Disclaimer: SOME of the dialogue in this chapter, all characters (but Grace and Philip), the main story line and settings belong to the amazing Cassandra Clare. Grace, Philip and my own story plot belong to me. The Infernal Devices do not belong to me.

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'This world is getting colder, strangers passing by
No one offers you a shoulder, no one looks you in the eye
But I've been looking at you for a long, long time
Just trying to break through, trying to make you mine.'

- Bonfire Heart, James Blunt

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-*-*-*-*- Grace -*-*-*-*-

"Rise and shine, Gracey," her mother said, waking Grace from a very deep slumber. "Today's the big day." Grace didn't say anything but quietly stood from her bed. Today was the day. She was expecting something to happen today, either the help the angel promised her, or Yanluo making an appearance.

But something had to happen because she didn't think she could go through with this. As much as the Philip in this vision was perfect (apart from his injury), she knew it wasn't him. The real Philip was a traitor who may love her but wasn't ready to sacrifice his life for her.

"Let's get you into this dress then," her mother said, picking up the gold material. Grace slipped behind the screen and pulled the dress on. When she emerged from the screen, her mother was places bottles of makeup and perfume on the dressing table. Grace sat and allowed her mother to fuss about her, doing her makeup and hair. When Grace was young, this was all she ever dreamed of that one day, she would get married and her mother would help her get ready.

But she didn't think it would be a fake marriage.

"Now, just the finishing touch," her mother said. She placed a small box in Grace's hands. "Go on, open it."

"What is it?" Grace asked. "I thought gifts weren't until after the ceremony."

"I know, but I want you to wear this when you are married," her mother said. Grace opened the box and peeled back the delicate tissue. She gasped at the object. It was a beautiful hair fastener, encrusted with diamonds and sapphires. It was the exact one she had in her room in the London Institute, given to her when they moved there. Her mother wore it on her own wedding day.

"It's beautiful," Grace whispered. Her mother took the object and wove it into her dark hair.

"There," her mother said. They locked eyes in the mirror. "You look gorgeous, sweetheart."

"Where's Jian and Philip?" Grace asked.

"Jian is helping Philip get ready then he'll meet you at the carriage, as will your father and Jessamine," her mother replied. "Philip will already be at the Silent City."

"Mother, can I just have a minute to myself," Grace said. "I just need to compose myself." Her mother nodded and left the room.

Grace looked into the mirror at herself. She couldn't do this. There had to be some way for her to fight Yanluo but the coward wouldn't show himself, she was sure of this. He was winning the fight. Grace didn't know what she must look like on the outside, but she was sure it was messy. Yanluo was slowly taking control because of the energy boost that stupid medallion gave it. She would die but not feel a thing, trapped in a perfect nightmare. There wasn't anything she could do but hope. Hope that Ithuriel would make good on his promise.

Unless...

Grace stood and took a deep breath. She was going to have to open the Great Room doors on her own, without the help Ithuriel promised. She just couldn't go through with this, no matter what torture lay ahead.

She opened her door and poked her head out. No one there. As quietly as she could, Grace shut her door and crept down the corridor, not noticing the dark shadow following behind her.

-*-*-*-*- Will -*-*-*-*-

Will tore through the countryside, chasing after the automaton that had been spying on them. It was fast, nothing more than a flash of metal to lead the way for him.

"Will!" Jem shouted at him. "Will, stop!" They came to the edge of some woods and Will lost sight of the clockwork creature.

"What?" Will asked ferociously, whipping around to face Jem.

"Just calm down," Jem said. "Look, we need to get out of here. If one is here, then there's going to be more. We can figure this out later, Will, but you can't just let your anger blind you."

"Who are you to talk?" Will snarled. "Everything you've done since Grace got hurt is all out of anger. You know, sometimes I wonder who has the demon inside of them, you or her because you don't seem to be controlling your anger either!"

"You don't mean that," Jem said as if stating a fact. "I know you don't. We both lash out when we're angry. But we've got to learn to help ourselves as well as others." Will was silent.

"I'm sorry," he said. "That wasn't fair of me."

"It's all right," Jem said. "We're both struggling." Suddenly, there was a scream.

"Tessa," Will gasped then took off again, Jem just behind him.

