Part I:

"You shall find out how salt is the taste of another man's bread and how hard is the way up and down another man's stairs."

Chapter I:

He finishes his exam and walks confidently up to the front of the room, handing it in to the teacher. English was one of Jonathan's best subjects, the way phrases played in his head was so elegant, even moving at times, that he enjoyed the art that much more. Exiting the class, he takes his backpack off a table in the front and heads out the door, down the silent hallways to another exit. Today was his brother's birthday, and as usual Jace might just end up doing his own thing at the club instead of spending real brotherly time with Jonathan.

Either way, the present for the birthday boy was something so personal, that Jonathan was looking forward to Jace's reaction. Once outside, he walks to the parking lot, finding his father's car and jumping in. Valentine would never let Jonathan drive the car in their lifetime. His father doesn't even bother looking up from the book he's reading.

"I have this interesting book about symbols. You should take a look," Valentine says, and Jonathan nods.

"How long will Jace be," Jonathan asks.

"He should finish soon too. You'll just have to wait. Have you put any thought into what I said earlier," Valentine asks, and Jonathan shrugs, looking at the school. The earlier conversation consisted of a lengthy lecture on what exactly Jonathan was going to do for the rest of his life; he had considered being a doctor. Maybe a writer. He could be anything, really, he had that amazing capability. Jace wanted to go into sports, since everyone knew he'd be great at it, but for that exact reason Valentine forbid him to do so. Becoming a famous played was just too public.

Fifteen minutes, and Jace comes out.

"You old men didn't need to wait for me," Jace says as he jumps in. Jace was the youngest, and he liked to be proud of it, though Jonathan could hardly see anything to be proud about. Jonathan looks in the mirror.

"Little brother, you have a lot of nerve using that tone," Jonathan says, and Jace sighs. Valentine sighs too.

"How'd you do on your exam, Jace," Valentine asks.

"Better than Jonathan."

"Shut up!" Jonathan exclaims, smiling. Jace laughs. "You wouldn't know a hyperbole from a cactus."

"You wound me, Jonathan. I'm so unbelievably hurt. Are you just going to listen to this, father?" Jace says, and Valentine lets out a lengthy sigh again, not saying a word. All three go about their business in silence, lost in their own thoughts. All Jonathan could think about was the essay he wrote, an essay about what could be done in the world to save it. A noble topic. Maybe cheesy. But the teacher would like it, find it intriguing, Jonathan was a master at finding new and interesting points.

Silence. The car fell into awkward silence. Or maybe it was just Jonathan's point of view. It wasn't because of himself, rather it was because of his father and brother, the two had a strained relationship. Jace loved to test that relationship with his recklessness.

Finally, Valentine begins talking.

"You two, we need to leave soon."

"Why?" Jace says, his eyes narrowing. Jonathan leans forward.

"There have been sightings of circle members. I was thinking we could leave tonight," their father says, his eyes focused on the road. Jonathan swallows and looks at Jace, who's eyes narrow further.

"It's my birthday. I want to celebrate tonight. I had something planned with some classmates-"

"I'm not sure if that's the best idea. You could be sighted," Valentine states firmly. He had to be firm with Jace, all the time, every time. Not that Jace didn't lack common sense, he had a lot of it, but the boy was, to put frankly, arrogant. He liked to create his own way in life, set out his own path. A path he creates willingly. A path that was dangerous and held no rules. As mad as Valentine was at his boy's ways, a part of him was proud. The boy had confidence.

They stop at a red light.

"I want to go and party," Jace says coldly, looking straight at Valentine, who stares back for a long while.

""We'll talk about it when we get home," Valentine says, looking forward.

Jace immediately goes to his room when they get home, Jonathan knowing that his brother will end up leaving for the night. Jace and Jonathan were close as brother's could be. Sharing things, teaching each other things, going on small missions together. Saving each other's backs.

One day, the two had gone on a mission. They'd found a girl eaten away by demonic acid, so they followed a trail to an alley way, find the beast behind a garbage can. It jumped at them, nearly taking Jonathan's life, but Jace protected him. Disobeyed the rule of not always being a hero, he jumped at the thing, getting stung in the process. But he destroyed it. And Jonathan had to take him home, where their father did his best to heal him, but the scar was still there. And all Jace did was grin as Jonathan reprimanded him, and Jace responded:

"I saved you, didn't I?"

Jonathan goes to his room, walking to his dresser to pull out jogging pants and a T-shirt. Changing, he wonders why Jace just couldn't be less... well, less Jace. Less arrogant. Valentine had a hard time with him, he had to treat him with more discipline. He didn't hit him, but wasn't opposed to putting a weapon's ban on Jace. No weapons, no cell phone, no supper. But Jace was the kind of person to keep coming back for more. He was a button-pusher.

