5
The Shadow Hunter Code
Florenciavic Translated by Edited by Moshalutz and Pamee
Dreams are true while they last, and we do not live in dreams?
-Alfred, Lord Tennyson, "The Higher Pantheism"
took a cycle of wandering sadly, a broker is identical to another, before Tessa, by a stroke of luck, recognition of the ripped carpet the other tapestries and realized that her door would be one of the many covered in this corridor in particular. A few minutes of thinking, thanks to close the door right behind her putting the lock.
In the time it was of Back in her nightgown and was slipped under the covers, opened The Shadow Hunter's Code and began reading. We never understand reading a book, had said Will, but that was not really the point. He did not know what the books meant for her, that the books were symbols of truth and meaning, it recognized that there was and there were others like her in the world. Keep it in your hands made Tessa felt that everything that had happened in the past six weeks were real, more real even than he had been living through them.
Code Tessa learned that all hunters Shadows were descendants of an archangel named Raziel, who had given the first of them a volume called the Grey Book, full of "The Language of Heaven" as the black marks covering the skin Rune of Shadow Hunters trained as Charlotte and Will. The marks were cut into the skin with a wake, the strange object like a pencil that had been used to Will to draw on the door of the Dark House. Marks the Nephilim provided any protection: healing, superhuman strength and speed, night vision, and even allowed them to hide from worldly eyes with a rune called glamor. But it was a gift that anyone could use. Cut marks on the skin of an underworld or human-or even a Shadow Hunter who were too young or improperly trained, would be tortuously painful and the result would be madness or death.
marks were not the only way to protect themselves, wore leather clothing delighted when they went to fight. There were sketches of men from different countries with the suit. To the surprise of Tessa, there were also pictures of women with long shirts and pants - not the sort of baggy pants, she had used ridiculous seeing in the newspapers, only men were real pants. Turning the page shook his head, wondering if Charlotte and Jessamine actually used those fancy clothes.
The following pages are devoted to other gift that Raziel had given the first Shadow Hunter-powerful magical objects called Mortal Instruments, and country of origin: a small piece of land in what was then the Holy Roman Empire, surrounded by spells, so mundane that he could not enter. He was called Idris.
Tessa flash while reading, and his eyelids closed ever more.
The Underworld, read, were supernatural creatures as fairies, werewolves, vampires and witches. In the case of vampires and werewolves, humans were infected with the disease demon. On the other hand, the fairies were half demon and half angel, and therefore possessed a great beauty and evil nature. But the witches were the direct descendants of humans and demons. No wonder he had asked Charlotte if both parents were human. But they were, he thought, so no chance of being a witch, thank God.
looked a picture showing a tall man with shaggy hair stood in the center of a pentagram done in chalk on a stone floor. Seemed entirely normal, except for the fact that his eyes with pupils like a cat. Candles burned in each of the five points of the star. The flames seemed to glide without interruption, while blurring the view itself blurs Tessa exhaustion. ... Closed his eyes and instantly began to dream.
danced in the dream through swirling smoke down a corridor lined with mirrors, each mirror, in passing, he showed a different face. I could hear a charming and dazzling music. It seemed to come from afar. And yet it was all around.
was a man walking in front of her, a boy really thin, no beard, but I felt I knew but could not see his face or admit.
could have been his brother, or Will, or someone completely different.
She kept calling him, but he backed down the aisle as if the smoke will take with him.
The music rose and rose to a crescendo ...
And Tessa woke up gasping, the book slipped from her lap as she sat. The dream was gone, but the music remained, high and disturbing and sweet. He went to the door and looked out into the hallway. The music was louder in the hallway. In fact, coming from the room across the hall. The door was slightly ajar, and the notes seemed to pour through the opening like water through the narrow neck of a vase.
A robe hanging on a hook by the door, Tessa pulled and pulled it over his nightclothes and went into the hall. As in a dream, crossed the aisle and put his hand gently on the door, it opened under his touch. The room was dark, lit only by moonlight. He saw that there was different from his own bedroom across the hall, the same bed with canopy, they dark and heavy furniture. The curtains had been removed from a high window, and the pale silver light poured into the room like a shower of needles. Someone stood in the square of moonlight at the window. A boy who looked too small to be an adult, with a violin resting on his shoulder. His cheek rested on the instrument and bow Aerre going back and forth over the strings, squeezing out his notes, notes so thin and perfect like nothing I had ever heard Tessa.
His eyes were closed. "Will?" He said, without opening his eyes or stop playing. "Will, are you?"
Tessa said nothing. Would not talk to interrupt the music, but at one point interrupted the boy himself, dropped the bow and opened his eyes with a frown.
