Clary learns the effects of a blood oath, Valentine is up to no good and secrets cause damaging consequences. Here are the highlights from episode 9, “Bound by Blood.”

An Angel in Danger

Clary’s make-out session with her new boyfriend is interrupted by, not only, Jace, but by the cursing effects of her blood oath to Iris. Just before Iris is sent off to the Clave, she gives parting demands to Clary to save her daughter Madzie. Clary clearly is not on the hunt for Madzie while canoodling with Simon. She quickly learns just how a blood oath works as her hand begins to stone over in flames.

Magnus gives Clary the unfortunate news that if she doesn’t fulfill Iris’s blood oath she will die as the curse will reach her heart. Jace and Simon agree to work together to save Clary by searching out Valentine. This leads them to a park where Simon uses his vampire senses and charm to obtain Madzie’s scarf from a homeless man. They use the scarf to track down Madzie and go on the quest to save the little girl to fulfill Clary’s blood oath.

Simon is reluctant to allow Clary to die for the sake of downworlders.  However, Jace understands Clary’s choice. Jace tracks down Valentine and Madzie and uses Clary’s life as a bargaining chip against their father. He informs Valentine that Clary is dying and will die because of the blood oath. Valentine knows he needs Clary alive to activate the Soul Sword and allows Madzie to be taken back to save Clary.

Simon and Clary share a touching moment atop the band van overlooking the New York City lights. Clary is cradled in Simon’s arm as she welcomes death. Luckily, Jace arrives in time with Madzie to save her. However, Madzie betrays Clary and Jace when she takes the angelic shadowhunter back through a portal.  Clary is held prisoner by Valentine and has less than welcoming words for her father.

Secrets Discovered 

Isabelle continues to struggle with her addiction to vampire venom. She plays with Raphael’s emotions and desire for her to allow the vampire to continue to feed into her addiction. Isabelle may have feelings for Raphael, but not more than the need to get high. Her little secret is discovered during a downworlder circle meeting between Magnus, Luke, Raphael and Meliorn. Meliorn plants the idea that there is something between the vampire and shadowhunter.

Magnus is quick to put two and two together, and is unable to keep things a secret from his new boyfriend. He tells Alec that Isabelle has been struggling with addiction to vampire venom. This is something sparked by institute leader Aldertree and fueled more by Raphael. Alec finds the two of them in the middle of a bite and goes overprotective brother mode. Magnus uses his powers to stop Alec from beating Raphael into unconsciousness.

Alec takes out his anger on Magnus, and yells at his boyfriend about keeping his sister’s addiction a secret this long. Isabel is unamused by Alec’s heroics, and tells her brother to leave her alone. She, clearly, is unwilling to seek help from her brother or with her addiction. The Lightwoods siblings are broken at the moment and if they don’t makeup, the two may face losing each other forever.

Notable Moments 

• Maia is wolfing out on Luke and Clary. She even goes as far as attacking Clary and admits to trying to kill her. She claims that Clary’s life would save them all.
• Valentine has Simon and, judging by the promo, looks like father of the year knows just how to get Clary to activate the Soul Sword. Simon is a ploy and crutch to pull at Clary’s heart. She can’t face losing another person she cares about.