A/N: Well, it has certainly been a long while hasn't it? Anywho, here I am and I have brought you this lovely chapter! Thank you so much for the reviews that were made despite my absence…I have been very busy as it is my senior year in high school and I have been in the middle of training with my horses, but I will try to update in a more timely fashion! Love you all! Enjoy!

. 37 .

Jonathan stood alone over the balcony that only a few hours ago Alexander Lightwood had used to leave the world of the living. They hadn't found a body. If they had, Jonathan would have given the dark haired boy a proper Shadowhunter death. He'd had his men sweep the water, rocks, and surrounding trees several times before finally relenting. This small mystery is what left him standing alone atop the balcony looking over the watery rocks below. The wind blew his bland hair about his head, giving his skin a slight chill as dusk turned to dawn.

It seems he had underestimated the will of his Shadowhunter once more. He had never thought him capable of committing such an act as apparent suicide, though he couldn't bring himself to call it that. Deep down in his heart he knew the boy wasn't dead. It was only a matter of time before he found his way to Idris and told his story.

But Jonathan was not worried. He was ready. His armies were prepped, he still had Magnus and Jace…

Magnus and Jace.

Those two were sure to be a problem. Without Alexander, he had next to nothing for leverage. He couldn't use the two against each other, not without Alec. His mind was flitting between keeping them within the battle or leaving them here as a bit of leverage if he ever needed them. He could always Mark Jace again…Wouldn't darling Clarissa love that? However, that would only serve as a short term fix. He wanted submission, not brainwashing. Perhaps Clarissa was the key to that.

Magnus Bane, however, now he was the tricky one. He wouldn't think twice about him offing himself due to Alexander's death. Of course that wouldn't stand with Jonathan. He wasn't quite done with the warlock. While the deal he made with the High Warlock of Brooklyn regarding Lightwood was out the window, his offer for solitude and peace still stood strong.

He supposed it was time to retrieve the two mourning boys and get back to going as planned, even if the plans were changing by the moment. He would wait to hear from his spies within the city. Until then, he would focus on his distressed guests.

oooOOOooo

He watched as the boots treaded across the path mere inches from his face all the while holding his breath in hopes of not being noticed. As the sounds of the dark Nephilim faded, Alexander finally allowed himself to breathe again. His body felt tired, more tired than ever before. His bones ached and his head felt as if the world was spinning. The frigid wind made his soaked clothes cling to his trembling body and made his fingers and toes refuse to cooperate. Rolling out from under the bush he had been taking refuge in while Jonathan's soldiers searched the area, he squinted into the rising sun. At least with the sun coming up, Jonathan's Shadowhunters would have no choice but to give up for the time being. Alec had spent all his time since his leap off the balcony making his way to the city limits of Idris. He had to tell the Clave what was going on just outside their borders. He had to save Magnus and Jace.

Finding his will and determination once more, he forced his legs to move forwards. With any luck, he would reach the gates by midmorning.

oooOOOooo

Jonathan wished he could say that the scene before him was more of a surprise. As he entered the room where Jace and Magnus were currently residing, he found that Jace stood calculatingly at the window with his back to him while Magnus sat near him on the floor with his head in his hands and his elbows on his knees.

"Well?" Jonathan inquired.

Jace remained facing the window, not looking at Jonathan in the slightest. Jonathan scoffed but moved to stand beside him gazing at his parabatai rune. A small smile graced his lips, "It seems our little Alexander is full of surprises isn't he? As for you Jace Wayland, I thought better of you. You made a deal and still you went ahead and broke it. It was a nice act, if I may say so myself. You've known all along he wasn't dead. Ever since his body crashed into the frigid waters."

At this Jace glanced sideways at Jonathan, his voice steely and cold. "It doesn't matter now. By this hour, Alec is already out of reach and probably within the gates of the city. Within an hour, the Clave will know everything. Within a day, this manor will be surrounded by nephilim. And you, you will be scrambling to escape unscathed."

"That is where you are mistaken, dear brother. I am more than ready for the Clave's actions against me. I have been for quite some time now. I've only been waiting for the appropriate time, but now it seems that the time for my rule has come."

Magnus and Jace both cast their gazes on the monster before them, the realization in their eyes shining in horror.

Jonathan smiled, his eyes locked on the city in the distance. In mere hours, Idris would be his for the taking. He was only waiting on Alexander, for he would be the beginning of the end.