The breeze blew the silk curtains gently as Delilah stood in front of her mirror. Her mother wasn't around to do her hair and she was struggling to pin it in place. There were maids to help but Delilah only allowed her mother to style her hair, she had done it when Delilah was a child and Delilah was going to make sure that it didn't stop any time soon.

The dress Delilah wore wasn't her favourite but it was now one of the only ones that wasn't either covered in blood or destroyed completely. She knew that she would drag Anna and Matthew to shop for clothes soon, perhaps she would invite Cordelia to tag alone. Delilah hadn't had a chance to speak to Cordelia much. The incident at the picnic and her helping James in the ballroom had thrown a dent in her plans to get to know the Carstairs girl better.

Once Delilah had finally decided to let her hair settle around her shoulders and down her back, there was a knock on the door. Delilah already knew who it was.

"Christopher!" Delilah yelled to her brother in the room next to her own. "Thomas is here!"

"Give me a second," Christopher said before emerging from his room with a vial clutched in his hand which he slipped into his pocket.

Delilah's eyes narrowed at the singed cuffs of his shirt before her eyes trailed up to her brother's face who had a smile on his face. She shook her head, a smile pulling at the edges of her mouth before she linked her arm with her brothers as the two descended the stairs.

"You came back early this morning," Christopher commented. "I was awake reading through mine and Henry's research."

"The session ran a little later than usual," Delilah said. "I decided to stay at the house for the night. With demon attacks happening, I thought it would be safer."

Christopher simply nodded at her answer. "I agree that it was safer."

Of course Delilah never liked lying to Christopher, she told her brother practically everything. But she didn't want to tell him that she spent the whole night with Matthew, that was something she never wanted to admit to him. Or anyone else for that matter, it was strictly between her and Matthew.

Thomas was waiting in the entryway for the two Lightwood siblings, pacing. Once the two descended the stairs she let go of her brother's arm and walked over and wrapped Thomas in a hug. "Are you okay?" she asked.

Thomas only nodded before pulling away from Delilah and stepped back, looking between the two siblings.

"Matthew sent word early this morning that we shall all meet at his house," Thomas explained as the three Lightwoods exit the house and enter the carriage, Christopher helping Delilah inside.

Delilah sat opposite both Thomas and Christopher for the carriage ride to Matthew's. It wasn't too far away and it was certainly quicker than the route in which Delilah walked. It was bright in the sky and the sun was shining despite it being close to sunset. It was a beautiful day and Delilah wanted nothing more than to be outside rather than the carriage. Christopher and Thomas conversed while Delilah offered a comment occasionally. Delilah didn't mind this however, both of the boys were discussing things that had very little interest to her.

Once the carriage pulled up in front of the Fairchild residence, Thomas and Christopher were the first out, leaving Thomas to help Delilah down from the carriage. It felt strange using the front door to enter the house, typically she would enter through Henry's lab before quickly leaving.

Henry greeted the three Lightwood's before telling them that Matthew and James– who had arrived not too long before Delilah, Thomas and Christopher– were in the garden. As the three walked through the house barks echoed throughout it and Delilah gasped in delight.

"Oscar!" Delilah giggled as the dog ran up to her, nearly jumping into her arms.

The dog greeted both Thomas and Christopher before returning to Delilah who had bent down to stroke him easier. Delilah had always wanted an animal, whether that be a cat, lizard or even a squirrel from Regent's park. But what Delilah had always wanted more than anything was a dog.

The three Lightwood's finally entered the garden to find James and Matthew under the large tree. Oscar ran happily over to his owner before running back to the trio, doing this as the Lightwood's were close enough to converse with Matthew and James.

"James!" Christopher called when they were in speaking distance. "What happened last night? Where did you disappear to?"

Delilah sat down on the grass and Oscar walked over to her, his tail wagging happily.

"There you go, James," Matthew said smugly. "Now you don't have to tell the story more than once."

"Yes, what happened to you last night?" said Thomas. "You vanished, you know. Matthew was about to rip the institute apart brick by brick to see if you'd fallen into the crypt."

