"Give me the professors' names and I- I will end them." Simon Lewis' voice fills my eyes as I walked over to the table him and Clary Fray were seated at, my hands holding the assigned drawings in my hands.

I shot him a look, as he quickly follows up, "You know, with- with a scathing e-mail to the dean."

"I mean- I was the one who got you back into art in the first place so if they wanna crush your dreams, they're going to have to go through me first." Clary quickly said from next to Simon, being equally as supportive.

A random thought flashes through my mind, about how Clary was so focused on getting me back into art, that she felt out of it herself and found interest in dance.

Guilt filled within me suddenly at the sudden thought, only to clear my throat and push it aside.

"Don't bother." I sat down on the stool, placing the letter in front of the both of them.

Simon picked it up, Clary reading over his shoulder, Simon letting out a gasp, "What?"

"Serious face- and the silence? Really, Zee?" Clary laughs, "Well played."

"I may be your step-sister, but I do know how to fool you." I lean my elbows against the table.

Clary and Simon share a laugh, Simon looking at my sketches once more, Clary's attention on me.

"You know, what's weird? They sort of liked my assigned work, but they flipped out over the drawings for our graphic novel." I told them, "I tried to tell them that it was there by accident, but- they told me they didn't believe in mistakes- and voila."

"You're welcome." Simon points at me, revealing that he was the one who had placed it with my work.

I laugh lightly, "This has officially gone down as the best birthday I've ever had."

"Which is why we are celebrating tonight." Clary exclaims, "Yes, with Maureen, after their show."

"So what's the deal with you and Maureen?" I looked at Simon, the waitress setting down our lattes and biscottis.

"What deal? No deal." Simon shook his head, "We sing together."

"You seriously don't know she's been crushing on you this whole time?" I gape at him, picking up the biscotti.

Simon stammers, "What? No-"

"Simon, how can someone as smart and perceptive as you not realize that the person sitting right there is in love with you?" Clary looks at him, laughing quietly.

"I guarantee you I'm not the only smart, perceptive person to make that mistake." Simon sips his latte, looking away from Clary and looking down.

I set my biscotti down onto the blank sheet of paper that was next to my latte, taking a sip of my latte also.

I look down, my eyes staring at what was once the biscotti, now a drawing of the biscotti on the sheet of paper.

Clary notices, "That's a latte."

"But I could have sworn I had a biscotti." My stare is fixed onto the biscotti drawing.

"Maybe you ate it really fast and didn't even notice." Simon suggests, "Happens to me all the time. When I'm happy- when I'm sad."

I shrug it off, laughing quietly.

"But I will replace your mythical biscotti- with an actual one." Clary places hers onto my plate.

"Thank you." I smile at her.

"You know what? Here's to you." Simon held up his latte, "L'chaim."

"L'chaim." I repeat along with Clary, our cups clinging together, all of taking a sip of our lattes.

As I took my sip, my eyes stayed glued to the drawing of the biscotti. I didn't draw that.

-

"Hey, Dot." I walked into Greenpoint Antiquities, Dot flipping cards in front of her, "How's your future looking?"

"Hey-" Dot smiles, "Not as good as yours. The tarot cards tell me you got into the advanced program."

I set my bags down, "And by "the tarot cards," you mean, "Simon's Twitter account"?"

"Okay, I follow him." Dot admits, "Turns out, predicting the future with tarot cards is very complicated."

"I figured." I laugh, running a hand through my dark hair.

"But, I do see a birthday present in your future." Dot gushes, grabbing a bag from behind the counter, handing it to me.

"Dot-" I smile, taking the bag, "You didn't have to-"

She rounds the counter, "Okay, open it!"

I grab what was in the bag, it being a sheer striped black top, one that ended right at the end of my ribcage, "Wow- this is really scandalous."

"Yeah, you might want to keep that on the DL, 'cause your mom's my boss and I don't want her to flip out." Dot told me, giving me an innocent smile.

"Yeah, but that's how I know it's cool." I put it back in the bag, hugging her.

I spoke once we pull apart, "You know, you're way better at gift-giving than magically predicting the future."

"Nothing magical about it. I just buy the things I wanna wear." She told me honestly, "Happy birthday."

"Thank you." I gave her one more hug.

"I love you, Zee." She squeezed me before pulling away.

"I love you, too." I smile, but then notice the look on her face, "You okay?"

"Yeah, happy birthday." She shot me a smile, "Go up and see Jocelyn."

I shot her a smile, before heading up the stairs and into our living space, my eyes landing on my step-mother, the nickname I had for her slipping out instantly, "Joss-"

"You did it!" She immediately stops what she's doing, running over to me, hugging me, cheering.

I hug back, laughing, "Let me guess- you also follow Simon?"

