"So it's important that this meeting tonight goes smoothly."

"It will," Magnus assured him. "I'll be by your side the whole time."

"A-Actually I'd…rather you not."

"Have I done something wrong?"

"No, not at all. It's just, I don't wanna be accused of any kind of…Warlock favoritism."

"I see. Perhaps another Warlock should go instead."

"No, I-I need you there, Magnus, but as a Warlock representative. Not as my boyfriend. Is that okay?"

Magnus shrugged, but realizing that Alec couldn't see it, he said quickly, "Of course. It's best that we keep our personal and professional lives separate."

There was a paused as Alec seemed to take a breath of relief. "Thank you."

He hung up and Magnus pocketed his phone.

"Right, let's get rid of this thing," Shu said.

"Concentrate, Magnus."

"I am."

The two of them sat in front of each other, their hands with the bond locked together. They were trying to put the bond back onto their souls instead of on their bodies, but something was interfering.

Magnus scoffed and pulled back. "This isn't working. We're just not ready for this at the moment."

"It's fine, Mags. We'll just both have to go to the meeting. It's not like the other leaders of the Downworlders aren't used to both of us sticking together for things like this."

"Good thing you're in a fancy dress already. It'll do. Just put on some shoes, and no sneakers."

She rolled her eyes and snapped on some black wedge sandals. "This all right?"

He rolled his eyes. "Better than nothing. And please try to be on your best behavior."

"That's my line, dear. With the soul bond weakened, anything could happen."

"Let's go."

As the portaled to outside of the Institute, Shu and Magnus shortened the soul chain so it wouldn't drag and then glamoured it so that it was invisible.

"Shall we, Miss Kandai?"

"We shall, Mister Bane."

They headed inside, and when Magnus saw Alec standing there after Meliorn, Raphael, and Isabelle walked off, he took a deep breath and steeled himself.

As they approached, Magnus cleared his throat. "Lovely to see you Mr. Lightwood."

"And you Mr. Bane," Alec agreed, shaking his hand.

"I'm sorry to intrude, but circumstances require me to not leave Magnus's side," Shu said, also shaking his hand professionally. "I won't be a burden, I promise."

"It shouldn't be a problem. Thank you both for taking the time."

"We wouldn't miss it," Magnus said. "I have tremendous respect for the new head of the Institute."

Alec looked down and tried to keep the smile off his face, while Shu and Magnus walked after the others.

"Okay, the chain should phase through even the Shadowhunters and Downworlders," Shu whispered. "It's been a while since we've had the chain, but I think I've worked out how to mess with its properties."

"So it can lengthen and shrink to our needs as well as be no bother to anyone or anything?" Magnus clarified.

"Correct. We can't go out of the room without one another, but otherwise, we're free to mingle however we wish."

"Good, Being stuck with you all night would be hazardous."

"I see we're back to the old 'I hate you, but I'm bonded to you' lifestyle."

"You betcha."

"Wouldn't have it any other way."

"Excuse me, Miss…Shu, was it? I don't think we've been formally introduced."

Shu turned to see a tall man with blonde hair standing beside her. He had runes on him, so he was obviously a Shadowhunter, but there was something just…off about him. There was something in his blood, she could sense it. Her own power began to react to it, though whether in a good or bad way, she couldn't be sure.

Her wrist started to shake, and she moved it behind her back and clamped down on it with her other hand, trying to keep it still. "Oh, I'm sorry. I was…staring. How rude. Um…how do you know my name?"

"We met briefly during the hunt for Azazel. You were quite the expert on him."

She didn't remember that. During the hunt for Azazel she was bed-ridden in Edom. It must've been Charon. She remembered him telling her something about going and looking after Magnus so that the soul bond wasn't put into any danger while it was in a delicate state.

She realized she hadn't said anything and quickly nodded. "Well we've had…encounters before."

"You said you've banished him previously."

She nodded. "Numerous times."

"That must be quite a feat. You're skilled."

"Yes. I once killed him with a rock. I kicked it, while my hands were restrained, and hit him right in the chest. And I did it in heels, mind you, which is a feat in it of itself."

He chuckled. "Remind me not to get on your bad side."

"Trust me, I don't think you'll need the reminder. I…am pretty eccentric. Oh, uh…what was your name again?"

"Ah, yes. Sebastian Verlac. I'm from the London Institute. I'm working security tonight for the Cabinet meeting."

