CHAPTER 5

Clary woke up and pain shot through her body, her head pounding and heart beating quickly like a drum. Sweat stuck her hair to her forehead and clung to the back of her neck. The house was silent, except for the occasion car driving by and the tick tocking of the clock on her wall. It was three in the morning. Clary's memory was blurred and her head ached every time she tried to think hard.

'What happened last night? How did I get home?' So many questions ran through her head and she tried to concentrate on yesterday's events. 'Jace texted me. Um, we met up at the dock. He told me loved me.' With the memory of his lips on hers again and the three words she never expected to hear from Jace, her breath caught in her lungs and her cheeks reddened.

"Then what?! Shit…I can't remember." She shouted aloud this time, leaving in echo in an otherwise empty house. 'Fuck, fuck, fuck! I know, I'll ask Jace.' All of a sudden her own mind was arguing against her, telling her he would think she was crazy if she did.

"What are you supposed to say Clary? 'Oh hey there Jace, remember yesterday when you told me you loved me then we kissed? What happened after that?' Oh sure, that'll go down well with him, way to hurt his ego." She paused for breath then carried on. "And now Clary darling, you are talking to yourself. Hmm, maybe I am crazy after all."

Her phone vibrated with a call. "Speak of the devil." Clary murmured under her breath. It was Jace.

"Hey?" she spoke quickly.

"Hello Clarissa." Jace's voice on the other end sounded cold and sent shivers down Clary's spine. "Clary, about yesterday…" His voice trailed away.

"Oh..uh..yeah?" Clary barely managed to splutter the words out.

"Where is he?" Jace's voice came out cold still, yet somehow demanding but wary as if he was expecting a certain answer from her. Confusion filled Clary's head.

"Who?"

"Don't play stupid. Now tell me Clarissa and I won't have to hurt her."

"I have no fucking idea who you are talking about J. Hurt who?!" She demanded him. From the line came a dark chuckle. Clary could picture him in her mind, laughing at her through the phone.

"I never missed her you know? Then again, I grew used to it after seventeen fucking years, NOW TELL ME WHERE THE BOY IS OR I WILL RIP HER FUCKING THROAT OUT!" Jace was shouted at her through the phone now, his voice full of an anger and hatred that Clary was beginning to get used to hearing. Then Jace's voice suddenly changed, getting calmer. He was taunting her now. "How much do you love your mother Clary?" He laughed again, this time louder.

Clary could feel her blood turn cold and the phone dropped out her hands. Another chill went down her spine and she threw her bedroom door open and ran into Jocelyn's room. Nobody there. The whole house was empty, she soon found out, after running through every room, screaming her mother's and Luke's names. Standing in the living room, tears began to pour down her face.

Then the front door was open and a boy with golden hair was standing in its place. 'Jace?' Clary barely had the thought when she realised it wasn't. Memories rushed back to her and flooded her mind. Jace kissing her. Herself, kicking him off her. Jace swearing at her and charging at her like she was nothing but a scrap of meat. Then, the golden haired boy, appearing out of nowhere and taking Jace out, causing him to pass out. She must have passed as well, she realised, and he took her home. This boy was beautiful, better looking than Jace even. 'Jesus they look alike.' She thought, careful not to say it out loud. They both had strong features, and shoulder length golden hair. This boy's was more natural though, Clary realised, it had never been dyed. He was also less muscular than Jace, but clearly had strong biceps. Like Jace, the outline of a six-pack was showing through his t-shirt. Clary's breath caught as she stared at the boy with the golden hair. She felt as if he was pulling her towards him, there was just something so angel-like about him. Her thoughts were suddenly back on the day she thought the same about Jace, before he changed.

'He didn't change a couple of days ago Clary,' her mind told her, 'he changed a long time ago, and you just refused to see it.'

"Hello Clary." The boy said.

"Who are you?" Clary whispered. Fear shock through her and her bottom lip quivered.

"I'm here to save the day." He smirked at her cheekily.

"I didn't ask you why you are here." Suddenly Clary found her voice and held her head up higher, meeting his clear blue eyes. "Who the fuck are you?"

The boy with the golden hair laughed loudly at her, yet his eyes never left hers. There was something about them, so innocent to start with but when she looked into them deeper, she saw a danger in them.

"Well, Clary darling. I'm Jace. Pleased to meet you."