"Morning" Clary greets brightly

"Morning" Jace grunts, "You just come from training?"

The tension and awkwardness hung in the air like a thick smoke and I raise an eyebrow to Magnus, who looked incredibly amused by the interaction.

"Yeah. I'm, uh, workin' on my right hook"

"Good. That's a good punch."

"Yeah. I'm, uh, i'm workin' on it"

"You mentioned that" I smirk and Clary glares at me

"While this conversation is no doubt scintillating, remind me why we couldn't do this at my place?" Magnus sighs, "At least there we'd have cocktails"

"It's 9 in the morning" Clary scoffs

"Oh, dear sister" I sigh dramatically, "Magnus' saying is legend. 'It's happy hour somewhere'"

"We invited you here, Magnus, because Hodge can't leave the Institute. He's an important part of this mission" Jace explains and I grimace at the mention of Hodge. Magnus notices but says nothing of my distasteful reaction.

"Well, then where is our tardy little tutor?" Magnus inquires, "I would much rather be sipping cocktails right now so...let's make this quick."

"Pardon the delay Magnus. I was following up on a lead." Hodge speaks, coming around the edge of the desk and heading for the large computer screen, where he pulls up case files of two women and a man with large horns protruding from either side of his forehead, "Now, we've narrowed down our list of warlocks to these three."

"Why is Ragnor Fell up there?" Magnus interjects, insulted, "He's not more powerful than I am."

"Well, some would disagree" Hodge remarks, "He is older than you."

"Certainly not wiser"

"Who's Ragnor Fell?" Clary questions, leaning against the desk

"The former High Warlock of London" Jace deduces

"And one of my oldest friends" Magnus adds, "Very prickly. Likes to keep to himself."

"Okay, look, we just need to figure out which one of these warlocks had enough access to Jocelyn that they could create the potion for her without anyone discovering what they'd done" Hodge persists

"By the early 90s, Ragnor was a professor at the Shadowhunter Academy in Idris" Magnus informs

"Isn't that when our mother lived there?" Clary remembers, "Could he have made the potion for her?"

"The little bugger!" Magnus gasps, "That's why he hasn't responded to my fire message! Ever since Valentine began hunting warlocks, Ragnor's been holed up in his secret country house just outside of London. For all I know, Ragnor suspected my fire message was a ploy by Valentine to lure him out of hiding...We'll have to confront him face to face."

"You're going on this mission?" Hodge questions skeptically

"Of course!" Magnus exclaims, "I'm the only one Ragnor trusts. Besides, I've played my last hand here. Even I know when to fold."

"Magnus, I didn't know you were here!" Lydia's cheery voice funnels down to us, followed by a second set of heavier footsteps

I swivel in my chair and spot Alec. I smile politely, standing up and crossing to over to Magnus, who had sprung up earlier in his haste to begin the hunt for Ragnor Fell.

"Well, I am!" Magnus greets with a slightly false cheeriness and I elbow him, shooting him a glance.

He'd been insistent on 'hating her enough for the both of us' since the wedding had been announced but i had assured him it was not necessary.

I liked Lydia, respected her. Besides, she is family after all.

"We're just on our way to greet a few representatives of the Clave who arrived early for tomorrow's wedding" Lydia proceeds, oblivious to the falseness of Magnus' jovial response

"Wow...exciting?" I turn the word into a question. Greeting Clave members didn't seem fun to me

"Not exactly, but necessary" Lydia chuckles, her smile warm and bright. At least one person was happy in all of this, "How long are you staying, Magnus?"

"What's going on here?" Alec finally manages to get in, "Nobody told me about a meeting."

"Magnus figure out that Ragnor Fell is the warlock who can wake our Mom" Clary describes, "We're just bringing him back to the Institute."

"How can I help?" Alec springs into action

"We're just recovering a warlock, Alec" Jace dismisses, his tone harsh, "We got this covered"

"Besides, you have emissaries from the Clave to meet" I add, "That kind of task seems to require your attention more does it not? We'll be okay."

