Me: Thank you for the reviews! I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own Moriah…and Celeste…and May and Fern…Aster….Renage….Geoffrey Whitesnake…Vivian…let's just say If you don't recognize the name, it's probably because they are one of my many OCs
…
Chapter 14: The Inquest
Everything seemed both too slow and too fast.
Getting Moriah dressed and ready to go seemed slow, but that was Clary's fault. She purposefully took her time combing her little girl's hair and buttoning up her simple dress, savoring every moment. Even though she knew it wasn't like they were going to walk into the Halls and armed guards were going to pounce on Moriah, still, Clary felt like she needed to take her time and capture every moment.
Waiting for everyone else to get ready and leave seemed to take a long time, and yet it also seemed in the blink of an eye they were on the road, all trudging towards the Accords Hall. Each step took every ounce of strength in Clary. Another blink and they were there, walking into the cold, echoing room with all it's benches, waiting for it to be filled with people who would jeer at her and her daughter.
Another long wait, sitting on hard benches and waiting to be told what to do. Clary felt like she was in two worlds. One here, and one already living in her memories, wondering what they were going to ask first and what she should say.
I just have to say the truth. I have to say whatever the Mortal Sword doesn't burn me for.
But was the truth bad, that was the question. Was the truth going to free Moriah or condemn her? We shouldn't have come. We should've fled. Oh god, I can't lose her. Please, please, please.
It was far too late for regrets. With one hand she clung to Jace, the other stroked Moriah's cheek. Her little girl just blinked at her slowly, clearly wondering what this was all about. ''Mommy?''
Clary's heart ached looking at her. ''I love you.''
''Mommy,'' Moriah babbled. ''Mommy, mommy, mommy.''
''No, Moriah.'' Simon leaned over the back of their bench. ''Say, Uncle Simon.''
Moriah stared at him blankly. She turned back to Clary. ''Mommy.''
''Good girl,'' Jace told her as Simon pouted. ''Ignore him.''
Clary smiled, but something inside of her tightened. We will have more moments like this. Better moments. Moments away from here and without fear. This will be okay.
Robert came over in front of her. ''Clarissa? It's time.''
Clary took a deep breath. Jace squeezed her hand again and she looked at him. His eyes said the same thing they had outside Alec's and Magnus' apartment. Say the word and we'll go. How and where she didn't know, but she had no doubt if she nodded, he'd spring into action regardless.
She kissed his cheek and tucked one of Moriah's curls back away from her face. Then she stood and followed Robert.
He led her up on the steps to the Mortal Sword, already laying in all it's splendor on a table. She went behind the table and at his gesture, picked it up. She saw the room was already filled with Shadowhunters. She didn't know when they arrived. Another example of everything going too fast.
Robert stood a little ways away. Clary decided to focus on him. ''Please announce for the Clave your full name.''
Clary looked to her right at the other set of benches. There was Magnus and Maia and Lily. On another bench sat Jia and other higher ranking Shadowhunters. ''Clarissa Adele Fairchild.''
''Clarissa Adele Fairchild,'' Robert said. ''Do you have a child?''
''Yes.''
''What is her name?''
''Moriah Cèline Herondale.'' Out of the corner of her eye, it looked as though a Shadowhunter wanted to protest to the name Herondale, but Jia silenced him. She couldn't be certain, but Clary was pretty sure it was the same man who had questioned her and Jace back at the Institute.
''Is it true,'' Robert continued, his tone professional as he said it would be when he told her no matter the questions he had to ask and the answers she had to give, he was on Moriah's side, always. ''Is it true that your daughter has demon blood?''
Clary swallowed hard. She could feel Moriah's dark gaze on her from where she sat with Jace. ''Yes.''
''Will you tell the Clave how this came to be?''
Clary took a deep breath. And then she began.
