A/N: I'm sorry for taking so long to update guys.

Thank you to everyone who has stayed with me and have been waiting until the new release:

ReiKimura, Bellhorse8… artemisrocks124… Fan_Girl0527… RosieWinchester67… Aerianna_Lupin… Iria_Eden… Oliviian… SLuzie… djlambeth808… SummerPhoenix514… TheDoctor'sLily03… Sonata Fuling… Scarlet+stevens… sunshinerainbows1454… Sciave… Sashasnow522… manu18… … Purplecat2003… lilyflower477… becauseofthegeek… KassieWolfe… holdmetightbigboat… goldxn-tears… mia_r11xo… Skylar97… appleandarrow… Cherokeefox20… scooter_vagooter… Disneylover18… lillyxroseee… billweasley07… Niamhcodi… Bessy1998… hcroucher… Night-Nokori… CatLady101… FNietzsche… alexandrita13… Anna_Holt… bilou2175… pokemonaora… dancingwithmybooks… KnightessValeriana… Emma_fanfic… ek_toemte… SynmireGrimm… InAhPets87

But on the positive side…

I've finished all my exams and submitted my dissertation for uni so I'm now free to just write all summer.

At the point, I've fully finished this book so I hope you guys enjoy it!

Jace Wayland

"How could you not tell me that?" Luke shouted angrily as Clary and I followed after him, with Lissa on my back.

"The Downworld would be in total chaos if they knew what the Sword could do," Clary argued.

I backed her up, "There would be uprisings everywhere."

"So you're saving the Downworlders from themselves?" he stepped towards us threateningly, I shared a look with Clary as he continued, "We never asked."

I felt Lissa shrug from above me, "We didn't even know that Valentine could activate the Sword until we realized he had an angel." I heard her voice soften as she tried to butter him up, "Luke, I- we didn't want you to worry."

"Well, it's too late for that," he cut her off.

I could feel the trembling start to take over Lis' body as his words took over her.

"Look," I stepped forward slightly, not liking how he was treating my girl- parabatai, "you don't understand, all right..."

"No." He cut me off again. I hate when people do that. "I do understand."

"He has my sister." He turned his gaze onto Lissa again, "Your aunt!" The trembling had taken over completely, "What else aren't you two telling me?"

I shared a look with Clary as Lissa began to shift uncomfortably on my back, Clary decided to bite the bullet for us, "The angel, he..." I gave her a look of encouragement, not wanting to get Lissa's uncle any angrier, "He showed us something."

I took over for her, "Just now, on the rooftop, he showed us both a vision of a demon that can destroy the Sword."

"How do you know that's what he was telling you?"

"There's no other explanation. It is what he said." Lissa finally spoke up. "When the demon touched the Sword, he and the Sword both disintegrated."

"Luke, it was a demon I'd never seen before," I argued, stepping towards the wolf.

"Then go find it," the alpha ordered. I hate being given orders. "I'll head out and see if that bastard left any clues for us to track him down."

Lissa opened a portal back to Magnus' before then opening another one back to ours. We quickly changed into new outfits before grabbing some books and portalling back to Magnus'. We plopped ourselves on the lounge chairs on the balcony before starting our research, our hands remaining connected the whole time.

I took a sip of the coffee Lis had conjured after I started yawning and rubbing my eyes out of exhaustion.

I mean to be fair, we've been up all night researching.

I looked up when the sudden sounds of meows took over my hearing.

Am I going insane?

I looked up and caught sight of the army of cats invading our space.

Not insane then.

Good.

"Magnus!" I shouted as a ginger and white cat started patted my leg. I jumped up and sat beside Lis.

I hate cats.

"Aw!" The warlock cooed, "Salut mon petit chat." He started clicking his tongue to get the cat's attention, "You're new, aren't you?" He flicked his fingers, causing several bowls of milk to appear on the balcony, "I spoil them." I looked up at him with a glare, causing him to shrug slightly, "I can't help it. It's the only way to win them over."

I shrugged as I started researching again, happy knowing that the cats were going far away from me, "Well, I guess when you put your mind to it, you can win over just about anyone, huh?"

I caught sight of his body freezing up, "You're talking about Alec."

"Look, I've been there," I let him sit down before continuing, "I know it's a whirlwind fling that burns so hot all it can do is flameout."

"Is this what you think it is? A fling," he cut me off, his voice dripping with indignity.

I turned my full attention to him as I felt Lissa grab my hand, giving me a reassuring squeeze, "I don't know what it is, but I know my brother. He's sensitive. And now that you guys have taken things to the next level..."

