Jace Wayland

I was in Lissa's room with her and Clary. We were trying to research the rune that Clary used but nothing was coming out of our research. Scratch that. Clary and I were researching. Lissa was lazing about on her bed. I tried not to look at her for too long because she was a distracting sight.

"Yeah, I'm not seeing it in the Gray Book," I said, giving up on flicking through the book I was holding.

Clary looked up from her sketch of the rune, "Well, isn't that thing supposed to have every single rune?"

"Some of them are removed. They're reserved for the most elite members of the Clave," I responded grimly.

The both of us turned to Lissa, only to see her stretching like a cat on her bed.

Holy angel. She's beautiful. Focus!

When she noticed the dip in the conversation, she turned a lazy gaze towards us. "What?" I gave her a pointed stare, knowing she was, in fact, paying attention to what we were saying previously. "Fine. The rune is not one of the elites'."

As she let out a yawn, Clary carried on the conversation, "Either way. I'm not exactly elite, so why do I know it?"

I shrugged my shoulders, "Maybe you saw it somewhere and you don't remember."

I could see her frustration mounting as she got up from the bed, dropping her pen noisily on the table as she headed my way, "No, it just... It appeared, like a vision."

We again turned to Lissa.

Her only response was to lay back down in the bed now that Clary had moved, giving her space to spread out, "It's not a Visionary vision. I didn't give her one and only people like me can get them anyway."

"Wait. You can give people visions?" Clary piped up curiously.

The cat on the bed nodded slowly, reluctant to reveal more, "Visionaries can share their visions people…"

Silence engulfed us for a bit before Clary brought us back to the original topic of the conversation as she began to pace, "The vision I saw was like someone or something was trying to send me a message." She spun around to look at Lissa and I as a thought came to her, "Maybe it's from our mom."

I exchanged a look with Lissa before letting her lead, "Clary, I know you miss her... I do too… But the dead can't-"

"How else do you explain it?" She desperately asked.

I sighed, "I don't know."

She shook her head before ripping the page with the rune on it out of her sketchbook, "You know, I'll just go ask Izzy and Alec. Maybe they'll know something."

"No," I grabbed the page from her, preventing her from moving any further, "Absolutely not. If you tell anyone else, they could be in danger, too."

I heard a sigh from the bed, "The Clave is quick to persecute anyone or anything they don't understand."

"Either way…" I saw Lissa get up from her laying position to rest against her mountain of pillows, "You won't and they won't find anything anyway…"

"HUH?" we chorused in confusion.

I saw her shrug innocently, "Clary made the rune up." At our blank stares, she continued, "The rune doesn't exist in the Gray Book because it doesn't exist on Earth."

"That's impossible." Clary immediately denied, "How could I have just made it up?"

"Everything is possible Clary, haven't you learnt that yet? And like you said, someone sent it to you… maybe a-"

"Wait. Wait. Wait." I cut her off. She turned her regal gaze to me, "Why didn't you say so earlier? Why didn't you tell me? I've spent the last two hours scouring for this rune when you knew I would never find it?"

Her mischevious eyes twinkled before quickly flashing back to their innocent state, "It's a good educational experience for you, after all, you hated reading when you were younger and you haven't changed one bit now. So I felt like you needed some homework to stimulate your brain." At this point, I couldn't miss the giant smirk that took over her face.

I launched myself on top of her on the bed, immediately reaching for her sides and wiggling my fingers. The effect was instantaneous as she began to giggle.

"It's not my fault that you were such a bookworm growing up!" I argued as I continued to use her weakness against her.

"Stop! Stop! I'm sorry!"

A sudden knock interrupted her giggles.

"Come in." I faintly heard from behind me as I continued to tickle my parabatai.

Yeah, that's right. This is what your regal princess really looks like.

I stopped at the sound of Izzy's voice. "Just wanted to see how Clary was doing." I tried to keep the pout off my face when I realized that it was someone we knew. Instead, I helped sit Lissa back up, moving strands of her ebony locks out of her face, "But if I'm interrupting something..."

"Nope," Clary responded quickly, crossing her arms.

"No," I heard Lissa's breathy voice from beside me.

"Not at all," I chorused alongside them.

Yeah, that doesn't look suspicious at all.

I watched as Izzy rolled her eyes at our synchronised response.

Lissa must have noticed it too because she immediately tried to get out of lying further.

I watched as she got up from the bed, immediately straightening her dress and patting down any wrinkles.