It had been three days. Three days since getting abducted from Luke's bookstore yard and been dragged to some place in the fairy realms, where she and Jace were thrown into two separate cells. Three days of banging on walls and yanking at her shackles, trying to kick and trip whatever fairy entered to bring food and water.
Had it been three days? Fairy time was weird, and there was no way to tell time other than through the few slants of light from the small barred window behind her.
Clary tried to fight down the fear and nausea inside of her. The fear was mostly because she hadn't heard Jace do any screaming or cursing for many hours now, the nausea from refusal to eat what the fairies brought her, and probably also morning sickness.
Her head snapped to the door as she heard the key turn in the lock. It creaked open, and a fairy entered. She had thin black hair peeking out from a slouchy beanie on her head and a silver piercing in her lip. If it weren't for her sharp teeth and slight green hue to her ash colored skin, she could've passed for some sort of hipster/skater mundane. ''You're needed.''
Clary told her to go do something atomically incorrect to herself. ''How pleasant you are,'' the fairy commented. She came over, jumping back when Clary tried to kick her legs out from under her. ''Do stop. Unless you want your boyfriend to get punished?''
''Excuse you?'' Clary said, completely thrown off guard by the comment. The fairy grinned.
''You want more info? Better shut your mouth and just come with me.''
Clary glared daggers but kept quiet as the fairy loosened the shackles from the wall. Jace? Was he hurt? What have you done to him?
The fairy gathered the chains in her hands. ''Come along, pet,'' she chided. ''Let's go.''
Clary was led out of her cell into a small hallway. She was led out the way she had entered, past another door. She had been thinking of ways of how to get the upper hand on this fairy, but the sight through the glass window on the door she was being led past made her stop in fear. No.
There was Jace, sprawled on the floor. His hair was in his face, and she was too far away to see if he was breathing. ''No.''
''Oh, don't freak out,'' the fairy behind her said. ''He's not dead, just asleep. Not eating for a long time can make you tired.''
Panic welled up in Clary. ''You're starving him?''
''And dehydrating him! Much easier than dealing with his yelling.''
''I'm going to kill you.''
''Sure.'' The fairy pushed her forward. ''Come on, my boss won't wait all day.''
Clary was forced to walk on. She felt numb. I'm going to get you out of here, Jace. I promise. I'll be back.
She was led to another door. The fairy knocked. ''Come in,'' a voice said from inside.
The fairy opened the door and Clary was yanked inside. The room wasn't terribly large, and was filled with books and equipment of some kind. Sitting perched on a desk was another fairy, looking like a Disney Ice Queen. Only her face was pale, everything else from her hair to her clothes was the same shade of sharp blue.
The blue fairy smiled coldly. ''Clary Fray, I presume?'' She asked.
Clary gritted her teeth. ''Help Jace or I swear to god I will rip your throat out.''
The fairy gave a laugh, as merry and cold sounding as sleigh bells. ''Of course, we will get to that,'' she promised. She waved a hand to the chairs in front of her. ''Have a seat.''
Again, Clary was pushed roughly forward. She sat down in anger. ''My name is Renage,'' the blue fairy introduced herself. ''And I believe congratulations are in order for you.''
More fear and panic built up in Clary. ''For what?''
''Don't be coy. I know you are pregnant. A little 'bun in the oven', as mundanes say. You have been for quite some time. What- afraid to tell mommy?''
''How do you know?'' Clary demanded.
Renage smiled all her pointy teeth. ''I have spies everywhere.'' She turned her attention to the other fairy. ''May, be a dear and go get- Jace, was it?- some nourishment.'' May nodded and scampered away.
Clary looked at Renage with narrow eyes. ''I'm not interested in killing him,'' Renage explained. ''Nor you, for that matter.''
''How nice of you.''
''You see, Clary, I have simple interest, a scientific one. It's about your family as a whole.''
''What about my family?''
