Disclaimer: I don't own either series. Just playin' with em' for your entertainment.

Warnings: The usual.

Word Count: 8,603

AN: Enjoy!

Chapter 16: The singing stars

He gasped as the clouds overhead spun into place. Overcast sky stared back at him. Shivering, Jace struggled to sit up. Red and gold leaves blazed as the only color in his surroundings. The cool air made his skin feel gritty. Palms flat against the earth, fingers bending and straightening in the dirt. Solid under his touch. No burning Idrisian sky. He breathed deep. In the distance a car horn bleated. Jace stamped down on the urge to call for Clary, Alec, or Isabelle. No one was in the vicinity and no sword either.

Jace blinked and his vision sharpened to its original scope. A back-yard. He was in someone's backyard. Spacious and filled with dying flowers, their colors fading; petals crusting and brown at the edges. One large tree stood in the center. A large vine snaked its way up with its pale ivy chocking the branches. The house was an old-fashioned anti-bellum colonial with a wraparound porch. An iron wrought fenced him along with the house. He stared out past the bars and shivered.

Someone whistled. "Well well, look what fell into my lap."

Jace stood up and took a loose stance in one fluid motion. Standing before him was a somewhat short man in a dark three piece suit and matching overcoat. Slade sharp eyes stared him up and down. Jace wrinkled his nose; the man had a peculiar scent. Rotten eggs. He smiled to himself.

"Well here I am." Jace gave a tight grin. "So what's a demon want with little ol' me?"

"Sharp lad." His eyes flashed. "Though let's not be too hasty. You're in my house now." He made an abortive motion.

Jace reached down his boot and threw his knife. The demon inclined his head, the dagger slicing past his cheek. The demon tutted, raising two fingers. Jace was flung into the tree. He grunted, head barely able to tilt, muscles straining but unable to carry out complex movement. Sneering, he kept his eyes trained on the demon. Said demon sauntered over to him.

"We need to talk."

"Shouldn't you buy me a drink first?"

"Ah so you're like me-the wine an' dine sort." He raised his hand and made a sweeping gesture to the house. "Name's Crowley. I'm here to make an offer you can't refuse."

Jace laughed, the scent of ivy filling his nose as thunder began in the distance-or was that a firecracker? He had no more knives on him, but he could still recall the necessary Latin. Crowley smiled as if he just found a remarkably small yappy dog. He snapped his fingers and Jace's lips pressed tight as if they had been super glued together. Jace gave a muffled sentence in return, but Crowley paid it no mind.

"Ah ah ah. No silly little exorcisms to smoke me out. I just want to talk." At Jace's eye roll, he elaborated. "Really, you nephilim are such a wet lot. Inadaptability is the reason your kind are going extinct. So by all means, stay pinned to this tree if you like. Me? I'll be trying to figure out how to stop the devil."

Crowley pivoted on his heel in the direction of the house. Jace growled out, mouth working against the gag. His muffled sounds resembled words, repeating themselves. Crowley paused and then turned to face Jace. He cupped one of his ears.

"Sorry what was that?"

Jace gave another muffled reply. Crowley gave a little laugh and undid the gag. Jace gasped, sharp air attacking his lungs. He was still trying to get oxygen so let the smirk drop away from his face.

"Ok, I'll bite." He gave a swooping exhale. "We trade information. That's it."

"Knew you'd see it my way."

Unpinned, his muscles didn't help him as he slid down the tree. His feet shuddered at the impact. Crowley turned around and Jace searched the area for his knife. It rested in a clump of rose bushes, glinting against the pink and red blooms. Petals fluttered to the ground as Crowley snatched up the knife.

Jace scowled but said nothing. As stepped onto the porch, his feet trembled. A vibrating wrenching sensation traveled up his body, muscles useless to prevent the notion that he was about to be flown backwards. He shook, almost choking. Body buzzing, wincing at how it reverberated in his ears, seething in his skin. A vague queasiness in his stomach. His eyes watered as if salt had been flung in them. He panted. Crowley was half way inside the house, still holding the door open. Jace swallowed heavily, brushing past the demon. A spacious dining room that lead to a foyer and a wide staircase was the only thing he caught a glimpse of before being flung out the door and tumbling off the porch.

"Huh. So angel proofing works against you. Fancy that."

Jace got to his feet. "A demon that wards against angels. How unsurprising."

Crowley laughed. "Naturally. It's a pleasant to know you're just enough of a feathery ass for it to work."

Jace clicked his teeth. "So you're saying I have a nice ass?"

"It's the only thing you've got going for you darling."

"And I suppose you're here to teach me a better way out of the evilness of your heart?"

"I suppose you could say that."

Crowley shut the door behind him. "Let's get to brass tacks shall we?"

"Yeah alright. What information are you fishing for?"

"The kind that lets me know if I played my cards right."

Jace gave brief huff of laughter. "Like giving an enchanted gun to a bunch of mundane-hunters and expecting Lucifer to be dead the next morning?" He shook a finger. "Isn't that a bit like losing at solitaire?"

Crowley gave a little shrug. "A bit but you work with what you've got. Which is essentially what I'm doing right now."

"Well then you can't lose."
"I really hope that's true. Your losing streak is pretty distressing."

"Yeah I imagine you might know a little something about that."

"We all have. Which is why I need to know if the boys made it out alive."

"Not to my knowledge."