"He only has 92 followers. He needs the retweets." She comments, pulling away, smiling, "Congratulations."

"Thank you." I smile at her genuinely.

She grabbed a small box, holding it up, "Happy birthday."

I took the box, sitting on the couch with her, opening the box, seeing some sort of utensil.

"It's called a stele." Jocelyn told me gently.

"What is it?" I picked it up delicately, "What does it do? Is it like a paperweight?"

"No, it's much more than that. It's very ancient. I want you to have it." She told, "It's a family heirloom."

"You Frays have heirlooms?" I look at her, "And shouldn't you be giving this to Clary?"

"I gave one to her on her 18th birthday." She simply told me.

"But- why are you giving this to me? It's for family, right?" I question.

"Zee-" Jocelyn grabbed my hands despite the stele in my hands, "This was your mother's."

"So- this comes from the line of Young's?" I held the stele in my hand, staring at the designs.

"I just knew one day your mother would've wanted you to have it." Jocelyn lightly nods towards me, "And- Zee. I may not be your mother but you are like a daughter to me."

I gave her a small nod, "Thank you, Jocelyn. That means a lot."

"You know, it's weird." I break the small silence, gazing at the stele, my fingers touching something engraved in it, "I doodled something that looked like this- this morning. I must have seen this around the house somewhere."

"Honey, I need to-" Jocelyn began, only to be cut off by the sound of my phone.

I looked at it, "Simon. He's on his way over- Clary's with him."

"But- we need to talk." Jocelyn stammered, "I need to talk to both you and Clary- especially you."

"I can't right now. I gotta change." I got up, "I'm going to see Champagne Enema tonight."

"What?" Jocelyn looks at me.

"Yeah, I know. It's the new band name." I place the stele back in the box, "But Simon, Clary and Maureen are taking me out after."

"But- it's your 18th birthday, and, uh-" Jocelyn inhaled deeply, "Everything's gonna change for you now."

"Jocelyn, we've had the talk." I assume that was what she meant, laughing quietly, picking up my things, "I'm good."

She got up quickly, "We need to have a much different and more important talk."

"And we will. But can it be over breakfast, all right? I love you." I smile, turning, walking towards my room, calling out behind me, "Thank you for the heirloom."

"I love you." Jocelyn huffs from behind me, as I walked into my room, setting down my things.

I changed into a pair of high waisted blue jeans, ones that were ripped, exposing most of my leg. I kept my black bra on, pulling on the new top Dot had gotten me, leaving my medium length hair freshly straighten from the morning. I put on a pair of black platform heeled ankle boots to go with my outfit and make me few inches taller due to my 5'3" height, tying the laces so I didn't trip over them. I take one last look at myself in the mirror, letting out a sigh, grabbing a sweatshirt, throwing it on over the shirt, zipping it up.

I open the box once more, grabbing the stele. I eye the marks on it, before placing it into my pocket.

I walk back into the living room, Luke stood with Jocelyn at the table, "Hey, Luke, what's up?"

"Hey, incredible drawings." Luke compliments, then placing a pack of spray paint in front of me, "And I got you these."

"Spray paint- yes- oh my god." I smile, looking up at him, "They're perfect."

"If I catch any of that paint on city walls, I will arrest you." Luke points at me.

"The paint is for Simon's van." The corner of my mouth lifts, "I'm insisting they rename the band."

"Oh, yes, please." Jocelyn exhales.

"Did your mom talk to you about that?" Luke questions, referring to Jocelyn as my mother, gesturing towards the stele in my pocket.

"The heirloom." I picked it up, "Yeah, it's beautiful. I really like it."

"Zee, you're 18 now, and-" Luke began.

I cut him off, looking at Jocelyn and Luke, "What is with you guys? I'm turning 18, it's not like I'm headed off on some epic journey."

Clary's voice fills my ears as she runs in with Simon, "But you are!"

"See, we are going to Lombardi's- to celebrate your birthday after our gig." Simon said proudly, coming to my side along with Clary.

"You should come back here after." Jocelyn suggests, "The city's not that safe right now."

"Ah, thanks, Mom, but we're set." Clary smiles.

"Yeah, we will take a rain check." I gave them a thumbs up, grabbing the spray paint, as we all turned to leave.

"Wait." Simon halts, turning around, "Do I smell chicken cacciatore?"

"Simon, your gig." I remind him.

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

"Yes, big gig." Simon nods, "And by big, I mean not so."

I gave Jocelyn a hug after Clary, only for her not to let me go, I imitate choking sounds, "I'm actually dying now- you gotta let me go. I'm legally an adult now."

"Breakfast, you, me, and your sister, tomorrow." Jocelyn let go of me, "Promise?"

