Not Just a Mundane//An Alec Lightwood Story

- 3 -

Selena's POV

When we got back to Clary's loft, I quickly called my mom to let her know I was okay and spending the night at Clary's. I knew I could never tell her what happened tonight, nor did I want to worry her. She had enough on her plate with the demonic killings happening around the city.

"I mean, I was drugged, right?" Clary said as I returned to the room.

She must have just finished telling her mom about everything that went down while we were out.

"What did the markings look like on the blonde boy you were talking about?" Jocelyn asked, her tone serious.

"Who cares, Mom, okay? Are you even listening to me? I think I killed a guy!" Clary stuttered, her anxiety evident.

"Clary... did they look like this?" Jocelyn replied, running her stele across her wrist, revealing a strange tattoo.

"What the...?" I stepped closer to Clary, my confusion deepening.

"Everything you two saw tonight has meaning and an explanation. I've dreaded having this conversation with you since the day you were born," Jocelyn explained, moving toward us.

"But how the hell can I see them?" I asked, desperate for answers.

"What is going on? Are we going insane?" Clary asked, her voice trembling.

"No, no, you're not. But the protections are wearing off. You're 18 now, and you need to know the truth," her mom said, causing me to shake my head in disbelief.

"Jocelyn, how can I see them too?" I pressed again.

"I don't know," she admitted, her eyes filled with concern.

"Protections? What do you mean? Mom, you're scaring the hell out of both of us!" Clary cried, her frustration boiling over.

" I know, I know. I wish I didn't wait until the last possible minute," Jocelyn said, grabbing Clary's arms with urgency.

"Jocelyn, look out the window. Magnus called to warn us. They found you," Dot said as she appeared, and Jocelyn rushed to the window.

"It's time, Dot. Both of you, listen to me. You cannot be near me," Jocelyn instructed, quickly returning to us.

"What? Why?" I asked, fear creeping up my spine.

"I've made a very powerful person angry," she stated, moving toward a cabinet to grab a necklace.

"What did you do?" Clary asked, her voice a mix of concern and disbelief.

"I hid something from him and his followers," Jocelyn replied, walking back to us.

"Followers? Mom, why can't we just call the police?" Clary insisted.

"The policeman you need to call is Luke," Jocelyn said firmly.

"Why Luke? Jocelyn?" I questioned, confusion clouding my thoughts.

" Look, keep this with you and think of me when you wear it," She said, placing the necklace around Clary's neck.

"Mom, now is not the time for more birthday gifts. What the hell is going on?" Clary argued, her anger flaring.

"Only if you need it," Dot interjected, stepping up beside Clary and handing Jocelyn a bottle filled with a shimmering liquid.

"Trust your instincts. You're more powerful than you know," Jocelyn told Clary, holding her hand tightly.

"Mom, I need to understand what's—" Clary started, but her mother cut her off.