"Zee, I need to talk to you about something, it's really-" Clary barged into my room unexpectedly the next day, her eyes falling onto Jace and I sprawled across my bed.

I held a book in my hands, as Jace held his tablet, the both of us looking up from what we were entertaining ourselves with.

"Oh-" Clary blinked, caught off guard, "Sorry, I- I really should've knocked first."

"Hey, Clary." I sat up, holding the book in my hands, "What's up?"

"Yeah, um- I need you to tell me everything you know about Magnus Bane." Clary plays with her hands.

"Uh-" I looked at Jace; confused, as he sat up as well, "Magnus Bane is the High Warlock of Brooklyn, why?"

"Because that vampire, Camille, practically accused him of stealing my memories." Clary explained.

Jace places his tablet down in front of him, "Where did you hear that?"

"When Simon told Camille someone took my memories back at the Hotel DuMort, she blamed Magnus Bane." Clary went in depth, "Besides, I keep having these dreams where this Magnus guy is with my mom and she tells him to protect me."

"You mean, like, memory fragments?" I asked.

"Yeah, but-" She inhales, "They're not making sense."

Jace questions, "Whatever, why didn't you tell us about that?"

"Because, practically a week ago I didn't even know this world existed." Clary blurts out, "Let alone that Magnus is real."

"Magnus' magic is so powerful, he can invade even the Silent Brothers." I fold the corner of the page I stopped reading at, closing my book, "If he's the warlock that took your memories he could be the key to everything."

"People are risking their lives to help me get my memories back." Clary sighs deeply, "But- there might not be anything there. I might not remember anything that will lead to the Mortal Cup or my mom."

"At the moment- you're our only lead." I place my book on my nightstand.

Isabelle walks into my room, "Jace, I need you- the mundie's leaving."

Clary spun to face her, "Simon? He can't leave."

"He can and he is." Isabelle shot back at her, "Unless you wanna tie him down and restrain him?"

"I have to stop him." Clary ran out of the room.

"God- I don't even want to bother." I groan and fell back on my bed, "I've known them for like two days and I'm already sick of their drama."

Jace playfully shakes his head at me, then looks at Isabelle, "Izzy, go wake Alec and Hodge- we might have a lead on the Mortal Cup."

Isabelle nods and leaves the room, as Jace got up, "I'll go handle the mundie- you, get up."

"I'll get up when I wanna get up." I looked at him, crossing my arms.

"Well, I can only hope that's soon, right?" Jace calls, as he left me alone in my room.

-

"Magnus Bane." Hodge introduces, as we all sat at the table in front of him, "He's over 300 years old."

"And, as you can see, he's not exactly shied away from the pleasures of every century." Hodge scrolled through pictures of Magnus, "His tastes are both exquisite and quite excessive."

Clary sat on the table, "He looks like the Downworld's David Guetta."

"Guetta's already a Downworlder." I said from between Alec and Jace, "Vampire? Ever seen him in the daylight?"

"Can you two focus?" Alec interjects, "This is not a joke."

"Come on, Alec." I nudge him playfully, "You're not usually this fractious when you wake up."

Alec shoots me a look, giving me a soft smile for my satisfaction, before recovering back to seriousness.

Isabelle shrugs, "Someone needs to get slayed."

"Alec's right." Hodge speaks, "Now, Magnus is one of the most powerful warlocks I've ever known. He has a deep mistrust of Shadowhunters."

"Well, then why did he help my mom remove my memories?" Clary asks, "Isn't she a Shadowhunter?"

"Yes, one of the best." Hodge nods, "But "help" might not be the most accurate word."

"Now, did Magnus provide a service for Jocelyn?" He continued, "Perhaps. But more than likely, your mother paid Magnus handsomely for his magic."

"Yeah, warlocks usually require payment before they help anyone with anything." I nodded.

Alec adds in, "Word from the Clave is that most of the warlocks have gone into hiding since Valentine began hunting them."

