The Downworld Rave


Riley tossed and turned in her bed, panting. The purple shard she wore around her neck glowed dimly.


[Dream]

"I want them to forget." Jocelyn answered, setting her daughters down on the couch. "I don't want them raised in our world."

"You're only postponing the inevitable, Jocelyn." Magnus warned. "I can only put up temporary blocks in their minds. Eventually, they will know the truth."

Jocelyn sighed. "Well right now, I want those memories gone." she told him.

Magnus nodded and snapped his fingers, a blue flame appearing in his hand. With a simple flick of his fingers, the flame split into two thin lines and swirled around the two young girls' heads. Clary's expression was blank as her memories faded. Riley's expression was the opposite.

She began hyperventilating as images of various symbols flashed across her eyes. Her body tensed up and she rolled off the couch, convulsing on the floor. Jocelyn held her steady until Riley's body went limp.

"Riley?" Jocelyn questioned, her voice echoing. "C'mon baby, wake up."

[End Dream]


"I hope you can forgive me sweetie." a woman's voice echoed.

"Riley." someone said, making the teen girl wake.

She shot up, gasping, and was face to face with Jace. "Hey. It's okay, I'm here. You're safe." he promised, caressing her cheek.

Riley sighed in relief. "Jace."

He quirked a brow. "What?" he asked.

Riley blinked and realized it was Simon sitting on her bed, not Jace.

"You all right?" Simon asked. "You still seem, kind of freaked."

Riley took a deep breath and exhaled. "Simon. What are you doing here?" she asked. "Shouldn't you be in the infirmary?"

"I'm fine." he reassured. "I wanted to make sure you were okay. That's what friends do."

Riley smiled. "Yeah, thanks." she replied.

"Must have been one hell of a nightmare you were having." Simon noted.

Riley ran her fingers through her hair, exhaling. "You have no idea." she agreed. "I was in this decorative room, sitting on a couch, and my mom and Clary were there." she blinked a couple times. "Mom kept telling this guy to protect me, but then he reached his hand into my skull and ripped out my brain."

Simon winced. "Hello, Freddy Krueger."

Riley quirked an eyebrow. "Who?"

"Oh right, forgot. 13 year coma." Simon chuckled. "One of these days, you, me, and Diana need a moive night."

"Sounds like fun." Riley chuckled. She licked her lips and sighed, "Look, I'm so sorry that I put you in danger."

Simon patted her hand reassuringly. "It's fine, Riley." he assured.

"No." she rebuked. "If those vampires hurt you, I couldn't forgive myself." she sighed. "Clary would never forgive me."

"Don't get me wrong, I'm totally grateful that your friends got me out before the vampires drained me like a Big Gulp." Simon chuckled. "But, how well do you know this Jace guy?" he asked. "Can you trust him?"

Riley nodded. "Yeah." she answered. "I mean, he saved my life and yours."

"True." Simon agreed. "But, all of this started after you woke up from that coma. And he just appears out of nowhere and saves you. You think that's just a coincidence?"

Riley sighed. "Honestly, I don't even know what to think anymore." she admitted. "All I know is I need to find some way to remember everything from before I went into that coma, and everything my mother ever said to me during those missing thirteen years." she took a deep breath and exhaled. "I need to know who I really am. Maybe mom told me where she hid the Cup, and if I could just remember, I could save her." she wiped moisture welling in her eyes. "I just wanna put all of this behind me, but I don't know this world. I don't even know where to start looking. I'm just lost."

Simon pulled her into a friendly embrace, rubbing her back. "Hey, it's gonna be okay, Ri." he soothed, pulling away and meeting her eyes. "Look, start with what we know, okay? We know that dreams are remnants of memories."

Riley nodded in agreement. "Right." she muttered.

"You saw your mom and Clary in the nightmare, before the guy was reaching into your brain." Simon recanted.

"Yeah, she called him Magnus." Riley informed. "Sound kinda weird-"

"Magnus Bane?" Simon questioned.

Riley raised an eyebrow. "How do you know that name?" she questioned.

"I heard it from the vampire, the shockingly hot one." Simon stammered. "Camille, she was super pissed at this Magnus Bane guy when I told her that someone must've blocked your memories."

Riley chuckled and hugged Simon. "Simon, you're amazing!" she praised, jumping out of bed. "You've given me my first solid lead." she threw on a light blue robe, covering her army-print tank and black yoga pants.

