Hey guys! Sorry about the wait. This chapter is not my best work, so please forgive me if you don't like it. But I hope you enjoy it!

I don't own The Mortal Instruments or the characters made by Cassandra Clare.

Chapter 4: Amazons

The next day, Magnus found the nearest Amazon office and decided to gather everyone to formulate a plan. They all met late in the afternoon at the Institute, all of them ready to discuss strategies and possible battle plans in case they were ambushed. Max and Rafael were being watched by Catrina, who had taken a rare day off as a favor for Magnus. Normally, they would've asked Maryse, but she had to be in Idris for business. Catrina didn't really know what they were working on, as Magnus said it was classified, but she readily accepted looking after the boys so they wouldn't be in danger. Plus, she really loved Magnus' kids, and would've accepted either way. After prying Magnus off the kids, Alec and he headed over to the Institute with maps and documents with all the information Magnus had dug up.

Once they got the Institute, all of them wasted no time with pleasantries and got right to work.

"The closest Amazon office is here," Alec said, pointing to a spot highlighted on one of the many maps spread on the library table. Then, Alec pulled out some photos Magnus had obtained of the building. It was small, crammed between two other buildings with an Amazon sign above the door.

"So we know where to do," Simon said, eyes scanning the photos and map. "What's the plan once we get in there? If they can see through a glamour, then we'll need some sort of cover story."

"Leave the talking to me," Magnus said. "I can handle it."

"Are you sure about that?" Jace asked skeptically. Magnus shot him a dangerous glare. He may not hate Jace, but the young man still got on his nerves quite a bit. However, with Alec's gentle hand on his, he relaxed.

"Positive," Magnus replied, picking up one of the documents he acquired and passing it to the last Herondale. "I figured you may ask for something like that. I've taken the liberty of going through all their employee records once I found the building. Apparently one of their employees was put on leave the other day, for seemingly unknown reasons. There's nothing on record for why she was dismissed, and I couldn't find any other information on her."

"So what are you suggesting?" Clary asked, taking the document from Jace and scanning it over herself.

"I read up on this girl and I know enough about her to where I can pass off as one of her friends, or something," Magnus said. "We'll go in and I'll ask some questions about her whereabouts, and the rest of you can look around."

"You seriously think they'll buy that?" Jace asked in a tone that made Magnus think he was being treated as inferior. Magnus was tempted to turn the boy's ears inside out for how he said that, but refrained. There were bigger problems than Jace's attitude at the moment. Besides, turning his ears inside out would probably upset Alec. SO Magnus just glared at his boyfriend's parabati.

"It's all I could come up with on short notice," he replied, eyes daring the Nephilim to question him further. "You just asked me to find the place, and I've taken it upon myself to dig deeper so we can have a believable cover story. It's not the best in the world, but it's much better than not knowing anything. Take it or leave it." Jace held his hands up in surrender, looking unthreatened and slightly bored. Also, he seemed slightly apologenic, but didn't say he was sorry. He hadn't meant to anger the High Warlock, but he was just trying to be practical. To change the direction of where this was heading, Alec decided to take charge form there.

"Magnus will Portal us as close to it as he can without rousing suspicion," Alec continued, pointing to the map that was spread on the table. "From there, we'll enter the establishment and Magnus will ask about the employee. The rest of us will glamour and search the place."

"Search for what, exactly?" Izzy asked her brother. Alec shrugged.

"Anything unnatural? Something that doesn't look like it belongs there?"

"Alec, it's a warehouse full of random, mismatched items ready to be boxed up and delivered at a moment's notice," his sister said, exasperated. "It's full stuff that shouldn't be there."

"You know what I mean," Alec replied, giving his sister a small glare. "Anything that seems completely random or unnatural. Maybe Downworlder related or something? Traces of dark magic or demon activity? We just have to check it out."

"We're really just running around in circles, huh?" Clary asked, looking slightly nervous about something. "What if they do have the sight and we can't search around enough to find anything? What do we do then?"

"We'll just have to come back after dark," Alec responded. "When they close up, we'll sneak back in and search the place. If there's no threat, then we'll probably find nothing."

"Let's hope this is the right thing," Jace muttered, and the meeting adjourned.

A few minutes later, they were all outside the Institute and dressed casually, well, except for Magnus, but he never looked "casual". It was too boring. All of them except Magnus had concealed weapons on them just in case things went sour. It took Magnus only a minute to conjure up the Portal, and all of them leapt through with the fuzzy vision of where they wanted to go.

