a/n: Okay, now THIS is the longest chapter I've ever written (close to 4,300 words), and all this is my own (none of CC's).
Chapter 2—The Enclave
The first thing Charlotte did after Tessa announced her intention to leave was call a meeting of the Enclave. "They need to know your decision to leave," she said. "And we might be able to convince them to get you a portal back to New York, rather than put you on a steamer. Anyways, the Conclave in New York will need to be informed about your…abilities. We wouldn't want any nasty surprises."
Will snorted when he heard that. "Oh yes," he remarked snidely, his eye narrowed spitefully. "Tell them all to hide—the monster is coming!"
"Will!" Charlotte gasped. Henry's eyes widened and he dropped the toy he was tinkering on. Tessa's own hands clenched in her lap and she blinked her eyes to hold back the sudden wave of tears. She wished it didn't hurt so much when he said things like that, but cruelty like that can touch even the most unfeeling of people. They finished their dessert in tense silence, no one saying much of anything. Tessa looked resolutely down at her lap for the rest of her meal, and when dinner was finally finished and she could escape, she practically ran from the room.
Jem surprised everyone when he was the one to come to Tessa's defense. "You've really done it now, William!" Will felt the judgment and anger coming from his best friend. No matter what Will had done in the past, Jem had almost never gotten angry with him. At most, Jem had only ever felt mildly exasperated. "You couldn't just lay off! We're all upset she's leaving, but that doesn't excuse your behavior! Why can't you just give it a rest?" With one more disapproving, and almost pleading, glance at Will, Jem stood up and followed Tessa from the room.
Will stared down at the table in silence. He knew Jem was right, and that made him even more upset. And he saw the way Jem looked at Tessa—Tessa, the girl he…he what? Loved? Liked? What? He knew Jem had feelings for Tessa, and every time Will saw Jem look at her that way he was blinded with jealousy. It made him want to rip something apart.
"Will?" Charlotte broke him out of his reverie. His head snapped up to look at the older woman, his blue eyes slightly dazed. Her brow was creased and she regarded him wearily, as if she was afraid he would break. "The Enclave will be here soon," she said tentatively. "Can you go find Jem and Tessa? Sophie's gone to fetch Jessamine. It would be better if we were all there." Her face suddenly looked sad, and ten years older.
Will stood up stiffly and nodded. "I'll go…find them. We'll meet you in the library." With that Will was off, striding with purpose, but still looking as if he was in some sort of melancholy trance. In his head all he could think was Tessa is leaving. Tessa—my Tess—is going away because of me, and I'll never see her again. Tessa is leaving.
.~***~.
Tessa was sitting alone in the library when Will found her, She didn't hear his approach, completely absorbed in the pages of whatever book she was reading. Will stood in the shadows of the great room simply watching her. He watched the rise and fall of her chest as she breathed peacefully; he watched the way her hands skimmed the pages delicately and lovingly; he watched as she swept her hair behind her ear every time it fell in her face. And the more Will watched the more he wanted to run up to her, bury his face in her hands and weep. He wanted to apologize over and over for his words while she stoked his head the way she stroked the pages of her books—like she loved him.
But he knew he couldn't, because she was leaving. And Will was afraid if he told her his feelings now, after all the wrong he had done to her today, that she wouldn't believe him. He was afraid instead she would hate him even more, and he thought he would die of misery if she left, hating him. He thought he might just shrivel up like a dead butterfly. Even if she does believe me he thought what future could we have? I am a Shadowhunter, and she is a warlock—maybe something else entirely. A life together would be doomed for us.
And standing there, watching her, Will felt another piece of his heart grow cold. When he could stand it no longer he turned and walked away, a cold mask settling over his haunted features.
.~***~.
"Miss Lovelace?" Sophie asked, slowly stepping into Jessamine's bedroom. It was the largest occupied bedroom in the Institute, as Jessamine had demanded, and was nearly twice the size of Charlotte and Henry's, even though they were married and headed the establishment.
