Lissa Graymark

"Thank you for tonight," I smiled up at him as I lightly swung our joint hands between us.

"Are you sure you wanna come here?" he asked, nodding towards the sign showing we had arrived at the Hunter's Moon, "…and not go back home…"

I rolled my eyes as his eyebrows danced and his voice trailed off in a suggestive tone, "You're just annoyed that you're not getting laid right this moment."

He smirked at me as I led our way to a seat at the bar, "I mean I can wait," he shrugged, "I know I'll be getting some tonight."

I once again rolled my eyes as I turned to face him, "You do, do you?" only to blink when I saw how close his face was to my own.

Just as he leant down to give me a kiss, a familiar werewolf's voice interrupted us, "Please tell me you're not…" I pulled away causing my partner to groan as I looked up at my sort-of-werewolf friend, "…gonna be as bad as those two?"

I gave her a smile, ignoring her words, "Ahh Maia, can I have-"

She got a cocktail shaker out as she cut me off, "Pina colada and a beer got it."

From the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Jace turning back to look at the werewolf and I, "We'd never be as disgusting as those two."

I shook my head at his disgusted tone, "It'd be cute if it wasn't so..." only to give Maia a look of disbelief as she sided with him instead of me, "-constant."

Jace started chugging down his drink as he started up his usual quips, "Nope," I smiled at her when I took several slips of my drink, "Not even then."

She continued to look behind us as she talked to my parabatai, "Must especially suck for you."

I gave her a curious look, "Why?"

She gave me a look for a brief moment before darkly chuckling and moving on, "So... this rumour about you," I turned a questioning brow to my parabatai, only for him to also ignore the moment and continue with the conversation, "…actually almost being on par with Miss Shadowhunter royalty over here."

"I'm not almost on par with royalty," he frowned as he placed his arm around my shoulder.

"He practically is…" I smiled at her. I looked up at Jace, only to see he was staring right back at me, "Mr Pure Angelic Blooded Warrior," I purred out lowly with a wink.

Before he could lean down and kiss me, I pulled away as my favourite bartender started speaking again, "Is it true?"

"I don't know," he gave her a quick look, "Can it get me free drinks at the Hunter's Moon?" he squeezed my shoulder, "Lissa here already gets hers free."

She gave him a smirk as she shook her head with a laugh, "Let's not get crazy."

His eyes were trained on me, making my heart stutter. I hope my face isn't as flushed as I think it is. His look of intensity reminded me of how we got here in the first place.

Or at least it reminded me of how much of a dweeb he could be.

I was doing work in my office at home when my handsome parabatai decided to suddenly pop in to see me.

"Do you wanna go out later?"

I paused my work, accidentally making a little scribble in the contract I was signing, "As in a date?"

He lost his suave look as he began to stutter, "Y-"

I lost my cool when I saw his face and immediately began backtracking, "I mean we can go out as friends-"

"No," I flinched at his loud shout.

"No?" I gave him a confused look, "So you don't want to go out?"

"No," he let out a yelp. My eyes widened at his humorous tone as he shook his head and cleared his throat, "Alicia Graymark," I schooled my face at his serious tone. What is going on? "Will you go on a date with me tonight?"

I hid my shocked look with a small smile before leaning in a giving him a kiss. Just as he started to deepen the kiss, I pulled away and began working again.

"I'll take that as a yes, then," he smirked before giving me a wink, "I'll see you later."

"Wait," I called out to him as he started to leave the room, "What do I wear?"

He shrugged as he stepped out of the room, "I don't care. Whatever you want."

Ugh. Boys.

I returned from my memories just as my other half decided to open up a bit as his voice became a lot more solemn, "I don't know what I am. I've had three different last names in a summer," I pulled his arm from my shoulder and held his hand, "Now I'm a Herondale," I could hear the sigh in his voice, "All I know is I'm the same Jace."

She gave him a soft look. Surprising, I know. I squeezed his hand as she decided to tease him, "God help us."

My parabatai didn't take it well because he just raised his middle finger at her before giving the wolf a soft glare, "Hey, you don't make a lot of tips, huh?"

We all turned around when we heard the scoff from behind us. I squeezed Jace's hand, stopping him from doing anything rash. Just as I did so, Maia spoke up once more, "Word of advice?" we turned our attention back to her, "I'd spare the Downworld your charm for a little bit. That Soul Sword you ignited killed a whole lot of them."

I saw his subtle flinch as he turned away from the two of us. I gave the wolf one last smile as she walked towards other customers before turning towards my other half. His gaze was trapped in one direction. I turned to the direction he was looking in as I downed the rest of my drink. Clary.

"Hey," I brought his attention back to me, "Let's get out of here," I placed money on the bar for his drink, "-yeah?"

He finally unfroze from his position and he straightened up before looking at me, "Yeah."

I woke up to the most wonderful kisses.

"Hey," I heard a whisper from my side. I groaned at the break in silence and the stop in the kisses. "Did I tire you out," he whispered as I snuggled deeper into his chest, pulling the duvet up to hide my nakedness. "Nothing I haven't seen before," I could feel his smirk in my hair.

"No need to gloat," I whispered, lightheartedly whacking his muscled chest as he yanked me forward so my breasts were pressed directly against his chest. I laid down so he couldn't start peering again. As I did so, I caught sight of a familiar-looking ring on a chain around his neck, "Where did you get this ring from?" I asked, trying to figure out how I knew it.

"It's a Herondale family heirloom," I felt the rumbling of his chest as he softly spoke. I stayed silent, letting him talk, knowing how much this meant to him, "It is meant to signify the fact that I am from a line of great and powerful Shadowhunters, from a family that has been revered by generations, and feared…" his tone was a lot more cynical as he continued, "…by those who oppose all that is good and just."

"I don't know how we didn't see it before," I breathed out, "You are exactly what a Herondale is symbolised to be."

I caught sight of his beautiful smile as he looked towards our balcony window. I looked in that direction and caught sight of the moonlight shining through, "You know, she told me that my bold defiance comes from my father."

I smiled softly at his proud look, "I can believe that."