I withheld my smirk as I saw him gulp deeply, "He told you."

"No, he didn't have to," I interrupted, "We're brothers." He gave me a confused look, "No. No, no, no. No, it's not like that. It's..." It was my turn to gulp, not knowing how to word this, "I can, uh... I can just... I can sense that he's happier." Magnus nodded slowly, allowing my words to sink in, "Look, I'll make this simple, okay?" I dropped the book on to the table, stopping until his full attention was on me, "I'm never gonna let anyone hurt him."

"Then we have that in common," he proclaimed, "You think I'd invite Maryse Lightwood to my home for just anyone?"

I smile, nope, a smirk began to take over my lips. At the sign of peace coming from me, he started to smile tentatively back at me.

"I hope this party has an open bar."

You're gonna need it.

Magnus exhaled deeply, knowing I was right. He hurried away, probably to finish any last-minute details about the party.

I returned to the books, hoping to find this monster that we saw in the vision.

The coffee I was drinking previously was suddenly being waved in my face. I smiled at her, mouthing a silent thank you before giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.

We researched for another hour before exhaustion finally took over me, despite the coffee I just had. After I yawned for the fifth time, Lis pulled me up.

"Let's go home for a bit, so we can rest…"

"Rest?" I coyly asked.

She nodded, "Yep."

I gave her a quick kiss, "You sure?"

Before she could answer me, that orange cat jumped on me again.

I flinched away before realising, dude, it's a cat. Instead, I just growled at it and pushed it away from me. I yanked Lissa with me towards our room, our books floating behind us.

Before that thing could follow me into our room, I shut the door after us, leaving it stuck outside. I quickly stepped through the portal Lissa opened and took a very much needed nap, despite my earlier arguments.

After a quick 3 hour nap, we got changed quickly before portalling back to our room at Magnus'.

"Have I told you how beautiful you look?" I asked her.

"Yes… you mentioned it a lot when I was trying to get you to zip me up."

"I did?" I asked her teasingly as I grabbed her hand and began leading her to the door, "You know, we can skip this and just stay at home… in bed…"

"Nope-" she cut me off, "I wanna be here for Max, ya know- your little brother…"

"Guilt trip me, why don't you…" I muttered sarcastically as we approached the bar, "Can I get a beer and a…" I took a look a Lissa who batted her eyes innocently at me, I smirked before turning back to the bartender, "Piña colada please."

"I thought I smelled cocky," the familiar wolf sassed.

Ugh. Is there no one else?

"Magnus must be really scraping the bottom of the bartender barrel," I growled back. I heard Lissa's tinkling laughter from behind me as she greeted some guy who supposedly knew us as children.

She continued to sass me instead of making my drinks, what a shit bartender, "Aw, you still bitter about getting your ass kicked by a werewolf?"

I shrugged nonchalantly, "In case you forgot, that was a three-against-one fight." I huffed as I caught sight of her eyes rolling.

The girl sighed heavily as she continued our wonderful conversation, "Well, I'm actually happy I didn't maul you to death."

Huh? Really? Did I hear her right?

"Why? So you can slowly annoy me to death instead?"

"No. Because now I know you didn't kill Gretel."

I mean you could have just taken my word for it…

She placed half my order and half of an incorrect order in front of me, "I asked for a beer."

She shrugged with a smirk, "Beer's boring. You should learn from your girlfriend and have nicer drinks. Have some sangria…"

"She's not my-"

She ignored me and continued, "Apparently Magnus has a thing for Spain." We both caught sight of the new couple?Entering through Magnus' expensive-looking double doors.

Wow. Since when were they a thing?

"Didn't think he had it in him." I heard the wolf mutter sadly.

"Guess your date didn't go so well," I observed, not unkindly.

She immediately tried to back-track, "No, it went great. I, uh," I turned my gaze back to her after taking a quick glance at where I last saw Lis, "…told him to make a move, and that's exactly what he did." She gave them one last look of sadness before turning to take someone else's order.

Knowing the conversation was over, I grabbed our drinks and headed towards Lissa, "Here, Lis…"

"Thanks," she said smiling at me brightly. I turned my head slightly, indicating I wanted something in return. When I felt that she was close enough, I turned my head, giving her a passionate kiss, letting her know I still wanted to take her back home.

"Hey," a voice piped up to our side, interrupting our lovely moment. I stepped away slightly from her, taking a quick glance at our intruders. What do you two want? Lis grabbed my handkerchief from my pocket and wiped what I assume would be lipstick, off of my lips.

