"A Greater Demon had a massacre at a bar," Alec said. "The only Greater Demon that we know is up and active is your friend, the memory demon."

"You think Charon is one to go around in a slaughter for no good reason?" Shu asked.

"I'm not saying that. But the Institute feels you're the closest thing we've got to a lead. If you can contact him and maybe ask him if he has any idea who this could be, we'd appreciate it. Any help he could give on the case, really."

She smiled and shook her head in disbelief. "You are so lucky. If it were anybody but me, Charon might demand an important memory of mine in exchange, and personally, I don't find my like for you that great. But I'll try. And you should know, if we're talking about a Greater Demon, there will always be a motive if they're willing to come out into the open like this. If a Greater Demon escapes to this world, they're going to try and keep their presence on the down low and keep their killings or deals a secret. Unless they're trying to draw you Shadowhunters out."

"We'll keep that in mind."

"Hey!"

Magnus came walking into the room with a smile. "When did you get here? You must be reading my mind. I was just about to call you."

Alec gave him a quick peck. "There's a Greater Demon on the lose and we need your help. It's been leaving this on its victims."

He passed over a bag of small grains. "Oh dear," Magnus muttered. "This sand, it's from Duduael."

"Which is a…dimension of Hell?" Alec clarified.

"The worst dimension," Shu agreed. "Did you find this on their face?"

Alec nodded.

"How did he get loose…?" Magnus muttered. "He's been shackled for centuries."

"Who, Magnus?"

"The demon who taught man the weapons of war," Shu said. "A Greater Demon. Azazel. One of the Princes of Hell. He and I don't get along too well."

"Right. A real prince."

He patted Magnus on the arm and walked past to the curtains darkening the room. "Why's it so dark in here?"

Magnus turned, but didn't say anything. He didn't really have to, when Raphael zoomed in behind the two Warlocks and Alec turned back to see the Vampire.

"Hello, Alec."

"What is he doing here?"

"Raphael has something important to tell you," Magnus explained.

"Nothing he says matters to me."

Magnus swallowed and Shu looked down.

"Your sister's in trouble," Raphael said.

"Your damn right she is. She's suffering withdrawal back at the Institute because of you!"

"Alexander, listen," Shu snapped.

"She just came by the DuMort begging for a bite," Raphael continued.

Alec then started listening. "What?"

"I didn't touch her. You have my word. But there are plenty of Vampires more than eager to take a bite."

He moved to the door. "I never should've left her alone."

Magnus caught his arm. "It's not your fault. Don't worry. We'll find her."

"Here's the address to the closest den," Raphael offered, handing over a piece of paper. "There's a good chance she's there."

Alec stared at the offered slip of paper before snatching it begrudgingly and turning to the door once more. "Let's go."

Magnus shuffled awkwardly and nodded farewell to Raphael before following.

When they arrived at the address, they found a group of mundanes, killed in the same way that the people at the bar had suffered.

"Azazel did this," Shu confirmed.

Magnus looked around before picking up a necklace from the ground. It was the same necklace that he'd given her before, able to sense when demons were approaching, but the gem in the center was shattered from the force of Azazel's aura.

"Izzy's necklace," He muttered.

Alec snatched it. "It's broken. Where is she?"

"I'm going to contact Charon about this," Shu said. "We'll find her, Alec."

"Azazel's not one to take prisoners," Charon said. "He doesn't play like that. Most likely, he interrogated her about the Mortal Cup and then killed her, but I wouldn't be too sure about anything with that man. It might not be a coincidence that he targeted Isabelle. Since the cup is still out there and dangerous to us, all of us are still looking for it. Along with the sword, but considering the recent massacre of Downworlders, no one's eager to get their hands on it now that it's been activated. The cup is our priority now."

"We didn't find a body though. And shouldn't he just be going for Valentine if that's the case?"

