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Jace Wayland

"Jace." I heard a voice whisper through the darkness of my cell.

Lissa, is that you? Looking up briefly, I was disappointed to see a head full of red hair. It's only Clary.

Ignoring her presence at the entrance of my cell, I kept my gaze away from her and on a photo of Lis and I that I clutched in my hand. I did manage to get the photo out of my wallet before they could take all my things, "You shouldn't have come here." Noticing that she still stood there, I growled, "Take her out."

"No." she screamed in response, "I'm not going anywhere…" We'll see about that! "Unless I know you're gonna be okay."

I sighed at her persistence. I placed the photo back into my pocket before stepping forward, towards the light.

"Is Lissa safe? And Alec? Are they all right?" I questioned softly.

If she's going to stay here, I may as well get some answers from her.

She nodded in response, "He's fine. She's fine. They're both fine." Oh, thank the angel. "Jace, I feel terrible," she softly proclaimed, stepping forwards and grabbing onto the bars of my cell; causing me to step away from her, "You're here because of me." I am? "If I hadn't fallen under Dot's spell…"

Oh is this what she's going on about?

"You're not what put me here, Clary." I responded firmly, "I have to pay for my actions."

At those words, I stumbled slightly as fatigue started to get the best of me. I grabbed onto one of the bars of my cell, to steady myself.

"Not by yourself." I heard Clary whisper as my word began to focus once again. The world focused completely as Clary grabbed my hand, "What can I do to help?" I looked away, uncomfortable with the attention and wanting to pull away but it was the only thing keeping me steady. "Please, tell me." I returned my gaze to her as she began to beg me, "I will do anything."

Fuck this. I can't do this anymore. She's my sister, why is she doing this?

With that last thought, I pulled my hand away from hers.

"You can stay away from me." I hoarsely responded, giving her a slight glare.

"What?" she softly exclaimed as she blinked up at me in disbelief.

"No matter what happens," I began to growl in response, "…never come near me again."

Hurt flickered on her face as she began to blink furiously. Probably to avoid letting the tears that you're causing to fall, jerk! I heard a voice reprimand me. Why am I always being told off by you Lis, even when you aren't here? "Jace, what are you talking about? You're my family." At the disgusting reminder, I bowed my head in shame. I can't believe I almost fell in love with my sister!

I shook my head, ignoring my thoughts once again, "I am Valentine's weapon." I looked her in the eye, "You think he's just gonna let me go?" she looked away from me in annoyance. "He knows that you…" I sighed as I quickly thought over what I wanted to say next. Unfortunately, my mind wasn't as quick as my mouth, "You're one of my weaknesses." I frowned as I glimpsed at the slight smile on her face. Let's hope she doesn't take that the wrong way. "If I ever get out of here, he'll come after you lot again."

"Let him." the girl in front of me commanded as she steeled her look. At least she almost has the shadowhunter look down. "I'm not afraid. We'll fight him off together."

Okay.

No.

Stop.

I shook my head in despair of her naivety, "There is no together for you and me, Clary." For me and Lis on the other hand… "There never can be."

I almost flinched at the sight of the tears welling up in her eyes. Ugh. I hate it when girls cry. "Jace…"

"We're done here." I coldly responded, shaking away the feelings her tears invoked within me as I looked towards Brother Enoch.

"No." the girl denied as I began stepping away from my cell bars, "Jace, please, don't do this." she continued to beg as the Silent Brother pulled her away. "Jace!"

"Bye, Clary," I stated monotonously, stepping further away from her.

"No, Jace! No!" she screamed.

With a final scream, she disappeared from view.

"Jace!"

Alec Lightwood

I walked into the Ops centre to find everyone stood around the table. Well… Everyone bar Jace who's locked up in the City of Bones, his mother, sister and parabatai slash betrothed. Where are those three? Looking around I easily found my sister near the head of the table where Aldertree was stood. I moved to stand next to her, listening as the new 'head of the institute' began the debriefing.

"Right…" his British voice began, silencing everyone else's voices, "As some of you may know all our hunters are back within the institute walls since Jace Wayland was finally apprehended and taken to the City of Bones last night. Now that everyone is back, we must turn back to the city's defences and our calling." He paused for dramatic effect, "Hunting demons." Simultaneously, Izzy and I turned to each other, rolling our eyes. "Our job is to protect the innocent and so…"

His words were cut off as the door opened, revealing the dark-haired princess, our future queen.

"Sorry I'm late," she said with a slight yawn, surveying the room with a tired glance.

Smiling at the fact that even if she looked tired as hell, she was still the most radiant person in the room, I bowed with everyone following my actions. Looks like everyone is too shocked to think about propriety, I thought with a smirk as I rose up from my bow when she walked past me to reach the head of the table. Aldertree was the last to rise. I wish he'd stay down. Git.

She nodded at us all with a smile before holding out her hand towards Aldertree. Not even thinking about it, he handed over the tablet. At least he's an obedient dog. With that thought, I watched as he moved away from the head of the table, letting the princess take charge.

"One sec guys…" she said before quickly flicking through the tablet. We waited a couple of moments in silence as she read through several files. She looked up and graced us with a smile. "So we have quite a few missions to handle but I'm sure that with everyone helping out, we'll be fine." She nodded happily before flicking her eyes quickly on the tablet screen, "First mission: I think a group of five people will be needed for this as there have been reports of a large group of Shax demons causing havoc in the Upper Eastside. The mission is to track them down and kill them. Any volunteers? I know who I want to send out but I was just wondering if people wanted to just be handed missions or you know… volunteer for them…" she finished with a shrug.

"Thank you for the option your grace…" a voice spoke up after a minute of silence. We all turned to face the older shadowhunter, "…but we're just used to being given assignments so I think we should stick to that way for now."

Allie nodded, accepting his response before saying… "Very well, for this mission, Trent, Williams, Rail, Lee…" at the sound of their names, three men and a woman looked up, "…this is your mission and Trinity you will be leading." Another woman nodded in acceptance before they walked towards the table together. "Here's your mission profile…" with a flourish of her hand, a paper version of the file she was looking at appeared in her hand. "Good luck." She handed the file to Abigail Trinity and the five of them left the room together.