"Will ..." she began, and then, seeing Tessa, her lips parted in surprise. "You're not Will." It sounded funny at all annoying, even though Tessa had broken into her room in the middle of the night and caught playing the violin in his pajamas, or what took Tessa was her clothes sleeping. She wore a loose set, pants and a collarless shirt with a black silk robe tied loosely over them. She had been right. He was young, probably the same age as Will, and the printing of his youth was marked by its thinness.
was tall but very thin, and disappeared below the collar, I could see the edge of the crooked black designs he had seen earlier in the skin of Will and Charlotte.
knew what they were called now. Trademarks. And he knew what he was. Nephilim. The descendant of men and angels. No wonder that in the light of the moon her pale skin seems to glow like magic light Will. His hair was silvery white, as were his eyes sharp.
"I'm sorry," she said, clearing his throat. The noise sounded terribly harsh for her, and strong in the silence of the room, he died of shame. "I ... I had no intention of coming here this way. It's ... My room is on the other side of the aisle, y. .. "
" Okay. "Lowered the violin from his shoulder." You are Miss Gray, right? She shifter. Will told me a little about yourself. "
" Oh , "said Tessa.
"Oh?" Eyebrows it rose. "It seems awfully glad to know who he is."
"I think Will is angry with me," said Tessa. "So anything you have said ..."
He laughed. "Will is angry with everybody," he said. "Do not let that interfere with my view."
The moonlight was shed on the polished surface of the violin when the boy turned to put on the top of the cabinet, bow at his side . When he turned toward her, was smiling.
"I should have submitted at the beginning," he said. "I'm James Carstairs. Please call me Jem, everyone does. "
" Oh, you are Jem. I was not at dinner, "recalled Tessa. "Charlotte said she was sick. Do you feel better? "
shrugged. "I was tired, that's all."
"Well, I imagine it must be tiring, doing what they do." I just read the code, Tessa felt burning with questions about the Shadow Hunters.
"Will said you came from far away to live here. Idris Was she in? "
He raised his eyebrows. "Do you know Idris?"
"Do you come from another school? You are in all big cities, right? Why to London ... "
He stopped, puzzled. "Get up, right?"
"My brother always says that curiosity is my deadly sin."
"As sins go, this is not the worst." He sat in the trunk at the foot of the bed and looked at her curiously. "So go ahead, ask me whatever you want. I can not sleep anyway, and distractions are welcome. "
Will's voice immediately rose on the back of the head of Tessa. Jem's parents had been killed by demons. But I can not ask that, Tessa thought. Instead said
"Will told me you were coming from far away. Where did before? "
" Shanghai, "said Jem. "Do you know where?"
"China," said Tessa with some indignation. "Does not everyone know that?"
Jem smiled. "You'd be surprised."
"What were you doing in China?" Tessa asked with sincere interest. I could not imagine where it came from Jem. When I thought of China, all that came to mind was Marco Polo and tea. I had the feeling he was far, far away, as though Jem had come from the ends of the earth, east of the sun and west of the moon, tell Aunt Harriet. "I thought nobody was there, apart from the missionaries and sailors. "
" Shadow Hunters living all over the world. My mother was China, my father was British. They met in London and moved to Shanghai when he was offered the position of officer at the Institute there. "
Tessa started. If the mother of Jem had been China, he also was, is not it?
know that many Chinese immigrated to New York-most worked in laundries or selling cigarettes from street vendors. I had never seen one that looked like Jem, with his silver hair and strange eyes. Maybe Once I had something to do with that he was a Shadow Hunter? But I could not think of a way to ask that does not seem terribly rude.
Fortunately, Jem did not seem to be hoping to continue the conversation.
"I apologize for asking, but ... his parents are dead, right?"
"Will you say that?"
"He did not need. We orphans learn to recognize another. If I may ask ... "I was very young when it happened?"
"I had three years when they died in a car accident. Just remember. "
only small flashes, the smell of smoke snuff or pale lilac dress my mother. "My aunt raised me. And my brother, Nathaniel. My aunt, however .... "To his surprise, his throat began to tighten. A picture of Aunt Harriet came to mind, lying on the brass bed in her bedroom, her eyes bright with fever. Tessa Not recognizing and calling the name of his mother, Elizabeth. Aunt Harriet was the only mother he had met Tessa. Tessa had held her slender hand while he died, there the room with the priest. He recalled thinking that now I really was alone. "He died recently. He had a fever unexpectedly. Never been very strong. "
" I'm sorry to hear that, "said Jem, and it really sounded distressed.