Exiting his room, Jonathan goes to the living room, settling down on the black sofa. Black, why were shadowhunters in love with black? The shade did have a certain mystery to it, but shadowhunters weren't vampires. Jonathan settles down next to his father, who was reading a book.

They both look up when the front door slams shut.

"I'm not sure what I'm going to do with that kid," Valentine says, looking back down at his book. "He ignores rules, makes up his own, and talks back."

Jonathan had heard this rant many times before, but he didn't mind listening, knowing his father needed to get his feelings out somehow.

"And no matter what I do, he simply doesn't obey. I'm trying my damned hardest to make him into a good kid, but his ears are closed," Valentines says as he sets the book down. Jonathan nods, looking at a painting on the wall.

"He is still young," Jonathan says coolly. "He can change." Jonathan felt that in his heart. Anyone could change, if they were willing.

"I highly doubt it, but for everyone's sake, I hope so," Valentine says as he settles back in the couch, arms crossed. Jonathan nods, standing up and heading for the front door, grabbing a jacket off the rack. Despite it being so hot outside, he had to wear a jacket; he couldn't have anyone seeing the markings all over his limbs.

"I'm going for a jog."

"Be home for supper."

"I know."

Jogging was a great pastime. You can see the world around you, get to know neighbourhoods, get in good shape and be proud of yourself. It was an uplifting activity, and so Jonathan loved it. He liked the burning in his legs and lungs after he pushed himself to try harder, it just proved his own endurance, proved he tried. And he did try. Speeding down the busy streets, it was hard to run in New York in this area, there were lots of intersections, lots of passer-byes. But he made do with it, he could dodge people for his agility, speed across a street to avoid getting his by a car. And the best part was, he could wear a rune on his arm to make himself invisible to ordinary people.

He winds up running next to the river, the smell of the water making him feel more free. Moving faster, he takes longer strides, the momentum carrying him past people sitting at tables, people sitting on benches. The air was fresh and the world alive, and all he could do was show his biggest grin.

He passes some other joggers, moving quickly, tired but he was still going fast. Then he hears footsteps speeding up behind him.

His sense tingle, and he moves faster, unsure who the other person was, but soon a girl catches up to his side. She was kept up to his pace, and they quickly glance at each other. She had on a black jacket with pink stripes running down the side arms, and he quickly recognized her. He had passed her a while back.

He speeds up, and she matches his speed. Both of them were running hard now, neither of them slowing down. So he begins sprinting, and once again she keeps up with him. Jonathan looks her over, but if she had any shadowhunter markings like his, they were hidden. She could be a werewolf. Probably not a vampire, why would a vampire go out jogging.

Smiling, Jonathan keeps on sprinting with his new running partner, the two matching each other's turns, dodging other people effortlessly. She was just as agile as he was.

If this was another shadowhunter, he should be worried, but she didn't seem to want to attack, so maybe he was safe for now. And he didn't want to leave her, this mysterious girl who just happened to want to run with him.

But finally, after mulling it over a bit, Jonathan slows down and stops, and she keeps running a few metres before stopping as well. She looks over her shoulder.

"I tire you out yet?" She asks with a sweet smile.

"No. Just wanted a name," he says, walking forward. She was pretty, beautiful, with black hair in a ponytail and soft brown eyes. Stunning was the word for her. She nods, placing her hands on her hips as she moves toward him to stare up.

"Isabelle."

"Isabelle what?"

"Isabelle Lightwood," she says, smiling widely. He nods, going through his minds inventory. Lightwood. That was a shadowhunter name. In fact, he was sure it was the name of the nephilim looking after the New York Institute. This girl in front of him could very well trap him.

"My name is Sebastian," he says, "Sebastian... Gray."

"Nice to meet you Sebastian. You look like a Sebastian," she says, reaching out to touch his hair, dyed black to hide his identity. He nods, straightening up and moving away from her hand slightly.

"Yep. I, well, do you normally jog out here?"

"No. I'm pretty fit, my activities keep me pretty fit. Do you?" Isabelle tilts her head to the side, and Jonathan nods.

"All the time."

"Nice. If you don't mind me asking, what's your secret? You run fast, like a werewolf," Isabelle says with a laugh, caution in her eyes.

"I'm..." Jonathan pauses, not sure what to say? Should he risk it? Totally, Jace would say. Get the girl. Now, that was terrible advice, coming from metaphorical Jace, but this girl was beautiful, and if Jonathan was going to be gone by tomorrow, why not? "I'm something of a shadowhunter... chasing shadows. Great exercise."

"Oh, you are? I haven't seen you around the Institute," Isabelle says excitedly.

"I'm new. Travelling. Decided to take a break from the Academy and see New York," Jonathan says quickly. There was a nephilim Academy, right? Wasn't that what father told him? Isabelle nods.

"That's nice. What are you studying?"

"I..." Jonathan freezes up, his heart running. "I... runes. I want to be... a silent brother."