Sophie's quick eyes darted around the room in search of the lovely lady. She found her thrown across her bed, her face buried deep in her feather pillows. Her shoulders rose and fell as if she were sobbing, but when she looked up at the sound of the door opening, her face was free of tear stains. "Oh, it's just you," Jessamine sniffed. Her eyes raked up and down Sophie in a way that made Sophie feel smaller. Jessamine never failed to inform Sophie how improper she considered to younger girl. You're dress is all wrong, you silly girl. That isn't proper servant attire she would say, or Maids don't talk, Sophie. I can't understand why Charlotte won't get rid of you—servants need to know their places! "I thought maybe someone important might have come after me," Jessamine said. Her face showed her unhappiness at being forgotten by all except the lowly servant girl. Sophie bit her tongue to keep from saying something rude.
"Mrs Branwell sent me to summon you to the Library. The Enclave is coming and she wishes for you to be present at the meeting."
"And why should I be interested in the Enclave? I've told Charlotte I've no interest in being a Shadowhunter! Tell her she can keep her scheming to herself!"
Sophie had to bite her tongue again—she thought she tasted blood—to keep herself from saying something she knew she would regret. "Please, Miss Lovelace, Mrs Branwell insists! The meeting was called in regards to Miss Gray's request to leave the Institute."
Jessamine sat up. "Leave? Tessa is leaving?"
"Yes, Miss."
Jessamine's eyes lit up. "This is wonderful!" she exclaimed. "Tessa can take me with her!" Jessamine jumped out of bed and nearly ran—nearly, because ladies don't run—in the direction of the Library, Sophie scuttling along close behind, looking noticeably uneasy.
.~***~.
"Will, is that you?" Jem asked when he heard the sound of his door opening and shutting again softly. He carefully set his violin on its stand and looked over his shoulder. Sure enough, Will was leaning against the door, head down and dark hair covering his face.
"What's wrong?" asked Jem, not expecting an answer. Will hardly ever let anyone see him upset, he was the kind of person who would bury his feelings so deep inside himself no one would ever know they existed. He would cover them up with silly words and crazy actions.
"What do you feel for Tessa?" Will blurted. Jem blinked in surprise, and Will looked nearly as shocked. His blue eyes, now wide and watching Jem, were troubled, and Jem could clearly see the dark bags under them he hadn't noticed at dinner. Wills hands were fisted in his trouser pockets and the muscles in his neck looked strained.
Jem took a second to consider before he answered honestly. "I care for her—" Will sucked in a slow, agonizing breath, "—and I would like to take things further with her."
"Further?" Will nearly choked.
Jem studied his friend. "Tessa is special, Will, as I'm sure you know. There's just something about her…"
"But she's a warlock! Surely you can't think anything could come of a relationship with her."
"I know she isn't one of us." Jem said smoothly. "But I've decided I don't really care."
"You don't care?" Will's shock was evident. "But what about the Clave?"
"Frankly, I've learned not to pay much attention to what the Clave has to say about me," he said plainly. His eyes darted to the box of powder sitting on his mantle, an action Will's own eyes caught and catalogued.
Will's shoulders slowly drooped, and his entire body seemed to wilt. "So you don't care that she isn't like us? You'll still go after her?" Jem studied his friend for a moment. Jem knew Will had feelings for Tessa (it was painfully obvious), and he strongly suspected Tessa returned the sentiments. He wasn't a fool, Jem also knew Will had something to do with Tessa's decision to leave.
"I know you're in love with Tessa, Will," Jem said.
Will immediately shot up, and Jem thought he looked like a child who had just been caught with his hand in a cookie jar. "I—no! How can you say that?"
Jem chuckled sadly. "It's okay, William. You don't have to be ashamed. It's alright to love someone."
Will didn't say anything for a long time. Jem could tell he was deep in thought, but when Will glanced up again, smiling, the dark haired boy snorted arrogantly and said, "Ashamed? Me?" Jem outright laughed at the joke. Will's face sobered again. "But in all seriousness…James, I wouldn't…if you're serious about Tessa than—"
"I am serious about her, William—more serious than anything else. That's why I'm doing this. I'm not stupid, Will. I see the way you look at her—like a blind man who's seen his first sunset. I can tell you're in love with her."
"James—"
"No, let me finish! I know you love her, Will, and I'm okay with that." Will's head snapped up in surprise. "I'm okay with it because I know she loves you, too!" Will's eyes widened and he suddenly had to fight a grin. "I want you both to be happy, Will, and I know she feels for you in ways she doesn't feel for me. So I want you to make her happy—because I can't." Jem smiled bittersweetly.
