The Watchers were a group of Chimera demons possessing the preserved bodies of Silent Brothers and Iron Sisters.
Description[]
Because the Chimera demons possessed the empty vessels of Silent Brothers and Iron Sisters whose souls had gone wandering, these Watchers were distinguished from alive members of each order by the white robes used in their burial ceremonies that they still wore. Additionally, these creatures could open their eyes which would glow an acidic green color distinctive of the demonic species.
The full extent of their abilities is unclear though they were fierce fighters, nearly invincible to injuries, seemingly regenerative, and able to accomplish a number of feats such as casting some kind of spell on the members of the Cornwall Institute and removing Grace Blackthorn's gift. Their only known weakness was if the rune on the back of their neck—which resembled a modified version of Belial's sigil—was cut through, as it would break the enchantment allowing the demons to inhabit the bodies, exorcising them. The demons could then be killed with minimal effort.[1]
History[]
When Tatiana Blackthorn escaped the Adamant Citadel she stole the key to the Iron Tombs for Belial. Since the bodies in the tombs were uninhabited, they lacked the protection spells that living Shadowhunters have against possession and Belial was able to send Chimera demons into them. Some days later, Tatiana allowed herself to be arrested in order to open the Silent City up to the Watchers through the Path of the Dead. She then used a Watcher to remove Grace Blackthorn's power and let them take over the Bone City.
Tatiana later showed up with a group of Watchers in tow to the London Institute demanding Cortana from Cordelia Carstairs, Jesse Blackthorn's allegiance, and for James Herondale to give himself up to Belial for possession. When they all refused, she ordered the Watchers to attack. The Shadowhunters fought back valiantly, but found their blows had little to no effect on the Watchers. It soon became clear they could not win and so, at the advice of Grace, Lucie Herondale summoned the ghost of Rupert Blackthorn to convince Tatiana to call them off. When Rupert rejected Tatiana, the Watchers lowered their weapons and marched out of the courtyard as she screamed in despair.
Shortly after, the Watchers returned with a group of mundanes so that Belial could speak to the Shadowhunters through them and make a deal: if James agreed to go to Edom with him and hear him out, he would allow the Nephilim a chance to escape to Idris safely, leaving behind the other denizens of London for him to rule over. James agreed and, as promised, the Watchers did not stop the Enclave when they tried to leave.
In the days that followed, the Watchers kept an eye on the residents of New London, drifting through the crowds ever observant. James's friends and family whom had stayed behind managed to mostly remain unseen by these guards and were eventually able to discover how to defeat them. With this knowledge they found a means of entrance for reinforcements from the Clave. During the ensuing battle for London, Lucie Herondale used her ability to call on the souls of the wandering Iron Sisters and Silent Brothers to cast the demons out of their bodies. The Watchers were then no more as the disembodied demons were easily dispatched.[1]