A/N: Hey guys,

I hope everyone is okay with the Covid-19 pandemic going on. I'm currently at home writing because uni has shut down for the foreseeable future. I'm trying to write a lot of chapters before releasing them so that when I eventually have to work again, I'll have a bank of chapters ready for you guys.

Stay safe in this troubling time!

Sophia893

xxx

Jace Wayland

"Alec." After a few moments at staring at my brother, I called out his name only for him to turn his arrow towards me.

I've been here for a while staring at him in sorrow as he wallowed in pity and swam in his guilt. I was hoping he would notice me sooner because after all who could resist this? But no such luck, he continued to shoot things off the building and made stuff go boom.

"Move," was his terse response.

I mean you could say please. I thought with a subtle roll of my eyes.

"How long have you been up here?" I instead asked.

"I'm glamoured. No one can see me. Move."

Again you could say please. Or even lower your bow from aiming at my beautiful face but we all can't get what we want.

I once again went against my inner monologue and just said, "You can't beat yourself up."

"I'm not."

Am I going to get more than a couple of words from you, my friend?

"Who are you talking to?" I said waving my arms around before pointing at myself, "It's me. I'm your brother. What happened with Jocelyn, that wasn't you. That was the demon."

He kept his stupid arrow pointing at me, "Get out of the way."

"Hey." I said raising my arms in a defensive manner, "Same side, remember?"

From the corner of my eye, I caught sight of a figure moving silently towards us. I turned my head slightly to see my beautiful parabatai heading our way with an adorable furrow between her eyebrows, her eyes dripping with concern.

"Come on, man. Come back inside." I continued, turning my full attention to him once again as he lowered his bow.

"That's the last place I want to be." He muttered before walking in the opposite direction Lissa was in.

"Alec, Valentine has the Soul-Sword. He slaughtered the Silent Brothers. We need our best soldiers..." I tried voicing all the reasons he shouldn't wallow up here on his own.

He must have gotten tired of everything I was saying because he spun around to start shouting at me. Urgh. I hate being shouted at. "Stop pretending this never happened." He took a deep breath before venting out everything he was feeling, "I couldn't save you from Valentine. I couldn't save you from the City of Bones. I..." He turned away from me, staring out at the city once again. "She's Clary's mother. Allie's adoptive mother." He paused, looking apprehensively at me, "Your mother."

My parabatai finally decided to walk into Alec's line of sight, stepping up to stand beside me, "Nobody blames you, Alec."

At the sight of her, the angry look in his eyes crumbled and for a second I witnessed the utter devastation on his face before it was completely wiped out by the face of a soldier I was used to.

"They should."

With no further look at us, he jumped off the roof we were standing on.

For a second I kept my gaze towards where my brother once stood, probably with a look of disbelief on my face. I can't believe he just left like that. I slowly turned my gaze to the girl by my side. Sadness encompassed her features as she continued to look at where the elder Lightwood was previously standing.

She must have felt my stare because she slowly turned her gaze to me. Her cerulean eyes staring deep into my soul and for once no words escaped me.

When no words were exchanged between us, she turned her gaze from me and stared at the ground. I watched as a red flush started to creep up the back of her neck towards her cheeks and elf-like ears. Without thinking of the consequence, I grabbed her dainty left hand with my right and pulled her with me back inside.

I led her down into the main part of the institute only to encounter a large gathering of shadowhunters.

"During the attack on the City of Bones, Jace Wayland fought bravely…" I stopped at the sight before sharing a quick look with Lissa when we heard my name being mentioned.

Wtf is going on? Who called the meeting?

Without further ado, I started leading her through the crowd until we found Izzy and stood near her; Lissa stood between us but slightly in front, probably making us look like her bodyguards.

"…and thus the Clave, in their wisdom, has exonerated him from all crimes. And the chief physician in Idris reports that Lydia Branwell's condition continues to improve."

"Out of the infirmary in record time," I muttered quietly to the petite girl by my side, "You're looking good."

I smirked down at her, only to receive one in return, "I always look good." The look was wiped when she realised we didn't enter with my brother, "Why isn't Alec here?"

"He needs some space." The smallest out of the three of us whispered as Aldertree made his way towards us again.

"We face a new threat." We started to actually pay attention to what he was saying now, "Valentine has the Mortal Cup, and now possesses the Soul-Sword, two of the three Mortal Instruments."