With a swipe of her finger, she turned to another mission profile, "Second mission, rumours of a greater demon surfacing has reached our ears. Abbott, Hale and Yuri." The three hunters looked up in acknowledgement, "I'm sending you as surveillance. Check for the validity of these rumours. If it is true… Do NOT engage. Return immediately to the institute and get back up. If in doubt there's a situation where you can't return, call the institute or Aldertree or me and we'll send back up. Understood?" The three nodded, they collected their mission profile before quickly leaving as well.

She spent the next 10 minutes sending out various shadowhunters to missions.

Feeling a tap on my shoulder, I turned my head slightly in Izzy's direction in acknowledgement and she whispered in a voice of delight, "I am so proud of her!" She paused, smiling at Allie, "Everyone is happy to follow her. Look at her, she is a natural leader." We silently watched our princess with smiles, "I'm impressed though. She's only been here a couple of weeks and she's already learnt everyone's names. It took me forever to learn them!"

I rolled my eyes in affection at my little sister. I went to open my mouth to reply but a voice cut me off.

"Finally, Alec and Izzy…" we turned away from each other and walked towards the head table, soldier masks on. When we reached her, she continued, "The last mission goes to you. There's been a demon attack downtown. One mundane has been found dead. I want you guys to investigate. If you find said demon… kill it." She paused, a look of unease on her face, "Seeing as Jace isn't here… You guys are one man down so you need to take someone else with you." The look disappeared as she steeled her face, "So who are you guys gonna bring?"

Izzy smirked, "Why you of course! Just like old times…"

Allie shook her head with a sad frown, "I wish I could guys but I don't feel too well. You guys are gonna have to bring someone else… Any ideas on who?"

Who else can we bring? I thought contemplatively. If only I could bring Magnus, that would be useful for us. Well… It would be useful for me especially…

Izzy suddenly jolted from beside me, turning to me with a giant smile.

"I don't like that look," I stated. When she wouldn't stop I sighed before saying, "I'm going to hate myself for asking but what?"

"Clary," she stated proudly. At our looks of confusion, she rolled her eyes before elaborating, "We'll bring Clary."

"What?" I growled in response. "No. We are not."

Allie giggled before patting my arm, "You're gonna have to Alec. There's no one else that you like- err- somewhat like that you'd take with you."

I groaned at the truthful fact. Why are you doing this to me?

"Fine." I looked around, "Where is that girl anyway? Why isn't she at this briefing?"

Allie hummed in response, "Ma must have held her up." We looked at her in confusion causing her to confess, "The Clave is reassigning her to Idris, despite my protests." At our continued looks of confusion, she sighed, "I'll tell you guys but we need to inform Clary about your mission. I'll walk with you guys to find her."

She quickly filled us in on that situation as we headed to the rooms to find mother and daughter.

"Have you heard anything about Jace?" I spoke up after a moment of silence.

Allie nodded slightly, "It's confidential but since you're family members of the person on trial…" she trailed off with a smirk to us, "…his trial is later on today. He's fine as far as our bond can tell but he still has many injuries from the werewolf attack that I'd rather heal than leave to become infected." she began to fret but a nudge from Izzy caused her to relax, "He's gonna be fine though… that much I'm sure."

I sighed in relief. "That's good."

"Yeah, it is." Izzy scoffed with a happy laugh as we reached Jocelyn and Clary, catching onto the end of their conversation, "And we'd have a fresh start… Together."

Allie and I slowed down to let them finish their conversation but Izzy didn't seem to understand that concept and barged straight into their conversation, "Demon attack downtown." I rolled my eyes towards Allie, she doing the same to me as we caught up with my sister, "One mundane dead."

Seeing as we're interrupting the conversation anyway, "And we don't have Jace, so…"

Allie bounced passed us and hugged her mom, "Hey ma." she said before giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.

I sighed sadly at my next news, "You're with us."

I hope she doesn't take this the wrong way…

"Wait." She's smiling, "You want me on your team?"

Yeah, she took it the wrong way.

"It's not my first choice," I admitted as I felt everyone's eyes turn towards me, "…but we're a man down, and everyone else is on patrol or on missions Allie sent them on." I nodded at Allie before walking past them all, saying my two final words as an order, "Gear up."

It didn't take us long to get to the crime scene. Izzy got her CSI gear out as soon as she reached the body.

"We got a 10-54. I don't see a dead body, though." I heard an officer drawl from behind us.

"Nothing to see." Luke responded, "It's a false alarm. Just some dumbass kids pulling a prank."

It didn't take long to convince the officers, "All right, you have a good night, huh?"

"You, too." I heard the werewolf respond before stepping towards us and observing the dead mundane alongside Izzy who commented, "Well, this is one nasty demon. Punched a hole right through his chest."

"With that kind of strength, I doubt it's done yet." He responded.

"Nothing in the immediate area," I reported, stopping beside them.

"We're taking the body back to the Institute." My sister told me as she rose up from her position beside the corpse, "I'll run some tests to see what kind of demon we're dealing with."

I nodded, "Clary and I will widen the perimeter." Sighing at the thought of being with the girl I loathed, I looked up to see the confused girl looking around the area, "Hey, Fray!" I shouted, gaining her attention, "We got a demon to hunt. Come on."

I walked away from the scene, the girl running behind me, trying to catch up.

"Most important thing." I said as she ran beside me, "Don't slow me down. You slow me down, you get us both killed." I said before throwing a seraph blade at her.

"Sounds reasonable," she replied as she pocketed the blade.

I stopped my walking, grabbing my stele and her hand.

"What's this for?" she asked as the rune began to sear on her hand.

"Lets you see the demon's heat signature." I curtly replied.

Clary turned away from me and blinked owlishly at our surroundings. If we weren't on a time-sensitive mission, I'd laugh at her. "Whoa."

"First time can be sensory overload." I explained, "The trick is to focus." I think she was ignoring me though, in favour of looking at everything she could. Well… she isn't focusing… "Try to filter out everything unimportant, hone in on the heat signature."

"Yeah, I'm honing. I'm just not seeing anything." she dismissed me.

I sighed in aggravation, "Patience."

"Easy for you to say." she scoffed, turning to look at me. Ugh. I began to walk away, tired of her lack of professionalism, "For someone who hasn't been training her whole life, this stuff is impossible."