"Fair enough. What is to your knowledge?"

"The Nephilim called for a mandatory meeting back to Idris-to discuss how to deal with Valentine." At Crowley's nod he continued. "And turns out he was fool enough to make a partnership with Lucifer."

"Lemme guess, he's wearing Valentine as a meatsuit."

"Yeah."

"He trapped everyone inside Idris with a barrier." Jace swallowed, feeling something tighten inside himself. "I tried to fight him and…and when I came to, I was here."

"Hmm. Birdies told me that there was no more Idris. It's been destroyed. Completely wiped off the map. What I want to know is how you survived."

Crowley eyed him as he staggered back. Jace gritted his teeth, preventing whatever bile that was in his stomach. The world shrunk, like he was a giant in a snow globe. Limbs buzzed, his entire circulatory system cut off; pins and needles that he wished would drive through him. Jace shuddered and straightened when he caught Crowley staring at him. The demon said nothing.

"So…sole survivor?"

'…Clary. It had to be her. I'm here because of her.'

Jace clenched his teeth. "Go to hell."

"Not today love." Crowley pursed his lips. "Trying to give the devil the slip is not an easy thing to do. Which leads me to my second point. You need protection. All innuendo implied."

"What, from you? Again, go to hell."

"And again, if not from me then who else? I-"

Jace gave a snarling laugh. "Lemme guess, you've got someone lined up, along with a few ideas I'm sure."

"A fair few. How about you give a listen? I can give you anything mate."

"And all it costs is my soul?"

"Maybe. Maybe not."

Jace clenched his fists. "Quit screwing with me-"

"I can't help it. You make it so fun. You must get this often."

"Gee all the time."

"Then you don't mind if I do it some more. If you've lost the colt-" he held up a hand. "Don't make me peanut butter your mouth again. There is another weapon. One you really don't want Lucifer get his hands on. I know where it is. If you don't want a demon's protection, then how about a reaper's?"

"Excuse me?"

"A reaper. You know, dresses in black. Carries a scythe?"

"Yeah I'm familiar. Skip to the good stuff."

"Reapers are not only psychopomps; they are also used in rituals, even those of the Silent Brothers. What, your little play group wasn't as secret as you thought it was. You summon a reaper; you can get what you want."

"And in turn, you get what you want."

"That's how synergy works."

"…Fine, why the hell not? Nothing else to lose huh?"

"Atta boy."

SPNTMI

A faint drizzle had started up but that didn't deter Jace. The circle was completed, necessary ingredients lain out and used. Crowley leaned on the porch railings with a tumbler of scotch in hand. Jace's throat was sore from the Latin rattling around. He stared straight ahead, the chill air ghosting over his face. The world was sapped of color and he couldn't bring himself to care.

"Huh. Usually I'm the one chasing, not being chased."

Jace jumped, turning his attention back to the summoning circle. A woman stood in its center. She was staring straight at Jace and brushed back strands of black hair. Her eyes were a very strange shade of olive green. Slashes of grey-blue within them, sharp as blades. A very pale and softly angled face with wide eyes and full lips.

"You called?"

Jace pushed his lips up in an imitation of a smile. His stance widened and hands itched for a blade. She eyed him, not quite a smile on her face. Jace made his way closer to the circle, shoes keeping clear of the painted lines. He watched her stay still, watching him. She dressed like a normal person; dark jeans, boots, a plain green shirt, and black leather jacket. Glossy black hair just barely scraped her shoulders.

"Yeah. Honestly, I didn't think having a reaper on speed dial would come in handy. Silly me."

"I suppose you'd be surprised. You like to be called Jace, is that right? Well Jace, I'm Tessa."

"Well hey Tessa. Yeah they call me Jace…just Jace."

"Ok just Jace. You've summoned me for a reason."

"That I did. I've got a deal for you."

"Is that you or the demon talking?"

"Bit of both really."

Tessa inclined her head. "Ok, I'll bite. What are you offering?"

"Death's scythe."

Tessa raised a single eyebrow, wetting her lips. She shifted her body, keeping on her feet, adjusting herself within the circle. Her eyes went sharp and she squared her shoulders. Jace recognized the response; he had been doing it himself. Doing it for years; seeing it mirrored back to him made a knot loosen inside his chest. Jace raised his arms, revealing bare palms. He bent his knees, at slight kneel and made no move to come any closer.

"Hey I understand why you wouldn't trust me. Especially me. You've been summoned by a nephilim in the company of a demon to talk about a weapon. It does sound like a trap. Cookie for you."

"Is that all for me?" She gave him a soft smile. "Is that all there is for you?"

What was knocked loosed from earlier, tumbled something inside. He imagined his ribs rattled loosen, plunking down into his stomach and to scrape at his intestines. Maybe it came from the sword. The ache from the blade before a beam of heated white light. One look at her eyes and he knew he was lying. Jace went over the various enchantments that could be placed on him; knowledge of reapers was woefully unprepared.

She walked to him and Jace took a step a back. He shivered as the ease that her eyes pulled to him in a magnetic sort of way-predestined to stake a claim. Jace pulled back, like something burned in him. Crowley cleared his throat.

"I can tell you where the scythe is and can point you in the right direction."

Tessa leveled a glare at the demon. She nodded. "Obviously. I'm more interested in Jace. There is a disruption in the balance."

