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As he waited for the trial to start, Will found he had plenty of time to contemplate what a failure he was. A failure as a friend, as a brother, as a son. When he'd found out that Cecily was gone, he'd felt empty, until the anger came crashing down on him. It was more anger at himself than anyone else. If he'd worked it out earlier, he could have stopped her. Now Jem, Tessa and Cecily were all stuck in the castle. If anything happened to them….clenching his fist, he glanced around the room, trying not to think about it.

Anyone who was interested was invited to attend a trial at the Clave. This trial in particular, was the most popular one Will had ever been to. It was no surprise, when normally trials were about a fight that had broken out, or someone who had taken more than their share of food, while this one was rumoured to reveal the traitor in their midst.

Sitting up straighter, Will's mouth gaped open when he saw who they were leading in, by handcuffs. It was none other than Benedict Lightwood. He looked the worse for wear – a little thinner than usual, his bony face and sharp features standing out even more than normal, giving him a severe look. He couldn't help but feel a small amount of satisfaction at seeing Benedict in such a shape.

As Benedict was led to a stand at the front, Will saw his sons, Gideon and Gabriel sitting down nearby, their expressions showing a combination of shock and disbelief.

Will's attention turned to Charlotte, her tired brown eyes watching Benedict with a steely expression, before she cleared her throat, readying herself to address the crowd. "For those assembled here today, this trial brings to light the fact that Benedict Lightwood is a traitor."

A gasp ran through the crowd, everyone trying to comprehend what this meant. Will himself felt a sense of dread, wondering what secrets Benedict had already given away.

"This is preposterous," Benedict spat, his eyes darkening in anger. "I have only been loyal to the Clave and-"

Holding up a hand, Charlotte interrupted him. "Our spies are certain it was you, Benedict."

He shook his head quickly, and Will could see the tense line in his posture. "No. This is an outrage – you just feel threatened by me, because I'm the only one that could challenge you as a leader. I should be the one in charge, and everyone knows it."

Gritting his teeth, Will could practically see the crowd leaning forward in their seats in anticipation. A fight like this was very rare, indeed. Secrets like this were normally left behind closed doors.

"Don't bother lying to us," Charlotte countered. "We found the letters in your room." Raising the hand she had kept hidden behind her until now, she held them up, for the crowd to see. "Would you like me to read them out? They're from the King's representative."

Benedict visually paled, his hand clenching and unclenching. "No."

Charlotte continued, mercilessly. "What was it? The money, the esteem? Why would you betray your family, the Clave? We would have leant you money, if that's what you needed."

Shaking her head in disgust, she looked away from him. "From what we've deduced from the letters, Benedict told the King's representatives where Jem and Tessa would be, the day they were taken. He no doubt received the substantial rewards for their capture."

Will growled under his breath, narrowing his eyes as he glared at Benedict. He was the reason they were captured. All of this was his fault. As he was tempted to get up, the guard beside him put a hand on his shoulder to keep him down. Of course, Charlotte would have planned for his reaction. Hoping Benedict would get the punishment he deserved, Will waved the man's hand away, focusing back on the proceedings.

"Since he's already a Lord, we tried to investigate why he would do such a thing." Charlotte's usual hardy tone broke for a minute, and Will could see the pain she was in. It only happened for a second though, before the steeliness was back.

"It seems his family was in a large debt, and he had fallen out of favour with the King. This must have been just the thing to boost his status – earning him the title of Baron."

When Benedict looked down, and didn't deny any of it, Gideon groaned, looking horrified, and deeply disappointed. It was obvious that it hadn't sunk in yet for Gabriel, his face set in shock, as he stared at his father. Will almost felt sorry for them.

"The question remains," Charlotte stated, looking at the brothers. "Whether his sons were involved or not."

"No, they weren't-" Benedict started, before a Clave member silenced him, at Charlotte's request.

"I wasn't asking you," she said, her gazed still fixed on the younger Lightwoods. "Were you involved?"

Gideon stood up slowly, shaking his head. "No, we weren't. I would never be involved in such a scheme, and neither would my brother." Gabriel merely muttered an agreement, staring down at the ground.

"We have both sworn allegiance to the Clave, and that is where our loyalty will remain," Gideon finished, ignoring Benedict's look of betrayal. That serves him right, Will thought, bitterly.

"Now that issue is settled, we will discuss Benedict's fate." Charlotte's voice echoed around the room, and there was deadly silence, as everyone held their breath.

Walking right up to Benedict, so they were face-to-face, Charlotte said, "You will now send messages to the King for us. You will start by telling him we have moved to a secret hideout in Chartersville."

Will nodded in agreement, understanding her plan. Chartersville was on the opposite side of the kingdom, and would keep the King occupied if he looked there for them. In fact, they could feed the King whatever lies they wanted, to trick him. They could finally have the upper hand.

"While you do so, you will be confined to your room here in the mansion, with guards to keep an eye on you. Should you make another other move against us, you will be sentenced to death." There was no sympathy in Charlotte's eyes or expression, and she made it clear that she meant every word. The Clave was her family, after all, and she wouldn't let anyone cross it. "Know that you have brought shame to your family name, and we will never trust your word again."

Out of the corner of his eye, Will saw Gideon wrapping an arm around his younger brother's shoulders to comfort him. Gabriel let his hair cover his eyes, his shoulders shaking with his suppressed emotions.

While Will believed Benedict deserved a harsher punishment, it was true that he could be an invaluable resource, and he couldn't begrudge Charlotte's decision, no matter how angry he was.

"Cursed Lightworms," Will muttered in frustration, under his breath.

A/N: So yay, a quick update! The next chapter will be from Tessa's point of view. Hope you all have a great week.

~ SilverJem5