Pandemonium.
That's where Clary led them—each of them jogging to keep up with the frantic redhead as she weaved through the shadowy streets. But when they finally reached the club, the scene that met them was not what they expected.
The place was deserted.
"There's no one here but—" Syed began, her eyes scanning the room, her senses flaring.
"But what?" Jace asked, tense.
"There's a strong presence in the air. Heavy. It feels like... like some of the beings you refer to as Downworlders were just here. But the energy signature is intense—unnaturally so," Syed explained, brow furrowed.
"That would be warlock magic," Alec said grimly. "Which means they left recently. Very recently."
It was then that Alec, Jace, and Isabelle exchanged a glance—an unspoken realization settling between them. Syed's abilities were exceptional. She wasn't just sensitive to magic—she could feel it in a way no Shadowhunter could. She could sense all beings. That level of perception was unheard of in the Shadow World.
"So you're saying everyone here is gone?" Clary asked, her voice cracking under the weight of dread. "That means the Circle already took her. They have Dot... and my mom."
"We need to get back to the Institute," Alec said, stepping forward.
"So—so that's it?" Clary's voice rose. "We're just going to give up? There has to be another way. What about my memories? Maybe they can help!"
"Well—" Jace started, but Isabelle cut him off with a sharp look.
"She's not ready," Izzy said firmly. "She doesn't even know what you're talking about—or the risks that come with unlocking those memories."
"You know how dangerous they are but you still suggest it" Alec added.
"But the Silent Brothers could help and we don't have much of a choice," Jace argued. "They could give her back what was taken."
"The Silent Brothers?" Syed repeated, a flicker of recognition in her eyes. "The ones with... stitched faces?"
The veteran Shadowhunters turned to her, eyes wide.
"How did you know that?" Alec asked cautiously, now staring suspiciously at her
Syed hesitated. "I thought it was just a dream."
The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of what they were uncovering slowly settling in.
---
Alec couldn't take his eyes off the girl.
There was something about Syed—something arresting. She was beautiful, yes, but it was more than that. She held herself with quiet strength, like she knew more than she let on. It stirred something unfamiliar in him. A pull he didn't understand—and wasn't sure he wanted to.
The worst part? He didn't know anything about her. And that fact gnawed at him. She dangerous to him, really dangerous.
Jace and Clary had gone off to meet the Silent Brothers. Isabelle had dragged Simon toward the van to "grab something," tossing a smirk over her shoulder aimed directly at Alec. He'd ignored it—barely.
Was this his chance?
Chance for what?
He shook the thought off as he stepped closer to Syed, his voice softening.
"So... how's staying at the Institute?"
Syed turned to him with a half-smile. "Well, for starters, my bed's actually comfortable. And I don't feel that heavy negative energy at night anymore. So yeah—pretty great so far."
She shrugged playfully, her tone light, but there was a depth in her eyes Alec didn't miss.
"Negative energy?" he asked, head tilting in curiosity.
"Everyone gives off an aura," she said, matter-of-factly. "Some are calm, warm... peaceful. Others?" She paused, her gaze drifting slightly. "They're foul. Rotten. Like chaos wrapped in skin —the demons."
Alec studied her, intrigued. "Can you sense the Silent Brothers?"
"I can," she said slowly, her smile fading. "But barely. There are... other things down there. Stronger auras that drown theirs out." Her brows furrowed. "Most of them feel like weapons. Ancient. Angry."
He stepped a little closer, his tone quiet but sincere. "That's a remarkable gift, Syed."
The way he said her name—low, rich, reverent—sent a shiver down her spine. She forced herself not to flinch. Or step back. Or worse... step closer.
Alec wasn't sure what made him ask the next question. Only that he needed to.
"What was it like? At the orphanage?"
Syed hesitated. She opened her mouth to answer—but then froze.
Alec noticed immediately. Her spine went rigid, her eyes unfocused like she was staring through something only she could see.
"It feels..." she murmured, voice distant, "like it's dead... but still alive. How is that even possible?"
It was the first time Alec had seen her unsettled. And he hated it—yet he couldn't look away. He wanted to know what she was sensing. He wanted to understand her.
A chill laced the air between them.
Alec's jaw clenched.
"Vampires," he said grimly.
---
Jace and Clary emerged from the tunnel, both visibly shaken. Syed noticed it immediately.
"Did you find anything?" Syed asked, concern lacing her voice.
Clary nodded slowly, her expression distant. "Yeah... the man—Valentine—he's my father."
She said it more to herself than to them.
Syed noticed the shift in Alec's demeanor instantly. He tilted his head, glancing at Clary, then at Jace.
"She could be a spy," Alec said coldly, as if Clary weren't standing right there. "She just showed up out of nowhere, suddenly a Shadowhunter—and now she's Valentine's daughter?"
"Hey! I'm right here, you know," Clary snapped, stepping forward. "What about Syed? She showed up just as suddenly, but you don't question her. You're clearly biased."
"She's not Valentine's daughter. You are," Alec shot back without missing a beat.
"I think we've got more pressing matters," Syed interjected calmly, her gaze shifting toward something in the distance.
Before anyone could respond, Isabelle came rushing toward them, visibly panicked.
"I can't find Simon," she said, breathless. "He was right behind me. I saw something, went to check it out, and when I turned back... he was gone."
"What do you mean you can't find Simon?" Clary demanded, her voice rising with panic. "You said you'd watch him!"
Isabelle opened her mouth to respond, but Syed's voice cut in, cool and level.
"You'll know who has him... because we've got company."
All eyes followed Syed's gaze.
From the shadows emerged a vampire, grinning wickedly as he held Simon upside down by one ankle like a trophy from the columns above them .
"Simon! Oh—so that's the mundane's name," the vampire sneered.
"Simon!" Clary cried out, taking a step forward.
"It'll be my pleasure to end you if you don't let him go," Jace growled, rage simmering just beneath the surface.
"Careful," Alec warned, hand tightening around his weapon. "Attacking now would violate the Accords."
"Alec, not the time," Isabelle hissed.
The vampire chuckled darkly. "Your Shadowhunter friend is right. We, children of the night, have broken no laws... yet. But let's strike a deal—your little mundane friend... in exchange for the Mortal Cup."
He flashed his fangs, eyes glinting with malice.
"The clock is ticking. Tick tock."
And with that, he vanished into the darkness, taking Simon with him—leaving Clary more distraught than ever.