***************** Chapter 14 *******************

Valentine landed in the library softly. He looked up to see Jocelyn sitting in the chair with her arms crossed. He began to walk towards his beautiful wife when he caught the cold glare in her eyes. She was not happy.

"Hello husband." She said coldly.

Valentine knew from her tone that she was mad; really mad. He walked over and leaned down to kiss her. She turned her head to the side avoiding the contact. Valentine raised an eyebrow.

"What is wrong my love?" he asked.

At that moment Jonathan and Jace appeared. They landed with a thud and were grinning wide. Jonathan nudged Jace in the ribs with his elbow. They stopped when they looked up and saw their mother and father. They saw the look on their mother and fathers face and excused themselves quickly.

"Would you like to tell me why I wasn't included in visiting our only daughter; which you have not allowed me to see in months I might add." She said sternly.

Valentine's face went white. He hadn't wanted his wife to go anywhere after the fiasco with the cup. He didn't know if whoever broke the witch out would target her or his family. That is why he made sure Clary was surrounded by shadowhunters and the boys were not allowed to leave the house without his permission.

His wife was at Ragnor Fell's that day getting a spell that would disarm the gates of the silent city. He had sent three guards to watch over her. After watching the boys train, for moment, he missed his daughter and wanted to see how she was progressing. It was a spire of the moment decision to take the boys and visit her. He hadn't even thought to include her.

Valentine fell to his knees and kissed her hands. The power this woman had over him. She was the only one who could make him feel this way. She made him feel vulnerable and she was his. He had tracked down Lucian and killed him with his own hands when he found his wife. Then he saw Clary and his stomach turned when he thought she was not his. That Jocelyn had given herself to another man. He was ecstatic to learn Clary was his and even more so when Jocelyn had given up resisting. She was important to him and he hated upsetting her.

"It was a spire of the moment decision my love. I am sorry for having upset you and you are right. It has been too long. After Jace's birthday why don't you go to New York and spend the week with Clary. I am sure she would enjoy that." He spoke softly.

His wife's eyes sparkled but her lips remained in a firm line.

"No guards." She stated.

It wasn't a question. Valentine sighed.

"Fine, if you insist." He agreed reluctantly. "But please be safe. I would die if anything happened to you."

Jocelyn smiled and kissed him lightly. She knew he would probably send guards anyway. At least this way they would be in the shadows and she would not be required to have them escort her everywhere.

"How did things go with Fell?" he asked trying to change the subject.

"He said that he requires a few weeks. I told him that I would see him when the spell was ready."

"Wonderful." Valentine grinned.

******************************************** A week later *****************************************

Jonathan wanted to turn over and throw the sheets off of his body. He was hot but no matter how much he tugged at the sheets they wouldn't budge. Groggily he opened his eyes and saw his sister cuddled up next to him. She was fast asleep and sleeping on top of the covers. She must have come again in the middle of the night. She probably felt bad that they didn't hang out when he visited her last week. They could have spent some time together if Jace hadn't been an ass to her. Truth be told he was upset when he opened that door and saw Jace against his sister doing all of the things he dreamed of doing to her but was forbidden to do.

Jonathan brushed those feelings aside. He missed his sister and if he tried anything she would leave. That was the last thing he wanted. The sun was coming up and letting light flood through the window. It was after 7 and his father would be out all day. His mother was also heading to Ragnor Fell this morning. His mother had given the maids the day off in hopes that the boys would enjoy the space. That meant he and Jace could spend the rest of the day with her. He grinned and carefully got off the bed. Then snuck out of them room, careful not to wake his sister.

*************************************** Line Break ************************************************

Clary turned over and covered her eyes. Finally she gave up and reluctantly opened her eyes.

She had almost forgotten where she was. Having spent the last few months at the institute she wasn't use to waking up to bright sunshine flooding through the windows. Had it always been so bright? It must be almost midday here, she thought.

"Good morning sleeping beauty!"

Clary looked at the door and saw her brother ginning at her.

"Jace is sleeping Beauty, you're Snow White and I'm the prince remember?" she teased. Jonathan looked at her and smiled. The grin lifted to his eyes making his silver iris shine. She loved seeing her brother happy.

"What time is it?" she asked.

He took out his cell phone and checked the time.

"It's 10:00am. I let you sleep in since your still on New York time." He replied.

"I wish you wouldn't have done that. Last thing I want is to get caught." She frowned.

"You don't have to worry about that. Father is off on circle business and mother went to Ragnor Fell's. Oh, and the maids have the day off. You are all mine today, no excuses!"

"All ours." Jace corrected appearing behind Jonathan.

Clary smiled at them. It was nice to be on friendly terms with Jace again. They had been texting and even calling each other daily for the last week. Jace's eyes shimmered as she met his gaze. She couldn't wait to spend the day with both of them.

"Well in that case I'll shower and get dressed. Then we can go get some breakfast."