"Really? Sucks, I could use a travelling friend," Isabelle says, tossing her hair aside. "I don't leave New York much, except for Idris. Come over to the Institute sometime, I'll show you around. We can hang out. You have family?"

"A father and brother," Jonathan says, then regrets his words. There was no need to bring Valentine and Jace into this. "They're nice folks."

"If they're half as nice as you, then they are. Well, I'll be heading back now... seriously, just come by, I'm sure you know where the Institute is? Either way, I know we'll meet again sometime," Isabelle says, backing away with a large grin. Jonathan smiles back and nods, running a hand through his hair.

"Will do. That'd be lots of fun."

"Bye, Sebastian."

"By, Isabelle."

Jace is waiting outside the house for Jonathan when he arrives home.

"Hey, let's go to Pandemonium," Jace says, and Jonathan shakes his head.

"Dad said we need to go, Jace. This could get dangerous."

"Only dangerous if we make it dangerous."

"That's a terrible way of thinking," Jonathan says, opening the door to the complex. Jace follows him, stopping in the doorway and leaning against a wall.

"If we think about it dangerously, we make it dangerous. If we think about it logically, we can be cool and confident that no situation is dangerous for us," Jace says, and Jonathan pauses halfway up the stairs to stare at him.

"And what am I supposed to tell dad?"

"That you forgot your phone."

"I've left for nearly forty five minutes," Jonathan exclaims, and Jace shrugs.

"Say you want to change and go for a walk to the store. Say you need to pick up some homework. Say you're saying goodbye to some good friends. You'll think of a reason, please, Johnny, it's my birthday" Jace says, and Jonathan nods and heads upstairs.

This is crazy, Jonathan thinks to himself. It wasn't exactly psycho, but it was something that would get their father mad. And Jonathan knew Jace was trying to manipulate him, but it was his birthday. He deserved a break before they left. And a club could be fun. So Jonathan heads upstairs and goes straight to him room, not looking at his father on the way.

Black pants, black shirt and jacket, and he's gone. "I'm... going to see some friends for an hour, for the last time," Jonathan says confidently, walking past Valentine who was standing with his arms crossed in the hallway. Valentine follows him to the front door.

"Have you seen Jace?"

"No... not at all, father." Jonathan turns and looks at Valentine, who was still standing like a statue, arms crossed.

"I'm your parent, I can tell when you're being a liar, Jonathan. Don't lie to me again. Be home by twelve, if you're not, you're both grounded. When he comes home, he's grounded. Neither of you will be going on any missions. You're lucky I'm even allowing this, you understand," Valentine says, and Jonathan nods, not saying a word. Their front door closes behind him, and Jonathan goes downstairs to find Jace still waiting.

"What'd dad say?" Jace asks as he leads the way out the front door.

"That I'm a terrible liar. He's being lenient though. You're grounded."

"That's not lenient. He left you go?"

"He couldn't stop you if he tried," Jonathan says. Maybe the only reason Valentine let Jonathan go was to keep an eye on Jace, since the boy needed some type of an anchor. The two head out to Pandemonium.

True to her earlier words, Sebastian sees his fellow runner again. Her dark hair was pulled over one shoulder, and she had on a long dress with thigh high black boots. She pulled off the mysterious look well. The only thing Sebastian didn't get was the colour she chose, a pale white, which was standing out in the crowd's black and rainbow clothing. White was the colour of death for their kind. He follows her slowly, and she looks over her shoulder to watch him right back. Their eyes meet, but she smiles and keeps walking, toward another man.

He walks through the crowded room of Pandemonium, vast enough to support hundreds of people, all raving to the music. But him and her were moving slowly, carefully, unnoticed. He watches closely.

She meets the other man's eyes, then walks past him. The man's head turns and follows her, watching her walk away. Then he looks around, to see if anyone noticed.

Jonathan moves through people, eyeing the man. Was he better looking? One look tells him, no, this man wasn't. The pale skin surrounding this man's mouth seemed to fade away, bearing sharp and dark teeth, the skin melting away in front of Jonathan's eyes. This man was a demon, and Isabelle was hunting him, and Jonathan was witness to this entire façade.

After looking around at the crowd, the demon turns and follows Isabelle, who's heading for the edge of the gathering. Jonathan follows, not trying to lose them as he makes his way through the energetic people. Lights flash and pulse, the room was dark, and everyone was dancing, jumping, moving. The heat and sweat was stifling, but as he watches Isabelle and this demon, he was in another world. A silent world. And he knew Isabelle was too, the hunt was on her mind.

They enter a door, a glimpse of a dark room can be seen. After the door closes behind the demon, Jonathan follows, waiting a bit before slowly opening the door and sliding inside.