"Impossible just means try again." I said causing her to scoff, "Allie could do it. So can you." Some reason she growled at that, not wanting to hear her talk, I carried on, "Not that you have to worry about all that. You'll be outta the field soon enough." Her hair whacked me slightly as she whipped her head quickly to look at me. At her confused look, I elaborated, "You're going to Idris."

"Wow, news travels fast." Nah I just heard it from Allie first so it's not much of a surprise. Can't believe you aren't guessing that. She sighed deeply, "But I haven't decided yet, so don't get too excited about throwing me a going-away party." Like I'd throw you a party.

Ignoring my thoughts, I turned my head to look at her as I spoke, "Honestly, I think you'll like Idris. It's amazing."

"Yeah?" she questioned lightly, "I bet that it'd be pretty amazing to get me out of your hair, huh?"

I smirked away from her so she wouldn't see, "I didn't say that." I schooled my face, "You did."

Jace Wayland

I ignored the sound of distant screaming and instead chose to continue staring at the photo of Lissa and me.

I wonder if I'll ever see her again. She hasn't come to visit me yet… I wonder if she will?

At the sound of footsteps, I hastily put the photo back in my pocket and stood up.

"Clary…" I murmured uncomfortably as I caught sight of the redhead.

Lissa… where are you when I need you?

"I know you said to stay away, but…" Can I hear footsteps? Or am I going crazy? "…Sorry, I can't." She stepped as close to the bars as possible, "I can't be away from you."

Cough cough.

At that sound, the two of us turned towards the perpetrator.

Lissa.

"Well I'm sorry to say that you're gonna have to try and stay away from him for now dear sister…" she said with a shrug as she walked towards us. She looked beautiful in her white ensemble. She looks like an angel. Her hands were behind her back clasped together, pushing up her chest slightly causing her necklace to stand out from all the white she was wearing.

"What?" the girl by my cell questioned, "Why?"

"We've all talked about this Clary." the figure in white stated firmly as she came to a stop in front of the two of us, "We all agreed not to come to see Jace so that the Clave and Aldertree don't start thinking that we're going to bust him out."

"Then why are you here?" Clary responded accusingly.

My parabatai smirked, "Aldertree wanted to see if I'd get any information from him… that being said…" she stopped, eyebrow quirked, "You shouldn't be here." She nodded towards the entrance, "Go… before you get caught and we all get in trouble."

Clary turned to me, her eyes pleading me to ask her to stay but I just shook my head, "Go, Clary."

She inhaled sharply before glaring at the two of us and stomping away.

"Well, that was entertaining…" Lissa commented dryly once she was out of sight.

I ignored that, choosing to gaze at her in awe.

"You're here… and you're okay!" I murmured lowly, not being able to believe what was in front of me.

She turned to me, smiled slightly before touching the bars of my cell. As soon as she did that, a loud groaning sound emitted from the lock and the door flung open. Not giving me any time to register what happened, Lissa walked into my cell, the door shutting behind her.

"Hello." she murmured softly, looking up at me through her thick eyelashes.

"Hello," I replied, a smile tugging on my lips.

As soon as the words were out of my mouth, she flung herself at me. Her arms wrapped themselves around my neck whilst mine went around her waist, lifting her up from the ground and spinning her around. The screaming was drowned out by her giggles and my laugh. Even though my arms weren't tired from holding her, I placed her back on the floor but I didn't release her from my hold. My arms remained around her waist, cradling her to me whilst she kept hers around my neck and her head resting on my chest above my heart.

"I can't believe you're here…" I whispered reverently.

"Me neither," she whispered back, tilting her head back to look at me.

Gazing at the beauty in my arms, I couldn't help but admire her features. Her beautiful soulful cerulean orbs. Her dark ebony hair naturally curled to perfection. Her adorable button nose. And those full pouty red lips that I couldn't help but lean down and kiss.

We stayed there for what felt like hours, kissing and murmuring sweet nothings but was only several minutes. Reality came down on me when a piercing scream shattered our peaceful moment. I pulled away from her delectable lips, just holding her to me, the top of her head tickling my nose causing a sweet smell to invade it.

"You really shouldn't be here either, Lis," I commented softly into her hair.

She shrugged lightly, "I know." She moved her arms so they rested on my waist, "I just wanted to see if you were alright here…"

I looked down at her, "I'm fine. You knew that."

I could practically feel her roll her eyes.

"How'd you know?"

I sighed, "You have the whole shadow world under your control, of course, the Silent Brothers were feeding you information about me and my oh so wonderful stay in their home."

"Shut up." her muffled reply came. "You know why I came here."

I chuckled, "Yeah. I know… I just wanted to hear you say why."

We stayed there for a couple of moments in peace.

"I'm sorry Jay."

I looked down at her, startled. "What for Lis?"

"I caused all this… if I wasn't injured you wouldn't have had to carry me to Magnus' and get caught by Aldertree." I shook my head but she carried on, "I caused so much emotional turmoil and…"

"No. No." I said, cutting her off. At the disruption, she looked up at me, "You didn't cause anything I couldn't have handled." I said with a smirk. At her disgruntled look, I elaborated, "I would have done it all again… for you." I could feel the heat radiating from her rosy cheeks, "For you, I would do anything especially since you're here by my side." I emphasised my point by yanking her as close to me as possible, wiggling my eyebrows at her, causing her to giggle.

"Shut up," she said bashfully, leaning up to give me a quick kiss.

Not wanting it to end, I chased her lips, intensifying the kiss she gave me.

When she pulled away from me I couldn't help but groan. "Why did you have to come?"

She looked up at me offended, "What? Do you want me to go?" she said pulling away from me.

I stopped her efforts and pulled her back into my embrace, "No. I didn't mean it that way."

"What way did you mean it then?"

I groaned into her ear, "Why can't you understand? You being near me and reminding me every second of every day what I want, but I can't have."

I could feel her blush reemerge, causing me to chuckle as she buried her face further into my chest.

"We'll figure it out," she whispered softly, looking up at me again. She smiled gently, "Don't be afraid."

"No," I replied in the same tone. Her face contorted to one of confusion. "Be afraid."

Quickly grabbing one of her knives that she kept in her thigh holster, I stabbed her in the stomach.

I gasped awake from my horrific dream.

"Lissa!"

