Me: So I totally planned to finish this in January, but alas alack. In fairness though, most of this was written before and during January. It's just all these little 'bridge' scenes that can be so hard to pin down. All well, here we are!

Disclaimer: NOTHING IS MINE EXCEPT WHAT IS

Chapter 30: Confessions and Conclusions

To her credit, Isabelle held her Lightwood temper until they exited the building and were several blocks away.

''What the hell were you thinking?''

''Izzy,'' Jace said wearily, ''It is late. We are tired. Can we please-''

''You are stupid, that's what you are!'' Isabelle cut him off. '' 'We're going to Maine. Just doin' a little demon scouting', that's what you said! My god, when Alec finds out-''

''Here's an idea; don't tell him.''

''And mom-''

''She knows.''

Isabelle looked enraged. She pointed back the way they came. ''Mom knew about that?''

Jace thought for a moment. ''Okay, let's go back to the 'don't tell' idea.''

''Are you two just completely stupid?!''

''Hey,'' Clary interjected. ''I know this is New York and all, but seriously, keep it down.''

''You could've died!'' Isabelle yelled. ''For god's sake, you should've realized Renage would summon-''

As Isabelle's scolding went on, her voice getting shriller, Simon could see on Clary's and Jace's faces that something in her assumption was wrong. Putting together with all he had witnessed, he had a fear he knew what it was. ''Let's just go home.''

''I'm not finished yet,'' Isabelle hissed.

''We have to get Moriah,'' Clary protested.

''Oh, nice try,'' Isabelle said, ''but she's with Alec. You two-''

''You and Jace can get Moriah,'' Simon announced. ''Clary and I will go ahead.''

Simon was surprised when they all looked at him. He supposed his anger showed in his voice. He was further surprised when Jace, with a look at Clary, was the first to nod. ''Good idea.''

Clary hesitated. ''Jace-''

''C'mon, Izzy. You can yell at me more.''

''You've no freakin' idea, Herondale.''

They walked off, leaving Clary and Simon alone on the sidewalk.

Jace could feel Isabelle's glare at he walked up the steps to Alec's and Magnus' door. He had explained, to the best of his ability, his and Clary's through processes. Isabelle, being his sister, was understanding. But, being his sister, it wasn't as if she could let it go. True to her word, her scolding had continued all the way to the building, and it was still ringing in his ears.

Jace's feet dragged as he walked up the steps. He hadn't been lying before; he was tired. This night had been very, very long. Long awaited and long in duration. He wanted to go home.

''Alec has her. Get her in the morning,'' Isabelle had said between chiding. Jace had been unable to explain to her how incapable he was of not going home without Moriah. He vaguely wondered if he ever would be.

Reaching the door, Jace raised his hand to knock. It only then occurred to his tired mind that perhaps Alec and Magnus wouldn't be up at this ungodly hour. After a moment's deliberation, he fiddled for his phone in his pocket. He dialed.

Alec picked up on the second ring. ''Now, I know there is no time difference between Maine and here.''

''All done,'' Jace said, knowing that this statement would definitely raise suspicions. All well, there was no keeping Alec from finding out what he and Clary had really been up to. ''We're all done and back.''

''You're kidding.''

''I hope not. Otherwise I have no idea whose door I am outside of right now.''

Alec went silent, and a few seconds later the door opened. ''How the hell?''

''Long story.'' Jace shut his phone. ''I'm sure Isabelle will tell you all about it. Now, can I have my child?''

Alec raised an eyebrow, but no doubt due to the late hour decided to keep his questions until later. He opened the door wider. ''Moriah?''

Jace looked through the dim lit apartment and could make out a little figure, laying on the couch and peeking at them over the arm. Her black eyes glinted, and she wasted no time getting up and making her way over to him.

Jace swooped her and her entourage of toys up. ''There you are,'' he greeted her. He hadn't been aware of the tight feeling in his chest until it vanished upon picking her up. ''Have fun?'' Moriah made a low noise, one Jace wasn't sure how to interpret. ''Are you sleep depriving Alec?''

