I really, really love this story. And I think one of my favorite things about this story is Josie and Will's relationship. They're like those friends that can easily joke with each other. ...I don't know.

I don't know if most of you are wondering this, but if you are, the main reason I'm focusing this story somewhat on Josie even though it's through Cosette's POV is because I wanted to show some of Sara's ancestors.

Sorry about any grammar/spelling errors.

Thanks to: Ari, WonderfilledNight, and anyone who faved/followed.

Free As a Bird

Chapter Two - Of Vampires and Mistakes

Josie was next to me in a flash, her hand grabbing my arm and tugging me to my feet, taking a step in front of me. I tried not to get annoyed - she was just trying to protect me, but I hated feeling as though I were incompetent. The woman screamed "Beware!" once more, and then fell silent, her head dropping to her chest.

We waited in silence for a moment longer.

"Is she dead now?" I asked breathlessly, craning my neck to see around Josie's body. Her back heaved with her deep breaths. "Don't get too close just in case she awakes again."

Josie shook her head. "No, I think she's dead for good now."

Footsteps on the stairs alerted us to Jem and Will's presence. They erupted into the room, and I turned towards them, wild-eyed and out of breath. Josie kept her attention on the girl, most likely to see if she moved again.

"What's wrong?" Will asked, looking behind me. "Is that a dead girl?"

Josie moved back, pushing me backwards with her. I stumbled and Jem caught me easily, his hands gripping my upper arms. I turned red, and steadied myself, shooting him a thankful smile before turning back to the girl in the chair.

"Yes, that's what we believe," Josie answered, her fists clenched.

Will pondered it for a moment longer before shaking his head. "No, I don't quite think it's just a girl. And not quite dead, either." He bent forward and touched the girl's head, slowly tilting it to the side. An eye had popped from its socket, dangling by a piece of wire. I breathed a sigh of relief. So it hadn't been human.

Josie gasped, her hands covering her mouth. "That's-"

"It's not a real eye," I told her, shaking her shoulder gently. "Look, it's like one of Henry's contraptions."

Letting out a sigh, Josie let her head drop onto my shoulder. I patted her shoulders. "Oh, thank goodness," she breathed, and then pulled back, smoothing her bangs. "I was so worried... Looking at dead bodies isn't something I want to do."

I laughed. "You're not the only one."

Josie straightened, and turned to Will, her eyebrows knit together. "So, she's just a robot?"

"Yes, I believe so," Will answered. "Well, now that that's over-"

"Well, I'm quite tired." Josie brushed off her skirts and glanced towards me, a brilliant smile on her face. "And I daresay it'll be quite alright to let the boys handle the rest, don't you? Why don't we head outside and get some fresh air?"

I allowed her to take my arm despite the fact I was still okay to look around. I waved goodbye to Jem and nodded my head towards Will, who seemed to be annoyed at Josie. "So, is Mr Daleheart out here?" I asked innocently as Josie and I left the building. "Or, perhaps, in the general area?"

She turned red. "He's not everywhere I go, Ettie."

Shrugging, I chuckled. "Whatever you say."

Sitting at the dining table, I kept my eyes on Will. No matter how much he told me he wasn't going to let anything fall, I didn't trust him. Josie looked amused, watching as with her arms crossed across her chest and one eyebrow raised. Jem, next to me, had told me not to worry, but it didn't seem to stop me from feeling anxious.

Before I could retort again and tell Will to please just let it go, Tessa and Jessamine looked in, looking a little stressed.

"Hello, Tessa!" Josie called from her seat, waving her hand slightly. "How are you?" Jessamine rolled her eyes at Josie's pointed ignorance, and Josie laughed. "I was forgetting you, Jessie. It just seemed like Tessa was more likely to answer me."

Tessa, however, was looking at Will with curiosity. "Would you mind telling me what Will's doing?"

"Apparently Jem hung the gasolier wrong, and Will has to fix it." Josie glanced over her shoulder, shrugged, and turned back to all of us. "I think it looked fine, Jem."

"Couldn't you have gotten Thomas to do that?" Jessamine asked, glaring at Will. "You shouldn't-"

"Is there blood on your sleeve?" Will asked suddenly, looking down.