"It was terrible, because my brother had already left by then. A month earlier he had gone to England. Even had sent these to us, Fortnum and Mason tea and chocolates. And then the aunt got sick and died, and I wrote again and again, but my letters returned. I was desperate. And then came the bill. A ticket on a boat Southampton steam, and a note saying that I find Nate on the docks, and had to go live with him in London now that the aunt was gone. Only now do not believe I wrote that note ... "Tessa was interrupted, irritated eyes. "Sorry. I digress. No need to know all this. "
" What kind of man is his brother? What is he? "
Tessa looked at him a little surprise. The others asked him what he had done to be in that situation, if he knew where the Dark Sisters could be maintained, if I had the same power as her. But no one had asked how it was.
"Aunt used to say I was a dreamer," he said. "I always lived in his head. Never worried about how things were, but how would one day, when I had everything I wanted. When we had everything we wanted, "he corrected. "I used to take risks, because I could not imagine losing ... was not part of their dreams."
"Dreams can be dangerous things."
"No, no." She shook her head. "I'm not saying it's right. He was a wonderful brother. Him .. "Charlotte was right: it was easier to fight back tears if I found something, some object, in which gaze. Jem looked at her hands. Were thin and long, and had the same design on the back of the hand that Will had, one eye open. She said. "What does that mean?"
Jem seemed unaware that it had changed the subject. "It's a brand. You know what they are? "He reached out to her, palm down. "This is the Clairvoyance. Clear view. It helps us to see the Underworld. "He turned his hand and rolled up his sleeve. Along the inside of his white wrist and arm had more marks, very black against her white skin. Seemed to fit the pattern of veins, as if his blood run down the brands as well. "For speed, night vision, angelic power to heal quickly," she read aloud. "Although their names are more complex than that, and not in our language."
"Does it hurt?"
"It hurts when I get them. Now it does not hurt at all. "He pulled his sleeve down and smiled. "Now, do not tell me all the questions I had."
Oh, I have more than you think. "Why can not sleep?"
saw that he had caught off guard, a look of doubt crossed his face before speaking. But why hesitate? thought. I could always lie, or simply divert, Will had done. But Jem, she felt instinctively, was not going to lie. "I have nightmares."
"I was dreaming too," he said. "I dreamed of her music."
He smiled. "A nightmare, then?"
"No. It was beautiful. The most beautiful thing I've heard since I came to this horrible city. "
" London is not horrible, "said Jem in equanimity. "Just have to get to know. You must come with me someday. I can show you the parts that are beautiful ... the one I love. "
" Singing the praises of our beautiful city? "Asked a soft voice. Tessa turned and saw Will, leaning against the door frame. The light from the hallway behind him outlined her wet golden hair. The hem of her dark coat and black boots had mud, as if he had come from outside, and her cheeks were red. He was bareheaded, as always. "They treat you well here, eh, James? I doubt you had that kind of luck in Shanghai. What we call here?"
"Yang Guizi," said Jem, who did not seem surprised by the sudden appearance Will. "Foreign devils."
"Listen to that, Tessa? I am a devil. And you, too." Will be away from the door and walked into the room. Dropped over the edge the bed and unbuttoned his jacket. He had a cloak over his shoulders attached to it, very elegant, lined in blue silk.
"Your hair is wet," said Jem. "Where have you been?"
"Here, there and everywhere." Will smiled. Despite his usual grace, there was something about the way he moved, the blush on his cheeks and the sparkle in her eyes.
"drunk as an owl, right?" Jem said, not without affection.
Ah, Tessa thought. He's drunk. He had seen his brother under the influence of alcohol enough times to recognize the symptoms. Somehow, he felt disappointed.
Jem smiled. "Where have you been? Did the Blue Dragon? Does the siren? "
" La Taberna del Diablo, if you want to know. "Will sighed and leaned against one of the bedposts." He had plans for tonight. The search for blind drunk and fallen women was my goal. But, unfortunately, could not be. No sooner had my third drink consumed in the Devil I was beset by a lovely girl who sold flowers and asked me for two pence, a margarita. The price seemed high, so I refused. When I told the girl that was much, proceeded to rob me. "
" A girl has won? "Said Tessa.
"Actually, it was a girl at all, turned out it was a dwarf in a dress with a penchant for violence, who went by the name of Nigel Six Fingers."
"An easy mistake to make," said Jem.
"I was surprised in the act of sliding the hand in my pocket," said Will, gesticulating animatedly with his thin hands with scars. "I could not tolerate that, by course. A struggle took place almost immediately. Had the advantage until Nigel jumped over the bar and hit me from behind with a jug of gin. "
" Ah, "said Jem. "That explains why your hair is wet"
"It was a fair fight," said Will. "However, the bar owner did not see it that way. He gave me. I can not go on a aquincena. "
" is best for you, "said Jem no compassion." Glad to hear it as usual. I had worried that would have come home early to see if I felt better. "
"It seems that those having a good time without me. In fact, I see you've met our resident mysterious shape-shifting, "said Will, looking at Tessa. It was the first time he recognized his presence since he appeared at the door. "It usually occurs in men's rooms in the middle of the night? If I had known, had made a strong campaign to make sure that Charlotte was allowed to stay. "
" I do not see how what I do is concerned, "said Tessa. "Especially since I left in the hallway and I had to find my own way back to my room. "
" And instead found the way to Jem's room? "
" It was the violin, "said Jem. "He heard me play."
