We then headed out of the Institute. I know we were not going to take that chance. But we were not going to ask her to join us either. Because I want to talk with Alec about something. I don't need her to overhear it.

When we got to the Taki's Dinner. We found a booth in the back. It was the best spot. We could see everything. When the waitress approached us, she had her sight right on Jace. Of course, I am not surprised.

"Hello there, my name is Kaelie. I will be your waitress today. What can I start with you to drink?" She said.

"I will take a coffee." Jace told her.

"Same here." I told her.

"I will take a water." Alec said.

She then walked away. But not before she took one more look at Jace. I know I am doing my best to keep it together. But this is something I must get used to. Girls are going to try and flirt with Jace. But at the end of the day, he is mine, and I am his. I looked over to see Jace snickering with a smile on his face. He thinks this is so funny. I then asked,

"What is so funny?"

"You. I think it's cute that you're jealous." He told me.

"I am not jealous. I know girls are going to flirt and that nothing will happen. Mostly, if you want to live." I told him.

"Jace, I think she is a keeper. Also, mean business." Alec told him.

"I know she does. That is why I won't ruin what I have." He told me.

"Good. Now we are on the same page." I told them.

Then Kaelie came back with our drinks. She gave me my coffee with a glare. Oh, please, honey, I can take you. You are nothing but a helpless fairy. But I will play nice for now. We then told her what we wanted to eat. She then left.

"So, now we can talk. You were talking to Lydia this morning. What do you think of her?" I asked Alec.

"She is very passionate about her job. All she wants is to follow the Clave and its rules. I don't know if we can trust her just yet." Alec told me.

"Do we know why she is here truthfully?" Jace asked.

"So, call the Clave thinks my parents can't run the Institution anymore. That there hasn't been any progress on finding him." Alec told us.

"Your parents are doing their best. He might not even be here. We don't know where he is. Do you know that he isn't working alone?" I told him.

"I don't know. I don't want to give her too much right now. Mostly when I don't know if we can trust her. Just give me some time. Then we will go from there." Alec told me.

"Fine." I told him.

"You still have it hidden?" Alec asked me.

"Yes. Don't worry. No one will find it." I told him.

"Okay. That is at least one thing we don't have to worry about." Alec said.

"If that is safe, that is all that matters. Also, you and your mother are safe, too, Clary." Jace told me.

I just smiled at him. We got our food. We then stopped talking after that. It was a peaceful silence. When we got it. Kaelie kept coming over to make sure we were good. But she mostly came over to talk to Jace. I just kept my cool. I was not going to get mad about it. Or jealous.

For now, we haven't learned much about what is happening. But I know I have been watched. It's not like I want to see what you can do, and you know. I have been watched without my knowledge. They think they are clever. But I figured it out after the first day. Jace doesn't know yet. I haven't told him. I don't know if it's the Clave doing it or Valentine.

Jace and I have been practicing our unique skills with each other with someone for the Clave watching. I don't get why they want to know. But there is a reason. I bet they are scared and want to know what is here.

I walked the park to Hunter's Moon to get away. I just kind of had enough of the Institution for right now. Being looking at and whispered about. I know Maia will let me hide out there if I want. She will kick out whoever gives me a problem. I walked into Hunter's Moon. I went right over to the bar.

"Hey, Clary. What's up?" Maia asked me.

"Can I have a drink, please?" I asked her.

"One of those days, huh, girl?" She asked me while she gave me a drink.

"Thanks. Yes, one of those days. I am so over this Clave thing." I told her.

"I bet. Do you know that some guys there have been watching you since you arrived here?" She asked me, glancing towards a table.

I didn't have to turn around to know what guys she talked about. It is probably the same guys following me since I got here. I took a sip of my drink. I then said,

"Yeah, I know. I just don't know why and who sent them."

"Does your little goons know?" She asked me.

"I know you may not like shadowhunters. But I promise you Alec, Izzy, and Jace are different. If you can be okay with me and Simon, you should give them a chance. No, they don't know. I don't want them to know." I told her.

"For you and Simon, I will try. But no promises. Why are you not telling them? Secrets can turn, or it can be fun." She told me.

"Because I don't know who sent them. Also, they are already doing too much for me. I don't need to add more to their plates. Mostly, Jace." I told her truthfully.

"I don't like them here. I don't like how they are looking at you." She told me.

Maia left the bar area and headed over to them. I couldn't tell what she was saying. But I could tell she was getting annoyed. But the guys seemed like they were not going to leave. I know that wasn't going to end well. Just then, Jordan came behind her. Like magic, he made them leave. Maia walked back over to me.

"Why does he always have to do that? I had that." She told me.

"He knows that you had that. But he just wanted to help. You know you liked it. Him being there to help." I told her.

