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DearReaders:ThefirstchapterCassandraClareoriginallywroteforCITYOFGLASSisalmostunrecognizablefromthefirstchapterinthefinalversion.Here,CassandraClarerevisitstheoriginalfirstchapterofthelastbookinTheMortalInstrumentstrilogy,providinginsightintothecharacters,thewritingprocess,andtheimaginationbehindthisNewYorkTimesbestsellingseries.
THEORIGINALFIRSTCHAPTERWITHAUTHORCOMMENTARY
CITY OF GLASS Copyright © 2009 by Cassandra Claire, LLC All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.
A SUDDEN DEPARTURE1
Claryzippedherbackpackclosedandglancedaroundtheroomtoseeifshe’dforgottenanything.MadeleinehadtoldheritwouldbecoldinIdrisduetothehighelevation2,soshe’dpackedherlong‐sleevedshirts,somejeans,andhersweaters.Shedidn’thaveawintercoat,butshedidn’tplanonbeinginIdrislongenoughtoneedone.Shewasonlygoinglongenoughtogetwhatsheneededtohelphermother.Thenshe’dbeback.
Forthethirdtimeinfifteenminutes,shepunchedSimon’snumberintohermobilephone.Itrangandrang,finallygoingtovoicemail.
1Thefirstchapterisnowcalled“ThePortal,”whichIthinkisamuchbettertitle.2Thisremainstrueinthebook,thoughthisexplanationwascut.Claryiscoldmostofthetimeshe’sinIdris.
ItwasEric’svoice,notSimon’s,ontherecordedmessage.“Ladies,ladies,”hesaid.Thoughitwasthemillionthtimeshe’dheardtherecording,Clarycouldn’thelprollinghereyes.“Ifyou’vereachedthismessage,thatmeansourboySimonisoutpartying.Butpleasedon’tfightamongyourselves.There’salwaysenoughSimontogoaround.”Therewasamuffledyell,somelaughter,andthenthelongsoundofthebeep.3
Shehungupwithafrown.Wherewashe?Heknewshewasleavingtoday.Howcouldhenotbeheretowishherasafetrip?
Ofcourse,theirlastmeetinghadbeenalittletense.He’dsatonherbed,watchingherwithanalmostscarydetachmentassherantedaboutMadeleineandIdrisandhermother’scure.
“Yousee,mymomknewValentinewasgoingtocomelookingforheroneday,”she’dtoldhimbreathlessly.“Sheknewhe’dtrytotorturethelocationoftheMortalCupoutofherifhecould.Sheusedthispotionshe’dhadawarlockmakeforher.ShebroughtittoNewYorkwithherfromIdris.Sheknewitwouldputherintoasortofsuspendedanimation,soshe’dbenousetoValentine.ShemusthavetakenitwhensheheardtheRavenercomingforher.Don’tyousee?That’swhythedoctorscan’tfindanythingwrongwithher.Theonlythingthat’llcureheristakingthesamepotionagain.”
3Ilovethisphonemessageandwassadtoseeitgo.LongagowhenIworkedinjournalismtherewasaguyintheofficewhosentaroundamemoaddressedto“ladies,ladies”promisingthattherewouldalwaysbeenoughofhimtogoaround.Ialwayswantedtopilferthatjoke,butIguessit’llhavetowaitforanothertime.
“Sowhereareyousupposedtogetmoreofthesame
potion?”Simonasked.“Itdoesn’tseemlikesomethingyoucanjustpickupatthelocalbodega.”4
“Itwouldhavetocomefromthesamewarlockwhomadeitinthefirstplace.”
“YoumeanMagnusBane?”Simonsaid.“Hewasthewarlockyourmomusedtouseforthosememoryspells,so—”
“No,itwasn’tMagnus.Weren’tyoulistening?ShebroughtthepotionfromIdris.Itwassomeonesheknewthere.”
“So…?”Simonlettherestofthesentencehangdelicatelyintheair.
“I’mgoingtoIdris,”Clarytoldhim.Heblanched.Sincehewasalreadyverypale,this
wasimpressive.“ToIdris?Byyourself?Clary—”“Notbymyself.WiththeLightwoods.Madeleine
saysthey’regoinganyway.Theyhaveto:TheClaveisrecallingalltheheadsofConclavesindifferentcitiestoIdrisforsomekindofsummitmeeting.”
