Isabelle Lightwood

**Isabelle "Izzy" Lightwood** is a Shadowhunter. She is the only daughter of Robert and Maryse Lightwood, is the sister of Alec and Max, and is the adoptive sister of Jace.

Other Versions* Alt Isabelle

## Biography

#### Early Life

Isabelle was born in the Lightwood Manor, in the middle of a stormy night of May 25th, 1995.

Born the middle child and only daughter of Maryse and Robert Lightwood, Isabelle is the sister of three brothers: the eldest, Alec, the youngest, Max, and is like a sister to Jace Wayland, who was taken in by the family when they were young.

Jace Morgenstern was adopted into their family on Izzy's 10th birthday. They bonded relatively quickly after Jace gifted her a copy of a children's book, A Treasury of Tales for Nephilim.

Aline Penhallow and Isabelle were best friends growing up, and Aline was Izzy's first kiss.

Raised in the New York Institute, Isabelle trained side-by-side with her older brothers and forged a close bond with them. There was a time when she wanted to become an Iron Sister, before she realized it would have meant having to swear off of boys. Imogen Herondale was one of her heroes as she grew up.

Some time before Max's birth, their father had an affair with a woman she didn't know, later finding out from her mother when she was thirteen and keeping it a secret from almost everyone, since then.

Isabelle studied advanced biology and Demonic studies at the Academy, going well past Alec and Jace's levels. She was often praised as the smartest in her generation as a child, but her parents rarely seemed to care about her intellect, rather grooming Alec for duty and politics, and praising Jace for his fighting skills and obedience.

Later, she formed with Alec and Jace the main field team of her Institute.

Eventually, she started a sexual relationship with the Seelie Meliorn. Though it had started mostly as a way for Izzy to get information on the Seelies and the Downworld, it evolved into a comfortable bond that Izzy cherished.

#### Meeting Clary Fray

One evening, Jace managed to track a shape-shifting demon's activity to the Pandemonium. Isabelle decided to go in disguise, with an all-white outfit and a platinum blonde wig. Once inside, Isabelle distracted the other demons while Jace confronted the one that was peddling mundane blood. She managed to keep them busy until the fight broke out.

Annoyed that Jace had been Seen by a mundane, Alec and Izzy tasked him to take care of the mundane issue, and went back to the Institute.

When Jace brought Clary Fray to the Institute, Isabelle was with her when the latter woke up. Isabelle even lent her some clothes after Clary's had to be burned, and explained to Clary what the world she was in was. Her and Clary quickly formed a bond.

The group soon realized that Clary may lead them to the Mortal Cup; for this, they helped her retrieve her memories and save her abducted mother. Outside the Silent City, Isabelle, disliking the Silent Brothers, was asking Simon about Clary and was alone with him by his van when she heard sounds. She left to investigate, and Simon was gone when she returned. She told the others, and when everyone rushed back to the van, two vampires revealed themselves to be Simon's abductors, negotiating for the Cup.

To contribute to Simon's rescue, Isabelle contacted the Seelie Meliorn. In this case, Isabelle knew that Meliorn was also sleeping with the vampire Camille Belcourt and that he might be sneaking into the Hotel Dumort to do so. After getting the information she needed, she immediately told Alec and Jace.

She and Alec served as the distraction, going into the entrance she learned from Meliorn, while Jace and Clary went to a more direct route in hopes of finding Simon sooner. She and Alec managed to keep the vampires occupied, and they eventually regrouped with Jace and Clary. Together, they all found Simon with Raphael. Raphael went on to help the group escape.

Izzy continued to lend Clary clothing, this time for the party they used to get Magnus Bane out of his lair. When the warlock ran away, Izzy helped tracking him with Alec, using their parabatai tracking. She and the others defeated the Circle members, helping to protect the warlock community of New York, and in exchange, Magnus gifted her with the Amor Necklace.

The one her heart ached for was Alec, her brother, because she knew he was having a lot of issues with his sexuality. She herself was starting to question everything she'd known about love.

