24th / 25th, August, 2016 The New York Institute

Back at the Institute

Alec was pissed and that was an understatement when he heard what his parabatai had done. Not only was their best lead on who was buying the mundane blood was gone, but now they had two mundanes in their institute that Jace wanted to keep around. He needed to talk some sense into his parabatai. Mundanes weren't allowed in the institute, and for good reason. If anyone knew about this, they could be reported to the Clave.

He hurried down the halls in search of Jace. Alec was eager be rid of the two distractions. The sooner the better in his opinion so that they could get back to the things that mattered such as completing the mission they were given.

Jace came out of his room and headed in the opposite direction to Alec who shot him a look "We need to talk Jace. Those mundanes you brought back to the institute are a distraction. You know as well as I do that distractions are dangerous in our line of work. You need to get rid of them so that we can get back to what matters and complete the mission we were given. One mundane is bad enough, but two? Jace come on you know mundanes aren't allowed in the institute. We could be reported to the Clave for this".

"Alec not now" Jace told him.

At that moment Nick stepped out of the room "Why hasn't little red woken up yet? It's been two days already" complained Nick unable to hide his worry.

It was then Alec first laid eyes upon on one of the mundanes in question. Nick was gorgeous it made Alec question whether or not the young man had any traceable Fae lineage as he locked eyes with Nick. They gazed at each other so deeply that, for a moment, nothing else existed in the world.

Jace coughed eventually which seemed to snap them out of it as the air became thick with awkward tension.

A flirtatious smile spread across Nick face as he winked at Alec who bristled slightly taking on a defensive posture and opened his mouth only to have Jace quickly interjected so that his parabatai wouldn't say or do something that he would later regret "As I was saying you have to give her time. Demon poison is strong stuff".

Meanwhile

"Jocelyn, you're back with me" The vision of her mother held Clary, one after the other, a river of images that bore her along like a leaf tossed in a current.

Suddenly Clary gasped and bolted upright head butting Isabelle.

"Ow".

"Wait, I don't know who you..." Clary said scared as she placed some distance in between her and Isabelle.

"I'm Isabelle. I've never seen Jace so curious about a mundane... or distracted. Like you saw earlier, distractions are dangerous in our line of work".

"I have no idea what you're talking about. Who's Jace? And where is? Where is Nicky?" She asked looking around her new surroundings.

"You really don't know much, do you? Your friend is fine more than fine actually" Isabella said her voice had that kittenish quality to it when she spoke of Nicky.

Clary shook her head slightly as her eyes became wet and her voice took on a confused, irritated tone "All I know is some psychos took my mother, and now you people have taken me and Nicky".

Isabelle chuckles "That is where you are wrong. You see Nicky came here of his own free will and by taken you mean saved your life".

Nick knocked on the door to announce his presence and then walked into the room "So, you're finally awake Clary," He walked over and took Isabelle's spot on the edge of the bed and laid his hands over Clary's "I need you to listen closely. I know this all must be confusing and scary as hell right now. It isn't fair on you to have had to find out this way. Jocelyn shouldn't have put this off until the last possible minute. She's not only left you unprepared, but now her life and yours is being threatened. But I promise that we're going to do everything in our power to get her back from the ones who took her, but we're going to need your help".

Alec felt a sudden twinge of jealousy and quickly squashed it down "Mundanes shouldn't even be here".

"Where is here exactly?" Clary asked.

"There not mundanes, Alec" Argued Jace.

"How do you know that?" Retorted Alec not willing to let the matter drop.

"Because the seraph blade lit up when she touched it and Nick is-".

Nick and Jace shared a look with one another. "Complicated" He said frustrated with Alec "Look, Nick, can you...".

Nick nodded as he released Clary's hand "Your discretion is much appreciated, Shadowhunter". He stood up and went off to the side next to Isabelle who tilted her head with a look of curiosity.

Jace sits down beside Clary "I'm Jace Wayland".

