Imogen Herondale

**Imogen Herondale** is the Inquisitor of the Clave, an imposing and intelligent woman who served as the head of the Shadowhunter legal system. She lives by the Shadowhunter creed, "the law is hard, but it is the law." She is part of the Herondale family—one of the oldest and most revered in the Shadow World.

## Biography

#### Early Life

Imogen Whitelaw was born to the Whitelaw family. At some point, she met and fell in love with Marcus Herondale, whom she later married. The two went on to run the London Institute together. Eventually, the couple had a son, Stephen, whom she loved deeply. They raised and trained him in London before they moved to Idris.

Stephen eventually joined the Circle, to Imogen's severe disapproval. On the night he died, Imogen, knowing Valentine had something to do with his death, sent him a fire-message, threatening him with his karma, or her vengeance. His death hardened Imogen's previously warm persona, making her a cold and stern Inquisitor from then on.

Her daughter-in-law Céline Herondale apparently took her own life after; she had been nine months pregnant, and her body was ravaged by werewolves, leading her and everyone else to believe that Stephen's only child—Imogen's grandson—was eaten alive.

While generally judicious and lawful when it came to the Covenant, she still sought justice for her son's death and ruthlessly hunted down the former Circle members, brutally punishing those she could.

Even years after Stephen's death, Imogen held a grudge and deep hatred towards Valentine Morgenstern, the man whom she believed poisoned Stephen's mind and caused his death.

Imogen oversaw the Isabelle Lightwood's trial at the Gard, after the latter came under suspicion of releasing Meliorn while he was under the Clave's custody.

## Personality and Traits

The personification of unpleasant adult authority, Imogen, to those who did not know her, seemed like a sadist and a domineering figure who relished the power her position gave her. A fierce enforcer of the Law, Imogen was single-minded and focused, qualities which are merely demonstrations of her devotion to the Clave and the Law. Imogen deeply loved her family, so their loss broke her. Years of grief and seclusion brought out the worst in her, leaving a harshly direct and hostile woman, a shell of who she once was, dedicating her whole life to her work, which she took seriously.

## Skills and Abilities

* **Nephilim physiology**: Being Nephilim, Imogen naturally 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 would improve over time and practice.
* **The Sight**: As a Shadowhunter, Imogen is able to easily see through most magical illusions and layers of glamour over reality.
* **Use of heavenly weapons**: As a Nephilim, Imogen is also able to handle heavenly weapons, such as seraph blades, with effect that would normally not work for other species.
* **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.

## Possessions

* Herondale Family Ring: the Herondale family ring had been given to Imogen by her late husband Marcus Herondale when he'd proposed to her. Her son Stephen had then asked for the ring to propose to his wife Céline Montclaire. When the two of them tragically died, Imogen kept the ring.

## Appearances

* Blood Calls to Blood Part 1
* Blood Calls to Blood Part 2