Lissa Graymark

"I think you should worry a little less about my love life…" I heard Jace pant out as he took Alec down. Wow. So hot… "…and a little more about your fighting skills."

I cleared my throat to grab their attention before any more bad thoughts could fill my head, "Boys…"

I hid my smile when they're looks of annoyance at being interrupted vanished and was replaced by the look of chastised boys as they scrambled to their feet.

"Inquisitor Herondale will be arriving at the institute soon," I reminded them as they slowly made their way to me, brushing the dirt off their clothes, "Are you guys really going to show your faces all sweaty and dirty?"

Not that it's an awful look on them…

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say that was Izzy in Allie's body," Alec mumbled to my parabatai as they stopped by my side.

I gave them my best Sam Winchester, 'bitch please' face, "Haha. Very funny." I gave them a pointed look, "Go get changed," I turned away from them and waved them goodbye as I began to walk away, "I'll see you guys there."

I heard them scramble to join my side, "Errr. Where are you going?" I heard Jace's voice from my right.

I couldn't help the sheepish look that took over my face as I turned around to face them.

"Busted," Alec muttered once again.

Since when was he the funny guy? Where's all these quips coming from?

I gave him a slight glare before turning back to my parabatai, "I'm going to get Clary."

I held my ground as he started to glare at me, "And where is Clary?"

"At her and Simon's spot," I promptly answered with my own glare. Does he think I can't take care of myself? "I'm just going to grab her quickly. I'll be right back."

"How are you getting there?" he asked me. Anyone could hear how suspicious he is of me from miles away.

I shrugged as I tried to walk away again, "I was planning on going for a walk."

I mean, I did want to portal in but my magic is being all faulty right now.

"Why not portal there?" Jeez Alec, now you're putting your two cents in?

"I'm getting lazy…" I shrugged as I decided to instead respond, "I wanted to get some air before the vultures come flying in."

"Nope," I heard him respond as he grabbed my arm, preventing me from stepping away any further, "I'm coming with."

"Wha-" I couldn't help but stumble out my words, "Jay- No."

"You don't have a choice," he smirked before turning to his brother, "Keep her here so she doesn't leave without me." I gave him a bewildered look as Alec shrugged his agreement as he stepped up beside me, "I'm just going to change quickly."

"What?" I couldn't help but ask at the turn of events, "You'll take too long and we'll be late for when Inquisitor Herondale arrives."

I fumed at his casual shrug, "They can't start without you so they can wait. Speaking of waiting…" I really want to punch that grin off his stupid face as he pointed at me and wiggled his infuriating eyebrows, "…stay."

I turned to Alec, hoping he would vouch for me but all he did was back away slightly, arms raised in surrender, "Fine," I grumbled out with a huff as I began to tap my foot impatiently, "He better be quick."

"I don't understand why we're walking," Jace grumbled to me as we made our way to Clary and Simon's spot. "Why didn't we take the car?"

"Because we're getting lazy…" I rolled my eyes, "I don't understand what takes you so long in the shower," I muttered in response, still a tad bit angry at him for making us late.

"Beauty takes time…" he smiled radiantly at me, as he began walking backwards to ensure he kept his eyes on me, "You should try it some time…"

I couldn't help but gape at him, "Excuse you!" I lept forward to slap him but he pranced out of my way with a laugh as we arrived at the park.

"Clary," he called out as I made my way at his side and whacked his arm.

"Idiot," I mumbled as I smiled at Simon in greeting.

"Sorry," she whispered to our friend as she stood up to greet us, "What are you doing here? Is..." I waved to Simon and mouthed a quick 'hi', "-Is everything OK?"

He gave me a big smile in return as he waved back at me.

"Inquisitor Herondale just arrived at the Institute," I announced, "She wants to speak with the two of you," I indicated to the boy by my side. Although, he'd argue he was a man, "Now."

She gave us an odd look as she balanced herself on the balls of her feet, "Let me get my stuff."

We nodded in unison as she stepped away from us. In her place, Simon stood up to talk to my parabatai, "Jace, there's something I wanted to tell you. No matter what, your secret's safe with me."