Crowley waved his hand. "Yes yes yes. Course' you can fix that."

"Doesn't mean I should."

"C'om on have a heart-"

"Sorry no, dice."

Jace cut in. "We go and get the scythe in exchange for this supposed protection that I supposedly need." He put air quotes on the need. "Take it or leave it, makes no difference to me."

Both turned to him to give their own patented glares. Jace shrugged. To them. He regarded Tessa far longer. Her eyes clouded over for a moment. Then she stared back at Jace and nodded.

"Alright. Protection first."

Jace smirked. "You said it not me."

The smile that Tessa was brief and it gave the impression that is was only for his benefit and not actual amusement. Crowley smirked and gave a little nod. He disappeared back into his house. He emerged with a small table. He made a few more trips, ingredients in his hands. Candles, bowls, salt, water, and a small knife. He set the table in the middle of the yard, setting a tablecloth with an elaborate circle in the center, sigils inside the center of the circle. Jace squinted. Only a few of the markings were runes, but he wasn't sure what they meant.

Crowley lit the candles and set the bowl down. Tessa strode forward and Jace set his pace to match hers. They stood at opposite ends of the table. Tessa gestured Jace to hold out his arms. He did so and without thinking, took out his stele and handed it to her. She took it before Jace could ask for it back. Crowley began to chant in tandem with Tessa, who started Marking Jace's arms.

The power fluttered in the air, growing stronger as Crowley's invocation sped up. The demon held the knife. A nice wave to the blade, brass handle gleaming in the small pinpricks of candlelight. Crowley held a small cup in the other hand. His arm moved smoothly, nicking Tessa's neck with the tip of the blade. She only narrowed her eyes for a moment, mouth pressed together in a thin line. As soon as Crowley removed the knife, the cup took its spot. Crowley pressed down on Tessa's neck. Blood moved down in an unbroken line. Jace's arms burned. Crowley went to Jace to replicate the procedure.

Jace jerked by an inch and Crowley gripped Jace's neck and fixed him in place. When Crowley moved back, he swished their combined blood together and then added what Jace assumed to be holy water by how gingerly Crowley held the container. He sprinkled some of it into the cup. It was set down into the center of the bowl and Jace saw that the rest of the holy water was set into the bowl, green herbs floating on the surface. Crowley flicked the remaining blood off the blade of the knife, set it on the table and stepped back.

Jace's eyes flickered down to his arms. They had been marked up from palm to shoulder. Sweat beading on the back of his neck and shoulders. He felt Tessa's eyes on him and he stared back up at her. The haze in the air and the smell of the herbs-he couldn't remember their names, why couldn't he-made his eyes water. Tessa began to speak and Crowley took over the chant, or was it Tessa's voice? He frowned, it was something that he couldn't put his finger on, but he knew that voice-her voice.

Tessa grabbed Jace's hands and together put the two pairs of hands into the bowl, careful not to jostle the cup inside. The liquid cold and slightly pleasant on his heated limbs as the temperature traveled up. Tessa entwined their fingers together guiding them to grasp the cup and lifting it out. Tessa lifted it to shoulder length. She moved the cup to her lips, muddying them with the bright color. She pushed the cup to him and Jace opened his mouth in a vague disquiet sort of way. It sloshed down his throat. He could barely taste it. As soon as he tried, numbness went over him. He drained the cup. His body buzzed. Tessa moved to his side as if she had always been there. Jace opened his mouth to say something.

Chanting vibrated in the air as she put her mouth on his. Jace's mind slowed, body buzzing almost to the point of pain. He squeezed his eyes shut tight and the idea that Tessa was expanding beside him. Something didn't feel like hands was brushing through his hair and his muscles relaxed. His chest ballooned and he exhaled. The firm pressed of her lips kept him bound, his feet tethered while he himself went somewhere else.

The image of Valentine running him through, his body falling onto wet sand. Clary curled up inside a circle. Raziel-yes that's who sprayed up out of the waters with ozone steaming through the air. Flaming spit bursting a hole through Valentine and the man rising as though that meant nothing.

He ignored Clary's agonized glares. He looked up to see the howling forms of Lucifer and Raziel whirling above. Lucifer's wings hummed with delight. Air rent with angel reek as deafening booms shook the ground. He could see unimpeded, but the sight wasn't his. His eyes fixed on himself, form prone as Clary raced to him. She was carrying the mortal sword; tip dragging in the sand. As soon as he reached himself, there was a terrible yawning opening that he dived into. Chest concaved but he wanted to swim in his ribcage; hands clinging to the bone to stay.

His golden eyes stared back and up. The air bent and wavered. Jace choked. He wasn't looking down at himself-he was someone else looking down at him. He couldn't scream; not locked inside himself anymore but unable to protest as Clary tried to heave his body up. Lucifer and Raziel crashed together overhead, blows shattering the sky. Raziel's wings scraped at the air, molecules buzzing in tandem with Lucifer spewing insults. He drew attention by to himself. Clary dragged them through one of her portals. She leaned into it headfirst, Jace falling with her.

He caught one last glimpse of the earth and sky crumpling in on themselves as bars of light stabbed in all directions. Following Clary-watching himself being ripped from her hands, body flopping and whirling away. The sky opening up as he fell down. Grass rushing to meet him. He opened his eyes with a gasp. Tessa pulled away from him and already seemed different. He stared at her and for a second her eyes were iridescent. Jace looked down in time to see the Marks on his arms fade like invisible ink. He winced. Colors were normal again. Tessa gave an appraising look as she stepped back and crossed her arms.

