March 2, 1990

After a long week of torture and repeated questioning Michael found himself finally being taken from the prison he'd been captive in; a very inhospitable area under the Morgenstern estate commonly referred to as the dungeon. Michael was half dragged through the elaborate tunnel system. It wasn't easy getting Jocelyn and Lucian away safely, but what was awaiting him when he returned was even worse than he had imagined. Besides being beaten repeatedly, he had been worn down over the last week and barely given anything to eat or drink. Michael knew the tunnel system fairly well and as the guards approached the back door to Seraphina's office, Michael knew exactly where he was. Two guards entered the office with Michael between them; his arms were cuffed behind his back, his ankles were chained together. He had been obviously beaten; his face was riddled with bruises and cuts. His blonde hair was stained with blood. He wore just a bloody ripped white t-shirt and a pair of dirty jeans, no shoes or socks. His bare feet were dirty and bloody as well. He slouched forward, the two guards holding him up more than restraining him. He was weak, and in pain. His face was sunken in; he had lost a noticeable amount of weight. Starkweather had come into the office as well and now stood silently against the back wall; the rest of the guards that had escorted Michael had gone back the way they came. The back passageway was now closed. Seraphina stood up and walked around the desk leaning back against it and crossing her arms over her chest.

"I wish to negotiate with you Michael. Do behave…" Michael glared up at her. He'd been punished for disobedience before, the Morgensterns were never light when handing out reprimands, but he'd never experienced anything to the extent of the torture he'd been through over the last week.

"…I have enough information to know you assisted Jocelyn and Lucian when they fled, I'll even acknowledge that you might very well be the first to complete such a feat without me knowing exactly what occurred. All I request is their location. You won't be further punished for your actions and they won't be harmed." Michael narrowed his eyes at her and shook his head.

"I don't trust you." He snarled. She smirked.

"How can you not trust your own mother?" He glared further.

"You're not my mother…My mother is dead…A mother would never treat her son the way you treat me…" He dramatically shook the chains behind his back.

"…Why don't you just kill me and get it over with?...I'm not telling you where they are." She just smirked and shook her head.

"No, I'm not your mother Michael, but I am your aunt and I have no intention of killing you. Your father would likely haunt me for all eternity. You're far more compliant than Valentine has ever been, though that's really not saying much, but still, you possess much more natural talent…You do look rather pathetic at the moment though…Go ahead and remove his irons…" Seraphina said with a flourish of her hands. A moment later the guards had taken the cuffs from Michael's arms and legs. Michael rubbed at his wrists.

"…See how reasonable I can be?…Give me something Michael and you shall be further rewarded, maintain this stubbornness and you shall be further punished." He set his jaw stubbornly.

"You are thick skinned aren't you, so much of a Wayland…Fine…Starkweather, the Herondale boy is staying with the Lightwoods-" Panic flashed across Michael's face.

"NO! HOW? NO!" He shouted as he moved towards Seraphina, though she was a good twelve feet from him. He struggled against the two guards that had quickly attempted to restrain him...Both men lay motionless on the ground after a brief altercation. Michael was already weak when he was brought into the room, but he used all the energy he had left in that fight and now he stumbled a few steps before resting both hands against one of the chairs for stability. Between being sleep deprived, half-starved, and dehydrated, he was really in no shape to be fighting and though he'd never admit it, but he was fairly dizzy right now. He gazed up at Seraphina, she was right there, six feet away at best, but she held a small gun in her hand on the desk, although it wasn't pointed at him. With her aim and ability there was no doubt in his mind she could get a fatal shot before he could reach her, not that he intended to attack, especially in his current condition. He could just make out Starkweather in his peripheral vision as well, though he had made no move at all during the brief fight.

"What a dramatic display for a child that isn't even yours Michael?" He shot her a murderous look.

"That boy is as much my child as if he was my own flesh and blood and I'll fight to the death for him." He growled.

"If you're dead Michael who will protect him from the dangers of the world?" He glared further.

"You mean you?" He snarled through clenched teeth. She nonchalantly shrugged.

"I'm only a danger to my enemies Michael. We're not enemies are we?" He glowered at her.

"What. Do. You. Want. From. Me?" He annunciated each word through clenched teeth.

"For starters I want your obedience. I want you to make more of an effort in this family. I was nearly as angered by the death of Stephen and Amatis as you were. I want revenge. You're very talented Michael, I won't deny that, I want you putting that talent to good use." He nodded slowly.

"If I do what you ask…If I'm obedient…You'll leave my son alone?…You'll leave Jocelyn and Lucian alone?" She narrowed her eyes at him.

"That child you refer to as your son…Yes…I'll leave him alone…For now…But why are you so concerned with Jocelyn and Lucian? How is it you even ended up aiding them in the first place?" He took a deep breath.

"You're just trying to get her back to pacify Valentine, but he'll just become more incensed having her back when she doesn't love him. He's so angry. He's angry because Jonathan was kidnapped, he's livid Jocelyn divorced him, I'm sure he's infuriated she ran away, and I bet he's well passed murderous if he thinks Lucian left with her. He'll take that anger out on her if she comes back. She divorced him because she doesn't want to be with him, she fled because she's afraid of him. You know it's true. She won't come back willingly. He'll end up killing Lucian the first chance he gets and he'll kill her shortly thereafter in a fit of rage. They didn't do anything, they don't know anything, and it won't benefit you at all knowing where they are. Jocelyn lost her son because of this family. Hasn't she suffered enough? Lucian's more of a brother to me than Valentine will ever be. Lucian and Jocelyn can be happy if you just leave them alone. That's all I want for them. They'll both end up dead within a week if Valentine finds them…That's going to be one hell of a double murder to try to cover-up or fight in court." Seraphina narrowed her eyes ever so slightly before she spoke.

"Well aren't you a bleeding heart… Fine…As long as you are compliant I'll ignore the issue of Jocelyn and Lucian…For now…Not because for a second I think you might be right, but because I don't have plans for them at present…Step out of line just once and we'll be right back where we started…Go to the kitchen and get something to eat. You look terrible. You can shower and change into something presentable in Valentine's old room, I'm sure he still has some things here that will fit you. It's late, feel free to rest here, or go home, whatever you prefer…" She shook her head slightly and flourished her hand as she walked back around the desk.

"…I'll let Robert know you're home, he was quite concerned earlier-" Michael glared at Seraphina as he cut her off.

"Don't bother, I'll call him." She smirked wickedly as she sat down at her chair.

"Now Michael, interrupting me isn't very favorable." He scowled, but kept his mouth shut.

"You're free to go…" She dismissed him with a quick flourish of her hand.

"…Might want to hurry before the guards wake…You don't look quite so capable of beating them a second time around." She said with a sinister smirk. Michael smirked to himself as he turned towards the door. After a week of having those two guards beat him to a bloody pulp he had had enough.

"No rush…I'm sure they're both dead." He shouted before he slammed the door to the office shut behind him.


Jace's POV

I was just lying on my back on the cot, my eyes closed, my arms crossed under my head. The thing with being in complete darkness without a clock, you have absolutely no idea what time it is.

I heard a bunch of noise and opened my eyes, a moment later the lights came on. I looked in the direction the noise had just come from and was completely shocked. I saw a man dressed in dark blue jeans, black boots, black thin gloves, and a black hooded sweatshirt he had pulled over his head. On both his thighs were strapped hand guns. He was wearing a black vest on over his sweatshirt with a number of other items in it such as knives and even a couple grenades. He approached the bars quickly and as he got closer I noticed he was wearing sunglasses as well. He seemed to be eyeing Sebastian, but walked right over to my cell.

"Friend of yours?" He whispered. It only took me a second to recognize Michael's voice. I shook my head as I quickly got up.

"Not exactly, but I wouldn't worry about him…How did you know where I was?" Michael glanced at Sebastian one more time.

"It was a guess…We've got a problem." I glanced around the cell.

"Tell me about it." I said sarcastically.

"No. I mean a big problem. You can stay here until tonight, it won't matter. I can get you out, but Clary, I can't get to her, and she's spending too much time with Jonathan. She trusts him too much."

"Well get me the hell out of here than." I snapped harsher than I meant to. He shook his head.

"Not right now…I've got five minutes tops before the cameras reset…We'd never get away."

"Well if you're objective is to piss me off even more than I'm already completely infuriated, it's working."

"I came here to make sure you were alright…You look fine…" I rolled my eyes.

"…Don't believe anything you hear. Stick to the plan. The guards will do or say anything to get you to crack." I furrowed my eyebrows.

"Nobody has touched me." He gave a little smile, but it wasn't comforting.

"Watch your mouth and hopefully it stays that way…" I cast him a little glare as he stepped back way from the bars and pulled his sleeve up slightly.

"…I'll see you in about 12 hours."

"Wait…Give me your watch?…We have no idea what time it is down here." I spat. He hesitated a moment before he took off his watch and handed it to me. It was 11:00 in the morning.

"Try not to lose it…Keep it in your pocket; they may notice on camera that you're suddenly wearing a watch…" I nodded as I shoved it in my pocket.

"…Where's your ring?" I made an irritated noise.

"Seraphina and Jonathan came down last night and made me give it to them. She said she'd have the guards hold me down while she cut my finger off if I didn't give it to her." He furrowed his eyebrows at me.

"Why'd she want it?" I shrugged.

"Beats me."

"Well I can't worry about that right now…We're going to get you out of here, Clary too. We're still figuring it out, but don't worry…Imogen's here…half the Herondales-" I cut him off.

"I know about the deal Imogen made with Seraphina…Seraphina's trying to double cross her… She told me she'd never let me leave if I didn't make a show of breaking up with Clary at the ball. She's also trying to coerce me into killing you and Will, she says it's the only way I'll ever see Clary again…She's already prepared if Clary tries to take off after me tonight…She's never going to let Clary leave that ball." I shook my head. Michael just nodded slowly.

"Alright…I'll let Imogen know…Seraphina always likes a show, lets give her one…Do what she wants-" I cut in very confused.

"Huh?"

"Break up with Clary theatrically at the ball…I'll make sure somebody gives her a heads-up…If Seraphina tells you to shot me or Will, aim for one shot to the chest-" I quickly cut him off.

"What?...No." I snapped. Michael smirked.

"We'll wear a bullet proof vest if we can…"

"Wait…If you can?…I'm not taking that chance." Michael chuckled.

"You have horrible aim…Even without a vest on the odds of you getting in a perfect single fatal shot to the chest are extremely slim; you aim for the head if you really want to kill somebody." I furrowed my eyebrows at him.

