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Chapter Text

I wake up to the blinding sun shining through my windows and I shield my eyes. It's Saturday which means I only have two days until I start school again. I can't say I'm thrilled but whatever gets me out of here faster.

 

My mother Jocelyn at one time was kind and loving, everyone says I'm her mini-me. With my red hair and green eyes but I don't see it. We have similar features but hers are so much more defined than mine.

It's the same with our artistic ability I'm good but my mother is great. With every stroke of her brush, she evokes raw emotion.

My father Valentine was away a lot when I was a child, off fighting in the war but he's home now for good. I wish I could say that's for the best but I can't. In fact him being home has ruined my sense of normalcy that I've tried so hard to regain.

My best  friend is more than what I deserve. Simon Lewis has been there for me more times than I could count. I have all these people who I love that are there for me so why do I feel like something is missing? Like I don't belong here. Maybe I'm just being dramatic. That's what my uncle luke always tells me. He may have a point. Luke isn't really my uncle, but he's been like a second dad to me or more like the only father.

I used to call him dad but when Valentine came home for good my mom made me stop. Luke got downgraded to uncle but just title wise in front of Valentine. Luke will always be my father, he might not be blood but he's the father I deserve, the father I choose.

Valentine came home from the war almost two years ago. He " gave up the war to be with his family." or so he claims but I don't think that's true. He didn't give up anything, he came home because he was intimidated by Luke as he should be.

Luke, Valentines once best friend is my mom's soulmate. Valentine might have been my mother's first love but Luke is her last. I firmly believe that. Valentine may have deserved her once but he certainly doesn't now. Luke is the one who gave up the war to come and help my mom.

Luke is the one who took care of me when I was sick, tucked me into bed, read me bedtime stories. Luke was there for me and my mom when Valentine wasn't and he hates him for it.

I'm sure Valentine was once a decent man, a kind man, one worthy of my mother's love. Otherwise why else would my mother stay with him? Why would she have loved him in the first place?

If that man existed the war has erased him from my memory and his too. Sometimes or all the time  I wish he'd go back. Does that make me an awful person? Maybe but at least I'm not a liar.

My mother can't see it, blinded by love or whatever you call it but the man that came home is cruel. Maybe that's who he's always been, maybe war changed him, all I know is that man is not my father.

I sigh as I look through my closet for something to wear to check out Simons competition. That's just what I need to get my mind off things, spending time with my best friend.
My mom thinks I'm being unfair to Valentine but how can she not see she's not being fair to Luke?

Valentine forced him out of our lives, he gave my mother an ultimatum and she chose wrong. I would never let that monster cut my true father out of my life. I still secretly see Luke almost every day. But Valentine did succeed in cutting someone else from my life. Someone that means the world to me.

I shake my head as I pull out an electric blue v neck top and black skinny jeans. "Get it together Fray!" I chide myself.
I put on my ankle boots with the secret hiding spots for my knives and walk down the stairs hoping to go unnoticed. Call me paranoid but after what happened to me that night, I will never leave unarmed again. I shudder as I push my thoughts away.
"Clary! Just in time for breakfast!"  I knew I wouldn't make it out, I never do.

I force my lips into a smile I don't feel and sit down at the table across from him. The quote "If looks could kill, " runs across my mind as he stares daggers at me.

My mom sets down a plate of eggs and bacon in front of me. "Eat your protein sweetie." She says as she smiles warmly at me. She deserves so much better, she deserves Luke.

"Yes, Clary eat." He says it like an order and suddenly I'm not hungry anymore. My appetite much like my self-restraint is gone. I get up ignoring my mother's glare. She once told me if I had nothing nice to say, say nothing at all. So that's exactly what I'm doing.

"Clarissa Fray!" She storms after me and grabs my arm before I can make my escape through the front door. I slowly turn to her without saying a word.

"You're being rude! You owe your father an apology." It's comical really, I owe him an apology? He selfishly banned the only father I have ever know from my life and I need to apologize?