He peered down at me, "Oh you can, can you?" I jolted, not expecting him to start tickling me. I ignored his moan as I rolled away from him, trying to avoid his wiggling fingers being in my sides. He's not known as a warrior for no reason, I thought as he quickly followed me, rolling on top of me, and tickling my sides. One minute, I was being tickled, the next his lips were suddenly on mine and his hands were definitely not on my sides.

Ring. Ring.

"Ugh," Jace muttered as I broke the kiss. "Ignore it," he whispered before trying to kiss me again.

I evaded his kiss and reached over to the phone on the bedside table. I took a peek at the name as Jace restarted his kisses on my neck, "It's Clary."

"Don't answer it," he muttered as he went for another kiss on the lips.

I rolled my eyes before placing my hand on his forehead and lightly pushing him away. Whilst he was distracted by his pride, I quickly answered the phone.

"Where are you guys?" I was instantly greeted with.

"What do you mean?" I asked as I sat up, causing Jace to groan in annoyance. I hit his arm, miming for him to get up. "We left the bar…" I gasped lightly when he started to kiss the swell of my breasts, "-and went home, big sister. Anything else you need to know?" I was immediately convinced by Jace's actions and wanted to be off the phone instantly.

"A shadowhunter is dead," I grimly heard. It took me a few seconds to understand what she said.

What?! I whacked Jace's arm and pushed him away slightly. Listen, I mouthed as I put us on speakerphone, "What do you mean a hunter is dead?"

"You need to come to the Hunter's Moon," she instead responded.

"Wha- Clary?" Jace said in a daze, "We're a bit-"

I cut him off, knowing what he was about to say, "Yeah we're coming." I immediately hung up the phone before rushing out of bed, completely ignoring my shyness over my nakedness as I grabbed clothes from our walk-in closet.

Just as I got out of bed, I heard Jace groaning before catching sight of him flinging himself back against the pillow, "Well, we could be if you'd stayed in bed."

"Shut up," I hurriedly spoke as I threw his clothes at him, "Hurry up!" I yelled as I headed to the bathroom to get ready, "If you wanna shower before we go, you best hurry."

"Oh, I will," I heard him mutter. I was suddenly yanked in the direction of our shower by my very distracting parabatai, "We're finishing what we started."

As much as I'd like to say how much I fought against my desires, it didn't take him long to convince me.

"I thought Magnus said you should only use that for emergencies," Jace asked me, indicating to the new ring I was wearing that Magnus had given me to temporarily wear as a magic enhancer.

"Yeah well we're running very late so, at this time, this is an emergency," I sniped back.

"I wouldn't complain if I were you," I raised my eyebrows at him when he smirked at me as we stepped through the portal. He only shrugged as he continued to smirk, "-didn't you get three-"

I immediately blushed when I caught sight of the redhead pacing in front of us, "Shut up," I raised my voice slightly to announce our presence to my sister, "Clary. Let's go."

Clary stepped through the portal with us to the front of the institute.

"You gotta admit," he smiled wickedly at me as he took my hand, "You loved it." I rolled my eyes with a soft smile on my face as he snuck a kiss on my cheek.

"You seem chipper today," the redhead remarked at our side.

Jace gave her a faux-confused look as he continued to smirk, "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Jace, please shut up," I yanked his arm slightly as I continued to still blush.

I saw his minuscule nod as we stepped into the institute and he transformed back into the soldier everyone knew and preferred.

"Shadowhunter down," I announced to everyone when I led the way into Ops, Jace and Clary flanking my sides.

"Milo Keytower," Jace continued as Izzy and Alec joined us.

"What happened?" his grandmother asked when we all joined her. "From what I understand, his runes were carved out," I nodded along knowing she was referring to the fire message I'd sent earlier. I gave her a confused look when she gave Jace and me a long odd look. It didn't take me long to realise that she was looking at my and Jace's hands that were still joined together. Jace must have noticed too because we slowly let each other's hands go as she continued, "Is that true, Jace?"

"Yes," he said after I nodded at him to continue, "After he was attacked by a wolf."

"He had multiple bite and claw marks," Clary informed her as I rubbed my upper right arm uncomfortably at the knowledge that the Downworld were actually revolting and trying to kill us.

"What kind of werewolf randomly attacks a Shadowhunter?" Izzy asked as she looked up at us from her lower position in Ops.

"One who's trying to send a message," Alec answered her for us.

I could see the look of concern on her face as she cut in, "And get the attention of the Clave."

I nodded along in agreement with the Inquisitor, "We need to find them before this happens again."

"Well, I think I have a pretty good idea who it is," the Inquisitor murmured before quickly bowing and walking away.

I gave the others a confused look wondering what she was planning before nodding at them and informing everyone I would be in my office.

Half an hour later, the silence in my room was broken by the door being slammed open and a hoard of people entering my office.

A ray of emotions fought over me as I took in what was happening in front of me. Confusion at why they were all here. Outrage for them all entering without my permission. White-hot fury took over when I saw them drag my uncle into my office and pushing him onto the chair in front of me.

"What the fuck is the meaning of this?" I shouted glaring at everyone present. The guards backed away quickly at my anger. The boys held their ground but withered slightly under my furious stare.

The Inquisitor was the only one that didn't react to my anger, "Lucian Graymark has been brought in due to suspicions against him."

"Are you questioning me or are you accusing me?" my uncle snarked to the Inquisitor standing beside my desk.

"A week ago, you demanded the destruction of the Soul Sword," I looked up at her in anger because this was something she kept from me. "A demand which, of course, is impossible to even consider. Which leads me to wonder..." Don't say it if you don't want a nuke going off right now! I slipped off my enhancer ring to ensure I didn't accidentally make people go flying around the room, "…was this killing an act of revenge on the Clave?"

I took a deep breath to stop myself from shouting as Luke scoffed from in front of me, "You think that I would murder a Shadowhunter?"

"We all know about your temper, Lucian," she drawled out.

"Does she really think Luke did this?" I saw Alec's mouth move as he whispered to Jace behind my uncle.

"Take my DNA," the wolf put forward, "Test it against your evidence."

I shook my head, finally deciding to step in, "No need," I saw the fire roar to life in my fireplace, scaring the life out of the guards standing closest to it, "I trust my uncle."

