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Disclaimer: The TMI universe belongs to Cassandra Clare. Me and my OCs are just playing in it.

Chapter 16: The Inquest Day 2

Clary let out a sigh as she placed her hairbrush in her lap. She turned Moriah's face to her, looking at those dark shadows under her eyes. ''Did you sleep at all?''

Moriah just blinked at her.

Jace adjusted his gear as he exited the bathroom. ''They do say 'sleep is for the weak'.''

''Well, then she must be freakin' invincible,'' Clary muttered. Moriah cocked her head to the side, making a noise in her throat. She pointed to herself. ''Yes, we are talking about you.''

''Hmmm.'' Moriah turned her attention to her toy bunny in her lap. She kicked her feet over the edge of the bed.

Clary began doing her own hair, undoing the two braids she had slept in and combing it through with her fingers. Moriah watched her she did so, her black eyes looking at her long, red hair with wonder. That or she was staring off into space again.

Clary began braiding her hair into one braid and let her thoughts wander. There would be more questions today. More inquires for Renage on the details of her 'procedures', and then no doubt more inquires for Clary to discuss how she was affected. Today, the Clave might find out what Clary had only told Magnus back when Moriah was first found. The thing she had begged him not to tell another soul.

What if she is more than one thing?

Clary didn't know for certain if that was the case, but the Clave wouldn't care. The demon blood was bad enough in their eyes, and throwing any other unknown element in there would no doubt be the end of this Inquest. The writing would be on the wall, the final nail driven into the coffin. Thank you, brain, for that lovely mental image.

''Clary?''

Clary snapped out of her thoughts and looked to Jace. He was holding out a hair tie for her. ''You okay?''

''Yeah,'' she said. She realized she had reached the end of her braid and was just holding it. She accepted the hair tie. ''Thanks.''

Jace watched as she tied off her braid and tossed it over her shoulder. He looked at her for a moment before reaching out and tucking a lose strand of hair behind her ear. She could see he was dying to ask if she was alright again, but knew it was pointless. She wasn't alright and he wasn't alright. They would not be alright until all of this was over and done with and they knew where they stood.

He tilted her head up and kissed her. Clary closed her eyes and captured his scent of soap and sunlight. It was strange, how sometimes words didn't seem to come to them. There had been a time in their relationship that that had made her nervous, but now it was comforting. They didn't know what to say, and yet they were on the same page. They were in this together, having each other's backs always.

''Hmmm,'' Moriah whined, tugging Clary's arm. Clary smiled and pulled away from Jace to look at her.

''Yes?''

''Hmmm.''

''You want to go downstairs?'' Jace asked her. Moriah was silent as he walked around the bed to pick her up. ''I heard Max insist yesterday on picking up some sort of greasy, fried, frosting filled pastry from somewhere. I think he meant it for breakfast.''

''That sounds just disgusting enough to work,'' Clary said.

''Heart attack for breakfast it is, then.''

''I know what your usual is from Taki's. You have no right to judge.''

Jace let out a dramatic sigh. ''Yes, but that is lunch.''

Clary laughed. She stood up and followed them out of the room.

They were in the hall when she noticed Moriah stiffen and look in the direction of Isabelle's room. ''What's wrong?'' Clary asked her, but then paused herself. There was talking going on. Very loud, energetic talking.

Jace frowned down the hall as well. ''What are they doing?''

''I dunno.''

They waited a few more minutes in curiosity. Just as Clary was thinking they should knock and see, the door opened and Alec stormed out. ''Of all the stupid half formed ideas-'' he stopped short, seeing them.

''My ideas are half formed?'' Isabelle retorted, chasing after him. ''Have you ever-'' she stopped too. ''Oh, good morning.''

''Morning,'' Jace replied.

Simon could be heard sighing. ''Are you two-'' he came out of the room and also froze at the sight of them. ''Hi,'' he stuttered. ''Uh, morning?''

''Morning,'' Clary greeted.

''Any more people you got in there with you?'' Jace asked Isabelle.

A flush rose to Isabelle's cheeks, which never happened. ''No.''

There was a pause. ''Whatcha guys talking about?'' Clary asked. They all replied at the same time:

''Nothing,'' said Isabelle.

''Weapons,'' said Alec.

''Pokèmon,'' said Simon.

''Sure,'' Jace said. Clary exchanged a look with him. ''Well, see you downstairs.''

They all three gave vague answers of agreement.