"Mom, " I say,  trying my best to keep a handle on my temper, something us Frays are notorious for losing. "I wasn't being rude to Valentine, I just forgot I'm meeting Simon."

Her face turns blood red as she lets out a breath, in order to scream at me I'm sure. luckily I'm saved by a knock. "Love you, mom!" I say and spin around slamming the door behind me. I take Simons hand and practically drag him to his van. He doesn't even ask questions he just keeps pace beside me and takes off as soon as we're both inside.

When we're on the road I can finally breathe again. He places his hand on my knee and squeezes. I gratefully place my hand on top of his.

"How long did you last this time?" He asks.

"Thirty seconds, I'm improving. " I smile, it's funny only minutes ago I was murderous now I'm smiling.
"Your mom will come to her senses."

"Yeah, " I say "well she is sure taking her sweet ass time, isn't she?"

-------

Simon parks in the front of the cafe and runs to my door to open it. "My Lady."
I burst out laughing as I take his hand in mine. We walk hand in hand into Java Jones the last of my anger dying out. Java Jones is our favorite place. It's a wonderful cafe that always has bands performing. The smell of coffee hits me instantly making me thirsty.

We take a seat in the back so we won't get noticed by Jordan. The lead singer and Simons mortal enemy. Those are Simons words for him, not mine. I think Jordan's kind of cute but Simon hates him so I hate him too. He's always an ass to Simon and we have a pact. We share enemies. "I hope he forgets the words," I say seething.
"I like the vindictive side of you!"
I blow him a kiss, "Your enemies are my enemies."
"As is yours Fray." Jordan starts shredding on the guitar and Simon tenses by my side. Jordan is his main competition for the battle of the bands.

He wins every year and this is Simons last chance not to come in second. "Don't worry! Crimson Batman will totally kick Jordan's mind explosion's ass." He smiles but I can tell he doesn't believe me. I want so much for him to win. He deserves it. Jordan only wins because he can afford professional bandmates. Jackass, I think to myself.

"Simon, you're going to win you deserve it." I squeeze his hands for reassurance, "thanks for being there for me today and every other day. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Clary... there's something I want to tell you. Something I should have told you a long time ago...I..."

"Jace! earth to Jace." I snap my head up at the sound and that's when I see him. Golden eyes are staring into mine. Golden curls fall around his ears and with his muscular body, he'd easily be the most attractive man in any room.  But those eyes, I can't stop looking into those eyes. I finally snap out of my daze when Simon tugs on my arm. It's only then I notice the man isn't alone.

On either side of him are two beautiful dark-haired siblings. I assume they look just alike. The woman has long black hair that falls to her waist in waves and apple red lips.

While the boy's black hair falls to his ears and his lips are turned into a frown. Both beautiful but nothing compared to the boy with the golden hair. The boy who's still staring at me, I almost get sucked in by those eyes again but Simon is tugging at me and he seems angry. I notice both of the siblings pulling on the blonde's arm much like Simons doing to mine. I don't want to look away first. "Clary!"
I look up at Simon, "Yeah?" I say breathlessly. A look flitters across his face, one I've never seen before. Anger, hurt?  Both? "Simon, what's wrong?"

He looks at me like I should already know the answer. "You were eye humping that guy for damn near five minutes!"

"I was not! Simon, what's gotten into you?"

"You!" He Shouts.

"Jace, come on let's go. You've caused enough of a scene." I hear the frowning guy say.

The boy Jace I assume says something too low for me to hear. But I guess it wasn't low enough for Simon because he's angrier than ever.

"You want to know what's gotten into me?" He takes my face into his hands and kisses me hard on the mouth. At first, I'm frozen in shock. But then I come to my senses and gently push Simon off.

"Simon what?" before I can finish my sentence Simon is all but bolting for the door. I turn to chase Simon but the boy, Jace, is staring at me again. I monetarily freeze trapped again by those golden eyes that are like a sunset. Now his friends as staring at me too. Probably because I'm eye stalking their friend. I shake my head putting him out of my head.