"No. It's ok," he shook his head at me as he raised his hand to stop me, "I'll go along with it. Just to prove a point." His glare returned as he turned his attention to the Inquisitor, "I'm not your wolf. And if anyone of my pack did it... I'll kill them myself," he revealed darkly, causing me to shiver slightly.

"Very well" I sighed in defeat. I turned to the guards at the door, "Take him down to the lab."

I shared looks of reassurance with my uncle as he was led away.

"May I have a word with my grandson?" a voice whispered from my side.

I jerked back to attention, nodding slightly, "Of course." I raised my voice slightly, "A word, Jace?"

"Luke didn't do this," he immediately said when the room cleared apart from the three of us, "And I'm sure his DNA will prove that."

I smiled at him, happy to know he wasn't just a mindless drone, "That's the Herondale in you," his grandmother proudly spoke as she looked at him happily, "We trust our gut and act accordingly." She paused as her eyes became more distant, "You know, when your father died, I thought the Herondale name would end with him. But by the grace of the Angel, I was wrong." She turned to the two of us, happy to see us standing together.

Weird, seeing as shadowhunters hate blatant emotions like this, "Let me see you…" Jace stepped up beside me and grabbed my hand. I looked up at him, smiling softly at the look he had in his eyes. She sighed happily as she continued to look at us, "I see so much of your father in you. But those eyes…" we turned our gazes from each other and back to her, "…those eyes you got from your mother."

I smiled sympathetically at him when he had that familiar look in his eyes. That look that I see in the reflection when I think about my own parents, the ones I had vague memories of.

"What was she like?" he hoarsely asked, "My mom."

"Celine was beautiful," she immediately responded. I squeezed Jace's hand, knowing he needed the comfort right now, "Golden hair, like yours. She was so smart, so headstrong. You definitely got your stubbornness from her." I smiled, happy to know where he got that trait, "If they could see you now, Jace…" she paused as she looked at him with slight reverence, "…they would be so proud of you."

I hugged him quickly as she turned away from us, pacing slowly away and towards my fireplace, "I will be heading back to Idris soon, and I will be discussing with your betrothed," I let go of him at the dull reminder of how we initially got together, "-on who she will be appointing as new Head of this Institute."

Did he get together with me because of the contract? Wait, no. Of course not. Get that out of your head.

"It should be Alec. He's a born leader," Jace was vouching for our grumpy brother, "There's no better man for the job."

"Yes," she nodded with a slight smirk, "Mr Lightwood certainly is one of our best and brightest." Oh no. "But I will be putting your name forward, Jace." She turned to me, her smile still present, "I'm sure your girlfriend will agree that you're suitable for the job." She bowed deeply, "Your grace."

"Awww damn it…" I whispered as she and her guards left my office.

"What?" he asked me as he looked down at me.

I gave him a small frown, "You're gonna be the new institute head."

"What?" he asked me incredulously, "I thought you said you wanted to make Alec the-"

"Yeah-" I cut him off with a wave of my hand as I stepped away from him to start pacing in front of my desk, "-but when your future grandmother-in-law says-"

"You don't need to listen to my grandmother," he reached out to stop me from my pacing, placing his right hand on my face.

I pouted slightly, "I want her to like me…"

"She does like you…" he gave me a smirk, "You're with me after all."

"Shut up…" I muttered, shoving him away from me. However, he still had a hold on my hand so he yanked me towards him. He twisted his arms around my waist as I wound mine around his neck. We hugged for a long while, taking advantage of this moment of peace whilst it lasted.

Eventually, I had to reluctantly break our moment of peace, "I have training with Sebastian later."

"You do?" he hummed, allowing me to feel the vibration of his chest, "To help you with your powers?" I nodded into his chest but frowned when he pulled away from me, "You know I can help-"

"I'd come to you if I knew you could help me, Jace," I smiled at him, "but you barely know how to activate your own powers, how are you going to know the trigger to mine?" I shook my head as I pulled him back for a hug, "He helped Clary I'm sure he can help me."

"Are you sure we can trust him?" he muttered into my hair.

"He helped save your life, didn't he?" I smiled into his chest, knowing he didn't like the idea of being the damsel in distress.

"Well…" he huffed, "I was doing fine."

I tilted my head back with a laugh, "No you weren't…" I leant up to give him a soft kiss.

Before we could deepen the kiss and finally christen my office, a knock interrupted us.

"Your highness, the shadowhunters attending your next meeting have just arrived," a muffled voice spoke through my office door.

"Duty calls," I whispered against his lips before pulling away and leading him to the door, "Go and talk to Alec."

"Good idea," he smirked at me before giving me a short but passionate kiss, "See you later."

Maybe he does love me after all…

An hour later, I was rushing back into Ops when I was made aware of two more deaths. I immediately set off an alarm, notifying the whole institute of what was happening.

"Oh my-" I gasped, raising my hands to my mouth when I caught sight of the two bodies being wheeled in, "What happened?"

"We found Rosegreen and Penmount dead in the Bowery," Clary informed me, "Runes carved out."

"Just like Keytower," Jace muttered when he joined my side.

"Except Penmount's been drained by a vampire," Alec said when he surveyed the bodies.

"And Rosegreen was lanced by a Seelie Knight," I replied. I briefly closed my eyes and bowed my head, "Ave atque vale."

Everyone around me bowed their heads, "Hail and farewell."

After a moment of silence, Clary pushed on, "It's not just a lone wolf. It's multiple Downworlders."

Jace gave me a glance as I froze at his next words, "Luke was right all along."

I slowly nodded, "The Downworlders want revenge. This could be the start of an uprising." I began to walk away, "I need to speak with the Clave and the Downworlder representatives."

"What? No-" Jace said as he stepped in my way, "If they want revenge, they'll be going for what matters most to Shadowhunters." He placed his hands on my shoulders and made sure I was looking him in the eye, "You."

I grabbed his hands off my shoulders and held them as I looked at everyone, "When I saved those Downworlders lives, they vowed to not hurt me, they'll be going against their words." I shrugged, "Plus, they don't have the numbers to fight us all now…" I nodded resolutely, "Killing me would be declaring war even against their own kind."

