A sudden surge of energy came over Alec and he rushed forward to Izzy's bedside as she shouted for her wrists and ankles to be unbounded. Alec worked on untying his sister as his parents came over.

There was a rare group hug. It was awkward with Izzy being in a bed but it was touching especially since Alec couldn't imagine his parents touching with out a sense of hatred being transmitted.

"You're coming to New York," Maryse said.

"Absolutely not," Isabelle said. "This is where the action is at."

"That's my point, Isabelle," Maryse said, curtly.

Robert had wandered away.

Alec wanted Magnus next to him.

...........

"So is the magic gone?" Robert Lightwood asked.

"I should like to think so," Magnus said.

"So the threat is over?" he confirmed.

"Ragnor Fell is still out there," Magnus said. "Which means Venenatus Foedus could still be a problem."

"The Clave will take care of it," Robert said. "Thank you for your time and effort."

Robert walked back to his family where Alec sat at Isabelle's feet.

Magnus longed for his own family. Maybe one with Alec.

No.

Definitely with Alec.

But Robert seemed to ignore the fact that James lay dead in a chair, with no one who really loved him. He had died alone. That was the last thing Magnus wanted for himself, or anyone for that matter.

"Alexander," Magnus called from across the room. Alec turned around. There was slight smile on his face and Magnus could only hope it was because of him. "A moment?"

Alec turned back to Isabelle and said something before following Magnus into the hallway.

"I have a proposal," Magnus said.

"I-- can't I thank you for saving my sister?" Alec laughed. He seemed surprised that Magnus hadn't wanted the recognition.

"Alexander, really? Do perceive me to be that self-obsessed?" Magnus asked.

Alec shook his head, almost child-like, with a stupid grin across his face.

"Come live with me," Magnus begged. Alec didn't seem surprised.

"I have to stay--"

"No," Magnus said. "They're going to put someone more experienced-- no offense-- here until they find Ragnor Fell. So come back to New York. Stay with me--"

Alec raised an eyebrow before realizing what Magnus had almost gotten himself caught up in.

"Magnus, I'm only 19," he whispered. He had every right to. If his parents heard. . . "I'd love to. You know I would. But that's young even for Shadowhunters. I'll do my best to convince the Clave to let me stay in New York--"

Magnus' heart burst with excitement.

Alec would come home.

"--until the investigation has come to a close. Then we can reexamine all of this. Maybe my mom will retire and they'll give me the New York Institute. In the mean time, I could be the tutor there."

"Oh, Alexander!" Magnus kissed Alec with glee. "Thank you, thank you!"

Alec was blushing. From within Isabelle's room, Magnus could see Alec's parents watching their conversation.

"I dare you to tell them we're engaged," Magnus teased. Alec glanced behind him at his parents.

"I don't know, Magnus," Alec said. "How high is your pain tolerance?"

"Your father doesn't scare me," Magnus said. Robert Lightwood had a scary look in his eyes though. "Anyways, go see your sister."

Alec nodded, a smile still on his face and reentered the room.

Jace and Clary exited almost immediately after.

"I don't know what warlocks do with their bodies," Jace said, "but I'd get it done."

"Of course," Magnus said. He wasn't a fan of taking orders from Jace, but the boy was right. "If you could get the Lightwoods to leave, Isabelle's room--"

The ceremony for the warlock's dead was supposed to be a secret. 

Jace had reentered the room.

"Thanks," Clary said. "For saving Isabelle."

"Well, I couldn't have done it without you," Magnus said. He tried not to sound sarcastic.

Clary just nodded.

"How is your mother?" Magnus asked.

"She's good," Clary said. That was all she said though.

Jace reentered, the Lightwoods following him out. Magnus turned away, not wanting to make eye contact with any of them.

..........

"What did you see?" Maryse asked Isabelle.

"Nothing," Isabelle said. The Lightwoods were all sitting in the dining room.

It was obvious that her parents believed that but Alec looked skeptically. 

"Well, your father has to be back in Idris by this evening," Maryse said. 

