s01e08 - "Bad Blood"

── ✦ ──

Imogen Herondale sat in her office in Idris and tending to her duties as Inquisitor, which she had recently become. She tried to be strong, but she was suffering from the loss of her family.

First she had lost her son Stephen, and yesterday her daughter-in-law Céline and her unborn grand-daughter. After her husband died, Celine had fallen into depression and was carrying his daughter when she and her unborn daughter were eaten by wolves.

- Come in! - Imogen shouted in a serious tone and quickly wiped her tears. A moment later Luke Garroway entered the office. - Is something wrong? - She asked and looked at the man. The woman was surprised to see a child sleeping in his arms, who was wrapped in a pink blanket. - Who does this child belong to?

- This is Elisabeth Aurora Herondale, Céline and Stephen's daughter, and your granddaughter - Luke replied and gently rocked the newborn.

- It's impossible. Céline and my granddaughter were eaten by wolves - Imogen stated with shock on her face.

- Before died Céline, she gave birth to Elisabeth and she told me to run away with her daughter - Luke confessed sadly, and Elisabeth began to wake up and cry.

- Calm down little one, nothing is happening - Luke said and tried to calm his daughter Celine, but she cried even louder.

- Give her to me - Imogen said and took her granddaughter from Luke's arms. Imogen looked at Elisabeth and saw beautiful green eyes, blonde hair, and pale skin. - Thank you for saving my granddaughter, but now I want to spend time with my granddaughter

Elisabeth immediately calmed down and started moving her little arms and legs as if she was still in her mother's belly.

- Good Inquisitor Herondale - Luke said obediently and left Imogen and Elisabeth alone.

- Hello Elisabeth, I am your grandmother. I have to tell you that you are the perfect blend of your parents - Imogen said with a smile to her granddaughter. The woman felt that she had a reason to live - her granddaughter was alive and she was no longer alone.

Elisabeth began to coo happily.

- We both lost loved ones, and you didn't have the chance to experience the love of your parents. But don't worry, I will take care of you and train you to be a strong, independent and the best shadowhunters of your generation - The red-haired woman stated. And when you're older, you'll become the best shadowhunter of your generation, and then the Inquisitor

Imogen rocked Elisabeth for a few more minutes before her granddaughter fell asleep. The woman kissed her on the cheek and put her in her crib.

Then she went back to looking through and signing the papers.

── ✦ ──

19 years later

Elisabeth Aurora Herondale grew into a beautiful, strong, and intelligent shadow hunter. Just as Imogen had predicted, her granddaughter became the best shadow hunter of her generation.

When Lizzie was 18, her grandmother sent her to the Institute in Paris, where she quickly became the head of the Institute. Lizzie held this position for 2 years - until her grandmother called her to her office.

Today she returned to Idris and immediately went to her grandmother's office.

- Hello, grandmother. Am I interrupting? - Lizzie asked with a smile as she entered her grandmother's office.

- Never - Imogen stated and got up from the chair to hug her granddaughter, and Lizzie returned the hug to her grandmother. - Hello Elisabeth

The girl loved her grandmother very much and was grateful to her for raising her after her parents died. However, few people knew that Lizzie was under enormous pressure from her grandmother, because Imogen Herondale had planned her entire future, and the girl did everything her grandmother told her to do.

- It's nice to see you too - Lizzie stated and gently moved away from her grandmother.

- You're looking more and more like your parents - The red-haired woman said and looked at Lizzie, whom she hadn't seen for 2 years.

- I keep hearing it - Lizzie informed her grandmother, when they both sat down on the couch. - And changing the subject, why did you call me? Did I do something wrong? - The concerned blonde girl asked.

- You didn't do anything wrong, angel, as always, you do everything you're supposed to - Imogen reassured her. The woman was very proud of her granddaughter, who represented the Herondale name well. - I called you because I have an important mission for you

- What mission exactly? - Lizzie asked curiously.

