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WithAuthorCommentary
DearReaders: ThefirstchapterCassandraClareoriginally wroteforCITYOFGLASSisalmost unrecognizablefromthefirstchapterinthe finalversion. Here,CassandraClarerevisitstheoriginalfirst chapterofthelastbookinTheMortal Instrumentstrilogy,providinginsightintothe characters,thewritingprocess,andthe imaginationbehindthisNewYorkTimes bestsellingseries.
THEORIGINALFIRSTCHAPTER WITHAUTHORCOMMENTARY
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
Claryzippedherbackpackclosedandglancedaroundthe roomtoseeifshedforgottenanything.Madeleinehad toldheritwouldbecoldinIdrisduetothehigh elevation2,soshedpackedherlongsleevedshirts,some jeans,andhersweaters.Shedidnthaveawintercoat,but shedidntplanonbeinginIdrislongenoughtoneedone. Shewasonlygoinglongenoughtogetwhatsheneededto helphermother.Thenshedbeback. Forthethirdtimeinfifteenminutes,shepunched Simonsnumberintohermobilephone.Itrangandrang, finallygoingtovoicemail.
1
ThefirstchapterisnowcalledThePortal,whichIthinkisamuch
bettertitle.
Thisremainstrueinthebook,thoughthisexplanationwascut.Claryis
coldmostofthetimeshesinIdris.
ItwasEricsvoice,notSimons,ontherecorded message.Ladies,ladies,hesaid.Thoughitwasthe millionthtimeshedheardtherecording,Clarycouldnt helprollinghereyes.Ifyouvereachedthismessage,that meansourboySimonisoutpartying.Butpleasedont fightamongyourselves.TheresalwaysenoughSimonto goaround.Therewasamuffledyell,somelaughter,and thenthelongsoundofthebeep.3 Shehungupwithafrown.Wherewashe?Heknew shewasleavingtoday.Howcouldhenotbeheretowish herasafetrip? Ofcourse,theirlastmeetinghadbeenalittletense. Hedsatonherbed,watchingherwithanalmostscary detachmentassherantedaboutMadeleineandIdrisand hermotherscure. Yousee,mymomknewValentinewasgoingto comelookingforheroneday,shedtoldhim breathlessly.Sheknewhedtrytotorturethelocationof theMortalCupoutofherifhecould.Sheusedthispotion shedhadawarlockmakeforher.ShebroughtittoNew YorkwithherfromIdris.Sheknewitwouldputherintoa sortofsuspendedanimation,soshedbenouseto Valentine.Shemusthavetakenitwhensheheardthe Ravenercomingforher.Dontyousee?Thatswhythe doctorscantfindanythingwrongwithher.Theonly thingthatllcureheristakingthesamepotionagain.
3
Ilovethisphonemessageandwassadtoseeitgo.LongagowhenI
Sowhereareyousupposedtogetmoreofthesame potion?Simonasked.Itdoesntseemlikesomething youcanjustpickupatthelocalbodega.4 Itwouldhavetocomefromthesamewarlockwho madeitinthefirstplace. YoumeanMagnusBane?Simonsaid.Hewasthe warlockyourmomusedtouseforthosememoryspells, so No,itwasntMagnus.Werentyoulistening?She broughtthepotionfromIdris.Itwassomeonesheknew there. So?Simonlettherestofthesentencehang delicatelyintheair. ImgoingtoIdris,Clarytoldhim. Heblanched.Sincehewasalreadyverypale,this wasimpressive.ToIdris?Byyourself?Clary Notbymyself.WiththeLightwoods.Madeleine saystheyregoinganyway.Theyhaveto:TheClaveis recallingalltheheadsofConclavesindifferentcitiesto Idrisforsomekindofsummitmeeting. ButgoingtoIdrisitdoesntseemsafe,Clary. Safeasanywhereelse,Clarysaid.Imean,withno onesurewhatValentineisgoingtodonext,oreven whereheis... Maybeitsbetterforyoutobewiththe Lightwoods,Simonsaidafterapause.WithJace, anyway.Hedneverletanythinghappentoyou. Hedidntsay,Whatsgoingtohappentomewhile youregone?butClaryknewhewasthinkingit.Simonhad
NonNewYorkersoftenaskmewhatabodegais.InNYCatleast,itsa
littlecornerstorethatsellsgroceriesandcandy.