"But-" I heard a little beeping noise coming from my pocket and I reached for the watch.

"I've got one minute…" He hurried over to the back wall and pulled a small black object out of his vest, he seemed to attach the little device close to where the camera was.

"…Now I can see you too." He said with a wink. A moment later the lights were out again. I never even heard his retreating footsteps.


Clary's POV

It had been a long morning and afternoon of forced smiles, curtseys, propriety, and bright red knuckles; the entire time of which I had to spend with Jonathan. Ok, it wasn't all bad; Jonathan can be nice or even funny at times. He did make me laugh a number of times when Seraphina's back was turned, though I had to quickly suppress my chuckles when she snapped her head back with a glare. I think he was trying to make things easier on me; he whispered answers to me to several of Seraphina's pop quizzes and really saved me from earning a number of whacks with that ruler.

Seraphina spent much of the day acting as our instructor, or more correctly, my instructor, Jonathan seemed to just be there as a prop. Over and over I kept hearing the phrase, now the gentleman, in this case Jonathan, will blah blah blah. Seraphina only left us during the time the ballroom dancing instructor took over, but Valentine spent part of that lesson watching us, or actually, participating. More than once I swear a small smile played on his lips. I tried not to let myself get lost in the moment. I found my mind wandering more than once and fixating on the thought my father was trying to teach me how to dance. It's something so simple that I imagine every girl experiences and I never thought I would. Luke had two left feet; he tried once to teach me how to dance before my eighth grade dinner dance, but he kept stepping on my feet and my mom and Simon laughed so hard he gave up partway through the first song. Valentine wasn't my father, not in the sense of how a real father should be, he was manipulative and deceitful and he was the reason Jace wasn't here right now; I just knew it. Right? Oh god, I was starting to get poisoned by this world. I was second guessing myself. I had to get out of here soon. I know I tend to just focus on the good in people and I had to remember these people had a lot more good than bad; no, I mean a lot more bad than good, more bad than good. Ahhhh. I needed to stay focused. Jonathan and Valentine and Seraphina were bad people, very bad people. They couldn't be saved. Right? I needed Jace, I wouldn't be so stressed and conflicted if Jace was here.

When Seraphina finaly dismissed Jonathan and me, she instructed Starkweather to escort me back to my quarters. When I got back in my room Sophie and one of the maids were already waiting to help me get ready for the party. Sitting on my bed were two gift boxes with a note saying they were both from my father…from Valentine. One of the boxes was a very small jewelry box from Tiffany & Co and contained a pair of princess cut diamond earrings, each one had to be at least a carat. The larger box was a plain white clothing box and contained a corset, which I thought was a very odd gift. It was much heavier than I would have thought it should be, and I didn't really want to wear it, but somehow Sophie ended up talking me into it. By the time she was done lacing it up I was a little concerned I might not be able to breath, let alone eat.

My hair was done up in an eloquent partial updo. A crown of loose soft curls were twisted and pinned to my head with about half of the underneath left down completely with the curls meticulously tamed. Several long curls spiraled down around my face. Babies breath was dispersed throughout the crown of curls adorning my head. My makeup was flawless. I was wearing the diamond stud earrings that Valentine had given me as a gift. I refused to take off my engagement ring, though I had been asked to more than once. I went to put on my necklace with the Morgenstern ring, but Sophie informed me I was requested not to put on a necklace, one would be provided for me when I got downstairs. It was a black tie gala, and the dress I was wearing was white polyester with a slight sheen. It was strapless and had approximately an inch of sequence around the top of the bust. The bodice was completely fitted and flared out just below the waist. The dress had a moderate length train. It was the perfect mix of simple and elegant and beautiful and exquisite. I was wearing matching gloves, they went up to my upper arm, though I'd never worn a dress with gloves before. I was wearing white very high heels, like something Izzy would wear. It was a blur how I managed to sneak all the weapons on under my dress, though Michael's words floated into my thoughts often while I was getting ready.

"Meet me at Eleven o'clock at the top of the staircase in the ballroom. I can get into the party, but I'll never be able to get a weapon inside…The bombs will all be in place underground, but that's not going to help me once I get inside. The bodice of your dress sounds too fitted to work with, but the loose fitting skirt with the slight train is perfect. You'll have two guns in ankle holsters; do not attempt to fire those. They are 45 caliber H&Ks, the kickback will send the gun flying out of your hand if it doesn't come up and smack you in the face or knock you on your ass. You'll have a sheath around each of your calves with small throwing knives, those are for Thomas. You'll have the little .357 Magnum revolver in a thigh holster, that's for you, that's the gun you said you were most comfortable with, it's just like what your friend has. You'll also have a thigh sheath with a small dagger on your other leg, that's also for you as well. That's all going to weigh you down, so practice walking around with your heels on in all that gear. You can't look like you're walking around with an ammunition depot up your dress. Be conscientious when you move, don't pull up your dress too high when you walk up or down stairs for example…"

Sophie escorted me from my quarters to the ballroom. When we arrived in the ballroom there were several caterers and wait staff walking around the room and putting finishing touches on the tables. The room was decorated in purely black and white with the waiters all dressed in white tuxedos with black bowties. Seraphina stood in the center of the hall with a glass of Champaign in hand. She wore a black sequenced loose fitting gown and a very eye catching ruby and diamond wreath necklace. Sophie escorted me across the room just shy of a few feet from Seraphina before she turned back and left without a word.

"Well you look the part; let's see if you can act the part." Seraphina said with a smirk on her face that I found all too unsettling. I inclined my head slightly without a word. She seemed to just stare at me uncomfortably, as the silence became awkward I just glanced around the room. I heard Valentine snapping at someone in the hallway well before I saw him. He whisked into the room in a sharp black tuxedo. Halfway across the floor he already had a glass of red wine in hand and by the time he had reached me it was gone and a waiter had replaced it with another.

"You look exquisite my Dear." He said seemingly sincerely as he came in to gently kiss my cheek.

"I apparently take after my grandmother." I schmoozed and was rewarded by two soft chuckles by both Seraphina and Valentine. Another awkward silence and Valentine finished yet another glass of wine and was now on his third.

"I had rather hoped you might be sober for the evening." Seraphina chided under her breath with a fake smile still glued to her face.

"I'm just here for show, why bother being sober." He muttered back as he downed the rest of the glass and waved another waiter over. I was glancing in Seraphina's direction when her lips turned up further and she cocked one eyebrow. She had a devilish smirk on her face. I followed her gaze and Jonathan walked into the room with a black tuxedo as well. My father plucked the fourth glass of wine from the waiter he had called over and chugged it before putting the glass back on the waiter's tray and taking another glass off.

"Clarissa you look radiant." Jonathan complimented as he approached. I couldn't help but notice he addressed me as Clarissa, though he had gotten in the habit lately of calling me Clary. A moment later Jonathan was holding a glass of red wine and there was another awkward silence. Starkweather and a handful of guards came over to the small group. Starkweather handed a large rectangular velvet jewelry box to Valentine. He handed his glass of wine to Starkweather, I assume to hold, before he glanced in the box quickly. He turned the closed box towards me.

"Clarissa, I would like it very much if you'd accept this gift from me and wear it this evening…" His eyes glanced to Seraphina briefly before he opened the box to reveal a sparkling diamond wreath necklace.

"…I bought this necklace for your mother on our first anniversary."

"It's so beautiful." I said softly. A faint smile fleeted across his lips. He took the necklace out of the box and clasped it around my neck.

"I ask that you return it directly to either myself or Starkweather promptly at the end of the evening…It's to remain locked in the estate vault when not worn." My hand reached up almost reflexively and touched the necklace.

"Yes Sir." I answered quickly.

"Clarissa." Seraphina snapped. She had made it a point to scold me throughout the day every time I called Valentine anything but father. I glanced at her ever so briefly before returning my gaze to Valentine.

"Thank you very much father." I took a step towards him and gently rested my hand on his shoulder as I reached up on my tip toes to give his cheek a brief kiss. He was more noticeably smiling when I pulled away. Seraphina cleared her throat and I returned my gaze to her. I absentmindedly noticed Valentine was yet again holding a glass of wine.

"Alright…I think this is everybody…There are a few details of this evening I wish to address…" Seraphina began and all eyes turned to her.

"…First off, we'll be introducing Valentine's daughter Clarissa to our associates throughout the evening so do take note that she is to be addressed as Miss. Clarissa Morgenstern or simply Miss. Morgenstern, I wish not to hear her referred to by a lesser variation of her name…" There were a number of nodes and affirmative responses.

"…This evening we'll be setting the record straight for a particular outstanding issue that has come about…Jonathan…Over the last several weeks I've been dodging a number of inquiries into Jonathan's age…Seeing as Jonathan's invitations blatantly acknowledged we were to be celebrating his twenty-first birthday…One need not be very skilled in math to determine Jonathan is a year older than he should be…Considering the situation at hand, we'll be acknowledging the rumors head on and more appropriately clarifying that which we largely allowed our associates to assume mistakenly…Jonathan is not Valentine's son, he's Michael's son…" I felt my legs nearly give out beneath me and I was surprised that Starkweather was the first to catch my elbow and help steady me. Seraphina shot me a quick irritated look before she proceeded.

"…Jonathan will resume using his proper name and may be addressed as Mr. Jonathan Wayland…" I was still trying to grasp everything going on around me. I absentmindedly registered Valentine taking his empty glass and placing it on a tray before taking two glasses of red wine off the tray and attempting to hand me one.

"I thought she wasn't to be drinking alcohol?" Seraphina snapped in an accusing tone. I looked up at her startled by the forcefulness of her voice as I quickly retracted my hand.

"It's just a glass-" Valentine started, but she just cut him off.

"I don't want to so much as hear she's had a single sip!" Seraphina snapped. Valentine held both glasses almost awkwardly for a brief moment before Jonathan plucked one of the glasses from him; he had at this point ended up empty handed. Jonathan took a step closer to Valentine to take the glass from him and seemed to keep walking to stand between Valentine and myself. Though Valentine almost seemed to make an irritated noise, Jonathan didn't acknowledge him as he gave me a slight smile and stood beside me. He redirected his gaze to Seraphina as she started speaking.

"As Jonathan will begin taking over responsibility in this area we'll begin discussing details with our associates this evening. Though Clarissa will now be an integral part of this family, she has much to learn before she will hold any authority…" There were a number of affirmative responses.

"…Valentine is there anything you'd like to add." Seraphina questioned hesitantly her eyes drifted to me briefly before returning to Valentine. Valentine glowered at her.

