Calling All Shadowhunters (TMI Roleplay)

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace

Heather felt weird walking through the busy New York streets with Jason by her side - who was casually holding onto her hand, by the way. It felt...mundane. It had been so long since Heather had felt relieved of the ache and pressure of Shadowhunter life, that she couldn't help the stupid smile that stayed plastered to her face as she walked. Though that smile was slightly tense as she longed to tug her hand out of Jason's but didn't know how to do it without arousing suspicion.

"So." Jason glanced sideways at her as they were walking through the park. They'd decided to take that route as it cut across town and was the shortest way back to the Institute. "Anywhere you wanted to go in particular whilst we're taking on the Big Bad World?"

Heather rolled her eyes. "You can't help yourself can you?" He grinned, but she continued, "And don't we have to get back soon anyway? London and Kyle will be getting back soon-"
"London and Kyle," cut in Jason seriously, "can wait." Heather fought against that feeling that felt as if someone had forced her to swallow ping-pong balls. His eyes, his tone, his words...

Get a grip, Heather! screamed her internal voice of reason. You know how this will end! She suddenly tugged on Jason's hand, taking over and leading them over to a park bench and forcing him to take a seat beside her. He looked at her quizzically and she felt her cheeks heat.

"Look...Jason, I - that is..." She stumbled over her words, drained of her normal eloquence and bad-ass attitude. "Why?"
Jason titled his head, looking confused. Cutely confused. "Why what?"
"Why are you doing this?" She made a vague gesture at their surroundings. "The lunch. This walk. The nice stuff. You..." She fingered a strand of her hair that had escaped from their pin prison. "This isn't like you."

Jason's face closed, his eyes boring into hers. "I see. So you think I'm just a nasty bastard who can't do a single nice action if his life depended on it, is that it?" His tone was scathing.
"No!" Heather's eyes widened. "That's not what I meant, Jason!"
Jason laughed coldly. "Well that's what it sure as hell sounded like!"
Heather's voice trembled slightly. "Why do you always have to turn things around on me? Why does every conversation have to be twisted and a never-ending freaking riddle?!"

Jason got to his feet. " You're the one who brought it up, Heath. I was simply trying to be nice, but apparently," he added voice dripping in sarcasm, "Being nice isn't on the agenda list for today. Today's list comprises of arson, mass murder and probably going and killing all the baby ducks in the park pond-"

Heather got to her feet as well, feeling as if she wanted to slap him. "Just once !" she seethed. "You couldn't just give me a serious answer, could you? You play with everyone and their emotions, one minute cool the next minute charming. You can't have the best of both worlds, Jason! You can't play me like you do everyone because I'm not going to stand here and take it !"

"Play you?" Jason took a step forward. " Play you?! All I've ever done is tried to make you see how bloody good you are but you're so stubborn, so frustrating-"

"You're one to talk!" Heather replied, her emotions in chaos. Everything from the last couple of days was catching up with her and Jason was the perfect outlet for all her anger. "All I've ever done is tried to train and become better and all you ever do is knock me down to inflate your freaking ego! Well maybe you should look elsewhere for that, because I've had it! I will not be knocked down, not by you, by Lucy, by ANYONE! I'm sick of being the one who always gets hurt! I'm sick of being the strong one for everyone else - oh, let's take it out on Heather she won't care! Oh, how about we act like she can't make up her own mind or do anything for herself because then she'll feel better! I'm sick and tired of it all and I'm sick and tired of you-" She broke off as Jason closed the gap between them.

The gentlest press, like a butterfly’s wings against her mouth - warming her to the very depths of her soul, the sensation almost like magic. The presence lingered for two seconds, four…before slowly retreating, leaving only an imprint behind - Jason's eyes boring into hers with a painful intensity.

"God," she choked in a half-whisper. She was mortified, dying silently as her will unravelled into a pile at her feet. "Jason, I can't-"
Jason leaned closer again and she caught her breath. "If you say something," he said in a low voice, eyes sparkling. "I'm going to have to silence you, you know."

She shook her head frantically. "You don't understand! I can't...I cannot be..." She was using her hands, trying to get her point across, so adamant was she. "I can't do this to myself. I can't love you when - when you are only going to die. In this world we live in you could die, Jason, like Liam and then I'd be..." She choked on the words feeling useless and stupid, turning her head away but Jason put two fingers under her chin and turned her back to face him.

"Everyone will die, Heath." Jason was the most serious she'd ever seen him. "We could all die tomorrow. A burnt pancake could give London food poisoning, a rabid duck could eat me for lunch and one day Sara might discover that her wardrobe has been set on fire." Heather couldn't help but give a watery chuckle at his absurdity. "Give this a chance. Please - for me?" His eyes pleaded with her and her heart wavered, uncertain. "I want to know the real Heather Lovelace."

"I don't think you do," Heather whispered. "Trust me - I wish I didn't."
"I beg to differ," he teased. His fingers trailed up over her cheeks and wiped the tears clinging to her lashes. "Think about it, ok? In the meantime," he added, his mood changing. "We must be getting back to the House of Special Purpose!"
"Jason."
"The Palace of Versailles!"
"Jason ."
"The Demon Pox Anonymous Association Headqu-"

Heather punched him in the arm, feeling like her old self. "Zip it, pretty boy - before I make you!"
Jason grinned, causing her to blush. "That I would dearly like to see!"

[Melissa]

Lucy Morgenstern

Lucy blinked, her brain fuzzily processing that she was in a dark room with her hands bound, she shook her head trying to clear her mind but all she could remember was that after she had gone before the Silent brothers she had made her way out of their City and she was heading back to the Institute, before she got their she had gotten distracted........ by what?

What had happened? She tried to remember, but her mind started shutting down again. No wait I think I saw...... she didn't even finish her thought before she lost consciousness.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace

Heather needed to get her head around a few key issues:

1.) How to calm down an irate London who had returned to a nearly empty Institute - it's only occupants being the guy Heather had met before, Carter Something-or-other, and his sister.
2.) How to act towards Lucy when she came back with Kyle.
3.) How to get through dinner without being food poisoned.
4.) Jason. Jason. Jason. Other stuff

The first was a nightmare.

"Jason I swear on the Angel..." London said when Heather and Jason walked through the Institute doors. Jason shrugged off his jacket, shooting London an exasperated look as he did so.
"Chill, London," he said. "We were out for a few hours-"
"Leaving the Institute abandoned!" London interjected.
"The Clearwaters were here," pointed out Jason. Heather stood back in silence, too uneasy and full of thoughts to bother arguing with London. Jason could handle it.

Carter Clearwater was sitting atop the kitchen bench, his long legs dangling off the edge, tossing an orange up into the air and catching it repeatedly. "And us Clearwaters are ferocious," Carter said, winking at Heather, who bit back a smile. Jason's brow furrowed and Heather quickly pretended to act nonchalant.
"Still..." London sighed, fingering her ponytail. "It was reckless."
"Heather needs a variety of training. Cooping her up in the Institute isn't going to help her, London," Jason said quietly.

London looked over at Heather. "Well? What do you have to say, Heather?" Now all four of them, including Sara who had been busy looking in the fridge, were staring at her.
"I...well I think the Institute was perfectly safe. Sara was here too," Heather added. "And she's a force to be reckoned with."
"Got that right, Heath," smiled Sara. London gave a small smile tinged with worry.

"No word from Kyle?" Heather was shocked at Jason's perceptiveness. London shook her head, biting her lip.
"Not a word. He should have been back from the Silent City an hour ago. They only wanted to go through a brief hearing with Lucy and then go through some demon sighting information with Kyle. It shouldn't have taken this long."

"If he's not back by sundown," Jason said, wrapping an arm around his half-sister. "I'll go out and search for him myself, ok?"
London sighed. "You'd all better eat dinner and then go and have a group training session until further notice. Who knows what demon trouble may pop up in the next twenty four hours?"

Heather shivered, feeling cold. She hated to be reminded of the dangers they faced, of the evil that lurked beyond the Institute doors. But it was there...whether she liked it or not.

[Sue]

Cassandra Clearwater

Cassie stepped into the big room and looked all around her. She took a deep breath and started for the bed.

It was made nicely, with pillows and silk duvets of a dark purple color. She smiled at them, loving the fact that the color suited her. Other than that, there was a table, with a mirror in front, big windows covered by silk curtains, displaying a lighter shade of the same color of the duvets. There was a wardrobe, tall and broad. A small table by the bed, and a chair by a desk.

Cassie took the bags and the suitcase, and unpacked. She kept her dresses in the wardrobe, placed her toiletries in the bathroom, placed a clock on the bedside table, with a photograph of her family. She smiled at the picture before keeping it. She got up, and stretched her hands up in the air.
"I need a shower", she muttered to herself. She took her towel and clothes, and went for the bathroom.

Half an hour later, she stepped out of the bathroom in her robe. Suddenly, she noticed a paper card slid into her room, underneath her door. She walked upto the door, and picked it up. She knew the handwriting very well.
"Meet me and the others downstairs, London wants to meet you", the card said.
She huffed and started to get ready. She put on a black tank top, grey pajamas, and a violet sweatshirt, half zipped.

She got downstairs and was surprised to see so many people standing, waiting for her. She was a bit uncomfortable, as she descended the rest of the stairs. Everyone was looking at her, amused.

"Do I look like an alien or something?!", she snapped and the gazes broke.

She recognized not a single face, except for that girl, what's her name, yeah, Sara. The guy was familiar too, he was the one who was trying to act cool in the morning. She walked to Carter, and stood beside him.

Carter cleared his throat and said, "London, this is my sister, Cassie. And Cass, this is London."

London moved towards her, and hugged her. "Nice to meet you, Cassie", she said. Cassie, totally taken aback, ran out of words to welcome the sweet greeting. "Same here", she said, in a tone, as soft as she could. "I hope you're not having any problem here", she said. "I guess not, till now", replied Cassie. "Let me introduce you to the others", announced London.

"This is Jason, Sara, Heather. There's Lucy and Kyle as well, but there's not present right now", she said. Cassie nodded. London kept on discussing about certain things, which she had no clue of.

And then Cassie noticed. The Jason guy was looking at her, and the blondie was glaring.