“ButgoingtoIdris—itdoesn’tseemsafe,Clary.”“Safeasanywhereelse,”Clarysaid.“Imean,withno
onesurewhatValentineisgoingtodonext,orevenwhereheis...”
“Maybeit’sbetterforyoutobewiththeLightwoods,”Simonsaidafterapause.“WithJace,anyway.He’dneverletanythinghappentoyou.”
Hedidn’tsay,What’sgoingtohappentomewhileyou’regone?butClaryknewhewasthinkingit.Simonhad
4Non–NewYorkersoftenaskmewhatabodegais.InNYCatleast,it’salittlecornerstorethatsellsgroceriesandcandy.
onlybeenavampirealittlelessthanaweekandwasstilltryingtoadjust.Shewasoneoftheonlypeoplehecouldtalktoaboutit,andshewasleaving.Shethoughtofwhatitmustbelikeforhim,keepingthatsecret,goingtoschooleveryday,pretendingthingswereallright.5“Simon,I’msorry...”
Hewavedawayherapology.“Youhavetodowhatyouhavetodotohelpyourmother,”hesaid.“Iwouldn’tstandinyourway.”
“YoucanhangoutwithLuke,”shesaid.“He’llbehere.Mostlyatthehospital,admittedly,buthe’saround,andyouknowhedoesn’tmindifyouneedsomeonetotalkto.”
“IcantalktoMaia,”Simonsaid.“Great,”Clarysaid,withamarkedlackof
enthusiasm.Maiawasalsoawerewolf.AwerewolfwithacrushonSimon.Claryhadneverbeenabletowarmtoher,thoughshe’dtried.“Iguessshemustknowwhatyou’regoingthrough,huh?”
Simondidn’tanswer.“Thisplanofyours,aboutgoingtoIdris,”hesaid.“DoesJaceknowaboutit?”
Claryshookherhead.“He’sgoingtofreakout.”“No,hewon’t,”Clarysaid.“He’llbefine.”6
5ReadersalwaysaskmeifSimonandClaryarestillgoingtoschoolthroughallthis.Here’stheanswer:Simonis,butClaryisn’t.Infact,ClaryhastodecideinCityofGlasswhethersheeverwantstoreturntoschoolatall,orwantstocontinuehereducationasaShadowhunter.6Inthefinalversionofthisscene,Iwentalittlefarther,explainingthatClaryalreadyknowsthisisalie,andthatJacewouldneverbefinewiththis.
Jacewasn’tfine.“You’renotgoing,”hesaid.Hewaswhite‐faced,
staring;helookedatherasifshe’dsneakedupandsucker‐punchedhiminthestomach.“IfIhavetotieyouupandsitonyouuntilthisinsanewhimofyourspasses,youarenotgoing.”
“Whynot?”Clarysaid.Thestraightforwardnessofthequestionseemedto
makeJaceevenangrier.“Becauseitisn’tsafe.”“Oh,andit’ssosafehere?”Clarysnapped.“I’ve
nearlybeenkilledadozentimesinthepastmonth,andeverytimeit’sbeenrighthereinNewYork.”
“That’sbecauseValentine’sbeenconcentratingontheMortalInstrumentsthatwerehere.”Jacespokethroughgrittedteeth.“He’sgoingtoshifthisfocustoIdrisnow,weallknowit—”
“We’rehardlyascertainofanythingasallthat,”saidMaryseLightwood.Claryhadnearlyforgottenthattheolderwomanwasthereinthelibrarywiththem.ShewassittingbehindwhatClarywouldalwaysthinkofasHodge’sdesk,athickplanklaidacrossthebacksofkneelingmahoganyangels.SharplinesofexhaustiondrewMaryse’sfacedown.Herhusband,RobertLightwood,hadbeeninjuredbydemonpoisonduringthebattlelastweek,andhadneededconstantnursingsince.“AndtheClavewantstoseeClarissa,youknowthat,Jace.”7
7PeopleoftenaskmewhereIcameupwiththeideaoftheClave.TheorganizationoftheNephilimisoneIconceivedofasbeinglikeareligiousorganization;theyare,afterall,almosttheirownreligion.SoIbasedthestructureontheCatholicChurch—“Clave”isadaptedfrom“Conclave,”themeetingcardinalsholdtoelectanewPope;andtheSilentBrothersareinasensemonks,andthere’sanInquisitor,etc.