I saw Clary share a glance with Alec before she stepped forward to side with Jace, "But it's still risky-"

"But it's my duty," I cut her off with a hardened smile, "My job isn't just to stand around making speeches. I represent the Shadowhunters to the rest of the world and if they think they can go around killing my people, they have another thing coming for them." I turned away from them before heading back to my office, "Find me Sebastian Verlac."

I looked up when I heard a knock on my door. I smiled when I saw Sebastian peek his head through the partially open door, "I heard you asked for me."

"Yes," I waved him in, "Please come in," I directed him to the couch and sat opposite him, "I was hoping you'd be free to help teach me how to access my magic again."

"Of course…" he said, nodding his head as he stared into the fireplace near us, "Like Clary, you need to find the route of your problems…" he turned his attention back to me, "Do you have an idea on when it started happening?"

I fiddled with my fingers, not looking up at him, "The night that I deactivated the sword and saved those shadowhunters, I took the pain from them and absorbed the power into myself."

"Anything else?"

I continued to look away from him as I continued, "I think I over-exerted myself. Used too much of my energy," I shrugged, "I opened portal after portal and did so many powerful spells one after the other."

"Did anything else happen that night? Did someone attack you? Any conversations you had?" he fired at me.

"I found out Jace wasn't Valentine's son…" I finally looked up at him cautiously, "Valentine told me that Jace would- I'm sorry-" I stopped with a slight blush on my cheeks, "You're not my therapist."

"It's fine" he smiled softly. "I'm here if you need someone to talk to. Carry on."

I sighed deeply, "Valentine told me that Jace would never love me."

"Well that's not true," Sebastian's voice cut through my depressed sphere.

"What do you mean?" I almost snapped my neck with how fast I looked up at him.

"I saw the way he looked at you when you came in with me the other day," he shrugged with a small smile.

"That's not true…" I looked down sadly as my eyes misted, "He loves Clary more."

"How do you know?"

I shrugged, "Just the way he looks at her."

"Have you not seen the way he looks at you?" I opened my mouth to interrupt him but he continued before I could, "So from what I've seen." I shut my mouth, "Yes, your powers were drained but your heartbreak with Valentine's words stunted your powers. You're holding yourself back and blocking yourself from your powers… here." He handed me a vial.

"What is it?" I asked as I sniffed it.

He smiled at me, "Don't you trust me?"

"Yes." I nodded slowly, "I just wanted to know what it is," I muttered before I downed the drink.

"It's poison," he sarcastically said.

"Oh damn," I muttered sarcastically in return with a roll of my eyes.

"It's a calming remedy from India that is meant to open up your spirit," he began to explain, "It'll help you open back up to your powers. Okay, now that is sorted, come here." He moved to sit in front of the unlit fireplace and gestured for me to sit down. I did as I was told as he continued, "Close your eyes. Imagine a flame. Imagine the feeling you used to feel when you ignited a flame. Now feel the love you feel for Jace. Let your feelings of protectiveness over the people you love encompass you. Use that to light a fire."

I opened my eyes, "Incendio." Only to sigh when nothing happened.

"Try again. You're a confident young woman who has the love of many people around her," I closed my eyes as I started to envision what he was describing to me, "It wasn't your fault that you didn't save everyone that night. Fuel your powers with your need to protect people. Try again."

"Incendio," I whispered.

"Ha!" Sebastian's shout made me open my eyes, "You did it!"

A small flame was in my hands. It flickered back and fro as it hovered between my fingertips. Even this small flame was taxing and wasting my energy.

"Small," I whispered looking at it in awe, "but I did it." The flame extinguished in my hands two seconds later. I smiled happily at my teacher and gave him a large hug, "Thank you!"

"Ma'am you just received a new missive," I heard a voice through my door. I pulled away from my new friend as one of my guards stepped through the door.

"Thank you, Addy," I called out after he handed me the note and started to leave. I gasped when I read the contents, "Oh my god."

"What happened?" Sebastian immediately questioned.

"Another shadowhunter has just been found," I got up from my place by the fireplace, "Thanks for the lesson Seb, but I need to gather the institute. Can you make your own way out?"

"Yes," he nodded as he rose from his position, causing him to tower over me once more, "Of course."

Just before I rushed out, I turned back, "Tomorrow again?"

He nodded with a smile before I hurried out of the room, only to be greeted by my four bodyguards at the door.

"I need you to gather the institute ASAP," I told them, "Tell them to be in the hall as soon as they receive the message. I have an announcement to make."

I made my way to the room in question, running into Jace along the way.

"Lis? What's going on?" he hurriedly asked me as I made my way to the stairs so everyone could see me.

"Not now, Jay," I whispered as other people began to gather. "Stand here," I said as I placed him behind me slightly but at my side. "Just wait for the announcement," I muttered as I nodded at Imogen when she made her way to stand on my other side. "Is that everyone?"

"Everyone in the institute?" she asked, "Yes."

I turned to my people gathered before me, the possible targets of this murderer, "Another Shadowhunter was found dead in Williamsburg. This time, murdered by a warlock." I waited for the gasps and quiet mutters to die down before I could continue, "In this time of crisis, it is essential that we maintain strong leadership. That is why Inquisitor Herondale and I have come to the decision of appointing Jace Herondale-" I continued to speak, raising my voice slightly at the increased voices in the hall, "-as Head of the Institute alongside me, effective upon the Inquisitor's departure to Idris. " I nodded at them all, "Business as usual. Dismissed."

In unison, everyone bowed before heading back to their jobs.

"What?" Jace murmured by my side when most people filtered out, "Now? Why wasn't I told?"

"Look…" I sighed turning to him after nodding at the Inquisitor goodbye, "I needed to appoint someone the Clave approved of. If Imogen was happy with you then the Clave will be happy with you." I shrugged helplessly, "I need them on my side during this crisis." From the corner of my eyes, I caught sight of the others approaching. "Plus with you as head, the unsanctioned missions you lead will be overlooked."

"Let's not make a big deal about this," he turned his attention to them when they all smirked at him, "She's still in charge until she leaves."

"Still!" she laughed as Jace and I led them out of the room, "Being appointed Head of the Institute and finding out you're a Herondale? Don't let it get to your head."