The automaton was standing over Tessa when they arrived. Will whipped out a sword and sliced the creature almost in half. It fell to the side and Will lent on it, his sword to it's throat as it gurgled oil.

"Why are you here?" he yelled at it. "Are you spying on the family in the manor? Did the Magister send you to kill them? Tell me!"

"Will-" Jem started but the creature started talking, spitting out oil.

"A warning...to you, Will Herondale...and to all Nephilim... The Magister says...you must cease your investigation. The past...is the past. Leave Mortmain's buried, or your family will pay the price. Do not dare approach or warn them. If you do, they will be destroyed."

Will howled like an animal and started slashing the automaton to ribbons. He was vaguely aware of Tessa screaming at him to stop and Jem tugging him backwards. Eventually he let Jem take hold of him and keep him still.

"We must go," Jem said urgently in his ear. "There are more of them coming. We must leave and draw them away from your family." Will slowly lowered his sword arm and led the way out of the woods. They arrived back at the road and clambered into the carriage. Nobody spoke a word, and Will was left to his own dark thoughts. Not for the first time, he wished Grace was here. She'd know what to do. But for now, he was lost and hopeless. God, if this was what Jem had been feeling ever since Mortmain attacked the Institute, then maybe he'd been too harsh.

They arrived at the station and hopped onto their train. Will hardly spoke at all, just looked dismally out of the window for the whole journey. He wanted to scream, to punch something until it died. Why was the world so unfair to him? It takes his older sister, then his adoptive one, then taunts him with his youngest.

The journey ended and Will leapt from the train, running into the crowds and not looking back for Jem and Tessa.

-*-*-*-*- Tessa -*-*-*-*-
It had been two days since Tessa, Jem and Will had arrived back from York, and two days since anyone had last seen Will. Sophie had told her not to worry but a sick, hollow feeling just wouldn't leave her. Something was very wrong and she could feel it, but what? Where was Will now?

Other than that, Charlotte had announced the arrival of Philip who was being held in a spare bedroom, of all places. It came as a shock to the entire household but Jem. Philip had already been questioned and they weren't turning him in just yet. Tessa didn't like that he was here, but after hearing his reasons, her feelings softened- but only slightly. She still detested him and could tell the others thought he was a spy. Jessamine made that quite clear as soon as Charlotte announced it.

After dinner, she retired to her room to sit and think for a while until Sophie knocked quietly on the door and came into Tessa's room. "Good evening, Miss," she said politely. "There's a letter for you." Tessa jerked her head up in surprise. Slowly, she opened the envelope and read it's contents, her heart lurching.

Dear sensible Miss Gray,

I write to you on behalf of a mutual friend, one William Herondale. I know that it is his habit to come and go - most often go - from the Institute as he pleases, and that therefore it may be some time before any alarm is raised at his absence. But I ask you, as one who holds your good sense in esteem, not to assume this absence to be of the ordinary sort. I saw him myself last night, and he was, to say the least, distraught when he left my residence. I have reason for concern that he might do himself an injury, and therefore I suggest his whereabouts be sought and his safety ascertained. He is a difficult young man to like, but I believe you see the good in him, as I do, Miss Gray, and that is why I humbly address my letter to you -

Your servant,

Magnus Bane

PostScript: If I were you, I would not share the contents of this with Mrs Branwell. Just a suggestion. And, I have another suggestion for where Will might be. Has he visited Grace Carstairs recently?

Tessa immediately ran to Jem's room across the hall and shoved the letter into his hands. He read it through, his expression turning from one of confusion to worry to shock. "I'll meet you in a second," he said to her. "Wait in your room."

Tessa returned and waited for what seemed like hours. Finally, Jem knocked on her door, dressed in gear. "Are you ready?" He asked. Tessa nodded. "We're going to have stop by Will's room first."

They climbed up the dark staircase to Will's attic bedroom. It was an absolute mess with clothes, teacups and books everywhere. Jem dove straight in, shifting through all the rubbish. Tessa did the same, finding her letters she had written to Nate while held captive in the Dark House. She bit her lip but said nothing, stuffing the papers into her pocket.

"Found it," he said, holding up a dagger. "We can use this to track Will if we don't find him in the Silent City."

