“I love you, Clary,” he said without looking at her. He was staring out into the church, at the row of lighted candles, their fold reflected in his eyes. “More than I ever–” He broke off. “God. More than I probably should. You know that, don’t you?”

“He’s not feeling well,” Clary said, catching at Simon’s wrist. “We’re going.” “No,” Simon said. “No, I — I need to talk to him. To the Inquisitor.” Robert reached into his jacket and drew out a crucifix. Clary stared in shock as he held it up between himself and Simon. “I speak to the Night’s Children Council representative, or to the head of the New York clan,” he said. “Not to any vampire who comes to knock at my door —“ Simon reached out and plucked the cross out of Robert’s hand. “Wrong religion,” he said.”

“Lawful good to lawful evil!” said Simon, pleased.”He’s quoting Dungeons and Dragons,” said Clary. “Ignore him.”

“We need to talk. All of us About what we’re going to do now.””I was going to watch Project Runway.”

“It’s not gray,” Clary felt compelled to point out. “It’s green.””If there was such a thing as terminal literalism, you’d have died in childhood,” said Jace.”

“Jace broke off the kiss and stepped back with an exhale; before Clary could say anything, a chorus of sarcastic applause broke out from the nearby hill. Simon, Isabelle, and Alec waved at them. Jace bowed while Clary stepped back slightly sheepishly, hooking her thumbs into the belt of her jeansJace sighed. “Shall we join our annoying, voyeuristic friends?””Unfortunately, that’s the only kind of friends we have.”

“And next time you’re planning to injure yourself to get me attention, just remember that a little sweet talk works wonders.”

“And now I’m looking at you,” he said, “and you’re asking me if I still want you, as if I could stop loving you. As if I would want to give up the thing that makes me stronger than anything else ever has. I never dared give much of myself to anyone before – bits of myself to the Lightwoods, to Isabelle and Alec, but it took years to do it – but, Clary, since the first time I saw you, I have belonged to you completely. I still do. If you want me.”