Thank you for reading chapter 1 xx

Chapter 2...

{Clary's POV}

I shrugged off my jacket and frowned at the thick hole burnt through the arm. Definitely no saving that, so I chucked it in the trash can and slipped into my bathroom.

I turned on the hot water and closed my eyes, the feeling of a hot shower after a demon hunt was a feeling like no other.

I dragged the conditioner through my hair, smiling as it worked it's magic and my silky hair wound down my back in luscious curls.

As much as I wished I could stay in the heavenly bubble of warmth, I knew that my father was waiting for me.

Reproachfully, I stepped out of the shower and was hit with a wall of cold. I quickly wrapped my towel around myself and went to put on some casual clothes before meeting my father.

Black leather pants and a grey sweatshirt should do just fine, with some lace up boots to top it off.

I threw my hair into a loose bun, I hated having my hair down, it would give me a disadvantage against an opponent if I were to be caught in action.

I strode into father's office with my usual carefree strut - he always said you can tell what type of person you're dealing with by the way they walk. I vowed to always walk with confidence and precision from then on.

"Ah Clarissa, welcome back"

His deep voice boomed from behind his desk.

"You requested my presence father?"

"Yes bellator"

When I was a little girl he gave me this nickname - it was latin for warrior. I had always thought it suited me better than the nickname Clary anyway.

Slowly I walked over to his desk and sunk down onto the armchair opposite him - settling back into the soft material.

His eyes were pools of darkness watching my every move - it was a habit my father had, analysing your every move. He claimed that it was paying attention to the small details that would give you an advantage over your opponent.

"I have a mission for you."

"But-"

"Before you tell me you think it's a waste of your talent. I assure you this mission will not displease you."

He began, an intriguing glint in his eyes making me rethink. His tone told me this was not a mission he was requesting lightly.

"I am listening."

"An old friend of mine who has been presumed dead, has been spotted alive and well. And I need my best soldier to make contact and gather information. So bellator are you up for the task?"

His eyes darted up to mine, challenging me - daring me to cave in and wimp out of his task.

He must not know me that well then.

I mirrored his cold stare with a smile tugging up the corner of my lips.

"Have you ever known me to back down from a challenge domine?"

I questioned him, using his nickname of the latin translation of Sir.

"Correct answer Clarissa, you will leave at dusk. I trust Amatis can prepare you before?"

"Yes father. I will not disappoint."

"Very well, you are dismissed. I will send on further details later."

His voice had an edge of finality cutting into it, implying that was the end of the conversation.

So I simply stood and left the room, not without a flaring gleam in my eye mind you.

This was the first mission that I had been set that meant something to my father - success had to be inevitable.

{Jace's POV}

I hated being younger than Alec and Jonathan, since they turned 18 they got to attend the institute meetings. Leaving me and Isabelle here ; bored to death and clueless to what was really happening.

This stupid meeting had gone on for 3 hours, there couldn't be that much to say could there? If there was, I wouldn't know anyway - Stephen and Celine (my parents) never told me anything. Alec was my source of information - so he should be, being my parabatai and all.

"Jace, want to go spar?"

Isabelle's voice shook me out of my self-pity.

"Thanks Iz, but I just can't stop thinking about what could take them 3 hours to discuss."

I groaned back. Normally I would jump at the chance to get in the training room, but my mind was too restless to focus on anything.

"So your plan is for us to sit here in this boring Library and feel sorry for ourselves because we are 17 and can't know anything important?"

Izzy questioned with notable sarcasm dripping off her words.

"Of course that's not the plan. I thought you would know me better than that..."

I retorted with a slightly menacing glint in my eye.

This caught Izzy's attention alright, her head snapped up.

"Go on Herondale, don't keep me guessing."

"I reckon we can go sneak in the back door, if we activate our soundless runes they won't be able to hear us"

I explained. Isabelle stood up rather abruptly,

"Well what are we waiting for then...?"

After we activated each other's soundless runes, we crept around the corridors of the institute until we found the back entrance to the hall.

I propped my ear up against it to check for voices - I heard the familiar voice of my grandmother, Imogen, speaking out.

I nodded at Isabelle and popped the door open just slightly at first, checking to see if anyone was in the way.

Once I had confirmed that the coast was clear I beckoned Izzy to come and crouch behind one of the weapons stands with me. So we crouched there listening to the meeting unfold...

{Nobody's POV}

"We must do something!"

Stephen announced, a tamed rage nipping at his tone.

"I am aware of that Stephen, but we cannot just act without reason or information."

Replied Inquisitor Herondale to her son.

"How can he still be alive, all the Circle members were killed at the Uprising!"

"Yes Jocelyn, but there were so many bodies we could never have been sure."

Robert Lightwood responded, regret and sadness in his voice.

"Let us list the facts and create a plan."

Imogen began, the others were silenced by her and listened in.

"We know that Hodge Starkweather has been sighted in Manhattan. We don't know what he is doing there and why he has chosen to come out of hiding, after letting the Clave believe he was dead for so long. Therefore we must prepare a team to go and retrieve Starkweather. And as Inquisitor that is my final say on the matter."

A few murmurs of agreement followed her statement, no one dared argue with Imogen. Being Inquisitor came with a few perks, one of them included that you were almost never disagreed with.

Thanks for reading!