By the Angel

Chapter 6

Clary's POV—

The smile fades from my lips as I process his words. The warm and fuzzy feeling that was bubbling up in my stomach just moments ago vanishes, leaving nothing but rage in its place.
I feel like a Volcano ready to erupt and by erupt I mean I want to punch the blonde I yearned to kiss only seconds ago in the face.

Meshing his lips with mine is the furthest thing from my mind however they would look exquisite attached to my fist.

"Please, Clary, I don't want to fight you. I couldn't hurt you."

I laugh once, even though I find no humor in his statement, I don't know what irritates me more, that he thinks he can tell me what to do or that he thought I would actually let him.
I foolishly let myself think he transferred schools for me, worse, a part of me was elated.

"Who says you could?" I growl "are you really so egotistical that you would think no one could beat you?"

"No, it's not that."

"Then what!" I half yell letting my temper get the best of me. "Is it because I'm a woman?"

"Yeah that's part of it, I don't want to fight a woman, it feels wrong to me but it's so much more than that, it's you. I would sooner die than lay a finger on you in harm."

"Strong words for a girl you met five seconds ago."

"Well, it's been a little longer than that, " he says huskily.

He smiles at me then, those sunset eyes looking down at me, captivating me, making me forget just for a moment what an ass he is.

"Is this how it usually works for you? You bat your eyelashes and the recipient just does whatever you ask?"

"Well usually yeah."

I chuckle," it's going to be so much fun wiping the mat with you Wayland." I inch up closer, so close in his arrogance he probably thinks I'll kiss him.

"You're really not used to this, are you? Being around someone that isn't affected by your attractiveness?"

"So you think..."

I throw my hand over his mouth, " stop talking, I didn't say it to flatter you, beauty means nothing if you act like a jackass, which you do."

I take my hand off his mouth and make a show of wiping it on his shirt. My fingers lightly graze his chest as I do so. The hard muscle feeling so good under my skin.

I snap my hand back and put it down by my side.

"Ember," he says, "I'm sorry,"

I cut him off before he can say something swoon-worthy.

"You're right about one thing, I am fire, at least as far as the ring is concerned and you Jace Wayland will get burned." I bump my shoulder into his as I pass by him, enjoying the gaping of his mouth.

I never worry about who I'm fighting because I know I'll win, besides when I step into that ring I only see one person.

I live in the past when I fight, seeing every opponent as him... the monster that so casually would have ended my life but this time I think I have enough rage directed at my rival to stay in the present.

----Jace's POV

"What did you do?" Izzy asks, catching up to me as I walk toward the cafeteria.

"I asked her to drop the fight."

"Oh, Jace no, " she grimaces "Magnus is right, you're losing your touch."

"Shut up Izzy, " I say as I start to walk away, I love her like a sister but I'm not going to talk about it. I don't need her to tell me I'm an idiot, I already know that. I've had three classes with her since she told me off. She hasn't said a word to me and it's not for lack of trying on my part.