Isabelle was holding an umbrella. It was clear plastic, decorated with decals of colorful flowers. It was one of the girliest things Simon had ever seen, and he didn't blame Alec for ducking out from under it and taking his chances with the rain.

jace's clothes had been clean,stylish,ordinary. Sebastian had been wearing a long black wool trench coat that had looked expensive. Like an evil Burbeery ad, Simon said when she was done.

You guys are weird, Tori said.Simon sat on the crate beside me. That's right. We are totally weird and completely uncool. Your popularity is plummeting just by being near us.

Who cares if you have a girlfriend, anyway?I care Simon said gloomily. Pretty soon the only people left without a girlfriend will be me and Wendell the school janitor. And he smells like windex.

And so that means...We have to rob the Henley, Simon said.Kat sank onto a truly uncomfortable sofa. Again.

He's still looking in my eyes. Staring me down like he did that dragon, chin tilted and locked. I'm not the Chosen One, he says.I meet his gaze and sneer. My arm is a steel band around his waist. I choose you, I say. Simon Snow, I choose you.

Rae burned me. She has matches or something. Look, look... Tori pulled down the collar of her T-shirt. Leave your cloths on, Tori, Simon said, raising his hands to his eyes. Please.

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.

I guess it's true what they say, observed Jace. There are no straight men in the trenches.That's atheists, jackass, said Simon furiously. There are no atheists in the trenches.