The Lie That We Live

by JemmaLynn13

In an alternate universe Magnus never shows up at Alec's wedding. As Alec gets used to his new role as Husband and Co-Head of the New York Institute he continues to struggle with his feelings for Magnus while Lydia begins to build bonds within the Lightwood family. How long before Alec realises the mistake he's made and how will they all survive the fallout. Rated M just in case.

20. Chapter 20

Author's Note: I honestly don't know if anyone is still reading this fic considering how long I've been writing it, but if you are here is another chapter for you. I have brought some elements of season 2 of Shadowhunters into this chapter but obviously there are some differences. There is some dialogue from 2x06 though, namely from when Izzy and Clary visit the Iron Sisters. I'll also be honest alot of this chapter is getting set up for next chapter so there isn't a ton of action, its mostly our characters out hunting for info, but there are some reveals in here. Also we get a POV from the Dark Lady herself which was actually kind of fun to write. Anyway now that I have really sold this chapter to you, happy reading.

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Chapter 20: Grey For Knowledge Best Untold

Alec's POV

Alec released Sebastian's hand and led him over to where the others were watching them curiously. "We really are glad that you are here." Alec informed him as they walked together. "We'll take all the help we can get right now."

"I am happy to help in anyway that I can." Sebastian reassured him. He smiled warmly at the others as they finally reached them.

"This is Jace Wayland, Isabelle Lightwood and Magnus Bane, the High Warlock of Brooklyn." Alec gestured to each of them as he introduced them. Sebastian shook each of their hands warmly.

"It's nice to meet you all, I wish it was under better circumstances." They all turned as they heard footsteps behind them. Clary, Luke and Jocelyn approached them and Alec noticed that Sebastian seemed to be staring at both Clary and Jocelyn intensely. It was a bit odd but then he figured it was likely due to their connection to Valentine. As his wife and daughter most newcomers were at best very curious about them or at worst outright hostile. He began to worry which it was in Sebastian's case.

Alec's worries seemed to be unfounded though as Sebastian's intense look quickly gave way to a warm smile as Clary held out her hand to him. "Hey there, you must be the cavalry, I'm Clary." She greeted him cheerfully.

Sebastian took her hand and smiled back "Sebastian, its good to meet you." He then turned to Jocelyn and Luke shaking their hands too as they introduced themselves. Once all the introductions were made Sebastian clapped his hands together and asked. "Ok, so where are we at? Any news on Valentine, the Dark Lady or the Sword?"

"Unfortunately no." Alec answered solemnly. "Clary and Izzy are going to be heading to the Citadel to talk with the Iron Sisters, hopefully they might have some idea of why Valentine wants the Sword."

"And your wife, Lydia?" Sebastian inquired.

Alec felt a jolt go through him at the reference of Lydia as his wife, he often forgot that his split from Lydia wasn't yet public knowledge, and until they had their wedded runes removed technically the statement was true. He noticed Jace and Izzy both tense up and look agitated. He frowned, he really would have to pull them aside and figure out what was going on with them at some point. Refocusing on the current conversation Alec turned to address Sebastian. "She's been moved to a safe location. For safety reasons only a select chosen few know the location."

Sebastian nodded his head. "That makes sense, so long as she is safe." Alec nodded his agreement. "So how can I help. Have we got an action plan?"

"We need bodies out on the streets asking questions and keeping their ears to the ground." Jace explained. "How do you feel about going out on long patrols?" He half jested.

Sebastian let out a chuckle. "If it will help catch Valentine and recover the sword than I happen to be a huge fan of long patrols." The others smiled in return.

"Glad to hear it." Alec said. "Ok well Clary, Izzy you guys should head to the Citadel sooner rather than later. Sebastian, do you want to head out with Jace?" Sebastian nodded his acceptance and Alec turned to Luke.

"I know." Luke smiled at Alec. "Talk with the wolves, have them keeping an eye and ear out."

"Thank you." Alec patted Luke on the shoulder.

"I'll go with him." Jocelyn stated.

"Great, Magnus and I are going to look some more into the Dark Lady, see if we can learn anything new. We'll all meet back up here once everyone is back. If anyone learns anything useful get in contact immediately." Alec instructed as the others nodded in understanding before they all parted ways.

Alec placed a hand on the small of Magnus' back before leaning in close to say. "I'll be right back I just need to talk to Izzy and Jace before they leave. Meet me in the office?" Magnus nodded and Alec smiled warmly at him in return, before racing after his siblings.

He caught up with them in the hall, there was no one else around. "Hey guys." He called after them, they both turned at the sound of his voice. Once again he could see the tension in their expressions, a lingering anger and disappointment behind their eyes.

"What's up?" Jace asked a little tersely.

Frowning in confusion Alec replied. "That was going to be my question. Have I done something to upset you guys? You both seem off." They both looked at each other seemingly having a private, silent argument. "Guys?"

Izzy sighed then turned her attention back to Alec. "We know you spent the night at Magnus'." Izzy informed him, disappointment plain to see on her face.

Alec was only more confused, Izzy had always been a champion of his feelings for Magnus and he had hoped that Jace would be ok with it too. But they both seemed really upset at the idea of him and Magnus together, he felt some panic beginning to build but he swallowed it down and tried to remain calm. "Ok, and?" He asked as naturally as he could.

They both looked at him with stunned exasperation. It was Jace who finally answered him in a quiet, rushed voice. "Look Alec, I'm not blind ok, I get it, I get how you feel about Magnus and under different circumstances I'd support you one hundred percent. But don't you think this is really unfair to Lydia? You chose to marry her and yeah I get that it was a political arrangement, but that still doesn't make it ok that you are sneaking around behind her back with Magnus the moment she is gone." Izzy was nodding along as Jace ranted and Alec watched them both in stunned silence. Jace still wasn't done. "I honestly didn't think you capable of this, I know that I wasn't the biggest cheerleader of your marriage to Lydia but since then she's become family to us, we don't want to see her hurt."

"What we are trying to say is that we love you Alec, but it really sucks to see you behaving like this, in a way that will really hurt Lydia. It might be a political marriage but this is still a betrayal to her." Izzy continued the rant. "It would be one thing if you and Lydia had called it off but..."

Alec let out a groan as the reason for their ire clicked for him. In all the chaos of the Dark Lady linking herself to Lydia and her leaving for Lisbon, plus Valentine stealing the Sword, he has completely forgotten to tell Jace and Izzy that he and Lydia had split. To them it looked like he was sneaking around behind his wife's back. The only ones who knew about Lydia and Alec putting an end to their marriage were, him, Lydia, Magnus and he was fairly sure Robin. "Guys, guys." He cut them off, rubbing the tension from his forehead. "Lydia and I did call it off."

A shocked silence met his announcement as they both stared at him, blinking rapidly as they tried to process the news. "You did?" Jace asked quietly. Alec nodded his head in confirmation.

"When?" Izzy asked, her eyes beginning to well with unshed tears.

"Right before the Dark Lady left the tarot card linking them." Alec explained. As the silence stretched on he felt the urge to explain some more. "We both decided together. I realised that I couldn't ignore my feelings for Magnus anymore, that I was denying who I really was to appease others." He decided to leave out the part that he was fairly certain that Lydia had also developed feelings for Robin, that was hers to tell if she wanted to. "We both came to understand that if we continued in this charade of a marriage we would end up bitter and lonely and likely resenting each other. That we both deserve more than that. So we decided to call it off before it got to that point." Alec studied both their faces closely but couldn't make out what either of them was thinking, Alec swallowed down a lump that was forming in his throat. "You're both really quiet." He whispered.

Jace shook his head like he was trying to get his bearings then spoke, breaking the silence. "You both decided? Together?"

"Yes." Alec reiterated.

Looking to Izzy he could see she was fighting down tears, her voice was shaky when she asked. "So what does this mean? Is she coming back once we stop the Dark Lady? Or is she staying in Lisbon?" Izzy looked devastated at the idea that Lydia might not come back. Alec felt his stomach churn at the idea himself.

He shook his head. "I honestly don't know." He choked out. Looking down at his feet he tried to gather himself before looking back up at them. "I'm sorry. I know Lydia is like a sister to you both. I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt. I really did think I was doing the right thing for the family. But I know that its painful for you to lose Lydia when she became such a close member of the family, god when I think about having to tell Max, he's going to be devastated, and mum and dad..." His voice choked out as he fought down tears.

