𝑶𝑭 𝑩𝑳𝑶𝑶𝑫 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑩𝑬𝑻𝑹𝑨𝒀𝑨𝑳

ᎠᏘᎽ ᎧF ᏘTᎧᏁᏋMᏋᏁT

"Wow. I don't know how you do it?" Alec was looking at her in awe. "How, despite almost everything being screwed up in your life, have you managed to not go insane?"

"Oh, trust me, I'm teetering on just on the edge of sanity into insanity. But I can't let myself go there."

"How do you do it?" Alec asked, feeling concerned about her and sympathizing with her.

"Usually by ignoring it till I can do something about it. But I also focus on you guys, so I have something to hold onto."

Alec smiled at her when she said this and got up from his desk, moving around it to her and drew her into a hug. "We're here for you." He said, pulling back and holding onto her arms. "Whenever you need us. We're your family, and you're my sister. I'll always be here for you, and so will Izzy, and of course, Jace."

"Thanks, Alec." Alyssa replied with a smile.

"So, angel blood, huh?" Alec said with a smile. They both took a seat on the couch in the office.

"Yeah. And before you ask what it does for me, remember those drawings I make of events either happening or yet to happen?" Alec nodded. "That's my gift. Though unlike Jace and Clary, I can't control it. It just happens."

"I guess that makes sense. Now, speaking of gifts, I've been wanting to ask since you came to the Institute. What's with the shiny rock on your finger?" Alec asked, referring to the ring on her finger.

At the question, Alyssa smiled widely as she looked down at the ring and then back at Alec. "Uh, Jace proposed to me last night."

"I thought you guys were already married. You know with the bond and..."

"Yeah, but only we know that. Jace wants it to be official. He wants everyone to know I'm his wife, and he wants me to have his name. And I want the same." Alec grinned at her. She was practically glowing with happiness, and he was happy for her.

"Hmm, Mrs. Alyssa Herondale. Has a nice ring to it." Alyssa grinned at him as he said this, letting out a little laugh as she blushed slightly.

Hallway

Izzy, Alec and Alyssa were standing in one of the hallways, talking quietly about what Izzy had learned after finding out Robert had yelled at Max, making the boy so upset he'd missed training with Izzy.

"Honestly? As long as Dad apologizes to Max, I don't care what the fire messages said." Alec said. Izzy looked at Alyssa to see if she'd say something different, but she was disappointed.

"What he said." Alyssa said, referring to Alec.

"I know you're still upset about the whole affair..." Izzy began to say.

"That's an understatement." Alyssa muttered, earning her a glare from Izzy.

"But think about it. Valentine escaped under our watch, and yet Dad somehow convinced the inquisitor to let you both keep your jobs? What kind of leverage could he possibly have to do something like that?" Izzy pointed out.

Just then, Alyssa's phone rang. It was Tessa Gray. She moved away from the Lightwood siblings to answer it.

'Tessa?'

'Alyssa, dear, I have good news. I might have found a way to help you with your situation.'

Alyssa couldn't believe it. She couldn't keep the excitement and hope out of her voice as she spoke. 'Really? Oh, thank the Angel. So what is it? What...'

'Can you come to my house in London tomorrow? I'll tell you everything and we can even get started.'

'Of course. Thank you, Tessa.'