I looked up at Jace in confusion, "What secret?" He looked down at me as I frowned at him in confusion, "We're keeping secrets from each other, now? Again?"

My attention was brought back to my vampire best friend as he started to flail his arms around in front of us, "No. Uh- You know, how your pure angelic blood somehow made me immune to the sun."

"Oh," I mumbled out before giving Jace a quick apologetic look.

I did know that…

"You don't know that's what happened," Jace pointed out.

"What else could it be?" I shrugged along with Simon, knowing he was right as he carried on to ramble. "Look, my point is, if any vampire were to find out, there'd be a bullseye on your carotid artery. You have nothing to worry about. I got your back." He nodded solemnly, "Get in here."

I couldn't help the giggle that left my lips as Simon leant over to give my parabatai a hug, only to stop at Jace's own bewildered look as he ordered, "Stop it."

I continued to giggle at Simon's look of shock at his hug not being accepted, "I just…"

"No," I couldn't breathe as Simon gave my parabatai a scrutinizing look, not believing his words, "Never."

I patted my friend's arm as he nodded sadly, "I'm happy for you. Daylighter and all…" I smiled happily as my parabatai continued to be grouchy by my side, "Clary, you ready?"

"Yeah," she said as she approached us with her bag.

I turned away from the couple as they started to say goodbye to one another.

"I'll call you tonight?"

"Yeah," I cringed slightly when I heard the sound of them kissing behind me. I love that my best friend and my sister are finally together but jeez, do they need to be this couply all the time?

I turned my gaze to Jace, hoping he had the same look of disgust but all I saw was a look of longing? Sadness? As he looked at the duo. I turned away from all of them, blanking them slightly until they were all done with their stuff. I jumped slightly in surprise when I felt someone grab my hand. I looked at the person who's hand I was holding, only to see it was Jace's. What is going on in his backwards world? He ignored my look as he pulled me along with him, leading the way back to the institute.

When we finally got to the institute, I led the way to the dungeons, speeding up slightly. I hurried away from them, not meaning to leave them behind. I can't believe I'm late. I slowed down my speed as I approached the interrogation room. I calmly walked inside, only to flinch at the sound of Valentine's scream.

"I could keep going, or you could tell me where you hid the Mortal Cup," I was greeted with as Valentine bared his teeth at Inquisitor Herondale.

"Now where's the fun in that, huh?" he panted out slowly.

"You know…" I spoke up, bringing their attention to me, "…this quest of yours to collect the three Mortal Instruments…" I waved my hand indicating for everyone to rise from their bows, "…to raise the angel Raziel…" I cocked my head side to side, "…it was a fool's errand."

He released a deep breath as he glared at the sight of me, "A fool doesn't demand this kind of attention, now would he?"

"No one's ever seen the Mortal Mirror," I gasped quietly at her words. I stilled when Valentine's eyes swept in my direction, "We have no idea if it even exists."

"The Clave has no idea about a multitude of things," he spoke up as he kept his beady eyes trained on me.

"Well, this much is certain," the Inquisitor pointed out.

"At this point," I shrugged, "…your only way to avoid execution is hand over the Cup." When you can't hand it over, hopefully, they will agree to finally execute you. Or you can hand the fake Cup over and we can still execute you… Either way, we'll finally be free of you.

He chuckled darkly as sweat continued to pour down his face, "Actually, it's quite the opposite. See, knowing where the Mortal Cup is..." he smirked defiantly at the Inquisitor, "…that's the only thing that's keeping me alive."

"Valentine, you and I both know, the cup can control demons," I leant over him as I felt Jace and Clary finally arrive outside the room, "In the wrong hands, it could be catastrophic."

"In your hands, I'm a dead man," he shrugged.

I schooled my features as I continued, "Nineteen shadowhunters died in your assault on this institute, along with forty-four Downworlders that you massacred with the Soul Sword."

I felt her place her hand on my shoulder as I kept my eyes on the murderer in front of me, "Hundreds more could have died if it weren't for the Princess," she released my shoulder as she redrew Valentine's torture rune, "Justice will be served."