"Oh Alec." Izzy whispered softly as she stroked his cheek. "You take too much onto yourself. It's not up to you to carry the burden of this family. We just want you to be happy. To be true to yourself."

Jace wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "Izzy's right. Besides we haven't lost Lydia, married to our bozo of a brother or not she's still family." He joked as he shook Alec's shoulder. "Blood or not she's still our sister. And you know we'll have your back with mum and dad." He reassured him.

Izzy nodded in agreement adding. "We'll help with Max too, he'll come to understand, don't worry, we just have to reassure him that Lydia will still be around, is still family."

Alec let out a huge sigh, feeling some of the tension ease. "I thought you were both going to be so angry with me." He confessed. They both shook their heads at him.

"Of course we aren't Alec. We were only upset before because..."

"Because you thought I was messing around with Magnus behind Lydia's back and didn't want her to get hurt." He finished Jace's sentence as they both looked at him a little sheepishly.

"Sorry." Izzy said sincerely.

Alec smiled at her understandingly. "It's ok, I get it. Honestly, I'm glad you guys were looking out for Lydia." He pulled them both to him and they returned the hug, Alec took the moment to appreciate how lucky he was to have siblings like Jace and Izzy, who weren't afraid to call him out when they thought he was doing something wrong but who also listened to him and supported him whenever he needed them. After several comfortable minutes they all pulled away from their three way hug.

Izzy sighed and said. "I best be going, I need grab some stuff and then meet Clary to portal to the Citadel."

"And I need to meet with Sebastian and head out on patrol." Jace added. He put a hand on Alec's shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. "But you know we are here if you need to talk right?"

He smiled at them in gratitude. "Be careful and look out for each other." Alec implored them. Izzy gave him another quick hug as Jace clapped him on the shoulder. As he watched them go on their way, Alec felt as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

Clary's POV

As they approached the Citadel they came to a large sculpture of two hands holding Seraph blades aloft, numerous other blades crisscrossed over each other forming a barrier. As they moved closer the blades parted allowing them access. Clary couldn't help but stare in wonder at the Citadel looming above them. "I can't believe I'm actually going inside." She heard Izzy voice in awe. As they moved further in towards the citadel the sculpted gate slid shut behind them.

Suddenly there was a sharp, piercing ringing sound. As they both covered their ears, and winced at the sound, a group of women dressed in white and carrying various weapons appeared, they were surrounded. "Speak your names" one asked, as the seraph blade in her hand glowed.

"Isabelle Lightwood." She heard Izzy announce from behind her.

After a moments hesitation Clary followed her lead. "Clary Fairchild." The reaction to her name was immediate as the atmosphere became tenser.

"Valentine's daughter." Stated the Iron Sister from behind Clary, her tone tinged with accusation.

"Your Father killed the Silent Brothers." The first sister spoke, Clary felt a mixture of guilt and frustration build in her, it wasn't her fault that Valentine was her father, yet she always seemed to be held responsible for his actions. "He has taken our must valuable weapon, you must leave immediately." The Iron Sister continued.

Before she could respond Izzy jumped to her defence. "Clary's done nothing wrong."

The Iron Sister studied them both closely and then the Second Sister spoke once again. "Allow me?" She requested. At her fellow sister's nod she continued. "What answers do you seek?"

"Why did Valentine go through all that trouble to steal The Soul Sword?" Izzy asked confidently. The two Iron Sisters seemed to silently communicate with each other for a moment, the First Sister shaking her head vigorously as the Second stared at her intensely. Sensing their doubts about her Clary spoke up.

"Yes, Valentine is my father. But that man has attacked and tried to kill everyone I love, he kidnapped my mother, he experimented on my brother! I want to stop him more than anyone. And if we have any chance of defeating him, then we need your help." She pleaded passionately.

It seemed her pleas worked as after a moments hesitation the First Iron Sister nodded her head in acquiesce. "I am Sister Magdalena." She introduced herself then gestured to the other Iron Sister behind Clary. "This is Sister Cleophas, welcome to the Citadel. Follow me."

As they followed them towards the Citadel Izzy asked "Sister Cleophas, how long have you been in the order?"

Clary saw Cleophas and Magdalena smile at each other before Cleophas answered. "Fourteen beautiful years. I never planned on following in my mother's footsteps. I was happy living in Idris with my sister Amatis when my brother Lucian was scratched in a werewolf attack." Clary felt a thrill of surprise shoot through her as Cleophas continued. "I did what I had to do to restore our family's honour."

"Do you mean Luke?" Clary questioned. Cleophas turned to face her, studying her closely. "Are you Luke's sister?" Clary pressed further. Cleophas looked to Magdalena who nodded, giving her silent encouragement.

"I am". Cleophas confirmed.

Clary was attempting to process this new information when Sister Magdalena interrupted her thoughts. "We must begin the Purity Trial." She announced.

"What's that?" Clary questioned.

It was Cleophas who responded. "For the answers you seek, we must go inside the Citadel. But we cannot allow any demonic impurities to pass. The adamas is too fragile."

"So the heavenly energy in the water will help us determine if you may enter." Magdalena continued to explain as she gestured to a nearby pool of water. "It will destroy any contaminant upon contact." Clary and Izzy both turned to observe the waters warily but knowing they had no choice they agreed.

Magnus' POV

Magnus tapped his foot as he waited for Alec to arrive. It wasn't too long before the door swung open and Alec entered with a soft smile. As had become the norm when it came to Alec, Magnus' heart swooped at the sight of him. Would he ever not have that effect on him, he wondered as Alec leant down and pressed a tender kiss to Magnus' lips. "Everything ok with Jace and Izzy?" He asked once Alec had pulled away and sat down in the chair opposite him.

"Yeah, well it is now." Alec answered. Magnus nodded and then sighed as he thought about the task before them. They needed find out more information about the Dark Lady if they had any chance at all of figuring out what she has planned for Lydia. But where on earth do they even start? "So the Dark Lady. By the Angel Magnus, where do we even start." Alec voiced Magnus' own thoughts looking at him desperately.

Magnus let out another sigh. "Isn't that the question." He replied in frustration trying to wrack his brain for anything that might help. Then an idea sprung to mind. "Wait a moment." Alec looked up at him hopefully. "When Lydia was unconscious after first touching the tarot card she started talking in her sleep."

"True but none of us could make out what she was saying, but she was speaking..."

"Latin." Magnus finished for him. Leaning forward in his chair Magnus focused on Alec. "But that's normal for a shadowhunter right, you all learn Latin at a young age?" He half asked.

Alec nodded his head. "That's true, Latin is one of the languages we are taught from a young age but..." He looked thoughtful for a moment.

"But?" Magnus encouraged him.

"Well Lydia confessed to me once that she actually really struggled with learning Latin, much to her parent's frustration, they chose to teach her themselves as opposed to sending her to an Institute, they could be pretty harsh with her if she couldn't pick things up quickly. As a result in her adult life she would often actively avoid having to speak, read or write in Latin. Outside of a few well known Shadowhunter phrases, I don't think she's actually well versed in Latin." Alec explained.

"Hmm, so its a bit odd that she was speaking it in her sleep then." Magnus mused.

"Sure but then she was saying and doing alot of weird things whilst under the Dark Lady's influence." Alec pointed out.

"Maybe, but I do wonder if her speaking Latin has more of a connection to the Dark Lady than we first considered."

"What do you mean?" Alec asked a little lost.

"Well we know that Lydia was sharing memories with the Dark Lady. Maybe she was speaking Latin because the Dark Lady was in the memory." Magnus explained.

"And maybe the Dark Lady was speaking Latin because its her native tongue, or one that she spoke frequently at the time of the memory." Alec reasoned catching onto Magnus' chain of thought. "So we need to focus our research on a time period when Latin was the common tongue spoken."

Magnus smiled and nodded. "The most obvious period of time would be ancient Rome, if we can find some texts that talk of warlocks, sorceresses or witches from that era we might stumble across some information on the Dark Lady."

Alec jumped up from his chair suddenly energised now that they at least had some direction for their search. "I'll check out the Library, see what I can find."

Clary's POV

Clary could feel the cold of the iron steps beneath her feet as she stood beside Izzy above the purity pool. They had both been given white lace dresses to change into for the ceremony and there was a feeling of apprehension in the air as they both stared down into the waters. Suddenly Izzy turned to her and pleaded. "Clary you can't do this."