Renage leaned forward on the desk, clearly eager. ''Valentine Morgenstern- bastard though he was to all of Downworld- envied us. He envied the fairy's cunning, the vampire's speed, the werewolf's strength, and the warlock's magic. He wanted what we had, and when he couldn't get it, he wanted to give it to his children. Hence the creation of your brother, Jonathan Morgenstern.''
The mention of Jonathan made Clary ache. She had been trying to contact him with the mind link ever since being captured. Somehow, these fairies were blocking her.
''-But Jonathan wasn't quite what your father had in mind,'' Renage went on. ''He admitted it himself. So he tried again with Jace and- unknowingly - with you.''
''What's your point?'' Clary demanded.
''I want to try again.'' Renage's eyes gleamed. ''With your child.''
Clary felt colder than she ever had before. ''Not in a million years.''
''Think about it,'' Renage purred. ''You, with all your accomplished feats. I've often thought if Valentine had known of your existence sooner, he might've come to the same conclusion that I have. You are the perfect warrior he was hoping your brother and Jace would be. With your rune power and that endearing temper of your's, you are certainly a good Shadowhunter. Oh, what a pity you were raised as a mundane!''
Clary dug her fingers into the fabric of the seat she was sitting on. ''You are not laying a hand on my child.''
Renage gave her a pitying sort of look. ''Unfortunately, Clary, I am.''
Renage moved from the desk to her side in an instant. She clamped a hand on Clary's shoulder, pinning her down in the chair she was sitting on. There was a syringe in her other hand. ''I don't expect perfect cooperation,'' she mused to Clary. ''But do keep in mind that we have Jace. And if every now and then you are so inclined to be nice and do as told- like just now when May brought you in here- we may just throw him a scrap or two of food and drink. Damned or not, I'm sure you want your child to have a father?''
Clary tried to raise a hand to hit her, but Renage was standing on the chains from her shackles. She grabbed Clary's arm and thrust the needle into it. Clary screamed. And that was her first injection of demon blood.
Simon leaned against the wall the in Accords Hall hallway. A recess had been called in the proceedings while the prisoner, Renage, had been sent for.
Simon felt sick. Clary had stood tall and stoic as she told her story, sounding as if she were reciting a history lesson. But it wasn't a history lesson of horrible events that happened long ago, these were events that had happened to her not even a year ago. All the time they were searching for her and Jace, and they were going through such horrendous ordeals. We should've been faster…maybe if we found them sooner…
Someone tapped his shoulder. ''You okay, Si?''
Simon jumped. He looked at the person. ''Hey, George.''
George Lovelace looked at him in concern. ''You…breathing, there?''
''Yeah.'' Simon sighed. He rubbed the back of his neck. ''Just…heck of a year.''
''I'll bet.''
''I didn't know you were here.''
''Thought London could do without me for a while. Though god knows it will be hard for them.''
''How are the others?''
''Julie's got a boyfriend and Beatriz's new hobby is teasing her to no end. Marisol and Jon bicker, yell, and then make up. Loudly, I might add. So all in all, fine.'' George leaned against the wall next to Simon. ''You okay?''
Simon waved to the doors that led back to the hall. ''Of course. Just failed at keeping my parabati safe. But that could happen to anyone.''
''It's not your fault.''
''It's not her's either, yet she's being cross examined in there like a criminal.''
''Sorry.'' Silence settled over them. ''Anything you want me to do?''
Simon thought of the people on the Councils, how their hatred for this whole situation seemed to radiate off of them. It was becoming more and more likely that they really would have to smuggle Moriah out of here if worse came to worse. ''Not right now. But maybe later? You know, if you feel like turning to a life of crime?''
''Dude, I was born ready.'' George clamped a hand on his shoulder. ''See you later.''
Simon watched him go. ''Hey, George?''
He turned back around to look at him. ''Yeah?''
''Have you seen Moriah yet?''
