Clary's POV

Alec, Izzy, and I left to go shopping for something for Alec to wear to the bonfire tonight. Apparently he was interested in expanding from his standard faded black shirt party attire. Izzy convinced him to splurge on a ridiculously expensive Armani dark navy blue slim fit polo t-shirt and a reasonably priced new pair of sand color cargo shorts. The t-shirt was very flattering and hugged his body much more than the baggy clothes he normally wore. The outfit wasn't that outrageously different from what Alec normally wore, but Magnus would notice the flattering fit as well as appreciate the designer brand name and the touch of color. We were done picking out Alec's clothes fairly quickly. Alec said he wasn't in a rush to get back so Izzy and I each picked out a few things at Victoria Secrets. We were done shopping quicker than I thought we'd be. I'm not a huge shopper so I was happy when around 4:30 Izzy was willing to head back. Izzy had already picked me out a new outfit to wear to the bonfire when her and Simon borrowed my car the other day, and she had also picked herself out several new outfits as well that day, so she was fine calling it an early day today. Right as we were about to leave, Alec asked if we'd mind if he had his hair done.

The hair salon also did nails, so Izzy and I decided to get French manicures with little red and blue stars while we waited. The manicures only took 20 minutes, and though Alec's haircuts usually only took about that long as well, he decided to go all out and try something crazy. Just over an hour later Alec had his hair shorter, it was now just shorter than ear length, but messy. He had deep blue tips that were very noticeable under the ultraviolet lights in the salon, but were not so drastic as you would notice the tints in a poorly light room. His hair had been gelled to look piecey and messy, but not sticking straight up like Magnus wore it. It looked good, but so drastic compared to how Alec normally wore his hair. He was going all out tonight. We finally left the mall around 5:45 and made it back to the cottage at 6:00. I still had to take a quick shower and shave, but Izzy figured, seeing as we got our nails done at the mall, we had a little leeway on time. On the way back to the cottage, Jace text me to say he was running out quickly and he'd be back shortly. Ten minutes later when we got home, he wasn't back yet. The next twenty minutes or so were a blur as Izzy barked orders at me to take a shower and then I was being ushered into the bedroom and to the vanity. I never got a chance to see Jace before I got ready, not that it really mattered that much, I just hadn't seen him all day and I missed him.

Izzy spent the next hour and a half or so getting me all dolled up. I looked at myself in the full length mirror when Izzy was finally satisfied with her work. I had on a black mini cocktail dress. Though the straps were optional, it was just a tad bit loose even with the built-in push-up bra, so I decided to attach the thin detachable straps. The dress was completely fitted, and short, it ended way too far up my thighs. The black dress had a slight sheen to it and a crisscross design created by overlapping strips of fabric over the entire length that gave the dress a hint of elegance. Izzy put me in strappy black sandals with a good three inch heel, which I most definitely complained about. She had left my hair down, after I commented Jace really likes it down, but had taken the time to tame the curls. I had wanted to wear the green sparkly eyeliner I had been wearing lately, I loved the way it made my eyes just pop, so Izzy started me out with beautiful smoky brown eye showdown and black eyeliner, but finished it off with a touch of the green eyeliner just above the black. I wore the same black dangly earrings Izzy had worn to the club the weekend before. Izzy had suggested I minimize what I brought to the party, just incase I didn't want to hold my purse all night. I transferred a handful of necessities into a black clutch and I was ready. Izzy wore a very flattering deep plum tight strapless dress that had a heart shaped bodice that accentuated her chest, which I think was the look she was going for. Her heels were a matching shade of purple and as usual were ridiculously high. It had been rather hot today so Izzy put her hair up in a sexy French twist with her long bangs swept to the side. She finished off her outfit with large thin gold hoops as well as her normal bangle bracelets.

