(A/N – thank you so, so much to everyone who reviewed!

So, I'm really not happy with how this chapter has turned out. Maybe I'm just being hard on myself but it's just very 'meh' to me. I'm going to blame that on my writer's block, which I had for, like, ever. All I know is that it sounded so much better in my head, and I just can't put it into words. There's still a lot of things I've yet to explain, as you'll probably find out when reading.

Lastly, I just want to apologize because this chapter and the previous ones were fairly boring, no matter how hard I tried. It has to be that way because I really want to explore the characters more, and I need time to properly introduce them. I promise, it starts getting more exciting in the next chapter! As for this one, I really hope you enjoy!)

Disclaimer: I still don't own anything. Would that I could.

Alec hesitated before pressing the buzzer. He thought hard. What am I even doing here?

It pained him to think that he needed a reason to visit his sister, but he had avoided her for so long that his sudden appearance would probably result in his blood staining the door mat. His younger sister, Isabelle, was not unlike Jace, strength wise. Alec was skilled enough when it came to fighting, but nothing he did could possibly hope to match his siblings in a punch up. He had learned that, quite thoroughly, through experience.

Alec looked around, feeling lost. Brooklyn hadn't changed, not since he last visited, which must have been at least a year ago; and yet the it still lacked the feeling he wanted most – the familiar warmth that followed his sister around like a guardian angel. There was no warmth here. The streets were cold and vacant, the surrounding buildings rundown to the point of dilapidated. He looked down at his hand. On it was the address he had managed to find by sneaking around Jace's room, but now that he was here, he wondered if perhaps the address was even legit. Alec just couldn't believe that his sister – his proud, elegant, beautiful sister – would be wasting her time in a place like this.

Saying that, it wasn't as if she had much of a choice in the matter. For as Alec could remember, he and Izzy had shared the same outlook on the 'family business'; it was twisted, disgusting and wrong. Neither of them wanted anything to do with it. Jace resented it to an extent, but his dark streak was too potent for him to resist, so, essentially, Alec had always relied on Isabelle as his anchor, the one who kept him stable when everything went downhill. No matter what, Isabelle would always be there.

The thing that defined Alec and Isabelle as siblings was the fact that, at the end of the day, Isabelle had a place to go. Unlike Alec, Isabelle was a social butterfly, an extrovert – likeable, loveable, Isabelle was always the one with all the attention. That suited Alec fine. He disliked being put on display for everyone to see; he preferred the quiet, the calm. Other than Jace, he never really spoke to anyone, or befriended anyone, which also suited Alec fine.

And then the reports started. Overnight, the Lightwood's had moved to the very top of the city's long list of undesirables. There were warrants, and articles, and interviews, and press conferences, and media coverage so overwhelming they were forced to leave town for two months. When they returned, Isabelle remained for three days before packing her bags and running away.

Alec hadn't eaten for a week after her departure. He was worried sick, but he should have known she would be alright. Isabelle never made any effort to contact her parents, but she did send a brief text to both Jace and Alec, explaining that she was fine, and that she was living with her boyfriend, Simon (whom Alec had never heard of until then), in his apartment. She offered to meet them a few times, but, although Jace said yes, Alec declined. He wasn't even sure why. Maybe there was a small part of him that still resented her for leaving him alone. And now, with over six months of no contact, he wondered if he and Isabelle could ever be what they once were – siblings who loved and cared for each other deeply. It didn't help that Alec hadn't returned any of her phone calls, or made an effort to visit her, or even meet her boyfriend. It's never too late, he supposed.

He shivered as he felt an icy raindrop hit the back of his neck. It was starting to rain again, much to his luck. He was wearing a thin, long sleeved black shirt which did little to fight off the icy September chill. It was pointless to turn around and go home now, and it would only result in him catching a cold. With a long, deep sigh, he pressed the buzzer down.

There was a small commotion inside as someone scrambled towards the door. Alec took an automatic step back, startled for a brief moment at the sudden burst of noise.

