Before I start this chapter I want to thank FloridaGirl and baneswoman for pointing out a couple errors I have in their reviews. I promise to explain Jessamine's presence in later chapters. Also, for story purposes, the characters will learn about JTS's identity later than they did in Clockwork Prince. OK, here is chapter 4!


Will searched the library for hours. He searched everywhere that Tessa could have possibly hidden anything that means anything to her, and found nothing. He was still scouring every nook and cranny when he heard the door open. Will turned and saw his sister walk in.

"Will, you really need to sleep," she said. "You haven't slept in over twenty-four hours and you are only going to exhaust yourself, and then what help will you be?"

"I have to keep looking!" Will shouted. OK, so maybe he was tired and the stress was getting to him, but he couldn't stop. Not until he found something effective enough to track Tessa.

"Will, I know you love her."

At that he stopped. How could she know? He had built up walls his whole life that only Jem could sometimes see through, so if Jem couldn't see it then why could Cecily? He had been gone for most of her life, anyway!

"I don't know what—" he started.

"Will, don't play stupid. I know what she means to you. I've seen it every time someone told you that we couldn't find her with something or other. You looked absolutely crushed. And you know why else I know? Because whenever you looked at her when she was around, I could tell it hurt that Jem was marrying her and not you, because you look at her the way you looked at your family before you left. And that sad look is the one you had the day before we all woke up and you were gone. You knew it wasn't going to work out, but it hurt you anyway." Cecily stared at him, daring Will to contradict her.

"I—" Will stopped and couldn't form any more words. He sighed.

Cecily came up to him and hugged him. "She's going to be OK Will, we are going to get her out. But you need to tell Jem what you feel, or else this is just going to be a wedge between you, albeit one only you know about."

"We have to get her back."

"We will," she promised. She started to leave the library. "Oh, and Will, by the Angel, please get some sleep!"

Will sat down by the library window and wondered where Tessa was. Before he knew it, he finally fell asleep.


Tessa, to put it simply, was bored. She had nothing to do in her room besides stare out the window, and so far she had nearly memorized the entire view. She knew the location of all the trees, the way the road curves in and out, the height of the buildings compared to one another, and, in most detail, the little bit of the Institute she could see. Tessa had no idea how much the Institute felt like home until she left it.

A knock at the door made Tessa look up. "Come in."

A girl walked in, no more than thirteen year old. She had long blonde hair and hazel eyes and was extremely thin. She pointed to her throat and shook her head.

"You can't talk?" Tessa asked. The girl nodded. She made a writing motion with her hand. Tessa pulled out the ink she had found earlier and a sheet of paper and handed it to the girl. She quickly scribbled out:

No one can know I told you, but Mortmain keeps me around because I can't say anything but doesn't know that I hear everything. You CAN'T give in to him. He found a way to make your Change permanent and you will never get your own identity back. If you Change every Shadowhunter will be in danger. I don't know why. Please keep this secret.

Tessa read it over and looked at the girl. She embraced her quickly. "Thank you so much." The girl nodded and hastily left the room. Tessa tore the note into shreds and threw them out the half-open window, knowing that in order to save herself, she couldn't give in. Ever.


Will woke up when he heard a thump on the window. He looked out and closed his eyes again, believing he was dreaming. When he opened them, it was still there.

Tessa's clockwork angel.

It was fluttering just outside the window, waiting for someone to let it in. It looked like it held a note. Will blinked one more time to make sure it was really there and then opened the window to let it fly inside. The angel dropped right in front of him, and he removed the note.

Dear everyone,

I am sending my necklace away because I have seen it work. I think at least some of you have seen it work, too. Eventually, Mortmain will ask for it, and then who knows what he will make it do. I ask you to keep it safe for me. Don't worry about me, Mortmain won't kill me. I know how badly he needs me. Stay safe. Jem, I miss you and I hope we can find another way to get married. Will, don't do anything stupid.

Tessa

Will laughed at her last line. She knew him so well. And they did know that Tessa's necklace wasn't completely... normal. It probably was a good idea that she didn't have it on her when Mortmain was around.

And now they had something to track her with.

Will grabbed the note and the necklace and ran out of the library towards the dining room where everyone had taken up strategizing. "Charlotte, call Magnus back here right now! This just hit the window." He held up the necklace and put it and the note in the middle of the table.

Jem picked up the note. "Just because he won't kill her doesn't mean he won't hurt her to get what he wants."

"I know," said Will. "That's why we have to track her. If this doesn't work, then nothing will!"


What do you think of Chapter 4? Good? Bad? I really need some reviews! I hope you like it!