Homecoming

They had been on the river for three days and Jace was sure he was going stir crazy. He wouldn't have minded the mindless, numbing journey through the cities and country sides if only he could have been doing something, but, Jace was still confined to the bowels of the boat, wrapped in a blanket, with no company but Max. True, Jace had to admit that he didn't feel exceptionally well, and that he probably wasn't strong enough to continue paddling for more than a few hours, but at least then, he could have a fresh breeze on his face and something more interesting to look at than the timbers that composed the boat floor. However, Max was interesting company, and good for a conversation or story. The boy had taken a liking to Jace, and found any reason to sit beside him and talk.

"How long, Luke, before I can sit up?" Jace groaned.

Luke just sighed. "We'll be into the forest by tomorrow; we can stop robbing the world of your face then."

"I'm glad you realize what a crime you've actually committed," Jace said conversationally. "You're almost as bad as Jonathan in that respect."

Max laughed. He had never liked Jonathan, and to hear someone cut the prince down was good. Alec shot his brother a dark look, but Jace just rolled his eyes. "I don't think you should be tossing around phrases like that until we're well out of his reach," said Alec.

"Alec, really, what's the prince going to do now?" Jace might not have seen where they were, but the amount of trees in proportion to the roof tops he had seen had increased severely over the last day, and he knew just by the smell in the air, they were entering the outskirts of civilization. "We're miles away, and Jonathan has no way of tracking us."

"He has demons," Alec urged, looking to Maia and Luke for support. "He could send them after us."

"He'd be a fool to," Luke replied softly. "His demons are strong, but Jonathan doesn't have the control over the powerful ones who could really do us harm. Only Valentine controls the Soul Sword, and so, though Jonathan might release them, no greater demon would do his bidding. The best he could do was send a few scouts after us, and I promise you, two werewolves and a shadowhunter are more than capable of handling those."

Jace had decided he liked Luke. True, as a wolf, the man had given him no small amount of trouble, constantly harassing him, but Jace liked the man. Luke had a calmness about him, a sense of self that was deep-seated in knowledge and strength. Though Jace hadn't seen him fight, he got the sense that Luke would prove useful with a blade or his claws. That, and the fact that Luke had made no comment on Jace's recent imprisonment or his uncommon ailment; the werewolf could easily sense it was Jace's pride on the line, and knew not to push it.

"Besides, Jonathan has no way of knowing where we're going," Maia piped up. "I'm sure he'll suspect that Jace is going to Clary, but Clary has long been gone from Woodend. He'll have no way of knowing where we're running to. And the very idea of a rebel movement in the City of Glass hasn't even begun to cross Valentine's or his darkest nightmares." Maia glanced at Jace and frowned at his pale color; they had been out in the clean air for three days, and Jace hadn't gotten any better. "Though, I think the sooner we get there, the better off we're going to be."

"I'd like to see my sister," Max said at once. "I want to tell Isabelle all about our rescue, and I want to hear about her escape. I bet she was brave, Isabelle was always brave."

Luke smiled at the boy. "Bravely comes from the most unlooked for of places; even a farmer's daughter has it deep within her. I'm sure you sister has much to share."

"How far is it?" Max pressed. He was a young boy, and young boys didn't like being cooped up for days at a time.

Luke glanced about him. "Not far, Max, not far now. By tomorrow we'll be to the edge of Idris, and from there, we'll abandon the boat and go on foot for a day or so more."

"We're walking?" Jace croaked.

"No," Luke said after a beat. "Maia and I are walking. You, Alec, and Max will be riding. You're in no shape to go for a romp through the woods, and Alec and Max will be too slow."

"Riding a wolf?" Max gasped, his eyes widening with excitement.

Maia giggled. "Don't get too used to it, wolves don't hand out rides to just anyone."

Max pushed down his smile, trying to look mature. "Then we'll be to the City of Glass? What will happen once we get there?"