I gave her a quick wink as I wrapped my arm around her waist.

"Hey," I greeted them in return.

"Hey," Lewis' awkward voice broke through as he tried to size me up again.

"How about we stop saying 'Hey'," Lis breathlessly spoke up after taking a sip of her drink.

I gave them a wide smirk, "Well, you two look cute together."

Clary stammered out her response, probably catching our little moment before they caught up to us, "Thanks. And- er. So do you guys."

I looked down at my girl, I mean, let's be real, she's practically my girlfriend, I just need to properly ask her… I gave her a tender smile that she returned.

"We were just heading to the bar to see what kinds of blood-types Magnus has on tap." Simon spoke up, "Do you want anything?"

Lis and I shared a laugh before raising our drinks.

"I'm good," Lis smiled as I nodded along in agreement.

Simon awkwardly looked down at our drinks, pointing at it uncomfortably as he began to walk away, "Okay."

"Well, I guess congratulations are in order," I smiled gently at my sister, only slightly jealous of what could have been.

She smiled at me tentatively, "I guess so." She looked between the two of us, "I'm happy for you."

Lis and I shared a smile before I turned to give Clary a genuine smile, "Thank you, Clary."

I watched as she flicked her eyes back to where Simon was at the bar. Not too bothered I turned my attention back at Lis, who I found, was staring straight at me. Knowing how she was feeling, I leant down to give her a reassuring kiss.

When I finally let her go, I heard Clary's scoff of disbelief. I caught sight of her green monster impression, "Are you alright?" She turned her attention back on me, "Is everything okay?"

"I'll be right back," she suddenly spoke up, heading in the opposite direction.

"Okayyyyy" I drawled out before smiling down at my date, "That was weird for you too right?"

"Uh-huh…" she absentmindedly answered as her eyes followed after her adopted sister's form.

"Hey," I said, recapturing her attention, "Shall we go to the balcony. I'm already bored."

"I thought you would never ask."

I led her outside, only to see, just as I thought it would be, it was completely empty.

"It's so beautiful tonight…" she sighed happily.

"Yes, you are…" I murmured into her neck, wrapping my arms around her slim waist.

"You just wanted me out here so you could have your wicked way with me," she accused me teasingly.

I turned her around and pressed her against the balcony wall, "How did you know?"

I didn't let her answer, instead, I captured her lips in a kiss.

"We need to go refill our drinks," Lis whispered hoarsely as she tried to pull the corset of her dress higher to hide the hickies I just made against her tantalising-

"Who cares?" I whispered back, kissing her again, "You sure you don't wanna go home?"

"We haven't even seen Max yet!" she moaned out. Something must have switched in her head because she pushed me with a slight huff, "Let's go see Max, give him our presents and then we can go home, okay?"

I nodded eagerly, helped her fix her appearance, just in time because Magnus was leading Alec, Max and Maryse to us.

I quickly went inside to grab us drinks as Lis hugged Max and Maryse hello.

"Where's your warlock mark?" I heard Max ask as I stepped back onto the balcony.

"Max..." I heard Alec warn the youngest Lightwood.

Maryse, the firebreathing mother bear, immediately defended her youngest, "You were just as curious at his age."

"It's okay," Magnus shrugged it off as he knelt back down beside the new Shadowhunter, "I only share with my closest friends."

I handed Lis her drink as the youngest then asked, "How much of you is a demon?"

Startled at his question to my new friend, I stepped forward slightly, "Max, enough." I caught sight of Maryse biting her lip beside me, "That's not how we treat our friends." I jerked my head to our host, "Apologise to Magnus."

"You can't tell me what to do," he argued back.

Who taught him to talk back?

"Hey, just because you're getting your first rune doesn't mean you can talk to your brother like that."

Thank you Alec, I thought, smiling at my brothe-

"Jace isn't my brother," what?

I gave him a stunned look as Alec immediately reprimanded him, "Max!"

"Mom says you're not even part of our family," the little boy carried on.

I turned my stunned, filled with hurt eyes towards my mother.

How could she?

Magnus, probably feeling awkward about the situation, walked away. Max followed not long after, probably to avoid a punishment from his only brother.

"Jace," I stepped back as Maryse, no longer mother, tried to reach out for me, "I..."

I turned and walked away before I could anything I would regret.

"No," I heard my parabatai's voice, "You've done enough." I heard her warn. It wasn't long until I felt her smaller hand in mine.

I was heading to the bar but Lis pulled me in the direction of our room instead.

Despite my struggles, she managed to push me into the room.

