CHAPTER EIGHT
SWOON

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

     Tessa was fast, but the three Shadowhunters following after her were much faster. Even with heavy skirts weighing her down, Evangeline caught up to her new friend quite quickly, the sound of their heeled boots loud against the stone floors. Evangeline fell into step beside Tessa, linking their arms together and slowing to Tessa's own speed. Charlotte had left the dining room with Tessa as soon as she had decided she would meet with Camille, so she was leading the way now, still holding a lamp made of witchlight to light the way. Henry's device hadn't just taken out the lights in the dining room; it seemed to have taken the light out of the entire Institute. No matter. Witchlight tended to fix itself after a time. After a moment, Jem and Will caught up to them, having let Evangeline take the lead—or having been forced to, considering they were afraid to step on her dress. Jem settled on Tessa's other side, and Will joined Evangeline on the other. Their arms brushed as they walked, and Evangeline glanced over to see excitement on Will's face. Like Evangeline, Will had a fascination with vampires, only his fascination was more aligned with the wicked.

"You didn't really think we weren't going to come along, did you?" Will asked. Light flared from his hand as he raised his own witchlight. The light caught Charlotte's attention, and she glanced back at them with a disapproving frown. Clearly, she didn't want any of them causing trouble with a powerful vampire like Camille. Evangeline flashed her a charming, sweet smile, and it made Charlotte huff and turn forward. She said nothing, however, didn't order the three of them to go back to the dining room—not that any of them would've listened—but Evangeline was grateful regardless.

"I know you can't leave anything well enough alone," Tessa grumbled, shooting a pointed look at Will. Evangeline found it an astute observation for a girl who barely knew any of them. "But I thought better of Jem and Evangeline." Evangeline faked a shocked gasp, her free hand flying up to press over her heart. Will nudged her arm, flashing her an amused grin. On Tessa's other side, Jem hummed.

"Where Will goes, I go," Jem said pleasantly, hardly affected by Tessa's small jab. "And besides, I'm as curious as anyone."

"And I have wanted to meet Camille Belcourt for ages," Evangeline pointed out, dropping her hand from her chest just to squeeze Tessa's arm. "You mustn't hold this against me, Tessa, really. What is a curious girl to do?" Tessa shot her a look. She must have meant to look stern and disapproving, but Evangeline could see the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. She responded to the sight with a bright smile of her own. She was surprised when Tessa seemed to stumble a bit before righting herself and charging ahead. It was an effort not to lose her grasp on Tessa's arm.

"That hardly seems a subject for boasting," Tessa muttered. They reached the end of the corridor and took a left, into another long corridor that was darker than most. "Where are we going? Have we turned the wrong way?"

"Patience is a virtue, Miss Gray," Will drawled. They were going down the corridor now, the floor slanted slightly as they descended.

"A virtue with which only Jem seems to possess," Evangeline put in. Will nudged her arm again, grumbling, and in the dark, Jem gave a soft laugh.

"This corridor leads to our Sanctuary," Charlotte explained from ahead, once it was clear that the three Shadowhunters clinging to Tessa currently had no plans to do so. In truth, it hadn't really occurred to Evangeline to explain where they were going. The Institute was so large, and it was ridiculous to assume Tessa knew her way around. Evangeline had learned the routes through trial and error, and she had figured Tessa would do the same. "It is the only part of the Institute that is not on hallowed ground. It is where we meet those who, for whatever reason, cannot enter hallowed ground: those who are cursed, vampires, and the like. It is also often a place we choose to shelter Downworlders who are in danger from demons or other denizens of the Shadow World. For that reason, there are many protections placed on the doors, and it is difficult to enter or exit the room without possessing either a stele or the key."

"Very well put, Charlotte," Evangeline complimented, even as beside her, Tessa cocked her head. Evangeline had learned what that meant very quickly. Tessa's curiosity was peaked, and she had questions. She wondered what she would ask. "I couldn't have explained it as well as you. You are so very good with words."