"Horrible wailing noises, right?" Will asked Tessa. "I do not know how all the neighborhood cats do not come running every time he touches."
"I thought it was pretty."
"That's because it was," agreed Jem.
said Will
an accusing finger in their direction. "We are uniting against me. Is this how it will be from now on? Will I be left out? My God, I have to make friends with Jessamine. "
" Jessamine not support you, "said Jem.
" Henry, then. "
" Henry you burn it. "
" Thomas "suggested Will.
" Thomas ", Jem began ... and suddenly doubled tormented by an explosive attack of coughing as violent, which slipped from the trunk to crouch on their knees.
Too shocked to be able to move, Tessa stared as drunkenness Will disappear in a split second, jumped off the bed and knelt next to Jem, laying a hand on his shoulder.
"James," she said quietly. "Where is he?"
Jem raised his hand to protect, wheezing storm shook her thin body. "I do not need it ... well ..."
coughed again, and a gentle spray red spattered the ground before him. Blood.
Will's hand squeezed the shoulder of his friend, Tessa was white knuckles.
"Where is he? Where you put it? "
Jem waved weakly to the bed. "In ..." he panted. "On the mantelpiece ... in the silver box."
"I'll take it." It was the kind that Tessa had heard from Will. "Stay here."
"As if anywhere." Rubbed Jem the back of his hand across his mouth, and it was red, staining the Mark of the open eye.
Standing up, Will turned ... and saw Tessa. For a moment she was merely surprised, as if she had forgotten she was there.
"Will," she whispered. "Is there anything ..."
"Come with me." He grabbed her arm gently and led her toward the open door. Pushed into the hall, moving to block their view of the room. "Good evening, Tessa."
"But he is coughing blood, "Tessa quietly protested. "Maybe I should go look to Charlotte ..."
"No" Will looked over his shoulder, then back to Tessa. Leaned forward placing his hand on his shoulder. I could feel every one of his fingers pressing the flesh. They were so close I could smell the night air on your skin, trace metal, smoke and fog. Something in the way she smelled was strange, but could not tell exactly what it was.
Will spoke softly. "He has the medicine. I am with him. No need to know about Charlotte of this. "
" But if you're wrong ... "
" Please, Tessa. "There was a written emergency blue eyes Will. "It would be better not say anything about it."
somehow found he could not say no. "I ... okay."
"Thanks." Will released his shoulder, and raised his hand to touch her cheek, so lightly that he thought he could almost have imagined. too surprised to say anything, remained silent as he closed the door between them. heard when latching the door, and realized why he thought that something was odd when Will was leaning toward her.
Although Will had said he had been out all night drinking, but claimed to have had a star pitcher of gin on his head, there was no smell of alcohol on him at all.
was a long time before Tessa could sleep again. He stayed awake, the Open Source beside the angel mechanical ticking on his chest, and watching the light patterns formed in the ceiling lamp.
Tessa was looking into the vanity mirror as Sophie put the buttons on the back of her dress. In the morning light that filtered through the high windows, looked very pale, gray shadows under his eyes out like stains.
never been of that look in the mirror. A quick glance to see that his hair was fine and had no stains on his clothes. Now I could not stop looking thin and pale face in the mirror. This seemed to undulate as he looked, like a reflection in the water, as the vibration that took just before the change. Now that he had used other faces, seen through different eyes, how could say whether it was his own face, even if it was the face that had given birth? When shifted back to herself, how was I to know that there was a slight change in his own being, something that was not who he was anymore? Or looked like mattered at all?
Was nothing but his face a mask of flesh, irrelevant to the real you?
could see Sophie also reflected in the mirror, his face was turned so that his cheek scars are reflected in the mirror. They looked even more horrible in the light of day. It was like seeing a pretty picture, reduced to pieces with a knife. Tessa dying to ask what had happened, but knew not to. Instead: "I am very grateful for your help with the dress."
"Nice to be at your service, mademoiselle." Sophie's tone was flat.
"I just wanted to ask," Tessa began. Sophie got tense. Cree I'll ask her face, she thought Tessa. Aloud he said: "The way you talked to Will in the hall last night ..."
