Credit goes to Miss Clare, but you know that...

Chapter 2

I woke up to the sun searing my face. I put my arm across my eyes, not ready to start the day. But I sighed, knowing I would have to anyway. As I rolled out of bed, I stumbled blindly to the bathroom.

All night I saw Clary, from her fierce personality to her amazing emerald eyes. And by the Angel did I like it. I groaned, leaning over the sink.

It was pathetic. Jace Wayland does not, and will not, pine away over some mundie girl. I turned on the cold water and splashed a handful onto my face, viciously scrubbing her pretty memory away.

I straightened to look at my reflection in the mirror.

I was a tall, handsome, no, gorgeous, man. I had it all, the looks, a family, a home, and the best damn job around, Shadowhunter. Yet the longer I stared, the emptier I felt. I have noticed girls and they have certainly noticed me, when I wanted them to. Flirting was a constant pastime in my life, I would find a few good ones sometimes. Ones that seemed decent at first, but end up only wanting more. Dating. That's the term mundies used. Never have I found someone worth such 'attention'. Then I imagined Clary standing by my side, her small body enclosed between my arms.

I groaned again and hung my head against the wall. Fine, so that's how going to be then, huh, Clary? I knew it wasn't her fault, but it felt nice to blame her, she was the one after all that was too cute for her own good.

~oOo~

After I showered and dressed, I ventured out of my room. The Institute seemed unusually quiet. Most mornings Max would be playing in the hallways, fighting invisible demons or reading on the ancient furniture. He made the Institute feel warmer, younger. I heard Izzy humming in the kitchen, hitting pots and pans and Angel knows what else together.

Now if I could just turn the other way… I feared Izzy's cooking more than any demon.

"Oh Jacey!" Shit, she caught me; maybe I could make a run for it, but she would most likely catch me by the ankle with her whip and drag me in.

I surrendered, walking into the kitchen with my usual cocky gaunt. Even in the morning she was dressed in all over black hunting gear. Her whip hung menacingly from her wrist. "Hey, Isssabelle."

She grimaced. A very, exotic, starving artist ex-boyfriend of hers used to exaggerate the 's' in her name.

I sat down on a chair by the counter, feeling defeated. "So what atrocity are you creating this morning?" The table was crowded with bowls, spoons, and pans, while a thick layer of flour dusted everything.

"I'm making pancakes." She ignored my insult and went back to humming and flipped a page in her magazine.

Behind her, dark smoke had began to spiral up to the ceiling. I smirked and cleared my throat. "You sure about that?"

Izzy looked suspicious, but slowly turned around. She gasped in horror, running to turn off the stove. When she looked at me she was fuming.

"Here, I made this one special for you." With that she whipped her hand out from behind her back and threw a burnt crisp of a pancake at my head.

I ducked and it hit the wall with a thud, leaving a black streak.

She pouted and crossed her arms over her chest, muttering to herself, "I did everything the recipe said."

I smiled and muttered back, "except pay attention."

She growled quietly, "shut up."

I replaced my smile with a calculating frown and shook my head, "nope, can't do that." Then added with a wink, "not even for you."

Her eyes narrowed to dark slits, she was ready to walk over and hit me now. Alec walked through the door, interrupting her little tirade.

Izzy's mood changed drastically as she said in a high singsong voice, "Good morning, Alec!"

He looked startled with his hair in disarray and eyes bright with questions. "Uh, good morning to you too Iz." He looked to me then the table, which was still covered in a wide array of cooking utensils.

He turned green, "I see you made breakfast."

"Uhuh." She turned around with a full plate of 'pancakes' and set them in his thin hands. His eyes widened at the horrid black lumps. She smiled and batted her eyelashes at him, begging for approval. Alec looked to me for help, but I only smiled and shook my head.

As I walked out I heard Izzy whine, "Oh come on Alec, don't be mean, just put some extra syrup on to cover up the smoky flavor."

I laughed and ran upstairs to the training room.

~oOo~

The training room was located on the top level of the Institute. It was by far the biggest room here. Every inch of the hardwood floor was covered in foam mats. Punching bags hung from every corner of the room. Rows of rusted metal shelves held training staves, dull daggers, swords, and an array of padded leather gear. I breathed in the sweet smell of sweat and mildew took my senses. I growled as I pulled my shirt over my head. Training always made me feel better, it kept my thoughts in check, which I needed a lot recently. I could hit, kick, and eventually slaughter a punching bag in less than a hour.

Today I was not in the right mood. It took me four hours to knock a bag off its chain.

