26th / 27th August, 2016 Hardtail, The Downworlders Club.

"And remember we're not going for the music" Alec told Isabelle and Nick as they secured the perimeter and returned to Jace and Clary. "All clear".

"Do you think red's my colour?" Asked Isabelle admiring the necklace.

"Iz, every colour is your colour, especially with a body like yours" Replied Nick.

"When you're right. You're right" Isabelle smiled "Damn, I make this necklace look so good".

"Will you take it off?" Alec told his sister "I'm certain Magnus Bane doesn't want drool on his ruby when we make the exchange".

"You know, I wouldn't be so sure. Most men like it when I admire their jewels" She said twirling a finger in her hair as she bit her lip.

Jace closed his eyes disturbed by his sister's comment.

Alec exhales a sigh "Can you just give it to Jace?".

Isabelle giggles "You're such a buzzkill".

Alec takes the necklace and they enter the nightclub.

When Jace spotted Magnus, he turned to Isabelle and Alec "Blend in. Keep your weapons ready" Jace tells them.

Alec and Isabelle nod and the two siblings head off in different directions.

Clary, Jace and Nick approached Magnus.

"Magnus".

Magnus looks over at the Shadowhunters and Nick.

"We'll hello, I was wondering when I'd get to see your pretty face again" Magnus said eyeing Nick.

"The pleasure is all mine, kitten" Nick purred and lightly stroked Magnus face before retracting his hand.

Magnus give Nick a flirtatious smile and turned to Clary "Clary Fairchild. You've grown into a beautiful young woman".

"Magnus Bane. So you're the one who stole my memories" She scowled at him.

"At your mother's request. She knew the risk".

Magnus placed out his hand. His eyes never leaving Nick as he said to Jace "Show me the jewellery, Shadowhunter".

Jace revealed the necklace as Magnus broke eye-contact with Nick and smiled at seeing the necklace again. He went to grab it when Jace pulled it out of his reach.

"Ooh... Give Clary back her memories, and you get the jewellery".

Magnus made a face "I have to confirm it's authenticity" He said cunningly as Jace reluctantly handed it over.

"Amor verus numquam moritur" Said Magnus looking at the inscription on the back of the necklace.

"True love cannot die" Nick whispered softly.

Magnus snapped his head up "Yes," He then signs "Oh, how I've missed this jewel".

"Now, it's your turn to pay up" Jace told him firmly.

Magnus looked awkward and then admitted "I wish I could retrieve your memories, but I no longer have them".

Nick narrowed his eyes "You fed them her memories to a demon didn't you?" He said accusingly "I suspected as much".

"Why would he do that?".

"For safe keeping, of course" Answered Magnus "To protect you and the Cup".

"It makes sense, If Valentine ever captured Magnus, he could torture Clary's memories out of him".

"Just like he tortured Dot" Magnus added.

"Tortured?" Clary asked "Wait, is Dot okay?".

"You didn't know" Magnus expression turned to pity as he broke the news "Dot is dead".

Nick closed his eye.

"What? How do you know?" Clary shook her head unwilling to believe what Magnus was telling her was true.

"Valentine killed her because she would not betray your mother" Nick balled his fists as he felt the rage build inside of him. He snapped open his eyes and they were once again his pupils are blown with a black mini sclera.

"Oh, my god" Clary gasped

"Dot was family, my family" Nick seethed

"Nick, your eyes".

"Nick, calm down. Now is not the time to go berserk. I need you to stay focused on the mission".

"I am calm" He said in a low dangerous voice.

"My dear little marshmallow. You're the furthest thing from calm right now" He placed a hand on his shoulder "Come with me" He then to Clary "Both of you. My lair can offer you, two protection no Shadowhunter ever could".

Jace scoffs.

"No. No, I'm not going anywhere with you".

Magnus looked to Nick who shook his head "What about you?".

"Regrettably as much as I would like to take you up on that offer. I can't I promised Jocelyn that I would protect her daughter. Little red is my sister in everything, but blood. I will stand by her, where she goes I will follow" He said barely holding himself together.

Magnus sighed and turned to Clary "Don't be a fool. Your mother would want you to live".

"Then help me get my memories back from whatever demon you gave them to".

