I just don’t see why the past has to matter.

Just ask Clary.

It’s me. I mean, Alec. Alec Lightwood.”There was a sort of silence, as if even the hallway itself were surprised. Then a ping, and the second door opened, letting him out onto the stairwell. He...

You dated a vampire? A girl vampire?” (Simon)”It was a hundred and thirty years ago,” (Magnus)”I haven’t seen her since.” (Magnus)”Why didn’t you tell me?” (Alec)”Alexander, I’ve been alive for hundred of years. I’ve been...

Wear that scarf,” he said, pointing to a blue cashmere scarf hanging on a peg. “It matches your eyes.”Alec looked at it. Suddenly he was filled with hate – for the scarf, for Magnus, and...

I get the feeling,” Alec said, and smiled, “she hasn’t forgiven me for betraying you, as she sees it.””Good girl,” said Jace with appreciation.”I didn’t betray you, idiot.””It’s the thought that counts.

And so what? I just killed a demon in my own house, and you’re going to be a dickhead about it because I’m not some spoiled-rotten rich brat like you and your sister?” Alec looked...

Maybe Alexander Lightwood would not break his heart.

We have a name,” said Jace. “Magnes B-“”Shut up.” Alec hissed, thwacking Jace with his closed menu. Jace looked injured.”Jesus,” he rubbed his arm. “What’s your problem?

Isabelle drifted over, Jace a pace behind her. She was wearing a long black dress with boots and an even longer cutaway coat of soft green velvet, the color of moss. “I can’t believe you...

Sorry. Are we twelve now? I don’t recall saying anything to Isabelle . . .

Once he asked me what I thought had turned me gay.””I hope you told him you were bitten by a gay spider,” said Simon.

Magnus reached for Alec, but instead of rising to his feet, he pulled Alec against him, his hand sliding up Alec’s back to knot in his hair. Magnus pulled Alec down and against him, and...

They always have to have the last word.

Because I am not your bitch,” Alec said, clearly pleased with himself.

Come on,” he said. “Let’s get back to Alec before he decides Isabelle and Simon are having sex off in the caves and starts freaking out.

He remembered Tessa weeping in his arms in Paris, and thinking that he had never known the loss she felt, because he had never loved like she had, and that he was afraid that someday...

You have something on your neck,” he observed.Alec’s hand flew to his throat. “What?””Looks like a bite mark,” said Jace. “What have you been doing all day, anyway?””Nothing.” Beet red, his hand still clamped to...

Alec looked at her and shook his head. “How do you manage never to get mud on your clothes?”Isabelle shrugged philosophically. “I’m pure at heart. It repels the dirt.

I hope you told him you were bitten by a gay spider.

No one blames her.””That never matters,” said Alec. “Not when you blame yourself.

We’re not dating,” Alec said again.”Oh?” Magnus said. “So you’re just that friendly with everybody, is that it?

Sweet pea?'” Alec said.”I was just trying it out.”Alec shook his head. “No.”Magnus shrugged. “I’ll keep at it.

It’s not funny, Jace,” Alec interrupted, starting to his feet. “Are you just going to let her stand there and call me names?” “Yes,” Jace said kindly. “It’ll do you good– try to think of...

Alec remembers my name,” said Simon, and he set the bottle back down.

This is the deepest wish of my heart?””Sure,” Magnus said.”Your father, proud of you. You, the hero of the hour. Me, loving you. Everyone approving of you.”Alec looked over at Jace.”Okay, what about the Jace...

He’s not my warlock.

Basia coquum,” Simon said. “Or whatever their motto is.””It’s ‘Descensus Averno facilis est.’ ‘The descent into hell is easy,” said Alec. “You just said “Kiss the cook.””Dammit,” said Simon. “I knew Jace was screwing with...

Alec,” Magnus said. He put a hand on his boyfriend’s shoulder; Alec was standing still, staring angrily at the floor. “Are you okay?”Alec looked at him. “Who are you again?”Magnus gave a little gasp; he...

WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING?” There was a sound of shattering glass, and they both sat up to see Alec glaring at them. He had dropped the empty bottle of wine he had been carrying,...

And that – he pointed ahead – is the road to Hell. That’s where we’re going. I have always heard it was paved with good intentions, said Simon

Alec?” Magnus was staring at him. He had dispatched the remaining Iblis demons, and the square was empty but for the two of them. “Did you just- did you just save my life?” Alec knew...

Just because you said dragon demons were extinct—””I said mostly extinct.”Alec jabbed a finger toward him.”Mostly extinct,” he said, his voice trembling with rage, “is NOTEXTINCT ENOUGH.””I see,” said Jace. “I’ll just have them change...

You never called me back,” he said. “I called you so many times and you never called me back.”Magnus looked at Alec as if he’d lost his mind. “Your city is under attack,” he said....

He hadn’t stopped wanting love. He had simply, somehow, stopped looking.

I just wanted to say that you don’t always have to be all right. I asked you to be my parabatai because I needed you, but you’re allowed to need me, too. This” – he...

Isabelle snorted, “All the boys are gay. In this truck, anyway. Well, not you, Simon.””You noticed,” said Simon. “I think of myself as a freewheeling bisexual,” added Magnus. “Please never say those words in front...

But Alec is my future.

Anyway, my point is that I am not attracted to you in the slightest.

I thought you were dead.” Magnus smiled crookedly. “What, from that scratch?” He glanced down at the reddening jacket in Alec’s hand. “Okay, a deep scratch. Like, from a really, really big cat.

You tried to drink the East River,”Magnus said, and Alec saw, as if for the first time, that Magnus’s clothes were soaking wet too, sticking to his body like a dark second skin.

You don’t believe me?” Jace asked. “Fine. Go ahead. Kiss me right now.”Alec stared at him in horror.”Exactly. Despite my staggering good lucks, you actually don’t like me that way.

Still I pictured having you for fifty, sixty more years. I thought I might be ready then to let you go. But it’s you, and I realize now that I won’t be anymore ready to...

I have friends,” Alec said, and looked over his shoulder, almost as if he couldn’t help it, at Jace.But Jace, his golden head down, lost in thought, didn’t notice.

quiet place.” He recalled even more vividly being obscenely drunk and unhappy over his heartbreak of that time, and the maudlin thoughts that had recurred to him over the years, like an unwanted guest slipping...

Though Alec had never seen the occupants of the first floor loft, they seemed to be engaged in a tempestuous romance. Once there had been a bunch of someone’s belongings strewn all over the landing...

If it is infernal assistance you require, why not summon your father?”Alec looked at Magnus with his mouth open.

I had some feelings,” said Simon.””Do feel free to agonize about it on your own time.

I didn’t call you because I’m tired of you only wanting me around when you need something. I’m tired of watching you be in love with someone else – someone, incidentally, who will never love...

Iz,” Alec said tiredly. “It’s not like it’s one big bad thing. It’s a lot of little invisible things. When Magnus and I were traveling, and I’d call from the road, Dad never asked how...