The door swung open to reveal a tall, gangly, awkward looking teenager with mousy brown hair and a pair of glasses dangling at the edge of his nose. Ah, Alec thought. This must be Simon.

He was wearing tight fitting jeans and a baggy t-shirt with an obscure Radiohead reference he probably didn't understand. Everything about him screamed hipster. Typically, Alec made a genuine effort to remain open minded about people – but he couldn't help feeling a twinge of annoyance that Isabelle thought this guy was seriously worth her time.

Alec cleared this throat. "Uh, hey. You, ah - you're not Simon Lewis, by any chance?"

The boy replied with a watery smile. "Well, my friends call me 'Simon, the Silent Guardian, the Watchful Protector, The Dark Knight' but Simon works, too."

Alec blinked. "E-excuse me?"

Simon, or whatever his name was, groaned. "Come on! You have got to be kidding me! Tell me you've seen The Dark Knight!"

"Who's that?" Alec asked.

Another groan. "Never mind. Can I help you with anything, or were you just planning to stand outside in the rain and get hypothermia?"

Alec blushed. Brilliant way to introduce yourself, Alec. "Oh, I um – I'm Alec. Alexander Li . . . Wayland. Alec Wayland. I'm Isabelle's brother."

He cursed himself mentally. The name 'Wayland' had been the Lightwood family's alias for over two years, and that Alec could still manage to forget it perplexed him to no end. More than once he had caught himself about to reveal his name and destroy everything, and would have to all but swallow his own tongue to stop the word from coming out. Alec Wayland. That's your name.

Simon's face darkened instantly. "Oh," he muttered quietly. There was a cool, uncomfortable silence between him. Alec found it strange that this boy was younger, smaller and infinitely less powerful than him, and yet the intimidating flash in his eyes still set Alec on edge.

Alec cleared his throat again and rubbed his arm awkwardly. "I . . . I can come back later . . ."

Simon stood back and opened the door wider. "No. I think it's been long enough, don't you?"

Alec nodded, swallowing hard. He couldn't believe how pathetic he was acting. While he might not like it, he was a Lightwood, and who was this kid? A washed up Brooklyn band geek?

You can talk, Alec, said a critical voice in his mind. Little Alexander Lightwood, washed up and friendless, unlikeable and unwanted. Oh yes. You can talk.

He stepped through the threshold to the apartment, looking around. The house was a mess, creatively so. At first, Alec only noticed the stained walls, with slurs and insults and song lyrics scribbled onto them, and the floors, which were covered in fast food wrappers, soda cans, scrunched up sheets of music and God knows what else. But then, all at once, he saw the clothes. There was a pile of odd, colourful clothes at the end of the dimly lit hall, and the very sight of it filled him with a feeling he hadn't felt in months. Isabelle.

He smiled as Simon led him through the hall, carefully stepping over the mess on the floor like he was avoiding mines. "Sorry about the mess," he said, in a tone that suggested he really wasn't sorry at all. "Things are pretty hectic here lately."

"Really? How so?" Alec asked cringing as he spotted an empty packet of condoms in the corner.

"Just band stuff; sorting out names and songs and stuff." Simon glanced at Alec. "I'm in a band, by the way."

"I figured. Singer?"

"Ugh, no. That would be disastrous. I'm lead guitarist."

Alec grinned. "My brother Jonathon played guitar for a few months. It was horrible."

Simon laughed, having appeared to have warmed up to Alec. "I'll bet. Everyone wants to play guitar because of its 'look'. But it's way more than that," he put on a heavy, droning accent, "it's about expression, man."

Alec bit his lip to contain his laughter, and snuck another glance at Simon. He wasn't too bad. A little dorky, maybe, but he wasn't terrible.

They were in the main room of the apartment, which was split into three sections; the living room, the kitchen, the dining room. There was rubbish everywhere, but the place felt cosy and warm. It had character.

