The Mortal Instrument character names belong to Cassandra Clare. All characterizations, plot lines, backgrounds and details belong to the respective author. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without express written authorization. ©2014 MortalMolly. All rights reserved worldwide.

Summary: This is the story of what happens after COG. The werewolf council member has been assassinated, leaving Luke as his temporary replacement. Jace and Alec are running a trial hunting team of Downworlders & Shadowhunter, and someone is plotting against the Clave.

Prologue

The air smelled like sunlight and juniper. A crisp breeze ruffled through the trees, causing the leaves and blades of grass to dance happily about. The flowers were in full bloom and the sun cast a subtle warmth upon the ground.

Idris was beautiful.

Jace couldn't help but feel content, more so than he'd been for quite some time. Lying comfortably on the blanket he'd spread for their impromptu picnic by the lake, the warm sunlight seeped through the branches of the tree, the grass cool and misted with dew.

It was a perfect day.

His love by his right side, comfortably asleep, he glanced down at her and smiled. The sunlight gleamed off of her sleeping body, capturing her just the right light, revealing the perfect highlights of her golden, copper hair.

She looked beautiful. She looked peaceful.

Peaceful as the day.

Peaceful as the gentle breeze.

Peaceful as the ripples slowing coming off the lake.

Peaceful as he felt.

Clary moved slightly, moaning as she slumbered, and her right hand joined her left under her chin. It'd been his idea for a picnic by the Mortal Glass, aka Lake Loryin. And Clary had been excited at the prospect of some much needed down time.

It'd been six months since the war against Valentine's army of enslaved demons. The aftermath had been hard for everyone to deal with, more so for Clary. That time had been trying on her, for so many reasons. Her father, Valentine, had died that day. For all intense and purposes, so had Jace's. Only the appearance of Raziel to Clary had changed his fated outcome. She'd saved him that day, but the harsh reality of what could have been plagued them both for a long time after.

So, today had been about them and their celebrated reunion with the hopes for a long, happy life together. Once they'd reached the shores of Lake Loryin, he'd laid out a blanket along the beach, and spent hours kissing Clary. She had fallen asleep little less then fifteen minutes ago.

He was happy, happier than he had been in all his life. And she was an instrumental part of his bliss.

The Lake rippled and slight movement caught Jace's attention. He looked toward the Lake and gasped in surprise. What he saw standing there had taken him completely off guard. He stopped breathing, stopped moving.

His heart dropped in the pit of his stomach. Tears welled behind his eyes as he stared dumbfounded and entranced.

Its hand stretched out to him, inside the palm, a gift. Was it meant for him? He didn't know.

Words would not come.

All he could do was sit, stunned, and listen to it speak.

Welcome and enjoy!