Hi readers! Okay so this chapter came out later than I was planning, but that because I got distracted writing a new story. Feel free to check it out, it's called The Five Dimensional Door. Anyways, that's why I was slacking on this story, but we're back now. I hope you guys enjoy chapter 15!

Over the next 4 weeks, I trained. Tessa and I formed a bond during that time that means the world to me now. I'd consider her as more of a sister than a teacher or trainer. I learned a ton about her past and how she ended up where she is now. Along with my time spent with Tessa, I also spent a good amount of time with Jace. After his family and my brother left, it was kinda just us hanging out all the time, but nothing more than friendly hanging out. I thought that after our kiss that night, that maybe… things would be different, but it was like the kiss never happened.

Since Jace and I have this connection in our scars to my powers, he has been in the majority of my training sessions with Tessa. It turns out that Tessa used to be best friends with one of Jace's ancestors. I remember watching his eyes light up as she talked about him. His name was William Herondale, but she refers to him as Will. From all of the stories, I sense that he and Jace would have had a lot in common.

We also found out that the silent brother that came with Tessa wasn't always a silent brother. Apparently he was Will's best friend and parabatai, Jem Carstairs, although as a part of the brotherhood his name is Brother Zachariah. Now there really isn't much humanity left in him due to all of the silent brother runes he has on his body, but compared to others in the brotherhood, he is lucky. He still remembers his past life before his transformation and doesn't really feel emotions, but recognizes things that one wouldn't if they had no emotions. He's definitely one of a kind.

I've had a total of 5 private sessions with Brother Zachariah over these past few weeks. He's tapped into my very being, looking at all of my thoughts, completely searching my mind. I've even had a session with him where I was in my freaky powerful Clary form, which revealed some very interesting things about my powers. Apparently I can read minds in the exact way that Silent Brothers read minds, which makes me the first woman in shadowhunter history to have this power.

Brother Zachariah also found out that my power is also present in Jace, but he just hasn't activated it yet. He and Magnus have done a ton of research and think that after Jace was branded with the scar, he received every injection that I got. So basically we both have extra angel blood and demon blood pumping through our systems.

After my first training session with Tessa 4 weeks ago, she had a good idea of what the plan would be for me in her head. We started with breathing excersises that I could use as help to turn from normal Clary to freaky powerful Clary and back. Due to the fact that I turn based on heightened emotions, we started training myself to control them. I had previously only ever turned on negative emotions, so after some long hours of trying, I turned on a positive emotion. It's kinda similar to the process that vampires and werewolves go through right after being turned. The period of time where wolves can't control their turns and vamps can't keep themselves from going on blood rampages. I never thought I'd have this much in common with the downworlders, but I feel like I understand them a little bit more now, or at least what they have to go through in the beginning.

My first turn on a positive emotion was different because I felt good the entire time. Instead of both of my eyes fizzing black, both fizzed blinding white. Its vague, but I remember that instead of being armed with my heavenly sword, I was armed with warlock powers. I haven't learned how to use them yet, but after I have complete control in that form, Magnus is going to show me how to become one with my warlock side.

We've had a ton of progress over these past weeks, which is great, but there's been no sign of Valentine. It's like my father just vanished, leaving nothing behind. I'd like to say that's it's been great not hearing from him, but as every day passes I get more and more nervous. I'd almost rather hear from him than be left with all this wonder.

"Harder," Jace said.

I keep my eyes locked on Jace, trying to read his next move. Sweat drips down my cheeks as I decide to strike, aiming for his right side. He reads my attack just before the blade meets his skin, smiling at me.

"Nice spot Clary, but I'm not that easy. You're gonna have to try harder if you want to beat me."

"I don't see you making any moves." His lips curl up, accepting my challenge. Within moments we are both striking and blocking each other, both of us trying to become the champion. I build up all of my strength, swinging my seraph blade towards Jace's chest only to find it blocked and knocked out of my hand straight to the ground.

I no longer have a weapon to fight with, but I can't give up just yet. I still have my fists and my creativity, so this match isn't over. I stare into Jace's golden iris' waiting for his next move. It seems like ages pass before either of us do anything, but finally he swings to my left. In response I spin towards him, dodging his swing and kicking his feet out from under him. He looks up at me in defeat, but still has his golden smile plastered on his face.