"Look, Lis," I said, sighing heavily, "Not now. I need another drink." She stepped in my way as I attempted to leave the room. I stepped to my left, to step around her, only for her to block me. Right. Block. Left. Block. Right. Fucking blocked. No matter what I did, she moved to counteract me.

"Listen here…" I warned her, "I don't need you right now. I need a fucking drink instead of a bloody fuck."

She shook her head at me, "I'm not leaving you-"

"You will," I warned angrily, "Because you're a fucking whore who would open her legs to any hunter she gets an interest in," I spat at her.

Her eyes misted over with tears as she spat back at me, "Yeah? Well, at least they'll be better company than you, asshole!"

"What are you going to do, bitch?" I sneered at her.

I gotta admit… I thought she'd slap me and walk away. It's more than I deserved after all. Instead, she yanked me towards her and gave me the best bloody kiss I've ever had.

I pull away from her slightly in surprise, staring at her incredulously. After a few seconds, I couldn't help but bring her back into my arms for another searing kiss.

Fuck. I love this.

"We should- uh-" she panted as I kissed her neck, "Maryse will be coming soon-"

Just as she said that the doors began opening. I hugged her to me, glad that I didn't start taking articles of clothing off.

"What do you want?" I growled at my mother angrily.

"I want to talk to you," she replied slowly.

Lissa stepped away from me, and sat on the bed, showing her support of me but giving me space to have this conversation, "There's nothing to talk about."

"I think there is," I gave her a look of annoyance, "Max is right. You're not his brother."

"What?" I couldn't help the heartbreak that leaked through into my voice.

She carried on as if she couldn't hear me, "You were a ten-year-old left on our doorstep. We had no choice but to take you in." She pushed herself away from the door, her hands kept behind her back, "But if I had known you were a demon," I uncrossed my arms, and turned my body, fully towards her, "I would've done this years ago."

Wha-

I jumped back as the whoosh of a blade spun past my head.

What the fuck is she doing? Does she hate me this much?

I lunged forward and grabbed the arm that tried to stab me with a seraph blade, using it to flip her onto the ground and into a state of unconsciousness.

I could hear Lissa's shout of alarm behind me, "Jace, what the fuck-"

I turned to my parabatai only to see a blade being drawn at me. For the first time in history, I saw the look of fear on her face as she looked at the monster… me.

"You're a monster!" she screamed at me, further confirming my thoughts as she lunged at me. With how many drinks she's had, it didn't take me long to make her pass out too.

Just as I was lowering Lissa, on to the bed, I heard Izzy speak up from the now open door, "Oh, my God. Jace, what did you do?"

"I didn't have a choice, Izzy," I said as she knelt down by her mother and I moved to sit beside Lissa's prone form.

I looked up at the sight of Magnus entering the room, relieved that it was him and not Alec because that boy would go ape-shit, Ugh. I'm learning too many terms from the mundane/vamp. "Okay, the sangria may have been too strong."

I pointed down at the woman, "She just tried to kill me, Magnus."

He gave me an odd look, as if I was the crazy one, "This will help," he proclaimed as he knelt on the ground beside Maryse, the traitor.

"She just threw an axe at my head!" I defended myself at their judgy looks, "Okay, it's stuck in the shelf, right there. See for yourself," pointing at the axe.

"Jace, there's nothing there," Izzy denied.

I'm not crazy, why can't she see it?

"It's right there. Why can't you see that?" I asked her incredulously.

I was interrupted by the sound of Maryse and Lissa gasping awake.

"Mom, are you okay?" Izzy asked the traitor as I comforted Lissa. She gave me odd looks but let me near her nevertheless.

"Hey, hey, hey, don't let her up," I spoke up as they started helping her, "She's out of her mind."

"Jace," the traitor spoke up, trying to defend herself, "I came up here to apologize to you."

I scoffed, "Then, why would you..."

"I should have killed you when I had the chance," Maryse suddenly said, getting ready to lunge at me.

I flinched from her, pointing at the others, "She just said it. Don't you hear her?"

"Listen to me," Lis suddenly spoke up from my side, taking a hold of my face, "Nobody's trying to kill you." She turned to look at Magnus, "You have to believe me. Someone's playing with our minds. Feeding into our insecurities..."

Suddenly the shrill voice of my darling sister crashed through our thoughts, "Alec. Alec, no!"

Without even looking at anyone else, I dragged Lissa up and towards the sound of Clary's screams.

Just as we reached the balcony doors, we caught sight of Alec step off the balcony and into the open air.