"If that's settled then, we best be off" Lydia smiles, "Again, lovely to see you, Magnus"

Magnus chuckles softly but pulls an ugly face as soon as her back is turned.

"Magnus!" I hiss, elbowing him further in the ribs, "Stop being nasty!"

Magnus sighs, rolling his eyes at me but doesn't agree. If I was being perfectly honest, I did kind of enjoy his treatment of Lydia, but only deep down.

"Get ready" Jace demands, "We leave in an hour."

***

"Ragnor's house is just across these fields" Magnus informs us as we emerge from the Portal and into the beautiful, flowering fields

"Let's make this quick" Jace huffs, not even bothering to slow his pace but instead powering on past us, "We'll talk to Ragnor and Portal him back to the Institute before anyone knows we're gone."

"So...brother and sister, huh?" Magnus hums, looking from Jace to Clary

"Magnus!" I exclaim, smacking him harshly, "Why are you bringing that up?"

"Ouch, Buttercup, highly unnecessary!" Magnus protests, "I'm just curious"

"I don't wanna talk about it" Jace refuses

"What so we're just gonna be work buddies now?" Clary spits, "All about the mission, and totally ignore the huge bomb that just dropped on us?"

"Yeah, sounds like a plan" Jace retorts, "What do you want me to say, Clary? That I was attracted to my sister?"

Oh shit.

Fucking Magnus!

"Point of fact!" Magnus interjects, seeming to recognise the error of his ways, "Brother and sisters are often attracted to each other."

Or not.

"I once knew this one couple in Ancient Egypt-"

"Magnus" I cut him off, glowering at him, "Not helping!"

"Maybe this will all make sense when we wake up Jocelyn" Magnus offers, "Since she is Jace's mother, well, perhaps-"

"Don't say that again" Jace growls, whirling on Magnus menacingly, "Maryse is my mother. At best, Jocelyn is the woman who abandoned me."

"I'd take abandoned over cursed" I mutter

"That is not true, Jace!" Clary protests, sending me a dirty look, "My mother would never abandon her son. She thought you were dead."

"Or maybe she just didn't want me!"

"Look, our mother is certainly not winning any Mom of the Year awards" I interrupt, "But you don't know her Jace. Clary's right, she would never abandon her son...and this is coming from the daughter she cursed by the way."

"That's right, Cami, I don't know her!" Jace shouts, "Do either of you?"

"I'm sorry I asked!" Magnus cuts in

"What was that?" Jace utters suddenly, turning his back to Magnus and I

"Nice try, Jace" Clary scoffs, "You're not getting out of this conversation that easily-"

"Look out!"

Jace reacts instantly, grabbing Clary and yanking her away from where a green, flaming wall now stands, menacing and dangerous.

"Ragnor put up wards to protect his lair" Magnus explains

"Why is the fire green?" I ask, raising my voice to be heard over the now howling wind

"It's a wall of fire that only the pure of heart and intention can pass through" Magnus describes, turning to us, "Are you ready?"

I hesitate, worrying about crossing through. Being honest, I wasn't here to help my mother or even to keep Clary safe...I was here to keep myself as far away from Alec and Lydia and the wedding as possible, to keep myself from changing my mind and ruining everything Alec was working so hard for.

As Clary, Jace and Magnus all begin to stride forward, I grab Magnus arm and pull him back. He gives me a questioning look and Clary and Jace disappear through the flames.

I relay my worries back to him and he gives me a sorrowful, sympathetic look, like the one you would give a wounded baby bird.

"No matter your true intentions of being here, Buttercup" Magnus assures me, "Your intention here is not to harm Ragnor Fell or steal his possessions or anything of the Valentine-worthy sort, are they?"

I shake my head and he smiles

"Then you will be perfectly fine. Trust me" Magnus comforts me, taking my hand and gesturing to the flamed wall, "Now...are you ready?"

