*Scenes from City of Lost Souls from Sebastian's point of view.

-Chapter One- Sic Semper Tyrants

(Thus always to Tyrants)

Sebastian sat at the table writing a letter. The apartment was brightly light as sunshine illuminated the kitchen and living room. Everything was still and quiet. Normally Sebastian would be use to the silence but now the silence felt unnatural. It didn't take long for Jace to spirit his sister away. A part of him missed Jace when he was gone. He had grown up alone and it was nice having someone to talk to the last few weeks. It was like he really had a brother. He was almost upset that Jace had brought Clary to stay with them because it now meant that he would be alone. Clarissa had given up everything to come be with Jace. He would give everything time to settle down and his sister time to warm up to him before he decided firmly on any action. Clarissa was the only family he really had left. She was his blood and that had to account for something.

The first time he had met his sister he was surprised to find that she was nothing like him. The more he got to know her the more he could see similarities that they share. They were both selfish, reckless, and headstrong. A part of him wanted her to like him and he found himself almost obsessed over it. When she had denied him in Alicante he had been furious but sometime had passed since then; he hoped she would be more cooperative now.

"To my beautiful one," he began his letter to the Steelie Queen. He had only seen the queen a few times and each time he ended up sleeping with her. She had not fully committed to his plan but did give him valuable information in return for his body. It was meaningless sex but he enjoyed the benefits. Her slender frame and long red hair reminded him of his sister. It was only after there last encounter that Sebastian had given in and allowed Jace to see Clary.

Sebastian looked out the window as the sun set in Venice. Letting out a sigh he leaned back in his chair and put the pen down. If Jace and Clary could have fun then why shouldn't he? He picked up the letter and walked to his room. He threw the letter into his nightstand drawer and grabbed a dress shirt. Time to practice my Italian, he grinned.

The blonde girl placed her hand on his chest seductively as she sipped at her wine.

"Tu sei così forte," she whispered into this ear.

Yes he thought, I am strong, stronger than you can believe. The girl was a pathetic mundane but she was hot. Hopefully she would not bore him like the last girl he picked up in New York. This mundane looked promising. Plus, it gave the vampire girl next to him something to play with. Vampire's and there stupid games he thought.

He was about to answer her when Jace and Clary appeared in the living room.

"Did you enjoy you little date?" He asked nonchalantly.

He looked at his sister for her reaction. She just nodded and avoided his gaze. Is she embarrassed? This made him grin.

"Well, then, would you like to join us?" he said, indicating himself and the two girls. "For a drink?"

The vampire laughed and leaned into his ear.

"Sembra delizioso . Posso assaggiarla?" She asked seductively; inquiring if Clary was another girl that he brought for them to play with.

"No, he spoke sternly. "Lei è mia sorella." As if he would let anyone taste his sister. That vampire friend Simon of hers would die soon enough for having touched her. Jace he could permit but he refused to share her with anyone besides Jace.

The vampire sat back disappointed. Jace clearly heard her question and began gesturing Clary upstairs.

"I don't think so," Jace replied politely. "We're going upstairs. We'll see you in the morning."

Sebastian smiled and waved goodbye. "Ci vediamo."

He felt like saying good luck instead. He doubted that Clary would have sex with Jace. Jace had told him before that she was a virgin and he doubted that was going to change anytime soon. Of course he could be wrong. Eitherway Jace and him were connected; he would know if they did anything. Not that he really cared of course. He turned his attention back to the girl on his chest. Time for some fun.

The vampire kissed him on the check before departing through the apartment exit. He stretched and yawed before heading back to his room to double check on the girl sleeping on in his bed. She was fast asleep when he entered the room closing the door. He chuckled as he undid her handcuffs and leg ties. The bite mark on his neck still stung but it was nothing compared to the bite marks that littered the blonde's body. She was pretty but he had gotten bored with her.

He sighed. Time to clean up the mess on the stairs before Clary woke up and freaked out. She already thought he was a monster. He didn't need to give her another reason to hate him. He pulled on a black thermal shirt and yawned as he opened the door. He stepped into the hallway as a sudden movement caught his eye. He looked up and saw his sister's bright green eyes staring back at him. Shit!

