A/N: Finally updating after such a long time. I'm really a bad person. Sorry! Times a million! Please forgive me! I'll try to update more often. Read, review(!) and enjoy :D

Chapter Nine

~Clary~

Magnus put some tunes on, loudly, which made it hard to talk. That was fine with me. I didn't really want to talk.

Why did this happen to me? I wasn't even sure I wanted to be here. It was kind of nice though, to be surrounded by friends who didn't look at me with pity. I'm sure they're my friends or almost there. I hoped they were.

But I really didn't want them to find out my past. I don't think I could bear their pity. Especially from Jace. I don't know exactly why, but he was different to me.

My thoughts took a different turn. Mom had been lying to me for the past 14 years. My dad wasn't dead but he was actually here at my school.

I'd told Sebastian so he knew too. I wondered if he was thinking the same thing I was and what we should do now.

Magnus pulled in front of a long line of people. Music could be heard very faintly from even inside the car.

So this was Pandemonium.

The line was huge. Would we even be able to get in?

Isabelle, Jace, and I got out of the car and Alec followed a couple seconds later.

"See you in a bit, darlings!" Magnus called in a way-too-cheerful voice. Jace and Isabelle ignored him and started walking away. I saw Alec cast a weird glance at Magnus's car as it drove away.

I turned away and caught up to Jace and Isabelle. They completely ignored the line.

Jace must have felt my confusion because he turned and winked at me.

"Come on. We'll show you something." I nodded as my heart skipped a beat. Thankfully, Jace turned away before he noticed my red face

Jace led me past the bouncer who nodded to us as we passed him by. I made a mental note to ask Jace later.

Ear-splitting music greeted us as soon as we entered the club. I'd heard it outside so I'd known that it would be loud, but I'd still never expected it to be this loud. I winced as a particularly loud bass line assaulted my ears. Alec, Isabelle, and Jace seemed unaffected.

Doubt filled me. Was this really such a good idea? Jace turned back and grinned. Just like that, my doubts disappeared. He was able to do that and I bet he didn't even know what he was doing. It was still nice though. Jace offered his hand and I took it, grateful.

Then I got my first full view of Pandemonium. (We'd been in a hall leading to the main dance floor before.)

It was crowded. Beyond crowded. Tons of people were dancing and others were sitting on couches making out or at the bar getting drinks. The whole thing was overwhelming. I might have turned away if not for Jace's hand.

"Come on!" Isabelle shouted and turned back to me. Jace dropped his hand from mine. I ignored the strange disappointment and looked at Isabelle.

"I don't know how to dance," I admitted. Isabelle waved her left hand about, uncaring, like it didn't matter.

"I'll teach you," she said. When I still hesitated, Isabelle grew impatient. "Come on!" She grabbed my hand and pulled me away. I cast a desperate save-me look back at Jace and Alec. The latter ignored me and the former waved.

Seeing no escape, I gave up my struggles and allowed Isabelle to teach me how to dance.

~Jace~

I watched in amusement as Isabelle practically dragged Clary out onto the dance floor. I even waved when Clary looked back. Of course, I felt kind of sorry for her, being stuck with Isabelle like that, but she'd survive. Even if she was a little scarred.

Scarred… In class today, I'd seen scars on her arms and she'd said glass had cut her. What had that meant? I had been going to ask her more about it, but there hadn't been a time to bring it up. I told myself to remember to ask her later, even if I had no idea why I cared.

I went to the bar and ordered a coke. Just then, a person I really did not want to see came up. Kaelie. But Aline wasn't around. I'd seen Aline all over Clary's brother and I almost felt sorry for him. Almost, but not quite. Aline wasn't as bad as Kaelie.

"Jace, baby," she cooed and placed her hands on my legs.

"Kaelie," I winced, the sound of her voice grating harshly on my ears. But she didn't notice.

"Come dance," she giggled and I had to bite back the urge to shove her away or swear at her. Seriously. What had I ever seen in her? Besides a hot body, she had nothing else.

Then I saw Clary approaching. She seemed kind of nervous or wary but still came over. What was she planning?

Five feet away, she stopped and took a breath. Clary put on a huge smile and ran forward to me.

"Jace!" she cried. "Come dance with me!" I was suddenly enveloped in a hug. "Play along," she whispered in my ear. So this had been her plan.

"Fine," I sighed loudly, acknowledging both things she'd said. This was my chance to get away from Kaelie and I'd get to dance with Clary. It was a perfect deal.

Kaelie was speechless when faced with the new kid who'd looked like she'd never seen an Aeropostle store and had now transformed into this beauty, wearing some recently made dress.

Clary pulled me out onto the dance floor, leaving the stunned Kaelie behind.

We danced for a long time. I had to admit that Isabelle had done a good job teaching Clary how to dance.

Suddenly, the DJ played a slow song. Clary looked confused as men and women started to pair off and swaying. I grinned and pulled Clary's arms up to wrap around my neck. She jumped a little when I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her close.

"Relax," I whispered. "Just follow my lead." Clary nodded and then we rocked back and forth. She rested her head on my shoulder and I tried to ignore the thought that kept racing through my head saying that Clary fit perfectly in my arms. Which she did.

I knew I should just end it now, but I could find the energy or motivation to move. I had Clary in my arms.

All in all, it was a pretty good night.

~Clary~

Mom was mad that I hadn't asked for permission but she didn't say too much, just sighed. Sebastian helped me to my room and then told me that he had something important to tell me. In the morning. I was too tired to care about anything at the moment.

I quickly fell asleep, smiling. All in all, this had been a very good night.

~Valentine~

Luke entered my study and I looked at him.

"Valentine," he greeted me before he sat down.

"Luke," I replied. "Report." I set down my papers and focused on what Luke was saying.

"I made contact as you ordered. Your wife didn't want anything to do with me but eventually she let me in. I met your son. He didn't seem to like me. Your daughter got home late with the Lightwood kids and Wayland boy." I nodded.

"Good. Go back to your apartment and keep an eye them. I expect a report in 2 more days." Luke nodded and left my study. So Clarissa was hanging out with those traitors. And the Wayland boy. This could be useful.

Now I just had to gain Clarissa and Sebastian's trust. I grinned. Things were going perfectly, if a little bit off the plan.