I think I stilled as a vision of a young boy suddenly filled my sight as Valentine screamed in agony in front of me. He was screaming for help that wouldn't come. When I returned to the present, I gave Valentine a confused look at the vision I just witnessed before stepping away and leading the others outside.

"How long can you keep torturing him?" Clary immediately asked us as we approached them.

"As long as it takes," the Inquisitor declared as we came to a stop in front of them.

"If you want the truth, why not just use the Soul Sword?" my parabatai asked us, giving me a confused look.

"You're telling me how to do my job?" I sighed quietly at Imogen's question. She gave me a look, indicating that she was ready to go.

I nodded as I led the way out, "No, Lissa-" I gave him a look, wincing slightly at the ferocious glare the Inquisitor sent his way, "Princess Alicia has the sword, why can't it be used-"

I sighed as Imogen spun around to give the two a glare. I turned around as well and gave him a pointed look, knowing we'd talked about it before, "Because as far as I'm concerned, the Sword will not be seeing the light of day ever again." I raised my hand, stopping them from interrupting, "With too many people being able to activate the sword, it will remain hidden until all those who want to maliciously use it are either captured or dead."

The Inquisitor nodded in agreement as she spoke with a harsher tone, "You're Valentine's children." I gave them a quick look as my non-verbal sorry as she continued, "Tell me what you know."

"Nothing," Clary said as she stepped forward slightly, "Haven't we proven ourselves?" She turned her gaze to Jace, hoping he'd back her up but all he did was stand straight, just as any soldier would do, "Valentine attacked the Institute. We captured him."

I shook my head with a sad look as I remembered the faces of all the dead shadowhunters and Downwrlders that we had lost, "At what cost?"

"By taking matters into your own hands," the Inquisitor took over, "-you've planted the seeds of rebellion in the Downworld." She turned to me with a small smile as Jace looked away in sorrow. I watched over him sadly as Imogen continued, "If the Princess didn't interfere and rescue so many of them, we would have a revolt on our hands on top of all the issues we have currently."

"The Accords will be near impossible to maintain now," I intoned sadly as I stepped into the elevator.

"Fall in line," the Inquisitor demanded before she stepped into the lift, "or you'll end up like Aldertree in Idris facing reprimand."

The guards ordered themselves around us as I gave them one last apologetic look as the lift closed off after us, leaving the two behind to grab the next lift.

"Imogen," I hurriedly stood up after receiving a text from my uncle, "The police have just stumbled upon a demon massacre. I'm leading a team to the site."

I caught sight of her startled look as she nodded quickly and I hurried out to where I assume Jace and Clary were.

Thankfully, I was right, "Jace, Clary…" I called their names, ignoring the fact that they were together. "We need to go." I trust Jace. He hasn't done anything wrong. "Ring Alec. Luke needs us at a crime scene. Meet me at the car."

I didn't wait for their response before heading back to my room to grab my keys. When I arrived at my car, Alec had made it there before anyone else.

I unlocked the car, allowing him to get into the front seat. Just as I was letting the top-down, Clary and Jace approached. Jace had the largest pout on his face as he looked at Alec.

I smirked as he put my sunglasses on my face, "Thanks, hun."

"I got you them, thinking I'd get to sit shotgun," he continued to pout. I smiled adoringly at him until Alec cleared his throat, causing me to turn away to resist the temptation to kiss his lips.

"Get in," I said as I turned the engine on. Shaking my head to clear my thoughts.

"Fine," I heard him huff as he gave in to my demands.

As I pulled away from my spot on the street, I couldn't help but laugh when Alec let out a scoff at Jace's next words.

"I still don't get why I'm in the back."

Alec immediately fired back, "I have longer legs than you, Jace."

"What does my height have anything to do with anything?" I smirked when I caught sight of the questioning glance he gave us all through my mirror, only for it to drop at his next words, "I'll have you know I'm the right size in other places! Right, Lis?"

I emergency braked when I almost ran through a red light, cheeks glowing a vibrant red, "Jace!"

"Woah, Lils!" Clary said, grasping her seatbelt.

"Lis, chill!" I heard the smirk in his voice as the light turned green.

