Hypatia Vex

Hypatia Vex
Biographical information
Kind:	Warlock
Residence:	London
Affiliation
Affiliation:	London Shadow Market
Occupation:	Landlord Shop owner
Status
Status:	Immortal
Physical description
Gender:	Female
Hair color:	Bronze
Eye color:	Gold
Skin color:	Brown
Distinct feature/s:	Star-shaped pupils

“	If you pity those creatures, those faeries, dying inside their cages, think of this: If it were not for the Cold Peace your people insisted on, they would not be here. Look to the blood on your own hands, Shadowhunters.	”
–Hypatia to Tiberius and Livvy Blackthorn, Lord of Shadows

Hypatia Vex is a warlock and the landlord of the London Shadow Market.

Biography

Hell Ruelle

In the early 1900s, Hypatia ran a Downworld salon called the Hell Ruelle that was the center for every scandal in London. So, much like Johnny Rook, she had become a collector of secrets. Though it was primarily for Downworlders, Hypatia was known to allow some Shadowhunters to attend that she had taken a liking to, such as Anna Lightwood and Matthew Fairchild.

During one such occasion, they brought with them Cordelia Carstairs, whom Hypatia was wary of. However after Cordelia saved her from being poisoned, Hypatia agreed to grant her the aid she had come there looking for. Malcolm Fade told them of the rumors they had heard that may relate to their sunlight demon problem and Hypatia agreed to reach out to Ragnor Fell to assist them further. She then feigned exhaustion and asked them to leave.

The next time they visited, Hypatia was amused by Cordelia's performance on stage before giving in to Anna's attempts at seduction.

Mortal War

In 2007, she attended Malcolm Fade's Downworlder party celebrating their victory over Valentine Morgenstern in the Mortal War. There she confronted Magnus Bane about the rumors she had heard about him and the Crimson Hand and his boyfriend Alec Lightwood. She then proceeded to advise him not to share with Alec who Magnus's father was as it would implicate them both. She continued to make sure he took care of the cult business because, being a world-famous warlock and well-acquainted with the Nephilim, any bad perception on him could reflect on all warlocks everywhere; thus jeopardizing their hard-earned safety. They then parted ways after she told him she had seen Mori Shu at the party.

Shadow Market

By September 2012, Hypatia co-ran the London Shadow Market. She confronted Kit Herondale and the Blackthorn twins Ty and Livvy when they arrived at the Shadow Market looking for help from a warlock. When Kit told her that he was an emissary of Barnabas Hale, Hypatia was skeptical, and though Shade lied to support their excuse, she immediately contacted Barnabas. Barnabas then arrived with a pack of werewolves and Hypatia stood by while he called the Shadowhunters out. She seemed surprised when Kit, asked about his mother, stated that he didn't know who she was.

After Barnabas ordered the Shadowhunters killed, Hypatia did not join in the fight and cautioned him against fighting Magnus Bane when the latter arrived.

The next day, Hypatia was annoyed when Kit, Livvy, and Ty showed up at her shop to buy ingredients for Magnus. She agreed to help them only if they paid in gold, rather than mundane money. Ty asked her about a way to get to Cornwall, and she told him about an unregulated Portal in the London Institute.

A few days later she received a message from Ty asking her to meet with him. Assuming that his request was related to the recent death of his twin and was likely necromantic in nature, she sent Shade instead.

After running into some trouble accessing the Los Angeles Shadow Market, Ty reached out to Hypatia once again asking for her help. This time she agreed and sent them some enchanted money as part of the plan. Ty set up a meeting between Barnabas and his sister Dru Blackthorn (pretending to be Vanessa Ashdown) claiming to have information about Hypatia selling secrets to Shadowhunters. When Hypatia came in to find Barnabas looking at a briefcase of money belonging to a Shadowhunter, it would then look like he was selling secrets. The frame job worked perfectly and he was removed from his position as head of the Shadow Market; replaced by Hypatia herself.

Some time later she attended Julian Blackthorn's war council against the Cohort. In the battle at the Cohort's parley, she assisted the warlock Kwasi Bediako in casting a net over Julian and Emma Carstairs after they had become true Nephilim.

Personality

Hypatia despises Shadowhunters and those who work for and with them. However, she does make exceptions—as seen in her relationship with Anna Lightwood—and is not above doing business with them herself—as she willingly helps the Blackthorns procure ingredients for a spell, albeit for a large profit.

Physical description

Hypatia has mahogany skin and bronze hair. Her warlock mark is her pair of golden star-shaped pupils. She wears a variety of fashionable clothes, including a white pantsuit and a black sheath dress. She has a smooth face and, according to Kit, seems ageless, looking like she's anywhere between eighteen and thirty.

Abilities

• Immortality: As a warlock, Hypatia is immortal and does not physically age.
• Magic: As a warlock, Hypatia can use magic.

Appearances

• Chain of Gold
• Chain of Iron
• Chain of Thorns
• The Red Scrolls of Magic
• Lord of Shadows (first appearance)
• Queen of Air and Darkness
• Forever Fallen
• Secrets of Blackthorn Hall

Etymology

The name Hypatia is a Greek name derived from the word "hýpatos" (ὕπατος) which means "highest" or "supreme". The name is strongly associated with Hypatia of Alexandria.

Her surname "Vex" means "to make someone feel annoyed or frustrated".

Trivia

• Hypatia is bisexual.
• She once seduced Anna Lightwood. She is also the only person known to have been with Anna more than once, other than Ari Bridgestock.