"I did?" Simon questioned. "Awesome. Wait, where are you going?" he asked, as Riley was about to leave the room.

"I have to find Jace and tell him about Magnus Bane." she answered, running down the hall.


Riley came to Jace's room and opened the door. "Jace, I need to talk to you about something, it's really-" she was cut off when he turned to face her, and he was shirtless. "Oh. Sorry, I really should've knocked first." she apologized.

Jace chuckled, "Let me just grab a shirt."

Riley nodded, turning around. "Yeah." she licked her lips. "Nice Riley, real smooth." she whispered under her breath.

Jace threw on a green t-shirt. "So, what's up?" he asked. "You wanted to see me?"

Riley slowly turned back around, "Yeah, um." she cleared her throat. "I need you to tell me everything you know about Magnus Bane."

Jace crossed his arms over his chest. "Magnus Bane is the High Warlock of Brooklyn, why?"

Riley took a couple steps forward. "Because that vampire, Camille, practically accused him of blocking my memories."

"Where did you hear that?" Jace asked.

Riley sighed. "When Simon told Camille someone blocked my memories back at the Hotel DuMort, she blamed Magnus Bane."

Jace smirked, closing the gap between them. "Right, and you believe your new little mundane friend?" he chuckled.

"I believe Simon." Riley said, seriously. "Besides, I keep having these dreams where some guy is with my mom and she tells him to protect me, and my sister."

"You mean, like, memory fragments?" Jace questioned.

Riley nodded, sighing. "They're not making sense." she admitted. "And I keep hearing an echoing voice. I'm not sure what to make of it."

"Why didn't you tell me?" Jace asked her.

Riley shot him a look. "Because, Jace, practically a week ago I was unconscious in a hospital." she reminded. "Then, suddenly I was thrown into a world of demons and vampires. Shadowhunters and warlocks."

"Riley." Jace said, meeting her eyes. "Magnus' magic is so powerful, he can invade even the Silent Brothers." he informed. "If he's the warlock that took your memories, he could be the key to everything."

"People are risking their lives to help me get my memories back." Riley reminded. "But there might not be anything there. I might not remember anything that will lead to the Mortal Cup, or my mom." she sighed, looking away. "Now I'm starting to wonder if I can be any help at all. Maybe that demon killed the wrong sister." she sat on the armrest of the small, red couch in Jace's room.

Jace grabbed her arm. "Don't ever talk like that." he told her, his blue-grey boring down into hers. "You're meant to live." he moved to stand in front of her. "Believe me when I tell you that finding your memories is our only shot at getting the Mortal Cup back."

"But Jace-" she started to say.

"Look at me." Jace whispered, tilting her chin up. "I'm willing to take that chance on you, Riley."

"Jace, I need you." Isabelle interrupted, "The mundie's leaving."

"Simon?" Riley questioned. "He can't leave."

"He can and he is." Isabelle rebuked. "Unless you wanna tie him down and restrain him."

Riley scoffed. "I have to stop him." she jumped off the couch and ran down the hall, bumping into Diana on the way.

"Izzy, go wake Hodge and everyone else. We might have a lead on the Mortal Cup." Jace told her. After she left the room, he sighed, shaking his head. "How can one mundane be such a pain in my ass?"


"Simon!" Diana called, running to catch her friend. "Where are you going?"

"I'm going home." he answered.

"Simon." Diana sighed.

"You can't go home." Riley told him.

"Yes, I can." Simon rebuked, facing her. "And if you haven't already completely drunk their Kool-Aid, then you're coming with me." he advised, taking her arm. "I could take you to the police station and we can figure things out on our own."

"You know I can't." Riley rebuked. "My family is gone, Simon."

"It's not safe here." Simon told her.

The front elevator dinged, and Jace stood in their path, his arms folded over his chest. "Actually, this is the safest place she could possibly be." he stated.

Simon rolled his eyes. "You don't get to talk to me, Captain America." he scoffed.

"Considering I'm the guy with the weapons, I pretty much get to say what I want." Jace argued.

"Okay, come at me, bro!" Simon challenged, stepping forward.

Diana stepped in between them, "Simon, what the hell is your problem?" she asked.

"He's my problem!" Simon answered, pointing to Jace. "He's just like Kirk Duplesse from high school. Remember; the jerk with the square jaw, smelled like body spray, always bullying people."

"Simon, please don't leave." Riley begged. "Stay here, with us."