She turned her gaze back to Carter, who was smirking. "What's the matter with you?", she asked him in a disgusted voice. "You have no idea how beautiful you are, don't you?", Carter said, raising an eyebrow.
"Cut out the crap, Carter", she said, keeping her voice low. Carter wrapped an arm around his sister, not bothering about the fact that her hair was damp wet.

[Melissa]

Lucy Morgenstern

"You said she would agree to go with you! You said she wouldn't be hurt or harmed in any way!"Lucy awoke to shouting but couldn't tell what was being said since her head was still fuzzy. There was a pause as whoever was yelling listened to a response. There was a loud thump, like someone punching a wall.

Her stomach interrupted the conversation by growling loudly and she whimpered, realizing for the first time how much she hurt all over.

"She shouldn't be awake yet, give her more sedative". Lucy's eyesight was blurry and she could only just barely make out a hunched shape coming towards her. She shook her head as much as she could but that didn't stop the prick of the needle from going into her arm.

Lucy's head started spinning and she felt herself slipping back into unconsciousness. She thought she heard a murmured, "You did well Kyle...." before she succumbed to the drug.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace

Heather's blood boiled as Carter's sister walked into the room. Being willowy, elegant and of course, beautiful, Heather had never had to worry about feeling insecure - insecurities tended not to matter when you had the speed and subtly of a panther and extraordinary weaponry skills. But when even Jason gave his attention to 'Cassie', Heather felt herself losing her grip on her emotions.

How dare he. How dare Jason act as if he cared and then go and goggle at the new girl who seemed to have a permanent look on her face - like something under her nose smelt off, or like she was facing a group of rabid werewolves. Stuck up much? Heather crossed her arms over her chest and raised her eyes to the heavens, not bothering to listen to the conversation around her until she heard Jason's voice.

"Are you enjoying New York, Cass?" he asked. Warmly. Not coldly, or sarcastically like he normally did with Heather. Heather gritted her teeth.
"What's to like?" was Cassie's grumpy reply. Jason laughed and Heather's scowl deepened. Sara, having finished on her raid of the kitchen fridge, moved to Heather's side, shooting her a funny look.

"You ok there?" Sara asked Heather quietly. Heather breathed out, feigning calm.
"Of course I am," replied Heather. "I'm perfectly fine. Peachy."
"Jason's an arse," was Sara's shrewd answer. "Don't let it get to you. Besides," she added. "I think he's jealous."
"Who?" asked Heather, confused.
"Jason."
Heather laughed. "No he's not."
Sara rolled her eyes. "He so is. Because that Clearwater guys hasn't taken his gorgeous eyes off you since you walked in - he clearly has the hots for you!"

Heather put her fingers to her temples. "Guys! I just don't understand them!"
Sara winked. "Are YOU jealous?"
Heather scoffed, though inwardly she cringed. "Me? Jealous of that Miss Cassie Pondwater?"
"Clearwater?"

Heather ignored Sara, saying, "I'm not jealous of anyone." Sara just smiled and gestured to the kitchen.
"Want to help me prepare for dinner? I'm making nachos!"
Heather shook her head. "No thanks. I might just take the chance to train privately for awhile."
Sara looked at her friend, concerned. "Heather...is something wrong - besides what's going on with Jason? Because I think pushing yourself harder isn't going to help it...whatever 'it' is."

Heather looked away from Sara and straightened up. "No. But thanks for the concern, Sara." And she left the kitchen, her hand shooting to her blade by her side, the urge to flee from the fears she couldn't face to strong to handle.

[Sue]

Cassandra Clearwater

Seriously, why this guy has to be so annoying, thought Cassie, as Jason kept on blabbering about himself to her. She was getting irritated, looking here and there to escape this torture. Carter had gone with London for something, she didn't know.

And that was not all. To make things more worse, the blondie was glaring at her, as if she would pounce on her any minute!

Looking away from her, she held up a hand, in front of Jason's face. "Look pal, I'm NOT in a mood for chit chat right now. So, go find someone else, to brag about yourself, with your stupid stories and leave me ALONE! Do you understand me?", Cassie said.

"Wow! You look damn hot when you're angry", Jason said, looking into her green eyes.

He was a mere six feet two, easily hovering over Cassie, who was no less than a five feet seven. Carter and Jason had the same heights.

"Argh!", Cassie exclaimed, and stomped down the hall, towards the kitchen. Before she left, she saw the blondie again, her teeth gritted. Her eyes were focused on her, ready to eat her alive if she had the chance. Cassie heaved a sigh, and left, her eyes rolling.

Jason turned around with a smirk, but he stood there shocked to see the rage in Heather's eyes.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace

Heather felt a perverted sense of satisfaction at the shocked look on Jason's face. Good , she thought nastily. I'm glad he knows I'm pissed off at him! Before he could say anything to her she left the room. She heard footsteps. Crap . Jason was following her.

"Heather, wait!" She didn't. She'd had enough. Her blood boiled and her hands were curled into fists - she needed to fight, to release the energy that was coiled within her. Jason's footsteps grew louder. "Heather - let me just-"

She stopped in her tracks and whirled to face him, her face a cold mask. "I have nothing to say to you. Please leave me alone. I am going to train."
Jason breathed in and out, his eyes scanning her face for something - some sort of sign that Heather was still there somewhere behind the wall she'd constructed. "I'll come with you-"
"No thank you." Heather's eyes narrowed. "Your...talents are probably needed elsewhere. For instance, you could be drowning kittens, throwing seraph blades at old ladies with poodles or," she added, "seducing the Institute's new occupants."

Jason sighed. "Heather, are you seriously-"
She cut him off again. "Leave me."
Jason took a step forward. "I was joking around, Heath. I didn't mean anything by it."
Heather's heart encased itself in ice. "Does that mean you don't mean anything you say?"
Jason grinned. "It's me isn't it, so that would be correct..." His eyes widened and he trailed off as it hit him. Heather turned to leave and he reached out a hand to stop her. "No, Heather - no! I meant what I said before, about me and yo-"

"I've just about had it!" Heather choked. "Ok? I'm tired, angry, hurt and have officially wasted my time today with a total douchebag of a Shadowhunter who hasn't the decency to actually MEAN anything he says to ANYONE! Go flirt with someone else, Jason - maybe they'll believe all the bullshit you're sprouting! I have other things to worry about!"
Jason jerked her roughly to face him. "Heather. Please. Stop and think-"
Heather remained stoic. "I am thinking."
Jason's eyes hardened and he shook her slightly. "No you're not! All because you got jealous over me laughing around with Cassie-"

Heather had had it. "That wasn't LAUGHING! Hell, that was FLIRTING!" Her tone turned mocking. "Do you call everyone hot, Jason? Or do you only save that friendly term for the teenage girl demographic?! Now GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME!" She twisted his wrist and flung him away from her, but instead of flying into the wall, he stopped himself with a hand braced against the wall.

His eyes - those traitorous, beautiful eyes - pleaded with her. "Heather. Please just tell me we're not..." He paused. She waited, eyes stinging. "Are we...?"
"Are we WHAT?" she replied, coldly. "Done?" She laughed, a cutting, sorrow-wrenching laugh. "Were we ever together enough to be done, Jason? I don't believe we were. We're just two teenagers, and I for one have realised that this," she gestured between them, "is a mistake. A mistake I'm not willing to make."

"You felt something." Jason's voice was urging, firm. "I know you did."
Heather's heart broke as she raised an eyebrow at him, keeping up the Ice Queen charade. "Really? You MUST have been mistaken. The only thing I feel for you Jason Penhallow, is loathing. Loathing and disgust." She watched as the words struck him, silently pleased with his hurt. Good. Let him hurt. Let him feel what it felt like to put everything into one person only to have them be a fraction of who or what you thought them to be.

She turned. She kept walking. And she didn't look back.

[Sue]

Cassandra Clearwater

Cassie was beyond angry. She hated guys who tried to seduce her, or even compliment her in a seductive manner. And that's what Jason did.

How dare he? Who has given him the bloody right to call HER "hot"? She wanted to punch him right in his face, but apparently she didn't. And why? Because Chris had made her promise that she would behave good. Nothing mattered to her except for Chris and her family.

She stomped into the kitchen, opening the fridge so hard that the fruit bowl spilled all over.

"Damn it!", she exclaimed, a bit too loud. Sara, who was busy making nachos, came up to her. "You okay?", she asked. "Can't be more good", Cassie said, picking up the fruits and stuffing them in the fridge. Sara noticed the sarcasm in her voice and went back to the nachos. Cassie took out a coke from the fridge and decided to take a walk in the institute.

When she was crossing the dormitory, she heard a noise from dark corner room. She walked up to the dark room, and found the same blondie, punching a bag. She walked to the doorway and leaned against the door frame.

"You hit nice", she said, sipping her coke.

The girl looked at her, "I can kill nice too", she said, her teeth gritted, panting.

Cassie led out a small laugh. "What's there to laugh?", she asked, furious.

"Nothing", replied Cassie.

"Why don't we go for a small match?", Heather offered, her face lit with her own idea.

"You'll lose", she said, flashing a devilish grin. Heather's blood boiled with rage, "We'll see about that".

"I really don't wanna hurt you, sweetheart", Cassie said, slowly walking towards her.

"Because you won't get a chance", said Heather, and pounced for her. Cassie shifted and she landed on the ground, hard.

"You should've listened", Cassie smirked.

Heather got up, and started for her when she realized she is not able to move. Cassie had a smug smile on her face, the coke still in her hand. Heather tried again, but failed. Cassie shifted her gaze towards the punching bag. And then she suddenly ran and hit the punching bag, and fell on the ground.

Cassie walked up to her, and knelt down. "I'm different from everyone, blondie. Don't mess with me", she said with a disgust and left the room, leaving Heather alone, hurt.

[Melissa]

Lucy Morgenstern

Lucy woke with a start, a gurgling noise coming from her left. She turned her head and her jaw dropped, the scene before her almost too horrific to for her to take. She turned her head in the opposite direction only to see the same thing, row upon row of chained downworlders. Vampires, werewolves, there were even a few warlocks and faeries. Each and everyone of the downworlders was in the same position as her, on the ground with arms spread attached to the wall by heavy chains.

