Hodge Starkweather—that was the name of the weapons master. A former member of the Circle, if the burnt ruin at his neck wasn't proof enough.
Syed stood silently behind Clary and Jace, eyes sharp as she listened to them speak in hushed tones about the Circle and the broader world of Shadowhunters. She absorbed every detail, each name and phrase tucking itself away in her memory as they waited for Hodge to finish his duel.
The clang of metal against metal echoed through the training hall one last time before fading into silence.
The trio approached the weapons master.
"Jocelyn," Hodge breathed, his eyes locking on Clary with disbelief. "It can't be..."
"She's my mother, my name is Clary."
Hodge took a slow step forward, gaze softening as realization dawned. Then, his eyes drifted to Syed. "And who might you be?"
"I'm Syed. Syed McKenzie," she replied offering a polite but measured nod.
"A pleasure, Syed," Hodge said, his voice hoarse but kind, though something unreadable lingered behind his eyes.
Before more could be said, Jace stepped in. "Clary's mother—Jocelyn—she's been taken. By the Circle."
He continued, laying out the details, each word drawing Hodge deeper into grim reflection.
As Hodge spoke, the mark on his neck began to glow faintly, the scarred flesh pulsing red, as if molten iron was flowing beneath the skin.
Hodge winced, fingers brushing the mark.
"The Clave's doing," he muttered. "Their way of ensuring my silence... a punishment for past sins."
Syed narrowed her eyes slightly. "Your Clave sure has its ways."
"It does," Jace agreed, jaw tight. "Not always the right ones."
A tense silence followed, thick with unspoken thoughts. Then Hodge straightened.
"I'll help you," he said, voice resolute. "For Jocelyn. For the wrongs we still have time to right."
---
Syed wandered through the Institute's halls, her gaze flicking across every shadowed corner and sunlit archway. Everything was new—strange but fascinating. The runes etched into the walls, the hum of magic in the air, the faint scent of old steel and forgotten battles—it all made her feel like she was walking through a memory that didn't quite belong to her.
Her quiet exploration brought her back to the control room. Monitors glowed softly in the dim light, illuminating a figure standing alone, his back to her. He was tall, posture rigid with focus as he scanned the screens before him. There was something about the way he stood—composed, alert—that made Syed pause.
Before she could second-guess herself, her feet were moving, almost as if drawn by instinct. She came to a stop beside him, her eyes flicking to the screens, studying the unfamiliar data with quiet curiosity.
Alec glanced down at her, the faintest tilt of his head. "Where's Jace?"
"He went somewhere with Clary," she answered softly, not taking her eyes off the monitors.
Alec studied her for a moment. "Do you have a stele?"
Without a word, Syed reached into a small black container strapped to her side and removed the lid, revealing a faintly glowing stele nestled inside. She held it out slightly, letting him see.
"So you've got one," Alec murmured, eyebrows rising. "Did Izzy give it to you?"
Syed shook her head. "No. I've had it for as long as I can remember."
She turned the slim object over in her fingers, her voice thoughtful. "I didn't know what it was for until recently. But listening to you guys talk... I figured out it's used to make runes."
Alec gave a nod, something unreadable flickering across his expression. "It is. Would you like me to draw one for you?"
The question left his mouth before he could stop it. He hadn't planned to say it—but something about her calm presence invited honesty, simplicity.
Syed hesitated only briefly before handing him the stele. "Sure."
"Where do you want it?" Alec asked, turning toward her more fully.
In response, Syed extended her wrist without a word.
"This one's called the Iratze," Alec said, his voice quieter now, more focused. "It heals wounds... and some magical injuries."
He took her wrist gently, the stele poised in his hand. As he drew the rune, the glow flaring against her skin, he couldn't help but glance up at her face, watching for a reaction. The process could sting, even burn depending on the rune—but Syed didn't even flinch.
When he finished, he lingered a moment longer than necessary, her hand still in his. Then, reluctantly, he let go.
"Thank you," Syed said softly, flexing her wrist. "It wasn't as bad as I thought."
Alec opened his mouth to respond, but the monitors in front of them flickered, a harsh ping breaking the moment. A message from the Clave blinked onto the screen, demanding attention.
His eyes narrowed. "Looks like the Clave has something to say."
Syed tilted her head, her curiosity once again piqued.
---
"I don't approve of this mission," Alec said firmly, stepping into the room with Syed quietly following behind him.
His presence was like a cold draft—sharp and unyielding. The others turned toward him as his gaze swept across the room.
"The Clave is already sending Seelie scouts to track Valentine," he continued, his tone clipped. "And the girls are not to leave the premises. That's their directive."
Clary crossed her arms. "We don't have time to wait around for the Clave to move at a glacial pace."
"Dot could be in danger," Jace added, stepping forward. "And she might be our only lead to Jocelyn."
Isabelle nodded, her voice smooth but persuasive. "If we don't act now, we might lose her."
Alec looked from one face to the next—resistance and conviction staring back at him. He exhaled sharply through his nose, clearly not thrilled but already losing ground.
After a long beat, he sighed. "Fine. Where do you all suggest we start looking?"
Before anyone could answer, Syed suddenly stepped back. Her body went rigid, senses heightened, eyes scanning the room like something unseen had shifted in the air.
Jace and Isabelle noticed immediately. Alec did too.
"What is it?" Alec asked, his voice sharp but quiet.
Syed's gaze locked on Clary's necklace, which had begun to glow faintly—an otherworldly pulse like it was alive. The energy coming off it was undeniable.
Clary instinctively clutched the pendant, her eyes wide. "It's happening again... I think—it's trying to show me something."
Jace moved closer. "Can you see where?"
Clary nodded slowly. "Yeah... I think I know where Dot is."
"Great," Simon blurted out. "I'll drive!"
"I'm coming too," Syed said, her voice calm but resolute.
The room fell still.
There was a certainty in her tone—and in her eyes—that said plainly: You won't convince me otherwise.
Alec looked at her, clearly weighing his options.
He didn't argue.
"Then let's move," he said.