Simon sighed. "I can't Riley, I'm sorry." he apologized, walking past Jace.

Diana exhaled, watching him walk away.

"I'm not saving his ass a second time." Jace said.

"Screw you Jace." Diana snapped, running after Simon. "Simon!" she called, grabbing his arm.

"What?" he snapped, turning to face her.

"You were kidnapped by vampires." she reminded. "You of all people should know how dangerous it is out there."

"I'll be fine." Simon reassured.

Diana grabbed his arm again. "Hey, you're not the only one who's in danger." she added. "If you go home right now, you're putting your mother, and your sister, and even Maureen at risk. Think about them."

"I am thinking about them." Simon rebuked.

"Are you?" Diana questioned.

Simon nodded, meeting her glare with his own. "Because if everything you've said about the Shadow World's true, they're already in danger, and I need to be home to protect them." he took a deep breath then exhaled. "Come with me, Diana. You, me, and Riley, we can crash at my place. We can figure all this out."

Diana sighed. "You have no idea how much I wish that could be true." she admitted. "I kept this world a secret from you and Clary for so many years, and it tore me apart inside."

"Diana." Simon rubbed her arm. "We've had each other's backs our whole lives. We've never needed anyone." he sighed. "We don't need these people."

"Simon." Diana muttered. "These are my people." she admitted. "I've been in this life since before you met me. All those summers that I told you I was spending with my mom, I was actually here, training."

Simon released her arm and sighed. "Message received, loud and clear." Simon turned to open the door.

"Simon, wait!" Diana halted, using her magic to seal the door. "If you walk out that door, I won't be able to protect you." she informed.

"Diana, I don't need your help, or protection." Simon huffed, walking out.


"Damnit." Diana cursed, walking back into the main lobby.

"Maybe it's-" Jace started, but Diana snapped her fingers.

"Say one word Wayland and I will turn you into a lobster and bake you into an omeltt." Dianna threatened, her hazel eyes turning bright blue.

"If that's the case, I'll just skip breakfast." Ailiz quipped, her brunette hair in low pigtails. "Why were we woken up at four in the morning?"

"Izzy said we might have a lead to the Mortal Cup." Alec informed.

"Magnus Bane." Jace clarified.


Everyone sat down at a large table as Hodge pulled up all the information the Institute had on Magnus.

"Magnus Bane. He's over 300 years old." Hodge informed the group. "And, as you can see, he's not exactly shied away from the pleasures of every century. His tastes are both exquisite, and quite excessive." he pulled up various photos of Magnus over the years. "Now, Magnus is one of the most powerful warlocks I've ever known. He has a deep mistrust of Shadowhunters."

"Well, then why did he help my mom block my memories, and Clary's?" Riley asked. "Wasn't she a Shadowhunter?"

"Yes, one of the best." Hodge answered. "But "help" might not be the most accurate word. Now, did Magnus provide a service for Jocelyn? Perhaps. But more than likely, your mother paid Magnus handsomely for his magic."

"Warlocks usually require payment before they help anyone with anything." Diana added.

"Word from the Clave is that most of the warlocks have gone into hiding since Valentine began hunting them." Alec informed.

"Valentine must be searching for the warlock, where did Jocelyn." Hodge deduced. At the mention of Valentine, his circle rune began to burn.

"Hodge, your rune." Riley noted. "You okay?"

"So how do we find Magnus?" Ailiz asked.

"We don't." Jace answered. "Magnus finds us. We'll set up a meeting, somewhere protected. Lure him out of hiding."

"And I know exactly where we do it." Isabelle added, pulling up an announcement of a party.

"A Downworld rave." Ailiz noted. "Nice, Izzy."

"And where'd you get that?" Alec asked.

"During my surveillance of the Downworlders." Isabelle answered. "From what I hear, Magnus likes to party."

"He'll never go for it." Alec stated. "Not with Valentine trying to kill him."

"Of course he will." Jace rebuked. "He'll blend in. Hide in plain sight."

Alec shook his head. "I don't know, it's seems."

Diana chuckled. "Trust me." she assured. "If Magnus is coming out of hiding, he's going to one of the biggest parties of the year."

"Never underestimate Magnus' hedonism." Hodge warned. "Or his greed." He led the group to the training floor, where he traced a rune on one of the tiles with his Stele, revealing a secret cabinet. He pulled out a necklace, and showed it to everyone.

"Is that real?" Riley asked.