He shook his head. ''No, not really. But she's your parabati's daughter, and if you're cool with it, so am I. After all,'' he put a hand modestly to his chest, ''not everyone can be blessed with beautiful eyes such as mine.''
Simon grinned. ''Thanks, George.''
''Anytime, brother mine.''
…
Jace felt bile in his throat as Renage was led into the hall. She looked very put together considering she had been in prison for three weeks. Her heels clicked on the tile as she was led to the front of the room, her hands handcuffed in front of her. Jace rubbed his thumb along Clary's wrist absently; he hopped Renage's cuffs were as tight as Clary's had been.
''Fairy,'' Robert said as Renage stood in front of him. ''Will you please state your name for the Clave?''
Renage smiled all her pointy teeth. ''Renage,'' she replied. ''Fairies don't generally use surnames.''
''Is it true it was your idea and desire to experiment on Shadowhunter Clarissa Adele Fairchild's child?''
''I indeed had a role in the decision, yes.''
''Will you inform the Clave as to the nature of your experiment?''
Renage's gaze went to Jace and Clary. Jace felt Clary dig her nails into his palm. ''Do I really have to? Don't the child's eyes say it all?''
Jace wrapped his arm tighter around Moriah. She sat still in his lap, her attention on Renage.
Robert ignored Renage's comment. ''Please inform the Clave as to the nature of your experiment,'' he repeated.
''Demon blood,'' Renage announced. ''We wanted to experiment with demon blood.''
''Who is 'we'?''
''Me and other likeminded people.''
Jace longed for Robert to push the issue. This might be their only chance to get information from a creature directly apart of the Underworld. But he knew Robert couldn't. The purpose of this Inquest wasn't to learn about the Underworld, only to learn about what they did to Moriah.
''To what end did you wish your experiment with demon blood to lead to?'' Robert asked.
''I wanted another Jonathan Morgenstern,'' Renage said. Jace wanted to cringe at the blunt comparison. ''I wanted an all powerful warrior who could do anything and beat anyone. Think of all the changes that could be brought about in this world if there was someone who was truly and completely unstoppable.''
''So you experimented on an unborn child in order to create an unstoppable creature who would do your bidding?''
''Not creature.'' Renage smiled. ''Monster.''
Jace was bitting the inside of his cheek so hard he could taste blood. A fairy, a creature who couldn't lie, just now admitted to the entire Clave she intended Moriah to be a monster. By the Angel, no.
''So, you kidnap two Shadowhunters,'' Robert went on, ''tortured them and experimented on their child, to make a monster? Is the Clave not supposed to interpret this as an act of inciting a war on your part, Renage?''
''Interpret it however you like.'' Renage gave a nonchalant shrug. ''I was only concerned with getting the child into the world so I could figure out where we went wrong. I hadn't time to plot world domination, or whatever you are alluding to.''
Jace could feel the wave of confusion spread to everyone around the room. Did she just say 'went wrong'?
''What do you mean when you say 'figure out where we went wrong'?'' Robert prompted Renage.
''Well, the child was dying. That wasn't exactly what we had in mind. All powerful warriors can't be all powerful if they die before they are born.''
Jace felt his heart pounding in his chest. He exchanged a look with Clary, who looked just as startled. Why would Renage admit wanting Moriah to be a monster, only to also admit not a moment later that that plan got derailed?
''Can you explain what it was that went wrong?'' Robert continued.
Renage's blue eyes gleamed.
It was a lot of little things that alluded her to knowing their experiment wasn't happening as hoped. A big part was her cowardly little minions- all fearful of the creatures in the Underworld who might object to their endeavors. Another was the stubborn expectant mother, who barely ate and who resisted them at every step.
Clary Fray wasn't exactly the glowing picture of impending motherhood. She was wasting away, and her swollen stomach seemed very small for a mundane 6 months along. Usually she cursed and spat at them when they came near with their instruments and vials, but now she barely made any noise. Renage supposed she had no strength left to scream.