Sophie laughed. It was a short laugh, but real. "May I speak with Mr. Herondale, the way you want when you want. It is a condition of my employment. "
" Charlotte lets you make your own terms? "
" It's not just anyone can work at the Institute, "said Sophie. "You need a touch of Vision. Agatha does, and so does Thomas. Ms. Branwell immediately wanted me to learn that I had said that he had been looking for a maid to Miss Jessamine simply ages. I warned Mr. Herondale, however, said that it was probably rude to me. She said it could be tough defending myself, that no one would care. "
" Somebody has to be rude to him. He is sufficiently rude to everyone else. "
" I said what Ms. Branwell thought. " Sophie shared a smile with Tessa in the mirror, it was quite lovely when she smiled, she thought Tessa, with or without scarring.
"I like Charlotte, is not it?" He said. "It looks very nice."
Sophie shrugged. "In the old house that was in service, Mrs. Atkins, who was the housekeeper, had a record of all the candles we use every bit of soap we had. We had to use soap to strip before she gave us a new one. But Ms. Branwell gives me a new soap whenever you want. "He said this as if it were a strong testament to the character of Charlotte.
"I guess I have a lot of money here at the Institute." Tessa considered the magnificent furnishings and grandeur of the place.
"Maybe. But I have enough dresses for Mrs. Branwell to know as opposed to buying new "
Tessa thought about the blue dress had Jessamine since dinner the night before.
"What about Miss Lovelace?"
"She has her own money," said Sophie bleak. He stepped back to Tessa. "There it is. You are now able to be seen. "
Tessa smiled. "Thank you, Sophie."
***
When Tessa came into the room, the others were already having breakfast, Charlotte in a gray dress, spread jam on a piece of toast; Henry half hidden behind a newspaper, and Jessamine delicately picking a bowl of oatmeal. Will had a pile of eggs and bacon on his plate and was digging painfully into them, and Tessa could not help noticing that it was unusual for someone who claimed to have been drinking all night.
"We were just talking about you," said Jessamine while Tessa was a seat. He pushed a silver tray with toast on the table to Tessa. "Toast?
Tessa, picking up his fork, looked around the table with anxiety." What about me? "
"What about you, of course. The underworld can not live at the Institute for ever, "said Will," I say we sell to the gypsies in Hampstead Heath, "he added, turning to Charlotte. "I've heard women say they buy parts, and horses. "
" Will, stop. "Charlotte looked up from his breakfast." That's ridiculous. "
Will leaned back in his chair." You're right. Never buy. Too skinny. "
"It is enough," said Charlotte. "Ms. Gray will stay. Because we are in the midst of an investigation that requires your help. I have sent a message to say that we are keeping key until this matter is clarified Pandemonium Club and his brother have been found. Is not it true, Henry? "
" Exactly, "said Henry, leaving the newspaper aside. "The Pandemonium is a priority. Absolutely. "
" You better tell Lightwood Benedict, too, "said Will. "You know how it is."
Charlotte paled slightly, and Tessa wondered who would be Benedict Lightwood.
"Will, I would come back today to visit the house of the Sisters Dark is abandoned, but still worth seeking out. And I want you to take with you Jem ... "
At that time, the fun stopped the expression of Will. "Is it good enough?"
"It's pretty good." The voice was not Charlotte. It was Jem. He had come into the room quietly and stood by the sideboard, with arms folded across his chest. She was less pale than it had been the night before, and had brought red vest a slight tint to her cheeks. "In fact, he's ready when you are."
"You must first take the breakfast," is troubled Charlotte, pushing the plate of bacon to it. Jem sat and Tessa smiled across the table. "Oh, Jem ... she is Miss Gray. She is ..."
"We have known," Jem said quietly, and Tessa felt a rush of warmth in the face. I could not stop looking at it while collecting a piece of bread and butter to smear it. It seemed hard to imagine someone so ethereal looking to eat toast.
looked puzzled. "Really?"
"I found myself in the hallway with Tessa last night and introduced myself. I think the scared. "His silver eyes met Tessa through the table, bright and fun.
Charlotte shrugged. "Okay, then. I would like to go with Will. Meanwhile, today, Miss Gray ... "
" Call me Tess, "said Tessa. "I'd rather everyone did."
"Well, Tessa," said Charlotte with a small smile. "Henry and I interrogate Mr. Axel Mortmain, the employer of his brother, to see if he or any of its employees, may have any information on the whereabouts of his brother."
"Thanks." Tessa was surprised. They had said they were going to find his brother, and indeed they were doing. He had not expected that way.
"I've heard of Axel Mortmain," said Jem. "It was a Taipan, one of the largest companies in Shanghai. His company had offices in Bund. "
" Yes, "said Charlotte, "Newspapers say who made his fortune in the import of silk and tea."
"Bah." Jem spoke lightly, but there was no edge in his voice. "He made his fortune in opium. All they did. Buying opium in India, sailing to Canton, sold by property. "
" He was not breaking the law, James. "Charlotte pushed the paper across the table to Jessamine. "Meanwhile, Jessie, maybe you and Tessa can be investigated through the paper and so take note of anything that might belong to the research, and take a second look ..."