"I'm, uh...".

"Clary Fray, we know who you are".

Alec's dark blue eyes gazed at Clary with a hostility as pure and concentrated as acid "Am I the only one who finds this unusual?" He said growing impatient, despite the bud of curiosity in his chest that had grown for Nick that he shoved down. He wasn't interested in the mundane, not even remotely yet his heart betrayed him and suggested otherwise.

Jace shot Alec a look "You find everything unusual Alec".

Alec's mouth tightened "It isn't right for them to be here. They're not one of us. The Clave must be informed. Especially about him. He has runes that aren't even in the grey book. I've checked. You know as well as I do that runes that have been removed are only for elite members of the Clave. I'm going to get a message to my father-".

Nick butted in "First I'm a mundane and now I'm a Shadowhunter. You know what dial it down a notch" He bristled at Alec's rudeness.

"My brother doesn't have a dial," Isabelle explained. "I love you, Alec, but you have a switch that's always on".

Alec glanced at his sister "I love you, too". He gestured his hand in the directions of Clary and Nick "But this..." He pressed.

"Hey, you know what?" Jace interrupted "Give me a minute" Alec didn't move. He was reluctant to leave Jace alone with them until Jace spoke again and pointed at the door "Here's a word you never hear me say. Please?".

"What is with you?" He asked and unsurprisingly received no one response "Really, no, what is with him?" He asked his sister who got up to leave.

"Walk with me, big brother. I'll explain it to you" Isabelle told her brother as she whisked him out of the room.

"I'll be right outside if you need me" Nick said giving them some privacy.

Meanwhile

Isabelle linked her arm around Alec's as she led him down the hall.

Alec said all hot and bothered "We don't know this girl. There's no such thing as new Shadowhunters".

"There is now" Replied Isabelle.

"And you don't find it strange?" Questioned Alec.

"What I find strange is that you're so upset. Maybe you're upset by the way, Jace is looking at her? And the new feelings that you're developing for Nicky. You know, you should be happy that Jace is interested in someone other than himself. If you stopped trying to repress those new feeling you have for Nicky then maybe you'll stop being so uptight all the time" She chuckles.

"I don't know what your talking about, Izzy. I don't have feelings for whatever he is" He said venomously "Maybe I'm pissed that she's ruined the mission. That those two have become an unnecessary distraction. We never did find out who's buying the blood. That was our one job, Izzy. Do you want to be the one to tell our mother that we failed the mission because Jace is so strung up on this supposed new Shadowhunter?" He said before storming off.

Isabelle sighed and went over to the computer. She wanted to find out more about Nicky. It was obvious that her brother had developed intimate feelings for him. And if he wasn't a mundane or Shadowhunter then what was he?

Back to Clary and Jace

"Your wound, it's healed" Jace informed Clary.

"How is that even possible? So, what, I'm miraculously healed, and all of you... stunning people have magical powers?"

Jace scoffs "No. No, don't confuse me with a warlock".

"Or a Demi-god" Nick announced whilst he was eavesdropping on them.

Jace exhales "You're not helping. You'll just confuse her".

Nick remarks "You seem to be doing a perfectly good job of doing that yourself".

"A what?"

"A warlock also known as a child of Lilith, is the offspring of a demon and a mundane. Whilst a demigod is the end result of a primordial entity and a mundane having a child together" He explained.

"Okay, you're not making any sense".

"Told you so".

"Warlocks, vampires, werewolves, Seelies..." Jace began.

"Literally my brain is about to explode".

"For angel sake!" Nick came back into the room "I'll keep it simple for Clary. You're a Shadowhunter. A human born with angel blood. In other words, a Nephilim. You and your mother are a part of a secretive race who fight demons and live alongside Downworlders who are supernatural beings and hybrid creatures who inhabit the Shadow World. The Shadow World is the term generally used to refer to the hidden, supernatural part of the world that Shadowhunters and Downworlders share and is also being pervaded by demons" Nick turned to Jace "I've got you started so now you can jump in at any time pretty boy".