"Do cease flattering me, Evangeline," Charlotte sighed, though she sounded fond. "I am allowing you to meet your beloved Camille, am I not?"

"Beloved," Evangeline said, amused. "Oh, the scandal that word would cause, Charlotte. Have you learned nothing? It will be everywhere tomorrow. Ruined Evangeline Rosewell, seduced by her beloved female vampire. Oh, the shame!" Charlotte sighed long and loud, while Evangeline sighed wistfully, and though Charlotte couldn't see her dramatics, she made a show of swooning into Will, releasing Tessa's arm so she could place the back of her hand against her forehead. Will caught her easily, and Evangeline peered up at him through her lashes, her hand still on her forehead. Her swooning had made them both stop. Tessa shook with laughter as she continued onward, and Jem shot a look at them over his shoulder, an amused grin on his face. Will just stared down at her, his arms around her torso, keeping her from falling. They looked as if he had dipped her during a dance. Evangeline giggled and pressed her hand to his bicep, gripping it as she slowly righted herself.

"Careful, Flora," Will murmured to her as the others continued forward. Will helped Evangeline straighten, but his hands stayed on her waist for a moment, hovering there like he was afraid she'd fall again. His blue eyes were vibrant, even in the dark corridor. The witchlight was muffled between his hand and her dress. Evangeline tilted her head at him, curious, and he grinned at her, bright and wide. "Swoon too much and you shall fall right through the floor." Evangeline grinned back at him, then playfully pinched his bicep.

"Me, fall? Why, I would never. I have you to catch me, don't I?" Evangeline teased, reaching up to flick his nose. Will grinned wider and released her waist, and then they were both hurrying to catch up to Tessa, Jem, and Charlotte. Evangeline once again found herself linking her arm with Tessa.

"Is it a curse?" Tessa asked eventually. "Being a vampire?" Ahead, Charlotte shook her head.

"No," she replied. "We think it is a sort of demon disease. Most diseases that affect demons are not transmissible—" Evangeline widened her eyes, then shot Will a desperate look, begging him silently not to mention what she knew he would mention as Charlotte continued. "—to human beings, but in some cases, usually through a bite or scratch, the disease can be passed on. Vampirism. Lycanthropy—"

"Demon pox," Will cut in happily.

"By the Angel, Will, enough," Evangeline groaned, tilting her head back to stare at the ceiling, trusting Tessa to lead her in the right direction by their linked arms.

"Will, there's no such thing as demon pox, and you know it," Charlotte said, sounding exhausted. This wasn't the first time Will had brought up his godforsaken demon pox theory, and it certainly wouldn't be the last. It was going to drive Evangeline quite mad. "Now, where was I?"

"Being a vampire isn't a curse. It's a disease," Tessa repeated helpfully, hardly paying attention to Will and Evangeline. "But they still can't enter hallowed ground, then? Does that mean they're damned?"

"That depends on what you believe," Jem responded thoughtfully. "And whether you believe in damnation at all."

"I certainly don't," Evangeline muttered, only to straighten when Tessa shot her a confused look. She offered a smile. "Well, not in the classical sense, at least. Vampires are only affected by religion if they believe in that religion. A Jewish vampire, for example, will not be affected by a cross. So when we say our Institutes are on hallowed ground, it is not in the way mundane churches are hallowed ground. Our ground is blessed by the Angel Raziel, who affects and harms all demons, thus affects all vampires, since they have a demonic disease. But I truly don't believe they are damned to an afterlife of flames and torment and any of that other nonsense. I think they find peace, just like us."

"But you hunt demons," Tessa argued, looking even more confused. "You must believe in damnation!"

"The demons we fight come from demonic realms. Other worlds," Evangeline explained patiently. "Not whatever Hell you do or do not believe in."

"I believe in good and evil," Jem said, sounding just as thoughtful as before. "And I believe the soul is eternal. But I don't believe in the fiery pit, the pitchforks, or the endless torment, much like Evie. I do not believe you can threaten people into goodness." Evangeline nodded her agreement.

