Chapter 5

Tessa had convinced Will to let her watch Jem. She would not have been able to sleep if she hadn't, but now she was sleeping. She was curled up in skinny jeans and a black tank top in his armchair when Will walked in.

Will walked over to her and picked her up. He carried her to her bedroom and over to her bed. He set her down onto the white satin comforter and took off her worn convers. Then he lifted her feet and pulled the blankets down under them. He wrapped her securely in them and walked back to the door.

Will glanced at her sleeping figure one more time before shutting her door quietly behind him. He walked silently back to his room and flipped open his laptop. He entered the day Jem had another attack. He was tracking how many times they were happening.

The date was March 14th…the day before Tessa's birthday. He read that in one of her letters that she wrote when she was imprisoned at the dark sisters. He needed to do something! She had such a hard time lately.

In the morning Will jogged up to Cecily in the morning. They were on their way to breakfast.

"Little sister," he greeted her. "I need you to take Tessa out today."

"Why?" she asked.

"Because she told me that she doesn't have a dress for the ball yet and she can't go into the city alone with Mortmain on the loose."

"Well, I suppose I don't have a dress either."

They continued in silence down the corridor to the dining room. Cecily had one of Will's arms draped around her shoulders. It was comforting to have her brother again. She had missed him for so long.

They walked into the dining room and greeted Charlotte and Henry. They sat down side by side. Charlotte stared at the two of them. The resemblance was startling. Anyone would be able to tell they were from the same family.

"Where's Jem and Tessa?" asked Charlotte.

Will's tone turned serious as he said, "Jem had another attack last night. Tessa was up late watching him and she is probably still asleep. I asked Sophie not to wake her."

"That's three times this month," said Charlotte.

"I know," said Will. The breakfast continued on in silence. Henry was making sure Charlotte ate every piece of fruit on the table ensuring the baby got good nutrition. Will and Cecily chatted about the upcoming ball and how scared the guests faces will look when they realize there are two Herondales.

After breakfast Cecily made her way to Tessa's room with a small plate of warm food. She opened the door quietly and walked over to Tessa's bed. She set the plate on the nightstand and herself on the edge of the bed.

She lightly tapped Tessa's arm until Tessa's eyes fluttered open. Tessa sat up slowly and said, "Cecily, is everything alright?"

"Oh yes, I was just wondering if you wanted to go dress shopping today. The ball is coming up in a few days and I have nothing to wear."

"Ummm, Jem is still sick in bed," said Tessa worriedly.

"Not to worry! Sophie is taking care of him and Jem is just sleeping he'll be fine!" she pleaded. Tessa looked into the girl's eyes. It was funny how much she looked like Will.

"Fine," Tessa said in defeat. "Give me twenty minutes to eat and get ready. Meet me at the gate."

"Yay! See you in twenty!"

Tessa got up from her bed and eyed the food on her nightstand. She was not hungry at all. She shuffled over to her dresser and pulled out her Aunt's picture. She started to soundlessly sob. It was March 15th, her birthday, and the day her aunt died.