The boys continued the ride, bickering over who would get to sit shotgun on the ride back.

"Have I told you how much I appreciate you buying a car?" Jace asked when I finished parallel parking the car.

Alec rolled his eyes by my side as he removed his seatbelt, "Yes, you have. Three times during this ride alone."

The joking mood left us as we surveyed the scene.

"Glamours?" I checked with them as we stepped through the door.

I waved at Luke just as they nodded their heads in affirmation.

We approached the area Luke indicated towards. I wrinkled my nose at the smell of sulphur as Alec knelt by the body, moving the head to face us, "What's this sand on the floor?"

"This looks like a demon attack," Clary said as she looked up at Jace and I from her place beside the body.

"I've never seen a demon cause this kind of haemorrhaging," Jace responded as he crossed his arms.

"Is there any security footage?" I turned to my uncle.

"Nothing in the bar," he looked around the bar, hoping no one was paying him any attention, "Maybe CCTV caught something outside on the street."

"We should get them back to the Institute," I nodded my head at Alec's plan. Only briefly trying to think about how we were gonna fit them in my car. I shook my head, Nah. We'll just get someone else to pick them up, we wouldn't be able to all fit.

"Yeah, that's a good idea," my uncle intoned as a figure approached us.

I gave Luke a look as the woman came closer. "Detective Garroway?" she asked, "Who are you talking to?"

"Just dictating some notes while they're still fresh," I smiled at his floundering. "Something you should start doing."

I whacked Jace's arm when he rolled his eyes at the poor woman's expense, "That's a great idea!" I admit it was hard not to roll my eyes at her enthusiasm there. "They didn't mention it in training, but it makes perfect sense." Jace grabbed my arm and pulled us slightly away as she stepped closer like a lost puppy eager to please her master, "Is there some special app for that?"

"Uh..." He paused trying to gather his thoughts. I mimed a car from behind her, trying to help him out, "-can you pull the car up? I'll meet you out front."

I couldn't help but pity her slightly at her dejected look, "OK."

I patted his arm at his deep sigh.

"New partner?" my parabatai asked turning his gaze back towards my uncle.

"She's driving me crazy," he announced as I continued to pat his arm in sympathy.

I stepped away from him and was instantly on my phone, "We'll have some of our guys pick the bodies up," I sent the text alert to three of my guys before looking back up at him with a smile, "Thanks for the alert, Luke."

He grabbed me in a hug, "Anything for my niece," he let go before turning to the others, "I'll wait here for your guys. You best go."

After a nod in his direction, Alec led us back to the car.

"Oh no, you don't," I heard Jace mutter by my side before he hurried his steps.

I shared an amused glance with Clary as we watched the boys hurry to the car.

"Shotgun," Clary shouted after them as we slowly approached the duo.

"Lis, tell him I'm in the front!"

I shrugged lightly before unlocking the car, "Clary's in the front."

"What?" I heard Alec explain as I got into the car. "Why? She has the shortest legs between the three of us."

I unwound the window before flashing the boys a quick grin, "She called shotgun first."

I shared a grin with my sister as she got in the front seat, the boys grumbling in the back.

"Have I told you how much I love your new car?" she mockingly asked me as I started the car.

"You know what, I don't think you have."

"Just got off the phone with Luke," Clary told Jace and I as he tried to swipe my tablet off of me, only to get several swats to the hand. "He made it look like a tragic gas leak."

"According to the autopsy, the victims died of massive brain haemorrhaging," I explained what I was reading off my tablet.

"A demon can do that?" Clary questioned me as we stepped into Ops.

"A Greater Demon can," my parabatai explained as I tried to research off of our database which demon could have done this.

"Wh..." Jace caught me as I helped Clary balance herself when she tripped slightly, "what exactly is the difference?"

"Lesser Demons are a dime a dozen in New York. Greater Demons are a whole different story," Jace explained.

I carried on his explanation as I started getting my research up on one of our table screens, "They have names, personalities. They're much more powerful and they're harder to stop."

"They're also incredibly rare. When they do show their face, there's a reason," he spoke for me as I focussed on getting through clearance.