"Stay with me?" I plead, "Just in case?"

"Always, Buttercup, always"

We proceed through the flames hand in hand, coming out on the other side...

But Magnus is gone, his hand vanished into thin air.

"Magnus?!" I panic, "Clary?!"

I spin in circles but, seeing no sight of them, I sprint further forward, "Where are you?!"

No one comes out from the trees and I don't see any movement anywhere. Spinning in a slow circle, I spot the exposed brick and roof work of the tip of a turret.

"Ragnor Fell"

I run towards the house, my heels thumping loudly as I reach the solid dirt pathway leading up to the front door of the house. Reaching the heavy wooden door, I realise that it's open...

"Ragnor?" I call into the dark house, cautiously making my way inside, "Ragnor?!"

Proceeding further in, I pull my seraph blade from behind my back, arming myself as I pick my way through the house.

Something wasn't right.

"Hello?"

Still receiving no answer, my eyes graze the house. Books and papers cover every surface - the floor, the feet of bannisters on the stairs, the tables, the chairs, the bookshelves...

"Is anybody home? I-We need your help."

On the opposite wall to the stairs, I see a painting of someone familiar yet a stranger...where have I seen that face before?

Suddenly it comes to me, the horns protruding either side of the forehead, the heavy set, gray eyebrows...on the screen at the Institute. A painting of Ragnor Fell.

I approach it carefully, eerily drawn to it. It felt as if something was behind it...

"Ragnor, I know you're here..."

Clinking sounds startle me so deeply that I gasp and jump, almost dropping my seraph blade. I move even closer to the painting, where the sounds had come from...and then I smirk at it.

"Nice try, Ragnor"

With that, I reach into the painting, pulling Ragnor Fell through and out of it. Behind me, the canvas becomes a blank library backdrop, it's subject not sprawled on his own living room floor.

"Well done...Camille Fairchild" Ragnor praises, his British accent thick and luxurious, "I've been expecting you and your sister. You have Jocelyn's talent, I see. Only a true artist could notice the subtle changes in my eyes."

"Yes, I know...I need to work on not moving my eyes. You don't need to remind me." I frown deeply as he directs the words to an empty chair.

Great...

So he's crazy.

"You, uh...knew my Mom?" I inquire, attempting to pull his attention to the real person standing before him and he nods, "So you made the potion that put her to sleep?"

"At her request, yes" Ragnor reveals, "And I knew it was only a matter of time before you came to me looking for the antidote. Please...sit."

"Wait...my friend, Jace Wayland, Magnus Bane. My sister...where are they? They were with me but I lost them in the fire..."

"Let me do this my way!" Ragnor snaps at the same empty chair, "Your friends, are they true?"

"Magnus said he's know you for centuries" I explain, "He sent you a fire message."

"This is not an act. It is not an act! It is essential!" Ragnor snaps at the other chair beside me

"Okay, what is your deal?!" I snap, standing from my chair in frustration, "My friends and sister are missing and if you can't help me, I will find someone else who can!"

"What is it worth to you?" Ragnor questions and I hesitate, thinking of Clary, how badly she wanted out mother back...properly back.

"If you find my friends, my sister and wake my mother...we'll give you anything"

"That's what I wanted to hear" Ragnor smiles devilishly, clicking his fingers. Suddenly, Magnus and Jace appear in the previously-thought-empty chairs and Clary sits in between them, right next to the spot I was sitting on the same bench-chair. They were all tied to the chairs but the restraints vanish instantly.

"Honestly, Ragnor, was that nonsense necessary?" Magnus huffs

"Of course" Ragnor responds, "She offered me anything. You were only up to a timeshare of your flat in Paris. Yawn."

"All right, enough with the warlock games!" Clary snaps, "Can you really wake our mother?"

"Not without the Book of the White" Ragnor admits and I feel a flare of recognition...where had I heard that before?