onlybeenavampirealittlelessthanaweekandwasstill tryingtoadjust.Shewasoneoftheonlypeoplehe couldtalktoaboutit,andshewasleaving.Shethoughtof whatitmustbelikeforhim,keepingthatsecret,goingto schooleveryday,pretendingthingswereallright.5 Simon,Imsorry... Hewavedawayherapology.Youhavetodowhat youhavetodotohelpyourmother,hesaid.Iwouldnt standinyourway. YoucanhangoutwithLuke,shesaid.Hellbe here.Mostlyatthehospital,admittedly,buthesaround, andyouknowhedoesntmindifyouneedsomeoneto talkto. IcantalktoMaia,Simonsaid. Great,Clarysaid,withamarkedlackof enthusiasm.Maiawasalsoawerewolf.Awerewolfwith acrushonSimon.Claryhadneverbeenabletowarmto her,thoughshedtried.Iguessshemustknowwhat youregoingthrough,huh? Simondidntanswer.Thisplanofyours,about goingtoIdris,hesaid.DoesJaceknowaboutit? Claryshookherhead. Hesgoingtofreakout. No,hewont,Clarysaid.Hellbefine.6
5
ReadersalwaysaskmeifSimonandClaryarestillgoingtoschool
Inthefinalversionofthisscene,Iwentalittlefarther,explainingthat
Claryalreadyknowsthisisalie,andthatJacewouldneverbefinewith this.
Jacewasntfine. Yourenotgoing,hesaid.Hewaswhitefaced, staring;helookedatherasifshedsneakedupand suckerpunchedhiminthestomach.IfIhavetotieyou upandsitonyouuntilthisinsanewhimofyourspasses, youarenotgoing. Whynot?Clarysaid. Thestraightforwardnessofthequestionseemedto makeJaceevenangrier.Becauseitisntsafe. Oh,anditssosafehere?Clarysnapped.Ive nearlybeenkilledadozentimesinthepastmonth,and everytimeitsbeenrighthereinNewYork. ThatsbecauseValentinesbeenconcentratingon theMortalInstrumentsthatwerehere.Jacespoke throughgrittedteeth.HesgoingtoshifthisfocustoIdris now,weallknowit Werehardlyascertainofanythingasallthat,said MaryseLightwood.Claryhadnearlyforgottenthatthe olderwomanwasthereinthelibrarywiththem.Shewas sittingbehindwhatClarywouldalwaysthinkofas Hodgesdesk,athickplanklaidacrossthebacksof kneelingmahoganyangels.Sharplinesofexhaustion drewMarysesfacedown.Herhusband,Robert Lightwood,hadbeeninjuredbydemonpoisonduringthe battlelastweek,andhadneededconstantnursingsince. AndtheClavewantstoseeClarissa,youknowthat, Jace.7
7
PeopleoftenaskmewhereIcameupwiththeideaoftheClave.The
TheClavecanscrewitself,saidJace. Marysefrowned. TheClavewantsalotofthings,Jaceadded.It shouldntnecessarilygetthemall. Maryseshothimalook,asifsheknewexactlywhat hewastalkingaboutanddidntappreciateit.TheClave isoftenright,Jace.Itsnotunreasonableforthemtowant totalktoClary,afterwhatshesbeenthrough.Whatshe couldtellthem Illtellthemwhatevertheywanttoknow,Jace said.Theyllbegrillingmeforweeksasitis.8 AndIhopewhentheydoyoullbeabitmore cooperativeandabitlessstubborn,Marysesaid.She turnedherblueeyes,somuchlikeAlecs,onClary.So youwanttogotoIdris,doyou? Justforafewdays,Clarysaid.Iwontbeany trouble.MadeleineevensaidIcouldstayinherhouse. ShesgotoneinAlicante. Iknowshedoes.Thequestionisntwhetheryoull beanytrouble;thequestioniswhetheryoullbewilling tomeetwiththeClavewhileyourethere.Theywantto talktoyou.Ifyousayno,Idoubtwecangetthe authorizationtobringyouwithus. Jacewasshakinghishead. IllmeetwiththeClave,Clarysaid. Maryserubbedathertempleswithherfingertips. Thenitssettled.Shedidntsoundsettled,though;she soundedastenseandfragileasaviolinstringtightenedto thebreakingpoint. IdeletedthiscommentonJacespartfromthefinaldraft.Ihad initiallythoughtthatthenewInquisitorwouldbequestioningJace,but IrealizedthatinfacttheInquisitorhadamoresinisterplanforthe Lightwoods.