I saw Lissa bristle in front of us as she angrily started muttering to her self or to us? I don't exactly know, "You don't need to remind me stupi-"

I tuned out her muttering, "Our mission now is to find out what he plans to do with them..."

Only to be interrupted by Izzy, "You okay?"

Those words even cut Lissa off from her cursing causing Aldertree's words to filter through, "...and when."

"I'm fine," I replied in the same terse voice Alec used earlier.

Ugh. Please tell me I'm not gonna be like Mr Grumpy.

"But apparently no one else is," my eyes scanned everyone around us, "-judging by the way they're all looking at me."

With no words spoken, Lissa stepped back, sliding into the space between Izzy and I, silently taking my hand. That caused all the wandering eyes to flicker away. I gave a thankful smile to Lissa and the only sign to show she saw it was the slight upturn of her ruby lips before they settled once more into an impassive line.

"Jace," From the corner of my eye I saw her whole body turn towards me, completely ignoring Aldertree's speech so I turned to face her, figuring Lissa would cover for us, "I'm sorry for letting them take you to the City of Bones." She paused thinking of what to say next, "I thought..."

I must have been in a nice mood because I saved her from the grovelling for my forgiveness. I must have been in a really good mood because I do love it when people ask for my forgiveness, "It's all good, Izzy. You saved Alec's life and mine. I would've done the same thing."

I turned my gaze back to the chattering man as I saw Lissa freeze in front of me, "Tomorrow night's rite of passage will bring the total number of dead to 26 fallen Silent Brothers and three Shadowhunters. Take this time to grieve and plan for what lies ahead."

What a sympathetic fellow you sound.

"Your orders will follow." He turned his gaze to the royal princess in front of us, "With your leave your majesty." He bowed causing us all to follow his actions as protocol asked us to. When we all saw her nod of approval, we stood up straight alongside everyone else.

Quickly after, the room began to clear itself, everyone preparing for tomorrow's sacred event.

Lissa turned to face us when caught wind of the groan of pain she emitted.

"Your shoulder still hurts, huh?" She muttered softly, gently touching Izzy's shoulder.

"A little stiff."

"I can always try and heal it…?" Lissa offered with a smile. But this time we both caught how tired she looked.

You see as the ruler of our world, she has to lead the rites of the dead. And seeing as she is new to all of this, she's been staying up to learn all the ins and outs of the event, unfortunately pushing aside her own grief in the process.

I shared a quick look with Izzy before she said, "Uh, don't worry about me. Keep an eye on Clary." Her gaze flickered to my best friend. It was unspoken but clear.

Look after Lissa.

I mean, I don't need anyone to tell me to look after her, I'll always be here by her side from now on.

We split ways with her, heading towards where we assumed Clary was. Where Jocelyn's body was being kept.

I peeked into the room and caught sight of my red-head sister (ugh- sister). Just as I was about to pull Lissa into the room, she stopped walking. However, the speed at which we were walking caused her to come flying into my chest with a small yelp.

I caught her and steadied her onto her feet.

You okay? I silently asked, an amused eyebrow raised.

Instead of responding, she removed her hand from mine with a sad smile on her face. The feeling of warmth that encompassed me every time we held hands vanished as soon as we lost contact. I tried to reach for it again but she shook her head and stepped away from me slightly.

"You should talk to her on your own, Jace."

I immediately shook my head, refusing with that idea. "You should go with me. She's your sister. That's your mother."

"I know," she quietly responded, turning her gaze from me but not quick enough that I didn't catch sight of the tears gathering in her eyes.

God. You're so stupid! Why would you say that to her! Idiot!

"You've been by my side for the last couple of days, Jay, making sure I'm alright. It's your turn to help your sister get through this."

"And why can't you be there to help me?" I argued back quietly.

Her eyes flickered to the door and back to me, "I can't- Mo- I have to learn the rites. I haven't perfected them yet. I don't want to do anything wrong and send them to the wrong place. That would be a disaster."

She tried to laugh it off but her usual laugh was dead-sounding in my ears.

I tried to think of another excuse. "You need a bodyguard."

What? It was the first thing I could think of?

"You're always near death when we're apart."

That actually brought a flicker of a smile back of her face. She turned away from me before starting to move away, "Bye Jay."

But I wouldn't let her leave just like that.

I took two strides after her and wrapped my arms around her until they were wrapped around her stomach, her back firmly pressed against my front.

"The next time I see you, you better be safe and in one piece!"

She turned around to face me, wrapping her own arms around my waist, returning my hug.