"So you awake little shadowhunter?" she looked back to her left and saw a young werewolf, (she could tell they were werewolves because of the silver glinting in their chains) "I must say I was surprised when they brought you here." The werewolf was a teenage looking guy, around Lucy's age.

"So why are you here? Your parents do something stupid?" Lucy must have looked confused because he explained, "sometimes shadowhunters get brought in here if they have family or close friends who do something stupid. Or so I've heard." Lucy swallowed, she was starting to get an idea why she was here.

"The name's Ben, by the way." Ben was good looking in a rugged sort of way, with his square jaw covered in stubble, though he looked to be malnourished he was built in a way that suggested he was active. He was looking at her and she realized he was waiting for her name, "Oh, my name is Lucy." She croaked out, her throat was dry making it hard to speak.

He nodded "Nice to meet you Lucy." She worked her throat so she could speak, "you said they brought me here, who are They?" Ben's eyebrows furrowed and he cocked his head, "You mean you don't know?" she shook her head and his eyes widened in realization, "oh, Lucy, shadowhunters. Shadowhunters brought you here."

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace

"What. A. Bitch!" Heather growled out, lying flat on her back, breathing hard. She waited until she was sure that the nasty little Shadowhunter was out of earshot and sight before elegantly getting to her feet. She'd fooled Cassie...at least, she hoped she had. As soon as Cassie had come close to Heather, Heather'd felt the energies that surrounded the girl like a kick to the gut. And she'd known, at the back of her mind, that putting all of her cards on the table in front of a snotty-nosed girl like THAT would not be a wise move.

"No one can know about this, Feather." Heather remembered Liam telling before he died, his eyes flickering madly in their sockets, his blood-soaked hand gripping hers, slick with his life. "NO ONE. Promise me!" She'd agreed. And not matter how much that bitch angered her, or taunted her, Heather was smart enough to pretend to be weak. Helpless. Everything she wasn't.

That aside, something was off about that Cassie. Something unusual - some energy about her had urged Heather towards the punching bag but Heather had fought against it, finally deciding to go along with it for show.

Cassie was certainly sure of herself. The thought made Heather smile wickedly. If only she hadn't made that promise to her brother. She would have punched the smirk off that girl's face before she could say "Blondie". And yes. That nickname annoyed her greatly.

Leaving the room, Heather walked down the deserted corridor, making her way outside via the back door. The Institute garden was a labyrinth of trees, gnarled branches, shrubbery and dwarfed flowerbeds, all in elegant disarray. But Heather wasn't here for the plants. She was here for backup.

Behind the gazebo, she could hear London's voice saying, "And here are the apple trees - nasty old things. Never seen any edible apples but you never know." Heather smiled. Poor Carter. London enjoyed giving the Grand Tour a little TOO much. Heather stepped out from behind a tree and smiled at the scene in front of her. London was holding out various apples for Carter to inspect and he looked bewildered to say the least.

"Hello all," Heather called, clambering down to greet them. Carter looked up and mouthed 'Help!' as London turned to give Heather a tired hug. "I was wondering whether you'd like me to continue the tour for you, London. That way," Heather added, making her gaze sympathetic, "you could call Krystal and ask about Kyle." Krystal was Kyle's mother, one of the members of the Clave.

"Oh, thanks Heather," smiled London, combing a wayward curl behind one of her ears. "I certainly hope to hear something..." She trailed off looking worried.
"Go ahead, London," added Carter, looking innocent and sincere. "I'll be fine."
"If you say so," replied London, giving them both a small wave before disappearing into the forest-like greenery around them.

"So ." Carter drew the word out, his eyes narrowing slightly. He was wearing a black T-shirt that had "Looking Good is a Curse" in graffiti script across the front and a smile that was utterly mischievous. "Now you've got me alone..."
Heather rolled her eyes. "Save the crap for someone else, Carter."
"I mean it!" He put a hand to his heart, as if wounded. "Have you any idea how many women would kill to have this chance?!"
"I would kill for you to shut up."
"Touchy!" he replied, grinning. Nothing seemed to effect him. With a stab of sorrow, Heather realised he reminded her of how Liam'd been. Strong. Carefree. A dreamer. "So what can I do for you, babe?"

Heather raised an eyebrow. "I came here to give you the grand tour-"
"Save the crap for someone else, Heather," replied Carter dryly. Heather couldn't help but smile at his comeback. "We both know that you lied to London."
"Me? Lie?"
Carter smiled and took a seat on a rocky outcrop by the garden path. "There's more to you than meets the eye."
"And you know this how? We've barely met!"

Carter squinted up at her, using his hand to shade his eyes from the sun behind her. "I dunno. You just seem like the kind of person that is able to be pretty much whatever she wants to be. A free spirit. Besides...you totally kicked Jason's arse back there earlier!"
"Not hard enough," she muttered, earning her a laugh from Carter. "Ok then," she added, taking a deep breath. "I need your help. I know we barely know one another and you're under no obligation to help me-"

"Hey." She felt a tug on her arm and reluctantly sat beside Carter. He nudged her with his shoulder. "Heather. It's fine. Just tell me what you need."
"I need you to help me break into somewhere." There. She'd said it. He raised an eyebrow.
"Where? A bank? A house?" He gave a slow smile. "A HAUNTED house?"

"Worse." Heather swallowed the fear that rose in her throat. "The Silent City."

[Sue]

Cassandra Clearwater

Cassie was happy with her victory. But then she felt something back there, something that was not like her. She had controlled people before, but she never had any urge to hurt them. And that's what she wanted to do with Heather. She didn't hate her, but..but why the hell would she want to hurt her? It was good that she snapped back to her senses and loosened her grip quickly. I need to talk to Carter about this. Cassie thought.

She found London turning around the corner, probably going to her office.
"London!", Cassie yelled.
London turned around and smiled at her. "Hello, Cassie. You want something?", she asked politely.
"Nothing like that actually", Cassie hesitated. "Do you know where Carter is?", she said.
"Yes, he's in the garden", replied London.
"Thanks".

Cassie made her way to the garden, and found Carter. With that Heather chick. God. What is her problem? Cassie marched upto her brother, not wasting a minute. Both of them looked up at her.
"I need to talk. NOW!", she told Carter.
Carter blinked, having no idea what to do. He reluctantly followed his sister, as she strolled back to the corridor.
"I'll talk to you, later", he told Heather and followed his sister.

"What?", Carter asked her.
"I tried to hurt that blondie today. The one you were talking to. I don't know what happened. I just...wanted to kill her right there", she said softly.
"What?!", Carter couldn't believe his sister.
"We need to tell the Clave about it", he said, determined.
"Tell what?", Cassie was shocked. She had no idea what he was talking about.
Carter turned on his heels to go to London's office, but he stood there, shocked to find Heather standing.
"Call everyone and meet me in London's office.", was all he said. Heather nodded. And Carter took off.

Cassie blinked. She didn't know what just happened. She never heard his brother talk this way. He was so determined. But for what? And what did it do with Cassie's abilities? She shook her head and followed them.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace

Heather nodded and took off, her thoughts rushing in a mad flood through her mind. Something was wrong. She had to find everyone. Where was everyone? When should they break into the Silent City? Where was Lucy? And Kyle? What happened to normality? What would happen to them all...?

She shook her head, clearing it. First things first. Find everyone like Carter had asked. Heather had learnt from a young age that when people were as serious as Carter had been it was better not to question them.

Heather found Sara almost immediately and gave her her instructions which Sara complied with. The only other person to find was Jason. Great. Heather rolled her eyes and fought back a frustrated sigh. She hated how he made her feel. She hated the way he knew how to get a reaction out of her. No one did that to her. No one should be able to.

"Problem?" Heather jumped, her thoughts scattering as Jason appeared like a ghost by the entrance to his room near the downstairs stairway. His hair was soaking wet, sticking to his neck and dampening the top of his shirt collar, his eyes focused on her face. She'd lost track of her movements and hadn't realised she'd made it to the 'Guy Level' already.

"No." She strove to remain cool. "Carter called for a meeting in London's office."
"Wow." Jason's tone was indifferent. "Must be so important is Carter said it was. Should I grab my dagger and suit of armour from the weapons room?"

She didn't bat an eyelash at his sarcasm. "If you think you NEED it," she replied. He smirked and she found herself noticing the hollow of his throat and the way his hair fell framing his face, one lock drooping right above his left eye.
"Anything else?" he asked. She blinked.
"No. I'll just leave you now, I guess." She turned to leave.
"Heather." She paused, her breath catching.
"Yes?"
He smiled. "There's a leaf in your hair."

Heather reached up a hand and sure enough there was a papery thin leaf caught amid her blonde strands. She pulled it out and gazed at it thoughtfully, twirling it in between her fingers. "Thanks." She looked up at him and then back down at the leaf. Before she did something stupid, she crushed the leaf in her palm and turned on her heal, taking the stairs two at a time.

[Sue]

Cassandra Clearwater

"What is going on, Carter?! What should the Cave or Clave know about me? Oh come on! Say something!", Cassie yelled, as Carter sped through the corridor, walking furiously towards London's office. She had to run to keep up with him.
"Come with me", was all he said.

When he entered the office, Carter found London lying on the floor, unconscious. "London!", he yelled and rushed to her. "London, what happened?", Carter asked her, frantically looking all around her for any signs of danger.
Cassie had brought a glass of water and gave it to her brother. He sprinkled some water on her face, and London squeezed her eyes, starting to blink.
"Ow, my head", she said, as Carter helped her to sit up.
Jason and Heather came in, shocked to see the scene in front of them. "Check the doors, the entire Institute", he ordered and Jason took off, alongwith Heather.
Sara came in next, obviously taken aback. "What happened?", she shrieked. A mask of horror on her face.
"London was attacked", Carter said.

Jason and Heather came back, panting. "Dude, the building's clear", he said. Meanwhile, London had made herself comfortable in her chair. She looked all around and opened her mouth to say.

[Melissa]

Lucy Morgenstern

"S-s-shadowhunters?"Lucy stared at Ben, her mouth opening and closing rapidly making her look like a fish. Ben nodded gravely, "although if it makes you feel any better these particular shadowhunters don't work with the Clave. They're actually trying to bring down the Clave." Lucy blinked, she did and didn't feel comforted by this knowledge. Because if she were taken by the Clave at least that meant her parents could get her out, but it could also mean she was leverage against them. Actually she was probably leverage against them either way.