"Alec!" Lissa screamed out before quickly thrusting her hand forward. She didn't waste any time as she rushed forward to the balcony edge. "Oh, holy Angel," I heard her sigh in relief at what she saw. I watched her slowly raise her hands up until Alec's body was floating above us. She gently lowered him onto a chair as the others joined us around him.

"What happened?" Izzy asked us as we watched Magnus do a quick check on him.

"All of a sudden, he started talking about how I hated him for killing my mom," Clary was explaining behind us as I focused on the checkup Magnus was doing.

"Alec?" Maryse's voice cut through as she ran onto the balcony with us.

Lissa moved aside to let her kneel beside her real son.

"It's okay," Lissa calmed her down, "I sedated him when I caught him from the ledge."

"You know what, you stay away from him." I cut in, pointing at my ex-mom, "You can't be trusted."

"I can't be trusted?" she gasped at me before frantically looked around for an escape, "Now you see why I was wary of having a party at a warlock's house."

"Woah…" I heard Simon's stuttering voice from behind us, "What's going on here?"

"Oh, what do you care?" I heard the harsh snipe of Lissa's 'twin', "Maia is at the bar."

"Yes," I turned to see his confused look at the redhead, "…and Alec's on the chair passed out. Is he gonna be okay?"

Magnus got up from his lover's side, allowing the rest of us more space around Alec, "You're all gonna be okay. Everyone just stay here. I'll be right back."

"What did you say to my son?" Maryse stood up to confront Clary, "You don't think that Alec feels guilty enough..."

Simon grabbed my arm, "You talked to Clary, didn't you?" I gave him a confused look as he carried on, "That's why she's acting all weird."

Lissa raised her hand to stop Simon, "Listen, he did nothing. He was with me all night."

I turned to her, "I can defend myself."

"You bring him up here..." I heard Maryse speak up.

"I did not bring him up here, I followed him."

"Hey!" I growled angrily as Magnus dragged Alicia away from me.

"Garee les bree, eretor me les sont de le securite…"

As soon as the spell was over and the light blue light was gone, all of our arguments just ceased.

"Mom..." I asked hesitantly at Maryse, the ex-ex-traitor?

"Um, what's going on?" I heard Simon ask as my mother turned to me with a stunned look on her face.

"Jace."

I stepped towards her in concern, "You okay?"

"Simon..." I heard Clary sigh, "I am so sorry."

"I'm fine," mom replied to me as we knelt down beside the still passed out Alec.

"I know you didn't kiss Maia."

Huh? I shared a look of confusion with Izzy as we all shared Simon's next words, "You thought I kissed Maia? What happened here?"

We all looked up at the princess and the warlock.

"It seems a warlock has been having a little fun at our expense," Lissa grimly revealed to us, still holding the ball of light in her hand. She clenched her fist, extinguishing the light.

"Is he okay?" Maryse, for once, gently asked as Alec began to slowly shake himself awake.

"What happened?" I heard Simon repeat himself as Lissa came over to do another check-up on the waking hunter.

"Alec..." Lissa whispered slightly, making his attention turn to her. Her hands began to go a familiar glow as she began to heal him of any remanence of the previous spell.

"Someone has taken my spellbook." I suddenly heard Magnus' frantic voice, "Princess come here."

"You cannot order her around, downworlde-"

"Mom it's fine," I shushed her, letting Lis do her thing.

"Give me some of your magic." I shared a look with Alec before quickly getting up to be by Lissa's side, "Quickly."

A series of quick elegant hand motions later, a golden-white mist began to emit from her heart. Her hand dance ended as she cupped her 'magic' before pushing it towards the waiting warlock. I caught her as she swayed heavily on her feet.

"I got you," I whispered soothingly as I held her to my chest. I watched as Magnus threw up his hards, causing his wards to immediately rise up.

"You're putting your wards up?" Clary asked in confusion.

I could hear the shock of the guests inside as he hurried back inside, "Nobody leaves until I get it back."

"You okay?" I asked my parabatai softly when we got a second alone together.

She gave me a quick kiss of reassurance before grabbing my hand and heading inside to help find this missing book.

The party ended not long after, with Magnus checking to see if any of his leaving guests had the book.

"I was this close to lining up a three-way and you guys let yourselves get spelled?" the last guest mocked us as he was checked on his way out.

"It appears I'm the only warlock here," Magnus decreed after Alec kicked the last guy out.

"Magnus, what happens if we don't find your spellbook?" Clary's worried voice spoke out all our thoughts.

