"What I'm saying is that we need more Downworlders to protect the mundanes," Alec spoke with calmness in his voice, though annoyance was noticeable through soft specs in his crystal eyes. He seemed almost tired, because they had been in this meeting for almost three hours already, and they always ended up on the same topic no one could agree about.

"The humankind has not done anything for us, so why would we protect them from the wars they create themselves? It would only cost time and lives, which we can use better for other things, Mr Lightwood," Rafe spoke with his every so honourable glance, one that his own race had taught him to carry, wherever he went.

"Because that's the right thing to do. They are at their most vulnerable now, with all the attacks going on. If we work together, we can make the chance of another attack way slimmer than if we were to try alone," the Head of the New York Institute spoke with the same, unchanged tone he had used for a whole 180 minutes now.

"It's also rightto save animals from dying away or making the earth a cleaner environment, saving puppies and adopting orphans. But we have done neither of those things, so why clean somebody else's mess?" Joseph protested.

Alec let out a soft sigh he couldn't hold back, but quickly wished he hadn't because of the stern eyes of a werewolf, Seelie and vampire staring at him. He just didn't have the energy anymore to explain to them why the human race was worth protecting.

"I think you're right, Joseph. But we can't just watch it go wrong from a distance. We have to help them, because they have no idea how to deal with these things themselves. We're the best shot they've got. Besides, maybe we'll even get some stories to tell amongst the bonfire."

The oldest Lightwood gave a thankful look at Dèlia, who had been both on the side of the Downworlders while also reasoning with the shadowhunters. She always tried to find the middle ground, yet this was a topic no one really could get them all to say yes to.

"I don't know, Del," Joseph whispered, always worrying about his people. He had the heavy burden of having a clan, and sometimes she thought it was best for him if he wasn't head of one. But sometimes people made choices that asked blood, sweat and tears.

"Why don't we try it for a month, see how it goes? We'll join some forces and combine our people. Seelies and vampires try to search the woods and streets in the evening for anything out of the ordinary, and any, ANY information from strangers and reliable sources. Anyone who might have intel on people who have plans to hurt the mundanes. The werewolves will search theirsources together with the shadowhunters and the warlocks, who'll also provide help whenever any of the Children of the Night and Lilith's children need them. And once a week, we'll talk about what we've found."

Everyone was quiet for a second. No one had thought of it that way. It was always the easiest option one overlooked, as it seemed too simple, it had grown dull and stupid. Although they didn't exactly like working together, they couldn't deny it was the most solid plan they've had the past hours.

"But..."

The only not Downworlder in this gathering almost let out another sigh. Why couldn't those stubborn people never work together? Though the shadowhunters did this too, he had just forgotten whose kind he was representing. The most arrogant, posh race of them all.

"We can't just askour races to work together. They'll never oblige," the blood-drinking, cursed "human" protested. It wasn't because he didn't want it to work, but he had grown old and his ambitiousness had faded away. He now knew every mistake, whenever there was one, and hesitated the opportunity if they were flawed.

Now he was representing all of the vampires. He couldn't make any mistakes, not tonight.

"Then we'll show them," Alec spoke.

Everyone looked his way now, with big, googly eyes filled with either surprise or tiredness. They silently agreed to let him finish, nodding his way or not looking outside the window, or anywhere else for that matter. The shadowhunter took his chance and arose from his chair.

"We'll form a team. The five of us, the leaders or representatives of our people in New York. It'll show them that working together is the only way."

There was this sadness filling the air. The youngest hadn't realised the boundaries many here were shackled with. And even though no one blamed him, and no one gave him a disgusted glare, they didn't think the plan would last.

"Can't walk in the sun, remember? So, I'm not that good of a teammate to have," the by a demon's illness infected man responded almost in a whisper, as if apologizing for something he couldn't change, because he wanted to, every day he arose in the evening, he wanted it to be morning. Yet he knew it never would be so easy.

"It can work," Dèlia argued.

"But how? We can't form a team if only half of it shows up," Lucian threw his words in the conversation, a dark glance in his eyes, one of the heavy burden of his people, the same which Joseph bore, and perhaps one day even Alec Lightwood.

"We go on missions in the evening. That way, we can be complete. And IF there is a mission when the sun is up, we'll ask help from some shadowhunters, warlocks or werewolves."

Rafe glanced with piercing eyes at his friend, unsure if she let his people out on purpose, to hint they weren't invited, or to show them she cared. Still, he thought he was here to help, and break boundaries set a long time ago. So that was what he was doing, and what he wanted to do.

"The Seelies will be active at day, Dèlia. We can help," he informed her. Her emerald eyes came his way, and there was this hint of pride in them, layered with concern and worry about what were to happen if her friend dared to walk in the sun.

"But Rafe, you can't," she whispered at him, so no one else but him could hear.

He was touched by the fact that she had thought about his boundaries too and had extended her own help to make sure he wasn't forced to do anything uncomfortable. Yet if he wasn't going to take risks, then why was he even trying to make a difference?

"I can. I don't burn in the sun. It only hurts me, and that's a risk worth taking for this alliance."

Always so honourable, always trying to do their best, to show they really want to make a difference, to tell people that they aren't the same kind they once were, taking risks, wanting to give up their bubble of safety, just because oneshadowhunter asked them to.

"But you don't have to take risks," the warlock urged.

"I do. We all have to take risks to achieve something, and I'm willing to do so. Are you?" he smiled his soft smile, a smile which showed he worried, which showed he cared and thought about what he did. It was a smile filled with age, only making it more beautiful. And so, she gave in.

"Yes. But Rafe, what if I-"

"You won't." he assured her, knowing her insecurities. She feared they'd see the monster within, and decide she was more like one than she actually was. That her demon side was more vicious than ambitious. She feared that those she trusted, would walk away.

"Then I'm in."

"So am I," Joseph rose from his chair too, now only standing with Alec, who had this almost shining star in his eyes, making him look more see-through than pale. But he didn't care that his orbs were painted with two lovely big bags under his eyes, and messy hair on his head. They had finally agreed on something.

"And I."

Lucian Graymark stood up too, though everyone could see the doubt in his eyes he had still chosen to try and make the best out of it, and that was more than they asked. They needed people ready to watch the alliance work, even if it wasn't perfect, to protect those unable to protect themselves.

"I, of course," Alec grinned, stating the obvious, already standing.

"And I," Rafe let Dèlia alone, while he joined the circle of man choosing what their kind will do, what they mustdo, throwing their whole worlds together and watching it bloom, or die.

She didn't know what to do for a second. She sighed silently, though Alec saw the doubt in her face as in Lucians. Though a different kind, because he had the same. He was afraid of letting people down or making a mistake that wasn't able to be fixed.

Eventually, she shook of the nasty thoughts clouding her vision and let her feet touch the floor while she straightened her back.

"Great."