Hey Hey Hey! Hope this makes up for my bitchy absence. Luv you guys!

Chapter 9

Having a stepfather who owned a bookstore had several advantages. The free books for one. Despite her love of art, Clary always made time for reading, especially manga. Luke's knowledge of he love of comic books influenced the selection of books in his store; there was an entire shelf entitled "graphic novels" at the back of the shop. And there was always the "I'm working at my stepfather's shop, sorry" excuse for times when she didn't want to do things, like try out for the spring musical last year. And the third was the peace, the being cut off from the world, being surrounded by the scents of coffee and ink and the occasional intoxicating scent of horribly strong perfume. But that peace was shattered the day Jace Wayland came into the store.

Clary was un-packing a box of books while talking to Luke. He was dressed in his typical jeans and flannel shirt, his salt-and-pepper hair slightly tousled.

"Honestly Luke," she was saying. "No one's into the Nora Roberts crap anymore. The only things they're good for are learning how to screw-I mean, please your boyfriend."

"Some people find them romantic, and the book selection in the store isn't based off of what you like," he said, though she knew he agreed with her by the way he shoved one of the books into an almost-filled shelf with slightly more force than necessary.

"Do you think you could help me?" came a voice from behind them.

Clary turned to see a tall, gold-eyed boy leaning against the counter, hands shoved into his pockets. Jace.

"Hey, Clary."

"You two know each other?"?" asked Luke.

"We go to school together," said Clary. "jace is new."

Luke smiled. "Nice to meet you, Jace."

Clary felt her stomach tighten. What the hell was he doing here? Why did he keep showing up everywhere? Why did he-

"Clary?" Luke's voice brought her back. "Are you going to help this young man?"

Gritting her teeth while putting on her best employee smile, Clary said, "What can I help you with, Jace?"

"Isabelle sent me to find her a Teen Vogue. The problem is, I don't know what that is."

A reluctant half-smile crossed Clary's face. "I suppose that's understandable. They're over here. Teen Vogue is a magazine. And you don't really strike me as the type who runs errands for people."

"I'm not doing this by choice. And why are you so talkative all of a sudden? I thought you were angry with me."

"Are you trying to make me start again?"

"So your raging lady hormones have calmed?"

"Shut up, and get your damn magazine!"

It came out louder than she'd meant it to.

"Clary! No swearing at customers," called Luke from across the store. With a scowl, Clary picked up a glossy magazine and practically threw it at Jace. "I'll ring you up."

"Ah! My magazine!" said Izzy with a beaming smile. "Thank you, my servant." She dropped a mock-curtsy and took the magazine from him.

"Remember our deal," said Jace, though he couldn't help grinning. He'd made Izzy a promise: If she stopped bitching about his date with Aline, he'd buy her the back-to-school issue of any magazine she wanted. And it had obviously worked like a charm. She'd shut up instantly, and Jace's headache had dulled into only a slight but persistent throbbing. And seeing Clary had brought it back. What was it about her? It was as if she had some kind of firewall surrounding her, and Jace would give anything to hack past it and see what she really was.

A shudder passed through Jace. He sounded like one of those shitty Nora Roberts romance novels.