A/N: Thanks again for the new guys following and who have favorite the story. :) Here's a new chapter for you all to enjoy.
I'm currently starting to write chapter 21 of this fiction, so will upload 15+ in the next couple of days. Once I've tweaked a few bits. It's going well. Not sure how many chapters there will be. But I am really enjoying writing it.
Anyways this chapter we're back with Jem and Tessa :)
14...
(Few weeks later...)
Jem had left Tessa asleep in the apartment they shared almost an hour ago. He had received a fire message from the Silent Brothers asking him to come see them in private. He sent one back saying he would be there within the hour. He quickly got dressed, kissed Tessa gently on her forehead and left getting a cab to the local cemetery. It was still early, not even dawn and thankfully not a lot of traffic to deal with.
On the way over to the cemetery his mind wondered over the past few weeks, mainly from returning for the first time from the city of bones to the Institute where Tessa was waiting for him. She had been helping Emma with some of her studies, he wondered how much studying was done and how much 'girl talk' happened instead. Jem found the new modern ways of talking interesting and sometimes entertaining. However some things he did not like.
Twerking for one, he did not. However he was sure Will would've found it highly amusing and possible even tried it out himself. That, would had been entertaining to have watched.
Returning to the Institute, he found Tessa in the Library and Emma. Both looked quiet concerned, especially Tessa. Church also seemed whirled up, Emma looked as if she was trying to settle him.
"What has happened?" He asked entering the Library and moving towards both of them.
"We had an unexpected visitor, a ghost of a mundane." Emma perked up seeing Jem. She seemed ok, but Tessa remained silent. "Church tried to attack him."
It wasn't unusual to have ghosts wonder through Institutes once in a while, sometimes the spirits believe its a place of refuse or even guidance. Even though it is a rare thing. The Shadowhunters tend to just let them be, mundanes tend to be a lot more inhospitable towards the visits. It was also very unusual, especially with Church who was possible as old as both Jem and Tessa to attack a spirit.
Jem moved to Tessa, she seemed to be off somewhere inside her own mind. She also held her mobile phone in her hands, twitching and turning it around. The spirit wouldn't have caused Tess to be this wound up. Something else had happened.
"Tessa?" Jem gentle sat down next to her on the couch and held her hands stopping the movements. Tessa blinked and looked at him. There was worry in her eyes.
"I got a call from Magnus." She sighed closing her eyes. "I should've known or guessed something was up."
"Is he ok?"
"Yes, he is ok. But his boyfriend Alec..." Tessa stopped gaining her thoughts. "I should never had passed over that drink."
"The drink?" Emma asked with a content Church on her lap.
Jem however had realised what she was on about. "You're referring to the drink the Warlock we met earlier gave you at the ball?"
Tessa nodded. "Yes. It was meant for me and now I know what it was for. It was to get me pregnant."
Emma's eyes widened. "What are you saying Tessa, you can't mean that Alec Lightwood had that drink and now..."
"Yes Emma he is with Child." Tessa said with certainty and sadness.
Emma was speechless while Jem gently pressed on. He knew why Tessa was sad, this was meant to happen to her. The Warlock Lucinda Cross had planned for both of them to create a child possible to be raised under her supervision. That's why they both saw her earlier on that day and why Jem saw the look of surprise and rage in her eyes when she hugged Tessa. Tessa was not pregnant.
"Tessa, what else has happened. Does Magnus need our help?"
Tessa shook her head. "No. Magnus had tried everything possible to terminate the pregnancy..."
"What?!" Emma picked up startling Church. "Why would he do that, it's just a baby. Nothing wrong with that?"
Jem looked at her with such fondness and with sadness. "Unlike yourself and us, most of the Clave do not take kindly to Alec Lightwood's relationship with Magnus. I'm sure you can imagine what they would be like if they heard they are now with a child."
Emma was stunned but more outraged "You're telling me the Clave is homophobic? Why? Their relationship doesn't hurt anyone! Is this another reason why they sent Helen and Aline away from us too? So they didn't have to see two Lesbians getting along perfectly."
"Emma please, keep your voice down. I don't wish for the rest of the Institute to found out about Alec and Magnus." Tessa spoke gently.
"Sorry..." Emma almost whispered. "It's just so unfair."
"I know."
"I take it they were unsuccessful with the termination?" Jem asked.
"Yes they were... It also backfired on them too making the process speed up. Alec is now due in the middle or end of September?"
Emma's eyes widened but kept her mouth shut, possible not trusting another outburst. Jem too was stunned but asked Tessa "I guess they are keeping it?"
"They are keeping her yes. Jace, Clary, Alec's sister Isabelle and Simon all know too. They are going to keep it all to themselves until the baby is born with the help of Catarina Loss. Then they will say they adopted the child. It's the best thing they can hope for."