"I also don't believe good and evil are in such clear lines," Evangeline added, tilting her head to the side. "Anyone can have goodness in them, and anyone can have evil in them. You can have bits of both. I believe it's our choices that make us who we are, not fate or by a God's hand and whatnot. A good person can do bad things, and a bad person can do good things. It depends on perspective, I suppose. Some, of course, do more evil than others." Tessa looked absolutely fascinated by the time Evangeline was done, and she stretched her neck to address Will, who had taken in Jem's and Evangeline's words in silence.

"What about you?" she asked. "What do you believe?"

"Pulvis et umbra sumus," Will said, reciting a quote from their lessons. Evangeline frowned, looking at him strangely. Will had never really voiced his beliefs, had never made his faith or lack thereof clear, but he had always been respectful of Jem and Evangeline's beliefs. Jem's belief that life was a circle, that they were reborn once they were gone, and Evangeline's belief that there was peace for everyone, an afterlife they would be forever happy in. "I believe we are dust and shadows. What else is there?"

"Will, you see ghosts," Evangeline argued, unable to help herself. "Surely that proves there is something?" Will opened his mouth to respond, but Charlotte cut in from up ahead.

"Whatever you believe," Charlotte said calmly, "please don't suggest to Lady Belcourt that you think she's damned." They had finally reached the Sanctuary, and a set of tall iron doors welcomed them, the doors etched with runes and connected C's to portray the Conclave. Charlotte turned to look at them, bending down to set her witchlight lamp on the floor. The Sanctuary had candles instead of witchlight, since many vampires were sensitive to the angelic light. "She has very kindly offered to help us, and there's no purpose in offering her such insults. That applies to you especially, Will. If you can't be polite, I'll send you out of the Sanctuary. Jem, I trust you to be your charming self. Evangeline, do please remember your manners. Remember, she is an ally, not a royal you can fawn over."

"I would never fawn over the monarchy, thank you," Evangeline said, sniffing delicately. Charlotte shook her head.

"Tessa..." Charlotte turned kind eyes to Tessa. "Try not to be frightened." Tessa looked shaken at the warning, but Charlotte said nothing else. She just turned toward the double doors and pulled a silver key from her pocket. She unlocked the Sanctuary doors, then pushed them open and waved them all inside. Evangeline had always liked the Sanctuary. It was, in her opinion, the most beautiful room in the entire Institute, though the large library was a very close second. Candlelight flickered in candelabras, the pillars were etched with scrolls and runes, vibrant red tapestries hung from the walls, and a large mirror took up one main wall, illuminating the glow from the candles. The most striking feature of the room, however, was the large fountain in the middle, the base circular, a stone angel rising from the water and crying water that fell into the pool below.

Evangeline's eyes didn't stay on the beautiful fountain for long. She soon found the source of her fascination. Camille Belcourt sat in the tallest of velvet chairs set out for visitors, wearing a rich red velvet dress, her cleavage spilling over the top of the dress, though it didn't rise with any breaths. She wore a hat tipped forward, covering her face, but it did nothing to hide the thick blonde curls clustered around her nape. She raised her head as they approached, and Evangeline met her eyes, so green that Evangeline was reminded of peridots. Evangeline caught her breath. Beside her, Tessa did as well, and Evangeline found her gaze straying from Camille to Tessa instead. Tessa's gray eyes were wide, her lips bitten red and her pale face flushed. Camille was beautiful, certainly, but her beauty was unnatural in nature, her body too still. Tessa's chest moved with every breath, and her cheeks were flush with life.

Evangeline found she liked Tessa's flushed face much more than Camille's smooth, cold beauty. But that did not mean she was disappointed. Quite the opposite, really. She had never been this close to a vampire before, at least, not one that wasn't absolutely rabid and trying to kill her. She idly reached up and fiddled with one of her curls. She had worn her hair loose to dinner. She was beginning to regret it.

