-*-*-*-*- Tessa -*-*-*-*-

Will's breath rattled in his chest as Tessa watched from the doorway of the infirmary. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he fought to stay alive, fought to stay with them, fought to just breathe. Jem sat with his head on the bed but his hand enclosing Will's in a tight fist. It was almost as if he was praying, but Tessa knew enough about parabatai to know that Jem was giving every drop of strength he had to Will, not caring for his own health in the slightest. As much as this worried her, she didn't try to stop him. Having your heart torn between two boys often led to choices like this, but for now she would leave the situation be.

"Jem's still awake then?" Magnus asked from behind her. She turned to face him, noticing how pale the warlock's skin was and how tired he looked. The magic it took to get Will back to the Institute and then attempt to heal him had taken its toll, especially after fighting Mortmain and the Unseelie King. Tessa wanted to tell him to rest but, if truth be told, she needed the company right then.

"Yes," she replied softly, glancing back at Jem. "He hasn't rested yet. I don't think he can bring himself to. The last time he left Will's side, he went missing for weeks. I think-I think he's afraid he'll lose Will again." Magnus was silent for a moment as he watched them, his cat eyes glinting slightly.

"The power of parabatai is extraordinary," he whispered. "Just the way they tether each other to this Earth, to reality. Many can only dream of having that. But these two do have it."

"They always will," Tessa said. "No matter what happens." Magnus shook his head in disbelief.

"Will shouldn't be alive right now and yet he is...because of Jem," he said quietly. "Quite extraordinary."

"What do you mean?" she asked. Magnus shifted, lacing his hands in front of him.

"Will's wound has closed up, yes, but the poison from the demon metal is deep within him," he said softly. "I am working on a cure for both Will and Gabriel, but I'm afraid it's not going too well. The only reason why Will is still alive is because Jem is keeping him that way." Tessa looked back to her fiancé, her mouth slightly open in shock. Jem was still ill himself so how did he have the strength to give to Will?

"How long does Will have?" Tessa whispered.

"A few days at best," Magnus said. "Maybe less. But it all depends on Jem's strength...on when he decides to let go." Tessa choked back a sob, her hand covering her mouth. Magnus pulled her into a hug, holding her tightly as she cried. "Tessa, you must know that I'll do everything I can to save him. I won't give up on him."

"If he dies, then where does that leave Jem?" Tessa sobbed.

"With you by his side to help him through it," Magnus told her. "But I swear to you that I will not let Will die. Not yet." Tessa nodded, drawing away from Magnus and turning back to her fiancé.

"Save him, Magnus," she said. "I ask this not for myself, but for them. They...they need each other more than words describe. If their bond breaks...I don't think either will survive long."

-*-*-*-*- Jace -*-*-*-*-

"Where exactly are we going?" Jace asked Cecily who was marching ahead of him. "Are you ever going to get round to telling me what's going on or does that not fit in your schedule?" She gave him a glaring look over her right shoulder but continued walking through the streets of London. Even Jace had to marvel at how beautiful the place was. Huge gothic structures towered above him, carved out of pure marble that shone in the sunlight. He had never seen anything like it before, not even in Idris. But then again, he had never been thrown into another time and met his ancestor before.

"Okay, this is ridiculous," Jace said. "Just tell me what the hell is going on!" Cecily whipped around, her ink black hair flying in her fury.

"I don't know!" she shouted at him. "All I know is that the Unseelie King is after my brother and if I don't get to him soon, he'll die! I have no idea why I was transported to the Thames or why you suddenly appeared. If I did, I would tell you. But I don't. So will you please just be quiet so I can concentrate on getting us to the Institute. Honestly, you're worse than Will!" Jace opened his mouth to make an angry retort then realised that this was someone he descended from. He probably didn't want to annoy her if he wanted to be born.

"All right," he said. "Fine, I get that this is weird. I just wanted a little clarification."

"Well I don't have any," Cecily snapped. "The point is, you're here, and the Angel knows the reason. So if you're here to help, be useful and actually do something more than complain. Got that?" She didn't wait for an answer, just turned around and started walking again. Jace had no choice but to follow her, despite wanting to throttle this girl. He was now starting to realise what Alec meant when he said Jace had an attitude.

They rounded the next corner and came face to face with huge, black gates guarding a cobblestone courtyard. Beyond that, was the London Institute in all its glory. It was even more magnificent than Jace had heard, although it obviously didn't compare to New York. However, at that time, Jace wasn't interested in the architecture. He was more worried about the fact Kit Rook was staring up at the doors as if they were alive.

"Kit?" He asked in shock, recognising him from the picture Emma Carstairs had sent. Cecily gave him a look.

"There's another one of you?" she asked. "For the Angel's sake, one was bad enough!" Kit turned around, eyeing Jace up and down in complete panic.

