CHAPTER 6

"You can't really imagine me letting you go alone in the alley way, Jace." Clary folded her arms as she stared back at the handsome figure of Jace Lightwood in the greenhouse. They were watching the flowers sprung to life again—precisely at 12 midnight—that glowed and lighted the room. Just when they were having a nice dinner—care of Simon and Isabelle—Alec told them of a bad news. Some demons were breeding along in an alley just a few blocks away from Taki's and that it had already hurt the business.

Clary immediately saw the gleam in Jace's eyes and that she knew he could no longer wait for another day to start hunting down the vermin. So, she devised a way to practically disturb him until it was safe in the morning where they could hunt together.

"And you really think that I would allow you to come with me?" Jace raised one perfect eyebrow.

"What's the use of my training then?"

"My entertainment." Jace shrugged then lied back down, his arms crossed behind his head.

"You know I don't want you to go." Clary said. Jace looked back at her and grinned.

"You think I don't know? Why are we here in the first place if you didn't want me sneaking out tonight?"

"Well, you never listen to me."

"Oho!" Jace stood up straight again. "I never listen to you? 'C mon, Fray. You know better than that."

"Oh, you're such a bummer, Jace." Clary slapped his shoulder.

"You know I can take care of myself, Clary." Jace assured her.

"I know..." But Clary wasn't always confident. Oh, sure! Jace was the best among them but it didn't mean that he was invincible, right? And that thought always scare the hell out of her. Knowing that someday, in the wrong time and in the wrong place, Jace won't be the fighter he was now. Jace never, or so to Clary, never seemed to see that situation because seeing that reality, for him, already meant seeing defeat. And Jace won't admit that. Ever.

"Why the frown, Fray?" He lifted her chin to see her better.

"You've never been serious in taking care of yourself." Clary explained.

"Clearly you've got poor eyesight. I thought you love me because of my marvellous body?" Jace kidded.

"See? That's what I mean!"

"Relax, Clary. It's as if I'm with Maryse right now." Jace chuckled. "I'll be fine. Like always. And besides, I'm here! And I promise I won't go anywhere." Jace took her hand and pulled her up. In silence, he led Clary back to her room as the glow of the flowers start to fade in the greenhouse and knowing in his heart that he could never be vulnerable. For her sake.

They passed a purring Church just a few feet away from Clary's door. The cat stretched then snobbishly ignored the two of them and walked away, as if sensing there was some tension going on.

"Clary," Jace pulled her to a stop just right in front of her door. He tucked a strand of her behind her ear and studied her carefully. He didn't want to give her the idea that he was just playing all these demon games hastily. Of course not! Not when he had already found her. He would rather, actually, spend the day with her than with some demon somewhere down in the sewage system. But sometimes, like what Clary had always pointed out, adrenaline was just too much for him to simply ignore.

"I know I can be a pain most of the times," Jace continued. "But I was hoping that you already knew you were enough reason for me to actually be careful. Right after Valentine..."

Clary held his face and smiled softly. "I know..."

"I know I can never be weak. For Alicante. For my family. For you. What if something bad happens? I can never imagine myself dealing with all that all over again."

"I know, Jace. Maybe I'm just still not used to all the worrying." She smiled at him weakly.

"Like I never worry about you? You and your petty boyfriends at school? Simon told me you've got groupies since your art exhibit."

Clary had the chance to redeem herself after her and Jace's kissing scenario at the Prep school. A few days after that incident, her art teacher included her in the list of students who will participate in the school's annual art gallery. She had one of her art works hung (a painting of Alicante) together with seven other students. But hers was the most praised.

Clary snorted at Jace. "Simon always exaggerates things, Jace, you know that. I don't have a groupie."

Jace nodded thoughtfully. "They'll be nice replacements for the demons for me to hunt, you know."

"Jace..." Clary slapped his shoulder again.

"You always do that." Jace frowned, massaging his beaten up shoulder.

"You deserve it."

Jace sighed. "You're the only who could actually hurt me, Fray. Be gentle."

"I didn't know I had that honor to brutally murder you." Clary grinned then she tiptoed and kissed him lightly on the cheek. "Good night, Jace."

Clary stepped back from him but Jace pulled her again to kiss her forehead.

"Good night" he murmured as he inhaled the sweet smell of her hair.

Jace waited for Clary to close her door before he went to his bedroom as well.

But when he got there, even though it was in its usual tidiness, not even a crease on his sheets, he felt somewhere or something in his room was moved. He didn't know, but he felt something odd.

He reached for his stele, slowly. He walked inside as quietly when in the corner of his eye a shadow moved not far from him. A short but low growl erupted near his window. Jace remembered he had never opened them, but there was the curtain, blissfully swaying against the rushing wind.

Another growl.

"I know you're here." Jace whispered menacingly. "Show yourself."

And slowly, just like the way he had done, the demon, in its purplish and scaly crawling figure—a lizard of some sort with piercing blue eyes and spikes on its back—showed itself crawling near the window pane. Jace needn't need to think twice and shot his stele right at the demon. But it was much faster, much faster than Jace. And the next thing he knew, the demon spat a silvery goo straight on his chest. Jace felt it burning, like acid. Then suddenly, not only was his shirt melting. Jace felt the heat burning up his own skin.

"Gods, what are you?" Jace shot the demon once more. But he just felt too nauseous to strike again. "Alec!" he shouted, hoping that his brother in the other room could hear him. But he knew it was a bad move.

Clary.

Clary would hear his shout as well.

The demon stood still in front of him, silvery goo dripping from its mouth. Jace wanted to strike his last stele but something inside him was already burning. It was all too painful. He looked back at his chest and found it brimming red. The demon poison was already penetrating his body, and fast. He mustered all the strength he could get and threw his last stele. He hit it just below the neck, and the demon growled again in pain.

"Alec!" Jace shouted again. Then he could no longer take it. His knees weakened and felt himself dropping to the floor. Jace tried to stand up again as the demon was coming closer.

"I'll kill you." Jace snarled as he tried to stand but the burning sensation was just too much, like fire was all over his body.

"Alec!" Jace was able to shout once more, but as he did, the demon scampered away carrying what looked like his white shirt from the drawer.

They're after me.

He tried to call out to Alec again but the pain was too unbearable all he heard himself say was a loud groan. He was sweating all over and he knew he was losing too much blood. Before he could even call her name—the person that worried too much, the person whom he promised that there was nothing to worry about—Jace Lightwood passed out on his floor, blood covering his polished and gleaming hardwood floor.

SORRY, SORRY, SORRY-If it took me so long to update! Hope you all understand! School's been pretty hectic! XD