"No." He snarled through clenched teeth. Seraphina narrowed her eyes at him slightly.

"Fine…" She spat firmly. She turned her gaze to Starkweather.

"…Starkweather you and your men may be dismissed to discus final security details for the evening." Starkweather inclined his head slightly.

"Yes Ma'am." He and the rest of the guards left.

"…For the love of god, Valentine, Jonathan, do take a moment to become cordial with one another, it will be dreadful should our associates sense the hostility that is quite obvious to me." She scoffed as she took a step towards me and latched her hand onto my forearm before dragging me away. I hadn't noticed transparent hostility; on the contrary I thought that Valentine and Jonathan seemed to act like they always do, but maybe that's what she was talking about.

"Your father must trust you much more than I do…He just gave you a quarter of a million dollar Harry Winston necklace." She stated with noticeable aggravation in her voice. Whether or not we were still close enough for Valentine to hear her I wasn't sure. My hand reached for my necklace again and I tried not to think about how ridiculously expensive it was.

I found myself nearly glued to Seraphina by the door as the guests started to arrive. Apparently we had to greet each one of them personally, which was painstakingly boring. After some twenty minutes of fake smiles and polite greetings, Seraphina traded places with Valentine to continue in much the same tiresome way. The smile across my face was feeling harder and harder to muster as each guest arrived.

My momentary genuine moment of excitement was when Alec, Izzy, Simon, and Magnus arrived. Our greeting was short and closely overseen by Valentine who seemed to make it a point to intentionally clear his throat loudly at the excessive enthusiasm. I got the impression he didn't exactly approve of all that hugging, squealing, and bouncing up and down. Apparently Maia and Jordan couldn't make it, but Izzy and Alec mentioned they had some second cousins that were supposed to be coming tonight too. Alec, Simon, and Magnus looked so sophisticated in their black tuxedos, though Magnus grumbled a bit about not wearing his white one. I actually had to take a double take to recognize Magnus. He looked so different, so plain, but he looked handsome too. His hair was pitch black, not a hint of glitter, it had been cut and was parted neatly to the side, no makeup at all, not even eyeliner. Izzy looked so amazing in her black cocktail dress, though I was certain Valentine was repressing the urge to comment on the length. There was a slight look of tension on all of their faces though, I could tell something was up, and I had a feeling they already knew Jace was missing. None of them asked where Jace was, and that was a big indication they weren't surprised by him not being here.

"Had I known the other night whom you were, I would have been more hospitable." I looked at the guy that had walked up next to Magnus and it took me a moment to recognize Ragnor. I smiled.

"Nonsense. I thought you were very hospitable." Ragnor too took my hand and bowed as he kissed my knuckles.

"So, would you be the lovely Miss. Clarissa Morgenstern than?" I diverted my gaze to the new voice and smiled politely to the middle aged man that stood next to Ragnor.

"Yes Sir, but I didn't catch your name." I answered courteously. It was Valentine that interjected.

"Clarissa this is Merlin Fell, Ragnor's father. He owns the Pandemonium club." I smiled.

"Oh yes. Mr. Fell, a pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is all mine, I assure you. Where might your fiancé be? I had rather hoped to personally introduce myself and wish you both congratulations on your engagement." There was a brief awkward silence.

"Who was that now?" Valentine responded evasively. Merlin chuckled.

"You know golden blonde hair, looks a little like Hercules, seems to be a bit hot headed..." He said sarcastically. Valentine just continued to look at him without responding.

"…I'm pretty sure his name is Jace." He said lightly. Valentine nodded.

"Oh…I really didn't catch everything you said the first time…Yes Jace…Well he was called away yesterday on business. It has yet to be determined if he'll make it back in time to make an appearance this evening, but we're all very much hopeful he will." Valentine answered smoothly. Izzy let out with a very slight scoff, but otherwise everybody was quiet. Valentine seemed to come up with an instant change in subject that I didn't quite catch and he and Merlin headed into the ballroom to get a drink and discuss something further. It was just the briefest second that I felt free before I heard Seraphina's voice.

"Clarissa, as lovely as your companions look blocking the doorway, do invite them in?" Seraphina snapped sharply. I cringed slightly.

"Please won't you come in?" I said slightly sarcastically and no sooner than I said the words did Alec, Izzy, Simon, Magnus, and Ragnor all seem to disappear inside.

"Seraphina." So rarely did I hear anybody call her by her first name my head snapped to the sound of a masculine voice.

"Benedict…" Seraphina said tightly. He took her hand cordially, though he didn't kiss her knuckles as nearly all of the other guests had done early when she stood by my side.

"…Might I introduce my granddaughter, Clarissa Morgenstern?" He smiled before he took my hand and gave a bow and kissed my knuckles. Seraphina scoffed faintly.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance…I'm Benedict Lightwood…I believe you know my cousin Robert's family?" He said kindly. I smiled sincerely, as opposed to the fake smile that I had grown rather accustomed to forcing over the earlier part of the receiving line.

"Yes very well in fact. It's a pleasure to meet you." He dropped my hand and returned his gaze to Seraphina.

"Perhaps we might go somewhere in private to converse?" He said heavily. She nodded and glanced around. She raised her hand in the air, but I had no idea who she was gesturing to. A moment later there was a hand on my upper back and I was glancing over my shoulder only to see Jonathan.

"It appears you need a chaperon?" He said with a smirk. I had to suppress the urge to roll my eyes and just ended up giving him a spiteful smile. After a full day of going over proper etiquette, which involved Jonathan kissing my knuckles, escorting me as we walked and practicing ballroom dancing, his hand on my upper back wasn't even worth a flinch anymore. Benedict quickly introduced me to his wife Barbara and his sons Gideon and Gabriel. Though they all greeted Seraphina and me very cordially, Jonathan remained silent by my side, not acknowledging the Lightwoods at all. Seraphina cleared her throat intentionally and gave Jonathan a hard look.

"Wherever are my manners?…So nice of you to come Mr. and Mrs. Lightwood…" Jonathan shook Benedict's hand and then Barbara's.

"…Gideon…Gabriel…Don't feel obligated to stay." Jonathan said in a seemingly civil tone as he shook their hands as well.

"Jonathan!" Seraphina scolded slightly under her breath.

"I assure you the feeling is mutual…" Gabriel responded with a slight glare in Jonathan's direction.

"Wherever is Tatiana this evening?" Jonathan asked heavily, I glanced over my shoulder and saw the wicked smirk playing on his lips.

"Go near my sister-" Gabriel started in a threatening tone with a step forward, but Benedict quickly put his hand on his son's shoulder.

"Tatiana is backpacking around Europe with her boyfriend right now." Benedict answered smoothly.

"That's terribly unfortunate." Jonathan responded sarcastically.

"Excuse me." Gabriel spat as he pushed rather forcefully between Jonathan and me.

"Gideon." Benedict said heavily. Gideon just nodded before he followed his brother inside. He gave me a polite bow and followed his brother's path between Jonathan and me.

"Seraphina, I had rather hoped to say a quick hello to my brother and my nephew seeing I'm here…Would you be so kind as to summon them for me?" Barbara said gently. Seraphina gave Barbara a phony smile.

"I would, but they're both working this evening, it's a rather busy night."

"If they're both working, they shouldn't take any time at all to locate." Benedict said with an edge to his voice. Seraphina's fake smile turned up further.

"Let me see what I can do…" She turned her gaze to Jonathan.

"…Jonathan, do stay with Clarissa until I return." Jonathan nodded.

"If it's any assistance at all Mrs. Lightwood…Pangborn…Excuse me…Emil was in the ballroom descending the double staircase just moments ago…I haven't seen his father this evening." Barbara smiled.

"That's very kind of you Jonathan. Thank you." She sounded very sincere.

"Yes Jonathan, always so helpful." Seraphina didn't sound sincere at all. Benedict, Barbara and Seraphina all headed inside. There was a slight lull between guests and the silence between Jonathan and I turned uncomfortable.

"I know you're not thrilled to be here…Especially since Jace left, but the party will be fun, you'll see." I nodded slowly. It was silent a few more minutes before another group of guests arrived. A short time later there was another quiet break and I found myself fiddling nervously with my engagement ring. I missed Jace. Jonathan's loose fist was suddenly gently under my chin as he guided my face to look up at his. He dropped his hand away as soon as my eyes met his.

"You know I looked for him…last night…after Seraphina let me leave my room…I wasn't sure if I should tell you or not…I didn't want to upset you more…He's not here Clary…I checked everywhere, even the cells below the estate. He's really not here." Jonathan sounded kind and his face was gentle and compassionate; not that I really felt that if Jace were here Jonathan would have necessarily found him. I took a deep breath and nodded.

"That was nice of you to check. Thank you." He gave a little smile and nod. More guests arrived and it was a steady stream of curtseys, introductions, and having my knuckles kissed over the next half hour or so. I discretely glanced at the clock occasionally and realized by the time Seraphina came to led me into the hall I had stood in that doorway for over an hour. When Seraphina wasn't with me, Valentine or Jonathan were, but I was the only one that stood in that doorway the whole time.


Sebastian's POV

I was alone again in the dark laying on that crappy cot. A group of a dozen guards had taken Jace upstairs making some comment about having to make him look presentable. I had no idea how long ago they left, a half hour ago, an hour and half ago. It felt like a while. The lights went on and I glanced over to see two guards approaching. Normally I would have just closed my eyes again and hoped they just left me alone, but I realized Pangborn Jr. was one of the guards; this was the first time I had seen him here.

"Dinner." The other guard said with a chuckle. Besides water, I was given two meals a day since I had come here and they were always the same thing. The first meal of the day was always a plain bowl of what I think was cream of wheat; it was actually still warm when they gave it to us and though I bitched about it the first day, it was the better of the two meals. The second meal was like a rock hard biscuit. I think I overheard one of the guards say people ate the same thing as rations during WWI. At least I wasn't starving to death, but that's about the nicest thing I'd say about the food. One of the guards stood closer to the light switch and Pangborn walked over to the cell with his head down. The first day I got the shit beat out of me for approaching the bars when they brought my food, so after that I just stayed seated on my bed until after they put the food down and left. The second meal was always brought in a small brown paper bag, which turned into the only thing down here to use as toilet paper. Anyway, Pangborn walked over to the bars with my meal and I watched as he came over. He looked nervous, his eyes darting between me and the ground. He held two bags in his hand, so I imagined Jace was going to be coming back. He turned back towards the other guard.

"Should I leave both meals or…" He let the question hang. The guard laughed.