#### Family's Honor

When Isabelle's parents returned from their trip to Idris, she and Alec learned that their family was under the Clave's scrutiny. She discovered from her father that in order to reaffirm the Clave's trust in their family, a tremendous sacrifice would have to be made. She overheard Maryse's insistence that Alec be married off to a Shadowhunter woman for a political alliance and, disapproving, warned Alec about it. Robert told her that she would be playing the part of a diplomat because of her ties to the Seelies, particularly Meliorn, which Maryse later told her was because she doubted she would be capable nor willing to accept the tough decision for their family.

Maryse later apologized for her choice of words and tried to make Isabelle see it from her point of view, who struggled with being simultaneously their mother and commander. She related her own experience in her youth to Isabelle's but did not take back her opinion that she believed Isabelle wasn't ready for the responsibility. Deciding to put her family ahead of herself, Isabelle took her mother's words to heart and began a process of self-transformation, beginning by changing her manner of dressing, completely stashing her clothes away, and ending her relationship with Meliorn.

When Alec proposed to Clave envoy Lydia Branwell, who was sent to take temporary control of the Institute, Isabelle objected, worried that he was forfeiting his happiness. Her dislike of Lydia further grew when she arrested Meliorn, believing he had information on Valentine's whereabouts. With the help of Jace, Clary and other Downworlders they managed to recruit, Meliorn was rescued en route to the City of Bones where he would have been tortured and possibly killed. Before Meliorn escaped with Jace and Clary, she gave him a kiss goodbye.

#### Seelie-lover

Because of her connection to Meliorn, and from statements by Raj of the ambush on the team accompanying Meliorn, Lydia became convinced that Isabelle was involved in his escape. She was arrested for high treason, and sent to the Gard for questioning. As the Soul Sword revealed she was guilty, she was sentenced to deruning and exile.

Alec was able to recruit Magnus Bane to defend her, and Magnus managed to get the Inquisitor to stop the deruning for the Mortal Cup. Jace and Clary were arrested and later returned with the Cup, freeing Isabelle of her charges.

Isabelle immediately began planning Alec and Lydia's wedding, throwing herself in the planning of the only wedding she would ever be part of, since she believed her status as a "Seelie-fucker" and the fact Jace was revealed to be a Morgenstern would keep the both of them from finding spouses. Despite still not being convinced that Alec was happy with his decision, she supported him. She kept asking herself questions about Clary, Meliorn, and her own sexuality.

She invited Magnus to the wedding, even though she did not expect him to come. Isabelle was happy to see him arrive, and when Alec finally decided to choose his own happiness and essentially stopped his wedding by kissing Magnus in front of everyone, Isabelle was the first to run up to him to express her pride, fully supportive of him despite Maryse's apparent displeasure.

After the wedding, the group found out Hodge Starkweather stole the Cup and was on his way to hand it over to Valentine. Isabelle, Clary, and Simon sought out Camille, who was being held the Dumort, for the Book of the White, which they needed to wake Jocelyn. Isabelle distracted Raphael while Clary and Simon snuck into the room where Camille was being kept. They were caught, but before the vampires of the clan could kill them, Isabelle was able to save them and get them out of the hotel.

Later, at Camille's home, Isabelle was stabbed in the shoulder by Valentine when she tried to stop him from hurting Jace and Clary. Her injury and the unsure fate of the rest of the team convinced Jace to join Valentine to keep them from harm.

#### Hunt for Jace

Still recovering from her shoulder wound, Isabelle helped take care of Clary and Alec after Jace’s disappearance. She then defended Jace from the new Head of the Institute, Victor Aldertree, a representative sent by the Clave to turn the Institute around, when he declared Jace a traitor.

Unable to go after Jace herself because of the threats Aldertree had made against her, she helped Clary escape the Institute after training with her.