"Who the heck are you?" he exclaimed. "Where the hell am I? Someone better explain to me what's going on and why I just dissolved into black smoke in the middle of the L.A. training room right now or I swear I'm going to have a fit."

"It's me, Jace," Jace explained. "Jace Herondale, remember?" Kit's eyes suddenly widened in realisation.

"The guy who was coming to meet me?" he asked. "Seriously dude, I was quite happy to meet in the Institute, not in some far away Victorian land. Why the hell did you bring me here?"

"He didn't," Cecily answered. "Something else did. He was brought here just like you. We're not sure why though." Kit turned his piercing gaze to her. Jace had to admit, it was clear this kid was a Herondale just by the way he stared people out.

"Well this is just great," Kit muttered. Cecily sighed, shaking her head.

"We better get inside," she said. "It'll be getting dark soon. And the streets aren't safe after dark nowadays." Without another word, she trotted up the steps and opened the Institute door, holding it open for both Jace and Kit to follow her. With a moments hesitation, Jace climbed the steps after her, pulling Kit along to make sure he didn't make a run for it.

Cecily closed the heavy wooden door behind them once they had entered the building, then led them up a tall staircase and into the main body of the Institute. It was quiet, too quiet. No one met them in the corridors or seemed to be in any of the rooms. Jace didn't even admire the décor because of the uneasy feeling that was settled in his stomach. Kit was glancing around him too, seeming to be just as uncomfortable.

Something wasn't right here. Something was terribly, terribly wrong.

Finally, they reached a narrow corridor that seemed to be occupied. A girl with mahogany brown hair and intelligent grey eyes seemed to be leaning on the doorframe of a room. She turned when she heard footsteps approaching and gasped, pulling Cecily into a hug.

"Oh my goodness, Cecily!" she gasped. "We thought we lost you! What happened to you?"

"I'm fine, Tessa," Cecily replied a little impatiently. "I'm not entirely sure what happened, but I ended up on the banks of the Thames." She turned and gestured to Jace. "This guy then turned up out of thin air followed by the other kid in front of the Institute. They say they're both Herondales and from the future, but I'd rather Henry and Magnus verify that before I trust them completely."

Tessa didn't answer, just stared at Kit and Jace with curiosity and suspicion. Jace locked gazes with her, finding himself not able to say a word at her menacing gaze. This was an entirely new experience for him, being speechless. By the Angel, he hoped he wasn't turning into Alec.

"Where's Will?" Cecily asked. "Have he and Jem got back yet? Is everyone alright?" Tessa pursed her lips, tearing her gaze away from Jace as soon as tears prickled in her eyes.

"Cecily," she whispered. "Will...Will was hurt. The Unseelie King needed Herondale blood to finish his spell. He was stabbed with a demon metal blade. The poison...it's in his blood. Magnus can't find a cure but Jem...Jem is keeping him alive although I don't know for how much longer..."  Cecily was furiously shaking her head by this point.

"No," she muttered, then her voice increased in strength and volume. "No! I don't believe it. He can't be...He wouldn't..." She pushed past Tessa and into the room beyond. Jace glanced over Tessa's shoulder and spotted two boys in the room. One was lying motionless on the bed, his chest barely moving to show he was breathing. The other boy had his hand clasped around his friend's knuckles, looking almost as sick and weak. Jace knew why.

They were parabatai. They had to be. One was keeping the other alive.

"What has the Unseelie King done?" Jace found himself asking. "Why did he need Herondale blood for a ritual? I take it that's why Kit and I are here, but why?" Tessa flashed her eyes angrily at him but before she could answer, she was interrupted by another voice.

"Because the Unseelie King forgot about the side effects of such a spell," Magnus Bane said as he walked up the corridor. "He forgot it would affect all Herondales, past, present and future. That is why you're here. To help fix all this. And I think you should start by saving Will."

"Magnus?" Jace asked, completely shocked. "What are you doing here?"

"I suppose you know future me," Magnus said dryly.

"Yes, you're my para-"

"Don't tell me anything!" the warlock snapped. Jace opened his mouth again to make some sarcastic comeback but flying blue sparks immediately shut his mouth. He glared angrily at Magnus only to find that the warlock was ignoring him and turning to Kit.

"I hope you can be more helpful than this one," he said. Kit gulped and turned a shade paler.

"D-demon metal, you said?" he stammered to Tessa. She nodded, watching them intently. "My d-dad, he used to sell it in the Sh-Shadow Market. He used to say the metal was rare, the cure was rarer. But I know what it is, at least I think I do. But the only problem is I have no idea where to find it."

"Tell me."

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Hello my lovelies! How is everyone???

So I know this one was a bit boring but it's a little filler chapter just to set up the next chapter and then...the final battle!!!!! I hope you're all holding onto your seats because it's going to be massive!!!

Okay then, don't forget to vote and comment! There's a new chapter up for 'Project Midnight' for those interested too btw!

Love y'all!!

CricketCat