Luke and Maia glanced back and forth. It was Luke who spoke. "Well, Jace will have to meet with the Clave, and he and Clary will begin training again. You and Alec and Isabelle will probably be trained as well in minor swordplay."

"Some rebellion," Jace snorted.

Luke gave him a meaningful look. "We've been dormant a while, yes, but with you and Clary back, we'll have something to work with."

"What do you mean?" Jace was intrigued.

"Nothing for right now," Luke returned, and Jace thought he heard a distinctly angry tone to his voice. "We can't get ahead of ourselves."

The rest of day stretched out, and Jace wished he could sit up. His fever hadn't broken and he still had horrible chills that laced his spine, and he thought a breeze on his face would ease the burning. Though he mentioned the fever to Luke, Luke had simple said that he clearly wasn't dying, and Luke didn't have the skills to cure it. He had given Jace a sad smile and asked him to suffer with it as best as he could. Jace had since pretended he was fine around Alec and Max, but as that night set in, Jace determined to sit up and splash some water on his face. As he did so, his world turned and he pitched sideways. Maia, fast as her werewolf skills allowed, propped him up, muttering about hard-headedness. However, Jace was right: the breeze felt good.

As the next day set in, they left behind what civilization there was, and the river picked up speed. They no longer needed the paddles, and their small boat twisted and turned through trees and hills. Jace, who had spent his childhood at Woodend, couldn't even begin to guess where they were, and looked around himself in confusion. As the day ended, Luke directed them to pull the boat over to the riverbank, and Max began to twitch in excitement. That night, Luke and Maia broke the wooden boat into shards and they used it to burn a good fire, and eat their first warm meal in days.

The following day brought them to the foot portion of their journey, and Max was practically bouncing in excitement. "We're riding werewolves! Can I ride with you, Jace?"

Alec's mouth dropped. Though he had considered Jace a friend by now, he didn't think the ex-duke was all too fond of farm children. Jace had simply shrugged. "Why not? I'm lighter than Alec, so it will probably be better than you and him on one." Max was delighted.

Luke and Maia changed, and Jace noted that Luke was bigger now, and that he seemed to have some control over his change. For a wolf, Maia was actually quite beautiful, with a long glossy brown coat and glowing eyes. Carefully, Alec helped Jace to sit on Luke, and then lifted a squirming Max up to join him; Alec climbed on Maia, and they shot off into the forest.

Jace discovered almost at once that riding a werewolf was nothing like a horse, and he knew which one he preferred. Luke's legs churned beneath him, almost unseating him every time he had to jump something. His coat was long enough to grip onto, but Jace had the distinct impression that twisting Luke's coat wasn't a very good idea. He glanced over and saw that Alec had wrapped his arms about Maia neck, and realized it was the only way to ride. Carefully, Jace hooked his arms around Luke's think ruff and tucked his face into the hackles. Behind him, Max was clinging to his waist, and staring around himself in awe.

Who are you kidding? You would have been more thrilled if your father had bought you a wolf instead of horse to ride, thought Jace with a grin to himself.

For a day they ran, not stopping as the sun set and forest about them turned to darkness. Jace knew just by looking about that they were well beyond the boundaries of Idris. Somewhere, he breathed a sigh of relief, knowing he was now beyond the reach of Valentine and Jonathan, but he wouldn't be content until he knew Clary was with him. Jace knew that if he arrived and Clary wasn't there, he would go back to Idris just to get her.

As the sun rose on the next day, Jace stirred from the faint sleep he'd slipped into, and saw something glinting in the distance. He sat up straighter, waking Max from his sleep, and heard himself say, "Luke, what is that?" Luke tossed his head back in a howl, but that was all.

As they drew nearer and nearer the glint, Jace saw the ground drop away before him and realized they were approaching a cliff. Luke's pace began to slow, and the glinting took on a form, and when they stopped Jace found himself looking down on a valley, surrounded on the other sides by steep hills, and nestled in its base, was a city.