"Simon!" I scream running after him as fast as my legs will carry me. When I shove through the door Simon and his van's gone. I go back inside and sit at a table as I dig out my phone. I call Simon but it goes straight to voicemail. "Simon I'm so sorry, just tell me what I did? You're my best friend and you always will be."

I hang up and rest my chin on my hands. Trying not to burst into tears. Why did he kiss me? The obvious answer, the one I don't want to face is staring me in the face, like a neon sign. He can't have feelings for me, he just can't, he's my best friend. I feel a tap on my shoulder and turn to see Jordan.

"Did you and Simon get into a fight?"

"That's none of your business!"
He gets closer to me as I back away from him.
"I want to make it my business, let me take you home Clary."
"Oh, please you don't care about me you want to use me to get to Simon. I'd rather walk."
He shrugs his shoulder, " suit yourself."
I turn back to wallowing in my hands when I feel another tap. "Jordan." I stop abruptly when I see it's the boy.

He sits beside me and gives me a lopsided smile. One that makes my heart do a back flip. For a solid minute, he just stares at me with that adorable grin on his face. I mean I know this should be sending up red flags but then again I'm drooling over him after all.
"Hi, " I say and then I feel like a fool, there are over a hundred thousand words in the English language and I said hi. I wait for him to say something, anything but he doesn't.
"So, nice chat," I say awkwardly as I stand up.
"Wait!" he says and the voice that comes out of those lips is that of an angel. "I can take you home."
Okay, he's hot like out of this world hot but he's a stranger. He could be a serial killer, plenty of good-looking serial killers out there waiting for naive girls.
"No, that's okay I'm not going home and I have a ride."
"Really?" I can hear the sarcasm dripping from his voice. "Because it looked like your boyfriend left you here. Does he always cause such a scene? I've seen toddlers throw quieter tantrums."

Okay, now the hot angel is kind of pissing me off. He may be the hottest living thing on this planet but no one talks about Simon like that.
"Don't pretend you know him or me." I glare at him" and frankly it's none of your business, thanks for the offer but I think I'll decline." He looks shocked like actually shook to the core."
"What?"
I roll my eyes "I said no, you have heard of that word before right?"

The girl with the radiant black hair starts to laugh hysterically. "I like you!" she says as she thrusts her hand at me, I hesitantly shake it.
"I'm Isabelle Lightwood but my friends call me Izzy. You can call me Izzy, " and this she says as she yanks on the dark-haired boy's arm, "is Alec, my brother. I see you're already acquainted with Jace."

"I think you've found your match, Jace," Izzy says as she snickers again.

"I think his true match is himself," I say and now the brother is laughing too. Wow, when he smiles he looks almost as beautiful as his sister. They have nothing on the golden asshole though.

"Okay, where is this girl that Jace is obsessing with? I have to see this!" A familiar voice booms from behind me. A voice I would recognize almost anywhere. I turn and run to the voice. "Magnus!" I scream as I barrel into his arms. His arms wrap around me instantly. "biscuit!"

Chapter Text

Alec coughs and Magnus releases me as he ruffles my hair. "Of course it would be you Jace is obsessing over."

Obsessing? I've known he's existed for maybe half an hour, why would Magnus think that?"

"Magnus!" Alec scolds. Magnus shrugs, "I'm just repeating what you told me, Alexander."

"For the record," Jace says, "I'm not obsessed with her, she's not even my type." I look at Jace wanting nothing more than to punch him in the face. I'm so mad, I'm angry with him for being such a jerk but mostly I'm pissed at myself for giving a damn. How could I have thought that we had a connection?

"For the record, " I say as I step forward inches from his face. As I get closer his breath catches, " the feeling is mutual." I back away enjoying the look of utter shock on his face. Is the golden angel not use to someone who fights back?

Magnus chuckles, "I've missed you, biscuit."

"Biscuit?" Alec fumes and I stifle a laugh. He obviously thinks something is going on which is hysterical.

Magnus, as it seems thinks it's just as funny. "Calm down Alexander, Clary is like my sister." His features relax slightly and now instead of fury he just looks mildly annoyed.

