Magnus pushed Farek away somewhat angrily. He wasn't really angry with Farek; it was himself more than anything. After a brief explanation ("I'll call you when I'm single, darling, I've already got a boyfriend") Magnus searched the crowd for Alec. Spotting the tall, dark haired figure, Magnus automatically began to move toward him.

Something small stopped him, putting its hand on his chest. Magnus looked down. Oh. It was Clary, not a goblin. "Sweetie, I love the fact that you want a piece of this magnificence, but this isn't really a good time to feel me up," he told her.

"It's a fantastic time, actually," she said through her teeth. Clary gripped Magnus's arm almost painfully and pulled him to the side of the room. "Listen, Magnus, I know what happened. You most certainly know what happened. But Alec doesn't know what happened. He just saw you and Farek kissing, not you rejecting Farek. Just give him a minute to calm down; I'll go talk to him. The Angel knows that I know what something like this feels like." Magnus sighed theatrically but acknowledged that Clary was right by crossing his arms and nodding. Clary left Magnus by the sofa and searched out Alec again. He wasn't by the bar, but she did see Jace there, regaling a group of vampires with the story of how he had once gotten into a fight at a werewolf bar. The vampires were smiling and laughing, most likely at the werewolf's expense, Clary thought. Eventually she spotted Alec sitting alone in a corner, as away from the party as he could get. Clary laid a hand on his arm. Alec's deep blue eyes looked up at her, troubled.

"Alec, it's not what you think it is," she told him.

"How are you so sure, Clary? I should have known that someone like Magnus would never be satisfied with anyone like me. Magnus is…everything I'm not." Alec sounded more vulnerable than Clary had ever heard him sound.

"No, she's right," a drawling voice said from behind Clary. Magnus stepped into view and Alec visibly tensed.

"Alec, darling, I don't cheat, if that's what you're so bothered about," Magnus said. Alec flushed. "Really, your lack of confidence in me is disheartening."

Alec's face turned an even brighter red. "I-I have confidence in you, don't I? I mean, of course I do. It's just that you're…" Alec was at a loss for words. "You're confident, and outgoing, and I'm not…and I just, well, I would understand if someone like you wouldn't want to go out with someone like me." He retreated further into his chair. Magnus perched gently on the arm of the chair and put a glittery hand on Alec's shoulder.

"This is important, okay? You listen to me, Alec Lightwood. I love that you're shy. I love that you have insecurities. And I love you. You will never not be right for me, so just get that through your head," Magnus finished, a little out of breath. Alec realized that Clary had gone, but it barely registered. Magnus hadn't been trying to break his heart; he could see the sincerity in Magnus' catlike eyes. With a lithe, almost dancelike movement, Magnus was drifting across the room toward the DJ. After a moment, another slow song interrupted the techno that was playing. A collective groan could be heard from the sweaty dancers on the floor, who had formed the promising beginnings of a mosh pit in the living room.

"Alexander, darling, may I have this dance?" Magnus asked as soon as he was back. Alec smiled at the High Warlock of Brooklyn shyly.

"It would be my pleasure."

It had taken Clary several minutes, but eventually she located Jace. He had migrated to the roof and was standing alone, looking out at the city below. His blond hair was windblown, and Clary thought that he looked like the angel that she had so frequently drawn him as. Clary shivered as the breeze penetrated her clothing and walked over to Jace. He didn't turn, only wrapped his arm around her when she hugged him.

"Why are you up here?"

"Well, it turns out that you actually shouldn't provoke vampires," he answered, kissing the top of Clary's head.

"Care to elaborate?" Clary asked hesitantly.

"No." Clary accepted Jace's answer. If he really had made the vampires angry somehow, it was probably better just to keep his mouth shut. And anyway, Clary was content just to stand in the warm circle of Jace's arms.

"Dance with me?" Jace asked, wrapping his arms around her waist. Clary slid her arms around Jace's neck and they began to revolve slowly, ignoring the fast paced music that could clearly be heard even outside of Magnus' apartment. Suddenly the door to the roof banged open again. Isabelle stood there, her dark hair wildly framing her pale face. Her big eyes were dark and serious.

"I hate to interrupt you two lovebirds, but we've got a problem," she said breathlessly.

"What is it?" Jace asked, his guard instantly up. He put a hand inside his jacket, feeling for the seraph blade he stashed in a pocket before he had left.

"Demons," answered Isabelle, reaching for the whip that was, as usual, curled around her wrist. Jace and Isabelle were prepared to fight off a horde of demons (and even Clary had pulled out a dagger from Lord-knows-where) when Clary suddenly pointed skyward.

"I don't think it's demons you have to worry about," she said, and, after a quick glance upward, Jace was rather inclined to believe her.