"Many of us have considered it, sure. But no one wants to break into the Clave to try and get the man wanting to kill us all. It wouldn't be a hard task, but it has it's risks, and if there's an easier way, he'll look for that first. Azazel will try and get the information out of more Shadowhunters for a little longer until he finds a way to get to Valentine with less effort than slaughtering numerous Shadowhunters and risking them using the Soul Sword now that it's active."

"What about you? You're going after the cup too?"

"I wanted your Shadowhunters to destroy it, but obviously they weren't going to listen to me. They said they'd be able to protect it, and yet here we are. I'm less interested in finding and using the cup than the others of my kind. Azazel, however, is eager to get his hands on it. I'm a Greater Demon, but even I don't compare to one of the Princes of Hell."

"Can you help us track him?"

"I am not gonna try and get on that guy's bad side."

"Coward."

"Don't play that card. We both know Azazel to some extent, and we should both know that Asmodeus and Azazel are both formidable people. Dancing with Azazel is something only the Princes of Hell should be doing, and I will not be so bold as to step out of my place."

"That's right. You demons like your hierarchy, don't you?"

"It's a way to keep order within chaos. We rely on our hierarchy, and no matter what position we're in, we like it. I would feel disgusted if I were to be treated lower than my position, and just as disgusted if I were to be treated higher than my position. In the demon world, things make sense. Everything has a place, a role to fulfill. You are either above someone or below someone, and I am below the Princes of Hell and I like it that way."

"And what about me?"

"You?"

"Where am I?"

"You were born to be as great or greater than the Princes of Hell, possibly an equal to the big man himself. The big man of Hell, and the big man of heaven alike. Back when you were the Demon Queen, all of the demons, even the Princes, showed their respect to you, hoped that you would only get stronger, and destroy all Shadowhunters, angels, and otherwise that threatened the demons. Now that you've given up that role and have been living here, docile and weakened, your place in the hierarchy might be slipping. Be careful if you wanna try and play that card to Azazel."

"I will."

"I really don't like this," Shu muttered, finishing the drawing of the pentagram.

"Is the courtyard glamoured?" Alec asked.

"No one can see us," Magnus confirmed.

He sighed. "I don't know. It still seems like a risk."

"We have no choice. This is the only space big enough."

"Security cameras in the cell are down," Jace reported. "We've got a half hour until the Inquisitor's done with her meeting."

Alec, Magnus, Shu and Jace took their positions on the pentagram, Valentine being the final person, who they had restrained in position at his corner as well.

Alec sighed. "Is Clary ready?"

"Clary?" Shu asked.

Jace nodded, ignoring her. "Let's do this."

"Be careful," Shu warned. "I know Azazel, and he is not someone to take lightly. Be firm in your speech, and do not presume you are above nor below him, or he will take offense. And that is something that will lead to trouble."

Everyone nodded in acknowledgement.

"I call upon the power of the pentagram," Magnus declared, waving his hand in the direction of one of the lines in said shape on the floor.

That line began to blaze with red fire, and Shu waved her hand to continue the activation of another line. "Azazel, I summon thee."

Magic flashed as the next line lit up by Magnus began to build power.

"From within our realm, into this mystical confinement," Magnus continued. "I summon thee."

Shu waved the next line into activation, leaving only one left. "You seek the Mortal Cup, we seek the return of our friend."

"For this exchange, I summon thee."

Magnus finished off the final line, and then the two Warlocks kneeled as the circle around the pentagram was set ablaze as well. They then stood once more, pulling the magic upwards, and in a flash, a man in a suit worthy of Raphael appeared in the center of the glowing symbol.

He looked around, turning to Magnus. "Well, if it isn't Magnus Bane. Brave move."

He stepped forward, but Shu held her hands out and pushed them forward to contain Azazel. "No, Zell," She said. "You are not touching him. This is between you and me."

"Well, if it isn't little Shu. I haven't seen you in ages, dear girl. But you don't look like half the woman you were last I heard."

"Return Isabelle Lightwood and we'll hand over Valentine. He can lead you to the Mortal Cup."

