Author's Note:
Hi guys! :)
Did I take long updating? Hope not. I'm sorry if you had to wait though.
THANK YOU so much for the lovely reviews *hearts*
DISCLAIMER: I do not own TMI/TID. The great Cassie Clare does :D !
Chapter 11: Confused
New York Institute, an hour ago
Jace entered the drawing room with an irritated expression.
"No answer from Will." he declared as he resigned to take a seat next to Clary. He noticed everyone was dead silent. All eyes weren't on him. It was as if he never entered the room in the first place. Tessa was the first to react and was quite alarmed by his comment.
"You couldn't contact, Will? Something has happened! He and Jem are in trouble. I know it. I've seen it!" Tessa now stood up and was pacing about thinking of what to do.
"What do you mean by you have 'seen' it?" Jace now inquired since he wasn't present as Tessa explained to the rest of them her ability of the Sight of the Angel. Clary put a hand on Jace's arm, which made him turn to her.
"We'll fill in on that later. But first, we have to know what danger Tessa is taking about." Clary said.
"Go on, Tessa. What did you see?" Alec pushed on.
"Will and Jem were about to buy a book for me. Then, as they were on the verge of leaving and paying for the book, the cashier, a man who had such blue eyes like Will's and blonde hair attacked them. He seemed to know Jace," with this comment, Jace's eyes suddenly widened. Horror and fear were creeping on him. 'Please. Let it not be who I think it is.', the blonde boy had thought. Cecily, on the other hand, was overwhelmed with worry as she thought of Will. She held on to Gabriel's hand tight. The boy trying to console her by saying encouraging words like "Will has Jem. You know them. They'll be alright." which seemed to have little effect on her.
"And aside from that he called Will his nephew. When he punched him, a guy suddenly appeared and attacked Jem as well. They seemed to know Will and Jem so much. Do you happen to have an idea who they are?" Tessa looked at others with worry in her eyes as well. Cecily suddenly stood up. She was clutching her phone.
"Oh no. Heavens no." she pleaded which made Gabriel stand by her. He seemed to have glanced at the message for horror struck his eyes.
"What is it?!" Izzy asked alarmed for the two didn't speak immediately.
"Is it who I think it is?" Jace's voice sounded grave as he stood up to make his way to Cecily and Gabriel. He wanted to confirm his thoughts. He was scared but it's better to know the truth immediately than have false hope.
"The Circle has Will and Jem." Gabriel said. Cecily immediately flung herself into Gabriel's arms and cried there. Cecily rarely cried. She was strong. Everyone knew that. But this was a serious situation.
"If it is the Circle surely they've got conditions? What do they require for Will and Jem's freedom?" Alec inquired. He didn't like the turnout of the situation. It's been years since the Circle made a move.
"They want Tessa." Cecily said her voice almost muffled because her head was still buried on the crook of Gabriel's neck.
"Jace…" Clary put her hands to the blonde's face. He refused to look at her. His eyes distant and he was shaking.
"I'm fine, Clary."
"No, you are clearly not. I demand you to look at me. Please, Jace."
Slowly, he turned his gaze to the redhead. His amber eyes glistening with unshed tears. Memories too painful to put in words coming back to him like a punch to the stomach. Clary slowly wound her arms around Jace. Hesitantly at first, but he did so to her as well.
As the two Herondales calmed down, they all sat again. Tessa saw this as her chance to ask the things troubling her mind a while ago. She just couldn't simply ask with Jace and Cecily on the brink of a breakdown. She cleared her throat.
"Umm…is anyone willing to explain what the Circle is?" 'And why Cecily and Jace were so distraught by the news?' she didn't let the second question slip for it seem to be a personal matter.
"The Circle is composed of a group of ShadowHunters. But they are not like us. They wish to rule. They think of mundanes as meaningless peasants for we are supposedly much more superior beings because we are Nephilim. They also want all of Downworld, together with the mundanes, to bow to us." Alec answered.
"No wonder they were terrified. This sounds like a great deal of trouble. And they want me? What on Earth would I be of use to them?" Tessa had started with the mental debate while Jace continued his parabatai's introduction of the Circle.
"The Circle is led by Valentine Morgenstern. He is also Clary's biological father. His righthand man, the one you had described, is Stephen Herondale. He is my father. It is possible that those were the two you have seen and Will and Jem have unfortunately encountered." Jace put a hand through his hair as Clary held his other hand. Tessa looked at the two. She could see now what she didn't see on the redhead earlier. 'Clary was also distraught but she knew Jace needed her. A true testament to the saying, to love someone is to put their needs above your own.' despite their current situation Tessa let herself smile even for just a few seconds.
"Do we report this to Charlotte?" Gabriel asked as he looked at Alec and Jace.
"Don't be ridiculous!" Jace then protested.
"What do you propose we do then?" Isabelle demanded.
