Nineteen years ago, Maryse Lightwood had her first child. Now, I know what you're thinking. Aw, baby Alec! No; a baby girl. Maryse was delighted, but there was something off about her. They had still been in the circle, you see, so Valentine had direct access to Maryse and her unborn baby. Valentine had fed the mother the drinks mixed with lycanthrope blood, saying it would make the baby strong, and healthy. Of course, they took it willingly.

Soon after the Danielle's birth, Valentine came to confession, saying that the drink he had been giving Maryse throughout her pregnancy had been mixed with lycanthrope blood, and he had triumphed: The little girl she had just given birth to, was part werewolf. Now, I don't know why Valentine came to confession. Maybe he felt bad for the couple. After all, Maryse and Robert had been one of the few faithful followers of the Circle. Or maybe he did it because he wanted to see their reaction. Maybe it was a sudden flash of sympathy, or kindness. Valentine was a strange man, after all. But the reason didn't matter. The aftermath was what really mattered. Keep the baby, or throw it out, on the street? Just like a Downwolrder should be treated?

Maryse was torn. Torn between her motherly instinct, and her hatred for Downworlders and Valentine. Robert somehow convinced Maryse into giving the thing away, saying that they could try again. She agreed, and they left the Circle, giving the baby to a fellow Nephlim, Mrs. Penhallow. The woman didn't know what she was getting into. And when she finally asked Maryse why the baby had such a temper, and got the truth in return, she gave the baby away to another Shadowhunter. And that Shadowhunter gave it to another Shadowhunter. And then.... Well, you can see where this is going.

Somehow, the baby ended up in a mudane's arms. And when the couple decided they didn't want the girl anymore, they gave it over to Social Services.

And that's where Danielle's story begins.