“TheClavecanscrewitself,”saidJace.Marysefrowned.“TheClavewantsalotofthings,”Jaceadded.“It
shouldn’tnecessarilygetthemall.”Maryseshothimalook,asifsheknewexactlywhat
hewastalkingaboutanddidn’tappreciateit.“TheClaveisoftenright,Jace.It’snotunreasonableforthemtowanttotalktoClary,afterwhatshe’sbeenthrough.Whatshecouldtellthem—”
“I’lltellthemwhatevertheywanttoknow,”Jacesaid.“They’llbegrillingmeforweeksasitis.”8
“AndIhopewhentheydoyou’llbeabitmorecooperativeandabitlessstubborn,”Marysesaid.Sheturnedherblueeyes,somuchlikeAlec’s,onClary.“SoyouwanttogotoIdris,doyou?”
“Justforafewdays,”Clarysaid.“Iwon’tbeanytrouble.MadeleineevensaidIcouldstayinherhouse.She’sgotoneinAlicante.”
“Iknowshedoes.Thequestionisn’twhetheryou’llbeanytrouble;thequestioniswhetheryou’llbewillingtomeetwiththeClavewhileyou’rethere.Theywanttotalktoyou.Ifyousayno,Idoubtwecangettheauthorizationtobringyouwithus.”
Jacewasshakinghishead.“I’llmeetwiththeClave,”Clarysaid.Maryserubbedathertempleswithherfingertips.
“Thenit’ssettled.”Shedidn’tsoundsettled,though;shesoundedastenseandfragileasaviolinstringtightenedtothebreakingpoint.
8 IdeletedthiscommentonJace’spartfromthefinaldraft.IhadinitiallythoughtthatthenewInquisitorwouldbequestioningJace,butIrealizedthatinfacttheInquisitorhadamoresinisterplanfortheLightwoods.
“But—”Jacebegan.Marysewavedherhandathimindismissal.“That’s
enough,Jace.”Jace’smouthwasahardline.“I’llwalkyouout,
Clary.”“Icanwalkmyselfout,”shesaid,butJacealready
hadherbytheelbowandwassteeringhertowardthedoor.Theywerebarelyoutinthehallwaywhenhedroppedherarmandspuntofaceher,gloweringlikeagargoyle.“Didn’tyoulistentoawordIsaid,Clary?Itoldyouyoucan’tcome.”
“ButMarysesaysIcan,andyoudon’tgivetheordersaroundhere,doyou?”
“MarysetruststheClavetoomuch,”Jacesaid.Hestartedoffdownthehall,makingClaryscrambletokeepup.“Shehastobelievethey’reperfect—andIcan’ttellhertheyaren’t,because—”9
“Becausethat’ssomethingValentinewouldsay.”Hisshoulderstensed.“Nooneisperfect,”wasallhe
said.Theywereinthefoyernow;hereachedoutandstabbedattheelevatorbuttonwithhisindexfinger.“NoteventheClave.”
Clarycrossedherarmsoverherchest.“Isthatreallywhyyoudon’twantmetocome?Becauseitisn’tsafe?”
Aflickerofsurprisecrossedhisface.Therewereshadowsringinghiseyes,Clarynoticedwithoutwantingto,anddarkhollowsunderhischeekbones.Theblacksweaterhewaswearingonlymadehislight,bruise‐markedskinstandoutmore,andthedarklashes,too;hewasastudyincontrasts,somethingtobepaintedin
9WhetherornottotrusttheClave,thegoverningbodyofShadowhunters,isathemethroughouttheentiretyofCityofGlass.
shadesofblack,white,andgray,withsplashesofgoldhereandthere,likehiseyes,foranaccentcolor—10
“Whatdoyoumean?”Jacesaid,snappingheroutofhermentalpaintingreverie.“Whywouldn’tIwantyoutocome?”
Sheswallowed.“Because—”Becauseyoutoldmeyoudon’thavefeelingsformeanymore,andyousee,that’sveryawkward,becauseIstillhavethemforyou.AndIbetyouknowit.