"Can we really take them on?" Alec asked. His blue eyes darting from Gabriel to Jace with all seriousness and it wasn't because he lacked faith. He actually wanted to strengthen their resolve. Gabriel run a hand through his sand blonde hair and sighed.
"We aren't taking them on exactly. Since Cecily, Jace, and Clary are a bit shaken up, we lack in number, and we're unprepared so this is just a rescue mission. We avoid encountering the Circle or any others at all costs." Gabriel decided confidently. He turned to Tessa this time. His smirk evident almost making him seem giddy in the midst of a crisis at theirs hands.
"How much ShadowHunter training have you gone through?" he asked.
Abandoned warehouse, same time
"Do you reckon they've got your message?" Jem asked Will. The ropes binding him were kind of irritating already. He couldn't also ignore the pain, which was still there, but as time passes he found a way to distract himself from it.
"Yes, I do know Cecily got it. I've also activated my GPS so they'll know where we are. Tsk. Abandoned warehouses are so cliché. Don't you think so, James?" Will commented in hopes to lighten up the situation. His parabatai gave out an amused chuckle. This made Will smile for Jem's laughter always seemed to ease him no matter how dangerous and serious the situation is.
"You've got a point there, William. What I'm wondering is why there is no guard here to entertain us? That seems to take the fun out of the cliché." as those words left Jem, did they only realize that something was off with this set up.
Outskirts of Brooklyn, present
Three cars parked outside the gates of an abandoned factory. The silver convertible's passengers were Tessa, Isabelle, and Alec. While the white Lamborghini's passengers were Cecily and Gabriel. Just behind was Jace and Clary on Jace's motorcycle. They stopped in front of the gang. Jace was the first one to take off his helmet.
"Are you sure this is the place, Cecy?" he looked around puzzled. They were all in complete gear but it seems like the place was deserted. Cecily looked at her phone and nodded.
"Positive. This is where Will's phone seems to be."
"But why isn't there any guards or traps or something?" Alec wondered.
"Fine by me if it is like this. I'm not in the mood for a father son encounter." Jace said as he hurried towards the big steel doors of the factory leaving the others looking around.
"Tsk. Always the hot headed and careless one." Gabriel commented.
"Shouldn't we go after him?" Tessa asked. She was clutching a knife by her right hand. Her specialty she had said was throwing knives. She was quite a good shot as she gave a short demonstration a while ago to the others in the training room.
"Nah. Let him go first. He'll shout if he needs anything." Izzy replied.
"One of the reasons I never wanted a parabatai. He's a handful is he not, Alec?" Gabriel turned to tease the raven-haired boy. Alec sighed.
"He is a handful but I wouldn't have it any other way. You're just jealous you didn't find one in time." Alec teased back, which made Gabriel playful punch him on the shoulder.
"FOUND THEM!" Jace shouted from inside.
"C'mon. You can continue your flirting later. We have boys to rescue." Clary jokingly moved in between Alec and Gabriel. She ignored their violent reactions and went straight to where Jace had entered. The others followed suit.
It was dark in the abandoned factory but soon enough they found Jace, with Will and Jem on each shoulder, in the middle. The witchlight path Jace provided made it all the more easier.
"The ropes clearly weren't the ordinary kind that's why they couldn't get out easily." Jace explained as the group neared the two.
"Clary, they're badly injured." Jace said and immediately Clary was by his side. She proceeded to drawing healing runes on Jem. Cecily immediately went to hug her brother. This made Will wince.
"Easy, Cecy. I'm still with injuries that are needing to be healed." Will said which immediately made Cecily distance herself from him. He gave her an apologetic smile and reached for his stele to work on some iratzes for himself.
New York Institute, late that night
Tessa was crying most of the way back to the Institute blaming herself while Will tried to console her that it wasn't. They rode in Jem's silver convertible with Alec driving and Isabelle riding shotgun while Tessa, Will, and Jem were at the back. Jem's head was resting on Tessa's lap while Will's eyes were closed but she knew he wasn't asleep.
Mary had assisted with taking Jem to his room for he was rendered unconscious. He had much more injuries than Will so everyone worried about him. They were about to call on the Silent Brothers if it weren't for Will's protests saying that that will bring Charlotte rushing here.
"She has a weakness when it comes to James. We wouldn't want her waging war against the Circle without proof of their motives. We can't risk making a mistake since it involves the Circle." Will argued.
"Will's right. We have to take a thorough investigation of this matter first." Isabelle agreed.
When they had ceased arguing about Jem's condition, the others were instructed by Clary and Izzy to rest. Tessa tried to protest but knew she couldn't win against the two. When she reached her room, she opted to change into something more comfortable for bed. Clearly not this heavy gear, she thought. She rummaged through her clothes and found an unfamiliar shirt. It was a Fall Out Boy t-shirt.
