I climbed up the rusted latter, Magnus's words still ringing in my ears. The latter creeks and I worry it won't be able to support my weight without shattering under my hands, but I'm going up it so fast it does matter. I had only one thought on my mind.

  I had to get to Aversa.

  First my daughter.

  Now my husband.

  She was going to pay.

  I get to the platform and run across. When I get to the door she went through, I throw it open. She was standing in front of a large window, looking out on New York. So full of life, unlike some people I know. The lights were blurted by the dirty window. The blares of car horns couldn't be heard from up here, but I knew that there was someone honking their horn at someone causing traffic. It was the same New York; my home. New York changes a lot, but what changes the most are the lives of the people living here. Someone got their big break and made it onto Broadway. The guy on the side of the street finally got a job and a home. The kid who didn't have anyone to love, found someone. The nice woman who works in that cafe father had died. It's in constant change. Good or bad, whether you like it or not, it's changing every day. Sometimes I feel like I've changed the most. I went from a scared teenager unsure about his sexuality to a happy man with his husband and daughter. Sadly, all of that has been ripped from me. Each seam was slowly pulled until it gave out and everything went to hell.

  She must've heard me because she turned around and walked calmly to the other side of the room. On the other side was a small knife. I didn't know what she planned to do with it, and I didn't want to find out. More than likely a weapon to use against me. Not like she needed it when she had magic. She grabbed her knife and looked me in the eye. Not a word feel out her mouth before I loaded my bow and shot. The arrow went straight through her left palm, pinning that hand to the wall. White hot anger rushed through my veins and all I saw was red, and not because of Aversa's blood. My daughter. My husband. My family. My siblings. I kept repeating words in my head. It's all the people she's hurt. People who will never be the same all because of her stupid plan. All because of her psychotic need to get revenge.

  While she thought I wasn't paying attention she tried to rip the arrow out, but she wasn't fast enough. I waited until her other hand was in the right position before I breathed out and shot and other arrow straight through the other palm. She screamed at me. More anger than pain. I stalked over to her, making sure I didn't break eye contact. She bared her teeth and struggled to get her hands free, but any movement just brought on more pain. "You tried to killed them all," I muttered. "You ripped apart my family."

  She tried to kick me but I easily dodged it. I laughed. The laugh surprised me. It was dark, nothing like me. I ignored it, though. I had someone to deal with.

  "Yes!" She laughed out loud. "I did try to kill them! Are you happy, Alexander?" I picked up her knife she dropped and quickly cut her cheek.

  "Don't use my full name," I hissed.

  "Your blood has tarnished it enough. A Warlock like me saying it won't do anything to it." Each second I spent with her made me want to kill her even more, but I wasn't yet. Not yet. I was going to make her pay in the worse way. By collecting as much information as possible. It will benefit all of us, something she wouldn't want.

  "You know what pain feels like. I feel like you've had more loves in your life than just your girlfriend. Why do you feel the need to make me feel the same?"

  "Because you deserve it. She tried to move closer to me, but stopped and winced. I pull out another arrow just in case.

  "Do you think I deserve it? Or Shadowhunters do?"

  "What's the difference. All of you are the same."

  "And you don't think it hurts me that my family is basically gone? My daughter is missing and my husband is dying."

  "You don't-"

  "Shut up and let me speak. It rips me apart they they're hurt. That both of them are hurt and I can't help them. That I can't do anything to help them. They were my life, and I have nothing left now." It was all too much. Too much pain and anger. I wanted to kill her right then and there. "I'm going to ask you one more time and if you answer me, I might let you live. If you don't, I spill your blood on this floor."

  "Never. I'd rather die then let you have her."

  "Then so be it." I took her knife and stabbed her in her gut, twisted the knife, then pulled it out. She screamed in pain. "How about now? We have Warlocks out there that can take care of that if you tell me." I couldn't recognize my own voice. It was like my mouth was moving on its own. Everything I did was completely out of character. It wasn't me. I let my anger cloud me, but I couldn't stop now.

  "NEVER," she screamed. It was a ear piercing sound that must've damaged her throat. Tears fell down her face but her still struggled. Then she looked me dead in the eye. He eyes were almost black in this lighting. They always said the eyes were to windows to the soul. She was breathing heavily, her chest heaving. "You'll never find her," she hissed. She had gone too far. This whole thing had gone too far, so I slit her her throat to end it all. She took a few final breaths before she stooped completely and her body slumped against the wall.