"There."

"Balance all set?"

"Not quite." Tessa turned to Crowley. "Now. A bargain is a bargain."

"Indeed love. The scythe resides with the Iron Sisters. The entrance is a little…tedious."

"Not for me." Tessa said.

"Good luck kiddies."

Before Jace could give the last word, Tessa grabbed his shoulder. He blinked open his eyes. They stood in a forest's clearing beside a well. The leaves on the trees burned with bright reds and oranges. The dark bark was patchy with gleaming frost. Small puffs of breath clouding around his face. A lighthouse stood in the distance. If Jace concentrated hard enough, he could hear the ebb and pull of the ocean. The grass crunched under his feet. Jace turned his attention back to the well.

It was unremarkable except for the runes that decorated their surface. Their power hummed like an electric fence. Holding palms over the runes, he heated his hands. He shrugged and pressed his fingertips to the rim of the well. At his touch the markings lit up and he pulled back sharply before his fingers could steam. Jace cradled his hand for a second, the sizzle of his flesh only a temporary sound. Turning to Tessa, he said:

"So…swan dive?"

"After you."

"Naturally. Head first or what?"

"Might be a good idea."

Jace grinned. He set his hands on the rim, keeping them in place. The smell of burning skin rose up to meet him. He pressed his palms hard into the stone, bracing as he brought up his knees to crouch down on top of the well. He bent lower into a diver's position and kicked off. Jace kept his legs straight. He slid down, space wide enough that he moved down unimpeded.

It was another second before he hit the water. Warm liquid enveloped him. Sprays shot over his body, he jolted at the impact, slowing enough to bring his hands to his face to keep his eyes clear. Jace spread out his arms, waving them until his hands hit the walls of the well. He pushed against the wall; kicking in a steady rhythm as he inched along. Bubbles brushed past his cheeks as he let out a steady stream through his nostrils from the constant exhale. His chest rattled, ribs aching as his heart pounded. The farther down he went, the hotter the water got. The stone walls got rougher, moss soft against his finger pads. Water hummed with heat. Jace's vision wavered and ears popping, he kicked faster. Lungs screamed as his hands missed stone and passed between water.

He couldn't see a bottom as the pressure in his head became unbearable. Spreading his limbs as far as he could go. Jace was not blocked by walls any longer. He twisted his head up and saw light reflecting off the surface of the water. Kicking hard, he broke the surface with a loud gasp. A small splash made turn around in time to see Tessa come up to the surface. She paddled over to his side, water up to her chin. Black hair floated and fanned around her.

"We're inside...the what, the moat?"

"As far as I can tell. This is the lowest level. We'll need to go up much higher to get to the ground level."

"Can do."

Jace rubbed his eyes. The room was expansive. The water was contained in a rectangular, pool sized space. It had to be at least ten feet deep. Jace kicked out to find no bottom but the pool had an indent a foot deep all around the pool. On the left were two alcoves with bars blocking their entrance. A little bit closer to the center was a set of stairs. He could see it twist a little before bending out of sight. Jace paddled to the corner and pushed himself up and out. Tessa brushed her jacket dry as Jace rung out the hem of his shirt. Jace's gaze swept across the room and when he found nothing useful, he went up the stairs.

They led to a dining room. A heavy table in the center, fire place behind the head of the table. Chandeliers swung overhead. Circular and iron-hewn, their candleholders still held long candles. At least three dangled overhead on long thick chains. Jace hurried up the second set of stairs. A long corridor. Shoji screens ran the length of the walls and clashed with the suits of armor lining said walls. Jace peered into the helmet of a suit closest to him. Thin vertical slits gleamed and their shine brought him near. There were no runes that he could find but something set his teeth on edge. Tessa cleared her throat and Jace tore his eyes away.

The second he did, a metal fist crashed into the side of his face. Jace flew back and hit the other wall. It left a sprawling crack as Jace whirled back to his feet and in a stance. The suit of armor clanked forward and unsheathed its sword with an impressive echoing ring. Tessa's eyes widened but she held her ground. Mouth working, she kept her gaze trained on the suit as she tried to reach for Jace.

"Jace-"

"Yeah. Get out of here."

"Can't without you." Her eyes darted. "Think you tripped an alarm."

Jace laughed as the suit swung the sword. He ducked, metal humming. He caught a brief glimpse of runes inscribed on the blade as it whistled past his nose. A few strands of hair floated down. The blade instead sliced into the cracked wall. The top of the screen fell away and clattered to the ground. The sound awoke the other suits of armor. Clanging to life. The broken wall revealed a tunnel on the inside and on the wall opposite, a blitzing shadow sped past. Jace clicked his teeth.

"Tessa get inside the walls." He dodged another blow. "I'll be right behind you."

Tessa made a move but a suit clamored forward, blocking her path. It raised its sword high. Jace took the armor at a running tackle, shoulder checking the hard metal. The suit fell apart as if it had been held together by tape. Runes appeared, etching themselves into the metal, burning bright as the pieces of metal scattered. Jace pivoted, having to slow his pace considerably at the ease of the suit's demise versus his strength. They collapsed at Tessa's feet and she weaved away from the pieces that began to rattle and reform themselves. Tessa kicked aside a knee brace as she slide to the remaining half of the screen and went into the wall. Jace hurried on her heels.