"Erm...Jem," Tessa said, her eyes widening. "Jem..." She pointed at the crystal hanging around Jem's neck. It hadn't glowed in weeks but now, a faint blue and green colour shone from within. Then it quickly changed to red, swirling with the cooler colours. Jem looked down, a mixture of emotions on his face:

Fear.

Shock.

Hope.

"He's there," Jem said. "Or at least, he was. If Grace is in a deep enough sleep, she could react to him perhaps hours later."

"But why would Grace react now?" Tessa asked. "Is she awake?"

"The colour isn't bold enough," Jem said, shaking his head. "But Will might have triggered something. Maybe she's breaking free..." Tessa walked over to Jem and put a hand gently on his arm.

"I know you want Grace to wake up," she said softly. "But don't get your hopes up too much. It's been weeks, Jem. It will only hurt you more if you think she'll wake up first thing tomorrow."

"I know," he said, looking away. "Come on, let's see if Brother Enoch has seen him."

-*-*-*-*- Will -*-*-*-*-

Will didn't know why he ran here after his conversation with Magnus. It was both the only place and the last place he wanted to be. But, ever since she had first arrived in London, Grace was always the one to help him feel better about himself. Sometimes, she didn't even have to do anything. Will was humbled by her, so by visiting her, maybe he'd be convinced everything was going to be all right.

"William Herondale," Brother Enoch said in his head as be glided up the steps at the entrance to the Silent City. "What can we do for you?"

"I've come here to see Grace," Will replied, not looking up.

"Visits are not allowed," the Silent Brother said. "By order of Consul Wayland."

"Please," Will said desperately, his voice cracking. "I have to see her. I- I need to. For the sake of my own sanity. Please." Brother Enoch hesitated.

"Five minutes," he said, turning and walking down the steps. He lead Will into a chamber where Grace lay in the middle. "She's been getting worse," Brother Enoch said, gesturing to a bowl of bloody towels. "Increased number seizures and rising temperature. And, at the worst times, she has been coughing up blood. I am beginning to fear the worst..."

"Why hasn't Jem been told about this?" Will asked, his voice barely a whisper.

"Because his own health is deteriorating," the Silent Brother said. "You have seen how his character has been changing. I have been protecting him as well as his sister. It is my duty." Will nodded and didn't say any more. Brother Enoch did the right thing.

"You have five minutes with her before I have to ask you to leave," he said before retreating from the room. Will approached Grace and took her hand. It was scorching hot but he held on.

"I know you probably can't hear me," Will said. "And I'm putting you in even more danger by telling you this. It's my fault you're in this position in the first place, but I don't see how it can get any worse so I'm just going to go ahead. If I don't talk to someone, I'm afraid I'll go mad.

"I saw my sister today and I couldn't go to her. I couldn't go to her and warn her of the threat that is watching my family. Not just because of the law, but my curse too. Magnus is trying but each time it's disappointment. I can't tell Jem or Tessa. No one can help me. I just- I'm so tired, Gracey, and you're the only one who understands how I feel, how awful this curse is." He squeezed her hand and kissed her forehead.

"Please," he whispered. "Please come back." Suddenly Grace jerked up, gasping. Her eyes were open but unfocussed.

"Grace?" Will asked as he stumbled back, his eyes widening.

"Will?" She cried. "Will, help me! I can't get out. I can't escape on my own. Find the angel's ward. They can save me. Will, please help me! Will! Will!" She slammed back down onto the pedestal, her skin steaming. She cried out, thrashing and writhing. Brother Enoch swept into the room.

"What happened?" He asked.

"I- I don't know," Will stammered. He watched as Brother Enoch lay a hand on Grace's head and she slowly relaxed.

"This can't keep happening," he muttered to himself. "She'll die of the trauma it is causing her. You must leave, William Herondale. You must go. Now!"  Will scrambled up the steps and ran into the night. He had to get rid of all these fears. Because of him, Grace may never wake up.

He ran until he reached Whitechapel, stumbling into an opium den and begged the warlock woman to help him chase the nightmares away with drugs. That's where he stayed until Tessa appeared. Beautiful, wonderful Tessa. She appeared out of the darkness and he clung to her, in fear she might leave him alone forever.

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Bit of a longer chapter for you this time.

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