A/N: Hey everyone, I'm so glad you guys are like this story! I know it's taken me a long time to update, but to make it up to you guys I've posted TWO chapters! My intent was to have them as only one, but they were both so long that I had to split it up. I really want to thank all of my reviewers for being amazing, and for helping me out. You guys really make me want to keep writing! And please, any feedback is great, positive or negative!

So, without further ado, Chapter Two!

He stared at her for a long time, as if he hadn't understood how far Tessa and Jem's relationship had progressed until now. Engagements were a serious business, but many people hadn't even touched their betrothed until the wedding night. Will still held hope that the Council would deny their engagement, and perhaps their feelings would trickle away once they both realized neither could gain from the relationship. Will had never imagined that Tessa and Jem's feelings for each other had anything to do with physical attraction. He hated himself for thinking it, but Will had never pictured Jem as a man that women desired. The fact that Tessa and Jem lusted after one another meant that their relationship was much more profound than Will had originally assumed. This revelation hurt. The hope that their relationship was fleeting was the only thing that Will held onto. But, perhaps this was a good thing; perhaps now he could completely let go of his feelings, now that he knew that he had no chance of being with her.

He thought of the kiss he had shared with Tessa at the Lightwood's party; the way her skin felt against his calloused hands; the sensation that all he wanted to do for the rest of his life was kiss her, hold her, protect her. Did Jem feel that way? Did Tessa feel that way for him? Of course she does, he thought to himself, that's the way people feel when they're in love, not when they're under the influence of warlock powder at a party full of demons. How was I ever so stupid to believe I had a chance with her? He had treated Tessa horribly ever since she arrived at the institute. But Jem, Jem couldn't be cruel to anyone. That was his nature, it's why Will chose him as a parabati, because although Will acted spiteful, Jem could see through it. Somehow, Jem knew that Will was not a terrible as he let others believe. Jem brought out the best in Will, as he brought out the best in everyone. Of course Tessa would choose Jem over Will.

He tore himself away from Tessa's gray eyes, and turned back to Jem.

"Miss Gray, if you wouldn't mind, I must speak to James about a private matter," he said curtly.

"Oh, oh of course" said Tessa, as if she had just snapped out of a reverie of her own, "I have training that I must get ready for at any rate"

She walked towards Jem who still held the door open awkwardly and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask." Jem looked into her eyes and gave her a small smile. Will averted his gaze from the two to the floor. When he heard Jem close the door he turned back toward the pale youth.

"I'm sorry you had to see that," Jem said while scratching the back of his head uncomfortably "We haven't done anything too inappropriate"

"It's fine" said Will brusquely, wanting to talk about anything else. Jem seem to take the hint and moved to the trunk at the foot of his bed. "So, what is it you wanted to talk to me about" he asked taking a seat.

Will smiled at Jem putting all thoughts of Tessa behind him and ready to finally discuss his plan for tonight "We have a lead on Mortmain's whereabouts."


During training, Tessa's mind often wandered. When both Lightwoods were coaching Sophie and Tessa, she never had the opportunity to think during training, but now that Gideon was the only teacher for three pupils, of which Tessa was the most advanced, she had time to think. However, today her thoughts were unwelcome. She didn't want to think about today; not about the Council, Jem's illness, Will's insults, or the look of complete dejection he gave her once he realized what she and Jem had been doing. All she wanted to do was hit something, but Gideon was too busy showing Cecily how to properly hold a whip. Cecily was not wrong when she told Will that she was doing much better in training than either Sophie or Tessa, but she was miserable with the whip, which seemed to please Sophie, who had taken remarkably to the surprisingly deadly weapon. Sophie looked just as anxious as Tessa felt to keep her mind off of unwanted thoughts. The maid, who was practicing her own skills with a whip, often glanced at Gideon and Cecily. Tessa knew Sophie worried that the two had somehow developed feelings for each other. Tessa couldn't see it, but wondered how she would feel if Jem were to touch another girl like that.

