A/N: So first off, aplogies for such a long wait for a new chapter. This has been sitting on my computer mainly because I got out of Shadowhunters which kinda spurred some of the ideas for this but I'm gonna get back into writing this so please bear with me.
Hope you Enjoy :)
Expect updates at least every couple weeks~
Opportunities
"You miss your brother."
Isabelle looked up from the photo in her hand as Aldertree approached her and folded it back up carefully.
"I miss Magnus too, but you seem intent on charging him with a crime he didn't commit," Isabelle replied. She crossed her arms over chest and angled her body away from him.
"Any evidence you have proving otherwise I will gladly accept," he told her.
"What do you want?" Isabelle asked.
"We want the same things," Aldertree answered.
"I want my family, you want to persecute them," Isabelle nearly snapped.
"I want, to find whoever did this," Aldertree said. "Now, that could be Magnus Bane, or it could be someone else but because your brother decided otherwise, something that he is, in fact, guilty of, I am not able to make that decision nor is Magnus able to stand trial."
"You never would've given Magnus a fair trial. Even if you used the Mortal Sword to compel the truth," Isabelle replied.
She fingered the necklace around her neck. Aldertree seemed to be thinking this over and nodded after a moment.
"You're right," he agreed. "With the Clave member's death ruled murder by a downworlder, his trial would not have been fair, having run off makes him seem more guilty."
Isabelle took a deep breath to keep herself calm. "What do you want?"
"There is an open council seat the Clave wants to fill as soon as possible," Aldertree answered. "I think you would make a fine addition and I would be willing to put in a word for you if, you do something for me."
"I did something for you once and it nearly got Jace killed. What makes you think I would help you again?" she asked.
"With a position on the council, you could use your gift of persuasion to help your brother and Magnus could you not?" Aldertree answered.
Isabelle gave him a sidelong glance. "What do you get out of this?" she asked.
"I was hoping you would join me for dinner," he answered.
"I have plans-"
"With Clary Fray, yes, I know," he interrupted. "Following in your brother's footsteps. Sleeping with the enemy."
"Clary Fray is not the enemy and she was never in line with Valentine. She has more than proved that," Isabelle told him.
"While that may be true, the council might frown upon your relationship," Aldertree replied. "After all. The choice is yours Isabelle."
She watched him walk away and looked at the picture still in her hand and bit her lip.
Isabelle looked up as Clary sat on the desk in front of her and raised an eyebrow.
"What?" Isabelle asked.
"I asked you a question," Clary answered. "About where you wanted to go to dinner?"
"Doesn't matter to me," Isabelle answered. "Just happy to be with you."
"What's wrong?" Clary asked.
"Nothing's wrong," Isabelle said.
"You've been staring at that picture since I got here," Clary pointed out. "Something is bothering you."
Isabelle sighed. "Aldertree…offered me a deal," she told her. "The Clave wants to fill the open seat on the Council and he offered to put my name forward...In exchange for having dinner with him."
"Oh…" Clary leaned back on her hands. "What did you say to that?"
"What could I say?" Isabelle asked. "It's...It could help Alec and Magnus. I could see just want they have on them and make a case defending them."
"Isabelle, Aldertree wouldn't just do this for a simple dinner," Clary replied. "That man is...He's only looking for his best interest."
"He seemed sincere…" Isabelle replied.
"It's Aldertree," Clary said. "Nothing he does is sincere."
Isabelle ran a hand through her hair and nodded. "I just want to help them," she replied.
"Do you really want to trust Aldertree to do so?" Clary asked.
"No, but we're running out of options Clary," Isabelle answered. "We can't track them, Jace can't sense Alec...My parents are coming this close to creating an all-out witch hunt. I would laugh at the irony if I wasn't scared they'd kill the both of them."
Clary sat down next to her on the couch and squeezed her hand. "Look...if you want to do this. If you want to go to dinner with Aldertree, I'll support you."
"Are you sure?" Isabelle asked. "I can say no. If it makes you uncomfortable…."
Clary gave her a smile. "It's a good opportunity for you, Izzy, if you do accept to the council, and it will possibly help with Magnus and Alec."
Isabelle let out the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding and leaned in giving Clary a soft kiss.
"What did I do to deserve you?" She asked after pulling away.
Clary reached up to finger a dark lock. "Well, you are pretty hot and who knew there was a brain in there too." she teased.
Isabelle rolled her eyes and playfully shoved her. "Oh haha very funny. I could say the about you."
Clary grinned. "You love me," she said.
"That I do," Isabelle promised. She stood up and offered her hand. "Come on, I need to buy something wear for dinner with Aldertree and I need someone to help me try on clothes."
"Nothing too sexy though right?" Clary asked as she took her hand.
"You're the only one who gets anything above the thighs," Isabelle told her as they walked out.
Clary slipped her hand from Isabelle's grasp as they stepped outside and shoved her hands into her jean pockets when she saw Maryse and Robert begin to approach the house.
"Isabelle. Clary," Maryse greeted the girls with a nod.
"Clary is going to help me pick out an outfit for dinner with Aldertree," Isabelle said before her mother could say anything else. "And I might stay the night with her if that's alright."
"Dinner with Aldertree?" Maryse's eyes brightened. "Really?"
Isabelle nodded. "He wants to put my name forward for the empty council seat."
"Oh that's wonderful," Maryse smiled.
Robert raised an eyebrow and gave his daughter a questioning look. Isabelle looked away under his gaze.
"Would you like me to come along and help?" Maryse asked.
"No, that's fine, you and dad enjoy your night...any news on Alec and Magnus?" Isabelle bit her lip a little.
"No one has been able to track Alec since Jace told us he lost contact," Maryse answered. She looked haggard.
Isabelle nodded a little and kept her mouth shut.
"Ragnor Fell mentioned something of a spell that can block shadowhunting tracking if they have used this there is nothing we can do at the point. We're going to retire," Robert said as he started for the house. "You two girls have a good night."
Isabelle slipped her hand into Clary's once they were far enough and Clary squeezed it reassuringly.
"I bet they're somewhere in Mexico drinking margarita's," Clary said.
Isabelle smiled a bit. "Why Mexico?"
"Well...Magnus is banned from Peru and he doesn't like Argentina," Clary explained. "So Mexico."
Isabelle stopped walking and wrapped her arm around Clary and gave her a soft kiss. Clary reached up and cupped Isabelle's face and gently stroked her cheek as they pulled away.
"We're going to find them, Izzy. I promise," Clary told her.