The Greater Demon saw the restrained man and turned. "Valentine Morgenstern. The man who dares to dream big. It is a tempting offer, but I don't have your friend Isabelle."

"He's lying," Alec declared.

"I'm not so sure…" Jace muttered.

"I may be bad, but I'm not lying. Even I wouldn't dare try and deceive my queen. Isn't that right, 'your Highness?'"

Shu's eyes darkened slightly, but she kept her face straight. "He isn't lying."

The barrier around Azazel began to weaken, and Magnus gathered energy to blast him before the two Warlocks began increasing their power into the spell.

"We can still find Isabelle, but we can't let Azazel get away," Jace declared. "Clary, now!"

Clary stomped into the room, drawing a rune onto her hand with her stele, and then thrust her hand out, but nothing happened. She looked to her hand in surprise and tried drawing the rune again.

"It's…it's not working!"

"What are you talking about?" Jace asked.

"Nothing's happening!"

"You idiots!" Shu shouted. "That was your brilliant plan?!

Azazel turned to her, his true form beginning to flicker. "You thought you could contain me?!"

He put his hands together and built up energy, before flinging them out, dissolving the magic in the pentagram and sending everyone flying back, Shu managing to keep on her feet but still sliding across the concrete.

Azazel then flicked his wrists, his eyes darkening to black, before the Shadowhunters (and Magnus) began screaming in pain.

"Magnus! Stop him!" Alec shouted.

But Magnus was in just as much pain, and Shu held her head as she felt Magnus's pain surging through their soul bond.

Azazel walked over to Magnus and kneeled down to him. "Stupid Warlock."

He sent a pulse through Magnus, before standing and rubbing his hands together as he moved over to Valentine. "Now, a present for you, my dear Valentine."

"Azazel!" Shu shouted, drawing her sword.

But Azazel took Valentine's temples, and she began screaming along with everyone else, her sword clattering to the ground and disappearing.

"Jace!" Clary shouted.

He looked to her, before rolling up his sleeve as one of his runes activated, and he was able to stand. He jumped over to Azazel, drawing his seraph blade and moving to strike. Azazel saw, however, and scattered into a swarm of insects that flew off.

Everyone began to catch their breaths, but Shu ended up falling forward to the ground. "Magnus…"

"How did you do that?" Alec asked Jace.

He looked to the rune he'd activated and shook his head. "I have no idea. Doesn't matter. He got away."

"Hey, are you okay?" Alec asked as he helped Magnus stand. "Are you all right?"

Magnus looked around in shock. "I…I think so."

The crew of Shadowhunters, and Magnus, dusted themselves off and walked out, while two other Shadowhunters ran in and hefted Valentine to his feet.

"No…" Shu muttered, trying to get to her feet. "No, wait…"

She stumbled, and a cloud of dark smoke appeared beside her before Charon caught her from falling. "Whoa, Namir, stay with me. I got you."

"Help me!" Valentine shouted, his voice muffled behind the mask on his face. "Help me!"

Shu reached out for him. "No, let him go…help me…let him…"

But Charon pulled her back and pulled her up into his arms bridal-style. "I got you."

He teleported off, taking the memories of the Shadowhunters of him ever being there, and leaving Valentine screaming after them. "Wait! No!"

Charon reappeared in the palace of Asmodeus in the capital of Edom, Idumea.

He gently laid Shu on the bed of his quarters as she began to lose consciousness. "Magnus…Magnus…help me…I am not…I'm coming…help me…"

With a plum of dark black smoke, another man appeared, and Charon stood at attention. "What has occurred, Valak?" He demanded.

"This was the work of Azazel, my Lord. He sabotaged your son whom you had her bonded to and now she's in a weakened state from the disturbance of the bond."

"Is this true, Azazel?"

In another cloud of smoke, Azazel appeared, dusting off his jacket casually. "Why yes, Asmodeus. It would seem the Warlock I tampered with was the one little Shu was bonded to. Do you care?"