"Keep going forward."

"I know. We're going to turn right."

Shapes darted to and fro, dark enough to be seen outside the walls to the other side of screens. Inside the shoji-screened walls the space was narrow enough to move single file. The walkway was clean, with twists and turns. The screens acted very much like tinted windows. Once inside, he vision was unobscured. The walls were solid next to him. Overhead was one long pipe, its couplings etched with various runes. Jace picked out the directional runes and saw where to turn for the weapon's room.

A single point of light flashed opposite them. It lit up the forms only a few feet away. Jace grabbed Tessa's wrist and pulled her back. He nodded his head in the light's direction. Tessa stopped and looked where Jace directed her. He indicated another to turn to her just as a rune covered machete sliced through the screen and sliced by his ears.

"Go! Keep going straight!"

The machete went past again and Jace kept pushing Tessa forward. She shook off his touch, increasing her speed. She took the lead, racing left and right and Jace had to jog to keep pace. He couldn't see their pursuers but he could imagine their footsteps, their blades. Tessa swerved hard to the left, yanking the screen past. Jace leapt after her and closed the screen behind him. He peered around.

"The library. Huh, so those passages run through the whole building."

"I imagine so. I also imagine that we need to hurry before they catch up."

"Obviously. Where to now?" Jace looked up. "Aha! There."

He pointed up. The library was at least three stories in a circular design. Ladders on rungs stood still. Their reach extended to a looped corridor with a single door. A high arched wooden number with an old fashioned brass ring in place of the door knob. Running up a ladder, he caught a glimpse of Tessa doing the same on an adjacent ladder.

"The door-"

"Got it."

Jace reached the door first and yanked it open. Tessa shut the door behind her. All the door led to was down. No illumination save for a very dim light from what might have been the bottom of the stairs. The old hewn stone solid under his boots but he tread lightly all the same. The staircase had a bit of a spiral to it; it got warmer the further down they went. Jace grinned.

Clangs, bangs, hisses, and ringing. At first it had only been a faint sound; a sort of musical hum that bounced around. His shoulders tensed before slacking. He twisted his head to see Tessa stand impassively behind him.

"What's the hold up?"

"That sound familiar to you?" At Tessa's blank look he continued, "Does to me."

"A weapons room is down there?"

"Bingo bango. It's gotta be there."

"Why wouldn't it be?"

They reached the bottom; only a single witchlight stone to light the path. Jace pressed a finger to his lips for a second, hands hover on the handle. He took out his stele, inking a quick 'quiet' rune on the door. It opened without a sound, only open a third of the way. Jace squeezed through.

Entering the area, the noise was deafening as typical for a fully functioning blacksmiths'. Bellows pumped and clanked. Sparks flying upwards to catch on metal. Jace pressed himself against the stone walls. Iron Sisters. They all wore white. Simple shifts that were belted by a plain and simple cord. Each sister kept their sleeves pulled back as they worked the metal, twisting or pounding it with heat as they saw fit. None of them appeared to notice Jace or Tessa. Nor did Jace see a scythe.

He did see chakrams, claymores, katanas, broadswords, and longswords. Daggers of all kinds lay in niches. Blades steamed, still cooling from the forge. He shivered. An Iron Sister was working an adama into stele. Her orange eyes burned and glowed in the firelight. Sweat gleamed on her forehead. She looked up from her molding and Jace ducked down. Sticking to the shadows, he hid behind a pillar. He watched the same sister walk into an alcove with a finished stele in her hands. Jace nodded his head to the alcove as the sister stepped out.

"Cover for me."

"Sure."

Jace crouched low; keeping his knees at an angle, never going above shoulder length. He darted between pillars until he reached the alcove and slipped inside. It was a little bit bigger inside that Jace expected and he rifled through it as quickly as possible. Symbols, sigils, and circles were wall to wall. None seemed to affect Jace so he paid them no mind.

'So this is where they put the finished works. Lucky me.'

Curved and hooked weapons hung from hooks, brushing his hairs and tickling his ears. Gleaming blades lay carefully covered and cushioned. Steles were piled in their own corner. Jace checked. No scythe but he pocketed a few seraph blades. As soon as he did so, one of the runes flashes red and a flurry of loud movement from outside the door. Jace's eyes widened, head darting back to his pockets and back again.

"Oops."

He pressed the walls; none of them were sliding screens. No other way out except through the door. Jace inked a rune for speed on his arm. Said door burst open. Jace weaved past these women, missing their kicks and knives.

"Hurry." He shouted at Tessa.

He caught a slight movement of her from his peripheral vision. Iron Sisters were leaving their work stations to give chase. Orange eyes glowed, twin fires in their faces. One sister shook a flail, gesture reminiscent of Isabelle. Muscles shifted of their own accord and Jace avoided the attack of ease. Darting to Tessa's side, they darted past the main forge. The passages twisted-shoji screens again. Shapes twisted behind the screens and he could have sworn he saw metal's shadows flash. Clumps of witchlight clung to the ceilings. Other than that there were no other decorations for the halls.

"Ok, follow my lead."