"So Herondales are what, like the Kennedys of the Shadow World?" Clary asked in confusion.

I turned to her with a slight smile, "More like they're the Royal family's first and main advisors. It's been that way for years…"

"It's an old Shadowhunter family," Alec continued to explain when I stopped at one of the desk holograms, "Like the Lightwoods."

Izzy turned her smirk to my sister, "But we are the Kennedys."

"Let's focus on what matters," Jace cut in as I used my access to get the information I needed on the hologram, "Lissa here would like us to reach out to our allies, to see what they know."

I sighed when I showed the extensive list of suspects the Inquisitor had, "At this point, the Inquisitor considers all Downworlders suspects."

"That's casting a pretty broad net," Alec sarcastically muttered.

Clary gave me an incredulous look when she saw some of the names and faces on the list, "She can't possibly think any of our friends did this."

"Yeah, well, we'll prove that to her. Since Luke's DNA cleared him, we should collect samples from all of our friends to clear them as well," Jace put forward the plan.

I sighed before swiping off the information, "I'll have Jace make an Institute-wide announcement."

"Why Jace?" Clary asked me innocently, "Why not you?"

I rubbed my head when I felt the headache begin to settle in at the thought of the paperwork I had to do, "If Jace is going to be Head of the Institute, the people need to see him taking charge and being good at the job. He can't just be there because of his name."

"Didn't he get there because-" Izzy began to snark.

"Maybe," I cut her off, "But he doesn't need to continue just because of his name."

"I'll go talk to Simon," Clary volunteered.

"Great," I said before I turned to the others, "I'll go with her. I haven't seen him in a while." I turned back to Clary, "Grab your stuff and meet me at my office."

She nodded her head before walking off to her room.

"I'll go see Raphael," Izzy volunteered.

"No." Alec immediately cut her off.

Jace gave him a confused look as I looked at Izzy sympathetically, "Why not?" When Alec sighed and I looked away from his searching gaze he asked, "Am I missing something here?"

Izzy shared a look with Alec and me. I nodded encouragingly knowing my parabatai wouldn't hold it against her.

"Jace…" she sighed as she peeked up at him, "I'm a Yin Fen addict."

"Excuse me?" he asked as he looked at her incredulously, eyes wide.

"It's a long story," she sighed before putting on a brave smile, "but I'm better now. Not perfect, but better. Definitely good enough to hunt down whoever's murdering our people."

"Okay," he nodded as he looked at her in concern, "We'll take all the help we can get. "

"Just report back with any leads, okay?" I smiled at her before Jace led the two of us away and back to my office.

"How was your lesson?" he asked me.

"Good." I smiled at him, "I managed to make a flame again…" my lips downturned slightly, "But anything more than that is a strain."

He stopped me just as we arrived at my office, "You'll get it soon." He cradled my face in his hands, "I believe in you."

I smiled brightly at him before giving leaning up to give him a kiss, "Thank you." I sighed before placing my forehead against his. "I best go fill out the paperwork for all this shit… and write the invitations to the representatives when Clary and I get back…" I couldn't help the groan that I released as my headache grew, "Ugh."

I only heard Jace's laugh echo in the corridor when I stepped into my office to gather my stuff and he walked back to Ops.

"Hey, Luke…" I greeted my uncle when I walked into the Jade Restaurant. I had driven Clary and me there but left the couple alone so they can do their own couply thing. I'd quickly told Simon a hello before being shooed away.

His head snapped up to look at me, "What are you doing here?"

"Oh…" my smile dropped at his hard tone, "I could just go?"

"I didn't mean it like that…" he sighed as he dragged me away from most people present, "It's not safe out here."

"I'm with Clary, we'll be fine," I responded, confusion tinging my tone.

"Look," he said after pulling me into a quick hug, "I'm happy to see you but some of the wolves are still angry that some of the pack died…"

"I thought-" I stammered, "I thought they'd at least be grateful that more than three-quarters of them survived."

"They are…" he sighed as he crossed his arms, "it's just…" he looked down sadly at me, "Just go home, Viv."

"You only use that name when you want something from me," I glared up at him, "Fine."

I walked out before he could stop me. I started to walk back to the car. I'll just wait for Clary there. Don't wanna interrupt whatever it is they're doing.

Ring. Ring.

"Where are you?" speak of the devil and she shall appear, I thought when I heard the redhead's voice.

"I'm walking back to the car," I informed the redhead.

"What? By yourself?" I heard her screech from the other side of the line, "You shouldn't be walking alone."

"I'll be fine- Oof-" I let out a grunt when I went flying through the air, the phone dropping out of my hand.

"Lils? Lils!" I heard the redhead's panicked voice.

I looked up blearily at the figure above me. Before they could get any closer, I raised both my hands, expecting the figure to freeze. When they kept moving, I kicked them in the gut and scrambled to my feet.

"Damn it," I muttered as I swayed in my opinion, looking down at my hands.

When I saw the figure approach, I noticed that there now seemed to be three, no, five of them. What is going on? I went to punch one of them but I just punched through air. I stumbled forward with the weight of my punch and landed on the ground.

I grunted when I landed on the ground. I tried to push myself up but I couldn't. My eyes fluttered shut, rendering me unconscious.

Jace is going to bloody kill me.

When I next opened my eyes, I had to quickly shut them again because the light was too bright. At least I'm alive. That's a plus.

"What happened?" I groaned when I thought that I could actually function and talk to someone, knowing that there would be a person in the room watching over me after the attack.

"You were drugged," I heard the familiar rumble of Alec's voice from the right of my bed.

Bed? Whose bed am I in? Huh. Maybe they didn't reallocate my room when I moved out.

"Fortunately, Simon and Clary got to you before it was too late," Alec continued.

When I finally managed to keep my eyes open, I turned to him, "They tried to kill me? Huh." I began muttering to myself, "Didn't expect that." I tried to sit up but could barely manage to support myself on my noodle arms. I groaned when I fell back against my army of pillows, making the world spin and turn as if I was on a rollercoaster, "Where's Simon and Clary?" I whispered when the world finally became more defined again.

"Take it easy," he said as he invaded my vision.