"Yeah-" I nod, "We gotta go-"

"Shall we?" Simon links his arm with mine, as Clary did the same with my other arm.

I smile, "We shall."

-

"My mom is so overprotective over us lately." Clary mentions, seated next to me, as we were between Maureen and Simon.

"So, do you remember in Aliens, when the alien queen was defending her eggs from Ripley?" Simon questions.

"In this scenario, is Jocelyn Ripley or the alien queen?" I looked at him.

"Both." Simon told us.

Maureen scoffs, "What?"

"A mother defending her young." Simon backs up his answer.

"Defending me from what?" I question, "I spend all day in an art studio- and if I'm not at the art studio, I'm in my room- or with you guys. My life couldn't be more mundane."

"That's practically my day- but with dance." Clary puts a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Besides, I really don't know much about when she was young."

"Oh, just do what I do and get all the dirt from your relatives." Maureen comments, looking at Clary and I.

Clary scoffs, "Well, I would if I could, but she doesn't have any. And my- my dad died before I was born."

"What about you, Zee?" Maureen looks at me.

"I never got to know my parents." I look at my hands, "I've only ever known Jocelyn. She told me my parents died after I was born."

"So, you guys have no one?" Maureen looks between us, "No uncles, no aunts, no third cousins, twice removed?"

"No, just us and my mom." Clary nods.

"You guys don't think that's a little bit suspicious?" questioned Maureen, sitting up, "You not knowing anything about your family? Your mom could be hiding some deep, dark secret."

"Maureen, that's not possible." I shook my head.

"No, no, think about it." Maureen pushed.

"My mother is incapable of concealing anything from me." Clary sets out straight, earning silence from Maureen.

-

"Thanks for being our roadie." Maureen thanked as we walked over to Simon's Van after the gig.

"Yeah, and thank you for being our artist in residence." Simon took off his shirt and changed.

I simply nod, Clary speaking up, "So, you went on stage tonight as Champagne Enema?"

They both laugh, Maureen speaking, "What were we thinking, right?"

"But now we're Rock Solid Panda." Simon cuts in.

"Yeah, we are." Maureen smiled.

"Rock Solid Panda, coming up." I grabbed some spray paint, walking over to the side of the van, drawing some things onto there with the paint, "I'm feeling inspired."

Simon questions after I finish, "What's that tag?"

I stare at the symbol on the middle of the van, "I didn't even mean to draw that. That's the second time today."

"You know they have confirmed cases of people waking up in the morning speaking French, and they never even studied the language." Maureen mentions.

Clary spoke up, "Do you think that's some kind of language?"

"Sanskrit maybe." Maureen shrugs, walking back to the back of the van along with Simon and Clary.

The feeling of a shoulder hitting against mine catches my attention. I turn, facing the back of the guy who had just shouldered me.

"Hey, can you watch where you're going?" I call out behind him.

He halts, turning, looking at me, surprise threaded in his features, "You can see me?"

"Yeah, that's kind of the point." I shot him a look, "But- you obviously didn't care enough to see me."

"Can you blame me? You're short." He eyes me up and down.

I scoff, rolling my eyes, starting to head towards Simon, Clary and Maureen, "All right- yeah, thanks for that."

The blond quickly gripped my arm, causing me to face towards him, "You have the Sight."

"Wait, the what?" I stare at him.

"How can I not know who you are?" His eyes stayed connected with mine.

"What website did you get that line from? 'Cause it's really not working- that's something I wouldn't recommend." I question, letting the small joke slip through my lips, pulling my arm from his grip.

The corner of his lip starts to turn up, only for it to fade at the sound of something yelling his name, "Jace!"

He gives me one last look, before turning and running into the club.

"Can you guys believe that blond dude?" I walked over to Clary, Simon and Maureen.

"You mean the imaginary dude you were talking to?" Simon questions, clearly weirded out.

"No, the guy right there, running into the club." I gesture towards him.

Maureen spoke up, "Zee, there's nobody there."

"The guy covered in tats-" I stammer, staring as he disappeared into the crowd.

"What guy are you talking about?" Simon questions.

"What are you guys talking about? I saw him too-" Clary gives them a strange look.

"You guys seriously don't see him?" I looked at Simon and Maureen.

They shook their heads.

"Okay, could you stop making me feel insane?" I mutter, feeling as if I was seeing things.

"Could you stop acting that way?" Maureen shot back.

"Zee, what was in your latte?" Simon gapes at me.

I took off my sweatshirt, tossing it to Simon.

Simon stammers, "Where you going?"

"To get some answers." I simply told them, turning and walking towards the club.

Simon yells out after me, "Remember, your fake ID sucks-"

-

"I'm gonna go fail at getting us some birthday drinks." Simon shouted from behind me, the loud music making him speak louder.