  "It's over now," I muttered I dropped the knife on the floor and left.

  I killed her. I kept telling myself that she was evil and she was going to die anyways, but I couldn't believe it was me who killed her. I was furious at her and wanted her to pay, and I got what I wanted. Then why do I feel bad?

  I climbed down the stairs again, my hands shaking as I gripped the bars. I did it. It's over now. Magnus and I won't give up on finding Maddi. That's when I remembered. Magnus. I let go on the latter and jumped onto the ground. I ran to where Magnus was. He was surrounded by my siblings and the twin Warlocks. "Magnus!" I ran to him and tried to get to him but then Jace pulled me back.

  "Alec. They're working on him, leave them alone," Jace whispered in my ear.

  "Is he okay?" I asked desperately.

  "I'm not sure. They're checking him out and they took the thorn out. I'm not sure what happened to him but they're trying their best."

  "Magnus," I whimpered. I don't care how pathetic I must've sounded, I was worried about him. "Are you all okay?"

  "We suffered a few bruises and cuts, but that's it. We're okay. We took out the demons and most of the fae left." I kept looking at Magnus. His pale hands moved around looking for something to hold. The pain he must be in. Gerard and Adira worked on him. All I saw was green and yellow magic dancing across his body, stopping at his wound. That's when it turned black then disappeared. "It's taking the poison out," Adira said. "We're trying, but we don't promise anything." She never took her eyes off of him. She was focused on healing him.

  "That's all I ask for. For you to try," I whimpered again.

  "We might have to take him back to our house to work on him over night if he survives this. We've taken out enough poison that he'll live a few more hours, but he'll be in excruciating pain. We need to take him back with us. Right, Gerard?" Her brother nodded in agreement.

  "It's the only way. At home we have all of our supplies. Tomorrow we'll call you if he's okay," Gerard said. He didn't take his eyes off of Magnus and he tried a few more types of Magic.

  "We'll have to try to walk him home though. We don't live too far away and both of us with some magic could take him," Adira added. I nodded.

  "Can I talk to him." Adira nodded back. Jace let me go and I ran to him side. "Magnus, Magnus, Magnus," I repeated. "It's going to be okay. They'll heal you."

  "Alec," Magnus moaned. He took my hand in his. His grip was weak. "I love you."

  "I love you too, Magnus Bane. It'll be okay. You'll live." He tried to smile, but he just winced.

  He brought my face close to his. "Don't forget me."

  I was about to respond before Adira cut me off.

  "We'll have to leave right now. Alec, if you can," Adira told me in a calm tone.

  "Yes, yes. Of course." She and Gerard proceeded to get Magnus on his feet half carry him out of the room. "Call me as soon as he's okay!"

  "We will!" I put all my trust in them, and hopefully it won't be wasted. Isabelle came up to me.

  "Come, Alec. You need some sleep."

  We got back to Magnus and I's penthouse. It seemed bigger and more empty without him and Maddi. As soon as I was inside I collapsed on the couch. "Do you want me to stay with you?" Isabelle asked. Simon went back to the Institute and Jace went back home. Isabelle came here with me.

  "I'm sure. I'll be okay."

  "I know you will. I love you, brother."

  "Love you too, sister." She gave me a hug. It had been a long night for all of us. She made sure I was okay one more time before leaving.  When she closed the door I sighed and headed for the shower.

  When I got out, I wanted to go to bed, but I stayed up. Drowsiness clung to me, but I fought it. I walked around the house, occasionally stopping in the kitchen to get some water. That's when I walked somewhere completely different.

  I flipped the switch to Maddi's room, lighting it up. It was still the same as last time. I felt like I would see Maddi in here, playing with a doll or asleep, but nothing. I walked in, and took a deep breath. My hand ran over her dresser, her bed, a small bear she kept on her bed. It was all so surreal at the moment. That she wasn't there. I quickly left the room after that.

  I laid in Magnus's and I's bed. The sent of sandalwood lingered everywhere. It all hurt so much. Magnus might not make it, but I didn't want to think that way. A tear slipped down my cheek but I quickly wiped it away and went to sleep.