8
ButJacebegan. Marysewavedherhandathimindismissal.Thats enough,Jace. Jacesmouthwasahardline.Illwalkyouout, Clary. Icanwalkmyselfout,shesaid,butJacealready hadherbytheelbowandwassteeringhertowardthe door.Theywerebarelyoutinthehallwaywhenhe droppedherarmandspuntofaceher,gloweringlikea gargoyle.DidntyoulistentoawordIsaid,Clary?Itold youyoucantcome. ButMarysesaysIcan,andyoudontgivetheorders aroundhere,doyou? MarysetruststheClavetoomuch,Jacesaid.He startedoffdownthehall,makingClaryscrambletokeep up.ShehastobelievetheyreperfectandIcanttellher theyarent,because9 BecausethatssomethingValentinewouldsay. Hisshoulderstensed.Nooneisperfect,wasallhe said.Theywereinthefoyernow;hereachedoutand stabbedattheelevatorbuttonwithhisindexfinger.Not eventheClave. Clarycrossedherarmsoverherchest.Isthatreally whyyoudontwantmetocome?Becauseitisntsafe? Aflickerofsurprisecrossedhisface.Therewere shadowsringinghiseyes,Clarynoticedwithoutwanting to,anddarkhollowsunderhischeekbones.Theblack sweaterhewaswearingonlymadehislight,bruise markedskinstandoutmore,andthedarklashes,too;he wasastudyincontrasts,somethingtobepaintedin
9
WhetherornottotrusttheClave,thegoverningbodyof
Shadowhunters,isathemethroughouttheentiretyofCityofGlass.
shadesofblack,white,andgray,withsplashesofgold hereandthere,likehiseyes,foranaccentcolor10 Whatdoyoumean?Jacesaid,snappingheroutof hermentalpaintingreverie.WhywouldntIwantyouto come? Sheswallowed.BecauseBecauseyoutoldmeyou donthavefeelingsformeanymore,andyousee,thatsvery awkward,becauseIstillhavethemforyou.AndIbetyou knowit. BecauseIdontwantmylittlesisterfollowingme everywhere?Therewasasharpnoteinhisvoice,half mockery,halfsomethingelse.Theelevatorarrivedwitha clatter;hereachedaroundhertopushopentheornate gateandthesoftwoolofhissweatertickledthebackof herneck. Imnotgoingtherebecauseyoullbethere.Im goingtherebecauseIwanttohelpmymother.Itoldyou that. Icanhelpherforyou.Tellmewheretogo,whoto ask.Illgetwhatyouneed. Shesteppedintotheelevator,turnedtofacehim. MadeleinetoldthewarlockIdbetheonecoming.Hell beexpectingJocelynsdaughter,notJocelynsson. Sotellhertherewasachangeofplans.Illbegoing, notyou. Shebitherlip.Madeleinesaid Madeleinesaid,Madeleinesaid,hemimicked savagely.Hasthatwomanbrainwashedyou?