They continued their way downstairs. ''Is it just me,'' Clary spoke softly, ''or did you get the sense they were being untruthful?''

Jace glanced back over his shoulder. ''What gave you that impression?''

Max and Jonathan watched as both Lightwoods and a Lovelace reentered the room. ''Smooth, all of you,'' Jonathan commented. ''Very smooth.''

Max frowned at him. ''Celeste said you weren't very good at lying.''

''I'm better than that.''

''I was taken off guard,'' Simon mumbled.

''Two other people went out in front of you,'' Jonathan countered. ''You didn't clue in that someone was in the hallway?''

''Shut up,'' Isabelle said bitterly. ''We still have to decide what to do.''

''That's right,'' Alec chimed in, his tone full of sarcasm. ''Your brilliant plan of action.''

''I'd love to hear your's.''

Max watched his siblings bicker from his perch on Isabelle's bed. He felt very anxious, his heart skipping in his chest. Isabelle had summoned them all to her room to discuss what she and Jonathan had done last night.

Max was still shocked. Renage was just the opening act until this vampire Jane could make her appearance with some big monster in tow. They were coming to take Moriah.

Of course, this was only at the word of Fern and May. Sure they were fairies who couldn't lie, but what if they were speaking in partial truths? Maybe there was another aspect to this they weren't aware of.

But even if that was the case, they couldn't ignore the threat of Renage and this vampire. Something had to be done. But did it have to be Isabelle's plan?

''We can't not tell Jace and Clary,'' Alec insisted.

Isabelle sighed. ''I know. But Jonathan has a point-''

''No, Jonathan had better explain how Celeste got into Idris or I'm going to have to conclude he let her in.''

''Alec,'' Max warned.

Jonathan raised an eyebrow. ''Celeste is strange and does strange things; I've no idea how she got into Idris. Maybe May and Fern showed her an entrance?''

''You didn't think to ask?'' Alec said, turning to Isabelle.

Was Max imagining it, or did Isabelle look surprised at Jonathan? ''Uh, other things were more pressing and important.''

''More important than finding out if there is any merit to their suspicions?''

''We can't afford not to take precautions!''

''I agree! However-''

''If you agree,'' Jonathan cut in, ''than what we're saying makes sense. We stay on guard for the rest of this Inquest, telling no one about Jane, and when she does show up, we will be ready.''

Alec rubbed his forehead. ''If we tell anyone, this vampire could catch wind of it and change her plans,'' Isabelle tried to convince him. ''Plus, the Clave might hurry things along with the Inquest, in which case…''

She trailed off, but everyone caught her meaning. If having Moriah in Idris prompted some Underworld creature to invade, clearly Moriah was dangerous. It would be as simple as that for Shadowhunters like Geoffrey Whitesnake.

''How can they even get into Idris?'' Alec demanded.

''If those fairies got in,'' Simon said, ''well, they are apart of the Underworld. Maybe there's an entrance through the fairy realms? Or maybe Renage did something while in prison?''

''More speculations,'' Alec grumbled. He glanced at Jonathan. ''Is it possible this Celeste creature-''

Jonatan shook his head. ''Not a chance.''

''So she managed to get into Idris and this vampire and her monster can too? That's a coincidence?''

''Celeste would not do that. First off, it would be insane to hatch a plan and then risk discovery by telling us about it. Second off, she would not betray Jace and Clary. Ask them. They trust her.''

Alec didn't look convinced, but sighed and changed the subject. ''If this thing shows up while most Shadowhunters are in the Accords Hall, how exactly are we supposed to fight it?''

''Wing the hell out of it?'' Max suggested.

''George will help,'' Simon said.

''Great. So instead of 6 Shadowhunters there will be 7. Much better odds.''

''Celeste will help,'' Jonathan said.

''She's still in Idris?'' Alec stared at him. ''How is she does she intend on getting into the Hall?''

Jonathan paused a moment, and Max wondered if he was speaking to Celeste right now with their mind link. ''She'll figure it out.''

Alec looked as though he wanted to bang his head against a wall. He sighed. ''Fine. Whatever. I- I need to go get the boys…''

He walked out of the room back down the hall. They all watched him go silently. ''You don't think,'' Max heard Simon whisper to Isabelle. ''That he might…''

Isabelle shook her head. ''No. No matter how he feels, he knows what the right thing is.'' She turned back to them all. ''Come on. Inquest Day 2, people.'' She clapped her hands for emphasis and led the way out.