"Wait," Lucy said narrowing her eyes at the werewolf, "how do you know so much about them?" Ben's mouth quirked, "what don't trust me? I know beacause some downworlders, my pack included supported them." He hurried to continue before she got the worng conclusion, "but that was before the Clave asked downworlders for help against Valentine." Lucy flinched involuntarily at the mention of Valentine.

Lucy swallowed and shook her head, trying to dispell the remaining effects of the sedadtive. "So what happened? If you were working with them, why are you here?" He looked away, but not before Lucy saw the flash of pain nin his eyes and knew that the answer wouldn't be pleasant.

"Well when we tried to leave, they pretended to let us go but they ambushed us later on and captured or killed oanyone they could get their hands on." His breath seemed to quicken and his whole body tensed, like he was having a flash-back to when it happened. He seemed to take amoment to collect himself, and when he turned back to her his face was back to normal. "You know why I'm here, it's only fair that I know why you're here."

Lucy swallowed and she thought that she did owe him so she told him the truth ,"probably because my father is the Consul."

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace

London began wearily telling them about how suddenly a shadow had passed over her and she had collapsed with fatigue. "I don't know what it was," she snapped when Jason asked her for the hundredth time. She rubbed her temples as if they hurt. "Ok? And I'm pretty sure that whatever it was, it wasn't planning on staying. Our objective is to trace it and find out where it came from."

"And how the hell do we do that?" asked Cassie rudely. Whilst London proceeded to think up ideas, Heather signalled Carter subtly and slipped out the door to London's office, making her way to her bedroom to grab her stuff. Luckily Jason was talking to Sara when she left the room so he didn't notice.

"Hey," Carter said, catching up with her. He looked calm and yet stern. Obviously he had alot on his mind. "We're going now?"
Heather nodded, her heart beat thumping quicker. "We need to find Lucy. Nothing else matters."
"Why? Look," he added, sounding rueful, "I know she's apart of the Institute and us Shadowhunters stick together but why is she so important to find right now-"
"Because she just is." Heather cringed. She hated what she was about to say. "Lucy is the Consul's daughter, Carter."

Carter stopped in his tracks, shocked. "The Consul? He doesn't have a daughter-"
"That's what he'd like everyone to believe," added Heather, her memories pushing to the front of her mind with a harsh intensity. "She disgraced him. So he rid himself of her. But if anything is happening now - and London's Mystery Shadow Thing is proof of that - than Lucy is key to it. Trust me. I've been through this kind of thing before."

Had she ever. Dealing with the mess Lucy made was a part of Heather's lifelong job. Out of the goodness of her heart? Not a chance. Because she promised her dying brother she would? Obviously. He'd loved Lucy so much...too much. Why, Heather couldn't fathom. If she was to be completely honest with herself, her hatred for Lucy didn't stem from what Lucy did.

Oh no. It stemmed from the fact her brother had chosen his love for Lucy over Heather. A choice which led to Heather having to hold her dying brother in her arms, her tears streaming in silent rivers down her face as her heart broke into a million fractured pieces. He'd chosen not to live without Lucy. Now she had to deal with that decision.

She left Carter waiting outside her room whilst she put on her gear and strapped on her weapons - the final one being her first seraph blade, the one which belonged to Liam. Had belonged to him. Holding it tightly, she exited her room and found Carter having a heated conversation on his phone.

"No! Shit, Cass, will you give me a chance to...I'm just going with Heather to the local supermarket, ok? We're getting something for dinner that London'll actually eat. The woman needs something half edible after everything. Ok...ok, I get it." He looked up and saw Heather waiting silently and gave her a small smile of apology. "I gotta go, Cass. Yep. Ah huh. See ya, then."

He hung up and grinned at Heather. "Mission accomplished. They think we've gone shopping at Walmart."
Heather handed him a spare blade, smiling despite herself. "You're a genius."
"Naturally," he replied, slinging a brotherly arm around her shoulders. "So - where are we headed, babe?"

Her glare could have frozen water at ten metres. "Babe? Really?"
Carter just shrugged and continued to keep his arm around her as they exited the Institute. "It suits you. Besides, I can't think of any original nickname to give you." He smiled down at her, his eyes squinted as he analysed, his gaze roaming her face. "Any suggestions?"
"My...I used to be called Feather," she offered, her throat closing over at the thought of Liam. Carter raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah? Why?"
"Liam thought it suited me," she answered. "He used to be able to pick me up and fling me around - piggybacks, aeroplane...we used to have all kinds of fun because I weighed next to nothing as a kid. So he called me Feather and the name stuck."

Carter chuckled. "Neat. Who's Liam?"
She paused. "My brother." She cleared her throat, feeling as if she was suffocating.
Carter looked surprised. "You have a brother? Cool! Does he live at the Institute t-"
"He's dead," she cut in, tonelessly. There was a long silence where Heather just fiddled with her jacket and looked at the passers by, trying to blur their faces, trying to blur out her thoughts.

"I'm sorry, Heather." Carter's voice was compassionate, so much so that Heather felt like she might cry. She blinked and forced the tears back.
"It's ok." And it was. There was nothing Carter could do - nothing that anyone could do. It was over. Done. Liam was gone forever and all that was left of him was his love for Lucy, his dreams and the secret that bound Heather more tightly than any noose.

[Claire]

London Wayland (I am assuming I am the London that got attacked, that keeps popping up?)

.... "And how the hell do we do that?" asked Cassie rudely.

"I have a friend. I caught up with him recently, he might be able to help me" London looks longingly towards the door

"Who, may I ask, is this friend of yours?" Cassie snaps

"I am sure you wouldn't know him, you don't seem the type to associate with Downworlder's"

Cassie looks positively shocked for a moment "Your going to ask a Downworlder for help? How hard did you hit your head?"

At this, London stands and heads to the door "Tell Heather I have gone to find Xavier, my wolf friend. She will know who I mean"

With that, she walks out

[Sue]

Cassandra Clearwater

What the hell is going on? Cassie wanted to shout out. But she didn't. She respected London, so she decided to keep her mouth shut. London walked out with Sara behind, leaving Jason and her. All alone. Great. The last thing I need right now is to stuck up with a dung headed idiot. Awesome! Cassie thought. She glared at Jason, only to find him grinning at her, shamelessly.

She didn't like the idea of Carter going out with Heather. She didn't believe her. She decided to go to her room and wait until Carter returned. He still had a lot to explain.

When Cassie started for the door, Jason called. "Where to, sweetheart? Should I co-", he began.
"No thanks, I think I can walk", Cassie snapped.

She stormed out of the room, Jason following her.
"What's the rush?", he asked, practically running to keep up with her.
"Will you please stop following me, Jason? Its annoying", she said, still walking. By the time Jason could answer, she reached her room, opened her room, and slammed the door shut on Jason's face.

The room was dark. She switched on the lights, and was astounded. She stood there for a minute, observing the wreck in front of her. It looked as if a hurricane had just hit her room.

The curtains were torn, her bed was broken, the papers were scattered here and there, her family photo was smashed. She couldn't believe her eyes. Someone was here looking for something, but what?

Cassie couldn't figure out what it was. She picked up the photo frame and stared at it. Then there was a trace of extreme pain. Someone had hit her hard on her head. She reached for the wound, her hand covered in blood. She turned around to find a man, nearly Carter's height, dressed in full black.

Before she could do anything, she passed into unconsciousness. Everything blacked out, and she fell to the ground.

[Claire]

London Wayland

As she walked towards his house, she wondered how she would feel, seeing him twice is such a short period of time. She shook her head at the sight of his house, it still upset her that he had moved. Fair enough, she had accidentally almost burnt it down, but of course it was her who had put the idea into his head to move. He could have rebuilt the place, like London had insisted, but he had chosen her instead. Something London wouldn't ever forget.

She hesitated before knocking on his door.

"London, what are you doing here?" It was her, Laylah, that stood in front of her.

Of course! How could she have been so stupid, all this time! "Never mind" She said turning, walking away.

"London, wait!" Xavier called out to her, but she didn't stop walking.

[Melissa]

Lucy Morgenstern

Lucy's stomach rumbled, "Do we ever get any food?" She asked hopfully, but by the look of the downworlders it was a good chance that they got food once a week. Ben shook his head sadly and Lucy sighed.

Ben was looking at her weirdly, ever since she had told him that the Consul was her father. He didn't beleive her, she knew. Not many people knew the Consul even had a daughter, and after the attack that killed Liam her father thought it best to create some distance between the two of them. And to make up the story that she had 'disgraced' him and spread it to all the people who knew who she was.

So that was how she had gone to live with Meghan Herondale's Institute. Lucy half wished Ben would believe her and half wished that she had never told him in the first place. This was the kind of place where you needed a friend, or at least someone to talk to for fear of going mad.

She heard moaning all around her and she winced, hating that there was nothing she could do to help, or at least get away. Her eyes widened and she starting contorting, trying to get her hands within reach of her head.

Ben looked over, his expression was somewhere between amused and incredulous. She finally got her hand within reach and unpinned the lockpicks from her hair. She cried out in success, "Ah hah! I got them!" She put one f the tools into her mouth and furiously started working on the locks in the chains.

[Claire]

London Wayland (WOAH. After re-reading all the posts so far, I realised I have a FIANCE?! and a half-brother?! I need to keep up!)

"London, please stop" Xavier said and he jumped in front of her path, blocking her way

She studied him for a minute, then sighed "Just leave me be Xavier, I should never have come"

She looked at the ground, at the houses around, anywhere but at him. He had hurt her so badly and yet he never seemed to understand, never seemed to care enough. The friendship that had, whatever else she thought they had, it was long gone now. She didn't know why she expected things to be different this time around, but it was obvious that they weren't. He would always choose Laylah first.

"Why did you come? Something is wrong, I can see it in your face" He studied her curiously, oblivious to all the was hiding under her facade.

"I was attacked at the Institute and I..." she started

"You were attacked?" he screamed at her, squeezing her in a hug "Are you okay?"