"Why not?" She replied, confused.

"You heard her, its dangerous."

"The water only effects demonic energy." Clary reasoned. "We'll be fine." Clary moved to descend the steps when Izzy stopped her again.

"But what if its not fine." She asked urgently, fear apparent in her voice.

Suddenly Clary realised the basis of Izzy's fear. She felt a quick twinge of anger. "You think I have demon's blood, like my brother." She scoffed but also couldn't help but wonder if it could be true, her father had experimented on her and Jace with angel's blood, had experimented on her brother with demon's blood, was it really so unlikely that he may have also given her demon blood alongside the angel's blood. She stared down at the waters with a steely determination. "There's only one way to find out." She answered pointedly, kicking off her shoes, she marched down the stairs and into the water. As she laid back with her arms outspread it struck her that the water was pleasantly warm. She felt a sense of calm come over her as she closed her eyes.

"Ignis aurum probat." She heard Magdalena call out. Suddenly the water felt warmer, opening her eyes she saw that she was surrounded by a bright, glowing white light. She watched as it faded away and then slowly sat back up. "Clary Fairchild, you are deemed clear of all demonic impurities." Magdalena declared from the steps above her. Clary felt a sense of relief flood her, now she knew for certain that Valentine had never infected her with demon's blood. She climbed from the water and gave Izzy a soft smile of encouragement as she took her turn descending the stairs to lay in the water.

Sister Magdalena once again repeated the phrase. "Ignis aurum probat." Once again the waters glowed white, encasing Izzy in a halo of glowing light. Once it had faded and Izzy rose from the water Clary gave her a bright smile as Magdalena declared Izzy free of demonic impurities too. Izzy reached out and took Clary's hand as she reached the top of the stairs.

After they had been taken to dry off and change back into their own clothes they followed sister Cleophas up and into the Citadel. They both looked around in awe and excitement as they took the beauty of it all in.

"Lucian must have been relieved when you were able to awaken your mother." Cleophas' voice broke the silence. Clary met her gaze and saw a hint of worry in them.

"Yes he was." Clary answered unsure why Cleophas had brought it up, from her earlier statements it did not seem as if Cleophas was close to Luke. "He rarely left her side the whole time she was under the enchantment." Clary smiled as she thought of the two people who had raised her, who loved each other so deeply. "He's the closet thing I've ever had to a father. Sometimes I worry Valentine will try to hurt Luke, that he will retaliate because Luke and Mum are together now." She confessed, she felt Izzy take her hand and give it a reassuring squeeze, she sent a quick smile of gratitude her way before returning her gaze to Cleophas.

"He has always loved her, Jocelyn." Cleophas responded. "Lucian always had a strong sense of loyalty. Almost to his detriment." She stopped and turned to face Clary. "My sweet girl, I fear you are right, that my brother is in danger." Alarm shot through Clary at Cleophas' warning. "I do think Valentine may hurt Lucian but not for the reasons you think." Cleophas replied. She kneeled before an angelic symbol painted on the floor, pressing her stele to it the symbol began to glow. Clary and Izzy followed Cleophas' gaze up towards the painted ceiling and watched in amazement as the paintings came to life.

"Long ago, the Angel Raziel bestowed the Mortal Instruments to the first Shadowhunter. Among them the Soul Sword. It's primary purpose is to compel the truth, but it has a secondary purpose. If ever the day came where Shadowhunters failed in their holy mission, and demons overtook the world..." Clary and Izzy watched with a rising sense of horror as the painting on the ceiling shifted to show Demons descending on the world and listened as Cleophas carried on with her explanation. "As a last resort, the Sword could be activated with angelic energy, releasing heavenly light that will destroy demon-blooded creatures in its path." They watched at the Demons in the painting were decimated by heavenly light.

"Oh my god." Clary breathed out. Turning her gaze first to meet Izzy's petrified look and then to meet Cleophas' eyes. "Demon-blooded creatures. Does that mean..."

"Downworlders. Yes." Cleophas confirmed her fears. Clary looked to Izzy again and saw her own fears reflected in her eyes. Luke, Simon, Magnus, all downworlders they loved and cared for, all who were now at risk of being lost to them if Valentine used the Sword to wipe them out.

With a new sense of urgency they exited the Citadel. "The Sword needs angelic energy?" Clary clarified as they walked.

"To activate the Sword, it must be wielded by an angelic being, and struck by a bolt of lightning." Cleophas instructed.

"Then it's capable of mass murder. Of killing my friends, my family." Clary felt fear rise in her again.

"If Valentine does activate the sword, how do we turn it off?" Izzy cut in.

"It is impossible." Cleophas answered solemnly.

"So there has to be a way to stop Valentine before he activates it." Clary reasoned. "I can't lose Luke, or Simon or Magnus."

Cleophas turned to them, stopping them in their tracks. "You mustn't let the Downworld know what the Sword can do." She urged them. "Panic and chaos could ensue. Uprisings. We cannot let that happen." After a moments hesitation both Clary and Izzy nodded their reluctant agreement.

After considering Cleophas for a moment Clary asked. "Sister Cleophas, I need to ask you something. When I was confronting Valentine I was shown an image of a rune."

"What kind of rune?"

"I don't know. It's not in the Grey Book."

"I need you to show me. Can you do that?"

Clary nodded and pulled out her stele, she drew the rune on her hand and heard Izzy gasp as the pulsing white ball of light appeared in her palm. Izzy had heard about Clary using the new rune on the boat in her fight against Valentine, but this was the first time she was actually seeing it. During that fight Clary had thrown the white ball of energy at Valentine, missing, it had instead torn a hole in the hull of the ship, leading to disastrous consequences. Eager not to have a repeat of that destruction Clary closed her hand over the ball and it dissipated as if it had never been there at all. When she raised her gaze back to Cleophas it was to see her staring back at her with wonder. "Valentine confessed to experimenting on me with Angel's blood." She explained to Cleophas. "Do you think this new ability I seem to have, of seeing new runes, could be a result of that?"

Cleophas looked thoughtful before she gently shook her head. "I can't say for certain. But it likely is, I can't think of any other explanation." She answered. "Please be careful, Look after each other." After placing a gentle hand on Clary's shoulder and bowing her head in farewell she turned and headed back towards the Citadel.

Jace's POV

After several hours on patrol with Sebastian Jace got a text come through, looking down at the message on his screen, he caught Sebastian's attention. "Hey Clary and Izzy are back from the Citadel, Alec's calling us back to the Institute."

"Lets hope its some good news." Sebastian answered. Jace found it unlikely with their luck but he still attempted a smile and nod. Within fifteen minutes they were back in the Op's centre. Making their way across the room they met, Alec, Clary and Izzy.

Joining them Jace inquired. "Where's Magnus, Jocelyn and Luke?"

"Magnus is still doing some research and Luke and Jocelyn are still out on patrol." Alec explained. "What did you guys learn?" He asked Clary and Izzy. The girls exchanged worried looks before turning their attention back to the group.

"The Sword has a secondary purpose." Izzy began to explain. "When activated by an angelic power it can be used to destroy any demon blooded creature in its path."

"Wait, by demon blooded, you mean downworlders?" Jace asked. Clary and Izzy nodded in response. Jace's thoughts immediately went to Magnus, Simon and Luke. They would all be at risk, not to mention so many other downworlder lives. He looked around at the other worried faces in the room, shaking away the shock he asked. "Ok so what counts as an angelic power?" Looking at them both he realised that neither one of them would meet his eyes. He looked worriedly at Alec and saw the same worry furrowing his parabatai's brow.

After several agonising minutes that felt more like hours Izzy spoke up again. "Well Clary was given pure Angel's blood in Utero by Valentine, so she would count as an angelic being."

Jace ran it over in his head as he realised what they were saying. "And if the pure Angel's blood makes Clary an angelic being than it makes me one too." Jace added.

"Yes." Izzy confirmed. "Either one of you could activate the Soul Sword. Which puts you both in danger from Valentine. You have to be careful."

"Not just us, all downworlders are too, including Luke, Simon and Magnus." Clary wringed her hands in distress as she put into words what they were all thinking. "Sister Cleophas also told us that once the Sword has been activated its impossible to turn it off."

"Well I'll talk to Magnus see if..." Alec started.

"NO!" Both Clary and Izzy jumped in simultaneously. Jace and the others looked to them in alarm at their sudden outburst.

