A Life for a Life

Chapter 3

A/N: Thanks to everyone for your amazing reviews! I just wanted to say to the Will fans out there, don't be discouraged. He will have his happy ending and a big part in the story.

I do not own anything!

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1 year later

Will slammed his fist down on the table were they all were seated. "It's been more than a year and we still haven't found Mortmain. Who knows what he is planning."

Charlotte rubbed her temples, probably forcing away a head ache. "We are all frustrated Will, but there is no need to be so loud." As if to prove a point a baby started to cry a few rooms down. "You see." Charlotte said while standing up to tend to her child. Will paid no attention and kept pacing. His face dark as a storm cloud.

"I feel the same as you do Will, but we have no leads. Nothing to go on." Jem stood next to Will. Both of them were full Shadownhunters now and to Tessa it seemed like they radiated power.

"Maybe it's time we have a little visit with our friends the Lightwoods?" Will and Jem shared a glance as if they both knew what the other was thinking. Obviously they both thought this was a good plan.

Tessa sighed. "If you two are planning on going through with this at least take me with you. Someone has to keep you two out of trouble."

Will looked appalled. "You might think your husband needs a caretaker, but I -" Will stopped when Jem put a hand on his shoulder. "Let me give you some advice brother. When your wife says something, you simply obey or face the death of a hundred flies."

Will simply rolled his eyes. Tessa wanted to swat him playfully, but ended up falling forward. Before she hit the ground two strong arms caught her by the waist. It was Will. "Are you okay Tess?" He said while still cradling her in his arms. Tessa locked gazes with Will. His eyes were full of concern and it tugged at her heartstrings, but like always she pushed the emotion down.

"I'm fine. Just got a little light headed." Tessa stared at Will for a few seconds longer before getting up on her feet. "Well, we better get going." Tessa said awkwardly. Jem squeezed her hand. "I'll bring the carriage around."

In a few minutes the carriage was in front of the Institute and ready to go. Will wanted to get up on the driver seat, but Jem stopped him. "I think I should drive. Heaven knows Benedict Lightwood will never let us in if he sees you first." Will pictured the look on Gabriel face and gave a cocky smile. "O well, if you insist." He then got into the carriage with Tessa and they drove off.

Will sat awkwardly in front of Tessa, knowing that if he didn't say something the entire drive will be awkward. "You know it's the first time we are alone in over a year?"

Tessa looked at him with shock. Had it been a year? Had she been avoiding him that long? Will thought Tessa wouldn't answer so he continued. "I know we have been avoiding each other, but I don't think it's healthy or normal." A little shocked by Will's conversation Tessa spoke. "Go on." Will took a deep breath. "I know it's been hard for us to be around each other, but I want to be around my parabotai and enjoy it. I want to be happy to see both of you without worrying about my emotions.

Tessa nodded. "I know what you mean." Will gave a small smile. "Can't we put our feelings towards each other into friendship? I know it's going to be hard and it's not entirely what I want, but it's something. I would rather be with you as a friend than not be with you at all." Tessa felt her heart soften. Never in a million years had she thought she would be having this discussion with Will and in a way she agreed with him. "I guess we could try." Will's smile widened. "It will take some practice, but I'm sure we will be able to do it."

At that the carriage stopped and Will got out to help Tessa down. "Strange. No one came out to greet us. Not even servants." Jem noted. Will looked around curiously. "I'm getting a bad feeling about this."

They headed up the steps towards the door. Jem extended his hand to knock, but was surprised when the door creaked open when he touched it. Will gave them both a worried glance, before entering the house. Both Will and Jem were in Shadowhunter mode. Their blades were out and they were patrolling the house. All the windows were closed which cast the house in an eerie black.

Tessa moved forward to inspect a mantel for dust, but it was perfectly clean. Strange. Tessa thought. She shrugged, turned around and bumped into a tall figure in front of her. She let out a small scream before the person caught her wrists. "What are you doing here downworlder?"

Tessa recognised the voice instantly as Gabriel's. "You scared me." Tessa said breathlessly. Gabriel snarled. "Trust me, it takes all my strength not to do worse to you."

Tessa saw the hate in Gabriel's eyes. She had never seen him like this before. "What happened to you?" Gabriel pulled Tessa towards him roughly making her wrists ache. "You happened. My life was perfect till you arrived. My father isn't the man he was. My brother won't even talk to me." Gabriel's face was now red with anger.

Tessa felt fear rising inside of her. Would he really do something to hurt her? She tried to tug her wrists free of Gabriel's grip. "You are hurting me."

Just then Tessa's prayers were answered when Jem's voice rose not far from them. "Get your hands off my wife." Tessa turned her gaze and saw Will and Jem a few steps away from them.

Gabriel laughed. "You accuse my father of fraternizing with warlocks, but you go ahead and marry one." Jem's face went bright red with anger and his knuckles around his sward whitened. "She's more human than you will ever be." Will spat. "Now let her go."

Gabriel spun Tessa around so that she was blocking him from Will and Jem. "Make me Herondale." Jem took a step forward which caused Gabriel to put his hand around Tessa's throat. "No sudden moves Carstairs or you will see your wife die in front of your eyes. Which is a change of pace for you isn't it? Normally people watch you die."

That made Tessa's blood boil and before she knew it she was seeing red. She elbowed Gabriel in the stomach which made him stagger back. She then turned around and kicked him in the groin. Gabriel sank to the floor with a groan of pain. "Don't you ever talk to my husband like that! He is more of a man than you will ever be!"

"Tessa." Will said, but she didn't listen and went on.

"And furthermore, you should be ashamed of calling yourself a shadowhunter!"

"Tessa!"

"Not to mention putting your hands on a lady like that!"

"TESSA!" both the boys yelled.

"What?" she turned towards the boys, but before she could find out what she saw the floor came up to greet her before everything went black.

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Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Thanks again for reading!