OriginalFirstChapterofCITYOFGLASS

WithAuthorCommentary

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!