Max followed slowly, wondering what Isabelle and Simon were referring to. ''Do you think we'll make it?'' He asked Jonathan bluntly as they made their way out of Isabelle's room. Simon and Isabelle were already to the stairs. ''I mean, with Moriah? Do you think she'll be okay?''

Jonathan looked at him. One thing Max liked about Jonathan was that- though his genuine expressions could be vague- he said what he thought and meant it. He was disappointed to see Jonathan with one of his false expressions. He spread his hands. ''I guess we'll see.''

Jace was again at the front of the Accords Hall room, sat on a hard bench with Moriah in his lap. She leaned against him, her cold fingers tapping his arm absently. Clary was close beside them, her shoulder against Jace's. She was staring at her fingers, all twisted together. Jace didn't blame her. Anything was better to stare at than the people who were staring at them.

Just as yesterday, the room was filled with Shadowhunters. However, most people seemed content to sit either in the back of the room or on the other aisle of benches. Though they wanted to witness the Inquest of a demon child, they clearly didn't want to get too close.

Jace hated the stares. He could hear the whispers of people, see them point and talking about his family. How dare they. They didn't know Moriah and they didn't care to. They just hated her for her black eyes and demon blood. And you people wonder why things got so bad with Downworld relations.

The sounds of the Councils entering and taking their seats made Jace's worry increase. He tightened his grip on Moriah and took Clary's hand. He felt her untangle her fingers and straighten up. No need for the Councils to see their worry.

Jace spotted Lily and Maia and Magnus. They took their seats, all three looking weary. Now that he thought about it, he wasn't sure if Magnus had even returned to the Manor last night. He doubted that boded well for them.

Maia met his gaze for a moment before looking away quickly. More fear pricked at Jace. You're against us too?

More footsteps alerted Jace to another presence. He watched with narrow eyes as Renage was led in, her smile as cold as ever. She saw him looking and unlike Maia, did not break eye contact. Jace felt the corner of his mouth twitch. One day, I will have the pleasure of killing you. Mark my words.

Robert, after a brief word with the Consul, went to take his place in front of Renage. ''Renage of the Fair-folk,'' he began. ''You were the one who planned the experiments that would be preformed on the child Moriah Cèline Herondale, correct?''

Slowly, Renage looked away from Jace to the Inquisitor. ''I was involved in the process,'' she admitted.

''What did these experiments consist of?''

''Oh, lots of things.''

''Will you elaborate?''

''Do I have a choice?'' Her mouth was set in amusement, and Jace got the distinct impression she was thinking over her words carefully, planning how each word could be used to cause the most damage. ''Well, I suppose firstly there was, most obviously, demon blood.''

The demon blood. There it was, out in the open. Even with her black eyes, this was the first time their cause was confirmed. Moriah had demon blood. Moriah was part demon. And now ever Shadowhunter in Idris knew it to be the undeniable truth.

''From where did you get this demon blood?'' Robert asked.

''Lots of demons around.''

''Jonathan Christopher Morgenstern was turned a demon by the blood of Lilith. From which demon did you procure the blood to turn Moriah Cèline Herondale into one?''

''Are not all demons children of Lilith?'' Renage inquired. ''It could be said that it was Lilith's blood in any case that turned Moriah into what she is.''

''Fairy Renage,'' Robert repeated, ''from what demon did you procure the blood?''

''My point-''

''I want a breed, Renage. State the breed of demon.''

Renage's eyes flashed coldly. ''I don't know,'' she admitted.

Jace felt Clary's grip tightened. This was news to them both.

''You don't know?'' Robert repeated. ''How could you not know?''

That cold gleam came back into Renage's eyes. She leaned eagerly forward. ''In the Underworld, there are many…creatures whom have never been named. The closest you can get to their identity is what tales might be wrapped up in mundane folklore. Even then, you only get a glimpse of their true character.'' She straightened up with a superior look. ''It was from one of these creatures that I procured the blood used in the child.''

Jace saw a hole in her story, a small glimmer of hope or destruction. Robert did too, and with his heart in his throat Jace listened as Robert asked, ''how did you know this creature was a demon?''

''How do you know you are a Shadowhunter? How do I know I am a fairy? It has to do with characteristics, with feeling. When I saw that creature, felt it's yellow gaze on me, I knew I was looking at a beast from Hell itself.''

