Thank you for your continued support.

I am regretful to say that I will be going on holiday, where there is no WIFI.

So I will be able to do one more chapter after this before I go.

Enjoy this one,

Chapter 35…

{Jace's POV}

Somehow that night, Clary had fallen asleep on my shoulder.

Carefully I picked her up and carried her down to our room.

Where I laid her down under the sheets.

I was about to let her go when she suddenly gripped me, still sleeping.

Not wanting to disturb her, I followed her grip and then Clary pulled her head onto my chest.

Smiling down at her I relaxed.

She just seemed to fit, I was more comfortable whenever I was touching her.

She brought out something in me I thought not possible.

Love.

Even though I had known Clary barely a month, the connection I felt with her was undeniable.

{Clary's POV}

I woke up to the sun heating up my eyelids.

Yawning I rolled over, so that I wasn't facing the sun anymore.

Until I realised I was no longer on a mattress, what I was on was somehow harder yet more comfortable.

My eyes then flew open as I realised.

"Good morning Tiger, good sleep?"

He joked as I was completely laying on top of him.

Although every instinct in my body told me to jump off and crumble to the floor in embarrassment. Something compelled me to stay right where I was.

Letting out a heavy breath I rested my head back on his chest, and jokingly said.

"Just 5 more minutes"

I heard Jace make a wheezing sound which I assumed was like a laugh.

"Clary you weigh a ton."

He replied sarcastically.

"What can I say, you must be weak"

Our gazes caught and locked. I imagined that wave that seemed to catch me whenever I was near Jace, how I felt myself being pulled under. Pulled to him by forces beyond my control.

As if he felt that same pull he inclined his head towards me now.

It felt natural, as right as breathing, for me to lower my lips to his.

I felt his soft exhalation against my mouth, like a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

His hands rose to cup my face, causing my eyes to flutter shut.

When my eyes shut all I could think about was Jace's mouth on mine, and how it was just right.

Without warning I heard my own voice echoing in my ears.

"Amar es destruir"

Jerking me out of my moment of bliss, these words caused me to leap off Jace and away from him.

"Clary what's wron-"

"I think you need to leave."

I could see how much I was hurting him, but the agony I was experiencing was punishment enough.

Jace lifted himself off the bed and began walking toward me, I backed away until I knocked into the dresser.

"Clary please open up to me"

Daring to meet his eyes I saw the confusion in them, they were pleading with me in desperation.

Gritting my teeth, I spoke harshly,

"Get. Out."

Finally listening to me command Jace ducked out of the room, now refusing to make eye contact.

The second the door slammed shut I crumbled to the floor, leaning my now healed back against the dresser.

Why, when I knew that he was the worst thing in the world for me, did sending him away feel like such a terrible mistake.

{Alec's POV}

I had risen early that morning, and met with Izzy in the living room at dawn.

"Ready to go home brother?"

"Ready as I'll ever be, you don't think we're making a mistake do you?"

Izzy's head snapped round so she was looking straight on at me.

"I think we are. The Clave has judged Clary on old-fashioned motives, fear. If we can show them she is no longer a danger, and could be a useful asset…"

"... maybe they can see reason"

I finished for her.

As if on cue Magnus entered the room in an expensive looking silk dressing gown, obviously not one for early rising.

"Shouldn't you Nephilim be portalling to Alicante right about now?"

He asked, raising one eyebrow.

"Jace and Clary will be along soon, then we will be out of your hair."

Izzy responded in a polite manner.

"Perfect, although I don't mind having some of you in my hair"

Magnus winked at me and I felt the heat rush to my cheeks.

Even though I did find Magnus attractive and we had slept together, sometimes I thought he was too open about our intimacy.

Also, I noticed Izzy had clocked onto what Magnus was referring to - making me flush an even darker red.

{Jace's POV}

~ time skip ~

We had retrieved all of our weapons and were now just waiting on Clary to emerge from her room.

Alec had restocked his quiver, I had my usual swords and blade and of course Izzy had her whip with a few throwing daggers.

Finally Clary appeared in the room.

Her expression was set and unwavering, very different from the Clary I had spoken to earlier.

I nearly gasped when I saw what she was wearing, black shadowhunter gear.

But not like any I had seen before.

She had obviously cut it off at the shoulders, showing off her striking black runes.

The leather fit perfectly to every curve of her body, with runes of gold twisting around her.

I had never seen anyone look so deadly yet breathtaking at the same time.

When I finally looked into Clary's eyes, I had to suppress a gasp.

They had paled significantly, no longer the deep luscious pools I had gazed into earlier. No. Now they were hardened and striking.

She looked like her father.

I thought with sorrow.

"Let's go then."

Clary commanded.

We all nodded in agreement and stood back to allow Clary to draw her portal rune.

Seeing her eyes darken to a thick black was no longer a shock.

Although she still tried to cover it up by turning her back exaggeratedly.

{Clary's POV}

I knew my eyes had changed, like they always did when I was using my abilities.

However, I was still ashamed to show them. So I turned away from Jace and closed my eyes.

Using my mind to reach for the rune it finally appeared in the forefront of my mind.

My hand began flowing, but I kept my eyes closed to focus on the detail of the rune. As this one would need to be more powerful, because we were portalling into a heavily warded place. Alicante.

My eyes flew open as I felt my hand stop, facing me was a glowing rune hanging midair.

Stepping back slightly we watched it fizz out into a gleaming portal.

Feeling Jace grab my hand I clutched his back.

I had never been to Alicante before so had to be holding someone who knew where they were going.

"Ready?"

He asked.

"Yes."

I replied shortly.

Then before I knew it we were leaping through the portal.

I watched as Magnus' apartment disappeared around me.

Then everything went dark.

I tried to take a deep breath, but I started to choke.

It was water.

I was underwater.

Opening my eyes I saw that I was surrounded by masses of open blue water.

Kicking violently I managed to make my way to the surface, gasping for air as I exploded out.

Quickly, I looked around for the others.

I saw 2 figures lying on the bay of this lake.

But where was the third?

Twisting around to see if I could see anyone, I saw a body floating 20 meters away from me.

Knowing who it was instantly, I dove back underwater and swam as hard as I could.

Jace. Jace. Jace.

His name ringing in my ears for every stroke I took.

When I reached him, I pulled one of his arms across my shoulder and turned us around so we were facing the shore where Alec and Izzy were.

Thankfully we weren't that far, but that didn't mean it wasn't bloody hard work practically carrying someone who was about twice my size and weight.

I thought my legs were going to give up.

However I made it to the shallows, where I could stand and pull Jace with me - his legs dragging on the floor.

All of a sudden I felt Jace's weight lift off me, and out of the corner of my eye glimpsed Alec taking Jace's other arm to carry him.

Letting go of Jace I stumbled forwards and collapsed on the shore, all of the energy sapped out of me from carrying Jace.

Properly taken in my surroundings, I noticed it.

I knew where we were.

Lake Lyn.

Which meant Jace was in more danger than I had thought.

Hope you all enjoyed - drop a review and let me know what you thought.

Happy holidays everyone !

Song 13 ~ Paper Love - Allie X