"Valentine must be searching for the warlock, where did Jocelyn-" Hodge's words faded, as he grunted, the Circle rune on his neck sizzling.

"Hodge, your rune." Clary speaks right away, "You okay?"

When Hodge doesn't reply, Clary sighs, "So how do we find Magnus?"

"We don't." Jace spoke up, "Magnus finds us. We'll set up a meeting, somewhere protected- lure him out of hiding."

"And I know exactly where we do it." Isabelle got up and grabbed the tablet and pulled up a flyer on the screen for us to see.

"A Downworld rave." Jace slouched in his seat, "Nice, Izzy."

Alec looks at it, "And where'd you get that?"

"During my surveillance of the Downworlders." Isabelle held the tablet, "From what I hear, Magnus likes to party."

"He'll never go for it." Alec shook his head, "Not with Valentine trying to kill him."

"Of course he will." I disagreed, "He'll blend in- hide in plain sight."

Clary sighs, "I don't know, it's seems-"

"Trust me." Isabelle stops her, "If Magnus is coming out of hiding, he's going to one of the biggest parties of the year."

"Never underestimate Magnus' hedonism- or his greed." Hodge walked away from us and up into the training room, "Come with me."

We follow, as he grabbed a necklace out of a tile safe, standing straight, Isabelle staring at it in awe, "Is that real?"

"A four-karat, unheated Burmese ruby." Hodge held it up, "And this necklace has special meaning to Magnus Bane as it was a gift from him to his then lover, Camille Belcourt."

Clary almost laughs, "What, Camille and Magnus were lovers?"

Jace smirked, "Warlock gets around."

"Magnus bought it in 1857 for the price of his London townhouse." Hodge explained to us, "Now, the jewel is enchanted by a spell that alerts the wearer to the presence of demons."

Isabelle takes it from him, "It's so beautiful."

"Magnus has longed to reunite with this necklace." Hodge told us, "Offer it to him- he might just take the bait."

"I'll send Magnus a fire message to arrange the meeting." Jace nods, "We have to get to Magnus before Valentine does."

-

"You wanted to see me?" Clary walked into Isabelle's room where Isabelle and I stood in front of her closet, looking through dresses.

"That's right." Isabelle spun to face her, "What are you wearing to the Downworlder party tonight?"

"I don't know." Clary shrugged, her hands playing with the hem of her green t shirt, "I was just thinking about wearing this."

I looked back at her, "Shouldn't have said that-"

"I don't think so." Isabelle instantly said, "No Downworlder would be caught dead in that. Plus, it's a party, not a poetry slam."

"Well, I don't really have any party clothes with me, so-" Clary trails off.

"That's why you're gonna have to wear Isabelle's because I don't either." I pulled out a red dress and looked at Isabelle, holding it in front of my body, "What about this one?"

"Yes!" Isabelle then grabs black ankle strap heels and hands them to me, "Pair it with these."

Clary looks between us, "You realize, one of these days you're gonna have to tell me where and when."

Isabelle grabs a black dress from the closet, "Where and when what?"

"Where you get your spending money and when are you letting me go to a store?" Clary asked, as Isabelle handed the black dress to her, "Okay, that dress is way too tight."

"It's stretchy." Isabelle urges her and hands her another pair of heels, "Put it on- and try these."

"I don't know, I think I'm more of a jeans and T-shirt kinda girl." Clary went behind the folded wall, taking a few minutes as she changed into the dress and came out from behind the wall.

"You're so lucky to have such a flat chest." Isabelle sighed dramatically, "I can never wear that without a bra."

Clary shot her a look, "Really?"

"Really." Isabelle nodded and went behind the folded wall and changed into her outfit, revealing herself in a sliver sequin dress, paired with shining sliver boots and an accessory on her head, the necklace around her neck, now pushing me behind the fold, "Get dressed!"

"Okay- okay!" I obliged, and slipped off my clothes and slipping on the dress and heels.

I looked down at myself, eyeing what I had on.