"Douse your witchlight, Will," Charlotte said under her breath, though Evangeline didn't quite know why. Surely, Camille could hear her quite clearly. After Will put the witchlight back into his pocket, Charlotte hurried forward to greet their guest. "So good of you to wait for us, Baroness. I trust you have found the Sanctuary comfortable enough for your tastes?"

"As always, Charlotte," Camille replied. Evangeline was surprised to find she sounded bored.

"Lady Belcourt, please let me introduce you to Miss Theresa Gray," Charlotte continued, motioning toward Tessa, who inclined her head politely, though she still had that startled, wide-eyed look. "Beside her is Mr. James Carstairs, one of our young Shadowhunters, and with him Miss Evangeline Rosewell and—"

"William Herondale," Camille cut in, and then she smiled. It was a knowing, coy thing. Evangeline raised her eyebrows and glanced between her and Will. "Fancy you coming to greet me."

"You know each other?" Charlotte asked. She looked astonished.

"William won twenty pounds from me at faro," Camille revealed, smiling wider. Evangeline's eyebrows rose even higher. Camille was looking at Will in a way that Evangeline found she did not like. Camille looked hungry, but not like she craved blood. Evangeline shifted on her feet, mildly uncomfortable, though she couldn't for the life of her figure out why. She just knew that her awe of Camille Belcourt was fading quite quickly. "A few weeks ago, in a Downworld gambling house run by the Pandemonium club." At that, Evangeline whirled to face Will, slightly outraged, though not because he had been inside of a gambling den.

"He did?" Charlotte asked, looking at Will for confirmation. Will shrugged. That was all the proof Evangeline needed.

"You owe me twenty pounds!" Evangeline cried out, poking a finger into Will's chest. "You best pay me back at once, William Herondale." Will swatted her finger away from his chest, though it was gentle, didn't even sting. Evangeline scowled and dropped her hand.

"It was part of the investigation," Will explained. "I was disguised as a foolish mundane who had come to the place to partake in vice. It would have aroused suspicion had I refused to gamble." Evangeline scowled harder, while Charlotte did her best to grow stern.

"Nevertheless, Will, that money you won was evidence. You should have given it to the Clave."

"No, he should have given it to me," Evangeline argued, appalled. "Twenty pounds, Will!"

"I spent it on gin."

Evangeline threw her arms into the air. "You don't even like gin!"

"The spoils of vice are a burdensome responsibility," Will said very seriously. Evangeline snorted, rolling her eyes up to the ceiling. Sometimes, she thought Will was the most ridiculous person alive, if only because she knew his talk of vice wasn't very true. She and Jem had followed him once, when he had made a big show of going out and getting drunk inside of brothels, curious to see where he would actually go—only to follow him all night long as he walked aimlessly around London. He hadn't even been carrying a bottle. Evangeline knew this side of Will quite well. When they were little, Will had tried so very hard to push Evangeline away. He had called her mean names, had made remarks about her being a girl in an attempt to stop her from following him and Jem around, but Evangeline was very stubborn. She had rightfully assumed that someone like Jem wouldn't be best friends with someone like Will unless there was more underneath. She had soon learned that Will wanted people to think the worst of him, and often lied to make people to just that.

Evangeline knew better.

"Yet one you seem strangely able to bear," Jem murmured, amusement twinkling in his eyes. He and Evangeline shared a knowing look. They had never told Will they knew he was lying about his vices. They didn't plan to. Not until he admitted it himself. Beside Evangeline, Charlotte threw her hands up in exasperation.

"I will deal with you later, William," she decided, then turned back to Camille. "Lady Belcourt, am I to understand that you also are a member of the Pandemonium Club?" Camille made a show of grimacing in a delicate manner.

"Certainly not," she said, waving a hand through the air sharply, as if waving the mere thought away. "I was at the gambling den that night because a warlock friend of mine was hoping to win a little easy money at cards. The club's events are open to most Downworlders. The members like us to appear there; it impresses the mundanes and opens their pocketbooks. I know there are Downworlders running the enterprise, but I would never become one of them. The entire business seems so déclassé."

