Clarissa's deep red hair was the only thing of color in the room, everything else was blank; the walls, the sheets, even the light that came through the window. All color had drained from her face leaving it deathly pale.
"Clary," Jace whispered, his voice breaking under the weight of the sadness pressing on him as he walked into the room. He felt his heart jump up into his throat and tears prick at the corners of his eyes.
Luke stood at the door to the room, his face a mask of pain. "I'm so sorry," he said. "We did everything we could to save her; the silent brothers, everyone tried, but it was too late."
Jace stood a few feet from the bed, unable to move as if his feet were tethered to the ground. The lump in his throat grew until he felt as if he couldn't breathe. He could feel Luke's eyes on his back, they were sad, tired eyes and they were filled with pity.
"Do you want me to leave?" Luke asked quietly. Jace nodded. Luke turned and began to leave but at last second he looked back. Jace was staring at him, his blond hair was messed as if he had been tugging at it, but his face was calm, there was no anger in his eyes only sadness. But it was the tears streaming down his face that startled Luke.
Jace listened to the footsteps as they faded down the hall, until it was so quiet he could hear the sound of his own heart beating in his ears. He looked back to the bed, how he wished he could hear Clary's breathing, the soft heavy sound of her asleep. But there was only deathly silence.
Finally he moved, Jace stumbled forward, half walking, half falling to the side of the bed, his graceful shadowhunter demeanor gone. He grabbed fistfuls of the sheets in his long fingers, sobs tearing through his body. His knees gave out and he fell to the floor, he pulled the blankets to his face pressing the soft fabric to his nose. He could smell Clary, her sweet warm smell like summer but it was tainted with the cold metallic scent of blood. Jace pulled himself up so he stood over her, her face blurred by his tears. He traced the cool ivory of her cheek longing to feel the warmth of her skin. "Goodbye," he said leaning down to brush his lips against hers.