Moriah gave him a look. Jace looked at Alec and was surprised to see him looking hesitant. ''Was she okay?''

''Yeah.'' He shifted his weight from foot to foot. ''Um, she…'' he sighed. ''I'll tell you later. Just go home and not look like crap,'' he finished, scrutinizing Jace's appearance.

Jace shrugged. ''Okay then.''

He turned to go. ''You didn't get into any trouble, did you?'' Alec called after him. ''You and Clary?''

Jace thought before answering. Lying was pointless, but so was ruining Alec's night further by worrying him. ''No,'' he respond. He wondered how he could avoid a double Lightwood lecture when Alec no doubt found out the truth tomorrow.

Jace and Moriah continued down the stairwell. ''Hmmm,'' Moriah whined.

They reached the door, but before going out to rejoin Isabelle, Jace paused and held Moriah in front of him. ''You okay?''

''Hmmm.''

Jace stroked a curl back from her face. ''You heard it, didn't you?'' He asked in a low voice. ''The Demon?''

Moriah picked at a loose thread on his shirt's neckband. She raised her eyes to look at him. ''I'm sorry,'' Jace told her. ''But it's okay now; he's never coming back.''

''Hmmm,''' she responded. She clasped the hand that wasn't clutching her toys around his neck. Her voice matched his in tone. ''Mommy.''

''Yeah,'' Jace agreed. ''Let's go find mommy.''

''Mommy,'' she repeated again. She laid her head on his shoulder as he walked out of the building.

They walked home, Isabelle saying no more about the nights adventures in front of Moriah. Walking home in the dim street lamps' light, the nighttime noises of the city as mere white noise, it was almost hard to believe there had been any adventures. For once, it was peaceful.

Simon bit his tongue, looking to the street outside the alleyway, avoiding eye contact with Clary from where she stood across from him. The sounds of New York's midnight traffic filled the silence as he processed all she had told him. ''And that's it?''

''That's it.'' Her tone was simple, factual. It sounded dim, and not like Clary. ''That's all I've been…hiding.''

Simon took a breath. ''So, you have demon blood,'' he stated bluntly, turning to look at her. He had to force himself to do so. There was a part of him that was afraid he would look at her and see those black eyes again. ''Demon blood from all that they did.''

Clary nodded.

''So the cave,'' Simon pushed. ''That's how you got away from Jane. You took her 'pet'-''

''-And used it against her.''

Simon reminded himself to breathe again. ''And you used it here, too.'' She nodded again. ''Did you two ever even go to Maine?''

She was quiet for a moment. Her green eyes seemed hard. ''Do you really want to know?''

Simon wasn't used to Clary asking that. This was his best friend, his partner in crime. Up until two years ago, they had had no secrets from each other. The question 'do you really want to know' was never uttered between them because the answer was always 'yes'. Best friends wanted to know, always.

And yet this time, Simon thought the answer should be no.

''Why didn't you tell me?'' He asked instead. ''Why hide from me? From me?''

''I don't know,'' she answered.

''Bull.''

''It's true.''

''No it's not.'' Simon scoffed. ''You had a reason for not telling me. What was it?''

''I don't know.''

''Were you afraid I wouldn't trust you? Or that I would hurt you?''

''Of course not.''

''Then what, Fray? Why wouldn't you tell me? I'm your best friend, your parabatai, and those things are supposed to mean something. So please, for the love of god, tell me why you lied!''

She glared at him. ''I was scared, okay?''

''Of me?''

''Of me, you idiot!'' She screamed. ''My god, since Moriah came back all I've been hearing is how evil she is because of demon blood. Everyone, from my own family to goddamn Idris officials are afraid of her. You too, don't lie. And I know it's only been months here, but the time in the fairy world? The experiments? Years of Renage taunting me, of Aster chatting away about the horrible beast they were making inside of me. How do I know they weren't right?''

Simon was floored. ''Right about Moriah?''

''Right about the demon blood.'' Her voice caught. ''Right about how it will affect me.''

