Ariel sat slumped against the corner of the wall with her feet dangling from the beam. She had been up since 4 a.m. This was the fifth night she had woken from a nightmare. The nightmares were always about her dad's wreck. Every time she always felt the impact as they hit the ground and she blacked out. In the next scene sometimes she was there on the street crying as the ambulance took him away or other times she was with her mother at the funeral. She would always wake up with tears streaming down her face, tangled in her sheets, and drenched in sweat.

Last night she had wandered the halls until she had settled in the library. This time she had come to the training room. She climbed up to the beams and practiced her tumbling moves until her legs felt like they may give out. Now she just sat in the silence.

About twenty minutes ago she had smiled slightly when she heard Alec shuffling down the hall muttering, "Yes, I'll get your breakfast, you stupid cat." Then all went silent again.

Her body stiffened some when she heard the door creak as it opened wider. She pulled her legs up as the light came on.

From her corner, she watched as Jace and Alec came into the room wearing sweatpants and no shirts. They both started with stretches and then went to the wall to choose their weapon.

Soon they were focused circling each other. Jace was the first to attack. "You have to do better than that," Alec grunted from the strain as he blocked Jace's sword with the spear he had clenched in both hands.

Alec's muscles flexed as he quickly pushed Jace's sword away and countered his attack by swinging the spear low to the ground. He was successful in knocking Jace to the ground, which somersaulted and quickly jumped to his feet.

"Nice try," Jace breathed deeply.

Alec was already poised ready for the next attack. Jace nonchalantly backed up until he was almost to the door. "Is that it?" Alec asked leaning against the spear eyeing Jace suspiciously. Even though he seemed relaxed his muscles were tight awaiting Jace's next move.

"No," Jace said suddenly as he quickly jerked his hand to the light switch and darkness filled the room. Ariel's eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness. From where she sat she could see the two boys standing within a few feet of each other.

"What are you doing?" Alec called out with surprise.

"Now let's see how you do?" Jace said right as he lunged at Alec. Both tumbled head over heals. Alec fought but Jace clearly had the upper hand. Ariel watched with fascination then slowly stood without a sound and made her was across the beams until she was directly over the boys.

"Stop," Alec groaned, "your elbow is digging into my chest. You're going to break my rib." Jace released Alec but stayed sitting on top of him for a while waiting to see if Alec would counter attack. He could feel the deep rise and fall of Alec's chest. When he was sure there was no counter attack coming he stood up. "Are you going to turn on the light? I don't know where the spear went and I really don't want to stab myself or slice open my hand."

Ariel watched from above as Jace turned and slowly made his way toward the wall. By the way his hands were spread out in front of him it was obvious he couldn't see for sure where the switch was. "Well?" Alec muttered.

"Hold on. I think I'm close," Jace replied.

Ariel realized then that Jace had relied on figuring Alec would stand still when the lights went off and his attack had mostly been luck. She felt the corners of her mouth twitch upward into a smile as she slowly walked soundlessly along the beam until she was right over the top of him.

Then right before his hand found the light switch she stepped off the beam. The only warning Jace had was the slight swish she made as she dropped behind him. Before he could comprehend what was happening Ariel placed the blunt end of her dagger at his throat.

"Alec?" called Jace into the darkness as his body went stiff.

"What? Just turn on the lights already," Alec complained.

Jace stiffened, "Who are you?"

"Jace, this isn't funny," Alec muttered.

"Who do you think?" Ariel said softly in reply to Jace's question.

"Ariel?" Jace said as a white glow spread throughout the room.

Alec held up his witchlight he had removed from his pocket. "Ariel? I didn't know you were in here."

"Neither did he," Ariel said with a sly smile and lifted the dagger's edge a little higher on Jace's throat.

"Ha-ha, very funny," Jace said reaching up and pulling the dagger down.

"You have to admit that was a good attack."

"You probably have a sight rune. That's the only way you could see so well."

"Um, sure," Ariel was a little slow to reply. Jace turned to give her an inquisitive look. "I…hoped you won't figure it out," she shrugged and smiled sheepishly.

"Trust me. If Jace can find a way to get the upper hand he will. Besides he's only jealous he didn't think of it first," Alec smirked at Jace, who only crossed his arms. Alec chuckled then walked over to pick up the spear where it had skidded into the middle of the room. "Come on. Let's go find some breakfast."

