"Look, you're holding the knife the wrong way," Alexander Lightwood said and positioned the blade properly in Simon Lewis's hand for the seventeenth time. Simon sighed. He had imagined Shadowhunter training as hard, but not this difficult. "Okay, now follow my lead."

Alec picked up a blade. "Inhale," Alec drew a breath. "Exhale," he breathed out steadily. "Fire."

He leaned forward slightly and the knife left his hand before Simon could even see it fly. The blade didn't quite hit the centre, but it wasn't far off. "Now, you go."

Simon nodded. This time he was going to get it right. He was actually going to hit the board. (And not; a) nick his ear when he tossed it. b) accidentally almost stab Alec, or c) throw the blade less than four metres.) He was ready. He set his feet.

Inhale, he heard Alec's voice inside his head, Exhale, he drew back his arm like he was holding a bow and was ready to release the arrow, Fire.

He tossed the blade.

It flashed through the air like a lightning bolt, quick and silver, sailing to the board. For a second Simon felt pride swell inside him. It was going to-

The blade smashed into the wall, four metres away from the target, and clattered to the floor in a metallic rattle and Alec put his head in his hands, laughing sadly and shaking his head.

+++

Clary sat with Isabelle in the cool night air of November. The milky moonlight made Isabelle's features sharper and darker as she sat in silence staring at the oblivious mundanes passing by. They were glamoured and sitting on a wall near Clary's home.

"How does the name thing work?" Clary asked suddenly. Her voice was loud in the dead of the night.

"What name thing?" Isabelle sounded tired. She stroked her whip bracelet slowly as she spoke.

"You know, when Simon has to choose his Shadowhunter name. How does it work?"

Isabelle's hand dropped from her wrist. "Usually, the Clave gives the Ascender a list of old Shadowhunter names that have died out. If Jace hasn't chosen to keep the Herondale name, it would be on the list."

Clary snorted. "Simon Herondale."

Isabelle cracked a half grin. "Maybe Simon's lucky."

"Do you like Simon?" Clary asked suddenly. She felt her cheeks darken slightly. She hated asking personal questions.

"What do you mean?" She quirked up a perfect eyebrow and crossed her arms across her chest. The black runes that twined around her body shone darkly on her skin. "Of course I like Simon."

"I mean," Clary took a breath, "Do you like him? Are you really serious?"

Finally, Isabelle's black eyes looked at Clary. She was silent for a long time. Clary could hear brakes squealing, bells ringing and voices chattering in the distance. The stars glimmered dully over the skyline. "Yes," Izzy said very quietly. Clary barely heard her. "I am serious. I do love him."

Clary reached out and touched her hand. It was scarred and a little bit calloused but otherwise, it was soft and firm. "Good," she said. She hesitated. "I think I'm going to ask him."

"When?" Isabelle's eyes searched Clary's.

Clary only smiled. "I think now is a great time."

+++

Alec walked Simon back to his bedroom in silence. It was dark outside and Isabelle and Clary hadn't returned to the Institute yet. Simon was starting to worry.

"Don't worry," Alec said, breaking the quiet calm. "Isabelle and Clary are trained Shadowhunters. Well, Isabelle is anyway. They'll be fine."

Simon nodded, not because he agreed, but because he hoped it was true. They reached Simon's door. He twisted the handle and the door swung open. "How do you think I'm doing?"

Alec looked at him levelly. "Okay," he said, "I'll meet you in the training room at ten tomorrow."

"It's a date," Simon grinned.

Alec flushed. "I don't like you that way."

Simon raised an eyebrow. "Well, I knew that. Now, I'm not so sure I do. Alexander Lightwood, you've took time to make your move."

"I'm with Magnus," he snapped. "It's not as if I like every man I see. I mean, do you just look at every girl on the street and fall in love with them?"

"Maybe," Simon said. Alec rolled his blue eyes.

"Look, goodnight," Alec pushed him into his room and shut the door. Simon stood behind the closed door and Simon couldn't help but laugh at the look on Alec's face. His phone bleeped. He threw himself down on the bed and took out his phone. He read his messages.

Meet us at Taki's? Clary x

In less than a moment, Simon had his coat on and his shoes. He ran a comb through his hair. Then, he dashed out the door and down the corridor.

When he passed Alec's room, he heard some voices. He heard his name and then he pressed his ear against the door.