Maureen grabs his hand, pulling him away, "I'm gonna go fail with you-"

"Do you guys want some-" Simon calls out, "Clary, Zee!"

Clary stayed by my side, my state on the blond man I had interacted with minutes ago, as he went behind a curtain.

"Somebody works out." Clary grabbed onto a man's arm who was walking right into where we needed to be, "Cool contacts."

Clary and I walk behind the curtain, the sight catching me off guard.

The blond man stood behind a woman, whispering things into her ear. A woman stood on a platform, dancing for a few men, another man stood on the side, silent and watching everything go down.

Suddenly, the object in the blond's hand turned into a sword, Clary letting out a scream, and pushing the woman out the way, "Watch out!"

And that was when all hell broke loose.

"Clary-" I ran over to her after she was pushed to the side, the woman Clary shoved out the way turning into something I only thought was possible in movies.

"Careful!" The blond one guarded me, slashing his sword into anyone who came near, the woman now fighting along side the man who stood on the sidelines from earlier.

"Are you hurt?" The blond pulls me up, Clary stood behind me.

Before either of us could say a word, a man bashes into him, the blond dropping his sword, the white blade disappearing.

I hesitated, grabbing the object, the blade reappearing at my touch, Clary staring at the blade with wide eyes.

The blond pushes the man into the blade, the man completely disintegrating in front of my eyes.

He looks at me, only to get caught off guard by another man grabbing onto him, as the blond turned away from me, trying to push him off.

Before I could process what I was doing, I clench the sword tight in my hands, slashing the man in the back, the entire man disintegrating just like the man before.

The blond looks at me, shocked at what I just did, "Wow-"

My eyes are wide as I looked behind him, as he took this as a tip, grabbing the sword from me and killing the last man that tried to attack them.

Clary grabs my arm, pulling me out of where we were, as I accidentally shoved into people, being completely out of it due to what I had just witnessed.

I held a tight grip on Clary's hand as she pushed through the crowd, my eyes caught with someone who looked very familiar.

I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but I knew I had seen him before.

And then suddenly, I was finally outside with Clary, Clary pulling me into a cab, telling the driver to drive, regardless of the name calls from Simon.

-

"And then these creepy tentacles seemed to come out of the body builder's face, and then the guy just vaporized." Clary rambles as we told Jocelyn all about what had just happened, "And Zee- I don't know where the hell she got the guts to save the blond guy-"

"I think I killed him." I stood still, staring at them, trying to be calm while Clary was freaking out, even if I was screaming on the inside.

"I mean, we were drugged, right?" Clary looks at me, the look on her face showing that she was begging for me to tell her exactly that, "We couldn't have seen that- you couldn't have done that-"

"What did the markings look like on the blonde boy you were talking about?" Jocelyn questions.

"Who cares, Mom, okay?" Clary almost lashes out.

"Are you even listening to me?" The fear started to rise in my chest, "I think I killed a guy- I think I killed two."

"Clary- Zee, did they look like this?" Jocelyn took out a stele, waving it over her arm, a similar marking forming on the surface.

"Mom, what the-" Clary stared, her eyes wide.

"Everything you two saw tonight has a meaning and an explanation, and I've dreaded having this conversation with you since the day you were born-" Jocelyn admits, then looks at me, "I've always known you had it in you. Ever since I took you in- but I never could talk to you two about this."

"What is going on?" I look between her and Clary.

Clary stammers, "Am I going insane?"

"No, you're not." Jocelyn stood up, "But the protections are wearing off."

"The protections?" I repeat while emphasizing, my eyes wide.

"Zee, you're 18 and Clary, you're 19- you guys are old enough now, and you need to know the truth." Jocelyn told us, looking at us both, holding our hands.

"Protections?" Clary pulls away, "What does that even mean? Mom, you're scaring the hell out of me-"

"I know, and that's why I've put this off until the last possible minute." Jocelyn told us honestly and quick.

Dot runs up, "Jocelyn, look out the window. Magnus called to warn us. They found you."

Jocelyn lets go of us, walking to the window and seeing what was outside, "Dot, it's time."

"Okay, listen to me." Jocelyn walks over to Clary and I, "You cannot be near me."

"Jocelyn, what's happening?" I question, "What the hell is going on?"

"I got a very powerful person angry." She explained, going to the drawer and grabbing two necklaces.

"What did you do?" Clary questioned.

"I hid something from him and his followers." She closes the drawer, walking back over to us.

"Followers? Why can't we just call the police?" I immediately question.

She turns me around quickly, "The policeman you need to call is Luke."

"I should've given this necklace to you sooner-" She puts it around my neck, clipping it together, fixing my hair, "But- you need to understand that I kept it from you to keep you safe-"

My hand touches the necklace, it being a wedding ring, the diamond shining bright in the light, the ring hanging from the chain that was wrapped around my hand.

