Clary had never really had a close friend to talk to about guys, besides Simon but talking to him about Jace was a little bit awkward for both of them, so being able to just talk with Tessa was something Clary was oddly thankful for. Clary and Tessa could have talked until dinner but Charlotte had suggested that they do some more research on Mortmain.
They were all in the library now which was massive and had hundreds of books on its shelves. Gideon sat with Sophie on one of the couches in front of the fire. Jem and Tessa were on another and Will was leaning against the wall in the same pose that Jace had when Clary had walked into library at the New York institute.
There was one more seat left; it was an old looking arm chair. Jace walked over to it and was about to sit when a loud and angry noise growled out from the chair. Clary leaned over to see where it had come from when she saw a familiar looking grey puff ball curled up on the chair. The cat was hissing at Jace to back off proving that the chair was already taken. Jace turned back and gave Clary the oddest look. She returned it knowing fully well what he was thinking.
"Sorry, he doesn't like strangers." Jem admitted.
"Really?" Jace was smiling now and it was clear that this was the cat they thought it was.
Just to be sure Clary asked what his name was. "Church, we saved him from the Dark sisters." Jem explained.
So that was where the old cat came from. Clary would never be able to look at him the same way. He was another connection that they had to the London institute. Clary began to wonder just how close they were to each other.
In the end Jace finally got Church to give up his seat. Clary sat on the arm of the chair listening to the conversation that was going on around her. Jem was suggesting different ways they could go about getting information. Clary let her eyes wonder. They landed on Will. He too wasn't really listening to what was being said, but Clary could see that he was concentrating on something. The look in his eyes was kind and gentle. Curiosity getting the better of her she followed his loving gaze.
Tessa was sitting with her shoulder slightly touching Jem's with her hand in his they looked like the perfect couple. That's when it hit Clary, her heart pinched with pity. She knew exactly what he was going through; the pain of wanting the one person you can't have. Clary was still thinking about Will when Jace put him hand her on the knee. She only hoped that things would work out for Will like they had for her.
"When we arrived in London we came across a Downworld market close to the docks," Jace spoke as if he was talking to himself.
"I've looked there and couldn't find anything on him." The annoyance in Wills voice was understandable; they weren't getting anywhere.
"We should still check it out." Jem seemed pretty enthusiastic compared to the rest of them. But they all agreed that it was their best bet. They all went off to prepare.
It was decided that Cecily, Sophie and Gideon would stay behind to do some more training. Cecily objected at first saying that she wanted to come with them and Will had to convince her to stay behind.
"She'll listen to Will." Tessa was standing next to Clary at the front door waiting for the rest of them get ready.
"Why? She refused Gideon before." Cecily had put up an impressive argument against Gideon before Will had come to talk to her.
"Because Gideon isn't her brother."
"Brother?" Now that Clary knew she could see the family resemblance; the same dark hair and blue eyes. It was so clear now that she wondered why she hadn't seen it before. Will was speaking to Cecily in a calm tone and Clary couldn't help but smile. Clary thought that Will would be a good big brother. He was looking out for his little sister. She thought of her own brother and shuddered. It reminded her that once they got back she would have to deal with her sibling problems too.
The others were ready by the time Will was done talking and they all jumped into the institute carriage and set off down to the docks of the Thames.
Downworld was much the same as it was when Clary and Jace were last there. The lights were still strung up giving off a faint glow, not that it was needed in the late afternoon. There were more stores now though selling gadgets and gismos of all sorts. Will suggested that they split and cover more ground.
"Me and Tessa can go and ask around toward the west side of the market." Clary hoped the boys wouldn't object because she really wanted to speak with Tessa alone. They all had the same worried look on their faces but didn't refuse. However Jace did say that they must meet up at the ally way when they were finished. The girls agreed to this and headed off to the west side.
Clary and Tessa walked amongst the shops asking if anyone knew about Mortmain or his company –Clary just found out that he owned a cog and gear company and suggested they might get more help if they mentioned it- but didn't get much help. More people knew about the company but nobody wanted to go into much information on it, so the girls-having covered the majority of the west side- gave up on asking people about Mortmain and were heading back to the ally. This would be the last chance Clary would get to ask Tessa about Jem and Will.
"Tessa, how did you and Jem meet?" Not wanting to create a mess Clary stated off with Jem and not Will.
There was a slight hesitation before she answered and Clary tried to think what it might mean. Was she not happy with Jem, did she not want to tell Clary? Clary growled at herself for jumping to conclusions; Tessa was probably just trying to remember.
"On my first night at the institute, before I was going to bed I heard the sound of music drifting from under the door across from mine." Tessa spoke as if she was reliving the moment. "I walked in on him playing his violin. Clary, it sounded so beautiful." Clary smiled back at her. She was thinking of her first morning at the New York institute when she walked in on Jace playing the piano. The notes and melody were so perfect; she could remember it down to every detail.
"What about Will? How did you meet him?" Tessa stopped. Clary stopped too and instantly apologised. "Sorry Tessa, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
"No…I- it's just I wasn't expecting it, that's all." Clary knew she had hit something, some nerve. From Tessa's reaction it was clear that Clary shouldn't go on. But something was telling her not to give up when she was so close.
"Tessa?"
"I… He rescued me form the Dark sisters," Tessa started. Clary had to bit her tongue to stop herself from speaking her thoughts. In Clary's mind she saw Will as the tall dark and handsome knight coming to rescue his princes. It was the perfect fairy tale until Tessa continued, "And I threw a vase at him." Clary was not expecting that. She couldn't help but giggle.
"You did what?!" Tessa blushed.
"It cut him from his elbow to his wrist." After a second of thinking about it, Tessa started to laugh too.
On their way back to the ally they saw the boys taking to someone. He had his back to the girls so Clary couldn't see his face but once they are close enough she recognised the voice.
"Sorry I couldn't be of more help to you." Magnus said.
"Hey," Clary called out.
They all turned to look at her and Tessa. Every single one had a smile on their face, especially Magnus.
"So, I see you found the institute?" There was some confusion from the others as to who he was referring to.
"Yes we did, thank you." Even though it wasn't the Magnus Clary knew, she was extremely happy to see him. He gave her a big grin before addressing Tessa.
"And I hear you're getting married?" At his words Tessa's face went a deep red. "Well, congratulations. I do expect to be invited to the wedding. Such happy times weddings, everyone is just so happy… it's simply fabulous." He got a smile out of everyone but Will. Once again Clary felt for him; his best friend is marring the girl he loves and there's nothing he can do about it but act happy for them both and try his hardest not to show the pain he must be in. Magnus also stopped smiling when he saw Will. Did Magnus know about Will's feelings for Tessa? When their eyes met Clary saw something pass between them and she could tell that he did know.
They walked back to the carriage discussing what they had found. When it was clear that the trip had gotten them nowhere everyone was disappointed but not surprised. They rode back to the institute in uninterrupted silence.