A heart is like a star: once it collapses, no shred of life will ever be recovered. As Clary looked at Luke as if he was a stranger, Simon couldn't help but draw parallels. He felt guilty for it instantly, knowing he should be standing next to her, there for her, comforting her in a way no one else could. Instead, Simon just watched as Clary's world imploded for the second time.

Somehow Clary was able to leave Luke behind and not she'd a single tear. Jace didn't say anything to her as she closed the door behind them, walked over to the sidewalk and crumpled in a miserably lifeless heap. Jace sat next to her- graceful as always- leaving a few inches between them.

"What happened wasn't your fault Clary; you have nothing to be sorry for," Jace murmured next to her.

"Sorry? I don't feel sorry?" Clary exploded. "I feel hurt and betrayed, I feel stupid for ever thinking that he cared about me. Sorry does not begin to cover it. You don't even know what I'm going through, what I'm feeling! You don't even know me!"

Jace rubbed the spot were his perfectly blonde eyebrows connected to his nose. Stupid face, stupid Jace. "I may have only known you for a little while, but I know who you are Clary. You are the person that can handle anything, you are the person that will get through this. You are the person that will find the answers, find out the truth, and I will be there, waiting to make sure you're safe. Because that is who i am: a Shadowhunters, and one that helps those in need, even if they can't see it."

"You paint me so heroically," Clary sighed.

"If I give you too much independence, you'll ditch me and the nerd will be in charge of your safety. That prospect deeply disturbs me," Jace said.

Clary punched him lightly on the arm. "Hey! Simon is incredibly smart and knows how to hold a sword."

"Yeah, a digital one."

"Were you talking about me? If so, whatever Clary said was completely accurate and whatever you said was completely stupid," Simon replied defensively, gesturing to Jace as he remarked on who was more stupid in this situation.

Both of them ignored him.

"What's our next move?" Clary asked, standing up from the sidewalk and brushing the dust from her jeans.

"First, we go back to the Institute," Jace said, getting obvious delight in taking charge of the situation. "Second, we get you some food. You haven't eaten since you woke up and that can't be good for one so small. Then we reconvene with everyone else and tell them what we've learnt." Jace made a grab for her arm but Clary stepped back out of his reach.

"We can't leave Simon here, alone, all by himself. What if those men come back?" Clary protested.

"Sure we can. All we do is take steps in the general opposite direction and continue in such a fashion until my brain recovers from so much nerd and poor fashion sense combined in a short sighted being."

"Jace, this is serious."

Jace dropped his trademark grin. "You're right, but the Clave do not permit mundanes to get involved in Shadowhunter business; they're not even allowed in the Institute."

"Can't you make an acception? If I'm involved, then Simon is too," Clary pleaded.

Jace let out a heavy breath through his nose. "Come on, mundie, the grown-ups have work to do." Jace had begun walking but spun and stared Simon in the face, eyes blank and face expressionless. "If you make on nerd joke, or annoy me in any way, I don't care what the Clave say, I will cut you into tiny pieces and feed them to your cat. Understood?"

Without waiting for a response, Jace began heading for the subway.

As Simon walked past, Clary grabbed Simon's arm and said, "Please don't tell Jace that you actually have a cat."

Since Clary had been unconscious when Jace had first bought her to the Institute, andahad beenbto occupiedowhen they whent tothr mom's gallery, Clary had no idea what the exterior of the building looked like. She was, however, not expecting an empty space.

"Jace, there's nothing her," Clary said.

"Yeah, apart from garbage, rats, and uh ... more garbage," Simon concurred.

"Shadowhunters and Downworlders use glamours to hide from mundanes, like I said. If you look hard enough, you'll find the truth is standing right in front of your face."

Jace waited patiently beside her as, piece by piece, Clary pulled back the glamour and saw the New York Institute underneath. It was breathtaking.

"I still can't see anything," Simon said.

"Try harder; I don't want to have to leave you here," Jace replied sarcastically.

Simon's eyes bugged out of his head. He whistled. "It's still a dump."

Clary followed Jace as he unlocked the door and whent inside.