"Keep this with you and think of me when you wear it." She clipped another necklace together onto Clary, fixing her hair.

"Jocelyn, this is not the time for more birthday gifts." I snap out of the gaze I had fixed on the necklace, turning and facing her, Clary tearing up quickly due to what was happening.

"What the hell is happening?" Clary repeats the question.

"Only if you need it." Dot hands something to Jocelyn, moving away once more.

Jocelyn grabs onto me, "Trust your instincts. You're more powerful than you know."

"Jocelyn-" I began, only for her to shove Clary and I towards Dot.

"Dot, open it." She ordered, breathing heavily.

"Jocelyn-" I raise my voice trying to catch her attention, "You need to tell me what's going on-"

She comes closer, "Take care of your sister- guide her- keep her safe."

"From what?" I question, Clary grabbing my hand out of fear, "Jocelyn, what are you talking about?"

"Everything I've done, every mistake I've made was because I love you both more than words." Jocelyn explained, Dot opening some sort of portal.

"What are you doing?" Clary asks as Jocelyn starts to push us towards the portal.

"Luke will explain everything." She nods, "He'll hide you."

"Hide us?" repeated Clary, just as confused as I was.

"From the Circle." Jocelyn exclaimed, "He's the only one you can trust. Trust no one else."

"Mom, I don't-" Clary started.

Jocelyn cuts her off, "Where's Luke now?"

"At the police station!" She shouts, tearing up more.

"Remember, I love you both-" Jocelyn shoves us into the portal, the next thing we saw being us on the ground on the upper level of the police station.

"Clary? Zee?" The voice catches me off guard, my head snapping up to where it came from.

"Captain Vargas." Clary stammered out, stumbling to her feet as did I.

"It's 2:00 in the morning." She made it clear, "What are you doing here so late?"

"Uh, um- Luke said he'd, uh, drive us home if he was still here." I stutter out an excuse.

"Still doesn't trust those cabbies, huh?" Captain Vargas nods, "Well, he's in the middle of an interview. It could take a while."

"Cool, we'll wait in the cafeteria." I clear my throat, looking away.

"Hey, uh is there some sort of problem?" She looks at me, "Guy trouble?"

I got speechless, Clary speaking up for me, "Guy trouble, it's, uh- something like that."

Captain Vargas nods, walking away.

Clary opens her mouth to speak, only for me to immediately shush her at the sound of people talking, looking over the ledge, seeing Luke seated at a desk, a woman on the desk and a man seated across from him.

"The minute we found out Jocelyn Fairchild was alive- you were easy to track." The man told Luke, Luke's stare hard on the man.

Clary whispers from next to me, "Fairchild?"

"Turns out you and Jocelyn were never that far apart." The man continued, "The Circle has her now. It's just a matter of time until we catch the two daughters."

"You can have them all if you give up the Mortal Cup." The woman persuades.

"I don't care about either of them." Luke told straight out, "They mean nothing to me. Kill them both if you like."

A tear slipped Clary's eye, Luke getting up, "My people want the Cup. Why do you think I've been hanging around here all these years? Now, when I find the Cup- I'm gonna keep it. And you can tell Valentine and the Circle that."

"No one mentioned Valentine." The woman says.

"You didn't have to." Luke exclaimed.

The man began, "Listen to me."

"No, you listen to me." Luke rudely cuts them off, "Get out of my office."

The two slowly leave, Clary and I hiding behind the wall.

Clary breathes heavily, "Mom- Mom-"

She gets up, running out the doors.

I ran after my older step sister, running right out into the soaking pouring rain, "Clary!"

-

I was completely drenched in rain water when I ran into Greenpoint Antiquities, running up the stairs to where I lived.

"Clary-" I shout her name, looking around for her, not being able to find her since the police station.

My gaze falls onto what was around me, as I breathed heavily, looking at how trashed the place had become.

Worry fills within me, tears forming in my eyes, not helping the mascara running down my cheeks and stained under my eyes, as I run a hand through my wet darkish brown hair.

My tanned skin was soaked, along with my clothes, as I let out a few shouts of Clary's name, along with Jocelyn's, trying to find someone.

"Oh my god-" I finally let out a sob, the tears in my eyes slipping, my breathing heavy as I tried to calm down.

I blink long and hard, before letting out a shaky breath, grabbing some sort of axe that sat on the drawer surface, walking through the place.

As I rounded the stairs, I came to a stop at the sight of Dot standing there, unharmed and unusual.

I slowly dropped the axe, "Dot-"

"They took Jocelyn." Dot simply said.

I let out a huff, breathing heavy, "Who took her?"