 

"He, gets a little jealous, I mean who wouldn't be? Look at me!" He does a little spin. "Speaking of looking good, have you been working out?" He lifts my arm and pokes it. "Flex."

I start to decline but there is no arguing with Magnus Bane so I flex. "Are you Clary or Buffy?"
I grin at him, "I'm glad someone noticed, Simon and I have been at the gym everyday training."

"Really?" Jace says, "it doesn't look like it's had the same desired effect on your measly boyfriend." I glare at him, is he always this much of an arrogant dick?

"Since when do you train?" Magnus asks.

"Since the incident."

Magnus nods solemnly as if the memory is almost painful. Well, it's painful for me too but it made me stronger. I shake my head clearing away thoughts of that night and him.

 

Jace steps up, looking ready to knock someone out. "What incident?"
He stares down at me with a heated intensity, I try not to get lost in those eyes. I want to hate him, but I just don't, I'll be damned if I let him know that though.

"Don't worry about it, Captain America. I can take care of myself."
He doesn't miss a beat "Oh, so you think I'm hot like Captain America?"

"You think Captin America is hot?" I ask. He sputters looking frazzled.
"No..."
"I'm a Thor kind of girl my self but hey whatever floats your boat." Everyone is just staring at me in shock except for Magnus who can't control his laughter.

My phone starts ringing and I answer it immediately, "Simon! I'm so sorry." I stop talking immediately when I notice the blonde is looking at me annoyed like it's his business who I'm talking to. "I'll be right back," I say to Magnus and step outside.

-----
Jace's POV

 

As soon as I see the firey redhead walk outside I'm right in Magnus's face.
"Who is she? Who is this Simon? Is he her boyfriend? How do you know her? Which school does she go to?"

Mangus snaps his fingers "You don't come over here demanding Intel on my biscuit, I know you, Jace Wayland you're not good enough for her."

"Magnus!" Alec says quietly. But he's right I barely know this girl and I'm already sure I don't deserve her. I should stay away from her, for her own good.

"I'll give you my jacket." The words escape my lips before I even know what's happening, contradicting my very last thoughts. His eyes light up and I know he'll tell me everything.

"Which jacket are we talking about?"

I sigh and shrug it off my shoulders handing it to him. Goodbye old friend its for a good cause. He snatches it, his nail polish matching the beautiful black leather.

"You wouldn't give this up for just any girl,"

"No, I wouldn't." I agree and its true, I've never so much as taken a girl out on a date much less given something up for one. I watch as Magnus puts on my favorite leather jacket.

"Clary better not be just another girl to you Wayland or you will end up way dead."

He starts laughing at his own joke that no-one else finds funny.
"laugh at your boyfriends Jokes, Alexander."

"Haha," Alec says and it's all I can do not to laugh.

Magnus rolls his eyes, "I'm serious don't go after her if you don't actually like her. If this is just because she's the first girl that didn't bat her eyelashes at you just leave her alone.

"I promise you it's not, have I ever lied to you before?"
Magnus turns to Alec "What do you think?" He ponders for a moment but for me, it seems like an eternity. I should ask Clary myself but she's not exactly my biggest fan.

 

"I think he'll keep his promise. Say what you want about his track record, Jace is a lot of things but he's not a liar and it's not like he lies to the any of the girls he's been with. They knew they meant nothing."
Gee when he puts it like that I sound great, a real prince charming.

"Okay, Wayland but if you hurt her my boyfriend will beat you up." Magnus starts lightly punching Alec in the arm "tell him, boyfriend!"

"Totally. You've been warned, Jace." He says cracking a rare smile. We both know who'd really win in a fight but if I hurt Clary I'd let him tear me limb from limb.

 

Seemingly satisfied he sighs. "She goes to Angel's wing, her family and mine have known each other for decades. So we've known each other since we were kids.
Clary became my little sister and I will protect her." He adds sternly. By the angel Magnus I get it.