She struggled out of his hold and stepped back, tears forming in her eyes "Don't. Don't pretend like you care Xavier Garroway. You can't waltz back into my life after 2 years and expect everything to be the same. You picked her and.... and... I moved on. Kyle and I are engaged now, I wasn't going to wait forever for you"

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace

Carter was silent as they walked, which Heather appreciated - she wasn't sure she was ready to talk freely to him yet, as nice as he seemed. But then again...Heather looked across at him from under her eyelashes and thought about how weird it was that he'd put his trust in her. Decided to help her. Not to judge her. To act so nice, so kind.

But was it an act? Heather sighed softly. She could never tell with guys. One minute they were holding your hand, smiling sweetly and the next they were flirting with every female in sight.

Carter broke through her reverie, pointing at a looming shape in the distance. "Is that the Silent City?" Heather squinted and her stomach dropped into her boots. Yep. This was it. She nodded and Carter exhaled, and it was then Heather realised she wasn't the only one who was nervous.
"You don't have to come with me," Heather said. Carter looked up, surprised.
"What are you talking about, Supergirl?" Heather smiled a little at the nickname. "I told you I'd come-"
"But it's dangerous," she interjected.

Carter gave her a 'duh' look. "So? Your point, princess?"
Heather bristled. "My point is that you shouldn't have to follow me into Hell and back if you don't want to! I'm here due to obligation. You're not. Simple as that."
Carter raised an eyebrow. "Do you need me?"
Heather started. "Need you? What- oh, right." She cleared her throat. "I would greatly appreciate your help-"
Carter gave her a light push. "Then quit babbling and start walking, Supergirl."

The Silent City was a ghost town, with wrought iron gates that looked like something out of one of those BBC shows London was always forcing Heather and Sara to watch with her. Except, ghost towns didn't have robed figures gliding along randomly at intervals, their faces hidden in darkness though Heather knew that those faces were hidden for a reason. The Silent Brothers were damn scary.

Heather crouched behind the gate, beckoning for Carter to do the same. "We can't be seen," she whispered, handing him a witchlight. Carter smirked.
"Yes, Hermione."
Heather looked confused. "What?"
"Harry Potter - Time Turner? You can't be seen...?" Carter registered her blank look and sighed. "Never mind. Do you know where she'd be? And how do we even know there's anything wrong with her anyway?"

Heather bit her lip, unwilling to part with such information easily. Instead, she said, "I just know, ok? Trust me." And with that, with the stealth of a panther, she swung herself over the wall, balancing effortlessly at the top. Carter followed suit and waited as Heather, like a tightrope performer, walking cautiously along the wall - pausing and crouching every now and then when the Silent Brothers paused in their wandering.

Heather looked over her shoulder and signalled to Carter to follow. "God, I hope this works," she muttered to herself, glancing down at the ground and wandering how much the impact would hurt. She winced, and decided to stop thinking about it. "Otherwise I will personally haunt Lucy Morgenstern for the rest of her goddamn life!"

[Claire]

London Wayland

"Kyle Branwell? Your engaged to Him?!" Xavier looked positively shocked.

London shook her head "We both grew up, you went your way and I went mine. Look, I didn't come to argue, I came to find out if you knew anything, why anyone might possibly attack the institute?"

Xavier was deep in thought "No, I haven't heard anything"

London sighed

"But..." He continued "One of my pack members has gone missing, Ben - this might have something to do with it. Come, we'll go talk to the pack"

With that, he grabbed her hand and started walking off

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace

"Carter!" Heather holds out her hand. "Hand me the small dagger I gave you for a moment."

Carter comes up behind her, the brightness of his eyes, the slight glint of his hair and the light catching off the dagger the only parts of him she can see in the stifling darkness. Having entered the Silent City successfully, they'd made their way into the underground passages that were located beneath the main gathering area.

Carter hadn't questioned how Heather had known her way about, which she was thankful for. Instead, he had been subtle, silent and a real handy sidekick to have - helping her over obstacles, watching her back and scouting the area. Stupidly, Heather missed having Jason at her side. He was a warrior, a fighter and a forced to be reckoned with.

She shook her head. She'd give Carter a chance - after all, he was certainly nicer to be around than Jason.

"Here." Carter slipped the dagger into her hands. She smiled even though he probably couldn't see it, and turned - drawing an opening rune on the door behind them. It glowed eerily before a snicking sound meant the door had been unlocked. Heather released the breath she had been holding.

"Done." She handed the dagger back to Carter. "The cells should be done here. I want to check if there have been any breakouts down here first - check out the info behind London's mystery attacker, look for clues - and then, we'll search for Lucy."
"Sounds good to me," replied Carter, laying a supportive hand on her shoulder briefly. "Let's go."

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace

Just then, music started playing.

Carter bumped into Heather's back. "Sorry!" he whispered. "What's that noise? Is that...Paramore?"
Heather felt her cheeks burn as she shoved her hand into the pocket of her jacket, pulling out her phone, lowering the volume and checking the screen. She swore. Out loud.

The screen read: CALLER...JASON PENHALLOW

Heather signalled for Carter to watch her back, whilst she took off a little way down one of the corridors, pressing ANSWER. "What?" she said, immediately. "It better be good."

"Hello to you too, angel-face," replied Jason dryly. His voice sent a thrill through her even though he wasn't there. "I called to ask you to pick up some mangoes whilst you're down at Walmart."

Heather blinked. Walmart? Then she remembered, saying hurriedly, "Ah, sure - I'll tell Carter to put that on the list." Carter rolled his eyes, and mimed writing something down. She grinned.
"Please do." She could have sworn he was grinning. "Mangoes are awfully important."
"I doubt that," she replied.

"I resent your doubt!" he replied in turn. "I'll have you know that mangoes are an essential in any kitchen! And the Angel knows we need something edible in this house!" He winced and she heard a shout in the background. "Ok, ok! That was Sara, whacking me with what I believe to be a state-of-the-art candelabra."
Heather laughed. "Tell her the toaster would have been better!"

Jason was silent. Then, he murmured, "I love hearing your laugh, Heath. You should laugh more often."

Heather sucked in a breath. "Yeah, well, thanks. I gotta go. Carter's waiting for me at Aisle Seven."
She heard Jason blow out a breath. "Sure thing. Come back soon...and be careful, ok?"
Her heart thudded. She thought of what he'd say if he knew exactly how much danger she was in. "Ok."

His voice was hardly audible then, as he said, "I love you, Heath."

Heather's mind froze and she choked out a "Bye," and quickly hung up, staring at the phone as if it were contagious or Jason would suddenly materialise from it. She shoved it back into her pocket, brushing past Carter and making straight for the Silent City's underground prison.

[Claire]

London Wayland

She knew she should pull her hand out of Xavier's grasp. She was engaged after all! But it felt so good to hold her old friend's hand again - it felt like old times. They walked up to a nondescript house, a few doors down from Xavier's.

"This is where the pack is? Three houses down?" London laughed. She could imagine the pack always dropping by, and she knew that would annoy Laylah more than anything. The thought gave her much pleasure.

Xavier regarded her curiously before talking "Yes, well you know me, always worrying!"

He opened the door and walked them through to the living room "Ryder, we need to talk about Ben. The Institute was attacked and it may possibly be linked"

Ryder glanced at London, surprise in his eyes, down at their entwined hands but said nothing.

"London, where have you been? We haven't seen you for a long time" He got up and strode over to her, enveloping her in a hug - her hand still warm after letting go

She hugged him back and smiled when he put her down "I have missed you too Ryder, old friend. But unfortunately I am here on Institute business - I was attacked, and Xavier thinks it may be connected with your pack member's disappearance"

He sat back down and gestured them to do the same "Then we must make haste"

[Melissa]

Lucy Morgenstern

Lucy heard a few clicks before the manacle around her wrist popped open. "Yes!" Lucy smiled in victory and got to work on the other manacle, it went much faster because she didn't have to use her mouth.

"You have lockpicks... in you hair?" Ben was looking at her incedulously, she smiled "of course," Lucy felt her face become shadowed, remembering why her father had insisted on lockpicking lessons in the first place.

She shook her head to clear those kinds of thoughts from her head. Lucy bit her lip, "there are too many downworlders for me to get all at one, plus I don't know if some of them will appreciate shadowhunters at the moment." Lucy walked over to Ben and started picking the locks on his silver chains.

Ben had his eyebrows furrowed, "why are you helping me? I'm a werewolf." She blinked, "why does it matter what you are? I said I don't have time to free everyone, but a few downworlders here and there are fine." She had unlocked his cuffs and sicked in a shocked breath, the skin that had come into contact with the silver was swollen and red, and awful.

Ben covered his wrists, "come on, I can help get a few downworlders free. We don't have much time." Lucy nodded, but wondered how he could help.

Her question was answered when Ben ripped a chain holding a nearby warlock apart. Lucy blinked again, wondering just how strong Ben would be at full health and not half starved and injured.

She went over the a faerie and picked the iron locks chaining it to the wall. It went on like that for about 10 minutes before Lucy noiced that Ben was breathing heavily as were many of the downworlders that had stayed to help them free other downworlders instead of running at the first oppourtunity.

"Lucy that was the last downworlder, with all the help everyone has been unchained." Lucy was surprised, she hadn't though anyone would stay to help unlock the victims of the rogue shadowhunters. "We should get out of here before they come back." Everyone else had scattered and Ben and Lucy were the only ones left.

Lucy nodded and she and Ben made their way to the door, just as they were almost to the door it opened slowly to show two figures on the other side.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace

Heather sucked in a breath. Then she began ranting.

"It just FIGURES that you would have somehow managed to get your own arse out of the situation the moment I decide to bust you out!" she said, directing every word at Lucy who was standing before her looking shocked.
"Next time, call first, ok? Tell me "Hey Heather, it's fine - don't bother breaking into the freaking SILENT CITY to get my good-for-nothing self out of there because I'VE ALREADY DONE IT!! Do you have any idea," she added, not letting Lucy speak, "how much effort I - we," she gestured to Carter who looked bemused, "put into getting you out? No?"