From his vantage point, Jace could see towers made of glass that were dark. He saw buildings, most of them in ruin, and a single road that curved here and there to the very heart of the city. Though the city was broken, and Jace felt it almost as a physical thing, there was another feeling stirring in his heart. This was his home. This was the place his ancestors had come from, this is where they had made their home, this was where his past lay.

And, of course, Clary is down there somewhere, he added to himself.

"Do you want us to get off and walk the rest of the way?" Jace asked Luke, but Luke shook his furry face and launched himself off the cliff edge. It was treacherous journey down the cliff face, and Jace knew the only reason he wasn't dead was because he was on a very capable and very graceful wolf. When they landed, Luke and Maia again set off at a tireless pace, but Jace knew they were both wearing down. Luckily, their journey ended quickly, and they approached the gates to the city.

Jace carefully dismounted from Luke and lifted Max off with him; Alec came over and picked up a very tried Max, and they waited while Luke and Maia changed back. The two wolves looked wane, but there was a determination in their step, and it wouldn't due to collapse here on the very threshold of city.

They small group began to pick their way through the city. Jace's eyes were everywhere, on the road that had grown over with weeds and grass, on the river that flowed everywhere with dark water, on the beautiful houses with their sad broken windows and crumpled roofs. He saw libraries that were empty, remains of books littering the ground before them. He saw large halls where he guessed students had trained. He saw a large, academic looking structure he thought was a school. He saw so much, but none of it seemed to register with him as home. This was the capital of Idris, but in such a sad state, it was a stranger to him.

"I thought every shadowhunter knew their home?" Jace asked in a rasp to Luke.

"The City of Glass is broken, and you feel it in your soul, but it is still your home. With time, you will feel right here." Luke looked about him sadly. "I admit, though, it's not a very nice welcome."

"Where are we going?"

Luke pointed ahead. "To the inner city circle. The entrance down into the tunnels is hidden where the Clave used to gather. We're almost there."

Jace swallowed and continued to follow Luke though his legs were still weak. They came to large opening surrounded on all sides by enormous houses. Directly across from them was a towering building, statues of the Angel flanking the entrance. Luke led them past a dead fountain and up the steps into the Clave. Max, tucked in Alec's arms, stared around in wonder at the lavish interior, the monuments to the Angel and the beautiful decorations.

They eventually came to large circular room with hundreds of chairs. Luke took them to the center of the room where another statue of the Angel rested. He leaned against the statue, slumping in his weariness. Jace felt wide awake, like a shock had passed through him, and he kept expecting a figure to emerge. However, they continued to wait, Max in awe, Alec contemplatively silent, and Maia and Luke panting. After almost ten minutes, a groan made Jace jump, and he turned in a flash to the statue, shocked to see that the base was falling back to revealed a dark hole. He leaned closer, waiting, watching…

The first thing Jace saw, and it lifted the weight that had been resting on him for weeks, was a very familiar red head. "Jace!" Clary cried, launching herself from the hole and into Jace's arms.

Hours later, Clary found herself seated on the end of an old wooden bed, watching while Magnus administered some treatment to Jace's illness. "What is the shadow sickness?"

"A fever," Magnus said brusquely. Since their arrival four days prior, he had been in and out of council meetings, with very little sleep or food. The only reason he had taken the time to treat Jace was that both Clary and Isabelle had begged him. "It's caused by prolonged exposure to demons. Normally, a shadowhunter would die from the fever three or four days after contracting it. Jace seems to make quite an exception."

"Well, I am exceptional," agreed Jace, winking at Clary.

"You're just damned lucky is all," Magnus said shortly. "While shadowhunters can fight demons, suffer their poison, and spend time around their bodies. Prolonged exposure isn't something your kind is meant for. You're supposed to be able be around them long enough to kill them, not settle down and make friends with them."

"How long will Jace be in bed?"

"A day or so and he should be back on his feet." Magnus gave Jace a once over. "Though I'm sure you'll find some way to waste your time while you're on bed rest."

"I can think of a thing or two," agreed Jace, shooting Clary a look.