"She is not to be harmed by even someone such as you!" Charon shouted. "What if you had broken the bond and let the energy from it go to waste after all these years of finding a suitable Downworlder to bond her to and building it for the past few centuries?! You must be a fool to have risked the project for which we have conglomerated all of our efforts for the past eons! Why I-!"

"Valak, enough!" Asmodeus snapped. "Know your place. Azazel may be worthy of accusation, however, you must remember with whom you are addressing. Azazel is above your class, and you should be well aware."

Charon stiffened and clamped his mouth shut, averting his gaze. "Yes, my Lord."

"Now, Azazel, have you indeed broken or harmed the soul bond between the subject and my son in any way?"

"I tampered with it when I switched Magnus Bane and Valentine Morgenstern, sure," He said casually, crossing his arms. "However, just because I moved the bond to an unfamiliar location doesn't mean it's damaged in any way. It's in a weakened state, but it's by no means in danger. The switch will be reversed soon enough, if Morgenstern agrees to my deal, and everything will be put in order. Until then, there's no risk to the soul bond being broken by any means."

"She is weakened to near comatose!" Charon shouted. "If any harm should come to her, you silver tongued-!"

"Valak!"

Asmodeus waved his hand out and Charon tensed in pain. The Prince of Hell slammed his hand downwards and Charon was suddenly forced downwards into a kneel, shaking under the force restraining him.

"You should keep your subordinates in check, Asmodeus," Azazel taunted.

"He's merely concerned for the subject's safety. She has been growing soft these past centuries with my son. Perhaps this ordeal shall serve useful as a way to remind her of her task. Valak, you are to return any memories to her that she has forgotten or you have taken, and you shall unlock ones she has chosen to bury deep within the waves of time. Remind her what her real purpose is and begin the next phase to integrate her back within the demon world. Thanks to her soul bond with my son, she has been dragged back into the Downworld, however, it is time to push her further once more. Are we clear?"

Charon looked up, still grunting under the strain, but he nodded.

With that, Asmodeus relaxed his hand and Charon let out a small gasp as he was freed from his confinement. He took deep breaths, standing cautiously and keeping his head down.

"My Lord, shall I commence the memory reviving now, while she is in her weakened state?"

"You can start small while Azazel plays his little game. As soon as she is back on her feet once more, that is when the real trials can begin. To avoid harm coming to her while she is in this state, you may keep her here until my son is stabilized in his own body and the soul bond is as full strength."

Charon bowed, glaring to the carpet below. "Yes, sir."

"Azazel, go and do as you wish, but don't drag this out for longer than you must. We do not know if prolonged interference might indeed do permanent damage if dragged out too long."

Azazel merely smiled. "Sure thing, Asmodeus. We wouldn't want any harm to come to our little Shu, would we?"

With that, his dark cloud of magic consumed him as he disappeared, his smirk still on his face.

"Do not embarrass me anymore, Valak," Asmodeus warned firmly. "If such behavior should continue, I shall have you banished and never to work with the subject again."

He disappeared as well, and Charon let out a sigh, dropping next to Shu on his bed in exhaustion. The memory restoration could wait until later. For now, Shu deserved rest, and Charon needed a break.

He'd have to go to Magnus Bane's apartment and impersonate Shu to give an excuse as to why she's gone to the Lightwood boy, hopefully avoiding Azazel as he talks to Valentine (disguised as Magnus).

Then he'd get to torture Shu with memories he'd wished to keep from her and memories she herself would crack under.

Yea for him.

"I'm fine," Magnus assured Alec, walking a bit drunken down the halls of the Institute. "Just a little…tired. Nothing a…good night's sleep won't fix."

"I can come back home with you if you'd like-"

"No! No…it's okay. I'll…call you tomorrow."

Alec gave a small smile and nod, while Magnus returned it and walked away while Alec was distracted by his phone ringing.

Magnus walked home a bit dazed, looking to his hands. "Disgusting Warlock."