10
Claryisbasedinpartonanartistfriendofmine.Shedoesntseethe
Shesaid,Clarywenton,thatthewarlockmight evennotbelievethatyourewhoyousayyouare.Shesaid halfthepeopleoverinIdristhinkyourereally Valentinesson.Sowhatmakesyouthinksomeonewho helpedherwouldevenhelpyou?Imean,thewhole reasonmymothertookthatpotioninthefirstplacewas tokeepValentineshandsoffher AndImnotbetterthanhim?Isthatwhatyoure saying? What?No,ofcoursenot,youknowIthinkyoure nothinglikehim,Jace11 Apparently,hesaid,notenoughtopassthat informationontoMadeleine. Heslammedthegateshutbetweenthem.Fora moment,shestaredathimthroughitthemeshofthe gatedivideduphisfaceintoaseriesofdiamondshapes, outlinedinmetal.Asinglegoldeneyestaredather throughonediamond,furiousangerflickeringinits depths. Jaceshesaid,again. Butwithajerkandaclatter,theelevatorwas alreadymoving,carryingherdownintothedarksilence oftheInstitute. ThatwasthelasttimeshedseenJace.Hehadntpicked upthephonewhenshedcalledhimsince,soshedmade allherplanstotraveltoIdriswiththeLightwoodsusing Alecassomewhatreluctantandembarrassedpoint person.Alec.Shesighedandflippedopenherphone again.Shemightaswellcallhimandseewhattimethey
11
HowmuchheisorisntlikeValentineisthemainissueJacegrapples
withthroughoutCityofGlass.
werecomingtopickherupontheirwayoutofthecity. SincetherewasnolongeraworkingPortalinthe Manhattanarea,theyweregoingtohavetodrivetoa locationtheyhadntdisclosedtoheranduseaPortal there.12Theyweresosecretive,Shadowhunters,she thought;itwasasiftheycouldneverforgetthatpartof herthathadbeenraisedtobelieveitwasmundane, ordinary.Shewouldneverreallybeoneofthem,privyto theirsecrets.13 Alecwasntansweringhisphoneeither.Clary snappedhermobilephoneshutandswore.Bythe Angel Asoftlaughcamefromherdoorway.Shewhirled around.ItwasLuke,handsinhispockets,watchingher withanexpressionoffondnessmixedwithamusement. Heflannelshirtwascrumpledhedprobablyslepton theplasticchairinthehospitalagain.Nowyoureeven swearinglikeaShadowhunter,hesaid. Iguessitscatching,Clarysaid.Shesmiledathim. Imgladyoucametosaygoodbyetome,atleast. Wesaidgoodbyelastnight,Lukeremindedher.It wastrue.TheydgonetothehospitaltoseeJocelyn.Clary hadkissedhermotherandpromisedthatwhenshecame back,shedhaveJocelynscure.Madeleinehadbeenthere, thoughsheandLukewerestrangeandstiffwitheach
12
Thisisnolongerthecaseinthefinaldraft.IthoughtaddingaPortalin
theManhattanareaseemedliketoomanyPortals,sonowMagnus createsatemporaryPortalforthemusingmagicinstead.
13
Ialsodeletedthisfromthefinalversionbecauseofspace
considerations,butIdothinkitsaverynaturalwayforClarytofeel andcertainlysomethingshecontinuestoworryabout.
other14andshedpromisedLukeshedtakegoodcareof ClaryinIdris.AndthenClaryandLukehadcomebackto LukeshouseandhadpizzaandwatchedTVuntil midnight,whenhedgonebacktothehospital. Well,Simonseemstohavedecidedtoblowmeoff, soitsgoodtohaveasecondgoodbyefromsomeone. Hesprobablyjustworriedaboutyougoingto Idris. Youreworried,andyoustillshowedup. Ihavethebenefitofexperiencewhichtellsmethat sulkingsolvesnothing,Lukesaidwithagrin.Alsothat theresnopointtryingtotellyouoryourmotherwhatto do.Hereachedbehindhimandbroughtoutabrown papershoppingbag.Here,Igotyousomethingforyour trip. Youdidnthavetodothat!Claryprotested.Youve donesomuchShethoughtoftheclotheshedbought heraftereverythingsheownedhadbeendestroyed.Hed givenheranewphone,newartsupplies,withoutever havingtobeasked.Almosteverythingsheownednow wasagiftfromLuke. Iwantedto.Hehandedoverthebag. Theobjectinsidewasswathedinlayersoftissue paper.Clarytorethroughit,herhandseizingon somethingsoftaskittensfur.Shedrewitoutandgavea littlegaspitwasabottlegreenvelvetcoat,old fashionedwithagoldsilklining,brassbuttons,anda widehood.Shedrewiton,smoothingherhandslovingly
14
WeneverseeLukeandMadeleineinteractinthefinaldraftofCityof
Glass,butwedogetthestoryofhowMadeleineknewLukeandJocelyn andwhyshewasprivytothesecretofJocelynscure.
