Prologue
Simon is such an idiot! He prefers a damn werewolf? I mean, I'm better than Maia, Simon's new girlfriend. I can't believe he has chosen her! Why her not me? I'm gorgeous, clever, sexy, funny and very cool, she's just nice. Maybe she looks kind of beautiful, but you can't compare her and me! Maybe she's ok, but now I hate that bitch! The most important thing is that she's a werewolf and Simon is a vampire. Werewolves and vampires hate each other! Well, I have to say that it's clear that she wants a real relationship and I don't really now I want one or just another romance. But who cares? He could always break up with me or I could do that and then he could go to Maia. But now they're happy together. They're the kind of pair that holds hands, tells each other how great he or she is and respect the partner's wishes. In other words: Every time I see them I've got to throw up. Really, it's just ridiculous! Simon's and mine relationship wouldn't be like that. Ours would be great fun and we wouldn't do that kind of shit.
But instead of telling him this I just ran away when he told us today. I remember his words, it's like their burned into my brain won't ever go out of it. I'll always remember them.
"Maia, Isabelle, I have chosen between you guys, 'cause I can't stand this anymore. Izzy, listen, you're quiet cool and I like you very much, but I don't love you," he said and then turned to Maia and they went to the park. I had to go out of the Institute. Simon's just an ass! Tell my in my own home that he doesn't want to have a real relationship with me. Lord, I'm so stupid! I stalked them to find out what they're doing and maybe find out a way to destroy them. But it was just disgusting. There isn't another word for them.
After I saw them I went back to the Institute and made my mind up to go to the Pandemonium. I had to shake the pain away, the loneliness and all the other bad feelings. And now I'm sitting at the bar. With my long hair I try to hide myself 'cause I've seen some familiar faces. Today there are many Downworlders here and I know almost all of them. It isn't the kind of deflection I was looking for, but it's better than nothing. I order a martini and go on thinking about the hole mess that is called '"my live". I don't know what to do now. So I'm drinking and try forgetting all the feelings I hate. The martini is maybe a bit strong, but I need something strong now. And a new man. Some guy who could get Simon jealous and would like me and be my friend. I watch the dance floor. If I think longer about it I don't want to have a Downworlder as boyfriend. That's just a bit stupid. A Shadowhunter would be better.
After half an hour I'm totally drunk. I dance with some cute boys not caring about their identity. Why should I do that? I mean they're all boys and they all drunk, too. Suddenly a fast movement gets my attention. Someone comes through the crowd and he seems to want to come to me. He seems to be familiar, but I don't really recognize him till he's directly in front of me. It's Jonathan, my brother's murder. He killed Max just two months ago. It was while we were fighting against all the demons that got into Alicante. I hate that day and the pain becomes worse when I'm thinking of it. Jonathan smiles and asks, "Isabelle Lightwood. Why am I not surprised by seeing you here?" Suddenly I feel like the pain gets better just because he's here. Instead of answering his question I start dancing with him.