"Jace, are you okay?" I heard Clary's voice from beside me as I continued to find new information that would be useful for us.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" I subtly reached out my hand and grasped Jace's as I combed through the information.

When I went to let go, he just tightened his grip on me as she continued to ask, "Well, you've barely spoken about what happened with the Soul Sword."

"Yeah, well, there's not much to talk about," he muttered as I lowered the screen.

"OK, but if you do feel like talking, I'm here for you. I'm your sister, Jace," I shared a glance with him, confusion radiating from my end at the realisation that he hadn't told her, "I know what you're going through."

"Like I said, there's nothing to talk about," he declared before dragging me away.

"Why haven't you told her yet?" I softly asked him as he led me away from the redhead.

"It didn't feel like the time…" he explained shortly.

I nodded slowly, "Is it because you still like her?"

"What?" he gave me a startled look as he froze in place.

"Doesn't matter," I muttered with a weak smile, pulling my hand out of his when my phone rang. "Hello… Alicia Graymark speaking."

"Hello, Princess," I heard Raphael's low soothing voice greet me.

"Ahhh… Raph," I waved Jace's curiosity away as I continued to talk to my other vampire friend, "What can I help you with, today?"

"Isabelle just came and visited me. She's just stormed out but she doesn't seem to be in the state to be on her own. I think it would be a good idea if you looked out for her-"

"Oh. Give me a minute," I stopped walking before turning to Jace, "I'll see you later."

"Where are you going?" he asked me.

"Princess duties," I immediately responded.

He nodded in understanding before giving me a kiss on the cheek, "Stay safe."

I smiled lovingly back at him, the guilt swelling up inside of me like a balloon, "I will." I immediately brought the phone back to my ear as I headed to Izzy's room to grab something to track her with, "How long ago did she leave yours?"

"I rang you as soon as she left," he informed me.

I smiled as I grabbed one of her hair bobbles, "Okay. I'll track her from here. Thank you, Raph."

"No worries, Princess." There was a slight pause before his worried voice took over my hearing once again, "Find her? Please?"

I smiled at his concern. I knew he was a softy. "Of course."

I caught sight of my friend, trembling in an alley, a mile away from the institute.

"Izzy?" I slowly approached her, not wanting to frighten her, "Raphael called me. Why are you-"

"I can smell your weakness a realm away," I heard a hiss from deeper inside the alley.

In one swift move, I pulled Izzy behind me and flipped my seraph blade into my hand, shining its ethereal glow at our enemy, "What do you want from us?"

"The Mortal Cup, Princess," he hissed as he stepped into the light before quickly flashing in front of me. I pushed Izzy further against the wall as the demon knocked the blade out of my hand, "please," he whispered threateningly as pressed his face against my neck. I stiffened as he began sniffing me before slowly whispering, "I know that you know where the real Cup is."

I flinched as he threatened to bite me, making him chuckle deeply, "Delicious… The fear…"

"Hey!" I heard screams from the alley opening, "Let the girls go!" I snapped my head in their direction as a look of horror slowly settled on my face, "Hey!"

"NO!" I screamed as I watched him raise his hand, not that much different to what I do and flicked his wrist, snapping their necks.

"Use your magic," Izzy panted out from behind me.

I waved my hand, expecting him to fly away, only to frown as nothing happened. "Incendio," I stated firmly, flicking my fingers in his direction. Not even a spark appeared into existence. I couldn't help the growing fear that probably started to reveal itself on my face at the realisation that I was actually powerless for once. He smirked at me before stepping up to grab my arm. I pushed him away, ready to do hand to hand if it came down to it.

My efforts were halted at the appearance of a new person. Are they friend or foe?

He ran at the demon, seraph blade in hand, only to flip over him as he swung his hand at this new adversary. He demon swung around and jumped back from the blade that almost slashed at his throat. The unknown hunter used the wall I was holding Izzy against as leverage to jump behind the demon again and this time managed to slice into the demon's throat, causing it to turn into a million ugly little moths.

I looked at him in slight awe as he momentarily stayed in his stance, looking around cautiously to ensure the demon was gone.