"Rogue Shadowhunters searching for the Mortal Cup." Dot takes a step towards me.

"What the hell are you talking about?" I stare at her as if she was insane.

"Think, Zee." Dot steps closer to me, "Did Jocelyn ever talk to you about a cup? A very important cup. It's gold, almost like a chalice."

"No, I don't know anything about a cup." I scoff, "Why have I been hearing about this cup all day?"

"It's very important, Zee-" Dot stops in front of me.

I stammer, "One of the antiquities downstairs?"

"No, no, not those." Dot shook her head, inhaling deeply, "Think, Zee. This could save Jocelyn."

"I can't think!" I lash out, scoffing in disbelief, "Someone kidnapped Jocelyn, and I can't find Clary!"

"You know more than you think you do, Zee Young." Dot clenched her jaw, before her entire mouth opened, hissing at me, similar to what Clary and I witnessed earlier when I had followed the imaginary blond guy through the club.

My eyes grow wide, as I instinctively bring my leg up, my heel hitting against her stomach, sending her falling back and hitting the ground.

I grab onto the stele Jocelyn had given me, holding it tight, Dot on the ground, completely turning into something I would only see in movies.

The creature stood up, swinging at me, as I ducked, backing away quickly, not wanting to fight back any longer.

It picked up the coffee table, tossing it towards me, as I let out a scream, barely dodging it, stumbling onto the ground.

It jumps in front of me, stinging the side of my neck with one of it's tentacles, my hand immediately going to it.

I scoot back into a wall pillar, slowly sliding up it, holding onto it and my stele for dear life, the creature completely up in my face, shrieking.

I let out gasps and screeches, one hand clutching to the wall, shoving the stele into my pocket, the other resting on my ribs, my eyes wide with fear.

Suddenly, the creature screeches loudly in front of me, the exact same blade I had saw and used earlier cutting through it, the creature completely disintegrating in front of me, the blond boy from earlier stood in front of me.

His eyes were connected with mine, "What, no "thank you" for saving your life?"

I let out a gentle sound in disbelief, not knowing what to say, swallowing hard.

"Careful." He softly said, his hands touching my neck, one being support for my neck to be leant on, the other observing what was on my neck, "That demon got a piece of you."

My eyes stay glued to him, letting in a shaky breath due to the sudden feeling of his touch.

"That has got to be the one hundredth time today I've heard something absolutely insane." I scoff quietly, leaning my head back against the pillar, "Now- demons?"

"What do you think that miserable, disgusting thing was?" He comments, his eyes scanning my features.

This earns a weak smile from me, only for it to fade when I come into realization, "Oh my god- Clary-"

His eyes furrow, "Who?"

"My sister-" I try to slip away from him, everything starting to become blurry, the room starting to sound "I have to find her-"

"The demon got to you-" He held my face, scanning my features and the injury once more, "You can look for your sister later, I need to take care of you first-"

"No- she ran off-" My hands grab onto his wrists, my eyes connecting with his once more, something flashing in his eyes, every symptom I was feeling getting worse, "I have to find her- I need to find Clary-"

"I-" He trails off, caught off guard, "You're already witnessing the affects of the-"

I cut him off, stumbling lightly, panting, "Why is the room spinning?"

"Demon venom." His eyes shift to where the demon had gotten to me.

"What the hell-" I whisper, losing balance, the blond catching me and picking me up bridal style, my head falling back as I had no energy to do anything with my body, as I was slowly losing consciousness.

He looks down at me, his voice fading, "I got you."

He starts to walk, as I completely lost consciousness.

-

I jolt up quickly, my head hitting into someone else's, my eyes wide with surprise.

I was seated in a bed in what looked like an infirmary, dressed in someone's shirt, my hair now wavy due to being air dried, facing a girl who I had no idea was.

She closes her eyes, sighing, "Ow."

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to-" I began to apologize but the scoot away, "Wait, I don't know who you are-"

"I'm Isabelle." She smiles, a tease following, "I've never seen Jace so curious about a mundane or distracted. Like you saw earlier, distractions are dangerous in our line of work."

"What? I have no idea what you're talking about." I run a hand through my hair, my hand touching my necklace, "Who's Jace?"

"You really don't know much, do you?" Isabelle weakly smiles at me.

"All I know is someone took Jocelyn, I can't find Clary, and now you people have taken me." I stare at her, rubbing my temples in stress.

Isabelle chuckles, "And by "taken" I assume you mean "saved your life"?"

The familiar dark haired guy walks in, "A mundane shouldn't even be here."

"She's not a mundane, Alec." The blond guy followed him, revealing the name of the dark haired one.

Alec stops next to me, towering over me, "How do you know that?"

