Clary woke up to the sound of birds chirping at her window ledge asking to come in. There had been a time when she had marvelled at them with their soft wings and beaks but she had been birdwatching with her parents when it happened, so she now despised them. Clary threw a pillow at the window causing all the birds to fly away. Clary breathed a sigh of pure relief. She then decided it would be a good idea to get changed into her gear for training. Once she was done changing, she grabbed her boots, bag and pulled her hair into a pony tail and she then set off downstairs. Jocelyn seemed to be making pancakes, something she only did on special occasions. Clary suddenly felt a spark of jealously, why did him coming deserve something special? Clary rubbed her temples, a habit from her mother and sat down trying to ignore the persistent voices in the back of her mind. Jocelyn came over and placed the steaming blueberry pancakes on the table along with the maple syrup. Clary licked her lips-she was suddenly starving. She was about to grab one when her mother grabbed her hand before she could.

"We must wait for Jonathan", she said sternly. Clary sighed, it seemed the blonde haired boy was now disrupting her eating times. Clary was about to protest when he suddenly appeared at the bottom of the stairs, without making a sound. Jace silently slid into his chair and placed his hands on the table.

"Tuck in", her mother said warmly and Clary did just that. Jace however seemed to be eying the pancakes as though they were poisoned. Clary rolled her eyes and pushed the plate forward so he would have no choice but to take one.

"What are they?" He asked addressing Clary. Before she could answer her mother cut in.

"They are pancakes, Clary loves them", she said adding the end bit quietly. Obviously her mum had imagined him to take to them like a duck to water. Jace carefully picked up one and placed it on his plate. Clary watched him cut off a tiny corner and try it-he seemed to enjoy it. It was not long before he was on his third one and Clary was on her fourth.

"Thanks", Clary said when Jocelyn took their plates away. Jace had smiled at her mum making her stomach flip, she was her mother not his.

"Ok, the car will be coming soon, do you want me to come?" Jocelyn asked showing her protective side. Clary shook her head, she was nearly sixteen and she doubted she needed her mother to hold her hand in the car.

"Fine, make sure you text me when you get there", she said washing up the plates. And with that Clary and her new brother sat down on the sofa to wait for the car to take them to training.

()

"So, are you excited?" He asked when they sat down. Clary was momentarily dazed, had he just asked her a question?

"Yeah I guess, you?" She replied and Jace put his head in his hands.

"Well, I'm not used to training with others", he said and Clary for once understood what he meant. It probably would be strange, but it would be nice to train instead of sitting inside all day. Clary was about to ask him more about his life before when her mother called that the car was there. Clary started walking when Jace gave a cough indicating she had forgotten something. Her bag, which was in his hands before she could say anything.

"We wouldn't want you forgetting that", he said and there was a cheeky grin on his face making Clary's stomach flip.

"No we wouldn't", she said quickly grabbing the bag and marching off. She had been a bit rude, but she hated the way he had just looked at her. The two teenagers stepped out the front door, slid into the car and set off to begin training.

()

Jace opened the car door and let Clary out, she didn't say anything but nod her head. He had no idea what he had done to offend her, maybe she wasn't use to male company in the house as so far he had seen no father figure. They walked together to the huge building and opened the beautiful gates to the institute. Clary quickly texted her mum that they were here and then Jace led the way to the main room where a lady was looking out the window. Clary gave a loud cough causing her to spin around and stare at them both.

"Clary", she said giving a proper smile and then her gaze slid over to Jace. She smiled at him and then clapped her hands and Jace told her his name.

"Time to get training, the other boy will surely be here soon", she announced and handed pads and swords to each of them. Clary went over and started on the punching bags and Jace found himself stuck with what to do.

"Want to do some knife throwing?" Alicia asked him and Jace nodded and picked up some knives. He was about to throw one when the doors opened slowly revealing a boy around his age with jet black hair and a narrow face.

"Hello, come in what's your name?" She asked. She obviously already knew it but she was just being polite.

"Sebastian", he said and Clary turned round. Jace watched as her eyes took him in and she smiled at him. Jace's stomach flipped, why was he suddenly getting angry over her smiling? Jace resumed throwing knives and every single one hit the target. In the corner of his eye he saw Clary scowling at him, she looked adorable when she did that. Sebastian walked in the room and stood next to him and started throwing knives. He was pretty good, Jace had to admit. After many hours Alicia called the lesson over leaving the three of them walking down the stairs to go home.

()

Clary stepped out into the cool fresh air and leant against the cool wall. Her mum would be here soon, she would just have to wait with the boys.

"So, do you two know each other?" Sebastian asked. His voice was calm but she could sense in his voice he wanted to know more.

"My brother", she said a little too harshly. Sebastian raised his eyebrows but said nothing. Clary saw her mum's car pull up and she quickly jumped in followed by Jace.

"Does that boy want a lift?" Jocelyn asked. Clary stared out the window, Sebastian was still standing there.

"I think he's fine", Clary replied. Jace was staring out the window, obviously he didn't want to talk. So they all drove home in silence, each waiting for one to say something.

()

After dinner, Clary, Jace and Jocelyn all went into the small sitting room to watch TV. This was usually normal for Clary and her mum, but she could see Jocelyn was worried about something. Clary and Jace sat down but Jocelyn stood by the window, her hands clasped together.

"It's coming", she said suddenly. Clary was confused so she looked to Jace who shrugged.

"What?" Clary asked. If this was a joke Clary certainly wouldn't laugh. Jocelyn had gone as white as a sheet and she seemed to be slightly shaking. This was obviously no joke.

"The dark war", he mother whispered. At this Jace sat forward and Clary felt her heart freeze.

"Has it begun?" Jace asked and Jocelyn nodded. She just looked more sad than frightened now.

"It started in London and it's making its way here and to Alicante", Jocelyn said. Clary knew that war had been on the brink for months, but hearing it had actually started was a shock.

"We will stay here though", her mother added. Clary felt better hearing this, the house was special to her and she didn't like the idea of leaving it.

"Is there a piano here?" Jace asked. Clary was taken back but her mother told him there was an old one in the next room. Jace grunted gratitude and went off leaving her in the room with her scared mum.

()

Jace didn't know why he wanted to play the piano, he just had a sudden urge. As soon as his hands touched the keys, the music just poured out of him. All his emotions went into the song and it was not long before a small red-head was standing at the door. Clary.

"You can play well", she said softly coming over to the piano. Jace stopped playing and smiled at her.

"Let me show you", he said and he patted the seat for her to sit down. She slowly sat down and placed her hands on the keys and Jace gently moved her wrists into the right position. He then carefully placed his hands over hers and she leaned into him. For some reason he couldn't speak, he just let his body mold into Clary and he realised they were playing. It wasn't a hard piece but with the help of his skilled hands they were composing a simple tune. Jace had no idea what would have happened if Jocelyn hadn't come in causing Clary to jump away from him. She stood up quickly, she looked slightly dazed.

"That sounded nice", Jocelyn said. She hadn't registered Clary's dazed face.

"I'm tired, night", Clary said and Jace heard her run up the stairs. He had no idea what just happened, but he was sure it was not what siblings were meant to be feeling.

()

Hey everyone,

Another early update! I hope you enjoy it and I am proud at how long these chapters are! Please r&r as it makes me update sooner!

:)

Heartshade