Clary staggered back from the shock, but recovered almost immediately and just stared. Not a fearful stare or a frightened one, or even a glare; just a blank expression, carefully neutral. The boy seemed rather amused at this, and laughed. A sadistic, teasing laugh that would have made anyone else who heard it shiver.

But Clary was a Healer, and Healers had seen worse; much, much worse. And so she didn't move a muscle or flinch away. She stood her ground, and her eyes bore through his, unwavering. Then the boy spoke up, walking into the dim light painfully slow, as if just to annoy her.

"Oh, my! We have a brave one." His chuckle echoed in the silent room, and it was then that the light revealed his face, which was all sharp angles. He was thin but broad shouldered, his grin never faltering as he neared her. The dim light revealed more of him--the unnaturally blue eyes, the long, bushy eyelashes, and his soft, brown hair, which fell over his eyes slightly as he walked with the grace all vampires had when they walked.

It was rare to see one do so for two reasons: One, they could teleport easily and reach their target. Two, they moved almost as fast as air, becoming one with the wind, and it would be almost impossible to see their movement with untrained eyes. So why was he walking? Probably to annoy her more.

Clary sighed in her head, and tried to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear, but found that the moment she became distracted, he had secretly bound her hands. She sneered as she looked behind her to make sure, then glanced back at him again, not bothering with formalities.

"Who are you?!" she growled, her eyes burning fiercely as she glared. The vampire took a step back in false fear for a moment, his face mimicking her expression, and then grinned again.

"Oooh," he cooed, his voice barely audible. "The little mouse scared me." Clary flinched violently at the nickname, and the vampire knew he had crossed the line. But of course, he could care less. He only stared, waiting for her response.

"Dare call me that one. more. time." Her voice was dangerously low, her eyes hidden behind her fallen bangs. When she looked up, her eyes were golden, their glow lighting up the room slightly.

"You know," she continued when he didn't respond with a frown, "I always hate dirty, lying scum like you," her frown slowly turning into a grin."So, do me a favor and disappear." Before the boy could protest, her whole body lit up and momentarily blinded him, for it took vampires longer to adjust to light. Clary took advantage of this and ran to the door. To her disappointment, it was locked, and she had to use an opening clasis spell to open it.

The tip of her finger emitted a soft glow, she hastily drew a clasis mark for opening, and the door swung open under her fingers, making it possible for her to leave. She didn't spare the boy a second glance as she took off into the forest, the trees towering over her form, which seemed small in the tree-covered area.

Clary soon found that she was lost, and stopped to catch her breath. She knew she shouldn't have taken the risk, but her lungs ached, and her legs felt too weak to support her as she leaned against a random tree. Before she could become comfortable, the nearest bush rustled and made her spine stiffen, ready to pounce if needed. But the bushes opened to reveal a small white rabbit, and Clary let herself relax.

But having made that mistake, something large pounced on her, the weight taking her down onto the ground. Stunned, it took her a moment to come to, and realize it was a person, with silver hair glowing slightly from the little light that was allowed to pass through the tangled trees.

"Ash!" She heard herself shout, and he lifted himself on his elbows beside her chest, his blue eyes steady as he stared. His cold eyes suddenly became warm, the ice gone from his expression. But the liveliness suddenly changed to puzzlement, and Clary felt his fingers trace the skin just under her eyes. Her hand flew to the same place and brushed against it, and she noticed it was wet.

She hadn't noticed she had been crying, but when she realized it now, she was not embarrassed at all, and instead pulled Ash into her chest once more, sobbing into his shoulder. His body tensed--in surprise no doubt--but relaxed after he heard her sobbing, and he held her tighter to his chest, rubbing her back in soothing circles.

"Hey, Clary," he said in a questioning voice after Clary quieted down. "What happened to--" He paused and lifted his head slightly to glimpse at her closed eyes and soft, steady breathing. She had fallen asleep! Ash let himself chuckle softly and lifted her into his arms, proceeding silently into the forest.