CHAPTER XV

Questions and Answers

I didn't take my eyes off of Darcy until we reached the infirmary and she was laid gently down onto a bed of fresh, clean sheets. I knew inquisitive eyes and curious glances were constantly being thrown my way, but I chose to pretend that I hadn't seen them and focused still on Darcy. I knew I was only putting off the inevitable, that at some point I would have to explain what had happened, it would be the only way Darcy could be saved. But, for now, I was quiet. Silent tears threatened to break through my eyes as Julian began to gingerly peel my make-shift tourniquet from around Darcy's chest and I winced as the damage was revealed, my horror reflected in the gasps and widened eyes of all those around as her wound was on display.

"Well" Julian breathed, wide-eyed, "You're temporary binding of the wound seems to have done some good, it at least stemmed the bleeding somewhat" he met my eyes with an expression of pity and remorse, I nodded in reply.

"What did this to her?" Theresa gasped, moving to stand beside Julian.

It was, then, that I knew I could avoid explanation no further, as the kind woman looked up with concerned eyes at me, and I braced myself for the tale. But, to my surprise, I was interrupted, by Emma.

"That can wait" she affirmed, standing beside me on the opposite side of the bed to Julian and Theresa, "Right now, we need to bind her wound properly and, by the looks of things, call on a Silent Brother"

"We don't need one" a new voice called from the entrance to the room. All heads turned to the doorway to see a tall, slight man with one striking silver streak shining through dark brown locks. Striking was definitely a word to be used to describe him, among others. Julian's, Emma's faces took an expression of relief, but Theresa's...Theresa's took a look of absolute and undying love, a look which would melt the heart of the coldest woman or man. And he returned it ten fold, which made me -for a moment- wonder whether these two were responsible alone for the melting of the ice caps. He began to walk over with an old timely grace and soon his curious eyes came to rest upon me, for a moment, like Theresa, he faltered in his steps as he our eyes met. I wondered, not for the first time that morning, whether my distress and anxiety was that obvious in my eyes. I tore my gaze from his to look back down at Darcy, wound now wholly on display for all, and my lungs seized and heart shattered once again. My fault...

"Jem" Theresa sighed, as the man -Jem- came to stand at her side, pulling her into a hug.

"Tessa" he replied, slowly (reluctantly) releasing her, "What goes on here?"

"I do not know the whole story myself" she flashed a look at me, which I pretended not to notice, "But from what I gather, there is something strange afoot"

"Yes... I believe you are right" Jem cast a worried glance down at Darcy, "This is the work of a powerful demon. To heal it properly, we need to know what demon did it and for that, we need the whole story"

I closed my eyes, wincing. He's right. I knew that, but... the whole situation was worse enough stored in my head, plaguing my thoughts. When they knew...

"Yes, yes" Emma exclaimed impatiently, "But, in the mean time, Tessa can you do something?"

Tessa gave Emma a look of warning but obliged.

"Yes. I can slow the wound's affects until we know what we can do, I learnt many things over the years of healing spells. I could try to heal her wholly, but if there is powerful demonic presence there, it could backfire; cause more damage than healing. It is safer to wait until we know what we are dealing with. But this spell, it will work" her face was set, eyes firm as her hands moved over Darcy's body, coming to rest above the wound. I was transfixed as her hand began to glow an orchid white and translucent, flowing chords seemed to seep from her hands to wrap around Darcy in a chrysalis of glowing white with flecks of pink and green. Then, all at once, it was over, the glow faded and the room was dull once more. Magic...

"Child, what is your name?" Jem's voice broke through my wide-eyed fixation caused by Tessa's display of magic, walking around the bed to stand before me.

"N-November. November Highriver" I stuttered, still held captive by my first sighting of real magic.

"November, you act as if this is your first time witnessing a warlock's magic"

"Well, it is" I reply, surprised, "I'm not- I'm not a Shadowhunter"

"Yes, that much is clear. But Tessa's right, there is something strange here. Something different. I spent a long time as a Silent Brother, and in that time I learnt much of demons and demonic presence. I sense some demonic presence in you now, and something else. I would wish to know more of you, but now is not the time for that, you are fatigued and distressed. But I understand that if you do not wish to rest. This girl. She is like parabatai to you and I know that" Jem's voice caught, eyes flashed with pain, "You will not, cannot rest until something is done. So I suggest you go to the library. Emma, Julian" he moved his gaze from where it was fixed on my stunned and beaten face to look over at the two in question, "Go with her, help her discern the morning's events. I will stay here with Tessa and keep watch on the girl for now, we will join you anon. Go, November, she is in good hands"

And with a nod, he turned from me to walk back to where Tessa stood.

"Right" Emma chimed in, beginning to walk towards the door. Julian flashed her a look that said 'be careful' before stopping before me.

"Come on, let's go" he smiled weakly at me as I -once again-nodded in reply. I took a deep, unsteady breath and placed a mask of bravery over my face, preparing for what was surly awaiting in the library. For the first time, I was actually dreading a visit to one of the most beautiful libraries I have ever seen and I was actually dreading reading. For I knew that, whatever the pages of words would reveal about this day, these events, myself, would not be good. With echoing footsteps, we began to walk from the infirmary and into the vast, hallowed halls of the Institute.