Clary POV

"Yes Simon, we are still on for dinner tonight," I respond over the phone to my best friend of 25 years. "You said you were making pasta! I have a full scheduel at work today, and don't have time to make dinner tonight." I thank the barista quietly as I grab my coffee and walk out of the coffee shop, still on the phone with Simon.

"Fine. I'll buy the ingredients for pasta. And make dinner. And clean my apartment. And go to work. I totally have time for all of that," he replies sarcastically.

"Thanks Simon! Have a great day! Love you!"

"Clary I was kidding I can't-" but I hang up the phone before he could finish.

I hail a taxi and hop in, telling the driver to go the Old Abandoned Church on 75th Street. He gives me a strange look, but I'm used to it. I close my eyes and lean back in my seat as I think about the phone call I got early this morning from the Consul.

"Miss Fray! We need you in Idris ASAP! John Carstairs has escaped prison! I'll give you all the details when you get here but please hurry!"

So of course, I got ready quickly, called Magnus Bane to make a portal to Idris, got my early morning coffee, and headed to my destination to meet the warlock. I just can't believe John Carstairs escaped the Silent City. I hope the Silent Brothers are okay.

The taxi arrives at my specified destination, and I pay him before he drives off. Magnus- the High Warlock of Brooklyn- is sitting on the ground, and he seems to be making a snail grow rhinetones and sparkles. I clear my throat amusedly, and he stand up to greet me.

As always, he is grinning, and pulls me into a hug. "It's been far too long Clarissa."

I chuckle. "Magnus, you saw me last week."

His smile brightens. "But my dear, that is a long time to go without seeing your beautiful face." He winked, but I know it means nothing. Magnus was the one to take care of me since I was 14- when my parents were murdered. He is like a father figure to me.

"A charmer as always Magnus. Now, I would love to talk, and maybe we can later, but right now, I need to get to Idris quickly."

"I understand my dear," he replies wistfully. He draws the outline of a portal, murmurs a few words, and a doorway filled with swirling lines appears. "Here you go Clarissa. Travel safely."

I smile softly, wave goodbye, and step through the portal. It is as usual: the world around me spins, my stomach churns, and then I am landing on solid ground, and blinking to regain focus.

I am standing right outside the Hall of Accords, and I silently thank Magnus for not making me walk a bunch. I am tired enough already, having forgotten my coffee back at the church.

I sigh as I step into the Hall, and head into the Consul's office. I do a double take as I see a golden haired boy sitting in my usual seat. Oh great. Him.

Jace POV

"Izzy, I told you, I can't make it to dinner tonight. I have a huge meeting with the Consul, and then I still have my regular work to do. It's not like you need me there-"

"I do too need you there Jace!" Izzy shrieks as she follows me down the stairs of our family mansion in Idris. "I need you to back up the story that I'm telling to Meliorn. Which is: I am moving to Antarctica because there is a bunch of demon activity there!"

"I thought we already sent reinforcements to Antarctica?" I question confusedly.

"Well duh!" she replies frustratedly. "I need you to make him think that they really are sending me there so I don't have to actually break up with him."

"No thanks." I grab an apple from the fridge and take a bite of it.

She glares at me, but then her face grows sad. "I just thought that you would help me. Especially since you broke that priceless artifact-"

"Okay! Fine," I interrupt. "I just never thought you would sink as low as blackmailing your own adopted brother. Thats just cold. Get it? Like Anarctica is cold?"

She rolls her eyes. "Your jokes get worse every day. Now, you need to wear something nice. I might be breaking up with him, but he thinks he is coming over to meet our family. So, we are going to say that the others couldn't make it."

"Wait. Why am I the only one who has to help?" I whine.

"Because you're the only one who I have leverage on at the moment," Izzy replies smugly.

I glare at her, but walk around the kitchen counter to give her a hug before I leave. "I'll see you tonight little sis."

She smiles sweetly as if she isn't evil. "See ya."

With that I walk out the door and towards the Hall of Accords.

I use the 5 minutes walk to think about what the meeting could possibly be about. The Consul wouldn't tell me anything about what was wrong because "I would tell people even though it's top secret." Which is probably true, but still. Sometimes these people gotta have faith in me. Oh who am I kidding I'm one of the least trustworthy people there is when it comes to secrets.

I walk into the Hall of Acoords, then into the Consul's office, and sit in my usual seat that I take when I have meetings here. I tap my fingers softly as I wait for the Consul, and turn as the door opens.

My eyes narrow when I see that it isn't the Consul It's her.