"Sounds good to me," Jace chimed in as if he had already forgotten he had been bested at his own little trick.

"Come on. Hurry, or we'll miss the ferry." Ariel pulled on Max's hand as the five walked briskly down the sidewalk next to the pier.

Ariel handed the tickets to the man at the gateway. "You made it just in time," the man nodded as he handed back the tickets after he had marked them.

"Let's go on the upper deck," Max encouraged as he pulled on Ariel and Alec's hands. Jace followed them up the stairs and over to the railing as the ferry began to push off from the dock.

They all watched the shore recede until the ferry began to turn. "Look. Isn't she amazing," Ariel pointed to the Statue of Liberty off to the left. "I still can't believe you have lived in New York City all your life and never gone to see the Statue of Liberty."

"Sight seeing just isn't top priority for shadowhunters," Alec shrugged but did not take his eyes off the island in front of them.

"Where is Isabelle?" Max asked glancing around.

"I don't know. I thought she was right behind me," Jace said glancing around.

"Great, I hope she didn't get left behind," Alec frowned as he wandered over to the stairs and leaned over to glance at the mass of people down below.

Ariel came over next to him and squatted down to look through the railing. "I see her," she pointed over to the concession stand. Sure enough, there was Isabelle smiling widely at the guy handing her a drink. Alec rolled his eyes as he muttered to himself and headed back over to the railing where Max was standing.

"Did you find her?"

"Yes, she's getting a drink and flirting with the snack guy," he muttered the last part under his breath.

As they ended their time on Liberty Island Ariel made the other four pose for one last picture before they were going to head back to the ferry. "Is it just me or is the torch glowing more than the rest of the statue?" Ariel said as she lowered her camera and caulked her head to the side. The others turned around to see what she was talking about.

"I think you're right. It almost has the glow of a portal," Jace said shading his eyes from the sun while squinting up. "I thought you said the torch was inaccessible. I think I see two people up there now."

Max raised the binoculars that he had bought at the gift shop. "One of them has horns like a warlock and the other is blue with a snake tail."

"Let me see those, Max." Jace seized them and looked up at the torch. Max had been correct. "It looks like they're fighting over something."

The other four squinted to try to make out what was going on. Isabelle grabbed the binoculars from Jace and looked up. "The one with the tail is defiantly a demon, and they're fighting over…an amulet, I think."

"Maybe we should go find out what's going on," Alec spoke as he pulled a seraph blade from his pocket. "Isabelle, you stay here with Max," he instructed as Jace was already heading toward the entrance of the statue. Alec and Ariel ran to catch up with him.

Because of the glamour they easily slipped past the gate and hurried up the steps dodging the tourists that were coming down. They soon came to stop at the gate that was closed and locked. Ariel pulled out her stele and quickly drew an opening rune on the lock. It clicked open and she removed it from the chains. Jace unwound the chain and laid it to the side next to the wall. Alec led the way up the narrower set of stairs that led to the torch.

As they neared the top they could hear the struggle that was going on. Just as Alec was about to step through the doorway a blue body dashed past followed by a girl with a red shirt. The girl was screaming, "Give that back so I swear when I catch you…" Alec came out slowly followed by Jace and lastly Ariel.

When they looked the demon was quickly climbing up the side of the torch trying to reach the now visible portal. The girl warlock began to climb after it. Jace hurried past Ariel and leapt up to grab the demon's ankle. The demon snarled fiercly and shook its leg. "Get off, shadowhunter," it hissed.

"Not until you give back the amulet." The demon shook its leg more and continued to try to climb to the portal.

Just as the demon reached the portal Alec swung over the top of the torch and slid down. The demon hurried to jump in but Alec was able to grab the amulet. The demon dangled in the swirling darkness and Alec had to strain to hold onto the edge and not fall in as well. Jace grabbed his wrist and began to pull him back out of the portal.

Just as the demon was about to be pulled back out the chain of the amulet broke. Without the demon's weight to counter balance him, Alec flew against Jace who smashed against the railing.

"Did you get my amulet?" cried the warlock as she hurried over. Alec shook his head as he held up the chain still clutched in his hand.

As Jace and Alec stood up and rubbed at the bruises from crashing into the railing Ariel came hurrying over. She shook her head when she saw the chain dangling with no amulet in sight, "I still don't see what a demon would want with a warlock's power source?"