“BecauseIdon’twantmylittlesisterfollowingmeeverywhere?”Therewasasharpnoteinhisvoice,halfmockery,halfsomethingelse.Theelevatorarrivedwithaclatter;hereachedaroundhertopushopentheornategateandthesoftwoolofhissweatertickledthebackofherneck.
“I’mnotgoingtherebecauseyou’llbethere.I’mgoingtherebecauseIwanttohelpmymother.Itoldyouthat.”
“Icanhelpherforyou.Tellmewheretogo,whotoask.I’llgetwhatyouneed.”
Shesteppedintotheelevator,turnedtofacehim.“MadeleinetoldthewarlockI’dbetheonecoming.He’llbeexpectingJocelyn’sdaughter,notJocelyn’sson.”
“Sotellhertherewasachangeofplans.I’llbegoing,notyou.”
Shebitherlip.“Madeleinesaid—”“Madeleinesaid,Madeleinesaid,”hemimicked
savagely.“Hasthatwomanbrainwashedyou?”
10Claryisbasedinpartonanartistfriendofmine.Shedoesn’tseetheworldatallthewayIdo—I’mawordperson—butvisually;sheoncetoldmethateverythingshelooksat,sheconsidershowshewoulddraw.
“Shesaid,”Clarywenton,“thatthewarlockmightevennotbelievethatyou’rewhoyousayyouare.ShesaidhalfthepeopleoverinIdristhinkyou’rereallyValentine’sson.Sowhatmakesyouthinksomeonewhohelpedherwouldevenhelpyou?Imean,thewholereasonmymothertookthatpotioninthefirstplacewastokeepValentine’shandsoffher—”
“AndI’mnotbetterthanhim?Isthatwhatyou’resaying?”
“What?No,ofcoursenot,youknowIthinkyou’renothinglikehim,Jace—”11
“Apparently,”hesaid,“notenoughtopassthatinformationontoMadeleine.”
Heslammedthegateshutbetweenthem.Foramoment,shestaredathimthroughit—themeshofthegatedivideduphisfaceintoaseriesofdiamondshapes,outlinedinmetal.Asinglegoldeneyestaredatherthroughonediamond,furiousangerflickeringinitsdepths.
“Jace—”shesaid,again.Butwithajerkandaclatter,theelevatorwas
alreadymoving,carryingherdownintothedarksilenceoftheInstitute.
Thatwasthelasttimeshe’dseenJace.Hehadn’tpickedupthephonewhenshe’dcalledhimsince,soshe’dmadeallherplanstotraveltoIdriswiththeLightwoodsusingAlecassomewhatreluctantandembarrassedpointperson.Alec.Shesighedandflippedopenherphoneagain.Shemightaswellcallhimandseewhattimethey
11Howmuchheisorisn’tlikeValentineisthemainissueJacegrappleswiththroughoutCityofGlass.
werecomingtopickherupontheirwayoutofthecity.SincetherewasnolongeraworkingPortalintheManhattanarea,theyweregoingtohavetodrivetoalocationtheyhadn’tdisclosedtoheranduseaPortalthere.12Theyweresosecretive,Shadowhunters,shethought;itwasasiftheycouldneverforgetthatpartofherthathadbeenraisedtobelieveitwasmundane,ordinary.Shewouldneverreallybeoneofthem,privytotheirsecrets.13
Alecwasn’tansweringhisphoneeither.Clarysnappedhermobilephoneshutandswore.“BytheAngel—”
Asoftlaughcamefromherdoorway.Shewhirledaround.ItwasLuke,handsinhispockets,watchingherwithanexpressionoffondnessmixedwithamusement.Heflannelshirtwascrumpled—he’dprobablysleptontheplasticchairinthehospitalagain.“Nowyou’reevenswearinglikeaShadowhunter,”hesaid.
“Iguessit’scatching,”Clarysaid.Shesmiledathim.“I’mgladyoucametosaygood‐byetome,atleast.”