I ignored him, "Where are they? Are they okay?"

He gave me an uneasy look before sighing and giving in, "The vampire refused to leave the premises. Inquisitor Herondale had him taken down to the detention level and Clary refused to leave him so she went with him."

My head spun at the onslaught of news, but I got the gist of it, "She locked them up?" I then began muttering to myself, "Always knew I'd be the only one on the right side of the bars." Ugh. Really need to use my inside-my-head voice or people are going to start thinking I'm insane. "I need to go and see them," I said as I tried to leave my bed, only to be saved from a terrible fall by Alec catching me when I collapsed.

"You need to stay here. The drug is still in your system," he comforted me when I began whimpering at the pounding of my head.

"I need to go and see-" I began to groan out.

He cut me off when my eyes began to flutter shut again, "I'll go for you then and get back to you."

I managed to keep my eyes open for long enough to ask, "Really?" and for him to respond with a resolute nod. "Thank you, Alec," I whispered before I gave in to the pull of sleep and I fell back unconscious.

I don't know how much time went past but I woke up to the sound of people arguing.

"Oh, suddenly you're into rules?" I heard a familiar voice shout. Clary?

I groaned at her dulcet screeching and grabbed one of my fluffy pillows, pulling it over my head. "Guys. Shut up," I groaned into my pillow, "Drugged-up person trying to sleep." I suddenly sat up, briefly happy at the lack of headache before panic settled in, "Oh my god. Does this mean I've taken drugs…" I frantically began shaking my head as I looked at the duo, Oh. Both Jace and Clary are here. "No. No. No. Luke is gonna kill-"

"Lissa!" Jace shouted as he rushed to my side, cutting my tirade off as he pulled me into a bone-crushing hug, "You alright?"

"Can we turn the sun off?" I muttered into his chest.

"It's nighttime?" Clary responded from somewhere in the room.

"Huh. Right…" I said in a daze as I peeked at her over Jace's shoulders, "I'm seeing your hair. I think I'm going delusional," I began muttering to myself again. I looked up at Clary again, happiness taking over again, "You're out of jail!"

Jace just laughed as he pushed me back so my back was resting against my pillow mountain, "Here," he cooed as he began to massage my head. I moaned at the relief it gave me. Huh. Maybe my headache is still here.

"Thanks, hun," I murmured to him, giving him a soft smile at his thoughtfulness, "What are you all screeching about?" I asked them after a moment of silence. I turned to my sister, "Where's Simon?"

"He's still in jail," she sent a glare in Jace's direction, "And I was talking about how Jace Herondale might have some kind of family name to live up to, but the Jace I know would break any rule for the people he cares about."

Jace kept his eyes on mine as he continued their argument, "People are dying. People I've known my entire life. People I trained with." He gave her a quick glare before looking back at me, "There are no easy choices right now. Lissa got attacked. I will do anything to make sure the killer is found." His voice softened as he turned the conversation back to me, "A team just found Lockheart dead."

Knock. Knock.

"Your majesty," the shadowhunter, Mike, bowed. I waved my hand, bidding him to rise as I tried to take in the new news Jace had just given me, "We've just caught Lockheart's killer."

I turned to the duo, "Go…" I groaned when they started to rise from their position. They opened the door and I rolled my eyes when I caught sight of the increase in guards at my door, "Update me when you get back."

They both nodded before bowing and promptly leaving, the door shut behind them.

"I'm hungry…" I muttered to myself glumly after a few minutes of silence. "I'm going to have to get up and grab food myself."

Hmmm. How to avoid my guards? Oooo. The secret passage through the fireplace!

It didn't take me long to get through the passage and start stumbling around the institute on my way to the kitchen.

Okay. My sense of direction must have messed up my sense of direction because how did I end up in Ops?

"What the-?" I mumbled to myself when I caught sight of the assembly. I raised my voice as I leaned against the wall closest to me, allowing it to support me when the fatigue started to take over again, "What is going on here? Why have we all gathered without telling me?"

"By the angel…" Jace muttered as he looked up at me with a horrified look. He rushed over to me, stripping off his leather jacket and placing it on my shoulder. I was immediately encompassed by the smell that was distinctly Jace when the jacket dwarfed me, "Why did you leave your room? Especially dressed like that?"

"I was hungry?" I looked up at him in confusion, "And what do you mean dress like-" I immediately blushed when I caught sight of what I was wearing, "Who changed me?"

"I mean I did but-" he started to say.

"It's your fault then," I shrugged as he helped me to the front of the group, only to catch sight of my friend in chains, "Maia? What are you doing here?" I turned to the others, "What is the meaning of this?"

First my uncle. Then Simon. Now Maia?

"She killed Lockheart," the Inquisitor explained.

I turned my tired gaze to Maia, "What? How? Why? When?"

"Lockheart was mauled by a wolf," the Inquisitor started to explain, "Ms Roberts was found a block away, minutes after the kill."

The wolf scoffed as she looked frantically at me, her eyes pleading her innocence for her, "I was walking home from work. What, is that a crime now too?"

I nodded along with her, "This all seems like circumstantial evidence."

The Inquisitor gave me a short glare as she continued to question the wolf, "Did anyone see you walking home from work?"

This time I scoffed, "It's New York City. A lot of people were a block away."

"An hour ago, this wolf viciously attacked Jace for carrying out a Clave mandate," Jace's grandmother continued.

"To put a tracking chip in my neck!" the she-wolf defended herself.

"Wait..." I muttered raising my hand, silencing everyone, "What?!" I could feel the ground shake slightly for some reason. Earthquake probably. I ignored it in favour of turning my fury on every officer present, "I did not consent to this! Who are you to give out orders without my consent?"

"At least we know she didn't instigate this," I heard the wolf mutter. I don't know to who but who cares at this point.

"You were unconscious after being attacked yourself," the Inquisitor defended their actions.

I turned my glare to her, "You should have waited until I woke up."

Maia couldn't help but put forward another comment, "You know, I have been stopped by cops for no other reason than being black, but I thought the Shadowhunters were more evolved than that." She turned her gaze to me, softening her face as she turned to a more pleading tone, "Alicia, please. I didn't do this."

