Chapter two

Jace rushed outside to find Clary getting into a cab, her fiery red hair the only indication he had and hailing another he followed her, desperate not to lose her. He knew this would seem creepy and stalker like but he was consumed by something unfamiliar, a need to follow this girl to not lose her. In front of him the cab stopped.

Hastening out he only had enough time to see Clary disappear inside a door.

Without thinking Jace began to climb up the gutter, knowing that there would be hell to pay later but not caring; above him a light flickered on and a shadow appeared. Prying open the window to what was presumably her room hoping that Clary wasn't there to see him arrive, Jace heard the faint sound of a shower.

Smiling silently to himself unspeakable things involving a shower and soap bubbling around in his mind Jace entered the room glancing around at the bright colours and painting on the walls. There were many, all gracefully painted, some of sunsets other of Shadowhunters but they were all beautiful. Snagging one off the wall Jace placed it in his pocket for later.

Ten minutes later the shower shut off. Jace didn't know whether to hide or wait for her but there wasn't much time to decide; the door knob turned, a click sounded as it unlocked. Perching on the window ledge propping his leg up lazily his eyes narrow to slits Jace gazed toward the opening door.

Clary emerged out of the bathroom, dressed in nothing but a towel not expecting any visitors, her wild fiery hair spread in wet tangles down her back, water trailing lazily down her body while Jace stared and for a moment he knew he would let this woman do anything to him.

"My, my," Jace said when Clary moved to get dressed. "Don't you look ravishing. But not as good as I would look in a towel."

Clary jumped spinning to face him surprise on her face. "What," she shrieked, "Are you doing here?"

Jace smiled. "I came here to apologise, but what I find is a beautiful girl in towel. . ." Jace peered closer at Clary but she only glared fire in her eyes that made Jace's grin wider.

"How did you get in here?"

"Through the window."

"Can you leave?" Clary demanded her eyes boring into Jace's with fire, ready to boil and Jace wanted to see what would happen if she did boil over.

"No," Jace replies. "I'm enjoying the view too much."

Clary sighed, snatching her clothes from her bed. "Might as well make yourself comfortable."

Jace smiled his eyes following her as she disappeared back into the bathroom the door locking unfortunately. He would have loved a little peak.

Jumping of the window ledge Jace made his way through the house, being nosy glancing into room after room finding that she is the only person living here and for a big house it seemed a lot to keep running but it was nice. The walls were painted plain white but they were chipped, claw marks scratched down the walls from a demon, the furniture, everything was almost destroyed; the life of Clary Fray seemed more and more intresting by the minute.

Opening a door he found her weapons room, full of swords and Seraph blades, more weapons than Jace has ever seen in one room. Strolling over to a sword, running his hand over the blade in a carress Jace was impressed by Clary, her weapons and the girl herself; Jace never gets impressed by anyone. That is how Clary found him a few minutes later.

"Careful," Clary said stepping into the room in a baggy Star Wars shirt and trousers. ""It's sharp. I sharpened it this morning."

"It's beautiful," Jace whispered gazing lovingly at the sword. "This whole room is. So full of weapons. Where did you get them all?"

"These are my collection from, over the years," Clary replied moving over to a curved blade. "This I picked up from Prague."

Jace moved over to stand beside Clary, close enough that he could see the small hairs on her neck, her hair pinned back and he wished that she would let it lose, let it tumble down in a wild mess. Clary tensed as she felt Jace's breath on her neck. Suddenly Clary whirled around to face him.

"Why are you here?" she demanded.

"I told you," Jace said. "I came to apologise for my behaviour. I was wrong to act like I did, to speak like that. It must be hard having both of your parents on the run from the Clave. I'm sorry."

Jace bowed his head to peer at Clary. They were standing close, Jace could feel her breath on his chest, he could almost feel there bodies touching and something rose up inside him, a powerful feeling he cannot explain.

"Clary," he breathed notiching her leaning toward him.

"I think you should leave," Clary said stepping back away from him.

Jace backed away his mask in place not wanting to let her see how hurt he was. "Fine," he said. "But I shall be back."