The Shadowhunters

Epilogue: The Legacy

Tessa was back in London. She was attending the wedding between Gideon and Sophie, as well as Cecily and Gabriel. Her friends

from New York had came as well, and she was immensely grateful to Magnus Bane, who had been instrumental to all of it.

And that day was a Will and Tessa day, a day that they were not going to be bothered by wedding plans or colour schemes. They weren't going to be bothered by dress and tuxedo

shopping or flower arranging. That was their day. And it was a Saturday as well, which meant the Institute was empty. Cecily had hinted to Tessa about the empty school, but Tessa

didn't really understand.

All Will had said was to meet him at the bench where Tessa had agreed to give him another bench. Where Will had told Tessa that he had liked her and even loved her. Where he

had bared his soul to her. The bench right in front of the Institute.

And that was it.

So there was Tessa, walking to the bench in front of the Institute and she sat down, waiting for Will to appear. But he never showed. Not after five minutes they were suppose to meet. Then ten. Tessa sighed, turning to look at the empty seat where Will was suppose to be.

There was a book. That had a sticky­note on it. On that sticky note was Tessa's name in fine cursive, writing that Tessa could recognize anywhere. Biting her lip, Tessa picked up

the book.

It was Charlotte Brontë's book, Jane Eyre. She flipped it open to the cover page and stared. In Will's fine calligraphy, there was a paragraph.

"I would always rather be happy than dignified." That was a direct quote from the same book Tessa was holding.

Tess, it continued.

I would rather be happy than dignified when I'm with you. I offered my dignity up because I was so happy. I had made a fool of myself in front of the entire school. Remember

where?

Tessa immediately shot to her feet. The cafeteria of the Institute, when Will had proclaimed their relationship. That was the first place that came to her mind. Quickly, Tessa

crossed the street with the book still clutched in her hand. She entered the intimidating gates of the Institute and headed to the cafeteria.

But she didn't find Will. Instead, she found another book, sitting on the gray cafeteria table.

This time, it was Charles Dickens' Great Expectations. Tessa opened it and on the inside of the cover, it said: "We need never be ashamed of our tears."

Tessa, congratulations! You made it to the second one! I knew you were a smart one!

Tessa rolled her eyes, sitting down at the table to continue reading. This was a longer paragraph than before.

I am not ashamed of the tears that I cried for you when I knew that I had to push you away. Memories were in every tear, but I did not forget them. When hope was bleak and love

so far away, I cried because you, my anchor, was the thing I had to push away. And I cried in the place where we shared everything and nothing, memories haunting me as I shed

those salty tears. The place that would forever be our place, where I am not ashamed to cry as long as you hold me till light.

Tessa smiled, hugging the book to her chest. Their place… the attic. Tessa did not mind this wild goose chase. In fact, it was fun. She didn't think she would step back into the