Once again, she was the glorious princess that I'm used to looking at. Not that she wasn't glorious in her mussed up state…

She skipped towards Clary before giving her an exaggerated kiss on the cheek. "I gotta go, hun."

"Where are you going?" I asked her, a tinge of confusion in my voice.

"I-" She wandered around her room, picking up the things she needed: her stele, weapon jewellery, etc. "-have to go make the final list for the people going to the Iron Sisters."

At the sound of her (hopefully) next mission, Izzy turned her eager gaze towards the princess, giving her the best puppy dog eyes she could muster.

I watched silently as Lissa tilted her head to the side slightly before sighing, "I'll consider it."

I got off the bed and cut in front of her just as she was reaching the door. I offered her my elbow, my face contorted in a smirk and a raised bemused eyebrow.

"Are you trying to replay the games we used to play as kids?" She joked with a smile. She spun around to look at the others, I don't know why I suddenly got a bad feeling as she opened her mouth, "I wasn't always the princess in our games."

I could feel the flush immediately creep up my neck, covering my entire face. I reached forward, covering my hand in front of her mouth before she could reveal any more embarrassing details from our past and dragged her out of the room.

I could hear the echo of their laughs in the corridor even after the door shut behind us.

I hope this blush leaves before I see anyone else I know.

Izzy Lightwood

"Ah, Isabelle," I was greeted with when I entered Aldertree's office. "A welcome reprieve from work."

I walked up to his desk, trying to figure out the best way to word my first request, "Before I move out on mission, I would like to get a refill for..."

Only for him to cut me off, "Yin fen?" I nodded with a smile, "You're using as directed?

I shook my head once, my charming smile at full blast, "Absolutely. A little goes a long way."

I caught his glance at my hand as it shook with slight tremors. It didn't last long before he pushed away from his desk and grabbed what I was asking for. I covered my hand to prevent him from seeing anything more.

"One more thing," he stopped walking around his desk and looked up at me, "Clary would like to join the mission to the Citadel."

His face scrunched up at that idea and immediately shut down my request, "But she's not trained."

I wasn't going to give up that easily, "I'll keep an eye on her."

I watched as he grabbed a wooden box from the top of his fireplace, "You and Clary have grown close," he remarked slowly as he lifted the lid of the box to reveal what I truly desired at the moment, "But how well do you really know her?"

My eyes strayed back to him, "Pretty well."

He placed the box back on the top of the fireplace before responding, "She's Valentine's daughter. And the Clave… they've expressed their concern that Valentine may have experimented on Clary. Injected her with demon blood as well."

I immediately denied, "There's no way. Alli- Princess Alicia would have sensed it."

Hopefully putting the friend of the princess card will help me here.

"You grew up with Jace." Ooo. Good argument. "Never suspected he had demon blood."

I scowled slightly at his mention of my brother.

"I will grant your request," he said, the look of the devil in his eyes, "I will put her name on the Princess' list, we shall see if she agrees. She get's the final say after all." His voice trailed off. There was something in his voice… Resentment? I guess grown men don't like being ordered around by little girls.

I nodded my head slightly, a small smile tugging at my lips, "Mmm."

"But I'm gonna need you to report back to me everything Clary says and does," he continued.

I paused, horror growing in me, not expecting that request, "You're asking me to spy on Clary?"

My eyes followed his movement as he placed the Yin Fen on the table.

He didn't answer my question and instead said, "The Princess will be making the announcement on who she will be taking with her on the mission in half an hour. Be there."

I didn't wait for any further response from him. I grabbed the Yin Fen from the table beside me and fled towards Clary's room. I told her about the announcement and she immediately got dressed before we headed out to the Ops centre.

By the time we got there, Allie was in front of everyone, starting the announcement.

Just on time. Perfect. Like me.

She started her Princess courtesy bullshitting, making sure she didn't step on anyone's toes. Have I told you, I hate politics? "Thank you to all the brave hunters who put their names forward. Between Aldertree and I," she stopped briefly to gesture to the man standing on the side, "…we have decided on who will be best fit for going with me on the mission to the Citadel." She smiled her gracious, regal princess smile briefly at everyone, before announcing, "I will be taking…" she looked down at her tablet briefly, "Isabelle Lightwood and Clary Fairchild-Morgenstern?" She finished off in a questioning tone.