Jessamine paused, lips pressing together, and stormed down towards the end of the table, taking her seat. Tessa remained where she stood, hands clasped together in front of her. "Did something happen while you were out?" Jem asked worriedly.

Tessa bit her lip. "No, not anything-"

Henry burst into the room, cutting Tessa off. I was a little disappointed; I wanted to hear if anything did happen. I was positive something did. Tessa looked a little more withdrawn than usual, and if the blood on Jessamine's sleeve was any indication, something did happen.

"I've actually done it!" Henry called happily when he entered the room. "Most of you didn't think I could do it! Especially you."

Upon being pointed at, I turned white and moved down slightly in my seat. "I never said you couldn't, I just had doubts..."

Henry seemed to ignore me, and went on to explain what it was.

"So, basically it's a really powerful witchlight?" Will repeated.

Henry nodded, and then turned it on.

I don't know what I had been expecting, but I was definitely not expecting everything to go black. For a moment, I thought I had gone blind. But when Will said the same exact thing, I sighed. "I think the lights just went out. Right?"

"Er, yes, I think that's it," Henry agreed from the darkness.

Suddenly, there was a crash, and Josie let out a scream, the clatter of her chair soon following. I jumped in the air, my eyes widening despite there being nothing to see. "Josie!" I yelped, more out of fright for my parabatai than anything else. "Are you alright?"

"N-not really!" she managed, but I relaxed.

She didn't sound injured, at least. Just a little spooked and a bit upset.

Charlotte entered the room, her own witchlight in her hand. Blinking, my eyes adjusted to the light again. Charlotte was looking at the ground, looking rather confused. "What's going on?"

Following her line of sight, I blinked again. "Oh. So you weren't in any real trouble, were you?"

When Will had fallen, he had apparently fallen right on Josie. I relaxed a bit, grateful he hadn't fallen on me. Josie, however, looked stricken, and started thrashing her limbs in an attempt to get up. "Can you get off me, Herondale?"

"Don't you think I'm trying?" he shot back. "You keep hitting me in the head."

"It's not my fault when you're crushing me!"

When Josie and Will had finally gotten back up, Charlotte clucked her tongue at both of them. "Looks like you two have ruined most of the plates?"

"Me? I wouldn't have fallen if someone hadn't hit me!" Josie replied quickly.

"Someone?" Will said innocently as he brushed something off his shirt. "I wonder who it was. You're probably just imagining things now, Josephine."

They glared at each other for a second more before Charlotte cleared her throat. "I guess we're eating by witchlight tonight."

"Look what you've done," Josie huffed once more under her breath before sliding into a free chair. She crossed her arms and looked annoyed, but when we locked eyes she grinned at me. From the outside, it must've looked like Will and Josie hated each other more than anything. I knew better, though - Josie didn't mind half the fights they got into. She was always someone who could get along with anyone, no matter who they were.

Tessa wearily got into her own seat, across from me, still looking slightly dazed.

"So," I said aimlessly, trying to start up a conversation with myself and Tessa, who were the only two not to be talking. "I finally finished Les Mis."

"Oh!" Tessa smiled gently at me. "Was it as good as you thought it'd be?"

Tessa was still a little guarded around us. The trip with Jessamine had definitely worn down her barriers some, but I was fine speaking with her like this. She'd come out of her shell eventually - I was sure. "Even better," I responded, twirling my fork in my fingers. "Sad beyond belief, but that was to be expected, right?"

She laughed behind her hand. "Yes. Tell me, are there any other books you've wanted to read?"

"Er, no clue," I admitted with a shaky laugh, putting down my fork. "To be honest, this is one of the first books I've read in awhile that didn't have anything to do with Shadowhunter business. I'm not - or rather, wasn't - that big of a reader up until I found that book."

"I could recommend a few for you, if you'd like."

"Would you?" I asked happily. "That'd be wonderful. You seem to have a better taste in books than myself, at any rate."

Before Tessa and I could speak about books any further, the doors open and Sophie walked in. It seemed almost as soon as Sophie had entered, Charlotte had left, leaving us with absolutely no reason as to why she had gone. I didn't mind, but Josie turned to me, chewing her bottom lip.

