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

A/N: So who's your favourite parabatai pair??? Jace and Alec, Will and Jem, Clary and Simon or Emma and Julian???

Personally, as much as I love Emma and Julian, I ship them as a couple so much more than parabatai so Will and Jem are my favourite pairing ;)

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'I keep going to the river to pray
'Cause I need something that can wash out the pain
And at most
I'm sleeping all these demons away
But your ghost, the ghost of you
It keeps me awake.'

- Ghost, Ella Henderson

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-*-*-*-*- Cecily -*-*-*-*-

Cecily wondered down the hallways of the Institute, dressed in her training gear. She had just come up from the training room where she had spent most of the day practising with Will...not that he had been in a forthcoming mood to do so. If she was honest with herself, she was sure Will just agreed to train with her to distract himself from Jem and Grace. She had seen him, watching them every time they moved, as if they were going to collapse at any moment.

Well, at least one of them could, but the other one wouldn't be far behind.

The sound of a piano playing stopped Cecily in her tracks. She wasn't far from the music room but she was sure no one played the piano in the Institute. Her heart skipped a beat. Maybe Gabriel knew how to play? It was certainly something he could easily master, she was sure.

But Gabriel never involved himself with talk of music whenever the topic came up; usually it was Jem's area of expertise. But then again, Jem only played the violin.

Cecily remembered Tessa telling her that curiosity was her besetting sin. She was beginning to think that she had the same problem as she turned and followed the delicate sound of music.

The music room door was ajar slightly when she arrived. It had been dusted recently, the candles lit and the curtains drawn back to show the colours of the setting sun. Although most of the instruments in the room still had sheets thrown over them to protect them from dust, the piano had been completely polished and it rippled in the light.

Grace sat at it, her hands moving smoothly across the keys as each note she played hung in the air. Cecily was slightly surprised to see her playing the piano. Grace hadn't exactly struck her a music person even though her brother clearly was. Hadn't Will mentioned that the Carstairs family had always been famous for music?

Suddenly, the music ceased as Grace stopped, picking up a pencil and scribbling something down on a sheet of paper that rested on top of the piano. Even Cecily had to admit that she looked tired. Dark shadows circled her eyes which looked hollow. Fading bruises decorated her skin which Cecily knew didn't come from training with her every morning. What was she doing to gain all of those?

"Can I do something for you, Cecily?" Grace asked, not looking up from her work. It took Cecily a moment to realise that she had been so entranced by the music that she still hadn't moved from her position at the door.

"Oh, erm..." she said but trailed off. There wasn't really a reason for her presence here, was there? She came forwards, leaning her elbows on the piano. "I heard the music. I just wondered who was playing it." Grace finally looked up at her, setting her pencil down.

"I see you've been training today," Grace said. "Will being any good to you?" Cecily smiled a little.

"He's still being grumpy," she said. "Although I think he's finally accepted that I'm not going home without him." She hesitated. "In fact, I've accepted that I'm not going home at all." It was Grace's turn to smile.

"I take it that you like being a Shadowhunter then?"

"Yes," Cecily said.

"What convinced you to stay?" Grace asked. "Is it just to prove a point to Will? Because if it is, then this is the way to do it." Cecily laughed.

"Actually, no," she said. "It was you." Grace looked taken aback.

"Me?"  Cecily shrugged but continued.

"When I first came here, I knew that Shadowhunters were going to be tough," she said. "When I walked into that dining room, none of them were what I expected. That was until you came in. You were exactly how I had imagined a Shadowhunter to look like. You are as tough a nails and, if you don't mind me saying, slightly frightening."

"I don't see how this convinced you to stay," Grace pointed out, raising her eyebrows.

"Well, you are not what you look like, Grace," Cecily said. "You were the least likely person to offer to train me, and yet you did. You willingly sacrifice yourself for others, like you saving me at the Lightwood's house. And you are just so strong in general. I found myself looking up to you. I want to be just as strong and brave as you Grace, and just as good of a Shadowhunter."

Grace still looked a little shocked but smiled. "Thank you, Cecily," she said. "And believe me, you already are brave and strong. Bravery comes in many different forms, like you coming to the Institute in the first place. Just trust in yourself."

"So what were you playing?" Cecily asked, pulling the sheet of paper Grace was writing on towards her. To her, it just looked like a bunch of notes and lines that she didn't understand.

"Oh, I was just writing something for Jem and Tessa," Grace said. "I haven't really played in a while, not since Mortmain showed up, but Jem asked me to write something for their wedding day. A first dance kind of song."

