Responses to Reviews:

Moonlight and Ashes: Like you said, white zinnia would have fitted Jem perfectly too… actually he's so good that a lot of flowers would have fit. How about just all of the flowers in the world? Haha :) Glad you thought Clara's flower fit too.

Yoitsyourstruly: Hopefully the former, rather than the latter. ;) Thank you for your thoughts! Don't worry, there will be more Jessa, and here's some more Will! :D

Guest: Wow, you're in the Nutcracker ballet? How cool! I do actually remember the name was Clara in that, now that you say that. What part do you dance in it?

gabreader: I'm glad you think that, and I hope so too! :)

cordelia morgans: I did read it ages ago actually, and really enjoyed it. But I've forgotten heaps since I read so long ago, so I got inspiration for the 'gift' from other books. I really should read the series again when I have the chance.

jessa4ever: Hehe sorry about Clara… hadn't thought of a ship name yet. Haha. Also, it's such a coincidence you mentioned Magnus! I've been planning on adding him into this story for a while now, in particular this chapter, and I completely agree. Enjoy!

Jillessa Heronstairs: Aww thank you for all your reviews! I'm glad you're still reading. And yes, I like that ship name too. Hehe I'm glad you like Jem and Clara, and the other stuff, and your reviews really brightened my day, so thanks! :D

"Laying siege on the castle would be suicide," Will argued loudly, leaning forward on his seat. "It would take months, and our resources would be depleted, just as much as the castle's. Also we don't have enough men."

"Then what do you suggest?" Gideon spoke up, glancing over at Will with a raised eyebrow.

Will paused, looking around the room before answering. "Attack them from the inside, not the outside. Get some trustworthy Clave members in, disguised, and they will take down the King. For us, this is a war that cannot be won. Not unless the King is gone."

Charlotte had gathered a number of trustworthy Clave members, to discuss battle strategies. Will knew he was included, because he knew the most about Jem and Tessa, and where they might be. Saving them was a crucial part of the mission too.

"That is not a bad idea," Charlotte agreed. "But once the King is dead – if such a feat is indeed possible – it will be chaos in the castle. Every noble would be trying to gain power once he's gone, and we could end up with someone just as terrible in charge."

"So, we'll be ready for them," another Clave member who Will didn't know, called out. "We can station our men nearby, to storm the castle afterwards."

"A distraction outside the castle could help," a voice suggested quietly. All eyes turned in surprise to Gabriel, who'd been silent all this time. "At the same time as the group sneaks in."

Will watched him, unable to hide his suspicion. He wasn't entirely sure either of the brothers were guilt free in their father's scheme. However, Charlotte had agreed to let them join, since Gabriel was concerned about Cecily.

Charlotte nodded, looking around at all of them for a moment, before speaking. "I think this is the perfect time to introduce a new Clave member, whom I believe will be crucial to our fight. I hope you will all welcome him, despite his… eccentricities."

She then gestured at a guard stationed at the door, who opened it, admitting a stranger into the room. Everyone watched him in mistrust, the default expression in times like these.

Despite the hard glances cast his way, the stranger waltzed casually into the room, walking to stand beside Charlotte, before lounging against the desk behind him. He acted as if he owned the place. The first thing Will noticed about him, besides his unusually coloured yellow-green eyes, was that he looked as if he was from the same kingdom as Jem. Either that or one of his parents were. His skin colour and the curve of his eyes were evidence of that. His black hair was short and spiked upwards, in a style Will had never seen before. Not to mention, his clothes were very flamboyant – a little too colourful and form fitting when compared with what males usually wore. At least not what they usually wore in this kingdom, anyway. If Will squinted hard enough, the clothes almost seemed to shine in the light.

As Charlotte opened her mouth to introduce him, Magnus held up his hand. "I can make my own introduction," he said, a pleasant smile on his face. "I'm Magnus. Magnus Bane. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

"Mr Bane here could be of much use to us, and we are fortunate that he has offered to help. I would appreciate it if you would all keep your silence on his presence here." Charlotte explained, pausing for a moment, which only served to heighten the suspense. "He has the 'gift' of illusion."

There was a collective intake of breaths, and Will himself sat back in his seat. There were a number of 'gifts' that were feared more than the rest. The 'gift' of illusion was one of them, right up there on the list, near Will's own 'gift.' While he knew full well just because someone had a certain 'gift,' it didn't necessarily make them evil, he couldn't help but be worried. Many people with such a power of illusion in the past abused this 'gift' to trick people. You couldn't trust that anything you were seeing was real, and if you couldn't trust your own vision… what could you trust?

"No… no." Gabriel breathed, his face pale as he stood up, and took a step backwards. "You can't trust someone like that. Father always said…"

"No one cares about what your father thinks," Will snapped, interrupting him. "Just be quiet."

As everyone stared at Magnus, their voices suddenly raised into a crescendo, spouting out questions or opinions on the matter.

"How do you even know he has the 'gift' you say he does?"

"Is he loyal to the Clave, or the King?"

"Couldn't he be a spy?"

"I don't like the look of him."

Magnus cleared his throat, and they all fell silent. "As to whether I really have this 'gift,' well, that is an easy one to answer."

One moment his eyes were normal, human eyes, and the next, they morphed into cat-like eyes – the pupils long and vertical, instead of round - still the same strange yellow-green colour. They were… unnatural.

Inhuman.

The room was dead silent, as if it had seen a ghost. Everyone was frightened at this unknown thing they couldn't control. They couldn't trust. Unfortunately, Will knew the feeling well.

Something startled Will out of the corner of his eye. The room started to shift and move as if they were on a boat, and Will felt a headache starting. The walls moved as if made of paper, and he narrowed his eyes to slits. He blinked twice, and then the room was back to normal, leaving him wondering whether it was real, or whether he imagined it. Looking over at Magnus's smirk, he guessed the former. It must have been another one of his little 'shows.'

"In regards to your other comments," Magnus continued, as if nothing had changed, "Yes, I currently support the Clave, no I'm not a spy, and I'm sorry you don't like my appearance, but don't worry, you're not my type either."

The humour flew right over the man's head, and Will couldn't blame him, after the shock he'd had.

Charlotte sighed, looking disappointed with their reactions. "I know this isn't what you were expecting, but we need all the help we can get. And many of you have 'gifts' yourself, so I'm disappointed you'd be so unwelcoming. Since Mr Bane will be staying here, I'll adjourn this meeting for today, and we can continue it tomorrow, once you've gotten over your initial… shock. I'll expect you all to be a great deal more polite then."

With that, she walked out, many of the Clave members following closely behind her, as if afraid to be left in the same room as the illusionist.

Will scrutinised him, noting the glimmer in his eyes. He seemed more amused by it all, than anything else. It was possible he was used to such a reaction now.

While Will could understand why the others felt the way they did, he could also imagine the infinite ways the new member could benefit the Clave. They needed people with strong 'gifts' like his to defeat the king and his followers. He didn't mind using dirty tactics to get Tessa, Jem and Cecily back. If it brought them back, he'd do anything, regardless of the cost.

When the mischievous cat eyes met his own, Will got up and strolled to the door. Glancing back at him one last time when he reached it, he exhaled and shook his head slightly. "Welcome to the Clave," he said dryly, with a crooked grin, before walking out.

A/N: Sorry for the delay! Thanks to everyone who reviewed. Hope you enjoy this chapter, with the introduction of Magnus, and I look forward to writing the dinner next. :)

~ SilverJem5