City of Heavenly Fire

Chapter One

*A/N*

Okay, so the prologue was set in two different time periods, Victorian London (TID) and modern 'New York' (TMI). The story is now going to stay in the same time period, which will be 2014 New York. As of right now it is to be told through the POV of the Shadowhunters living at the New York Institute.

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Chapter One

He started at the target, his knife vibrating in the middle of it. He had been in the training room for hours. It was the first place he had gone since the Silent Brothers had declared him well enough to leave that prison of an infirmary.

He heard the door open, slowly, and soft footsteps, before the door was closed behind the intruder.

'Jace?'

Hw knew her voice by now. He could tell when she was sad, or disappointed, or anxious. But this was new to him. Something different.

He turned to her, his damp hair curling at the temples, wet with sweat. Clary took a step closer to him and, cautiously, ran her hand through the boy's golden hair. He closed his eyes, comforted by the familiar gesture.

'Izzy told me you were released.' Clary's voice was quiet, cautious. And he suddenly knew. She still felt like this whole thing was her fault.

Despite his conscience, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer to him. She made a noise of surprise and began to say his name. But he cut her off.

'I missed you.'

It had been days since her last visit. She couldn't bring herself to come and visit him, especially in that goddamned infirmary. She couldn't walk in there and see him in that horrid white hospital bed, with its rigid corners and plain white sheets. So much like Jace's own room, yet so different.

No, she couldn't walk in there and see him like that. Not knowing that it was her fault that he was that way.

He leaned down until his forehead was against hers.

'Why didn't you visit?'

Clary shook her head, not wanting to tell him. Her read hair shook in her ponytail holder.

Jace rose his hand to cup her cheek, worried.

'You would tell me right? If something was wrong?'

She nodded, her green eyes cast towards the floor. She raised them, looking into his gold ones. Some might say they were the color of honey, but she had yet to find the right description to do his eyes justice.

'I just.... Couldn't see you in there. In that damn room with all those beds. Beds just like the one in your room, with it's pulled corners and white sheets.'

She took a breath, whispering her last words.

'I couldn't stand to see you in that goddamn room knowing I put you there.'

Her eyes were downcast again, and he placed one of his long, pianist fingers under her chin, gently forcing her to look at him.

'Don't say that. It wasn't your fault. Please Clary, don't say that.'

A few tears fell from her closed eyes.

'If its anyone's fault, it's mine. I let myself bind him to me. I let it happen. I didn't fight it. You didn't damn me Clary. You saved me from hell.'

Her eyes settled on the scar on his chest. Sometime during his training, he had discarded his shirt, and she was forced to look at what she had created.

' I made that.' She whispered, staring at the mark.

'Yes, but you have to admit, it looks pretty goddamn sexy on me.'

She let out a short laugh before Jace pulled her into himself, not wanting there to be any space between them. She felt his skin, hotter than it should be, but it wasn't burning her.

Her raised his hand to hair, grabbing her ponytail holder. He pulled it down in one swift movement before leaning down to whisper in her ear.

'How many times do I have to tell you? I like your hair down.'

***

Tessa Gray walked through the busy New York streets. The glamour made travel easier, and allowed her to wear her comfortable clothes. She had never gotten used to the feeling of denim enclosing her legs, and preferred dresses. It was days such as these that she preferred clothes from her era.

She reached the complex where she would be meeting an old friend. She climbed up the steps to his apartment before knocking on the door. She heard footsteps and the lock being turned.

Magnus Bane opened the door.

'Tessa, darling, please do come in.'

She stepped into his apartment, no longer surprised by the bright colors and sparkly walls.

She heard a slight snort.

'Nice outfit.'

She turned to face a dark haired boy with stunning dark, blue eyes. The features were not as defined, but he was still recognizable. Tessa gasped.

Will.

A nervous chuckle came from behind her as she heard Magnus shut the door.

'Tessa, this is... Alec Lightwood. Alec, this is Tessa Gray.'

'Carstairs.' was the girl's immediate response.

'Tessa Carstairs.'

She turned around to face the warlock. Her voice was soft when she spoke.

'You didn't say there would be company.'

'I was just leaving.' The boy, Alec still stood in the doorway, but swiftly walked over to the front door and left. As he walked by her, Tessa could see the black runes that licked his arms.

As the door closed behind the boy and all composure Tessa had maintained on the way to Magnus' apartment was gone. She collapsed onto the nearby couch, her hands gripping the jade pendant around her neck. Even after all the years, she could not bring herself to remove the pendant.

Magnus sat beside the woman and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She lowered her head onto his shoulder. He fixed a knowing gaze on the top of her head, knowing of the pain she was going through.

'What's the occasion today?'

His voice was soft, prodding her to answer.

'Today's the day he died. The day we married.'

The older warlocks breath caught in his throat, but Tessa did not notice.

'And what is the occasion that I get to see you dressed in that of your era?'

Tessa let out a small laugh, but it was humourless.

'This was his favorite.'

She stood, a sudden rage overcoming her. She took her fist and pounded the wall. Magnus was surprised by her outburst. It was so... so.... un-Tessa like.

'That damn drug!' Her voice rang throughout the apartment.

'That damn drug that took his life! He wasn't supposed to go. For the live of God Magnus he was only seventeen.'

Her voice had faded to a whisper as she lost her stamina. She slumped against the wall, her energy gone.

Magnus walked over to her, kneeing down so he could look at her face.

'My dear Tessa, would you like to acompony me to th' New York Institute? It seems they has very pressing issues, and it might help to take your mind out of its current state.'

'Do you think he's happy?'

Magnus sighed before standing up and offering her his hand, which she took.

'I'd to think so Tessa. I'd like to think so.'

And on that note, they walked, hand in hand, out the door.

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