Alec was about to ask about his sister, when he heard a familiar voice. "Simon! Do you know where my foundation is? I can't find it anywhere!"

Alec the click-clack of her heels against the wooden floorboards, and suddenly, there she was. His sister.

She hadn't changed. Not one bit. Her hair was a bit darker, her features more relaxed, but she was still as beautiful and confident as ever. She glanced up at Simon, and then did a double take as she noticed Alec.

Her voice shook. "Alec?"

Alec stepped forward, his heart hammering. "Izzy. I – I'm sorry I haven't called. I –"

"Simon. Get out. Please." Isabelle's voice was icy. Simon looked at both of them, then – undoubtedly concerned for his own safety – nodded and left the room.

Isabelle was silent.

"Izzy, I'm so sorry –"

"Fuck you."

Alec hid his face in shame. He couldn't stand this. He couldn't stand the all this hatred, the tension and unfriendliness between them, knowing that it was all his fault.

"Why did you leave, Izzy?"

Isabelle blinked. "Excuse me?"

He tried again. "When we got back. You left. You left me alone with this family."

Isabelle rolled her eyes and scoffed. "For fuck's sake, Alec, you're not a kid. You're my older brother. You were supposed to take care of me. Not the other way around."

"I did take care of you!" he cried, struggling to keep his voice steady. "I always have."

"Well you should have done something. You should have made an effort to be a decent brother, Alec. You shouldn't have just disowned me like that. It's been halfa year. No calls. No visits. Nothing."

"I was angry with you!"

"Why? How is any of this my fault?"

Alec rubbed his hands over his face tiredly. It wasn't her fault. But he couldn't pretend the childish feeling of rejection didn't bother him. "Look. Isabelle. I don't blame you for leaving. I don't. But you were the one person who kept me sane. Jace doesn't care what Mother and Father do. He doesn't care that they never have time for us unless it's business. But you and I always did. And then you left, and it's because I'm your older brother that I didn't follow you. You deserved a life, Izzy. I wouldn't be of any help."

Isabelle sighed, and collapsed onto the overstuffed sofa. She beckoned him over wordlessly. He sat down next to her and glanced at her sheepishly. Her eyes were closed, her brow creased in concentration.

"I appreciate that. 'Not talking to me for my own sake'. How very selfless of you." Her voice was bitter. "But I still don't understand. You could have left. You didn't have to move in with me to get away, you know."

"I know." Alec replied. "But that's the difference between me and you. People love you. You're lovely and kind, and you'll always be welcome. I really don't have any redeeming qualities. I don't have any friends, and I'm just . . . I'm not a good person. I really only have Jace. I wouldn't know how to live without him." He looked down again, avoiding Isabelle's gaze.

Isabelle knew all about Alec's feelings for Jace. As far as he was aware, she was the only one who knew his deep, dark secret. She didn't judge him for it, but he knew deep down that she pitied him.

She looked at him for a long time. "I'm really glad you're here, Alec." She whispered.

Alec looked up. "R-really?"

"Of course." She smiled softly. "You're my brother. I love you."

Alec guessed that she sensed he was at a loss for words, because she silently wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him in a hug.

"I'm sorry," he whispered against her shoulder.

"I'm sorry, too. Let's just forget about this, ok? We're both idiots. Maybe it comes with the name?"

Alec smiled. "Maybe."

They talked for about two hours; not about anything in particular, but Alec enjoyed it anyway, just to hear his sister's voice. Simon left for band practise, which meant it was just the two of them.

She was happy, finally. She was working in a local club called Pandemonium, which was 'all the rage' according to her. Even when she was living with him, Isabelle loved to go clubbing. She and Jace were always hitting the streets in search for new hotspots. They'd even managed to drag Alec along a few times, but he never really enjoyed it. Once again, people and crowds and healthy social behaviour weren't really his area.

In the end, it was a text from Jace that snapped Alec back into reality. It was almost six, and Jace wanted to meet him outside Taki's at half past. He hadn't told Isabelle about what they were doing tonight; there was really nothing she could do to stop Jace, as she probably already knew.