"Cleophas made it clear that we shouldn't tell any downworlder about what the Sword can do. She said if it got out there would be chaos and panic, that it might even cause uprisings." Clary expressed urgently, biting her lip. "We can't tell Magnus, or Luke or Simon."

Alec looked conflicted and honestly Jace felt the same. It felt wrong to deceive the downworlders, especially those they were closest to. Looking at Clary and Izzy he could see that despite their insistence they too looked conflicted. "Clary we can't do that. You know we can't lie to them like that. If their lives are in danger then they deserve to know. If they are forearmed then at the very least if they see Valentine with the Sword they'll know to run. The Sword doesn't have an unlimited range does it? So maybe at least some downworlder lives could be saved." Jace reasoned.

Alec sighed. "You're right but on the flipside of that, Sister Cleophas isn't wrong either, this knowledge of the Sword's secondary use will cause wide spread fear and that in turn will lead to carnage. It could turn our allies against us, many will see it as a betrayal from Shadowhunters and the Clave. And if it gets out that you and Clary can activate the Sword then it puts a target on both your backs, some downworlders may decide the safest way to ensure their lives is by killing you both. It's a thin line but some knowledge is best left untold."

"But isn't it wrong to deceive the downworlders just to save face for the Clave or to save our own skins?" Jace argued back still feeling uncertainty roiling in his stomach. He could see both sides and if he was being honest he hated the idea that this might put a target on Clary's back, he'd do anything to keep her safe. Yet in his gut he knew keeping this information from the downworlders was wrong.

Sebastian, who up until now had just been listening closely, spoke up. "We may have another possibility to contend with. We are assuming Valentine knows this secondary purpose of the Sword and that's why he took it, yes?" The others nodded their heads in confirmation. "We can also assume that he knows that Clary and Jace can activate the Sword, that might even be why he injected them Angel's blood in the first place." Jace looked to Clary, he hadn't thought of that possibility, had Valentine been playing the long game here? His attention was drawn back to Sebastian as he continued. "Well then what's to stop Valentine leaking this information himself? Not only would it cause chaos for the Clave but it would have the entire downworld on the look out for Clary and Jace, if he keeps his ear to the ground he may be able to use that to capture them himself. It would also mean downworlders will be looking out for him and the Sword, he could lure more downworlders to him causing more damage."

"It's a fair point." Izzy agreed. "Also if Valentine does leak it before we ourselves tell them it will look even more like a betrayal to our allies."

Jace tried to rub the tension from the back of his neck as his frustration built, it felt like there was no right answer here, they were screwed either way. Damned if they do, damned if they don't. "We need to come to a decision, are we telling them or not." Jace asked in a weary tone.

Alec sighed again and rubbed his forehead. "If we tell them ourselves, at the very least they'll know that we..." Alec gestured around the table at those gathered. "Were honest with them the moment we learned it. We can't expect them to trust us if we don't trust them first. I think we tell them."

"The Clave may not like that plan." Sebastian pointed out.

"Maybe so, but morally I think we have to be honest with the downworlders. Could we really live with ourselves if we deceived them like that." Alec rationalised.

"Besides its not the first time the Clave has been displeased with us." Jace shrugged. "At the end of the day it really is a case of us choosing our own poison. There's a downside to both decisions. But I know if the roles were reversed I would hope Luke, Magnus and Simon would be honest with us." There were murmurs of agreement from the rest of the group.

"Ok so we're telling them." Izzy clarified.

"I have to report in with the Clave." Sebastian grimaced, giving the table a quick tap before he departed.

Once he was a good distance away and Jace was sure no one else in the vicinity could hear he turned to Alec and asked. "Did you and Magnus find anything on the Dark Lady."

He was disappointed when he heard Alec huff out a breath as his shoulders slumped. "We had a theory about Lydia speaking Latin, when she was unconscious, that maybe it meant the Dark Lady's memories were from the roman time period where it was commonly spoken." Jace nodded that reasoning made sense. "But after raiding the library here we quickly came to realise that we don't have many texts pre-dating the ascension. What little we did find didn't give us much of anything. Not to mention we are covering a time period that is over a thousand years long. We need to find a way of narrowing it down." Frustration rippled around the group as they all slumped against the table, exhaustion pulling at them.

Suddenly Izzy perked up pulling all eyes to her. "Wait. Didn't Lydia once say that Lisbon had an extensive Library?"

"Oh yeah." Clary jumped in. "I remember her talking about how it was three storeys tall and had thousands of books and other texts. I'm sure they'll have stuff from before the creation of the Shadowhunters. Maybe we could ask Robin to look into it there?"

It wasn't a terrible idea Jace figured except for. "If the Library is as extensive as Lydia says then Robin is going to be there a long time, and seeing as we are trying to limit how many people are in the know its not like he can ask anyone there for help, not even Lydia."

"Speaking of Lydia." Clary chimed in. "I had a thought. Maybe the best way to narrow down our search is for us to see what Lydia saw in her visions."

Jace furrowed his brow in confusion. "What do you mean, how can we see what she saw? Magnus already tried and was blocked by the Dark Lady's magic."

Clary smiled at him. "Not using magic, something much more mundane." She jested. She pulled out her sketch pad from the bag hanging over her shoulder. "If I can sit down with Lydia and get her to describe what she saw, the streets she walked, the faces she saw, maybe we can get more of an idea of when or where these memories took place, there might be some clues that we missed. Like how mundane police have victims sit down with a sketch artist to create a composite image." She explained.

"It's worth a try." Alec agreed. "Ok well how about this? You, Magnus and I will head over to Lisbon. You can sit with Lydia and make the drawings whilst Magnus and I help Robin search the library for any clues. I'll also break the news about the Soul Sword to Magnus." He finished grimly.

"Ok sounds like a plan. And we'll talk to Luke and Simon." Jace assured him.

"Alright, I'll contact Robin and let him know we are coming." Alec informed them.

The Dark Lady's POV

Her heels clicked out a tune as she walked across the concrete floor of the abandoned factory. The place reeked of mould and mildew and the steady drips of a leaking water pipe echoed throughout the space. She hated it here. The rotting place was beneath her, someone of her power should not have to resort to plotting in such a dismal and run down place. She heard voices up ahead and followed them to a large hall. As expected she found Valentine there, he was conversing with a shadowhunter. The shadowhunter was tall with blonde hair and was standing with his arms crossed. Sitting on a table a short distance from them was a young girl. She had dark curly hair and was wearing a colourful scarf around her neck as she sat playing with a doll. The child looked utterly out of place in this moulding heap.

The voices faded away as she approached and the occupants of the room turned to look at her. "Ah my dear Dark Lady, so glad that you made it." Valentine called out cheerfully, arms widespread in welcome as he approached her. She fought down a sneer. She hated that she had to resort to working with Valentine, she didn't usually work well with others. But he was a means to an end and if it helped her get her love back, the life she was denied, then she was willing to suffer through the alliance. Valentine gestured behind him towards the shadowhunter he had been conversing with. "I don't believe you have met my son Jonathan yet." Her interest was peaked for a moment. So this was Jonathan. The son Valentine had experimented on with Demon's blood. Having conducted many experiments of her own alongside Marek, she had to confess she was intrigued by Valentine's own experiments. Valentine continued to waffle on. "Of course our friends at the New York Institute know him as Sebastian. Jonathan here has made an excellent start of infiltrating their ranks and earning their trust." But the Dark Lady was only half listening as she surveyed Jonathan closer. Looking past the glamour to see his true form. He looked like a creature that had just crawled out of hell itself. His skin was severely scarred and it oozed in places. It had blackened and his face was disfigured, barely recognisable as human. The Dark Lady had heard the stories of how Valentine, fearing his son's murderous impulses, had sent him to hell, Edom to be precise. Such a waste, she thought, Valentine would have done better to harness that bloodlust, embrace it and use it for his own purposes, its what she would have done. Still at least now he seemed to be making use of Jonathan's skills.

"And has his excellent infiltration skills served at all in learning where Lydia Lightwood is?" She inquired coldly, keeping her eyes locked on Jonathan.

"They've moved her to another location, but as of yet they haven't disclosed where. They are being very careful about who knows anything about Lydia or their investigation into you." Sebastian answered casually.

