A/N: Please review.

Isabelle traced the steps she now knew by heart. As each foot moved and was placed down, she thought.

She knew she had been up against monsters-but never on her own.

And even though these boys were human-they were still monsters.

Isabelle was confident though, that she could come out the victor in this, that she could inflict damage and pain and get away unscathed.

She faltered only slightly when she wondered what she would do after. Should she call Jace and Alex? Should-should she call Clary? Would Clary want closure?

Isabelle was firm on keeping her mind on outcomes that suited her, that satisfied her.

She did not let her mind dwell on what would happen if things went wrong, because that was not an option for her-could not be an option for her.

Isabelle felt her heart picking up as she neared the place where it had occurred, and she forced her mind onto other tasks. She needed a good opening line-something to capture them besides her looks. She planned out how the attack would go in her mind, thinking over moves that her brothers had taught her.

She was so engrossed of how it would play out in her mind, that she never thought of being surprised herself.

"Hello. Out by yourself, are you?" The voice was low, playful even. But Isabelle was trained, she could hear the threat heavily veiled. Isabelle turned, a smile on her face and her eyes wide with innocence.

"Yes. I'm-I'm lost. Could you help me?" she blinked long and slow at him, while her thoughts flew in her mind.

Mid twenties.

Attractive.

Blue eyes, blonde hair.

Dimples.

Tanned face-white teeth.

Clothed well.

He cocked his head at her, assessing her. Isabelle kept the naive expression on her face as he made his own calculations.

Knows how to assess quickly.

Has to fit criteria.

"Sure I can help you. You're lucky you stumbled across me-a lot of dangerous people out there."

Isabelle knew then, without a doubt, that this was one of the men who had attacked Clary. She also knew that he was not the leader of the trio. He may have been the one to-to check out the playing field and to scout for the very best, but she knew she would have to pass another test first, by another person.

She stored away this information to later divulge into, not letting herself think about the implications of this-and how utterly horrifying they were.

Magnus had not said what had happened at the beginning, and Isabelle understood why-although she desperately wanted to know what had been said to make Clary go along. Or was every scenario different?

"Yes, I do know. Thank God I found you. Um, I'm looking for 1221 Crows Street." Isabelle forced a grimace on her face, trying to really play the part of lost little girl.

The man's face stretched into a slow smile, his teeth gleaming in the darkness. Isabelle supposed that to anyone who didn't know, the smile would be inviting.

To her, it was still the same.

But it was an invitation you didn't want, one that you should decline.

"You're so close-it's pretty much just around the corner. I'll walk with you. You look like someone who needs protecting." He said the words in a careful manner-and Isabelle got the impression that he didn't mean what he said.

Almost as if he knew exactly what kind of girl she was-and that was one who definitely did not need protecting.

Isabelle felt as if the game had stepped up without her consent. She straightened her shoulders, worrying her lip as she looked up at him.

"You guessed exactly right. Can you lead the way, please?"

"My name is...Kevin, by the way." He offered her his arm, and she curled her fingers around it as they started to walk side by side.

"Kevin," Isabelle let the tongue roll of her name and smiled up at him. "I'm Isabelle."

"Not, Isabella?" He turned to look down at her.

"Definitely not," Isabelle muttered, and Kevin smirked, as if he understood perfectly why she preferred Isabelle to Isabella.

Isabelle continued to tick more boxes off in her head.

Charming.

Knowing.

Clever.

Manipulator.

He abruptly turned, facing them towards an alleyway. Isabelle decided to test him, although this was what she wanted.

"What are you doing?"

"Oh-it's a street away if you go down here. I know it's scary, but I'm here." His voice seemed to reach out and stroke her soothingly and gently.

She looked up at him, worrying her lip again as if she were hesitant and still unsure. He paused with her.

"If you want we can go the other way. I have time. But it is just an alleyway, and you will be safe."

He sounded so sincere, that even though Isabelle knew what she did, she was tempted to believe him.

She finally smiled and nodded her acceptance, and Kevin started to trek down the alleyway, his eyes roaming the area as if he really were trying to scout out the place.

Isabelle's neck started to crawl-and that was always her first warning. She turned, but she was not quick enough as she was slammed against the alleyway.

She let out a small cry that was both of surprise and pain, and looked into her attacker's eyes, expecting it to be Kevin, and was shocked to find that it was not. She managed to move her head to survey the area, but could not find Kevin anywhere.