As if on cue she heard her stomach growl.

"But where?" Jace asked.

"Wherever we want. I can create portals remember." She said pushing her body off the bed.

The boys grinned back at her before looking at each other. If there was one thing they loved more than anything it was food. They would probably end up in Italy having spaghetti knowing them.

***************************************** Line Break **********************************************

Sure enough the boys wanted to go to Italy for Spaghetti before heading to Paris for hot chocolate and site seeing. They ended the morning by glammoring themselves and climbing the Eiffel Tower. It was the most fun Clary had in ages. Jonathan was ecstatic and even found a lovely French blonde to flirt with. He ended up going to lunch alone with her. Clary and Jace brushed it off. They knew he really had only one goal in mind with her and judging by the look she was giving him it wouldn't take long. Their brother could be very charming when he wanted something. Regardless it gave Clary and Jace sometime alone.

Jace seemed more relaxed than ever. They had a short lunch by the river and he even draped his arm around her in the park. He was still cautious but didn't seem to be holding back like he was before. Maybe he was tired of fighting it? They met back up with Jonathan at the café at five.

"Where is your date?" Jace asked.

Jonathan chuckled and grinned mischievously.

"Probably still in her apartment bedroom where I left her." He replied dismissively.

Clary sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Typical hormonal eighteen year old boy." She shook her head.

They portaled back into Jace's room since it was furthest from the kitchen and living area. Clary landed first followed closely by her brothers. It was nearly dusk now and the house would surely be busy. Jonathan hugged her and kissed her on the forehead.

"I had a lot of fun with you today. I am going to miss you." He spoke tenderly.

Clary looked into his eyes and could feel her heart sink. She hugged him tightly.

"Only a few weeks left and I'll be home." She whispered.

Jonathan nodded and released her. He drew a silent rune onto his arm and quietly crept into the hall; leaving Jace and Clary alone in the room together.

Clary turned to look at Jace who was staring back at her. He took a step towards her and wrapped his arms around her body. It wasn't a normal brotherly hug but extremely intimate. Clary enjoyed the feeling of warmth spread throughout her body. She lifted her head and stood on her toes. She looked up into his golden eyes and was relieved when he lowered his face down to kiss her. The kiss was light and well behaved but was still full of tenderness.

After a few moments Jace reluctantly broke it off.

"You better go before they catch you." He whispered.

"Okay." She sighed reluctantly letting him go.

She began drawing a portal when they both herd loud footsteps coming down the hall.

"Jace!" Valentine called.

"Hurry!" Jace whispered.

Clary finished the last line and jumped through the portal. Just before her father knocked on Jace's door.

*********************************** Line Break *****************************************************

The next morning Jonathan and Jace strapped their gear on and headed outside. After walking a good thirty minutes they finally came to the clearing where they were instructed to wait for their father. Valentine had made it abundantly clear that today would be the first of many tests in order to 'prove' themselves worthy of joining the circle. They were curious but after waiting another twenty minutes they were growing impatient.

"You and Clary seemed cozy yesterday." Jonathan finally said.

Jace didn't respond. Not a minuet went by that he didn't think of Clary. He felt like he was tip toeing into a pool of troubled water. He could dive in or get out. Either way, he was going to get wet. Hell he already felt in over his head but that all went out of the window when he was with her. She made him feel alive and he was in love with her.

Jace lightly brushed his fingers over his Herondale ring. Jocelyn had somehow gotten it for him but refused to tell him how. She said that once he was ready she would let him know. Jonathan sighed knowing that Jace wasn't going to give away any details. Jace was about to tell him it was none of his business when they both heard a rustle behind them. They tensed up and then suddenly a creature charged at them.

Jace moved quickly but Jonathan wasn't as lucky. The creature slammed its fists down just nicking Jonathan's shoulder. Jace whirled around and kicked the beast in the chest. The kick should have knocked the creature backwards but instead the creature grabbed Jace's leg. In a split second Jace was swirling through the air colliding with a tree. That was all the distraction that Jonathan needed. He took Phaesphoros and sliced it through the creature's arm; serving it completely. The creature charged in rage and Jonathan narrowly moved to the side in time.

The creature was fast, even faster than him. Jace was limping on a tree branch above the creature. He jumped onto the creature's back and cut its throat with kindjal.

The creature was losing blood and strength. Jonathan locked eyes with Jace and charged. Jace hit the creature in the head to distract it; jumping off. Jonathan shoved Phaesphoros through the creature's heart. The creature wheezed and finally fell to the ground. After a moment it stopped moving entirely.

"Well done my children." Valentine clapped suddenly appearing behind them.

The boys looked at him dumbfounded before looking back at the creature.

"Is this what I think it is?" Jonathan asked.

Jace limped closer to get a better view. Valentine looked at them and grinned wickedly.

"Yes my sons. This is a Forsaken …..and there are plenty more where that one comes from."