Chapter Three:

Maryse knew she shouldn't be here but she couldn't stop herself and before realizing exactly what she was doing, she found herself outside a rusty old building, with red bricks and an unappealing atmosphere.

Inside was no better; there were stairs and stairs, each level ending with long corridors lined with locked rooms. Finally arriving at the 6th level, she went down the long corridor and stopped just on the last door on the left.

She hesitated and then knocked.

The door was opened almost immediately, surprising her. There in front of her stood a petite young girl, not more than 16 years old. What struck her was the girl's eyes, those eyes resembled untamed, raw fire, she had to blink. But she wasn't the one Maryse was looking for. She tried to keep the disappointment away from her face, but must have failed because the girl seemed to shrink in size because of her nervousness, it was obvious she was nervous. Maryse felt bad to have walked in the house of someone innocent, but she'd come so far, she had to ask. And so she did.

"I'm here to see Bellathena?" That name, Maryse had to look up in the history of names, made that girl flinch. She tried to back away and close the door, but years of Shadowhunter training, made that gesture seem like a child's play. Maryse placed her foot between the door, just before the girl could close it.

"I don't know who she is!" The girl trembled.

Maryse straightened her shoulders, she was done been sorry. She was here for answers, and by any means she was going to get them.

"Listen to me, little girl, you either let me in, or I break this door down, better yet bring the whole building down, with the way its flaying, I don't think it'll be that much work."

The girl looked at her warily and stepped aside, leaving the door ajar, for Maryse to invite herself in.

It was a very ordinary apartment though, with a small kitchen, and an almost living room. There was a small corridor leading towards the inner part of the 'house'. Maryse didn't bother to observe, she didn't have the luxury these days to stop and appreciate house décor.

"Take a seat, if you insist on staying." There was no longer nervousness in the girl's voice, In fact her tone had gone from trembling to cold, in a split second. But Maryse didn't take notice.

"I have to see Miss Bellathena. If you could just let her know I'm here on a strictly confidential business, I'm sure she'll agree to meet me." Maryse had never met the said girl, she hadn't even known she existed until last week. But since then this girl, who she had never met, never heard of, had become the last shred of hope left for Shadowhunters. And Maryse knew what she needed to do.

"Well, I'm listening aren't i?" This time Maryse actually looked at the girl, looked wouldn't be the word exactly, saw, through the glamour, and she gasped. The young child she had thought was 16, with long black hair, and eyes of fire, changed from innocent to vicious in a few seconds. The glamour she had on herself wasn't much, but it changed her personality drastically.

This girl, or young woman, seemed to be around 20, with a figure that had gone through proper training. Her hair were the same long black, her eyes the same blazing orange, but her face was no longer round, or child-like. With high cheekbones, and sharp features, she looked lethal enough to be of the Faerie Realm, maybe she was. Maryse straightened, narrowing her eyes.

"What are you?" Maryse asked, her voice devoid of any warmth.

"My, my, seems like basic manners are not taught in the Shadow World anymore." Her voice was silk, with hidden knives. Sharp and sweet.

Maryse loathed Faeries, their actions, morals and believes, they would ruin you in a blink of an eye. If this girl in front of her was a Faerie, Maryse knew all hope was lost.

"Are you from Faerie, Bellathena?" The girl smiled.

"I'm a mere mortal, Mrs Lightwood, don't get your hopes up too high. Also I'll have to ask you to refrain yourself from calling me that ridiculous name, I'm Athena."

Maryse was impressed, Athena, was what she once hoped Isabelle would grow up to be, strong and poised. In more then one way, Isabelle had accomplished that. But this girl was something entirely different. She wasn't human, that was for certain.

"I have to- I need to find Sebastian Morgernstern, Athena." She pleaded.

Maryse was a mother. She had raised Jace as her own, and everyday that went by without him, seemed to break her inside. It was her job to take care of her son, to save him from evil. How could she sleep, knowing that Jace was out there, or what if he wasn't.

Athena's posture had become rigid, as if hearing Sebastian's name made her uncomfortable, Maryse couldn't blame her, these days his name seemed to have that effect on almost everyone she met.

"I know nothing of his whereabouts. Sebastian Morgerstern is like a ghost. He can only be found when he wants to be. I'm sorry, I won't be able to help you with your request." Athena was lying. Maryse could tell. Because no matter how hard Athena tried to keep her face expressionless or her tone to be devoid of emotion, every time the name Sebastian was said, something in that rigid posture of the girl in front of her shifted

"You were his lover." Maryse stood up, walking towards Athena, who laughed a little hysterically, throwing her long black hair back.

"We were friends." She said quietly.

"So you do know where he is." Maryse was determined.

"Mrs Lightwood, I don't like repeating my words, so I won't. I need you to leave. And remember, no matter how many shadowhunters you bring, or whatever you do this place, I will no help you." Athena's words were ice. Cold and harsh. Maryse threw all courtesy and manners out the window, and fell to her knees, she couldn't hold her tears in anymore. Maryse's sudden outburst took Athena by surprise.

"Please, I need to save my son. I need to save my family, if Sebastian succeeds in his plans, there will be blood raining down around us all, blood that'll be on your hands and mine. So please help me." Maryse sobbed.

Athena sighed. She helped Maryse up into a chair and stood before her.

"I won't take away a mother's child. I can't promise to be of any help, but I can promise I will try." Maryse could barely stop herself from sighing in relief, there was no time for that just yet. She stood up, wiping away tears.

"You'll help me?" She asked, hopefully.

Athena smiled again, this time there was some genuineness to it.

"I'll come with you to the Institute."

I know it's not perfect, but I tried really hard! So please review!