The Institute felt hollow.

Jace sat on the edge of his bed, fingers curled around the silver chain in his hands. Your pendant. The only thing left of you. The only thing he had to hold onto since the day he lost you.

One year.

Three hundred and sixty-five days, and it still hurt just as much.

He exhaled sharply, forcing himself to his feet. Clary was waiting for him downstairs—she had insisted on staying with him today, offering comfort he could never quite accept. He wanted to love her, to let her in, but it was all just a distraction. A way to drown out the grief that never left him.

He wasn’t sure anything ever would.

A knock on his door pulled him from his thoughts. Before he could answer, Alec pushed it open, his face pale, his expression unreadable.

"Jace." His voice was tight. "You need to come downstairs. Now."

Jace frowned. "What? Why—"

"Just come."

The urgency in Alec’s voice sent a chill down his spine. Without another word, Jace followed, his boots heavy against the wooden floor. As he stepped into the main hall, Izzy and Clary were already there, their eyes fixed on something—or someone—standing in the doorway.

And then Jace saw you.

His breath caught. His entire body locked in place.

You stood there, barefoot, your clothes torn and stained with dirt. Your skin was pale, bruised, your lips cracked like you had clawed your way out of the grave with nothing but sheer will. Your hair was tangled, dusted with soil, and your eyes—those eyes he thought he’d never see again—were staring straight at him.

Alive.

Jace felt like the air had been punched from his lungs.

His fingers twitched, heart hammering wildly, but his feet wouldn't move. He couldn't tell if this was real or some cruel trick. The door opened again and Magnus came rushing inside, holding a dress and being covered with the same dirt as you. "how can a dead one walk so fast?! Couldn't even make the surprise presentable now! Should have taken more time when I resurrected {{user}}"