"What is the Book of the White?" Jace sighs, fed up with the entire situation he had hoped would be quick

"It's an ancient book of warlock magic containing spells more powerful than..." Magnus pauses, chuckling, "Most warlocks could ever imagine."

"I possessed the book when your mother came to me and I used it's contents to create the potion" Ragnor explains, "Regrettably, I no longer have the book. I asked Jocelyn to hide it that Valentine might never find it."

"Ragnor, please, we have to get our Mom back" Clary begs, "Is there any way to get the Book of the White?"

"Possibly. I may have something that can help us" Ragnor allows, running towards the living room exit, "Won't be but a moment"

As he runs away, the sound of the other three's conversations drown into the background, like static and my muscles involuntarily tense up.

Something was wrong...really wrong.

"RAGNOR, WAIT!" I scream at the exact second that Ragnor screams, the sound of a demon roaring from up above.

Ragnor falls from the small alcoved balcony, the demon plastered to his face but by the time he reaches the floor, the demon is gone and Ragnor lays on the floor, unmoving.

"Ragnor!" Magnus yells, rushing to his side

"Shax demon" Jace growls, and the rest of us run to Ragnor's side, where Magnus lifts him gently

"Creature took me...by surprise" Ragnor gurgles, the bloody demon wound on his neck seeping copious amounts of dark red blood

"How could a Shax demon get past Ragnor's wards?" I question

"It must have followed us" Jace hisses as Magnus' hand hovers over Ragnor's wound, blue smoke billowing from it, attempting to heal him, "Jumped through when the fire wall reset."

"Be still, my little dear cabbage" Magnus pleads as Ragnor writhes and spasms, the life ebbing from him slowly, "Your wounds are deep. Hold on, please."

Ragnor's hand reaches feebly for Magnus' cheek before his chest seizes greatly and then sinks, his body becoming so heavy that Magnus is unable to keep him upright.

"No" Magnus whispers softly as Ragnor's head falls to the floor, his eyes glazing over.

He was dead.

"For centuries, this man knew me better than anyone" Magnus cries

"Magnus, I am so sorry" I apologise, placing a consoling hand on his shoulder

"We have to leave, now" Jace interrupts and I resist the urge to knee him

"We can't!" Clary protests, "Not until we find whatever it is Ragnor said could help us locate the Book of the White."

"It's too dangerous. If one Shax demon found us, you can bet there are many more on their way."

"We have to try!"

"We don't have time to scour through mountains of Ragnor's stuff."

"Stop it!" I scream, watching Magnus take Ragnor's hand, bowing over him as he cries for the loss of his friend, "This is not the time to debate. Magnus just lost an old friend and you're bickering about how to find out mother! Newsflash: she's alive and there are other ways to find the information we need! Find some fucking compassion! Both of you! And Jace, get over your bullshit, finding out you're our brother has been hard on all of us. Deal with it in your own time. Got it?"

No one speaks and eventually Magnus clicks his fingers, waving his hand in a circle until a Portal appears in the entryway to the living room

"Get back to the Institute" Magnus instructs and I feel a chill pass over me. Magnus had never sounded so unhappy before, "I'll transport everything back to my place and find what you need. Now leave me to take care of my friend."

Jace and Clary walk towards the Portal without hesitation but I don't move, unsure of what to do.

"Magnus, I-"

"Go!" Magnus snaps and I recoil, doing as he asks and joining Clary and Jace at the Portal.

As we enter through it, I take one last look at the one friend I've made in this world, crying over the body of his own friend.

We did this to him, out of our own selfishness.

How could I ever consider the same for Alec?

***********

We're getting close to the end of Book 1 guys!

Which brings me to this...I'm looking for a BOOK 2 cover but can't edit for shit. So, does anyone have/know anyone who has mad Photoshop skills and could make a manip of Holland Roden as a Shadowhunter with all the runes and stuff kind of like this one?

It would be much appreciated!! (and if you do decide to do it, please message me there are certain aspects of Cami's appearance that need to be mended for the second book ;) )

Happy Reading!! xx