"A four-karat, unheated Burmese ruby." Hodge answered. "And this necklace has special meaning to Magnus Bane as it was a gift from him to his then lover, Camille Belcourt."

"Camille and Magnus were lovers?" Riley repeated.

Jace smirked. "Warlock gets around."

"Sound like anyone else we know?" Ailiz snickered. Kiril and Maksim chuckled under their breath.

"Magnus bought it in 1857 for the price of his London townhouse." Hodge continued. "Now, the jewel is enchanted by a spell that alerts the wearer to the presence of demons."

"It's so beautiful." Isabelle admired, reaching out to touch the necklace.

"Magnus has longed to reunite with this necklace." Hodge informed. "Offer it to him. He might just take the bait."

"I'll send Magnus a fire message to arrange the meeting." Jace volunteered, going off to do just that.

Diana sighed, twisting her hair around her finer. "We have to get to Magnus before Valentine does."


As the day drew on, the group was busy planning their strategy for the mission. Riley was hanging with the other girls in Isabelle's room. Ailiz laid on her side, propping herself up on her arm, Diana leaned against the pillows, Riley sat on the edge of the bed, and Hildegard sat cross-legged on the floor in front of the bed.

"So Riley, what are you planning on wearing tonight?" Isabelle asked.

The redhead shrugged. "I was just thinking about wearing this." she motioned to her dark jeans and purple top.

Isabelle curled her lips. "I don't think so." she rebuked, walking to her closet. "No Downworlder would be caught dead in that. Plus, it's a party, not a poetry slam."

"Well, I don't really have any party clothes with me." Riley reminded. "I don't have much of any clothes with me, really."

"Hence why she's borrowing some of mine." Diana cut in, nudging Riley's arm.

"So she'll have to wear mine." Isabelle suggested, openig her cloest.

Riley gaped. "Okay, one of these days you're gonna have to tell me where and when." she told her.

"Where and when what?" Isabelle questioned.

"Where you get your spending money and, when are you letting me go to a store." Riley answered.

Isabelle held up a black, leather dress, smiling.

"Okay, that dress is way too tight." Riley noted.

"It's stretchy." Isabelle corrected. "Put it on."

"She's not above putting it on by force." Ailiz threw out.

"Come on, Riley." Hildegard urged.

"Ugh, fine." Riley caved, taking the dress from Isabelle and going behind a privacy wall to change.

"Try these." Isabelle added, setting some knee-high boots to the side.

"I don't know, Isabelle." Riley sighed, slipping into the dress. "I think I'm more of a jeans and T-shirt kinda girl." she stepped out and everyone's jaws dropped.

"Damn." Hildy gaped.

"You look great." Diana complimented.

"I was gonna sat hot." Ailiz chuckled.

Isabelle sighed. "You're so lucky to have such a flat chest." she noted. "I can never wear that without a bra." she giggled.

Riley laughed along with the rest of the girls, but her smile soon faded. Moisture soon welled in her eyes.

"What's the matter Riley?" Hildegard asked.

Riley wiped away the moisture and sniffled. "Nothing, it's just-" she sighed. "so this is what it's like to have a group of girlfriends."

Isabelle nodded slowly. "Right, this is her first real party after all."

"I forgot." Diana admitted, sliding off the bed. "She's just beginning her life." she wrapped her arm around Riley's shoulders.

Ailiz sat up. "So, as her new friends, we should teach her the ways of the world." she voted, jumping off the bed and standing behind Riley.

"Maybe I could introduce her to someone." Isabelle chuckled. "I mean, she obviously hasn't had a first kiss."

"We know she's defiantly a virgin." Hildegard threw out, earning her a thump on the head from her sister.

"Let's take it one step at a time, Hildy." Ailiz said, taking out Riley's ponytail. "Remember; mission first, play later."

Riley chuckled. "So, does this mean I'm part of the group?" she asked, looking at the other girls.

They all exchanged a glance before throwing their arms around her, giggling. A chrous of "Yeah" and "Absolutly" filled the room. Riley's smile returned she hugged them back, laughing along with them.

There was a knock at the door and the girls turned to see Jace standing there, arms folded over his chest. His eyes looked over Riley and he cracked a small smile. "Someone's looking badass." he complimented.

"Thanks, Jace." Riley replied, chuckling.

"She cleans up well." Ailiz added, nudging her arm. "C'mon Hildy, why don't you help me get ready for tonight."