He raised his finger, stopping that thought from processing any further, "That's not an option you want to explore. That book can undo every spell I've ever cast. From the elementary to the complex. In new and old languages..." He paused as a thought came to him, "Champenois."

I gave Lissa and confused look, causing her to explain, "It's an old French dialect."

"The red-haired cat," I shared a look with Lissa.

"I told you so," I whispered to my parabatai, causing her to elbow me with a hiss of, "Not now."

"Magnus, what cat?" Alec questioned as we all dutifully followed after the duo.

We all stepped into a red-themed room.

"Not bad…" I murmured to Lissa, only to get an elbow in the stomach in return.

I turned around only to see Magnus' look at the bed. I nudged Lissa, following everyone else's lead to look at the dip in the bed. We circled around the bed, making sure there wasn't any way it could get past. I mean it could probably pass Simon…

I yanked the covers off the bed, revealing the red-haired cat. It shivered in its place, yowling at us all. It quickly ran off of the bed towards the door. Twin lights hit the cat, causing it to transform into the warlock we were searching for.

"Duratus!" The warlock screamed at us.

A small figure stepped in front of me. Lissa. "Protego," the blast of the spell hit the shield around us.

"I hate party crashers," I heard from the other side of the room before a bright orange blast emitted from our friendly neighbourhood warlock towards the evil she-cat-warlock-lady. The ferocity of the blast knocked the lady out of the bedroom and into a bookcase in the other room.

"You alright?" Lis asked me as the shield around us dropped. At my nod, we took a look at our frozen friends before rushing after Magnus and the sounds of blasts that I assume he's causing.

"Protego," Lissa shouted, protecting Magnus from an incoming spell.

"You haven't changed one bit since the last time I saw you crawling from the ruins of la Bastille," our warlock proclaimed grimly after he wrapped the female warlock in a golden mist, preventing her from moving any further. "Old French spells. Your favourite." We crept closer as the lady began to whimper when the mist began to tighten around her, "Where are my counterspells?"

"You better answer him," I teased the warlock. I gotta admit, I was surprise that Lissa didn't hit me again. I guess she was too focussed on the interrogation in front of us.

"Valentine!" The warlock finally screamed out, "He has Madzie, too. If I don't go back, I don't know what he'll do to her."

"What does Valentine want with Magnus' counterspells?" Lissa asked doubtfully.

"I don't know," Magnus thrust his hand forward, causing the mist to tighten its hold, "I DON'T KNOW!" Seeing that Magnus wasn't going to lighten up she began to pant out the rest of her words, "All... All he said was that I had to get them for him." She jerked her head towards Lissa, causing me to immediately shield her away from the evil one, "And I wasn't to harm the Princess girl, or he'd make Madzie suffer." She turned her gaze towards us, "Please. I'm all Madzie has. Have mercy."

I could see Lissa's resolve crumbling so I stepped forward, "After everything you've done?" I glared at her, "Release them."

The warlock sighed before slowly raising her hand. It wasn't long before the others joined us in the room with Simon mumbling the whole way, "You protect Jace? Why didn't you shield me too? I was standing on the other side of you!"

The sound of the warlock's next words prevented any of us from telling him to shut up, "Clary Fairchild… You made a blood oath." I shared a look of concern with Alec as she continued, "Find Madzie."

I saw Magnus give look a Lissa. She nodded her head before waving her hand and creating a portal that sucked the warlock through, "She's the Clave's problem now."

"Okay, what is Valentine up to anyway?" Alec's deep voice rumbled through the short silence that encompassed us.

"I-" Clary's voice began to stumble out, "-don't know."

I shared a look with Lissa before shaking my head, don't tell them. Lissa was nodded her head in encouragement, the complete opposite to me.

"It's too dangerous," I whispered.

Lissa shook her head at me, "Jace, they're our family. They need to know."

"Know what?" Izzy spoke in concern.

Lissa broke our stare off to look at the others, "The angel Ithuriel."

"Valentine was going to use him to activate the Soul-Sword," Clary continued as a look of resignation took over my features.

"He needs someone with pure angel blood to activate it," I relented.

"Well, that doesn't sound good," Simon uttered in shock.

I glared at him for stating the obvious, "It's not." I wrapped my arm around Lissa's waist, pulling her towards me, "He doesn't need an Angel. He can use…"

"Allie," Iz spoke up in shock, "He can use you." The three of us nodded, "That's what Cleophas said."

"With the Soul-Sword activated," I continued morosely, "Valentine could decimate the entire Downworld. The angel showed us a vision of a demon who could destroy the Sword. If we could find that demon, we could stop Valentine."

