An eerie silence had fallen over the Shadowhunters in the living room of the Institute. Isabelle and Alec, who for all intents and purposes was a Shadowhunter, were on the couch with their heads bowed. Jace sat with Clary on a recliner. His wife clung to him like white on rice as she kept her face from visibility and found refuge in his neck instead. She hadn't looked up, talked, or barely moved since they talked to Emily. Magnus stood behind the couch, directly above Alec with a hand on his shoulder. None knew where to start, what to say, or even how to say it. The past events were… traumatizing, to say the least.

Finally, Alec lifted his head. "Is he really back? Emily is absolutely sure that it's him she saw?"

Jace nodded. "She's sure."

"We have to go to the Clave," Alec insisted. "They need to know of the threat. If we get more Shadowhunters out here, maybe we can track him down."

"Here's what I don't understand," said Magnus. "He sent out four addresses, not knowing who was going to which one. How did he know where each of us was going? He intercepted who he wanted, but how did he know?"

Isabelle, who was looking at the floor, her pendant dangling from her neck, spoke up. "He has plenty of demons at his disposal. He's probably using them as spies, messengers, and anything else he can think of. I wouldn't doubt it if he knew exactly where we were going the moment the decision was made."

The thought made Jace sick to his stomach. Traitors. Not just demons, but people had to be leaking him information. The only ones that knew were the people in this room, other than the children. He looked at Alec, Magnus, and Isabelle, each one individually. This was his family, and they wouldn't betray him like this. They all hated Jonathan as much as he did, and the trembling Clary in his arms was no more a threat to his family as he was. Unless the downworlders overheard, but Jonathan wants them dead so why would they–

"It's a new day and age," Magnus said. He leaned forward against the couch as Alec looked up at him. "What I mean it, even the mundanes have found new ways to spy on their enemies. Who knows what Sebastian has come up with?"

The fact that they still referred to him as Sebastian was slightly comical, despite the situation. Izzy was especially sensitive on that subject, but Jace had grown accustomed to the fact that he and Clary's biological brother shared the same name. And as for Emily, she needed to know. It didn't make him feel any better about it, though, that his daughter was involved, had gone face to face with the man that threatened him on countless occasions. "There's something else that doesn't add up. None of us found Lilith in any of those locations. Two were full of demons, while two were completely empty. She's back, but hiding in the shadows? She's not one to stay out of a fight."

Magnus eyed him carefully. "She's also one that waits for a grand finale. Theatricals and destruction, that's what she cares about, and it's obvious that today wasn't about actually killing any of us, but getting under our skin."

"And going after Jocelyn is more of Jonathan's benefit," Isabelle said. Jace glared at her, feeling his wife stiffen in his arms at the mention of her mother, but Isabelle went on. "Let's face it, he's always wanted Clary. He knew the best way to get to his sister is by going after their mother. Clary is compassionate and he is smart."

"He's also dead." All eyes turned as Clary pulled away from Jace. Her hair was a mess, the red fire sticking up in places that it shouldn't have been. Her eyes were rimmed with red. The tears had stopped, but her paleness was worse than before as she slowly turned to Isabelle. Even Jace was shocked at the power and determination in her voice when she spoke. "At least, he was, and if he really is back, he's not getting away with this."

"Clary's right," Alec said. "We can't think that he's got the upper hand. And we know that they have to be alive. He wouldn't kill them without a show. Like Magnus said, he's a lot like Lilith in that aspect. He wants an audience."

"What better audience than the entire Shadowhunter race?" Magnus asked to no one in particular. He was staring at the fireplace, not meeting anyone's gaze. "If you all go to the Clave, he'll have hundreds of Shadowhunters coming after him. Maybe that's what he wants."

Jace knew that was true. And the Clave takes too much time making a decision. But, considering they had no leads, nowhere to start looking, and no idea what else to do… "I'll go," Jace said. All eyes turned to him, but he stayed firm. "I'll go to the Clave, see if I can convince them he's back. They won't take it lightly."

It wasn't just Alec who saw the flaw in that plan, but he was the one that spoke up. "Jace, the Clave still doesn't fully trust you, even now. After what happened with Valentine, they're still keeping tabs on you."