"I promise." I heard her mumble into my chest. I could feel the small smile that started to appear on her face. But before I could properly enjoy it, she stepped back, her princess face back on.

"Goodbye, Jace." With a quick wink and a kiss on the cheek, she glided away from me with a silent swish of her dress.

I stood frozen outside of the door, a hand on my cheek, staring after the dark-haired temptress.

Wow.

I will admit. It took me a while to get my head thinking again. I know what you're thinking. Me? Jace Wayland? Staring after the girl. Unheard of I know but when it's a girl- no. A woman like her. You'll understand exactly what I mean.

When I got my thoughts back together, I finally entered the room to talk to my (barf) sister.

"Hey."

Really? Did Lissa's kiss mess with your head so much that all you say is Hey? You were the ladies man. What happened to you?

"You okay?" I sighed.

Slightly better but still.

"I'd be a lot better if people quit speaking in quiet voices and telling me it's okay to grieve."

I stared at her in the eyes for the first time in a long time, "Fair enough."

What is wrong with you today?

"I don't know why." She adopted a very distant look, "I just don't feel much of anything right now." She scoffed as turned her gaze back to me, "Emotions cloud judgment, right?"

I internally groaned, hating when my own words are used against me, "Clary, I spent my whole life fighting my emotions. Since Lissa was taken from me I've been like this. Look where it landed me."

A look of understanding took over her features, "You just lost your mom, too." Please don't remind me. "What do you feel?"

I sighed with a slight shrug, "I don't know." Maryse has been the only mom I've known my whole life and now this… "I thought I'd be able to get to know her." I looked down at the face of the woman who gave birth to me, hoping to feel more grief, like what a son should feel for his departed mother, "And she'd get more time to know me as more than just an experiment gone wrong. I..." I sighed, before quickly gathering my thoughts and thinking of what to say next, "I just figured we'd get more time."

I should have learnt my lesson with Lissa that you never know when your time is limited with someone.

I left Clary to herself and headed towards Aldertree's office after receiving a summon from him.

"You wanted to see me?" I asked politely once I entered his office.

What? I can be polite!

"Please." He said once he saw me, "Have a seat."

I headed to his couch as he stood to stand in front of his desk.

Nice. Intimidation tactics. Make yourself look more powerful.

"You and I haven't had a chance to talk about what happened at the City of Bones."

"Just doing what I was trained to do," I responded in the same respectful tone.

"That's how it may appear to the Clave, but what I saw was an unprepared soldier allowing a deranged criminal to make off with one of the Mortal Instruments."

Wait what now?

I held up my hand, with a look of disbelief taking over my face, "Wait, wait. I... I saved you." I saw his look of discomfort at that fact. Dick must not like to be reminded of that fact. "Would you prefer that I let you die?"

"That's precisely what you should have done." Dick. "I'd gladly have given my life to protect the Sword, just like the Silent Brothers did. Douche. "Now, countless more soldiers will die trying to reclaim it." Deplorable humanshadowhunter! "And their blood will be on your hands."

I bit my lip, taking a deep breath knowing Lissa wouldn't want me to punch the guy, "I'll do whatever I can to get it back."

"I'm afraid your words are too late. I'm sending a team to the Adamant Citadel to see what the Iron Sisters know about the Sword."

I stood up eager to get away from this room, "Great. I'll run point, draw up a mission."

"A soldier without discipline is poison to his entire squad." His next words shattered my world, "You're hereby banned from field duty."

Okay. Now I really wanna punch him. Lissa. You better overturn his order.

With the thoughts of murdering the new institute leader in my head, I headed out to look for the Yang to my Yin.

Yeah yeah. I know I just called myself female but she's the sun to my darkness so it fit better alright?

I caught sight of her standing outside the room Jocelyn was being kept, looking like she wanted to go in but not taking the step to do so.

"I need to talk to you," I announced, startling her.

She flicked her gaze to me before turning away quickly wiping the tears that I definitely caught sight of.

I grabbed her hand lightly, "Hey." I turned her face towards me gently, "What's wrong?"

She pulled her hand from mine, and stepped into the room before I could pull her back, "Nothing."

I followed her into the room only for us to stop as we caught sight of Clary leaning over Jocelyn's body holding something.

"What are you doing?" Lissa asked suspiciously.

Clary froze at the sight of us, "Nothing."

"What is that for?" I asked as she walked towards us, heading for the exit probably.

