Dorothea’s apartment looks like a stereotypical fortuneteller’s space, with beaded curtains and books on topics like astrology. Dorothea is the adopted daughter of a warlock and carries on her mother’s work of protecting those who require it. She reveals Clary’s mother was a Shadowhunter and then does a tarot card reading for Clary. She picks the ace of cups, which depicts a single gem-encrusted golden chalice, but the reading is jumbled, which makes Dorothea think someone put a block in Clary’s mind to make her forget things.

Jace realizes Dorothea was protecting Clary’s mom and that she also takes in refugees from the Clave. He finds a hidden five-dimensional door, which can take people anywhere on this plane of existence. Clary’s mom meant to use it as an escape if the Clave ever found them, and Clary hopes it will lead her to her mother now. She grabs the doorknob, and the portal sucks her in, sending her “tumbling through empty space” (109).

Jace jumps through the portal after Clary, and they land at Luke’s house. They sneak around back, where they find Simon watching the house. Luke told Simon that Clary went to visit a sick relative but since Clary doesn’t have any other relatives, Simon’s spent the last few days trying to find answers.