A/N: Hello everyone! Welcome to my new story! I know, I know, I have other stories that I need to work on. There are a lot of things that I'm working on right now. Between work, kids, and working on my own book, I have a lot on my plate. I've hit writer's block with my book and decided to do this instead. I hope that you like it! Enjoy!

Chapter 1: The Mortal Cup

"I'll be right back," I told my best friend as I got off of my motorcycle and put my helmet on the handlebars after shaking out my red hair. Kyler, who sat on his own motorcycle, nodded at me. I smiled as I took out a small bag from my saddlebags and walked over to the small shop that was underneath the loft that my mother and little sister lived in. Dot, my mother's assistant for the store and a close family friend, was taking down the open sign as I walked closer. "I hope that I can still get it there, Dot."

My voice made her look up and her dark brown eyes widened with surprise as a wide smile spread across her face. "Kalavati!" she exclaimed in surprise as she pulled me into a hug. "It's so good to see you! I thought that you wouldn't be able to be here."

I laughed as I hugged her back. "I couldn't miss my little sister's 18th birthday for anything," I told her as we separated. "I can't stay for long though. I have classes tonight that I can't miss."

Dot's expression changed into understanding. "Well, she'll be happy to see you regardless. Head on up and we'll have to catch up sometime soon."

I agreed with her as I went up into the loft above the shop. I walked in to see my mother, Jocelyn, sitting on the couch staring at a basket of laundry that was sitting on the coffee table in front of her. "I have found that laundry doesn't fold itself," I joked as she looked up at me in surprise. I smiled at her gently. "Hey Mom."

Jocelyn stood and walked up to me to pull me into a tight hug that I returned. "Hey Kala," she whispered, and she pulled back to look at me with her hands on my shoulders. "I'm so glad that you could come today."

"I wouldn't miss it mom," I chuckled. "However, I do have to go to in a little bit for classes, but I'll be back for breakfast in the morning." My mom gave me a worried look. "What is it?"

"It's already started," she told me, taking a step back and leading me back to the kitchen island. My little sister, Clary, had her art folder sitting on the counter and it had drawings of demons and runes all over it. "The protections are fading."

I ran my hand over the drawings before turning to look at my mother's scared expression. "We all knew that this would happen Mom," I told her. "I'll be sure to watch out for her, okay?"

She shook her head. "You already have enough going on than to worry about this."

"Mom, this is my family," I snapped with a growl in my voice. "I won't turn my back on my family. This meeting is to let them know that I'll be unavailable for a little while, and Kyler agreed to take over for me until I can come back."

My mom looked into my eyes and saw my sincerity before nodding her head. "Hopefully, I'll have told her everything by tomorrow," she muttered.

I gave her a soft smile while taking her hand. "You don't have to do it alone. I'll be there if you need me to be, okay?"

"This was my decision Kala," she shook her head. "I'll do it. But it would a good thing for you to be available for her to talk to." I nodded at her, and she smiled in thanks before nodding towards her room down the hall. "She's in her room. She'll want to see you."

I kissed her forehead and gave her one last smile before walking to Clary's room. Turning the doorknob and opening the door slightly, I stuck my head in the door to see Clary looking at herself in the mirror. I knocked twice on the door, drawing her attention. I smiled at her shocked expression. "Knock, knock, can I come in?"

"Of course!" she exclaimed with a wide smile. Once I closed the door, she walked up and pulled me into a tight hug. "I didn't think that you would make it!"

"I wouldn't miss my own sister's birthday!" I gasped in mock horror and Clary let out a laugh as we separated. I then picked the bag up from the floor when she gave me a hug and held it out to her. "Happy birthday baby girl."

Clary smiled in excitement as she took it and opened the bag. There were a pair of black heeled ankle boots in it. "Oh, they're perfect!" She quickly sat down to put them on, and I noticed that they matched with her black mesh shirt and ripped gray jeans. When she stood up, Clary was just about my 5'7" height. "Thank you so much Kala."

"Your welcome Clary," I responded. I then noticed the open box with a silver stele sitting in the velvet cushion as Clary put a green zip-up jacket over her shirt. "Is that your gift from Mom?"

Clary looked over at me and then looked at the stele, picking it up with a smile. "Yeah, she said it was a family heirloom. It's beautiful, right?"

I nodded as I reached into the inner pocket of my leather jacket and pulled out my stele to show her. "It's something we all have," I told her at her surprised look. "Can you promise me something Clary? Never go anywhere without this."

Clary looked confused before letting out a light laugh. "Kala, I don't know if I should. It's a family heirloom and I don't want to lose it."

"Clary, you're eighteen now and if you need to remember anything, remember to have this with you," I told her seriously. She went to argue, but I held up my hand to cut her off. "Please, promise me that you will listen. Promise me that you won't go anywhere without this."