Thankfully, all of them ended up in the same place, in an alley a few blocks away from the building. It took everyone a couple minutes to steady themselves after the rough trip, but they were all in one piece, and soon making their way out. From the alley, they all trekked through the streets until they came up on a small, depressed building that looked like it had a storm cloud hanging above it.

It was dark and grey and dreary, nothing like they expected or what the picture displayed. It looked like it was shoved between the two big, important shops at its sides, and was easily unnoticeable. The small windows were dark, and the door had a torn, worn out open sign hanging against it. Just above the door, there was a sign that read "Amazon Delivery Office". Quite honestly, as they took in the surroundings, it felt like they were the only ones who could even see the building, which roused their suspicion a bit. But they didn't let it phase them, because they had a mission and had to see it through. With Magnus in the lead, they walked inside.

The inside was completely transformed, making it seem like the outside was just a rouse. It was bright and welcoming, rows of chairs against the walls and shelves displaying awards and certificates of all shapes and sizes. There was a TV playing cartoons in the top left corner, and a small table with crayons and coloring books all over it. The room was empty of people. Directly in front of them was a large, wooden desk that was littered with papers and scattered forms. For a moment, they just looked around, until the door behind the counter opened and a young woman walked out.

She was a young woman wearing a blue button up shirt and an apron with the Amazon logo on it. Her curly blond hair was pulled into a bun, and her face was dotted with freckles. For a moment, she didn't notice them, just setting a huge pile of papers on her desk and scurrying around behind it, trying to organize it. As they approached the counter, she finally seemed to register there were customers. She glanced up for a second and looked away, and then did a double-take, scattering papers to the floor in shock. Once she picked up her mess, she looked up at the customers again and smiled a friendly, cashier smile at them.

"Hello there," she said in a voice that reminded them of Snow White from Disney. "May I help you?"

"Yes," Magnus replied, his tone full of business. "I was wondering if you could help me find someone. You see—"

"I wasn't talking to you," she interrupted unkindly, scanning over the rest of the group. When she looked at Clary and Izzy, she gave them friendly smiles. However, when her eyes landed on any male in the group, she looked like she was having gas pains.

"Oh, yes, they came with me," Magnus replied, feeling slightly peeved about being interrupted, but kept his tone and expression friendly. The girl didn't acknowledge what he said however, she just kept looking at Clary and Izzy. The blond walked around the counter and stood directly in front of the group. She was wearing a pair of khaki pants and plain white nurse shoes, but that was of little importance. As she glanced them over, she turned to Clary and Izzy, her friendly persona returning and giving them a kind smile. It was as if she didn't even want to notice the boys' existence.

"What are your names?" she asked kindly, with an odd, somewhat disturbing look in her eye. Izzy remained silent, her face set in a glare. Clary decided to speak them.

"I'm Clary, and this is Izzy," Clary began. "The rest—"

"It's a pleasure to have you here, ladies," the lady, Tracy, as her nametag said, interrupted. "Perhaps you can tell me what you need? I'd be more than happy to assist in any way I can."

Clary and Izzy both had uncomfortable expressions at the way this Tracy spoke to them. It was creepy, and only addressing them. Her eyes were glued to their faces. So, deciding to try and help them out, Simon spoke up.

"Listen, we were wondering—"

"I wasn't speaking to you, boy," Tracy said coldly to Simon, her voice dripping with venom. Simon's mouth shut with an audible snap, and Izzy glared at the girl. As quickly as the anger came, it left. Tracy turned back to Clary and Izzy, the same, kind smile on her face, looking as if nothing had happened.

"Now then, Clarissa—"

"Clary, actually," Clary said kindly, trying to not freak out at the change in Tracy's attitude.

"My apologies. Clary, what can we do for you, today?" Tracy asked, the venom in her voice gone. In an instant she went from kind, to angry, to kind again.

"We were hoping to ask you some questions," Clary said, keeping her voice nice and sweet. "You see, we had a friend that worked here, but we can't find her." Tracy looked intrigued.

"Oh?" Tracy asked, something unrecognizable tinged in her voice. "And who was that?"

Clary was stumped. Since Magnus wasn't allowed to talk, she had no idea what to say. Frantically, her mind tried to recall what little information she remembered form scanning the documents, but nothing appeared. She was at a loss, gaping like a fish for water, trying to come up with something. Tracy sighed, somewhat sadly, turning her back to the group.