Delilah looked over her cousin. He didn't appear to be injured or even seem remotely affected by his trip into the shadow realm. It didn't calm her worry though.

As James began to explain the story. He explained how he had gone into the world of shadows before seeing a light and followed it and found himself in Chiswick. He described the Cerberus demon and how he had killed it. Through his whole description, Delilah lightly patted Oscar's head.

"Cordelia and Lucie were there too," said James. "At Chiswick."

Delilah's eyebrows furrowed in concern. "Are they both okay?"

"What on earth were they doing there?" Matthew questioned.

"They'd gone to check on Miss Blackthorn and see if she was all right," said James. "And they were both okay, Delilah."

Delilah let out a quiet sigh of relief.

"Seems dangerous to be out and about at night after those attacks," Matthew said. "The girls shouldn't be taking such risks."

Delilah raised an eyebrow and glanced in Matthew's direction. Matthew met her gaze. "You're one to talk," Delilah said. "You are out basically every night."

"So are you!" Matthew defended.

Delilah stilled as the words left Matthew's mouth. James and Thomas looked at Delilah confused. Christopher looked between Delilah and Matthew, confusion evident on his face. He looked at Delilah. How does he know? His expression seemed to say.

"Delilah?" Thomas said, "What does Matthew mean?"

Delilah sighed. "I just go to art classes sometimes during the week. Do you really think my art is as good as it is without some lessons?"

It wasn't a complete lie because it was mostly the truth. She only concealed what else she did at those art classes. "I know it's stupid to go alone, but I do enjoy them and I am very careful. Now before you all berate me, let's get back on the topic we were just discussing."

The boys were silent. Matthew had an apologetic expression on his face while James only looked at Delilah curiously. Christopher shared a look with Thomas before the taller boy began to speak, changing the subject completely.

"Here's my question: Why Lightwood– I mean, why Chiswick House? Why the greenhouse?"

"No idea," said James. "Perhaps because the demon was there?"

"Demons do like to take up residence in ruins, especially those where there are remnants of black magic," Christopher said. "And we all know what Grandfather Benedict was up to in that house. It's why he turned into a worm."

"Ah," said Matthew, "fond family memories."

"Well, the Clave agrees with you," said James. "They believe the demon has been there since Benedict's time. And while it seems entirely unconnected to the attacks, I do feel we have been seeing an unusual number of demons lately in rather unusual places."

"'Demons in unusual places' was Benedict's motto," said Matthew. "How do we know what the Clave thinks? Charles has been remarkably tight-lipped."

"Not to me," said James. "He came to see me this morning."

Thomas's expression darkened. "Don't tell me he believes all that poppycock about you going to see Miss Blackthorn and being refused–?"

"He does believe it," said James. "Or at least, I was unable to give him another, better explanation. I cannot say I was wandering about the shadow realm. better , I suppose, that they think I am a lunatic in love."

"But you barely know Miss Blackthorn," said Christopher, nibbling a piece of grass.

Delilah watched James and Matthew share a look. A whole conversation seemed to happen through that one brief look.

"I do know Grace," said James. "And I do love her."

Delilah listened to James's second story of the day, this time explaining all about his summers in Idris and how he had slowly begun to fall in love with Grace Blackthorn. Delilah clung onto every word, she had always assumed that James had been keeping a secret but she wasn't expecting it to be this. By the time he was done with his story, the stars were becoming visible in the darkening sky.

The three Lightwoods remained in silence as they took in James's story. Christopher was the first to speak. "I didn't know that you were in love with someone, James. I'm sorry. I should have been paying attention."

"I didn't know either," said Thomas, "and I have been paying attention."

"I always could tell that you were keeping a secret, James," Delilah said. "But I never expected you to say that you were in love. Isn't that sweet!" She teased her cousin.

"I am sorry I didn't tell you all before. Grace has always worried that her mother would find out and be furious. Even Lucie does not know," said James.

