XVIII
Jace
I just stood there in puzzlement. What the hell just happened? Where did that kid come from? The kid was rather short, and looked like a little vampire with his dark clothes, hair, eyes, and pale complexion. I also had the strangest feeling like I've seen him before. Percy looked surprised to, as he quickly tried to pull the kid away from the Inquisitors death glare.
"What is the meaning of this!? Who are you, and what is your business in disrupting the court!?" the Inquisitor shouted. The Goth kid shoved Percy aside, and smoothed out his clothes before looking up to the Inquisitor calmly looking bored.
"I am Nico Di Angelo Ambassador, and son of Hades." He announced. I could feel the crowd tense, and I too felt myself go a little on guard. Hades was the God of Death, there's no telling what this kid could do.
"I'm here on behalf of the Olympian Gods to defend Percy Jackson, and Annabeth Chase." He said challenging the Clave to argue. The Inquisitor raised an eyebrow, and surprised the court by busting out laughing. The rest of the clave joined in on the laughter uneasily, and soon the whole court room shared in the humor.
"The Olympians send a mere child to defend these demigods?" she asked in between bits of laughter. Nico frowned, and twisted the ring on his finger. Suddenly, a chill fell across the room and the laughter stopped abruptly.
"Looks can be deceiving your honor, but I am actually over 70 years old." He said glaring at the clave. "The Gods rarely act directly in mortal affairs it is considered beneath them, which is why they sent me." He continued to look up at them, with that bored challenging look like the clave wasn't even worth his time. Everyone stared at him with new interest.
"Now if you'd be so kind as to recite the charges against my clients." Nico asked checking his nails, and threatening to cause another chill. The Inquisitor glared at Nico, as if she could make him spontaneously combust just by looking at him hard enough. I knew she wanted to tell him that he had no business here, but Nephilim law clearly states that the defendant has a right to a lawyer. She replayed all the numerous accusations, and Nico just nodded calmly every so often.
"What evidence do you have against these crimes?" the inquisitor asked sarcastically as if she wasn't expecting anything. Nico squinted up at the Clave with a look of confusion on his face.
"From the crimes you have stacked against my client, murder isn't one of them correct?" Nico asked a small smirk forming in his lips. The inquisitors glare intensified.
"You are correct, however the damage he has inflicted upon our people and mundane's alike far exceeds the punishment of murder." She insisted. Nico didn't seem fazed only glared at the inquisitor with eyes so dark they almost looked black.
"May I remind the court that a gang of Nephilim targeted, and murdered a demigod in cold-blood? The Olympian council has a right to bring your people to face trial as well, and I can assure you Olympian punishment is much more painful than death." Nico pointed out with a creepy knowing smile on his face.
I had to admit, the kid was well spoken, and the creepy/death aura of his definitely made the clave weary, I could see it in their faces, and reactions. I looked over at Percy who was watching Nico carefully. I guess he was as clueless as to what Nico was going to say and do as the rest of us. The Inquisitor's eyes widened in shock, and her mouth twisted so it looked like she swallowed a bug. However, just as quickly as the expression came on her face it vanished.
"What evidence do you have of this?" one of the clave members asked skeptically. Nico looked up at them his expression seemed to say "really?"
"I'm the Son of Hades, as I've already pointed out. I can summon Birei Lee Daughter of Aphrodite's spirit right here, and have her give a full testimony if you'd like." He said looking annoyed.
The courts eyes widened in fear. The Inquisitor's eyes narrowed so much they were almost fully closed. I realized now would be a good time to speak up. I stepped forward ripping my way out of my guards hold.
"I can testify to support Nico Di Angelo's claims." I announced my voice echoing in the hall. All eyes turned towards me. Percy glanced at me hard, before turning away with a conflicted expression on his face. I was going to make this right.
"Jace Lightwood you have yet to go to trial for your crimes against the Nephilim, as you are in jail you have no authority to testify in court as is Nephilim law." The Inquisitor announced triumphantly. Jace smiled this was the opening he was looking for.
"Your honor, Can you please remind me of my crimes? I've forgotten." I asked innocently, but my expression was sly and ready. I knew what me charges were. The were insubordination caused by me stopping Adams death blow to Percy. The Inquisitor couldn't announce my crimes without admitting that Nico Di Angelo was right.
"Your crimes will be read at your trial." She stated exasperated.
"Well then why am I here?" Jace countered not even budging. If looks could kill I'd probably be a pillar of salt right then, with the way the inquisitor stared at me.