And all because my mind kept wandering from the task at hand. Wandering off to Clary and wondering if I would see her again. An interesting question crossed my mind, who was that kid with her? Was she with that guy? No I don't care, why should I care?

I jumped around the bag, lunging and dodging imaginary hits. As I punched harder, a drop of sweat landed on my shoulder. I don't care.

My heel smacked the bag, releasing bits of white fluff from the side. I don't care.

As I raised my fist for the next punch, I saw the kid's pinched face. I smashed my fist into his forehead and split a knuckle in the process. By the Angel. The bag was split in two and hung on the chain by its bare threads. But I didn't feel the victory, sinking to the floor I hung my head in defeat. I hadn't the slightest idea why, I just knew that I cared. For her. I wanted to know every detail about her. From her friends to who had named her Clary. I leaped off the ground, dragging bits of fluff behind me.

There was knock and the door opened. Alec stepped in, looking paler than usual.

I smirked; I bet he ate Izzy's pancakes. "How are you doing Alec?"

He visibly swallowed. "Not well."

I clicked my tongue and shook head. "You should have made a run for it, while you still had the chance." I leaned down to gather the pieces of cotton scattered across the floor.

He raised an eyebrow at me. "Good training session?"

"Spectacular," I grinned.

Frowning, he changed the subject, "Iz is telling Hodge about last night."

Clary. I stood up, but only shrugged.

I turned and proceeded to clean again, but I could feel Alec's stiff gaze on me.

His voice lowered, "How do you think she could see us?"

I didn't turn around. "Maybe she made a deal with the Fair Folk."

"Seems unlikely," he said with little doubt in his voice.

Turning from the bag to face Alec I said, "You're right." He looked momentarily shocked, it was rare when I said someone else was right. "She didn't seem to know anything."

The click of heels made me glance at the door.

Izzy stepped in, glaring in my direction. "Hodge wants you two." And with a final click she added, "Now."

~oOo~

When we reached Hodge's study, the library, he was sitting at his desk. Hugo perched on his shoulder like a gargoyle, his black eyes accusing.

He didn't look up as we entered. I cleared my throat.

Hodge looked up while he folded his hands on top of the desk, not rushing to speak. "Isabelle brought an interesting fact to light for me today." He paused and looked between Alec and I. "Apparently a mundane saw through your glamour, is that true, Jace?"

His eyes pinned me. I hated when Hodge would target me, like I was the only one in the wrong. But I am. I nodded, not wanting upset Hodge further.

He frowned, making the lines around his mouth darken. "Why in the world you let this girl go, I cannot understand." Izzy looked away. "A hundred years and not one mundane has the Sight, but the night one does, you fail to remit such a small detail." He stood, turned to the window and began smoothing Hugo's ruffled feathers.

With his back still to us, he muttered, "I do not understand how this girl could see through your glamour." He turned with his hands behind his back and now spoke directly to us. "This girl could be a threat," I resisted the urge to scoff, "I want you to find her and bring her here, then I may speak to her."

My mouth fell slightly open. I couldn't believe it we were going to bring her here. No, I was going to bring Clary, alone.

I smirked, "Hodge, we don't all need to go. I'll find her, alone."

Hodge stared at me. His dark eyes narrowed in thought. After a few moments he spoke. "Take all necessary weapons with you." I began to leave, then said, "I doubt she will be any sort of threat."

Hodge's tone dismissed me immediately. "I will be the judge of that."

Alec and Izzy's shock was still apparent in their expressions.

When I left library I heard the door close and felt a light tap on my shoulder. Alec's blue eyes said he felt betrayed.

"Jace, we're parabatai, it's my responsibility to go with you."

I sighed, I didn't want to hurt Alec. "I'm sorry, but I can do this alone."

He protested, "But what if you get hurt, what if you can't heal yourself?"

I smirked, making a gesture to myself. "Come on, look who you're talking to."

I turned to walk away when I heard Alec mutter childishly under his breath, "You like her, don't you?"

I almost tripped, but kept walking, pretending not to hear him as I ventured to the weapons room.

Here and there I grabbed weapons, not paying much attention to what they were. I was still stunned at Alec's statement. I wasn't angry with him, because it was true, I did like her. Clary was very pretty, other than that I didn't know much else.

But how could he tell? Was it that obvious that I found her attractive?

I sighed and shook my head as I covered myself in multiple runes. I took the elevator downstairs and jogged out the Institute's front door, ready to find the one girl that had plagued my every thought.

Thanks for reading!