"Only surprises you deal well with are demon-related." If there was any bite to his words, which he did not intend, he softened it with a fond, slight smile. As much as he disliked how often Alec went out, how much he put himself into danger, he was what he was. Shadowhunters had to be on their toes.

"We need to get you both back into the habit of birthday parties," he sighed. "And Isabelle. At least she's amenable to the idea." This, of course, coming from the man who hadn't had a birthday party for himself in several centuries.