A/N: So, I totally forgot that I had a picture or something for the cover all the time and didn't put them for the last few chapters. But I noticed it now. So I fixed it, lmao. Anyways, you wanted a new chapter, here it is. Enjoy! xx

Alec was tapping on the steering wheel as he followed the people on the streets with is eyes. 'The Lair', the place Jonathan supposedly visited frequently, was not much of a club. It looked more like a brothel or a drug den, just like Jace had said. They had parked a little ways down the street, so they could still make out the entrance and the people going in and out, but not so close that it would be suspicious. The streets were flooded with rainwater, it had been pouring for about an hour now. The building, attached to others of the liking, looked old. It appeared to have two stories, but their intel told them that there was a basement level. The brick walls were crumbling and covered in graffiti. One of the second floor windows was barred up with wooden blanks. 

Just outside, there was a bulky man standing, smoking and appeared to be on the phone. Another was standing next to the door. While the man on the phone was already soaked (how did his cigarette stay alight?), the other one just narrowly escaped the drops coming down from the sky. Alec reached for his binoculars again and pointed that at the man at the door. He was standing like a bouncer, hands behind his back and he wore all black, though his trench coat had seen better days for sure. The buzz cut made his face look rectangular, somehow, and Alec could even make out the dark blue colour of his eyes - Simon's gadgets were really something. The man seemed irritated and his gaze was fixed on the other, bulkier one, who was waving his hands around, clearly raising his voice at whoever he was talking to. Alec wished he could hear what was being said.

"Want one?" Isabelle asked, bringing him out of his reverie. He turned his head towards his sister, eyeing the box of doughnuts. "No, thanks." he shook his head, moving back to what he was doing earlier. He heard a scoff and lowered the binoculars with a tired expression. "What?" he asked, glaring at Isabelle. She shrugged and put the box in between them, her legs in high-heeled boots over the dashboard and her ankles crossed. Her black jeans reached only her ankles and Alec could see the bracelet around her left one - the one he had given her for her 18th birthday. It was elegant and from silver, with a little arrow charm dangling from it. That was the year where Alec had almost gotten killed on one of their missions (a murderous big corporate owner, some pyschopathic gang members and an assassin were involved, Alec never went back to Puerto Rico after that) and Isabelle had completely flipped out, acting like the world was ending and didn't let his brother leave the bed for almost two weeks, and fussed over him even when his stab wounds and broken bones were healed. 

"So I'll always be with you. And this is your lucky charm, okay? So I'll know, that you're always going to be alright. And should anything happen, you have something to remember me by." Alec had told her. Isabelle had cried for the second time in the span of two months that day (The first being when she learned that her brother was in the infirmary, fighting for his life) and hugged him. "Don't say such things. You're always going to be here to take care of me, big brother." Isabelle had said to him. She had worn it ever since. The arrow was supposed to symbolize the way Alec could handle a bow - he had been trained in archery since he was 10. Isabelle always teased him because of it, in a friendly manner, so Alec thought it'd be funny to make her wear it. In the end, she only took it off when she went to the shower.

Isabelle twirled one long lock of hair around her index finger and her red lips curved into a dismissive, straight line. Her dark green bodysuit had a transparent, kind of net-like, area close to the neck and the sleeves were of the same thin material. Alec could see the little bird tattoo near her collarbone through the fabric and smiled. She wanted to get a tattoo when she turned 16, but obviously, their parents wouldn't allow it. So Alec had secretly taken her - he knew Isabelle would go anyways, and she looked 18 with her short red dress and high heels, the make up a bold red and gold, her eyeliner making her eyes look bigger. So, there were two reasons Alec took her - one, he didn't want Isabelle to get kidnapped in the middle of the dark streets of New York, and the way she had been planning to go outside, she would be, and two, he didn't want Isabelle to ink something that she'd regret. Like the words 'no ragrets' or something. 

Isabelle had been pondering between the small tattoo of a bird and small clouds and a lily. "The bird. It's just like you, careless and free." Alec had teased her and she had smacked his arm, reminding Alec that maybe she wouldn't have been kidnapped, after all - Isabelle could really throw a punch, even back then. Isabelle had looked through the designs, until it was her turn, and she had found another tattoo, that she liked. "Look! This would be so great on you!" she had shoved the picture into Alec's face. The black line was thick and elegant and looped in the center. "What is that supposed to be?" Alec had asked, unimpressed. Isabelle explained to her that it was a rune. Something signalling a promise. "What promise?" Alec had asked her and Isabelle had smiled. "It can be anything you want. But if you get this, it can be a promise to me, that you'll always come back, no matter what." his little sister had said in all seriousness and Alec had smiled and hugged her, of course deciding on getting it. When they lay on the chairs, the smiled at each other and Isabelle said "I saw one signalling strength. Maybe I should get that one next time." she had mused. Alec had given her a look of disbelief which made Isabelle shy away from his eyes. She had stared up at the ceiling. "I feel weak sometimes, against our parents, against the fact that I can't help you-" she had said and Alec's hand found hers over the space between them. "I wish I was half as strong as you on your weakest day, Isabelle." he had said to her.

