Chapter 11

Clary stood with her arms crossed waiting for her brother's to explain. She tapped her foot on the floor as she waited for them to speak. Jace stood awkwardly next to Clary looking between her brothers than back to her while clutching his arm. Clary was tried of being in the dark about everything that had been going and she wanted answers.

"Tell me." She said.

"Clary, first before we tell you anything you have to swear that whatever is said in this house doesn't leave. Do you understand?" Sebastian addressed.

"Yes." Clary rolled her eyes.

"Clary I'm serious. A lot is a t stake here not just for you but also for all of us. Including Jace."

"Ok I swear." Clary nodded her head. She looked straight in her brother's eyes.

Sebastian looked at Jace who was still holding his forearm. "Perhaps you two should sit down."

Jace and Clary both sat down on the couch together. When they did Sebastian looked over to the kitchen table where Luke had been sitting. He waited until Luke nodded his head to let him start telling Clary. Then turned to his sister.

"I know you found mom's journal. I've seen you read it and I've watch turn your face every time you read something you didn't understand."

"What are you trying to say?" Clary asked.

Sebastian started to tell Clary the story of the dragon and how the Timekeepers came to be. "A thousand years ago five brothers discovered a cave. In that cave they found crystals. Ranging in colors of blue, red, white and green. The brothers unaware that a dragon guarded the cave named Magus Bane. They had heard of the dragon only in stories, but never believe the he was real.

They entered the cave thinking that they could make a fortune on the crystals. When the dragon had discovered that the brothers were steeling the crystals, he punished them by marking them with his mark. He made them serve him by making them keepers of time."

"Timekeepers?" Clary asked puzzled.

"They keep time from getting in the wrongs hands or so the story is told." Jace said.

"And you know this because?" She looked at him eyes narrowed.

"I…ugh."

"May I finish the story?" Sebastian intervened. Jace and Clary looked up. The Sebastian continued telling the story of the dragon and the crystals of time. He explained what each crystal did and how they were used. He explains that brothers were given the task of keeping the crystals safe from anyone who would use them for evil. He told them that the brothers swore among the sword of time and together they protected the crystal and the location of the dragon's lair.

"Clary, that journal mom kept has every secret of dragon. It holds secrets not only our family but also the other five families." Jonathan replied. "There's a prophecy that says the last born of each family will reunite the crystals and restore time."

Clary stood up from the couch. She shook head disbelieving her brothers for telling the story.

"No, this isn't true." Clary said. "You're making this up."

"Clary, were not making any of this up." Jonathan replied back.

"I don't believe you. First mom gets in a car accident, then I meet Jace at a club, then I find a journal mom kept before I was even born my boyfriend has the same exact tattoo as my brothers to top things off you two just show up in town." Clary responded.

"Clary, they're telling you the truth." Luke said not looking up from his newspaper.

"How can all this be true? If I never met Jace none of this would have ever happened." Clary said furious.

"So this all my fault?" Jace shook his head then walked back to Clary's room to retrieve his jacket and walked out of the apartment.

"Jace I needn't mean like that. Jace!" Clary ran after him. "Jace!" she cried after him, but he ignored her.

"My god Clary what the hell was that about?" Sebastian scowled with his hands placed on his waist.

Jonathan shook his head. "I don't think Jace deserved that."

Clary cuffed her mouth as tears fell down her cheeks. What have I done? She thought. Wiping her face she ran into her room closing the door behind her. She slumped down to the floor and started cry hard.

Clary felt bad about what she said to Jace the night before and wanted to apologize to him. At school she tried to find him but he seemed to be avoiding her. It only made her anxious. Clary thought Jace might be mad at her for what she said. She didn't want to lose him not now. She caught up to Simon at lunch.

"Hey Simon, have you seen Jace?" She asked.

"Not since Math class. Why?"

"I said some really mean things to him last night and I just wanted to apologize."

"That explains a lot."

"What do you mean?" Clary said as Isabelle walked up.

Isabelle looked at Clary eyes narrowed. "Your Clary, right?" She said in a cold voice.

"Yes." Clary replied.

"Well," Isabelle smiled a wicked smile. Clary cringed. "You hurt my brother Jace. He was in tears when he came home last night. I don't know what you said to him, but I don't like girls who say mean things to my brother." She said turning back to Simon.

"I have to go Clary. I'll catch you later." Simon said as he followed Isabelle. He looked at Clary over his and murmured in a low voice so Isabelle couldn't hear. "Check the library." Clary nodded.

Clary walked into the library, she looked around for Jace. She spotted him sitting at a round table by himself. As she walked up to him textbooks and notebooks were scattered across the table. He was working on what appeared to be math homework. Clary walked up to him. She sat down in the chair next to him.

"Jace"

"Yes" He replied without looking at her. "What do want Clary?"

"How did you know it was me?"

Jace sighed. "I just know."

"Jace, listen I'm really sorry about I said last night I didn't mean to," Clary paused " insult you like that."

"Insult me?" Jace turned toward her. "You didn't insult me Clary. You hurt me feelings."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." Clary tried to hold back tears as she swallowed.

Jace shook his head then returned to his books. Clary didn't know what else to say. He seemed mad at her. Clary put her head in her hands and started to sob. Trying not to make too noise. What have I done? She thought. Jace turned to Clary. He couldn't take it. He couldn't stand to see a girl cry especially Clary. He grabbed some tissue from his backpack then handed it to Clary.

"Thank you." She said taking the tissue.

"Clary," Jace tucked a loose strain of hair behind her ear. "I know you didn't mean what you said. Please don't cry."

"Then you forgive me." She said wiping her eyes.

Jace mouth quirked in a half smile, "Yes. You know wasn't really mad at you. Just hurt." Clary smiled at Jace.

Jace leaned over to Clary. He cupped her cheek rubbing his across her cheekbone. His forehead met hers then Jace kissed Clary softly on the lips. She kissed him back. Before long they were engaged in a full make out. The librarian came over to the table tapped her ruler on the table and cleared her throat, Clary and Jace up awkwardly.

"Sorry Mrs. Haven." Jace said grinning. Then both Clary and Jace started laughing.

"Jace, it's been hard for me these past few weeks. I guess I'm on edge."

"I know." He replied back as the bell rang. "Time for class."

Clary moaned. "I have P.E. I hate P.E."

Jace packed his stuff back in his backpack then held out his hand for Clary. She took it and they both walked out the library together. Clary let Jace walked her to class. When they reached the gym Jace kissed her on the cheek and walked off towards his next class. Turning back to tell her he was sorry for trying to beat up Simon. She smiled at him.

The rest of the day went by fast for Clary. Jace waited for her outside in the courtyard of the school. He was smiling. They walked home together hand in hand. Clary giggled as they walked. Simon and Isabelle caught up to them. Isabelle glared at Clary as she held onto Simon's arm.

The next morning Clary felt happy. She skipped into the kitchen humming. She grabbed a cup from the cupboard then grabbed the jug of juice from fridge. As she poured it into her cup the morning paper was sitting on the counter. The headline read A MAN FOUND DEAD IN HUDSON RIVER. Clary picked up the paper then unfolded it and started to read the article. A named appeared in the article Hodge Starkweather. It sounded familiar. Jace had mentioned it once. She wondered if Jace knew about it.