Chapter 31
It was the second day of Magnus' trial, and you could have heard a pin drop in the courtroom as Janus Dark made his way to the witness box. The elderly potion maker looked anything but pleased to be there, as he settled into the hard wooden chair reserved for those who were required to shed light on matters of the court. It was the culmination of several trying days he'd spent as a guest of the Clave. Why couldn't they understand that he wanted nothing to do with these unpleasant matters, and leave him alone? Obviously, even Russia had not been far enough away to keep him safe this time!
The Prosecutor, Thomas Crestwell rose from his seat, and approached the witness. "Please, state your name and occupation for the Court;" He stated with a cold confidence that might have rattled a more nervous witness.
"My name is Janus Dark, and I am a potion maker;" Dark replied calmly, adjusting his half-moon spectacles, an affectation as he had no real need of them. They, as so much else about his appearance, designed disguise and dissemble. He had told Magnus, years ago, the old were practically invisible in this age-conscious society, and he liked it that way.
"How long have you practiced this profession Mr. Dark? Crestwell asked, his voice friendly, almost conversational.
"Centuries." Janus snapped, wondering why on earth that was important, and wishing to get this whole distasteful business over with as quickly as possible. Public spectacles like this were bad for business. Many of his clients expected discretion with their purchases.
"And are you considered a proficient potion maker?" Crestwell continued, ignoring Dark's irritation, and the fact that he had in all likelihood insulted the man.
A flush of anger tinged Janus' cheeks; "I am one of the best potion makers alive today;"
"The defendant, Magnus Bane;" The prosecutor said pointing to the table where Magnus sat with his advocate; "is one of your clients, is he not?"
"I have many clients!" Janus sputtered, trying to insinuate that he couldn't be expected to remember all of them, although he knew he wasn't fooling anyone. Magnus was far too well known and flamboyant not to make a lasting impression.
Thomas Crestwell smiled at the witness's discomfort, and said slyly; "Including Magnus Bane?"
Janus closed his eyes and sighed; "Yes, High Warlock Bane is a client."
"Four years ago, almost to the day, Magnus Bane purchased a number of ingredients from you. Please tell the court what those ingredients are used for." The prosecutor's tone had gone from friendly, to cold and stern. He expected an answer, and knew Dark was in no position to deny him one.
Looking very uncomfortable now, Janus Dark spoke softly, almost apologetically; "T-they are used, along with blood and seed to create a magical pregnancy;"
"Did you ask the defendant why he needed these ingredients when the magic is illegal to perform?" Crestwell persisted.
"N-no, I warned him that I had only seen a list of ingredients like it once before, and that it ended very badly." Janus Dark vividly remembered his own words to Magnus that day, when the High Warlock had asked him what he meant about it ending badly; 'An extraordinarily beautiful child, very powerful, but no empathy, no soul, an abomination. And the parents, both killed.' He would not say those words today, because today he knew better.
"Did Magnus Bane come to you for any other extraordinary items around that time? Mr. Dark... Mr. Dark!" The prosecutor's voice rose as his witness sat engrossed in his own thoughts. The courtroom erupted in nervous twitters until the Chief justice called them back to order, by threatening to clear the gallery.
Gathering himself, Janus Dark asked Crestwell to repeat the question, although he had, in fact, heard it the first time. Before he could answer, however, the defence advocate was on his feet.
"Objection, what is the relevance of this line of questioning?" Asher asked as if the prosecutor was wasting the court's time and needed to be reined in accordingly.
Addressing the Chief Justice, Thomas Crestwell replied; "It goes to the defendant's mindset your honour, his willingness to flaunt Clave and Coven law."
Chief Justice Gray looked sternly at the prosecutor before replying; "I will allow the witness to answer the question, but there had better be a point here, advocate."
Crestwell repeated the question, and Dark knew there was no more time, no reprieve from what was to come. He had made his deal with the devil when he turned a blind eye to the Hellfire Club, and though he'd much rather say nothing further of his dealings with Magnus Bane, it had been made perfectly clear to Dark that he must answer the questions put to him, or risk facing charges himself. "I sold High Warlock Bane an old spell book;"
"An old spell book, how innocuous!" Crestwell said his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Please tell the court just which 'old' spell book you sold the defendant, and its significance." The prosecutor was getting tired of Janus Dark's attempts to down play his actions, and the actions of Magnus Bane.
"The Malefactorum;" Dark replied softly; "One of the most powerful, difficult and evil spell books ever written. It is said to have been authored by a Prince of Hell himself, Asmodeus." Janus Dark was aware of the tension in the room, and the sharp glances he received from the two warlock justices. The Malefactorum was banned by both Clave and Coven, and his own possession of it had been highly illegal.
"Did the accused tell you why he wanted the book?" Crestwell asked.
"No, he did not;"
Crestwell turned to the Justices and indicated he had finished with the witness. It was time for Asher to cross-examine the potion maker, and Janus Dark found himself wishing this horrendous day was over.
Isabelle Lightwood, who had been sitting behind the defense table, found herself willing Asher to get up and eviscerate Janus Dark. The man's testimony had been very damning, especially that gratuitous bit about the Malefactorum, which made it seem as though Magnus thought nothing of flouting Clave and Coven law, not to mention that it was written by Magnus father, Asmodeus. No mention of that evil git, in connection with Magnus was a good thing.
Asher rose slowly from his chair and approached the witness box, a gentle smile on his handsome face. "I realize you have had a long day, but I would like to ask you a bit more about those ingredients my client purchased. According to your earlier testimony, you warned my Client their use had previously ended very badly. Can you explain what you meant by that?"
Janus Dark shifted uncomfortably on his hard wooden seat; "T-there is a rather well known story about a warlock, Chance Malum and a shadowhunter, Alexandra Whitelaw who fell in love, married and wanting a child, turned to magic to make it happen. The upshot of that magical pregnancy was said to be an extraordinarily beautiful child with no soul, an abomination;" Dark paused for a moment to catch his breath before continuing; "Chance Malum and the child were killed. Alexandra was stripped of her marks and died shortly after."
"And did you believe that story to be true:" Asher asked.
"I did, hence my warning to High Warlock Bane."
"And do you still believe it?"
"In all respects, but two. The child of that unfortunate couple did not die, nor was he an abomination. He was a warlock, a gifted potion maker, and my friend;"
The gasp from the spectators broke the stillness of courtroom and forced the Chief Justice to call the room back to order. Crestwell was on his feet about to question the relevance of this information to the case at hand, when Asher indicated that he was finished with the witness, although he reserved the right to recall Dark to the stand.
It was far too late in the afternoon to call another witness, so the court was adjourned for the day. Isabelle watched as a stoic Magnus was escorted back to the cells. She hoped Asher knew what he was doing, It would destroy Alec if his beloved husband was found guilty. A guilty verdict for Magnus would also mean Alec would be stripped of his marks, and it would never again be safe for Aiden to see his family.
She felt Maryse's hand on her shoulder and knowing it was time, turned to follow her out of the courtroom.