Jessamine back to the paper as if it were a snake. "A lady does not read the newspaper. The society pages, perhaps, or theater news. Not this crap. "
" But you're not a lady, Jessamine "began Charlotte.
"My God," said Will. "These hard truths so early in the morning can not be good for digestion."
"I mean," Charlotte said, correcting himself, "is that first you are a Shadow Hunter, and secondly a lady "
" Speak for yourself, "said Jessamine, pushing his chair back. Her cheeks had turned an alarming shade of red. "You know," she said "I did not expect that you know it, but it is clear that the only thing that Tessa put her back in my old and ugly red dress, and she does not fit. Not even fit me, and she is taller than me. "
" Sophie can not ... "began Charlotte vaguely.
"You can wear a dress. Another thing is that is twice as big to start with. Actually, Charlotte. " Jessamine blew exasperated. "I think you should let me carry the poor Tessa to town to get some new clothes. Otherwise, the first time you take a deep breath, the dress will fall. "
Will looked interested. "I think we should try to do that now and see what happens."
"Oh," Tessa said, completely confused. Why Jessamine was so nice to her suddenly as it had been so bad the day before? "No, not really necessary ..."
"It is," Jessamine said firmly.
Charlotte was shaking his head. "Jessamine, if you live in the Institute, are one of us, and you have to contribute ..."
"You're the one who insists that we have to embrace underworld that are in trouble, food and shelter," Jessamine said. "I'm pretty sure that includes dressing well. You see, I will contribute ... to the maintenance of Tessa. "
Henry leaned over the table towards his wife. "You'd better let you do," she said. "Remember the last time you tried to get the knives ordered into the armory, and used them to cut all the sheets? "
" We needed new bedding, "said Jessamine, without repentance.
"Oh, okay," replied Charlotte. "Honestly, sometimes I despair with you all."
"What have I done?" Asked Jem. "Only just got here."
Charlotte put his face in his hands. As Henry started to caress her shoulders and make soft sounds, Will Tessa leaned over to Jem, while completely ignoring did. "Can we go now?"
"I need to finish first in the area," said Jem. "Anyway, you do not see why such a hurry. Did you say that the place had been used as a brothel in years? "
" I want to be back before dark, "said Will. Was almost entirely supported Tessa's lap and she could smell the faint smell of leather boy and metal that seemed to cling to your hair and skin. "I have an appointment tonight at the Soho someone with a certain appeal."
"My God," said Tessa to the back of his head. "If you are still seeing Nigel and Six Fingers, he expected to declare his intentions."
Jem choked on tea.
Jessamine Spending the day with Tessa began as bad as feared. The traffic was terrible. For more than New York was so crowded, Tessa had never seen anything like the disaster of the Strand at midday.
Carriages rolling from side to side between street vendors with lots of fruits and vegetables, women in shawls, carrying baskets full of flowers shallow, rushed madly in and out of traffic while trying to interest the occupants of cars with different goods, and rental cars reached a point in traffic that cab drivers were shouting at each other through the windows. A noise is added the ice cream vendors shouting "Hokey-Pokey, a dime package, newsboys hawking the latest headlines of the day, someone somewhere playing an organ. Tessa wondered how all those living and working in London were not deaf.
As I looked out the window, an elderly woman wearing a large metal cage full of colorful birds flitting in and out with his coach. The old woman turned her head, Tessa and saw that his skin was as green as a parrot feathers, eyes wide, like a bird and black hair like a tuft of multicolored feathers.
Tessa jumped, and Jessamine, following his gaze, he frowned. "Close the drapes," he said. "They keep out the dust." And, going on Tessa, Jessamine did just that.
Tessa looked at her. The small mouth of Jessamine was a thin line. "Did you see ...?" began Tessa.
" No, "said Jessamine, giving Tessa what had often been mentioned in novels look like a "killer." Tessa looked away hastily.
Things did not improve when he finally reached the West End. Thomas leaving the horses waiting patiently, Jessamine Tessa drag in and out of various rooms of fashion designers, looking at design after design, while the subsidiary's most beautiful store was chosen to model a sample. (A real lady would not let a dress that could have been used by a stranger touch your skin.) In each setting she gave a false name and a different story in each store owners seemed pleased with her beauty and obvious wealth and helped as quickly as they could. Tessa, mostly ignored them, hid on the sidelines, half dead from boredom.
In a classroom, posing as a young widow, Jessamine examined the design of a crepe black dress and lace. Tessa had to admit he looked good in her yellow pallor.
"You look absolutely beautiful in this, and there would be no possibility of failure in a new advantageous marriage." The Dressmaker's winked knowingly. "In fact, you know how to call this design?" The Trap Reloaded '. "
Jessamine laughed, smiled Dressmaker clearly, and Tessa considered running into the street and stop throwing everything in a cab. As if aware of his discomfort, Jessamine looked at her with a condescending smile.