"Oh, it really is too bad, Ms. Fairchild," Tracy said, making Clary's eyes widen at the use of her last name. "You were doing so well. You should have rehearsed your plan with Magnus Bane more."

"How do you know my last name?" Clary whispered, almost frightened. Beside her, Jace reached for his blade, ready to attack if need be.

"Because we've been watching you since you Portaled here, Nephilim," Tracy said, turning around. Her eyes were glowing green, pupils slit. Cat eyes.

"ATTACK!" Tracy cried, launching herself at Jace.

Immediately, a group of fifteen or so other women, all dressed in identical outfits to Tracy's, sprang from out of nowhere and attacked the group in pairs. The group trid to fight them off, but they were tricky. None of them had ever fought anything as skilled as these girls. They weren't armed at all, and moved so fast it was hard to keep up with them. However, most of them registered glowing eyes and long, sharp claws on their skin.

Not even a minute after they appeared, the Nephilim were down. All of them were pinned to the ground, all of them with two people holding them in place. None of them could move, but Magnus noticed that his hands weren't bound by anything. He just needed the right opportunity to strike out. Waiting patiently, he watched as Tracy made her way over to the pinned group. Roughly, she grabbed Jace's chin and forced him to meet her gaze.

"Not as skilled as you claim, huh?" Tracy asked, her voice dripping with humor and pride. "It feels so good to knock you high-and-mighty demon hunters down a few pegs."

Suddenly, Magnus let loose a wave of blue fire, since his hands weren't bound. All of the girls jumped out of the way in time, but they were surprised none the less. Through the flames, Magnus could register the shock in Tracy's eyes.

"A warlock?" she asked to herself. "Why would a warlock be assisting the Nephilim? Well, it doesn't matter. Bind him!"

A second later, Magnus felt searing pain in his shoulder and blood dripping. The next moment, his arms were forced behind his back and he felt the cold bite of metal around his wrists. The flames immediately dissipated as quickly as they rose.

When they finally let go of Magnus, he looked up. All the girls except for Tracy not had bows in their hands, knocked and set, aimed at each of their heads. Tracy sighed deeply as she stepped in front of the group, looking somewhat crestfallen. Her blue cat eyes were filled with remorse.

"It really is too bad," Tracy said again, standing in front of the circle, closest to Clary, looking down at her somewhat sadly. "You are so kind. It is a shame you must be killed. I really did like you two." Tracy turned back to the circle of Amazon workers, all of them training their bows toward the group members.

"You—" Tracy began, cut off abruptly. She cocked her head, placing one hand to her ear, as if listening through an earpiece. She probably was.

"Understood, my lady," Tracy said formally, her voice strong. Then, she turned back to the circle.

"Hold your fire," Tracy said, her voice full of authority. "Her majesty wishes to see to their punishment personally. Apparently she is intrigued by them, and wishes to deal out interrogate these ones herself before she kills them. To see if they are truly a threat."

Instantly, all the women lowered their bows, placing their arrows back into their quivers. Then, pairs of two each grabbed male member roughly, shoving them back onto their feet, locking their arms behind their backs. Clary and Izzy, however, were treated with care, kindly helped up off the ground, but still guarded. Once woman grabbed all their weapons, turning back into the stacks with them, and walking away. Izzy began to protest, but Tracy spoke above her.

"If you are found innocent by our queen, then you shall receive your lives and your possessions back," Tracy said, her tone implying she wasn't taking back talk about this. "However, if you are found guilty, then both will be taken from each of you. Come with me."

Tracy then turned and walked through the door behind the counter/desk. The rest were forced to follow her. They entered a large warehouse area, high with boxes and items of all shapes and sizes. As they walked deeper inside, the shadows grew darker as the stacks around them grew higher and denser. All of the boys were roughly shoved forward if they didn't move fast enough, while Clary and Izzy were left mostly alone, save for the guard placed between them.

As they reached the very back wall, Tracy reached up and pulled down a thick, black wall, revealing a swirling mist of blue. A Portal.

"Enter," Tracy said, her voice demanding and without patience. Clary and Izzy stepped forward with a nudge from their guard, entering the Portal first along with Tracy. Then, the rest of the boys were roughly shoved through, all of them landing face first on the other side.