"Six Shadowhunters are dead," she murmured to me, trying to sway me to her side, "Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment."

"Isn't fear an emotion?" Clary asked, backing me up, "Because that's all this is. Tracking people because of the kind of blood they have. Locking them up without recourse? Is that what the Clave stands for?"

The Inquisitor turned her steel looks to the redhead, "Your idealism is charming, but when they wheel in the next dead Shadowhunter with their runes carved out, what will you tell their family? What will your ideals have done for any of them?" she turned to some of her men, "Put her downstairs with the vampire."

I couldn't help but scoff as I stepped in front of Maia, letting go of Jace's arm, "Another thing you didn't seek permission for."

That didn't stop the guards from taking the wolf away.

She stepped up to me, so we were practically nose to nose. Her voice was like a blade as it cut through the silence that had settled as everyone wanted to hear one of the only public arguments between two of the highest-ranking shadowhunters in the world, "We have gone years without seeking your permission."

I tilted my head as I gave her a false smile, "Yes well times are changing."

"Yes," she nodded slowly, once, "They are. Maybe to a time without our Royal family."

My stare hardened at her words as someone let out a gasp from behind us.

I hummed giving a short nod as if I was thinking over what she was saying, "Maybe…" I smiled wickedly at her, "But that is talks of treason," I whispered mockingly to her. I stepped away from Imogen and turned to the other guards, "Take me to the Downworlder cells."

I evaded Jace and Clary's grasping hands as they tried to pull me back. I won't be talking to any of those stuck-up gits until they release Maia and Simon as I had ordered.

When I reached the cell, I immediately ordered the guards, "Open the doors." Seeing my glare, they immediately opened the door and let me through. The wolf and the vampire immediately looked up at my entrance. "And now lock me in," the guards all gave me confused looks and went to object but I just glared at them to shut up, "I trust my friends and allies," I waved my hand, my magic finally deciding to work alongside me as the door swung shut on their faces. I smiled grimly before flinging myself on one of the beds, the fatigue finally taking over. "I kinda wished I found the kitchen before I saw you get arrested," I muttered into the pillow.

"Err Lil," I heard Simon's stammering voice pipe up from somewhere in the room, "What are you doing?"

I shuffled around on the cot, trying to get myself comfortable, "I'm going to sleep because that stupid drug I was injected with is still messing with my system."

"I think he means what are you doing here?" Maia's dry voice spoke up.

"Don't you know?" I muttered into my pillow. At their silence, I looked up at them briefly, "I'm protesting."

I left the two to talk between themselves as I peered at them through my eyelashes as I pretended to be asleep.

"Why didn't you just leave?" Maia asked softly. Bless her for actually thinking I'm asleep. "There was nothing you could do for her," she said jerking her head at me.

"I just... couldn't," my friend shrugged, "And I kind of thought Jace would stand up for me."

The wolf gave him a sad smile as a thoughtful look took over her face, "Yeah, Jace looks lost. Like a deer caught in headlights. I guess I get it."

"Get what?" Simon asked. "That he's under the Inquisitor's spell?"

"I know what it's like, to want so badly to have a real family," she shrugged, "The things you'll do..."

He scoffed at the thought, "Even for the world's most terrifying grandma?"

"Totally... I mean, you should have seen her face when Clary went off on her." She looked like a child in a candy store as she diverged the story, "Ooo. And then that set Princess off and oh my- That woman was legit scared. Clary was on fire."

I saw Simon give her the oddest of looks, "If I didn't know any better... I'd say you like Clary now."

She nodded her head slowly, "She's growing on me." She gave him a short glare, "Don't screw it up, Simon."

"I don't plan to…" awwwww "…if I ever get out of here." Oh yeah. Dang.

"Can't you use your powers, Miss Princess?" So she did know I wasn't asleep. Okay. I need to work on that.

I waved her off, "That would counteract the whole protest thing."

She turned to the vampire as I slowly sat up, "You're a Daylighter now. Does that come with any other new tricks that could break us out of here?"

She frowned when he shook his head, "No. But I've realized that being a Daylighter is like, totally overrated. Like, I should have got something cool," I smiled as his hand gestures became more frantic, "-heat vision, or invisibility…"

"If only you were invisible," I suddenly heard my parabatai speak up as the door swung open.

"Clary!" the vampire sped over to his girlfriend, "Clary!"

Jace came over with a smirk plastered on his face, a croissant held out to me in his hand.

The largest smile I could physically produce was stuck on my face. I'm happy to see him. He made the right choice. He brought me food. I jumped up from my cot and immediately launched myself into his arms. He caught me and met my lips halfway when I leaned down to give him a deep kiss.

"Oh my god. I love you."

I saw him blush slightly as he let me down, I ignored it in favour of the croissant he handed to me, "You just love the fact that I got you food."

I smiled cheekily at him as I took a bite of the delicious pastry.

I turned to the wolf that had approached my boyfriend, "You know damn well I didn't kill anyone."

"Yeah, well, even so," he shrugged as he placed his arm around my shoulder, "I should probably let you cool out down here for that right hook you landed."

"You deserved it," she scoffed.

I looked at him as I took another bite of my pastry. I nodded, indicating that I agreed, "Yeah, I did. I was wrong. I'm sorry."

"An apology..." she gaped at him, "-from you." She turned to everyone else in the cell, "Did anyone else hear that?"

"Wow," I heard Simon gasp as he gaped at my parabatai, "There's a first time for everything," he whispered in awe.

"Awww," I cooed to my boyfriend as I reached up to pinch his cheeks with a laugh, "I knew I was making you human."

His face screwed up as he cooed back at me in return, pinching my cheeks, "For you…" he mimicked me.

My laugh immediately dried up as I glared up at him, pushing his arm off of my shoulder as I began stalking out of the cell, "Shut up."

"Aww. Come on Lis," Jace called out to me as he tried to get my attention, "It was funny."

"No, it wasn't," I huffed as I stormed into my office, only to see Alec and Izzy sitting on my couches, waiting for us, "What are you guys doing here?"

Jace stepped up beside me as he looked at them in confusion, "You guys know you're not meant to be in here without permission."