“Wesaidgood‐byelastnight,”Lukeremindedher.Itwastrue.They’dgonetothehospitaltoseeJocelyn.Claryhadkissedhermotherandpromisedthatwhenshecameback,she’dhaveJocelyn’scure.Madeleinehadbeenthere,thoughsheandLukewerestrangeandstiffwitheach
12Thisisnolongerthecaseinthefinaldraft.IthoughtaddingaPortalintheManhattanareaseemedliketoomanyPortals,sonowMagnuscreatesatemporaryPortalforthemusingmagicinstead.13Ialsodeletedthisfromthefinalversionbecauseofspaceconsiderations,butIdothinkit’saverynaturalwayforClarytofeelandcertainlysomethingshecontinuestoworryabout.
other14andshe’dpromisedLukeshe’dtakegoodcareofClaryinIdris.AndthenClaryandLukehadcomebacktoLuke’shouseandhadpizzaandwatchedTVuntilmidnight,whenhe’dgonebacktothehospital.
“Well,Simonseemstohavedecidedtoblowmeoff,soit’sgoodtohaveasecondgood‐byefromsomeone.”
“He’sprobablyjustworriedaboutyougoingtoIdris.”
“You’reworried,andyoustillshowedup.”“Ihavethebenefitofexperiencewhichtellsmethat
sulkingsolvesnothing,”Lukesaidwithagrin.“Alsothatthere’snopointtryingtotellyouoryourmotherwhattodo.”Hereachedbehindhimandbroughtoutabrownpapershoppingbag.“Here,Igotyousomethingforyourtrip.”
“Youdidn’thavetodothat!”Claryprotested.“You’vedonesomuch—”Shethoughtoftheclotheshe’dboughtheraftereverythingsheownedhadbeendestroyed.He’dgivenheranewphone,newartsupplies,withouteverhavingtobeasked.AlmosteverythingsheownednowwasagiftfromLuke.
“Iwantedto.”Hehandedoverthebag.Theobjectinsidewasswathedinlayersoftissue
paper.Clarytorethroughit,herhandseizingonsomethingsoftaskitten’sfur.Shedrewitoutandgavealittlegasp—itwasabottle‐greenvelvetcoat,old‐fashionedwithagoldsilklining,brassbuttons,andawidehood.Shedrewiton,smoothingherhandslovingly
14WeneverseeLukeandMadeleineinteractinthefinaldraftofCityofGlass,butwedogetthestoryofhowMadeleineknewLukeandJocelynandwhyshewasprivytothesecretofJocelyn’scure.
downthesoftmaterial.“ItlookslikesomethingIsabellewouldwear,”sheexclaimed.15
“Exactly.Nowyou’llbedressedmorelikeoneofthem,”Lukesaid.“Whenyou’reinIdris.”
Shelookedupathim.“Doyouwantmetolooklikeoneofthem?”
“Clary,youareoneofthem.”Hissmilewastingedwithsadness.“Besides,youknowhowtheytreatoutsiders.Anythingyoucandotofitin...”16
Aspasmofguiltseizedher.“Luke,Iwishyouwouldcomewithme—”
“It’snotsafeformeinIdris.Youknowthat.Besides,Ican’tleaveJocelyn.”
“But—”Clarybrokeoffasherphonerang.Shedivedforit,scrabblingaroundamongthetangledbedsheetsandpilesofdiscardedtissuepaper.Shecameupgrippingittriumphantly.
“IsitSimon?”Lukeasked.Sheglancedatthenumberonthescreenandher
smilefadedintoalookofperplexity.“It’sJace.”Sheflippedthephoneopen.“Hello?”
“Clary?”Hisfamiliarvoicesentashiverupherspine.“Whereareyou?”
“I’matLuke’s.WhereelsewouldIbe?”“Good.”Therewasanoteofreliefinhisvoicethat
struckherasodd.“Staythere.” 15IalwaysknewIwantedClarytogetthisgreencoateventually.Itharksbacktothegreenvelvetdressshedreamsofherselfdancingin,inCityofBones.PlusClaryhardlyevergetstowearanythingpretty—she’sajeansandsweatergirl.16Luke,havingbeenonceverymuchinsidetheClave’ssocietyandthenverymuchcastout,knowswhereofhespeaks.
“OfcourseI’mstayinghere.I’mwaitingforyouguystocomeandpickmeup.”Shehesitated.“Youarecomingtopickmeup,right?”
Hewassilent.“Jace,what’sgoingon?Hassomethinghappened?
ArewenotgoingtoIdris—?”Jacesighed.“We’regoing,”hesaid.“Butyou’renot.”“Whatdoyoumean,I’mnotgoing?”Hervoiceshot
upseveraloctaves.Lukewinced.“MarysesaidIcouldgo!Wewentoverthis!”