Renage's words washed over the room. Jace dug his nails into his palm. The death I pick for you will be slow and painful.

''You can't tell me,'' she went on, ''that when you look at that child, you don't feel that same feeling? The feeling of…evil?''

''I will ask the questions,'' Robert growled at her. Renage smiled coldly. ''You said these experiments consisted of a lot of things. That was one of them. What was another?''

''We could see from the first injection the child was very weak,'' Renage continued. She inspected her fingernails lazily, taking for granted that they were all hanging on her every word. Jace wished she were wrong. ''So we gave a- supplement, if you will.''

''Of what?''

''The strongest creature of all.''

''Which is?''

Renage laughed. ''We are fairies, who do you think we think is the best? We gave her fairy blood, of course.''

Clary was clutching Jace's hand so tight he couldn't feel his fingers. Demon blood and fairy blood. All of the Shadow World hated fairies since the recent war. Two of the most despised creatures, and Moriah had blood from both of them.

''I don't wish to alarm you,'' Renage said. ''I know how you feel about my kind. The blood we gave her was very little, and very diluted. After all, we didn't want a fairy, did we? But a monster.''

Each word was a shovelful of dirt in the grave she was digging for them. Deeper and deeper and more desperate the situation went on.

Jace watched Robert take a breath to steady himself. ''Any other 'supplements'?''

Renage pretended to think. ''I don't know really.''

''You don't?''

''No. Aster would. But I'm afraid he can't tell you.''

''Why?'' Jace saw the trap too late.

''Because Clary killed him,'' Renage informed them helpfully.

There was a wave of muttering and chattering through the room. Renage's meaning could not be missed. Even though it hadn't happened that way, Renage's words painted a clear picture: Clary killed Aster to avoid anymore information being found out.

The noise was all a buzz in Jace's ears. He felt Clary bury her face in his shoulder. ''I can't do this.''

That small admission made Jace want to cry. You shouldn't have to. I'm sorry. He wanted to scream at the room. They were hurting her. They were breaking her.

Robert began to ask another question but was cut off by Geoffrey Whitesnake jumping to his feet. ''I demand Clarissa Fairchild be questioned!'' He said. Jace felt Clary flinch at his tone. ''What exactly is she trying to hide?''

Some Shadowhunters began yelling in agreement. The room was quickly spiraling into chaos, even as Jia and Robert tried to regain order. In Jace's lap, Moriah put her hands over her ears. Clary wrapped her other arm around her as if she could shield her.

The anger Jace had inside him couldn't be put into words. His face felt hot. This room, this situation…it was stifling. It was unfair. This whole thing was unfair.

Renage was watching the room with smugness. She looked at Jace again with her face so full of taunting. You thought you would bring me down? She seemed to say. Look what I can do with just a few words.

Jace's fingers slowly let got of Moriah and went for his knife at his belt. He locked eyes with Renage. She saw what he was doing. Her eyes glinted with mirth. Go ahead. Condemn yourself further.

Jace grasped his fingers around the knife hilt.

SLAM.

The doors being thrown open at the back of the room made such a loud sound, that everyone turned to look to see who it was.

''Oops,'' Celeste said, stumbling inside. She frowned at the door. ''Apologies. They were stuck.''

Jace was completely baffled as she began to walk down towards the front of the room. ''How is she here?'' Clary asked in a whisper.

''I have no idea,'' He replied to her. Clary went silent a moment before stiffening. ''What is it?''

''Jonathan just said 'be ready'.''

It took a Jace a moment to remember their mind link. ''Be ready for what?''

Celeste had reached the front of the room. ''Who are you?'' Robert demanded.

''She's no one important,'' Renage answered. She looked angry and…frightened? ''She is a mad girl who doesn't belong anywhere.''

''I belong here,'' Celeste argued. ''In this Inquest.''

''Why is that?'' Jia asked.

''Because I aided Clary and Jace in their escape from the fairies.''

Geoffrey pounced on this. ''Is that true? Then why have we not heard you mentioned before?''

Celeste blinked at him. ''As Renage said, I am not important.''

''So you are just another detail they forgot to mention.'' Geoffrey glared in Jace's and Clary's direction.

''Whatever you like.'' Celeste turned to Jia. ''The fact of the matter is, I fear you are being led along.''

''Led along?'' Jia frowned. ''I don't understand-''

''Counsel,'' Geoffrey said, ''this really has no place in our proceedings-''

''Renage is distracting you,'' Celeste continued.

