"Not long enough," I heard her mutter. She went to sit at Hodge's old desk, looking utterly exhausted.

Jace squeezed my hand gently before letting it go.

Raphael's eyes flashed as only a vampire's could. "You killed Gabriel."

Even though part of me already knew that Luke had killed before, I couldn't help but glance over at him. He still didn't look like a killer even if he did turn into a wolf at least once a month.

"I did, yes, just like he killed the pack leader before him. That's how it works with lycanthropes," he added for my benefit.

"Seems… brutal," I commented.

"Pack leader?" Maryse asked, ignoring me.

"If you lead the pack now," Raphael said, "it's time for us to talk." His gaze flashed to Simon who was looking very, very pale. "Though not at this exact moment, perhaps."

"I'll send someone over to arrange it. Things have been busy lately, I might be behind on the niceties."

"Especially with a pack member drained of blood in some alley," Simon commented.

"Simon!" I cried sharply while Raphael hissed with distaste.

"Watch yourself, darkling," he threatened and turned to Maryse. "Is our business here concluded?"

She sighed and moved something around on the desk, probably some documents on how to be as emotionally hostile as possible. "If you say the Night Children aren't involved in these killings, then I'll take you at your word. I'm required to, unless other evidence comes to light."

"To light?" the vampire repeated. "That is not a phrase I like." And swiftly, the projection disappeared.

"Is he dead?" Clary asked.

"No," I snapped, irritated by her stupid questions. "It was a projection because he can't come into the Institute." I glanced at her and cut off her next inquiry. "Vampires cannot step onto hallowed ground."

"I'm glad to hear you've been doing your research," Maryse commented, sounding nothing of the sort.

I held my head high and met her icy blue gaze steadily. "I recently discovered what I really am. I'm determined to find out just what it all means so excuse me for being proactive instead of sitting around waiting for someone to supply information for me. I figured being as direct as possible would be helpful in this situation. Not to mention this library is an excellent resource."

"Are you sure Valentine did not teach you all that you know?" she asked in a scathing tone.

"No," I admitted, catching her off guard, "but I highly doubt it. You can even have the Silent Brothers look into it. I promise I'll hold still while they dissect my brain."

"We should hardly speak of the Silent Brothers in front of a couple of mundanes." She glanced to Simon and Clary. "You two found your way in, I trust you can find your way out."

I opened my mouth to argue but Jace cut me off with a slight shake of his head. He was right; I was over stepping every boundary which really wasn't good for me. Simon cast me a dark look as he ducked out the door followed by a sullen Clary.

"Raphael was here about the cub killed today, wasn't he?" Jace demanded, drawing attention away from me.

"That, and a dead warlock. Found murdered downtown. Two days apart." I noticed Maryse had a way of clipping her sentences.

"Was the warlock drained of blood, too?" I asked.

I was answered with an icy stare. "I don't care to talk Clave business with you, Jaelyn. Especially in front of Lucian Graymark."

"I go by Luke now. Luke Garroway," Luck supplied pleasantly.

"You look like a mundane," Maryse said sharply.

"As well as these niceties are going," Jace interrupted, stepping forward so that he stood between the two adults, "let's get to the point."

Luke nodded. "Jace and Jaci want trials before the Clave and I'm willing to vouch for them. I was there at Renwick's, when Valentine revealed himself. I fought him and we nearly killed each other. I can confirm that everything they say happened is the truth."

Jace's adopted mother let out a very attractive snort. "Because your word is worth so much."

"Hey!" I interjected, stepping around Jace's attempt to restrain me. "What makes you say that? Because he's a werewolf? You're trusting a vampire based off his word, aren't you?"

My words hung in the air undisturbed for a moment.

"I'm not sure," Maryse said finally, "if this flippancy is natural to you, or if you've been spending too much time with my daughter."

"It's not flippancy! It's-" Jace shot me a harsh glare, "… exasperation," I finished quietly, feeling suddenly very tired and emotionally drained.

"Leave it alone, Jaci," Luke said gently. "I'm willing to be tried by the Sword, Maryse, if that will help."

Tried by the Sword? That would be the Sword. As in, this was a really big deal. As in, creepy underground city big deal. At the very thought of the Silent City I started to feel feverish. My mind began to conjure up images of suffocating blackness, structures collapsing and the earth rushing in from all sides. And along with the ground came the water. The water that poured into my lungs, clouded my thoughts, made my body begin to burn from the lack of oxygen…

"I need to sit down."

But apparently I'd already dropped to my knees, well judging from the fact that they hurt anyways. Jace was crouched beside me looking concerned.

"Are you all right?"

"More or less," I muttered, taking is proffered hand and allowing myself to be pulled to my feet.

He observed my face for a moment – Maryse and Luke were still talking in the background, arguing about Valentine. "You look like you're going to be sick."

I shook my head in an effort to clear it. I was beginning to feel steadier but I still held onto Jace. "Just thinking about the Sword being in the Silent City and the possibility of having to go back."

"You really-"

"The Sword?" Maryse cut in. "Of course. A trial by the Sword would solve all of this, though…"

"Jaci can't-"

"I'll do it," I cut Jace off. I didn't want Maryse to know about my problems with being underground.

Luke gave me a concerned look. He knew but said nothing about it. "The only one who can use the Sword is the Inquisitor."

"So call her," Jace said reasonably.

I received another glance from Luke. "That wouldn't be a good idea."

"She's already on her way."

The three of us – Jace, Luke, and me – all stared blankly at Maryse as though she'd suddenly began barking incessantly at us.

"You didn't…" Luke began.

"I didn't! Did you think the Clave wouldn't involve itself in this wild tale of Forsaken warriors and Portals and staged deaths? After what Hodge did? We're all under investigation now, thanks to Valentine. The Inquisitor could put Jace in prison. She could strip his Marks." She was nearly in tears.

"So you sent him away," I said quietly.

Maryse met my eyes and held my gaze, no trace of resentment was visible. It was almost as if she was silently begging me to understand her actions.

"She has no love for us."

"I'm not leaving," Jace said solidly, giving my hand a quick squeeze. "And it's probably best if Jaci stays too. What will she do to you if she gets here and we're gone? She'll think you conspired to hide us. She'll punish you – all of you."

Luke considered Jace gravely. "He's right. She'll blame you if they leave and they'll never get to be Shadowhunters. Whether I like it or not, the Inquisitor is the only reasonable option." He turned his attention to us. "If you wish to stay part of the Clave, you'll have to cooperate with her. But at least you're telling the truth."

Maryse sighed, looking even more tired. "Ultimately, it's your decision. If you want the trial, you can stay until the Inquisitor comes."

"I'll stay," said Jace, determined.

They turned to me expectantly. I'm not sure what really they were expecting, maybe they'd thought I would leave and go back to being a mundane. I thought about it. It really wasn't a terrible alternative…

One side of my mouth gave an involuntary twitch into a bitter smile. "I'm not going anywhere."