Hildegard sighed. "Yeah, the party, which I am not invited." she noted. "Why do you get all the fun missions?"

"Becase I'm the older sister, that's why." Ailiz answered, moving her sister out of the room. She stopped next to Jace, "Remember Wayland, hands off." she chuckled, patting his shoulder as she left.

"I'm gonna go see Alec." Isabelle informed, "He never knows what to wear to these parties either."

Diana rolled her eyes. "I should get ready as well." she sighed, walking to a door that connected her room to Isabelle's. "After all, as part warlock, I have to make a good impression so Magnus won't think I'm a complete disgrace. See ya." she winked, walking into her own room, leaving Jace and Riley alone in Isabelle's.

Riley cleared her throat, feeling nervous now that she was alone. Jace approached her, closing the gap between them. "At least you look the part of a Shadowhunter." he noted, smiling.

"Yeah, well-" Riley stuttered.

"I guess it's pointless for me to ask you to stay behind." Jace sighed. "I can go meet Magnus by myself. Things could get sticky." he warned. "Magnus is being hunted, so you're gonna need a weapon." he pulled out a smaller blade and handed it to her. "That's a Seraph dagger." he held his hands over hers, grasping the hilt of the dagger, "Now, the blade knows you." he reminded. "And you know how to handle yourself."

"Thanks." Riley replied.

Jace let go of her hands and left the room. She watched him leave and sat down on the bed, looking over the dagger, before sliding on the knee high boots Isabelle lent her.


As night fell, the group made their way back to the Hardtail bar.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Riley questioned, standing next to Jace. "Last time we were here, this place was crawling with vampires."

"Relax." Jace assured. "All Downworlders hang out here. We just came on vampire night."

"Right." Riley muttered, shaking her head. "And when is all this gonna sound normal to me?"

"I don't know." Ailiz shrugged, standing on the other side of Riley. She wore a white tank top, a navy blue jacket, a pair of dark blue jeans, and black boots.

Isabelle joined the group, followed by Alec, Maksim, and Kirill.

"Perimeter's all clear." Alec reported.

"Do you think red's my color?" Isabelle asked.

Riley glanced back and chuckled. "Iz, with a body like yours, everything's your color." she answered.

"Totally." Diana agreed.

Isabelle chuckled, admiring the necklace she wore. "Damn, I make this necklace look so good." she whined, caressing the ruby.

"Will you take it off?" Alec asked, rolling his eyes. "I'm certain Magnus Bane doesn't want drool on his ruby when we make the exchange."

"You know, I wouldn't be so sure." Diana rebuked.

"Most men like it when I admire their jewels." Isabelle chuckled, smiling seductivly.

Everyone rolled their eyes and tried not to laugh.

"Okay Izzy, be serious." Maksim said, clearing his throat.

"Can you just give it to Jace?" Alec asked.

Isabelle giggled, unfastening the necklace. "You're such a buzzkill." she sighed, handing the necklace to Alec, who gave it to Jace.


As they entered the bar, loud techno music blasted through the speakers.

"So this is a party." Riley sighed, looking around.

"Welcome to the real world." Ailiz chuckled, scanning the area.

"Blend in." Jace ordered everyone. "Keep your weapons ready." he pulled Riley close to him, "Stay near me."

Riley nodded, "Yeah." she agreed.

Jace looked ahead and found the High Warlock drinking at a table in the corner. "There he is." he whispered, motioning in that direction. "Magnus Bane."

Riley followed his line of sight, and the second his eyes caught hers, they glowed a brilliant yellow. She gasped and backed away, clutching Jace's arm. "It's him." she whimpered.


[Vision/Memory]

Riley began hyperventilating as images of various symbols flashed across her eyes. Amongst them, she saw two glowing orbs. As the images cleared up, the face came into view, and it was that of Magnus Bane.

[End Vision/Memory]


"He was the one." Riley gasped, her voice laced with panic. "He's the one who put me in a coma." she took a step back.

Jace held onto her, putting himself between her and Magnus. "Listen to me Riley, you don't need to be scared." he told her, taking her hands in his. "I'm not gonna let anything happen to you. Understand?" he kept his eyes locked with hers. "Nothing's gonna happen to you, as long as I breathe." Jace reached up and caressed her cheek. "You're safe Riley, because I'm right here and I'll never leave you."