"Because the seraph blade lit up when she touched it." He shot right back with a reason, then sighs, looking at Isabelle, gesturing for her to get up, "Look, Isabelle, can you-"

She nods, getting up, sitting somewhere else.

The blond takes her spot, looking at me, "I'm Jace Wayland."

I open my mouth to introduce myself, only for him to beat me to it, "Zee Young, we know who you are."

Alec clears his throat, his hands behind his back, "Am I the only one who finds this unusual?"

"You find everything unusual, Alec." Isabelle comments.

Alec exhales, "I have to report this to the Clave."

"You know what?" Jace looks up at him, "Dial it down a notch."

Isabelle laughs lightly, "My brother doesn't have a dial. I love you, Alec, but you have a switch that's always on."

"I love you, too." Alec nods, "But this-"

"Hey, you know what? Give me a minute." Jace cuts him off, earning only silence from Alec.

"Here's a word- you never hear me say. Please?" Jace gives it another shot, gesturing for him to leave us alone.

"What is with you?" Alec questions immediately, Isabelle getting up and walking over to him, "Really, no, what is with him?"

She grabs him arm, leading him out, "Walk with me, big brother."

Jace touches my neck, "Your wound, it's healed."

My eyes close for a second, trying to process.

My eyes snap open as I shiver away from his touch, "How is that even possible?"

He stays silent, as I gaped at him, "So, what, I'm miraculously healed, and all of you stunning people have magical powers? I swear- I thought this stuff only existed in books and movies."

He chuckles, "No, don't confuse me with a warlock."

I squint my eyes, "A what?"

"A warlock." He repeats, "It's one of the Downworlders."

"Okay, no idea what that is and you're not making any sense." I point at him and then huff, resting my chin into my palm.

"Warlocks, vampires, seelies-" Jace started to list.

I clear my throat, bringing my fingers up to my ears, plugging them, closing my eyes, "If I don't hear it, it's not true. If I don't hear it, it's not true-"

"Jeez, all right." Jace grabs my wrists, pulling them down, my eyes opening, "Well, I'll keep it simple for you. All the legends are true."

"We're Shadowhunters." He lets go of my wrists, looking at me straight in the eye, "We protect the human world from the demon world."

No matter how freaked out I was, I melted into his stare, taking notice of how his left eye was half blue, half brown, his right eye being completely blue. They fascinated me, and I couldn't stop looking into his eyes.

"So- those people you saw murdered at the Pandemonium, they weren't people at all, they were shapeshifting demons." He explained to me, the straight face remaining on his features.

"I-" I stammer, blinking, sitting up, "I'm not interested in being a part of your supernatural fight club. I don't want to be a Shadowhunter- I had no idea what a Shadowhunter was until today- and today has been just insane-"

"I know this is a lot to process, but you'll get it eventually." Jace simply shrugs lightly.

"I just wanna find my sister." My voice broke at the thought of her being hurt or in trouble, "Right now- all I can think about is finding my sister. Please- help me find her."

"I'm the best chance you've got." Jace told me, his eyes connected with mine.

"How would I know that? I don't even know you." I whisper, my phone ringing, catching my attention.

I grabbed it quickly, standing up, answering, "Simon."

"How come you haven't answered your phone in two days?" Simon questions instantly.

"Things got crazy- that's all I can get from what's happened so far." I breathed out, pacing back and forth.

"Where are you?" Simon questions, "Find My Friends says your phone is in an abandoned church on Deighton. Clary and I are outside."

"Clary?" Hope sparks within me as I rush towards the nearest window, looking outside, seeing Clary pacing next to Simon, Simon on the phone, "I see you-"

"I don't see you." Simon told me honestly.

Jace comes next to me, smirking at the sight of Simon outside, then looks at me.

"Give me five minutes. I have to get dressed." I run a hand through my hair.

"Dressed?" Simon repeats, "What are you doing undressed in an abandoned church? Zee, is there a meth problem we have to talk about?"

"Simon, just give me five minutes, okay?" I hung up, turning, seeing Jace now seated back on the medical bed, looking through a book.

"What happened to my clothes?" I question, finally mentioning that I was only in someone's shirt.

"Demon venom, remember?" Jace looks up at me, "But, I'd say you look pretty good in mine."

I shot him a look, as he nods his head towards the clothes that sat on a chair, "Isabelle left you these."

I slowly pick up the articles of clothing, "You're kidding, right?"

"She's very comfortable with her body." Jace comments, a small smile on his lips.

I stay silent, just grabbing the clothes, finding the nearest room and changing into the outfit quickly.

I walk back into the room I was just in, staring at myself in the mirror, wearing something I'd never thought I would ever. My eyes land on a strange symbol tattoo on my neck, my eyes growing wide as ever.

I exhale deeply, looking back at Jace, "How did that get there?"