"Well well, Clary Morgenstern, I think you've won this match."

"You didn't make it easy for me Jace." I extend my hand out towards him to help him up off the ground. He entangles his fingers with mine, but instead of pulling himself up, he pulls me down.

I fall, caught off guard, and land right on top of his body. I feel his muscles tense underneath me as I land, his eyes never leaving mine. We lay there in silence, staring into each other's eyes. I open my mouth to say speak a couple times, but nothing comes out. We started having these awkward moments a few weeks ago after we kissed. I think that if we were a different set of people, these awkward moments would be filled with more kisses and would basically be a time to form a romance. For some reason though, we're stuck here looking at each other like idiots.

"I..um..I should go find Chairman Meow…I think Magnus forgot to feed him this morning." I quickly lift my body up off of Jace's, pulling my hand out of his and walk out of the room.

Oh gosh why did I say that? Why didn't I just say something when he pulled me down there? Ugh…I need these awkward moments to stop happening. I don't get it. Why can't we just be normal people and kiss again or decide to just be friends? I wonder what he thinks about all of this.

Jace's POV

I lay there on the ground watching her leave, my body still warm from her touch. I thought maybe if I let her beat me, she would feel confident enough to talk about our relationship. I guess I was wrong. Maybe I just need to rip the bandaid off…but I don't wan't to move this too fast and ruin it all. I mean what if I bring the kiss up and she tells me she's been avoiding talking about it in hopes that I would forget about it as well?

Fear of rejection. Yep. Me, the Jace, Freaking, Herondale. I have one fear and that's a fear of rejection. My father taught me to dominate over almost all of my fears, but losing Clary isn't something I can risk. My fear of losing her isn't something I can control, it's what's driving me to train harder and harder. It's making me want to become better so that when the time comes I can protect her from Valentine.

I won't let her slip from my grasp just because I wasn't strong enough to hold on.

Back to Clary's POV

My mind is filling with thoughts about Jace. I can't help but wonder what our relationship would be like if I manned up and became more forward with my feelings. I'm just afraid that if I open up to him, he won't feel the same way. I've tried to read him, but he's just so darn confusing. Reading him is like trying to paint a blank canvas with paper, it just doesn't work.

I walk faster down the hallway, hoping that if I'm further away from my problems it won't feel like they exist. Just as I'm about to enter my room, someone calls my name from behind me. A small shock of nerves flows through my body as I turn around to see Jace. He's breathing hard, like he ran here after me.

"Clary, I've been thinking of how to say this for a while now," Jace pauses, breathing even harder than before, "My fear of unrequited feelings kept me from saying anything earlier, but I can't hold this in any longer."

I walk towards him very intrigued about what he's going to say to me.

"You see, a few weeks ago I saw a girl walking through the hills of Idris with a warlock," Jace pauses, reaching out to grab my hands. "I've tried and tried but I can't get her out of my head."

I look up at him, suddenly feeling shy. "What would you say if that same girl from the hills couldn't get a certain someone out of her head either?" A small smile instantly appears on his face, and I see his hands relax. He must have been so nervous, I know I would have been. Unable to wait for his response, I start speaking. "Jace, I know we've only known each other for a few weeks, but I'd like to see where this goes if you'd like that too?"

"I'd like to see where this goes…but I don't need to wait, I already know." The corner of his lips turn up and I just know he's about to say something bold. "This is going to end with you in my arms tonight."

Warmth spreads to my cheeks, probably turning them the same color as my hair. I can't let him get the best of me this easily. He thinks he won because he can make me blush just like that, but I'm sure my hold on him is strong too. "Oh Jace." I raise my hand, tangling my fingers in his soft blonde curls. I stare into his eyes and slightly bite my lower lip. Taking my free hand, I grab the top of his shirt, pulling him closer to me. Close enough so that I could feel his rapid heartbeat in his chest. The darkness grows in his eyes and I know I've got his attention. "Is it hot in here? Or is it just me?"

