All he could see was black, flashes of white, and purple all scrambling together as he was wrenched into Clary's mind. He hurtled for what was only mere seconds. Then he was landing upright on solid ground. He looked around, trying to decipher where he was. He saw the stone table set first, then the crumbling ruins. Flashes of their first date hit him.

Jonathan had brought her to the last place they had had true happiness before he returned. Clary's brother had deliberately robbed the purity and peace from here. Though the injustice made his heart clench, he used this to strengthen his resolve, his determination. He turned around slowly, casting his eyes around for any sign of movement.

Clary tugged weakly at her bonds for the umpteenth time. She was bound and slumped against a crumbling pillar among the Fell mansion remains. Pain radiated through her, in her bones, muscles and organs. She had been tortured mercilessly by her brother the moment she had succumbed to sleep. He had twisted, beaten and drained her. She had little reserves left to recover now, only able to heal superficial wounds. She'd exhausted every possible escape.

All she could do is wait. She knew Jace was looking for her by now, trying to break her out. But she also knew it would take time. So she clung to memories for comfort. Memories of their first kiss, their first night together, even their first date. It helped her cling to the little hope she had left.

Jace trudged several steps into the clearing until the sunlight touched the toes of his boots. He looked around again. A flash of red, peeking from beside a pillar caught his eye. The he saw the arms, bound and bruised. His lungs caught and his heart stopped. His legs began to collapse. Movement, a weak tug at bonds, froze him. He ran, faster than a hummingbird's wing, across the clearing, hurdling logs and anything else in his way and coming to a stop behind her.

He circled around slowly until he was beside her. This time his legs did collapse. He fell to his knees at her side. Jace cautiously lifted one hand to run a knuckle down her cheek. Clary gave a small moan or sigh at his touch and her eyes flickered. Like a flower in the early morning, they opened and the stunning green buds appeared. He felt his eyes prickle at the sight. She blinked and began to raise her head. When her eyes landed on him they widened.

Clary couldn't believe what she was seeing. Her mind was playing tricks on her; he had to be a hallucination. She shook her head in denial. Jace wasn't kneeling in front of her, he couldn't be. But then he pressed his palm against her check and she could feel it, his heart beat pulsing against her pain skin. He was here with her. The realization sent tears streaming from her eyes in happiness and sadness. Her hope was renewed but she didn't want this pain for him.

Jace pulled her head into his chest as the tears continued to run down her face. They had not spoken a word but her eyes spoke volumes. She was in a state of disbelief and in obvious pain. He looked down to her bonds, crossing his fingers that he could offer her some relief, but there appeared to be shimmering lines of blue running through the ties, one could only assume they were imbedded with magic. And he didn't have the time to find out.

He lifted her head from him and grasped her face in his hands. He stared into her bloodshot pools, silently telling her it would be okay. She stared back with understanding and gave him a limp smile. He dreaded the thought of leaving her. But she would be alright; she was strong, so strong.

Suddenly she reefed her head away from him and dropped it to her chest. That's when Jace heard it. The sound of footsteps clicking on the cracked remaining pieces of tile behind him. He slowly rose and turned on his heel, keeping himself angle in front of Clary. Jonathan walked toward them with a cruel gleam lighting his eye.

Clary watched the imposing figure as he moved in. He was dressed in black, a stark contrast to his now blonde hair. She felt a tremor of fear run through her as the sun caught the silver of the blade he spun teasingly in his hand. He smirked at her and twirled the blade point in a little circle. It was then that she realised her brother was unable to see Jace. So when Jace stepped to the side as Jonathan stopped at her feet, the betrayal never came.

Jace began to seal himself off from emotions as Jonathan got closer. He moved to the other side of Clary, not knowing if his presence could be felt. Once the demon was at Clary's side he stopped and crouched. Jace mirrored his action and waited.

Clary's breath stilled as Jonathan stooped next to her. He brought the knife to her calf and lightly skimmed it across her skin.

"Clary, Clary, Clary," he hummed, "What am I going to do with you?"

He dug the tip of the blade into her then flicked his wrist, nicking open her skin. A choked hiccup of pain left her throat. He moved the knife up slowly to her thigh and repeated his action.

"Well, this seems like fun," he leered.

Jace sat in helpless heart ache as the monster cut her again and again. He had his hand on hers behind the pillar, trying to offer her what little comfort he could. Each time she tensed the moment before the slice he would squeeze her hand. He continued to search for the trace he needed during all this. He disconnected himself and tried to sort through the air around him for it to no avail.

Jonathan moved high up Clary's body, clipping every piece of exposed skin in his path until he reached her chest. That's when Jace saw it. Almost invisible to the naked eye, on the cuff of his shirt, rested a lone blonde hair. It wasn't much, Jace knew, but it was his best and most promising chance. So with extreme slowness Jace reached across, ignoring the blade drawing ruby droplets from alabaster skin, and pinched the incandescent strand between his fingertips. He took great care not to touch anything but that lick of hair or to disturb the air.

He clutched it tightly in his hand and looked back to Clary. He knew he was running out of time. Luck gave him one moment and he took it. Jonathan had begun to rise and turn away from Clary. Jace ignored what the boy in black was mumbling and focused only on the moment he had. He swooped in and pressed his lips to hers.

Clary sighed silently in relief as her brother stood. He was continually inventing new ways to torture her. She turned to look at Jace and suddenly felt his lips on hers. A warmth and strength filled her that not even her strongest memories could rival. She savoured it, buried herself it the few seconds it lasted. She wished she could tunnel her fingers into his golden locks or wrap her arms around him. But it was just that, a wish. She felt a light, lingering pressure on her hair and it was then that she knew he was gone, leaving only a drop of moisture to seep into her weary head.