It led to a hallway, leading right and left. To the right, there were windows and another turn to the left; to the left there were more doors. Jonathan goes right, moving silently, not making a sound. Even his breathing was in check. He pauses at the turn, glancing around the corner.

There was another room. Large industrial shelves line the right and left walls, boxes and rolls of plastic resting. And at the other end was Isabelle, her head was high and one leg was behind the other, causing her body to have an angle. She was seducing the demon. And the demon moves forward, slowly but confidently, straight for her.

They move close to each other, the demon puts his hands on her waste. Jonathan moves uncomfortably, one hand pulling on the bottom of his jacket. He didn't bother to bring any weapons.

Now Isabelle moves closer, looking up at the demon, the over its shoulder, to Jonathan. She winks.

The demon slowly turns around to follow her gaze, and a flash of light erupts from Isabelle's hand. A golden wraps around the demon's neck, and it slowly turns around, letting out a pained yell as he grabs at the chain, hands clawing. A sizzling noise follows, and Isabelle pulls the whip down, bringing the demon to its knees.

The hair on Jonathan's neck stand up, and he can feel a presence behind him. He doesn't have time to turn around before he watches something fly by his head, and an arrow sinks itself in the demon's back.

The thing lets out one final groan, then a hissing noise follows and it begins to crumble, lighting up like a fire. Then ash follows, it disintegrates into dust, piling on the floor. But Jonathan knows soon, even the dust will be gone. He turns around fully to find himself staring at a boy with dark hair.

"You can see us," the boy asks, and Jonathan lets out a breath, nodding.

"Yes."

"What are you?" The boy ask another question.

"I..." Jonathan pauses, deciding he must tell the truth since he already told Isabelle. "Shadowhunter."

"I've never met you," the boy says as his eyes narrow.

"I'm new and visiting," Jonathan explains. The boy walks past him toward Isabelle, who's leaning with a hand on her hip and a smile directed at Jonathan.

"What do you think of that," Isabelle calls out, and Jonathan merely nods, standing in the doorway still. The other boy goes to pick up his arrow, analysing it. Isabelle walks past him to Jonathan.

"It was... unique," Jonathan says, and Isabelle laughs.

"It's just another hunt."

"The way you did it is unique," Jonathan says, and Isabelle nods. She holds out her whip.

"It's like my baby," Isabelle says.

"It's beautiful," Jonathan replies, and Isabelle nods.

"Anyway, what are you doing here," Isabelle asks.

"Brother's birthday. I should really go find him."

"Aw. You don't want to hang out for a while," Isabelle says, and Jonathan nods, backing up and looking left. The other boy was now staring at him, a suspicious look still on his face. "That's my brother, Alec," Isabelle says.

"Nice to meet you two. But I've really go to get going," Jonathan says, backing up. Isabelle frowns slightly, nodding. Then she smiles again.

"Told you I'd see you again," she laughs.

"You're going now," Alec interrupts, walking up to Jonathan. Jonathan nods, staring back.

"I have to find my brother," Jonathan says, backing away. Alec hoists his bow over his shoulder, staring down.

"You know, Isabelle, Circle members have been sighted," Alec says, and Isabelle stares at the two of them, her gaze lingering on Jonathan.

Jonathan swallows, then lets out a breath and grins.

"You think I'm a circle member?"

"It's a possibility," Alec says, and Jonathan nods. Isabelle was smart, but Jonathan could tell she was like Jace. She was more willing to put herself in dangerous situations. It was Alec he has to watch out for, the boy had a questioning look about him. He might analyse a problem and solver it. So Jonathan thinks up a way to get himself out of this conversation, remembering that he and his family will probably be gone by tomorrow.

"I'll give you my number then. You can give me a call any time," Jonathan says with sureness, and Alec pulls out his phone, typing the digits Jonathan gives him. "Sorry I couldn't stay and chat, but I've got to get going. Seriously. Father is pretty strict."

"Alright. Understandable, our mother is strict too," Alec says, and Jonathan nods and turns to walk away.

"By, Sebastian," Isabelle says.

"Bye, you two," Jonathan says back.

"Jace, we need to go, I just ran into some shadowhunters," Jonathan says, grabbing his brother's arm. Jace is sitting on a bar stool, finishing a large drink and eyeing his brother.

"Shadowhunters? Really," Jace says, and Jonathan nods. Jace stares at him, and after a few moments he sighs and gulps his drink down, then stands up and heads to the exit with Jonathan. Now that the hunt was over, Jonathan's mind was spinning. Did that really just happen? And sadly, now Isabelle and Alec knew too much. And Jonathan would have to tell his father, for the family's safety.

Jonathan blames his loose tongue on alcohol, and not on the fact that Isabelle took his breath away. Then again, I didn't have any alcohol on that run. Father doesn't need to know about that run. Jonathan and Jace exit the building, walking away from the loud music and the dancing people, going home where they checks the time:

12:03 AM

I'm in trouble.