Angels of Darkness

Chapter 2

Isabelle and Simon hurled themselves through a doorway as the passage they had been forced down heaved and buckled into oblivion. The door slammed shut behind them, blocking off all chance of flight. Dust blanketed them, and Clary despaired to think they were dead. Then Simon raised his head. Clary thanked every deity she could think of that they were alive. Isabelle, having seen Jace's limp body, cried out and ran past Clary's brother as a wolfish grin appeared on his face, to her own. She put her fingers fingers to his throat; her shoulders visibly slumped with relief. "He's alive," Sebastian said. "Queen's orders."
Isabelle looked up, strands of her long, dark hair pasted to the sides of her face with sweat and blood. "The Seelie Queen? Since when has she cared about Jace?"
Sebastian laughed, shaking his head. "No, no. I was not talking about the Seelie Queen. I meant the queen of this realm." He paused, triumphantly. "You may know her." He gestured with a flourish, and Izzy and Simon had matching expressions of shock, horror and betrayal written on their faces as they finally spotted Clary.
Simon stepped forwards, and was obscured from her view by Amatis and a dozen Endarkened warriors. Clary could hear her words. "Stop where you are, vampire," she said. "You will not approach the lady of this realm."
Simon staggered back and she could finally see him. Isabelle was staring incredulously from Clary, to Sebastian, to Simon. "Clary!" Simon called out to her. She forced herself to stay like stone, but her brother's face darkened like an imminent thunderstorm.
"You will not say my sister's name," he hissed. "You thought she belonged to you; she belongs to me now, and I will not share."
"You're insane!" accused Simon.
"And you're dead," replied Sebastian. "Does that matter anymore?" Clary's heart squeezed as he addressed her. "Dearest sister," he began, loud enough for the entire room to hear. "Are you sure you want to keep this one intact?"
She was saved from answering as the entryway to the room burst open, and Magnus and Alec toppled in, followed by Luke and Jocelyn. Sebastian smiled, gently clapping his hands together. "Now everyone's here," he declared, his voice drenched in excitement. "It's a party!"