But you have to learn to bend a little," said Clary with a yawn. Despite the story's content, the rhythm of Jace's voice had made her sleepy. "Or you'll break." "Not if your strong enough," said Jace firmly. He reached out, and she felt the back of his hand brush her cheek.

He'd learned his lesson a long time ago: Even in the midst of heartbreak, you could still find yourself laughing.

Only mundanes say they're sorry when what they mean is "I share your grief,"' Jace observed.

But I think it has to do with what you believe about yourself. If you believe you're damned, then you are. But if you don't...

He had electric blue hair that had stuck around his head like tendrils of a startled octopus.

Yech," said Simon. "Don't 'yech' me. You're the one with the magical spit.

Not specifically. "Demons have been on Earth as long as we have. They're all over the world, in their different forms – Greek daemons, Persian daevas, Hindu asuras, Japanese oni. Most belief systems have some method of incorporating both their existence and the fight against them. Shadowhunters cleave to no single religion, and in turn all religions assist us in our battle. I could as easily have gone for help to a Jewish synagogue or a Shinto temple, or – Ah. Here it is.