Renage watched lazily from the doorway as Aster fiddled with another vial. They didn't bother closing the door anymore. Clary could barely lift her head, much less try and escape. Renage's glance went from the girl's still form on the stone floor to Aster's studious face. ''What is it?''
Aster furrowed his brow. ''I don't know.''
''Don't know what?''
''What did we give her last?''
''More demon blood. Why?''
''Are you sure it wasn't the other stuff?''
''Of course.'' Still, Aster hesitated. ''What is the problem?''
He shook himself. ''Nothing.'' He uncapped the vial and pressed it to Clary's neck.
He was just getting to his feet when Clary let out a groan. She curled in on herself, her breathes coming rapid. ''Oh, my god. Ow. Ow. Ow.''
Renage entered the room as Aster got back on his knees. ''Crap.''
''What?'' She demanded.
Clary continued to write in pain. ''Ow! Oh, my god. No, stop. Stop.'' She gasped for breath, propping herself up on her elbows. ''No, no, please. No, no, stop. You're killing it.''
Aster's face lost all color. He began digging in his bag. ''What are you doing?'' Renage demanded. ''What did you do?''
''You heard her.'' He got up and moved to the other side of Clary. ''We messed up. Kid's dying.''
''We?''
Clary let out a scream and sob all in one breath. ''No! No!''
Renage looked at her small, sickly body and felt a moment of panic flare up. Oh god, she's dying. We could lose everything. ''Do something!'' She yelled at Aster.
''Hold her down,'' he growled.
Clary's screams and sobs continued as Renage pulled her head into her lap and pinned her arms to the ground. ''No, my baby,'' she wailed. ''It's too small. It's too small. You can't! You can't!''
Shut up, Renage thought, digging her nails into Clary's forearms. Truthfully, she was thinking the same thing. If they did this, would the child just die? I can't lose everything I've worked for now.
Aster went to work. ''No!'' Clary screamed.
Clary walked out of the Hall before Renage could get far into her story. No one stopped her. She couldn't sit there and hear Renage speak as if giving data to a group of scientists, her eyes gleaming with pleasure as she reported how loud Clary had screamed.
Clary went to the window and leaned against the sill. The cool glass of the pane felt good. Clary did not feel good. She wanted to throw up. I hate them. I hate her.
She remembered that day too well. The pain of the demon blood had been so bad, and that last vial just tipped her over the edge. It was as if all the venom in her veins tripled and attacked her at once, trying to consume her and burn her from the inside out. She had thought she was about to die, her and her child both. It was only when she caught a glimpse of Aster cradling something that she knew they made it.
Moriah had been so small. Clary didn't know much about newborns, but she suspected Moriah must've been bigger than a regular baby 6 months in the womb. But she was still smaller than she should've been had she been carried to full term. Tiny and quiet and cold. They took her away for a long time, Renage and Aster. So long Clary was certain one of them would die before being reunited.
But that other fairy, May, had come into the cell, a bundle in her arms. ''I think she'll make it,'' she yelled over her shoulder to the protests of one of her bosses. ''Mundane mothers have a connection to their children. What's the harm in seeing?''
The harm was that if they took her away again, Clary would not stop until every single fairy in that goddamn place was dead and bleeding at her feet. But May didn't know that. She waited for Clary to sit up, her back against the wall before placing her newborn baby in her arms.
Clary didn't notice her eyes first. She first noticed her pale skin, and her fine features that seemed almost like glass- certainly as fragile as glass. She pushed back the white blanket she was in and saw the few strands of gold on her head. She didn't know the gender at that point, so she asked. ''Boy or girl?''
''Girl,'' May told her.
Clary didn't take her eyes off the baby. Soon, the little girl opened her eyes for the first time and looked at Clary.
Black, black eyes. Black eyes like Jocelyn had described Jonathan's eyes. Black eyes that were windows into where the soul should be. Jocelyn had said she had felt horror. But Clary- Clary felt nothing.
