A Life for a Life

Chapter 9

A/N: Once again I would like to thank all of you for the wonderful reviews. It is highly appreciated. Every time I check my email it is wonderful to see that more and more people are reading my story. Thanks to each and every one of you!

I do not own anything

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Tessa sat in one of the couches in her bedroom, while fiddling with her fingers. Jem had gone to see the council early that day and the stress was driving her mad. Will placed one of his hands over Tessa's in order to still her hands. She gave him a half smile. She was glad to have his company. If she was alone, she would have probably been in a worse state. "You need to calm down Tess. Stress is not good for the baby."

Tessa smirked. "Since when do you know about babies?"

Will put his hand over his heart in mocked offence. "I do have a younger sister you know."

Tessa laughed and raised her hands in defeat. "Okay, okay. I am sorry."

There was a soft knock at the door, followed by Sophie and Magnus. "I am glad to see that you are smiling again miss." Sophie said while taking a seat next to Tessa. "I agree. A happy mother makes for a happy baby." Magnus piped in.

Tessa sighed and shook her head. "You three are worse than Jem, but thank you for your concern."

They all sat like that for a while, just talking about random things that will keep Tessa's mind of Jem. Their main goal was to keep Tessa calm and relaxed. However, this calm atmosphere was broken when Jem suddenly burst through the door. Upon seeing Jem they all shot up, while Tessa ran to his side.

"Jem!" Tessa shouted as she encircled him with her arms. Jem was red in the face, out of breath and panting heavily. He grabbed Tessa's face between his hands and that is when Tessa realised that there was fear in his eyes.

"Are you alright Jem?" Will said with concern while placing a hand on his parabotai's back. Jem shook his head. After a few more breaths he spoke. "I came as fast as I could."

Tessa could see that it had been a long time since Jem had taken his drugs. His eyes were starting to turn silver, as well as his hair. "Maybe you should rest for a while." Tessa suggested.

"No!" Jem almost shouted. "The council has given their verdict." At that the entire room fell silent. Tessa instantly shielded her stomach with her hands as if it would protect the baby from the news. "They want me to take Tessa to them."

"Why?" Will said half angrily.

Jem looked at Will with sad eyes. "Their decision was unanimous. Termination."

Sophie made a squeaking sound at the news, while Will hit the wall next to him with surprising force. "But they can't. It is just an innocent baby." Tessa said and felt her legs turn into jelly. Jem pulled her closer in order to steady her. "I promise that no one will hurt our baby. I would rather die."

Will nodded in agreement. "We need to get you somewhere safe. Somewhere no one will think of looking for you."

Magnus cleared his throat in order to get everyone's attention. "It may not ne my place to speak, but I do believe that I know a place where Tessa would be safe."

Jem turned towards Magnus with a grateful smile. "Any help you give will be much appreciated old friend."

Magnus nodded. "I have a few homes strewn all over the area, but I believe one will be very appropriate. No one knows about it except for me and I rarely go there myself."

"Sounds perfect." Will said.

"It is a cottage far away from here in the middle of the woods. It use to belong to my mother. It would be a pleasure to lend it to you." Tessa smiled at him thankfully and before thinking clearly gave him a hug.

Magnus froze in shock, but after a while relaxed a little bit. "Thank you Magnus." Magnus simply shrugged. "It is no problem at all. Besides that place needs some happy memories after all these years."

"It is settled then. Now we need to hurry. The sooner we leave the better our chances are to get away unnoticed." Will said while silently praying for the best.

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Mortmain sat in a black leather chair with an evil smile spread across his face. Benedict Lightwood had brought him the news that the Clave was after Tessa and that she was on the run. "If she is pregnant, it means that she is vulnerable and if I capture her as well as the baby then I will have two powerful weapons."

Benedict Lightwood stared at him uncomfortably. "But Magister, she will be protected around the clock by her shadowhunter friends."

Mortmain waved his comment away. "No need to worry. While her friends concentrate on protecting her from the Clave, we will come up from behind them and capture her right from under their noses. It is the perfect distraction." Mortmain said followed by a wickedly cruel chuckle.

Benedict still looked a little unsure which caused Mortmain to continue. "Besides, if any one of them thinks about getting in my way they will face the wrath of my mechanical devices. No lives will be spared."

Mortmain reached for a cigar nearby and started to puff on it. "Now let me send some of the devices to find out where my sweet Tessa is staying. I bet she misses me so."

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Thanks to everyone for reading the chapter. Hope you enjoyed it! I know it is a little bit short. Until next time.