''Simon?'' Clary asked cautiously, stepping into the dark house, while the others followed her. Their footsteps made no sound on the ground.

Jace walked to the windows and pulled the curtains back, flooding the room with sunlight.

''Jace!'' Holly said, annoyed, shielding her face from the sudden assault of the harsh rays of light.

Jace ignored her, focused on investigating the room. There was no sign of an attack, yet... the house was eerily silent, unnaturally still, as if it knew something bad had happened to its occupant and was trying to prevent that from happening again by staying quiet, staying hidden.

A quick glance around the room confirmed his hunch that the blood-sucker was probably in trouble, everyone seemed to sense that something was wrong. Clary pulled her hand phone out, dialling Simon's number rapidly. To her relief, the call was answered, but... Who was that on the phone?

***

"Maureen! I'm here, let Alec go.You've got what you wanted, now let him go!'' Simon tried not to show how nervous he was. It was never a good idea to show weakness in the face of your enemy, especially not in front of one as powerful as Maureen.

''In a hurry, are we?'' A young, high-pitched voice asked sweetly.

Simon turned in surprise to find Maureen standing behind him.

''What more do you want? I'm here, let Alec go.'' Simon repeated, praying that his voice was steady.

''Why the hurry? Shall we have a little fun with my special guest first?'' Maureen asked smoothly, not really giving Simon much of a choice.

Before Simon had a chance to respond, Maureen snapped her fingers and Alec, bound and gagged, was brought to the dusty room they were standing in. Alec's blue eyes widened in shock when he saw Simon and Simon, not knowing how to react, stood still, waiting nervously for Maureen's next move.

''Now, what shall we do, my love?'' Maureen asked, smiling broadly, showing her sharp fangs. A bead of blood opened on her lip where the fangs had touched it.

Simon flinched, shuddering, but Maureen didn't seem to notice.

''Hmm... Should I kill him?... No, he wouldn't suffer... What he deserves is to suffer, and he shall...'' Maureen muttered to herself.

Oh no, she wants to torture Alec? I have to stop this. I should have known that she wouldn't keep her promise.

And though the idea made him shudder, he had to help Alec. After all, it was partly his fault.

''Uhh... Maureen? '' Simon said, walking to Maureen.

''Yes?'' snapped Maureen, irritated that Simon was distracting her from her toy.

''Shall we go somewhere more private?'' asked Simon, hoping desperately he wouldn't have to clarify.

Maureen's eyes glinted. She smiled. ''Of course, baby. Follow me.''

***

Alec watched as they left, knowing that Simon had done it for him and pitying him. So caught up was Maureen in her delight that she had forgotten to summon a guard to watch him. Alec wriggled, trying to escape his bonds.

After what seemed like forever, he finally got free. He spat out the gag, feeling disgusted. Then, he quickly jumped out of the window. He wasn't Jace, but he did have practice.

Crouching on the hard ground below, Alec stayed still there for a moment, winded, and feeling bruises begin to form. But knowing that they were running out of time, he got up again quickly, and began to run.