What was that? Did I just… No. I couldn't have just killed Lissa in my dreams. Lissa. My parabatai. My betrothed. My bloody best friend! I could never kill her. So what in the angel was that dream about? Well… half the dream I get. So I'm lusting after her… I knew that already but why am I killing her-

"Jace?" I heard a voice interrupt my thoughts. "Are you okay?" the voice whispered as I rose from my reclining position. Who is tha-

"Hodge?" I asked incredulously to the voice speaking to me.

"Try not to sleep," he said ignoring me, "The Silent Brothers use mind control to haunt you with nightmares of those you've hurt the most."

"You must never sleep," I commented dryly in return. I let my head drop onto the wall behind me. So I wasn't conjuring those dreams up myself? Good. Good.

Hodge chuckled softly, Why you laughing, buddy? "You were right to take my hand, Jace." I rolled my eyes at the pathetic excuse of a shadowhunter, "I never should have given the Cup to Valentine." I whacked my head again slightly, "Maybe someday you'll forgive me."

"I don't believe in forgiveness, Hodge." I responded monotony, "I just stand by my actions, good or bad, and I accept the consequences."

"Unmerciful to the bone." I heard him say in a contemplating way, "That's what's always made you the best." Is he going to shut up now? Thank the angel. "But this place…" I guess not. "It'll bleed every ounce of defiance out of you."

"I'm nothing like you." I responded airily, "They want me to bend, they can die trying."

"Wait until your trial." I moved my head in the direction of his voice, puzzling over his words, "After what they do to you… You will be like me."

And that's what I'm hoping won't happen.

Alec Lightwood

I ran… um… I walked hastily as Clary ran beside me towards an alley.

"Alec…" she said warningly as she caught sight of the demon's heat signature.

Stepping closer to what I assume is the demon, I quickly grabbed my seraph blade when I heard a rustling behind the bins, Clary following my every movement. Rounding the corner, I caught sight of a young girl covered in blood. I looked around my surroundings suspiciously as I heard Clary gasp from beside me.

"What happened? Who are you?" The girl questioned as she continued to shudder and take deep breaths.

"It's okay. We're here to help." Clary said soothingly as she looked up at me in confusion.

I leant down and began to whisper an explanation to her, "It's a classic possession hangover. Once the demon leaves the body, they have no memory of what they did."

The girl shuddered again as she caught sight of her right hand which was drenched in blood, "Is this blood?"

"Just try to keep calm," I responded gruffly, not used to being the one that comforted the victim, that's usually Allie, Izzy or even Jace's jobs.

"Hey…" the redhead cut in, crouching down to touch the victim in comfort "… don't look at your hand, okay? Just look at me."

"I don't understand," the girl gasped in response as she continued to panic, "What's going on?"

"I know nothing makes sense right now." She replied calmly, "But I'm going to help you." The girl began to calm down, "I promise. Okay?"

Maybe she is cut out for this world after all.

When Clary and I arrived in the institute, we ran into Izzy as the alarms began to blare.

"Oh, my God, Welkie!" Clary gasped in shock as we surveyed the scene.

"What happened?" a shadowhunter gasped out in disbelief as he woke up from his trance.

"Classic possession hangover." the redhead said, turning to me.

Good. At least she's learning.

"Hole punched right through his chest," Lydia informed us.

"…Just like our mundane in the morgue." Izzy finished off everyone's thoughts.

I knelt beside our fallen comrade, shaking my head in anger, "The demon's in the Institute."

I got up from my position turning to Lydia.

"Allie. Erm. The princess… where is she? Is she still here?" I quickly fired off my questions.

Lydia straightened her back, "Her grace is perfectly safe as far as we know. She was not in the building when the attack happened."

"She wasn't?" Clary asked before I could, "Where is she?"

Lydia gave us all uneasy looks as she responded, "She's gone with Aldertree to oversee Jace Wayland's trial."

"Wait," Izzy said. "She's leading the trial?"

Lydia gave a shrug, not knowing how to respond. Frustrated with her lack of answers, I shut my eyes. Let's hope this works. Alicia Vivian Réneta Graymark get your ass here right now!

"Woah Alec." I heard her say. I opened my eyes to see her materialise in front of me and become corporeal, "Didn't think you were one for cursing…" She looked up startled as soon as she heard the alarms, "What the hell is going on? Why aren't Aldertree and I being informed of the situation?"

"…Because we can't get a hold of either of you!" Izzy cut in.

Allie gave us a confused look, "What? Why? Surprisingly, there is some signal in the City of Bones so you can give me a ring when you need help…" I filed away that piece of information as she carried on, "That was one of my orders actually… If something was wrong, you were to contact us - or rather me - immediately!"

"Well, Aldertree must be blocking the signal somehow because we can't contact either of you." Lydia responded calmly, "What would you like us to do with this situation your grace?"

At those words, all the shadowhunters in the vicinity turned to their ruler, ready for their orders.

Allie nodded calmly before quickly saying, "First of all, what is going on? Why are the alarms blaring?"

I took over the explanation before anyone else could, "Izzy, Clary and I tracked down the demon you sent us to hunt, we found the corpse and Izzy returned to the institute with it. Clary and I continued to look for the demon and found a girl in an alley with blood on her hands. From the evidence, it seemed like the demon-possessed the girl and stabbed the victim through the chest with the girl's own hand. From there, Clary and I returned here to find the alarms blaring."

Lydia took over my account, "It seems that one of our own was possessed by the demon and punched a hole right through Welkie. How we don't know yet…"

Allie nodded before leading everyone out of the room with a flick of her wrist, "Meet me in the Ops centre in 5 minutes. We have a demon to hunt." We all nodded in agreement before hurtling away and doing our jobs.

Not that long after, we all gathered in the Ops centre to see that Allie was ordering people to do things, "Activate emergency surveillance. Victor's unreachable which means the real me is as well." She turned to the people following her, you know - us. "Unfortunately, I will have to return to my body soon as it has been left vulnerable at the moment." At our nods, she continued, "I've ordered the Institute be put on quarantine until we kill this thing."

"But I don't get it. How did the demon get past the wards?" Clary asked as she and Lydia began to arm themselves.

"Same way it got in without setting off this," Izzy replied with a sigh as she fingered her necklace. I began to arm myself with weapons that Allie handed to me. "It must have some advanced cloaking ability." She said putting on her own belt, "It hid in that dead body and let us do the rest."

Clary gasped, "I didn't know demons could do that."