Magnus rose, snapping his fingers at Clary. "He's all yours now. Make sure you give him the potion I made once every four hours, keep a cool cloth handy to fight the fever, make sure he gets at least two more meals, both with some form of meat, and expect a long night of tossing and turning; it's rather warm in this tiny room. Oh, and no matter how hot he says he is, keep the fire stoked high. There should be some wood down the hall you're allowed to take."

Clary blinked once, taking in the orders as fast as Magnus had given them; she nodded faintly. "Is no one else coming…?"

Magnus shrugged. "I'm sure you'll have company, but as for the care giving, no. He's your husband, and your responsibility now. I'm going to bed; I haven't had a wink of sleep in two days."

Clary performed a polite bow. "Thank you, Magnus, for all your help," she said, and held the door open for him as he left.

"By the Angel, what happened to the princess I married?" Jace asked. "Opening doors and bowing for a warlock?"

Clary returned to Jace's side, wet cloth in hand. "Well, it's certainly a change; I hope you don't mind overmuch." Clary glanced down at her plain dress.

Jace reached out and caressed Clary's face. "I really don't give a damn what you're wearing; I never gave much thought to clothing anyway, it always gets in the way."

"How is it that despite everything, you've still managed to hold on to that crude humor of yours?" laughed Clary, and began to dab at his face.

"Another of my endearing qualities," Jace said simply. "So, do you think you can tell me what's happened since our separation now that I'm not on the-what did you call it?-the verge of death?"

"Jace, you couldn't even stand when I found you!" Clary cried. "What did you expect me to think? I knew you had been left alone with Jonathan, that's all. I had no clue what he might do-"

"Fear not, little one," Jace sighed, and pulled Clary down next to him. "I was far more worried about you. I'm sure Jonathan was very annoyed by my lack of self-concern. It really threw quite a wrench in his plans to scare me."

Lying beside him, Clary could hear the beat of Jace's heart; it was the most beautiful sound she'd ever heard. "Woodend was beautiful. I very much liked living there."

"Maybe, when all this is over, we'll go back." Jace drew Clary up into his arms. "I always liked it there."

"I'd like that," Clary murmured, and Jace tossed the blanket up over her too. He tucked her against him, like he'd been dreaming of doing, and she curled up against him. "I've missed this."

"Me too," he murmured, and the two fell asleep.

It was like this, wrapped in each other's arms, that Isabelle came upon them. She was in a much better mood than she had been, and had come to apologize to Clary for her shortness. She'd meant to explain everything, how worried she'd been about Max and Alec, but the sight of two stopped her in her tracks. She'd been serving Clary so long now that she thought she would never see the girl sleep peacefully, but that was how she was then.

What surprised her even more was that Clary was content. She and Jace now shared a single room, a single bed, a small hearth, and one trunk to hold all their belongings, and yet she seemed not to care. It spoke much to her character that she could lose so much and still be so happy. Isabelle turned to leave, but Max came pelting past her, having not been allowed to see Jace in almost a day.

"Max, no-" Isabelle began, but it didn't matter.

Jace's eyes snapped open at the sound of Isabelle's voice, and he unconsciously moved himself to a more protective position about Clary, but when he saw it was Max coming at him he relaxed. Clary, who had woken not a moment after Jace, sat up; she spotted Isabelle standing in the door and smiled widely at her. Max came to a halt at the base of their bed, eyes shining.

"I just saw a pack of werewolves!" Max crowed by way of greeting. "Isabelle and I were at the stables with the horses and group of them came in, shaking their coats and they had fangs and claws and-"

"Max, they just woke up, leave them alone," Isabelle sighed, scooping Max up and seating herself on the trunk at the foot of their bed. "I'm sure it's been a long couple of days."

"Not as bad as you think," Clary said, and she pulled herself from the bed with a dark look at Jace. "You stay there."

Jace raised one eyebrow, but settled himself up against the headboard. "So, what do we own the pleasure of your visit?"

