"What do you mean the mirror's fake?" Clary asked as anger rose inside of her. Two people she knew and cared about died for this thing. Twenty guards protecting it were murdered for nothing.

"The mirror would've burned Jonathan when he picked it up. But there were no marks on his hands. It couldn't have been the real mirror," Alec explained.

"So, we're back to square one?" Isabelle groaned.

"Not exactly. When Jace and I traveled to Idris, I portalled us there. But I didn't get the coordinates completely right and I landed in the freezing waters of Lake Lin. When I submerged I saw something, something strange. I thought it was my mind turning into an ice cube but now it makes sense," Clary said as memories rushed back.

"What makes sense?" Jace asked, worried for her.

"When I was under the water, I opened my eyes to see another version of myself. She had the soul sword and mortal cup in her hands. She looked at me with a smile and then she vanished when Jace pulled me out. I didn't think of it at first but Lake Lin has always been a mystical lake. What if…" Clary explained.

"The lake is the Mortal Mirror..." Alec muttered in realization.

"If Valentine knew the mirror was a fake, he might already be in Idris," Isabelle pointed out.

"He hasn't left the city. The capital is notified whenever a portal is opened to Idris. They would know and tell me. We need to make sure he can't leave this city. I'll ask Magnus to let the warlock community know we need their help. If they can put a forcefield around the city, he'll be trapped," Alec explained.

"Before we all go battle crazy, is Max okay?" Jace asked as everyone stopped and saddened.

"My dad called the Silent Brothers and they agreed to do the procedure. We're waiting on their arrival now. I just hope they know what their doing and Max comes out of this okay," Isabelle whispered.

"He'll be fine. The Silent Brothers will make him better, I know it," Clary said, giving Isabelle a hug.

"So, what now?" Jace asked.

"I think you and Clary should check out Jonathan's apartment. He has most likely found a new base but this one might give us some clues. I'll get the warlocks ready and Izzy can stay with Max. Then we might find some clue and we'll know if something happens with him," Alec ordered.

Alec went to his office and locked the door. He decided to go by the fireplace since blood still stained the carpet by his desk and he did not want to be anywhere near it. He dialed Magnus' number but before one ring, Alec heard Magnus' voice. Alec turned and found Magnus standing behind him; face full of worry.

"I heard about what happened to Max. Are you okay?" Magnus asked.

"No … I'm not. Not in the slightest," Alec admitted as every wall he had built up crumbled and tears started falling from his eyes.

Magnus ran across the room and pulled Alec into a hug; squeezing tight. Alec began to sob so Magnus brought him to the couch and Alec dug his face into Magnus' shoulder. They stayed in that position until no more tears would leave Alec's eyes.

Magnus' warm sweater and vanilla scent made Alec feel safe. In a world where he was in danger every day, having comfort and safety was a luxury. For the first time in what felt like forever, he had someone who truly loved him for who he was and it felt nice. Once he calmed down, he dried his face and focused on what he was trying to say on the phone.

"Sorry about crying all over your shirt," Alec apologized, sitting up and clearing his throat.

"I'm your boyfriend, Alec. I will always have a shoulder for you to cry on, no matter what," Magnus said, stroking Alec's cheek.

"Before I broke down, I was calling you about something important. The Mortal Mirror is not a mirror but a lake," Alec admitted.

"Lake Lin?"

"How did you…" Alec began.

"I've been around a long time, Alec. I know the waters are mystical, I just didn't know how much," Magnus sighed.

"We don't know if Valentine knows this yet but we don't want to take any chances. I was wondering if you could talk to the magic community about putting up a force field around the city. The only way to Idris is through a portal, so if you block portal travel, Valentine is trapped. We can catch him and end this nightmare once and for all. Can you talk to them?" Alec proposed.

"Of course, I can. The downworld hates Valentine as much as the Clave does. If we can help in any way, we will. I'll message the warlocks and witches in the city to see if they'll lend a helping hand," Magnus said.

"Thank you," Alec said, giving Magnus a quick hug.

"If this will help get rid of the bastard then I'm all for it. Before I leave on my valiant mission, I should need an incentive to work fast," Magnus said as Alec started smiling.