 

"And Simon?"
"He's her fiance."
It feels like my heart is being torn into pieces in front of my eyes. Of course, the Goddess isn't single but engaged and to him? He left her here! What kind of fiance does that?

 

Magnus starts laughing, " I'm kidding Wayland he's her best friend. Although he is madly in love with her. So watch out you got competition. You should have seen your face! you were like a murderous puppy."

"What is her..."

"No more questions."

"Really? I gave you a four hundred dollar jacket and you give me three answers?"

"Are you putting a price tag on Clary? Because she's worth way more than a jacket."

"No, of course not, just tell me her birthday."

"August twenty third."

"but that's next month!

"How very observant of you Jace, August does come after July."

I roll my eyes trying not to lose my temper. I start walking out the door to find Clary, I just want to talk to her alone. But everybody follows me and when I spot her I realize why she's been out here so long.

She's sitting there in some trashy van with that scrawny asshole. The side doors are open so I can see everything. The way she sits by him so effortlessly, so comfortable. I can't explain it and I'd sound like a nut job to pretty much anyone if I tried but I want to take his place.

She looks up at me and smiles. My heart starts smashing against my chest as I smile back. Until I realize Magnus is beside me waving. Disappointment washes over me as she links Simons arm with hers and starts walking over. "Wasnt that jacket on you?" She asks as she points at me.

 

Well at least she remembered what I was wearing, that has to mean something right?
"It looks better on Magnus." She says laughing.

...Or not.

God, why do I even care? Then
she smiles at me. Not at Magnus or Simon but at me and nothing else matters after that. At that moment my fate is sealed. Whatever she needs from this moment on I'll do. Whatever she wants me to be I'll be. If only just to be this close to her.

"Clary," I say breathlessly.

"Yes, Jace?" My name coming from those soft pink lips does something to me. She's staring up at me expectantly and that's when I realized I haven't spoken. Get it together Wayland! It's like I've forgotten how to flirt. Or maybe it's just because it's her.

I don't want to say any of my usual bullshit because that's exactly what it is bullshit. I don't want to use lines, or pickups, I just want to tell her exactly how I feel. But how I feel is completely crazy.

 

"Nevermind."
By the angel how lame was that? I wanted to ask her out but I couldn't do it. At least not with everyone staring at me like the idiot I am. She looks at me again and I'm certain she'll make fun of me for making a fool out of myself instead she smiles at me again.

 

Maybe making an ass out of myself is a turn on to her... probably not.

"Umm Clary? We have to go, we have that thing." Her annoying friend says as he's pulling on her arm.

She looks up at him, confusion in those beautiful emerald eyes. "What thing?"
He gives her a look and she nods.
"Oh yeah!"

That's such bullshit, there is no "thing, " He probably just hated the way I'm looking at her or the way I can't stop.

She bounds up to Magnus and throws her arms around him. "You really have to go so soon? It's been almost two years!" He pouts.

"It won't be that long again I promise."

She takes out a notebook, as she flips through looking for a blank page I see drawings. She's flipping so fast my mind can barely focus on one image alone but I think I see a glimpse of a wing.
She jots down her phone number and hands it to Magnus, closing the notebook after. I want to see those pages so bad to get inside her mind, to get to know her.

 

I wonder what I'd have to promise him to get those ten digits. And just like that she links her arm with the dweeb and leaves. I turn to Magnus and he's already shaking his head.

"No."

"You don't even know what I was going to say," I complain.

"You were going to ask for her number and I said no. If you want it then go ask her yourself. I thought you were supposed to be good at this? Isn't that your entire appeal? This like charming persona no girl can resist? I say Clary did a pretty good job of enduring your irresistible charm." Magnus gloats.

"Just forget it."

"Good and when she turns you down, you're not getting this jacket back. So don't even try Wayland."

"Wouldn't dream of it, Magnus," I say as I start walking to my car. I know what I'm going to do next and it's only a little bit crazy... or a lot crazy. Most likely the latter.

"Where are you going?" Izzy calls to my retreating back.
I spin around just long enough to answer her question.
"I'm going to enroll in Angel's Wing."