"No way…He's not here for his dinner, he doesn't get it." He spat back with another chuckle. Pangborn nodded and turned back still looking down. He approached the cell and stooped down and put the bag on the ground and looked back up at me and for a moment I swear there was something in his eyes. Wait. He mouthed the word slowly and clearly, though I had no idea what he meant. Without another word he just stood up and they left, leaving the lights on behind them. I walked over and picked up the bag. The water was really the most exciting part of dinner. I took a few swigs of water as I walked back over to the cot and sat down. I grabbed the biscuit and noticed it seemed softer than usual, not so hard. I took it out and smelled it, it smelled different, like it was actually baked and not seriously over processed. I didn't want to seem too suspicious, with the cameras down here and with the lights on the guards could see my every move. I cautiously took a bit, it tasted different, better. The other ones were probably all stale. I took another couple bites and my teeth bit down on something hard. My initial distraction by the almost tasty biscuit was quickly replaced with what Pangborn said. I glanced down and noticed something dark and metal looking sticking out of the biscuit. I quickly dropped the biscuit back in the bag and took another swig of my water casually. I reached my hand back in the bag and was surprised I could just crush the biscuit if I used enough force. Baked into a seemingly normal looking biscuit was a funky looking key, and I had a feeling I knew exactly what that key went was giving me my freedom, though considering I was constantly being watched, I wasn't sure how helpful this key was. Wait. I guess for right now, I just needed to wait.


Jace's POV

I was showered and dressed in the tuxedo I had been fitted for days before. Seraphina and her entourage of guards had forcefully brought me to an area within the tunnel system that is setup with equipment to monitor the property. I noticed several of the rooms being watched, though the largest screens were monitoring the event.

"There…" Seraphina pointed at one of the screens.

"…Isabelle and Alexander are here with some of your other little friends…" I narrowed my eyes at the screen and my hands balled into fists at my sides.

"…I'm sure they'd like to leave unharmed…" I shot Seraphina a murderous glare sideways and she just smirked back. She tapped her finger on another screen.

"…That looks like Benedict and Barbara Lightwood and their boys next to them; those are Robert's cousins if you didn't know…" She looked up at me.

"…You'll be leaving with them…So do find them quickly after you speak with Clarissa…Though, I'm sure they'll be notified the moment you walk into the room…Do take the rest of the Lightwoods with you when you leave, at that point they're really just overstaying their welcome…" I just narrowed my eyes further at her.

"…here…" She pointed to another screen. My fists tightened as my jaw clenched.

"…Clarissa and Jonathan dance so beautifully together don't you think?…" My blood was just boiling.

"…So…I just want to remind you…Even if you can't see me, it doesn't mean I'm not watching you…Be short and concise with your dialog with Clarissa and leave with the Lightwoods…Do not attempt to cross me." She snapped in a firm tone. I just kept glaring daggers at this woman. I hated her more every second.


Clary's POV

The large ballroom was now filled with dancing and chattering guests and several caterers and wait staff walking around the room. I found myself nearly glued to Seraphina throughout the evening. Though she rarely engaged me in conversation, I was introduced to one associate after another after another, though most I had greeted briefly as they arrived. I never was left unattended, either Seraphina, or Valentine, or Jonathan, or Starkweather seemed to be at my side at all times. My ballroom dance classes were put to use as Jonathan and I were required to dance together for several dances, that is when I wasn't required to dance with Valentine. I had even danced with a number of Valentine and Seraphina's associates' children, though not exactly by choice, more that after they asked Valentine or Seraphina would be quick to answer for me. I was never able to dance with Alec, Magnus, or Simon, every time they asked me to dance, Seraphina, Valentine, or Jonathan always had a reason I had to be somewhere else. Even when Gideon and Gabriel asked me to dance, there was some lame reason I was needed to meet somebody else. It had been a long night and my legs really were weighing me down. It was hard enough to walk with this stuff; I seemed to constantly have to dance.

I was standing quietly with a fake smile glued to my face, while Seraphina visited with one of her female associates. Valentine had left with the woman's husband a few songs ago. I caught Jonathan in my peripheral vision heading directly towards Seraphina and I with three older men sharply dressed trailing him, though seeing all the men in the room were wearing tuxedos, they were all pretty sharply dressed. I had been introduced to these men earlier, not that I remembered their names.

"Pardon our intrusion…Mrs. Morgenstern, would you have a moment?" One of the men asked confidently. Seraphina nodded.

"Of course…" She said to the men before she redirected her gaze to the woman she had previously been talking to.

"…Excuse me…" She looked to Jonathan.

"…Jonathan, why don't you dance with Clarissa, she looks like she's in need of a partner?" Which I couldn't help but pick up early on in the evening seemed to be Seraphina's subtle way of saying, I don't want you to come to this meeting, watch Clary. Jonathan nodded with a phony smile before he offered me his hand. Sometimes I think he was just as aggravated to be omitted from meetings as I was to be forced to dance again.

"Shall we?" He asked as I took his hand without hesitation. I had declined the first time this evening Jonathan asked me to dance, and reiterated my disinterest in dancing when Seraphina pressed me slightly. It didn't seem like a big deal to me at the time. I didn't see why it mattered that I had said I was going to sit this one out; I had just finished dancing with Valentine. When Seraphina came back from her meeting she pulled me out of the ballroom and lectured me about how rude and disrespectful I had been. She informed me if I attempted to pull a stunt like that a second time I would be punished severely for my actions. Should she so much as suggest I dance I better find myself hastily on the dance floor.

Jonathan was a very good dancer, but I felt as though every time he danced with me he held me tighter and closer. The first time we danced together in class he had stood in front of me and when the instructor told him to put his hand on my shoulder, I flinched. Jonathan had retracted his hand apologizing if he made me uncomfortable. The instructor wasn't very patient with me and lectured me on how a person cannot waltz with somebody without touching them. Jonathan's hand was quickly back on my shoulder, of course a few minutes later at the end of the song when the instructor concluded that he had just demonstrated why we don't waltz with the gentleman's hand on the woman's shoulder, but on her upper back, I had completely missed the point. A moment later Jonathan's hand was on my upper back, which is where it was predominately placed each time we danced thereafter. However, it seemed to inch south throughout the evening and was on my waist right now. I had made a comment a few dances back about him not keeping his hands in position and he just chuckled saying it was more energy than it looked like to keep his hand on my upper back than on my waist and he was tired and getting so sick of dancing. I couldn't help but chuckle in agreement, and I just didn't bother saying anything after that. As long as his hand didn't end up on my ass it wasn't that big of a deal. Jonathan wasn't really one for light conversation and he often didn't speak much while we danced, though he seemed to always be scanning the room. Valentine walked over to us with a slight scowl directed at Jonathan and we stopped dancing.

"It appears you are in dire need of a reminder in proper form…Should your hand fall any lower, the whole room will surly be talking." Jonathan smiled, but there was noticeable hostility in his gaze.

"My apologies…It seems the hour is catching up to me." Jonathan answered smoothly.

"Why is it I find that hard to believe?" Valentine said evenly before he shifted his gaze to me and offered me his upturned hand. I took it as he whisked me away into the dancing bodies.

"Might I inquire as to if you liked your gifts?…I see you're wearing the earrings." Valentine asked with his gaze darting between me and his frequent glances around the room.

"Yes thank you…I meant to say something earlier…That was very thoughtful of you." Valentine smiled and nodded, though his smile seemed forced more than usual.

"Are you wearing the corset I left for you?" He asked with a lowered voice. I furrowed my eyebrows slightly.

"Um…Yes." I answered hesitantly. He nodded.

"It's just a precaution." He said with the same quiet tone. I nodded slowly. I wanted to ask what he meant, but before I could say anything Seraphina's hand was on Valentine's shoulder, his hands momentarily tensed before he dropped his hold on me.

"You're being asked for Valentine." Seraphina said as she darted her eyes to me quickly. A brief glance around the room brought up no signs of Jonathan, but Seraphina reluctantly left with Valentine all the same after sitting me in a chair and hissing strict orders to stay put or suffer the consequences. A waiter was in front of me no sooner than a moment after they left.

"A glass of Champaign for the lovely mademoiselle?" He said very softly and I found my gaze shifting up to meet his. The wait staff never spoke; I had gotten the impression they weren't supposed to talk unless spoken to directly. His voice sounded familiar, but it took me a moment to recognize Jem, though to be fair his hair was pitch black, not toe blonde, a wig obviously, it was parted neatly to the side, and his eyes were muddy brown contacts, which weren't nearly as nice as his normal gray blue eyes. I had to suppress the excitement that I'm sure fleeted across my face and I nearly jumped out of my seat to wrap my arms around his neck, but he cast me a look that quickly stopped me with a brief shake of his head. I found my hand reaching for a glass of Champaign off his tray; though I hadn't had anything to drink all evening.

"Hope your bags are packed." He said softly with a wink.

"Thank you." I said just as quietly. I wasn't sure what else to say. He just smiled and walked away. I sat back in my chair and just put the glass of Champaign down on the table. I glanced around the room casually. If I looked carefully I noticed a waiter here or there that just appeared a lot less attentive to the guests, though I really doubted Seraphina, Valentine, or Jonathan gave the wait staff a second look. A moment later another waiter handed me a glass of Champaign.

"I'm all set." I said distractedly as I glanced around the room; though he just held the glass out to me. I glanced at the waiter briefly, but he wasn't looking me in the eye, he was looking down at the drink, much like the other waiters usually did. There was nothing in the look of this waiter that was familiar at all; he had dirty blonde hair and deep brown eyes. I found myself reaching for the Champaign glass, if nothing else to make him leave. He held the glass when I went to take it and I looked up at a rather familiar looking smirk and a pair of brown eyes now looking back at me.

"He's been dying to see you all night." He muttered under his breath as he glanced in the direction Jem had just walked in. Had he not spoken, I would never have recognized Will. He turned partially away from me and started putting empty glasses from the table on his try.

"Listen to me…" He dropped his voice down low as he glanced around.

"…There is a good chance Jace will show up here-" Excitement rushed through my body as I leaned closer to him and cut him off.

"Really?" I semi screeched about an octave higher than I normally spoke.

"Shhh…" Will furrowed his eyebrows at me as he glanced around quickly.

"…If he does, just stick to the plan as closely as you can, don't lose focus." I furrowed my eyebrows.

"What do you mean?" He shook his head.

"Things are getting more complicated by the minute…We had a decent plan last night, but things have changed…Seraphina keeps trying to change the playing field…You know how Jace feels about you in your heart, but you two might have to do some acting…Like don't freak out if he shoots me."

