Luke came to in his clothes, one ankle still chained, and surrounded by downy feathers. The wolf had torn through the padded walls. The manacles were a backup should the cell door fail. He could usually maintain control but during the involuntary full moons, the wolf fought. Sometimes he lost patches of time. Once it realized it was in this cage, it would usually settle down. It made moons less tiresome.

Last night had been different. The wolf struggled violently, he could feel it in his body, and he didn't lose patches, he had nothing. His right ankle also ached. Normally the wolf would heal an injury like that.

He glanced up at the wall clock in here. It was morning. He would need to open the shop soon. On occasion, he asked Jocelyn to run the shop when a transformation was rough. She always called or stopped by the mornings after full moons. He'd have asked her, if she were here.

Speaking of visitors – Valentine. Where was he? How obvious, the impact of his confession. But's that why he was here, supposedly: to make amends. Luke slowly stood, favoring his left leg. The door was unlocked. He walked out, showered, changed his clothes. Had a quick breakfast, then iced his ankle. He didn't feel well, but well enough to man a cash register.

Around midday, Simon walked in. "Uh, Luke? You don't look so good."

"Twisted my ankle last night, but it's alright."

"How'd you do that? That's not like you… Wait, you weren't, you know?" Simon gestured bringing a drink to his lips, being more sensitive than most due to his mother's troubles, but the absurd difference between that and what actually happened last night caused him to smile. "No, I wasn't." Simon was immediate relieved and smiled too. "That's good. I needed some humor. I've been worried since Clary and Mrs. Fray left."

Luke never really thought Valentine would harm them. Only if he wanted the Cup, but he said he didn't and didn't mention it again. If anyone was going to get attacked Luke thought it would have been him, but his restraint while Luke was turning across the table from him seemed incontrovertible evidence, Valentine did not mean physical harm.

"They're tougher than you think. But I've heard no more from Valentine, or the police. Just, Clary's probably bored without you."

"I am more entertaining than anyone I know," Simon approved. "But I'm here on business too. My mom wants me to pick up some of her 'stories'. God, why do I pick these up for her? It's so embarrassing."

"She gives you pocket money. Here, give me the list. I'll get them for you."

"Thanks, I'll check out the fantasy section. Meet you back at the front!"

Luke nodded, then headed to the romance section. Simon may be embarrassed but Luke did his best business there. Simon eventually returned with a novel of his own and Luke rang him out, putting the books in a paper bag, "There. Secret's safe."

Simon relaxed. "Thanks, Luke. I'm going over to Eric's for band practice. I'll be in touch!"

The shop felt more empty than it was after Simon left, but he had that way about him. Luke did worry how long could this go on. He decided Valentine would return. Last night ended abruptly; it wasn't finished. He thought Valentine might appear at nine that evening but there was no sign of him.

So Luke had a quiet time of it, resting his ankle but it was difficult to not have his thoughts wander: would Jocelyn ever feel it safe to return, and how could she convince Clary without telling her the truth about her father? What would Simon be told? He would not let go of Clary without a fight, and vice versa.

And there was another question that nagged him: should he feel any responsibility to turn Valentine over to the Clave? Would that solve Jocelyn's problems? He had not felt the need to hunt him down after the Uprising, but Luke thought now of what crimes the Clave would charge him with: leading an attempted coup; breaking the Accords by attacking and killing Downworlders; attempted theft of the Mortal Cup – Jocelyn herself was guilting of stealing the Cup, and Luke could very well be considered an accomplice. Even though he didn't know its current location.

However, Luke did agree the Clave's rulings were often arbitrary. Bribes, friends in high places, and family status could get one out of trouble despite what the Clave drilled into all young Shadowhunters: the Law is hard, but it is the Law.

Luke was glad Valentine had not been able to accomplish his goals, but he didn't believe he was the only one responsible for what had happened. He had not forced anyone to follow him; all who had did so willingly. Luke himself had almost left, not liking the direction the Circle was taking and would have if Jocelyn had not asked him to stay, to try to moderate. He had to take responsibility for that choice.

Valentine also had not planned on forcing anyone to drink from the Mortal Cup, only those who wanted to. To Luke, Valentine's most heinous crime was the killing of innocent Downworlders, a crime many Nephilim were guilty of.

He did not think he could apprehend Valentine but even if he could, he found he didn't want to, and did not want to involve himself with the Clave. Even if it would assuage Jocelyn's fears about Valentine's whereabouts, it seemed impossible for her or Luke to avoid being known by the Clave and for Clary not be dragged in as well. If Clary were to be involved with the Shadow World, he wanted it to be her choice. If Valentine was truly not harming anyone, Luke was content to leave it at that.

And maybe, though it was hard to hold on to this thought: it was too painful to fight Valentine. Just as Valentine had not been able to kill him when he first turned into a werewolf – even though Valentine truly believed him to be a monster – because of who they were to each other. He had done it at the Uprising to prevent a massacre, but he had been out of his mind, with a dangerous combo of rage and grief, believing Valentine got rid of him.

And now he was presented with an entirely unexpected admission of guilt, from the man himself. But Luke stilled his mind; this would get him no further tonight.