The girls were gingerly helped off the floor, and even dusted off by their guard. The boys' guards just shoved them up, pulling them hard enough to dislocate bones. Once they were all on their feet, Tracy stepped in front of all the group, looking for something, or someone. While Tracy stepped ahead, the others looked around at their surroundings.

It was dark, like night with no stars. All around them, black surroundings. The only light sources were the lamps that seemed suspended in thin air, lighting the area just enough firelight to show the marble stoned pathway that extended into the archway blocking their view further.

Around them, there were stone walls, lit by blazing torches with multicolored fire. The walls were plain, stone walls, made of large blocks, like a fortress. On the walls, there were strange markings. Some sort of inscription or a secret language, none of them were sure.

"Tracy," a mature female voice called. The group turned to see a woman in her late thirties approached from the shadows beyond the stone archway. Her face was mature, giving a sense of wisdom, yet restrained strength that could be unleased at any moment. Her eyes were dark, almost black, and her hair was a shade of light brown, kept out of her face in a tight French braid. She wore all black ensemble, similar to Shadowhunter gear, complete with a sword hilt on her hip, and a katana hilt strapped across her back. She wore sleek black pants that tucked into combat boots. Over her simple sleeveless black tee was a black breastplate that shone in the darkness around them. On that breastplate, there were various inscriptions that seemed to shimmer and dance as she approached, and not just because of the light. They literally moved on the breastplate as if they were on water.

As the woman approached, Tracy and each of her crew bent down to one knee. The guard for Izzy and Clary tapped their arm, gesturing for them to follow her lead, and they did, though confused. But if they were going to be spared the queen's wrath, they should probably do as they were told. The boys were roughly pulled down onto their knees, one of them nearly causing Simon to face plant. Magnus was pulled down especially hard, and Alec had to resist the urge to kick his guards and help his boyfriend.

"Lady Hannah," Tracy spoke, her voice low and respectful. "It is wonderful to see you again."

"Likewise," Lady Hannah said, her voice strong and official. Yet at the same time, there was a hint of kindness and genuine honesty that the group caught. Perhaps she wasn't the stone cold person she looked like.

"You may rise." Tracy sprang back to her feet, like how a coil springs back. The rest of her guard followed suit. "And what is this? Are these the ones my queen spoke of?" the woman asked, the kindness in her voice was gone. She stared at the group with cold, unforgiving eyes, which reminded most of them of the deceased Inquisitor Herondale. Maybe she wasn't so nice after all.

"As requested of milady," Tracy said, gesturing to the group. Noticing they were all still kneeling, she gestured to them to stand. Clary and Izzy stood on their own. However, the boys were roughly pulled up…again. There seemed to be a pattern here. "The spies are rounded up, ready to be brought to her."

"Thank you, Tracy," Lady Hannah said kindly. "You and your squad may return. I shall handle them from here." Tracy took Lady Hannah's hand, and placed a small kiss on her knuckles. From the way it was given, it wasn't a romantic gesture, but just a sign of respect for a higher authority. Tracy then turned with her crew, back to the Portal. Before entering, Tracy allowed each of her girls to enter first. When she was the last standing, she gave the group one last, hard look. She also gestured to slicing her throat. Then she disappeared through, and the Portal closed behind her. Lady Hannah glared down at each of them, disapproval, wonder, and anger mixed into her gaze.

"So you are the ones that have gained the attention of my niece," Lady Hannah said, anger radiating in her voice. All of their eyes widened at that word. Niece? This was the queen's aunt? Oh boy, they were so screwed. "I must say, I am eager for her to give you your sentence. Well, the men's punishment I will thoroughly enjoy. You two," she said, gesturing to Izzy and Clary. "You will be a loss. You could learn so much from us."

"Like to sentence people to death for a crime we haven't committed?" Izzy asked, her voice dripping with venom and disrespect. Instead of anger, Lady Hannah just laughed heartily, as if she found humor and joy in Izzy's spunk. Perhaps she did. When she stopped laughing, she set her face, but gave Izzy and Clary one last look. She looked…sad. But it only lasted an instant, and then her eyes were cold again.

"This way. We must get to the castle," Lady Hannah said, turning towards the stone archway. Suddenly, all of them felt an unseen force shove them to follow her. Magic, most likely. The group moved towards the stone archway, following Lady Hannah. When they stepped into the shadows, they were met with blinding light.