"Umm." Lucy raised an eyebrow. "It's nice to see you too?"
Heather let out a harsh laugh. "NICE? We're in the SILENT CITY, Lucy! The freaking Silent City whose wards are going to be triggered any moment now thanks to your brilliant idea of letting all the prisoners OUT!"

Lucy bristled. "They were just as trapped as I was!"
Heather couldn't believe this. "Lucy..." She took a deep breath. "Some of the people down here, I agree with you, ok? They're unlawfully down there. But some of them are malevolents, or put there for crimes against Shadowhunters AND Downworlders." Lucy paled at this and someone came up behind her, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"We'll figure it out, Lucy," said the someone, who turned out to be a cute looking guy who was also...
"You're a werewolf aren't you?" asked Carter, taking the words out of Heather's thoughts exactly. The guy shrugged.
"Yeah. So?"
"So nothing," replied Carter. "I'm a Shadowhunter." He gestured to me. "She's one too."

The guy grinned. "I figured." Heather narrowed her eyes at him and he laughed. "I hate to break up this happy reunion but we better get out of here."
Lucy was looking at Heather in confusion. "Why did you come?" Heather paused. She had been preparing to lead the way out. "I just did."
Lucy shook her head. "You hate me, Heather," she said quietly. "Why did you come-"

"Because I had no other choice!" choked Heather. "Ok? After what Liam did for you how could I dishonour him that way by allowing you to die - for what?! For nothing. I would never do that, but don't get be wrong, Lucy. Nothing between us has changed."

Abruptly, Heather turned to the werewolf. "Werewolf boy - you have a name?"
The guy smirked. "Don't we all? And yes, I do, it's Ben."
"Nice and easy to remember," replied Heather. "You'll, umm, sniff out the area then?"
Ben rolled his eyes. "You mean patrol, right?"
"Same thing."

[Lucy Qhuay]

Name: Verena Herondale
Age: 18

[Claire]

London Wayland

"It is my belief, that he is in The Silent City" Ryder said softly

"So he was kidnapped and taken to The Silent City? Doesn't make sense. Plus why would they kidnap Lucy and take her there?" London mused.

Ryder rolled his eyes "Like I know the doings and whereabouts of Shadownhunters"

London stood then and started heading for the door, then she turned around suddenly "Thank you both for your help. It was most valuable. Now I need to get back to the Institute and round up some help"

With that, she ran out the door without another word.

The whole way back to the Institute, she couldn't help but wonder, why? When she finally arrived she found Jason in the kitchen

"London, where have you been?" He asked, worry creasing his face

She smiled at the thought of Jason worrying "Gathering information. I think this all has something to do with The Silent City, we must go immediately. Gather Heather and the others and we shall depart in 10"

London started heading towards the door when Jason spoke up behind her "Uh.... Heather and Carter are at Walmart"

She swiveled around, a smirk on her face "Walmart? Do you not even know your own love well enough to know she was lying to you? I highly doubt Heather even knows where the closest Walmart is. My guess is she has already figured it out and is with Carter at The Silent City right now..."

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

(At the moment) Jason Penhallow

Jason blinked. "She's WHERE?" he asked, bewildered. "That can't be - Carter told his sister that he was at Walmart and I called Heather and she said-"
London shrugged, walking over to the fridge and searching for a minute before pulling out a carton of juice and pouring herself a glass. "Maybe she didn't feel like telling you. Have you angered her lately?" When Jason didn't respond London grinned. "Silly question. Of course you have."

Jason growled low in his throat and flung himself into the nearest armchair. "How could she run off to the freaking Silent City and not tell me?" He ran a hand agitatedly through his hair, thinking of Heather. Heather in the Silent City, in danger. Heather spending time with Carter. He gripped the armchair's armrests tightly. "What the hell was she thinking?"
"What I would," replied London neutrally. "That we're all in danger and something sinister is at work. Cheer up, brother dear," she added. "This is Heather we're talking about. She is a fantastic Shadowhunter-"

" Eff this!" Except Jason didn't say 'eff'. "You all treat her like she's some kind of weapon of mass destruction! She's a human being - a teenage girl who is as easily killed as the rest of us! I have to find her before anything happens!" He got to his feet, ignoring London's look of astonishment and swiped his phone off the kitchen bench.

He speed-dialled Heather's number. And waited.

"What is it, Jason?" He sucked in a breath at her voice, then shook his head. Get a grip, Penhallow!
"How's the Silent City?" he asked, sarcastically as he could. "Grab me an souvenirs whilst you were down their playing chess with the Silent Brothers?"

There was silence on the other side. He waited, tapping his foot impatiently. Then, Heather said, "Who told you?"
"London," he spat. "She figured it out and wanted to tell you something to do with the attacks and everything but you WEREN'T HERE!"
"Put a sock in it, Jason," replied Heather. "You're not as important as you think you are, ok? I had to do this-"
"Alone?"
"I had help."
He laughed humourlessly. "Of course. Carter the Avenger."
"I found Lucy."
He clutched the phone tighter. "You did? What happened - what's going on, Heather?"

Her voice was cold. "Perhaps you should have thought of that before you bit my head off! I did what I had to do and I'd do it again! I had a duty to myself and to-" she broke off and Jason had a feeling she was crying. He closed his eyes and fought against the longing to be by her side. To hold her. To wipe the tears from her lashes and cheeks. "I've gotta go. Tell London I'll be back soon."
"Heather-"
"Bye, Jason."

She hung up and Jason snapped his phone shut, staring at it for several minutes. He was afraid of how strong his feelings for her were. It was weakness he wasn't sure he liked having. But who was he to fight it?

[Claire]

London Wayland

"I'm guessing that went well?" She smirked. Sometimes she just loved being right.

"She has Lucy, they are on their way back" He said gruffly, not meeting her eye.

London laughed "Of course they are" She plonked herself down in a seat "What a day" she mumbled.

"So where exactly were you, gathering information Lon?" He stared right at her, as if the information would just appear.

She sighed. Why was he so intuitive? She was in a lose-lose situation now. If she told him, he would surely be angry. If she didn't tell him, he'd just keep pressing until he found out, and then he'd be angry.

"Look Jase, I had to okay! He's the pack leader"

His eyes widened "That's TWICE in like a WEEK" He practically screamed.

"Wait, how did you..." She started, but he cut in

"Oh come on London, I'm not daft. You rarely leave the Institute alone, especially without telling anyone where your going. What about Kyle?"

She shook her head "It's not what you think Jase. Nothing happened"

He stood up and started pacing "Why are you playing with fire London? He's been gone for so long, and you were fine without him. I don't want to see you hurt again. I barely handled it last time"

Tears started falling, she couldn't help it. She couldn't be here with Jason, talking about this. She stood up and headed for the door.

"Where are you going?" He asked wearily

"To see if Heather and the others came back okay" and she walked out, with Jason trailing behind.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace

Carter held the door open for them as they trooped into the Institute. Heather paused at the threshold and glanced back at Ben, who was standing a few feet away watching them. She held up a hand for Carter to wait, and hurried back down the steps to the werewolf guy.

"Ben." Heather paused. "Umm...I would like to talk to you about all of this later, and why you were captured. " Ben's eyes widened and she added, "London, that's the woman who runs the Institute, will probably want to know too. 'Cause something weird is happening and-"
"I get it," Ben assured her, waving a hand. "Here." He pulled out a scratched pen and rummaged around in his jeans pocket before pulling out a gas receipt. He scribbled something on the back of it. "Give this to your London. I'll meet up with lot another time."

"Are you sure you're ok?" Heather asked, eyeing his scars on his wrists. Ben grinned.
"I'm a werewolf. We heal fast as I'm sure you know. I'll see you around, Heather." He gave a small salute her way, gave Carter a brief wave and headed off into the city without looking back. Heather sighed, shoved the receipt in her jacket pocket and returned into the Institute.

"You're ok!" Heather was bombarded by the smell of Clavin Klein's Euphoria and the warmth of London's embrace. And just behind her was...Jason. Who was silently watching her, his hands crossed over his chest. She averted her eyes.

"Lucy's weak," she managed to say. "We didn't see Kyle."
Lucy winced and they all turned to look at her. "Guys...you're not going to like this. But...Kyle's a traitor. He knew I was going to be locked up - I heard it all." London stood there. Silent. Pale. Then she grabbed Lucy by the arm and left immediately, probably heading to her office. Heather was shocked. Kyle? Sell them out?

Jason stepped forward, his face grim. "Well. If it isn't the merry band of misfits home at last." He jerked his head towards the hall. "Cassie's waiting for you, Carter," he said. "She's in a foul mood." Carter chuckled and patted Heather on the shoulder before leaving the room.

Leaving Heather alone with Jason.

[Melissa]

Lucy Morgenstern

A wave of dizziness overcame her and Lucy struggled to breathe.London's hand on her arm was beginning to hurt, and Lucy felt something burning on her the back of her neck and she whimpered, the burning white hot pain searing her skin.

She felt her breathing become labored as her vision tunneled. "Hey Lucy are you ok?" She thought she heard someone say, but everything sounded muffled. Lucy waved them off, knowing that London wanted to talk to her.

When they got to London's office Lucy sighed in relief, hoping her strange symptoms would ease. But the pain in her neck increased even more, and she couldn't see anymore. Lucy let out a strangled cry

Lucy heard footsteps come and stop in front of her, "what's wrong with you?" someone, she thought it might have been Heather's, voice asked her. Lucy sank to the ground holing her head, which felt like it was trying to split open.

"What the heck? What's happening?!" said a male voice, maybe Carter, asked in a surprised tone. "I don't know" came Heather's reply. "They did something to us." Lucy whispered before the pain became to much, she screamed before sinking into a blessed unconsciousness.

[Claire]

London Wayland

London watched as Lucy passed out, shock clear on her face. "Carter, look after Lucy NOW"

She stormed out off, heading towards the Institutes front door

"Where are you going?" Jason asked, suddenly beside her

"To the wolf pack, to find Ben. He might have some answers about what is happening with Lucy"

He grabs her arm and plants his feet, stopping her from going anywhere "NO. You are going no-where near Xavier. I know your upset about Kyle, but you can't go running back"

She stares at Jason briefly "This is about Lucy. We need to find out what is wrong with her, and Ben might know. He is our only hope"

"Then I am coming too! I am not letting you go off alone London!" He says firmly.