Curse it, she thought, annoyance flashing through her. Both Lydia and Magnus Bane were integral parts of her plan. Lydia disappearing now was inconvenient to say the least. Not that it mattered too much, as the linking spell grew eventually she would be able to see through Lydia's eyes, there would be no place for her to hide then, but she had to admit her patience was wearing thin. She was so close to achieving her goals, closer than she had ever been.

"Not to worry though, I'll wear them down, it's only amount of time before they let me in on the specifics." Sebastian continued confidently. Too confidently in her opinion.

The Dark Lady slid her gaze over to the child who had gone back to playing with her doll. Nodding her head in her direction she inquired. "What's with the child?"

Valentine followed her gaze over to the girl as he moved closer to The Dark Lady and whispered conspiratorially. "Ah yes, that's Madzie. A very young but exceptionally powerful warlock." He explained with excitement in his eyes. "Madzie here is going to provide me with the most advantageous of opportunities."

She raised her eyebrow in interest at that as she studied the girl some more. "And what opportunity would that be?" She asked, mildly curious.

"The opportunity to raise a warlock as my own, one that is powerful but also completely and unwaveringly loyal to me." Valentine stared at Madzie as if she were a great treasure to be coveted. "I would like you to train her." He turned his attention to her as she bristled at the demand.

"And why should I do that, what advantage does it give me?" She asked smoothly.

Valentine smiled sweetly at her as he moved to sit next to Madzie, wrapping an arm around her small shoulders, Madzie's hands stilled, her entire frame going completely still. "Because Madzie here is going to play an important role in helping you be rid of those pesky shadowhunters that keep getting in your way. You see Madzie wants nothing more than to be reunited with her NaNa and as I have explained to her, she can find her NaNa at the New York Institute. She is more than happy to help us get in there so she can find her NaNa." The Dark Lady scoffed, that child had no idea that her dear NaNa was already dead. Still she could feel the child's power rippling off her in waves, Valentine wasn't wrong, she was indeed a very powerful warlock.

"Ok, lets say I am agreeable, what exactly is the plan?" She asked impatiently. The less time she had to spend in this place and with these people the better.

Valentine smiled in victory for a moment before turning his attention back to Madzie. "Hey Sweetheart, why don't you go play in the other room." He ordered her with faux tenderness. Madzie looked unsure for a moment, before she hopped down from the table, and with her doll still tightly grasped in her hands, she hurried from the room. Valentine pulled his gaze back to the Dark Lady as he gestured at one of his men. A moment later his man returned with the Soul Sword in his grasp. She couldn't help but stare at the blade in awe. Power radiated off of it. As the Circle member placed it on its stand, sharp edge down, the Dark Lady slowly approached it. She hovered her hand over it, following the curves of the blade, such a thing of beauty, she marvelled, and such a thing of danger. This blade when activated with angelic power could wipe out all downworlders, being near something that could bring about her destruction ought to scare her, but she only revelled in the feel of its power.

"I injected angel blood into my daughter and Jace Wayland when they were both still in utero. They have both developed some interesting skills as a result." Valentine explained matter of factly. "But it also means that either one of them could activate that Sword. Disguised as Sebastian, Jonathan learned that my daughter has already visited the Iron Sisters and learnt of the Sword's power. Naturally I wish for my daughter to be the one to have the honour of activating the Sword."

"Naturally." The Dark Lady mocked sarcastically.

Ignoring her tone Valentine continued. "But with her now aware of the Sword's power this task will be more difficult. Therefore the plan is for Jonathan to use the disguise of Sebastian to capture Clarissa and take her to the woods where I will meet them with the Soul Sword, we will give Clarissa no choice but to activate the sword. You and Madzie will attack the Institute occupying the Shadowhunters attention, Magnus Bane, as previously agreed, will be all yours to do with what you wish. As a result of the attack on the Institute they will have no choice but to split their force and send their underworld allies to rescue Clarissa, likely led by Lucian Greymark and her little vampire friend Simon, this will allow for plenty of downworlder casualties. We will wipe out any downworlder who dares to align themselves with our enemies." Valentine let out a dramatic sigh. "Of course our plan will only work if you train Madzie to properly use her powers. She really does have the most delightful skill, can vacuum the air right out of the room, disposing of an entire building of people with very little effort."

The Dark Lady rolled her eyes. "Fine. I'll train the child." Valentine clapped his hands together in delight. "But I am not doing it in this dastardly place. The girl will come and stay with me, you can have her back after we've completed the task."

"Yes Fine, Fine." He agreed.

She huffed at him before calling out to the little girl in the next room in a sing song voice. "Oh Maaaadziee!" The little girl appeared, shyly looking around the door. The Dark Lady approached her and crouched down before her, plastering a fake smile on her face. "Hello my little cherub, I am going to teach you how to be strong enough to get your NaNa back. What do you say to coming and staying with me for a little while? We can have ice cream whenever you want."

Alec's POV

As he re-entered the office he saw Magnus sitting just as he was when he left him earlier. The sunlight shining through the stain glassed window caught in strands of Magnus' ebony hair, tinting them with a rainbow of colours. Alec stood quietly studying him, taking him in, the steady rise and fall of his chest, the way his elegant hands moved as he turned the pages of the book he was reading. The shimmer of glitter at the corners of his eyes, the way he gently tapped his foot on the floor, subconsciously playing out a tune. Alec felt an ache in his heart as he thought about the Soul Sword and the danger it posed to Magnus.

Striding across the room he gently pulled the book from Magnus' hands and then tugged him up out of the chair. Without hesitation he pressed his lips to Magnus' firmly. Pulling him closer as their kiss deepened and Alec felt the now all too familiar flame of desire burn within him. He felt Magnus' hand find its way into the hair at the back of his head, drawing him in closer still, his other hand coming up to clutch the back of Alec's jacket, so close. Close enough to feel their hearts beat in unison, everything else in the world falling away. If Alec could freeze time and live in this moment for eternity he would. But sooner or later reality would catch up with them. Pulling away only slightly, Alec rested his forehead against Magnus' revelling in the scent of him. He smelled of sandalwood, something spicy, static electricity, cocktails and glitter, he smelled of home.

"Not that I am complaining about the enthusiastic greeting." Magnus whispered softly as he looked up into Alec's eyes. "But is everything ok, Alexander?" Concern written on his face as he gently stroked Alec's cheek.

Sighing Alec directed Magnus back into his chair, lowering himself to a crouch before him, he kept his hands tightly clasped in his own. "I have to tell you something and its not good." Magnus gave his hands a reassuring squeeze, indicating for him to continue. "Clary and Izzy got back from seeing the Iron Sisters and they discovered that the Soul Sword can destroy all downworlders." Alec explained in a rush as if it would make it easier to say.

After a long stretch on silence Magnus finally spoke. "The Sword can destroy downworlders? How? Since when? I touched it at Izzy's trail and it was fine."

"It has to be activated. Wielded by an Angelic being and struck by a bolt of lightning. But once it has been activated, Valentine he could use it to..." Alec drifted off not needing to say what the consequences would be. Magnus' hands felt clammy under his and there was a slight tremble to them. Hoping to comfort him a little Alec rubbed the back of his hands softly.

"Angelic beings? Does that mean Clary and Jace?" Magnus asked. "They have pure angel blood right?"

"Yeah we think so."

Magnus swore lightly under his breath. "Well you're right this isn't good. Can't say I am fond of the idea that Valentine is walking around with a Sword that could decimate my entire kind."

"I won't let anything happen to you." Alec promised him fiercely. Magnus looked at him softly, tilting his head slightly as he reached for his face, cupping it gently.

"Oh Alexander, I know you will protect me with everything you have. But you and I both know that sometimes life doesn't always go our way. But we'll fight against Valentine and the Dark Lady until the bitter end, and we'll do it together." Magnus finished his statement by gently kissing him once more.

Alec tried to push down the worry gnawing at him. After taking a deep breath he said. "Speaking of the Dark Lady. Clary and Izzy came up with an idea."

"Oh, what's that?"

"Clary wants to sit down with Lydia and make sketches of the visions Lydia got. The scenery as well as any people, every little detail Lydia can recall. The hope is we might be able to match it to a place, time or person. Also they suggested we search the Lisbon library for texts dated during the roman era, they have a much more extensive collection there. How do you feel about a small vacation?" He attempted to lighten the mood, smiling at Magnus who answered with one of his own.

"I think I've always wanted to see inside the Lisbon Institute." Magnus winked at him. "And I hear Portugal is wonderful this time of year."

