CHAPTER 1
Simon.
Fighting three demons should have been, if not easy, manageable for Simon. Even though he could not recognize the demons, he had been in tougher battles than that since his ascension and he ought to have been able to fend them off. But lately, he hadn't been sleeping well.
Nightmares of George's ascension and memories from his past continued to plague him. Even now, there were some memories that had not completely coalesced into comprehensible moments – they were hazy, unfocused and in general, gave him migrains. To add to all that, the Clave had suddenly decided that all ascendants needed to be tested.
For a day, they needed to be put out alone in the field for a day, without any help. Their institutes would be allowed to see them again after two days. In case of fatal emergencies, they could, of course, send fire messages and the New York institute, where the High Warlock of Brooklyn, a bunch of silent brothers and others who had volunteered to help out would be waiting on the other side of a portal. Speaking of the New York institute, he couldn't wait to meet a certain dark haired and gorgeous dame. He paused, thinking of his girlfriend, Isabelle Lightwood and how badly he missed her and he parabatai, Clary.
That one second's hesitation, unfortunately, was enough for the one demon that was still alive to get him with its talons in the right shoulder. He gave a sharp cry of pain. Swearing, he tried to stab the demon but, he could feel himself struggling to stay awake. The demon, sensing his weakness, bit him again on the same shoulder, causing him to drop his seraph blade. With a last burst of energy, he took out a runed dagger from his belt and gutted the demon, which vapourized on the spot, leaving a faint smell of smoke and ash behind. The last thing he saw before losing consciousness was a bluish shimmer in the air, the opening of a portal.