Chapter 21:
"What kind of side effects could the mangoes have on Stephen?" Jace asked.
"The mangoes were infused with Sebastian ghosty bits… Stephen ingested them," Magnus was thinking aloud.
"But so did the rest of us," Jace interrupted. "It's not affecting Clary or me that way. Liz isn't effected to that extent."
"Like I was saying... Stephen started ingesting the tainted mangoes at the age of three. He wasn't infected with demon blood before he was born, as Sebastian was. It is possible the effects of Sebastian's ghosty bits will wear off," Magnus explained.
"When Jax ate the mango Sebastian had been tied to, he became possessed by Sebastian. Stephen isn't going to be possessed is he?" Clary asked.
Magnus thought about it for a minute. "It's possible. Sebastian was split between the tree and Jax before. Now he can concentrate himself all on Stephen. Or Liz. Although, from what you've told me he seems more focused on Stephen."
"My poor baby!" Clary wailed. "What are we going to do? If we don't get Sebastian out of Stephen soon, he will possess my son!"
"Shh, shh," Jace comforted. "We're 'Sebastian Slayers' remember. We'll defeat Sebastian and save our son."
"Sebastian might not be able to possess Stephen as easily as he did Jax. Jax let Sebastian possess him. If Stephen fights Sebastian, it will make it more difficult for him," Magnus stated.
"Stephen is a Herondale. He won't succumb to a weasel like Sebastian," Jace said.
Clary hoped desperately that he was right.
#
Stephen listened in on the conversation his parents were having with Magnus. If he was strong enough, he could fight Sebastian and keep him from possessing him. That's what he would have to do. He didn't want to hurt anybody. He wanted to grow up to become the best shadowhunter of his generation, just like his father.
"You cannot fight me," Sebastian's voice rang out inside Stephen's head.
"Wanna bet," Stephen challenged.
"I will make you regret trying to fight back," Sebastian promised.
"I'll make you regret trying to take me over," Stephen countered.
"You definitely have your mother's fire," there was a hint of excitement and fondness in Sebastian's voice.
"I also have my father's strength," Stephen boasted.
"Your father is weak," Sebastian sneered.
"No, he's not. He defeated you before, didn't he?" Stephen said.
Sebastian didn't answer.
"If my father is weak then you are weaker," Stephen insisted.
Stephen suddenly doubled over in pain, crying out. A sharp pain was shooting through his head. It felt like something was trying to take over. He could feel cold fingers grasping at his soul, trying to get in.
Stephen heard distantly the sound of his parents' voices as the rushed to him after hearing his cry of pain. Stephen slowly succumbed to the darkness that was trying to possess him. The last thing he heard before he blacked out was the sound of his mother's voice desperately calling to him to fight.
#
Mango, Mango fruit divine,
Mangoes in this box of mine,
Where did you come from?
Why are you here?
Why do you make me feel so queer?