"Well, Max was going on about seeing you, and I haven't seen Clary in a few days, so I thought we'd come down to see how you two were." Isabelle watched as Clary busied herself stoking the fire and tossing another log on it. "I'm not used to this place, and I thought it might be good to see old friends."

"It's so big," Max breathed. "I can't believe all this was under a city."

It was true, of course. An entire city, beneath the city, safely tucked away from unwanted eyes. There were stables for horses, fresh water that slunk down through a few well-fed streams, a library, and thousands of rooms. The only thing anyone every found wanting was light; they were far enough beneath the ground that light couldn't reach them, and the city was lit with countless lamps and spells and runes. Somewhere in here, Clary knew there was council that planned attacks on Valentine, but she had never found her way there, or met anyone who knew the way.

"It seems the shadowhunters expected an attack or two," Clary agreed.

"Do you think there's going to be a war?" Max piped up, eyes gleaming. "I want to learn to fight! I want to fight against Valentine and his demons."

"Max, if there is a war, you certainly won't be apart of it," Isabelle sighed.

"You sound just like Alec," Max whined.

"Speaking of Alec, where has he gotten to?" Jace asked as Clary offered him some of the potion Magnus had prepared. It had a bitter taste, and he scrunched his nose as he drained it.

"Off somewhere with Magnus, I think," admitted Isabelle. "He offered to work as an assistant or something to repay Magnus for seeing me safely here and healing his arm all those months ago. Honestly, I don't think a warlock wants a boy like Alec hanging on the bell all day."

"You might be wrong about that," said Jace with a sly smile at Clary. "Well, it can't hurt to have connections with a high warlock, and certainly not one who sits on the Clave."

Isabelle shrugged delicately. "I've been admitted to the school here," she said suddenly, watching Clary's face. "Not for runes or the like, but to learn how to fight and read and do calculations and such."

"That's excellent," Clary said at once. "You and I can practice sparring; I was always dreadful with a sword."

Isabelle's back straightened a little and she lifted her chin. "Maybe we'll have a class together, or perhaps you'll work in the kitchen with me. I could teach you how to cook."

"I'd like that," Clary agreed, and she really would. "It's time I learned some useful skills; I never understood why my father had me learn three instruments. You couldn't kill someone with a song."

"Well, if your voice were dreadful…" Jace began, but Clary silenced him with a sharp look.

"Have you been summoned before the council?" asked Isabelle, changing the subject swiftly. "I've heard gossip from all over; you two are all anyone is talking about. The daughter of Valentine and her husband-"

"Wait," Jace cut in, looking scandalized. "I'm just 'the husband of Valentine's daughter'? I mean, no mention of my heroism, wit, or stunning looks? I'm famous by association only?"

Isabelle and Clary laughed. "I'm afraid so," sighed Isabelle. "But still, everyone is talking about you. They all want to know who you are, if you're as skilled at Valentine, if you know all about his armies and secrets."

"No, and I'd like to keep it that way," Clary murmured softly. "I don't want to be Princess Clarissa Morgenstern, daughter of Valentine. I just want to be Clary Herondale. I just want to be normal."

"But you're not," Jace replied, taking her hand and squeezing. "You remember the time you showed me how you made a rune to lock the door? That's not normal. You can make runes, Clary; no one is supposed to be able to do that."

Something in Clary's mind clicked into place. "Jace, I meant to tell you, Hodge mentioned something to me over dinner one night. He said that my father used to give your mother a potion for her morning sickness, but Magnus never knew anything about it. Do you think whatever he changed in me, he could have changed in you?"

"I can't make runes, Clary," Jace said simply. "Though I'm beginning to suspect he changed something in your brother, too. Jonathan is wrong in a way that doesn't make sense, and he said some very strange things…"

Isabelle cleared her throat. "I would think that whatever you know, you might want to keep it secret for now. I don't know much about shadowhunters, but it sounds like whatever is making Clary different isn't good."