"Forbidden love," Delilah said, somewhat sadly. She wouldn't admit it to the boys around her but she was somewhat of a romantic. Her shelves in her bedroom were filled with romance novels. It was a secret Delilah would take to her grave.

Thomas frowned. "My aunt Tatiana is mad. My father has often said so, that his sister was driven to madness by what happened to her father and her husband. She blames our parents for their deaths."

"But James has never done anything to her," Christopher said, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion.

"He's a Herondale," said Thomas. "That's enough."

"That's ridiculous," said Christopher. "It is as if one was bitten by a duck and years later one shot a completely different duck and ate it for dinner, and called that revenge."

"Please do not use metaphors, Christopher," Matthew said. "It gives me the pip."

Delilah nudged Matthew's leg and rolled her eyes.

"This is bad enough without mentioning ducks," said James. "I'm sorry, Thomas. I feel as if I have failed in helping Barbara."

"No," Thomas said quickly. "We have only just started. I was thinking– perhaps you, Matthew, Delilah and I should go to the Devil Tavern and look through the book collection. There are volumes there that the Clave will never find combing through the Institute's library. We could see if there is any mention of these daylight demon creatures."

"What about Christopher?" said Matthew.

Christopher held up a vial of red liquid–blood. Delilah scrunched her nose wondering how long he had been keeping that in his pocket for. "I managed to acquire some blood that the Silent Brothers had taken from one of the patients last night," he said proudly. "I intend to mix modern science and Shadowhunter magic to attempt to create an antidote for the demon poison. Henry has said I can use his laboratory while he is in Idris."

"That better not be my sister's blood."

"It's Piers's," said Christopher, "though for the sake of pure science, it should not matter."

"And yet we are all relieved," said James. "Matthew, Delilah and I can go to Fleet Street– perhaps Thomas should help Christopher in the lab?"

Thomas sighed. "I always end up helping Christopher in the lab."

"It is because you are remarkably good at dodging explosions," said James, "and also, you can curse in Spanish."

"How does that help?" Thomas said.

"It doesn't," said James, "but Christopher likes it. Now–"

"James!" Henry called from the house.

James took off toward the house leaving the three Lightwood's, Matthew and Oscar on the grass. Oscar was asleep beside Delilah while the four sat in a comfortable silence as Matthew reached for his book, brushing the front cover. She leant forward and snatched Matthew's pocket watch to check the time. The blonde protested, gripping her wrist lightly.

Delilah sighed. "I was just checking the time."

"You could have just asked, you didn't need to assault me," Matthew said dramatically.

Delilah snorted. "Stop being dramatic, darling. I barely touched you." Delilah stood to her feet, brushing off the grass. "And besides, where's the fun in just asking."

"Where are you going?" Thomas questioned.

"Anna's," Delilah said. "I heard that she was having tea."

"One of us should escort you," Matthew said, moving to stand to his feet.

"It isn't too far of a walk," Delilah said. "And besides I am in desperate need of female company."

Without another word, Delilah walked away from the three boys still sprawled out on the grass.

***

The sky grew darker as Delilah made her way to Anna's and she would be grateful to loosen her corset. It was painfully tight around her chest and it wasn't even tied up too tight. Despite the night growing dark and people made their way back to their homes ready to settle down for the night, Delilah was wide awake. She half blamed it on the previous night and partly because of the morning.

The sun was rising before Delilah and Matthew had finished their activities, the alcohol in their systems and their physical exertion rendering them unconscious the moment Matthew rolled from her body to lay down beside her, holding her in his arms. Only two hours later, both Delilah and Matthew were waking up with the sound of commotion down the corridor. They didn't speak as they changed only when Matthew wrapped his arms around Delilah's waist and pulled her back against his chest were their first words spoken.

"Thank you for last night," Matthew muttered, his lips brushing her bare shoulder.

Delilah held onto his hands, her thumb gliding across his knuckles and rings. "No, thank you, Matthew."

Matthew smiled and pressed his lips against hers. Delilah spun around in his arms to press her lips more firmly against his. The kiss wasn't long as Delilah broke it, pressing her hands against his chest.