"That explains the accent. I love London. I remember helping with the construction of Big Ben. And the palaces were wonderful, even back in the day. Though France was a nice place too. I had some adventures involving Marie Antoinette, Vampires, and a hot air balloon. Ah, fun times."

"I was wondering why you were here at this meeting, and why I haven't seen you around the Institute. Are you here for the meeting of the Downworlders?"

"Yes. I'm representing the Warlocks with my brother Magnus."

"That explains your adventures. So you were merely glamoured as a Shadowhunter to aid in the hunt for Azazel. And that's why you weren't cleared for a mission and best away from the Institute."

"The little Scooby Doo club of Shadowhunters that you're acquainted with are really the ones who trust a Downworlder in their ranks. I've heard some disrespectful sneers from gossiping Shadowhunters that are against Mr. Lightwood's decision about bringing so many Downworld leaders into one place."

"This is a meeting for peace."

"Speaking of the meeting, I should probably join the others. But it's been nice meeting you."

"You as well."

As Shu smiled and walked away, she moved her hands in front of her, her wrist still shaking and her blood tingling from the vibe that guy was giving her. Whoever he was, he wasn't a normal Shadowhunter.

"So what does this…Downworld Cabinet even mean?" Raphael asked.

"It means creating total transparency about all Shadowhunter decisions that involve the Downworld," Alec explained. "The goal is to have weekly meetings here to discuss any updates, questions, or concerns."

"Well, I applaud Mr. Lightwood for his progressive thinking," Magnus said.

"Because you're totally unbiased," Raphael muttered.

"He's trying to make peace," Shu argued. "Alexander has only the best interests at heart. He is better than the other previous leaders of the Institute who have had no concern for our opinions nor feelings."

"Alec, you are not the first to attempt something like this," Meliorn pointed out. "But it never works out because the Clave is not willing to compromise."

"But I am," Alec declared. "In time, we will be able to reason with the Clave. I'm sure of it."

"And what about Valentine?" Luke asked. "Can this cabinet appeal for his execution?"

"If this is going to work, we can't start with the impossible."

"Well that's kind of hard to believe considering the man that massacred our people is sitting in a cell beneath our feet."

"Luke, I know you're upset, but we have to be diplomatic about this," Shu said.

"Diplomacy gets us nowhere. Nothing has changed in 20 years."

"The Werewolves aren't the only ones with their vendetta," Magnus protested. "Everyone has a reason to want Valentine dead. I more than anyone."

"And why is that?"

Magnus looked to Alec. "You said total transparency."

Alec nodded, and Magnus took a deep breath. "You remember Azazel? Before we sent him back to Hell, he used…demonic magic to put Valentine's mind in my body."

"So Valentine was walking freely," Raphael realized. "Wearing your face?"

"Yes, but not for long. He's now back in his cell, for good."

Luke sighed. "This is what I'm talking about. The Clave has to know about this. If Valentine was able to escape, they have to execute him."

"The Clave already knows," Alec said. "It won't change their minds. What other options do we have?"

Luke pursed his lips. "I need to talk to my pack. Excuse me while I make a phone call."

"Let's take a recess," Alec agreed as Luke stood and walked off, pulling his phone out of his jacket pocket.

"Perhaps meeting within the Shadowhunter Institute is putting too many on edge," Shu suggested.

"That's an understatement," Raphael muttered.

"We should try not to be biased towards any one of our kind, including Shadowhunters, whether you are the ones trying to show your trust or not. However, I do worry about if the Shadowhunters will stay behind you. All of our people are concerned about these peace talks, whether one day we're going to walk in, but we're not going to walk out.

"I understand your concerns," Alec said. "When Luke gets back, we can discuss a neutral location for meetings."

Sebastian walked in, tapping Alec on the arm. "Might I speak to you for a moment?"

Alec sighed and stood. "Excuse me."

The two walked a small distance away and has a small talk, before Alec's face turned concerned and the two marched off.

"So, how's everyone's century going?" Shu asked.

"Well, that went well," Shu muttered. "Lucian had to pick tonight to go and try to attack Valentine and nearly kill him."

"On the bright side, I think I'm getting you into wearing heels and dresses."

"Only those of my own making that I can tolerate."

"Ooo, admitting it. Who are you and what have you done with Asushunamir?"

