Clary adjusted her shirt a little. It looked fine, sure. But was it good enough? Would he like it?
She knew that was a ridiculous thought. Of course he'd like it. He had told her she was beautiful on many occasions. He said he loved her.
But despite that, she was worried, like any self – conscious teenage girl would be. The mirror in the hotel room was small, making it difficult for her to properly assess her looks. Her red curls framed her face perfectly, and the deep green shirt she wore complemented it.
She flipped open her phone. 8:02 pm. Her friends would be at the restaurant down the street by now, and might be worried. Her excuse of "emailing her mom" (for some alone time) wouldn't fool the highly suspicious and keenly tuned instincts of Shadow Hunters for long.
The hotel was only one floor, being small and inexpensive. She did one last check in the mirror, and jogged out of the room. In a few steps, she was out on the street.
A few miles away, she could see the lights of Los Angeles. But they had only arrived about an hour ago, and decided to stay in town tonight.
Her black flats hit the pavement as she pocketed her cell phone. She was anxious to get to the restaurant, for she did not carry the usual weapons a Shadow Hunter would. Clary impatiently flipped her hair and continued walking.
But she began to slow as a group of 2. . No, three men loitered in a few feet ahead of her. Don't make eye contact, she thought, just walk around.
"Hey, what do we have here fellas?" Shit. She quickened her pace, but one man grabbed her upper arm.
"Where are ya' rushing to sweetheart?" he sneered. His breath reeked of alcohol and cigarettes. The two other men walked up next to him.
"None of your business." She yelled, trying to attract attention. But this town was small, and the only people around were down the street, at the restaurant.
"Shh, relax, babe." He snickered. One of the other men, a big, burly pig, came and grabbed her other arm. Clary twisted and flailed, but they were much stronger. They dragged her into a small ally, an ally you wouldn't have noticed if you weren't looking for it. The only light was the moon and the stars.
"HELP!" She screamed, only to receive a large crack across her face. She stumbled down, and would've fallen if the two men hadn't been holding her up.
"We don't need any of that now, do we?" the third man sneered. He looked like a rat, Clary thought. A filthy rat.
She opened her mouth to scream again, but was punched hard in the gut, and the wind was knocked out of her. She tried to kick up, but one of the men holding her had stepped on her feet.
"Such a pretty face..." The man said dauntingly, as he brushed his hand against her chin. Clary shot him a look that could kill.
"Don't be like that," he said, and flashed a wicked smile. He traced a finger down her chest, slowly undoing the buttons. One of the men had covered her mouth, so all she could do was close her eyes. Help, she begged, to any God or Spirit that might exist. Help.
All the buttons were undone, and the man pushed her shirt aside, his eyes hungry. He licked his lips. Clary watched as he collapsed. Wait, he collapsed?
She didn't see any more, for she was abruptly punched in her side, and thrown against the brick wall. She toppled to the hard cement, and struggled to stay awake.
Her ears rung with the sound of a fight, punches, yells, and the sickening sound of a bone being broken. She listened, until all she could here was footsteps. Walking towards her. She braced herself, wanting to run, but lacking the strength.
Someone grabbed her arm, and she pushed away, with a few tears leaking out of her closed eyes.
"Clary, it's me," he said. His voice was warm, familiar, and a save haven.
"Jace," she whispered, as she turned to face him. His golden curls framed his perfect face, and his auburn eyes. His faced with filled with worry and fear.
His hands gently cupped her face, as he bent down and kissed her. Softly, not wanting to hurt her. He slowly leaned back, and observed her. She looked so pitiful, so alone.
His hands gently pulled together her shirt, and slowly began to button it together. He shook off his jacket and wrapped it around her.
"Clary, I'm so sorry," He whispered, picking her up. "I should've waited, and stayed..."
Clary didn't care. She was safe, and had warm arms protecting her. "I love you," she mumbled, her face in his chest.
Jace allowed himself a small smile. "I love you too."