After that, they both gradually got a bunch more tattoos. Alec had more than Isabelle by the time they reached their twenties, but Isabelle's bird tattoo was the one she was most proud of. The strength rune was on her inner right arm, while Alec's deflect rune was on his neck. He also had an arrow and a bow in his left bicep and a series of moon tattoos on the back of his shoulder, a full moon shrinking into a half-moon.

"I just think," she was saying now, eyeing him with her dark brown eyes ", that you haven't eaten properly ever since the little 'incident'." she finished, now an amusing smiled on her lips, even though Alec knew she was scolding him for not eating properly. "There has been no incident." Alec avoided her, pulling his leather jacket closer. The weather was getting chilly. It was almost 4, but the rain clouds made it look like it was past 9. He heard Isabelle scoff. "Alec, I know for a fact you have no one else to talk to about this. And you're supposed to tell me everything, remember? Do you feel like you can't talk to me?" Isabelle asked and Alec quickly looked back at her. Her hands were now in her lap and she had stopped playing with her hair, the look in her eyes full of sorrow. "No, that's not it, Iz. You know I always talk to you." he said, trying to make his sister smile again. "Yeah, well, then why are you not talking to me about Magnus? I know you...care about him. But after your little kiss," she emphasized and Alec cringed (he knew Izzy had seen them but it was still weird) ", you both have been acting so strange. Why?" she wanted to know.

Alec let his hand go through his messy hair, thinking about the man in question. He hoped to god that Magnus was alright and unharmed. "Isabelle, he's a conman and he was our bounty." Alec said, his voice clear and determined, like it was the end of discussion. Of course, someone like Isabelle Lightwood, wouldn't give up that easily, and Alec should've anticipated this. Maybe he should've come to this stake out with Jace. "Emphasis on the word 'was'. We pardoned him, right? Well, on account that this plan will work, and it will. So what if he is a conman? You said it yourself, he's a good man. Why are you two acting like there isn't something there, when there clearly is?" Isabelle raised one of her perfectly arched eyebrows and Alec groaned. He did not want to be questioned by his sister. 

"Iz, it's just too complicated. And once this is done, he'll be gone. He won't stay, just because I may have-" Alec started, but halted. Isabelle gave him a smile. "Feelings for him?" she asked and Alec rolled his eyes. He knew he had started to grow feeling for Magnus, but to say them out loud would make matters so much worse. He shouldn't have kissed him. Then again, he was scared that maybe he won't see the man again, so there's that. "Izzy, I would never ask him to change, just because I might want to...just so we could try and be together. It doesn't work that way. And besides, I bet he's thinking the same thing. We tried to hunt him down like, yesterday, and I'm pretty sure that counts as violating one's trust." Alec told his sister, going back to look through the binoculars. Isabelle shifted, so her legs were even more stretched out. "But we didn't take him in. We are working as a team. And you don't know what he's thinking. Maybe this is just a s confusing for him as it is for you and you should talk about it. Just a wild thought." she said, reaching for a chocolate glazed cream doughnut. 

Alec didn't say anything back, rolling his eyes again, but his mind was buzzing. Maybe Isabelle was right, and he should talk to the man? Then again, it would be kind of awkward. 'Hey, we kissed, and now it's weird. What now?'. He cursed himself for a thousandth time, but still, he couldn't bring himself to feel bad about it. It felt good, to kiss him. Being around Magnus was always exciting for him, and he trusted the man, even though he had no reason to. He could betray them at any moment, yet Alec believed that he wouldn't. He hoped that his trust wasn't misplaced, or worse, guided buy his own blinded sight. Just because he fancied him, didn't mean he should trust the conman. But Alec felt like that wasn't the case - he trusted Magnus not because he cared for him, but because he had proved to be trustworthy. There was just something about him, that allowed Alec to completely have faith that Magnus wouldn't let them down.

"God, I'm so fucking bored. I mean, we've been here for hours." Isabelle now complained, examining her nail and chewing gum. Just as she blew a bubble, a car pulled up to the 'club' and Alec leaned over the wheel to get a better look. "It's him." he said, recognizing the set of red hair even through the ghastly weather. He could hear Isabelle snapping photos and he followed Jonathan with his binoculars. The redhead greeted the man, who had been on the phone, with a cold nod and the other one opened the door for them. All the men stepped inside. "Damn it. What do you think he's doing in there?" Isabelle asked, setting down the camera. He turned to smile at his sister. "Only one way to find out. Come on." he said and Isabelle immediately lightened up, grabbing her beige leather jacket from the back. She tied her hair into a ponytail, while Alec made sure he had his handgun and his knife with him. Isabelle nodded, once she had secured her hair as well as her weapon and they climbed out of the car, sneaking up the street.

