The room was full of smoke, even though smoking wasn't allowed, and it was also full chatter and clinking of glasses. Clary glanced at Isabelle on her side; she seemed to fit right in with the artsy, grudge crowd around them. Then again; Isabelle could fit in anywhere, with her striking looks and attitude, she made Clary feel like an inexperienced child. Jace was at her other side, eyes fixed on the stage, their golden depths seemed to smolder in the gloom. Clary couldn't believe that Simon's band was actually chosen to play at this place; but they were. Clary couldn't help but think that it had something to do with Jordan's presence that got them there. But whatever the cause it was the effect that mattered. And that was why Clary was out in downtown Manhattan at one o'clock in the morning when she would have been pleased to be in bed, asleep.

Clary casually glanced over at Jace; he was staring straight at her. Usually Clary didn't mind this, but it was the way he was looking at her caused a shiver to pass through her. His head was slightly tilted to the side, eyes regarding her as if she were a piece of meat he was planning on feasting on.

"What?" Clary snapped, her voice clipped. Jace was creeping her out. He kept staring at her though, and when he seemed satisfied (Clary didn't know of what) he dropped his gaze and turned away. Clary shakily turned away as well and focused her gaze on the stage. She didn't know why, but a feeling of genuine fear had raced through her. Making sure Jace wasn't looking; she sneaked a sideways look at him. He looked fine, healthy even, better than he had in weeks. She should be happy: he had been so ill for so long. So why was she so afraid?

A man came out on stage; his hair was dark and his eyes an eerily light grey, lined with black eyeliner. He quietly introduced the band and the curtain opened. Jordan crooned sexily into the mike; the song was crap but Jordan's voice made it sound decent. Clary forced herself to relax and listen to the music; Jace was watching them with narrowed eyes, looking very intent. Clary nearly jumped when she felt his hand find hers. His grip was tight and Clary resisted the urge to cry out. Isabelle noticed Clary's pained expression and her eyebrows furrowed,

"Hey Jace, ease up. Clary will eventually need her hand." Jace rolled his eyes but his grip lessened considerably. Clary wanted him to let go of her hand, but tried to let it not show. It was then that she noticed someone just by the stage, closer to the doors and almost completely shrouded by the shadows. She could just make out the white shirt and gold chain around his throat.

"I'll be right back" she said, getting up from her seat and walking away. She could feel Isabelle's concerned stare and Jace's angry one. She ignored them and walked right up to the stranger.

She stood in front of Raphael, making sure she was still visible to Isabelle and Jace, and planted her hands on her hips.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Raphael's face was expressionless, except for the glint in his eye; Clary could tell it was amusement.

"Checking on Simon,"

Clary gave a bark of sarcastic laughter, "yeah right. Since when do you care about Simon?"

Raphael's mouth twitched, "I don't. It's my duty as a sire to check on him."

"And you're doing a fabulous job. Now go away."

Raphael laughed; it was cold and full of dark humor. Clary wanted to bash his head in. he turned his back on her, heading to the doors, his voice was clear when he said,

"Just to let you know, Jace isn't Jace anymore. In case you haven't noticed, he's gone."

Clary felt her heart drop to her stomach. "W-What?" she stammered. But he kept walking. Clary shook herself out of her haze and ran up and blocked his way. Raphael raised his eyebrows expectantly.

"What are you talking about?" Raphael gazed at her with what could only be described as boredom.

"Not that your stupid problems concern me in anyway. But I just thought you should know that Jace isn't who you think he is. That being he is no longer Jace." Clary just stared at him.

"Okay. Now you're sounding nuts." Raphael shrugged delicately, "insane or not. It's true." He tried to make Clary move out of his way.

"Now if you don't mind, I'm going to do as you requested. Leave. Good bye, Clarissa Morgenstern." Clary rushed at him so she was right in his face. Raphael rolled his eyes, "now what?"

"It's not true" her voice was insistent and, to her horror, cracking slightly. Raphael gave her a sad smile and none too gently shoved her out of the way.

"Oh, it is. Do yourself a favor and give Blondie a better look, then you'll see who's actually there." And with that Raphael was gone. Clary looked down at her hands; they were shaking and deathly pale. Very slowly she closed them into fists and looked up.

Clary reeled back; Jace was standing right in front of her.

"What was that about?" Clary barely heard the question: she was staring into Jace's face. Trying to see what was really behind his golden, steady eyes. And after a moment she did.

It was like she was falling into the middle of the earth. Clary was almost positive she was going to be sick. She turned around and ran, far out of Jace's outreached hands, out the door and down the alley until she was at the main street. Once there she found a trash can and threw up everything in her stomach. Tears were streaming down her face when she was done; she sank to a seat on the bench.

She knew now. She had seen what was really there. He could try to hide it, mimicking how Jace talked and behaved, wearing him like a second skin. He looked like Jace. But he wasn't Jace. Jace was gone. Now this monster had taken his place. Clary silently wiped the tears from her cheeks. Her heart ached for the one that had once been, but was not anymore. After what seemed like hours, Clary got up from her place and slowly made her way back to the lounge. If she was going to make this work, she would have to fake it. Make sure he didn't know she knew. Clary took a deep breath and entered the lounge. She plunged through the other tables until she came to theirs. By now Simon and Jordan were sitting with Jace and Isabelle. Clary pasted on a smile and went to join them.

"What happened?" Jace demanded as soon as she sat down. Clary forced her voice to be light and breezy, when she felt like weeping. "Nothing. Must have been something I ate. Sorry." Jace's fury dimmed and then went out when Clary snuggled up to him.

Isabelle was more suspicious though.

"How are you feeling?"

Clary looked her straight in the eye and said,

"Fine." she looked up at Jace and tried not to show her hate for the thing that was now him.

"I'm just fine."