Clary smiled as to herself, holding the groceries tightly as she walked home. She giggled and her cheeks heated as she remembered how Jace had kissed her last night as he walked her home. It was just like he had been before he started to shrink back away from her emotionly.

She just wished he could stay that way. She looked up as the stree light above her turned on, illuminating into the seemingly pitch-black early spring night. She wondered distantly if she should really be out here this late at night but then thought about her fighting skills and oushed it out of her mind.

A flash of darkness gradually grew out the corner of her eye and she turned. A man stood there, someone who looked like they could belong in college, pale skin and long black hair that went into a tie at the back of his neck, a flute shined in his hand. Clary looked at him confused. Was he alright?

"Are you alright, sir?" she asked him, taking a step closer.

The man looked up—his shining eyes entrancing her. Shivers lightly caressed her skin. It was as if he knew her.

He opened his mouth—his voice was soft, but powerful.

"If he repeats his acts," the man said, looking at her. "We will save you. We will save you and your friend." Clary looked at him, confused.

However, before she could ask what he was talking about the man seemed to disappear into the night. What was that?

What had he meant with his message? Could "he" be Jace? Who was her "friend"? What had she just witnessed?