"When it first attacked me and we struggled, I was able to get it back. The demon said something about its master being angry if it didn't return with the amulet," the warlock spoke to no one in particular.

"Who else could use your power source?" Alec questioned still rubbing his hand where the chain had dug into his skin.

"I don't know. Maybe with the right spell another warlock could transfer the energy."

As the five walked up the sidewalk leading to the institute they noticed a tall lean figure standing on the steps of the institute. "Magnus?" Alec questioned as they entered the gate.

"My pet, I was beginning to wonder if you would ever get home." Magnus sauntered down the steps and opened his arms. Even though Alec's cheeks blushed slightly he welcomed the embrace.

"If Magnus is here that means mom is home too," Max said bolting up the stairs. Jace and Isabelle were quick to follow. Ariel walked slowly up the path watching Alec and Magnus with a curious expression. It looked as if Magnus were whispering something in Alec's ear but as she slid past them it was clear that Magnus was nibbling on his ear. This made Ariel blush and quickly turn to look at the institute.

When she stepped inside there was happy chatter all around. Jace was sitting on the couch with a girl with bright red curls. She was telling him something and he seemed to hang on her every word gripping her hands in his lap. Isabelle and Max were talking to a woman who looked just like Isabelle only older. For a moment she stood watching all the commotion. She soon decided there was no reason to stay around. She was sure she would meet everyone sooner or later.

Just as Ariel was heading to the stairs Isabelle rushed past her. "Excuse me," she said as she turned to smile brightly then hurried down the hall and disappeared into her room. She passed Ariel again hurrying the other direction. "See ya," she called over her shoulder.

"Bye," Ariel said but was sure that Isabelle did not hear it.

Ariel had retreated to the library. She was comfortably nestled with a blanket covering her legs as she read. When the library door opened she glanced up. The small silhouette in the doorframe came quietly over to her. "Can I sit with you?" came a soft voice.

"Sure," Ariel pulled back the blanket allowing Max to sit beside her.

"Is it good?" Max yawned sleepily as he rest his head against her arm. She could feel his glasses pressing against her bicep.

"Yes," she replied softly as she turned to smile down at him. She found his large gray eyes staring blankly at the wall. "Don't you want to spend time with your family.

Max shrugged his small shoulders. "Alec left to stay the night with Magnus. Isabelle went to meet Simon at the coffee shop. Jace is with Clary. And mom is busy talking with Hodge in the office." He sighed again then turned to look up Ariel.

"Then you can stay and keep me company," Ariel whispered warmly and patted his leg under the blanket. He smiled as he curled up next to her and closed his eyes. Ariel chuckled lightly as his glasses tilted in a funny angle on his face. She carefully reached over to remove them and set them next to the window by her bookmark. As she read she could feel his light breath against her elbow.

Ariel had deposited a sleeping Max in his bed. She was about to close her own door and climb in bed when she heard two sets of footsteps in the hall. She left her door open just a crack and held her ear to the door, listening.

"I need to talk to you about the blood work you had tested for me," Hodge spoke in a hushed voice. Even with Ariel's excellent hearing she had to strain to hear what he was saying as they were a few doors door.

"Can't this wait until morning?" Maryse's voice sounded thin with irritation. "It's late and I'm tired."

"But this is about the girl." Ariel felt her chest rise and fall in deep breathes during the long silence that followed. Ariel could almost imagine Maryse's cold blue eyes staring at Hodge deciding on whether she wanted to listen or not.

"Fine…what is it," came the harsh reply.

"The girl," Hodge nearly hissed, "it not pureblood." There was a pause before he continued. "Her blood, the one I sent to be tested reveals she is werewolf." Ariel gasped and covered her mouth even though there was no way either one could have heard her. She slowly sank to the floor with her back pressed against the wall.

"You're positive?"

"DNA does not lie," Hodge spoke confidently.

"We'll question her in the morning," Maryse sighed.

"But…" Hodge tried to question her.

"Good night," Maryse's voice had an impatient edge. Hodge did not reply and Ariel soon heard both pairs of footsteps travel in different directions as they went their separate ways.

Ariel's head fell forward and came to rest on her arms. She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes as she bit her lip suppressing the sobs that threatened to come. What would she do now? She had nowhere else to go.

Oooo! Her secret is out. What will she do now? And why is the demon's master stealing warlock power?