Jace swerved to the left just as a screen door on the right opened to reveal a sister with a brass dagger emerge. Jace took a running a leap to the left, getting up on the wall and kicking off. He leapt across and kick landed on the sister. She stumbled back into the hidden corridor, collapsing onto the other incoming sisters with a subdued huff of pain. Jace grabbed the witchlight stones above him, using it as a swing as he ripped the witchlight from the ceiling. It barely slowed his momentum as he kicked off another wall. The witchlight shattered behind, darkening the hall. Jace kept himself off the ground until he turned to the right to an archway in the shape of an angel. Fingers curled around the metal and he swung forward with great force. He flew into a courtyard. Jace landed in a crouch.

The open air courtyard was spacious, emerging from the west end. His landing kicked up dirt and the sky was bright and crisp. The yard was square in shape, with about three inches in shadow. A weapons rack leaned half-hidden against a wall. A wrap around balcony was overhead of him, ornate railings from the east and west. Jace slowly unwound himself and slid a dagger from his boot. He could have sworn he heard a snatch of birdsong. A minor movement. Jace caught it in time to see Iron Sisters emerge and surround him. Like vicious angels from some deep place to rip him to pieces. All of them with fiery eyes set inside marked faces. Six of them advanced on him, weapons in hand. White dresses fluttered around their bodies, cords keeping them secure. They were barefoot. Jace gripped his blade tighter.

Together the six of them moved, flanking Jace. Usually his body would wake up at this point but instead of a heady rush of controlled fire, it was curiously numb. Everything was in clear focus, like a zoomed in camera. Despite the same dresses, runes, and orange eyes, the rest of their features were easily distinguishable. One woman strode forward. Her dark skin stood out against her dress, scars overlapping her marks. She balanced a silver mace on her shoulder. It was decorated with marks that he could have sworn were Enochian. On her left, a petite blonde with her hair in braids wielded a Kwan-Dao-a Chinese halberd. On her right, a stocky redhead carried a shield with a spike thrust out from its center and runes decorated the shield, spiraling out from the center. Beside her was a younger woman with choppy black hair. She carried an iron rod. Its point was like a fire poker's, electrum wire wrapping all around its surface. Standing next to the blonde, was a caramel skinned older woman with a pair of elbow length curling tonfas. The final woman was a muscular brunette hefting a claymore. Wicked burns on whatever skin was visible.

The first woman spoke. "Men are not allowed here."

"Ahh, come on, I'm just trying to get in touch with my feminine side."

"Nephilim or not, you are not welcome."

"Don't be so sexist. I'm just looking for one thing."

"The only thing you will find is death." Said the woman with the rod. "

Jace laughed. "Oh I don't doubt that."

"What do you call yourself?"

"…Jace."

"Well met." The first woman said. "I am Vitali."

She gestured to the women in order.

"Agrippa." The blonde gripped her kwan-dao tighter.

"Euphemia." The redhead with the shield stiffened her stance.

"Cassandra." The woman with the rod nodded.

"Fatima." She adjusted her tonfas.

"Ruth." She swung her claymore forward.

The six women rushed him. Jace jumped, avoiding the weapons leveled in his direction. He threw a pair of knives in midair. They were deflected by Euphemia's rod. Jace landed in front of Ruth. She swung her claymore. He ducked. Jace avoided her blade but not her kick. Grabbing her leg just as her heel connected below the jaw, both went flying from the force of her blow. Jace hung on to her leg and they staggered, enough momentum left for Jace to shove her. Ruth careened into Cassandra. She missed the spike, head smacking into the rim, blood spurting for a second before she fell to the ground.

Jace advanced; Cassandra bent her leg, leaning on one side, bringing her shield up. Runes began to light up on its surface, highlighting the splash of blood. The spike spun for a moment and Jace was blasted back. He landed ass first. Cassandra, Ruth, and Fatima rushed him. Jace got to his feet bracing for impact as Agrippa pole vaulted into the fray. Her blade gleamed in the sunlight, blinding him. He staggered back with a shout. Fatima swung low, flicking her wrists to extend the blades outward. The right nicked Jace's neck. Jace caught the left blade barehanded. His blood heated in his palms as it dripped down his wrist.

He yanked the blade from her hand, whipping the hilt and handle across her face. Fatima was unfazed, moving closer and Jace tossed the blade overhead, whistling as he did so. Fatima brought up her fists and one leg in a Mui-Thai high kick. It connected to the side of Jace's face, the blow reverberating down his chest. Her legs coiled like serpents and Jace grabbed the front of her dress. He punched her square in the face, her nose breaking beneath his knuckles. She stumbled back, blood spurting out of her nostrils, blade still shining.

Euphemia wrapped an arm about his waist and slapped her rod against her calf. He heard the buzz of energy just seconds before pain. The hum of a high voltage fence as she electrocuted him. He shouted, body swelling and spasming. Out of the corner of his eye. Vitali's mace swung to his face. He flinched, the movement the only reason, he missed the blow. Metal spikes too close to his eyes, scraping past them and slicing through hair. Jace struggled hard against Euphemia; electrum wire digging into his legs, pinning him like a butterfly to a board as Cassandra hid her body behind her shield and charged.

The shield started up its hum, spike spinning Cassandra darted forward and Euphemia disentangled herself from Jace just before he was blasted backwards. Jace tumbled a few times over in the dirt. He kept the women in his sights, perspective flipping them. Instinct kicked in and Jace kicked his legs upwards, momentum propelling him back into the crowd. Ruth, who had chased him as Jace crashed into Cassandra, latching onto her before she could shake him off. Jace came up behind her, using a hold to keep her from shaking him off.

