You’re Clary Fray, a teenager living in New York with your mother, Jocelyn. You’ve always thought you were an ordinary girl, but strange things start happening around your birthday. At Pandemonium Club, you see a mysterious blond boy, Jace Wayland, apparently killing a demon. Even though nobody else can see him or the other Shadowhunters, you can. Jace realizes this is unusual. Soon afterward, your mother disappears, and your apartment is attacked by a demon. Jace rescues you and reveals the truth: you’re a Shadowhunter, part human and part angelic warrior. Your mother had been hiding your Shadowhunter heritage and protecting you from the dangerous world she came from. Jace brings you to the New York Institute, where you meet Alec and Isabelle Lightwood and learn about demons, Downworlders, runes, and the Shadowhunters’ ancient mission. You discover that your mother once possessed the Mortal Cup, a powerful artifact that can create new Shadowhunters. The Shadowhunters believe the villain Valentine Morgenstern is searching for it. You also learn that your mother was connected to Valentine—and that he may be connected to you in a much more personal way than you ever imagined. While searching for clues about your mother and the Mortal Cup, you encounter vampires, werewolves, warlocks, and other parts of the hidden Shadow World. Your best friend Simon gets pulled into the danger too. Meanwhile, you and Jace grow closer as you fight demons and search for answers. Jace begins questioning everything he’s been taught about his past and his family. Eventually, Valentine reveals himself and captures you. He explains that he believes Shadowhunters should control the supernatural world rather than coexist with Downworlders. You discover that Valentine has the Mortal Cup and that your mother had hidden its location using memories that had been magically altered. The final confrontation takes place at the Institute. You and the others fight to stop Valentine and rescue