- You'll go to the New York Institute. There you will check if the Lightwoods are able to run the Institute and if they are loyal to the Clave, because for some time now they have started integrating into the affairs of the Downworlders - Imogen replied. - And in addition, it turned out that Valentine Morgenstern is alive - The red-haired woman replied with irritation and saw the fear on her granddaughter's face.

- It's not possible, Valentine died during the uprising - Lizzie noticed, terrified, and started to play with the family ring. It was because of Valentine Morgenstern that she lost her parents and did not have a chance to meet them and experience their love.

- I know, angel, and I will do everything to make this monster answer for what he did to our family - Grandma informed her and put her hand on her granddaughter's hand. - And you will go to the Institute in New York and take temporary control of the Institute, because I know you are up to the task

- When should I be there? - Lizzie asked calmly and looked at her grandmother.

- Tomorrow, now go rest - Imogen replied and gently kissed her granddaughter on the cheek and went back to her work.

A moment later Lizzie left her grandmother's office and went to her room.

── ✦ ──

A few hours later, Lizzie woke up and immediately began preparing for her departure to the New York Institute. The girl took a shower, put on denim pants, a white top, black heels and a black jacket. Being a member of the elite Herondale family brought Lizzie many benefits, but it required her to proudly represent the family name and have no scandals involving her.

- Elisabeth, are you ready for a mission? - Her grandmother asked when she entered her granddaughter's room, who was finishing applying light make-up.

- Yes, Grandma, and I know I can handle it - Lizzie stated with a smile when she looked in the mirror.

Imogen stood behind her granddaughter, who was sitting on a chair in front of the dressing table.

- I know angel, you have the looks of your parents and their best features that shaped you into a fantastic night hunter - Imogen noticed and tied Lizzie's loose blonde hair into a high ponytail.

- It's a shame I didn't get to meet them - Lizzie said sadly.

- I know, but I'm sure they would be proud of you - Granny informed her. The woman was sure that Lizzie would do amazing things and be a good wife to the man she married and a mother to his children. - I have something for you. This necklace has been passed down to the women of the Herondale family for centuries - The red-headed woman when confessed as she put the silver necklace with the H pendant around her neck. - And when you have a daughter, you will give her this necklace

- It's beautiful - Lizzie announced when she saw the necklace around her neck in the mirror.

- The portal to the New York Institute will be opening soon, so you need to go now- Imogen informed her, and Lizzie stood up from her chair and left the room with her grandmother.

A moment later, Lizzie said goodbye to her grandmother and entered the portal to the New York Institute.

── ✦ ──

Lizzie walked through the doors of the New York Institute in the form of Valentine Morgenstern and saw a black-haired man dragging a small boy behind him and immediately loading his bow with an arrow. A moment later, the man shot an arrow at her, and she easily caught it in mid-air.

She then rolled up the sleeves of her shirt and used her stella to draw a rune that would allow her to return to her own form.

- Her reaction time was hopeless - Lizzie stated and she saw the shock on the face of the black-haired man and several shadowhunters who were looking at her. - Except for you - Said the blonde girl and stopped a few steps in front of him. - My name is Elisabeth Herondale and I am an envoy of the Clave - She introduced herself after a moment and walked past the black-haired man and a small boy before entering the control room.

- Maryse - Lizzie said with a fake pleasant tone when she saw the older black-haired woman accompanied by her daughter. - The Clave ordered me to take temporary control of the Institute - Informed the blonde girl and began to look around the control room.

- Wait a minute, no one informed us - Said Maryse in a serious tone and began to walk down the stairs.

- The Clave doesn't have to do this - Lizzie interrupted her with a fake smile and expected such a reaction from Maryse. Maybe her parents were friends with Maryse, but Lizzie had missions to complete and she couldn't afford to be sentimental. - And I repeat, this is temporary. No decision has been made yet - She informed her and approached one of the screens and put her stele to it, but there was a refusal. - But I need full access to assess how the Institute is doing - The girl said after a moment and again put her stele through the system access rune, but Lizzie was rejected again. - Where is Clary Fairchild? - Lizzie asked and looked at the black-haired man, and then at his sister.