She sighed, glancing briefly at Lissa, whose eyes hadn't strayed the body of her dead mother, "I went to see a warlock in Park Slope. Her name's Iris Rouse and she..."

"Please," Lissa interrupted her, finally tearing her gaze away from the deceased, "Please tell me you're not thinking about doing what I think..."

"I can bring my mom back," She looked at the two of us, "Our mom."

"You can't, Clary." I shook my head at her, partly in pity and partly in surprise and her wanting to do such a thing. Then again, she willingly brought Simon back as a vampire.

"She wasn't supposed to die," her emotions were starting to get to her because she began to stutter out her next words, "I-It was a mistake. A freak demon attack. I..." She paused before admitting the truth, her eyes masked completely with guilt. "I want more time with her."

I felt Lissa move uncomfortably by my side, "So do I, Clary. But you never know what you're gonna get back."

I nodded, agreeing with her, crossing my arms, "There are always risks. You could very well conjure a demon in Jocelyn's form."

"You said 'could,'" she countered, her hope reigniting in her eyes. I could see Lissa shaking her head sadly from beside me, "She could also come back the same, right?"

I took hold of Lissa's hand and squeezed it in comfort, "Look, I know you want her back. But you have to trust me, Clary. You don't bring people back from the dead."

I needed to blow off some steam so I dragged Izzy and Lissa to the training room. I was currently training with Izzy, using medium-sized pieces of wood rather than actual blades. Lissa was sat somewhere behind us, resting after the spar we just had.

I whistled with a smirk when there was a pause in our dance.

Only for it to be washed away by Izzy's words, "Aldertree can't bench you."

I panted slightly, placing my weapons on my shoulder, "He already did."

With a grunt of frustration at this whole situation, I launched myself into a jump towards her and exchanged several blows. She ducked behind a column, who even designed this place? And my stick whacked into where she was supposed to be, causing pieces of the ancient structure to crumble to the ground.

"Did Alec come home?" she asked, placing herself in a defensive stance.

"Yeah," Lissa mentioned on the sidelines. I looked at her briefly to see that she was holding a tablet and was flicking through whatever document she had to oversee at this moment in time. When did she get that anyway?

"He's still taking this really hard," she continued on.

"Have you spoken to Clary?" I asked my weapons on my shoulders, mirroring her current position.

I began to circle the column she was standing behind, only to see she was doing the same thing, "She's all right. She's keeping to herself. I made some food for her, but she didn't wanna eat it."

"Can you blame her?" I asked rhetorically.

We launched ourselves at one another, lunging forwards and diving away, our dance once again continuing.

It ended when I kicked her into another column, my weapons in the shape of an X against her neck, "Come on, Iz. This is way too easy."

She pushed my weapons away with her own as I heard Lissa's reproving voice from behind us, "Don't get cocky."

I turned to look at her briefly, giving her an 'aye aye captain' signal, only for that to be my mistake when she launched herself from the column and at me once again.

"You all right?" I asked when I managed to knock her onto the ground. She was twisting around in pain, holding her back.

"It's the demon wound, isn't it, on your back?" Lissa suddenly asking from my side, causing me to jump slightly. She moves way too silently for a human!

"Look, if the runes aren't healing it, you need to get it fixed." I put forward, agreeing with my parabatai.

"Yeah, Iz. Just say the word and I can heal it for you…"

She twisted away from us, shaking our concern away, "I'll see a medic later. Relax."

I shared a look with Lissa before she stepped away, engrossed in her tablet once again.

"Might want to see him now." I put forward with a smirk, "They're sending a team to the Iron Sisters after the Rite of Mourning."

She dropped her defensive pose as a look of disbelief shadowed her features, "No way."

"You always wanted to be an Iron Sister when you were a kid, huh?" I asked, my smirk not diminishing in its hue.

Izzy looked away from with a massive smile on her face, eyes distant, probably recalling her happy childhood, "Until I realized I had to swear off boys." She looked back up at me an eager look on her face, "When do we leave?"

"You're not going anywhere with a wound on your back. Aldertree would never let you." I immediately fired back.

"Aldertree doesn't need to know" she countered with a mischievous grin.

"Iz," a voice warned us. We both looked to see the look of disapproval on Lissa's face.

Izzy pouted and turned to me. I scoffed agreeing with Lissa, "Yeah, good luck with that."