downthesoftmaterial.ItlookslikesomethingIsabelle wouldwear,sheexclaimed.15 Exactly.Nowyoullbedressedmorelikeoneof them,Lukesaid.WhenyoureinIdris. Shelookedupathim.Doyouwantmetolooklike oneofthem? Clary,youareoneofthem.Hissmilewastinged withsadness.Besides,youknowhowtheytreat outsiders.Anythingyoucandotofitin...16 Aspasmofguiltseizedher.Luke,Iwishyouwould comewithme ItsnotsafeformeinIdris.Youknowthat.Besides, IcantleaveJocelyn. ButClarybrokeoffasherphonerang.Shedived forit,scrabblingaroundamongthetangledbedsheets andpilesofdiscardedtissuepaper.Shecameupgripping ittriumphantly. IsitSimon?Lukeasked. Sheglancedatthenumberonthescreenandher smilefadedintoalookofperplexity.ItsJace.She flippedthephoneopen.Hello? Clary?Hisfamiliarvoicesentashiverupherspine. Whereareyou? ImatLukes.WhereelsewouldIbe? Good.Therewasanoteofreliefinhisvoicethat struckherasodd.Staythere.
15
IalwaysknewIwantedClarytogetthisgreencoateventually.Itharks
16
Luke,havingbeenonceverymuchinsidetheClavessocietyandthen
verymuchcastout,knowswhereofhespeaks.
OfcourseImstayinghere.Imwaitingforyouguys tocomeandpickmeup.Shehesitated.Youarecoming topickmeup,right? Hewassilent. Jace,whatsgoingon?Hassomethinghappened? ArewenotgoingtoIdris? Jacesighed.Weregoing,hesaid.Butyourenot. Whatdoyoumean,Imnotgoing?Hervoiceshot upseveraloctaves.Lukewinced.MarysesaidIcouldgo! Wewentoverthis! Theresbeenachangeofplans,Jacesaid.Youre notcomingafterall. ButtheClavewantedtomeetwithme Itturnedout,Jacesaid,thattherewassomeone theywantedtomeetwithmore.AndImadeyournot comingaconditionofbringinghim. Claryfeltasifshedsteppedinabucketoficewater. Ofbringingwho?shewhispered. Simon,Jacesaid. WhatdoestheClavewantwithSimon?Hesjusta mundane Hesnotamundane,Clary.Hesavampire.A vampirewhocanwalkinthesunlight.Theonlyvampire whocanwalkinthesunlightthatanyoneseverheardof intheentirehistoryoftheClave.Ofcoursetheyre interestedinhim. Aretheygoingtohurthim? No,Jacesaid,impatiently.Ofcoursenot.They gavetheirofficialwordtheywouldnt. Idontbelieveyou,Clarysaid.Shetooka shudderingbreath.Jace,dontdothis.Iwontcome,all right,IpromiseIllstayhere,butpleasedonttakeSimon withyou.
Thedangerwasallrightforyou,though,wasntit? Jacesaidangrily.Clary,Simonwontbesafehere,either. Hesunique.Amagicalaberration.Alreadythereare rumorsshootingthroughDownworldabouthisexistence. Thevampiresheldacouncillastnightaboutwhattodo withhimsomewereinfavorofkillinghimoutrightas adangerousmutation,andotherswantedtoexperiment onhimtoseeifwhathappenedtohimcouldbe replicated.Nottomentionthathesthewerewolves publicenemynumberone17 ButLukecontrolsthelycanthropes Notallthelycanthropesintheworld,Clary!What happenedtoSimonitshuge,itsunprecedented. Everyonesgoingtowantapartofhim.Thesafestplace forhimisinIdris,withtheClave,especiallywhenwe wontbeheretoprotecthim. AndyousaidMarysetruststheClavetoomuch.You shouldtalk,Clarysaidbitterly.Howcouldyoudothis, Jace?Mymother Iknowwhatyourmotherneedstogetwell,Jace said.18AndIllgetitforyou,Igiveyoumywordonthe Angel.