"What?" I whisper snapped as I leaned forward again. He glanced off to my side quickly and back at me.

"Got to go." He winked as he turned and walked away. I went to call out for him, but I quickly stopped myself.

"I had begun to wonder." I heard the voice at the same time the person reached out and took the full glass of Champaign that was sitting on the table in front of me; the one I had gotten from Jem. I was still holding the glass Will had given me. I looked up and it took me a moment to recognize Benedict Lightwood.

"Good evening Mr. Lightwood." I said politely as I placed the other glass of Champaign down on the table and stood up.

"No. Don't stand up…Sit." He pulled out the chair and I sat again. He pushed me in somewhat forcefully so I was seated at the table with my legs tucked under it as though I were going to eat a meal. He took the seat that was next to mine and sat as well.

"You're not drinking?" I looked down at the glass and back up at him.

"I think I've had enough." I said with a mock coy laugh. He shook his head as he took a sip of the Champaign he had just taken from me.

"You haven't had a single drink all evening." I chuckled somewhat uncomfortably and just shook my head.

"Of course I have." He shook his head again.

"We've been paying attention…I personally watched you during the toast…Not even a sip." I just shook my head slightly.

"I think you're mistaken." He nodded and glanced around.

"Then you wouldn't mind having a few sips from that glass there." He jerked his chin towards the glass I had just put down on the table. I let out with another chuckle.

"I'm already feeling tipsy and my father will be livid if I start acting intoxicated. You do know I'm underage Mr. Lightwood?" He nodded with a chuckle and leaned closer to me.

"I also know you're lying through your teeth…Now…I know more about your and Jace's relationship than I'm sure you want me to know…So…I know you can't actually be pregnant…At least…You wouldn't know it if you were…So somebody told you to fake it." I was completely taken aback.

"Huh.?...What?" I asked incredulously.

"Take a couple sips and contradict me?" I never knew when Valentine or Seraphina were watching me. They'd kill me for drinking alcohol right now. I glanced to the glass, but hesitated, I wasn't sure why they wanted me to pretend I was pregnant, but I knew they didn't want anybody to know, it was so confusing.

"Good to know…" He said quietly after my momentary hesitation.

"…I need something from you." I furrowed my eyebrows and shook my head.

"I don't-" I started, but he quickly cut me off.

"You have two 45 caliber H&Ks around your ankles Dear, I need one." He spoke very quietly, his Champaign glass held just up to his lips. I furrowed my eyebrows further.

"How do you-" I started, but he quickly cut me off.

"Keeping your legs under the tablecloth can you discretely get one of those guns off?" He asked under his breath before he took another sip of Champaign. I glanced up and caught Will's eyes ever so briefly, he nodded subtly, but that was all I needed.

"Probably not." I said simply. He nodded. He placed his now empty Champaign glass on the table awkwardly and it fell over, falling to the ground between us and breaking.

"My apologies…" He said as he backed his chair away from the table.

"…Let me get your chair." He hadn't even pulled my chair out yet and three female waitresses were around us with cloth napkins picking up shards of the Champaign glass. He pulled my chair out partway.

"My apologies, but if I might request you to wait just a moment Sir…I wouldn't want to risk Miss. Morgenstern stepping on the broken glass or a shard slicing the delicate fabric of her dress." I heard an unfamiliar female voice. The young woman had short mousy brown hair and when she glanced up at me briefly I noticed she had the greenest eyes. In a rather quick fluid movement a weight left my ankle; had my leg not felt a bit lighter, I would never have realized she had swiftly removed one of my guns. The whole process lasted a minute tops and her and the other two waitresses quickly left with the cloth napkins in hand. I tried to follow the girl, but she quickly vanished into the crowd. Benedict pulled out my chair the rest of the way and I stood up.

"Thank you." I said politely.

"No, thank you." He responded. He gave me a wink before he seemed to glance passed me and just walk away. No sooner was he ten feet away then I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Clarissa!' Jonathan exclaimed in a rather excited voice. He seemed to call me Clarissa when he thought somebody might overhear and Clary when he was pretty sure nobody was listening.

"Hi Jonathan." I had seen him several times throughout the evening, but he seemed to leave the event often with Valentine and Seraphina to have private meetings with many of their associates. Whatever was happening, they weren't including me in their discussions.

"Come here." Jonathan said as he grabbed my hand, lacing our fingers together. It wasn't the first time he had held my hand like this all evening, but I still wasn't all that comfortable with it.

"Miss. Morgenstern…" I heard a female voice call and I stopped, bringing Jonathan to a stop as well. I glanced behind me to see those same green eyes looking back at me.

"…My apologies Miss…" She looked down somewhat timidly and back up at me as she quickly covered the distance between us.

"…I believe you dropped this just now." She held her hand out with what looked like a tube of lipstick. I didn't hesitate to take it from her, though I was quickly trying to figure out why she would have given me lipstick. I didn't open it at the time, I felt like maybe there was something else in that container besides lipstick. I just smiled.

"Thank you." I said softly, Jonathan made a noise that was somewhere between a scoff and a sound of amusement. I'm sure the concept of me thanking one of the wait staff was really funny to him. She inclined her head again.

"Of course Miss…Sir." She said politely darting her eyes ever so briefly to Jonathan's before she turned and walked away.

"You have pockets in that dress?" Jonathan asked quizzically. I looked back at him slightly shaking my head. His eyes were darting between me and the retreating young woman.

"No." He took the tube of lipstick from me quicker than I could react. He dropped my hand and opened the tube. It looked just like medium pink lipstick, not that different from the color I was wearing tonight actually.

"Not really your color." I jested as I put my hand out expectantly. He put the cover back on and held up the tube, but when I grabbed it, he didn't let it go. He looked at me with one eyebrow raised suspiciously.

"If you have no pockets and no purse, wherever were you keeping this?" He sounded too suspicious and I was beginning to think he wasn't going to give the thing back. Maybe it wasn't anything special after all; maybe she just really thought I dropped it. Either way, I wanted it back. I chuckled and tried to seem a little flirty; I hoped that would throw him off.

"Oh, wouldn't you like to know?" I could feel a little heat coming into my cheeks, but that was because I was worried he wouldn't buy my act. I felt like he was going to keep the lipstick and furthermore I was worried he was going to go looking for that caterer that I really didn't think was a caterer at all. He smirked at me, his eyes no longer looking suspicious as he let go of the lipstick and I curled it into my fist tightly as I dropped my hand to my side.

"You're very cute when you blush." He said softly as he reached his hand up and trialed a couple fingertips along my jaw line. I pulled my face away slightly trying to act bashful and looked towards the ground before I looked back up at him. He had that look in his eyes; that heated look I hated. He blinked his eyes a couple times and cleared his throat. He glanced around the room quickly before he reached for my empty hand again.

"Come on." He pulled me along behind him. I had been introduced to so many people all night; I just assumed he was taking me to another introduction. Valentine had probably told him to come and get me, so I just let him lead me without question. As we approached the doors I stood firm and jerked my hand back, bringing him up short. I had never been invited to attend any of the meetings that took place outside this ballroom and I really didn't think Jonathan would have been sent to retrieve me if I was actually being summoned for one.

"Where are we going? We can't just leave, Valentine will notice." Jonathan appeared to glance around the room before he leaned in close.

"I might kick myself for this later…but I think I know where Jace is." My face lit up with excitement.

"Where?" I nearly shouted. He slightly cringed and glanced around again.

"Shh…I overheard father talking. I'm almost positive Jace is in the dungeons. Come on." He said softly. He grabbed my hand again lightly and for the briefest second I glanced around the room before I let him lead me through the doors; though that was just long enough to catch Will's eye. I let Jonathan led me down the hallway and at some point he dropped my hand, but I really wasn't paying attention. Michael's voice fleeted through my mind telling me not to trust Jonathan under any circumstances; but that thought was fading fast as I was too excited at the thought of seeing Jace.

"I thought you said you checked the dungeon last night?" I whispered back. He shook his head.

"I checked what you might think of as a private jail. If father thinks somebody has done something wrong, such as one of his employees, he locks them in cells downstairs until he decides how to deal with them. Sometimes he just turns them over to the police after a couple of days. We actually have another whole floor under us and an extensive tunnel system too…" That part I knew.

"…The dungeon is further into the tunnels and it's a pain in the ass to get to, so I didn't even bother checking there. I didn't think we kept people there anymore. The tunnels to get there are dark and damp, it's just eerie." I followed Jonathan down the hallway and to the library. I was still holding that lipstick and it was a quick decision when I shoved it into my cleavage, well in this dress I didn't really have any cleavage, I shoved it into my corset. I was rather humiliated when I looked back up to see Jonathan eyeing me with a smirk. I could feel heat coming back into my cheeks as I scowled at him. He turned forward with a slight chuckle as we reached the back of the library. He moved a book and pushed a button and a section of the wall just moved out of the way. We passed through the secret wall and he closed the door behind us. It was dark at first, but he flipped a switch and a light turned on. There was a small red light blinking on a keypad by the door, but he punched in a code and the light turned green; they way he blocked the keypad I didn't even catch a single digit of the code. We were in a stairwell. Stairs were hard with this dress, at least walking on stairs and trying to keep all the weapons under my dress concealed was hard in this dress. I pulled up the front slightly and attempted to descend the stairs as quickly as I could. Jonathan glanced back several times, never more than a couple stairs in front of me. Luckily he always appeared to glance back at my face, because I couldn't be one hundred percent sure I wasn't showing any part of my ankle holsters with how quickly I was trying to practically run down the stairs, luckily it was only one flight. I hadn't been down to the tunnels, so I had no idea what to expect. When Jonathan opened the door, it was dark on the other side. I didn't know if there were lights, but he didn't appear to be turning them on if there were.

"Here, take my hand. It's dark most of the rest of the way." Jonathan reached his upturned hand to me. I hesitated. Suddenly Michael's words were louder in my head. Do not trust Jonathan under any circumstances.

"It's awfully dark. You're sure he's there?" Jonathan smiled.

"Don't be afraid…I'm almost positive he's there. I can go first and come back for you, but we don't have that much time. If we're gone too long people will notice." I nodded. He was right. We only had so much time. I reached out and took his hand with my free hand; I was still holding up my dress with the other one.

"Don't let your dress touch the ground. It's damp down here. If you get the hem filthy father will notice." I nodded.

"You'll help me though? You'll help me get him out of there?" He smiled.

"What would be the point of bringing you there if I didn't plan on helping you get him out?" I smiled, barely registering that he just answered my question with a question.