Riley nodded and gave Jace a sincere smile. "Thank you Jace." she replied, turning her cheek into his palm. "Thank you." she threw herself into his chest, sighing a heavy sigh of relief.

Jace rubbed her back and pulled away, "Come on, let's go." he took her hand and led her towards Magnus.

The High Warlock smiled at the young, newly awoken Shadowhunter. "Riley Fairchild." he greeted. "You've certainly grown into a beautiful young woman. A vision of beauty, like your mother."

"No thanks you, Magnus Bane." Riley replied, trying to hide the fear in her voice. "You're the one responsible for the blanks in my memory. For blocking them."

"At your mother's request." Magnus informed. "You falling into a coma was an unfortunate side-effect of the spell I used." he added. "Of course, I do apologize, and I believe I have figured out why you fell into that coma."

"I just want back what you took from me, and my sister." Riley stated.

Magnus smiled at her attitude change. "First thing's first." he said, turning to Jace. "Show me the jewelry, Shadowhunter."

Jace pulled out the necklace, and once Magnus reached out to grab it, he pulled back. "You heard Riley." he smirked. "Give her back her memories, and you get the jewelry."

"I have to confirm it's authenticity." Magnus informed, holding out his hand. Against his wishes, Jace handed over the necklace, which Magnus closely examined. "'Amor verus numquam moritur.'" he mused. "True love cannot die." he sighed. "Oh, how I've missed this jewel."

"Now, it's your turn to pay up." Riley reminded.

Magnus sighed. "I wish I could retrieve what you seek, but unfortunatly, I cannot help you."

Riley gaped. "What?" she questioned. "Why the hell not?"

"I fed your sister's memories to a memory demon for safekeeping." Magnus answered.

"And why the hell would you do that?" Jace asked through gritted teeth.

"To protect Clary and the Cup." Magnus defended. "And by doing that, by extension I was also protecting Riley." he smiled at the young redhead.

"How would taking Clary's memories protect me?" Riley asked.

"Because Clary never truly fogot about you." Magnus informed, meeting her eyes. "You were still very well rooted in her subconcious mind, along with her ability to see through the glamour of the Shadow World." he continued. "Since Jocelyn didn't want her remebering the Shadow World, I had to take those memories away. So, case in point, if Valentine ever captured me, he could torture Clary's memories out of me. Which would lead him to you." Magnus sighed. "Just like he tortured Dot."

"Tortured?" Riley repeated. "Is she okay?"

"You don't know?" Magnus raised an eyebrow. "Dot is dead. I can't feel her magic anymore." he informed. "Valentine killed her because she would not betray your mother, or you."

"Oh, my God." Riley gasped, leaning into Jace for support.

Magnus held out his hand. "Come with me, Riley dear." he offered, "My lair can offer you protection no Shadowhunter ever could."

Jace scoffed. Riley looked between Jace and Magnus, swallowing the lump rising in her throat. "No." she stated, stepping back. "No, I'm not going anywhere with you."

"Don't be a fool." Magnus warned. "Your mother would want you to live."

"Then help me get my sister's memories back from whatever demon you gave them to." Riley ordered.

"Valentine is hunting you, too." Magnus reminded. "And every moment we're outside my lair's protection, is a moment Valentine gets closer to finding us." he snapped his fingers and created a portal behind him. "Come with me." he offered again, extending his hand. After a few seconds, he added, "I won't offer again."

Riley looked up into his eyes, before glancing at Jace who stood a step behind her. "No." declined. "No, I won't hide from my problems and neither should you."

"Look out!" Diana called, just as an arrow flew past them and struck someone in the chest.

Alec came out of the crowd, getting Magnus' attention. "Who are you?" he muttered, fixated on Alec.

As Magnus turned to leave, Riley grabbed his arm. "Magnus, wait!" she halted. "You're my only hope."

"Valentine found us." he revealed. "I warned your mother this might happen." he turned and went through the portal.

"Wait!" Riley pleaded, but it was too late. All she got was dashed hope and a button from Magnus' sleeve.

"The area's secure." Isabelle announced, joining the two, with Kirill right behind her.

Ailiz, Diana, and Maksim joined the rest a second later. "Looks like he was the only assassin." Ailiz informed.

"He has a Circle rune on the base of his neck." Alec told everyone.

"Looks like Valentine's flunkies found us." Maksim noted.

"It's not safe here." Jace deducted. "Riley, we have to go."

The group went to leave the bar, only Riley just sunk down into a chair, despair in her eyes.