Responses to Reviews:

laurenathalasa: Maybe…. In the future? You'll have to wait and see. ;) But I do agree, poor Jem!

Sadie: I'm glad you liked the twist! Thank you. :)

thedarkwhiteangel: Thank you! I'm glad you like Clara. And I hope you enjoy it!

basil and dill: Wow, I loved reading all of your reviews! It really made my day, so thank you. I'm really glad that Clara is fitting and you like Will's 'gift.' I have read Graceling a while ago and enjoyed it, and it was a bit of an inspiration.

MortalShadowhunter: Hehe thanks ;) I completely agree.

Guest: I promise I'll keep Clara authentic, and she's definitely not perfect. Haha. Thank you for your thoughts!

yoitsyourstruly: Hehe, that was a great review. You can go assassinate Mortmain for me. ;) Hope you enjoy!

Will clenched his fists for the fifth time that day. Clave meetings, especially this one in particular, made him want to throw a chair at the wall. On second thought, he decided multiple chairs would be more satisfying, as he listened to Benedict and Charlotte argue.

"We have to plan carefully if we want to take the castle," Charlotte stated, pacing to the other side of the hall, and stopping to glance out the window. He observed the tired line of her shoulders, and the way strands of her hair fell out of her bun, showing her attention was elsewhere.

Benedict Lightwood, one of Will's least favourite people, stood up to address the crowd, his dark eyes roaming. "Are we really going to rush ahead and take it now, just because two people have been captured? We've had plenty that have been captured or killed in the past." He paused dramatically, revelling in the attention focussed on him. "What makes these two so special?"

"What makes them special?" Will practically growled, and he ignored the stares from the crowd as they turned to face him. "Is that a joke? Mortmain wants them for a reason, they're obviously important to him. It's in the Clave's best interest to rescue them. Jem is the only one with a healing 'gift' that we know of. You all saw him bring me back from the brink of death. And Tessa-" his voice nearly caught on her name. "Tessa is a valuable asset as well. Her shapeshifting 'gift' could be very useful in the future."

Shaking his head, Benedict raised his voice over Will's. "Still, two people is hardly a great loss. Taking the castle will cost us many more than that. Anyway, it may already be too late. They could be dead, for all we know."

It was too much for Will, and he was out of his seat before he knew what he was doing. He was slightly surprised when he felt no resistance, and he was reminded of the fact that Jem wasn't there to stop him, and pull him back into his seat. He moved swiftly towards Benedict, wanting to shake some sense into him, before Gideon stood up, and held out a hand to stop him.

"That's enough, Will," Gideon whispered, soft enough that people would have to strain to hear.

Will had trouble restraining his anger, and snapped back, "Of course you would defend your father."

Charlotte turned around to face them, a frown evident on her face. "Sit down, Will." The authority in her voice was hard to argue with, and he reluctantly did as she said.

She strolled back towards the assembly, pausing to gaze into everyone's eyes, so they could all feel like she was addressing them individually. "You're both right in your own way," she stated, holding her hand out to keep them quiet.

"Yes, Will's right, in that we must rescue them when we are able. But Benedict is also right about not rushing into anything. We've been considering how to take the castle for quite some time now, but we're still not ready. We need to gather more information, in the form of spies, and we need a solid plan. We won't make a move until we're ready."

Digging his nails into the palm of his hand, he fought to stop himself from jumping out of his chair again. Benedict, whom he could see out of the corner of his eye, was looking at him with a smug smile. But before he could even protest, Charlotte's gaze hardened on him.

"No one will act until I say so," she warned, her eyes burning into his. "If I have to physically restrain someone from leaving, then so be it. No one goes anywhere without my permission."

Benedict laughed, a humourless bark of a sound, and retook his seat. "Wise words, Charlotte. You wouldn't want the boy messing up your plans."

Charlotte ignored him, still focused on Will. "Do you understand?" she asked the crowd, although Will knew she was really aiming it at him.

"Yes, Lady Charlotte, as you wish," the chorus of voices repeated in perfect synchrony.

Will mouthed the words, but refused to say them out loud, hating that Tessa and Jem would be stuck in the castle for who knows how long. But he knew he couldn't free them on his own. He'd need an army, which he didn't have unless he worked with the Clave.

Satisfied, Charlotte clasped her hands together, and continued. "Our plans can be fleshed out later, but one thing cannot be ignored. There is a traitor in our midst."

A collective gasp could be heard around the room, as friends and families turned to each other in horror, and whispers and protests flew around the room.

Signalling for someone to tell them to be quiet, Charlotte's expression turned even graver than before. "Someone had to have alerted the guards. How else would they have known the exact day Jem and Tessa went out, and where to find them? It was just too much of a coincidence. Now, I don't want disharmony or discord pulling us apart over this, but I intend to find out who is responsible. I will personally be helping out with conducting these interrogations, along with a trusted team, and I promise the truth will be uncovered."

Some "Hear, hears," rang out, and the applause seemed to start in one corner of the room, before spreading to a loud crescendo.

Charlotte smiled slightly, looking proud and exhausted at the same time, before finishing with, "We will have another meeting next week at the same time, to discuss our progress."

With a slight bow, she then walked over to Henry and took his arm, before starting towards the door, signalling an end to the meeting.

Will got up and followed suit, banging his shoulder against the door in his haste to reach his room. Glancing behind him, he could have sworn he saw a flash of movement. Pausing around the next corner, he waited until the person followed him around.

Sighing when he recognised one of the men under Charlotte in rank, he scowled at him. "What, has Charlotte decided to get some dog to tag along behind me and follow my every move? Well, I'm sure you'll get bored very quickly."

The man stiffened, and backed away a few steps, his face a mask as he folded his arms and didn't bother to reply.

"Well then, have fun," Will said with a smirk, turning around and throwing the door to his room open, before slamming it shut in his face.

Sitting on the edge of his bed, he put his head in his hands, wondering how Jem and Tessa were going - if they had food and water, if they were hurt in any way, and whether they were being looked after.

Cursing out loud, he promised himself that he would kill Mortmain for this. He would happily wrap his hands around his neck, and watch the life seep out of his eyes. Mortmain deserved to be sent to whatever black hole was awaiting him. And if killing him damned Will too, then so be it.

Thank you to all my readers, reviewers and people that follow/favourite. Hope you're all enjoying the story as much as I am. :)

And wow! 106 reviews! I'm amazed I made it over 100! Thank you all once again.

~ SilverJem5