"Until now, they couldn't," I responded, sitting on one of the stools once I had finished arming myself.

Allie continued for me, "This new form of possession, cloaking ability, targeting the Institute, it's…"

"…Valentine. His experiments." Clary said, finishing off her adopted sister's statement. "My mom told me how he was determined to create a super-being that could defeat the Clave. It's what he tried to do with Jace."

"Both victims had damage to the prefrontal cortex," Izzy informed us as we gathered around the table. "The demon must be feeding on negative emotions. Anger, hate, rage. Causing the host to violently act on those urges."

"…So we continue to scan for venom and heat signatures." I said beginning to form the plan. "Try to narrow down the host before it strikes again."

Allie touched the screen below us, creating a hologram of the institute. "Okay… Alec, you check the living quarters." I nodded as she swiped the hologram, "You two…" she said pointing at Clary and Izzy, "…take the utility tunnels." The two nodded and we all began to walk off.

"I'll stay with you." I heard Raj say, quickly turning around, I saw that he was talking to Lydia.

With a giggle, Allie patted her friend's shoulder, "Good luck." she said before she began to disappear.

"Day just keeps getting better." I heard Lydia murmur as I exited the room.

I held in my laugh, this is the most inappropriate time to laugh, I told myself.

Izzy Lightwood

Clary and I hurried to the utility tunnels, trying to find the demon before someone else could get hurt.

"Demon ichor," Clary commented as we looked up to the falling substance.

I sighed in frustration, "It must've come through here after the kill upstairs." I rose from my kneeling position as Clary began to check out our location. "So Idris, huh?" I began to walk away from the ichor towards another tunnel, "I thought you were a New York City girl, tried-and-true."

"Wow…" the redhead murmured, her voice dripping with annoyance as she followed after me, "…does the Institute have, like, a Twitter feed?"

"You live in this place long enough, you know everything," I commented airily in response. Or you can talk to Allie and get all the gossip…

She sighed beside me, "Actually, I'm still trying to figure it all out." I listened with one ear as we got to a junction in the tunnels. I looked one side and then to the other, "Is there a rune for letting you be in two places at once?"

I smirked as I chose to walk down the left route, "I wish." I turned to briefly look at the girl behind me, "Only Allie seems to be able to have the power to be in two places at once and even then…" I turned back to look in front of me, just in case if the demon came out, "…it's quite taxing on her body."

I inclined my head towards her slightly as I recognised her need to rant to someone. It didn't take long for speech to bubble out of her mouth, "My mom really wants me to go with her. And we went through so much to get her back, but I just…" I blinked furiously, suddenly aware that tears were beginning to form in my eyes, "I don't know."

"At least you have a mom who wants to be with you." I commented bitingly, "Who thinks you're smart and wonderful…"

The girl cut me off, "Yeah, who erased my memories and lied to me about having a brother and making me believe I had a twin sister for my whole life. And then trusting said supposed sister over me."

Jackpot.

"You're not just angry at your mum… you're angry at-"

"-Lily. Or Alicia or whatever she's being called these days? Yeah. Yeah, I am."

I sighed at the poor girl, "It's not her fault…"

She cut me off once again, "I know it's not her fault. That's what makes it all the worse."

I turned towards her, trusting that she'd watch my back. "Let it out, why are you so angry at her? I thought everything between you guys was all fine now?"

She growled in frustration, pulling her hair in irritation, "I'm jealous alright?!" At my nod, she continued, "Lily. Err… Alicia just seems to have these amazing relationships with everyone. With you guys and especially with Jace and mom. I mean they're my mother and brother." She said with a slight cringe before persevering forwards, "She's closer to Jace than I could ever hope we'd ever be…" I went to interrupt but she cut me off, "I know they've known each other since they were kids but I thought there was a connection between Jace and I… I thought we'd at least keep that bond but ever since they found out about their marriage arrangement, it has just been the two of them. They haven't even talked to any of us. They just talk to each other!"

She was huffing and puffing and I was scared she'd blow the institute down. Jokes. I stifled my laugh of amusement, realising she probably needed comfort, "Look, Clary… Jace and Allie." She looked up at me with tears in her eyes, "Those two are in their own world, before all this it was always just the two of them. Even when we were all kids, it was them against the world." I nodded earnestly, "Alec and I went through the same jealousy faze when we were kids, don't worry. It's hard not to be jealous of their relationship. To be honest, I'm happy that they've found each other. At least some of us can have momentary happiness through these times." I hesitated for a moment before carefully broaching another topic, "Your mom…"

But that seemed to set her off again, "My mother!" She was huffing and puffing again, "I'm her daughter. Not some princess that she brought up. I know I'm not some princess entitled to some throne but I'm her daughter. Her flesh and blood!" She turned to me, her eyes ablaze, "So why didn't she trust me with the Cup's secrets as she did with her." Her eyes softened to resemble the lost, hurt girl she really was, "Sometimes…" she choked on her tears, "…sometimes I feel that mom loves her more than she loves me. I've always felt she loved her more and the feeling has been amplified since I found out that she's adopted." She sniffed again, "I mean she's not even her real daughter and she treated her so differently to how she treated me. She treated her like she was the baby of the family. Like she was her little baby and not me…"

I wrapped my arm around her in comfort, giving her a quick hug before releasing her.

"Look I can't say anything for your mom right now. Just ask her…" I patted her arm, "I'm not saying she hasn't done some pretty screwed up things." I nodded with a small smile, "But all moms do. So maybe you should be glad you have one who wants to try and make things right."

I walked towards the tunnel exit but her voice stopped me once again.

Oh, dear. We better get a move on.

"Wait." I spun around quickly, "You think I should go?"

"Of course not." I said with a straight face, "No one in Idris is gonna teach you how to fight in five-inch heels the way Allie and I do." My lips turned into a smirk as we chuckled softly to one another, quickly surveying our surroundings once again, never not aware. "Come on." I inhaled sharply as I opened the door, "We've got a demon to hunt."

Jace Wayland

I was marched into the room with manacles around my wrists and ankles, a chain linking the two as well as two Silent Brothers by my side. I was led to platform. When I stopped moving, I turned around to face my audience only to see Aldertree and two other shadowhunters flanking him. Probably to seem more intimidating… I thought with a scoff. I went to look away but a familiar figure sat on a throne behind the three hunters caught my eye.