Jace gave Nick a look and pointed at the door.

Nick rolled his eyes and left the room once more.

Jace turned his attention back to Clary "All the legends are true. So those people you saw murdered at the Pandemonium, they weren't people at all, they were shape-shifting demons".

"They return to their home dimensions when they die," said Nick. "In case you were wondering little red".

"I'm not interested in being a part of your supernatural fight club. I just wanna find my mom" Her voice breaking "The rest of it, whatever it is, all I care about is finding my mother" She told Jace "Please. Please help me find her" She said softly.

"I'm the best chance you've got".

"I don't even know you" Her cell phone began ringing.

"How come you haven't answered your phone in two days?"

"Things are... all ripped apart".

"Where are you? Find My Friends says your phone is in an abandoned church on Deighton. I'm outside".

Clary runs to the window and exhales "I see you".

"I don't see you".

"Give me five minutes. I have to get dressed".

"Dressed? What are you doing undressed in an abandoned church? Clary, is there... Is there a meth problem we have to talk about?".

"Simon, just give me five minutes, okay?" She turned to Jace "Um, what, uh... What happened to my clothes?".

"Demon venom. Remember? Isabelle left you these".

She chuckles holding up one of the boots "You're kidding, right?"

"She's very comfortable with her body".

"Okay" She grabs the clothes and goes behind the curtain to get changed.

Nick comes back into the room and goes over to the window and smirks "My brother is smart for a mundane. Unfortunately, it would seem something has followed him. Do you want to take care of it Jace or shall I?" He asked turning around to Jace.

"I'll take care of it," Jace said firmly "You're not ready for the field".

Nick scoffed and folds his arms "That's not fair. I took on Eidolon demons and a Ravener that has to count for something" He pouted.

"Once you've started training and proven that you're able to hold your own then, I will consider letting you come on field missions until then you're on grunt work as a potential Ascender without you're awakened abilities. You're vulnerable. You said so yourself, which is why we agreed that your status is need to know. The less people who know the better. Very few will be able to recognise you for what you really are. Fortunately, until you're awakened most will mistake you for a Shadowhunter. Only I, Hodge and the Clave know and I'd like to keep it that way".

Meanwhile

In the mirror Clary finally spots the rune on her neck.

"How did that get there?".

"I drew that" Jace said smugly.

"And you let him, Nicky?".

Nick shrugs in a nonchalant manner and gives an amused snort as Clary steps out from behind the curtain "Nice outfit. Although I don't think it's your style, Clary. Those clothes look ridiculous on you".

"Shut it" She tells her brother slash sister and turns to Jace "Okay, listen. I still don't get everything that's going on here, but you do not tattoo my neck. That's creepy".

"Duly noted. I guess next time we'll just let you die. And it's not a tattoo. It's a rune".

Nick scowled at Jace and gave him a look "That's not something to joke about Jace".

"I can't believe you let him practically cover you in tattoos Nicky. Your mom is going to flip out".

"I was beginning to wonder when you would see through my glamour. They're not tattoos. There runes similar to your own. And I wouldn't worry about my mom flipping out over them considering I was born with them, sis".

Jace ignored them and explained "Runes have enormous power. Good for Shadowhunters. Lethal for humans. But you, you already know all about runes, don't you?" He said accusingly as he held up Clary's sketchpad.

Clary shook her head slightly confused.

"Maybe you don't. Which is what makes you so interesting... Clary Fray".

"She's not deceiving you, Jace. Little red doesn't know, but at the same time she knows more than she thinks she does".

Pre-Dawn

Clary, Nick and Jace then walked out of the room as Jace activates his Seraph blade and tells Clary "I saw something... behind your friend".

"You're not gonna kill Simon, are you?".

"Protect the humans, kill the demons. You'll get it eventually".

Clary opens the door and turns to Jace "So, why can't Simon see you?".

