When Clary had crashed into their lives, Alec had felt like he was losing everything. Briefly, it'd felt like things were falling into place when he'd met Magnus and they shared the kiss at the wedding. Finding Valentine should have been a major step toward putting his life back into order, but his capture had left the Downworld more chaotic than before.

It had seemed like life might be getting back on track after he'd talked to Izzy and Adam had apologized, but then everything fell apart again.

Alec was able to sleep, but that was because of his training more than emotional stability. He tried to talk to Adam, but it felt like Adam was distancing himself, brushing off any attempts Alec made at trying to fix whatever had broken their developing friendship.

Izzy kept him company, telling him to be patient and being sympathetic whenever he came home from Adam's classes and told her that Adam still wasn't talking to him. Eventually he slipped away from Izzy and Jace, hiding in the music room and practicing some of the classical music that his parabatai had taught him. He wasn't as skilled as Jace, but it was soothing. One song faded to another and he distantly noticed footsteps nearby. Not bothering to look continued playing as he spoke, "Jace?"