She gave me a stony look but it didn't deter me due to the warmth in her eyes.

I'm here for you.

I got this.

Don't worry.

I could practically hear her say to me.

Brother Jeremiah spoke through my mind, causing me to look away from her and towards Aldertree, "You stand before the sword, accused of treason against the Clave, as well as the murder of two Downworlders." The Brothers took an end of the sword each and placed the blade in my hands, "Be thee innocent or guilty, may the truth free thy soul."

"Have you anything to say before we start?" Aldertree spoke up cockily as Lissa watched quietly in the background.

I kept my glare on him, "Facilis descensus Averno."

"The descent into Hell is easy." He translated, "I'm glad you believe in our sacred Clave motto."

"Lissa and I use it to remind each other we can't be broken," I replied with a slight smirk.

He nodded, his face showing his annoyance but chose to continue, "Did you kill the werewolf, Gretel Monroe?"

"No," I responded firmly.

"… But you captured her for your father, Valentine Morgenstern, after being encouraged by your spellbound sister." the man continued.

I nodded grudgingly, flinching slightly at the reminder, "I accept full responsibility for my actions."

"You have a great love for your sister, don't you?" he asked slyly.

I watched as Lissa moved uncomfortably on her throne, her eyes flicking away from me for the first time since I walked into the room.

I strained to stay still as a growl almost left my lips, "Leave Clary out of this."

"Yes or no?" he asked persistently.

The sword glowed, its power washing over me, compelling me to tell the truth, "Yes."

I kept my gaze on him, not wanting to see the flinch I knew Lissa must have made, "In fact, to my understanding, you two were involved in a romantic relationship prior to the discovery that you were siblings. Is that true?"

The sword glowed once again, forcing me to answer, "Yes." I began to breathe heavily, uncomfortable with the line of questioning. Why was he doing this? What did this accomplish?

"What about now?" He gave me a shallow smirk, "Do you love her the way a brother loves his sister?"

I opened my mouth wanting to say 'no' and prevent the heartbreak I was about to create but the sword's power was too strong, "I've tried to fight it, but…" I shook my head with a struggle.

"A simple yes or no." he cut me off. I closed my eyes in pain. I'm breaking her heart. Please don't make me do this. "Do you love Clary the way a brother loves his sister?"

I strained to give him my reply, "N- No." From behind Aldertree, I saw the beauty that I was beginning to fall in love with, brush away the tears that had begun o fall. "I- I don't know." She kept her head down and gaze away from me. No. Lissa. Please. Look at me. Please.

"You don't know?" Aldertree probed. Thank the angel. I nodded causing him to ask, "Why?"

"I think I'm falling in love with someone else."

At those words my dear princess quickly turned to look at me, her mouth agape. I could clearly see the tears that had welled up and out of her eyes. If only I was free to kiss those tears away, I would.

I returned my gaze to the speaking man. "I see." To my surprise, he seemed to be fuming. Not giving me a break or allowing anyone (specifically Lissa and I) time to realise what I meant by my admission, he then continued, "Do you love your father?"

"I love the dream of the father I wished he'd be," I replied, my pain palpable through my words.

"The kind of father who wouldn't kill a young boy's falcon?" he fired back. I looked at him in disbelief. How the heck did he find out about that? "Yes. I know more than you think about you and dear dad. To love is to destroy. Quite a harsh lesson for a six-year-old boy. Do you agree with that sentiment?"

Not again.

"Ye- I don't know," I responded with a deep sigh. What is it with these intrusive question?

The sword continued to glow as he asked, "Do you feel your father's goal to kill all Downworlders is just?"

I shut my eyes, trying but failing to fight the blade's powers. "Yes and no."

"Which one is it?"

"Both," I revealed. I opened my eyes to glare at him, "My father's world view may be misguided, but I've seen the vampire dens that are thriving because of the Clave's lack of action. Your lack of action."

He tilted his head up in satisfaction, "Final question." He placed his hands in his pockets, "Can you pledge your unconditional loyalty to the Clave?"

"Facilis descensus Averno," I replied angrily.

"-I asked you a question," he said, cutting me off. "Can you pledge your unconditional loyalty to the Clave?"

"I…" I began to stammer out. Can I?

"Answer!" he shouted.

"No!" I proclaimed angrily. Hearing a gasp of shock, we all turned to the princess sat on her throne, her hand in front of her mouth, portraying her shock. "No, I can't." I turned to look Lissa in the eye before kneeling with one knee on the ground and the glowing sword pointed to the floor with my head bowed, "I pledge my unconditional loyalty to my future Queen. I pledge it to no one else but her. My princess…" I looked up, her warm cerulean eyes connected to mine once more, "…and future queen I will serve you faithfully until the day I die."

She smiled at me radiantly and gestured for me to rise with a quick wiggle of her index finger. I gave her a small smile in response before doing as I was told and rising, returning the sword to its previous horizontal position in my hands.

The moment was broken by Aldertree sighing and saying, "Based on your testimony…" I looked to him, "…I will recommend to the Clave a punishment of life imprisonment." My smile quickly turned to a frown, "May the Angel have mercy on you."

With those mocking words, I couldn't help the fury that rushed over me. I grabbed the sword hilt and went to attack him with it.

"Jace!" I heard Lissa scream in warning but before I could attack him, Brother Jeremiah help his hand up and all of a sudden pain started to evade my head.

No. Please. Stop. STOP.

"Thank you, Brother Jeremiah." I heard Aldertree say as I grunted in pain on the floor, writhing slightly, "There will be no murderers here."

I looked up in alarm from the very same photo I had kept my focus on before my sentence had been given. Are people screaming? I leaned closer to the cell entrance and tuned my ears for distant sounds and sure enough the sound of people screaming in the distance, blades swishing and more screaming invading my ears.

I held onto the cell bars, leaning to try and see the occupant of the next cell, "Hodge, do you hear that?" I heard him gasp shallowly so I took that as a sound of agreement, "I was hoping it was another nightmare." I admitted.

The screaming continued as a Silent Brother stumbled into our cell area.

"Please." He weakly pleaded, falling onto the floor, revealing the dagger in his back, "Help us." He grunted before remaining motionless on the floor.

"What's happening?" I questioned, kneeling to see if he was still alive.