"Well, kind sir. I think I can arrange that," Alec said as he leaned in and gave Magnus a passionate kiss. Their lips fought for control like knights in battle. This went on till both were out of breath and smiling from ear to ear.

"I think that will do. I'll work my magic and get back to you when I figure out what's going on," Magnus said as he opened a portal. Before he walked through, he turned back and blew Alec a kiss. Alec caught it and blew one back.


Valentine prepared for the trip to Idris as me and Jonathan went to collect Ethan. Luckily, he was at Simon's and he was alone. I went through the front entrance and Jonathan went through a back window. Ethan was laying on the couch with his eyes closed but he wasn't stupid.

"Carly, what are you doing here?" Ethan asked, sitting up and opening his big blue eyes.

"Valentine, needs you," I said as Ethan got to his feet and walked up to me.

"I won't go with you. I am not helping that lunatic again. He almost got both of us killed, remember?" Ethan insisted with a shaking head.

"I wasn't asking. You're going to come with us. Whether you like it or not," I said, ignoring his last statement.

"Us?"

"Do you really think I'd come alone?" I said as Jonathan came up behind Ethan and pinned his arms against his back. Ethan gasped in pain as his arms were bent in the wrong direction.

"Carly, please don't let them do this," Ethan said, struggling in Jonathan's grasp.

"You are the only warlock in the city capable of what Valentine needs, aside from Magnus. So I'm going to let them do this because Valentine needs you. And he's family," I said as Jonathan started to escort him out but before they got out the door, he looked back at me and said…

"Simon, thinks you can be saved and I'm on his side. Even if I die before seeing it, I hope he gets you out of the shadows. I really hope he does," Ethan said as he and Jonathan vanished.

I was about to follow after them when I noticed a picture on Simon's nightstand. I picked up the frame to see a picture of me, Simon, and Clary on a swing set. We looked so innocent and so fragile. Smiles on our faces like we had no cares in the world.

"Do you remember that day?" Simon asked, appearing out of nowhere.

"Yeah, I remember. My mom let me go to the park with you guys and I had never seen a swing before," I muttered.

"When you learned how a swing was used you got scared. So scared you started shaking. I promised I wouldn't let you fall and I held your hand the entire time. I never weakened my grip so if you fell I'd be there to catch you," Simon reminisced.

"Even at 7 years old you knew how to cheer a girl up," I said, setting the frame back on the nightstand.

"The old Carly is still in there. You have her memories. You can fight this," Simon said, putting his hand on my shoulder.

The touch knocked me out of the memory train I was on. Darkness filled my face as I took his hand and flipped him over my shoulder. His back slammed into the cement floor with a grunt. I stepped over him and began crushing his hand with my boot.

"Don't try to fix me. This is who I am," I said, breaking one of his fingers.

"I'm never gonna stop trying," Simon gasped as pain filled his voice.

"Goodbye, Simon," I said as I walked toward the entrance.

Simon looked around and realized we were the only two in the building. "Where's Ethan?"

"Oh, you'll all see very soon," I said with a laugh as I went after Jonathan.

Once I was a few blocks away, I contacted Valentine who gave me the location of our new hideout. I made my way over and came right in time to see Jonathan kicking the crap out of Ethan.

"Don't have all the fun without me." I smiled.

Jonathan grabbed hold of Ethan's hair and yanked his head up so he'd look at Valentine as he spoke. "You will do as I say or I go after people important to you. Like your parents in the fairy realm or your sister up in Minnesota. Maybe, even your precious girlfriend, Isabelle."

"Please don't hurt them," Ethan begged as he spit up blood.

"Do as I say and no one gets hurt," Valentine said, crouching down beside Ethan.

"I'll help you. Just please don't hurt them," Ethan cried as Jonathan and I helped him to his feet.

"Excellent," Valentine said as he looked at me and Jonathan, "Tie him up. We'll untie him when the time comes."

Me and Jonathan carried Ethan to a chair leaning up against one of the walls; tying him up. He didn't struggle but a tear strolled down his cheek. For a second and only a second, I felt bad for him. But then the darkness shaded my emotions and I went back to the situation at hand.