"You OK?" he asked us softly as he straightened himself up.

"Who are you?" Izzy asked as she stepped out from behind me.

"I'm a Shadowhunter," he responded before putting his blade away and holding his hand out to me in greeting, "My name's Sebastian."

He helped me drag Izzy back to his, insisting that he had something he could give her to help with her venom addiction. That alone silenced me into agreeing, not ever expecting Isabelle Lightwood to ever give in to something like that.

Sebastian helped me place the unconscious Izzy on his couch before I sat beside her, him in front of us. I massaged her head that lay on my lap until she slowly regained consciousness again.

"You know, jonesing for venom isn't exactly conducive to success when battling demons," he finally spoke up when he settled in front of us.

"How did you know?" I asked him curiously. How did we miss the signs when this guy who has just met her knew instantly?

"The darting eyes," he started to point out in his amazing British tone, "The Grey complexion. That bloody wrist tremor, that's the worst," he pointed out before getting up and heading to his table.

"I've never seen you at the Institute," I asked him suspiciously as the girl on my lap groaned in pain.

"That's 'cause I'm not from around here," he explained before turning back to face us, "I'm from the London Institute. Here." He sat on the coffee table in front of us, holding out some kind of liquid, "One drop and you'll feel like a new person."

"What is it?" I asked him suspiciously as I helped Iz sit up against me.

"It's medicine," he explained. Seeing our doubtful looks, he placed a drop on his own tongue, "See, It's from an extract of a root found in L'Isle Adam." I shared a look with Izzy, having a silent conversation on whether she should accept his medicine or not, "It's a quaint little town." Izzy grabbed the vial, giving it a closer look, "Look, it'll help with the pain of your venom addiction." She gave it a sniff as I turned my attention back to the unknown shadowhunter to see whether he was being sincere, "Speed up your recovery. Come on."

I gave Izzy a nod, showing her that I did think he was being sincere, she smiled wearily back at me before opening her mouth. He dropped a droplet of this medicine in her mouth and it seemed to instantly have an effect. My friend blinked several times, her world was probably a lot more clear than she ever thought it could be. She looked like the Iz I've always known, finally aware of her surroundings.

I smiled at her as he continued to explain the medicine to us, "Yeah, it's not a miracle drug." She gave me a smile of relief, "It'll wear off soon and you'll feel like crap again, but it does help."

"So, why aren't you in London with..." Izzy was hesitant as she asked her question, "…your Institute?"

He gave me a wary look as he answered her, "I had to kick my Yin Fen addiction and let's just say that London wasn't the best place to do that. So, I um..." he got up from his seat as his voice began to tremble slightly, "I took matters into my own hands. I left. And I found my way to New York."

"You went AWOL?" my friend asked as I looked at the boy in sympathy.

The hunter chuckled as he placed the vial back into his box, "I like to think of it more like a walkabout, but um..." he crossed his arms, closing himself off from us slightly, "the good news is, I was successful." He turned his full gaze at the Yin Fen addict by my side, "You can be, too."

I turned to look at my friend only to see how uncomfortable she was. I stayed in my spot on the couch as she got up, expecting me to follow her lead, "Thank you so much. We should probably get going."

"You walk out that door and within-" she stopped moving any further as his words started to register in her venom-addled mind, "-an hour you'll be back in a vampire den, begging for a bite." I gave her a nod of agreement as I stood to stand beside Sebastian, showing her that I agreed with his statement, "You need at least a day to get enough venom out of your system to be able to handle yourself. If you want to leave, I won't stop you."

"Iz…"I stepped forward slightly. She turned her torn look to me, "Stay."

"Is that an order, your majesty?" she tiredly asked me, the old Izzy shining through.

I smirked in my best Jace impression as she stepped back towards us.

"Would you ladies like some dinner?" our host brought up from his position in the kitchen.

When did he get there?

"Please?" my friend asked us, eagerly finding a spot at his kitchen island.

"Iz!" I reprimanded her slightly as I made my way to her side.

"What?" she turned to me with pleading eyes, "I'm hungry!"

He placed bowls in front of us. I gave him a smile of gratitude as Izzy dived straight into her food.

