This chapter will be mostly from Jace's pov
Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Mortal Instruments, just love the series
Italics are character thoughts
Jace was highly disturbed after seeing Clary to say the least. His mind keeps trying to connect the dots and figure out what was wrong. She seemed like a complete mess and like she didn't want to see me at all, which was highly unusual. I mean, when is she not thrilled to see me? Not that I can blame her about that but I'm getting off topic. She was supposed to be at the Institute earlier in the day and that dirty pile of clothes looked like they had been torn up. Did she fight a demon on her way here? If so then why not just say that. She can't expect to be as good as the rest of us yet and she knows that. Maybe Izzy can talk to her and make some sense of today.
Having finally arrived at the kitchen he spots his sister stirring yet another of her unfortunate concoctions. Shuddering a bit at the smell he leans on the counter beside Izzy and begins, "Hey Iz, I just came from seeing Clary and she seemed upset. Do you think you could go talk to her and see what's up?" "What did you do now Jace?" she demands pointing a spoon at his face. "Nothing I swear. She seemed really upset though and wouldn't talk to me. I'm worried something may have happened on her way here since I saw some really dirty clothes on her floor. Please just go check on her for me, please sis," he pleads. "Fine, but if I find out you did something stupid to upset her you will get to be my first taste tester tonight," Izzy replies and with a flourish walks out of the room.
Men… thinks Izzy. She can't quite shake off her concern for Clary though. Jace was acting quite serious which for him is rare. She knocks on Clarys door and gets no response. Finally trying the door she sees an empty room that looked worse than usual. Calling out for Clary again and peaking in the bathroom she gives up and leaves the room. Maybe she's in the library or greenhouse.
Meanwhile, Clary is sweating and panting as she attacks a practice dummy with her hands and feet. She has been practicing for at least 30 minutes and already feels tired which just makes her feel worse about herself. What type of warrior am I supposed to be if I'm this winded just from taking on a stupid dummy. How am I ever going to keep up in a real fight? Screw this she thinks. I'm not going to stop training until I drop today and the day after and day after that. I will push myself till I can be someone I'm not ashamed off and that no one else has to worry about. She pauses in her attacks and decides to move on to weapons. Picking up a belt of daggers she stalks over to a row of targets and begins to throw one after another.
Jace finally decides to go train to try and distract himself from thoughts about Clary only to be faced with the woman herself as he enters the training room. She is throwing knives as though the targets were real and is covered with sweat. Her face holds a grim expression he hasn't seen on her face since the last great battle. Calling out her name got no response so he walks across the room and reaches out to her. Startled, Clary lashes out with the dagger she had been prepared to throw and he is barely able to avoid the blow. "Jace, what were you thinking sneaking up on me like that!?" demanded Clary. "I called your name but you must not have heard me. Are sure you're alright?" he asks while leaning in to kiss her but she jerks backwards away from his embrace and he is bewildered. "Jace, we need to talk," she says.
His confusion turns to dread with those five simple words. What in the world is going on. Before he can reply Clary continues. "We need to stop this thing between us. It's a distraction and I need to focus on training. I need to learn to be a shadowhunter and not a liability. I'm sorry if that upsets you but I need space right now," she rushes out while holding a hand out towards him as if to stop him from coming any closer. She doesn't want to be with me? What… "Clary what is going on? We love each other how can you say you don't want us to be together, after everything we've been through?" Jace starts off softly but slowly gains volume as he starts to get angry. "Not everything in the world revolves around you Jace Lightwood and you need to learn that. I need to focus on myself and training. Now excuse me, I need to go cool off," Clary exclaims then turns on her heels and storms off.
Jace remains frozen and at a loss. What just happened? So this is what a broken heart feels like… funny. I didn't think words could hurt like this. Nor did I ever think anything would be as painful as when I was first told Clary was my sister… Now if only that were try maybe this wouldn't feel like the end of the world.
Clary breaks into a run as soon as the training room doors swing close. Her heart is aching but she did what she had to do. I can't be with Jace, I need to focus on getting better. Besides, I'm filthy now. Ruined…. Jace deserves so much better than a disgusting weakling like me. He'll move on…. The thought almost brings her to her knees but she pulls herself up and keeps going. Jace will be find and as for myself, what does it matter. Anything I had of worth was taken from me earlier today and there is nothing I can do to change that. I can either give up and let myself die or I can rebuild myself as a warrior who hunts down the demon scum of this Earth… and find and end the life of the evil mundane who did this to her.