"Now that we have him, are we going to tell the others?" I asked as we all left the room so Ethan couldn't overhear us.

"Not yet but soon. Very soon. We first need to make a distraction so we can get to Idris," Valentine explained.

"I know the perfect thing but we're gonna need a few dead bodies to do it," Jonathan suggested.

"Oh, I can help you with that," I said as we discussed the details of our plan.


After talking with Alec and Isabelle, Clary and Jace made their way to Jonathan's apartment. Some walking and three flights of stairs later, they arrived. Jace slowly opened the door to find the inside completely trashed. They split up and searched the main room. Clary looked around the kitchen, tracing the dent in the fridge with her finger. Sadness went over her as she knew it had to have been from me.

After they found nothing in the living room, they teamed up and checked all the other rooms. When it came to the last bedroom, they could hear movement. Clary opened the door and Jace went in first. There was no one around until a man jumped from the ceiling onto Jace; the man looked exactly like Jonathan.

"Jace!" Clary screamed as it landed on him, knocking him onto his back. It tried to bite at his throat but he kept the thing at bay.

"Cut its head off," Jace yelled, struggling against the demon.

"But that's Jonathan," Clary insisted.

"No, it's the original Sebastian. Jonathan killed him and put a death demon inside his body. He's already dead, kill it!" Jace yelled as Clary readied her blade.

"I've never beheaded anyone, here goes nothing," Clary said as she used all her strength to swing down toward the thing's neck. It screeched as its head went flying. Some blood sprayed at Jace but he wiped his face clean with his sleeve.

"Good job," Jace said, trying to catch his breath.

"Thanks."

"Well, they're gone. And from the mess they left, it looks like they took everything important," Jace said as he ran his hand through his hair.

"There has to be something," Clary whined.

Her cell phone buzzed. She looked at her notifications and noticed that it was from Izzy. Jace leaned in, causing Clary's skin to tingle. He must've felt it too because he took a step to the side so he could still see but he wouldn't be touching her. She opened the text and read it aloud.

"Ethan is gone. Valentine took him." Read Clary as Izzy sent a video. Clary and Jace looked at each other as Clary clicked play. This is where everything became a hundred times worse.

The video showed Valentine, Jonathan, and Carly standing behind a beaten Ethan. He looked awful and Clary felt so bad. He didn't deserve any torment added to what he already had.

"Hello, Isabelle. Knowing you're going to show this to your friends, I'll address the group. I have Ethan and I will return him after I get what I need. Come to the graveyard near 3rd Street at midnight and we'll see how strong you are against us," Valentine announced.

"See you all, very soon," I said with a smile as the video faded to black.

On our side of things, it was getting interesting. Valentine went ahead to the graveyard with Ethan. Me and Jonathan carried the 15 witches I had killed earlier in the day to one of the mausoleums closest to the entrance. I watched as Jonathan's eyes turned black and he chanted a demonic chant. He touched each witch's forehead and their eyes turned blood red.

He ordered them to stay put until someone opened the door. If it wasn't Jonathan or I, they were to attack and continue attacking until they died. He left the door ajar as we made our way across the graveyard. I was interested in what he had just done so I asked.

"What did you do to those dead witches?" I asked.

"I put demons in their bodies," Jonathan admitted.

"Demons don't have red eyes," I said.

"That is true but you see those aren't your average demons. Only the most animalistic monsters in hell have red eyes. I summoned the dumbest and most easily controlled beasts to possess the dead. They will fight until the body is broken. Once the body breaks they will go back to Edom as if nothing happened," Jonathan explained.

"That's really smart. Good thinking," I said as we walked up to Valentine and Ethan. Valentine untied Ethan's hands but kept his feet bound in case he tried to escape.

"Time to open the portal. You ready halfbreed?" Valentine asked.

Meanwhile, Clary and Jace made their way back to the Institute to plan for tonight. Alec got another shadowhunter to look after the Institute so he could join them. Isabelle readied her whip, Alec packed his arrows, and Jace sharpened his sword with Clary. The plan was simple. Valentine must not escape, Carly and Ethan must be rescued and if necessary, Jonathan must die. Once Alec got word the force field was secure then they set out to end this once and for all.