Jace swung them around just as Ruth was about to bring down her sword. She was brought up short, claymore hovering. Jace twisted Cassandra's arm as Vitali's expression tightened; the shield started up as Vitali brought the sword down. It split in half just as Vitali landed on it. She howled in pain, staggering back clutching her abdomen. Cassandra freed herself from Jace's grasp with a cry.

Hands blurring, he blocked her blows; her fists were tight while his were loose. He caught her uppercut, trapping her arm. They grappled, shield knocking into Jace; its spike had fallen off. She twisted hard to throw him off and Jace swooped low, keeping enough of a grip on her to control her momentum. Jace flipped her over, not letting go until he almost flipped with her. Cassandra screeched, shield clattering to the ground. She landed back first and hard on her shield, cracking it in half. Groaning, her eyes fluttered shut as Fatima advanced with flashing blades.

She kept low to the ground, one foot padding in front of the other as she circled Jace. Jace mimicked her stance, keeping her blades in his field of vision. They flashed like minnows in a stream as they darted past. She became a flurry of movement. Jace swerving and leaning away. Panting, he aimed for a high kick to the chest but pulled up short when Fatima swept both blades at his feet. Jace turned his abortive movement into a leap. He landed on the other side of her and she spun around just as his feet touched the ground.

Scything the blades, Jace couldn't move away. Fatima brushed the blades simultaneously. One low, the other high. Jace caught in between, brought his head down and his knees up. He smashed his feet on the low blade, putting all his weight onto it as the higher blade swung down. He grabbed Fatima's wrist. Growling, she yanked hard, unable to free herself from Jace's grasp. He head butted her with enough force to see stars. She sagged, murmuring as the only thing keeping her up was Jace's control of her blades. She tensed in the exact moment that something caught in Jace's sight.

Cassandra pulled back her fist as Fatima dropped her blades in favor of his fist. Jace swerved to the left as Fatima and Cassandra punched each other in the face. Jace winced at the resounding crack. Both women dropped. Jace dashed away from them when Vitali, Euphemia, and Agrippa kept their distance. The reach of kwan-dao enough to keep Jace's attention on her. Vitali and Euphemia interchanged; the electrum wire hummed as the mace swung past. Jace bounced back, no weapon to parry with.

The women were too fast for him to pull out a blade. He dropped to his knees and Euphemia flung her rod down. Jace kicked at Vitali, foot connecting with her knee. She leapt back with a grunt. Agrippa turned the edge of the blade in, turning it to his Jace with the flat side. He twisted and it slammed into part of his back and elbow. Blade's inches from his eyes. The blade caught his shoulder, tugging his shirt as Euphemia slammed her rod into Jace, pinning him to her chest. He shouted as the shocks hit him.

Agrippa's blade pulled back, ripping his shirt to reveal his shoulder. He wriggled his arm, trapping the kwan-dao underneath his armpit. Jace bit Euphemia's shoulder and blood stained his teeth. Euphemia thrashed and the two locked together. Agrippa shook her weapon, unable to free it from Jace. Euphemia's grip slackened and Jace used his opposite hand to break off the halberd's blade. Euphemia pulled back with a roar. Stabbing her weapon at Jace's sternum. He barely dodged a surer jab to the neck. His chest singing. Vitali made a move to get closer, but Jace flung the halberd's blade. It sped through her dress and pinned her deep into the wall. Euphemia jabbed, weapon blurring. Jace weaved a wide berth from her blitzing weapon.

Agrippa was unhindered by the loss of her blade, whirling her new staff in time to her footsteps. Jace ducked away from her and picked up Ruth's sword. He hefted it, turning it in time to block Euphemia's thrust. Sparks shot out when the two weapons clashed. Shocks travelled up Jace's borrowed blade, making his arms quiver. He gripped the claymore with both hands, bringing it down on Euphemia's rod. She blocked and parried.

Jace and Euphemia circled each other, racing tightly together. Sparks exploding into showers as they slammed their weapons together. Agrippa kept a slower pace around them, unable to intercede. The two blurred together. Jace swung down, Euphemia up. Thin crackling lines danced through the electrum wire and Jace's claymore steamed. They hit, thunderclaps ringing throughout the courtyard. Euphemia pushed but Jace bore down with planted feet. His hair crackled. Jace gritted his teeth, gums pink against clenched incisors. He pushed harder against the rod until it was flung from Euphemia's hands. His claymore broke in half, the length of the blade and landing in the shadows of the courtyard. Jace was left with nothing but the hilt and five inches of blade, ends jagged, gleaming with malice.

Vitali freed herself as Fatima, Cassandra, and Ruth staggered to their feet. Agrippa twirled her staff. The six advanced on Jace, forming a circle with him in the center. Jace shifted his feet and extended the sword as far as his arms would allow. He exhaled slowly, shoulders still and relaxed against the tenseness of the women. He knew their plan before they did. Without looking at each other, they moved as one in a momentous rush.

"Hold!"

The women froze on command and as did Jace against his will. He kept one eye trained on them and the other in the direction of the voice. A woman in a white dress stood on the balcony, Tessa beside her. The women below were still tense but attentive to the women above them. Jace lowered his weapon. The woman's eyes burned and Jace could have sworn he saw her marks move.