Will fell back against the wall, a little stunned and with a lot to think about. So this was it then? Jem was willing to step aside for Will and Tessa's benefit. And the Clave—well, Will knew if Jem could forget them so could he. Will could make Jem proud, as a token of gratefulness.
"The happiness Will felt then was like that of a drowning man who had been thrown a life vest. Tessa was within is reach! He felt like he could breathe again, and a grin spread across his face, his eyes brightening. He beamed at his friend, pouring all his thankfulness and gratitude into his smile.
"But, Will?" Jem said. "If you hurt her, so help me god, I'll make you regret it," he said, his eyes fierce.
Will nodded slowly at Jem. "I won't, Jem. I'll make her happy."
Jem smiled back, and turned back to pick up his violin. "Oh, Jem!" Will said, remembering what he had come in for in the first place. "Charlotte sent me to fetch you. We were to meet her in the library to meet with the Enclave ten minutes ago!"
.~***~.
Tessa stood awkwardly between Charlotte and Jessamine as the Enclave seated themselves at the huge, round table. No moonlight came through the tall windows into the dim room, and the candles gave the entire place an eerie glow, bathing everyone's faces in shadows and making them seem to Tessa all the more foreboding. Tessa was obviously nervous, shifting from one foot to the other, but she stopped herself when Jessamine whacked her on her derriere with the small fan she carried. "Stop looking so nervous, dear Tessa," Jessamine said with a sly wink and a smile. Tessa's eyebrows shot up, nearly to her hairline. "It will all be over soon, and you'll be safely on your way."
"Tessa, Jessamine, have a seat," Charlotte said, looking slightly flustered. Tessa thought it must be difficult hosting Enclave meetings when your husband and fellow head was lost inside his head. Not to mention the looks Benedict Lightwood shot her every time Henry mumbled to himself. She tried not to let her pity show though; worried it might hurt Charlotte's pride.
Charlotte pulled out a chair herself and sat, and the two girls followed suite. Tessa noted two empty seats on her right where Jem and Will should have been seated, and she didn't miss Gabriel Lightwood's pointed look at the empty seats when George Penhallow questioned their whereabouts. "Seems to me they've decided they had better things to do," Gabriel said smugly, his green eyes glinting.
"Au contraire, my dear Gabriel!" Will's voice echoed loudly in the large room as he threw open the doors and waltzed in, looking for the world like a king who was late to his own assembly. Jem followed behind him, smiling sheepishly at Charlotte. Tessa thought Jem looked particularly mild next to his companion. "We are in fact very interested in what is to be said here, today." Gabriel glared daggers at Will's positively feral grin. Just as Gabriel opened his mouth to deliver some scathing retort, Charlotte quickly interrupted.
"Sit down boys, we're just about to start!"
Will sauntered to his seat (conveniently the one directly to the right of Tessa) and made a grand show of sitting down, no doubt to rub it in Gabriel Lightwoods face. "Good evening, chaps!" he said cheekily. Audaciously, he reached out his hand and grabbed Mr. Penhallow's own, shaking it vigorously. "Mr. Penhallow, how are you?" He quickly moved down the line of Enclave members, shaking everyone's hands like they were long lost friends. Charlotte's head had dropped into her hands by the time Will reached Gabriel Lightwood, who downright refused to touch the boy in any way. "Aren't you going to say 'lo, Gabriel?" Will teased sardonically.
"If we could please get started," Benedict Lightwood said disdainfully, glaring darkly at Will. "Some of us have other places to be tonight, and don't have time to waste on attention-seeking glocks (1) !" Will's smile remained plastered to his face, but his eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Gracious," said Jem. "You do have a point." He turned to the younger Lightwood. "I'm afraid Will doesn't have time for you tonight, Gabriel. You best come back round tomorrow." Will scoffed and Gabriel turned red with anger.