"Jace!" Alec yells with a hint of agitation in his tone.
"You can't do that, you can't just change schools over some girl you just met."

"Watch me," I reply

"Hey!" Magnus chides Alec, "Clary is far more than just some girl and she's totally worth transferring schools. But leave her alone Jace, don't stalk her!"

I don't turn around again, as I walk away I hear their protest getting more and more distant. I half expected at least one of them to follow me but mostly I'm glad they didn't.

What I'm doing is out of character at best, totally psychotic at worst but I don't care. I want to know her, I need to know her.

Chapter Text

- - - JACE POV

I climb into the passenger seat of Alecs midnight blue Porsche, I haven't even shut the door when Izzy starts complaining.
"Why does Jace always get the front seat? I'm a lady, I should get dibs."

"The leader of Fallen Legends doesn't sit in the back Isabel," I say sternly but then start laughing. I just couldn't say that with a straight face.

WHACK

Izzy slaps the back of my head." serves you right. Now about the girl."
I groan, Yes Jace Wayland has lost his ever-loving mind over a girl. Get over it. Or at least stop torturing me with it.

"Izzy! Don't encourage him!" Alec growls.

"What you don't like Clary?" I say as I start to get annoyed. Why does the thought of my best friend not liking her bother me so damn much?

"Awe! Jace, I've never heard you refer to a girl by anything other than their hair color before. It must be love. Don't stand in the way of true love, Alec! Besides I like her."

"Isabel, " Magnus says calmly "If your only requirements for true love is remembering a name you need to reevaluate your love Life."

"I like Clary just fine, she insults you so that's a plus but Jace you need to focus, you've already lost your damn mind. How the hell did you already transfer schools?"

"Doesn't matter Alec it's done, what does matter is Salvador Sanchez."

"Right so focus." He scolds
I am focused, focused on her but it doesn't matter I could wipe the floor with Sanchez in my sleep. Every year it comes down to him and me. And every year I beat his ass, bringing home the victory along with enough money to sustain the entire organization of Fallen legends our fight club for the year.

"I don't care how unfocused I am when I'm in that ring my head will be right where it needs to be. And my hands will be where they need to be wrapped around that bastards neck."

Alec claps his hands, "there's the Jace Wayland I know and love."

"I just want to know who had the balls to challenge Sanchez right before the last fight," I say as I shake my head.

"Whoever it is, is going to get his ass handed to him," Alec says as he pulls into
pandemonium, a nightclub that doubles as our underground fighting ring at night on Fridays and Saturdays.

It's pretty genius actually, Fridays and Saturdays the party never stops above us, so nothing looks out of the ordinary. No one notices our cars, no one hears us, it's perfect.

We each have two fights a month for six months out of the year. The last being the most important and always up to me to win. If you lose a fight you're out. Both clubs fight each other in the passing months until the top two remain however it is possible to challenge a fighter in your own club if you win you take their place.

Though it's rare and no one has ever been challenged this close to the end before now.

Every time we fight we get a large sum of cash, even if we lose which never happens to me. Except for the last fight, it's winner take all. And by all, I mean a shit ton of money, while the loser gets nothing. So it's of the utmost importance that I win.

I'm not worried though nor am I ever. Salvador will take care of this challenger and then I'll take care of him. I actually kind of hope he loses. Then at least things will be interesting.

I get out of the car, everyone follows me to the back. I press on the hidden panel on the ground and it opens up the door. we walk down the steps and through the dark hallways, using only our flashlight on our phones to guide us.

Finally, we see the torches lighting up the arena and take our seats waiting for the fight to start.

-----

 

----- CLARY'S POV

 

"Clary are you sure about this?" Simon asks for about the hundredth time.

"Yes, I'm sure, I was sure the last twenty times too. Simon I'm going to be fine. He's not even that good."

I know they're worried about me, hell I would be to but I really am fine, I'm just angry.
I'm not even saying that to make him feel better, I know I'm going to win. Might get a few cuts and bruises along the way but all's fair in love and war and I choose war.