"Okay," Clary whispered in slight surprise before nodding to me. "I promise."

"Thank you," I nodded and then I reached out to hold her elbows. "Now, the only thing is that I have a late class tonight and I won't be able to come out with you tonight." Clary looked down in sadness but tried to hide it. It seemed that I was always away from my family during the really important times. "But, I have a break starting tomorrow and I will be here the whole time. We will have plenty of time to catch up then, okay?"

The cover story was that I was going to college and that all of my extra circulars were my classes. In reality, they were my meetings and hunting. Sometimes I wished that I could be with my family more, but I didn't have another choice.

"Okay," Clary said trying to put on a strong smile. "I just wish that you were here more often Sis."

I smiled sadly. "I know Clary. I want that too, but we will have more time to hang out soon. I promise."

"I got into the advanced program," she told me with a smile, trying to change the subject.

A proud smile spread across my face, and I pulled her into a tight hug. "Oh, I am so proud of you. I knew that you could do it."

Clary laughed as we pulled back. "You know, you're the only one that I was able to really tell. Mom and Dot found out through Simon's Twitter account."

I laughed as I linked my arm with hers and walked her out of her room to go out into the main room. We spoke about what happened during her interview as we made our way down the hall. We saw a man with dark skin standing at the kitchen island speaking with our mother. "Hey Luke," we said together. "What's up?"

"Hey girls," Luke smiled at us. He then pointed to the drawings on her art folder. "Incredible drawings Clary. And I got you these."

He reached into the paper bag on the counter and pulled out a set of spray paint and slid it over to her. "Oh, they're perfect."

"If I catch any of that paint on city walls, I will arrest you," Luke said in mock seriousness.

Clary gave him a look. "The paint is for Simon's van," she explained before turning to our mom. "I'm insisting that they rename the band."

"Oh, yes, please," Mom agreed while I just looked between them confused.

Luke pointed to the stele that was sticking out of her pocket. "Did your mom talk to you about that?"

"The heirloom," Clary confirmed. "Yeah, it's beautiful."

"Clary, you're eighteen now, and…" Luke trailed off when Clary cut him off.

"What is with you three?" she looked between Luke, our mom, and I. "I'm turning eighteen, it's not like I'm headed off on some epic journey."

"But you are!" Simon interrupted as he walked into the loft and caught the tail end of the conversation. "See, we are going to Lombardi's to celebrate your birthday after our gig." He then noticed me. "Hey, Kala. It's good to see you."

"Hey Simon," I greeted him with a smile.

"You should come back here after," Mom suggested desperately. "The city's not that safe right now."

"Ah, thanks, Mom, but we're set," Clary tried to escape by picking up the paint and walking away.

"Yeah, we will take a rain check," Simon agreed as he went to follow, but then turned back around and pointed at Mom. "Wait. Do I smell chicken cacciatore?"

Mom had a smile on her face as she raised her arms to welcome him. Clary looked back at him and tried to get his attention. "Simon, your gig," she reminded him.

"Oh, you're singing?" Luke asked.

"Yes, big gig," Simon joked with a smooth tone. "And by big, I mean not so."

I chuckled with Luke at his joke while Mom pulled Clary into a tight hug. Clary grunted at how tight it was. "Losing circulation here," Clary gasped.

"Breakfast, you and me, tomorrow," Mom said in a hard voice. "Promise?"

"Yep," Clary grunted. Mom loosened her hold but didn't let go. "Mom… uh, Mom? Mom, you have to let me go. I'm biologically and legally an adult."

"Yeah," she agreed as she let Clary go. "That's what I'm afraid of."

Clary gave her a look and then turned to Simon. "Shall we?"

"Yes," Simon agreed as he took the spray paint from her and turned around for her to jump on his back.

I turned and gave my mom another hug. "I promise that I'll be here tomorrow," I whispered to her.

"Thank you," she whispered back.

We separated and I gave Luke a hug before walking out behind Clary and Simon. "Hey Clary," I called, and she turned her head to look at me. "Kyler is waiting for me outside and he has a gift for you."

A goofy grin spread across her face at the mention of my best friend. Clary had this huge crush on Kyler ever since she met him when she was fifteen. Clary and I were only about three years apart and Kyler was a year younger than me. I thought it was cute how she had a crush on him while he had a massive crush on her as well. But I felt bad for Simon though as he has a massive crush on Clary as well.

We made it outside and we all saw Kyler standing up from his motorcycle as he saw us approaching. He smiled as Clary jumped down from Simon's back and ran to give him a hug. Kyler returned the hug as he and Simon just stared at each other over Clary's shoulder. I rolled my eyes at their behavior and decided to cut the tension. "Regrettably, we have to go Clary," I announced, and she pulled back from Kyler reluctantly. "Go ahead and give her your gift Kyler."