Before he left, Isabelle hugged him again. "Don't be a stranger," she warned. "Or I'll find you."

"Sure. I'll bring Jace next time, and maybe I'll not make a fool of myself in front of your boyfriend this time."

Isabelle winced. "Hm. Maybe not. Jace loves to tease Simon. I'm afraid the next time he's over there'll be a fist fight. But," she lowered her voice and leaned in. "You and Jace . . ."

Alec blushed and shook his head. "I don't . . . there's nothing . . . w-we –"

"You haven't said anything?" she pressed.

"Don't be stupid," Alec snapped, more harshly than he intended to. "He's like my brother."

Izzy bit her lip and looked down. She had the look she always had when she wanted to say something potentially insulting. Alec braced himself.

"Do you think . . . well, maybe you should meet other people? You're not the only gay man in town, you know. I mean, have you seen the gay bars?"

Alec flinched, his cheeks deepening. Honestly, he hated these conversations. The last thing he wanted to do was admit his disinterest in women. He didn't want to see the shame in his parent's eyes as they realized they raised a gay son. He didn't even want to think about how Jace would react. And really, it wasn't as if he wasn't already a freak. His name was dirt, he was alone, he was hunted, and the last thing he needed was anyone to find out his was gay.

"I'm not going to a bar, Izzy," he mumbled, picking at his nails. He did that a lot, especially when he was nervous.

She sighed. She knew exactly how he felt. Alec had always had a crippling shyness holding him back. His fear of being judged kept him from living the life he deserved.

"Ok," she said with resignation. "But Alec. You're twenty years old, and you've never been kissed. You've never even been on a date. I think maybe you should just let him go."

Alec said nothing. He couldn't bring himself to look at her. She undoubtedly knew how much this hurt him, but of course, Isabelle was too kind to deny Alec the truth. And it was the truth. Even he knew that.

Still, he thought as he stepped out into the cool evening air. Letting go is easier said than done.

Jace had taken it upon himself to order their lunch, which was probably just another excuse to flirt with the hot waitresses. When Alec arrived at Taki's, Jace had started well and truly into his own meal – some weird looking foreign dish that had probably spent a few months soaking in a vat of oil, judging by the colour of it. He took the seat opposite Jace and stared down at the plate in front of him. To his joy, Jace had remembered his usual order; a wrap and a small coffee.

"Aren't we going to be late?" he asked, taking a bite.

"I'm not an idiot," Jace replied grumpily, speaking through a mouthful of food. Alec raised his eyebrows and took a sip of coffee. It was the type of coffee that you hated, but kept buying for the hell of it. "There's no way I'm arriving on time. That'd be suspicious. The last thing I need is some dickhead trying stick his German Sheppard on me again."

Alec grinned at the memory.

They ate in silence for a moment, before Jace said, in the most conspicuously casual voice ever, "So. How did it go with Isabelle? You're still alive, so I'm guessing it went pretty well?"

Alec frowned. "Uh, yeah, I guess. How did you know I went to see Isabelle today?"

Jace grinned into his drink. "I heard you practising your apology speech in the bathroom this morning."

"Oh." Alec felt his cheeks go red. God damn it, he thought angrily. You blush like a fourteen year old girl.

"Well, I wouldn't advise a life of public speaking, let's put it that way," Jace shrugged. "How was she?"

"Angry."

"Yeah, well you can't really blame her. You take the cake for asshole brother of the year."

"Thanks, Jace."

"No problem." Jace thought for a moment, and then smiled. "Did you meet Simon?"

Alec laughed. "Yeah. He's a bit . . . um."

Jace snickered. "I'm amazed that Isabelle will give him the time of day." he glanced at his watch, and his laughter trailed off. "Ok, so maybe we should hurry a little."

Alec took one last bite and then stood up, following Jace out the door. One of the waitresses dropped a flirty wink in Jace's direction - which he returned with more boredom than enthusiasm - but she quickly scurried away when she saw Alec's death glare.