"This is a glamour, a rune that makes me invisible to mundanes. It's a shame, really, 'cause... well, denying them all this".

Nick rolled his eyes "You do know that Si is going to think you're insane Clary since you're basically talking to thin air".

"What's going on Nicky. Why did you tell your mom and sister that you were staying over at mine? I had to lie in order to cover your back. I've barely slept for the last two days. I even gave myself a nose bleed. Because you two can't be bothered to answer your phones" He stressed and then turned to Clary looking concerned "And Clary what do you have on? Let me take you home" Simon takes off his jacket and places it around Clary's shoulders.

Nick turned to Jace "You could learn something from him" He nudged his head over in Simon's direction.

Jace rolls his eyes and exhales "Move out of the way and go protect the mundane and Clary".

"How am I supposed to do that without a weapon?".

"You've managed before" Retorted Jace.

"I don't think I have one anymore" Clary told Simon.

"Why?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well..."

"Clary Fairchild!" Shouted the circle member.

Nick stands in front of Clary and Simon shielding with his body as he spread his arms wide. "Be careful just shout if you need back up".

Clary gasps as Jace grabs the circle member from behind and holds him in a head lock.

"Clary, what's going on? What are you looking at?"

"If you give us the girl and the potential Ascender, I'll let you live".

"You're in no position to be making rules".

Jace grunts as he is head butted and the circle member activates his Seraph blade.

There is a struggle with the Seraph blade and Jace manages to stab the circle member with his own Seraph blade "We'll never stop hunting them".

"This is for my father".

"Jace!" Shouts Clary.

"Excuse me?" Simon questions unaware of what had just taken place.

"Is he dead?".

"Is who dead?".

Suddenly the body of the circle member appears.

"What the..." Simon backs away from him.

"I would take that as a yes" Replies Nick.

"Could you de-glamourize, or whatever, so my best friend doesn't think that we're losing our minds?

"Um what is happening?"

"Yeah, we don't have the luxury right now, kid" Said Jace as he activates the rune "Everyone back inside".

"Clary, Nicky who is this? Your meth dealer?".

"I've seen him before. At the police station".

"He's a member of the Circle. Clary, he's here for you and your brother".

"He's with the people who took my mother".

"Right, which is very bad, Clary. These people aren't ones you want to piss off" Said Jace.

"I know why they want me. I mean the whole Shadow world would kill just to get their hands on me. Once, I've been awakened I'll be a powerful asset. But, why do they want her?".

Jace shook his head "I don't know. But your little mundane best friend led him right to you. He's was sent here to capture or kill you, both".

"There's a dead body there, we have to call Luke".

Nick raised an eyebrow "Yeah and how are you going to explain this to him? Besides right now we don't know who we can trust. What do you think Clary?".

"We can't trust Luke, Simon. We can't".

"Clary, I need to keep you safe".

"She's safe here with us, Si. You cannot protect her from the circle members. You just can't.

I'm asking you not to involve yourself. You already know too much for a mundane".

"That's something that we can both agree on" Jace said and turned to Clary "Clary I promise you, I promise I am gonna help you find your mother. But you're one of us. You're a Shadowhunter".

"What are you talking about? Clary, Nicky you don't know this guy, all right? Come with me. I can get us help".

"I can't, Si" Replied Nicky.

"Clary, please" Simon pleaded.

"Clary-" Jace began hoping to get through to her.

Meanwhile

"I don't see the Mortal Cup!" Bellowed Valentine.

"We searched. It's not in the loft. Just because you couldn't find it doesn't mean it isn't there".

"There's a daughter" He stammered "She looks just like Jocelyn. There's no sign of the father. Could be Mundane. The girl is under the protection of an unclaimed and unawakened demigod. She must know where the mortal cup is".

Valentine inhales "Jocelyn has a daughter?".

"Well, in that case, I'd like to speak to Jocelyn's daughter and I also want the potential Ascender. He will be invaluable to our cause".