"Spar with me?" Tessa asked the scarred girl, who was staring worriedly at the two across the room while half-heartedly cracking her whip at a straw dummy.

"Oh yes, please" she said gratefully.

Tessa chose her favorite weapon from the rack: a 30 inch blunt small sword. Although Sophie would have used the whip in real combat, it was far too dangerous to use while training, so she chose a blunted saber and both girls took their places on either side of the combat ring. Tessa took the first swing. Sophie was able to dodge and block Tessa's thrusts easily. This is exactly what I need, thought Tessa while swinging her sword at the smaller girl. She found that when she practiced with Sophie, everything seemed to drift away. Her past, Nate, Jem, Will, Mortmain; everything else was overshadowed by the ringing of swords as they crashed together melodiously. Tessa knew that Sophie felt the same way. The two girls had been staying late after Gideon and Cecily finished training, in order to practice with each other. It was quite a bonding experience. Although Sophie had harbored negative feelings towards Tessa in the past because of her confusing relationship with Jem, her own feelings for Gideon and the fact that Tessa and Jem were now engaged seemed to reverse any disapproval the maid had.

While Tessa had the advantage over Sophie in both height and weight, the smaller girl was much faster. She dodged and blocked with ease, but Tessa knew that if she took the defensive, she would claim the advantage. But she didn't want the fight to end just yet, so she continued hacking away at Sophie's sword. She knew the tactic that Sophie was using. She was trying to wear Tessa out, to the point that she couldn't think straight, and her attacks would become progressively more careless. This is how Sophie had won their last match. But Tessa wasn't going to let that happen. Tessa stepped back and made the smaller girl come to her. She blocked each blow; but Sophie proved to be faster. She aimed a low attack and then immediately pulled into a higher one that hit Tessa on the shoulder.

Although the blades were blunted, one, nevertheless, had to be careful; they could still draw blood, which is exactly what Sophie's blade had done. The blow ripped through Tessa's Shadowhunter gear and sliced open four inch gash in her arm. She let out an exclamation of pain, but prepared herself for another attack. When Sophie saw the blood, she dropped her saber with a loud clatter and brought her hands to her mouth.

"Nice hit, Sophie!" said Gideon. He and Cicely had stopped their own training to watch the match.

"Oh Tessa, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you." Sophie said quietly.

When Tessa saw that Sophie was not going to attack again, she let out a little laugh and brought her hand to her arm. She had hardly felt the strike. It wasn't a deep wound, but she was sure Sophie felt terrible. Tessa knew that each time Sophie landed a blow, the small girl felt like she was betraying her oath; it was her job to take care of the residents of the Institute, not to hurt them.

"It's fine Sophie, it doesn't even hurt," she laughed. But Sophie looked doubtful. The wound was bleeding quite profusely.

"Come with me and we'll get you cleaned up and bandaged," she said turning towards the door to the infirmary. Tessa followed, holding her bleeding shoulder.

In the infirmary, Sophie began collecting gauze and other items she would need to bandage the wound while apologizing over and over again to Tessa.

"I'm so sorry Miss," she said, which, by Tessa's count, was about Sophie's fifteenth apology. "I didn't think the blade would cut through the armor and everything. I will talk to Gideon about making them blunter."

"Don't worry," said Tessa reassuringly while Sophie gingerly began cleaning her arm. "It's a small scratch."

"I'll make it up to you somehow Miss" she said "How would you like me to try a new hairstyle on you tonight? I've been thinking a lot about it, and it would look beautiful on you."

"That sounds wonderful Sophie," Tessa said "but you really don't have to."

"Yes I do," Sophie replied "Plus I want to, it's going to be a really quite night here with half the institute gone."

"What?" Tessa said looking at her questioningly. She hadn't heard a word about anyone leaving the institute, let alone multiple people as Sophie had suggested.

Tessa knew Sophie regretted saying anything the moment the words were out of her mouth. "Who's leaving?"