"Mm!" I heard her explain as I verbally thanked him for the food, "Oh my God, I haven't eaten in days and this is amazing!"

I nodded in agreement once I took a bite, "This is so good."

I looked up from my food as he turned around, wiping his pan dry, "I ate at this café in Paris, once. And I watched this chef make his Bouillabaisse. And so the next time I wanted soup, I copied him."

I shared an amused look with Izzy before she asked, "What do you mean, you copied him?"

"I memorized everything he did. And then I did it myself and voilà!" I couldn't help the smile I sent his way before I scooped another bite into my mouth. I continued to eat as he chuckled slightly, "Yeah. Sometimes just..." I looked up as his tone changed to something softer, "knowing that someone else can do something remarkable makes it possible for you to do it too." Izzy looked away from our gazes and back to her own food. He turned to me, "You need to call your Institute. Let them know you're okay."

I nodded slightly and started patting down my sides, "Ah no…" I looked up at the two of them, "I must have dropped it in the alley when the demon attacked us. Iz-" I turned to her, only to see her start to push her food around her bowl. "-what about you?"

"I know, but..." Sebastian placed his phone on the table. I gave him a thankful look, relieved he'd saved us again. Izzy, on the other hand, sighed deeply at the sight of it, "I've just let so many people down, especially my brother," I looked at her sympathetically, knowing how hard it was to disappoint big brother, Alec, "that I don't know if he's gonna be able to forgive me."

I let him take over, knowing she wouldn't listen to me. Maybe hearing advice from someone that didn't know her would motivate her to move on from this darkness in her life. She's not gonna listen to us.

"Look, it might take some time, but my guess is he will," he comforted her with a smile.

"You don't know Alec. He's..." she sighed deeply once again, "…he's just like my mom. Stubborn and strong-willed."

"Yeah, I know all about stubborn strong-willed mothers," he and I intoned with a laugh.

I gave him a confused look, not expecting to be on the same wavelength with someone as I am with Jace.

Izzy just gave us an amused smile, "Yeah?"

"Mmhmm," he responded with a hum.

"Is she in London?" I asked him curiously, crossing my arms slightly, missing my own mothers dearly.

"No," I couldn't help but frown at his sad tone, "No, she, uh... Well, she's gone now, so."

"Oh." I immediately backtracked, "I'm sorry."

"Oh, don't be. She was miserable," he tried to say but I could still see the pain in his eyes, "Yeah. In the end, I forgave her, but, she loved me." I watched on as he tried to shrug it off, "She just had a... strange way of showing it." He sighed deeply before pushing the phone back in her direction, "Look, don't let your brother worry."

She looked reluctantly down at the phone staying silent, seemingly having a silent conversation to herself. Not long after, she seemed to come to a resolution as she picked up the phone and immediately began dialling Alec's number.

"I'm okay," she immediately greeted him as she stepped away from us.

I turned to Sebastian to give her a semblance of privacy, only to see he was already looking at me.

"Don't you need to inform people of where you are, err- your highness?" he asked me. So he did recognise who I was. The notice the Clave sent out must have included a picture.

I gave him a shrug, "No one's missing me." I don't really want to go back yet, especially with how I left things with Jace. Stupid blonde shadowhunter and his annoying attitude.

"Do I need to do the same speech on you?" he asked me teasingly.

I smiled widely at him, not being able to help myself. What? He's funny… "No. I got this. " I gave him a soft smile, "Thank you."

"Oh wait. You don't have your phone-"

I raised my hand, stopping him, "It's alright, I'll just head home as soon as I get to say goodbye to Iz."

I didn't miss his sad look, "You're leaving already?"

"Why so glum?" I teased in my best English accent.

"Nothing," he shrugged me off but I could see the smile tugging on his lips. "I just wanted to get to know the mystical princess we've all heard about."

I returned his shrug with my own soft smile, "I'll be back, don't worry."

I giggled at his eager look, "Really?"

"Promise," I said, holding my pinky out.

He gave it a confused look just as Izzy walked back to us, "Hey, Alec says hi."

