Clary, a teen, had a normal life until she found out she was born into a group of "shadowhunters," who deal with demons and monsters and keep humans safe and monsters under control. Clary is one of these people.
her mother had hidden her ability to see the demons throughout Clary's childhood.
Clary finds out that her father, Valentine, needs to carry out the ritual that will summon the demons for his army, so he needs the blood of several animals.He drains the blood of children, including a fairy, as part of the ritual, but still needs a werewolf and a vampire child.
Clary learns at the end of the book that Luke has always been in love with her mother, but she has never said it out loud.This prompts Clary to let Jace know that the sentiments she has for him are not those of careful love, but rather Jace gets the best of her, saying that he vows to cherish her as a sibling.
Clary feels like she must accept that.After that, Clary goes to the hospital to see her mother. On the steps, she meets a woman who says she used to be friends with Clary's mother and knows that her mother is in a coma because of a spell she made herself.