The dress fit me like a glove. It was a red bustier dress, one with spaghetti straps and ended mid thigh. It exposed most of my cleavage, and considering this was Isabelle's dress, I wasn't surprised at all.

I stepped out from behind the fold as Isabelle was already pinning my hair up, protests leaving my lips immediately.

Clary looks at me, beginning conversation, "So- we're sisters, huh?"

"Yeah." I glanced at her, "We already knew that?"

"How did you know we were sisters and why didn't you tell me when we met?" Clary asked me.

"My mother and Jocelyn were close." I played with the rings on my finger that I had just put on, "Considering my mother was involved with our father before Jocelyn was. My mother knew all about your mom keeping you away from the Shadow World, and eventually, she let me in on everything when I got older."

"I know Luke too- he was there for me as a father most of the time since well- I don't exactly have the best father example." I trail off, looking at myself in the mirror, rubbing lip balm on my lips after applying mascara, "I just- didn't tell you because- I felt like it wasn't the right time then. You were too caught up in finding Jocelyn- Dot, and Simon- and unlocking the door in your head to your memories, I didn't really have the change to do so."

Clary inhales sharply, "You know, I've always wanted a sibling?"

"Well, now you've got one." Isabelle pats my back and replies for me, walking over to his bed.

I looked in the mirror, and at my hair. The way she did my hair was beautiful, simple and effortless but I never really wore my hair up. I just didn't have the heart to tell her that I didn't want it like this.

I got up and grabbed the seraph dagger, handing it to Clary as I attached the thigh sheathes to my legs, "You're gonna need a weapon- and that is it."

Clary held it as I explained, "It's a seraph dagger. It knows you- so, just trust yourself when you fight. Things could get complicated."

Isabelle walks out of the room, speaking before she leaves, "I'm gonna go see Alec, he never knows what to wear to these parties either-"

"Thanks." Clary held the dagger, "Is there any thigh sheathes for me?"

"There's an extra one in my room in my nightstand." I told her, as she simply nods and leaves the room.

I walked towards the mirror and eyed myself, inhaling sharply.

Then, Jace's voice makes me freeze, "Damn- someone's looking badass."

I place my hands on my hips and spun to face him, "You think red's my color?"

"Definitely." Jace's eyes raked up and down my body, clearing his throat, as he walked over to me, keeping his hands behind his back.

I playfully posed, "How do I look?"

"Great-" Jace eyed me, then his gaze stopped, "Actually- it needs something extra."

My eyebrows furrow in confusion, "Since when are you a fashion expert?"

Jace pulled out my kindjals from behind his back, giving me a small smile.

"Ah-" I took them, putting them in the thigh sheathes, "You're right."

"One last thing." Jace places his hands on my arms and turned me to face the mirror, the warmth of his hands sending shivers down my spine.

The warmth on Jace's hands disappeared as he reached up and pulled the pins from my hair, setting them down on the Isabelle's dresser, running his hands through my waves, fixing my hair, "Much better."

I purse my lips to hold back a smile and face him.

"Yeah, well, um I guess it's pointless for me to ask you to stay behind, while I go meet Magnus by myself." Jace trails off, looking down at me.

I stared up at him and sigh, "Jace."

"Magnus is being hunted." Jace reasoned, "Things could get sticky."

"Wherever you go, I go." I place a hand on his shoulder, "That's just how it is, Jace."

-

"Blend in." Jace directed as we walked through the rave, "Keep your weapons ready."

I walked over to Magnus with Jace and Clary, "Magnus."

Magnus' eyes fell on Clary, "Clary Fairchild. You've grown into a beautiful young woman."

"Magnus Bane." Clary confronts, "So- you're the one who stole my memories."

"At your mother's request." Magnus points out, "She knew the risk."

Magnus looks at Jace, "Show me the jewelry, Shadowhunter."

Jace held it up as I stopped Magnus from grabbing it, "Give Clary back her memories, and you get the jewelry- that's the deal."