Simon could only stare at her. ''What if I am a demon?'' Clary continued. ''Controlling that thing, doing all I did in the cave…I- I liked it, Simon. There is something wrong with me, something dark and twisted inside of me that wasn't there before. And- and there's some part of me that wants to let it take over because evil it may be, it's powerful. And I've never felt less powerful than now.''

She fell silent, and for a moment they just stood there, staring at each other. It took Simon several seconds to think of what to say. ''But…but you haven't.''

''Haven't what?''

''Haven't let 'it' take over,'' Simon explained, unsure exactly what 'it' was. ''The demon blood or whatever, you want to let it take over but you haven't. So…what's the problem?''

Clary scoffed. ''The problem? What's the problem?''

''Yeah.''

''That I even think about it!'' She yelled at him. ''It's wrong!''

''Exactly!'' Simon said, throwing his hands up in the air as she got the answer.

Clary looked at him in anger. ''What are you talking about?''

''It's wrong!'' Simon agreed. ''And you know that. So you don't do it. Ergo, you are not a demon.''

''That's not my point, Simon. The fact that I liked it, the fact I considered it…it makes me-''

''Human,'' Simon finished. ''Yes it does,'' he went on at her head shake. ''It makes you human. You think there isn't a mother out there who wouldn't make a deal with the Devil himself if it meant keeping her child safe? A mother who wouldn't become the Devil to keep her child safe?''

''It's not what a Shadowhunter is supposed to be like.''

''You're not a Shadowhunter. You're Clary.''

''And if that isn't enough? To be just Clary?''

''That's why you have me.''

''You really want to a parabatai that's tainted?''

''Is she's you, then yeah.''

Clary fell silent. ''This year's been crap,'' Simon summed up. ''A lot of things are different. But not everything. I'll always be here. For you, for Moriah, for Jace if he's not annoying.''

Her mouth twitched. ''You mean that?''

He nodded. ''You know I do.''

She smiled and came closer. They embraced, and though it was a cold night, Simon didn't think she was terribly cold. There was warmth. Clary would always be warm.

Jocelyn and Luke stood side by side, standing outside the Institute. It was late morning, nearly afternoon, and despite preparing herself for this, Jocelyn still felt uneasy.

''C'mon,'' Luke coaxed. ''Be the brave heroine in a story.''

''What do stories have to do with anything?''

''Inside joke.'' Luke placed a hand on her back, pushing her forward. ''It will be fine.''

''I know that.'' Do you? She asked herself. Could she be the person she needed to be? That Clary needed her to be? That she wanted to be?

Can I be as good a grandmother as mom was?

Luke continued to push her forward, and so they entered.

The elevator jostled all the way up. It made Jocelyn's stomach drop further. She dug her nails in deeper as they clutched the bag she had brought; some of Clary's old toys and clothes.

The elevator opened and they exited, though Jocelyn was beginning to wish a retreat. She was going to screw up, she knew she was. God, staying away was better, wasn't it? They were better off without her. It was better to leave than screw up further. To run than risk hurting Clary, risk hurting Jona- Moriah.

Jocelyn dug her nails in deeper. Shut up.

Luke stopped suddenly. ''Do you hear that?''

Jocelyn paused. She did. It was…shouting?

She and Luke continued on towards the voices, catching some conversation:

''You did what?'' Alec could be heard exclaiming.

Jace sighed before saying, ''I really don't need to repeat myself, do I?''

''What were you thinking?''

''That's what I said,'' Isabelle cut in.

''What were you thinking? You should have called me!''

''I'm sorry, Simon and I were too busy saving their asses!''

''I didn't need saving.''

''Shut up, Jace.''

Max there his hands in the air. ''Why do I miss everything?''

Jocelyn and Luke reached the library, and through the open door they could see the three shouting and exclaiming Lightwoods, all arguing with Jace. The bickering continued while Magnus, Clary, and Simon looked on, and Rafe and Little Max running about trying to match their father's tone, occasionally mimicking his words.

''What is wrong with you?'' Alecscreamed at Jace.

''Yeah, what's wrong with you?'' Little Max echoed, giggling uncontrollably.

''Simon and Auntie Izzy had to save your asses,'' Rafe reminded him.