"Me too" says Heather from behind them "Better in numbers"

London sighs, before yanking her arm out of Jason's grip. "Fine. Let's go"

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace

"After you," said Jason, giving a mocking bow to Heather, who stalked past him, shrugging on her jacket as she went. So much for taking a shower and getting an early nights sleep - it seemed like the only thing on Heather's timetable was:

- Break into Silent City
- Sneak out of Silent City
- Annoy Jason
- Walk into Institute with Lucy
- Leave the Institute without Lucy
- Once again get caught up in things you have no part in

Heather had to quicken her pace to keep up with London, Jason close on their heels. "London, I still think this is a bad idea," said Jason as they half ran down the street. London sighed.
"It can't be helped."
Jason's voice lowered. "You blame Kyle. You really believe he's a traitor? You'd give up on him that easily - running off to Xavi-"
"I'm not RUNNING OFF to anyone, Jason!" Heather had never seen London so worked up. "Just get off my case, already!"

[Claire]

London Wayland

She prayed that Xavier would be at his house, and she wouldn't have to face him. Not right now. She was so upset at the thought of Kyle being a traitor, she didn't know what she would do in her emotional state.

Luck seemed to be on her side, when Ryder answered the door after she knocked

"Back again so soon London? We are attending to Ben right now, we don't really have time for Shadowhunter business" He said gruffly. Jason paced behind her.

"We have come to speak to Ben urgently, please let us in" She asked, pleading with her eyes.

Ryder sighed and led them through to the living room, where Ben was sitting with Xavier.

[Sue]

Cassandra Cleawater (Now as Carter)

Carter looked all around the Institute, looking for Cassie. Strange. He thought. Cassie usually wasn't so good at hiding. Finally he reached her room. "Cass", he knocked. But no answer came. "Cassie, I know you're mad at me, but just let me explain". Still no answer. "Okay, fine I'm sorry. I'd do anything you say. Bring your fave Aviator jacket, black biker boots, your favorite honeycomb ice-cream, whatever you say. Just open the door, please." But, no answer. Usually Cassie would've come running towards him whenever he offered to get her favorites. But the extreme silence from her room, panicked him. "Cassie, this is not funny! Open the door, right NOW!", he demanded. When he didn't get any answer, he broke the door with one forceful kick. The door burst open.

Carter's eyes widened. The wreck of her room, made him believe that something bad had happened. Very bad. And the worst part was Cassie was not there. He frantically looked all around her room, but didnt get. Suddenly, he spotted the blood on the carpet, and her ruby necklace lying at the same spot. Carter started panting. "This can't happen!", he muttered under his breath.

He quickly took out his cellphone, and dialed London's number. "London, Cassie's missing! She's nowhere to be found. And her necklace has been torn. Come fast!", he practically shouted. He ran a hand through his hair. He knew exactly why they took her, and once the secrets will be revealed, everything will change! They knew what his sister was capable of!

[Melissa]

Ben

"I told you Xavier! Shadowhunters grabbed me!" Xavier shook his head disbelievingly. "How do you know for sure it was shadowhunters?" Ben shook his head, "I saw their rune marks, only shadowhunters can survive those!"

The door to Xavier's office burst open and London stalked into the room followed by Heather and Jason who were close on her heels. "What is it London? I don't really have ti-" London ignored Xavier and straight at Ben "What did they do to Lucy?"

Ben went pale, "what happened to Lucy?" Before London could answer her phone started ringing. "Hello? Cater what is it?" London's eyes widened and she sucked in a breath, "we'll be right there." She looked at Heather and Jason, "We have to go."

London didn't look at Xavier when she spoke, "We're borrowing Ben for a bit, we still need to find out what they did to Lucy." Ben got up and followed the shadowhunters out of Xavier's house, a frown on his face.

[Claire]

London Wayland

As they walked out of the house and out onto the street, Xavier called out "London! London!"

She stopped, but Jason grabbed her hand "Don't London. Come on"

She sighed but nodded, let go of his hand and continued walking. Jason however, turned around and yelled out "Just leave her alone Xavier, she doesn't need to be hurt again by you"

With that, he turned around and ran off with the group.
When he caught up with London, she gave him a hug. "Thanks Jase. So what's happening with you and Heather?"

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace

Heather couldn't take it anymore. "I'm right here you know," she said curtly, causing London to turn quickly, her expression shocked. Heather avoided looking at Jason and lifted her head, her 'I-don't-give-a-flying-fig-about-this' expression on. "And as for 'what's happening' the answer is simple: nothing."
"I think London was asking me, Heather," Jason added through gritted teeth. Heather could feel him staring at her and ignored him, saying,
"I think since my name was included-"
"Nosy-parker," muttered Jason. Heather whirled on him.

"Well I'd rather be nosy than a notorious flirt!" Jason quirked an eyebrow.
"Now, now - play nice," he drawled.
Heather was fuming. "EVERYTHING is a joke with you, isn't it?!" London put a tentative hand on Heather's shoulder but Heather shrugged it off. "And you wonder why there's 'nothing' between us!"

Jason looked away and Heather waved off London's sympathetic soothing words and stalked ahead of them, catching up with Ben who was walking alone, his hands in his pockets. She could here London arguing with Jason, obviously pissed off at him. She smiled grimly. She loved London. But even London couldn't change Jason.

"Hey," Ben said, glancing sideways at her. She smiled tightly. Ben raised an eyebrow. "Happy much?"
Heather sighed. "Ever seen a happy Shadowhunter?"
Ben pretended to give it some thought. "I've seen evil, prejudice, psychopathic and moody Shadowhunters but none strike me as the partying, having a good time type."

Heather chuckled. "Yep. That's us. The life of the party - need a spark at your next celebration? Call a Shadowhunter! They'll stun your friends with their seraph blades and leave you covered in demon goo!"

Ben smiled, making the dark circles under his eyes even more pronounced. Heather winced, as he lifted a hand to move his fringe off his forehead, revealing the scars on the undersides of his wrists. He caught her staring and pulled his sleeves down, hiding them from sight. "It's nothing," he said, ducking his head. "The manacles they used...were silver."

Heather felt a spark of rage grow within her. Shadowhunters were meant to be the good guys - saving the day, slaying demons and making sure that everything that Jonathan Morgenstern had stood for was nothing but a memory of the past. Yet somehow, their reality was becoming steadily darker. Something told her that the words was yet to come.

[Sue]

Cassandra Clearwater

Cassie woke up to the sound of...of footsteps. She tried to open her eyes, but her eyelids felt heavy. Still she tried. Slowly, she opened up her eyes. She blinked, her eyes teary. And noticed two shadowy figures. She couldn't recognize the voice that was coming to her ears. A grave voice. He was talking to someone, but who? And that to about her. She pretended to lay like that, till they left. She strained on her hearing, trying to make out the words. But it was tremendously hard!

After sometime, the voices faded. And the figures were gone. She tried to sit up, but her head was paining like hell. She winced at the pain, and tried to remember what happened last. She could figure out a very blurry image of her room in her mind. She was there, then she couldn't remember. Was she in the Institute? But where's Carter and the others?

She thought hard, and then realized that her mother's ruby necklace was missing from her neck. She looked here and there, but couldn't find it. She felt restless, and panted.

She thought of her mother again, her eyes filled with tears, before she passed into unconsciousness again.

[Melissa]

Lucy Morgenstern

"Lucy! Lucy!" Someone was shaking her, she wanted them to go away, leave her be. "Lucy? Come on wake up!" Whoever was yelling at her muttered something, then she felt a sharp crack across her face. Lucy forced her eyes to flutter open.

Ben was standing over her, looking relieved. With London and Sara standing behind him. She wondered where Heather and Jason were before the pain of Ben's slap took effect. "Ow what was that for?" Ben looked slightly guilty," you wouldn't wake up, so that seemed like the best possible solution." She gave him an 'oh-please' look, to which he grinned.

London cleared her throat getting their attention, "Lucy, Ben do either of you know what happened to Lucy?" Lucy tried to think back and remember Wht they had done to her, but since she had been drugged it was useless to even try, she shook her head. Ben had gone very still and had paled, "I think I might know, I heard some of the other prisoners talk about it, I think they may have..." he trailed off and swallowed, "they may have injected demon blood into her."

[Sue]

Cassandra Clearwater (now as Carter)

"That's exactly what I needed to complete the puzzle!", a voice came from behind them. Everyone turned around to find Carter standing there, having a I'm-gonna-kill-you look, with a slight trace of fright. He walked into the room, while London ran to hug him.
"I'm so sorry, I should've known-", she trailed off. Carter gave her a brief hug, and London cried.

"Known what?", came Heather's voice from the door, Jason at her heels.
"The truth", Carter muttered.

Heather and Jason looked from Carter to London and back to Carter.
"What truth?", she asked. Her voice shook a bit, because she somehow knew that the truth wasn't going to be good at all.

"Cassie's no ordinary Shadowhunter, Heather", he said. "Don't", London whispered. "Not here, lets go somewhere safe", she continued.
"No, we don't. They know everything already", Carter replied, determined, but rude. "Cassie has demon blood in her, right from the time she was born. She inherited that from Mom", he continued.

Everyone stared at him wide eyed, except London. Heather couldn't believe. She didn't like her, but she never thought that she would turn out to be a demon.

"What?", Jason broke in.
"Yes", Carter said, "Mom was turned into a demon when she was pregnant with her. To not turn Cassie fully into a demon, she stabbed the seraph blade through her heart, to stop the blood flow to her. And it worked. She has demon blood, but she's a Shadowhunter as well. With runes. All these make her capable of doing things you can never imagine".

"You mean, she's a...a half-blood?", Sara asked.
"Sort of", he said.
"So, what can she do?", asked Ben.
"Mainly she can play with any living creatures' minds. Including demons as well. Other than that, she's a natural with the blades. She never had any training, but still is capable of combating anyone".
"So, if she plays with peoples' minds, then why would they want her? Do they want to kill her?", Heather asked.
"No, they want her on their side", replied Carter. "She doesn't have enough control over her power, and without Mom's ruby, she can't control it at all. All you need to do is make her angry. She loses the grip. And they'll turn her into one of 'em."