"Charlotte is going to the Silent Brothers to see Jessamine," said Sophie, hoping that would appease Tessa's curiosity.

"And who else is leaving?" asked Tessa impatiently.

"Begging you pardon Miss, I wasn't supposed to say anything, Miss Charlotte said not to," Sophie backtracked.

"It's not Jem is it Sophie? He's sick he can't go anywhere tonight." Sophie gave Tessa and apologetic look, and Tessa knew exactly what was going on.

"They found out information about Mortmain," Tess stated "and they don't want me to know because I'll just get in the way." She thought about Nate's death and shuddered involuntarily.

"No that's not it at all Miss –"

"I'm going with them" Tessa interrupted, not hearing Sophie "Mortmain wants me, and I need to find out why." with that, Tessa pulled the sleeve of her Shadowhunter uniform over her now bandaged cut and stormed out of the infirmary. For the second time today, Tessa stomped down the hallway in fury. She couldn't believe they hadn't told her. If Charlotte had any information concerning Mortmain, Tessa should have been the first person to kknow. But instead, she told Jem, and Will, neither of whom even bothered to mention it to her. They were planning on investigating while she was completely unaware of the situation. She was most angry with Will. He saw Jem; he knew that her fiancée should not leave the institute in his present condition. And she was angry at Jem, for not telling her. She knew Will would have lied to her anyway, but she trusted Jem completely. So she tore down the hallway towards his room.

She was so furious she didn't bother knocking. She slammed open the door to Jem's room, and immediately regretted the decision. Will and Jem had been changing when she decided to throw the door unceremoniously open. Both boys were shirtless. She had seen them both in this state before, but separately. She locked eyes with Will and her face turned as red as a beet. She turned her back on the two boys and lifted her hands to her blushing cheeks.

"I'm so sorry" she said uncomfortably. She did not want to start this conversation by apologizing. They had both kept valuable information from her; they should be on their knees begging her for forgiveness, not the other way around. But as always, Will found a way to make the situation even more uncomfortable.

"If you wanted to see us naked Tessa, you could have just asked" Will said sardonically while pulling his shirt over his head.

Jem gave him disapproving look and glance back over at Tessa "You can turn around now Tess" Jem said, and when she did, she could tell he had been blushing as well, while Will leaned against the windowpane; the picture of nonchalance. "What is it Tess? Are you okay?" Jem asked politely giving a passing glance the bloodstain on her arm. All of a sudden her forgotten anger boiled anew.

"How could you not tell me?" she asked Jem sternly, her finger nails digging into her palms "You had information on Mortmain and you didn't tell me!"

"Tessa," Jem replied calmly, "We were under strict orders from Charlotte not to tell you. We're going to an opium den in Whitechapel, where those girls have been murdered. She was only looking after you."

With these words her anger began to dissipate. She knew Charlotte cared about her like a daughter, but she couldn't forgive the fact that she had information about Mortmain and didn't tell her. Charlotte knew how important Mortmain's case was to Tessa. She wouldn't even be at the institute if it weren't for that monster. And Nate would still be alive. And Tessa couldn't stand the thought that someone else could be harmed by attempting to help her.

"You're not going" she said to Jem authoritatively, "You're sick, what if you have to defend yourself?" Jem looked at her wistfully, as if she were a dog pawing at her master's feet.

"I have to Tessa," he replied "I'm doing this for you." She wanted to scream at him. She wanted to tell him that she didn't need his help that she was completely capable of taking care of herself. Her training had given her a new sense of confidence. She could fight, and she could fight well. She had powers that no one else in the world could even dream of having. She didn't need him to be her white knight. But she knew that he cared for her. He wasn't doing this because he thought she was incapable of doing it herself. He loved her and didn't want to see her hurt. But she wanted the same for him.

"I'll take your place" she said resolutely.

"Tessa, we can't let you go to Whitechapel, not with women still being murdered" he said.

"Well isn't it fortunate that I won't be going into Whitechapel as a woman." She said flashing him a mischievous smile.