CHAPTER 3

Jace was down at Taki's when Clary left the institute, heading for the City of Bones. She collected her phone and her messenger bag and headed out onto the streets. A taxi pulled up to the curb and with an address, he pulled away and headed in the direction of the Silent Brothers.

Ahead of her she could see the wrought, iron gates that came into view, not much further up ahead, dark vines crawled up them greedily, trying to yank the gates down. As her foot touched the cobblestone path leading up to the large angel statue, the gates slid open and on the other side was Brother Zachariah, waiting silently, hands clasped behind his back.

Clarissa, we have been waiting for you. He spoke softly in her mind.

She figured as much but still raised the question, "How did you know?"

In her head his voice sounded amused for a second and she knew that if he could, his lips would be curved upwards. I cannot reveal all the secrets of the Silent Brothers.

Silently, Brother Zachariah turned and gracefully began to retreat down the stairs and into the heart of the Silent City. Clary followed after him, her footsteps echoing off the pavement and the dead grass underneath her weight crackling.

As they travelled through the tunnel that had the floor inscribed with runes and passed the mausoleum, they arrived at a staircase that led them up into the council rooms. The whole group of Silent Brothers were gathered in the rather large room, all sitting behind one large table. Brother Zachariah moved, barely making a sound, to join the others.

Speak, Clarissa Morgenstern, what is it that you request?

"A cure for Jace."

Clary heard one of the brothers mentally sigh before Brother Enoch speaks up. You know that there is no cure for Jace, so why do you ask, daughter of Valentine?

"Because there has to be something, something that we do! I can barely touch him without getting stung, its torture! It's been months and it's still inside him, just as fierce as it was when he first got it." Frustrated tears were welling up in her eyes, threatening to spill over. She blinked furiously to remove the tears from her eyes.

All of the silent brothers were silent, their unseeing gazes set on her. There may be one way of releasing the fire from Jace Herondale. Spoke Brother Zachariah. Hope flared up within Clary, her whole face lighting up. However it is extremely dangerous, even grave dangerous. You should just let it take its course, wait for it to leave Mr Herondale, rather than risk your life for this.

"I don't care, I'll do whatever it takes." She responded, determination siding in with the flash of hope.

Mentally, she heard each of the Silent Brothers sigh in turn. Brother Zachariah nodded gravely. If that is what you wish. Come back tomorrow morning and we will tell you what you must do. Maybe even discuss this with Jace.

That night Clary sat in Jace's bedroom, listening to him reading Wuthering Heights out to her. He sat beside her, just reading through the lines of her most favourite book. She felt herself slipping into the world of dreams a few times, but each time she thought of the way she could make Jace the same. She sighed and glanced up at the boy who sat beside her. He mimicked her sigh and set the book aside onto the bedside table.

"Clary, I know something's bothering you, what is it?"

She thought about telling him the truth, thought it to be a good idea. Maybe it was, so she spilled. "I went to see the Silent Brothers today."

Jace's eyes widened to as big as saucers. "What? When?" He queried.

She looked down into her hands which twisted in her lap. "While you were at Taki's. I want to help find a cure, Jace." She whispered, before looking up to his face.

He wore a funny expression, a mix between shock, sadness and love. "Oh, Clary. What did they say?"

So, Clary went on explaining all about the Silent Brother's possible quest.

"You're not seriously thinking about going, are you?"

"But Jace, this could be our only opportunity. I want to do this, I want us to have a future together where we can touch each other's face, kiss and hug without the risks. I want a normal relationship."

Gently, he reached out took a strand of hair that had come loose out of her ponytail and tucked behind her ear, careful as to not touch any skin. "I know, but it sounds too dangerous. I'll go with you if you're going."

She shook her head, smiling. "No, Jace, stay here."

He looked at Clary incredibly. "You're kidding me, right? You know me, you know I'm not just going to sit back and watch you get hurt for me."

She sighed, "Fine, I won't go."

Jace let out a breath, he hadn't realised he had been holding. "Good, now promise me that you won't go." He looked at her seriously, his eye contact never wavering, boring into her.

"I promise." Although what Jace didn't know, was that of course she wasn't going to stay here. How could she when this could change their relationship for good… or for worse…