Alec look annoyed, but the chaos of the room and the sincerity of the little boy's comment just made everyone else laugh. Alec's mouth twitched.

The comments and bickering spiraled into the type of talk only a bunch of tired young adults can have after escaping a bad situation and are now safe. Jocelyn remembered it well.

The library was now dirty with the mud from their shoes. Her mother would want an explanation in the morning, granted they didn't wake her and father with all the noise. The absolute chaos and absurdity of the situation had seemed to hit them all, combined with the wine they had dug out to calm their nerves. God, if the officials could see them now…

Micheal starting cracking up. ''I would suggest, next time, my dear parapatai, you not taunt an Ilk demon?''

Robert had his head in his hands. ''Take it up with Stephen.''

''It was a good option at the time,'' Stephen defended himself.

''Oh, yeah,'' Cèline agreed. ''A really good one.''

''Says the pyromaniac.''

''Now that was not my fault.''

Eliza shook her head. ''I was there, and yes, Cèline, it was.''

''I for one,'' Valentine said, ''would love some ideas on how I am supposed to explain this to any officials that come knocking?''

''Self defense?'' Maryse suggested. No one could keep a straight face at that. ''Shut up, all of you. I swear, if you wake my son…''

But none of them could. The battle high was waning and leaving many exhausted warriors relishing in the fact that- this time at least- they got away. They never knew if this would be the last time.

Jocelyn's eyes followed her daughter, who was rocking with laughter on the window sill. She held her own daughter close to her, kissing her head as her black eyes tilted up to her in wonderment.

Jocelyn took a deep breath. Then she and Luke entered the library.

Jace was outside, a few yards down the street. He wasn't too far from the Institute. If he looked back, he could see one of the balconies that overlooked this street. It was evening now, the setting sun casting an orange glow over everything.

He paused, taking in his surroundings. Mundanes were walking, and beside them, so were faeries and warlocks. Creatures going to and fro about their business.

''You seem deep in thought.''

A shiver traveled down Jace's spine. He whipped around to face the voice. ''Celeste?''

Celeste cocked her head to the side, her vague look portraying some puzzlement. ''You sound…accusatory?''

''I am accusatory.'' Jace looked her over, and though while her face seemed completely devoid of color, and she was definitely thinner than the last time he saw her, he couldn't see any other change. ''Caterina saved you?''

''Against her original wishes, from what I understand,'' Celeste replied. ''But as my physiology is very different from most creatures, I believe she saw it through to satisfy her curiosity. A personal challenge for a healing warlock.''

''So you're fine?''

''Apart from the slight embarrassment that such dirty fighting creatures from the Underworld could get an advantage over me, yes, I believe so.''

Jace's mouth twitched. ''You feel embarrassment from losing a fight?''

''I feel embarrassment from losing a dirtily fought fight. Fighting dirty is my specialty. Hardly fair I wasn't warned before hand.''

Jace smiled. A feeling of familiarity with Celeste rose up in him, though he wasn't sure why. He supposed it was because they had been through so much since he had met her. ''You heading in the direction of the Institute? Clary will be happy to see you.''

''I'm afraid not. Though I'm sure the feeling would be mutual.'' Celeste clasped her hands behind her back and rocked on her heels. ''I'm just here to bid goodbye.''

''Where are you going?'' Jace asked.

Celeste shrugged. ''Who knows? Somewhere in this world, in another…so many places I have yet to see.''

Had they come from anyone else, the sentiments Celeste expressed would have been accompanied by a gleam in the eye, a smile. But as always, Celeste's tone and manner remained bland. It was hard to tell if she really was excited by the prospect of traveling. ''Will you come back eventually?''

She cocked her head to the side. ''I would certainly like to.'' The thinnest trace of a smile spread on her face. ''It would be nice to see you, Clary, and Moriah again.''

''You know you can see them right now?''

She shrugged. ''It can wait.''

Jace was confused, but also amused. He shook his head. ''Suit yourself.''

''I always do.''

The familiarity grew stronger, and despite himself, Jace had Renage's voice, playing in his head.