Jordan came over to us. He has been here for me and Simon since Simon's past. He was still stuck around when Simon got the greatest wish he had ever wanted. It is nice to have him around. Mostly when he is around Maia.

"You okay, Clary? Why were those guys watching like that?" Jordan asked me. He took the seat next to me.

"Yeah. Just annoying that I am being followed and not knowing who is following me." I told him truthfully.

"What do you mean?" He asked me.

"Well, it could be the Clave or my father." I told him.

"You don't know who it is. How long has this been going on?" He asked me.

"If she knows she won't have them following her, would they." Maia said to Jorden, a little bit rude.

"It's fine, Maia. No, but those are my two main ideas. It all started when I got back to New York. I noticed a few days after I got back." I answered them.

"If you want, I can ask if I can find anything for you." He offered me.

"Yes, please. I don't want to involve Izzy, Jace, and Alec." I told him truthfully.

"They don't know?" Jordan asked, confused.

"No, they don't. Mostly, Jace doesn't know. I don't want them to know until I know who it is." I told him.

"Okay. I won't say a word. But I will look into it for you." He told me.

"Thanks, Jordan. That means a lot to me. Also, can neither of you tell Luke either? I really don't want to worry him or my mother. Mostly, if they are following me for him." I asked them.

"I won't." Jordan told me.

"Maia, I know I am asking a lot from you. With you being in his pack and him being your alfa. But can you please try?" I asked her.

"I can do more than try. I will. If he doesn't think I know anything, then he won't ask. Then I don't have to tell." She then told me.

"Thanks." I told them.

I then heard my phone going off. I pulled it out of my pocket to see a text. I opened it. It was a text from Jace.

"Oh, is the boyfriend worrying about you? Tell him you are fine and with the true protectors." Maia said teasing. I just ignored her and read the text.

Hey, where are you? (J)

At the Hunter's Moon. Need to get away from the stares and whispers for a while. (C)

Let me know who it is. I will make it stop. (J)

Jace, you can't make it stop. There is always going to be people staring and whispering. I am used to it. But sometimes, I just need to avoid it for a bit. Understand Golden Boy? (C)

Golden Boy, really? (J)

Yeah. I will be back soon. Just going to work on some pieces I want to finish, and then I will be back. (C)

Deal. Let me know when you get back. (J)

Miss me already. You saw me this morning. (C)

Always miss you. But I thought we could train or something? (J)

So, you want to get your ass kicked then. (C)

We will see. Talk to you later. (J)

Talk to you when I get back. (C)

I then put my phone away. I looked around to see where an empty booth in the corner was open. I then saw my favorite booth open. I gave Maia and Jorden a smile, then headed over to it. I then pulled out my stuff and relaxed. Maia came over with a drink and set it down. She then left me alone. I put my music in and ignored the world.

I was last in my own world. I was gone. I heard the door open and shut. Someone just walked in. I didn't look up to see who it was. I just kept sketching. I then heard someone coming over to the table I was at. I didn't care to look up because I thought it was Maia coming to give me a new drink or something.

But instead, it was her. The person sat down across from me. I didn't look up right away. But I had a feeling this wasn't going to be good. I then looked up. I saw one of the guys who had been watching me earlier. I then looked over to Maia and Jordan, who were watching me.

"Tell your friends not to worry. I am just here to talk." The guys said.

"Why should I believe you on that?" I asked him.

He then took his seraph blade on the table with his stele. I looked at him and then to Maia and Jordan. I pulled my phone out and texted Maia.

Stay close, but don't do anything. Please. (C)

Fine, but Jordan is going to keep an eye on you. If that creep tries anything, then he will regret it. (M)

Deal.(C)

I then looked back at the guy, waiting to see what he wanted. I might find out who sent him to watch me. I then asked,

"What do you want, and who sent you to watch me?"

"One question at the time. We will get to them all after you answer all my questions." He told me.

"What do you want to know?" I asked.

"When did all this come out?" He asked me.

"What come out?" I asked him.

"Do you really think I have to say? You know what I am talking about, Clarissa Morgenstern." He said to me.

I know only a few people who would call me that. So, he sent them to watch me. I leaned forward and looked at him. He gave me a smile. I then said,

"He sent you. Didn't he?"

"Answer my questions, and then I will answer yours." He told me.

"I don't remember. It just happened one day. Now answer my question." I told him.

"Which he does you think it is?" He asked me.

"Really? Don't play dumb now. We both know the he I am talking about." I told him.

"No. Your father didn't send me. But someone who wants to keep you safe and cares for you." He told me.

Who sent him? It couldn't be my brother. Could it? That leaves the Clave out. They care for me at all. My mother trusts me too much and knows I can handle myself, but she won't do it. Luke already has the Downworlders watching me already. So, who sent him?