The rain was to their advantage now, as the bouncer-looking dude was back at the door. They stayed close to the brick wall and Alec's hair were plastered on his forehead now, and he brushed them to the side. He leaned over, staring at the door and then took a few steps forward. Luckily there was a small spacing between the club and the building next to it, blocked by a simple wooden fence. Even with his height, he couldn't see over it, so he jumped, latching his hands on the edge and pushed himself up so he could peer over. Alec could make out a back door on the far corner of what looked like a very narrow and small, dead-end alleyway. He let himself fall back to the ground and nodded towards Isabelle and leaned down, to give her a boost. She stepped onto his palms, careful not to hurt him with her heels and Alec hoisted her up. Isabelle grabbed onto the edge and, with ease, pulled herself up, swinging a leg over and the the other. He heard a small 'thud' as Isabelle landed.

He jumped, hoisting himself up, too and landed on the other side gracefully. Isabelle nodded towards the door and took out her gun, holding it down to her side. Alec followed her movements and let her take point. Isabelle usually never got to do that, but this seemed harmless enough. Still, just in case, Alec kept very close to her, smelling her flowery perfume even through the rain. His jacket was now dripping and his grey jeans were soaked, but thankfully he had his combat boots on. Isabelle tried the door and it opened. Carefully, she peered in.

She looked back at Alec, motioning him to come closer. Isabelle opened the door wider and slipped in, Alec following suit. They were in a dimly lit, narrow corridor with beige walls and there was a distinct smell of pot and alcohol, accompanied by something else. Something much stronger and chemical. "Meth" Isabelle mouthed and Alec nodded, crouching down and taking lead. He didn't like this at all. There was a a left turn in front of them and as Alec peered around, he saw some people standing in the corridor, that had white doors on both sides of the walls. Pulling back, he leaned closer to Isabelle. "Those ladies definitely work here." he said with a strained whisper and Isabelle leaned over him to sneak a peek. When she pulled back, her face was scrunched up. "Yep. But the men don't seem like people who'd know how to cook meth. More like bodyguards or something." she whispered back, moving to lean on the wall. 

Alec peered over the corner again, noticing them all move to a room. Then they heard someone scream and a crashing sound was heard. Isabelle's eyes widened in question but Alec put a finger to his lips, motioning for her to keep silent. He waved his hand and they moved forward, quickly passing the door where there could be heard giggling and a rumbling male voice saying something. "Where do you think he is?" Isabelle whispered, but Alec held up his finger. They could hear the faint thumping of the bass and Isabelle nodded. So, the club was apparently open, but it wasn't just any club. Alec peeked through a door into a room that had no light on and saw confirmation - scattered clothes, heels, various feather boas and net stockings, some syringes and two stripes of white powder on the table told him, that they were at a strip club. 

"How come we didn't know that this was a strip joint?" Isabelle asked quietly, moving into the room to inspect it. "Probably because it's secret and some other shady shit is happening here." Alec said, gesturing to the other door opposite to them. He put his ear against the door and could her the sound of machines and people chatting. Someone's muffled voice was talking and Alec could make out '10 000.' He turned to Isabelle and thought for a moment. "It seems like a drug den, disguised as a brothel. But I'm pretty sure they're counting money in there." Alec gestured towards the other door. Isabelle had the look of recognition on the face then. "Money laundering?" she asked and Alec nodded. "Most likely. But we need to find out what's Jonathan's role in this." he whispered and moved forward. 

Before they could take more than two steps, they heard a loud voice and the sound of footsteps coming from the stairs before them. Alec felt Isabelle pull him from the sleeve forcefully and suddenly, they were both in the room with scattered clothing, with Isabelle closing the door, so they were left with a very small gap. Alec's eyes widened a little bit. "What if they come in here?" Alec whispered and Isabelle shrugged, holding up his gun. "Then we take our leave." she said and Alec shook his head. He leaned against the wall, listening while Isabelle peered out the small crack. The little light that poured from the dimly lit corridor to the room shone onto the floor and Alec's eyes caught the glint of something. 