"What are you doing up," he asked.

"What am I doing? What are you doing?" she snapped.

Yep. She thought he was a monster. Just great he thought.

"Going downstairs to get some towels to clean up this mess," he answered her matter-of-factly. He saw her face scowl with annoyance. She hated when he dodged her questions. A part of him took pleasure in annoying her; maybe it was a brother thing. "Vampires and their games…" he added.

"This doesn't look like the outcome of a game," she spoke angrily.

"The girl-the human girl who was with you," she clarified. "What happened to her?"

Before or after he ripped her clothes off and tied her to the bed? Before or after he allowed a vampire to bite her all over her body? ….Probably better to go with a safer answer.

"She got a little frightened at the sight of fangs. Sometimes they do." He smiled.

Most of the time they were too drunk to notice but the sober ones did get frightened. He enjoyed seeing the look of fear and it added an extra element to what was becoming boring hook up sex. Sebastian looked at his sister's face and laughed.

"She came around." He smilied.

Oh she came alright. He was very good at what he did.

"She even wanted more. She's asleep in my bed now, if you want to check and make sure she is still alive." He spoke smoothly glad he removed the handcuffs and that her body was covered mostly by bed sheets.

"No…That's not necessary." She replied refusing to meet his gaze.

Sebastian took that moment to look her up and down. The short green silk nightgown flattered her tiny frame and brought out the color of her eyes. Her legs looked elegant and long. The gown left little to the imagination. His sister didn't need make up, tight fitting clothes, painted nails, or jewelry. She was naturally beautiful, especially with the blush rising to her cheeks. Poor Jace must have been disappointed last night; he almost felt bad for his brother.

"What about you?" she asked.

The question shook him from his thoughts and took him aback for a second. Was she really asking if he was alright?

"I could use an iratze." He chuckled showing her the bite mark on his neck.

"Come downstairs," he replied.

He was thirsty and it was nice getting to talk to her without Jace around. He turned on the lights as he went so she wouldn't fall but mostly because he wanted to admire her wardrobe choices in better light. He waited a moment before he heard her steps.

"Wine?" he asked her as he opened the fridge. Maybe a drunk Clary would be easier to manipulate he thought.

"Just water." She replied slipping onto the barstool.

No dice. Oh well! He poured her a drink and chugged his down before slamming it softly onto the counter.

"You probably know this, but fooling around with vampires certainly makes you thirsty." He grinned.

"Why would I know that?" she replied sharply. Uh oh now he made her upset.

"I figured you were playing some biting games with that Daylighter." He shrugged.

"Simon and I never played biting games," she replied sternly. "In fact, I can't figure out why anyone would want vampires feeding on them on purpose.-"

So innocent you are Clarissa. I can change that.

"Don't you hate and despise Downworlders?" she finished.

"No," he replied. I am part demon why would I hate what I am?

But instead he just replied, "Don't mix me up with Valentine."

"Yeah," she muttered. "Tough mistake to make."

"It's not my fault I look exactly like him and you look like her." His mouth curled into an expression of distaste at the thought of his mother. Clary scowled at him in return.

"See, there you go again. You're always looking at me like that." He spat.

"Like what?" she asked.

"Like I burn down animal shelters for fun and light my cigarettes with orphans." He turned around before he lost his temper and poured himself another drink of water.

"You killed a child," she said sharply.

Ah, cutting straight to the chase. Yes, Max. The boy who saw him climbing the towers, the one that could expose him for what he really was. Killing him had been so easy. He had to do it quick before Isabelle came down. Sebastian didn't differentiate between children and adults; killing was killing. It came easy to him and he honestly enjoyed it.

"So that's it's it," he said. "Cards on the table so soon, little sister?"

"What did you think?" she replied tiredly.

I thought you were playing nice so you can be closer to Jace.

"Would you believe me if I told you it was an accident." He tried to meet her eyes.

I didn't mean to kill him. Just to knock him out, so he wouldn't tell-" he stopped when he saw the look on her face.

Hell hath no fury..

She looked at him with pure unadulterated hatred. He wanted to make it better. He wanted her to understand.