17
Iwasalittlesadtoloseallthisdramaticbyplayaboutwhatwasgoing
18
JacenevercallsJocelynourmother,thoughhebelievessheis.
Forwhateverthatsworth.Idontgetit,Jace.Why areyoudoingthis? Hehesitated,justforafractionofasecond,between onebreathandthenext.Hisvoice,whenhespoke,was flat.Icantbelieveyoudontknow. Dontdothis,shesaid.Sometinypartofher wonderedifshewasbeingunreasonable,butitwas swampedbyheroverwhelmingsenseofabandonment andterror.Please,Jace Imsorry,Clary,hesaid,andhungup. Silence.Clarydialedhisnumberagainandgota staticbusysignal.Shehitthebuttontoredialandfound thephonegentlyprisedoutofherhand.Clary,said Luke,hisblueeyesfullofcompassion.Forallweknow, hesprobablyalreadygonethroughthePortal.Theresno point Thatsnottrue!shescreamedathim.They werentevensupposedtohaveleftyet!Theycantbe gone! Clary Butshewasalreadypushingpasthim,herbreath harshinherearsassheracedoutofthehouseanddown KentStreet,headingforthesubway.19
19
Thiswholeplotlineisnowgonefromthebook.Itinkeredaroundwith
IttookClaryseveralmomentstopeeltheglamouroffthe Institutetoday.Itfeltasifanotherlayerofdisguisehad beenaddedtotheoldcathedral,likeanewcoatof paint.Scrapingitoffwithhermindfelthard,evenpainful. Finallyitwasgoneandshecouldseethechurchasitwas. Thehighwoodendoorsgleamedasiftheydjustbeen polished. Sheputherhandtotheknob.IamClary Morgenstern,oneoftheNephilim,andIaskentrancetothe Institute20 Thedoorswungopen.Clarysteppedinside.She lookedaround,blinking,tryingtoidentifywhatitwas thatfeltsomehowdifferentaboutthecathedralsinterior. Sherealizeditasthedoorswungshutbehindher, prisoningherinablacknessrelievedonlybythedim glowoftherosewindowfaroverhead.Shehadnever beeninsidetheentrancetotheInstitutewhentherehad notbeendozensofflameslitintheelaboratecandelabras liningtheaislebetweenthepews. Shetookherwitchlightstoneoutofherpocketand helditup.Lightblazedfromit,sendingshiningspikesof illuminationflaringoutfrombetweenherfingers.Itlit thedustycornersofthecathedralsinteriorasshemade herwaytotheelevatorsetintothewallnearthebare altar.Shejabbedimpatientlyatthecallbutton. Nothinghappened.Afterhalfaminutewentby,she pressedthebuttonagainandagain.Shelaidherear againsttheelevatordoorandlistened.Notasound.The
20
ThisisamongthefirsttimesweseeClarycallherselfClary
Institutehadgonedarkandsilent,likeamechanicaldoll whoseclockworkhearthadfinallyrundown. Clarytookastepbackandcollapsedintooneofthe pews.Theseatwashard,narrow,anduncomfortable,but shebarelynoticed.Theyweregone.GonetoIdris,where shecouldntfollow.Goneoutofherlife,takingSimonto whereshecouldntprotecthim.SherememberedMagnus saying,WhenyourmotherfledfromtheShadowWorld, itwasthemshewashidingfrom.Notthedemons.The Shadowhunters.Hehadbeenright,andshehadbeen wrongtotrusttheNephilim.Shehadthoughtthe Lightwoodscaredabouther,butallthatmatteredtoany ofthemwastheirpreciousClave.EvenJace Atthatthought,herthroatcontractedandshefelt thetearscomeinahotflood.Shesatsobbing,clutching thewitchlightstonetoherchest,whereitpulsedand glowedlikealuminousheart. Clary.Thesoftvoicecameunexpectedlyoutofthe silencebehindher,makingherwhirlaroundinherseat. Atallfigurestoodbehindher,likeanungainlyscarecrow. Heworeablackvelvetsuitoverashimmeringemerald greenshirt,andanumberofbrightlyjeweledrings glitteredonhisnarrowfingers.Therewerefancyboots involvedaswell,andagooddealofglitter.21 Magnus?Clarywhispered. Clary,mydarling.Hisvoicewasasmusicalasever. Hesatdownnexttoherinthepew,hiscloakmoving aroundhimlikesmoke.Areyouallright? No.TheyregoneandtheytookSimonJace calledmeandhesaidhesaid
21
Magnussoutfitsarealwaysoneofmyfavoritethingstowrite.