"Isabelle and I will go with you," Clary said quickly. Isabelle looked up to her parabatia's eyes, and nodded. It still befuddled Jace that they were parabatia. Even so many years later it still shocked him that they had the connection he and Alec once shared – one that was more just blood, friendship, and trust. "Magnus can portal us out tonight if we send them a message soon enough. The three of us should be able to at least convince them of something."

"You want to leave the children here with no adults to defend the institute?" Jace asked.

"About that," Isabelle stood up, looking at Jace and Clary with a worried expression. "Even though I trust Simon with my life, he can't stop Sebastian if the bastard went after Chase. I want him to stay here, and I've already talked to Simon and he agrees. The walls of the Institute are safer than anything he can provide."

"And Conan will stay with us," Alec said as he stood up beside his sister. "It's still going to take him longer to recover than normal, and he gets along well with Karrie and Kadan. Even though Sebastian has Maia and Jordan, I feel like that wasn't intentional. This is obviously a personal matter, and the Kyle family just got mixed in the crossfire."

Jace sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Clary had risen to her feet, and he was the only one still sitting. He looked up to her, and then to Isabelle. All eyes were on him, waiting for his approval. The joys of running an Institute... "Let me get this straight. You want Chase and Emily in the same house, living together, with only Michael to separate them if they decide to kill each other? You do realize what a disaster that could turn into, don't you?"

"What better plan do you have?" Isabelle's eyes were full of challenge.

Jace, being Jace, said, "Why don't we just lock them both in a cage and bet money on who survives. Like those chicken fights or dog fights. It'll be more humane."

"This is no time to joke," Clary snapped as she slapped Jace in the back of the head. His hand gripped his hair as he glared at her. But she just stuck her finger up, pointing at him. "You deserved it," she spat. "I'm not apologizing."

Magnus laughed deeply, though it sounded only half-hearted. "Well, if Simon was able to handle Jace, I'm sure Emily and Chase can handle each other. Besides, they are of the opposite sex."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Jace jumped to his feet and meant to jump at Magnus, but Clary stood in front of him, hands on his chest. He was so much taller than her that he could still look over her head and have a clear view of Magnus, who was looking smug and satisfied with himself.

"I'm just saying, I gave her that condom for good reason."

Nothing, not even Clary, stopped Jace this time as he lunged for Magnus's throat.

She could feel her hands bound before she actually saw them. Her eyes were closed, unwilling, like they didn't want to see what was going on. There were grunts of pain, cries, and screams all around her. It smelled of blood and burnt metal, which wasn't reassuring. Reluctantly, she opened her eyes and it took everything she had to keep from closing them again.

The room she was in looked like a torture chamber made of concrete. One wall was covered in row after row of weapons. Straps, saws, knives, and anything else imaginable hung there, waiting to be used to spill blood. The lights above her were dulled, making the room even more like a scene out of a horror movie. Not to mention the dripping sound of water coming to her right. When Emily turned her head to the sound, she gasped.

Her mother was hanging from the ceiling in the center of the room, her hands tied above her head and her feet off the floor. The fire of her hair was darker, soaking with a mix of water and blood, as she kicked out at a figure in a dark cloak. There was a laugh, an evil yet entertained kind of laugh as the cloaked creature lashed out with a whip, ripping open Clary's black tank top and soaking her torso in blood as she screamed out in pain.

"DON'T TOUCH HER!"

Emily's head jerked behind her. Craning her neck as much as she could, she saw her father was chained to the wall by his hands. His shirt was completely off, his torso looking like the wolverine used him for slashing practice. Blood dripped off of him like a waterfall, soaking in and out of wounds as gravity pulled it to the floor. The figure in the cloak glanced at her father and pulled the hood back.

Emily sucked in a breath. She had seen pictures of Lilith in the books she studied, heard stories, but had never seen her in person. And she never paid enough attention to the lessons to actually be prepared for the real thing. She was beautiful, but terrifying, although Jonathan still had her beat in the department. Where Lilith's eyes came out like snakes right in front of her, Jonathan's darkness made Emily's skin crawl just from the memory.

As if Lilith felt the gaze, she turned her head to Emily, smiling when their eyes met. "Jonathan, dear," Lilith said as she backed up towards Jace, who was struggling against the wall, "Do you mind dealing with the girl? I don't want her to see this."