"I'll train the mundie," the voice sounded like Jace, "I don't mind."

"You're only doing that for Clary," Alec said. "No, you're already training one. You don't need two initiates."

"Actually," Simon struggled to place who it was. "I believe it would work out better. While we are in Idris, Jace can train Simon and Clary at the same time. They'll probably work better together."

Simon knew who it was. It was Magnus. Simon glanced at the wall and saw a spider and gasped a bit too loudly. The room fell silent. "Did you hear that?" Alec whispered.

Simon dashed down the hall when he heard footsteps coming towards the bedroom door. Simon hurried to the elevator and ran out the Institute doors, skidding down the icy street and all the way to Taki's. Isabelle and Clary were visible from the front window and they were talking and sipping coffee from green mugs that matched Clary's eyes. Simon pushed the shop door open and heard the harsh jingle of the bells overhead. Isabelle caught his eye and pointed for Clary to see. Clary turned. She had a spoon in her hand and her mouth looked like it was full of the carrot cake she was eating. Simon smiled at her and the two girls smiled back. He pulled a chair from a neighbouring table and sat down with them. Kaelie, the faerie waitress, came over.

"I don't think mundanes can eat here," she said with a frown. Her lips, normally green, were painted shiny dark purple.

"Actually, Kaelie," Isabelle lingered on her name mockingly, "He is an Ascender, and he's with us. So he's as welcome here as any of the Nephilim."

She nodded, her lips pinched together and her eyes scanning their plates and mugs. "Do you want more coffee?"

"Yes," Clary said, not taking her eyes off Simon. Kaelie went over to the counter to fetch it.

"So, what do you guys recommend?" Simon asked, pointing at the menu. Six months ago he would have ordered blood coffee and blood milkshakes and blood cakes, but the thought of blood now repulsed him. "Also," he added, "I'm a vegetarian."

"Aw, damn, I was going to suggest the equine blood and banana smoothie. You used to love them," Isabelle grinned.

"Used to," Simon felt sick. All this talk about blood made his stomach churn.

"Order a coffee and some cake, like me!" Clary tapped the carrot cake with the flat of her spoon. "It's amazing."

Simon nodded. Kaelie returned and poured Clary's coffee tiredly. "Do you want coffee?" she asked Simon.

He nodded and she pulled out another green mug and poured him some black coffee. "I'd like some carrot cake, too."

Without a word, Kaelie walked away, head down. Simon saw the lonely moon since in through the windows. The time must have been past eleven.

"So," Simon said, "Why'd you text me to come here?"

"Don't know," Clary grinned, "Izzy wasn't amazing company-"

Isabelle smacked Clary playfully on the arm with a look of half annoyance and half humour. Typical Isabelle look. "She has to ask you something," said Isabelle, prompting Clary onwards. Simon saw Clary take a deep, long breath.

"Simon Lewis," she said with a shaky smile, "Will you do me the honour of-"

"Holy shit, Clary!" Simon's eyes widened, "I'm sorry, but I'm not going to marry you."

Clary flushed. "Let me finish." She looked frustrated and anxious. "Will you be my parabatai? You know, after you Ascend and everything."

Simon felt the weight of the words sink in. "I might not even reach the Ascension."

"Simon," Izzy rolled her eyes. "Just answer the question."

"Oh, she knows the answer," he said. "Of course I'd love to be your parabatai. It's all I could have ever dreamed of. Yes, Clary."

Relieved, she reached across the table and locked her fingers in his. "Let's hope you Ascend, then."

+++

Maryse gnawed her fingers by the telephone. Robert still hadn't called about their divorce, and the more the minutes ticked on, the harder her heart hammered inside her chest. It felt like it was about to pop. She decided that she would tell Robert that she had forgiven him. That she didn't want a divorce. And why.

It would be the hardest thing she would ever have to admit. But Maryse knew it was time to confess. Her hair was greying, her blue eyes bloodshot, and his bastard face was etched on the inside her eyelids.

She would begin with Isabelle tomorrow. Then, Robert. The truth can't stay buried forever, anyway.

+++

"I'm your instructor now," Jace announced to Simon but he didn't seem to care.

"I know," Simon said.

"It was you," Alec narrowed his eyes, "It was, wasn't it?"

"Perhaps? Maybe?" Simon shrugged, looking confused.

"I wouldn't say perhaps and maybe. Try mayhaps." Jace twiddled his thumbs.