"De Quincey is a member," Charlotte pointed out. They all knew de Quincey was in charge of all the vampires in London, and that included Camille. "I have been told he is the head of the organization, in fact. Did you know that?" Camille met her stare, then shook her head.

"De Quincey and I were close years ago, but no longer, and I have been direct with him about my lack of interest in the club," Camille explained, reaching up to play with the necklace of rubies wrapped around her throat. "I suppose he could be the head of the club; it's a ridiculous organization, if you ask me, but doubtless very lucrative." Camille dropped her hand, folding them both in her lap as she leaned forward. "The first thing you must understand about de Quincey is that he is the most dangerous vampire in London. He has made his way to the top of the city's most powerful clan. Any vampire living within London is subject to his whim." They all knew that very well, except for perhaps Tessa, so none of them responded. Camille continued. "The second thing you must understand is that de Quincey is old—old even for the Night Children. He lived most of his life before the Accords, and he loathes them, and loathes living beneath the yoke of the Law. And most of all, he hates Nephilim."

Out of the corner of her eye, Evangeline caught movement. She turned her head, watching curiously as Jem leaned against Will's side and whispered something into his ear. It must have been some joke, because Will's lips quirked up in amusement. Evangeline itched to know what Jem had said, but she supposed she could ask later.

"Indeed," Will said, agreeing with whatever Jem had said. "How could anyone despise us when we are so charming?" Evangeline looked quickly at Jem, saw him roll his eyes, and quickly bit back her laugh. Camille did not look amused.

"I am sure you know that you are not loved by most Downworlders," Camille noted.

"We do," Evangeline told her, thinking of the werewolf, Theodore, she had met in the park.

"But we thought de Quincey was an alley," Charlotte mentioned. She rested her hands on the back of the one of the empty chairs. "He has always cooperated with the Clave."

"Pretense," Camille dismissed. "It is in his interest to cooperate with you, so he does. But he would happily see you all sunk fathoms below the sea."

"How dreadful," Evangeline muttered, more to herself than to anyone else in the room. "I would not fair well at the bottom of the sea."

"And you know nothing of his involvement with two women called the Dark Sisters?" Charlotte questioned. Tessa straightened her spine at the mention of her tormentors, and Evangeline pulled herself out of her morbid thoughts about the sea. She stepped closer to the other girl to offer what comfort she could. "Nothing of his interest in automatons—mechanical creatures?"

"Ugh, the Dark Sisters," Camille scoffed, shuddering more for show than anything else. "Such ugly, unpleasant creatures. Warlocks, I believe. I avoided them. They were known to provide to the members of the club who might have less...savory interests. Demon drugs, Downworld prostitutes, that sort of thing."

"And the automatons?" Charlotte repeated. Camille waved her hand.

"If de Quincey has some fascination with watch parts, I know nothing of it. In fact, when you first contacted me about de Quincey, Charlotte, I had no intention of coming forward with any information at all. It is one thing to share a few Downworld secrets with the Clave, another thing entirely to betray the most powerful vampire in London. That was, until I heard about your little shape-shifter." Camille turned her eyes to Tessa. Evangeline did not like the smile she gave her. "I can see the family resemblance." Tessa stiffened.

"The resemblance of whom?" Tessa whispered.

"With, Nathaniel, of course. To your brother."

Tessa sucked in a sharp breath, taking a step forward. "You've seen my brother?" Camille smiled again, and Evangeline decided then that she did not like this vampire at all. She much preferred the idolized version in her own head.

"I saw him a few times at various Pandemonium Club occasions. He had that hapless look about him, poor creature, of a mundane under a spell. Probably gambled away everything he had. They always do. Charlotte told me the Dark Sisters took him; that doesn't surprise me. They love to drive a mundane into the ground with debt and then collect in the most shocking ways..."