''From what?'' Robert asked.

Jace watched Celeste cast her wide eyed, vacant stare around the room. ''All these warriors gathered here… and none of you bothering to look out your window.''

Everyone was quiet a moment. Jace and many others turned to the stained glass windows around them and looked at the bright day. There was nothing, and then-

His heart sank as something black flew past.

Demons…in Alicante?

The Inquest was completely forgotten about.

Everyone mobilized, assignments and battle formations being called out by anyone with a shred of authority. Clary stood with her back against the wall, watching as people hurried past. She pressed Moriah close against her. Jace was looking for the others. Jonathan knew this was going to happen. His be ready warning didn't make sense. Why was Celeste here? What was going on?

Even in the Accords Hall, Clary could hear the screeches of the demons. She risked a glance out the window. There were more of them than there had been a few moments ago. Where were they coming from?

''Is it just me?'' Clary heard Simon ask. She turned to see him peeking out the window next to her's. ''Or do they look…weird?''

Clary nodded. These demons…something was off about them. They seemed like ants, all congregating to one spot. Something had summoned them here, attracted them and let them in to Idris. But what?

''Over here.'' Clary turned to see Jace ushering Isabelle, Max, and Jonathan over.

''What's going on?'' Clary demanded of her brother. ''What did you mean-''

Jonathan cut her off. ''You remember Jane?''

''Jane…?'' Clary stared at him. Her memories of the Shadow World before meeting Jace and Isabelle and Alec that first time always seemed more fuzzy than her other, non tampered with memories. She vaguely recalled a vampire, dark skin and frizzy hair, scoffing as Jonathan and her tried to rope her into a hunt. ''What about her?''

''She's in the Underworld, teamed up with Renage, and is coming to take Moriah.''

''What?''

''And rumor has it she has a pet.''

''How do you know this and why the hell didn't you tell us before?'' Jace demanded.

''We can argue later,'' Isabelle intervened. ''That is, if we live. No one expected the demon parade outside.''

''Si!''

They turned their heads to see George Lovelace, standing on a bench and waving at them. ''Isabelle and I will help outside,'' Simon said. He looked at them all. ''You guys have Jane?''

''Wait-'' Jace began.

''Go,'' Jonathan ordered. They ran off to join George. ''Clary, you're with me.''

''Hold the fucking phone-'' Jace growled.

''Relax, you can come too.''

''What about Moriah?'' Clary said. Moriah tilted her head up to look at her.

''Max will take her to Magnus. I saw Alec take Rafe and Little Max to him.''

This was all happening too fast but Clary knew there was no time to argue. She kissed her little girl's forehead before pushing her to Max. Max grabbed her hand. ''C'mon.'' He ran off.

Clary watched them go and wondered if she had just made the same mistake she had made back in the apartment in Naranth. ''Who is Jane?'' Jace demanded.

''Unfortunately, you are about to find out.'' Jonathan turned to leave. ''Clary?''

Clary watched until Moriah and Max had disappeared into the chaotic crowd. She looked at Jace before nodding to her brother. ''Let's go.''

Jocelyn had her weapons and ran with Luke to help outside. They were caught in crowds of other warriors, fighting the demons. She could hear other Shadowhunters exclaim to each other, declaring how strange these demons were. How…dark. But as Jocelyn fought demon after demon, felt their cold, yellow eyes on her, she knew they weren't strange. She had met them several times before.

Jonathan scampered away from his bed. ''I just wanted it to go away!'' He protested. ''I wasn't saying anything else!'' Under his bed, Jocelyn could see the two blinking yellow eyes, watching her.

They were in the woods, just another patrol. Until Cèline bent down to inspect the demon she had killed. ''That-'' she said breathlessly, ''-is not a Helm Demon.''

She and Valentine tried to hide the concerns, but they weren't successful. ''They don't seem to notice or care,'' they overheard Michael whisper to Stephen. ''These demons…they only seem to show up at Fairchild Manor.''

Jocelyn knew what was attracting these demons. And Valentine, for all his denials, knew it as well. They were coming to the child who whispered strange words they never taught him, answering the calls he didn't know he made. They came for Jonathan. Because Jonathan was theirs.

Jocelyn flung her knife at one of the demons that charged at her. It dissipated into specks of black. They're here for Moriah.

Me: Thank you for reading! If you have time, please leave a review!

Happy Writing!