"This isn't gonna be our new hang out-" I stopped when I caught sight of their sombre faces, "What's wrong?"

"It was Kaelie," Izzy muttered as she stared into the roaring flames of my fireplace, "She was the killer."

"Was?" Jace asked as we sat opposite the two of them.

"I killed her," Izzy's hardened voice said as she clenched her fists.

I turned to my boyfriend, leaning over slightly to whisper in his ear, "I knew your ex was a psycho."

He gave me a dirty look as he put his finger on his lips, "Shhh."

"She had everything: Werewolf claws, vampire fangs, Seelie blades," Izzy continued, "She used it to make it look like a Downworld uprising."

"The question is, why?" Jace asked, turning to me.

"We're not sure," Alec finally spoke up as he got up from his seat to lean against the fireplace, "But it has to go beyond covering her tracks."

"I agree," Izzy spoke softly.

"That's great work, Iz," I smiled at her, "I hear Max is back up on his feet and ready to take over the world."

My parabatai gave her a soft look, "How are you doing? Are you okay?"

She nodded her head softly as she thought of her answer, "Getting better one day at a time."

"Good," I nodded at her before turning to Jace, knowing he wanted to say something.

"We'll keep investigating Kaelie," he declared, causing the others to nod, "But in the meantime, my first official act as Head of the Institute is going to be somewhat controversial," I rolled my eyes, Of course, it will be. "-so I'm gonna need your help." He turned to the quieter Lightwood, "You're taking over."

"The Seelie investigation?" he asked.

"No," my parabatai shook his head before slowly smiling, "I mean you, Alec Lightwood, are now the Head of the New York Institute."

I slowly smiled when I saw the joy beginning to fill his eyes. Izzy got up from her seat to join her standing brother, beaming up at him, "Can you do that?" the Lightwood asked.

"Yeah," my other half shrugged nonplussed, "I mean, like you said, being a Herondale comes with certain perks. Naming a successor is one of them." He looked intently at our usually grumpy brother, "You were right. Downworlders and Shadowhunters, We're all a mix of human, angel and demon. If we let the Clave forget that…" he looked down at me with a smile as I looked on proudly, "…we deserve a revolt." He turned back to the others, "I'll always be a soldier. But you're a leader, Alec."

I coughed, turning their attention back to me. I silently raised my eyebrow at them.

"Of course," Jace immediately backtracked, grabbing my hand and giving it a squeeze, "If that is okay with you, of course."

"I mean this is easier than trying to find a way to get you fired…" I waved my hand nonchalantly. I thought about all the work this change would do and I couldn't help but release a groan, "…Now I need to fill in more paperwork." I turned to the guy beside me, "Thanks, Jace." I smiled before slowly standing, turning to Alec, "Will you, Alec Lightwood do your duty and protect those that call this institute a home?"

"Wait? Now?" I gave him a swift glare, immediately shutting him up, "I do."

"Will you uphold your oaths and protect your Downworlder charges?"

"I do?"

"And will you keep faith and remain loyal to your royal family, to your future queen?" I asked him curiously.

"I will."

"Great," my mood did a 180 and I smiled at them, "Now that's sorted," I waved my hand telling Alec to step forward, "Alec go ahead."

"I have your first assignment," Alec smiled at my parabatai.

The cocky boy stepped forward, smirking at his new boss, "Bring it."

I raised my hand slightly, bringing their attention to me, "Can it be to be my personal assistant and bring me food whenever I need it?"

"No," they all intoned together.

I huffed. Fine.

"Did you get her chip out?" I asked Jace when he stepped into my home office, hours later.

"What do you think?" he sarcastically asked me before giving me a hello kiss, "You missed Simon's performance."

"Well, someone…" I said, rolling my eyes, "I won't name names. Made a decision that had me reading, writing and signing more paperwork so blame them." I shrugged, "Izzy facetimed me. He was good. Just like I knew he would be."

He nodded as he pulled me down to sit on my desk, immediately moving to stand in between my open thighs. He smiled cockily at me, "I think Maia's into me, by the way."

"Jay…" I rolled my eyes as I hopped off the desk, heading to the pile of clothes I left in here earlier, "You think everyone is into you."

"I mean I know not everyone is into me," he shrugged in a tone that made me believe he didn't believe his own words.

"Clary's one of those people…" I casually point out as I started to remove my shirt.

I grabbed my nighty as he spoke, "I'm not in love with Clary."

I couldn't help the scoff that left my mouth, "Who said anything about love…" I removed my jeans, standing in my underwear. I patted his cheek as I went to walk past him towards the office door and to our bathroom, "and oh please… Jay you're so obvious." He yanked my hand pulling me towards him. I pushed him away but he kept stepping closer, slowly cornering me against the wall. Seconds of silence bled by as I waited for his response, "See," I hissed out through my teeth. I knew it.

"I'm not," he slowly responded as if each syllable was a sentence on its own.

"Oh yeah?" I challenged before pushing him away by his chest, "Prove it."

Just as I ducked under his arm to leave, he snaked his hand back in mine and yanked me back. His lips were on mine before I knew what was going on, devouring me whole. Kiss after kiss, he took everything from me. All my barriers left and my walls came crumbling down, my soul bared towards him in all its naked glory. He finally separated from me when he realised I was out of oxygen.

"I don't love Clary," he placed his forehead on mine, my eyes fluttered shut at that admission, "Open your eyes…" As much as I didn't want to, I opened my eyes and stared straight into his soul, "I love you, Lissa."

"Wha-" I was startled at his words.

"I love you and only you."

"But what about Clar-"

"Who cares about Clary?" I couldn't help the tears of relief that started to fall from my eyes, "I love you, Alicia Vivian Graymark. I love you… I love you. Hey. Hey," he said as he wiped my tears, "Don't cry. You don't need to say it-"

"I love you too," I said cutting him off.

And with that, he spent the rest of the night showing me how much he loved me.

I'd love to say we lived the rest of our lives happily ever after but with the lives we live, it is inevitable that something would ruin it. Death is always waiting on the sidelines. Now he's ready for his next target. Me.

A/N: If you guys wanted the date, I was thinking of posting it as a oneshot but I need to know who's interested in this idea.