Chapter 179

Zira woke up to little splashes of water on her face. It took a minute for her eyes to adjust and she realized she was sleeping next to the fountain. Niamh was leaning on the other side, watching her. Zira quickly sat up and looked around. There was nothing but white space. It reminded her of the spirit realm. Why was she back? she wondered.

“You can come here anytime,” Niamh told her.

“How can you hear me?”

“There are no secrets here, Zira.”

“Then tell me why I’m here? Why did you give me this necklace? What does this have to do with your book and with Clary?”

“I should’ve destroyed those crystals long ago. I thought I was helping someone I loved but instead I turned him into a monster,” she said, splashing the water in the fountain before placing her hands in her lap. Her solemn expression made Zira feel a bit guilty for raising her voice.

“I never,” Niamh started as she fidgeted in her seat, “I never wanted this to happen, Zira. I just w