"If they are keeping it between themselves, why did they tell you all this?"
Tessa looked at Emma "To warn me. Magnus told me their child is one of great power. The Warlock behind this all, will no doubt be after it."
Emma realised what this meant. "The Warlock will be after you?"
Tessa looked sad. "Not anymore, we saw her today and I doubt we'll see her again. She knows I am not with her child."
"Then she'll be looking for who is. Alec and Magnus will be in danger?"
Tessa agreed sadly. Jem took her hand and kissed it. "It is not your fault, you did not know or realise about Lucinda."
Tessa smiled a little "But you did?"
Jem nodded. "Yes. It's another reason why I went to the Silent Brothers. They said what I am going through will pass in time, they also said they would look into Lucinda Cross for me. They'll let me know when they hear or find out anything."
The Silent Brothers had found something and now Jem had reached the cemetery and was walking through the grounds towards the city of bones entrance. He recognised a familiar face standing by the entrance door. Brother Enoch.
"Brother Enoch, it is good to see you." Jem said as he stopped in front of him. "Thank you for contacting me."
It is good to see you too, James Carstairs. Come, we have a lot to discuss.
Jem followed Brother Enoch into the city, he had never used the LA entrance much but it was similar to all other entrances around the world. Deep steps traveling further underground; the smell of damp and soil vanished as you neared the city and was replaced with the scents of Shadowhunters past and the power they gave off from their remains. Even now, Jem could still feel their power and presence. It was rather welcoming unlike others who would feel uneasy or frightened by it.
Brother Enoch led Jem into a room where a couple of other Silent Brothers stood around a large alter looking over books and scrolls. Others wouldn't have known who they were but Jem recognised them. Brothers Amos and Jared both turned to watch Brother Enoch and Jem enter, neither of them said a word.
It took us some time to find out any information on the Warlock you requested us to look into James. When we did, it was not much. We believe it will be worth your time.
"I am sure it will be." Jem replied and moved to the alter where the brothers gave Jem space to look at their findings. Brother Enoch was right, it wasn't much except a couple of old books and one piece of scroll. Quiet old in it's condition, Jem refrained from holding or touching it too much as it looked delicate to shred in his hands. Instead he lent down and read the old text written, in Latin.
Jem read it once, then read it again. He then turned to one of the books, picked it up and read the script of the page it was left on. It was not good, not good at all. The text he had read was old, almost ancient and much older than the Shadowhunter's bloodline. Also it seemed that this Warlock, this Lucinda Cross was similar to Tessa. She also had the ability to change her appearance. Judging by the Text and the Illustrations portraying the female Warlock, she can appear in any feminine format. Things were starting to clear in Jem's mind. Once the child was born she could easily transform herself into Tessa and stolen their child. From judging from the text as well, this wasn't the first time she'd try to do this. But with a mundane woman. It didn't end well, for the mundane or the child.
James? Brother Enoch enquired, placing one of his hands upon Jem's shoulder. We must ask, is Theresa Grey with child?
Jem looked at Brother Enoch, shaking his head. "No she is not. But there was an attempt but it failed. Which, reading this I am thankful for."
Other Shadowhunters would not have seen it but Jem did, the Brothers in the room looked relieved. That is good news James, Otherwise we would have had to inform the Consul regarding this matter. A child more powerful than any Warlock or Shadowhunter would not be welcomed in this world. Not amongst Shadowhunters or Warlocks. I am sure you can understand why.
Jem could understand why. Even though Jia Penhallow has been a great Consul in the Clave, she would be outvoted by the rest of the Clave. Most do not like change or anything different. Most still feared what the Fairfolk will do to them and would not easily forget or forgive. As much as this was news, Jem hated knowing this. Also remembering his past, with his nephew James Herondale and how he was treated. Even now it was heartbreaking.
"Thank you Brother Enoch, Amos and Jared. I appreciate your time in finding this information for me."
It is always welcome to help a Brother. Brother Jared said.
However we must insist, if you hear anymore of this Lucinda Cross. Inform us immediately. She may have failed this time round, she may not in the future. Brother Amos added.
"I understand" Jem said, not agreeing nor agreeing to what they had asked.
I shall show you out Brother Enoch spoke leading Jem out of the City of Bones. Once back out into the cemetery, dawn had approached and the sunlight began to light it's way across the grounds. Jem was relieved to be back outside.
Do not threat James Carstairs, we will catch this Warlock one day. Be thankful you only had to meet her company once. With that Brother Enoch returned into the city leaving Jem with his thoughts. He was truly relieved Tessa was not carrying the child, however he feared for the safety of Alec Lightwood. He left the cemetery immediately and hailed for a cab.