They stayed in a group formation as they entered the darkened graveyard. They looked around and saw nothing suspicious, except the opened mausoleum door. Jace went first as the others followed closely behind. Alec stopped and pointed his bow and arrow at the opening. If anything came out he would be ready.

And he was right to be prepared, the minute Jace pushed open the door everything went to chaos. 15 zombie-looking people ran out of the mausoleum at them. Their eyes a bloodshot red as they lunged at the shadowhunters. Alec killed one or two with his bow but they were too fast to stay in one position. Alec and Clary went one way and Isabelle and Jace went the other.

Clary and Alec ran into a giant indoor mausoleum and they hid. 6 of the demonic people followed them and looked around for the hunters. Being as they weren't very bright it was easy to hide from them. After a few minutes, they tried to make a run for it, but one of them caught sight of Clary. The demons attacked all at once.

Alec and Clary stood back to back and fought as much as they could. Half of them were taken out by the time they had an opening for the door. They ran through and shoved a crowbar through the handle. Clary and Alec knew it wasn't going to last long but it might give them enough time to find the others.

Eight demons went after Jace and Isabelle, causing them to split up. After almost getting his throat, arm and leg ripped off Jace succeeded in taking out the four that followed him. Once he had time to breathe, he began walking toward one of the mausoleums in search of Isabelle, Clary or Alec.

Sadly, Jonathan found him first. Jonathan took a thick chain he had found and lassoed it around Jace's throat. He tightened it so Jace could barely breathe and then he dragged Jace to the nearby bridge.

About halfway over the bridge, Jonathan threw the part of the chain he was holding over one of the top support beams. Then once he got it over, he pulled and Jace was hanging. Luckily, Jace got his fingers in-between the chain and his throat so he could still gasp air and speak.

"Killing me isn't going to make you feel better," Jace gasped, struggling against the chain.

"I think it might. You got the better end of the stick and I hate you for it. We got the same training, but he treated you more like a son than he ever treated me. He'd take you for ice cream and sometimes treat you well. All he did to me was train and hide me in the basement!" Jonathan yelled as he punched Jace in the stomach

"Then go after the man who did that to you, not me. You think helping him succeed in this genocide mission, will make him care for you more? It won't. When he rids the world of tainted men, you'll be taken with them. He isn't going save you or Carly, he doesn't care. Kill the man that deserves it," Jace gasped.

"Once we rid the world of darkness and you die, he'll have to love me because there won't be anyone else," Jonathan said, punching Jace again and again.

"Then do it. Kill me. Get it over with," Jace gasped as Jonathan stopped himself from punching Jace again.

"You know what you're right," Jonathan said as he unhooked the chain from the top support beam. Jace fell onto the walkway, coughing hard. When he looked up, Jonathan had a blade pointed at Jace's chest. He prepared to attack when Isabelle arrived at the scene.

"Don't you dare," Isabelle warned.

"Too late."

Jonathan swung down at Jace. Izzy activated her whip and wrapped it around Jonathan's wrist. She yanked but she didn't pull fast enough. Jonathan's hand did get pulled back but the blade still went through Jace's side. It would hurt like a bitch but if he got medical help, he'd make it. This pissed Jonathan off.

Isabelle pulled her whip back as Jonathan yanked the sword out of Jace and went for her. He advanced and she used her whip to knock the blade from his hand. He continued to come toward her as she threw her whip at him again, but this time, he caught it.

"You can't defeat me, Isabelle," Jonathan demanded as he began to wince.

"I laced my whip with electrum, so I wouldn't doubt my abilities," Isabelle said as Jonathan dropped the whip, holding his hand.

"Me and Carly are the ones that stole your boyfriend. But I was the one that beat the crap out of him. He fought against Valentine and I beat him into submission. He will do whatever Valentine says as long as you or his family are uninjured. If he doesn't find out till later I don't see anything wrong with killing you now," Jonathan said as his eyes turned black and anger radiated off of him.

"I'm not really worried about me. I'm more worried about you," Isabelle said as Jace grabbed Jonathan's blade and used all his strength to stand.