"Of course mother." Just his voice sent chills down Emily's body. A shadow loomed over her, and Jonathan's eyes sunk into hers. "It won't be a problem." She was vaguely aware of her parent's screams of protest as Jonathan raised the Mortal Sword, it shining in all of its glory, and brought it down, sending it straight through her heart.

Emily's shot up in bed, banging her head on something that sent her flying to the floor, off of the infirmary bed. It was obvious it was another human head she crashed into when she heard the grunt as whoever it was backed up, causing something to hit the floor. She caught herself easily enough as she fell, her strength returning quickly as the day went on, but her head was pounding now.

"What the hell was that for?" Emily stood up to her full height. Chase was gripping the edge of her bed with one hand while the other gripped his forehead, his curls winding their way around his fingers. "I was only trying to help," he muttered as heslowly lifted his head. His eyes were slightly dilated. "And there you go, head-butting me into oblivion."

"Don't hover over me while I sleep then, it's creepy."

He opened his mouth to speak, but just stared at her incredulously. "I – I wasn't – By the Angel, you're an idiot."

Emily glared at him. "Excuse me?"

"I was only trying to help," he explained as he hopped up on his bed, bare feet dangling off the edge. He now had a shirt on, a regular white t-shirt and black shorts, just like Emily. "You were having a nightmare and you wouldn't wake up."

Emily hugged herself as she slowly walked to her bed. The images of her parents passed through her head again, making her physically sick. And Jonathan's face, as he hovered over her… it was horrifying. "Believe me, I know. I remember it pretty well."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Emily hopped on her bed, lying back down to keep her headache at bay. She stared at the ceiling, contemplating whether or not she should tell. This was Chase for crying out loud. He wasn't someone she confided in, or even had a civilized conversation with. She'd broken his arm twice for Angel's sake! But when she looked up at him, all she saw was concern. "Even if I did want to talk about it, you wouldn't be my first choice?" she said without thinking.

He took a deep breath and looked down. His curls covered his face, blocking it from Emily's view. "Look, I know that we've hated each other since we met, but it's that hatred that started all this. We provoke each other. It's what you and I do, but that caused me to barge into the warehouse and because of that, everything went downhill." He looked up again, and his green eyes were shining, like tears were about to fall. "You might not believe me, but I don't want to you to get hurt because of me."

I don't believe that. Out loud, she said, "What's with the sudden change of heart?"

"Isabelle and Simon would never forgive me if something happened to you." At her look of shock, he held up his hand to keep her quiet. "I'm not part of this family. I tried to be by taking Simon's name, but it's pretty obvious that I don't belong. I'm here because my parents requested it before they died, simple as that. I knew about Jace and Clary, what happened to them all those years ago, and it scared the hell out of me. I asked to live with Isabelle, and she gave me one restriction."

"What is that?" Emily asked when he didn't continue.

"To protect you."

"Emily?" Michael's head poked through the door. He glanced back and forth between the two Shadowhunters, but didn't find anything out of the ordinary. "Mom made dinner. They're heading out for Idris tonight and they were wondering if you were well enough for one last meal. And Chase, Simon and Isabelle are in the Sanctuary waiting for you if you want to see them."

At the mention of food, Emily's stomach started growling like a tiger. She looked back at Chase for a split second, not really sure why but she did. His demeanor had changed completely. Gone was the boy who had suddenly opened up from her. He was now leaning back on his hands like he didn't have a care in the world. "Mommy and Daddy are calling. You might want to go."

And go she did, without a second glance.

She had been waiting for this moment for years. Finally, after so much time had passed, she had the upper hand. Lilith's lips quirked up into a knowing smiled as she stopped at the foot of the bed before her. The room around her was plain, white walls with white sheets and white carpet. But the fiery woman on the bed changed everything.

Jocelyn's red hair seemed to light up the room with fire as she slept. It was sprawled all across the pillowcase, her face peaceful except for the slight furrow of her brows. If Lilith didn't know any better, it almost looked like Jocelyn could sense that something was wrong in her sleep. Her feet and hands, which were currently bound to the bed by the strongest ties Lilith could find, were balled into fists. The black Shadowhunter gear had been stripped from her body, leaving her in a black camisole and leggings, something that the mortals seemed to think was a sign of fashion.

"Lady Lilith, the werewolves have been contained."

