𝐢𝐢. 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐬

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Ana couldn't think straight. This hadn't happened to her in over 250 years- Magnus had taught her how to contain her magic and remain in control. But here she was, a few blocks away from the café -which was in flames.

And the two warlocks had probably gotten away already.

She suddenly heard a honk behind her and a news van pulled up in front of her. A young, wiry man got out of it and smiled shyly.

I don't have time for this bullshit

But before she could say anything, the young reporter started excitedly: "Hi, I'm Rob. Allwood. Robin, actually. Robin Allwood. But you can call me Rob. Can you tell me what happened over there?"

Ana rolled her eyes, hoping that they weren't purple anymore. Every moment that she stayed here, more people were in danger.

"I'm sorry sir, I don't know what happened over there. Really, nothing. Just a bang and flames. Two men were escaping from the side. Or were they dogs? Maybe, I really don't know."

But that wasn't enough for Rob. He was persistent enough to make Ana stay for another second , while he got his boss who was still in the news van.

This was her chance to escape back to her apartment. But going on foot or using the public transport was too risky. She couldn't stand the idea of hurting anyone.

Ana turned and closed her eyes. There it was- that holy feeling she got when using magic. She hadn't felt like this for so long.

When she opened her eyes again, she was standing in her apartment, gasping for breath.

When she had caught herself a little, Ana noticed a note on her table. She stumbled towards it and sat down, holding onto the little piece of paper.

There, in a handwriting she would always recognize, following words were scrawled:

Ana,

You must be wondering what this means and who is behind this. But the answer is in you, pumping through your blood. We're family, you can't stay away forever.

Now, how 'bout you turn around

"Nice note, I know."

Ana closed her eyes as she felt her glamour slip away. She turned around, dreading who she would see there.

"Have you missed me?" Magnus Bane asked his adopted daughter.

"Why are you here?"

All the nausea she had felt of travelling through half New York was suddenly drowned in anger and pain.

Magnus looked at her.

"Ana, you can't hide from me forever. You are my daughter. I love you."

"Why have you come?" she asked again.

"You see, I don't know how to tell you but I- I have come to tell you that-"
"What?"

"I know things haven't been exactly great between us but I would still like you to meet my Fiancé- Alexander Lightwood.

The whole world exploded.

After the dust had cleared down, there was only an ear-splitting silence.

"How could you? After all this? After Aster, after Camille? I can't believe you!" Ana yelled at him. She felt magic pulsing through her veins.

"Ana, I just want you to meet him. He's different." Magnus looked at her imploringly.

"So like Camille was different? Like all of them? Like every time you told me it would last but it never did? And a Shadowhunter? That's what he is, isn't he? I can't believe that after what I went through because of you, you have the nerve to ever go near them again, let alone marry!"

Magnus looked at her with that pitying look that she hated. Like somehow she had done something wrong- like she had ruined her daughter's life for falling in love with a Shadowhunter. And now he was back, only to inform her that he had intention of marrying one.


"Ana, look. I'm sorry for what I did. Aster was a good man, but I was trying to protect you from yourself. You were so young, so impressionable. That young man came from a family of people collecting Downworlders as trophies in their bedrooms." He sighed. "I am not asking for forgiveness. I am asking for a final Apperance, a final role to play. I am hosting a party on Friday, be my daughter for one night, for old times sake. And after that, we can go back to the way things are, just meet Alec, that's all I'm asking."

Ana whished that she could believe him. But things were never that simple with Magnus Bane.

Old skins, she thought. One party? But one could make all the difference if Magnus had his way. She just had to make sure he didn't. She sighed.

"Promise?"

"Promise"

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