Chapter 2

"A fourth Mortal Instrument?" asked Alec, flopping into the armchair next to Jace, who slid the book he had been reading into Alec's lap.

"It's all here," said Jace, pointing out the illustration from the book. Clary and Isabelle gathered around Alec's armchair to look. Clary sat on the arm of the chair, opposite Jace, who shot her an indecipherable look.

"The Instrument is a crown?" asked Isabelle. It was a medieval crown, brightly decked with jewels. But the middle jewel was the largest and the brightest, a glittering emerald.

"It's the Jewel," said Maryse. "Its powers and properties are unknown to the Clave, but it is said to give its owner immense and incredible sight. I'm not sure what that means, but, and I don't even have to tell you this, it is vital that it does not fall into Valentine's hands"

"How come they hadn't heard about it until today?" asked Clary.

"They have," said Maryse, "but it was considered long lost after a war in which Alfred the Great, the last known owner of the crown, lost it."

"And now they've found it?"

"Yes," said Maryse, "it's here. In New York."

"In my pants," said Jace, and winked, muttering something about family jewels. None of them laughed, except for Isabelle who stifled a chuckle. Clary gave him a dark look.

"What?" Jace said, looking at her.

"Maryse is right, Jace," Clary said, "this is really not the time to be cracking jokes."

"Oh lighten up, people!" said Jace. "It's gonna be a piece of cake. I can find that thing today, by myself, and still have time to grab some takeout from Taki's." He seemed so strangely calm, thought Clary. Didn't this even bother him? Another Instrument would mean more power for Valentine, which would mean more attacks and reprisals on the Shadowhunters. If he got his hands on it first they would definitely be in deep trouble.

"I don't think so," said Maryse, still as serious as ever.

"Where is the Jewel now?" asked Alec.

"With Senator Richard Kelly," said Maryse. "Actually, it's with his wife. She wears the Jewel in a brooch that doesn't leave her side. It seems to be a family heirloom, which is particularly precious to her."

"And how do we know all this?" asked Isabelle.

Maryse continued. "The Conclave heard about an attempted attack on the Senator and his wife several days earlier. They were unsuccessful though, thanks to the Senator's army of bodyguards."

"Really?" asked Alec skeptically. "The Senator's bodyguards took down Valentine's demons?"

"Stranger things have happened," said Maryse, in a weary tone, as if she had seen and heard so much that nothing suprised her any longer. "We are fairly certain he's plotting another attempt as we speak. The Senator's home is currently being guarded by Shadowhunters. There's too many of them for the demons to initiate an attack, but the Shadowhunters can do nothing to keep the Senator and his wife from leaving their house."

"So what's going to happen?" asked Clary, not sure that she followed.

"The Clave thinks Valentine will attack in a public place. Even out the playing field."

"Is the Senator making any public appearances?"

"Yes," said Maryse. "We just got a call from Briar and Mace, who are stationed in and around the Senator's house."

"And where will he be?" asked Isabelle.

Jace snatched the book from Alec's hand and closed it shut.

"Hey!" said Alec. "I was reading that!"

"He's going to the—" started Maryse but was cut in by Jace.

"Hope you like clowns, Alec," said Jace, smirking at him. Alec winced. Clary knew he had a phobia for clowns ever since he was little. "Big, fat, singing clowns." The grin on Jace's face was almost maniacal.

"They're going to the CIRCUS?" asked Alec, looking incredulously at his mother.

"The opera," corrected Maryse. "Pagliacci. Tonight, at eight."

"Well, we'd better get ready then," said Jace, getting up, and pinching Alec on the cheek, who, Clary noted, looked positively seasick. "Where's my tuxedo?"