I have always wondered what would have happened if Luke had not followed Clary through the portal. And what if Lake Lynn had been warded to prevent portaling.

Clary stepped forward, and almost immediately, Luke took a swift leap and appeared beside her, catching her wrist. And just as the portal seemed to explode around them, he let go of his grip on her.

Like a tornado snatching a tree up by the roots, the force yanked her off her feet. Before the portal closed, Clary caught a last glimpse of the cars and buildings of Manhattan spinning away from her, vanishing as a strong current of wind caught her, sending her hurtling into a whirling golden chaos.

The first time Clary had gone through a portal, there had been a sense of flying, of weightless tumbling. This time, it was like being thrust into the heart of a tornado. Howling winds tore at her, ripped the scream from her mouth. She fell, whirling through the heart of black and gold maelstrom.

Just as soon as it started, it ended. She hit the ground-hard, losing her breath. She sat dazed for a moment as she regained her bearings.

As she sat up, she saw she was on a ridge. Upon further inspection she realized she was in a horseshoe shaped valley, one end narrower than the other. A bright silver line of water, a creek or stream, ran through the center of the valley, disappearing among rocks at the narrow end.

A gray stone house sat beside the stream, white smoke puffing out of the square chimney. It was an oddly pastoral scene, peaceful under the blue hue of the sky.

As she viewed her surroundings, a familiar figure, with blonde hair, came into view. Jace? She thought. No, this boy looked too arrogant to be Jace. Too arrogant? The boy knelt by the side of the stream and plunged his hands in, splashing water up over his face and hair.

Another figure stepped into view. She recognized him almost immediately. Valentine, Clary thought. Clary stood and stuck her steele in her pocket just as Valentine looked her way.

Valentine kept his eyes on her as he began speaking to the boy beside him, the boy then looked up at Clary.

A shadow came over her, and startled, she looked up. Hugo, Clary thought, frantically. Hugo dove down towards her. She winced as she felt his talons pierce her skin. As Hugo lifted her into the air she felt the talons dig further into her skin and tear upwards towards her shoulders.

She could see something shining in the far distance, Alicante, the City of Glass.

Suddenly, she felt the talons leave her skin. She felt a sudden impact with the ground before hearing a crack, and an involuntary scream of pain was ripped from her mouth.

"Hello Clarissa," Valentine smirked, looking down at his daughter, who glared up at him in bitter hatred, despite the pain rippling from her arm.

Clary glared up at him defiantly.

"I hope Hugo didn't hurt you too bad, my daughter," Valentine said, worry in his voice.

Clary glared up at Valentine defiantly, "I am not your daughter."

Clary watched as the boy's eyes darkened, and that is when she noticed his eyes. His eyes were pitch black, such a contrast from his hair.

The boy snarled, "I can't wait for you to discover your Morgenstern blood."

"I am not a Morgenstern. I am a Fray," growled.

The boy chuckled, "Your blood says differently."

Clary glared at them both.

Valentine walked to her side and grabbed her arm causing her to whimper. He scowled down at her, distaste for her display of fear evident in his eyes. "Come with me."

Clary struggled kicking out towards Valentine, until there was a sudden piercing pain on the back of her head.

It was dark, so dark. That was the first thing Clary had observed.

Is this what death feels like? Is there really nothing after?

Then a figure came into view; he had an aura of distance light and warmth.

Who's that? Clary thought, confused, looking up at the figure. He's so familiar. She couldn't pinpoint it. Where have I seen him before?

Then it hit her. Raziel! Clary was shocked. He looked different without his wings. Not quite like the angel he is.

But I don't want to see Raziel, Clary thought, desperately. I want to get of here, see my angel and family!