Disclaimer: No, I don't own ANY of the characters.
A/N: Thank you, for the kind review Although, I know more people can review out there!
The next day went by quickly. They toured the city, gradually making their way to the Langham Hotel.
Simon and Izzy seemed to have hit some sort of emotionally high in their relationship, for Izzy seemed happier than Clary had ever seen her. They laughed a lot, Izzy squealed a lot, and Jace rolled his eyes a lot. Simon always had a restrained smile. Clary wondered why have wouldn't let himself smile. She concluded it was some sort of tactic to remain badass.
She was happy for Simon.
After awhile, even though Clary had Jace, she felt awkward walking with Simon and Izzy. Like she was intruding on some kind of personal moment.
She leaned over and whispered to Jace, "Is this how they felt when we're around?"
Jace flicked his hair, then muttered under his breath, "Believe me Clary, you don't squeal."
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
The Langham Hotel was gigantic. It towered over the front lawn, which was perfectly kept. It very much reminded Clary of a castle, which would explain the Shadow Hunter's attraction to it.
As soon as they walked in, Clary knew it was so far out of their league, they shouldn't even use the tissues. She smelled exotic foods, strange marinades, and chocolate. It was intoxicating.
They road up a glass elevator to the third floor, where there were an array of fifteen meeting rooms. They entered the one that said, "Pest Control Convention". No doubt, it was made by the Shadow Hunters, trying to stay inconspicuous, with a sense of humor.
It was the largest meeting room, thankfully. There were about 60 Shadow Hunters, all from different cities and states across the country. Simon awkwardly shifted, then muttered to Clary, "I'll wait in the lobby."
"Be careful!" She whispered back.
"I don't need to be," he winked and tapped his forehead, where the Mark of Cain was engraved. It was true; Clary had drawn it to save his life a while ago. Now, whenever anyone tried to hurt him, they would be punished by the seventh fold, which usually meant transforming into salt.
"Don't get cocky," she muttered, and then watched him leave. Jace directed her and Izzy to the table where it was evident the meeting would take place. They sat in the back, for there were no more open seats.
"Quiet down!" Clary watched someone she didn't know, a tall mall with graying black hair walk around the table. The chatter around the table died down.
"Now, we know why we are here." The man spoke. His voice was loud and commanded a presence.
"Demons, in unusually large numbers have been flocking to LA. We are here to report which cities have been experiencing drops in numbers of usual demons." He tapped the clip board he held. "I am going to list the names of the cities, and one representative will stand, say their name, and report a drop of demons, an increase of demons, or neither."
"Miami." This went on for a long time. Most cities had only one representative.
The reports varied. Some cities, closer to LA, were losing a lot of demons. The cities directly neighboring LA had a massive, uncontrollable increase.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, the man said, "New York City."
Jace stood up, "Jace Herondale, and the number of demons has dropped. Not significantly, but a little." The man looked up from his clipboard.
"Where is Marsye Lightwood?" He questioned.
"Sick," replied Jace coolly. "We took her place."
The man nodded slowly and continued down the roster.
"So, it seems the places that are losing most demons are closer to LA, which means who ever is calling them is using some sort of signal that fades with distance."
"Excuse me!" A short, plump woman squeaked, "But who exactly it calling the demons to LA?"
The man shifted, a little awkwardly, and spoke, "We have no idea. It's not another demon, for a demon presence that big would have trigged our sensors. So, currently… We have nothing."
"But," He continued, when some of the Shadow Hunters began to cry out in frustration, "We have a secret weapon. Someone under our control who can help. He can sense the signals that are being placed and can tell use where they are coming from."
There was a murmur of assent rippling through the room.
"Don't keep us from suspense!" A woman with a think country accent said, "Who is he?"
Clary saw a movement in the shadows behind the man. She craned her neck, anxious to find who it was.
The man in charge replied, "He is here, and as I understand, he has a history with a few of you. He is our prisoner, and under our control."
The woman sitting next to Clary groaned. "I bet its Dellanore," she muttered. A few of the people around her nodded.
Clary had no idea who Dellanore was, but apparently, no one was quite fond of him.
The man slowly stepped aside, allowing room for this mystery man to step forward. Clary saw Jace's knuckles whiten, his face pale.
In the front of the room, a boy, no older than Jace, with wispy white haired, smiled down the table. Some of the other Shadow Hunters shifted uncomfortably.
Clary grabbed Jace's arm, to keep her from running away.
It was Sebastian.
A/N: Bringing Sebastian in! That's exciting. Also, if you are concerned about what happened at the end of City of Fallen Angels, I am not using it in this story.
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