Iknow,Magnussaid.Itwasadirtytricktoplay. Hehasalotofhisfatherinhim,yourbrotherJonathan.22 Adaybefore,anhoureven,Clarywouldhavetold himnottosaysomethinglikethat.Nowshejustbither lip.IsntthereanythingIcando?sheburstout.There mustbesomewaytogettoIdris Thenearestairportisacountryover.Ifyoucould getacrosstheborderassumingyoucouldevenidentify thebordertherewouldbealonganddangerous overlandjourneyafterthat,throughallsortsof Downworlderterritory.Youdnevermakeit,nottraveling onyourown. Sheturnedtohim.Butyou IdhavetodisobeyadirectorderoftheClaveto takeyoutoIdris,Clary,Magnussaid.Ilikeyou,butnot thatmuch. Shegaveachokedlaugh.WhataboutaPortal?IfI couldgettoaPortal? Youcant.ThePortalsatRenwicksandMadame Dorotheasweredestroyed,andIvenoideawhereany otherPortalsmightbe.Thatsortofinformationisclosely guarded.AndIhavetotellyou,Clary Letmeguess.TheClavehasinstructedyounotto helpmeinanyway.Claryspokebitterly.Iknowhow theyworkbynow.IfJacemadesomesortofdealwith them,thentheywereprobablyprettythoroughingiving himwhatheaskedfor. Whatdidheaskfor?Magnusasked,hiscatseyes sparkingwithcuriosity.
22
AndthisisexactlywhyIdeletedthatplotlineJacecanbearrogant
andannoying,butheisntdishonest.Heusuallyplaysbyhisownrules, whichhedbebreakingifhedidsomethinglikethis.
IthinkhetoldthemthathedbringthemSimonif theycouldpromiseIdbekeptoutofwhateversgoingon inIdris,Clarysaid,almostreluctantly. Magnussmouthquirkedupatthecorner.Hemust reallyloveyou. No,Clarysaid.Ithinkhejustdoesntwantme around.Imakehimuncomfortable. Magnusmutteredsomething.Itsoundedlikean exasperatedexpletivefollowedbytheword Shadowhunters,butClarycouldntbesure.Look,he said.IthinkJaceisprobablyright.Stayoutofwhats goingoninIdrisitsgoingtobeapoliticaldisaster area. Shelookedupathim.Thelightofthewitchlight stonecaughttheedgesofhissharpcheekbonesandthe goldinhiscateyes.ButSimon,shesaid.Doyouthink hellbeallright? DidntJacesayhedmakesurenothinghappenedto him? Yes,saidClary.HesworeontheAngel. ThenImsurehellbefine,Magnussaid,butshe hadcaughttheslighthesitationinhisvoicebeforehe spoke.23Shesaidnothinginreply,justturnedthe witchlightstoneoverinherfingers,watchingthelight flickeracrossthedarkgreenmaterialofhercoat.Justan hourago,shedbeensohappytoputiton Simonissomethingveryspecial,Clary,added Magnus.Avampirewhocanwithstanddaylight.Hesnot helpless.Hemaynotneedyourprotection.Hewoulddo
23
AnotherreasonthatIgotridofthisparticularplotlineisthatI
doubtedanyonewouldbelieveinJacessinglehandedabilitytokeep Simonfromtheraveninghordesofdanger,andinfact,theydberight.
24
Here,MagnusistellingClarysomethingshewindsuprealizingonher