Lissa walked up to us, to stand by my side, "And even if Aldertree didn't find out about your wound, I know about it." She leaned against the column we were stood near with a lazy smirk, fit for the royal that she was, "I'm the one handpicking the people being sent on this mission. Aldertree will be giving me a list of recommended shadowhunters and since I know that you're injured, I'm not even going to consider you if you still have that injury tomorrow."

I could see her mounting anger so to pacify her, I raised my arms in a defensive position, "Look, Izzy, go and get it checked out." I dropped my arms, one landing on Lissa's shoulders. I used that arm to draw her to me, "The last thing we need is another one of us sidelined. Okay?"

She gave us a reluctant nod before heading out of the room.

Once she was gone, Lissa immediately moved out from under my arm. A flash of hurt? Yeah, we'll go with that. Went through me.

"What?" I immediately asked her.

"You're sweaty and really smell," was her immediate response.

My jaw dropped in shock, "You're not in any better state."

She shrugged innocently, "At least I have a healthy glow, you, on the other hand, look like a sweating pig."

"A pig?" I gasped out.

"Yeah." She stepped towards me before lightly patting my cheek, "Take a shower, wouldn't want everyone to think my betrothed smells like a pig." She looked me in the eye for two seconds before seeming to come to a decision. She leant forward and kissed me on the cheek, "At least you're a handsome pig."

With that, she sashayed away from me, probably back to her own rooms to take a shower.

What in the world just happened?

When I managed to catch sight of the little minx again, she was staring suspiciously at Izzy, who was swinging at a dummy as if she didn't have the injury we were just talking about.

"You're looking better," I said to her, a bit of shock seeping through, I stopped to stand beside Lissa, taking her hand instinctively.

"You smell better." She whispered with a slight smirk, keeping her gaze on Izzy.

I poked her side, causing her to wiggle around slightly when I found her tickle spot.

"Have you seen Clary? Or Alec even? I can't find either of them anywhere." I asked instead.

"She's fine. She left with Alec a few hours ago." Izzy responded.

I turned away, starting to drag Lissa with me, "That warlock..."

"Warlock?" Izzy asked.

"Shit." I heard a mumble by my side, causing me to instinctively reproach her, "Language."

She nudged my side in annoyance but I just grabbed her hand and led her into a run.

Izzy and I pushed through the gate and the three of us stepped onto the property Clary and Alec were at.

Thank god that Lissa's remembered the name of the warlock so we could look up her address.

"You take upstairs," I said to the girl on my left. I turned to Lissa, "We'll take the lower levels."

They both nodded but Izzy was the only one to respond, "On it."

We ran through the house and found the stairs leading to the lower levels. Only to see this black thing doing a weird impression of a contortionist having a seizure launching itself at Clary.

"CLARY!" Lissa screamed in anguish by my side. I grabbed her arm preventing her from launching herself forward at that thing.

We covered our eyes as we were blinded by a bright light.

"What the hell was that?" I asked in shock.

Lissa didn't even wait for an answer before launching herself at Clary, burying her head in the elder girls's shoulder, hugging her tight.

"I... I don't know. I..." The red-head responded in confusion and shock as she hugged her sister back. "I saw this vision of a rune and... And so I drew it."

Lissa finally stepped away from Clary, only to grab her hand to look at said rune. When she began to sway on her feet, I pushed myself forward to stand beside her. I hugged Lissa lightly to my side as I continued my conversation with Clary, "You just shot sunlight out of your hand." I chuckled nervously as I looked down at Lissa, who didn't seem to be over her daze, "I knew you had a strong skill set, but that was amazing." I looked back up at her, "Where's the rune?"

She lifted the hand Lissa held earlier only for me to see nothing there, "I don't know. It's gone."

Quickly making a decision, I told her, "Look, whatever just happened, let's keep this to ourselves."

"There you are." A voice spoke up from behind us.

We all spun around to see Alec and Izzy there.

"Are you okay?" Izzy asked.

"Yeah. I'm... I'm fine."

"Allie?" Alec asked cautiously.

Lissa finally broke from her state and gave us all a look. I've never seen her look so emotionless before. What's going on?

"We need to get back to the institute."

With no further words, she raised her hand, opening a portal and stepped through. We all exchanged looks before stepping in after her.

None of us saw her when we got back. The portal closed itself after her. We all went our separate ways to get changed and ready for the rites.

When I walked into the room where the rites were supposed to take place with Alec, we were both wearing white suits and Lissa had beat us there. She was talking to the Silent Brothers and placing rose petals on top of the covered bodies. I wanted to join her and comfort her, knowing how difficult she's found learning the rites but she looked really busy so I left her be for now.