"I have to confirm it's authenticity." Magnus reasoned, as Jace huffed and handed it to him, "Amor verus numquam moritur."

"True love cannot die." Magnus sighed deeply, "Oh, how I've missed this jewel."

Jace crosses his arms, "Now, it's your turn to pay up."

Magnus exhales, "I wish I could retrieve your memories, but I no longer have them."

"What?" Clary asked, "Where are they?"

"I fed them to a memory demon for safekeeping." Magnus confesses, Clary's expression dropping.

"What?" I scoff, "And why the hell would you do that?"

"To protect Clary and the Cup." Magnus said, "If Valentine ever captured me, he could torture Clary's memories out of me. Just like he tortured Dot."

"Tortured?" Clary repeats, "Wait, is Dot okay?"

"You don't know?" Magnus' eyes scan her face, "Dot is dead."

"What?" Clary's expression dropped further, "How do you know?"

"I can't feel her magic anymore." Magnus told her, "Valentine killed her because she would not betray your mother."

Clary gasped, "Oh, my God."

"Come with me, Clary." Magnus offered, "My lair can offer you protection no Shadowhunter ever could."

"No!" Clary shook her head, "No, I'm not going anywhere with you."

"Don't be a fool." Magnus scoffed, "Your mother would want you to live."

"Then help me get my memories back from whatever demon you gave them to." Clary argued, "Valentine is hunting you, too."

"And every moment we're outside my lair's protection, is a moment Valentine gets closer to finding us." Magnus opened a portal, "Come with me. I won't offer again."

"No." Clary denied again, "No, I won't hide from my problems and neither should you."

"Look out!" Isabelle's voice came from behind, as an arrow flew by us and landed in the Circle member that was approaching Magnus.

Alec walks over and grabs the seraph blade he had.

Magnus instantly notices him, "Who are you?"

"Magnus, wait!" Clary stops him when he took a step towards the portal, "You're my only hope."

"Valentine found us." Magnus said, "I warned your mother this might happen."

"Wait!" Clary reaches for him, but grabbed his button, pulling it off when he entered the portal and it disappears.

Isabelle walks over to us, "The area's secure- looks like he was the only assassin."

"He has a Circle rune on the base of his neck." Alec observed, then got up.

"They found us." Jace backed up, "It's not safe here."

I nodded, "Clary, we have to go."

When Clary doesn't move, I grab her arm and jerk her towards us, "Let's go-"

We all went out the back door, as Clary leaned on Isabelle for support, slowly stopping, making Isabelle sigh, "Zee."

I stopped, "Clary, we have to move-"

"I'm catching my breath." Clary snipped, upset over Dot being gone.

"You know what? This is great." Alec huffed deeply, deciding to vent now out of all times, "And not only did Magnus not get the girl her memories back, he took the necklace. This is fantastic-"

"Alec- really, right now?" I walked over to him and stared up at his tall figure, "Can you keep your voice down?"

"Why?" Alec shot back at me, "What, are you afraid I'm gonna upset her?"

I sigh deeply, "Alec, that's not-"

"We have risked our lives again and again for this girl, and where has it gotten us?" Alec questioned, "All right? Nowhere. We're no closer to getting the Mortal Cup- and we've lost the Institute's necklace."

"Hey, I am right here." Clary stood up for herself, "I don't care about your damn jewelry."

"I'm sorry you're gonna look bad in front of your bosses, okay?" Clary bursted, "But my mother is still missing and my last chance at finding her just disappeared into thin air."

"Why is everyone suddenly in a bad mood?" I looked at her, "Clary, it's gonna be fine- just calm down."

"No, it's not!" Clary cried out, "People are dying because of me. And Magnus? Magnus will never come out of hiding again while Valentine is still after him."

"We're never gonna find him." Clary threw the button, "And I will- I will never get my memories back!"

"By the Angel." I caught the button, "You give up way too easy."

I walked away from them and activated my tracking rune, holding the button tightly.