"But he's alive?" Tessa demanded, her voice growing a bit stronger with mild impatience. "You've seen him alive?"

"It was some time ago, but yes," Camille confirmed. Tessa released a small breath of relief, leaning slightly against Evangeline's side. Evangeline linked their arms together to support her. "To return to the matter at hand, we were speaking of de Quincey. Tell me, Charlotte, did you know he holds parties at his townhouse in Carleton Square?" Evangeline arched an eyebrow. That seemed like a rather unimportant question. Everyone had heard of de Quincey's parties.

"I've heard it mentioned," Charlotte confirmed.

"Unfortunately," Will cut in, "it seems he neglected to invite us. Perhaps out invitations went astray in the post." Camille didn't even glance his way. Her eyes were trained onto Charlotte.

"At these parties," Camille continued, sounding quite serious, "humans are tortured and killed." Evangeline straightened, fresh alarm growing through her. She shared a glance with Jem and saw that his eyes were also widened in alarm. "I believe their bodies are dumped into the Thames for the mudlarks to pick over. Now, did you know that?" There was a beat of tense silence. Even Will looked shocked, and it was greatly difficult to shock him in such settings. Evangeline chewed on the inside of her cheek.

"But," Charlotte said slowly, face pale, "the murder of humans by the Night Children is forbidden under the Law—"

"And de Quincey despises the Law," Camille reminded. "He does this as much to mock the Nephilim as because he enjoys the killing. Though he does enjoy that, make no mistake about it."

"How long have you held onto this information?" Evangeline whispered. Camille glanced over at her, her face expressionless, carefully smooth.

"Yes," Charlotte said, lips pressed so tightly together that they looked bloodless. "How long has this been going on, Camille?"

"At least a year. Perhaps longer."

"And you are telling me this only now because..." Charlotte trailed off. Camille met her gaze without even a hint of shame. She seemed calm as ever, even though what she had just admitted could have gotten her arrested, if Charlotte were to decide to go down that route.

"The price for revealing the secrets of the Lord of London is death," Camille revealed, her green eyes darkening. She was risking quite a lot coming here, though her face revealed nothing. "And it would have done you no good, even if I had told you. De Quincey is one of your allies. You have no reason and no excuse to burst into his home as if he were a common criminal. Not with no evidence of wrongdoing on his part. My understanding is that, under the new Accords, a vampire must actually be observed harming a human before the Nephilim can take action?"

"Yes," Charlotte said reluctantly, "but if we had been able to attend one of the parties—" Camille cut her off with a short, disbelieving laugh, and even Evangeline shot Charlotte a questioning look. If any Shadowhunters were to be invited to one of de Quincey's parties, then of course, de Quincey would not let any harm fall to a human.

"De Quincey would never let that happen!" Camille exclaimed. "At the first sight of a Shadowhunter, he would have locked the place up tightly. You would never have been permitted to enter."

"Or leave," Evangeline muttered. The smirk Camille sent her way was proof enough how true those words were.

"But you could," Charlotte pointed out. "You could have brought one of us with you—"

"And risk my own life?"

"Well, you're not precisely alive, are you?" Will asked innocently. Evangeline's hand flew without looking, the back of her hand smacking against his chest. Will grumbled at the smack.

"I value my existence as much as you do, Shadowhunter," Camille said coldly, narrowing her eyes in Will's direction. "A lesson you would do well to learn. It could hardly hurt the Nephilim to cease thinking that all those who do not live exactly as they do much therefore not truly live at all." There was a beat of uncomfortable silence—because she was right, and even Will knew that—before Jem shifted forward slightly.

"Lady Belcourt—if you'll pardon my asking—what is it exactly that you want from Tessa?" Jem asked. Evangeline was glad for it. Camille had avoided the subject for far too long, and Tessa seemed to be in a daze after learning about her brother. Now, she seemed to have woken up. She blinked a few times as Camille looked at her.

