Asher Lightwood

Scout.

I continued practicing that riff until Dad burst in. "Ash. There's been an attack, Alec and Hodge are hurt." he said.

I set my guitar on my bed and ran with Dad to find Alec with a gash in his arm and one on his back.

"Oh my God, Alec." I said and hugged his good side. "Are you okay?" I asked.

"Define 'okay'." he said. "Sorry. Bad choice of words. How's Hodge?" I asked.

"He'll be fine. And so will you." Izzy said. "What exactly happened? What did this?" I asked. "A Forsaken created by Valentine. It had Nephilim blood in its body so it got in here without setting off the wards." Izzy said. Dad started treating Alec's wounds. Alec flinched.

"Don't squirm." Dad ordered. "I'm not. Doesn't even hurt." Alec lied. I grabbed his hand in comfort. His phone rang. It was Jace.

"No talking, just healing." Izzy said, taking Alec's phone. I let her talk to Jace. Dad healed Alec and we found Magnus so he could reinforce the wards and make them stronger.

"Are the wards solid now? Nothing will get through?" Dad asked. "Even my magic has limits. The wards won't hold off that Forsaken attack. But my protections will slow them down." Magnus explained.

"Extra time is priceless." Dad said. "Say that after you get my bill." Magnus said.

"Lydia will take care of that." Dad said and walked off, leaving me, Alec and Magnus.

I sneakily motioned for Magnus to talk to Alec. "A Forsaken wounds often needs a little warlock TLC. May I? Free of charge." Magnus asked.

"It's okay. I'm fine." Alec said, pulling up the bandage. "If anything were to happen to you--" "Magnus. I'm good." Alec said.

"I gotta--" "Go? Of course. You're a busy man. And I should find this Lydia person. Payment upfront is just smart business. Where might I find her?" Magnus asked.

"I haven't seen her. But if I do, I'll send her your way." Alec said and walked away.

"Keep trying." I whispered and followed him. I saw Meliorn walk in with Shadowhunter guards and I stopped dead in my tracks.

"Meliorn?" I asked. "Ash. What a pleasure." he said before Izzy joined me. I took a couple steps back.

"What are you doing here?" she asked. "The Clave called me in for some kind of conference." he said. Izzy hugged him but he didn't hug back.

"I'm so happy to see you." she said. "Spare me. Your fire message clearly stated you never wanted to see me again." he said, bitterly.

"My family--" "Despises Downworlders? That's common knowledge." he said.

"That's not true. Even if it were, Izzy is anything but that." I said, defending her.

"I'm not here to talk about us. I believe that's your Clave envoy." Meliorn said. I looked to my right and Lydia was walking up.

"Isabelle, please step aside. Meliorn, the Clave has ordered that you be placed under arrest." Lydia said.

"What?" "What for?" Meliorn, Izzy and I said together. "Soliciting state secrets from a Shadowhunter on behalf of Valentine Morgenstern. Guards?" she ordered. The guards took him away.

"Have you lost your mind?" I asked. "Me? You're lucky you and your sister weren't arrested along with him." Lydia said.

"What are you talking about?" Izzy asked as we followed her. "It's our understanding that your long-standing relationship with the Seelie, Meliorn, may have led to the disclosure of state secrets." Lydia said.