Eternal ~ A Tessa Gray FanFiction

Part One ~ Final Breath.

Tessa Gray stared at the two tombstones, watching the skulls stare back at her emotionlessly. The hall was cold, but she could care less, she already felt cold. Silent Brothers had told her to leave, but she could care less what they want... Tessa no longer cared for much in this world, as the two people who had filled it with so much joy were gone.
Yes, Tessa Gray was staring at the tombs of William Herondale and James Carstairs.
It had been 8 years since Jem's death. He had died of old age asleep in his bed, much like Will. When he had died, despite the Silent Brothers' refusals, she had demanded they be encased beside each other in the Silent City, knowing that would have been what they wished.
She had also travelled back to the tree where Will had sworn his oath to Jem... and buried Will's bloody sword and Jem's cane in the earth, making their love eternal even if it was only her who understood it now.
Of course, there was Magnus, who understood her pain... He had lost Alec only a year ago. And he spent most of his time by Alec's tomb also, his cries sometimes echoing through the halls.
They both knew that the time would come when they would lose their loved ones... But Tessa never realized you could not prepare for the pain you would feel when it happened... The hollow pit in your chest that keeps getting bigger amd bigger.
"Tessa," said a familiar voice. "London Insitute is being attacked by demons. Tessa we need your help. Magnus is already on his way."
Suddenly Tessa's eyes widened. No, not her home. Not that place... She looked up at her friend, "Clary I-"
"I know," Clary replied. "Come on, let's get you to the Institute."
Her arms wrapped around Tessa, lifting her from the ground and guiding her out of the Silent City. Clary's hair was far more grey than red now, her face wrinkled with age. But it amazed Tessa how deeply green and strong Clary's eyes were still, reminding Tessa of the young girl she once knew.
Tessa hesitated, "What happened?"
"We don't know," Clary sighed. "The Clave reported an attack from inside the Institute. We don't know how, but the demons got inside."
Tessa felt her legs moving faster, her breath quicker. They ran towards the exit of the Silent City, not looking back.

++++

Blades clashed and agonized screams sounded, filling Tessa's ears almost instantly after exitting the portal.
Clary followed after her, pulling out the Morgenstern blade. "They've taken over almost half of the London Institute."
Heartbeat fastening, Tessa snatched a seraph blade from Clary's belt, running towards the crowd of hunters and demons.
"This is my home," she screamed, plunging the blade into a demon's throat, watching it explode into guts and ash.
Adrenalin pushed her forward, fending off demons and biting back screams as talons and claws dug into her skin.
An anger, which she was not used to feeling, exploded inside her... She was not going to lose what little she had left of her friends, of the life she once had, of the loved ones she once held so tightly in her arms she feared they may break... She couldn't bare it.
"Tessa!" called a boy, who's features were recognized instantly. Jace ran towards her, seraph blade in hand, "DUCK!"
She did so, dropping to the floor. But a hand grabbed her ankle, dragging her backwards. She spun around, throwing the blade into the demon's heart. It vanished, spraying vapour across the floor.
Jace caught up, pulling her from off the ground. She shook her head at him, "Never trust a duck..."
At his confused expression, she shook her grinning. "The words of your ancestor, my boy."
She spun on her heel, running down a secret stairwell which had once been Henry's... Heading towards the portal... She believed that was where the demons were entering from. And soon enough, demons charged up the stairs, lunging at her. She slashed her seraph blade, fighting free from their demonic grips and lunging for the bottom of the stairwell. Her back smashed against the stone floor and she screamed out in agony, forcing herself to stand.
The door was opening, demons swarming through. She caught the eye of a girl, fighting back demons, her hair flying out behind her. Tessa gasped.
"Jessamine?"
The girl looked over, shocked. "Tessa..." Her voice sounded cold, but also warm, funnily enough... And then she glared, "Well are you going to close the bloody portal or not?"
With a nod, Tessa ran to the portal, fending off demons as she went. she closed her eyes, whispering a spell, letting the power overwhelm her... And suddenly, the portal shattered into a million pieces, just as a demon's hand dug into her chest. Tessa screamed out, hearing Jessamine's cry.
The girl ran towards her now, trying to touch but barely getting close. "No!"
Tessa collapsed, gasping for air. "How did you-"
"The portal," Jessamine said. "You can go through different dimensions right? Well, I'm dead so technically I can travel through most of them. Ugh you're an idiot Tessa you let your guard down!"
The demon exploded in guts and vapour, and Clary tugged the seraph blade from it's grip and knelt beside her. "Tessa... Hang on we can heal you-"
Tessa pushed Clary's shaking hand away, refusing the stele. "Runes don't work on me, my dear."
Jace walked inside and frowned, "Clary she's a warlock.. Why would you-"
"I looked up the old family trees," Clary said, not taking her eyes off Tessa. "I know who you are... I thought-"
Tessa smiled, "Clarrissa Fray... So much like your ancestor, Henry..." She coughed, looking up at Jace. "And you... You remind me of Will quite a bit..."
The couple looked from each other to her, their eyes glassy. With a long breath Tessa looked to Jessamine now, a small smile playing on her lips. "Finally..."
Clary shook her head, "Tessa... You have to stay with us! We need- Jace needs you! You're his only family-"
"What?" Jace blinked, looking from Clary to Tessa.
Tessa let out another long breath and smiled, "I suppose it is time he knew... Jace Herondale, the last of my line..."
"Your-" Jace connected the dots, staring at her. He collapsed to his knees. "But you're-"
"A warlock?" Tessa laughed, "Why do you think you have the star on your shoulder?"
He pulled his shirt down a bit, observing it. She continued, "It marks you as my descendent."
Tessa felt herself slipping away, her eyes closing and her breathing slowing. She took Jace's hand, "I always knew you were a Herondale... You have your father's eyes..."
And then... Tessa felt, for the first time since she had shapeshifted into Camille, her heart stop...
Her vision disappeared and she felt Jessamine's arms wrap around her... Bringing her into the darkness...