Just ask Celeste.

''Celeste?'' He ventured before he lost the nerve. She waited. ''How…'' he trailed off, wondering how to phrase it. ''What did you mean?''

She frowned. ''I get that question a lot. What did I mean when?''

It took Jace a minute to think of how to answer. ''When we met,'' he decided. ''When I first ran into you in that fairy wood, you said 'well, I certainly didn't expect to ever meet you.' What did you mean by that?''

''Just as it sounds,'' she answered.

''It sounds weird. It sounds like you knew who I was.''

''I did know who you were.''

''How?''

Jace supposed there were plenty of ways a creature might've heard of him. A successful Shadowhunter, Valentine's son, dead and back again, but for some reason he knew that wasn't how Celeste knew of him. There was something else, something that Renage had alluded to and he lacked the knowledge to ask about properly.

Celeste stared at him, and Jace waited for her to use one of the aforementioned reasons as explanation. To his surprise, she didn't. To his further surprise, she actually gave an awkward sort of laugh. ''Spoilers.''

''What?'' Jace asked, recognizing the phrase as something Simon and Clary often said. A quote of some sort. ''Spoilers for what?''

''Sorry, I can't tell you.'' She shook her head. ''Not this time around, at least.''

''This time around?'' Jace pressed.

Celeste stared at him. Then she kissed his cheek. She was cold. ''Bye, Jace. Give Clary and Moriah my love.''

''Celeste-''

But she hopped away, that awkward sort of laugh escaping her again. What she was laughing at, Jace wasn't sure. ''You're weird,'' He called after her.

''So you say!''

Jace let her go, smirking to himself. Whatever Celeste was, wherever she came from or was going to now, he was certain beyond a doubt he'd see her again. That's just how it was with people like her.

Several Days Later

''Clary!''

Clary and Isabelle paused on their way towards the kitchen, turning around to look at Max with confusion. ''Why are you running so early in the morning?'' Isabelle asked.

Max panted for breath. ''Jace- Jace wants you to come in the training room and see,'' he explained to Clary.

''See what in the training room?'' Clary asked. ''I thought he and Moriah went for a walk?''

''They came back.'' Max hopped excitedly back the way he had come. ''Come on! You'll love it!''

The girls followed the youngest Lightwood. Isabelle entered the training room first, and she let out a laugh. Clary followed, but did not share her friend's delight at the sight. ''Jace!''

''You're just in time,'' Jace called down to her. He was up on one of the lower- but still very high- banisters used for learning jumps, and right beside him was Moriah.

''What the hell are you doing up there?'' Clary demanded.

''I told you she'd be mad,'' Simon said superiorly from where he was standing by the weapons rack.

Jace was defensive. ''What? She's getting good at it.''

'' 'Getting good'? Clary repeated. ''You've been doing this for a while?''

''Of course he has,'' Jonathan chimed in lazily. He was on the highest banister. He let himself fall to a crouch to the one Moriah and Jace were on. ''Training starts young, sister mine.''

''Watch,'' Jace said eagerly.

''Jace Herondale,'' Clary said severely. ''If you let my daughter jump off that beam-''

''There's a mat.''

Jonathan frowned at him. ''What are you raising? A sissy?''

''She'll be fine,'' Jace insisted to Clary. ''Go ahead, Moriah. Show mommy.''

Moriah got to her feet. ''Oh my god,'' Clary said, putting her head in her hands.

''No, you watch,'' Isabelle said, removing Clary's hands. ''You missed her first steps. Don't miss her first jump!''

''How are you for this?''

''They had a point. Shadowhunters start young.''

Clary looked incredulously at her friend before glancing back up. Moriah was standing with her toes on the edge of the beam. ''Honey, please don't fall.''

Moriah blinked down at her before looking to Jace. ''She means don't get hurt,'' he clarified.

''I really didn't.''

''Move to the mat to catch her if you're worried,'' Simon suggested.

''She'll be fine!'' Jace said again.

''I'll move to the mat so you're not worried.''

''You're the worried one,'' Isabelle said.

''Do a back flip, Moriah!'' Max yelled up.