"Thank you." I pulled up my dress higher as we walked into the dark. I wasn't worried about the guns I was certainly showing off, but I was worried about dragging the train of my white dress on the ground and getting it dirty. I most certainly had to go back to that party at some point and I couldn't risk somebody getting suspicious that something was going on. I was suddenly remembering I had to meet Michael at 11:00, one more reason I had to get back to that party and look pristine. It was cool and noticeably damp. It did feel very creepy down here.

"How much further?" I asked quietly after we had been walking about five minutes.

"Not much longer at all." Jonathan said back softly. I had goose bumps up my arms, not only because it was cold, but because it just felt very strange down here. I imagined a lot of people probably died down here, tortured in the dungeon, they probably haunted this place. I tried to shake the thought before I scared myself too much. I could finally see light up ahead.

"Is that it?" I could here the excitement in my voice.

"Yes and the lights are on. That's a good indicator somebody is down there." Jonathan said. I was happy and upset at the thought all mixed together. I wanted to see Jace so bad, I just really hoped he wasn't hurt. As we got close to the light I could clearly see Jace's golden halo of curls. He was standing looking out the bars with his arms crossed over his chest. He was wearing a black tuxedo and he looked so handsome. I dropped Jonathan's hand as I took off.

"Jace!" I shouted.

"Clary!" He covered the short distance to the bars. He looked really good. I couldn't make out a single scratch on him. His hair even looked styled. A huge smile broke out on my face, though he looked more surprised than anything else. I rushed over to the bars and dropped my dress without thinking as we intertwined our hands.

"Are you alright? Did Valentine hurt you?" I asked as a couple tears escaped.

"I'm fine. What are you doing here?"

"You're sure you're not hurt?" He nodded with a small smile.

"Don't worry. I'm not hurt. I promise." I smiled as I let out a sigh of relief.

"We've got to get you out of here before anybody notices we're missing." I glanced over my shoulder. I realized I didn't see Jonathan, but looking back towards the dark tunnels, you couldn't see anything more than fifty feet away.

"Clary, who's we, who's helping you?" Jace asked heavily. I looked back at him.

"Jonathan."

"Jonathan?" Jace questioned harshly. I glanced over my shoulder again as I heard a footstep. Jonathan took a couple steps out of the darkness.

"Clary, run." Jace dropped my hands. I looked back at Jace with furrowed eyebrows. He was glaring daggers at Jonathan.

"If you hurt her, if you lay a single finger on her-" I cut Jace off.

"I know you don't like him Jace, but-" Jace cut me off.

"Don't like him? I loathe him-"

"He found you-"

"Stay away from her-"

"He brought me to you-"

"You can't trust him-"

"He's going to help us-" Jace and I were just shaking our heads at each other.

"Jonathan I swear I'll kill you. I'll kill you with my bare hands." I heard a slight chuckle and looked behind me. Jonathan was strolling across the floor with a large key ring in hand. There weren't many keys on it, but they looked like big old skeleton keys. That must have been where he went. He must have gone to get the keys. When I glanced back at Jace this time I noticed movement in the cell next to his. Sebastian was actually sitting on the cot watching the exchange, but I could barely register that he was here before I was distracted again by Jonathan speaking.

"Here I am, trying to help Clary get you out and you're threatening to kill me. That isn't very grateful of you." Jonathan said sarcastically.

"You found the keys." I exclaimed as I turned and started to run towards him.

"Clary no!" Jace yelled in a terrified voice. I froze and glanced back at him.

"What do you want Jonathan?" Jace demanded.

"I just want to help you get out safely. Isn't that what you want too Clary?" I looked between Jace and Jonathan. Jace was glaring daggers at Jonathan, but Jonathan just looked unmoved. I took a deep breath.

"We're getting you out! Now stop fighting." I turned back towards Jonathan and we each took a step towards each other.

"CLARY!" Jace yelled. I hesitated again and looked back at Jace, but Jonathan covered the short distance between us.

"Clary run…Don't go near her…Get away from him…I'll kill you so help me god." Jace shouted. Jonathan held the keys out and I grabbed them, but he didn't let go.

"He's known I was here since last night, he's not trying to help you. He could have let me out yesterday if he wanted to!" Jace yelled. I glanced over my shoulder at Jace and back at Jonathan. I furrowed my eyebrows at Jonathan.

"Is that true?"

"That's not really important right now…What's important is you have Jace's freedom, his safety, his life, in the palm of your hand, quite literally. Now Clary, can't you just be appreciative for that?" I pulled at the keys again, but he still didn't release them. I glanced back and forth between Jace and Jonathan. Jace looked near panic and Jonathan looked completely composed.

"Of course I appreciate you're help. Thank you so much." Jonathan smirked a devilish smirk.

"What are you willing to do for me to help Jace?" A terrible shiver coursed through my body. I shook my head.

"Clary no." Jace said pleadingly.

"I don't understand what you want from me." The look on his face was completely disturbing. He reached his hand out towards me and I took a half step back, but I couldn't bring myself to let go of the keys. His arm was still long enough that he cupped my cheek gently and though I didn't move away, my body recoiled slightly as I cringed.

"I just…want…You." A terrible shiver coursed through my body. I shook my head.

"You sick son of a bitch she's your sister!" Jace snarled. Jonathan chuckled.

"Now Clary, should you tell him or should I?"

"Tell me what!" Jace snapped.

"I'm not really Valentine's son…Jonathan Valentine Morgenstern…" He shook his head, but he still had his hand on my cheek and he was still staring disconcertingly into my eyes.

"…Well he was kidnapped as a baby…and he's dead…So no…she's not my sister…not at all."

"I'll give you anything. I'll do anything. Don't hurt her." Jace's voice was pleading.

"You're locked in a cell Jace, not really in a position to negotiate if you ask me, but I have no intention of hurting her…I want to make her my wife." Jonathan sounded so matter-of-fact and my body just cringed again.

Jonathan released the keys and I just stood there for a moment. I had to play my cards right. If I freaked out this could go very badly. I couldn't outrun him, Jace was still locked up, and I couldn't reach for the weapons under my dress quick enough. I needed a plan. His hands briskly came down one on each of my shoulders before I could think of what to do. He gently turned me around to face Jace. My heart was pounding in my chest. I had a mini armory under this skirt, yet I felt so helpless right now. He smoothed his hands over my shoulders and down the full length of my arms. I tried to suppress my body's urge to shiver at his touch though the goose bumps that rose along my arms I couldn't do anything about.

"Now, I personally think she looks incredibly beautiful in this dress." I swallowed hard. I hated him touching me, but I hated the helpless look on Jace's face even more.

"So Clary, it's really your choice…Would you like to be my wife, or would you like to watch Jace die?" It wasn't a choice at all. I tried to keep myself composed. If I could just get a little space from Jonathan, I could reach for a gun, but I wanted to know Jace was safe first. If Jonathan saw the gun before I had it out and ready to fire, he could just as easily overpower me and take it away, or one of the other weapons I had under my skirt. It was too risky to try anything with Jace right here locked up like this. I couldn't even be certain the keys I was holding were to his cell, it could have all been part of the theatrics.

"Clary don't listen to him…Why do you think I'm dressed like this?...Seraphina already made a deal with the Herondales. I'm supposed to leave with the Lightwoods tonight. I'm just waiting for the guards to come back to bring me upstairs." Jace rattled off urgently.

"Though…I could still kill you before they come back!" Jonathan hissed.

"Ignore him. He's lying. That's what he does. He can't hurt me. Seraphina would never allow it."

"She might not be too happy, but I can very easily kill you if I want…It is better if it doesn't come to that though, better for the truce between the families…So Clary, think about that too…Do you want to be not only responsible for Jace's death, but reigniting a war…So many others will die…Your good friend Will I'm sure will be at the very top of the list…It doesn't have to come to that though…Trust me when I say I really don't want it to come to that…I can let Jace go right now…As a gesture of good faith, you can even watch me set him free…" He brought his lips close to my ear, his hands trailing back and forth on my shoulders. I could feel the heat of his breath against my cheek.

"…though, if you need such a gesture from me, I will expect a good faith gesture from you in return." I suppressed my body's urge to tremble in fear. I didn't have a choice here. I had to believe Seraphina really intended to set Jace free. I had to believe I could handle Jonathan. I had plenty of weapons on me, I just needed to be able to reach them, and I needed to make sure Jace wasn't in imminent danger at the time. Will had said we might need to do some acting, I was just praying Jace knew in his heart how I felt about him. I took a deep breath and counted to three.

"I trust you." I said assertively, no waver to my voice.

"What?" Jace and Jonathan said at the same time.

"I have no reason not to trust you. I mean you've never done anything malevolent to me. You haven't hurt him. I can clearly see that he's uninjured and I trust you that you won't hurt him; that you'll let him go. That you'll do as you say. You needn't make a grand gesture of good faith, I already trust you."

"What?" Jace snapped again. I took a deep breath and turned around to face Jonathan, in part because I couldn't stand the look on Jace's face, he looked absolutely horrified. I tried to push back my fear, my panic, and tried to find the bravery and confidence I once use to always feel, before I new there were things to really be fearful of. I needed to be as cool and self assure as Jace always seemed to be, well except at this moment.

"You know Jonathan, you're right…" His hands had fallen from my arms when I turned, but even free from his grasp there wasn't much I could do right now. He could outrun me even without the added weight I was carrying, and after dancing all night, I was lucky I could walk right now. If I reached for a weapon he'd be quicker, I just needed to buy some time and think right now. I placed my hand holding the keys against Jonathan's chest and he put his hand over mine, holding it there. I looked down and shook my head.

"…I've tried to pretend I felt nothing…I've tried to ignore my feelings and focus on being faithful…" I glanced up at Jonathan theatrically and pulled my hand away from his chest, pulling the keys away as well, though not intentionally, I really didn't feel those keys would open Jace's cell. I took one of Jonathan's hands in both of mine and placed the keys to the cell in them. I curled his fingers around the keys. I took a deep melodramatic breath and walked away, closer to the cell Jace was in again. I looked up at Jace.

"…I never betrayed you…I didn't…It's just so hard when my heart is torn in two very different directions…" Jace looked completely shocked and speechless. I shook my head and looked down towards the ground, I couldn't look at that look on his face, I paced back towards Jonathan.

"…I love him, I do Jonathan, and I don't want you to hurt him, but…" I stopped in front of Jonathan and looked up at him. I raised my hand and gently rested it against his cheek.