I wait for his reply as Jace begins to cough a little. Oh the power of female seduction. "Clary, I-"

I place a finger against his lips. "Shhhhh," I say, putting on my sad face, "I wish Magnus had…a hot tub, but" My eyes never leave Jace's dark stare. I didn't know my hold on him was this strong. It almost feels…easy. "but I don't have any swimwear, so I'd have to go in nak-"

"Clary," his eyes are glued to me like I'm his prey, "I wouldn't say much more if I were you."

"Why not, Jace?" I try to come off innocent, although I know exactly what I'm doing to him.

He licked his lips before speaking again. "I don't think you want to find out."

"And what if I do want to find out?" I imagine that my eyes now look just as dark as Jace's.

The corners of his lips turn up again and I can't help but smile back at him. "You know the room we ate that cake in a couple weeks ago? The one with the jar's of light?"

"Avoiding the topic eh? But yes. How could I forget our cake rondevu." I say, memories of Jace chasing me for cake flood back into the front of my mind. I lean forward and a couple of stray curls fall out of my bun.

Jace reached out and tucked them safely behind my ear. "Go there and wait for me. I have a surprise for you."

"Why don't we just walk there together?" I ask, almost forgetting the small torture I just put him through.

"I need to go take a quick shower." He said while walking towards our room.

Giggles stream out of my mouth as I realize why he's taking a shower. "I'm just gonna take a quick guess, but would that shower be a cold shower?"

Still walking, he glanced back at me. His eyes were still dark, his expression now a playful anger. As I watch him disappear down the hall, I start to feel a little bit guilty. I mean, he always messes with me, but maybe I took it too far? No. No, I need to be more confident in my decisions. I've got this. I'm Clarissa Morgenstern.

Jace's POV

Holy fuck. What is she doing to me?

Clary's POV

Even though it's been weeks, I feel like Jace and I never left this room. Like a chocolate cake is still in my hands, but time sure does move fast. So much has happened since our first nights here in Magnus' house. I feel like my training with Tess has been going so well, I'll probably be through with them in the next week or so. And whenever I finish my training, I'm going after my dad. Should I start planning for that or-

The door opens and a freshly showered Jace enters the room. His hands are behind his back and his hair, still damp, is hanging a little lower than usual. I can't help but notice his smell. His lemongrass soapy smell is radiating off of him right now. It smells clean and comforting. I also smell a faint chocolatey scent coming from him as well. I fight the urge to get up and move closer to him, and instead I say, "How was your shower?" I can't help but giggle a little as he rolls his eyes at me.

"You just be glad that I came back to spend my precious time with you." he said.

"Well, Jace, I do believe you said something about a surprise for me." I grin my sweetest grin at him, hoping to ease the mood.

"Ah, yes. That would be behind my back right now." He came closer and slowly, yet effortlessly, sat down in front of me. The only lighting in the room was a multitude of different collored jar lights coming from behind me. They were lighting up Jace's face, giving me the strange urge to capture him in a picture.

"Can I see it?" I ask.

"Call me Daddy first." As soon as the words leave his mouth he instantly buckled over laughing.

"WHAT THA. JACE NO." We were both laughing now. I never thought I'd hear those words come out of his mouth, and I'm pretty sure he never thought they would either. I guess he did say he was going to surprise me tonight, but I don't think that was meant to be the surprise. In the midst of our laughter, he brought his hands out from behind his back to reveal a chocolate cake. I guess that's why he smelled a little chocolately when he walked in.

"I'm joking, I'm joking," he paused for a second before continuing, "One of my favorite memories in this house involves you, a cake, and this room. I thought that we could have our first date here."

So I'm not the only one who loves that memory. "And is our first date going to be us eating the cake?"

"Yes, unless you want to do something else." He begins to pull the cake away from me slowly.

"NO. I mean, this is perfect."

"Are you sure? I could make you chase me for the cake first?"

"Ha. Ha. Real funny, now give me some cake you idiot."

Finally, Jace and Clary are having their first date, how exciting. So we got to see a little flare of romance in this chapter. Next chapter, there will be more romance and finally the action will pick back up. Let me know in the reviews what you guys think and hope to see in future chapters!

Happy reading!