"I am also looking for some clothes for my cousin in America," he said. "The clothing that's just awful. It is as simple as a pin, and that does not help, but I'm sure you can do something with it. "
The seamstress blinked as if for the first time I noticed on Tessa, and perhaps it was . "Would you like to choose a design, ma'am?"
The whirlwind next activity was a revelation for Tessa. In New York, her clothes had been bought by her aunt, prefabricated parts that had to be modified to suit, and always cheaper material in shades of gray, dark gray or navy. She had never learned, as he did now, that blue was a color that suited her and stressed her blue-gray eyes, or pink models should take to bring color to your cheeks.
As their measurements were made in the midst of a discussion about Princess pods, shell bras, and a Mr. Charles Worth, Tessa got up and looked at his face in the mirror, half expecting characteristics that began to slide and change, amend themselves.
But she held herself, and end-all, won four new dresses to be delivered during the week, one pink, one yellow, one blue and white striped with bone buttons, and a gold and black silk, and two live jackets, one with beautiful beads that adorned tulle cuffs.
"I suspect you can actually look pretty in that last outfit," said Jessamine, when he got into the carriage. "It's amazing what you can do fashion."
Tessa told
silently to ten before responding. "I am very grateful for everything, Jessamine. Are we going back to school now? "
At that time, the brightness went Jessamine's face. She really hates it, she thought Tessa, confused more than anything else. What was so terrifying about the Institute? Of course, any reason to exist was his strange enough, no doubt, but Jessamine had to be used at this point. It was a Shadow Hunter as the rest.
"It's a beautiful day," said Jessamine, "and have not seen anything of London. I think a walk through Hyde Park will well. And after that, we could go to Gunter and so Thomas can get ice cream for us! "
Tessa looked out the window. The sky was gray and misty, crossed by lines of blue where the clouds parted briefly to each other. No way this would be considered a nice day in New York, but London seemed to have different rules for the time. Besides, now he owed something to Jessamine, and the last thing in the world that the other girl wanted to do, obviously, was going home.
"I love the parks," said Tessa.
Jessamine almost smiled.
***
"Do not Miss Gray said on the gears," said Henry.
Charlotte looked up from his notes and sighed. He had always been a sore point for her, however often she was ordering a second car, a key only allows the Institute. That was good, and Thomas was an excellent driver. But that means that when members of the institute were Shadowhunters separate ways, as they were doing today, Charlotte was forced to borrow a car to Benedict Lightwood, who was far from being your favorite person. And the only car that was willing to pay was small and uncomfortable. Poor Henry was so high that he beat his head against the roof.
"No," she said. "The poor girl and seemed very dazed. I could not tell that mechanical devices found in the basement had been manufactured by the company that employed his brother. He is very worried about him. It seemed more than it would be able to bear. "
" can mean nothing, honey, "he recalled Henry. "Mortmain and Company manufactures most of the tools for machinery used in England. Mortmain is really a genius. Its patented system for the production of ball bearings ... "
" Yes, yes. "Charlotte tried to hide the impatience in her voice. "And maybe we should have said. But I thought it best to talk to Mr. Mortmain first and gather the evidence we can. You are correct. He may know nothing, and may have little connection. But it would be quite a coincidence, Henry. And I'm very careful with matches. "
He looked at the notes he had made about Axel Mortmain. He was the only (and probably illegitimate, although the notes do not specified), son of Dr. Hollingworth Mortmain, in a matter of years had risen from the humble position of surgeon on board a merchant ship bound for China, a rich private trader, buying and selling of spices and sugar, silk and area, and (it was not declared, but Charlotte was in agreement with Jem on this) probably opium. When Dr. Mortmain had died, his son, Axel, barely twenty years old, had inherited his fortune, which had invested without delay in the construction of a fleet of ships faster and smarter than any other sail in seas. Within the decade, the young Mortmain had doubled and quadrupled the riches of his father.
In recent years he had retired from Shanghai to London, had sold their trade ships, and used the money to buy a large company producing mechanical devices needed to make watches everything from watches pocket clocks. It was a very wealthy man.
The carriage stopped before a row of white townhouses, each with tall windows that faced the plaza. Henry leaned into the car to read the number of a bronze plaque placed in front of a post. "This should be." Reached the car door.
"Henry," said Charlotte, placing a hand on his arm. "Henry, do you have in mind what we talked about this morning, right?"
He smiled sadly. "I will do my best not to embarrass or ruin the investigation. Honestly, sometimes I wonder why drag me into these things. You know I'm a disaster when it comes to people. "
" You're not a disaster Henry, "said Charlotte softly. Wanted to reach out and stroke his face, pushing his hair back and encouragement. But he refrained. I knew, (he had been warned enough times) should not force the affection of Henry and he probably would not.