Alec chuckled in return. "Well that's good because I already messaged Robin to let him know we were coming."

Lydia's POV

The sun beat down on her, warming her skin, as she sat in the courtyard. Lydia found the sound of birdsong in the air, and the soft pattering of the circular water feature at the centre of the courtyard, relaxing as she turned the pages of her book. The gentle breeze lifted her hair off her shoulders like a tender caress.

Her solitude was interrupted by approaching footsteps. Looking around she beamed at Robin, standing and closing her book she moved to meet him. "Hey, how's it going?" She asked as he placed an affectionate kiss to her cheek.

"I have some news that might make your day cheerier." He told her with a cheeky smile.

"Oh?" She questioned, curiosity peaked.

"We have some visitors." Robin wrapped his arm around her shoulders and steered her out of the courtyard and towards the main entrance. Lydia's curiosity only increased. Who would be visiting them?

As they rounded the corner into the main entrance hall it was to find it filled with a small crowd. Senor and Senora were greeting the guests and two of them were blocked from her view. But the male figure standing off to the side was one that was very familiar to her and she let out a squeal of delight. "Magnus!" She called to him as he turned to her with a beaming smile, his arms already outstretched to catch her in a tight hug as she threw herself at him.

Once they broke away, she turned to the others in the hall, her heart filling with warmth at the sight of Alec and Clary. As she stepped into Alec's embrace, wrapping her arms around him tightly, it hit her just how much she had missed her family from the New York Institute. Being back in Lisbon had been a peaceful refuge, but still she had felt the ache of their absence.

Pulling away from Alec she turned to hug Clary as well as she asked. "What are you guys doing here! Its so good to see you."

Clary smiled brightly at her as she explained. "Well I had an idea on how to narrow down our investigation into the Dark Lady, but I need your help with it."

"We also came to make use of your Library, we've kind of hit a dead end with the sources we've got back in New York." Alec continued.

The Monteverdes who had been watching the scene warmly joined them. "Lydia, Robin how about you treat our guests to some refreshments in the reception room whilst they fill you in?" Senora suggested kindly.

"Welcome again, it really is wonderful to meet you all, and to be able to put some faces to the names we've heard Lydia talk about. We hope you enjoy your stay here, and please if there is anything we can do for you, feel free to let us know." Senor encouraged them as he shook Alec's hand.

"Thank you, we really do appreciate you allowing us access to your library. It's a huge help." Alec thanked him. With a final nod of his head and smiles all around, Senor linked his arm through his wife's and they went on their way.

"Come on, reception room's this way, lets get you some nourishment." Robin said lightly, offering his arm to Clary. Lydia, Alec and Magnus trailed a little way behind them as their small group made its way through the Institute.

Looking over to Alec as they walked Lydia felt a smile tug at her lips as she saw him walking close to Magnus. Whilst their hands weren't joined they were brushing against each other as they walked, a subtle contact, Alec sliding his little finger down Magnus', Magnus responding by gently caressing a finger across the back of Alec's hand. Easy to miss if you weren't watching closely.

Feeling her gaze on him Alec raised his eyes to hers, catching her observing their hands he blushed a little but returned her affectionate smile. Chuckling softly she gently nudged her shoulder against his. It felt good seeing Alec and Magnus happy.

Once they had reached the reception room they sat gathered around the table Robin had filled with various home cooked dishes and just got caught up with each other as they ate the delectable food. After they had eaten their fill, Lydia turned to their three visitors and queried. "So how can I help you with the Dark Lady?"

"Well we were thinking if you described to me the visions you saw then maybe I could draw them out and maybe we'll find a clue in them. I think having something to visually look at might help us put some pieces together." Clary informed her. "If that's ok with you?"

"Of course it is, anything that might help."

"Ok well if you girls get started on that, I'll show Alec and Magnus here to the Library and we'll see if there is anything we can find there." Robin suggested, the three boys rose from their seats and made their way towards the door, as he passed by Lydia he gave her shoulder a light squeeze, a responding smile spreading across her face.

Turning back to Clary she saw her raise her eyebrow at her a sly smile on her face. Blushing slightly Lydia cleared her throat. "Shall we get started?" She asked gesturing towards Clary's sketch pad as Clary nodded. Lydia sighed. "There's only one small problem, I'm really not sure how much I remember of the visions. I was so out of it and they were so confusing, it's all such a jumble." Lydia huffed in frustration.

Clary took her hand offering her comfort. Looking thoughtful for a moment she tapped her pencil against the sketch pad before looking back at Lydia. "I have an idea we can try. It's this technique Dot taught me. She used to say it was a way of accessing old memories from your childhood or even a way of bringing back memories from a past life. Maybe it could help you remember the visions you had."

Lydia shrugged. "Well I'm willing to give anything a try. What do I need to do?"

"Ok first close your eyes, steady your breathing and clear your head."

Lydia did as she was asked, closing her eyes and letting all her thoughts slip away as she focused on keep her breathing at a slow steady pace.

"That's good." Clary's voice soothed her. "Now picture yourself in a long hallway and at the end is a door. As you walk down the hallway tell yourself that when you step through the door it is going to be into the vision you shared with the Dark Lady, you have to believe it, Lydia its really important." Clary urged her.

Lydia nodded her head and began to slowly walk down the white hallway she had pictured in her head. When she reached the door at the end of the corridor she reached out and took the cold metal handle, turning it she pushed the door open and stepped through.

"Now, look down at your feet and describe what shoes you are wearing, what does the street below your feet look like, what is it made of?" Clary continued to instruct her.

Lydia looked down and focused on her feet, she wearing leather sandals, the street beneath her was made of large grey stones, there seemed to be deep grooves carved into the street, and raised stepping stones. The street was currently blanketed in ash and pumice. Lydia relayed all of this to Clary who continued to encourage her, asking questions now and again. Slowly panning her eyes up she looked around her at the white buildings with terracotta roofs, the ash raining down from the sky and looming large and monstrous before her an erupting volcano. A dark plume of acrid smoke and ash casting a shadow over the whole city. A mushroom cloud of destruction and death just waiting to engulf them. Letting her mind take over she continued describing everything she saw and felt to Clary as she rushed through the streets, she was vaguely aware of the scratching of Clary's pencil on the paper as she talked. She described the temple she ran too, she described the man she found lying on the floor there, what clothes they were wearing, every minute detail.

After what felt like an entire lifetime Lydia opened her eyes and Clary showed her the drawings. Together they spent the next few hours making alterations and changes. Once they were done Lydia stood back and looked at the sketches spread out on the table, her terrifying visions brought to life on the page.

"Are you ok?" Clary asked her cautiously, rubbing circles on her back to comfort her. Lydia found it hard to speak, swallowing scratched like her throat was made of sandpaper, but she nodded her head none the less.

She found her eyes drawn to one particular sketch. The man who the Dark Lady had run to, the one she had been so desperate to save. She slowly reach out to it. "This one, he was the Dark Lady's lover. She was trying to save him in the vision, she was so sure someone was going to try and hurt him, she knew that he has been taken to the temple. Marek, his name was Marek."

"Marek?" Clary clarified. "You're sure." Lydia nodded furiously, she was certain. Clary bent over the table and on the corner of the sketch wrote his name out. "Ok we should take these sketches to the guys. Hopefully they'll help."

Robin's POV

Having just left the girls Robin, Alec and Magnus made their way towards the library. "Lydia is looking a lot better." Alec observed.

"She seems to be back to her old self." Magnus agreed.

"Yeah she's been doing much better." Robin assured them. "She still gets tired quickly sometimes and I have noticed she sleeps more often, gets worn out quicker when training. But over all she's made a lot of improvement. She hasn't had any visions or anything like that since she got here so..."

"That's good to hear. We've missed her back home but I am happy to know that she's doing well here, thank you for taking care of her." Alec expressed his gratitude sincerely.

"Any time. Honestly its been amazing having her back here." Robin confessed. "So what exactly are we looking for?" He questioned as they continued to walk.

"We think the best place to look would be sources and texts from the ancient roman period." Alec answered.

"Um, ok you guys are aware that period of time covers over a thousand years right? Multiple countries too, is there anything more specific?" Robin asked.

Alec shook his head. "No, we are hoping that Clary sketching Lydia's visions might help narrow it down a bit, but at the moment that's all we've got to go on." Frustration was laced through Alec's voice. "Do you have any sources from that time period?"

