To all those bitches who say we never update, who's laughing now?

(watch us not update for a month after this lol)

Free from Sebastian

The second Clary walked into work the next day, she was called into Sebastian's office. But Clary ignore him, walking to the cash register and starting to take people's orders.

Sebastian was not happy about that, but he left her for the time being.

Once Kaelie came in, she took over at cash so Clary could begin clearing tables.

She began taking dirty cups off of tables and bringing them back to the kitchen, groaning when she saw the large pile of dishes she knew she would have to wash later.

Clary returned from the kitchen with a tray, hoping that would make the job easier. She stood at one of the dirtier tables, clearing as many dishes as she could in one trip, when she felt someone tap her on the shoulder. She turned, ready to face Sebastian, but found that she was face to face with the golden boy from across the street.

She couldn't help but smile. "Hi Jace."

He smiled back. "Hi Little Red."

"What are you doing here?" she asked, trying not to blush.

"Oh, you know," he shrugged. "Just checking out the competition. Also, you forgot something at the shop yesterday."

"Really? What did I forget?"

Jace's smile widened. "My phone number." He pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to her.

Clary blushed, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear and tucking the paper into her shirt pocket. Jace smirked, shooting her finger guns and walking backwards towards the door. "I'll see you later today, Little Red," he said, just before falling over a table, knocking over everything that was on it and landing on his butt. Jace sat for a moment, trying to collect himself. "Uh… So call me?"

He didn't wait for a response. He stood from the mess of paper cups, scooped them all off the ground in one go, tossing them in the trash and ran for it. Nailed it.

Clary couldn't help but giggle as she watched him run across the street, almost trampling an old lady.

Once he had gone back through the light blue door across the street, Clary smiled to herself and continued cleaning tables. It seemed like it was going to be a really good day.

Until Clary felt a tap on her shoulder.

She turned slowly, knowing exactly who was standing behind her.

Sebastian smiled, almost like he was resisting the urge to peel off his own face.

"See me in my office," he said, turning slowly and walking towards the closed door in the back. He didn't look back, so he probably just assumed that Clary was following him. Which she was.

Once she was inside, Sebastian closed the door behind her. Clary cringed at the sound, remembering what happened yesterday. But Sebastian did not creep up behind her like last time. He faced her, just within arms reach, and slapped her across the face with all his force.

Clary fell to the floor, not prepared for the hit. Tears welled in her eyes, but she tried her best to blink them away.

Sebastian picked her up by her hair and held her up so she was once again face to face with him.

"What the hell was that," he snarled, gripping her so tight she thought he would tear the hair from her head.

Clary didn't have time to say anything before he slammed her face into his desk and let her slide to the floor.

She could feel her nose begin to gush blood. She brought her hand to her face to attempt to stop the bloodflow, but not before Seb kicked her in the stomach, sending her flying to the floor.

Clary groaned in pain, trying to take a deep breath and she finally allowed the tears to stream down her face. She tried to get up, but Seb placed his shoe against her cheek, holding her to the floor.

He leaned down, putting an uncomfortable amount of pressure against her face.

"You're mine," he whispered, barely loud enough for her to hear. He reached down into her shirt pocket and pulled out the small piece of paper. "If you ever try something like this again-"

"I quit," Clary sobbed.

It was quiet for a moment. No sound other than Clary's heavy breathing.

Sebastian reached down and picked Clary up by her hair once again.

Just before he could say anything, the door opened.

"Oh, sorry about that," the guy said, tall, with blue eyes and black hair, looking embarrassed, as though he had walked in on something private. Which, in a way, he had. "I thought this was the bathroom. You guys should really fix your signs. Anyway…" The man walked away, but left the door opened.

Everyone was staring at them.

All the customers, even Kaelie, were all looking at them.

Sebastian released her hair and rushed to close the door, but not before Clary slipped through it. "I'll mail you my resignation," she said, before rushing out the door of the cafe, not daring to look back.

Clary walked across the street, past the coffee shop with the blue door, towards Central Park, which was only a few streets past it.

Clary used to come here during her breaks, before she decided to finally go into HCC's a few weeks ago. She loved that little shop.

She would have gone there now, but she didn't want to face Jace when she was so bruised and covered in blood and tears.

Clary pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to stop the bleeding, as the blood dripped down onto her shirt, ruining her uniform. Good, she thought, excited that she would get to throw it away when she got home, never having to put it on again.

But now you don't have a job, idiot. Good luck paying your half of the rent.

Clary sobbed, snot dripping through the blood, slumping down onto a park bench and scaring some pigeons. She didn't want to go home. Didn't walk to see her brother. Didn't want him to be disappointed. Didn't want to explain to him what happened. She leaned forward, trying to help her bleeding nose, but just ended up sobbing, taking harsh and scattered breaths as she attempted to calm herself.