"I locked her in a closet and stole her identity. Mwahaha!"

"Ho-oh, a closet is far from enough to keep that girl down."

"Well she is mentally exhausted, and is going to bed now. Night."

"Night."

Shu hopped across the coral of the reef, weighing nothing in the water so doing no real damage. Her silk dress was a soft turquoise this time, and had sleeves going about half way down her arm.

"We couldn't establish the soul bond today," She called.

"Something wrong?" Charon asked.

"Maybe. I think I'm coping with what happened, but…I can't expect him to be all right."

"The water helps you, I think."

"Dreams help me. I've long since learned how to meditate and calm myself over the millennia, but Magnus is barely 400 years old. Even for people twice his age, they'd still crack under such pressure. I'm trying to help him through it, but it will take time. The memories themselves are haunting, but the torture, Alec's disbelief in him, the emptiness left by the soul bond's resetting…he's hurting, and I'm the only thing keeping him afloat. If not for me, he'd be drowning in the depths."

"I believe in you. You're strong, and you can help him."

She hopped off the edge of the reef and slowly descended to the sand below, hitting the floor of the ocean gently as ever.

"I'm getting better, and Magnus is trying."

Charon sat down beside her. "Has he told the Lightwood boy?"

"No. I feel that might be the best thing for him, but Magnus is too afraid for Alexander to see that side of him. How are you supposed to show someone the worst moment in your life and expect them to understand how it felt? To them, they know it's horrible, but experiencing it yourself is the only way to truly know how painful it is, how it eats away at your soul."

She put her hand to her chest and closed her eyes, the ocean around them darkening, and the wildlife of the reef disappearing. All that remained were the coral, and those began to slowly lose color as well.

"The pain, it's crushing. But in a way, it's also easing."

She let out a deep breath, life returning to the reef once more. She opened her eyes and spread her arms out beside her.

"This is how I have learned to see pain. Perhaps that makes me a monster, but that really isn't a surprise. I can deal with pain. And I know how to do it on my own. But Magnus needs to tell Alexander. He needs to ask for help. That's the first step in learning how to cope on your own the right way."

"Have you told him that?"

"I've tried, but I don't want to push him. I'm still connected to Magnus, but with the soul bond out and away from bonding our souls themselves, I find myself unable to properly dictate what going too far is."

"What's it like? Having a soul bond with someone?"

"It's so wonderful. It's not lust, there's no lust involved. But it's complete trust in someone, feeling your everything being supported by another, mixing with another. It's a type of bliss that few can ever find in this world. Some friends of mine had a soul bond that was designed for lovers. Even for them, it wasn't all about lust. It was about that deep bond within you, knowing that you put your everything into them, you can feel what they feel, and shall never have any chance of betrayal. Even a parabatai can barely scratch the surface of understanding."

"So the truest of love isn't about lust, but absolute trust?"

"That's putting it lightly, but yes."

He sighed. "I guess trust is a foreign concept for me."

"How so?"

"I'm a memory demon. Memories contain the truths of reality, but I twist and turn that truth. Perhaps that's where the Seelies got their cunning. Even for me, truth becomes distorted as I take and give memories. Through my own nature, I'm unable to comprehend what truths are, nor keep truths that way."

She moved to take his hand, still staring up to the shimmering water. "You can be truthful. You were with me."

"And yet I continually manipulate memories, almost unconsciously. Distorting reality itself, for if all don't remember something, it's like it never happened."

"But that doesn't mean it didn't. You said so yourself. No matter what we remember, memories can't change reality."

"Yeah."

He tried not to think about how comforting her hand felt in his. If he had to guess the feeling of having a bonded soul mate, this is what it might be like. That feeling of warmth, as though you were whole from just their very touch.

But it wasn't the time for romantics between them. She was in pain right now, in a delicate state. He didn't want to take advantage of that. If she was going to forgive him, let it be on her own, and not with her emotional state influencing her.

"You should get back to Magnus. He probably needs your support more than me."

She shifted closer and turned so she was perpendicular to him, resting her head on his chest. She pulled their interlocked hands to her stomach, resting her other hand atop the pile to hold his in place.

"He's sleeping. Five more minutes like this, okay? Just…this."

And, in all honesty, who was he to deny her that?

When Alec woke up in the morning, he reached over to find Magnus gone. "Magnus?"