"Yes, but that's where the problem comes in. We've got hundreds of texts from various different periods and places throughout the roman empire. It would take a lifetime to go through them all."

"Let's hope the girls are able to provide us with some clue to help narrow it down." Magnus remarked.

"Let's hope. Speaking of hope, I sure hope you can both read Latin." Robin stated as they drew near the Library. There were more people milling about here and Robin sensed a change in the air, a slight tension that he hoped Magnus and Alec wouldn't pick up on. Especially Magnus. Truth was despite the time that had passed since the Rio attack, many here were still wary of warlocks. It may have been demons that had taken the lives of their loved ones but it was a warlock that lead them to their deaths.

Just as they reached the doors of the Library he heard his name being called, turning he let out a huge sigh and felt his whole body tense up. Joshua was heading towards him and he had a look of thunder on his face. Shit, Robin thought as a threw a glance at Alec and Magnus and saw them staring at Joshua curiously.

Spotting Julie just inside the Library entrance he called to her. "Hey Julia, do you think you could help out Alec and Magnus here? They are looking for any texts from the roman era, I'll be with you guys in a moment, I just need to talk to Joshua."

"Yeah of course." Julie answered trying to sound cheery, but Robin could see the worry on her face as her eyes flitted between him and Joshua. "Do you want to come this way." She addressed the two newcomers, leading them deeper into the Library and away from Joshua's wrath.

Steeling himself, Robin turned to face the raging Joshua. Robin knew why he was upset. Joshua had lost his fiancé, Amelia, in the Rio attack. Tragically it was only a week before their wedding day that he lost her. Just as Robin had at first, Joshua put most of the blame for Amelia's death on Lydia. The rest he blamed on the warlock, Caden, who had refused to give them any useful information other than where the demon lair was. Information that had lead to the massacre that had robbed so many here of their loved ones. Robin felt grief rush through him as he thought of his sister and his parabatai, how much he missed them, how much he wished they were here right now.

"So it's true then." Joshua spat out angrily. "You actually brought a warlock into the Institute."

"Look Joshua..." Robin started to appease him but Joshua cut him off.

"No! It was bad enough that you brought Lydia back here and now this!"

"Look I am sorry that you lost Amelia, really I am I know the grief you feel, but Rio was not Lydia's fault." Robin tried to reason.

"Really?" Joshua sneered. "Because I seem to remember you blaming Lydia more than anyone. Talking about how she screwed it up, that she let her sympathy towards the warlocks get in the way of the mission and couldn't do what needed to be done, that they would still be alive if it weren't for her."

"Well I was wrong ok!" Robin shouted back, guilt suffocating him as he remembered all the awful things he had said about Lydia in his grief. He was painfully aware that alot of the resentment and hate some of the others still felt towards Lydia had been cultivated by him and his own anger. "I said those things out of anger, when I was grieving and in pain. I've since realised how wrong I was. Joshua please, you have to let this anger go or it is going to eat you up, it'll destroy you." Robin pleaded with him.

Joshua only continued to stare at him in anger. "Why are they even here Robin? Why is Lydia here? Why are you so insistent on nobody outside of the Institute knowing she's here? Now this warlock is here too, why? How much longer is Lydia going to be here? You won't even trust us enough to tell us what's really going on yet we are all supposed to just go along with it."

"I already told you, Lydia is here for her safety, because she is at risk. Magnus is here because he is trying to help her, I can't tell you anymore than that as it could put her in danger, its need to know only." Robin tried to remain calm and not let the fatigue he felt show through.

Joshua scoffed. "And why should I give two shits about Lydia's safety?" He snarled coldly, turning his back and walking away.

Robin pushed down the anger and frustration. Noticing the gaggle of shadowhunters still standing around watching he yelled. "Alright shows over! Don't you all have things you should be doing?!" As the small crowd dispersed Robin headed into the library in search of Magnus and Alec.

Alec's POV

Magnus and Alec followed the auburn haired shadowhunter, Julie he think Robin called her, into the library and Alec had to hold back a gasp as he took it in. Lydia was not exaggerating when she said it was an extensive collection. Right in front of the entrance was a set of stairs that lead down to a long hall that had rows of tables, looking up there were three floors crammed with book case upon book case. There really must be thousands of texts in this one room.

"The section holding the ancient roman texts is this way." Julie's voice broke through Alec's awe and drew his attention back to her. She lead them up to the second floor and to the left. "This is it. Everything you can find from the Roman era is on the left side of this floor."

"Wait, the whole of this side is only from the Roman era?" Magnus clarified.

"Yup." Julie confirmed. Alec exchanged a look with Magnus as they realised how much of a daunting task was ahead of them. The bookcases stretched on endlessly. "Is there anything in particular I can help you find?" Julie asked kindly.

Magnus blew out a sharp breath and was about to answer when they heard footsteps behind them. Turning they saw Robin had caught up with them. He looked flustered and angry. Alec frowned hoping that everything was ok. Robin came to stand beside Alec, clapping a hand on his shoulder he asked. "How are we doing?"

"Struggling to know where to start." Alec told him honestly as he looked back out at the hundreds of books sitting on the shelves.

"Well we should focus on any texts referring to warlocks, witches or sorceresses." Magnus advised.

"Sounds like as good a plan as any." Robin agreed. Turning to Julie he asked. "I don't suppose you want to hang around and give us a hand?" Sensing Alec and Magnus' cautious stares Robin reassured them. "Don't worry, you can trust Julie, she's close friends with Lydia. She'll never do anything to hurt her."

Appeased Alec said. "It would be a big help if you could stick around."

"Sure I'll help, anything for Lydia." Julie agreed. "I'll go grab the index, see what texts we've got with references to warlocks." She disappeared between the book shelves for a moment before returning with a the index and a list of books, after placing the large, heavy index on a nearby table, she handed the list of titles to Robin.

"Great well Alec, Julie do you want to take these two bookcases and Magnus and I will search the next two?" Robin suggested after they had divided the titles between the group.

As they were searching the bookcases Alec tried to think of something to say, some small talk to break the silence. As Julie reached out to pluck a book from the case Alec caught the dazzling diamond ring on her finger. "That's a really beautiful ring." He complimented her.

"Thank you." She paused to look down at the ring softly. "The wedding is only a few months away now, I can scarcely believe it."

So it was an engagement ring. That was interesting, typically shadowhunters didn't exchange engagement rings or rings at all, it was the wedded rune that marked their unions and if inclined to they may exchange wedding favours as he and Lydia did. "Forgive me, but its a little unusual for a shadowhunter to have an engagement ring." Alec's curiosity got the better of him. "Sorry if that sounded rude, I didn't mean it to. I'm curious is all."

Julie laughed lightly. "It's ok, most shadowhunters are when they see it." She assured him. "My fiancé, Sofia, she's a mundane, thus the engagement ring." She went on to explain.

This new information only made him more curious. "How did you guys meet?"

"We, Lydia and I that is, saved her from a werewolf attack. She was left badly scarred but she lived and also avoided being turned by some miracle. Most leaders would have ordered us to observe her from afar until we were sure she wouldn't turn and then have us feed her some BS about a wild animal attack and send her on her way to deal with it alone. Not Lydia though. She could see that Sofia was really struggling with the trauma of the attack. Sofia was an orphan, she had no one to turn to. So Lydia asked me to take care of her, help her heal. Sofia is such a brave and amazing woman, well I just couldn't help falling in love with her."

"Was it ever hard? Loving someone who was from a different world than you? Someone who wasn't a shadowhunter?"

Julie looked thoughtful for a moment before she answered. "Loving Sofia was the easiest thing in the world. It was as easy as..."

"Breathing." Alec finished for her his gaze shifting over to Magnus.

Julie smiled at him. "Yeah. As easy as breathing." She looked at her ring again. "The hard part came when I told my parents. At first, well they weren't exactly overjoyed, and they didn't support the relationship, they had expected me to marry a nice shadowhunter boy, not a mundane girl."

"And now?" Alec asked.

A look of contentment came over Julie a smile lighting up her eyes. "Now things are really great, my mum is helping me organise the wedding and she's really in her element with it all, they both have put alot of effort into getting to know Sofia too, having dinners together and days out, they've really come to accept me for who I am."

"But how did you get there. I mean from them being so negative and against your relationship to accepting it and Sofia?" He asked desperately.