She turned from the bed to the doorway, finding Leviathan bowing to her. The power she had over the other demons was one she would always have. Even in her weakest state, thanks to Simon's damned Mark of Cain, the others didn't question her. "Well done."

He straightened up. Leviathan was more human most of the Greater Demons in their original forms, and what he lacked in strength he made up for in speed. His body was covered in black, scaly skin that was rough to the touch. They were nothing but two white holes, with no pupil or iris to give him color. He didn't have a nose, and his ears were like that of a golden retriever's. They flapped and could straighten up, and ironically, his hearing was one of the better parts about him. He was fast, stealthy, and his hands were like claws that could rip even the strongest metal apart. He was a brilliant asset, and the thought made Lilith smile. If anything, the Daylighter will be the first to suffer at the hands of Leviathan.

"Are you sure that this will work?" he asked as he stepped up beside her. He was cautious, giving her plenty of space as he studied Jocelyn.

She kept her gaze on Jocelyn, the woman that she planned to use to bring the Shadowhunters to their knees. "It will work."

"How do you know Clarissa will come for them?"

"You forget the attachments that mortals make to one another," Lilith said. "Clarissa Herondale would do anything for her family. She'll come at my call."

"And what of her daughter and husband? No doubt, where Clarissa goes, they will follow."

Emily Herondale was definitely an issue. Lilith was no fool. She knew what the child was capable of, even if Emily herself was ignorant to it. "The girl is strong, but she isn't at her full potential."

Leviathan cocked his head to the side. "What do you mean, my lady?"

"She is the daughter of Jonathan Christopher Herondale and Clarissa Adele Morgenstern. Her parents are oblivious to her potential. She has powers that she hasn't even attempted to reach. Although it was unintentional, Valentine's experiments created another experiment. We shall use her to our advantage."

He was quiet for a moment, and Lilith figured he wouldn't have been smart enough to actually think about that. Leviathan was ruthless, not brilliant. "And what of Michael Herondale?"

"He rarely leaves the Institute, which we cannot enter, and isn't skilled with a weapon of any sort," said Lilith. "He is no danger. Once his family is destroyed, his sister salvaged for our uses, he will follow. And like his sister, we will find his abilities as well. He's weak, but we can make him strong."

Jocelyn stirred suddenly, catching the demon's attentions. Lilith watched as her head slowly turned, but she never woke from the slumber. It looked as if she was just having a nightmare, and Lilith smiled at the thought. Leviathan though, seemed intrigued as he silently stepped around the bed, getting a closer view of her. "She looks just like her."

"Yes, she does. Have you heard from our informant?"

Leviathan shook his head, but his eyes stayed curiously on the red headed woman. "Not a word. But I do believe it's just because he hasn't had a chance to contact us."

Lilith leaned against the bed on her hands, feeling weak from all the standing and excitement. She refused to show it and quickly straightened up. "He will. He's willing to do anything for his family."

"Their willingness to betray others is a strange characteristic. You say that mortals care so much for one another, but they betray others so quickly."

That was very true, but Lilith had something that he definitely wanted. And she knew that he would do whatever she needs to get them back. "Family is a strange idea. If I remember correctly, the saying around the mundanes is, 'Family First'. It's a blood connection that binds stronger than parabatia. As for the girl, Emily trusts too easily, although she won't admit it. He will lead her to us when the time is right."

"Really?" Leviathan exclaimed as he straightened up. "What makes you think that she trusts him?"

She clamped her arms around her back and walked to the other side of Jocelyn's bed. "If Emily is anything like Clarissa, she will do what I expect."

"What makes you so sure?"

"Unlike the others, he is the bad boy, as Jonathan was to Clarissa at one point. Every mortal girl falls for the bad boy, and Emily is no different."

"What of the vampires and werewolves?" Leviathan asked. "The Daylighter and Magnus Bane will also be keeping an eye on her."

"We have no need to worry about the others. They will be dealt with soon enough," she said with excitement in her voice. She reached down, brushing a piece of Jocelyn's red hair off her forehead. "Either way, he is handling it. For now, we stay away and let him do his job, while you keep the attention of the Shadowhunters as best you can until it is time. We must remain out of sight for some time in order for this to run smoothly, understand?"

"Yes, my lady," Leviathan said with a bow. "I understand."