"I want this done today! My father is not a very patient man, Avery." they heard someone, most definitely Jonathan, say. "I heard your father has lost his patience with you, too." came another male voice and the a shuffling could be heard. A grunt and a scream followed and Alec stared at Isabelle, who had her eyebrows raised. There was a choking sound. "Don't you ever disrespect me again, Avery, or you're going to lose some of those precious limbs." Jonathan snarled and Alec could hear his cold voice. There was a thud, presumably Avery being let go, but Alec couldn't see a thing besides his sister. "Get it done. You understand me?" Jonathan said then with a stern and threatening voice. "Yes, sir." came a strangled voice and then there was more shuffling. "The money goes to the first location. The drugs go with Raphael, he'll be by in 5 hours." they could hear Jonathan speak and then the man, Avery, said something else, but too low to hear. Then there were retreating footsteps and a woman sighed. "Honestly, what a useless piece of shit. I heard we've got a new informant? He any use so far?" the woman's voice asked and Alec move closer to the door to hear better. "He's a conman. A fucking know it all, and he's the one who outed me to father. Fucking-" they heard a thud and a grunt. "Baby, calm down. Besides, I wouldn't want you to hurt yourself." the woman now said, her voice flirty and silky.

"Valentine only let me stay because I'm his son and I know too much. I just wanted to meet her - I wanted to see what she was like." Jonathan was saying and the anger was gone from his voice. Alec exchanged a confused and slightly disgusted look with Isabelle - Jonathan's voice seemed almost longing and lustful. "She's on their side. So it doesn't matter. Forget about her." the woman said, clearly agitated. "She's my sister. I can't. And I'll make sure that fucking asshole pays for what he did. Informant my ass... There's something off about him." Jonathan was now saying and Alec saw the worried face of Isabelle. There were footsteps retreating now and Isabelle peeked more into the corridor. "Come on, we have to go." she said in a whisper, but Alec remembered something. "Wait." he said. He moved further into the room, towards the glinting object on the floor. He didn't know why, but somehow it seemed important. It was a rough silver ring, kind of like the Lightwood family ring that his father wore, but it had a green plating with a weird symbol carved onto it. It felt oddly familiar.

"Alec!" Isabelle hissed and he pocketed the ring, getting up and towards the door. They made their way back outside, seeing no other soul on their path. Outside though, they weren't that lucky.

Isabelle opened the door and just as she stepped outside, she turned to the right, as if seeing something. When Alec got outside, he saw Isabelle being knocked over by a tall bald guy. She tripped on her heels and fell to the ground, but she was still conscious. Alec ran over to the guy and quickly advanced him, avoiding his fist and punched him right in the face. There was another shout and the bouncer from earlier ran toward them. Isabelle was on her feet and Alec turned away - he knew Isabelle could handle it. "Who the fuck are you?" the guy opposite to him asked and Alec just stepped forward, grabbing his arm that he had swung at him, and turned his back to him, knocking his elbow into the man's face. The man grunted and got a hold on Alec's hands, twisting them so he could hear a painful crack. The guy was way bigger than him, but that didn't matter. He twisted free, knocking his head back and making contact with the other man's head. He grabbed his arm and by sheer force, pulled his over and knocked him onto the ground on his back. Kneeling down he punched him in the face once, and the man fell unconscious.

Alec turned just in time to see Isabelle sweep the legs of the bouncer from under him and she did the same as Alec - hit him square in the face, knocking him out. He moved to her sister. "Let's go." he said, stepping towards the fence. He motioned for Isabelle to go first, which she did, stepping on the bin next to the fence and climbed over. When they got back to the car, Alec started the engine, hoping they'd get out before spotted. When they were back on the main road, he threw Isabelle a glance. She was dabbing her lip with a napkin. "You alright?" he asked, concern evident in his voice. Isabelle scoffed. "Son of a bitch came out of nowhere. I'm good, just split lip. You?" she asked and Alec realized his shoulder hurt badly. "I think I dislocated a shoulder." he said casually, wincing when he turned the wheel.

"You dislocated- Alec, pull over and let me drive!" she shouted, her face full of disbelief. "I'm fine Izzy. We're not far from the Institute, anyways." he said and Isabelle opened her mouth to protest, but Alec quickly continued. "Look into my right side pocket. There's a ring there." he said and Isabelle did what she was told. She examined it. "A ring? Really, Alec? This is what you went after? I could've gotten you a much better looking one, you only had to ask." she said, unamused, but Alec shook his head. "I've seen it before." he said, now very sure of it. "What? What do you mean? Where?" Isabelle asked, incredulous.

"On Magnus's finger." Alec responded, making a right turn, arriving at the head quarters.

A/N: Heyyy, guys! On popular demand (lmao, two people), I updated. Hehee. Seriously, though, thanks for reading this. All your comments are very, very welcome, so I know if I need to change anything or does it all make sense and so on. Also, I have been writing this for a while now, so if there are some confusing details, then please tell me, because I might not remember what I wrote in the beginning of this story. Moral of this is, do not leave a book hanging for too long, or else you won't remember your own story. Lmao, okay biii xx