I mean she did handpick the names of the people and I guess we weren't the ones she picked. Or hopefully, at least Clary wasn't one of the ones she picked.

I glanced briefly at Aldertree, only to see him nod at me slightly. I smiled slightly, knowing he went through with his promise.

I looked back at Allie only to see her recover at her blunder with a smile. But now that her announcement was out, she couldn't take back her words. After all, even a princess has to follow through with her own words.

"Gear up," she aimed that at the two of us, "We'll be leaving in 15 minutes through a portal here. Be ready by then or I will pick other people to come with me." She turned to everyone else, "Thank you again for volunteering your names everyone. Don't worry. There will be more missions for you all. Aldertree will be making another announcement for the following missions when I leave." She nodded at everyone, "Dismissed." With that, everyone hurried out the room, excitedly talking about the possible missions the princess would be setting them on.

Allie stepped down from her position and walked a few steps towards me and the redhead.

"Are you guys ready to go?"

Knowing we were the ones picked, we had prepared for this event. We nodded our heads slightly. She smiled, wrapping her arms around her tablet and pulling it towards her chest.

"I will be sending you through a portal first. I have to talk to Aldertree…" pointing her thumb to the side, "and Jace before I go."

"Is something wrong?" I asked in concern.

She shook her head with a slight smile, "No. No. I just need to leave some orders and paperwork with Aldertree and Jace…" she blushed slightly, only a keen eye like mine would notice, she coughed, clearing her thoughts, "Jace just wants me to say goodbye. I mean you guys can wait for me if you like-"

"No." Clary responded quickly. "We can go. We'll be fine." I could see the determination in her, ready to prove herself capable to everyone.

Allie must have noticed it too because she nodded her head with a smile, "Very well."

She waved her hand towards us. A quick whoosh sounded from behind us.

"The portal will take you to the Iron Sisters." We turned around to look towards our destination, "I'll see you soon."

Clary and I bowed in unison to her, knowing protocol and realising that there are people around us who would argue favouritism if we didn't follow protocol.

We ran through the portal, ready to face the next hunt.

I heard Clary's gasp of astonishment as we stepped through the portal that closed as soon as we were through. "Whoa," she exclaimed looking up at the Citadel above the mountain.

Really Allie? You couldn't have portalled us closer to the place? I get that this is a mission but jeez the walk is gonna be killer on my heels.

"This is more amazing than I imagined." My words went completely against what was rushing through my mind, my wonder taking over my cynical thoughts.

I led her through the treacherous path towards the Citadel, wary of any traps set up for intruders. It took a solid hour before we finally arrived at a unique gate. It was a new sight: two bronze arms were reaching out of the earth, seraph blades aloft and ready to battle anyone not worthy of entering. The gate must have sensed our angelic blood because the blades let us through when we stepped towards the entrance.

"I can't believe I'm actually going inside," I whispered in awe as I looked around the beautiful garden.

I distantly heard the screech of the blades shutting the gate behind us as I continued to look around with Clary, a smile etched into my face.

That smile was instantly removed by the sound of bells tolling in the Citadel. I looked up to where the sound was being emitted, only to shut my eyes in pain when a high-pitch ringing invaded my ears.

Next thing I knew, people were phasing in front of us, weapons held up to our necks.

What the fuck? How did they do that? Kind of makes me wish I was an Iron Sister, save myself so much travelling time. But then again no boys…

I heard Clary's gasp of fear from beside me, bringing me back to my own thoughts.

"Speak your names," the woman in front of us quietly commanded, her blade glowing their celestial light.

"Isabelle Lightwood." I confidently said as I stepped forward slightly.

"Clary Fairchild," my friend reluctantly said by my side.

"Valentine's daughter," a voice spoke up from behind us.

The first woman that spoke tensed in front of us. She regripped her blade and coldly spoke, "Your father killed the Silent Brothers. He's taken our most valuable weapon. You must leave immediately."

What? No! I haven't even gotten to see the inside yet!

"Clary's done nothing wrong," I defended her.

"Allow me," that second voice spoke up from behind us. We turned around to look at the woman. She looks like someone… "What answers do you seek?"

I spoke up for the two of us, "Why did Valentine go to all that trouble to steal the Soul-Sword?"

Just as I uttered those words, I heard a familiar whoosh sound coming from behind us. I turned around alongside everyone else to see a familiar-looking figure wearing a cloke step through the portal. When she noticed the battle stances, she slowly raised her hands to her hood and gently lifted it off her head. At the sight of their princess, the Sisters immediately bowed. We followed along with their actions.

