The Mortal Instruments and all related characters and concepts belong to Cassandra Clare and Simon & Schuster, inc.

~Written by B.

The ravener they were facing this time was bigger than any Clary had faced before. She jumped to the side before the demon could sink its teeth into her throat. It made a hissing sound and shook itself off.

"Clary, here!" called to her, lightly tossing a seraph blade to her. "It's name is Jahoel." He pointed to the demon and started up the stairs. "Quickly, it seems to have regained its bearings. I'll see what I can find up here."

She charged the demon, slicing its throat with the blade. Just as the stinger was whipping around towards her head, the demon folded in on itself, leaving nothing behind in its place. Gasping, she looked around for any other demons. The coast seemed clear.

"Did you find anything?" she called to Jace as she peeked into one of the rooms.

Jace shook his head. "No, nothing helpful. Odd place, isn't it?"

This took Clary by surprise. "Odd how?" They were standing in what seemed to be an old abandoned motel. One of the really cheap ones that gets shut down by the health department or something. They had been to the Silent City, the Dumort, and even the Seelie Court, so she couldn't imagine something so simple appearing strange to him.

"I'm not really sure. There's no furnace and it's in the dead of winter, but it's hot in here. And I don't think it's just because I'm in the room."

She ignored him and walked around. She realized this was true; it was quite hot all over the motel. She couldn't really think of a good reason. "Well, could it be because of the demons that were here?"

Jace looked thoughtful for a moment. "Nah, I don't think so. Raveners don't really give off much heat and besides, there's no sign of demon activity on the second floor. I wonder why it was here in the first place. I've been here before and-"

"You have?" Clary interrupted.

"Yes. Demons have shown up here before, but I can't figure out why. I've searched the place multiple times and I can't find anything that would attract them."

"Maybe they like the heat here?" she suggested.

Jace shrugged. "Maybe." He gave a little chuckle and started back downstairs. "I'm sure Alec is wondering where I am. I told him I'd be back at the Institute by five."

"I don't need to be home until eight, so I'll come too. If," she added, "you don't mind too much."

Jace twirled her around and pulled her close. "Now why would I mind that?" He kissed her and ran backwards out the door. "You coming?" He flashed her his blinding smile.

Clary rolled her eyes and ran past him. "Race you!" she shouted back as she darted down the sidewalk.

"Oh, you don't want to get into that," he shouted back. He soon caught up with her of course, despite her head start. He ran ahead to prove his point, then they slowed down together. "I told you. Now you owe me dinner at Taki's tomorrow, Shadowhunter racing rules."

"You made that up," she laughed as they arrived at the Institute. It was about half past five.

"You're late," said Alec the minute we stepped in the door.

"I know."

Alec sighed. "Well, I don't need you anymore. I asked Magnus to help me instead."

"'Kay." Jace replied.

Clary didn't even bother asking what it was that he needed help with. "Well, since you're free now..." she trailed off.

Jace dropped off some of his hunting gear in the back room and called to her, "You should stay. I rented a movie."

"I'll have to call Luke. What movie?"

"I don't know. I just rented one. Does it matter?" he asked and tilted her chin up to look at him.

She laughed. "No."

Luke wasn't too happy about Clary blowing off dinner, but that didn't really matter. It was a crappy movie, crappier than the ones she used to find on TV with Simon. Something about a secret ninja plot to kill the queen. Neither of them were paying attention. About halfway through, they fell asleep on the couch clutching each other.