the journal

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The New York Institute stood tall and gleaming, freshly rebuilt after the war, but a sense of unease loomed in its halls. The Shadowhunters who had fought so hard for peace now found themselves facing an unexpected new adversary—one that came from within.

Alec, Clary, Jace, Izzy, and Stiles all eyed the new director with suspicion from the moment he arrived. Director Sebastian Morrell had been handpicked by the Clave, supposedly to bring order and stability back to the Institute. But his harsh, inflexible methods and open disdain for Downworlders quickly made it clear that his version of "order" clashed with everything they had fought for.

One by one, Morrell began implementing changes, cutting off Downworlder access to the Institute, forbidding alliances, and putting strict restrictions on any relationships with Downworlders. The final straw came when he banned Robert and Maryse Lightwood—the former Institute leaders—from even setting foot in the New York Institute. This was a crushing blow, not just to Alec and Izzy but to everyone who saw them as family. Morrell's vision was one of isolation, a place where Shadowhunters and Downworlders remained completely separate, no matter the cost.

Jace decided they couldn't stay silent any longer. He approached his grandmother, Imogen Herondale, for help. She was a respected figure in the Shadowhunter world, and he hoped she could do something to rein in Morrell's overreach.

However, before Jace's pleas could reach Imogen, Morrell made his next, most shocking move: he ordered the arrest of Alec, Izzy, and Stiles for their relationships with Downworlders. Alec, who was married to Magnus Bane, a powerful warlock, Izzy, who had an ongoing relationship with the vampire Raphael, and Stiles, who had been publicly dating Derek Hale, a werewolf, all found themselves under Morrell's harsh scrutiny.

Stiles had barely enough time to process what was happening before Institute guards were escorting him to a cell alongside Alec and Izzy. The cold, stone-walled room felt stifling, and anger simmered just beneath the surface as the three of them took in their predicament.

Izzy paced the small cell, her frustration evident. "This is insane. After everything we've done to bring peace, this is how we're treated?"

Alec looked equally frustrated, though his expression was more restrained. "Morrell thinks he can just erase what we've built because he doesn't agree with it. The Clave gave him too much power."

Stiles leaned against the wall, trying to keep calm but struggling with the rage building inside. "This is ridiculous. I don't care what the Clave thinks—if they think they can tell me who I can and can't be with, they're wrong."

Alec put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "We'll get through this, Stiles. Jace won't let this stand, and neither will Imogen."

It wasn't long before footsteps echoed down the hall, and the cell door swung open. Jace stepped in, his face tense with determination. "I spoke to Imogen. She's furious. She's heading to the Clave right now to challenge Morrell's authority."

Alec's eyes lit up with relief. "Good. We need someone to stand up to him. He's completely out of control."

Jace nodded. "She's also calling in support from other Institutes. Morrell isn't as popular as he thinks—he's burned a lot of bridges, and plenty of Shadowhunters are against his policies. We're not alone in this."

Izzy's expression softened. "Thank the Angel. Maybe we have a chance to turn this around."

Jace turned to them, a small smile of reassurance on his face. "Hold on a little longer. We'll get you out of here, and then we're going to make sure Morrell faces the consequences."