"I need to get my sketchbook before we leave," Delilah said, stepping out of Matthew's hold.

Matthew's arms fell back down by his side as he nodded and sat on the bed to lace up his shoes.

Delilah remembered the stolen touches with one another while they were in the house. She remembered the way Matthew's lips brushed across her neck just before they left the room. Once they were out in the fresh air however, the haze that seemed to encase both Delilah and Matthew evaporated as they returned back to a sense of formality, or as formal as Delilah and Matthew could muster, as the Fairchild offered his arm out to Delilah. Neither of them mentioned what they had done in the house again.

Delilah was standing outside of Anna's flat before she knew it. The spare key Anna had hidden just for Delilah was hidden in a small plant pot outside the front door. Delilah let herself into the building before making her small ascent to the second floor and unlocked Anna's flat with ease.

"Anna!" Delilah called throughout the flat. "I am in need of your presence."

When Delilah walked into the living room, she was greeted by the sight of familiar red hair. Delilah smiled. "Cordelia Carstairs," she stepped further into the living room. "I hadn't known that you would be here."

Cordelia smiled. "It's good to see you, Delilah."

"Ah, sister!" Anna said, appearing in the living room with two teacups. "You came!" Anna's eyes looked her sister up and down. "And in the most ghastly dress."

Delilah gaped. "It is the only one I had that was...appropriate."

Delilah thought back to the remainder of her dresses in her wardrobe, all either for painting, covered in stains or were simply too scandalous to wear during the day.

"I have a dress you left here when you last stayed," Anna said. "Go and change."

Delilah rolled her eyes. "You can be bossy when you want to."

It didn't take Delilah long to change into her other dress at all and she was relieved to be wearing it, she hadn't realised how much the other one had been at least one size too small, now she could breath a little better. Delilah emerged from Anna's bedroom and sat on the couch next to Cordelia.

"Would you like some tea?" Anna questioned.

"I am quite alright," Delilah said. "Now what were the two of you discussing before I arrived? I am in desperate need of company other than the boys."

Cordelia laughed a little at Delilah's dramatics as she took a sip from her tea.

"We were gossiping about Cordelia, though she won't gossip about herself," Anna said, relaxing into the mismatched chair that Delilah had purchased for her flat. She turned her attention to Cordelia. "If you don't wish to gossip about yourself, why don't you tell us about your brother? Is he as awful as he used to be at school?"

"Did you go to school with Alastair?" Cordelia asked, a hit of surprise lacing her tone.

"No, Delilah did, as did James, Matthew and the rest of the Merry Thieves. Matthew says he was a miserable blighter and gave them all the pip. No offence meant. I admit, Thomas never says a bad word about him? Sugar? I haven't any milk."

"No sugar," Cordelia said and set her gaze on Delilah. "Alastair was mean to you?"

"Never to me," said Delilah with a shake of her head. "Though he was quite awful to James, insulted his eyes many times."

"Alastair is rather awful," Cordelia admitted, "but I don't think he means to be."

"Do you think he's in love?" Anna said. "People can be awful when they're in love."

"I don't know who he'd be in love with," Cordelia said. "He's hardly had time to fall in love with anyone, since we've just arrived in London, and I doubt everything that's happened has put anyone in a falling-in-love mood–"

"What did your father do, exactly?" Anna said.

"What?" Cordelia nearly spilled her tea.

"You could have been less direct in your approach," Delilah commented. Anna ignored her.

"Well, we all know he did something dreadful," said Anna. "And that your mother's come here to try to ingratiate herself back into Shadowhunter society. I hope everyone won't be too stiff-necked about it. I quite like your mother. She reminds me of a queen out of a fairy tale, or a peri from Lalla Rook. You're half-Persian, aren't you?"

"Yes," Cordelia said, a little warily.

"Then why is your brother so blond?" Anna asked. "And you so redheaded- I thought Persians were darker-haired."

Cordelia set her cup down. "There are all sorts of Persians, and we all look different," she said. "You wouldn't expect everyone in England to look alike, would