Kyler and Clary separated, and Kyler reached into the inside pocket of his leather jacket to pull out a long jewelry box. He held it out to Clary with a smile. "Happy Birthday Clary," he said.

"Thank you, Kyler," she replied with another goofy smile. She opened the box and saw a bracelet with a peridot gemstone in the middle of a silver plate with her name on either side. Clary gasped and her eyes shot up to Kyler, who I noticed was blushing just a little bit. "It's beautiful Kyler. Thank you so much."

Kyler smiled softly at her and took the box, taking the bracelet out and motioned for her wrist. Clary held up her left wrist and had a wide smile on her face as he put it on her. He held her hand just a bit longer and rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand.

The moment was broken by my phone chiming with a text message. I pulled out my cell and opened the text, trying to hide my smile as Kyler and Clary pulled apart awkwardly. I opened the text from another one of my friends that was wondering where I was. I rolled my eyes and texted back quickly that we were on our way.

"Sorry Clary," I started as I walked over to give her a side hug. "We've got to go. Our classes are going to be starting soon. I promise that I'll be back tomorrow for breakfast, and we'll have my whole break to hang out."

"I'm going to hold you to that," Clary told me seriously. She pulled me into a full hug. "I'll see you tomorrow big sister."

I squeezed her lightly. "I'll see you tomorrow baby girl. I love you."

Clary and I pulled back, and she looked at me with concern. "I love you too."

I nodded at her and pulled away to give Simon a hug goodbye while Kyler gave Clary another hug. After we all pulled away, Clary and Simon stood back on the sidewalk while I swung my leg over my motorcycle. I strapped on my helmet before starting it up. After giving one last wave to the both of them, Kyler and I pulled away from the curb and made our way into the city.

*Roaring Fire*

After stashing our bikes, Kyler and I made our way into an 'abandoned' church. Although, walking inside, there was a whole tech area, a training room and further into the building was the living quarters. You could only see it if you had the sight, while to anyone else the church was run down and empty.

"I really don't envy you," Kyler told me with a small smirk. I looked at him confused and he elaborated with a roll of his eyes. "You have to balance the Shadow World and the Mundane life, keeping them both straight. I don't envy that."

I scoffed. "It's really not all that hard and, if you would pull your head out of your ass and finally ask Clary out, you could be doing the same."

"She's safer if I just watch from a distance," he muttered in slight annoyance.

I sighed, regretting bringing it up. The feelings that Kyler had for Clary went deeper than just a simple crush, and it bothered him more than he cares to admit that he could never be with her as long as she was a part of the Mundane World. But that wasn't the only reason. Before I could apologize to him, someone called our names from behind us, and we both turned around to see Jace, Alec, and Isabelle walking towards us. They each had a seraph blade in their hands and Isabelle was holding onto a platinum blonde wig.

"There you two are," Jace smirked as they stopped in front of us. "We were starting to get worried about where you were."

I smirked back at him. "Just going for a ride before our meeting."

"Why do you insist on doing that Mundane driving?" Alec asked in curiosity and slight frustration. As if it was a concept that he couldn't understand.

"Ah, come on Alec, it's relaxing," Kyler told him with a smile. "You should try it sometime. You could use some relaxation."

I chuckled along with Jace and Isabelle. Alec laughed sarcastically and before he could respond, Isabelle cut in. "We have a mission with a demon draining Mundanes of their blood," she explained to us. "Do either of you want to join us?"

"Sorry Izzy," I apologized with a regretful look. "We have a meeting with the dragons that we have to go to. Would go if I could though."

"Come on Kali," Jace urged. "I'm sure they would understand if you couldn't make the meeting for a mission. It's been ages since either of you joined us on a mission."

"And that is what would make you a terrible ambassador," I joked pointing to him with a teasing smile. Jace huffed a laugh and shook his head in amusement. My smile softened. "But this meeting is to let them know that Kyler will be taking over for a while, so we kinda need to be at this one."

"Speaking of that," Kyler interjected. "I need to make sure that the portal is going to be ready. So, the three of you, have fun and be safe."

He walked away towards the inside of the Institute while Alec and Isabelle called out the same as they walked the other way. I was about to follow Kyler, but I was pulled back by a hand grabbing my wrist and making sure I couldn't go anywhere. I turned to find Jace giving me a concerned look. "Why is Kyler taking over for you?"

I smiled a little at his concern. "I'm okay Jace," I reassured him. "I just have something that I'm doing for my family, and I won't be available for a while."

"So, you won't be around for a while?" he asked with furrowed eyebrows. "What is so important that you need to do?"