"You all right?" I asked Alec.

He didn't respond so I let him off for once and we stood to stand near Izzy.

When I caught sight of Clary entering the room, I headed her direction.

The first thing she said was, "I can't do this, Jace."

I gave her a sympathetic smile before whispering, "Yes, you can."

I held my hand out for her to hold, with no time to waste, she grabbed it.

"Just don't let go of me."

I could feel her stare at me as I turned to face the front where Lissa was. When I looked up, I caught sight of Lissa's eyes as she surveyed the room, only to catch sight of me -and Clary. Shit. She quickly turned away and walked away. I went to walk after her but she walked too quickly for me to catch up especially as I was dragging Clary along with me. I made it seem like we were heading towards the front instead.

"Her royal highness, Crown Princess Alicia Vivian Rénata Graymark," Aldertree suddenly announced from the front.

From the main entrance, Lissa started making a procession through the hall towards the front, Brother Enoch and Brother Isaac walking behind her so they were in a triangle formation. She was in a long white gown causing her to have an ethereal glow to surround her. She stopped in front of the bodies and knelt on the ground. The Brothers continued walking so they were standing in front of their departed Brothers.

"Those remaining will take their place with the fallen," Lissa spoke up from her place on the ground.

I led Clary towards Jocelyn, walking passing Lissa on our way. I went to graze my hand on Lissa's shoulder on my past but it was as if something was physically stopping me from comforting my parabatai.

I caught sight of Clary tentatively reaching out for Joceyln's covered face but I stayed focused on the woman kneeling in front of me but this time with my hands to myself.

"Nos gratias ago vos pro Domino transitum nostri fratris/sororis eius. Te exaltamus nomen tuum quoniam bonum vitae est/illa fuit. Da nobis, o Domine, perpetua vita, quae data est ei, aut eam. Et quod ille aut illa, maneat in horto tuam, et tange quod angeli tuam/non iterum potest non tangere. Patrem, cum eius/eius et anima ille/illa requiem in pacem aeternam perfectus." The Princess continued to pray from her kneeling position. "Those remaining will say the names of the fallen."

"Brother Micah," intoned the grim Brother Enoch.

"Pulvis et umbra sumus," we all chorused.

"Brother Jeremiah," Brother Isaac then said.

"For we are dust and shadows," we all said.

"Joce-" Clary's voice broke from beside me. I barely noticed as I watched my other half's shoulders tense and shake slightly at the sound of her mother's name. I turned back to Clary when she started to fully break down, "Mom."

I grabbed Clary into a hug, bringing her head to my chest, my eyes began to water as I took over for her, "Jocelyn Fairchild."

"Ave atque vale," we all chorused.

I watched as Lissa got up from her position as we all intoned the final line to the rites, "Hail and farewell."

We all headed away from the fallen, I led Clary towards where Alec and Izzy were stood, and only Lissa, Aldertree and the Brothers were stood with the deceased.

We all watched silently as Lissa walked to the front of the hall at the end of the row of bodies. She walked past the bodies, tapping her stele on the hearts of each victim, causing a golden-white glow to spread through their forever frozen bodies. When she had done that for all the victims, she ended up back in the centre of the bodies, her back facing us. The Brothers and Aldertree were now positioned so they all stood in a semi-circle around the fallen, their backs also to us.

Aldertree and the Brothers simultaneously started to slowly raise their arms, causing the glow to shift into the air, their immortal souls free from their mortal forms. But they suddenly stopped rising in the air for some reason. I looked at them all to try and figure out what was wrong. It didn't take me long to figure out what the issue was.

Lissa was the only one of the group to not raise her arms.

I stepped forward slightly and caught sight of the tears pooling in her eyes that stubbornly refused to fall.

It was at that moment that I realised why she was acting so odd today.

Why she wouldn't join me to talk to Clary earlier.

Why she was crying outside of the room before we went to talk to Clary.

She then started to raise her arms slowly towards the ceiling, reluctant to let go of the second mother to raise her.

But as it was her duty, she released the souls to the heavens.

I watched as she waved her hand, causing the roof to open and freeing the spirits to the sky to end up whether they wanted to be.

"Let their souls be free…" I heard Lissa softly speak through the silence.

After a moment of respect to the fallen, Lissa turned around to face us all.

"The rites of passage have been completed. May their souls rest in peace."