"Do you think there's a bad reason why Charlotte's gone?" she asked me.

I rolled my eyes. "And why would there be a bad reason?"

"I don't know, I just have a feeling-"

"Well, quiet." I shushed her and went back to my food, ignoring her pointless chatters. Josie could get herself worked about anything, and most of the time there was nothing going on. She huffed at me and turned to Tessa, her fists clenched on the table.

"Can you believe her?" Josie said, a hint of amusement in her tone.

Tessa laughed.

When Charlotte came back in, she looked stressed. I assumed her reasons were something that had to do with Tessa, considering the way her eyes darted towards the girl before back to the table. "Somebody would like to speak with you, Tessa."

Laughter forgotten, Tessa turned serious. "Someone? Who, exactly?"

Apparently, it had been Lady Belcourt that had wished to speak with Tessa. I knew next to nothing about her, and was more than willing to go along with Tessa to see what the conversation had been about, but it seemed as though the space was occupied by Josie and Will, who had been the first to leap up at the chance to go along.

Jem and I had been sent back to the table, despite our arguments.

"We could always do something else, while we wait," he finally suggested as I sighed heavily, resting my chin on my hands. "It's not as if we won't know what's going on. Will or Josephine will tell us."

"Yes, I know." I frowned anyways. "I just wish I could have been there."

He stood suddenly, and I followed him with my eyes as he started towards the doors. "How about we finish that music lesson from earlier?"

I looked at him blankly. "Surely you don't want to hear my incessant poundings on a piano?"

"You were not that bad," he told me confidently, nodding. "And I bet you've gotten even better."

"I've only practiced once since you heard me," I mumbled, but got to my feet anyways. I followed him out the door and into the hallway, shaking my head. "Josie helped me a little as well, but... My mind was somewhere else."

He turned to look at me. "Where was it, if you don't mind me asking?"

I gave him a sideways grin. "I daresay you know."

He laughed, knowing exactly what I had meant. "On that book still? Had you finished it or not?"

"I had been on the last page, but Josie had interrupted me. I wanted nothing more than a good ending, sad or not." I shrugged, lacing my fingers together in front of me. "So, as I tried to work diligently on playing the right notes, I imagined my own endings."

"I can only imagine as to what they were."

"Perhaps that would be better saved for another day," I responded, nodding my head towards the door we had approached. "As we've made it to the room."

He sighed anyways, a smile on his face. "I suppose I'll have to wait."

We entered the room, the light more than welcoming. I took a seat at the piano, Jem next to me, and flexed my fingers in anticipation. My foot tapped underneath me, nothing more than a habit when I was next to an instrument. "The same song, I'm assuming?"

He nodded.

Taking a deep breath, I placed my fingers on the keyboard and started from the top. The beginning was the easiest, due to the fact that I remembered the notes easily. The music sounded nice, and for a brief second, much like the ones that Jem and Josie had both played for me different times.

But then I reached the part I had trouble on, and I stumbled a few times.

"See?" I pointed at the one of the keys with my pinkie, glaring lightly at it. "It's always around this time I mess up."

"It's because when you go back to play these two notes," he played them for me quickly, "you place your fingers a few spots back from where they should be."

I squinted. "Are you sure?"

"Of course."

"Alright. Where should I place them?"

Once I was assured that I had got the position down, I tried again, from the beginning. This time, I did manage to make those notes. I did botch the ending, but I was excited that I finally gotten past the place I was stuck on.

"Oh, thank you!" I cried happily, throwing my arms around him without thinking.

He laughed, patting my back. "It's no problem."

The doors opened, and Josie stood there, her hands on her hips. A smile was on her face and I stiffened, pulling myself back. "So, there you two lovebirds are. I came just to tell you basically everything."

Jem looked over at me. "I told you."

I laughed behind my hand. I supposed I could always count on Josie to tell me everything, couldn't I?

"So, you're not going?"

"Me?" Josie asked, stretching her arms out in front of her. "No, just Will and Tessa. I think I'd be recognized immediately, don't you?"

I thought for a moment. "I suppose."