"I drew that." Jace simply told me.

"You gave me a tattoo while I was unconscious." I face him, "You can't just tattoo my neck when I'm not awake-"

"Duly noted." Jace spoke, "I guess next time, I'll just let you die."

I go silent, as he stood up, "And it's not a tattoo. It's a rune. They have enormous power. Good for Shadowhunters. Lethal for humans."

"But you, you already know all about runes, don't you?" Jace showed me a page in my sketching book, but then sees the look on my face, "Maybe you don't."

He sets the book down, stepping closer to me, now directly in front of me, his voice falling dangerously low, "Which is what makes you so interesting, Zee Young."

-

"I saw something behind your friend." Jace adjusted his blade, walking next to me as we headed for the exit doors.

"You're not going to kill Simon." I told him straight forward, quickening my pace despite the heels.

"Protect the humans, kill the demons." Jace repeats, placing the blade handle in his back pocket, "You'll get it eventually."

I roll my eyes, pulling down the dress I wore as I walked, pursing my lips in annoyance.

"What, don't like the new fit?" Jace questions.

"Dresses aren't really my thing." I mutter shortly, walking out with him, Simon and Clary stood a few feet away from us.

"So, why can't Simon see you?" I question as we walked down the steps.

Jace lifts up his shirt slightly, my eyes widening as he revealed a rune, "This is a glamour, a rune that makes me invisible to mundanes."

I blink, looking away as he gets cocky, gesturing towards himself, "It's a shame, really, 'cause well, denying them all this."

"Unbelievable-" I roll my eyes as he chuckles.

My eyes land on Clary once I step foot onto the ground, her pacing halting as she ran over to me, hugging me tight, "Zee-"

"Clary-" I held her tight, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine-" She pulls away, "Did you find Mom?"

My mouth drops open in not knowing what to say, her attention diverting towards Jace, "And why is he here?"

"What do you have on, Zee?" Simon takes off his jacket, wrapping it around me, "Let me take you home."

"I don't think I have one anymore." I step away from them, looking at Clary.

"Why? What do you mean?" Simon questions.

Before I could speak, someone yelled my name, "Zee Young!"

Jace is quick to grab a hold of the man, "If you give us the girl, I'll let you live."

"You're in no position to be making rules." Jace told him, as they fought for a few seconds, until Jace had the upper hand.

Clary lets out a gasp, causing Simon to blurt our in confusion, "Clary- what are you looking at? Zee?"

"We'll never stop hunting her." The man told him, his voice strained.

"This is for my father." Jace mutters, stabbing his blade into him, his body dropping to the ground.

"Jace!" I shove Simon's jacket back into his hands, walking over to him, pointing to the man on the ground, "Is he dead? You just killed him-"

"Is who dead?" Simon questions, Clary now standing next to me.

Suddenly, the man deglamorized, the dead man being revealed to Simon, "What the-"

"Could you deglamourize, or whatever- because even if Clary can see you- Simon can't, and I think he thinks I'm on meth." I place my hands on my hips.

"Well-" Jace smirks lightly, taking this as an opportunity to tease me, "Would that be so bad?"

I emphasized, "Jace."

Jace takes out his stele, waving it over another tune, Simon's eyes widening at the sight of him, "Uh, what's happening?"

"Yeah, we don't have the luxury right now, kid." Jace spoke, turning towards the stairs, "Everyone back inside."

"Zee, who is this? Your meth dealer?" Simon questions, causing Jace to do a complete turn, facing us.

"I've seen him before." Clary spoke up, pointing at the dead man, "At the police station- we both have."

"He's a member of the Circle." Jace tells us, "Zee, he's here for you."

"He's with the people who took Jocelyn." I stood still, staring at him.

"Right, your little best friend here led him right to you." Jace stood directly in front of me, "He's here to capture or kill you."

"There's a dead body there, we have to call Luke." Simon points.

"We can't trust Luke, Simon." Clary snaps, "We can't."

"Zee, I need to keep you safe." Jace catches my attention, my eyes connecting with his, "I promise you, I promise- I am gonna help you find Jocelyn. But you're one of us. You're a Shadowhunter."

"What are you talking about?" Simon cuts in, "Zee, you don't know this guy, all right? Come with me. I can get us help."

"Zee, please." Jace pleaded.

Simon begs, "Zee, come on."

authors note:

hiii, first chapter :)

pretty much everything valentine wants with clary, they're gonna want with zee but they're just a few twists and turns that include clary in this book so no fear, i'm not replacing clary with zee, i'm going by script like i did with the barry allen book, but clary's going to act more as a older sister.

so basically ever chapter is gonna be an episode

i hope whoever reads this book enjoys it, and i am trulyyyy sorry if you hate it cause i really suck at writing !