- She's in the field, training - Alec answered and felt dislike for the Clave envoy, but that didn't mean he didn't think she was a beautiful girl.

- You mean to tell me that Valentine's daughter walks the streets of New York? - Lizzie asked still with a false smile and approached the black-haired man.

- She's with Jace - Alec tried to improve the situation.

- The same Jace Wayland who carried out a raid on vampires, without permission? - Lizzie asked with irritation and went to another screen and tried to access it but she couldn't. - I read the reports - The blonde girl said and gave a quick glance at Maryse before turning away from the black haired woman and looking around the control room.

- Jace may be unconventional, but he is one of our best soldiers - Maryse replied and started following Lizzie. - If Clary is with Jace, then she is in good hands

- I hope so, for your sake and the sake of all of New York. May your entire jurisdiction be well protected - Lizzie said in a serious tone and walked away from them.

── ✦ ──

Lizzie was being shown around the Institution by Maryse and was introducing her to the Institute's affairs when she learned from Alec about the attack on the werewolf headquarters. Maryse tried to convince her to let Alec and Izzy go to the attack site, but Lizzie wanted to go, and Alec joined her.

- I see why all the girls from Idris want to meet each other - Lizzie stated.

- What do you mean? - Alec asked in surprise when he looked at Lizzie.

- Rumor has it that you're going to settle down, get married - The blonde girl replied and saw the shock on Alec's face.

- Shit - The black-haired man cursed.

- I guess it wasn't your idea - Lizzie stated and she saw the shock on his face.

- Not at all - Alec confessed and had to admit that Lizzie could be nice when she wasn't cold or devoid of any emotion.

- My grandmother tried to find me a husband - Lizzie confessed with a smile.

- And how did it go? - Alec asked curiously when they were in front of the Jade Wolf Chinese restaurant.

- Bad for her, but she understood that I wanted to go my own way and earn a good reputation for the Herondale name on my own, and not do it through the name of the husband she would choose for me - The blonde girl replied before they entered the restaurant.

The first thing the girl saw was the mess and the corpse.

- He has some features of the cursed - Lizzie stated and crouched in front of the corpse. - It was a human - She stated after a moment before she moved the cursed's neck and saw a rune on it. - And it has runes

- I don't know - The alpha of the werewolves confessed and crouched in front of the corpse. - He was more focused, more determined and attacked like he had a plan - The man explained and stood up. - A normal cursed shouldn't be that hard to kill. It took 5 wolves to kill him - He informed her after a moment. - I've never seen anything like this

- We'll take the body to the Institute and do a full autopsy - Lizzie informed Luke and looked at the werewolf.

- Wait. I know I called you... - The werewolf stated and looked at the blonde, who reminded him a lot of his dead friends. - Actually, I called Alec and I didn't want anyone to come here and take over - He informed her in an irritated tone. Lizzie was surprised that someone ignored her order, because it never happened.

- Yes, but that's her business - Alec stated, who approached Luke and Lizzie. The man stood next to the blonde girl.

- I know I may seem a little...harsh - Lizzie stated with a fake smile. - But we are all on the same side, can we agree on this? - The blonde girl asked and looked at Alec and then back at Luke. - The Institute has the means to find out what it is

- We have a forensics expert, well trained in all the creatures of the Shadow World - Alec tried to convince him.

- Do you have someone like that here? In that Chinese restaurant? - Lizzie asked arrogantly, and Alec crouched down in front of the corpse.

- Fine, you win - Luke sighed, and Lizzie crossed her arms. - Just let me know what you find out

- Do you think Valentine is behind this? - Alec asked Luke and raised the cursed man's hand, and a shiver went through Lizzie's body when she heard the name Valentine, but she didn't show it.

- No doubt it was his work - Luke replied.