He was sitting in the main room with a tea cup in his hand. Shu was lying on the couch, having woken up with Magnus's mind stirring her awake. Even without the soul bond at full strength, the trauma shared between the two of them held so many similarities that it managed to break through.

Magnus had looked for his mother, calling out "Mama?"

He found a lump under the bedsheets, but wondered why she wasn't responding to his calls. Curiously, he walked over and pulled the covers away, only to find his mother lying stabbed through her stomach with a knife, blood pooling across her white dress.

"No!"

Shu had walked home from the field she played around in her free time, and went reluctantly to search for her mother. Oddly enough, she wasn't in the main room. "Mama?"

She went around the house to find her mother, but once she was seen by the woman who despised her, a man grabbed her and pulled her away, kicking and screaming.

"No!"

There were so many differences, yet so easily could the two scenarios also be related. That is why Asmodeus had bonded her to Magnus. Their stories were different, unique, yet alike in enough ways that they could sympathize, that their souls stood a chance of surviving the soul bond because their souls already shared enough matching scars.

"There you are," Alec called, slipping on his shirt.

Magnus breathed before putting on a smile and turning around. "Good morning."

Alec scoffed. "I'd say the same, but it looks like you haven't slept."

Magnus stood and walked over. "Should I be insulted by that?"

Alec let out a small chuckle. "No…I love that face. But this is…like the fourth morning in a row that I've woken up to an empty bed. Is something bothering you?"

Magnus worked to keep his smile and shook his head. "Nothing is bothering me. I've even gotten used to your adorable little snores."

"Hey, I don't snore."

Magnus closed his eyes and imitated snoring.

"Look, I know you well enough to know something's going on."

"Alexander. I'm fine."

He gave him a kiss before changing the subject and walking past.

"So what about you? Have you decided what you're gonna report to the Clave?"

Alec sighed. "I'm torn. If I don't tell the Clave about Luke's attempt on Valentine's life, I'd be in violation. If they find out, I could be de-runed."

Magnus nodded and turned back. "Whatever you decide, I'll stand by you."

Alec put his hand on Magnus's shoulder. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Positive."

With that, Magnus walked away before Alec could question him further.

"Hey, Shu."

"Yeah?"

"I was wondering if you could tell me…is something going on with Magnus? I just…something's bothering him, but he won't tell me what."

"Well it could be our soul bond being taken away."

"I thought you guys resolved that."

She held up her wrist and the chain shimmered to life about a foot down. "It's still there, but we've managed to hide it. It takes a lot of emotional preparation in order to put it back where it belongs, and as Magnus and I have grown accustomed to living with it, that strong connection between our bodies and minds, having it downgraded back to a physical chain is a bit jarring."

Alec nodded skeptically. "Maybe. I don't know if that's it though."

"Well, if anyone can get it out of him, it's you, Alexander. Oh, how are things with the Clave going?"

"I need to make my decision about telling the Clave about Luke or not. If I do, I could be de-runed, but if I don't and someone figures out, I could also be de-runed."

"Well, how about you offer up some other solution? The attack on Valentine can easily be downgraded to protests against keeping him in the Institute. Just say that the meeting with the Downworlders unanimously agreed that moving Valentine somewhere else, possibly Idris, would be the best option to restore peace. Everyone's on edge with Valentine here, even Shadowhunters. Moving Valentine out of the city is the best way to restore relations with the Downworld, and keep anyone here from trying something like what Luke did. The Werewolves and the Vampires of New York took the biggest hit in numbers, and have the highest drive for vengeance. I have no doubt the Seelies hold their own kind of grudge. Moving Valentine to a safer location is the best option, and it has to be convincing enough for the Clave. There's no reason not to take Valentine to Idris."

Alec chuckled in relief. "Shu, you're a genius."

She smiled. "I know. Just hurry over to the Institute and make the request. And I volunteer to be the Warlock to help portal him there."

She set her guitar down when she heard the knock at the door and stood to open it and find Alec.

"Hey. The trip is scheduled at 2."

"I'm all set to go when you are."

"Where's Magnus?"

"Over there. I think he needs you right now, Alexander. Whether he admits it or not."

She let him into the apartment and then went over to the couch to grab her guitar and continue playing. Music had always kept her calm, and over the years, it could calm anyone if nice enough. Even Magnus liked hearing it, and right now, it at least helped distract him somewhat.