"…If I'm honest, I can't say I've never thought of the alternative." I ran my fingers gently down his jaw line and let my index finger graze seductively across his lips. I almost wanted to chuckle at the surprised look on his face, but the thought of touching him made me want to cringe, and that look of lust in his eyes made me want to smack him hard across the face. I had to be strong.

"Clary please." Jace shouted. I let my hand drop down to my side. I looked back at the ground and paced back closer to Jace. I tried to ignore the fear in Jace's voice, and I couldn't look him in the eye, not at this point. I couldn't look at that look in his eyes without feeling like I was going to fall apart. I couldn't let him get to me. As Thomas had said the other day, I needed conviction. I needed to be confident, these people could smell fear, and I couldn't waver, not for a second.

"There will be a piece of me that will always be in love with you Jace, there will, but…" I stopped close to Jace and looked back at Jonathan with a small smirk. I tried to look tempting or maybe seductive; without throwing up.

"…I've realized a few things over the last 24 hours, and one thing I've realized is I'm a Morgenstern and Morgensterns don't marry Herondales." The smirk that came across Jonathan's face was terribly unsettling.

"Clary, stop. Don't do this." I heard Jace's panicked voice again. I paced slowly back towards Jonathan, my hands clasped behind my back as I had seen my father walk so many times. I held my head up high and tried to look tall and confident.

"Though, I would like to give you a good faith gesture right now, just to prove to you my sentiments are sincere…I know something you don't…" Jonathan furrowed his eyebrows at me as I approached. He reached his hand up and grazed the back of it along my cheek when I got within reach.

"Don't touch her!" Jace growled.

"What's that my darling?" I had to block out the thought of him touching me, the thought of Jace's anxiety.

"We have a few uninvited guests at our party this evening." Jonathan cocked one eyebrow.

"What are you doing Clary?" Jace's voice sounded deeply concerned.

"Do we now?" He asked as he combed his fingers through my hair. I nodded slowly.

"We do…" If there's one thing I learned from this family it's that a little truth with a lot of lies is very believable.

"…and those uninvited guests are here for him…" I jutted my chin towards Jace. Jonathan glanced behind me to Jace and back at me.

"…if things don't go smoothly, they're planning to attack, right here, tonight." Jonathan's quizzical look turned more serious.

"Where did you hear that?" I smirked.

"Seriously Jonathan, I'm a Morgenstern, you expect me to tell you that?" He looked almost amused for a brief moment.

"What are you doing?" Jace muttered, though I couldn't be sure he wasn't just talking to himself.

"So what is it you propose we do about this?" He combed his hand through my hair again and took a half step closer to me; I had to resist the urge to take a step back, to lean away from him.

"I propose we not interfere in whatever Seraphina had planned…If Jace was to be returned to his family…So be it." Jonathan smirked.

"How about we kill them all instead?" I shook my head.

"Now Jonathan you did just tell me you wouldn't kill Jace, and regardless, that won't work. Perhaps I should be more precise. The Herondales are here." Jonathan looked taken aback and shook his head, his hand stilled with a few strands of my hair between his fingers.

"They wouldn't. They would never come here." I smirked.

"What are you doing?" Jace muttered again.

"Never say never Jonathan. They're here as we speak and with every intention of killing as many people as they need to. I can point them out to you, there's about a dozen or so." He shook his head.

"That doesn't make sense. Seraphina made a deal-" I was shaking my head as I cut him off.

"I doubt that deal included me." I was really grasping at this point. I figured if I could get him back in the dark tunnels I had the best chance of pulling my .357 from my thigh holster. I could probably get it out without every stopping.

"Of course not." Jonathan stated matter-of-factly.

"So they've come to take me away." I said confidently.

"Why would you tell me that?" Jonathan was still shaking his head with a semi confused look on his face.

"Yes, why the hell would you tell him that?" Jace snapped. I reached my hand up and gently rested it on Jonathan's cheek.

"Because I don't want them to. I'm in love with you." I could almost taste vomit in the back of my throat after those words came out of my mouth. I could do this, it's just acting, Jonathan had already kissed me before, I didn't die or anything. I reached up on my tip toes and Jonathan ducked his head to meet my lips with his. I could hear Jace screaming profanities behind me, but tried to push his voice out of my head. I was shooting for a simple peck, though Jonathan's arms were around me quickly and he deepened the kiss with an extreme urgency. I had to remind myself not to push him away, not to give him a single inkling this was all an act. I closed my eyes and imagined Jace, though Jonathan didn't taste like Jace, and he certainly didn't kiss like Jace. I hated kissing a smoker. I snaked my arms up around Jonathan's neck and tried to kiss him back as naturally as I could. The kiss was way too long, and when Jonathan finally pulled away he looked behind me at Jace with a devilish smirk. I needed mouthwash, a whole entire bottle of mouthwash.

"That's what I call a kiss." Jace was still screaming and yelling an incoherent string of profanities. I kept one hand behind Jonathan's neck and ran the other back down resting it right on his chest.

"You do realize Valentine is probably already wondering where we are?" I said as I looked back up at Jonathan. I tried to act like a girl in love, a girl that wanted Jonathan. I let my eyes dart between his eyes and lips, as one longing for another kiss.

"You do realize it's getting late and we can find an excuse to retire to my chambers?" I rolled my eyes as though I was trying to be coy and flirty, though I seriously had to fight the acidic taste in the back of my throat, this act wouldn't have gone well if I just threw up all over him. Jace's mouth never seemed to still; I wasn't even sure I knew half the words he was spitting out venomously.

"First things first, we have some unwelcome guests to see to." He nodded. He pressed his lips to mine again, this time just a brief kiss before he dropped his arms from around me, leaving one on my waist possessively. He turned so we were both facing Jace, though the look in Jace's eyes now was closer to pure hatred, much of the panic gone.

"So you want to give them what they came for?" I nodded and then smirked slightly.

"Well Jace." He chuckled.

"Yes…You're not going anywhere." I chuckled trying to sound coy.

"I mean, unless you want a blood bath?" Jonathan hesitated, as though he were contemplating that option.

"I'm kidding." I tried to sound playful as I slapped him lightly on the chest. He chuckled as he grabbed my wrist up quickly and gazed down at me with those creepy lustful eyes.

"Why don't we just go say hello to these undesirable guests? If the Herondales have come for their progeny, then we can surely point them in the right direction." I nodded.

"Clary, don't do this. You can't trust him. He'll just kill them, all of them. I'd rather die than do that to my family." Jace pleaded, his hands tightly grasping the bars.

"I-" I started, but Jonathan placed his hand hastily, but gently against my collarbone and shook his head slightly.

"I said don't touch her." Jace spat coldly. Jonathan dipped in defiantly and placed a brief kiss against my lips before he turned back towards Jace, dropping his hands from me. He paced towards Jace, his back finally to me. This was the opening I was looking for.

"Now Jace, you're really not in a position to tell me what I can or can't do with my fiancée…" Jace was giving Jonathan the most murderous look I'd ever seen him make.

"…and as for that little tidbit about you rather be dead, don't tempt me, that can easily be arranged…" I carefully pulled up at my dress, gathering it quickly in my hands. I still needed to get back to the party without being completely covered in dirt. I needed to meet Michael at 11:00 at the top of the stairs. I'm sure Valentine would be suspicious that Jonathan and I both were missing and only I returned, though I'd have to cross that bridge when I got there. Jace and Jonathan were becoming entangled in a heated argument through the bars and seemed to be paying little or no attention to me at all. I pulled out the .357 Magnum revolver from my thigh holster and dropped the dress back down. Jonathan was a mere 10 feet from me, not far at all. I took aim at his back and fired the gun. The room resonated with the bang. Jonathan let out with a loud yell, but otherwise both of them fell silent. I was able to get off two shots before Jonathan spun around and I pulled the trigger one more time before I realized I might hit Jace, who was standing directly behind Jonathan. My eyes only wandered to Jace's for a brief second, but it was long enough to see an absolutely flabbergasted look on his face, I almost wanted to yell at him if he believed for one second I could possibly have feelings for this monster. Of course I should have planned for it, but I wasn't thinking. When Jonathan spun around he was holding a gun of his own and he fired right back at me, though he missed, whether on purpose or by accident I wasn't sure. I flinched at the unexpected counterassault.

"You shot me you bitch." Jonathan looked furious.

"Clary run!" Jace shouted. My body was in fight or flight mode and I really wanted to run, but I was petrified, not because I thought Jonathan would chase after me, I was petrified he'd turn around and shot Jace as soon as I left. My fears became a reality as he turned the gun to Jace, just a few feet away.

"You run and I'll shot him, now drop the gun." I wasn't sure what to do. I had more weapons, they just weren't within reach.

"Don't-" Jace started, but Jonathan turned back and pulled the trigger. He fired a shot that whizzed right by Jace's head, so close it caused his hair to move. I screamed, but didn't drop the gun. He turned back to me. His gun still aimed at Jace.

"My shot's much better than yours Clary…If I wanted either of you dead…You would be…A word of advice…If you want to shot someone to kill them, always aim for the head…" He pulled up his dress shirt just enough to show me he was wearing what I imagined was a bullet proof vest.

"…All you did is ruin my $2000 tuxedo…Now drop the gun…" I dropped the gun and put my hands up.

"…Kick it over to me." I kicked it, but not all the way over to him. He rolled his eyes and took a step towards me and picked up the gun with his other hand.

"Now this is how this is going to go…You're going to tell me everything you know, and if I think you're lying to me, I'll shot him…Lets start with the obvious…Where did you get this?" He turned my gun in his hand.

"Well I can tell you that. I just gave it to her." My eyes got big to the sound of Will's voice behind me, but I didn't dare turn and Jonathan just had his eyes furrowed as he pointed both guns back towards me, or more behind me.

"Herondale?" Jonathan questioned. Will chuckled.

"Now, now, Jonathan, I thought we were on a first name basis?" Will's voice sounded closer, but I still wasn't turning around.

"William? My, my, a long way from home don't you think?"

"Well you see, home is where the heart is, and I've got enough family here right now to feel right at home Jonathan. You on the other hand, you're families all dead. You must feel lonely." Jonathan made an irritated noise in the back of his throat before his mouth quirked up in a smirk.

"The irony in that statement William, you have more family here than you know. Your sister is outback as it were. Seems some of your family's dead as well." William growled slightly in the back of his throat.