"Oh, real…" Jonathan began as Jace shoved the blade through Jonathan's back.

"Before Valentine abandoned me, he taught me a nifty trick. There is a spot on a man's back where I can sever your spine and go through your heart at the same time," Jace said as Jonathan coughed up black blood.

Clary and Alec, after fighting off the last of the demons, arrived at the scene. Clary saw the blade go through her brother's back but she wasn't as sad as should've been. He had killed and tortured so many people, she didn't even feel bad. Yeah, he was her brother but there was no saving him now. She was more worried for Jace who was bleeding badly from a wound on his side.

"You wo...n't wi...in," Jonathan gasped.

Jace pulled the blade from Jonathan's back. He staggered and black blood spilled down his chin and chest. He smiled as he backed into the railing of the bridge, causing him to fall over the edge. The others ran to the side to see Jonathan smack the surface of the water. His body went limp and they watched him float downstream.

After his body vanished under the water, Clary helped Jace stay standing. The others went to find Ethan. Once she got him wrapped up and ready to go, she helped him get to the others. When they arrived, there was a portal with Carly and Valentine next to it.

"You shouldn't even be able to get a portal running. The force field around the city should be blocking this," Alec said in astonishment.

"There are wards that protect against portals but because Ethan is part fairy the rules don't apply to him. He is more powerful than people think. He can do almost anything but enough with the blabbering, It's time to take my leave," Valentine said.

"You mean our leave?" I questioned.

"Oh, no. You're not coming with me."

"What?" I asked

"That was never part of the plan. I only needed you for a bodyguard and a killing machine. For the rest of my journey, I don't need you," Valentine admitted.

"What about Jonathan? You going to leave him behind as well?" I asked.

"Carly, he's already dead," Jace admitted as he winced from the pain in his side.

"That solves one problem," Valentine muttered.

"He might have been evil but he was your child. You don't feel any sorrow or remorse for all you did to him? You made him that monster, it's your fault he's dead," Clary yelled.

"Sorry, I don't have time for therapy. We can talk later, Clarissa. Carly wreck havoc and kill, enjoy yourself. Goodbye, everyone," Valentine said as he stepped through the portal.

"Someone has to go after him," Alec said as I backed away from the others and ran as fast as I could.

"I'll go," Jace volunteered.

"Not with how bad you're hurt," Isabelle insisted.

"I know first aid. I'll go with him and if it gets worse, I'll take him somewhere," Clary said.

"Hurry, I can't hold this much longer," Ethan said as his hands started to shake.

"Good luck. If anything bad happens, call me. Okay, Jace?" Alec said.

"Of course."
Clary helped Jace through the portal. Once they disappeared, Ethan closed it and collapsed to his knees. Isabelle ran to his side and comforted him. She hugged him so tight his face started turning blue.

"You scared me so much. I thought I might lose you and I couldn't bare it," Isabelle said as she released her tight grip.

"I'm a survivor, remember?" Ethan said as they hugged again. After this hug, Isabelle helped Ethan to his feet, and Alec, Isabelle and Ethan headed for the Institute. But halfway there Ethan thought of something.

"What are we gonna do about Carly?" Ethan asked.

"I'll call Simon when we get back. I can do a tracking spell on one of her things and he can go to her. She needs to be saved so we can have one good thing come from all of this," Isabelle said as they continued their trek back to the Institute. Once they arrived, Alec granted permission for Ethan to stay. Isabelle laid him on her bed and once he fell fast asleep she called Simon.

"Is everyone okay?" Simon asked.

"Jonathan is dead and Valentine traveled to Idris. Jace and Clary went after him so we could pick up the pieces here. Ethan's banged up but he should be fine in a few days," Isabelle admitted.

"What about Carly?" Simon asked.

"Valentine abandoned her. She ran off before we could catch her but she's in the city. Tomorrow I can set up a tracking spell for you and then you can rescue her from the darkness she's trapped in," Isabelle said.

"It won't cure her," Simon mumbled.

"I know. But for almost a month at a time, she'll be herself. And we all need something good to come out of this. Come see me tomorrow and we can finally end her nightmare," Isabelle said as they both said goodbye.