"Grab his hand!" Hodge ordered as he scrambled towards his cell entrance, "The lock release on our cells can only be activated if he's alive."

I grabbed Brother Jeremiah's hand, placing it on the lock. Nothing happened. I shook my head in frustration before placing the dead Brother's hand softly on the ground, "He's gone."

At the sound of footsteps, I heard Hodge hide awake into the darkness of his cell. Not wanting to be the coward he was, I stood, ready to face my foe.

"An unfortunate loss, but he gave me no choice." My father greeted me, "He wouldn't let it out of his hands."

The bastard sighed as if he was regretful of his actions before grabbing the dagger from the fallen Brother's back.

I looked at him in confusion. What in the actual fuck is he doing here?

He sighed, catching my attention, "Hello, Jonathan." The sound of a struggle caught my attention. I watched in trepidation as Lissa and Aldertree were dragged in behind Valentine, "You see what these people do to you when I'm not around to protect you?"

Distract him. Keep his focus away from Lissa.

I stepped as close to him as possible, "No, I'm here 'cause you made a son with demon blood."

"Still so little appreciation after all I've done for you." He said with mock disappointment, "You think it was easy, breaking in here to rescue you? It took effort. I-"

I flickered my eyes to the interrupter, "He set up a demon attack on the Institute as a diversion." Lissa cut him off.

"He did what?" Aldertree exclaimed.

I shifted my eyes from the shocked head of the institute to Valentine as he turned his attention to the petite girl in our company, "How did you know my sweets?"

She looked up at him defiantly, "I was there. I made sure the institute put themselves together before they hunted your demon down."

"Huh." He mused aloud, "I'm sure people were killed anyway…"

"No," I interrupted him, wanting his attention away from her, "…you're not here for me." I jutted my chin towards the blade he was holding, "You're here for the Soul-Sword."

"Son, you have two options." He made sure our eyes remained in contact, "Life in prison at the hands of the Clave, or you can come and fight… with me… and have a purpose."

I smirked slightly as I stepped away from him, "I guess jumping off the boat wasn't clear enough."

He nodded jerkily, exhibiting his rage at his lack of control of the situation, "Then we'll do it the hard way." He moved away from the cell bars, "Take her."

At those words, the men holding Lissa hauled her up from her position, causing her to scream in shock at the sudden movement. She always did hate the unexpected, especially with her gift.

"Lissa!" I yelled, rushing back to the front of my cell, trying to reach over to Valentine. "Stop it! You're hurting her!" The men ignored me and continued to forcefully move her my way. "Stop!"

"Thank you for your assistance," Valentine replied calmly over my yelling.

"Let me go!" she was yelling alongside me as she tried to wiggle her way out of their grasp. Aldertree was even trying to make a bid for freedom to try and help free his monarch.

Our attempts became failures as the men managed to pull her to the lock of my cell. One man grabbed her hand whilst the other grabbed a dagger and sliced her palm open, freeing the blood pumping underneath. The man clutching her wrist manoeuvred her to swipe the blood on the door lock, causing the rune on it to glow. As the bars of my cell began to release me, I heard Valentine groan nearby.

Hodge?

I took my first step away from my cell. After giving Lissa a quick once over and seeing how she was fighting to free herself, I turned to the left where Hodge's cell was, only to see Valentine lodge the dagger he killed Brother Jeremiah with, into my old mentor's head.

"Hodge!" I cried out in alarm as Lissa screamed in shock from behind me.

I grabbed the Soul Sword from my 'father's' hands and turned towards Lissa's guards. Quickly dispatching of the two of them, she hurried towards Aldertree to help release him. I returned my attention to Valentine, rushing at him…

…Only to be deflected by a shield and flung back alongside everyone else. Through this action, my grip on the sword was non-existent, causing me to accidentally release it.

Looking up from my position on the floor, I saw that Valentine now had the Soul Sword again.

Why is it that I have had such bad luck recently?

I groaned as he spoke to the warlock, "Thank you, Dorothea. At least someone here understands the meaning of the word loyalty."

Seeing his retreating figure, I stumbled to my feet and began to stagger after him. A metre before I could reach him, he spun around and placed the sword at my neck. I looked down at the ancient blade before looking him in the eye again.

"Go ahead." I goaded him. "Kill me like you killed my falcon. Prove what kind of father you really are." Will he do it? Will he go ahead and kill me? "What are you waiting for?" I cocked my head slightly, accidentally giving him a better angle, "Do it."

He smirked before reaching behind him and retrieving the very same knife he'd used to kill Hodge moments ago. He flung it at me but missed me by a couple of centimetres.

I returned to glaring at him, "You missed."

What kind of throw was that?

"I did?" He asked mockingly before smirking, "Well I'm sorry for that." He turned to his henchmen, "Take my son." Nodding towards me, "Kill the other one." Nodding behind me as he released the hold of the sword from my neck, "The other one is as good as anyway…"

Someone grabbed me from behind, I yanked my right arm from their hold, using it to elbow them in the face. Before he could do anything, I yanked my other arm from his hold and placed my hands on his face, quickly snapping their neck. Seeing Aldertree struggling with his henchman, I went to go help but the reminder that my villain of a father was escaping, I spun back around, only to see that the warlock had opened a portal.

"Jace!" I heard Aldertree warn me. I spun around to look at him, "Get the sword!" I shook my head in frustration before turning towards my 'father' once again, What do you think I'm doing, staring after him in awe?!

Looking at him reminded me that a life was in danger. I growled in frustration before heading back and helping the stupid head of the institute out.

How is he the bloody head of a shadowhunter institute if he can't fend off one of Valentine's henchmen?

With that thought, I pulled his assailant away from him, whacking said assailant's head against the wall. I went to run towards the portal, only to see that it had shut.

Fuck sake.

I growled once more in frustration and shared a look of annoyance with the almighty head of the institute before facing where they had just exited.

Great. I'm probably going to be blamed for this as well…

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone choking.

What in the angel is tha-

I turned towards the noise in irritation, only for those feelings to fade away as the sight of my beautiful parabatai came into my line of vision. The only problem was that there was blood surrounding her lips and a knife buried in her stomach.

"Lissa," I shouted in alarm, rushing to her side.

"Your majesty." I heard Aldertree yelp from behind me as he rushed to join my side. "What happened, my lady?"