"Mostly through alot of open and honest conversations. Telling them how I felt, explaining to them that this was who I was and that I wouldn't ever be able to change that, that the alternative was me being miserable, pretending to be something I am not. Over the course of these conversations they came to realise that my happiness meant more to them than some hundred years old Shadowhunter tradition. Honestly I think its made them alot more open minded as a whole."

Alec stood mulling everything she had said over. Could his parents do the same? Truly accept him for who he really was, accept his relationship with Magnus as Julie's had accepted hers and Sofia's? Was he more important to his parents then there image or their shadowhunter traditions? Was their love as unconditional as they declared it to be at his wedding reception?

The feel of Julie's hand coming to rest on his arm brought his attention back to her. "Hey, I could be barking up the wrong tree here. But I get the impression you are asking me all this because you yourself are in a similar predicament?"

Alec's eyes flicked once again over to Magnus. "Yeah maybe."

"Well the best advice I can give you is to be honest with your parents. Communicate with them as openly and honestly as you can. But also remember this, if they can't love and accept you for who you are, or your partner for who they are, then the problem is with them. Not you."

Alec looked down at her and smiled. "Thank you, really. You've given me alot to think about it."

"No worries. Now we should probably get cracking with these books huh."

It was several hours later, and the words on the pages were all beginning to blur together. Alec could feel a headache building and still they had found nothing significant. Looking around the table they were all gathered at Alec could see that the others were struggling too. Seeing the mountain of books piled next to him, still to go through, Alec groaned and dropped his head to the book in front of him.

"I feel you there brother." Robin said from the other side of the table.

"This is hopeless. We're not finding anything useful on warlocks in these books." Alec complained.

"Maybe we are just looking at this all wrong." Julie chimed in. "I mean this was before Shadowhunters were created right, so all these sources are from mundanes who might not have fully understood that what they were seeing was magic."

"Fair point but what would they have thought they were seeing?" Alec quizzed the group.

"Gods." Robin concluded. "Maybe they thought they were living Gods and Goddesses?"

"It's a plausible theory. I mean look at the Roman Gods themselves, Venus for example, who could make people fall in love. Jupiter who could transform himself into others or even animals. Apollo who could heal. All abilities warlocks are known to possess it would be understandable for mundanes to mistake a warlock for a god if they witnessed them using such a power." Magnus added.

They all paused their conversation and looked around when they heard footsteps clamouring up the steps. "Hey guys, we finished the sketches." Clary announced as she and Lydia came into view. She held the sketches up proudly for them to see.

"Anything useful?" Alec asked hopefully.

"Maybe, I remembered the name of the Dark Lady's lover, Marek." Lydia announced as Clary laid the sketches out on the table.

Magnus let out an exhale as he reached for one of the sketches depicting a street lined with white buildings with terracotta roofs, the volcano raging in the background. "Oh of course." He breathed. "How could I have not put it together before?"

"What is it?" Robin asked.

Magnus turned the page for them all to see. "It's Pompeii. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius, one of the most famous eruptions in history."

Alec suddenly felt re-energised. "Guys this is brilliant." He exclaimed excitedly, jumping up from his seat.

"It is?" Lydia asked hopefully.

"It is." Alec grinned at her, putting an arm around her shoulders and pulling her to him. "Now not only do we have a location, but a timeline too. When was the eruption of Vesuvius?"

"79AD, so if we look, say between 70 and 80 AD and then expand the timeline if we need to." Magnus responded.

"Plus we have a name so all of this together should narrow the search right down." Alec continued.

"I might be able to narrow it down even more." Lydia informed them. "Marek, in my vision, the Dark Lady found him dead in a temple. She was convinced someone was going to hurt him. Maybe we could look at texts written by religious figures who were in or near Pompeii at that time? Priests and Priestesses?"

Julie pulled the index back out looking down the list of key subjects, she began making a list of texts that might be useful. With a renewed energy the group poured over the texts. After some time they heard Robin call to them.

"Hold up, I think I might have something." Robin paced towards them holding a very old, leather bound book.

"What is it?" Clary asked.

"It's a journal." Robin explained. "It was actually compiled in 365 AD but it contains various different accounts from women in the same bloodline, seems the author gathered up all the original documents and copied them into this book. The originals are here in the Library too but they are papyrus scrolls and so really fragile. But there's a copy of an account written by a priestess in 79AD right after she fled Pompeii. She talks about a Marek."

"Do you think its the same Marek? It has to be right?" Alec asked.

"I think so. I looked into the original scrolls and wrapped in the centre of it was this." Robin placed a small marble figurine on the table next to Clary's sketch, the facial features were identical, it was clearly the same person.

"What else does the journal say?" Alec urged. Robin handed it over to him and Alec began to read it aloud.

"I can still feel the ash clogging my lungs despite being far from the city now. His blood is still sticky on my hands, staining them, marking me with my failures for all eternity. I was so certain it was the answer. That it would appease the great god Vulcan, that it would soothe his anger and spare our lives, our city. But even once the false god's blood had spilled on the Temple's altar and his last breath flew away on the wind, still the mountain roared its anger, burying our beautiful city beneath ash and molten fire.

The fiery destruction was Vulcan's punishment. The people of Pompeii had turned their backs on the true Gods and Goddesses and instead turned their love and faith to Marek, the false god. I had pleaded with my fellow Priests and Priestesses, my brothers and sisters in faith, but they had failed to see the danger posed and his following, his power only grew. All action had come too late, the Gods' wrath had been ignited. Marek was the demon that we had allowed to walk amongst us, leading us to our damnation."

"Well that was intense." Clary voiced.

"Seems like our theory that some warlocks were worshipped as Gods was right though. Sounds like Marek had amassed quite the following before he was killed." Julie added.

"Whose this Vulcan she kept talking about?" Clary questioned.

"Roman God of fire and the forge. Many Romans believed that when a Volcano erupted it was because Vulcan was angry with them." Lydia explained.

"If he was being worshipped as a god then it might be an idea to look into some texts about minor gods and see if Marek's name pops up again." Julie recommended. "Also looking at the index it seems like that journal is one of many, the collection appears to have been passed down through the Priestess' descendants, each of them adding to it. It may be worth looking through the others to see if there's any other mentions of Marek."

Plan made they split into two groups one half studying anthologies of minor gods and the other working their way through the journals. The task was tedious but they all hoped it would be worth it in the end.

Alec was trying to keep his focus on the text which was once again blurring together, he was going through the last journal from the Priestess' bloodline, when the name of the newest author suddenly caught his attention. Re-reading it to be sure Alec felt a feeling of dread trickle through him. This couldn't be a coincidence. "Umm, I might have something important here." Alec spoke up after clearing his throat.

"Yeah go ahead." Magnus encouraged him as all eyes fell on him.

"This last journal before the just randomly stop. But its the author's name that I think might be significant." Alec told the group.

"Whose the author?" Lydia inquired.

"A woman named Cecelia..." He met Lydia's questioning stare, not breaking eye contact with her. "Cecelia Branwell." Lydia let out a sharp gasp. "Lydia you're a descendant of the Priestess that killed that Dark Lady's lover."

Lydia sat down slowly, feeling the colour drain from her face. "That's why she came after me. Because she wants revenge for something my ancestor did thousands of years ago." Lydia spat out bitterly. Robin appeared beside her, wrapping his arms around her, pressing his forehead to her temple he whispered words of comfort in her ear.

"I found another reference to Marek, not that it matters a whole lot now that we know why the Dark Lady is after Lydia." Clary chimed in.

"It never hurts to know more." Magnus pointed out. "What does it say?"

"It's a letter from a priest in Pompeii to a priest in Rome, it's similar to the priestess' journal, talking about how he is a false god, saying that he is actually the spawn of a demon. The priest claims Marek was fathered by a Greater Demon named Asmodeus."

"Asmodeus!?" Magnus' head snapped in Clary's direction.

The look of fear on Magnus' face sent a jolt of panic through Alec's heart. Moving next to him he took his hand stroking it soothingly. "Does that name mean something to you?" Alec probed gently.

"Yes." Magnus' whole body had tensed up, his hand clammy in Alec's. After gulping in some air in what seemed to be an attempt of calming himself Magnus finally answered. "Asmodeus is my father."

---

Author's Note: So here's a fun fact. I plan for this fic to be 25 chapters long. So there's now only 5 more chapters to go until this fic is complete. My game plan is to put myself into a bubble and just get these last chapters done in the next few weeks. So until next time folks.