"Valentine is hunting you, too. And every moment we're outside my lair's protection, is a moment Valentine gets closer to finding us" He said opening a portal. "Come with me. I won't offer again" He offered his hand to them.

"No. No, I won't hide from my problems and neither should you".

"Look out!".

Out of the corner of his eye Nick saw a member of Valentine's circle draw his seraph blade. In the blink of an eye Nick whipped out his dagger and throw it at the circle member just as Alec let one of his arrows fly.

No one could be quite sure whether the arrow or dagger struck first as the dagger went right in the circle member's back whilst Alec's arrow when in the front. Both Alec and Nick looked pleased with themselves at having hit their target.

Nick hurries over to check the body from anything suspicious as Alec kneels over the body to retrieve his arrow "Not bad," Alec compliments "You're getting better at this".

"Who are you?" They heard the warlock ask.

Nick ripped out his dagger and stared at the now dead man with a look of pure malice "You got off easy. Valentine and the others will pay for what they did to Dot" He growled and stood up as he strode over to Alec.

"The area's secure. Looks like he was the only assassin" Isabelle told the group

"He has a Circle rune on the base of his neck" Added Alec

"They found us. It's not safe here. Clary, Nick we have to go".

"God damn it, Jace! Just give her a moment!" Nick snapped "She's in shock. Dot was a part of our family. She was like a sister to Clary and an aunt to me" He placed an arm around Clary "We haven't got time to grieve. Magnus was right the longer that we're out in the open the closer Valentine gets to finding us".

Clary nodded in a daze as they left the rave swiftly, with Nick and Clary dragging behind.

Isabelle dropped her pace as she tried her best to console them "Guys, hold up a minute".

"Clary, Nick we have to keep moving".

Clary gasps softly trying not to break down and cry "I'm catching my breath".

"Back off, alright" Nick shouted and went to confront Jace, but Isabelle grabbed his arm.

"Please, Nicky. Clary needs you right now. Lashing out at the people that are trying to help you, won't do you any favours" Isabelle pleaded with him.

Alec began to get worked up himself "You know what? This is great. And not only did Magnus not get the girl her memories back, he took the necklace. This is fantastic...".

"Alec, the girl... her name is Clary and I highly suggest you keep your voice down".

"What, are you afraid I'm gonna upset her? We have risked our lives again and again for this girl, and where has it gotten us? All right? Nowhere. We're no closer to getting the Mortal Cup. And we've lost the Institute's necklace".

"Hey, I am right here. I don't care about your damn jewellery. I'm sorry you're gonna look bad in front of your bosses, okay? But my mother is still missing and my last chance at finding her just disappeared into thin air"

"You give up so, easily Alec. There's always a silver lining. You just have to go look for it. Yes, we have risked our lives, over and over again, but not just for Clary, but because we all know what will happen if Valentine were to get his hands on the Mortal Cup. We all have a job to do. So, stop you're whining and lets get to it" He turned to Jace "Here, Clary snagged this from Magnus. Maybe you could use it to track him" He tossed the button over to him. "I remember Dot taught my sister how to track using an item belong to said person".

Isabelle raised an eyebrow "You're sister?".

"I have a half-sister named Emma. She's a hedge witch who possesses the sight and so is my mom. Dot was their mentor" He explained.

"Good work" Jace put some distance between them and began to draw a rune on his hand.

"What is he doing?" Asked Clary.

"He's tracking Magnus. Be quiet and keep your distance" Alec told her.

"And can Jace can pinpoint the location using that".

Jace tried to do just that, but evidently it didn't work "No. The signal's not strong enough. Magnus must be blocking the track" He gazed over to Alec "Let's do this, Alec".

Alec walked over to Jace and they locked hands, staring into each other's eyes.

Nick couldn't help, but feel a twinge of jealously at the way Alec just lost himself in Jace's gaze.

Jace shook his head after a while to clear his head and announced "I've got him" He clapped Alec on the shoulder and walked away.

Alec disappointed, but refusing to show it walked over to Nick who seemed to have zoned out.

"Hey, are you alright. You're not hurt or anything?" Asked Alec.

Nick smiled lightly "I'll be fine, awakening is a bit like going through puberty gain. Everything is changing, Alec regardless if I'm ready or not. Come on we had better go join the others".