"I mean it. I meant to knock him out, like I did Isabelle. I misjudged my own strength!" he pleaded.

"And Sebastian Verlac? The real one? You killed him, didn't you?" she snapped.

He couldn't defend himself on that one. He had killed the real Sebastian with his bare hands and had even enjoyed it. He remembered meeting him in that tavern and throwing his dead body over the bridge. How was he going to twist this in his favor?

He looked down at his hands. He suddenly acted as if he regretted it. Maybe Jace's blood had changed him. That seemed like a good angle.

"He wasn't supposed to fight back-" he whispered.

He heard Clary slide off the stool to leave. No, I need you to understand. He caught her wrist and pulled her toward him. Her skin felt cool to the touch. He hoped she wasn't too cold in her revealing nightgown.

"Jonathan Morgenstern killed Max. But what if I'm not the same person? Haven't you noticed I won't even use the same name?" Of course he intended to go back to his birth name once the ceremony took place. Jace was already under his control and all he needed was his sister to drink from the goblet in order to do the same.

"Let me go." She commanded.

"You believe Jace is different," she spoke quietly. "You believe he isn't the same person, that my blood changed him. Don't you?"

She nodded without speaking. He suddenly felt the desire to touch her.

"Then, why is it so hard to believe it might go the other way? Maybe his blood changed me. Maybe I'm not the same person I was."

"You stabbed Luke," she said. "Someone I care about. Someone I love-"

He didn't let her finish that sentence.

"He was about to blow me to pieces with a shotgun! You love him; I don't know him. I was saving my life, and Jace's. Do you really not understand that?" He pleaded. She really is as stubborn as me.

"And maybe you're just saying whatever you think you need to say to get me to trust you."

"Would the person I used to be care if you trusted me?"

"If you wanted something." And what if I want you out of that nightgown?

"Maybe I just want a sister."

Her eyes flickered up to his with a look of disbelief.

"You don't know what family is," she said. "Or what you'd do with a sister if you had one."

I could think of a few things to do with my sister when she comes out dressed like that. Stay focused! Not the time to think about that.

"I do have one." He lowered his voice. "I'm giving you a chance. To see that what Jace and I are doing is the right thing. Can you give me a chance?" he pleaded.

Clary was silent for a moment. Lost in thought. He pushed her a little harder.

"Jace trusts you," he said convincingly. "But I don't. He believes you love him enough to throw over everything you've ever valued or believed in to come and be with him. No matter what."

Her jaw tightened. "And how do you know I wouldn't?"

Because I am not stupid. I can read your body language and you don't lie very well. You and I are more alike than you know.

He laughed. "Because you're my sister."

"Were nothing alike," she spat.

He smiled. "That's what I would have said….. But come on, Clary. You're here. You can't go back. You've thrown you lot in with Jace. You might as well do it wholeheartedly. Be a part of what is happening. Then you can make up your own mind about…me."

She looked down and nodded. Maybe he was getting somewhere with her.

He leaned down and brushed a strand of hair from her eyes. She reached up and put her hand on his wrist. Her touch made his skin feel alieve. He was worried she was going to push him away when he saw that she was touching his bracelet reading the engraving. Shit!

"What does this mean?" she asked.

Thank the angel she didn't have a proper shadow hunter education or she would know exactly what it meant. He had to lie quick!

"It means thus always to tyrants. I wear it to remind me of the Clave. It's said this was shouted at the Romans who murdered Caesar before he could become a dictator."

"Traitors," she said dropping her hand.

"Or fighters for freedom. History gets written by the winners, little sis."

Sometimes he was able to lie so smoothly that he even impressed himself.

"And you intend to write this portion?" she asked.

He grinned at her.

"You bet I do."

-Authors Notes-

I hope you enjoyed this! It took a lot of work to write. Leave a review and let me know what you thought! I do read the reviews and its nice getting feedback.

If you didn't know already Cassandra Clare has posted some outtakes from the books. How Johnathan tricked the real Sebastian and killed him is posted under her official site under extras. After reading what happened it really opened my eyes that Sebastian was probably lying about everything; including Max.