No, she felt sad. Sad and scared and so damn angry. They hurt you. I'm so sorry. I'll make them pay. I will. She adjusted her daughter to lay against her chest, holding her skin to skin.
She was cold, so, so, so very cold. Clary kissed her cheek, holding her close and rocking slightly, willing any body heat she had to go to her instead. Maybe she was cold, but holding her against her let Clary feel the slight rise and fall of her chest. She was cold, but alive. And Clary would keep her that way.
You are mine, Clary told her silently, eyeing the fairies that were watching her as she held her daughter. You are mine and I love you. We will get out of here. You, me, and Jace. All of us. I promise.
I won't lose you.
Clary realized there were tears on her cheeks. She snapped the memories away, rubbing her face irritably.
''Clary?''
She jumped at Jonathan's presence in her mind. ''Yeah?''
''You okay?''
''Fine.'' Clary wiped another tear away stubbornly. ''Just didn't see the need to stick around. I've heard that story before.''
''Renage is almost through,'' Jonathan told her. ''People are probably going to come looking for you in a minute.''
'''Yeah.'' Clary cast a longing look out the window. ''Wouldn't want me to slip away… Jace still has Moriah?''
''I'd like to see anyone try and separate them.''
Clary sniffed. ''I'll be back in a moment.''
''Okay.'' Clary felt his presence vanish.
She allowed herself a moment before making to move away from the window. She had to go back in. Somehow, she had to find the strength to walk back into that hall.
She turned to do so, but stopped at the sight of her mother, a few paces away. ''Mom?''
Jocelyn came closer. ''Hey.''
Clary looked at her. Her stiff posture, her set face. She sneered, shaking her head. ''No.''
''No what?''
''Don't you dare pity me.''
''I'm not.'' Jocelyn sounded offended. ''I don't.''
Clary swallowed a lump in her throat. She tried to guess at what her mother might be thinking. A thought occurred to her. Does she feel like she didn't protect me like I feel I didn't protect Moriah?
Jocelyn stood in front of her. With one hand she curled her fingers on Clary's cheek, with the other she tucked some of Clary's hair back from her face. Clary could see her take a trembling breath. ''I love you.''
Clary felt tears rise up in her again. There was this horrible wall that seemed to collapse at Jocelyn's statement. ''Oh, mom.'' Jocelyn pulled her close to her, and Clary cried into her shoulder.
''I've got you, baby,'' Jocelyn whispered to her, running a hand through her hair. ''I've got you. I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry.''
…
Jonathan narrowed his eyes as Renage concluded her tale. She talked so scientifically, so precise.
So…slow?
Since he was bad at interpreting emotions, Jonathan had been drilled for as long as he could remember (which was very long) to notice body language and tone. These things, he was instructed, would give clues to what the creature wasn't saying. Which usually was much more interesting than what they were saying.
Jonathan tuned out the whispers of the Shadowhunter's in front of him and studied Renage. Her eyes had been gleaming with glee as she spoke her piece, clearly enjoying the reactions of her audience. Her eyes still held that sparkle as the Council members conferred, but Jonathan saw how stiffly she stood. Her head was turned ever so slightly, an ear in the direction of the Council members. She was straining to hear what they were saying. Worry.
Her hands had been still at her side, but now one hand began twirling one of the long locks of blue hair over her shoulder around her finger. Her weight shifted from foot to foot. Impatience. Unease.
What was with her testimony? Why outright call Moriah a monster, tell everyone how she wanted another him, and then say it all went wrong? Why such an obvious contradiction? It was almost as if-
Jonathan felt his heart go cold. Damn it all to hell.
'''What's your problem?'' Isabelle hissed next to him. She was on official 'watch the killer' duty.
Jonathan looked to her before glancing back at Renage. A guard was already leading her back to her cell. Not likely, bitch. ''C'mon.''
