"Magnus needs someone to help him, Tess. You should see him- he's torn apart." James Carstairs says, tightening his grip on my hands.
"Jem, I don't even know where Magnus is!" I exclaim.
"He's in Brooklyn. Tess, he's the High Warlock. And he needs your help. He was there for you when you lost Will. Now be there for him since he's lost his Shadowhunter." Jem says stubbornly.
"You must care for this Shadowhunter greatly if you're urging me to fly across the world to help Magnus Bane." I laugh.
"Don't argue with me on this, Tessa. Magnus needs you." Jem kisses me.
"Okay! We'll leave now. I'll create a Portal. Brooklyn, you say?" I ask, glancing at Jem. His eyes are bright as he nods enthusiastically.
Jem and I land in Brooklyn, a block away from Magnus's apartment. We walk quickly to our old friend's house and I knock.
Magnus opens the door. His black hair lays in a straight mess on his head, his tanned skin unusually pale. He wears all black like he's going through a phase and his eyes brighten when he sees me.
"Tess." Magnus pulls me into his arms, squeezing. "Tessa, I need you."
Jem and I follow Magnus into his living room and I sit on the couch next to Magnus.
"What's wrong? Jem told me you lost someone you love?" I ask, glancing up at my dearest friend.
"His name is Alexander Lightwood and yes, we were in love. Remember how I told you I wanted to be mortal anyway, so I could live my life with the love of my life? Alec is the one, Tess. And he went behind my back, sneaking off to meet with Camille, conspiring to end my immortality, and I broke it off. I couldn't trust him if he was willing to deceive me." Magnus shakes his head, seeming lost.
"Magnus, may I meet this Alexander Lightwood?" I ask, touching his arm. "Perhaps he can tell me why he did what he did."
"Right now, I just need a friend. James, will you go buy us coffee?" Magnus says, handing Jem twenty dollars. "Thank you."
Once Jem is gone, Magnus pulls me into his arms. "I miss him so much, Tessa. Even my cat misses him!" Magnus points to a cat sprawled out on the coffee table.
"You do look like a wreck. Your hair is a mess, you look like you haven't slept in days, there are takeout containers everywhere. The apartment smells and your plants are dead." I critique, shaking my head. "Magnus, you need to pull yourself together. Throw a party, invite the Shadowhunters."
"If you'll help me clean up, I will." Magnus lifts his head and offers me a small smile.
"Excellent."
We set to work, using magic to clear the garbage and bring the apartment back from the dead. I water the plants and put away the dishes. Magnus transforms the apartment into one giant room, a bar off to one side and a dance floor covering the rest of the space.
About an hour into our renovation, Jem walks in. "I got coffee and scones."
We break for coffee, sipping our drinks at the kitchen table, which Magnus has sectioned off from his party space.
"I'll send an invite to everyone! To the Shadowhunters, the werewolves, the warlocks. Even the fey and vampires will be invited! I just want to prove to Alec that losing him isn't killing me on the inside." Magnus throws his hands up in the air, excitement sparkling in his eyes.
"Let's do this. We all need to shower. You first, sparky." I push Magnus toward the bathroom when we're done eating.
Jem and I take residence in the spare bedroom and I turn to the closet. Outfits of every color hang inside and I grab a black thigh-length dress with a lace overlay. I find a pair of gold spiked black heels and walk into the other shower.
I change out of my grimy clothes and step into the shower, turning on the water. I shower quickly, washing my hair and body. I step out and wrap towels around my body and hair.
I pull on my bra and underwear after removing the towel and I rub lotion into my legs, noticing the way it shimmers with gold. I grimace, remembering the time that I Changed into an angel to save my friends in London. Not my fondest of memories.
I change into the dress and dry my hair, letting it fall into waves down my back. I slip into my heels and exit the bathroom.
Jem sits on the bed in a tight black T-shirt and black jeans that hang low on his hips, showing a strip of skin. He wears black combat boots, courtesy of Magnus, and he smiles as I enter.
"Magnus has sent invitations to everyone he knows and told them to bring friends. This will be one hell of a party and he may not be prepared for this." Jem stands and crosses to me, taking my hands in his.
"Getting him to have a party is one step closer to getting him to move on. If he needs to prove to this Shadowhunter that he's done with him, what better way to do it than to have a beautiful warlock on his arm?" I smile, motioning to myself.
"You're half, Tess. And you may want to prepare yourself. These Nephilim, they're your descendants. The one Magnus was in love with, he looks like Cecily." Jem says, stroking my cheek. "Don't freak out, Tessa. Magnus needs you to remain calm."
Jem and I exit the bedroom, spying Magnus talking to a couple of warlocks. "Tessa, come meet some friends! This girl is a dear friend of mine, Tessa Gray."
"Herondale." I say quickly, ignoring Jem's look he shoots at me. "Tessa Herondale."
"Hello, Tessa." One of Magnus's friends smiles and the other simply grunts. Both of them have distinct warlock marks- one has a pair of cat ears and the other has green skin.
"Let the party begin!" Magnus exclaims.
The doors open and I brace myself.
A group of Nephilim walk in, a boy with golden hair and tan skin leading them, a tiny redhead by his side. Two others follow, one female with dark hair and one male with dark hair and blue eyes.
Will, I think, but in my heart I know he's not.
"That is Alexander Lightwood." Jem whispers in my ear. "Magnus's true love and your husband's doppelganger."
Magnus holds out his elbow and I take it in my hand. Jem sinks into the background as Magnus leads me toward the Shadowhunters, guests filing past them.
"Magnus." The golden boy smirks, squeezing the hand of the redhead.
"Tessa, meet Jace Herondale." Magnus introduces, and I feel my eyes widen.
"Herondale…" I whisper, my mouth slightly open. "I too am a Herondale."
"I thought I was the only one left. Brother Zachariah told me I was the last of the Herondale line." Jace crosses his arms.
"You're the only one who can, ah, reproduce." I blush, tightening my grip on Magnus. "Who are you?" I ask the redhead.
"Clary Fray." She introduces herself, smiling.
"Fairchild." Jace says, and Clary hits him playfully.
"My last name, by Nephilim right, is Fairchild. But I prefer the much more mundane name of Fray." Clary rolls her eyes.
"I'm Isabelle Lightwood, and this is my brother, Alexander." Isabelle smirks, nudging Alec in the ribs.
"Oh, I know who he is. I've heard quite a lot about you, Alexander Lightwood, and I'm sure you would be willing to speak with me. Why don't we have a little chat?" I smile, stepping away from Magnus.
"Okay. As long as you don't hurt me or threaten to fill me with glitter, I'll go." I can see hurt flash across Magnus's face at the mention of 'glitter'.
I lead Alec through the apartment until we reach the bedroom. I open the door and smile.
"After you."