"And what happens if she's on their side?", Sara asked quietly.
"They win. We lose", was what he said.

"Hey Cart, one thing", Jason started.
"What?"
"Who's your Mom?", he asked.
"Suzzane Whalen", Carter said, his face grim. He turned on his heels, and started to walk. He couldn't let anyone see his tears.

[Melissa]

Lucy Morgenstern

London had sprinted from the room as soon as Ben had finished speaking, but Lucy and Sara just stared at him their mouths wide open. Sara giggled nervously, "Lucy I wouldn't have thought it possible but I think you just got paler." A shudder ran through her, she wondered what the demon blood would do to the angel blood in her system which had been present since Sebastian's time.

Lucy traced her star shaped birthmark absently, hoping she wouldn't have a violent reaction when the angelic and demonic blood mixed, not many people knew that her ancestors Clary and Jace had both been injected with more angel blood than normal shadowhunters because of what Valentine had done to their mothers.

Lucy forced a smile, "well at least that means I should be fine... eventually." Everyone knew the effects of demon blood didn't last long when injected, or at least everyone who could eavesdrop on the council when they came over for dinner to discuss 'private matters'.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace

Finding out that Lucy had been injected with demon blood was the last straw. Excusing herself, Heather ducked out of the room and made her way outside, fighting the urge to throw up. She took a deep breath and pressed her hands to her stomach, trying to remain calm. This shouldn't be happening , she thought frantically. Having a link power-wise is one thing, but emotionally? This is weird - too weird. I can't take it anymore!

Suddenly her stomach dropped and she ran over to the nearest bush, bringing back up her lunch. Delightful. Afterwards, she went to the little bubbler by the gazebo and drank as well as rinsing her mouth of the vile taste. She stared at her reflection in the rippling water. I can't do this much longer , she thought. How much longer could she keep this a secret? She was a deformity. Unnatural. The Clave would kill her if they found out. The others would shun her.

She hated herself.

Memories of that night broke free of the floodgates. Liam. Liam. Liam. Some often wondered why she felt so much pain over his death. Well they hadn't watched him die. They hadn't heard his whispered words.

They hadn't experienced dying.

But Heather had. In that moment she had felt what it was like to die. Because of a choice she and her brother had made. Well, she had unwillingly made. Her father had died recently, and Heather had agreed to it without a second's hesitation. Later, she would regret it. Like now.

It wasn't like a parabati link. Heather gingerly slipped her sleeve off her shoulder and race the faint rune marks. It was stronger than that, but only when activated. Her brother had been desperate. Desperate to prove himself to the Clave. To make up for his 'sins'. For loving Lucy. So he had offered to slay Apollyon. The King of Demons.

Apollyon. A menace to the city. A Shadowhunter could not take that beast on alone. Sebastian, or Jonathan Morgenstern, had released all of the greater demons onto the city and Apollyon was the easiest to capture. He lingered where wealth was accumulating, where his victims were easily misled. But back then, he had decided to slay countless humans and the Clave needed someone to face him alone, because Shadowhunters in pairs could be smelt by Apollyon at a mile off. So Liam had volunteered.

He never told Heather how he got the rune. He had said, "She gave me this rune. She made it herself."
"Who is 'she'?" Heather had asked, eyeing the sketch of the rune as if it were a a curiosity - an insect in a bell jar.
Liam had sighed. "I...I can't tell you, Feather." And Heather had accepted it. She had always trusted Liam.

He left one night. To face Apollyon. He had given her the rune, etched it into her skin and she had done the same for him. "It connects us," he had said. "My strength to your strength. My soul to yours. He cannot harm my soul nor drain my strength and I will gain strength from you." They had had to cut their hands - pressing their blood to eachother's runes. The runes drank the blood. Heather thought it the most horrible thing she had ever seen.

Heather stayed at their home. Their mother went to bed early that night, taking Panadol to ease the headache she had gotten. Mrs Lovelace had begged Liam not to go. But he hadn't listened.

And then they broke in.

Heather knew they were members on the Clave. But somehow, darker. Intensely evil. But Liam had begun to fight Apollyon, and Heather's strength was draining quickly. She tried to fight them off, but they flung her into a wall. She had blacked out. Meanwhile, she later realised, they had gone upstairs and slit her mother's throat. Why, she never found out. She only awoke to scramble upstairs and see her mother's corpse in a pool of blood on the floor.

And the she had ran.

Needing to find Liam, to warn him. To gain help. She had been shaking, sweating, feverish and in total pain. When she reached Liam, it was too late. It wasn't the Clave that killed him.

It was Lucy.

Lucy had followed him in order to help him slay Apollyon. She had loved him too much and her love destroyed him. The demon used her as a distraction to Liam and though he was spiritually invulnerable, he wasn't physically. Too quick to see, the demon slew Liam where he stood.

Heather would never forget the sight.

She ran to him, sobbing. He placed his hands in hers and then whispered words she didn't know the meaning of. And then he died. Yet his strength, his essence that made him a Shadowhunter - Liam himself merged with Heather.

She was herself. Of course, he didn't possess her or anything. But she was double the Shadowhunter she should be. She was twice as fast, as efficient. But lately, upon seeing Lucy, there had been a conflict of emotions. Emotions tore Heather apart. They made her feel as if she was being shattered into a thousand pieces. Love, anger, sorrow.

She needed to seek advice. But what would they all think of her? She had dreamed of one day finding the woman who gave Liam the rune, who created it. But she didn't even know where to start.

Heather watched as her tears fell into the water, blurring her reflection.

[Claire]

London Wayland

After she ran out the room, she found herself in the conservatory. It was a quiet place to think, and rarely anyone but her went in there. There was so much to process. Cassie was born with Demon Blood. Lucy had Demon Blood injected in her. Kyle was a traitor. Xavier was back in her life. Heather and Jason were.... Who knew. It was so very confusing.

She slid down a wall, to the ground, crying quietly.

[Melissa]

Lucy Morgenstern

Lucy groaned, feeling like her insides were trying to implode. "can you get me a bucket.... then maybe leave the room for a bit, this isn't going to be pretty." Lucy offered Ben a weak smile, he hadn't left since he had arrived while everyone else had come and go. "I'll get your bucket but I'm not leaving," she didn't argue, it felt nice having someone take care of her for once.

The angel and demon must have been mixing because Lucy thought that her blood was going to boil, she bit back a scream but couldn't help the moan that escaped her lips. Lucy had never really thought much about her family's extra angel blood, but she had never wished that it was gone. Now though she wanted it out of her if it would end the agony of having it mix with demon blood.

Ben must have come back but all she could see were black spots, "you sure you don't want to leave?" Lucy tried again to get Ben to leave, she didnt want him to see what was going to happen, whatever was going to happen. He didn't reply, but he also didn't leave so she thought he had shaken his head. "your choice," she reached her hand in the direction of the bucket, at least she hoped thats where she was reaching, and felt it with her fingers.

Lucy tucked her hair behind her ears, she knew she wouldn't hold out much longer, there was an eerie darkness pressing in on her from her peripheral vision. Lucy slipped further and further until she was barely aware of what was happening, the only thing she knew was that she was glad Ben hadn't left.

[Booknut, Head Moderator]

Heather Lovelace

Heather stalked out of the room and made her way through the hallway and kitchen, into the entrance and to the front door. Something pulled at her. Something told her to run, run and never ever look back. Yet, she knew fleeing wasn't a viable option. Too much was going on that she needed to know or find out about and fleeing the situation wasn't going to make it better.

She flicked away a strand of her unruly hair, shrugging on her coat, thinking. Perhaps she'd go out for a bit, get some air, think some more. She looked around for her handbag and found a brooding Jason Penhallow standing behind her, her bag in his outstretched hand. She snatched it off him wordlessly and fumbled with the doorhandle.

"Heather," he sighed, sounding weary. "Can we talk?"
Heather swallowed and looked down at her hands. "Can we not?"

"We need to." His eyes were deep pools that made her insides knot and her heartbeat quicken. He was beautiful. Too beautiful. So dangerously so, that being near him was like breathing in the heavy perfume of a flower that was close to a bee. When you reached out to touch it, you took the risk of getting stung. "I hate...this."

"This?" she asked, feeling tired. "What is this, Jason? Is this war? Is this anger? What is this - all of this? Why can't we have the liberty of living without all this madness? Life isn't meant to be this hard-"
"Who are we to be the judge of that?" he replied calmly.

Heather laughed bitterly. "If this is what God meant for us to call living than we have nothing to hope for. Nothing to fight for. Shadowhunters - hunting shadows, they say. They always meant demons. Now it is literally true...we are hutning shadows, chasing them. Nothing concrete. Only dust and shadows."

Jason crossed his arms and frowned. "It is not as morbid as all that-"
Heather waved him off, opening the door. "Think what you like," she said, averting her eyes. "I don't care."
Jason's tone was dark. "That is the problem."
"Your problem," she replied, smirking. "Not mine."

Jason opened his mouth to argue but she walked out, slamming the door shut behind her. A moment later it opened again and he called out, "Where are you going?"

Heather stopped at the bottom of the stairs, looking up at the boy who was as everchanging as the wind, his affections as fleeting as the prick of a needle. "To Hell," she said. And she left him standing speechless in the doorway to the Institute.

A place that was no longer a haven - but was now as dangerous and dark as the mortal world, a thought that sent a shiver down Heather Lovelace's spine.

[Claire]

London Wayland

After sitting alone for a while, she decided enough was enough. There was no use to sit and cry and do nothing at all. 'My first step' she though to herself 'is to find Kyle, or at least find out more about Kyle and what is happening'.

Bounding out of the conservatory and towards her room, she almost ran right into Jason.

"Woah, slow down London. Where are you going in such a hurry?" he raised his eyebrow at her, as if daring to suggest something to do with Xavier.

She sighed "Oh don't give me that look. I am going to find Kyle and discover what is going on around here. Where is Heather? I was going to ask her to join me"

Jason looked towards the floor and shuffled his foot "She just left. She didn't say where she was going either"
London hugged him "So much has happened, she just needs some time to process"
"Guess your stuck with me for company" he smiled at her

Linking her arm in his, she smiled back "I wouldn't have it any other way brother"