They left the car with the driver of the Lightwoods, climbed the stairs and rang the bell, the door was opened by a footman in dark blue uniform and a sullen expression.
"Good morning," he snapped. "I can ask what you need?"
Charlotte glanced at Henry, who was looking beyond the servant to a reverie in its expression. The Lord knew what was going through his mind (sprockets, gear and gadgets without doubt), but certainly was not present in this situation. With an inward sigh, said: "I'm Mrs. Gray, and this is my husband, Mr. Henry Gray. We are looking for a cousin of ours, a young man named Nathaniel Gray. We have not heard from him in almost six weeks. He is, or was, an employee of Mr. Mortmain ... "
For a moment (which could have been his imagination), thought he saw something, a spark of concern in the eyes of the groom. "Mr. Mortmain has many large companies. Can not wait to know the whereabouts of all those working for him. That would be impossible. Maybe you should ask the police. "
Charlotte's eyes. Before they had left the Institute, had drawn on the inside of his arms runes of persuasion. It was weird the mundane that was totally insensitive to their influence. "We did it, but do not seem to have progressed at all with the case. It is so terrible, and we are so worried about Nate, you see. If we could see Mr. Mortmain for a moment ... "
be relaxed when the footman nodded slowly. "I will inform Mr. Mortmain of his visit," he said. He stepped back to allow to enter. "Please wait in the lobby." He looked scared, and surprised by their own consent.
opened the door wide, and Charlotte followed, Henry behind it. Although the groom did not offer him a seat at Charlotte (she attributed the lack of policy to
confusion caused by the rune of persuasion) he hung his coat and hat of Henry and Charlotte's shawl, before you leave and leave mirasen they curiously around the entrance.
The room had a high ceiling but was not decorated. Also missing pastoral landscapes and family portraits. Instead, hanging from the ceiling was painted long silk banners with Chinese characters for good luck, an Indian dish of hammered silver supported on a corner, and pen and ink drawings of famous sites covered the walls.
Charlotte recognized Mount Kilimanjaro, the Egyptian pyramids, the Taj Mahal, and a section of the Great Wall of China. Mortmain clearly was a man who traveled a lot and was proud of it.
Charlotte Henry looked back to see if he was watching what was, but I was looking vaguely toward the stairs, lost in his own mind again, before she could speak, the servant appeared with a pleasant smile on his face. "Please come over here."
Henry and Charlotte followed the footman at the end the hall, where he opened a polished oak door and made him pass.
found in a large study, with large windows overlooking the square. Dark green curtains were set aside to let the light through the crystals and Charlotte could see that the transport provided was waiting on the sidewalk, the horse with his head submerged in a bag, and the driver reading a newspaper on his throne. The green branches of trees were across the street like an awning emerald, but was silent. The windows blocked all sound, and there was nothing audible in this room, except the faint ticking of a clock and the name "Mortmain and Company "engraved in gold on the front.
The furniture was dark, heavy wood is black, and the walls were covered with animal heads, a tiger, an antelope and a leopard, and more foreign landscapes.
was a large mahogany table in the center of the room, well-ordered with piles of paper, each cell with gear balanced with a heavy copper. A metal-reinforced balloon bearing the legend "THE GLOBE OF THE EARTH WITH THE LATEST DISCOVERIES Wyld!" Stuck in a corner of the desktop, the land under the dominion of the British Empire were pinkish red. Charlotte was always strange experience of watching balloons mundane.
His world was not in the same way she knew.
Behind the table sat a man who stood up when they entered. It was a strong-looking little figure, a middle-aged man with white hair pins favorably.
His skin was battered by wind, as was often outside in bad weather. Her gray eyes were very, very clear, with a pleasant expression, despite its elegant appearance, and expensive clothes, was easy to imagine him on the deck of a boat, looking deeply into the distance.
"Good afternoon," he said. "Walker gave me to understand what they are looking for Mr. Nathaniel Gray?"
"Yes," said Henry, to the surprise of Charlotte. Henry rarely, if ever, took the lead in conversations with strangers. He wondered if he had anything to do with the intricate pattern on the desktop. Henry was looking wistfully, as if it were food. "We are your cousins, you know."
"We appreciate that you take this time to talk with us, Mr. Mortmain "said Charlotte in a hurry." We know he was only one employee, one of dozens ... "
" Hundreds, "said Mortmain. He had a pleasant baritone voice, which at the time sounded very funny. "It is true that I can not keep track of them all. But remember the Lord Gray. Although I must say, if you ever mentioned that he had cousins \u200b\u200bwho were Shadowhunters I can not say I remember. "
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