City of Heavenly Fire

Prologue

Prologue

London; 1878

His body convulsed, shaking with effort. He brought a hand to his mouth, and when it came away, it was covered in the dark crimson of blood.

Her hand was in his, her knuckles reddening with the effort of keeping a strong hold on his hand. On the other side of the bed, a boy with almost-black hair and blue eyes grasped the sick boys other hand.

His weak voice filled the small room, echoing off of the stone walls.

'Tess...Tessa....'

And as his body was racked with another round of coughs, the girl turned her head so that she did not have to see the pain of her fiancé.

'Tessa.... You.... Know.... I love... You.'

So much effort was put into those six words. Gasping for breath in between each word, he barely made it through the sentence before his eyes slipped closed and the life left him forever.

Silent tears stained her pale face and she placed his cold hand over his now silent heart. She bent down one last time and slowly kissed his lips that had once brought warmth and comfort. Now all they brought was the sense of foreboding.

'Goodbye James. You'll always be with me, Jem, no matter what. I love you, James Carstairs, and I will never forget you.'

And she raised her head to look at the boy across the table, who had just lost his best friend, his parabatai.

'I... I'll go call Magnus.' The other boy stood and walked to the door before turning around. He stared into the girl's grey eyes that only days before had held hope, and spoke three words.

'I'm sorry, Tessa.'

And with that he left the room. Tessa turned back to her fiancé, her almost husband and kissed his forehead, before leaving his room and going to her own, right across the hall. And she opened her wardrobe, and began to pack.

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New York; 2014

The wind blew her red hair, tangling it even more, as Clary Fray made her way down the busy New York Street. Her feet were carrying her to the Institute, but her mind was somewhere else.

He was out there, somewhere. Sebastian was. She knew he was coming. Coming for her, and Jace too, that as much was simple.

But it was what he would do to them, what he would do to the world, that eluded her.

She knew something was wrong. As she was leaving the Institute she could she it plain as day on Marsye's face. She hadnt asked, but now wish she had, for she knew the news had something to do with her brother.

She reached Luke's house, and saw Simon on the front porch. Typically she would be glad to see him but now, she was not in the mood.

'What is it, Simon?' She asked. The words sounded bitter to her ears.

Simon looked taken aback. Clary had spoken to him in harsh tones before, but this was different.

'Clary is everything okay? Is something....'

She waved away his concerns, sitting down on the front steps, putting her forehead on her knees.

'Ya, I'm just tired. Overwhelmed. With everything that's been going on....'

She felt his arm go around her shoulder, and leaned against him.

'Why don't we go inside?' Simon said, obviously uncomfortable out in the cold, though she did not know why.

Before she could stop herself, she let out a small laugh, and allowed Simon to lead her into the house.

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Author's Note:

I'm sorry I didn't update, I had midterms at school and then we got a huge snow storm.

I'm sorry if this story sucks right now, but it will get better! I promise! Just keep reading ;)

Thanks to all my readers and to those who voted. It means alot!