“There’sbeenachangeofplans,”Jacesaid.“You’renotcomingafterall.”
“ButtheClavewantedtomeetwithme—”“Itturnedout,”Jacesaid,“thattherewassomeone
theywantedtomeetwithmore.AndImadeyournotcomingaconditionofbringinghim.”
Claryfeltasifshe’dsteppedinabucketoficewater.“Ofbringingwho?”shewhispered.
“Simon,”Jacesaid.“WhatdoestheClavewantwithSimon?He’sjusta
mundane—”“He’snotamundane,Clary.He’savampire.A
vampirewhocanwalkinthesunlight.Theonlyvampirewhocanwalkinthesunlightthatanyone’severheardofintheentirehistoryoftheClave.Ofcoursethey’reinterestedinhim.”
“Aretheygoingtohurthim?”“No,”Jacesaid,impatiently.“Ofcoursenot.They
gavetheirofficialwordtheywouldn’t.”“Idon’tbelieveyou,”Clarysaid.Shetooka
shudderingbreath.“Jace,don’tdothis.Iwon’tcome,allright,IpromiseI’llstayhere,butpleasedon’ttakeSimonwithyou.”
“Thedangerwasallrightforyou,though,wasn’tit?”Jacesaidangrily.“Clary,Simonwon’tbesafehere,either.He’sunique.Amagicalaberration.AlreadytherearerumorsshootingthroughDownworldabouthisexistence.Thevampiresheldacouncillastnightaboutwhattodowithhim—somewereinfavorofkillinghimoutrightasadangerousmutation,andotherswantedtoexperimentonhimtoseeifwhathappenedtohimcouldbereplicated.Nottomentionthathe’sthewerewolves’publicenemynumberone—”17
“ButLukecontrolsthelycanthropes—”“Notallthelycanthropesintheworld,Clary!What
happenedtoSimon—it’shuge,it’sunprecedented.Everyone’sgoingtowantapartofhim.ThesafestplaceforhimisinIdris,withtheClave,especiallywhenwewon’tbeheretoprotecthim.”
“AndyousaidMarysetruststheClavetoomuch.Youshouldtalk,”Clarysaidbitterly.“Howcouldyoudothis,Jace?Mymother—”
“Iknowwhatyourmotherneedstogetwell,”Jacesaid.18“AndI’llgetitforyou,IgiveyoumywordontheAngel.”
17IwasalittlesadtoloseallthisdramaticbyplayaboutwhatwasgoingoninthevampirecommunityafterSimon’schange.IdidthinkthefactthatSimonwassouniquewouldinitiateahugeamountofconflictinDownworldersociety,butallthatisnowmorealludedtothanstateddefinitively.It’smadecleartoSimonthatthevampiresaren’thappy—boy,aretheynothappy—butthesereferencestowhat’sgoingoninNewYorkspecificallyaregone.18JacenevercallsJocelyn“ourmother,”thoughhebelievessheis.
“Forwhateverthat’sworth.Idon’tgetit,Jace.Whyareyoudoingthis?”
Hehesitated,justforafractionofasecond,betweenonebreathandthenext.Hisvoice,whenhespoke,wasflat.“Ican’tbelieveyoudon’tknow.”
“Don’tdothis,”shesaid.Sometinypartofherwonderedifshewasbeingunreasonable,butitwasswampedbyheroverwhelmingsenseofabandonmentandterror.“Please,Jace—”
“I’msorry,Clary,”hesaid,andhungup.Silence.Clarydialedhisnumberagainandgota
staticbusysignal.Shehitthebuttontoredialandfoundthephonegentlyprisedoutofherhand.“Clary,”saidLuke,hisblueeyesfullofcompassion.“Forallweknow,he’sprobablyalreadygonethroughthePortal.There’snopoint—”
“That’snottrue!”shescreamedathim.“Theyweren’tevensupposedtohaveleftyet!Theycan’tbegone!”