Miraculously, at 7:40 we were ready. The party started at 7:00, but we never actually got to parties like this on time. We walked out into the living room and I was surprised when only Maia, Jordan and, Simon were waiting. Simon and Jordan were both wearing black t-shirts and cargo shorts. They would have almost looked like they had the same outfit on, except Simon was wearing a gamer t-shirt. Maia was wearing cut off jean shorts and a fitted black tank top. Maia hardly ever wore dresses. Though Simon most definitely was holding back the urge to remark on my limited attire, he mumbled a short comment that I looked nice and quickly wrapped up Izzy in his arms as he showered her with complements. Maia and Jordan filled me in that Sebastian had already left by himself, and Aline was picked up by Ray. They hadn't seen Alec, Magnus, or Jace recently, but knew they were around the cottage somewhere. I headed back down the hallway and checked Jace's room, but it was empty. Everything perfectly in order, so he must have been ready somewhere. I knocked on Alec's door.

"Be right out." Magnus chimed. A moment later Magnus opened the door a crack and peeked out. He was wearing a bright yellow button up t-shirt with the first few buttons undone. He had on black light weight pants and black shoes. His hair was gelled and spiky with bright yellow tips. He seemed to hesitate a moment before opening the door and sweeping me up into a huge hug and spinning me around 180 degrees. He set me down with his arms still around me. I chuckled. I don't think Magnus has ever done that before. Not that he's never hugged me, but this was really over the top.

"Clary Darling you look absolutely beautiful." He cooed as a tear rolled down his cheek. He quickly swatted it away. His eyes seemed to dart between me and in the open room, now behind me, but he held his arms around me rather firm and I lost focus on seeing what he was looking at as I took in his expression. He had on black eyeliner that was slightly smudged and a couple stray tears were rolling down his cheeks, but he whipped them away quickly before returning his arm around me. His smile seemed even more manic than normal. I furrowed my eyebrows at him skeptically, but it was hard not to be amused and my lips were involuntarily tweaked into a smirk.

"Thanks…Why do you look possessed? You look crazy happy, even for you, but you've been crying?" He didn't have time to answer, before I knew it, two arms came around my waist and pulled me tight to a warm hard body. Magnus smiled further, if that was even possible, and another couple tears rolled down his cheeks before he took off towards the bathroom. I was thankful I had finally become familiar with Jace's distinct scent, and I quickly melted into his embrace. It had only been about 5 hours since I had seen Jace, but it felt like a lot longer. There was something comforting about his aroma, it reminded me of a warm summer day, but I couldn't pinpoint what about him that was, I could also smell his light cologne over a soapy Irish Clean. After mistaking Sebastian for Jace on more than one occasion now, I had decided it was essential I recognize every idiosyncrasy about Jace. I turned my head slightly and could hear his heartbeat. Though I wasn't sure I could quite pick it up out of a lineup just yet, I hadn't been listening to a lot of people's hearts lately, but I still loved the way his heartbeat sounded. It always seemed a bit fast, whether it be because he was excited or not I couldn't be sure. Right now it seemed to race. Jace's soft familiar voice was at my ear.

"You look so hot right now, I want to take you to my room and take that dress right off of you." I giggled. Though part of me couldn't wait to do the same thing…later…Izzy did just spend all that time on me, might as well go to the party first.

"Izzy would be so pissed. Do you have any idea how long she spent getting me ready?" I teased sarcastically. He let out a slight protesting groan deep in his throat and pressed his lips to my neck passionately. My eyes fluttered shut and I moaned softly. I heard Alec's very distinct very intentional throat clear coming from inside the room, but not far away. My eyes flew open as Jace's mouth left my neck. Jace turned inward towards the room, but kept his arms tight around me, which in turn made me turn inward as well. Alec was dressed in the outfit he purchased today and looked great. His blue highlighted hair now also had a hint of silver glitter as well. I couldn't help but smile a dorky toothy smile.

