***************** Chapter 7 *******************

New York was hot and humid. Clary dragged Jonathan through Times Square. They did a little sightseeing and she even got him to buy her some new clothes. She enjoyed being spoiled by her brother who seemed to be in a much better mood now. She had only been to New York twice not counting when she visited Magnus. She couldn't help but feel the need to see him again. After a while it was decided that they would pay the warlock a visit. They began heading to Brooklyn. Clary was quietly looking around while walking to the subway. The thing she loved most about New York was the tall buildings. Growing up in the secluded country made her appreciate the beautiful buildings and hassle of New York City.

They got on the train and finally reached the exit for Magnus's place. Clary couldn't help but feel rushed. The sun was setting which meant that they had about two hours before they had to be home. Jonathan wasn't in a big hurry to see the warlock. He only agreed because it was something his sister seemed to want. He could tell she really wanted to talk to him and was getting impatient.

"Calm down Clary," he joked. "We are almost there!"

"I know I just want to actually have some time to talk to him!" Clary sulked.

Jonathan chuckled and grabbed his sister's arm as they got off the train. When they finally walked up the stairs to the street he doubled his pace. He was about to start to run and make her keep up when a man ahead caught his eye. The sun was setting and the street lights were just coming on. Something about the man didn't seem right. His hair was disheveled, the clothes he wore didn't fit right and his face held a blank expression. He felt Clary grasp his arm tightly. She sensed it too.

He reached his arm across his chest and touched the hilt of his weapon. He could feel his sister position herself ready to draw her weapon beside him. The man continued to look at them and smile. He then began to make a low hissing sound. Clary and Jonathan raised their eyebrows in confusion. The hissing was a different tempos as if the creature was trying to speak to them. Clary and Jonathan had fought demons before but none of them had ever hissed at them. Some talked to them begging for their lives but nothing like this.

The demon finally stopped but continued hissing. This time he was looking at Jonathan. Jonathan looked down at his sister and saw her confusion. Jonathan's shoulders tensed. He realized that the creature was speaking to him and what was worse was that he understood everything the creature was saying.

"What a beautiful catch you have made my brother." She creature grinned looking to Cary. "You better be quick and kill her before they catch yo-"

The creature's words were cut off as an arrow pierced its chest. Jonathan and Clary looked up and saw a black haired boy with a bow in his hands. The bow was loaded with a new arrow that was pointed at them. Clary stood frozen for a moment. 'Could he be a shadowhunter?' She thought.

"Just great Alec! You could have at least let me get a shot in before you finished him off!" yelled the beautiful raven haired girl at the boy with the arrow.

Jonathan looked up at the boy and whispered his weapons name as it began to glow blue. Alec didn't drop his bow. Clary put her hand on her brother's shoulder.

"Jonathan don't. They're shadowhunters like us." Clary whispered.

"Alec enough!" the girl yelled obviously seeing the tension between the two boys. Alec lowered his bow slowly.

"I'm sorry my brother can be a little melodramatic! Either way, my name is Isabelle Lightwood. Who might you two be?" Isabelle asked while throwing her hair back flirtatiously.

Clary couldn't help but roll her eyes at this. Obviously she wasn't immune to her brother's good looks. She looked the new girl up and down. Isabelle had long beautiful black hair and a figure to die for. She wore a short black skirt with fishnet tights. Her black top had a deep v where a red necklace dangled. Clary couldn't help but gulp. Jonathan ended up speaking first.

"Lightwood huh? No doubt the children of Maryse and Robert Lightwood?" Jonathan smiled sweetly. He obviously wasn't oblivious to Isabelle's good looks either. Clary sighed.

"The very same. Now who are you?" Alec asked jumping down and taking the place next to his sister.

"My name is Jonathan Morgenstern and this is my sister Clarissa Morgenstern. I believe your mother is good friends with ours." He smiled.

Isabelle and Alec were obviously not expecting him to say that. They didn't think that they were standing in front of the leaders children. Valentine in his own way was a king of the circle. The few times they had met him they saw the other adults treat him and his wife like royalty. The way they addressed him or always agreed had made Isabelle feel disgusted. They did everything but bow down on their hands and knees to the mad man. They knew that Valentine had children but only a very privileged few were permitted to ever meet them.