All I was thinking was, You mean to tell me we hiked and I ruined my shoes for no reason! We could have directly portalled here. I bet she portalled us so far because she wanted to maximise her time with Jace before she met back up with us. Ugh… I need a new guy…

"Rise," her gentle voice spoke up, completely different to the woman I saw being tickled by her parabatai earlier.

I raised myself from my position at the same time as everyone else.

I watched as she critically surveyed the six women surrounding Clary and I. But despite that, I could tell she was just as excited as I was when she caught sight of the Citadel. She stopped her gaze at the woman asking us questions.

For some reason, a smile blossomed on her face. She headed towards Clary and I but bypassed us to the woman behind us. I watched as the woman dropped her sword, only to bring the young girl into her arms and hugged her tight.

Huh? What's going on?

I exchanged a look with Clary and saw her giving me a confused look. I shrugged my shoulders, not able to figure out an answer for her.

When the woman let Allie go, I watched as she looked behind Clary and I. We turned around again. Geez, I'm getting dizzy. I watched as the woman gave us a cold look. The look must have been about my previous question because it looked like we were back in business.

"Yes, Valentine is my father, but that man killed my mother," Clary angrily spoke as she switched looks between the woman in front of us and the one standing with Allie. "He experimented on my brother. I want to stop him more than anyone. And if we have any chance at defeating him... we need your help."

I watched as they took in Clary's impromptu speech, exchanging a silent conversation before the first woman, I guess the leader of the group finally nodded in agreement.

"Follow us." They commanded, placing their swords in front of them. Allie stepped forward, Sister Cleophas, I later found out, standing a bit behind her to her right and Sister Magdalena to her left.

The other four women took positions behind us. They began to march us towards the beautiful Citadel.

Heaven, here I come!

"Sister Cleophas, how long have you been in the order?" I asked, wary of our silent marching.

"Fourteen beautiful years," she responded with a small back glance at me, "I never planned on following in my mother's footsteps. I was happy living in Idris with my sister Amatis when my brother Lucian was scratched in a werewolf attack." Is she talking about Allie's uncle? Would that mean this is her aunt? "I did what I had to do to restore our family's honour."

Clary piped up from beside me, "Do you mean Luke?" We stopped our march as the woman turned around to look at us, "Are you Luke's sister?"

Sister Cleophas exchanged a look with Sister Magdalena, who nodded slightly, allowing her to respond to the query, "I am."

The would explain Allie's hug with her earlier. I love it when everything makes sense…

Sister Magdalena cut us off from further asking any questions, "We must begin the purity trial."

"What's that?" Clary curiously asked.

Sister Cleophas spoke up, "For the answers you seek, we must go inside the Citadel. But we cannot allow any demonic impurities to pass. The Adamas is too fragile."

The woman leader person kept her gaze on something in front of us, "So, the heavenly energy in the water will help us determine if you may enter. It will destroy any contaminant upon contact."

I froze at the news. We weren't allowed to talk as we were shuffled into a room to change into thigh-length white dresses. Allie was given a separate room from us and when we all joined back up together, I noticed that her dress was of a nicer quality and style than ours.

I glared at her getup, jealousy flaring through my soul. I wish I was royalty so I could be treated to nice stuff too.

"Princess…" the Sisters bowed once again as she glided by, heading to the small bridge leading to the pool. Ugh. I swear there are demons in that pool. It's blacker than the majority of my clothes… The raised themselves from their bow as we followed after her. I see how it is.

"Clary, you can't do this," I whispered to her as we watched Allie get into the pool, gently laying herself down.

"Why not?" She asked softly as she continued to stare at the princess.

"You heard her. It's dangerous." I responded.

She shrugged off my concern, "The water only affects demonic energy. We'll be fine."

"Ignis aurum probat." I distantly heard from behind me. I watched as the water turned from the deepest black to the brightest of white, specks of gold shining through the celestial glow. I guess she's worthy then.

"But what if it's not fine?" I continued to ask her, as we helped to bring Allie out of the pool. I watched as Sister Cleophas stepped forward and wrapped a towel around her niece. How does she always manage to look so regal even when she's waterlogged?

"You think I have demon blood. Like Jace." I looked down in slight guilt as she turned away with a scoff. "There's only one way to find out," she angrily stomped towards the stairs. She glared up at me before laying herself down into the pool.

