"Do we have to?" Alec whined as Izzy pushed him through the door of the institute and into the cold winter air.

"What if he's there?" Alec put emphasis on the he's. He hadn't uttered his ex-boyfriends name since that day in the subway. Izzy turned and stared her brother straight in the eyes.

"I hope he is," Alec went to turn back but Izzy stopped him, "then maybe the two of you will stop acting like children and get back together," Alec scowled and shook his head.

"It's too late…Iz I messed up, I don't deserve him." He started walking up the path the party was only a few blocks away.

"Alec," Izzy followed him, her red heals clicking "he loves you and I know you still love him, you'll sort this out."

Alec heard but didn't respond, Izzy sighed as they continued to walk in silence.

"There's Simon," Izzy said waving out to him, Alec saw him grin and walk up to his sister, she hugged him tightly before placing a light kiss on his lips, he bent his head down as if to deepen it but laughed lightly as she pulled away. He kissed her on the tip of her nose before sliding an arm casually across her shoulders and hitting Alec lightly on the arm.

"Long time no see," Simon said and Alec raised both his eyebrows and Izzy jabbed him in the ribs "I mean, it's good to see you." He corrected. Alec grunted and turned to carry on walking. Simon looked at his girlfriend with a questioning gaze,

"Don't worry," she whispered out of Alec's ear shot. They carried on walking, Alec a little ahead of them, whilst taking quietly to each other,

"So what's the deal with this party?"

"It's for a friend of Luke's, a werewolf," Izzy started and Simon nodded "And loads of downworlders are gonna be there, and he invited us to how unity or something." She rushed the last part.

"Also if any vampires show up he wants us to deal with them," Alec added dryly. Izzy shot him a fiery glare as Simon looked scared,

"Nicely phrased," she said her voice thick with sarcasm she turned to Simon "You'll be fine, you're my plus one, if anyone's got a problem they can come to me." She kissed him quickly on the cheek and his arm tightened around her shoulders.

"We're here," Alec said stopping outside a closed shop, the shutters were down but Alec opened the door. Once they'd crossed the threshold the party became visible, loud music and lots of people; werewolves, fairies and warlocks they saw Jordan and Maia dancing together. The walls danced with light and there was a long table set against one wall holding all manner of food and drink. Simon sniffed.

"Meh… no blood." Izzy turned to him worried

"If you need…"

"No Izzy… I'm fine," he swallowed "not here anyway."

"Simon," the worry was still in her voice.

"Izzy, trust me," his arm dropped to take her hand and he drew it to his lips and kissed it softly

"I do," she smiled.

"Over there," Alec, whose eyes had been searching the room, pointed at Jace and Clary.

Jace was sat on a chair whereas Clary was perched on his knee, the couple were talking and Jace as playing with the morgernstien ring that hung from her neck. As they made their way over Alec saw Clary laugh and kiss Jace but he moved back after a second, the fire, Alec thought.

"See," Izzy whispered in his ear "some people have real problems,"

"My mortality is a problem," he hissed. Izzy looked like she might say something but Simon beat her to it,

"Only if you let it be," Alec opened his mouth but was interrupted.

"Hey when you get here?" Jace smiled at them as Clary hoped of his knee and went to embrace Simon and Izzy. Alec placed to hands on his parabatai's covered shoulders as he stood up.

"How are you?" he said solemnly, Jace had just got back from Idris, he was looking for an answer to his situation, he'd insisted on going alone to stay with their dad, after two weeks he returned and went straight to Clary, Alec hated to admit he'd really missed him.

"Me?" Jace broke into a cocky grin, "I'm on fire, mate!" Alec laughed lightly

"No luck?"

"They're looking into it." His face turned serious "what about you?" Alec raised his eyebrows "Spoken to sparkles yet?" Alec tensed up and his face fell.

"Just don't." His voice was thick, tears pricked to his eyes and he started to walk off.

"Alec...wait," but he ignored him.

"Let him be," it was Izzy she quickly hugged him "Clary told me what happened in Idris, I'm sorry."

"Hey, its fine, I'm still gorgeous," he laughed but Izzy wasn't paying attention she was looking towards the door.

"Magnus."