I could feel the guilt that usually accompanied when I would lie about where I was going. I gave him a regretful smile and decided to be as honest as I could for once. "I wish that I could tell you Jace," I admitted, and he went to say something, so I cut him off. "But I can't. I would tell you in a heartbeat if I could, but sadly I can't. I hope that you can understand."

"When you get back?" he asked after a moment.

I laughed a little bit at his insistence. "Maybe. We'll see. But right now, I have to get to my meeting." I leaned up and kissed his cheek. "Be safe out there Jace and remember to have some fun."

"Always," he whispered with a smirk. "But I would have way more fun if you were there."

Jace and I seemed to always have this thing where we would flirt with one another. I never knew if Jace was being serious, but he would have his moments of being serious about it and actually caring. The thing that I was never sure of was if he was just being playful as a friend or more than that. I knew that I was very attracted to Jace, but he was so cocky most of the time. He had his moments for being sweet and always seemed to look after his friends.

I smirked back before walking away down the hall to catch up with Kyler, so I could get this meeting over with. I had always wished that I could tell my friends about my mom and little sister, but I couldn't. It was all to protect them on both sides. Knowing about them and not telling the Clave, they could be in major trouble. And knowing about them at all, paints a target on their back. I couldn't do that to them.

It wasn't that I didn't trust them or that they couldn't protect themselves. It was just that if I told them about that, then I would have to tell them a lot of things that they don't know about me. It may be very selfish of me, but I just want to keep them as my friends for as long as possible.

*Roaring Fire*

The meeting was over, and I was absolutely exhausted. Kyler was trying to convince me to go to sleep in my room at the Institute before heading over to the loft, but I just wanted to see my family. He had me ride with him in the car that I kept just in case I couldn't ride my motorcycle. It was pouring down rain and storming outside. Kyle refused to let me drive with how tired I was.

We pulled up on the curb and I had convinced him that he should at least come in and crash on the couch for the night. He agreed and we quickly got out of the car, putting up our umbrellas to protect us from the rain. I stopped immediately when I saw a large spot of blood on the ground that was starting to be washed away from the rain. I looked up to see the door to the shop busted open.

There was glass all over the outside on the ground and all over the floor inside. My heart seized when scents that I had never smelt before slammed into me. Someone had broken into the loft. I rushed inside, dropping my umbrella and instantly getting soaked, to see the whole shop destroyed. Someone had smashed the cases and took the antique cups and goblets that littered the cases. Kyler came up behind me and pulled me into his arms and I noticed that I was hyperventilating.

Taking deep breaths and matching the rise and fall of Kyler's chest, I was able to get my breathing under control. Kyler pushed me back to look at me with a serious expression. "We'll search the loft for them, but you need to keep it together Kali," he told me firmly. "No matter what happens, we will find them."

I gripped onto his arms to ground myself as I let out a deep breath slowly. I nodded to him before walking past him and quickly climbing the stairs to the loft above. We both pulled out and extended our seraph blades as we went up the stairs. The lights were all off and the furniture was all overturned. The coffee table was smashed in half and in pieces on the ground.

I glanced around and I could smell all kinds of scents that were all over. I could smell Clary's blood and I saw the ashes of a demon on the floor. There was the smell of another male's blood as well as my mother's scent. There was also the smell of a potion that I didn't recognize. While I was doing that, Kyler was going through the upstairs rooms to see if he could find anything. He came down the stairs and we each went through the downstairs rooms.

I went to my room first, only to find the whole room completely burned. It shocked me that someone would do that, but I could smell my mom's scent leading up to the door. I decided to keep going and made my way to Clary's room and slowly opened the door and the sight that greeted me made me drop my blade.

The entire room was completely burnt, just like mine. Like a fire started blazing around the room and left nothing behind. My breathing started to turn shallow as tears filled my eyes as I looked around the destroyed room. I couldn't believe it. My family was gone. A hand on my shoulder turned me around and I looked into the blurry worried green eyes of Kyler. "There's nothing left," I whispered brokenly. "They're gone."

"We'll find them Kali," Kyler tried to reassure me. "We'll make sure that they're safe."

"How?!" I snapped in a panic as I gestured around the burnt room. "There's nothing left here that we can use to track Clary and Mom has a rune that prevents her from being tracked!"

"I don't know!" he shouted back at me, grasping my shoulders. "But we will find them. I know that you won't stop until you find both of them and I will be right there with you. You aren't going to do this alone."

I sighed but realized that he was right. I wouldn't be alone. Kyler picked up my sword and put an arm around my shoulders before leading me back out to the car. After we were both in, he drove us back to the Institute. I went straight to my room, ignoring everyone. I didn't even respond when Jace and the others called out my name. After drying off and changing, I fell into bed and cried myself to sleep.