This time I watched as someone was tested for their purity, "Ignis aurum probat."

I exchanged a look with the Sister, me with relief in my eyes and her with indifference, "Clary Fairchild..." I watched as she sat up with a smirk, "…you are deemed clear of all demonic impurities."

Clary walked out of the water, dignity and pride oozing out of her. I gave her a solemn look as I took my turn and laid down into the water.

I really hope that my dress isn't that see-through when I get out… There are no cute guys to ogle at me and appreciate how beautiful I am… Now that I think about it, how come Allie's dress wasn't see-through? More respect to the future queen?

"Ignis aurum probat." I distantly heard.

I was distracted from my thoughts as I sharp pain suddenly wracked my body. I gasped at the suddenness of it and was instantly submerged into the shallow water that for some reason had turned an even darker colour than what it was originally.

"Izzy! No!" I heard the twin shouts of the used to be twins.

"Give us your hand." I heard the command as my two friends yanked me out of the darkness.

My head flew out of the water and I gasped in sight relief as I could finally get air into my deprived lungs. I felt the two push me towards the stairs against the force that was trying to pull me back under.

"Come on!" they said.

"Izzy, are you okay?" Clary immediately asked as I panted against the pole at the end of the stairs.

"What happened?" my other friend asked sharply, her angry gaze turned towards the Sisters

"I have no idea." I panted out.

Sister Magdalena, interrupted us, "The water does not lie..." she scoffed, "but perhaps you do."

I shook my head, completely confused at what was going on, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You are tainted with demonic impurities." She explained it to me as if I was a child.

At least Sister Cleophas was nicer about it, "I'm sorry, Isabelle. We can't let you inside the Citadel."

"No, this has to be a mistake," the Princess said, vouching for me, I wanted to curl up and die in a hole somewhere. I was so close to seeing my dream but I guess that's what it will always be… a dream… "She had a demon wound, maybe that's what the water reacted to."

"But she's fine now. She's healed." Clary continued.

Sister Magdalena waved her arm as she offered, "You are free to leave if that is what you desire."

No! I may have ruined my dream but it won't stop me from completing this mission. "No." I turned to look at my friends, "You go ahead. We need answers."

I watched as Allie and Clary were led away from me by Sister Cleophas. I turned away in disappointment. Why did this have to happen to me?

Sister Magdalena's voice broke through my thoughts, "Your friend has no idea, does she?" I looked up at her confusion, "Yin fen permeates your body. Vampire venom churns through your veins."

"What?" I exclaimed.

She raised her eyebrows, a knowing look in her eyes, "You didn't know? Yin fen is made from vampire venom."

I shook my head in disbelief, "I was injured. It was given to me so I could heal quickly."

Why did Aldertree do this to me? He knew how much I wanted to see the Citadel. And he must have known Yin fen is made of vampire venom. And he definitely must have known about the purity test. Why did he do this to me?

She shook her in disbelief, shattering further things I believed, "Yin fen will not heal you." I looked down in angry disbelief, "Be careful." I heard her distant warning as I submerged myself in my thoughts.

Clary Fairchild

Lily and I were allowed to get changed back into our clothes before Sister Cleophas led us through the halls of the Citadel.

"Sister Cleophas, I don't wanna scare you, but I'm worried," I spoke up when there was a lull in the conversation between aunt and niece, "It's Luke."

She turned to look at me in confusion, "Lucian?"

"He's the closest thing I've-" I stopped myself and look at my sister, "We've ever had to a father. But since our mother died..."

She nodded her head in understanding, "Jocelyn. I'm so sorry for your loss."

I shook my head in acknowledgement before ploughing on ahead as if I didn't hear her, "Since then... Luke has gone missing." I caught sight of the worried frown on Lily's face as I continued to talk, "He's not returning calls. He's not showing up to work. No one has seen or heard from him."

"He did love her." She nodded at her thought process, "Lucian always had a strong sense of loyalty." I turned to her, "Almost to his detriment. My sweet girl, I fear you are right. My brother is in danger, but not for the reasons you think."

For the first time, Lily finally spoke up, "What kind of danger?"

Sister Cleophas silently led us down the corridor to a large hall with a rune imprinted on the ground.

"Niece…" she said gesturing to Lily with her stele. I watched as my sister nodded, kneeling down slightly to touch the rune the same time as the Sister.