"We really don't need you here," Isabelle pointed out. "We're practically adults."

"Adults would have called the Clave as soon as they heard something suspicious," Robert said. He was looking directly at Isabelle.

"Charlie is still missing," Isabelle said, fiddling with her hands.

"We're looking into it," Robert said.

"And Ragnor Fell," Alec said.

"I understand," Robert said. "And we're looking into it."

"And I'd like to resign from my position," Alec said. That got everyone's attention.

"I'm sorry?" Robert asked. 

"I'm not cut out to run an Institute," Alec said. "We learned that. So I'm stepping down."

"And where are you going to go?" Maryse asked.

"New York," Alec said.

"Absolutely not," Robert said.

"Alexander--"

"You don't get to make decisions for me anymore," Alec said.

"Then what do you think you're going to do?" Maryse asked.

"I'd like to be a tutor, like Hodge was."

"New York has no need for a tutor," Robert said. "You're being ridiculous!"

"This isn't about Magnus is it?" Maryse asked.

"Of course it's about Magnus!" Robert shouted. Alec didn't want his dad thinking that. He was just beginning to approve of Magnus. 

"Could you not yell?" Isabelle said. She grabbed her forehead. She was getting a headache.

"I'll do whatever I want, young lady," Robert said.

"Let Alec do whatever he wants!" Isabelle said.

"You don't have to defend me, Izzy," Alec said, as gentle as ever.

"Like hell I don't!"

Alec rolled his eyes slightly, as if he couldn't bear to look at his family anymore.

"If this is just about Magnus--" Maryse started.

"Okay, yes! Maybe it is about Magnus," Alec yelled. "Maybe it's about me not wanting to run Institutes for the rest of my life or kill demons. I'm sorry I don't want to be exactly like you guys. I don't want to be the Inquisitor. I want to learn and train Shadowhunters and most of all I want to be with Magnus because I'm completely and utterly in love with him."

That silenced Robert and Maryse.

Isabelle was grinning from ear to ear.

"I like this plan," Isabelle said.

Maryse looked at her in shock.

"I'll join you," Isabelle added. "I could certainly use some time with Simon."

"Si-- No! I will not allow my daughter to--"

Isabelle stood up suddenly.

"I'm sorry if we didn't make this clear enough for you," she said, "but we don't care about your opinions on our personal lives anymore."

"I will not be spoken to in this manner," Robert said, standing up as well.

"Then it's a good thing this conversation is over," Isabelle said. She made sure her hair flipped as she exited.

..........

"Do you think there'll be a funeral?" Clary asked Jace. They were still loitering outside Isabelle's room. There was no noise coming from the room.

"For who?" Jace asked, pushing aside a strand of her hair, just as an excuse to touch her.

"I know Sienna won't have anything but James might, I guess," Jace said.

"So what do we do?" Clary asked.

"I told you what we're going to do," Jace said. 

"That offer is still good?" 

"Of course it is-- Clary? Why wouldn't it be?"

"It just feels like so much is always changing," Clary said.

"Nothing has changed between us," Jace said, shaking his head.

In a single moment, the little spark between them erupted into flame.

Jace pulled Clary towards him in a single movement.

"Nothing's going to change," he said. He held her there, against him for a second. He waited until he couldn't anymore before kissing her with as much passion as he could muster.

"My room," Clary begged. Jace picked her up, effortlessly and her legs wrapped around his waist.

Clary's room was the closest to Isabelle's. He dropped her to her feet to lock the door behind them. When he turned around, she was still right in front of him, pressing him against the door.

She kissed him, sparing him any sort of gentleness.

When she finally took the slightest step back, her lips separated from his.

"Where in Idris?" she asked.

"I was thinking the old Herondale manor," Jace said, knowing exactly what she was talking about. "We'd work it out. You'd decorate it of course."

"I've never decorated a house before," Clary said.

"And I've never been with a girl as wonderful as you before," Jace said. "But I just know it's going to be perfect."