"How did the three of you save the angel?" Magnus asked.

I shook my head at Clary as she decided to reveal another secret we were holding, "With runes the angel gave to me."

I sighed, deciding to reveal more now that everyone knew, "New runes, Magnus. Ones no one's ever seen before."

Izzy did bring up a good point, "Why did he choose you? Why not Allie?"

Clary didn't look the least bit offended as she replied, "I have no idea."

"I might," Magnus decided to grace us with his knowledge, "Years ago, a Silent Brother told me about a special connection the original Shadowhunters had with the Angel Raziel. That they could communicate from afar through visions. Because they were created from his blood."

Alec decided to pitch in, "Are you saying that…"

"That Clary has a blood connection to that angel?" Lissa finally spoke up again, when we all took a glance at her, she had a tired look on her face, "Yes."

"That doesn't explain how Lils…" I shook my head at Clary telling her silently to shut up, "…could contact the Angel too." I looked down in annoyance.

Magnus easily explained that too, "She's from the only blood-line in the world with two Angels in her veins." I nodded along, realising what he was saying, "It has been written that she has power, even over Heaven." He shook his head slightly, "Small power but there's still power. She could contact him because she's pure enough to be able to."

I turned my head downwards to my parabatai, "What did you hear from him?"

She shrugged slightly, being purposefully vague, "Words. Prophecies. Warnings. Visions."

I hid my laugh in Lis' hair at Simon's look of awe, "You guys talked about a lot."

"I was telepathically talking to him for a while," she explained to the newbie, "We had time to talk when Jace and Clary were knocking out the other guys before he left."

"Doesn't Lily here have other distant relatives that Valentine can use?" the vamp caused innocently. Who would have thought the vamp would be the one asking relavent questions?

"Any relative that isn't meant to take the throne doesn't have the same blood," Alec decided to explain to him, "That includes family members. Only the eldest child per bloodline has the blood of two Angels, that's why there isn't other people fighting for the throne. They literally can't sit on it because they don't have 'Pure Angelic Blood'."

"That's why Valentine wants you unharmed," I murmured softly to her, my gaze oozing of the concern I was feeling.

All she did was sigh as she hugged my side, "Does that mean I have to hide again?"

"You're fine for now." Alec announced, "No one knows you're-"

"Shush!" I exclaimed as Magnus and Lissa raised his wards once again. "What part of secret did you forget Alec?"

I watched the bashful look take over his features, "Sorry."

"Wait," Izzy paused us, looking at us suspiciously, "What's going on?"

I couldn't help but shift uncomfortably at her irritated stare. I could see Magnus, Lissa and Alec also feeling the same sensation as Clary and Simon shared a look of confusion.

"Allie's has a new hiding place and no one know's where it is," Alec finally blurted out.

"Alec!" I immediately shouted.

"What?" Clary immediately questioned, "Why didn't you tell us?"

"The less people who knew, the better!" I defended our actions.

Izzy raised an eyebrow at me threateningly, "Do you know where she's staying?"

I couldn't help but look away from everyone as Lissa shifted away from me slightly, it wasn't far because I still had my arm around her.

I could practically hear Magnus' smirk as he decided to drop another bombshell, "He's staying with her."

"Magnus!" Lissa shouted warningly before lowering her voice to a murmur as her face began to glow an adorable ruby colour, "This is why the two of you make such a good couple."

Izzy turned her ire on the shortest occupant of the room, "You told Jace but not me!"

She shrugged, backing slightly away from her, as she defended herself, "Jace needed a place to stay!"

Simon directed another question, "I thought you lived with Magnus."

"Sometimes," I pursed my lips as I gave off another shrug, "Most of the time we're at the townhouse."

"You're living in a townhouse?" Simon's eyes grew in awe, "Is it big?"

I smirked proudly, "Enormous."

Lissa cut us off, "Alright. You can talk about this later. No one needs to know about this?" She looked everyone in the eye, "Understand?"

After getting a nod from everyone, Alec decided to ask a really stupid question, "Wait. What about Luke?"

I couldn't help but shift around again, "Yeah. He er-" I cleared my throat, "He knows."

"How?" I could see the start of Simon's smile forming.

"You don't need to know the details," I dismissed before swiftly changing the topic, "We need to head back to the institute for the runing ceremony."

"You're right, of course," Alec, Izzy and Lis agreed.

With a wave of his arms, the wards were lowered again, allowing Lis to open a portal to the Institute. Clary and Simon stayed behind with Magnus so they could do whatever it is they do whenever they weren't on screen. The four of us stepped through, only to land just as Max was getting ready to start the ceremony.