I followed her gaze upwards to a beautiful piece of art the depicted the story of our history, "Long ago, the Angel Raziel bestowed the Mortal Instruments to the first Shadowhunter. Among them, the Soul-Sword. Its primary purpose is to compel the truth," I caught the grimness of her voice.

"But it has a secondary purpose." Lily spoke from my side, still staring up at the ceiling, "If ever the day came where Shadowhunters failed in their holy mission, and demons overtook the world..." We all looked back upwards, "As a last resort, the Sword could be activated with pure angelic energy, by one with blood so pure that it could release heavenly light that will destroy demon-blooded creatures in its path."

"Oh, my God." I couldn't help but let out in shock, "Demon-blooded creatures. Does that mean..."

I looked at my two companions, "Downworlders." Sister Cleophas gave me a grim nod as she confirmed the shocking truth to me, "Yes."

I turned to Lily, hoping she would give me another answer but all I received was a terrified look as she shook her head at me.

"We need to tell the others." I proclaimed, rushing out of the hall.

"Clary!" I heard a yell from behind me, "I hate it when she does that! I thought the running after her days were over…" I heard a grumble from behind me as I fled the room. I heard the rushing of footsteps from behind me.

When we got back into the sunlight, I slowed down my step when I question came to me, "The Sword needs pure angelic energy?"

"To activate the Sword, it must be wielded by an angelic being and struck by a bolt of lightning," the Sister answered me quickly. From the corner of my eye, I saw Lily's wide-eyed look as she mouthed to herself about lightning.

I ignored that for now as the worry got to me, "Then it's capable of mass murder. Of killing my friends, my family." I stopped walking and tried to think of a solution should the event ever happen, "If Valentine does activate the Sword, how do we turn it off?"

Lily shook her head sadly from beside her aunt, "It is impossible."

"So there has to be a way to stop Valentine before he activates it. I can't lose Luke, too."

"You mustn't let the Downworld know what the Sword can do. Panic and chaos could ensue. Uprisings. We cannot let that happen."

I saw Lily's head shoot up and shake in disagreement as I nodded my head in agreement. I'll have to talk to her about this later.

"Sister Cleophas, I need to ask you something." I hesitantly asked. This is the perfect time to ask about the rune. But can we trust her? Seeing Lily's look at her aunt, she must be trustworthy. She's Luke's sister after all. "When my mother died, I was given a message. An image of a rune."

She tilted her head the same way Lily always does, they're definitely related, "What kind of rune? "

I shrugged slightly, "I don't know. It's not in the Gray Book."

I saw Lily look off into the distance as she stepped away from us slightly, "I need you to show me. Can you do that?"

I nodded, before grabbing my stele out, "Yeah." I drew the rune and sunlight instantly emitted from my palm, "Do you think it's possible my mother sent it?" I asked after shutting my palm, immediately closing off the light source, "As an angel?"

"Jocelyn was kind and loving." The Sister nodded slightly before softly speaking the truth, "And an angel to you, perhaps. But no… She's not an angel in the Shadow World. Our angels are beloved winged celestial beings."

"So..." I tried to fight the onslaught of tears that threatened to suddenly spill from my eyes, "what about my mom? What happens to her?"

She had a look of understanding on her face as she comforted me, "That, my dear, has always been as much a mystery to Shadowhunters as it is to mundanes."

Izzy walked up to us at that point, stopping us from any further conversation.

"You ready to go?" She asked. Is that anger in her voice?

"Yes," Lily spoke up. "Let me say my goodbyes and then we can leave."

Jace Wayland

I watched Lissa enter her room and head towards her wardrobe, grabbing fresh clothes out. She must have had lots of stuff going on in that beautiful head of hers because she completely missed the fact that I was laying against her pillows reclined moodily on her bed as I contemplated the fact that I got kicked out of the institute.

I watched as she yanked her dress over her head, leaving her in her lace underwear. I licked my lips, appreciating the sight.

I coughed when I realised she would be pissed if I didn't tell her I was here.

I smirked at the scream she emitted as she spun around to look at me, bringing her dress to her exposed chest.

"Jace!" she screeched, throwing a nearby book at my head, I ducked, letting it hit the headboard instead as I rolled over and off the side of the bed furthest from her to avoid any further hits. "What the fuck are you doing in my room? Why didn't you say anything earlier?"

I peaked up from the side of the bed only to see her hurriedly picking clothes out of her cupboard.

