Tessa was gathering her garments for the ritual that night when a high-pitched scream surged within her head.
She fell back, landing on the sharp point of the wire she was supposed to hang her dress upon. Tessa took a second to calm down, and then, started stepping slowly toward the door. She was within only a few metres when three head-pounding knocks on her bedroom door occurred.
Her arms were trembling uncontrollably. Her left-hand rested on the door handle, and when another knock came, she released it with a jump.
Her eyes searched for a person, and even Church the cat that had left for New York with the warlock, Magnus many, many years ago. She drew a deep breath, and stepped out into the darkness, but was put back in. It was like there was a force-field right outside her room. However, she knew that was not the case when she saw long, thin fingers, and a sewn-shut mouth.
Her stomach twisted as it always did when she saw a Silentbrother.
“Hello,” said Tessa with discomfort. “Is there…a problem?”
Sit down, Mrs Theresa Herondale. I have much to tell you.
With the order, she sat down on the small stool at her dressing table, her mind exploding with curiosity.
“It is about, James, isn’t it?” She whispered, half to herself. She didn’t know why that was her first thought, but then again why else would a Silent Brother come to her house, and demand her attention immediately? Especially as it was on the day of James’ Shadowhunter ’s ascension? She felt the bile rise up within her.
Mr James Herondale is not the concern. However, you are not far off. It is of our most recent Silentbrother, Brother Zachariah.
Tessa drew a deep breath. It was about Jem.
“Is Jem okay?”
As I’ve told you many times before, he is not longer James Cartairs, or ‘Jem.’ He is Brother Zachariah.
“Oh yes,” said Tessa, biting her lip. “I’m sorry.”
The Silent Brother ignored her apology. He wishes to attend the ritual tonight, but he is in no authority to allow himself this. The Silentbrother regulations were put into place so that we can protect Shadowhunters. If he attends tonight, he will be disobeying and disrespecting all of us Silentbrothers. He will be stripped of his title, and will be sent to ashes.
Tessa nodded, feeling very afraid for Jem. “I understand. But—what does this have to do with me?”
Mrs Theresa Herondale, this has everything to do with you. It is of my greatest sorrow that Brother Zachariah has not fully left his past life. The Silentbrotherhood can be a long, lonely eternity if one continues to think about what he’s lost. We are a group of Shadowhunters that cannot tolerate this certain behaviour of Brother Zachariah’s any more. He must learn to become the proper Silentbrother, but he can’t if you continue to hold him back, and keep intruding his mind of sad memories—
“I am not holding him back!”
We could sort this manner more easily if you showed a little respect, Mrs Herondale.
Tessa clenched her fists, but forced herself to respond with as much grace as she could possibly manage.
“Brother,” she began; not knowing which Silentbrother it was she was talking to. “I can see what you are saying about Jem—Brother Zachariah. It saddens me too for you to think of him as not capable of being a good Silentbrother. But, do please mark my word, for all the months I knew him he had shown nothing but a great deal of honesty, courage and most importantly, loyalty. If you let him go, it will be a great loss for you.” Tessa breathed out heavily and whispered, “Give him another chance.”