Clary was the first to step up and hold out her hand to Isabelle to shake it.

"I prefer to go by Clary. It is really nice to meet you. I haven't met very many girls my age." Clary smiled.

Something about her smile seemed very genuine. Clary obviously didn't have her father's arrogance and didn't look at Isabelle like she was beneath her. Isabelle smiled and shook her hand. Alec was next and cautiously shook her hand. Jonathan made no movement whatsoever.

"Please excuse my brother. He sometimes forgets his manners." She said elbowing him in the ribs.

"Quite alright." Alec replied coldly.

They stood in silence for a moment before Isabelle broke the silence.

"So what brings you both to New York?" she asked trying to make light conversation. Jonathan grinned at her.

"Actually we are here to have a little fun. It is my sister's birthday and we thought we would pay Magnus Bane a visit."

Alec's face went flush.

"Well that's perfect then! We were actually on our way to give him something when we saw that demon. We would be happy to show you the way?" Isabelle beamed.

"That would be wonderful!" Clary smiled.

"Perfect!" Isabelle grabbed Clary's arm and began walking with her. "I see you went shopping! I know all of the good places!" she continued on as Alec and Jonathan walked silently behind them. Jonathan knew he was being rude and distant. He should be talking to Alec and trying to gain another ally but all he could think about was that demon. Something wasn't right but he brushed off the thought. He could think about that later.

"That was a good shot." Jonathan stated finally breaking the silence.

"Thank you. I am sure you didn't need my help though being a Morgenstern and all." Alec replied coldly.

"You can quit with the formalities. In case you can't tell my sister and I are not like our father. We don't believe in being treated differently just because of our name." he replied flatly.

"I was actually going to ask you what you thought of that demon."

Alec raised an eyebrow. He was obviously surprised at being asked his opinion.

"I thought it was your average shape shifter until it started trying to talk to you. Very unusual behavior for a demon." Alec replied.

"My father had summoned demons to do his bidding before. Maybe the poor devil thought I would spare its life?" Jonathan replied.

Alec looked taken aback.

"Summon demons?" he asked. Jonathan nodded.

"I trust you can keep a secret."

"You have my word upon the angel." Alec replied curiously.

Jonathan and his sister were very different from their father. Alec didn't expect Jonathan to want his opinion on anything let alone learn a secret.

"My sister and I don't agree with what my father is doing. We don't like summoning demons and we don't hate Downworlders. Obviously we cannot express these views to our father." Jonathan whispered.

Alec nodded his head. His sister and he didn't agree with Valentine's plans either but they knew they had little choice in the matter. Their parents were right in the middle of it and exposing them would mean that they would all be punished; even little Max.

"It seems that we share similar views." Alec replied vaguely.

Jonathan grinned but couldn't say anymore because they had finally reached Magnus apartment. Jonathan couldn't help but feel triumphant. It seems like he found two new allies. Isabelle knocked on the door. The door rushed open before she had even finished the second knock. Magnus looked out and was frantic. He looked to Clary's face and back to Jonathan's before his gaze fell and stayed on Alec.

"You four better come in. Now." He commanded sternly.

"What is wrong?" Clary asked.

"Everything!" The man with the cat eyes replied.

**************************************** Line Break ***********************************************

Jace heard a loud scream eco down the dark narrow corridor. Goosebumps started to cover his arms as he followed his father down the hallway. Valentine didn't say a word as another scream filled the air.

"Father…" Jace asked meekly.

Valentine looked over his shoulder and gave his adoptive son a stern look. Jace understood and gazed back down to the floor. They turned a corner and stopped at a cell. Inside the cell Jace could make out the figure of a human being laying on the ground. It seemed to be an older woman and she was hunched over in obvious pain. Valentine looked down at the woman as one of his guards opened the gate. The man with the whip stopped and did a small bow to Valentine.

"Well at last we meet. I have been looking for you for a very long time Dorothea."