Isabelle could feel Max's tiny hand on top of hers as the pain subsided in her back.

"Get up, Isabelle!" Sebastian called from the catwalk.

"Screw you, Sebastian!" Max shouted. It was almost comical though.

Isabelle did her best to push herself into a sitting position.

Max put his arm around her protectively as she stared up at the stage lights, trying to find Sebastian amongst the light.

"I guess we know who Jace is really loyal to," Sebastian growled. "He warned the Academy. We had a plan-"

"You and Jace?" Max asked. He was speaking for Isabelle now.

"Jace's daddy is best friends with mine," Sebastian said. You could hear the shrug in his voice. "Do you know what this is called?"

The theater was silent.

"Malachi Configuration," Sebastian said. "You're trapped inside unless someone from the outside removes one of the seraph blades."

"So we wait," Max said.

"No one would remove those seraph blades for you," Sebastian said.

"Yes they would," Max said. "The Clave is going to come-"

"You see that rope there, Maxy boy?"

Sure enough, a rope was connected to a seraph blade.

"If that line is loosened, water falls," Sebastian said, "erasing the pentagram."

"So what?" Max asked.

Something fell into the middle of the pentagram.

"No," Isabelle moaned as she could hear Sebastian whispering words.

"He's summoning-"

There was a flash of light and flames and a black skeleton appeared in the middle of the pentagram.

"Who dares-- oh? Sebastian?" Isabelle could have sworn she heard it giggle. Then it transformed into a tall, slender woman with orange hair and bright red lipsticks. She was wearing a cutsy dress that would have been adorable had it not been in black. Her hair was up in a bun and a lollipop was fixed in her mouth until she popped it out.

She looked around her, eyes darting. When she saw Isabelle, she smiled.

"This is it, Sebastian?" the demon called.

"Change in plans," Sebastian called from the catwalk.

She snapped and a chair appeared behind her. She sat.

"The Lightwood kids . . . Minus one? Sebastian, you are getting sloppy," the demon sighed. "Your father won't be pleased."

"I thought we could trust Herondale," Sebastian said. There was disappointment in his voice. "I guess we couldn't."

"Obviously," the demon said, rolling her eyes. She straightened up. "My manners have grown atrocious. Abbadon. So pleased to meet your acquaintance."

"I wish I could say the same," Max said. Isabelle grabbed his arm.

"Be quiet," she said.

"No," Abbadon said. "Don't be silent. That's so dull. Let's chat. Sebastian is a horrid conversationalist."

Everyone was silent.

"Fine," Abbadon said. "It's going to be a very long day then."

..........

It had been nearly half an hour and most of the school had left, including Clary and Alec, leaving Jace alone with Mr. Bane.

They were waiting on the headmistress and what few students remained.

They hadn't seen Max or Isabelle.

"Why did Alec call you by your first name?" Jace asked in a sudden burst of courage.

"When?" Mr. Bane asked, casually.

"When you guys were talking about the Portal?"

"Oh," Mr. Bane said. "Well, I have been tutoring him. And I hate the formality of a prefix."

"But you still call him Alexander," Jace pointed out.

"You're a very curious creature, aren't you?" Mr. Bane asked.

"How close did you guys get in 'tutoring?'" Jace asked using air quotes.

"Well how much detail do you want?" Mr. Bane asked. "Flashcards can get quite explicit."

Jace's eyes widened in horror just as the headmistress entered the room.

"That's it," she said.

"No, Isabelle and Max-"

"They must have slipped by," she said. "I checked everywhere. Including your dorm room which we will be having a conversation about. Why is there a burn mark on the carpet-"

"Green fire," Mr. Bane said, quickly. "You checked everywhere?"

"Yes," the headmistress said.

"Obviously you didn't," Mr. Bane said. "Go on through, headmistress. I'll be back in a few minutes."

"Mr. Bane-"

"Jace," he said. "Go with the headmistress. Inform Alexander that I'll be back in a few minutes."

Jace went through begrudgingly.

Mr. Bane sealed the Portal shut behind them.

........

They had been silent for awhile when the stage door opened.

Max jumped to his feet.

"This is impressive," a voice said. Isabelle could only hear his footsteps.

"Mr. Bane?" Sebastian called from the rafters.

"Malachi Configuration? I haven't seen this since-- I haven't seen this ever actually," Mr. Bane said.

"Magnus?" Abbadon laughed. "Wow. I wasn't expecting you."

"Abbadon," Mr. Bane said, somehow recognizing her. "I must admit the gender fluidity is a little confusing."

"Today felt like a good day for this one. I know you like it," Abbadon said. "Although, I hear you're into something else these days--"

"So Sebastian," Mr. Bane called. "What's to stop me from pulling up one of these blades?"

"Don't!" Max shouted. "It lets Abbadon free."

Mr. Bane's eyes danced around until he saw the rope connected to the sprinkler system.

"That's a good one," Mr. Bane said. "Creative."

"I don't need your compliments, warlock," Sebastian said.

"Curse you, Shadowhunter!" Mr. Bane mocked. "Besides, if Abbadon wanted out, Abbadon would just leave."

"No! She's trapped!" Sebastian shouted.

"I wouldn't test that theory," Mr. Bane said. "So what will it take to get those kids out of there?"

..........

Jace turned around. The Portal had sealed shut.

"Where's Mr. Bane?" Alec asked. Jace turned around to face his friend.

"I don't know," Jace said.

"What about Max? And Isabelle?" Alec asked.

"He said he was going to get them; why would he seal it shut?"

"He's insane," Alec said, wrapping his arms around himself.

"When this is over," Jace said, "we're going to have a very long talk."