"Magnus knows, though," Clary said miserably. "He would probably try to protect me, but I'm sure he's taken some oath of fealty. He'll probably have to tell the Clave about me and Jace and Jonathan." Clary sank onto the bed, feeling very tired; she had hoped that coming here would end her time in the spotlight. It appeared that no matter where she went, it was going to be under watchful eyes.

Sensing this, Isabelle took her hand and gave her a wink. "I'll keep your secrets, Clary. It's not like the Lightwoods are of any interest. We have won no renown for our name."

Clary smiled back. "A day may come when that could change."

Jace, however, was just as concerned as Clary was. Whatever changes Valentine had worked in Clary and Jonathan were going to be of interest, and Jace had no intention of letting his wife be carried off to battle. He recalled the way Luke had talked about what would happen to him and Clary, and how he'd seemed rather angry, and Jace wondered if Luke knew something. Regardless, Jace determined he wasn't going to reveal anything about Clary to any council.

Isabelle quickly turned the conversation away from the talk of the council, and began chatting about the city itself. She had had a few days to explore and deemed the place large beyond thought, with countless secret entrances tucked away all over. She was most impressed by the large school where she hoped very soon she would take up lessons to perfect her reading and writing; she was also hopeful Max would be admitted because he could start young and learn so much more than any adult from her farm town ever could.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Max could actually be someone someday," Isabelle finished, giving Max a squeeze.

"I want to be a soldier!" Max crowed. "I want to learn to fight and kill demons."

"Don't be ridiculous, Max," said Alec, poking his head through the open door. He was speaking to Max, but his eyes were on Jace and Clary. He looked uncertain and worried. "You're going to learn your sums and read and write. It's good to see you up and about, Jace."

"And where have you been?" Isabelle demanded, standing up with her hands on her hips. "You get here, drop Max off with me, and then you're off with Magnus. Least you could have done is told me where you were every night."

"I was busy," Alec said defensively, but his eyes dropped. "Magnus and Luke have been swamped, and I've been offering them my services as they are. It's the least I could do."

"The least you could do? You could have been helping me get our new lodgings in order." Isabelle's eyes narrowed and she smiled tightly. "Well, it's alright. You and Max are sharing a room."

Alec paled a little but then shrugged. "I've come to see how Jace and Clary are doing."

"We're fine, Alec," Clary said with a pleasant smile. "I don't think I can ever thank you enough for being Jace back to me."

"It was all Luke and Maia," Alec mumbled. "But thank you. However, I've come on an errand from Magnus."

Jace stirred and he sat up straighter. "And what does Magnus the Magnificent ask of us?"

Alec bit his lip. "He says you've been summoned by the Clave, and it's urgent, so you must come now."

"I don't think I'm in any shape to move," Jace said softly, his eyes glinting. "And, since I can't be there, I don't think my wife should go. I have need of her here. Send my deepest regrets, but I cannot allow my wife to go if I need her tending to me."

Again, Alec looked very uncomfortable. "Magnus already told the Clave you'd be well enough to travel given his potion, and they issued an order for your presence. If you don't appear, they will send someone to bring you."

"I don't really care," Jace said swiftly. "I'm not leaving my bed in this state, and Clary's not going anywhere. You can tell them as my wife, Clary will have to go where I order, and I've ordered her here to tend to me."

"Jace, they're going to send someone to bring you in," Alec pressed. "I understand what you're doing, and I know you care about Clary, but you can't protect her from the Clave."

"I'll do my best," answered Jace with a sly grin. "I'm sorry to send you back to Magnus with my answer, and I hope you don't bear any grief from it, but I'm keeping her here."

Though Alec looked ready to argue, Isabelle gave him a dark look and he smiled helplessly. "I'm no shadowhunter, the Clave doesn't care what I do; I'm just the messenger boy. I just hope this works out."

Jace gave Alec a nod. "What's the worst they can do?"

Alec looked worried, but he left without saying anything else. Clary, who was still seated beside Jace, looked very nervous indeed. "Jace, you should have left me go. What if the Clave is angry?"