She chuckled slightly, her amusement drenched in pain, "Valentine never misses." She remarks darkly as she turns her gaze to me.

"You're gonna be fine, Lis," I promised, staring into her expressive eyes as I pulled the knife from her stomach, "Save your breath," I then turned towards Aldertree, "Where are your steles?"

He shook his head in fear, "Valentine took them from us. I don't know where he put them."

I was startled as I felt a cold hand touch mine, I looked down at her as she smiled at me shakily, "It's okay. Everything will be okay."

I turned my gaze away from her as fear began to cloud my mind. She needs to be okay. She will be okay.

I put my hand on her wound, hoping to staunch the blood flow but an odd thing happened…

As soon as my hand touched her wound, it glowed gold and the blood flow began to reverse back into her wound and it began to shut on its own.

"Wha-?"

I quickly looked up at her in wonder, in my peripheral vision, I saw that Aldertree was gaping at us in confusion.

"You're right Jay." The princess spoke up as she began to smirk, "I'm gonna be perfectly fine."

Despite my shock, I helped her up and all she did was dust her clothes off, not even paying any attention to the hole in the middle of her dress. We watched as she shut her eyes briefly before holding her hands up to the empty space in front of us.

What is she doing?

My question was answered as a portal formed in front of us.

"We'll need to call back up to help us with the deceased." She told us as she stepped towards the newly opened portal. "Let's go." She ordered us, before stepping into the portal.

I exchanged brief looks with Aldertree before following after her.

That was hot.

"I don't need anything." Lissa insisted as a medic starting runing her arm with an itraze. "I'm fine."

I shook my head at her with a smirk, "Just let them fix you up Princess, who wouldn't want to help a beautiful damsel like yourself?" Winking at her as she turned her irritated gaze to me. She shook her head in annoyance before shaking off those fussing around her and began heading out of the room. "Where are you going?" I shouted after her.

She didn't answer me. Is she mad at me? I hope not, I began to think as I followed after her, I hate grovelling. She always says I don't have the patience for it. Taking a quick side glance at her as I caught up to her, I thought, But for her… I'd grovel on my knees any day.

I chose to break the silence, "Where are we going?"

Her sudden stop would have made me stumble if I was an ordinary man.

She turned towards me with a confused look on her face, "I don't know, I just feel like we need to see something…" With those words, she turned away from me and walked away.

I stared after her in alarm. I hate it when this happens. I groaned to myself before following after her. I chased after her retreating form. Why does she always have to have these random urges to go somewhere? It's weird and getting frickin' scary…

We ended up in the morgue.

"Errrr Lissa?" I questioned as she stopped at the door, "What are we errr- doing here?"

She pushed the door open and walked in, I followed quickly after her.

"What are you-"

The words were lost in my throat as the sight of a redhead woman laying on the table filled my vision. Jocelyn. The feeling of shock paralysed me for a moment. How did this happen to her? Poor woman… She only just got her life back and reunited with her daughters. Lissa. I spun around to look at her.

She was frozen in place, staring at the body of her dead mother, our dead mother. Well… her adoptive mother and my biological mother… At the sight of the tears cascading down her porcelain skin, I quickly brought her into my arms as she crumbled down, hoarse screams of NO! escaping her mouth.

I don't know how long we were stood there for. Seconds. Minutes. Hours. I don't know. All I know is that I had to be here for her. Taking a look at the dead body, I couldn't help but feel disappointed that I felt no ounce of personal sadness at her death. She's supposed to be my mother and yet I'm not crying… Is it because she didn't bring me up, that she abandoned me to grow up with Valentine? Or is it because I'm the monster I fear I am?

"My lady-" a voice interrupted us as he ran into the room.

Aldertree, you dick, couldn't you let her mourn in peace?

At the sound of another person, she quickly hid her face, hastily wiping away the tear tracks left behind and hiding any evidence of her moment of weakness, "The demon," he continued, not even noticing her looks of sadness, "-it's still in the institute and it has possessed the Lightwood girl."

"Izzy?" Lissa spoke up with a startled voice, breaking out of her mournful look for a moment. "Where is she?"

"In the training room-" as soon as those words left his mouth, Lissa grabbed my hand and ran to exit, heading straight towards our family.

When we reached the entrance of the training room, we slowed our pace down as we registered that the danger was over. But as we slowed down to a walk, I noticed that the image of pain was flickering on Lissa's face, intermingled with further signs of grief. When we walked in, I caught sight of Alec cradling Izzy to his arms as Clary stared off into space in front of herself. She looks like she's gonna breakdown in a minute too. With that thought, I meant to walk towards her but when I took a single step I remembered the girl by my side. Seeing tears well up in my parabatai's eyes once more, I pulled her towards me as I felt someone push past me.

I looked up to see Simon approaching Clary. "Hey" I heard him distantly. At least she has someone with her now, even if it's not me. Not that it matters… Lissa was suddenly missing from my arms as she dropped down to join Alec and Izzy on the floor. I heard footsteps retreating from the room, Huh. I didn't realise Aldertree even followed us… With that thought, I joined my family on the floor, hugging Alec when I got his attention. The relief on his face was palpable as he caught sight of me. I touched Izzy's arm, I'm here for you, I silently vowed to her as she turned to look at me. I hugged Lissa and Alec hugged her other side as I pulled Izzy into the fray. We sat there for a few moments, relishing in the fact that we were all safe for once.

"I don't blame you." I heard Lissa murmur to Alec softly as we pulled away, she gave him a quick peck on the cheek as we helped Izzy stand up, only for her to stumble. At the sight of his sister's weakening form, Alec instantly swept her up into his arms and began to walk out of the room, probably heading towards the infirmary.

Now that Izzy was gone, Lissa must have realised that Clary was in the room because she turned towards the duo behind me. I knew she should have gotten checked up because… as soon as she went to walk towards them, she collapsed into my waiting arms.

I swept her up bridal style, hugging her towards my chest, "I told you." I murmured into her head as I gave the top of her hair a quick kiss. "You should have had yourself looked at properly."

"Shut up." she murmured back, as I began to walk us back in the direction of the infirmary, "I was fine, Jay. I was with you, you healed me."

With those faint words, she was taken to Morpheus' world.

Not wanting her to be in an even worse condition, I hurried my pace, never looking back.

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