"Well, I think it sounded beautiful," Cecily said. "Jem and Tessa are going to love it." But that song will tear my brother apart, she silently thought.

"Just a few more notes I need to tweak then it will be ready," Grace said, taking the paper back and studying it. "My mother once told me that music and bravery are linked. If you are brave enough to pour your heart and soul into the music, then the music will make you feel the way the writer was feeling."

"I definitely got that," Cecily replied. "It made me feel...happy and loved. But also a little sad."

"The happy and loved will do," Grace said, tucking the pencil behind her ear. "Listen, I've got to go out tonight, but I need a favour."

"Name it."

-*-*-*-*- Grace -*-*-*-*- 

Drawing her hood close to her face, Grace silently ran down the street towards The Ring. She knew that she had promised Philip that she wouldn't come here anymore but she didn't have a choice if she wanted to save Jem. And as for promising not to lie to her brother...well, she'd asked Cecily to distract him for the night so he wouldn't notice that she was missing.

Grace had no idea what Cecily planned to do, but she seen her carrying a box with Jem's cat, Church inside towards the training room. How Cecily had managed to catch him though, she had no idea.

As she walked into the alley way that led to The Ring's back door, a hand shot out and grabbed her arm, slamming her against the wall. She was about to draw her knife and stab the idiot but she recognised the flash of green eyes.

"Philip?" she asked in disbelief and slight dread. "What are you doing here?"

"The real question is what are you doing here?" he hissed at her. "You promised me you wouldn't come here anymore, Grace. How could you lie to me?"

"I have to, Philip," she hissed back. "Mortmain is going to blackmail us because of Jem's health. The longer I can keep everyone safe, the better."

"So you're not only lying to Jem but me too?" he asked. He released her, stepping backwards and shaking his head. "Why, Grace?"

"I have to!"

"That's not an answer!" he shouted. Grace blinked. He'd never been this angry with her before. He took a deep breath, running his hands through his hair. "Look, I know that you're scared, but you need to come home with me right now. It's too dangerous to be here for you." He started walking but Grace didn't follow. He turned back, looking at her with a menacing gaze but she still didn't obey.

"I can't, Philip," she whispered. "You wouldn't understand. You were never close to your brother, but I am. I can't do nothing. I have to save him." His eyes softened.

"I know you feel like you do," he said softly. "And I know how much pain it will cause you when he's gone, but this won't save him, Grace. Yin fen will only prolong his life for a short while, and it will probably make the end so much worse." He took her hands in his own and she looked up into his eyes that held nothing but concern for her. "Please, come home with me, Grace."

She shook her head, stepping away from him. "I can't, Philip," she repeated. "I have to fight. I need to fight. It's the only thing I'm good at."

"This isn't you," Philip said. "It's Yanluo making you think that you want to fight but you don't." As she turned away towards the door to The Ring, his voice became desperate.

"Grace, you know in your heart that you can't save him!" he cried.

"No," she said. "But I can try. Don't try and stop me, Philip. It will end badly for you."

"They'll kill you!" But she ignored him, opening the door and disappearing inside, knowing he wouldn't follow her.

She let Slewford she was there the moment she entered, pushing through the crowd to put some distance between her and Philip and their fight. Slewford didn't exactly look pleased to see her but gruffly gestured his head towards the boxing ring as he made his way to where he stood.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" he roared, signalling everyone to zip towards the ring. "Downworlders of London, tonight I bring you a fight that shouldn't even be called a fight. More like a blood bath!" The crowd cheered a nasty cheer. Grace flicked her eyes towards Slewford. Something didn't seem right.

"You see, my friends, this Shadowhunter here seems to be beating everyone we throw at her," Slewford continued. "And I think that she needs to be taught a lesson, don't you agree?"

"YES!" they yelled. Suddenly, three werewolves leapt onto the ring, each with claws and teeth out. Grace whipped out her knife, watching each of them as they circled her.

"Slewford, what is this?!" She shouted at him as the crowd jeered and placed bets.

"It's still within our deal, Miss Blackthorn," he said crookedly. "You never said how many opponents I could put against you." Grace swore at him.

"Excellent," he grinned nastily. "Now, FIGHT!"

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Right, so I know this chapter is a little shorter than usual so next chapter will be longer.

So, what did you think??? Exciting chapter next update so stay tuned ;)

Comment and vote and always please you lovely, lovely people!

Love y'all! You really are the best!