"And what will they do if they are?" he replied. "They're not going to throw us out, and it's not like there's some prison they can put us in they haven't already. Besides, they need us, especially you, nice and content or they're never going to get the information they want."

"Sometimes, I forget where we are," agreed Clary, and leaned back against the headboard. She was quiet for a few minutes, trying to reconcile her past with what her future seemed to be, and, with the thought of her future, she turned to Isabelle. "So, Isabelle, tell me, where can I trade these ridiculous gold earrings for some wool? I think these two blankets aren't going to do in the cold nights, and I could knit us something."

Isabelle looked thoughtful. "There's some shops and such a five minute walk or so away. You could probably trade there."

Clary nodded. "You'll have to show me. I've got plenty of things to get rid of; some rings, earrings, maybe even the two ridiculous dresses in my trunk. Do you need anything?"

"I'll have to check. When we arrived they gave us all some clothing, but we could always do with a sewing kit or some new pots and pans." Isabelle glanced as Max whose face was glowing. "And, perhaps, some new shoes for Max before he starts school."

"I'm sure I've got enough for all that," Clary said, eyeing Max's shoes. He really did need new ones. "I wish I had a bolt of fabric, I could make so much with it."

"Perhaps you should look for employment?" offered Isabelle. "I've been asking about, and I think I could find something at the stables or with the farmers. They need quick-footed girls and boys who can harvest the food above ground and bring it back below. Max and I would be good at that."

"That's not a bad idea, Isabelle," Clary said. Her skills with daggers might have been put to better use somewhere else, but the thought of making a life for herself in small fabric shop had its appeal. She would never be short of work, that was for sure. "I don't understand how we all make a living. When we arrived, they gave us rations, but said we'd soon be employed and would have to afford our own food."

"I'll take you tomorrow," said Isabelle. "We'll find a nice little shop for you to work in."

"I suspect that shadowhunters don't make their living in dress shops," said Jace darkly.

"You just don't want to work in one," giggled Clary. "You can work at a forge, Jace, making weapons. You're good enough with a knife."

Jace looked curious, but his answer was cut off by another knock at their door. Isabelle stood and rolled her eyes. "It must be Alec coming to tell you that you absolutely must come to the Clave. God, my brother is worse than a spinster." Clary laughed as Isabelle unlocked the door and threw it open, but her laughter was soon caught in her throat.

Both Isabelle and Jace were confused by what they saw because it seemed it must have been some magic trick. Jace tugged Clary closer to him to remind himself that Clary really was still beside him, in his arms, and not standing at the door, hands on hips, green eyes glowing. Isabelle, for her part, was baffled, because though she recognized the woman at the door, she didn't think it was possible. For Clary's part, she was absolutely shocked. Her mind had gone completely blank and she stared with an open mouth.

The woman at the door was a little taller than Jace. Her willowy frame was covered in black pants, boots, and a black bodice tied over a white billowy shirt. She had a mess of auburn hair that had been pulled back into a messy bun, sprouting little strands of red here and there. Her eyes were the same shape as Clary's and just as green, and in them were the warm glow of someone who had lost something precious beyond thought and just found it. She was beautiful and striking at one time, and seemed out of place in the small hovel they had made their home, but when her eyes landed on Clary, she seemed to shrink in pain.

"Clarissa?" the woman said, so softly she might not have said it all.

Clary's hand in Jace's was cold as ice and shaking, but she found her voice, and when she spoke, Clary was pleased to hear it was steady. "Well this place keeps more secrets that my father. Here I was thinking you were dead, Mother"

This is the end of part one, the story will be continued in part two,

Empire of Darkness

I really hoped you enjoyed my story, and I'm really grateful to all people who reviewed and liked it, seriously, you guys made me want to write more. I will probably be posting the first chapter of Empire of Darkness after my spring break and my exams, so, about two weeks. Hope to hear from you then!

-Cariaudry