- Who do you think will be next? - Alec asked as he looked at Luke.

- Honestly? Me - Luke replied and put his hands on his hips.

- So you think Valentine is after former members of the Circle? - Lizzie spoke up after a minute of silence.

- I don't know, it could be something personal - Luke informed them. - We have a complicated past, but he could indeed go after his former followers. I'm sure Valentine holds a grudge against those who betrayed him.

- We'll put extra security at the Institute - Lizzie stated and turned towards the door to the exit of the restaurant.

- For Hodge, of course - Alec stated.

- And for your parents - Lizzie added and Alec turned to her. The blonde girl saw the shock on Alec's face. - They kept it from you?

Some time later

- We need to make sure that no magic was used - Lizzie stated, when she and Alec stood in front of the table with the body of the cursed. - I'll call the nearest High Warlock for a consultation

- Magnus Bane? - Alec asked slightly confused. - Should he come to the institute?

- Yes, is there a problem with that? - Lizzie asked surprised, when she felt the nervousness in Alec's voice. The girl felt that he had something in common with the warlock.

- No, not at all. Magnus is... quite magical - Alec answered nervously, but tried to hide it. - He is very good at magic

- Do you know him well? - Lizzie asked curiously and looked at him, as he continued to look at the corpse.

- Just a little - Alec replied.

- I can't wait to meet him - Lizzie confessed with a smile and saw Alec's surprised look. - Magnus was friends with my ancestor William Herondale - The blonde girl said after a moment.

- No - Alec replied in a slightly angry tone. - Add that to the list of things I didn't know - The black-haired man said and left the morgue.

- Alec, I'm sorry - Lizzie said when she followed him. - You shouldn't have found out that your parents were members of the Circle. Not like this - The blonde girl confessed sadly.

- You mean from you? - Alec asked coldly when he looked at Lizzie. - You shouldn't have been the one I found out from

- You know that until now it was forbidden to talk about the circle - Lizzie noticed.

- How convenient for my parents - Alec stated and knew that he should control his emotions in front of Lizzie, but he couldn't.

- That doesn't change what I think about the Lightwoods. Your family has always had a strong alliance with mine - Lizzie informed him. - The shadow world took them into account and valued their devotion

- Devotion? - Alec sneered. - My parents were in cahoots with Valentine, the man who killed your parents

- I know, but people make mistakes, and your parents were manipulated by Valentine. Robert and Maryse didn't kill my parents, but that monster did - The blonde girl said.

- Yes, but this one is unforgivable - The black-haired man said, before he angrily walked away and left Lizzie alone.

── ✦ ──

Some time later, Lizzie was in her new office.

- Lizzie, do you have a minute? - Alec asked, as the girl read the autopsy results of the cursed.

- Alec, I'm sorry about your parents, but my hands were tied - Lizzie said as she sat down on the desk and looked at Alec.

2 hours earlier Lizzie informed Maryse and Robert about the Clave's decision - the Clave took complete control of the Institute. This decision did not please Robert or his wife and they tried to convince Lizzie to change her mind, but she could not do anything about it.

- I know - Alec calmed her down. - A hard law, but a law. I respect it and I understood that I have to listen to my heart

- It always ends badly - Lizzie stated.

- I know, but as you said, our families had a strong alliance - Alec stated, and Lizzie felt the nervousness in his voice. - We can use it. Together we will restore my family's good name and stop the Institute...

- And we will run it - Lizzie finished for him, a little stunned, when she saw Alec, who knelt before her.

- Elisabeth Herondale... Will you marry me? - Alec asked her, and the girl was still in shock, because she didn't expect that the man she had just met would propose to her. - I know that we barely know each other and my proposal may be too soon, but this marriage will please my parents and your grandmother. Maybe in time, when we get to know each other better, we will fall in love and be happy together.

Lizzie didn't know what to answer Alec. On the one hand, the blonde girl liked Alec and wanted to help him, but on the other hand, she didn't want to get married so soon.