Maybe he couldn't charm people into doing what he wanted like Jace could, but he knew he could be intimidating enough when he wanted to be.

Once outside, Jace yawned. "Ugh. Maybe planning an illegal meet up with a shady drug dealer wasn't a good idea for a Wednesday. I'm beat. We should just go home."

"You don't seriously mean that, do you?" Alec asked incredulously, with eyes going wide.

Jace snorted. "Fuck no. Now hurry up. Jesus Christ, Alec, if you walk any slower you'll be going backwards."

"Sorry." He sped up, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans. "Hey, Jace?"

"Hey, Alexander?"

He cringed at the use of his much hated full name. "Have you heard from Mum and Dad? Do you . . . do you have any idea where they are?"

For a long time, Jace remained silent. Then, with a long, almost bitter sigh, he reached into one of the pockets on his coat and drew out his phone, handing it to Alec.

"They texted me a couple nights ago from Germany. I tried to call back, but I think they've already changed phones again. Somehow I doubt they're gonna be back for at least a month or so."

Alec flicked through the contacts. Apart from a few names like Isabelle and other friends of his, the only contacts listed were Parents. Parents #56, Parents #62, Parents #69; Alec's parents never kept a phone for more than a week, and so they were always getting texts from unknown callers, with vague little messages like 'It's us', and the two boys would always know who it was. Looking through the list, Alec felt a jolt of sadness. This is not how their lives were supposed to be. There had to be more than a hundred different versions of their parent's number.

He handed the phone back to Jace absently. "You should have told me."

"I didn't want to bother you."

"It's bothering me now."

Jace gave him a funny look. "Why?" he asked. "Because they won't be home? It's not like that hasn't happened before."

"That's exactly what's bothering me," Alec cried, throwing his hands up in frustration. "I hate this. I hate what this life is doing to us. Our family. Isabelle's gone, our parents barely even speak to us, and Max is . . ." he trailed off. "I just want my parents here."

Jace nodded stiffly. "I wish my parents were here, too."

Alec didn't reply. They had reached the taboo subject they had promised they would never discuss. He found it amazing that Jace would even mention it. Usually even the slightest hint that the conversation would be heading down that road just killed the small talk instantly. Alec couldn't blame him. It was the same with Max.

He sighed. It was getting dark. They were now walking through an otherwise deserted part of town, home to a good majority of the city's undesirables. Thieves, junkies, rapists and murders were everywhere. When they were twelve, he and Jace would deliberately walk through these streets at night, just for a thrill. Alec hated it, but he stayed for Jace, who seemed to crave the adrenaline. They had wandered through these parts so often that Alec could direct his way through it in his sleep. Half of the buildings were old warehouses, used as dens. Once, Jace had forced him to climb in through the window of one warehouse, unsuspecting to the fact that it was housing at least twenty gang members. That was his first fight. It wasn't Jace's, but for a moment he could appreciate Jace's love of danger. It was exhilarating. Though both boys had barely escaped with their lives, they laughed the whole way home. After that, they had never been closer, as friends or brothers.

"The guy should be just over there," Jace pointed to one of the warehouses, and sped up. Alec followed, but hesitantly. He shuddered, not from the cold but out of fear; something felt wrong, somehow. There was something different about this.

He reached out and grabbed Jace's wrist, forcing him to a halt. Jace yelled out in protest and snatched his hand away violently. "Alec, if you even think of trying to change my mind, I'm going to punch you. Got it?"

Alec groaned angrily. "Jace, please, listen to m –"

Jace struck him. Not hard, but enough to send him stumbling. He doubled over, and pressed a hand to the his face where Jace had hit him. It throbbed painfully. There would definitely be a bruise. Fighting off an urge to yell and curse and retaliate, Alec settled with shooting Jace an accusing glare.

"I don't know why I put up with you." He said quietly.