"Oh, shut up, Jace," Alec rolled his pansy-blue eyes, and then turned back to Simon. "It was you who was-Jace, can you please stop racing your thumbs around in circles like a demented elf, I'm trying to concentrate!"

"How much brainpower do you require to ask a question?" Jace stopped twiddling his thumbs and looked at Simon. "Before you went out to Taki's did you overhear us talking about who would train you?"

"Yes but-"

"Ooh, scandal. There's the answer, Alec. And I even asked that question in less than five seconds. So you get five out of ten for effort, two for speed, one for efficiency and four-"

"Okay, point taken," Alec interrupted.

"-for phrase used on question." Jace finished. "That's forty-eight percent. Improvement needed, but it's a pass."

"Jace," Alec hissed, "I. Get. It."

Jace leapt off the bed. "Good."

The door opened and Clary and Isabelle came in.

Jace couldn't help but notice Clary's extra bright face. "What's up?"

"Oh, nothing much," she smiled, "Only that I'm getting a parabatai."

Jace was alarmed. "Who?"

"Simon!" she thrilled. Of course, he thought. Of course it's Simon. He didn't feel jealous; why should he feel jealous?

"Are you sure about this?" Jace didn't know why he asked it, it just seemed relevant in his mind.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Clary's bright smile dimmed.

"Having a parabatai is a big deal, that's all. You can only have one in your entire life.

"Don't you think I know that?" Clary demanded. "For God's sake, Jace, do you have to be so jealous?"

"I'm not jealous!" he burst out. "I just want you to be happy."

She stepped into him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. He melted against her touch and hugged her back.

"I am happy," she said against his ear softly.

"Hey, lovebirds," Isabelle poked Clary in the middle of her back and she recoiled and snapped out of the moment. "We are still here."

"Yeah, I noticed," she rubbed her back sorely. Jace gazed at her with a look of awe. Isabelle rolled her eyes.

"Ever think about getting a room?" Isabelle said.

"Why are you going to Idris?" asked Clary suddenly, and Alec's eyes widened.

"Jace," he ground his teeth together, "Did you tell her?"

"No," Jace shook his head. His blonde hair swished.

Alec closed his eyes. Jace smirked. "Simon," they said in unison. Alec's blue eyes jerked open and glared at Simon. "You weren't supposed to know."

"Yeah, well, we all know now so you'd better spill," Isabelle's dark eyes burned into her brother's. Jace saw her lower lip tremble with fury.

"I'm going to Alicante, next week," Alec said in a low voice, "To join the Council."

Isabelle stared at Alec with a look of horror. "You want to become a member of the Clave?"

"I don't see why not," Alec shrugged.

"And you're okay with this?" Isabelle turned to Jace. "Jace, tell him he is nuts."

"He's my parabatai," Jace said, "I'm not going to disagree with him."

Isabelle let out a huff of exasperation and stomped her heels on the pinewood floor. "I always knew you were on Robert's side," she spat and stormed out of the room, banging the door shut.

"What was that all about?" Simon said when she was gone. "Why doesn't she want you to become a member of the Council?"

"Because of Dad," Alec said bitterly, "She thinks I'm on his side."

Jace rolled a lock of Clary's red hair between his long piano fingers. It was soft and bouncy, and it smelled like pink grapefruit. "She wouldn't be angry if she knew what you were really doing," Simon spoke slowly, carefully. Alec's eyes widened.

"What do you mean?" Alec's voice quivered.

"I'm not stupid," Simon took a step towards Alec, "I know that you don't want to be on the Council. You want something else. So, what is it?"

Alec went a slow, dark red. His ears turned red too, which Jace thought was odd. Jace felt tension between their patabatai bond. Jace had actually thought that Alec wanted to be a Council member. He was over eighteen, so he was allowed.

"It hasn't got anything to do with any of you," Alec said finally.

"Does Magnus know?" Clary asked quickly. Alec nodded. Then he sighed.

"Okay," Alec sat down on the hard floor. He kept his gaze on his black hunting boots. "I've asked Magnus to marry me."

A shocked silence filled the room. Jace's eyes grew large. Alec continued. "And, he said yes. I know that a Shadowhunter can't marry a Downworler, so I'm going to Idris to ask the Clave's permission."

There was a long, awkward quiet. Clary broke the stunned silence by clapping. "That's wonderful news!" she said cheerfully, although the looks on some of the faces were shock and amazement.