"Leave him be." To Jace she said, "You come with me."

She gestured below her and Jace followed her hands. The balcony to find a staircase hidden in the shadows. Jace hummed as he walked up them. Their spiral dizzying. Tessa and the other women met her at the top. She spoke without preamble.

"You are very fortunate to have been in the company of a reaper, otherwise I would have let my girls kill you."

"That would have been an interesting exercise, Sister…?"

"Cleophas."

Cleophas led them to a small room, its door cracked open by an inch. She rapped softly on it before entering.

"She has come." Cleophas said.

She ushered them in and Jace saw that it was a bedroom. An old wooden four poster bed in the center, its gossamer curtains pulled back to reveal an old woman in the bed. A nightstand on the right and a book shelf on the left. Above the canopy was a simple chandelier, its light dim and candles worn down to the stubs. Below, the old woman tried to sit up. Cleophas moved to her side, rearranging the pillows to prop the old woman up.

She took a shuddery breath and smiled. Jace was struck by her calm. The orange of her eyes were softer than that of Cleophas but they were incredibly clear. She actually had laugh lines. Veins were thick and blue against her pale skin. Jace suggested she had to be at least eighty. Her long white hair was braided and lay on her shoulder.

"I've been expecting you." She said to Tessa. To Jace she gave a breathy chuckle. "Although you not so much. I admit I never thought I'd see another shadowhunter again after the fall of Idris." She gave Tessa another look. "You being there proves that. Cleophas."

Cleophas went to the nightstand and picked up a box that rested on it. Tessa moved to the old woman's side with such a look of affection that Jace had trouble swallowing. Tessa leaned down, smoothing out the white hair. The old woman continued speaking.

"Cleophas as you knew as well as we all know; this will be the last generation of Iron Sisters. The age of the Nephilim is over. Please see that these two will have everything they need." She addressed Jace directly. "Young man, you have all the weapons you'll ever need." She regarded Tessa. "I'm ready now."

The reaper stroked her cheek and for a second the old woman's face was smooth and unlined again. She smiled in a slow soft way as she gave one last exhale, eyes fluttering shut. Her hands clasped in front of her chest. Her head tilted to Tessa, hair softly curling around her pale throat. Tessa knelt down to kiss her forehead, a soft light beginning to shine. He caught glimpses of Tessa's face. It looked as severe as the old woman's. Her eyes closed as the light got brighter and nearer. It illuminated Tessa perfectly. Every strand of black hair. Shone face symmetrical and soft. Feather duster eyes lowering, encasing eyes. A strange ache overcame him and his feet stayed fixed on the floor, no matter how he thought otherwise.

Jace had to look away. The light beginning to fade. The old woman was dead. Cleophas bowed her head and planted a quick kiss to her hands. When she stared back up, her expression was firm. Sister Cleophas thrusted the box at Tessa.

"Yours by right." She said.

Tessa lifted the lid off the box and pulled out a small plain scythe. Jace tilted his head.

'Huh.'

Tessa held the scythe in one hand as she put the lid back on the box and gave it back to Cleophas. The sister bowed and then gestured to the door.

"This time, leave out the front door."

SPNTMI

Crowley's backyard was unchanged and neither was the overcast sky. Jace blinked; the demon was nowhere to be seen but Jace turned to Tessa.

"Why'd you take us back here?"

"I didn't, I-"

"I did."

Crowley stood in front of them and began to slow clap.

"No that was all me handsome. Stellar work with the scythe by the way."

Jace opened his mouth but Crowley raised a finger, tutting.

"Allow me to take it off your hands."

He snapped his fingers and Tessa dropped the scythe with a hiss of pain. It tumbled down into the grass with a thump. Crowley picked it up, ignoring Tessa and Jace's struggles to move their feet. He held it up, whistling.

"Would you look at the craftsmanship." He stared at the two. "Trick or treat."

With that, he disappeared without a trace. Whatever kept them frozen in place lifted. Tessa shifted her legs as Jace circle the yard. The demon was gone. He went back to Tessa, shrugging at her glare.

"Oh don't look at me like this was a surprise." Jace said.

She huffed in response, about to turn around when he grabbed her shoulder, voice sober.

"I died didn't I? I died and you came for me. It was my time and you were cheated. But now…now it's about balance. Look kill me, don't kill me but let me set this straight before I do. My-my family is dead. His throat worked, Adam's apple straining and his voice was grating, even to his ears. "Alive or dead Clary would want me to live. I don't know how-doesn't even matter-but I'm alive because of her. It's always because of her, always will be. Everything's different now. I'm coming with you. We'll find the scythe. Put a stop to the devil. Do my job before I do something else-go with you. You call the shots. I trust you enough to do that. Please let me. Trust me."

Tessa appeared blank faced but Jace realized it was her expression when she was thinking something over. Eyes moving back and forth, mouth set. Slowly she nodded.

"My rules, my way. I won't put up with your stubbornness. I'm not a babysitter."

"I'm not a baby."

"We'll see."

Her smile was faint and Jace was surprised. Not only by how well it fit her face, but how welcome it was. Without another word she left the yard and Jace had to hurry to catch her. He allowed himself one quick glance above. As the grey clouds pulled back, he spied the faintest glimpses of the stars beginning to emerge.

SPNTMI

TBC…