Jace said nothing, but Alec could see his pulse quicken, and lips parted in shock. Well. At least that was a halfway decent response. "Hurry up, Jace, if it's so damn important to you."

He shoved passed his brother roughly, but Jace managed to overtake him anyway. They paused at the door and shared a look.

"I'll go first," Jace said.

Alec rolled his eyes.

"Alec, I –"

"I know you're sorry, Jace. It's fine."

Jace looked down. Alec waited for him to open the door, and when he didn't, he pushed it open himself. "Go on."

Jace nodded, and entered. The warehouse was massive, bigger than any he had seen before. Alec wondered if anybody else was residing here. Something told me that they were definitely not alone.

It was dimly lit, and the mass of towering shelves cast eerie shadows upon the floor. Alec shuddered again.

"He's here," Jace muttered, his voice low. "I can hear it. Listen."

Alec concentrated, and sure enough he heard something; footsteps, soft and graceful, and approaching face.

"Greetings," came a loud, raspy voice. "I see you brought a friend."

Alec's eyes strained against the shadows. He could make out a frail, odd looking figure in the darkness. He watched as the figure stepped into the light to reveal an old, dirty looking man, his skin a sickly pale colour, even whiter than Alec's, which was something. He was short, but there was something in the man's eyes; something calculative and knowing, and Alec hated it.

"This is Alec," Jace said coldly. In the corner of his eye, he saw Jace take a deliberate step forward, protectively shielding him from anything that might happen. "You said you could offer me something?"

The man laughed. It made Alec's skin crawl. Something is not right. "I can. But I'm not sure I should give it to you. What's a nice boy like you doing, getting himself into this kind of trouble?"

"I'm surrounded by Lightwoods all day, every day. It was bound to happen. Hey, you should see Alec over here," he pointed to Alec, shooting him a mocking grin. "He's bad to the bone. A real rebel, this one."

The old man turned to Alec. Something flashed in the man's eyes. Confusion? Surprise? Worry, maybe. Alec's dread was growing more and more profound with every second.

"Oh?" the man said curiously. "And so your friend brought you here today?"

Jace laughed. "Absolutely."

Alec wanted to kick him. Hard.

"Well then, are you sure you want anything? I can give you a discount, but I need to know for sure if you're going to get anything."

And then it clicked. All this stalling, asking questions, the confusion in his eyes; all of it made sense.

"Jace." Alec said quietly, his blood running cold. Oh God.

Jace ignored him. "Why? I wouldn't be here if I wasn't sure."

"Jace, we need to leave, now." Come on. Please.

"We just need an absolute confirmation." The man replied.

Oh no. God. is not happening.

"Jace!"

"What do you mean 'we'?"

"What?"

"JACE!"

Finally, Jace, too, understood. Except it was too late.

"Come on!" Alec yelled, grabbing his brother's elbow and all but dragging him along as he sprinted to the front door. Jace was stunned, completely amazed.

They reached the front of the door when Jace stopped. "No, not that way. We need to hide."

"What?!" Alec demanded in a whisper.

"I was set up. If we go out that door, we'll be arrested in a heartbeat. It's a drugs bust, Alec."

Alec's fist clenched. It took everything he had not to beat him senseless, then and there. "Yeah, Jace, I got that." He ran his hands through his hair. "Jesus. Oh God. Can you see him? I can't see him anywhere."

The man – the undercover cop – was nowhere to be found. Most likely he had alerted the rest of the police, who were probably watching them right now, waiting for the exact moment to intervene.

"I don't know!" Jace yelled. "Maybe if we can climb into the air vents? We'll need to climb the shelves, but –"

"Freeze!"

"Fuck!" Jace cried. "Come on!" he lead Alec down the side of the warehouse, passed piles upon piles of old boxes, struggling to keep towards the shadows.

"Stop! Police! We have you surrounded!"

"Jace, you need to get out of here!" Alec said desperately. "If they find out who you are –"

"What about you? What if they find out who you are?"