"Ahhhhh." I exclaimed as I scrunched up my nose with a slight laugh. His hair looked so different from usual. I'm sure the glitter was Magnus's handiwork. I'm also sure Alec could tell I was staring at his hair, but seemed to dismiss it as he rolled his eyes and shook his head with a slight exhale.

"You don't have to stop on account of me, but you are blocking the doorway." Alec said with a chuckle. Jace scooted us slightly out of the way while Alec squeezed by. He stopped right in front of me and put his hand under my chin looking into my eyes. He looked really affectionate and sweet.

"You do look gorgeous Dollface." He said softly and leaned forward and gave me a kiss on the cheek before dropping his hand. I smiled.

"You look pretty hot yourself there Cutie." I said as I smirked. Alec shook his head and laughed. I furrowed my eyebrows.

"What's up with Magnus?" Alec chuckled almost uncomfortably as his eyes diverted to Jace momentarily. There seemed to be a slight hesitation.

"He's just so happy about my hair and my new Armani shirt. He loves them both." He chuckled and shook his head again as he turned and walked away down the hallway. I was going to call after him, but Jace turned me around quickly in his arms and my arms immediately found their way up and around his neck, swiftly twisting into the hair at the nape of his neck. He was wearing a white button up t-shirt with the top two buttons undone, which made his tan complexion look all that much darker. He had on dark green cargo shorts and flip flops. His golden blond curls were still damp from his shower and looked extra curly as they hung just to his ears. With his arms wrapped around me he pressed my body tight to his and stared into my eyes. His amber eyes looked darker inside than the lighter golden they appeared to be when we were outside. For several moments he was smiling down at me, just staring at me, not saying a word. He seemed to be searching my face.

"You just need-" Jace said very softly. He took his hand and brought it up pushing my hair behind my ear. He cupped the back of my neck with his hand and brought his lips to mine gently, his lips lingered, but he didn't deepen the kiss, we could both hear impatient people calling us from the living room.

"There." He said very softly. He closed his eyes and leaned his forehead to mine. There was a short pause.

"Do you have any idea how happy you make me Clary?" He said just above a whisper. I smiled as I mimicked his quiet voice.

"Just as happy as you make me?" My reply came out as a question. I heard him chuckle ever so lightly. He pulled his forehead away from mine and kissed my lips again briefly. He gazed into my eyes and smiled.

"I can only hope I make you as happy as you make me." He pressed his lips to mine briefly, but I wanted more than that, my hands held him firm as my lips parted to deepen the kiss, he responded immediately and in a moment his arms were tight around me, his hands running through my hair and over my bare upper back. Izzy's voice could be heard at the end of the hallway. We were still just in Alec's doorway, so she couldn't see us and we couldn't see her, but we could hear her crystal clear, she wasn't that far away. Jace didn't let me go while Izzy lectured us.

"First of all, Clary, I have a distinct feeling you have ruined your lips. Second of all, Jace, I doubt that color looks all that good on you. And third of all, LETS GO!" She yelled the last part. Jace peppered my lips a few more times before he pulled away and took my hand in his as he led me down the hallway.

I had already decided I didn't want to drink much, maybe a drink or two, but I wanted to have a clear head. I had been thinking over what Seelie said when she warned me about Kay and just my knowledge of her in general and I needed my wits about me if I was going to be walking right into the lion's den tonight. I also wanted my wits about me for later on when Jace and I come back from the party. I wanted to remember everything about this evening. I quickly offered to be a designated driver and we took my car. Alec and Magnus ended up coming with me and Jace, though Jace drove my car to the party, I would be driving it back. Jordan drove Maia, Izzy, and Simon in his SUV, but they weren't sure who was going to drive back yet. I'm a big advocate for picking a designated driver before you ever get to the party, but it really wasn't my place to lecture them. Jace had unfortunately reminded me that he'd been to a number of Kaelie's parties before and a lot of people also would just crash at her cottage if they got too drunk. I wanted to come back to the cottage with Jace later. There was no way I was staying at Kay's, especially tonight.