The five of us were grouped together in the library. It was rather interesting watching Tessa as Lady Belcourt, and I was amused as Tessa strode back and forth, trying her hardest to act as though she actually were the vampire. Her talent, I had to admit, was impressive - besides the way she acted, I wouldn't have been able to tell the difference.

Josie shifted and let her legs dangle over the edge of the table we were sitting on. She had spent the better part of yesterday explaining to me what the visit had been about, and I was interested. Of course, once again, it didn't seem like I could go - but in this case, I knew it was for the better. I probably would have been caught easily had I gone.

Will, Jem, and Tessa were all locked in conversation about how she should walk, and vampire things - I would have listened in, but Josie was tossing an apple between her hands, chewing her bottom lip between her teeth.

And, curious, I leaned back on my hands, gazing down at her. "Are you alright?"

From where she was laying down on her back, she jumped at my voice. The apple smashed her on the nose, and her head snapped back. I winced for her, and she yelled in pain, her hands scrambling to cover her nose. "Did you say something, Ettie?"

"Yes, but I think it's been answered." I took the apple from where it had rolled to and stared at it. There was an indent on the side from where Josie's nose had hit it. It wasn't a good apple at all, I noted, and wondered why she had grabbed it. "Are you preoccupied with something else?"

"Besides worry for Tessa?" Josie said with a sigh. "Because I am worried for her."

Knowing full well that wasn't it, I grinned. "Aren't you worried for Will?"

"Herondale? He could be eaten by a vampire and I wouldn't care." She snorted, brushing her bangs from her forehead. Her amused face turned into a serious one, and she clasped her hands together on her stomach. "No, I'm worried for him too."

"Do you think they'll make it out okay?"

"Perhaps." Josie's tone was thoughtful. "I'm worried that if Tessa does see Nate, she'll do something out of character."

"Nate was her brother?"

"Correct."

I could see how Tessa might react different than Lady Belcourt would if she were to see Nate. Kicking my legs back and forth and still holding the apple in my hand, I peered down at Josie. "As much as I know having Will in danger worries you, I know that's not it, Josie."

She covered her suddenly red face with her hands. "I'm afraid if I tell you'll think I'm just a stupid girl."

"I'd never think that of you," I responded. I grabbed her hand with my free one, squeezing it gently and letting it go. "You can tell me anything, and you know it."

"If I couldn't tell you something, Cosette, who could I tell?" She let her hands drop and sighed deeply, her chest rising and falling. "Alright, well... I saw Ellis yesterday."

"Daleheart?" I rocked forward. "Wouldn't that be a good thing?"

"It was!" she cried unhappily, her arms suddenly in the air. "Until I saw the girl he was with, and Cosette, she was beautiful! Even prettier than Jessamine, if that's possible! Her hair was blonde and her eyes were green and bright and-"

"Your eyes are a perfect shade of emerald," I interjected, trying to cheer her up. "You shouldn't jump to conclusions, Josie. Perhaps it was his cousin."

She breathed deeply. "How could I not? He's gorgeous, and surely he wouldn't want to settle down with me. I'm not even all that strong compared to some Shadowhunters-"

"Come on," I said once more, patting her head. "You shouldn't panic until you know everything."

Josie caught my hand as I was lifting it to scratch my cheek. She locked eyes with me, her lips pressed together in a thin line. "But imagine if you had seen Jem with another girl! Even prettier than you - though there is no such girl - and you couldn't go over and speak with him! Would you jump to conclusions?"

Out of habit I glanced over towards Jem, who was laughing at something Tessa had either said or done. My heart clenched and I looked back at Josie, who was waiting in anticipation. And I knew, whether I liked it or not, I had to be honest with her. I was always honest with Josie. "Yes, I suppose so. I... most likely would."

"See?" She let my hand go and fell back against the table again. "It's hard."

I laughed slightly. "Believe me, I have a good feeling for you and Mr Daleheart."

"You do? Oh, why you do think so?"

"I just... I just know."

Before I could elaborate, someone had grabbed my hand and gently tugged me from the table. I leapt down next to Jem, who steadied me before I could fall into him. My face turned red but he pointed towards the door, quickly ushering me behind a bookcase. Tessa was already there, but she didn't seem to know what was going on.

Josie was suddenly tossed next to me by Will. She turned to glare at him, her hands coming to rest on her hips. "You could have asked me to come," she whispered hotly.