Alec walked in, but Magnus barely noticed him.

Magnus's step father walked in upon hearing the boy's shouts, and then starting shouting at the young Warlock for what had happened.

Then, the little boy glared at the man, and his Warlock mark eyes activated.

Shu tried to rip her arms free, staring back at the woman who never loved her, who refused to even care. She let her rage burn, she let out everything that she'd kept inside, amounts of anger she didn't know she had.

Her eyes flashed to life, a brand appearing above the back of her hand.

"Magnus. Magnus."

Magnus snapped out of his thoughts and realized Alec was in the room, recomposing himself and standing. "Well, hello. I was just about to make myself a drink. You want one?"

Alec looked down and tossed his jacket onto the couch. "No. We're…transporting Valentine to Idris."

"Even more reason - we can toast to Valentine's…highly anticipated departure."

"I love you, and I know something's wrong. Whatever it is, I'm here for you."

Magnus hesitated in pouring his cocktails. "I appreciate it, but I'm fine."

"No, you're not. I'm sorry, but I'm not going to leave until you talk to me. Do you remember when you said, 'When things get crazy, don't push me away?'"

Magnus swallowed, setting down the drinks and turning to Alec, fiddling with his fingers. "When I was tortured in Valentine's body…that agony rune…made me relive my worst memory. Our worst memories. And now…I can't get it out of my head. Every time I close my eyes…"

He moved to sit down in the chair, and Alec kneeled in front of him. "Hey…what is it?"

"Remember I told you how I found my mother dead by her own hand? My stepfather found me shortly after. He screamed at me. He called me an abomination."

"What?"

Magnus chuckled humorlessly. "He was right. He blamed me for her suicide. He said that she hated herself for giving birth to a monster…So I lashed out…with all the magic I had."

Magnus thrust his hand forward, and a blast of magic shot forward. When it hit the boy's stepfather, he screamed in agony, his entire body exploding out with burning power from the amount of energy forced thrown him.

When Shu's magic exploded outwards, she destroyed everything around her. And through the screams of the men around her, she never broke her gaze from her mother, a sick satisfaction burning within her at seeing the woman suffer.

She was so focused on her mother, she didn't realize the man standing a short distance away from the house had returned. And he was burning too.

"I burned him, Alexander…right where he stood. I murdered my stepfather."

Alec shook his head lightly. "You were just a boy. You weren't in control of your powers."

"Yes…actually, I was."

He looked down, taking deep breaths as his tears fell down his cheeks. "I never wanted you to see this…terrible, ugly side of me…of my past."

"Hey…"

Alec took Magnus's hand and placed his hand to the side of his neck as Magnus met his gaze. "There is nothing ugly about you."

Magnus couldn't say anything and blinked away more tears as Alec wrapped him in a tight hug.

The group of Shadowhunters, including Jace and Izzy, entered Valentine's cell. He was restrained with shackles enhanced by runes, and escorted out to where Shu, Magnus, and Alec were waiting.

"Valentine Morgenstern," Alec began. "By order of the Clave, you are hereby remanded to the Gard in Idris."

Isabelle nodded, and Shu and Magnus waved their hands, a portal appearing behind them as either one stood at the sides of the exit.

"I may be in a cell, but at least I'll be in Alicante, where the air doesn't wreak of Downworlders," Valentine said.

Shu kept her face straight, and Magnus shrugged in exasperation. Not that it wasn't expected from him.

"Get him out of here," Alec ordered.

Izzy and Jace looked to each other before leading the march through the portal. Half of the Shadowhunters went in before Valentine, and half of them behind him.

Duncan took Valentine's shoulder and took over so that Valentine didn't go wherever he wanted, and they disappeared through.

Once they were gone, Magnus let out a deep sigh, and Shu put her hand on his shoulder.

"Think you're ready?" Shu asked.

Magnus nodded. "Ready."

The two of them sat in front of each other, shortening the soul bond as far as they could and moving to connect it to their souls once more. A glow emanated from the purple chain, and each of them felt a warmth that they had been missing ever since the switch between Magnus and Valentine had occurred.

The chain then shattered like glass, the glowing fragments moving to spin around each of them before closing in the rings and disappearing inside of them. They each took a deep breath, before releasing each other's hand.

"Did it work?" Alec asked.

"Yes."

"It did."

She looked over to him. "We are whole again, Alexander. Thank you."