When her shoulder started to keep her from being efficient in the field, Aldertree offered for her to use yin fen, a byproduct of vampire venom, highly addictive. Well-aware of the risks, Izzy chose to take the drug, trusting that she was strong enough to resist the addiction, and wanting to keep her status as one of the best fighters of the Institute.

When Valentine began sending his followers to kidnap fighters from fight clubs and dojos, in search of strong candidates for his army, Isabelle and Alec were among those sent out to catch a Circle member for information on Valentine. Isabelle was torn between wanting to help Clary and backing her brother, who wanted nothing to do with Clary and was partly blaming her for Jace's actions, but comforted Clary before they left.

She was trying to find a way to get Jace to safety after he found himself hunted by both the Clave and the wolves, when he contacted her. She told him to go to Magnus', despite the fact she hadn't asked for permission from the warlock.

When Magnus offered to go over Aldertree's head to keep Jace from prison, she was shocked but still agreed. She finally understood that taking Magnus' resources for granted was wrong when he explained it to her.

Aldertree was quick to catch on, after it was made obvious they had gone over his head. He blackmailed Izzy, using her issues with addiction with yin fen to control her. He threatened to withdraw giving her yin fen, if she didn't bring Jace in to the Clave. Feeling terrible about it, Izzy agreed and went along with it.

#### Guilt and Shame

The next couple of weeks, Izzy found herself eaten by guilt and shame as she tried to move past having to give Jace in to the Clave. She did not go visit him in the City of Bones, unable to face him after what she'd done. Clary's rage towards her made the situation worse, until Izzy broke and told her some of the truth about the yin fen, soon after her birthday.

When the Institute was attacked by a demon sent by Valentine, Isabelle was possessed by the demon. However, it did not take hold on her and "slipped" out of her body, allowing for Clary to kill it. She was then out of the infirmary very quickly.

Izzy tried to help Alec deal with what he'd done, but wasn't able to calm him down.

## Personality and Traits

Isabelle is compassionate, warm, charming, and is generally welcoming to new friends. Despite her beauty and kick-ass combat skills, Isabelle is seen to be the moral compass that keeps her brothers Alec and Jace in check in tense situations, though she is also seen to have a bit of a defiant side. Isabelle is not afraid to speak her mind and isn't afraid to break rules, a trait she shares with her adoptive brother Jace. She is able to stand up to higher ranked individuals for what she believes in and fights and argues to get the point across whenever necessary.

She is a skilled seductress who can seduce any man, both Shadowhunter and Downworlder, into either complying with demands or maintaining confidential information. She enchants pretty much anyone who meets her. She is incredibly comfortable with her body; in the past, she wore revealing outfits with no qualms—a way of standing up to her mother's strict rules. During that time, she often acted as the bait or distraction to lure demons.

Isabelle is also equally skilled and deadly in battle, particularly when using her weapon of choice: her whip. Isabelle is feisty, talented, intelligent, and well-educated.

Isabelle is very supportive, protective, and loving towards her brothers, urging them to do what makes them happy. Isabelle often seeks to comfort those around her, although she also has a strict and disciplinarian side, particularly when it comes to training. She worries about her family a lot, and had a hard time accepting that Max was ready for his first real mission after training him for it.

She is fiercely loyal to her family and loved ones, willing to let go of her own happiness if it will make things better for them. Despite this, she will fight for what she believes is right even if the odds go against her, and would only cede and make the necessary sacrifice or adjustments when she sees the sense in it and how it would contribute to the greater good.

Out of the team, Izzy is by far the most intelligent and also the one with the most faith.

## Physical Appearance

Isabelle has long, ink-black hair, and dark brown eyes that are usually mistaken for black. She is relatively small compared to her brother, and thin, having inherited the figure of women in her father's family rather than her mother's figure. However, she looks incredibly alike Maryse.

Isabelle is comfortable with her body and used to wear revealing outfits, though she switched to a slightly more conservative wardrobe when her family's honor started being in trouble. She started finding herself liking the new style more and more, especially the slightly less tall heels, that made her more comfortable in hunts.

