"Clary!" Maia's voice came rushing to my ears, but I didn't tear my eyes from where Jace stood, closer to her than he seemed to have realized, with his face to the ground. "Thank God! Are you okay?"

"Fine," I murmured, finally meeting Maia's concerned gaze. "I just had a…panic attack."

Right. Panic. Like that covered it.

Maia stepped up to me and began running her fingers over my arms and neck. "And blondie here was the one who could comfort you? Really?"

Her words were quiet enough for Jace to not catch them, had he not been listening intently to every word that passed between the two of us. "It's complicated," was my only answer.

Maia then began to drag me toward the stairwell while whispering that she had something incredulously urgent to tell me but I turned back to Jace and asked him, "Are you coming?"

Jace snapped to attention like he hadn't been expecting me to speak to him then—almost like he hadn't been expecting me to speak to him ever again. But he croaked out, "Not yet."

I nodded and let Maia pull me a little farther down the stairs. There was a block of cement that I hadn't seen when I charged in here earlier in the morning, but I now replaced between the wall and the door so Jace wouldn't end up stranded again. It was only then that I noticed the shirt still hanging from my belt when it caught on the railing.

I stepped back toward Jace, who looked toward me, confused. "You can keep this, I guess," It partially broke my heart when I tossed the balled up Script shirt at him, but he caught it, so at least it wouldn't be dirtied.

"Why? It's yours," he asked.

"A lot of things were once mine," I said with a tight-lipped smile. "and are now yours."

Jace's eyes narrowed before I let the door fall shut.

0.o.O.o.0

"Okay," I conceded to Maia once she shut the two of us back in my room. "What did you need to tell me so badly?"

"Forget that," Maia answered so quickly I half-sat, half-fell onto my short bed. "What the hell did you mean by what you said to Jace?"

"I don't know," I answered. I did, but refused to acknowledge that fact to anyone, even myself. "Why do you ask?"

"Because something horrible happened to you, and he was responsible for that! I won't have you falling back into toxic relationships!"

I narrowed my eyes at her. "I appreciate your concern, Maia, but my 'toxic' relationships are none of your concern. I'm a big girl, I can handle myself, and even if I could not, some things have recently come into light that I was not previously aware of. But one thing is clear: this changes everything. So I'll forgive you to, with all due respect, butt out."

Maia cracked a smile, and didn't pursue the topic further. When I pushed for information on what she so desperately needed to tell me, Maia blushed furiously and averted her gaze.

"Come on. You felt quite entitled to my business, I'd say the same is true inverted," I pushed her.

Finally, Maia conceded. "Well, now it seems a bit hypocritical, but…I went looking for you when you ran out of the room at two a.m., and instead ran into Jordan. Long story short, Jordan kissed me, and I kissed him back. I think things are going to be okay between us. Even…maybe…better than they were before."

I was silent at first. Eyes wide, lips parted. And then, "A little hypocritical?"

Maia burst out laughing.

0.o.O.o.0

I supposed I was happy for Maia. We'd been heading out the door for an early lunch when Jordan had come waltzing out of his room. Maia had instantly blushed, Jordan locking his eyes with hers and sending a small, shy grin her way. I had rolled my eyes and dragged her along.

But now, I was sitting alone in a booth at Taki's because Maia had gotten a text from Jordan and immediately rushed away. And I was left to my own stupid thoughts.

What Jace had told me earlier…

Ever since that night, I realized, I'd been putting off making a decision. Whether to forget Jace, or remember him. Whether to believe him, or not. And now…

I could forgive Jace. I could move past what he'd done and let myself fall back into his arms, my rightful place. Maybe nothing bad would ever happen again, not with him. Maybe I could trust that he wouldn't feel the need to degrade me for my 'safety' ever again. Maybe.

But I could also decide to move on, without Jace. He was right, he attracted danger. My life would be more peaceful without him. It would be calmer, without all of that chaos.

It was a big decision and I didn't even want to make it. But for the love of peace, I knew what I'd have to do.

Short chapter, I know. I just figured, because I love you, that I would leave you on a massive cliffhanger. You're welcome!