''Are you insane?'' Clary and Simon screamed.

''Ignore the mundanely raised ones,'' Jonathan said to Moriah. ''Go. Do it.''

''Yes!'' Jace, Isabelle, and Max agreed.

''No!'' Clary and Simon said.

But Moriah had made up her mind. She stood on the beam and - as her father had taught her- let herself fall.

She landed in an effortless crouch, clearly having had inherited her father's grace and skill. This did not stop Clary from darting over to her. ''Are you okay?''

Moriah just giggled.

Clary picked her up as the Shadowhunters from birth in the room cheered. ''I am going to kill you,'' she called up to Jace.

Jace was grinning from ear to ear. ''Wasn't she perfect?'' He asked, ignoring the death threat. ''Such skill! Such grace!''

''Such blood when I'm through with you!'' In her arms, Moriah began fidgeting. ''What is it? You want to fight him, too?''

''Hmmm,'' Moriah whined. She spoke with great annunciation. ''Again.''

Clary stared at her. And then she laughed.

Dear Vivian,

It has been a long time since we've seen each other. I hope you are well in your life in New York, and that it is everything you hoped. I would like you to do me a favor and hold onto this special trinket I have. It is very important, and will be of great use to me in future.

Do write back. I have missed you so.

With Love,

Your Sister

''Well, you don't look happy.''

Vivian looked up from the paper at Lyle. She realized she was frowning. ''Nothing,'' she explained, folding the paper back into it's envelope. ''Just…something from my sister.''

''You have a sister?'' Lyle leaned against the door frame, interested. ''Like, a living one?''

Vivian shook her head. ''Undead. She's a vampire, too.''

She placed her letter on the shelf and turned to the package that had accompanied it. She frowned again. ''Why on earth would she want me to hold on to such a piece of trash?''

Lyle came over to where she stood and studied the object. ''She didn't say?''

''Nope.'' Vivian turned the thing over in her hands. ''I guess it's a toy?''

''Do you collect toys?''

''She didn't send it as a gift. She sent it for me to hold on to.''

''Hold onto until when?''

''Who knows?'' Vivian shrugged. ''I don't hear from her for literal years and now she only contacts me for a favor.''

Lyle smiled apologetically. He wrapped his arms around her waist. ''Sisters can be strange.''

Vivian smiled at his touch. ''You said it.''

She turned to him, giving him a kiss. ''You ready to leave?'' He asked.

She nodded. ''Just one minute.''

''If I had a nickel…''

Vivian pushed him playfully. He exited her room.

Vivian gave a sigh. She looked at the little toy one last time before placing it on her shelf, next to her letter. '' 'Sisters can be strange','' she repeated Lyle's words. She sighed again. ''And none are stranger than Jane.''

She left her room and went to join Lyle.

The little toy, made of cloth and string, would stay there on that shelf, untouched for many years. Regardless of their tumultuous relationship, Vivian would keep it safe as her sister had requested, even without knowing the timeframe of the task. This time frame not even the sender of the letter knew, for she did not know when it would be safe to do what she wished.

''You know, it's not just names fairies can have control over… it can also be memories, words, and even special objects or trinkets.''

It was a pity, Jane thought, that Renage had died. She would've been so pleased to see what came next.

The End.

Note: Please do not take this ending as a 'tease'- I know some writers who have been accused of such. The stories I write aren't so much me coming up with ideas so much as me simply writing out what my mind dictates happening. If you happen to be a maladaptive daydreamer, maybe you can relate.

Me: Well, here we are. Over 140,000 words, 366 pages, written in the span of less than a year. Not to mention all the writing I did for my other story, Remembrance and Redemption. I honestly didn't think I could do it.

I want to thank you all who reviewed. I know I said it in every chapter but it means so much to me. Sometimes I feel bad at writing, or wonder what's the point of posting, and then I look through all the kind words you took the time to write and it gives me courage. Thank you thank you thank you!

I still have so many little scenes and ideas in my head, so chances are you will see more stories apart of this universe. I have a couple actually written.

Goodbye for now.

Happy Writing!