## Skills and Abilities

* **Nephilim physiology**: Being Nephilim, Isabelle possesses a variety of enhanced physical and mental abilities granted to her by the angel blood of Raziel in her veins and also by the angelic Marks of the Gray Book. This includes enhanced strength, speed, agility, stamina, and coordination, which continue to improve over time and practice.
* **The Sight**: As a Shadowhunter, Isabelle is able to easily see through most magical illusions and layers of glamour over reality.
* **Runic magic**: Due to the angel blood in their veins, all Shadowhunters are all able to apply runes on their skin without any real danger. These Marks, in turn, give varied effects that serve to benefit the wearer.
* **Use of heavenly weapons**: As a Nephilim, Isabelle is also able to perform tasks unique to their species, such as the ability to use and call on the power of angels for their seraph blades, as well as to handle any heavenly weapons or objects with effect, which would normally not work for other species. In particular, these are tools made of adamas and forged by Iron Sisters.
* ~~**Parabatai bond**: Due to her parabatai bond with Alec Lightwood, Izzy is able to call on more strength in battle and is able to use certain runes or magic exclusive to parabatai. The runes drawn on her by, or shared with, Alec also give a considerably stronger effect. This also allows them to parabatai track. They can feel each other's feelings if that part of the bond is activated.~~False
* **Expert hand-to-hand combatant**: Isabelle is highly skilled in armed and unarmed combat.
* **Whip master**: Isabelle is highly skilled in using a whip, able to use it to exert power and control over her enemies.
* **Forensic pathology**: Isabelle is shown to be skilled in the study of forensic pathology and is referred to by Jace and Alec as the best in New York. She was even able to perform an autopsy on a strange new form of Forsaken and was able to successfully deduce what made it special. She is an expert, well-versed and highly-trained in studying the bodies of both mundanes and all creatures of the Shadow World.

## Possessions

* Basic **Shadowhunter gear**, including: a steles, seraph blades, and witchlight.
* **Lightwood family necklace/Amor Necklace**: A family heirloom that was given to her by its original owner, Magnus Bane.
* **Isabelle's whip**: Isabelle uses her trademark whip as a preferred choice of weapon. She shows a high level of skill and proficiency wielding the whip. The whip can also transform into a staff. When not in use, Isabelle wears it in the form of a serpent bracelet.
* **Isabelle's Stele**
* **Isabelle's copy of A Treasury of Tales for Nephilim:** On her 10th birthday, Izzy met Jace for the first time, and he gifted her this book.

## Appearances

All Chapters of Shadowhunters 2.0. - Discovery.

Shadowhunters 2.0. - Dive

* This Guilty Blood Part 1
* This Guilty Blood Part 2
* A Door Into the Dark Part 1
* A Door Into the Dark Part 2
* Lover Lost Part 1
* Lover Lost Part 2
* Lover Lost Part 3
* Blood of the Covenant
* Day of Wrath Part 1
* Day of Wrath Part 2
* Day of Wrath Part 3
* Dust and Shadows Part 1

## Trivia

* Isabelle wanted to be an Iron Sister when she was growing up, and also had Imogen Herondale as a model.
* Isabelle's middle name, Sophia, comes from a Lightwood from the 1800s—Sophia, wife of Gideon Lightwood, after whom Alec got his middle name.
* Isabelle has some PTSD issues from her upbringing. She uses physical exhaustion and physical pleasure as coping mechanisms.
* In a draft version of Dead Man's Party, Isabelle owned a motorcycle. As of Lover Lost Part 3, it is confirmed that Isabelle drives a motorcycle.
* Isabelle owns a gold pendant with an image of Raziel etched on the front and "Blessed be the Angel who teaches my hands to war, and my fingers to fight. Blessed be the Angel whose name I shall chant at my death." written on the back in Latin. It is a religious symbol of the Nephilim faith in the angels. Isabelle rarely wears it.