"I don't remember going to any concert of theirs." she thoughtfully said as her fingers held out the shirt before her. Then, it hit her. The memory of her first night here at the Institute reminded her.
"Where are we going, Cecily?" Tessa asked as they went up the stairs. They faced a room and Cecily urged her to go in. She shut the door quietly behind her before turning to Tessa again. The room they were in was a bit untidy. Books scattered on the floor and bed. Papers not arranged on the study and cups of tea long forgotten to be brought downstairs. There was also a laptop, open by the bedside table, giving light to the dim room.
"This is Will's room." Cecily answering Tessa's question earlier went rummaging through her brother's dressers. Tessa was surprised. She had never been to a man's room without permission before. It seemed bad form.
"Wouldn't your brother be furious if he may find us going through his stuff in the middle of the night?" she said worried.
"Oh, pish-tosh. Will can deal with me if that happens. We just have to borrow something. There!" she tossed the black shirt to Tessa and dragged her out of the room as quietly as they came.
She had meant to return the shirt to him but she had forgotten. Mary seemed to have washed it already for when she smelled the shirt her scent had mingled with Will's making it seem faint. She decided to take a shower. She got a pair of undergarments, Will's shirt, and pajamas to wear after.
When she had finished her shower and got dressed, she decided to check on Jem. The corridor seemed deserted and everyone seemed to be asleep. The faint witchlight on the walls lighting her way since the moon remained hidden tonight. Once she had reached Jem's door, she pondered on whether to knock or not. She chose the latter fearing that she might awaken Jem from his much-needed rest.
"Umm…" Tessa saw that Jem wasn't alone. Will was kneeling by his bedside. Will's head was placed on his arms. He didn't seem to stir towards her so she assumed he was already asleep. She occupied the spot on the other side of Jem. He looked so serene in his sleep. It was like he was in a blissful state. Tessa could still see the Mark of the healing runes left for Jem only wore a thin shirt. She wanted to touch him. The feel of him again safe by her side but she thought better of it. Jem, my sweet Jem, you need your rest. , she thought as she brushed some of his dark hair away from his face. A movement from the other side of the bed startled her. Will had stood up abruptly and in a fighting stance, which made Tessa raise her hands off of Jem.
"By the Angel! Tess, what in Raziel's name are you doing here in the middle of the night? I was this close to tackling you." he said as he run a hand through his hair.
"I was just worried about Jem. Same as you, William Herondale. Good thing you didn't to tackle me. I've not gotten much of my ShadowHunter training so I can't dodge you swiftly if you were to attack. My sincerest apologies though, if I caused you such a fright." Tessa slowly stood up and looked at the frustrated mess that was Will. He put his gaze towards her and smirked. She was confused as to why.
"You? Frighten me? Well, I didn't think you thought so highly of yourself, milady." Will teased. Will's blue eyes sparkling in the dark of Jem's room with amusement having forgotten his parabatai's condition only for a moment. Tessa gave him a disapproving look.
"I do not! I simply…ugh nevermind. Tell me, how is he?" Will let out a sigh and looked at Jem. His amused smirk replaced by a sad smile.
"He's recovering. Though I wish he would've woken up when we got here. My impatience was getting the best of me again. You see James has always been the slow healer. It seemed much cruel for our captors to injure him more than they did me. I'm guessing that's just how my uncle wants to torture me." he looked shaken again. He was opening up to her. Tessa realized. She moved from her place across Will to sitting beside him. He hesitated at first. But when Tessa patted the carpeted floor beside her, he sat down.
"I know I'm not suppose to pry but I wish to understand why your family is divided. My grandfather and I, we only ever had each other since the death of my parents. I barely even remember them, my mother and father. I used think how nice it would've been to have a larger family but it doesn't seem like that to you." Tessa's eyes never leaving Will as he refused to look at her. She heard him let out another breath and grace his beautiful blue orbs to trap her gray ones.
"Family is not always blood, Tess. My family is Jem, Cecily, Charlotte, Henry, and my parents wherever they are. It also includes my friends who are here in the Institute with us: Clary, Jace, Izzy, Alec, and even if he vexes me often, Gabriel. Family is those who you protect with everything you've got. I'll tell you the whole story some other time. Now, I believe, we need rest. Tomorrow starts our investigation about this curious case we find ourselves in." Will stood up and held out a hand to Tessa. She took it and smiled at him.
"You are right. Good Night, Will." she said as she turned towards Jem's door.
"I'll tell Jem you came by to see him when he awakes. Sweet dreams, Tess." he said as he returned to his position a while ago. When Tessa was about to shut the door behind her, she heard Will call out.
"I like the shirt you're wearing. Keep it." this made her blush and turn straight to her room. She didn't even get to close the door to Jem's room. Will Herondale chuckled as he stood and did it for her.