Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices 2)

Henry blinked. "What do you mean?"

"Archimedes," Jem said, as usual knowing what Will meant, though not looking at him. "He was drawing a mathematical diagram in the sand when his city was attacked by Romans. He was so intent on what he was doing that he didnt see the soldier coming up behind him. His last words were Do not disturb my circles. Of course, he was an old man by then. "

"And he was probably never married," said Will, and he grinned at Jem across the table.

Jem didnt return his grin. Without looking at Will, or Tessa-without looking at any of them-he got to his feet and went out of the room after Charlotte.

"Oh, bother," said Jessamine. "Is this one of those days where we all stalk out in a fury? Because I simply havent got the energy for it. " She put her head down on her arms and closed her eyes.

Henry looked bewilderedly from Will to Tessa. "What is it? What have I done wrong?"

Tessa sighed. "Nothing dreadful, Henry. Its just-I think Charlotte wanted you to come with her. "

"Then, why didnt she say so?" Henrys eyes were mournful. His joy over his eggs and inventions seemed to have vanished. Perhaps he shouldnt have married Charlotte, Tessa thought, her mood as bleak as the weather.

Perhaps, like Archimedes, he would have been happier drawing circles in the sand.

"Because women never say what they think," said Will. His eyes drifted toward the kitchen, where Bridget was clearing up the remains of the meal.

Her singing floated lugubriously out into the dining room.

"I fear you are poisoned, my own pretty boy, I fear you are poisoned, my comfort and joy! O yes, I am poisoned; mother, make my bed soon, Theres a pain in my heart, and I mean to lie down. "

"I swear that woman had a previous career as a death-hunter selling tragic bal ads down around the Seven Dials," said Will. "And I do wish she wouldnt sing about poisoning just after weve eaten. " He looked sideways at Tessa.

"Shouldnt you be off putting on your gear? Havent you training with the lunatic Lightwoods today?"

"Yes, this morning, but I neednt change clothes. Were just practicing knife throwing," said Tessa, somewhat amazed that she was able to have this mild and civil a conversation with Will after the events of last night. Cyrils handkerchief, with Will s blood on it, was still in her dresser drawer; she remembered the warmth of his lips on her fingers, and darted her eyes away from his.

"How fortunate that I am a crack hand at knife throwing. " Will got to his feet and held out his arm to her. "Come along; itl drive Gideon and Gabriel mad if I watch the training, and I could do with a little madness this morning. "

Will was correct. His presence during the training session seemed to madden Gabriel at least, though Gideon, as he seemed to do with everything, took this intrusion in a stolid manner. Will sat on a low wooden bench that ran along one of the wal s, and ate an apple, his long legs stretched out before him, occasional y call ing out bits of advice that Gideon ignored and that Gabriel took like blows to the chest.

"Must he be here?" Gabriel growled to Tessa the second time he had nearly dropped a knife while handing it to her. He put a hand on her shoulder, showing her the sight line for the target she was aiming at-a black circle drawn on the wall. She knew how much he would rather she were aiming at Will. "Cant you tell him to go away?"

"Now, why would I do that?" Tessa asked reasonably. "Wil is my friend, and you are someone whom I do not even like. "

She threw the knife. It missed its target by several feet, striking low in the wal near the floor.

"No, youre still weighting the point too much-and what do you mean, you dont like me?" Gabriel demanded, handing her another knife as if by reflex, but his expression was very surprised indeed.

"Well," Tessa said, sighting along the line of the knife, "you behave as if you dislike me. In fact, you behave as if you dislike us all. "

"I dont," Gabriel said. "I just dislike him. " He pointed at Will.

"Dear me," said Will, and he took another bite of his apple. "Is it because Im better-looking than you?"

"Both of you be quiet," Gideon called from across the room. "Were meant to be working, not snapping at each other over years-old petty disagreements. "

"Petty?" Gabriel snarled. "He broke my arm. "

Will took another bite out of his apple. "I can hardly believe youre stil upset about that. "

Tessa threw the knife. This throw was better. It landed inside the black circle, if not in the center itself. Gabriel looked around for another knife and, not seeing one, let out an exhalation of annoyance. "When we run the Institute," he said, pitching his voice loud enough for Will to hear, "this training room Will be far better kept up and supplied. "

Tessa looked at him angrily. "Amazing that I dont like you, isnt it?"

Gabriels handsome face crumpled into an ugly look of contempt. "I dont see what this has to do with you, little warlock; this Institute isnt your home.

You dont belong in this place. Believe me, youd be better off with my family running things here; we could find uses for your . . . talent. Employment that would make you rich. You could live where you liked. And Charlotte can go run the Institute in York, where shel do considerably less harm. "

Will was sitting upright now, apple forgotten. Gideon and Sophie had ceased their practicing and were watching the conversation-Gideon wary, Sophie wide-eyed. "If you hadnt noticed," Will said, "someone already runs the York Institute. "

"Alloysius Starkweather is a senile old man. " Gabriel dismissed him with a wave of his hand. "And he has no descendants he can beg the Consul to appoint in his place. Since the business with his granddaughter, his son and daughter-in-law packed up and went to Idris. They wont come back here for love or money. "

"What business with his granddaughter?" Tessa demanded, flashing back to the portrait of the sickly-looking little girl on the staircase of the York Institute.

"Only lived to be ten or so," said Gabriel. "Never was very healthy, by all accounts, and when they first Marked her-Well, she must have been improperly trained. She went mad, turned Forsaken, and died. The shock kil ed old Starkweathers wife, and sent his children scurrying to Idris. It wouldnt be much trouble to get him replaced by Charlotte. The Consul must see hes no good-far too married to the old ways. "

Tessa looked at Gabriel in disbelief. His voice had retained its cool indifference as hed told the story of the Starkweathers, as if it were a fairy tale. And she-she didnt want to pity the old man with the sly eyes and the bloody room full of dead Downworlders remains, but she couldnt help it.

She pushed Aloysius Starkweather from her mind. "Charlotte runs this Institute," she said. "And your father Will not take it from her. "

"She deserves to have it taken from her. "

Will tossed his apple core into the air, at the same time drawing a knife from his belt and throwing it. The knife and the apple sailed across the room together, somehow managing to stick into the wal just beside Gabriels head, the knife driven cleanly through the core and into the wood. "Say that again," said Will, "and Ill darken your daylights for you. "