"You see," Alec folded his arms, "This is why I didn't want to tell you," his tone was sour and sad, "because you'd tell me not to, or stare at me in horror like the way you are now."

"Alec, no one thinks that," Jace said, wrapping his arms around Alec, who gasped in surprise, "I'm really happy for you, Alec. I'm your parabatai, okay? You can tell me anything," Jace spoke against his ear.

Alec smiled and patted his back. "Thanks, Jace. I thought you were going to tell me that you loved me in your deep pep talk there, like Simon did."

Everyone turned on Simon. "What?"

Simon blushed. "No," he said, "He was just telling me what time training was tomorrow and I said it was date-guys!"

Simon's face turned even redder as he protested to the other smirking faces. "I love Isa-" Simon broke off when she entered. "Hey, Izzy," he stammered, blushing.

"Hey," she nodded at Simon, "Alec, I need you to come down to the library with me. Mom's acting weird."

"How weird is weird?" Alec said it like it made sense.

Isabelle bit her lip and turned to Clary. "Can you come too? She mentioned your name. She's mad."

Alec, Clary and Isabelle left Simon and Jace staring at each other in the room, Jace with his mouth set in a triumphant grin. "What?" Simon said after forever.

"Next time," he said, "Tell Isabelle you love her to her face. She loves you too, and saying it a little more won't hurt."

Simon studied Jace. He seemed perfectly serious, for once. "Alright," Simon said at last.

+++

The library was dark when Clary reached it. She could smell the strong sweetness of wine mingling with the musty scent of old books. She heard a shout and Clary sped up to see what was wrong.

Maryse sat in a depressed slouch on a backless chair. Alec held out his witchlight. "Mom?"

Maryse turned to face her son. Her eyes were intensely blue and filled with tears that glittered like crystals when the witchlight hit them. Her hands were bleeding and her hair was wet and stuck to her face. "Alec," her voice was thick and hoarse, probably from crying. Clary could see broken shards of glass and dark red liquid at her feet. For a moment she thought it was blood - was Maryse hurt? - but no, it was red wine, soaking into the wooden floor like watery paint. Maryse's eyes found Clary's. "Clary," she whispered. There was something dreadfully wrong.

"Mom?" Isabelle voice wavered."Is it Dad? Is it Robert?"

At the sound of her husbands name, she winced, like it was something awful. Maryse cleared her throat. "No," she said in a low voice, "It's not about Robert."

"Mom," Alec stood a metre from the spilled wine. "Quit it. You're worrying us."

"It's all my fault," Maryse sobbed, her hands clenching and unclenching. Her breaths were deep, fast and angry. "It's all my fault!"she screamed again, and picked up a bottle of red wine, full to the brim and uncorked, and hurled it at the wall. Red liquid flew from the top as it sailed through the air like a rocket. It hit the wall and the broken glass fell to the ground in a harsh, high-pitched smash. Clary flinched. She turned her gaze to Maryse who had her hands covering her face and her nails scraping her cheeks. Isabelle held Alec's hand tightly. Clary shivered. The witchlight cast long shadows across the dim room. Isabelle released her brother's hand and approached her mother.

"Are we losing the Institute?" she asked but Clary knew that wouldn't make Maryse this upset.

Maryse was quiet for a long time, except for the short, ragged breaths she took. She finally turned her blotchy face towards her daughter. "Oh, Izzy, no. Sometimes I wish you had blue eyes, that's all."

Isabelle was shocked. "You're moping about in the library, throwing bottles at the wall because of my eye colour?"

"No, no," Maryse breath hitched, "But it would be great if they weren't black. Raziel, it would. Look, I shouldn't have called you. Never mind what I said, okay?"

Alec took three steps forward to stand with Isabelle. "Not okay, Mom. No," his eyebrows were drawn together. "We need an explanation-"

The door burst open behind Clary and she gasped as it hit her back and she fell to the floor in an explosion of bright red hair. When she looked behind she saw Robert. "Sorry, Clary," he said, not looking at her, but at Maryse. He stepped towards his wife. "I'm sorry, Alec, Isabelle and Clary. I need to speak with Maryse."

"Good luck," Isabelle hissed under her breath.

The three of them left the room in confusion, Isabelle crying. Alec hugged her. "It'll be okay, Izzy. It'll be okay."