"Alright!" Charlotte said loudly, eyes wide and skittish. "Er—moving on!" Her eyes darted between Will and Benedict, who had yet to break eye contact, and she spoke briskly "I called you all here this evening because I wish to inform you that I have offered Miss Gray permanent residence here at the Institute." Immediately, there were cries of surprise, but Tessa was surprised when there were no obvious objections. "This evening at dinner, however, Miss Gray declined my invitation." Charlotte spoke slowly, as if she was choosing her words carefully, but Tessa didn't know why Charlotte would be hesitant to tell the Enclave her story. "She has announced her intention to return to New York." Then the objections came.
"And what of the Magister? He will only follow her to New York and cause trouble there."
"Is it safe to let someone with her…ability loose?"
"She isn't an animal to be caged."
"How can we be sure she isn't dangerous?"
"It would be beneficial to the Clave is she were to stay here."
Tessa could feel eyes watching her critically from all sides as the discussion went on, and when she looked up she caught Gabriel Lightwood's stare. His bright green eyes were contemplating her, and he was frowning slightly. Tessa wondered why Gabriel Lightwood of all people would be frowning at her. But then Gabriel's gaze darted to her right—to Will—and back again, and she understood. Slowly, a smile slid across, reminding Tessa of a shark.
Tessa glanced at Will out of the corner of her eye and right away wished she hadn't. Will was ogling her unblinkingly. Tessa wanted to squirm under his stare, and when she looked again, turning in her seat slightly Will grabbed her hand under the table. Tessa froze. She knew she shouldn't like the way his thumb grazed over her skin, or when she used his fingers to rub her muscles in a deep massage, but she couldn't help it when the air left her body in a whoosh and a soft sigh escaped. Her eyes glued themselves to her lap now.
Tessa could feel his eyes burning with intensity—And desire? No, that's ridiculous! She thought— and she was surprised his gaze hadn't burned a hole in her skin. How was everyone else oblivious to what was going on between them? The Enclave kept on with their conversation, but Tessa thought they must hear her heart beating—it was thumping so hard she was worried it would beat out of her chest. But that wasn't true was it? Gabriel knew. Tessa looked up at him again and wasn't surprised when she saw him watching her. His eyes darted pointedly to her lap and back up, and Tessa blushed, automatically giving them away.
"Tess," Will whispered slowly and seductively. Tessa's eyes widened and snapped up to his. Suddenly, she thought he was leaning towards her slightly and she couldn't look away from his lips—his soft, pink lips. His tongue darted out to wet them and Tessa felt the breath leave her body. Her eyes connected with his.
"What do you think, Tessa?" And Charlotte's voice broke the moment, and Tessa was yanked back to reality—the reality in which Will did not want her here; the reality in which she was leaving. She bolted up in her seat and snatched her hand away from Will.
"S—Sorry?" Tessa stammered, her face flushing. She could feel Will next to her try to stifle his guffaws.
"The Enclave has decided to set up a portal, tomorrow morning."
"A portal?"
"Magnus Bane is coming to set it up. It will return you to New York—it's cheaper and faster than one of those mundane boats."
"Oh—yes, of course, a portal."
"Tessa? Are you sure you're alright?"
"Yes! Yes, I'm perfectly fine, thank you."
"Then it's settled. Tomorrow morning at ten o'clock Miss Gray will be safely back in America, under the responsibility of the New York Conclave." Tessa half-expected someone to pull a gavel out of their jacket and strike the table. "She will take up permanent residence at the Institute there."
"Wait—what?" Permanent residence? Tessa felt like she had been doused in cold water. No—no! It wasn't supposed to work out like that! What just happened? "Wait! Where? Why?" But everyone was already standing up to leave, paying no attention to her now. Quickly (much quicker than they came) the Enclave left, exiting haughtily through the Library's imposing doors. Tessa groaned and sank down in her seat.
"I'll return tomorrow morning with Magnus Bane," Benedict said to Charlotte in parting when he was the only one left. Henry had disappeared into his laboratory, and Jessamine and Jem had retired to their rooms. "Expect us at a quarter to nine."
"Of course. I'll show you out," Charlotte said.
The tall man strode out, Charlotte following. "Come along, Gabriel," Benedict said without looking back.
"I'll be there in a moment, Father." Gabriel said. He leaned against the door, watching Will stare longingly at Tessa from across the room. When Charlotte and Benedict had gone, he kicked the Library door shut with a smooth swing of his heel, catching the dark-haired boy's attention. Will crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. "Problem, Gabriel?"