"You wouldn't have moved fast enough," he shot back, rolling his eyes at her.

The doors opened, and I spun around on my heel to see who had come in.

"The Enclave," I heard Will say behind me.

People filtered in, Charlotte leading them. I recognized nearly most them, especially Gabriel Lightwood, who rather annoyed me. Though I suppose I shouldn't have a say - I never really talked to him anyways.

Josie made a noise in the back of her throat. "Don't go starting fights, Herondale."

Will moved out to see closer. I moved back slightly from the bookcase, standing in between Tessa and Jem. I knew someone was going to recognize Will, and I hoped he'd be smart enough to get back before someone did-

"Who's back there?"

Nope. Mr Lightwood had beat me do it.

"I was just coming by to get Josephine out of here." He had pulled Josie out before she could dodge behind Jem, and groaned, shaking her head. "She's the one who wanted to listen in to your conversation."

The whole evening I had been worrying.

Not only had Tessa and Will gone out, but everyone had gone out too. Well, not everyone - Josie and I and of course others hadn't, but it still felt as though we were left out of the loop.

By the time I spotted a carriage coming up, my heart had felt as though it were ready to burst from my chest. Tessa, Charlotte, Henry, and someone I didn't know where the first to come up the steps.

Josie and I had rushed over from where we had been perched at the piano, not playing anything. We had both been waiting in hushed silence, watching as the carriage grew closer and closer.

"That must be Nate," Josie whispered in my ear as the doors opened.

"He... he looks horrible." I gaped, one hand moving to cover my mouth. "I hope he's okay. I can hardly imagine how Tessa's doing."

We let them go by, presumably to get Nate some help.

Voices outside alerted us to the arrival of Will and Jem. My pulse sped up instantly and I darted out the doors before Josie could stop me. I didn't feel the steps as I ran down them, my hair flying behind me. I cursed the fact that I had taken out the clips earlier, having thought I'd be well in bed before anyone came home.

I nearly threw myself at Jem, my arms going to wrap around his neck. He caught me quickly, and due to the impact, we spun around before my feet hit the ground again. My eyes widened as I realized what I had done, and I quickly took a step back, my cheeks flushed. "I-I'm sorry! I was just really worried, and-"

He laughed, his hand gently touching my cheek. "It's alright. I'm not injured, Cosette."

Attempting to get my breathing under control, I smiled.

Next to us, Josie had casually walked up next to Will, holding her dress in her hands as she made her way closer. She squinted at Will before grabbing his arm, making him move faster than he already had been. "I knew something was wrong with you! What is it?"

He had barely said 'vampire blood' before Josie had scowled, nearly dragging him up the stairs. "No worries, because I won't let you near any vampires!"

"I feel so relieved in your care," he replied sarcastically.

I turned towards Jem before laughing, crossing my arms across my chest as we both started towards the Institute from where we'd been standing. I paused once we got inside, licking my lips. "I'm honestly sorry about running at you. I was just worried, mostly because Josie had gotten me all riled up. You must have been scared stiff when you saw me running at you."

"I thought you must have been mad or something," he replied honestly, a smile on his face. "You looked pretty angry."

"Did I?" Absolutely mortified, I raked my fingers through my hair and let it cover my eyes.

He turned, looking down the hallway before looking back at me. "I like your hair like that. Down, I mean."

I didn't agree with him one bit - when my hair was down, you could see the lighter blonde strands that I hated more than anything. But I turned red anyways, a smile playing on my own lips. "Thank you."

"I should go speak with Tessa now. Try not to let Josie hurt Will too much?"

My heart suddenly ceased with its rapid beating. My mind went to the conversation Josie and I had had about Mr Daleheart and jumping to conclusions... But surely I couldn't be jealous of Tessa? No, I wasn't. I was positive. And so what if Jem wanted to spend his time with her? I was absolutely okay with that. Absolutely, positively-

"Cosette?"

I blinked, not realizing I had been lost in thought. "Oh, yes, of course! Tell her I hope she's okay and that I'm glad she found her brother."

He gave me one last smile before leaving.

I sighed, turning on my heel, ready to find Josie.