"I TOLD YOU NOT TO LET HER NEAR THE BOY!" Valentine was outraged.

How many times did he have to tell Hodge that the boy was dangerous, especially if recruited by his daughter?

"The girl simply turned up here," Hodge avoided Valentine's glare. "She demanded to see the boy and said that if she didn't see him now she'd only find him later. I thought it would be best if I kept them in my sights."

"Fool," Valentine could feel a slight panic rising within him. "You think she will not see through your act? She will take him well away from you before she tells him anything of interest to us!"

"Not if I can persuade the boy otherwise."

"Persuade him of what exactly?"

"The boy has built trust in me over the years and he still loves you as his father. I can persuade him not to trust her. Make him think she is his enemy."

Valentine thought this over, Hodge often proved useful in planning, but deliverance was another thing. The boy would still have trust in his tutor and father but he knew how his daughter had training far beyond normal Shadowhunters. If the two of them began to work together, it could cause a lot of trouble.

"Look, I don't care how you do it. Just keep him in the building. She may tell him something tomorrow but that's as long as I want him near her. I'll arrange a portal for tomorrow at midnight and I want him ready to come through." Valentine knew any time spent the boy and his daughter spent together would cause more trouble for himself. He also knew that his daughter would want to take him as far from Hodge and the Institute as possible.

"If I do so," Hodge's eyes were filled with hope. "Will you remove the curse put upon me?"

Valentine knew it was the only way to get him to do as asked. If he said no, Hodge would only help Clarissa.

"You have failed to get me the Cup, Hodge. But if you succeed in getting the boy to me, yes I will rid you of the curse. You've already failed me once, Hodge. Do not disappoint me!"

He looked up at his father and pushed back at the tears. The falcon lay dad, it's neck snapped, at his father's feet. "To love is to destroy and to be loved is to the one destroyed."

He woke with a start, a hand covering his mouth. His training kicked in automatically and he twisted the owner's wrist away from their body. He quickly had the arm in a lock, if the attacker moved, their arm would snap like a twig. But that was the confusing part, they didn't struggle. He realised a little late that the hand over his mouth had been more gentle than threatening.

"Not bad," Clarissa sounded amused.

"You're awfully calm for someone who could have a broken arm with a simple flick of my wrist." His face was incredibly close to hers, almost touching. "What are you doing in here?"

He loosened his grip and was surprised when she didn't move away.

"Pack your bags, we're leaving." With that she turned and started towards the door.

"What? Why?" He may have only just woken up, but that wasn't going to make him vulnerable.

"Because Hodge can't be trusted and by now my father will know I'm here." There was no fear in her voice, but it was clear she wanted well away from the Institute.

It started to dawn on him how much danger Clarissa was really in by being here. He hadn't really noticed how small she was and she had made herself vulnerable in order to get him. Whatever it was she needed from him, she was willing to put herself in a lot of danger to get it.

"I'm sensing more danger for you than me in this situation." Was he really feeling the need to protect this girl? The way she acted made it clearly noticeable that she didn't need protecting.

"I've been in worse," her expression suggested she wasn't lying. "Meet me by the elevator in ten minutes."

He was ready in five, so sat waiting for another five. What was he doing? Sneaking off in the middle of the night with the daughter of an enemy of the Clave was a stupid thing to do. So why did he want to do it so badly?

He met her at the elevator in perfect timing. Neither of them said a word and as they turned to the elevator the silence was interrupted.

"And where do you think the two of you are going?" Isabelle's voice was only just covering her anger.

Jace turned to look at his adoptive brother and sister whilst Clarissa simply crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the wall. Jace was surprised to see his sibling each had a bag with them.

"We could ask you the same question." Clarissa's voice was icy.

"Anywhere he goes," Alec nodded in Jace's direction. "We go."

"How sweet," There was a hint of amusement in her voice.

"Alec, Izz go back to bed," Jace couldn't fathom why he didn't want them involved.

"Only if you tell us where you're going," Alec, as always knew how to trap him.

When Jace didn't reply a superior smile set on Isabelle's face.

"That's just it isn't it?" She sneered at Clarissa. "Don't tell him where you're taking him so no-one can find him!"

"That, sweetheart, is how protection works," Clarissa didn't even flinch when Isabelle set her with a glare that would send most Shadowhunters running. Jace felt a pang of respect for the daughter of Valentine.

"Did you just call me sweet-"

"Fine the two of you can come as long as you don't get in the way of my work. You take my orders when given them and you won't argue."

"And why should we do that?" Isabelle wasn't fond of orders.

Jace knew what Clarissa was going to say and knew it would hold more power coming from his lips. They were, after all, his siblings, they trusted him. So when Clarissa opened her mouth to reply, her words came from his mouth instead.

"Because, from here on out, your life depends on it."