Gabriel didn't answer Will. Instead he turned to Tessa with a mocking smirk. "How long's he been playing with you, you poor girl?" he asked bluntly.
Tessa's eyes widened. "Excuse me?"
Gabriel walked up to her and took a tender hold of her chin in his soft hand. Tessa was surprised at how gentle he was. "I can't say I'm surprised, William," he said. His eyes raked Tessa's body. "She isn't bad looking. For a warlock." He winked at Tessa, and suddenly all she wanted to do was wench her face from Gabriel's hold and shrink back. "And you always go after the pretty ones."
Will's hands knotted into fists at his sides, and his eyes darkened. He watched, furious, as Gabriel trailed his hand up Tessa's arm and flitted his fingertips over her collarbone. "Let go of her."
"Or what?" asked Gabriel, turning toward him. Tessa backed away while Gabriel wasn't looking, but her eyes stayed locked on Will.
"Afraid I might dab it up (2) with her?" Tessa gasped at Gabriel crass comment.
Suddenly it was Will who was smirking, hostile. "Your sister didn't seem to mind so much when I was dabbing it up with her."
With lightening speed, Gabriel's hand swung at Will, who ducked just in time. Will swung a leg out from under him to trip Gabriel, but the other boy jumped over it. Will sprung up and kicked Gabriel in the stomach, sending him flying into the bookshelves. Gabriel groaned but stood up right away, his Shadowhunter training kicking in. With fury in their eyes the two boys flung themselves at each other. "Stop it! Stop it!" Tessa yelled at the skirmishing boys, but they didn't listen to a thing she said.
The sounds of crashing and yelling was what brought Charlotte back to the Library. She flung the doors open and rushed it. "WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?" When the two boys heard Charlotte they stopped right away. They were both breathing hard, with their eyes narrowed at each other.
Charlotte's calculating gaze raked over the disheveled boys and her face hardened. "Your father is waiting for you outside, Mr. Lightwood," Charlotte said coldly, holding the door open.
And with that, Gabriel straightened his clothes and strode out the same way as his father, throwing dirty looks over his shoulder at Will.
A/N
1 Glock: half-wit
2 Dab: bed. "To dab it up with_" = to engage in carnal acts with _.
I'm not really satisfied with this chapter, which is why the update came so late. I hope this still sounded as authentic as many of my reviewers said the first chapter did. And I hope I did Will justice. I'm especially nervous about how I portrayed his, ad Jem's, now that I think about it, character.
I just want to clarify that Will has chosen to ignore the fact that Tessa is a warlock and he is a Shadowhunter because Jem said that if he were to pursue Tessa, he wouldn't give a damn. Will admires his friends for that, and decides that if Jem can do it, so can he. I just thought that part was rushed and vague, so I wanted to make sure everyone got it. The reason I didn't go into detail with that was I basically just didn't want that to be an issue to deal with in this story.
Okay, I found this great description of Will that I wanted to share:
Seventeen-year-old Will is the sort of young man nice Victorian girls were warned against. He drinks, gambles, and enjoys the company of ladies of questionable virtue—at least, as much as he enjoys anything. Will hates everyone and everything, with the possible exception of Jem, and even that's in some doubt. Charlotte despairs of keeping him alive past the age of nineteen. When he finds himself oddly drawn to Tessa, his friends begin to hope that the Downworlder girl will prove Will's unlikely salvation—but as Tessa grows closer to the bleak secret that makes his life a prison, danger threatens to destroy them both if she ever finds out the truth.
I just thought that really puts his personality into perspective, but I also want to say that when I was reading the book he didn't really come off as angry to me (he didn't seem to hate all that much) but he came off as really silly. Am I the only one who got that?
Now compare Wills to Jace's:
Jace's sarcastic and cold remarks and behavior hides his tortured and angry demeanor, and his sarcasm is like his foster father's (Valentine). Jace is also left-handed (like Valentine). He is said that the only trait he got from his father was his attitude. Jace is also described as a player, having dated many girls before he met Clary.
Am I the only one who thinks they sound eerily similar? Dark, secretive players, cough cough. Well, they are related ;). I guess good looks and tortured childhoods are hereditary.