"Ah yes," I said, turning to her after showing Sebastian what a pinky promise was, "I'm going to have to say bye for now Iz."

"Huh? Why?" she pouted at me.

"If I don't return to the institute soon, they'll probably send out a search party again," I tried to explain as she reinforced her pout.

My point must have made sense because she said, "Good point."

I got off my seat and gave her a hug, "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Is it safe for you to walk back by yourself?" she asked me.

"Yes." I put my arms through my leather jacket, "I'll be fine."

"I can walk you back?" Sebastian piped up by her side.

Izzy pointed at him, agreeing, "That would be a good idea."

"Guys," I said, waving them off, "I'll be fine."

"If you're sure…?" he asked me cautiously.

I smiled as I opened his front door, waving at them, "I'm sure."

It was a nice brisk walk back to the institute. It did take me forty minutes but it was nice to think things through on my walk back.

I came to the realisation that I shouldn't have made assumptions with Jace. He's my parabatai. My other half. He's never shown me that he was disloyal so I should stop treating him as if he's done something wrong already…

With that thought, I opened the front doors to the institute, quietly entering the bustle of the busy courtyard.

It was weird though. As soon as I stepped inside, a sudden haze seemed to encompass the whole of the institute. Fine lines turned to blurs and details into squiggles.

"This whole brother-sister thing, I..." I heard Clary say. I stopped my strides when I caught sight of the Jace standing in front of her, "…finally thought I knew where we stood."

"Yeah," I saw him mumble with a slight nod.

"I... I don't know." I could hear her stutter her words out, "I... I guess I just need time to process."

"Join the club," I saw him smirk down at her before softening his tone, "How you holding up?" he asked softly, patting her arm.

"Other than feeling like a total failure..." What happened in the time that I was gone? "…great. How did you do it?" Do what? "You activated a rune without your stele."

WHAT? Since when could he do this?

"I don't know," I saw him smile down at her with the smile he usually reserved for me. What is happening? "I saw you lying there. And it just kind of..." No, Jay. Please. No. "...ignited. On its own."

Shook her head in confusion, "None of this makes sense. But we'll figure it out. The two of us."

When I saw the intimate smile they shared, I couldn't help but flinch away. I fully stepped inside the institute, pretending I didn't see them as I made my way through the maze of shadowhunters.

"Lis!" I heard Jace call out. Damn boy must have seen me in a gap between my people.

Just as I turned around to face the voice, I felt someone crash into me. "Woah!" Good thing they were able to balance us because it would have looked so undignifying if he knocked me over. I caught sight of the familiar blonde locks as my vision returned to its normal quality, "What's this for?" I asked him curiously when he wouldn't let go.

"I thought you were really hurt. We couldn't find you!" He pulled away from me to check me of any injuries, "Where were you?"

"Where did you go?" Clary asked me when she joined us, giving me a quick hug before being returned to Jace's arms.

"I needed to help Iz with something…" I said smiling at their concern.

Clary stilled and gave me a cautious look, "Is she-"

"She's fine…" I waved her off before pausing to step out of Jace's arms. "Look, I uh- I gotta go…"

"Do you need me to go with you?" he asked, reluctant to let me leave his sight.

"It's okay…" I shrugged knowing he'd be bored and probably not welcome at my next meeting, "I need to meet with the Alicante Council and talk with them about what they've decided."

I was pulled back when I went to walk away, "Are you okay?"

I smiled weakly at him, confused at what I saw between him ad Clary just now, "Yeah, I'm fine."

"I'll be home late tonight," he said letting me go, "I've gotta meet with Alec about-"

I cut him off with a wave of my hand, he doesn't need to tell me where he's going. "Of course." I'm not his keeper. "Yeah, that's fine."

He gave me a small smile before stepping towards me and leaning down, kissing me softly. It was as if Clary and the rest of the world disappeared. There was only him and me.

When he finally pulled away from me, I couldn't help but smile dizzily up at him, not being able to get past his kiss.

"I'll see you later," he murmured softly with a smirk. I couldn't even hit him at his cocky tone, too stuck in the moment.

I hummed against him, in a slight daze from his kiss, "See you."