"I'm rather surprised with you. I thought you were a stronger person, but you're so obedient and submissive. Always following orders, doing what you're told. I can't believe Valentine killed your whole family when you were just an itsy bitsy baby, and then stole you away, and now you treat the guy like he's the best dad in the world, when he's really just a kidnapper. They call what you have Stockholm syndrome." I heard Will's voice getting closer and closer to me. Jonathan growled deeply in his throat.

"I'll shot her you know? I'll shot her to get to you." I had a feeling Will was directly behind me.

"Na you won't because she's the Morgenstern Valentine always pretended you were, you know he'll find out, he finds out everything Jonathan, and he won't respond too kindly when he learns you killed his daughter, his only child, and his grandchild to boot…" I kind of wondered how Will knew about that, though it was just a façade anyway. Jonathan's face darkened.

"…See that's the thing Jonathan, I know you won't take that chance, but I will…" He came up right behind me while he was talking and I actually felt his hand touch my upper back, just about where my dress was.

"…Nice corset…" He whispered very quietly and I just about turned, but I didn't want to take my gaze off Jonathan and the two guns he was holding. Not to mention, Will quickly put his hand right on my shoulder, close to my neck, making it almost impossible for me to turn. He continued at the normal volume he had been speaking at a moment before.

"…She's a Morgenstern, the last true Morgenstern, and not only that, she carries the next descendent…" He pulled me back towards him roughly, my necklace dug into my collarbone the way he was holding me and I let out with a slight yelp.

"…She dies and I'll be a God among Herondales, and unlike you Morgensterns, we're a huge family, not a dying breed."

"I don't believe you at all. You're friends, allies as it may be. You just admitted you gave her that weapon. Plus, you could have killed her before. I don't believe you have any intention of killing her now."

"I did need to befriend her for appearances sake, but come on; you can't believe I'd trust a Morgenstern. I gave her the gun true, but nobody can blame me if she kills you. Also, I knew there was a chance you'd just shoot her when she tried to shoot you first, or overpower her and take the gun. I wanted to see how that played out. Though, I don't want to cause World War III right now, I'm not a complete moron, but she makes a convenient shield for the time being." Jonathan just cocked an eyebrow, but Jace grabbed onto the bars of the cell and growled deeply in the back of his throat. I trusted Will, more than I trusted Jonathan that's for sure.

"Not very loyal or chivalrous of you to use you're cousin's pregnant fiancée as a shield." Will chuckled.

"Oh yes, my long lost cousin, the prodigal child returned…You see, my family is kind of sensitive about Stephen. You know he turned his back on his family, his obligations, and when he died they treated him like he was a martyr. Now they all carry on over Jace, the child that showed no loyalty towards his family even when he knew he was a Herondale. He's in a bind now and everybody wants to risk their lives, destroy any resemblance of a truce, to get him out of this mess he's gotten himself into. I'm sorry if I'm not rushing to the front line for his idiocy." Jonathan made that deep growling noise in the back of his throat again.

"I'm not really sure what you're getting at here Herondale, but why don't you stop hiding behind a girl and stand up like a man." Will chuckled again.

"Now Jonathan, that's not very fair, you're pointing a gun at me, what incentive does that give me to let go of my shield? You want to fight man to man, you put down the gun." Jonathan started to put the guns in his jacket.

"I don't think so…" Will jerked his head towards the cells.

"…Lock them in a cell, all of them, not just the ones you're holding in your hands." Jonathan walked sideways, his eyes never leaving Will as he approached an open cell he tossed the guns he was holding into the cell, along with a third gun he had in a holster on his other side. He raised his hands up in the air and took a step forward.

"I don't trust you. Take off your jacket and shirt, and pull up your pants, I want to see your ankles." Jonathan rolled his eyes.

"Don't you think this is a bit ridiculous? I should just shot you." Will chuckled.

"Wow, I'm flattered, really I am. You're that afraid I'd beat you in a physical fight?" Jonathan scoffed.

"I don't see what I'm getting out of this." Will nodded.

"Alright, see ya." Will said sarcastically as he repositioned his hand around my throat and pulled me back sharply as he took a step back. I stumbled backwards and reflexively brought my hands up as I gasped. I vaguely thought about the fact my necklace wasn't digging into me the way he was holding me now.

"Let her go." Jace growled.

"What are you doing?" Jonathan snapped.

"What does it look like? I'm taking the prize." Jonathan glared and I could hear Jace growl again. Jonathan pulled a gun out from behind his back and aimed it at Jace.

"No!" I screamed. Will took another step back and jerked me back with him, my hands flying to my throat again as I choked.

"Clary!" Jace shouted.

"I'll kill him." Jonathan snarled.

"I don't care." Will said in a somewhat bored voice. Jonathan pointed the gun at Will and I as Will pulled me back another harsh step; my hands clawing to loosen his grip.

"I'll kill her." Jonathan snarled.

"I still don't care." Will said in the same tone.

"Then what the hell do you want?" Jonathan snarled.

"I want to kill you with my bare hands. I want you to pay for what you did to my sister you sadistic asshole. I don't need crystal clear proof to know what you did. Every time I see your lying face I'm reminded that you killed her, but I can't do a damn thing about it because we can't tip the scale now can we? I can't just walk up to you and blow your head off in the middle of Pandemonium because the Morgensterns would descend upon the Herondales like it was Christmas Eve. It's never about one thing, it's about several things that come together to a pivotal point in time, and this is that point. We're here, and I'm sure my grandmother will try to handle this diplomatically with Valentine and Seraphina, but I don't want diplomacy, I want revenge. You see if Clary and Jace die, nobody is going to think for a second I had anything to do with it, you on the other hand, you'll have a great big target on your head. I'm pretty sure Valentine himself will kill you just to pacify my family; you're not actually his son after all. So it doesn't really matter to me how I accomplish my goal, but I want to kill you."

"I'm sure the guards are already looking for us. They're probably already watching us on camera."

"Those cameras?..." Will asked as he pointed nearly straight up. I glanced over my shoulder very briefly to notice what he was pointing at was almost directly over our head.

"…They can't see me…All they see is you pointing your gun at somebody…They probably think it's just you and Clary down here…That's if they're even watching that camera, there's so much else to pay attention to tonight…Still, we probably should leave." Will jerked me back another step and I let out with a scream. His hand around my throat was firm and painful.

"Clary!" Jace shouted again.

"What are you going to do to her?" Jonathan snapped.

"Why do you care?" Will asked back quizzically. Jonathan took a deep breath.

"My father-" Jonathan snarled, but Will cut him off.

"That man isn't your father Jonathan, so stop calling him that." Jonathan made an irritated noise. He took the gun and tossed it into the open cell. He took off his jacket and threw it in as well.

"I won't be the only one proving there's nothing up my sleeve William." Jonathan growled as he started to unbutton his shirt.

"Fair enough…" Will's hands both moved to my shoulders as he spun me around sharply.

"…If you would?" He said with a wink.

"You can't be serious." I hissed as I glowered at him. He smirked.

"I know, probably not how you dreamed of taking off my clothes." He said sarcastically. I narrowed my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest.

"Forget about it." I seethed.

"Time is of the essence sweetheart." Will said as he shot me a look. I was suddenly thinking about Michael; how I was supposed to meet him at 11:00, which I was sure had to be fast approaching. I made an irritated noise before I reluctantly started unbuttoning his jacket. I helped Will take his jacket, followed by his shirt. He kept looking behind me, at Jonathan I assumed.

"You must me joking if you think you're keeping that vest on." Will said with a humorless chuckle.

"I'm getting there." Jonathan growled. Will was down to his white undershirt and dress pants and shoes. He held one arm out to his side, the other firmly on my shoulder.

"Don't be shy sweetheart." I rolled my eyes as I helped him remove the undershirt, one arm at a time."

"Thanks." He said with a wink as he turned me back around. Jonathan was topless as well, and I was beginning to feel like I was in the middle of an Ultimate Fighting match the way these guys were built.

"Ankles." Will said behind me. Jonathan pulled up his pant legs slightly one at a time, he didn't have any visible holsters or weapons on. I felt Will move behind me, his right hand left my shoulder and his left hand came down, so I assumed he was pulling up his pant legs as well. Jonathan cracked his neck and all his knuckles.

"Lock it." Will spat sharply. Jonathan made an irritated noise before he slammed the cell door shut; presumably locking all the weapons inside.

"Get out of here." Will whispered before he pushed me forcefully out of his way and onto the ground. He charged at Jonathan, as Jonathan did the same. I looked up at the two of them tangled into a brawl and then over at Jace. I could feel a knife painfully sticking into my leg, the dagger I was guessing, and I quickly, but discretely, hiked up my dress and removed the knife. I debated grabbing the H&K, but once I got back upstairs all the weapons Michael, Thomas, and I would have were the ones under this dress and I was already down two guns. There was a whole cell of guns down here, Jace and Will just needed to figure out how to get to them. I could attempt to shoot Jonathan right now, but I could very well hit Will, and if I did, things definitely wouldn't go well for any of us. I grabbed the dagger and quickly got up off the ground, trying to keep it concealed at my side. I took off towards Jace and he shook his head.

"Go!" He shouted. It didn't exactly look like Will was evenly matched, nor that either of them were paying attention. I saw the key ring on the ground and snatched it up just in case as I ran up to the cell and put my hands through, Jace doing the same.

"Clary." Jace pleaded.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it-" He was nodding as he cut me off.

"I know. I know. You need to go." I put my face to the bars as he did the same and our lips met for all too brief of a kiss.

"I won't leave you here." He was shaking his head.

"You have to…" He dropped his voice.

"…You have to get to Michael. Tell him what happened." I nodded as I kept my voice low as well.

"Will's still on our side." He cocked an eyebrow.

"You sure about that?" I instinctively brought my hand with the key ring in it to my throat as I nodded.

"Yes, he's just a better actor than me." He took a deep breath.

"Please go." He begged again. I brought my lips to his for another quick kiss.

"Take these." I handed him the keys and the dagger through the bars and he took them.

"Now go." He begged.

"I love you Jace. I love you so much." I felt tears trickle down my cheeks.

"Don't say it like you're saying goodbye." I heard a shout and looked over to see Will on his back, Jonathan standing over him. They both looked bruised and bloodied.

"I'm coming for you next Clary." Jonathan snarled as Will swept his foot out and sent Jonathan plunging to his back with a yell.

"Go! Find Michael!" Jace urged quietly as he pushed my shoulders back hard with his hands. I glanced at him for just the briefest second longer before I finally ran.

"You get your ass back here or I'll kill them Clary. I swear to god I'll kill them both." I heard Jonathan shouting as I took off down the tunnels.


Thank you all so much for reading and thank you for reviewing!