Chapter Seventeen

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Chapter 17

Raleigh's POV

"What is it, Sophie?" I ask. 

"It's Miss Jessamine," She replies. "I have noticed her slipping away most nights, but tonight I found this."
Sophie pulled a card from her pocket.

Tessa reached out and took it, reading over it.
I gasp slightly, realising that it's the ball invitation.

July 20, 1878

Mr Benedict Lightwood

presents his compliments
to Miss Jessamine Lovelace
and requests the honour of her company 
at a masquerade ball given on Tuesday next
the 27th of July. RSVP


I recognise Nate's handwriting, and hopefully Tessa doesn't notice.

"How'd you retrieve this?" Tessa asks.
"I struck Jessamine with a mirror, and tied her to the bedpost," Sophie replies.
I gasp again.
"Nice work, Sophie!"

Sophie pales, but smiles slightly.

"We must tell someone," Tessa says.
"Not Mrs Branwell!" Sophie adds. "She'll sack me for sure."
"Not Jem either," I say. "He's gone through a lot lately. What about Will?"

Tessa nods, looking pained.
The three of us get out belongings together, and go to find him.

***

They congregated around Jessamine's bed.
Will had indeed been shocked.

"Sophie did this?" He asked. "Our Sophie?" 
"Yes," I said. "And please stop repeating it."

Will says something sarcastic to Sophie, as I examine the runes that had been placed onto Jessamine.

"Would you be amenable to coming to the ball with me?" Will asks. 
Tessa nods.
"I will change into Jessamine, like I did with Camille."
Will pales slightly, remembering it.

"What about me?" I ask. "I should come with you."
"But you are an ascendant only," Tessa replies. "It could be dangerous."
I get pissed.
"Just because I am an Ascendant, it doesn't mean anything. I could help out with my knowledge, and who knows, I could know everything that will happen to you. I could go tell Charlotte where you are going and be a snitch."

"You what?"

I cover my mouth, realising I said too much.

"What do you mean, know everything that could happen to you?" Sophie asks.
I pale.
"I-i want to trust you all, but I don't want you to say anything to Charlotte, or the Lightwood boys. Just keep this to yourselves."

Will nods, seeming to believe me.
"Go ahead, Ral."

I begin to tell my story, explaining that I timetravelled, and how I have read about their adventures, being extra careful not to spoil anything.
When I'm done, I have three wide eyed people watching me.

"You're a time-traveller?" Tessa asks, baffled.
She seems to ask the same question that Will and Sophie wanted to ask.
I nod.
"We were accidentally time-travelled here. All we're trying to do is learn as much as we can to go home."

"If you help us with the knowledge we need," Will says. "I can ask some people who may be able to help with clues."
I grin.
"Thank you, thank you!"

Will smiles.
Tessa and Sophie both shrug.
At least they aren't appalled by me.

"Meet me in the courtyard," Will says to Sophie. "I'll wake Cyril."
They both nod.
As Sophie and Tessa leave, Will stays for a moment.

"If something is supposed to happen to Tessa," He says. "Please tell me."
I nod.
"And, I know you detest dresses, but I think you should wear one tonight."

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