"You can disguise yourself as anyone, is that correct?" Camille asked her, and Tessa's spine straightened. Evangeline slid a bit closer to her protectively. She noticed that she wasn't the only one. Jem and Will moved as well. One would've thought the three of them had planned it, how smoothly they had moved as one toward Tessa. "A perfect disguise—appearance, voice, and manner? That's what I have heard. I have my sources."

"Yes," Tessa said, sounding hesitant. "That is, I have been told the disguise is identical."

"It is," Evangeline confirmed quietly. "From what I've seen."

"It would have to be perfect," Camille murmured. "If you were to disguise yourself as me—"

"As you?" Charlotte said sharply. "Lady Belcourt, I don't see—"

"I see," Will cut in, eyes brightening. Evangeline turned to look at him curiously. "If Tessa were disguised as Lady Belcourt, she could make her way into one of de Quincey's parties. She could observe him breaking the Law, then the Clave could attack, without shattering the Accords."

"Quite the strategist, you are," Camille purred. Evangeline frowned at her.

"And it would also provide a perfect opportunity to search de Quincey's residence," Jem added. "See what we can discover about his interest in these automatons. If he really has been murdering mundanes, there's no reason to think that it wasn't for more purposes than mere sport." Evangeline shivered when she remembered all those bodies in the Dark Sister's cellar.

"We would have to figure out some way to signal the Clave from inside de Quincey's," Will continued. His excitement at the potential mission was obvious, though Tessa hadn't agreed to it yet. "Perhaps Henry could devise something. It would be invaluable to have a blueprint of the house's construction—"

"Will," Tessa tried to interrupt. "I don't—"

"And of course you wouldn't be going alone. I would go with you. I wouldn't let anything happen to you."

"You're getting a bit ahead of yourself, aren't you?" Evangeline muttered, mildly amused.

"Will, no," Charlotte said in exasperation. "You and Tessa alone, in a house full of vampires? I forbid it."

"Then who would you send in with her, if not me?" Will demanded.

"Me," Jem and Evangeline said together, if only to get on his nerves. Will completely ignored them, as he often did. Jem and Evangeline shared an amused glance.

"You know I can protect her," Will continued, "and you know I'm the right choice—"

"I could go," Charlotte argued. "Or Henry—"

"I'm afraid I agree with William," Camille cut in smoothly, folding her hands neatly in her lap. "The only individuals admitted to these parties are de Quincey's close friends, vampire, and the human subjugates of vampires. De Quincey has seen Will before, passing as a mundane fascinated by the occult; he won't be surprised to find that he's graduated to vampiric servitude." Evangeline didn't much like the thought of Will pretending to be a vampire subjugate. They were humans addicted to vampire blood, and that addiction led to unnaturally long lives and a link to the vampire who fed them that meant they had to serve. Evangeline frowned just thinking of it. Of Will even pretending to have his free will stripped away.

"But Will is only seventeen," Charlotte protested.

"Most human subjugates are young," Will pointed out. "Vampires like to acquire their subjugates when they're youthful—prettier to look at, and less chance of diseased blood. and they'll live a bit longer, though not much." He looked far too pleased with himself. Evangeline had a feeling it had less to do with a mission and more to do with causing mischief in a vampire party. "Most of the rest of the Enclave wouldn't be able to pass convincingly as a pretty young human subjugate—"

"Because the rest of us are all hideous, are we?" Jem asked dryly, a smile curling at his lips. "Is that why I can't do it?"

"No," Will said immediately, turning to look at Jem. "You know why it can't be you." He said it with no pity, but no hardness, either. It was merely a fact. Any Downworlder would take one look at Jem and know, with his silver eyes and hair, that he was sick, and what he was sick with. He would never be chosen as a subjugate. Jem looked at Will for a moment, then shrugged and looked away. Will looked like he wanted to add more, but Evangeline cut in smoothly.

