Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood are living together in a fabulous loft; their warlock son, Max, has started learning to walk, and the streets of New York are peaceful and quiet-- well, relatively. Until the night that two old acquaintances break into Magnus's apartment and steal the powerful Book of the White. Now Magnus and Alec need to follow the thieves to Shanghai: they need some backup to accompany them, and they need a babysitter. Also, someone has stabbed Magnus with a strange magical weapon and the wound is glowing, so they have that to worry about too. As Magnus's magic grows unstable, will they be able to stop the demons flooding into the city? Before their kid completely wears out Alec’s mom? -- adapted from jacket.

Includes bonus story "In dreams begin" following text.