"Guards take him away for disrupting the court." She ordered. The guards grabbed me but I fought against them.
"Objection your honor!" A feminine voice piped up from the back. Annabeth stood up tall and proud her eyes glaring at the clave with that calculating look Percy said all children of Athena shared.
"I'm not sure how Nephilim justice works, but it appears as if you are throwing away a witness and evidence that could be used to aid the defendant. Is this court a fair, and open court or one sided?" she asked turning around to face the audience, her hands up in a shrug trying to appeal to the people. The audience began murmuring among themselves, pointing at Annabeth and nodding.
"If this is Nephilim justice. I reserve the right to leave here with my clients and you may further this trial among the Olympian council." Nico stated giving Annabeth a curt nod.
"If Jace lightwood is unable to testify do to interference with the law. I would like to testify in his place." A man from the audience spoke up from behind. The court turned and I looked to see a man stand up. I recognized him as the shadowhunter that helped Alec and I carry Percy to the institute. However, the inquisitor wasn't about to let up yet.
"What do you have to say, Mr.…" she asked.
"Bell, James Bell." The man began. He looked over at me and an understanding passed through us. I felt a smile form on my lips maybe we can win this after all.
"The Clave ordered me, Jace Lightwood, and a few of the senior shadowhunters, and shadowhunters of the New York Institute to murder the daughter of Aphrodite on the night of February 12, 2013. Her murder was conducted to serve as a warning to the Olympians to stay out of mortal affairs, and as the first installment in a plan to rid New York City of demigods." He said matter-of-factually.
A hush fell upon the audience as the whispers began anew. Nico looked pleased and smiled at Mr. Bell who in turned paled in fear at being acknowledged by the Son of Hades. I don't blame him the kid reeked of death, and I didn't even know that was possible until I've been in the prescience of the dark half-blood.
"I second his testimony." Jace said with a triumphant smile.
"I do as well.' Alec announced from the audience standing up with conviction. The audience was in an up roar now.
"Order, order!" the inquisitor squealed hammering her gavel.
"Is there anyone here who wishes to counter these gentlemen's claims?" she asked staring at the crowd as if to say "Say something now or else." When no one spoke up Nico stepped forward again.
"I've come to make a deal with you. The Olympians won't press charges against you for the death of Birei, as long as you release all charges on Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase, end the aggression towards our two camps, and stay out of our business as we have yours." Nico announced calmly. "That is more than fair considering you killed one of ours and attempted to kill two more." Some of the clave members nodded in agreement, but the Inquisitor didn't look convinced in the slightest.
"How do we know the son of Poseidon, and other demigods such as yourself will stop meddling in mundane affairs? And how are these two lives more important than the one lost? The Olympians don't care about justice for their children?" She asked her arms crossed looking triumphant as the whispers continued.
"Well…" Nico began but Percy interrupted him.
"Half-bloods are born from mortal affairs. We are half human we influence both worlds, just as you do. I regret that I've made a mess in my attempt to survive and save the world. However, you can kill me and all the half-bloods, but we'll never go extinct as long as there are Gods and Goddesses." Percy said with finality. He looked over at me, and Annabeth and all the people in the audience. "I can't promise that I'll never cause so much trouble ever again, but I can promise I'll do everything in my power to fix it. Demigods don't have the luxury of being invisible to mortals as you do, we influence the world more than you ever will whether it's intentional or not." he finished.
For the first time ever I could actually imagine Percy as being like one of those Greek Heroes I used to fantasize about at a kid. The humble, troubled yet happy friend I knew was replaced by someone almost completely different. He stood tall and confident and spoke with such conviction it could fool just about anyone.
"He speaks the truth." Nico agreed.
"We want peace. The death of one is terrible, but more death is intolerable." Annabeth added.
"Yeah I can testify to that. Dad doesn't want any more congestion in the death lines, traffic is bad enough as it is." Nico added nonchalantly checking his nails, as if talking about death and Hell was no big deal. The inquisitor sighed looking vastly annoyed.
"Does anyone have anything to repute these claims?" she asked her voice ringing through the hall on deaf ears as no one stood up to speak.
"Very well, this court will take a brief recess as the clave discusses the case when we return…" she said looking at me and the demigods pointedly.
'We'll share our decision." She finished with a crack of her gavel.
That crack hardened my resolve, but as I looked towards Percy and his friends. I noticed how he had looked more at peace than I've seen him look in what felt like a long time. I was confident that they would get off free, and if they didn't. I swear on the Angel...