "Me? Well, I'm thinking about travelling. I have saved enough and I've always wanted to, so…" I paused when I felt a pinching pain on my arm. I looked down to see a spider.

Gasping I swatted it away when I felt funny sensations going all the way up through my legs. I pushed my chair back and ignored the concerned looks the rest sent me. I looked down to see spiders climbing up my legs. I let out a squeal and jumped up trying to swat them but such attempts only resulted in them climbing up my arms. My chest tightened and my body shook just as my tear-filled eyes looked up to see disfigured faces making their way towards me.

I gasped. Spirits. These were spirits. I looked around to see everyone staring at me, astonished and horrified but my attention moved back to the spirits making their way towards me. Why? Why were they doing this? Just as I closed my eyes, dreading what's to come next, I felt their energies dissipate. My eyes flickered open. The only sign of their presence was a lingering stench of their darkness. Instead of them, I found a feather. A beautiful one at that.

"Stacey?" Lily called out and I came back to where I was and saw everyone murmuring.

"Told you, didn't I?" Melody commented.

I swallowed and looked away. They think I'm crazy. What if you are? A voice in my head whispered but I buried it and picked up my purse and ran.

Nobody stopped me as I felt the door shut behind me and the cold air bit into my cheeks. A tear made its way but I wiped it away as I walked, aimlessly. This hadn't happened in a long time. This hadn't happened since I turned thirteen. Why was it happening now? A sob escaped my lips as I sat down on the cold bench at the sidewalk. It really was my fault that I had no one. I gripped at my chest as if it would ease the ache. It didn't. I wiped away my tears and started taking deep breaths. Calm. I needed to be calm. It was going to be okay. I didn't need anyone. I never did have anyone. I'll figure this out. Yes, I'll figure this out. I ran my hand through my hair and let the whistling of the wind calm me.

I'll figure this out. I always do.


RAZIEL

I perched up on the rooftop as I watched the girl walk to her friends with fascination. She was so small in stature. My lips twitched. Her hand flew out to tame her long brown hair but I charged the wind to mess it up again. She huffed in frustration and tilted her face up. I stiffened for a moment. Had I been caught? She just shook her head and followed the mortals inside.

I sighed as I rolled my neck and spread my legs on the roof. This, this was what I was sent here to do? They couldn't have found me a more boring job, could they? I scoffed.

I stretched up and readied myself to leave when I felt it. My stomach fell. Something wasn't right. I flew down and moved to the restaurant window and my heart stopped. Dark spirits. What are they planning to do? My gaze flew to the girl. She felt it too. I could tell. I looked back at the spirits. I could go in there. Take their attention off of her. I started towards the door but then froze as I remembered. Rules. It was against the rules. I couldn't expose myself. I moved back to where I stood. I saw as she tried to free herself of whatever it was she saw. Could have been bugs. Could have been something else. I gritted my teeth. This wouldn't work. I need them closer to her before I could do anything.

I clenched my fists as they made their way towards her and her eyes shut in fear. This was it. I let my wings out and plucked a feather, blowing it towards the spirits. It flew through the window and settled on the floor where they stood.

The entities backed up a few steps and started looking around, searching. It was clear that it was an angel's feather. They wouldn't risk messing with one. They disappeared and the girl's eyes flew open as she shook, standing there. I stood frozen. I could go. The trouble was over. At least the immediate one. Why wasn't I moving? She strode out of the restaurant and I flew after her.

I settled myself on the roof of another shop as I watched her fall on the bench and let out a heartbreaking sob. I bit my lip, questioning my earlier decision. I shook my head. She wasn't Nesrin. She was a human girl. I shouldn't care for her. I did the right thing. I should have done the right thing from the start. She wasn't Nesrin. Not anymore. I sat there for Gods know how long and watched as she composed herself. She looked so lonely. My heart clenched at the sight of her dried tears and red eyes.

Before I could stop myself, I jumped down and swiftly walked towards her. I stiffened in shock. What did I just do? I should go back. But I didn't. I settled myself beside her.

"It's cold, isn't it." I refrained from hitting myself for how lame that was.

She jumped up and her wide brown eyes met mine as her jaw dropped. She cocked her head to the side and my breath left me. She was beautiful. She looked so different than how she used to but beautiful nonetheless. Her voice pulled me out of my reverie.

"Who are you?" She sniffled and cleared her throat.

Adorable. "Hello?"

Not Nesrin. I shook myself as my cheeks heated. "Not someone who means any harm. You can sit down. If you want, I can leave." I moved to stand up when she interrupted.

"No!" She said in a rush.

I looked up and settled myself back.

"It's okay. You can stay." Her warmth settles next to me.

"I'm Anastasia."

Anastasia. It was a pretty name. I met her gaze. "I'm Raziel."

Her brows furrowed. "Like the Angel."

Shocking myself, I let out a laugh. "Yeah. Exactly like the Angel."

"So," I began, "What are you doing out here?"

"I- I just don't know what to do, you know. I just feel like I don't know anything."

I met her eyes. I knew how that felt. "Don't look too far."

She gave me a questioning look.

"Don't look too far ahead into the future. Just do the next thing that needs to be done. Then the next. It helped me."

Her eyes widened and her lips curled into a small smile. We sat in silence and I did not want to move, when I felt her turn towards me.

"Thankyou. That surprisingly helps a lot." She smiled at me and before I knew it hands wrapped around my waist and her head met my chest.

I stiffened and she must have felt it as her warmth left me sooner than I'd like. Wait what!

"Sorry, I'm a hugger. Anyways, I'll see you around. Take care."

I watched as she walked away. She wasn't Nesrin anymore, but her soul was still the same.

Thunder rumbled and I sighed and looked up. I was in deep shit.

I smirked.

Serves them right.


ANASTASIA

I stormed into the house, cursing and trailing water behind me. Raining should be banned during winters. I groaned as I walked to my bathroom. Today sucked. In fact, the whole week sucked. I stripped and sighed as the hot spray hit my body.

My mind strayed to the stranger. Raziel. It was a strange name and strangely familiar. He was pretty. No, he was breathtaking. My brows furrowed as I remembered him, his blonde hair settled right above his spine and his blue eyes gleaming in the moonlight.

I shook my head. I didn't like this. Something was up. I felt like I knew him but I was pretty sure that if I had ever met him before, I wouldn't have forgotten him.

I turned off the shower and dried myself. As I settled in my bed with hot cocoa, I told myself to forget him. It wasn't like we would ever meet again. Besides, I had priorities. I had to figure out what went down in the restaurant. I groaned again as I got out of bed and opened my desk drawer to pull out some black tourmaline. Until I figured this out, I'll have to keep myself protected.

I stuffed it under my pillow and sprinkled some moon charged water around my room. Snuggling under the blankets, I felt my eyes flicker shut as I let out a yawn.

I knew I wouldn't meet Raziel. I didn't hope to. But there was a part of me that made that wish in the shadows.

A part of me I didn't yet understand.

Whatever. I'll deal with it tomorrow.