''What?'' Isabelle asked in confusion.
''We gotta go, let's go.'' He pushed her forward. They were in the back of the room, the door right by them.
''Jonathan! What the hell?''
''Hurry up!'' Jonathan wanted to run ahead, but he would probably land in a load of trouble if seen wandering away from his keeper. Not to mention the trouble Robert would land in. ''I have to talk to Renage.''
''Why?''
''Hurry up!'' Isabelle swore but followed, clearly only because she thought it might help the admittedly grim situation.
She moved in front of him to lead. ''I know where they're keeping her.''
They went down a few hallways, all empty because of the big meeting. Isabelle clearly knew her way around because soon they were right behind Renage and her guard, the guard about to put her in her cell.
Jonathan brushed past him and grabbed Renage. He slammed her against the cell bars. ''What the hell are you playing at?''
Renage blinked at him. ''Did your father neglect to teach you not to end a sentence with 'at' among everything else, too?''
The guard tried to grab Jonathan. '''Hey-''
''I got this,'' Isabelle said to him. ''Inquisitor's daughter on…official Inquisitor, err, business.''
Jonathan figured this worked, because he heard the exchange of keys and the guard walk off. Probably eager to get a glimpse of the demon child like everyone else in this place.
Jonathan kept his gaze on Renage. ''What the hell are you playing at?'' He said again.
''I don't understand your meaning.''
''You're stalling.''
''What?'' Isabelle asked. Jonathan could see the gleam in Renage's eyes dim. Fear.
''Ihaven't believed for one second you are here just because of the Underworld,'' Jonathan said. ''I thought you were here for Moriah- if not to condemn her, than to kill her. But now, I see a third option.''
''Do you?'' Renage asked.
''Yes.'' He leaned close to her. ''You're waiting for back up.'' He could feel her stiffen. ''I will bet cash on the fact you're here because you have some friends who asked you to be. Your job is to prolong this Inquest for as long as possible, until they can slip into Idris and get Moriah. How am I doing so far?''
Renage's eyes flashed. If she were any other creature, she would've denied it. But fairies couldn't lie.
''Is that the plan?'' Isabelle asked. Even Jonathan could hear the fury in her words. ''The grand scheme to get your 'property' back?''
Renage gave a smile, sickly sweet. ''I am cooperating with the Clave,'' she said. ''As per my deal. Take yourself and your suspicions elsewhere.''
''Admit it,'' Jonathan threatened.
''I will do no such thing. Think what you will, but I think we both know it's your suspicions against my word. I don't think the Clave has time to indulge your ideas, especially since- let's be honest- you are kind of on trial here as well, aren't you?''
Jonathan longed to kill her right here, but Isabelle intervened. She made him let go of Renage and then shoved the fairy back into her cell, locking the door behind her.
''You are not getting Moriah,'' Isabelle told her through the bars. ''No matter what your plan is, that is not happening.''
Renage shrugged. ''So you say.''
Isabelle lead the way back and Jonathan reluctantly followed. ''How certain are you that's her plan?'' Isabelle asked.
''It fits, doesn't it?''
''Yeah.'' She sighed. ''But we can't prove it, can we?''
''Nope.''
''Isn't it too risky for her and her group? It would've been easier to take Moriah while still in New York.''
''They thought that other fairy had it in hand. Besides, if they can pull off stealing Moriah right under the Clave's nose- no doubt pin it on someone else in the process- it ensures they can be left alone for a while.''
''What if I say something? Make the Councils ask Renage outright?''
Jonathan shook his head. ''She won't know the details of the plan. Maybe she'll admit to there being one, but she would've made sure not to know any details so she wouldn't give anything away.''
Isabelle clenched her fists. ''How do we stop this?''
Jonathan sighed. ''I have no idea.''
…
Me: That's right. George is alive as per my 'Rewrite' story because that is how it should be *sobs*
Happy Writing!