Alec shook his head. "It doesn't matter. I won't say anything. Look, climb the crates and go out through the window. If I surrender, it'll give you time to escape. Go!"

The warehouse was filled with lights. At least thirty cops were approaching, there torches searching out any sign of life. It would only be moments until they were both caught.

"I'm not leaving you." Jace said firmly.

"Go! Now!"

"No!"

Alec pushed him towards the crates, and Jace shoved back. Alec fell backwards and stumbled into the light, knocking over a box. Its contents – scrapes of metal and loud, heavy materials – all fell out, alerting every person in the street to his whereabouts.

A group of seven officers reach the corner, and they spotted him instantly. "Stop right there!"One of them shouted - a woman, older than the rest of them, and vaguely familiar. Alec cursed, and did the only thing he could do. He dropped to his knees and put his hands up. The last thing he saw of Jace was him disappearing behind one of the crates. Please. Don't do anything stupid.

The woman reached him first, pushing his back down violently, so he was lying face down on the cold cement floor. He could sense the gun pointed at him. He did his best to block out the deafening sounds of the rest of the NYPD catching up, and instead prayed that Jace had enough intelligence to run.

Someone hurled him to his feet, grabbing both his wrists and forcing them behind his back. "You are under arrested," said the voice of the woman who had pushed him down. He felt the cold sting off handcuffs binding his hands together. "Anything you say can and will be used against you in a Court of Law. You have a right to an Attorney, and if you wish to –"

"Yeah, thanks, I know the drill," Alec snapped. With everything happening at once, and a desperate need to know where his brother was, politeness was his last priority.

The woman slapped him hard across the cheek. He hissed with pain, his eyes watering and he struggled against his cuffs. She stepped into his vision, a look of disgust clear upon her face.

"You're not Jonathon." She said coolly.

"Who?" Alec said, determined to keep his voice calm. Whatever happened, he couldn't give away Jace's cover. He didn't care what happened to him. Jace had half of his life running, and Alec wasn't going to be the one who ruined it for him.

"Don't lie to me, you pathetic son of a bitch," the woman snarled. She leaned in close, so close that Alec could feel her rapid breathing against his cheeks. "There was another boy with you. Jonathon Herondale. Where is he?"

Alec shook his head, squeezing his eyes shut. "I don't know what you're talking about. I was alone."

"No you were not!" She yelled. "Where is he, where is my grandson?!"

Alec's eyes snapped open, and he lifted his head to stare, gaping, at the woman who arrested him. The proud, tall, skeletal woman who looked so familiar – and now he knew why.

"You're . . . you're Imogen Herondale?" he asked.

He froze, unable to comprehend what he had just done. His blood went cold. Tell me you didn't just say that.

Imogen's eyes widened. "You know me? You know . . ." she trailed off as realization struck. "You . . . you knew, you know about my grandson . . . who are you?"

Her voice spoke clearer than her words. The threat in her tone was unmistakable. Of course she knew who he was. Of course. He could see it in the shake of her hands, and the barely concealed hate in her eyes. Her very being seemed to be screaming the same word over and over again; Lightwood.

And, of course, she was right.

At the end of the warehouse, just behind a window, he saw a familiar figure dart past. The head of golden hair was noticeable, even in this light. Jace.

His heart expanded with relief. Thank God. No matter what happened to him now, at least Jace would be ok and out of trouble. And, if Alec could manage to keep his mouth shut, it would stay that way.

He set his shoulders determinedly and met Imogen's frantic eyes without a trace of fear. "I think I'd like a lawyer, now."

(A/N – UGHHHHHHH. I hate that ending. I'm really disappointed with this chapter, but that's because I never planned out how I'd write the beginning. The next one will be better, I promise

I would really appreciate it if you review, because it lets me now that I'm not just writing into a void and everyone secretly helps me, and it genuinely improves my skills. It really does. SO DO IT! Well, if you want. But you should because I'll love you forever :D

Thanks for reading!)