Clary speaks, "What is she doing?"

"She's tracking Magnus." Jace told her, "Be quiet and keep your distance."

"The button belonged to Magnus." Isabelle continued for him, "Zee can pinpoint the location using that."

"Izzy." I spun and faced them, "The signal's not strong enough- Magnus must be blocking the track. Come on-"

Isabelle walks over to me and holds my hand, as we held the button, beginning to track Magnus.

Clary speaks again, "What're they doing?

"Parabatai tracking." Alec inhales sharply, "When parabatais track, their power grows stronger. Zee and Izzy are gonna track Magnus together."

I pulled away from Isabelle, "Got him."

-

"Magnus' lair is right behind that fence." I told them as we all held our blades tightly.

Clary looked around, "Magnus lives in a warehouse?"

"Not exactly." Jace shook his head, "Warlock glamour."

"Something's wrong." Isabelle mentions, "It's far too easy to get this close."

I inhale sharply, "His protective wards must be down."

"You." Alec looked at Clary, "Don't get in the way."

Then, a man fell from the other platform, killed by a Circle member.

"Oh, God!" Clary called out, as we all ran towards it, "Valentine found Magnus!"

A girl ran over to the dead man, "Daddy!"

"Daddy?" She fell to her knees, "Daddy, get up, please!"

When the Circle member inches closer to her, ensuring her joining her father, I ran and kicked him back, "Stay back!"

"Zee Young." The Circle member eyed me, "Valentine will be so pleased to meet you."

"He won't get the chance." I grunt, piercing my blades into him, killing him instantly.

I put my kindjals away and looked towards the girl that hid behind me, "Hey- it's okay-"

"You're safe now." I assured her, as she hugged my leg.

-

"Magnus." I called out, walking with the girl who's name I learned was Zoe.

"Go join the others, my dear." Magnus told her, "This is no place for a little girl."

Zoe nodded and ran off.

"I heard what you did for Zoe." Magnus mentioned, eyeing me, "You risked your life without hesitation to save a young warlock child."

"It was based on impulse." I cross my arms, "Either way, I had no choice."

"You always have a choice." Magnus told me, "You're not like the others, Zee Young."

I stare at him, "How so?"

"Most Shadowhunters protect Downworlders out of sense of duty, but you saved young Zoe because of what was inside your heart." Magnus admires, "You're more like your mother than you will ever know."

"Magnus." I inhale sharply, "Look, Valentine, he found you once, he will find you again."

"We need to work together, okay?" I persuade, "Help Clary get her memories back."

"I can summon the demon, but she must make the demand." Magnus gave in, "Now, I warn you retrieving her memories will not be easy."

"She will do what she has to do." I assured him.

"All right." Magnus nodded, "But- we're not safe here."

"The lair's location has been compromised." He said, "Hold tight, everyone, we're about to move."

-

"Ugh, it's inevitable." Magnus sighs dramatically, "After each move, I get the itch to redecorate."

Magnus eyes fell onto Alec, quickly correcting himself, "Normally, I love a dirty lair, but this is one is just sloppy."

Alec shot him a suspicious look, before walking over to me and standing next to me.

"I believe in payment for services rendered." Magnus held up the necklace and walked over to Isabelle, "Thank you for defending the warlocks."

Isabelle stares at it, "I couldn't."

"Oh, but you could- and you should." Magnus clipped the necklace around her neck, "The Lightwoods have been wearing this for years, and besides, this would look silly on your brother."

"Okay, so how do we summon the memory demon?" Clary asked, standing up straight.

"Are you certain?" Magnus questioned, "Summoning such a powerful demon could be lethal."

"I'll do anything to save my mother." Clary said, "Where is the demon?"

"Okay." Magnus nods, "Pretty boy, get your team ready."

Jace starts to walk, "I know what to do."

"I'm not talking to you." Magnus stops him, then points to Alec, "I'm talking to you."

Alec looked confused, as Magnus lead Clary into another room.