“Clary—”Butshewasalreadypushingpasthim,herbreath
harshinherearsassheracedoutofthehouseanddownKentStreet,headingforthesubway.19
19Thiswholeplotlineisnowgonefromthebook.Itinkeredaroundwithdoingitthiswayinitially,whenIknewIneededtogetSimon,Jace,andClarytoIdris,andIneededtogetClaryandJacethereseparately.Everythinggoesdownnowinaverydifferentway—JaceisnolongerfiendishlytradingSimonforClary,orcallingheruptotellhershecan’tgotoIdris.There’sprotective,andthere’soverprotective,andthiswascrossingalineforme.Ididn’twantJacetreatingClarylikeachild.Ialsodoubtedverymuchshe’deverforgivehimfordoingsuchathingtoSimon,whichwouldpresentproblemsdowntheroad.
IttookClaryseveralmomentstopeeltheglamourofftheInstitutetoday.Itfeltasifanotherlayerofdisguisehadbeenaddedtotheoldcathedral,likeanewcoatofpaint.Scrapingitoffwithhermindfelthard,evenpainful.Finallyitwasgoneandshecouldseethechurchasitwas.Thehighwoodendoorsgleamedasifthey’djustbeenpolished.
Sheputherhandtotheknob.IamClaryMorgenstern,oneoftheNephilim,andIaskentrancetotheInstitute—20
Thedoorswungopen.Clarysteppedinside.Shelookedaround,blinking,tryingtoidentifywhatitwasthatfeltsomehowdifferentaboutthecathedral’sinterior.
Sherealizeditasthedoorswungshutbehindher,prisoningherinablacknessrelievedonlybythedimglowoftherosewindowfaroverhead.ShehadneverbeeninsidetheentrancetotheInstitutewhentherehadnotbeendozensofflameslitintheelaboratecandelabrasliningtheaislebetweenthepews.
Shetookherwitchlightstoneoutofherpocketandhelditup.Lightblazedfromit,sendingshiningspikesofilluminationflaringoutfrombetweenherfingers.Itlitthedustycornersofthecathedral’sinteriorasshemadeherwaytotheelevatorsetintothewallnearthebarealtar.Shejabbedimpatientlyatthecallbutton.
Nothinghappened.Afterhalfaminutewentby,shepressedthebuttonagain—andagain.Shelaidherearagainsttheelevatordoorandlistened.Notasound.The
20ThisisamongthefirsttimesweseeClarycallherself“ClaryMorgenstern.”She’salwaysgonebyClaryFray,butsheknowsthisisherrealnameandshe’llhavetouseittogetintotheInstitute.Thisbitispreservedinthefinalversion.
Institutehadgonedarkandsilent,likeamechanicaldollwhoseclockworkhearthadfinallyrundown.
Clarytookastepbackandcollapsedintooneofthepews.Theseatwashard,narrow,anduncomfortable,butshebarelynoticed.Theyweregone.GonetoIdris,whereshecouldn’tfollow.Goneoutofherlife,takingSimontowhereshecouldn’tprotecthim.SherememberedMagnussaying,“WhenyourmotherfledfromtheShadowWorld,itwasthemshewashidingfrom.Notthedemons.TheShadowhunters.”Hehadbeenright,andshehadbeenwrongtotrusttheNephilim.ShehadthoughttheLightwoodscaredabouther,butallthatmatteredtoanyofthemwastheirpreciousClave.EvenJace—
Atthatthought,herthroatcontractedandshefeltthetearscomeinahotflood.Shesatsobbing,clutchingthewitchlightstonetoherchest,whereitpulsedandglowedlikealuminousheart.
“Clary.”Thesoftvoicecameunexpectedlyoutofthesilencebehindher,makingherwhirlaroundinherseat.Atallfigurestoodbehindher,likeanungainlyscarecrow.Heworeablackvelvetsuitoverashimmeringemeraldgreenshirt,andanumberofbrightlyjeweledringsglitteredonhisnarrowfingers.Therewerefancybootsinvolvedaswell,andagooddealofglitter.21
“Magnus?”Clarywhispered.“Clary,mydarling.”Hisvoicewasasmusicalasever.
Hesatdownnexttoherinthepew,hiscloakmovingaroundhimlikesmoke.“Areyouallright?”
“No.They’regone—andtheytookSimon—Jacecalledmeandhesaid—hesaid—”
21Magnus’soutfitsarealwaysoneofmyfavoritethingstowrite.