"We're just in time," Izzy beamed at us as she got into position.

"To the Angel, I entrust my life..." the little boy I helped raise, proclaimed,
"And vow to uphold the laws of heaven." I smirked at him and gave him a quick wink as Alec led him towards Lissa at the end of the short aisle, "I take this mark to honour Him...
To bring His light into me...
And vow to uphold the laws of heaven.
So I may join the ranks of the Shadowhunters the guardians of peace."

I saw Lissa's resolve break slightly as she let out a small proud smile when she reached for her stele. Max slowly rolled up his sleeve as Lissa dipped her stele in the holy water the Silent Brother was carrying, "May you be blessed," she declared as she finished drawing the rune.

As she put down her stele, the rest of us converged around Max, smiling proudly at his accomplishments, happy he didn't cry when he received his first rune.

After I gave him a hug and Clary a quick nod, I couldn't help but step beside my parabatai and joining our hands, "Hey, you should know..."

"Valentine's coming for me again, isn't he?" She cut me off.

"-Which means I'm never letting you out of my sight," I smiled down at her.

"Hmm… If you must," she grudgingly agreed as I wrapped my arm around her shoulder.

When we left the hall, we ran into Alec on our way, "The ceremony was beautiful," I said softly.

"Yeah, Max did great, huh?" Lissa beamed.

Alec had such a proud look on his face, you'd assume he was Max's father, "Didn't even flinch."

As I caught sight of my mother in the distance, I couldn't help but sigh. I took a deep breathe before releasing my hold on Lissa's hand, "Give me a minute." I turned to Alec, "Watch over her for a min will you?"

"I don't need watching over…" I heard her mutter as I made my way over to my mom.

"Maryse, look, I..." I couldn't help the stutter as I caught up to her, "I just want you to know..."

"I don't need any more apologies," she cut me off. Oooo, is dragon lady back? Shit! "Because you don't owe me one." Huh? "I don't regret taking you in for one second. Max was totally out of line because I have been out of line." I couldn't help but shift around uncomfortably, not expecting this. She saw my discomfort because she reached out to place her hand on my cheek, "As a parent, your greatest hope is that your children don't inherit your worst traits."

I couldn't help the chuckle that left me, "Yeah, well, Max is still young. Impressionable." I smiled as she patted my cheek, "You can still steer that ship straight."

She tearfully smiled at me as Lissa walked up to us, "So you guys have made up?" I nodded as she wiped my tears from my face before linking our hands again, "Good because who's gonna give Jace away at our wedding," I nodded along with Lissa's joke but stopped short at her next tease, "…we can't have the mother of the bride missing."

We all shared a laugh as Alec approached us.

Here comes Mr Grumpy.

"Max says that you and Dad have been fighting." Yeah, I was right. "About me and Magnus."

I watched mom sigh deeply, "Max doesn't have any idea what's going on between your father and me."

"Then what is it?" Alec immediately questioned.

Her bottom lip began to tremble, "I didn't want to burden you all..." As she began to breathe heavily, Lissa stepped away from me and towards her.

"Is Dad cheating on you?" Alec finally asked after a moment's silence.

Lissa immediately hugged Maryse towards her as she couldn't help the tears escaping her eyes.

"Bastard," I whispered aggressively as I shared a nod of understanding with Alec.

"You can't tell Isabelle," she pleaded us when Lissa finally released her from her hold. Lissa conjured my handkerchief and handed it to mom, "She worships Robert." Lissa finally stepped back towards me and patted my back soothingly, calming me down ever so slightly, "I can bear it, but it would destroy her."

As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Alec stepped towards her, crushing her in a hug. When she was in the arms of her eldest boy, she couldn't help but continue to sob. I stiffened at the sight of my mother crying.

"Come stay with us," Alec pleaded, "You and Max." I heard her heavy sigh as she tried to compose herself, "You don't have to go back to Idris or Dad."

I watched as she clenched her eyes shut, "Oh... I wish I could stay..." she stepped away from him and began to compose herself, "More than anything. But I have to get back to the Clave." There's the Maryse I know.

"Why?" I asked in concern as I stepped up to give her a quick, meaningful hug, "Let Robert take care of that."

She sighed sadly, "Everything's different now because of Clary, the Sword and Alicia."

I felt Lissa jerk herself in motion, "I'm so sorry if I've caused you-"

Mom shook her head, "I can't let my problems interfere with my duty." She steeled herself, "Not now."

We all grimly nodded.

I'm so sorry…