Minutes later, I was called in and I drew a rune on her shoulder, one that caused her a lot of pain, and soon we were all in the room, staring at the pentagram Clary had drawn on the ground.

Magnus looked at the pentagram, "Jocelyn was right, your artistry is beyond compare."

"I don't know about that." Clary chuckles nervously and got up, dusting her hands off.

Magnus glances at Alec to make sure he was listening, "Oh, the only other person I've known who could draw as well was Michelangelo, who was excellent in bed, I might add."

I looked between them and couldn't help the smile on my face.

"Okay, we're ready." Magnus rolled up his sleeves, "Everyone take your rightful place on the pentagram."

I stepped back and watched everyone take their spots, standing back just in case anything went wrong.

"We must initiate a bond." Magnus instructed, "Once this bond is sealed, it cannot be broken until the demon retreats. No matter what happens, we must not let go of each other's hands."

As everyone stiffened when they grabbed each other's hands, Isabelle simply grabbed both hands, "You people are pathetic."

"I will lead the ceremony, and you all must do exactly as I say." Magnus said, "The demon's name is Valak. And at some point, he will ask for payment in exchange for Clary's memories."

"What do you mean?" I asked, crossing my arms, "What kind of payment?"

"We will see." Magnus told us, "Let us begin."

Magnus said out the smell, then Isabelle's necklace starts to glow, "The necklace- It's pulsing."

When a black fog comes between them, Magnus speaks, "Valak is among us- do not break the bond."

"It is time, the demon demands payment." Magnus told them, as I watched in astonishment.

"What does it want?" Alec asked, his voice loud over the wind.

"We must each relinquish a beloved memory of the one we love the most." Magnus informed them, and slowly it happened.

Isabelle's memory was of Alec, as it faded into the black fog.

Clary's memory was Jocelyn, one that was obvious to all of us.

Alec's made my heart stop.

When Alec's memory was pulled and revealed in the black fog, a memory of me smiling up at him in his point of view, his arm around me.

My voice came out as a whisper, "Oh my God."

"No, it's not true!" Alec's eyes widen, "The demon deceived me!"

Magnus shouts, "Do not break the bond!"

"Alec, it's okay!" Isabelle called out.

"No!" Alec teared away from everyone, the demon knocking them all of their feet.

Magnus strained while he used his magic, "I cannot contain the demon much longer!"

Alec made a run for the demon, but Jace pushed him out the way and got pulled in himself, "No!"

"Jace!" I ran and grabbed his arm.

"Grab him!" Isabelle called out and grabbed his other arm, Alec pulling with us.

Magnus grunts, "The demon is growing stronger!"

"He's slipping!" Alec shouts, pulling harder.

"Clary!" Isabelle calls out, "Help us!0

"Clary, if you kill the demon, your memories will be lost forever!" Magnus said to her when she pulled her seraph dagger out.

Clary didn't hesitate and wasted no time, killing the demon, as Jace fell onto the ground, unconscious.

"Jace!" I fell onto my knees and shook him, "Jace-"

Clary looked at Magnus, "Is he gonna be all right?"

"I don't know." Magnus shrugs, "Does he normally just lay like that without moving?"

Alec walked away from us and stood in the hall, his stare on us as I shook Jace, "Jace, get up!"

Jace jolts up, holding his side, breathing heavily, "I'm all right- I'm all right. I'm just getting my second wind."

My eyes fell onto Alec, as I slowly got up.

I felt drawn to him, wanting to talk to him.

This caught me completely off guard.

I never knew he felt that way.

I walked out into the hall, and staring at him, his eyes connecting with mine as I came closer.

"Alec." My voice came out as a whisper, my eyes holding a small red tint, tears of shock in my eyes, "I'm the one you love the most?"

Alec breathes heavily, spinning around and walking away from me, leaving me confused and speechless.

authors note:

and there you have it

idk which ship sailed yet

also, talked about this in every chapter I published, MY NEW LAYOUT IS STUNNIN'

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