“Iknow,”Magnussaid.“Itwasadirtytricktoplay.Hehasalotofhisfatherinhim,yourbrotherJonathan.”22
Adaybefore,anhoureven,Clarywouldhavetoldhimnottosaysomethinglikethat.Nowshejustbitherlip.“Isn’tthereanythingIcando?”sheburstout.“TheremustbesomewaytogettoIdris—”
“Thenearestairportisacountryover.Ifyoucouldgetacrosstheborder—assumingyoucouldevenidentifytheborder—therewouldbealonganddangerousoverlandjourneyafterthat,throughallsortsofDownworlderterritory.You’dnevermakeit,nottravelingonyourown.”
Sheturnedtohim.“Butyou—”“I’dhavetodisobeyadirectorderoftheClaveto
takeyoutoIdris,Clary,”Magnussaid.“Ilikeyou,butnotthatmuch.”
Shegaveachokedlaugh.“WhataboutaPortal?IfIcouldgettoaPortal?”
“Youcan’t.ThePortalsatRenwick’sandMadameDorothea’sweredestroyed,andI’venoideawhereanyotherPortalsmightbe.Thatsortofinformationiscloselyguarded.AndIhavetotellyou,Clary—”
“Letmeguess.TheClavehasinstructedyounottohelpmeinanyway.”Claryspokebitterly.“Iknowhowtheyworkbynow.IfJacemadesomesortofdealwiththem,thentheywereprobablyprettythoroughingivinghimwhatheaskedfor.”
“Whatdidheaskfor?”Magnusasked,hiscat’seyessparkingwithcuriosity.
22AndthisisexactlywhyIdeletedthatplotline—Jacecanbearrogantandannoying,butheisn’tdishonest.Heusuallyplaysbyhisownrules,whichhe’dbebreakingifhedidsomethinglikethis.
“Ithinkhetoldthemthathe’dbringthemSimoniftheycouldpromiseI’dbekeptoutofwhatever’sgoingoninIdris,”Clarysaid,almostreluctantly.
Magnus’smouthquirkedupatthecorner.“Hemustreallyloveyou.”
“No,”Clarysaid.“Ithinkhejustdoesn’twantmearound.Imakehimuncomfortable.”
Magnusmutteredsomething.ItsoundedlikeanexasperatedexpletivefollowedbythewordShadowhunters,butClarycouldn’tbesure.“Look,”hesaid.“IthinkJaceisprobablyright.Stayoutofwhat’sgoingoninIdris—it’sgoingtobeapoliticaldisasterarea.”
Shelookedupathim.Thelightofthewitchlightstonecaughttheedgesofhissharpcheekbonesandthegoldinhiscateyes.“ButSimon,”shesaid.“Doyouthinkhe’llbeallright?”
“Didn’tJacesayhe’dmakesurenothinghappenedtohim?”
“Yes,”saidClary.“HesworeontheAngel.”“ThenI’msurehe’llbefine,”Magnussaid,butshe
hadcaughttheslighthesitationinhisvoicebeforehespoke.23Shesaidnothinginreply,justturnedthewitchlightstoneoverinherfingers,watchingthelightflickeracrossthedarkgreenmaterialofhercoat.Justanhourago,she’dbeensohappytoputiton—
“Simonissomethingveryspecial,Clary,”addedMagnus.“Avampirewhocanwithstanddaylight.He’snothelpless.Hemaynotneedyourprotection.Hewoulddo
23AnotherreasonthatIgotridofthisparticularplotlineisthatIdoubtedanyonewouldbelieveinJace’ssinglehandedabilitytokeepSimonfromtheraveninghordesofdanger,andinfact,they’dberight.
welltolearntousethegiftshehas.”Hestoodup,aspectacularlytallandthinfigure,darkandspideryinthedimlight.“Aswouldyou.”24
24Here,MagnusistellingClarysomethingshewindsuprealizingonherowninthefinaldraftofCityofGlass.She’sbeenthinkingofherselfaspowerlessandabandonedbyJaceandtheLightwoods,justasshestillthinksofSimonasanordinaryboy,butneitherofthesethingsistrue.Simonisnowasupernaturalcreature,andClaryisagirlpossessedofenormouspowershedoesn’tyetknowhowtoproperlyutilize.Whenshedoesutilizeit,inherattempttogettoIdris,enormouschaosisunleashed—buteveryonehastostartsomewhere!