I decided to risk my life and smirked at her, "First of all, you should be more aware of your surroundings… and second of all… language!"

"Ugh!" She screeched before throwing another book in my direction. I quickly ducked, letting it sail over my head.

I heard hurried footsteps and a slamming of the bathroom door before I decided it was finally safe to come out.

When she stepped out of the bathroom in a new dress she was saying, "I'll let you off the hook this time… Only because I want to talk to you about my suspicious aunt." She stopped pacing her room when she caught sight of the duffel bag by her head, "Are you planning on moving into my room? Why have you got a bag?"

I gave her a once over, "As much as I would love that… No…" I shook my head with a huff, throwing myself back on the bed, "Aldertree's kicked me out of the institute."

"He has no authority to do that…" she trailed off before looking at me with a mischievous look, "But we can use this to our advantage."

"What do you mean?" I asked her curiously as she picked up my bag and handed it to me.

"Trust me." She said, a twinkle in her eyes, "I can help with your problem…"

We landed outside of Magnus' apartment when we stepped through the portal. Lissa flicked her hand, unlocking the door and allowing us to step through. We stopped at the sight of Malec being in very close proximity to each other. Malec… Ugh… I'm listening to Lissa waaaaaay too much!

"I hear that relationships, they, um... take effort."

"I'm all for effort.

"Ahhhhh nooooo…" I heard Lissa whisper angrily as she didn't manage to catch the door in time as it swung shut behind us, "Damn it. We ruined the mood." she whispered to me.

They both turned angrily to us. I stepped forward slightly, the piece of paper with our story on it in hand, "Sorry for killing the mood." I walked forward, a finger on my lips, eyes flickering to the paper, indicating for them to read it, "You got a spare room?"

"What do you mean you can help?" I curiously asked as I watched a familiar white glow vibrate through her walls, allowing me to know the privacy barriers were back up.

She may as well keep those up permanently. She's always doing secretive stuff that no one else is supposed to know about.

"When Magnus gave me all that stuff I had to learn…" she started off as she trailed around her room flicking through books trying to find something, "With that stuff came a list of my parents' properties… Ah hah!" she exclaimed, pulling out a stack of papers from within a large text. "One of those properties just so happens to be in the Upper East Side of the marvellous city of…" she handed me some papers, an image of a penthouse covered the first page, "New York… a townhouse to be specific." She shrugged her shoulders as she leaned against her bedpost, looking down at me, "You are free to stay there…" she offered with a gentle smile.

A smile tugged at my lips.

I knew I could always count on Lissa to watch out for me but staying on my own is worse than being kicked out of the only home I've ever known.

"As good as that sounds, I don't wanna live alone, Lis…" I shrugged my shoulders, "Maybe I could live with Magnus…" I trailed off not really liking the idea of being around the guy that was sort of dating my brother when they're probably together all the time doing stuff that I don't need to be hearing at all sorts of times in the day or night.

That thought was wiped from my mind at her next sentence, "I don't know what you're talking about… I'll be there with you half the time…"

I stuttered out my next sentence, "Yo- You will?"

"Yeah of course…" she nodded, "The other half of the time I'll be searching for Valentine and fighting demons…" she tilted her head in her normal fashion, "But we'll probably be doing that together as parabatai so I guess you'll be stuck with me for the unforeseeable future…"

I couldn't help the smile that engulfed my face nor the hug that I drew her in to. "I guess I'll just have to cope…" I murmured into the top of her head as she wrapped her arms around my waist, returning my hug. "As long as you're with me, I'll never be lonely…"

"We'll have to plan this so people think we've all turned our backs on you. Aldertree can't be suspicious when you leave otherwise he will try and send people to track you down again. We wouldn't want the incident with Izzy to happen again."

"We'll say I'm living with Magnus that way people won't look for me because they already know where I am."

"We'll have to tell him and Alec about the plan so they can back up our cover story…"

"Is it wise to tell them the location…"

"Yes." She looked me in the eye, "If something were to ever happen to us or they need us in an emergency at least they'd know where to look first." She nodded her head in thought, "I'll put anti-portalling wards in so only I can make them directly into the house."

I gave a sound of approval at her suggestion.

"We need to write this down… I don't know if Magnus has privacy wards up. This way no one will hear anything we say…"

I watched as the page burned in the fireplace. Magnus, Alec, Lis and I surrounding it, ensuring it burned before looking up and nodding at one another.

Game on.