To hide his terror at Clary’s presence in Idris, Jace maintains he didn’t want her there because she’s “rash and thoughtless and [will] mess everything up” (123-24). Hurt, Clary tells Jace he’s just like Valentine and leaves. Alec informs Isabelle and Jace about Simon’s imprisonment. Wrecked by this news and by how he treated Clary, Jace smashes one of the house’s windows.

Alec tends to Jace’s wounds, chastising Jace for his stupidity. In return, Jace reveals he knows how Alec feels about him but says Alec only uses those feelings as an excuse not to get close to anyone else. Alec’s pained response gives Jace a thrill because, in his current mood, “[h]urting people he love[s] [is] almost as good as hurting himself” (138). After making Alec promise he’ll lie about how the window broke, Jace leaves to break Simon out of prison.

Simon refuses to go with Jace, knowing the Inquisitor will find a way to blame the Lightwoods. Jace agrees to bring Simon blood so the Inquisitor can’t starve him into confessing. Meanwhile, Sebastian and Clary visit the warlock who can help Clary’s mom.