"You can't blame us for being worried Clary. I would stop you if I thought you would listen to me. But I know this is something you have to do and I respect that." Luke says as he wraps his arms around me.

"Thanks, Dad." This is one of the thousands of reasons why Luke Graymark will always be my father. He may not always agree with my decision's but he respects the fact that it's my choice to make them.

"You'll wipe the floor with him, Fray," Simon says perking up.

"Tell me something I don't know."

"I'm loving this arrogant side of you."

I grin. "There's a difference between arrogance and confidence Simon, besides
being humble's for losers and I don't plan on losing."

"We'll leave you to get ready," Luke says he clasps my shoulder.

"Knock em dead Fray," Simon says as they leave the room.

I close my eyes as I put my earbuds on and I remember.
I remember the night I'd want nothing more than to forget but the fighter in me knows I need to remember.

I need to remember the girl that was so easily bent to her captor's will, the girl who so naively believed somebody would rescue her that night, the girl who was so paralyzed by fear she didn't even try to fight back. I need to remember that girl so I can never be her again. I don't need rescuing, not anymore.

I almost wish the bastard would come after me again because if he did, he'd be the one lying on the ground begging for his life and I would show no mercy.

I think about killing him in a hundred different ways. Stabbing a knife through his jugular, gouging out his eyes with a scalpel. The only way I haven't considered killing him is with a bullet. It's too fast and I want him to suffer.

I shake my head to clear away my thoughts. These thoughts aren't normal but then again neither is what happened too me.
Get a grip of yourself Fray. He doesn't control your emotions. Anger controls my emotions. I'll feel better once I get it all out in the ring. I always do. fighting is my only normal right now.
Maybe my only normal again.

An image of Jace flashes through my mind and before I know it I'm smiling. With one thought of the boy with the golden hair, all of the images of the monster vanished.

I promised my self I would never fall for someone like him again. Beautiful, charming, can have any girl he wants and probably does.

As much as I try to be the new Clary, I'm still human and I still feel like something is missing.
I try my best to put the images of Jace out of my head but it's not as easy as I would have hoped. It doesn't matter what I want or how I feel. He's not good for me, I've only known of his existence a few hours but that's one thing I know for certain.

 

----- JACE POV

 

Alicante walks out, microphone in hand ready to introduce the fighters.
"As most of you know, for the first time we have a challenger before the final fight. How exciting is this?" he screams as the crowd goes wild.

"History is in the making folks and you are all here to witness it. So give it up for The Terminator. Salvador Sanchez!"

 

I sit up straighter as his song starts to play. I don't even know what song this is, just some generic bullshit which fits his stale personality.

He runs out all pumped likes he's the best fighter that ever was. He's not even the best fighter in the room. I can't wait to wipe that cocky grin off his face in two weeks. Unless of course, he loses.

He goes to the corner of the ring where his lackeys are no doubt reassuring him that he's the best.

Finally, a new song starts to play and I recognize it immediately. Scars by I prevail? Dude has my vote already.

"Now! Alicante booms "give it up for The Phoenix! Clary Fray!"

Please don't let it be my Clary. I look over at Magnus as shock washes over his features and panic settles on mine.

 

"They can't do this! They can't let him fight her! We don't fight women!" I scream, my voice lost over the thousands of voices chanting her name. I watch as she walks out into the ring looking like the badass she is. I'm out of my chair without realizing it before I'm pulled back down.

"Jace," Alec warns "don't do anything stupid. You can't stop a fight and you most certainly can't stop a challenge. If she challenged him she must know what she's doing."

"Magnus! We have to stop this!" I plead with him, he's the only one that cares enough about her to put an end to this. As if hearing my voice her head snaps up. Her emerald eyes find mine a small smile playing on her lips. Then her eyes find Magnus and she winks.

"I think she's got this," Magnus says with a grin.

Fine, I'll stop this myself. The music cuts off as Alicante leaves the ring and I know I only have about thirty seconds to stop this. I shake off Alec's arm and take off toward the stage.

Salvador's beating is about to come early.