She didn't care about the pain or the bruises. She was used to them. But now she had lost the only way to provide for herself. Soon she would be broke and living off her brother, who was already struggling to provide for himself. Idiot, she thought, feeling the tears fall more and more as they splattered on the concrete below her. Idiot. Idiot. Idiot. Clary felt her heart beating a million miles a minute, threatening to fly right out of her chest. She tried her best to quell the panic attack before it became something too severe.

"Well hello there, young pedestrian," said a voice from behind her. Clary nearly jumped out of her own skin. She clutched her chest and turned to see a tall man in a suit, which was completely covered in gold sequins, holding a leash that was connected to a fat grey cat lying on a skateboard, with a rather large beach umbrella attached to it. "You seem kinda down. Maybe you just need a little magic in your life," he said, reaching into his sleeve and pulling out a bouquet of flowers. He didn't seem at all startled by Clary's beaten face, tear streaked cheeks or bleeding nose. But given what he was wearing, Clary was sure nothing could startle him.

When she didn't take the flowers, the man frowned, pouting like a puppy. He dragged his cat over and sat next to her. Clary didn't move away. Something just seemed so familiar about him.

"Ouch," he said, pointing at her nose. "That looks like it hurts." He reached over and cupped his hands around her nose, then said something in what could have been French, but also could have been Cantonese. When he pulled his hand away, though she was still covered in blood and her nose still felt like a swollen grapefruit on her face, she was no longer bleeding. She touched her nose in amazement. The man smiled at her, wiggling his fingers like jazz hands. "Tada," he smiled. He reached towards her again, this time to wipe a tear from her cheek. He went to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear, and when he pulled his hand away he was holding something round in his hand. A biscuit. "So, what's got you down, Biscuit?" he asked, reaching behind her ear to pull out a blueberry muffin for himself.

Clary sniffled, taking a pinch of her biscuit. She didn't know why she trusted this guy in the sparkly suit, but he seemed nice. She liked him. So she explained everything.

He didn't interrupt her throughout the whole story. Only patting her on the shoulder occasionally and eating his muffin.

When she was done talking, she finally took the first bite of her biscuit. It was delicious. And familiar. "This is from Herondale's," she said, taking another bite.

"What?" the man looked offended. "No no no," he said, reaching behind her ear again. "It's from magic!" he pulled out another biscuit and handed it to her. "Ok, yeah, it's from Herondale's."

"I love that place," Clary smiled, devouring the rest of her first biscuit and starting on her second.

"Hey, I've got an idea," the man said, suddenly getting as excited as a 12 year old girl at a 5 Seconds of Summer concert. He flapped his hands and jumped up and down. "You should audition!"

"Audition?" Clary said around a mouth full of pastry.

"Yeah," the man said, still jumping. Clary squinted, the man's suite blinding her a little. "Their baker is retiring because he graduated from police school or whatever, so the position is open and they're having auditions tomorrow!" He fell to his knees, throwing his hands in the air and confetti exploded from his sleeves.

"I don't know," Clary said, fiddling with the hem of her skirt. She wanted desperately to take it off and considered how willing she was to strip down in the middle of the park. "I'm not very confident in the kitchen. I've always liked baking but—"

"But nothing, Biscuit. I'm hosting the event and my boyfriend is one of the judges. You've got it in the bag. So you better show up or else I'll unfix your nose."

"Well…"

"Come on," he said, grabbing her by the hands and pulling her off the bench. "What have you got to lose?" He gave her his pouty face again which was, honestly, too cute to say no to.

"Alright," Clary said, shrugging her shoulders. "I guess I could give it a shot."

The man squealed like a baby pig, picking Clary up bridal style and spinning her around.

He stopped spinning abruptly. "We need to get you ready. You've only got one night to find the perfect recipe to wow the judges!"

The man bent down to pick up the leash without dropping Clary, which was actually pretty impressive, and asked, "so where do you live?"

Clary snorted. "I really don't think I should tell a stranger where I-"

"Magnus Bane," he said, trying to extend his hand that was tucked under her legs, but changed his mind when he almost dropped her.

"Wait… Like the famous magician?"

He smiled. "The one and only."

Clary smiled, feeling stupid for not recognising him sooner. "Clary Fray," she said, patting him on the cheek in place of a handshake. "My brother is a huge fan."

Magnus smiled at her and began walking off in a seemingly random direction. "I guess we could just go to my place," he said. "I've got a big kitchen and a sequin dress that'll fit you like a dream. That is, if Alec lets you borrow it."

Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! Leave us a review if you liked it. Let us know your thoughts!

xoxo

-R&A