Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices 2)

"Oh?" Lightwoods lip curled upward in a sneer. "And what is that?"

"The evidence of your own poisoned blood," said Charlotte. "Just now, when you gestured at us, I saw your wrist. How far has the corruption spread? It begins on the torso, does it not, and spreads down the arms and legs-"

"What is he talking about?" Gabriels voice was a mixture of fury and terror.

"Father?"

"Demon pox," said Will

with the satisfaction of the truly vindicated.

"What a disgusting accusation-," began Benedict.

"Refute it, then," said Charlotte. "Pul up your sleeve. Show us your arm. "

The muscle by the side of Benedicts mouth twitched again. Tessa watched him in fascination. He did not terrify her, as Mortmain had, but rather disgusted her, the way the sight of a fat worm wriggling across a garden might. She watched as he whirled on his eldest son.

"You," he snarled. "You told them. You betrayed me. "

"I did," said Gideon, raising his head and uncurling his arms at last. "And I would again. "

"Gideon?" It was Gabriel, sounding bewildered. "Father? What are you talking about?"

"Your brother has betrayed us, Gabriel. He has told our secrets to the Branwel s. " Benedict spat his words out like poison. "Gideon Arthur Lightwood," Benedict went on. His face looked older, the lines at the sides of his mouth more severe, but his tone was unchanged. "I suggest you think very careful y about what you have done, and what you Will do next. "

"I have been thinking," said Gideon in his soft, low voice. "Ever since you call ed me back from Spain, I have been thinking. As a child I assumed all Shadowhunters lived as we did. Condemning demons by the light of day, yet fraternizing with them under cover of darkness. I now realize that is not true. It is not our way, Father; it is your way. You have brought shame and filth upon the name of Lightwood. "

"There is no need to be melodramatic-"

"Melodramatic?" There was terrible contempt in Gideons normal y flat tone. "Father, I fear for the future of the Enclave if you get your hands on the Institute. I am tell ing you now, I Will witness against you at the Council. I Will hold the Mortal Sword in my hands and I Will tell Consul Wayland why I think Charlotte is a thousand times more fit than you are to run the Institute. I Will reveal what goes on here at night to every member of the Council. I Will tel them that you are working for Mortmain. I Will tell them why. "

"Gideon!" It was Gabriel, his voice sharp, cutting across his brothers. "You know our custodianship of the Institute was mothers dying wish. And it is the fault of the Fairchilds that she died-"

"That is a lie," said Charlotte. "She took her own life, but not because of anything my father did. " She looked directly at Benedict. "It was, rather, because of something your father did. "

Gabriels voice rose. "What do you mean? Why would you say such a thing? Father-"

"Be quiet, Gabriel. " Benedicts voice had gone hard and commanding, but for the first time there was fear in his voice, his eyes. "Charlotte, what are you saying?"

"You know very well what I am saying, Benedict," said Charlotte. "The question is whether you wish me to share my knowledge with the Clave. And with your children. You know what it Will mean for them. "

Benedict sat back. "I know blackmail when I hear it, Charlotte. What do you want from me?"

It was Will who responded, too eager to hold himself back any longer.

"Withdraw your claim on the Institute. Speak out for Charlotte in front of the Council. tell them why you think the Institute should be left in her keeping.

You are a well -spoken man. Youl think of something, Im sure. "

Benedict looked from Will to Charlotte. His lip curled. "Those are your terms?"

Before Will could speak, Charlotte said, "Not all our terms. We need to know how you have been communicating with Mortmain, and where he is. "

Benedict chuckled. "I communicated with him through Nathaniel Gray. But, since youve kil ed him, I doubt he Will be a forthcoming source of information. "

Charlotte looked appal ed. "You mean no one else knew where he was?"

"I certainly dont," said Benedict. "Mortmain is not that stupid, unfortunately for you. He wished me to be able to take the Institute that he might strike at it from its heart. But it was only one of his many plans, a strand of his web. He has been waiting for this a long time. He Will have the Clave. And he Will have her. " His eyes rested on Tessa.

"What does he intend to do with me?" Tessa demanded.

"I dont know," Benedict said with a sly smile. "I do know he was consistently asking after your welfare. Such concern, so touching in a potential bridegroom. "

"He says he created me," said Tessa. "What does he mean by that?"

"I havent the vaguest idea. You are mistaken if you think he made me his confidant. "

"Yes," said Will, "you two dont seem to have much in common, save a penchant for demon women and evil. "

"Will!" snapped Tessa.

"I didnt mean you," said Will, looking surprised. "I meant the Pandemonium Club-"

"If you are quite done with your byplay," said Benedict, "I wish to make one thing very clear to my son. Gideon, understand that if you support Charlotte Branwel in this, you Will no longer be welcome under my roof. It is not for nothing that they say a man should never hang all his bel s on one horse. "

In answer Gideon raised his hands in front of him, almost as if he meant to pray. But Shadowhunters did not pray, and Tessa realized quickly what he was doing-slipping the silver ring from his finger. The ring that was like Jems Carstairs ring, only this one had a pattern of flames about the band.

The Lightwood family ring. He set it down on the edge of his fathers desk, and turned to his brother.

"Gabriel," he said. "Wil you come with me?"

Gabriels green eyes were bril iant with anger. "You know I cannot. "

"Yes, you can. " Gideon held his hand out to his brother. Benedict stared between the two of them. He had paled slightly, as if suddenly realizing that he might lose not just one son, but both. His hand gripped the edge of the desk, his knuckles whitening. Tessa could not help staring at the expanse of the wrist that was revealed as his sleeve rose. It was very pale, banded with black circular striations. Something about the sight nauseated her, and she rose from her seat. Will, beside her, was already standing. Only Charlotte was still sitting, as prim and expressionless as ever.