"And why can't it be me, hm?" Evangeline demanded, planting her hands on her hips. "One could say I'm prettier than you are, Will, and—"

"You're not going in there," Will said immediately, pinning Evangeline with a look so serious that it made Evangeline pause in shock. She blinked multiple times.

"Excuse me—" Evangeline started.

"No," Will said. He shot Jem a pleading look. "Jem, tell her." Jem raised an eyebrow, made a show of meeting Will's gaze again, then he pointedly looked away, making it clear he wasn't part of this conversation. Will scowled at him, then scowled harder at Evangeline. "I need you to stay with Jem."

"Don't bring me into this," Jem muttered.

"Enough, all of you," Charlotte said before Evangeline could really start a fight with Will. "I'm truly not sure about this. When is the next of these events set to happen, Camille?"

"Saturday night."

"I'll have to speak to the Enclave," Charlotte said with a deep breath, "before I can agree. And Tessa would have to agree as well." They all looked at Tessa then, who shifted nervously under their stares. She thought for a moment, licking her lips.

"You believe that there's a chance my brother might be there?" Tessa asked Camille, her hands twisting in her skirts with nerves. Camille tilted her head. The movement reminded Evangeline of a cat.

"I cannot promise he will be there," Camille said slowly. "He might. But someone there will likely know what has happened to him. The Dark Sisters were regulars at de Quincey's parties; doubtless they or their cohorts, if captured and interrogated, will yield you some answers." Tessa's mouth twisted, no doubt at the thought of walking into a party full of monsters with no empathy for humans, but she still raised her chin in determination.

"I'll do it," Tessa decided. "But I want to be promised that if Nate is there, we'll get him out, and if he isn't, we'll find out where he is." Her eyes went to Charlotte as she said what she wanted. "I want to make sure it's not all about catching de Quincey. It must be about saving Nate, too."

"Of course," Charlotte said immediately. It was Law to try to save a mundane if they were in trouble first, and then deal with the danger second. "But I don't know, Tessa. It will be very dangerous—"

"Have you ever Changed yourself into a Downworlder?" Will asked curiously. "Do you even know if it's something that would be possible?" Evangeline arched an eyebrow. She didn't think it was impossible for Tessa to Change into a Downworlder, especially since their theory was that Tessa was part of the Downworld. Even so, Tessa shook her head in a negative.

"I've never done anything like that," Tessa admitted. "But...I could try." She turned toward Camille, who was watching the ordeal with a mixture of boredom and amusement. "Could I have something of yours? A ring, or a handkerchief perhaps." Camille didn't hesitate to reach behind her neck and unclasp the ruby necklace she was wearing. She handed it to Tessa, but it was Jem who stepped forward to take it, a frown on his face. He studied it, then handed it to Tessa, who seemed relieved she didn't have to move from her spot. She wrapped her hand around the necklace, took a deep breath, and closed her eyes. It was similar to when she had changed into Jessamine. There was a ripple around her body, like another layer was around her, and then Camille Belcourt was in Tessa's place. This time, Tessa didn't seem calm when she opened her eyes. If anything, she was panicked, her hand flying to her chest as she sank into a nearby armchair. Her eyes were wide.

"Tessa?" Jem asked, moving forward. He sank down on his heels beside the chair to take Tessa's hands, which were shaking. Tessa seemed very far away, distant. Evangeline frowned and stepped up to the chair, bending to place a hand on Tessa's shoulder. One of her hands flew from Jem's grasp to place over her chest again.

"Oh, God," Tessa softly whispered. "I—my heart's not beating. I feel as if I've died. Jem—" She choked on air, pressing her hand harder against her chest. Evangeline squeezed her shoulder to center her at the same time Jem stroked her hand.

"You're alive," Jem said softly, so softly that Evangeline probably wouldn't have heard him if she wasn't right beside Evangeline. "You're wearing a different skin, but you're Tessa, and you're alive. Do you know how I know that?" Tessa shook her head, almost frantically, and Jem gave her one of his beautiful gentle smiles. "Because you said the word 'God' just now to me. You as a vampire wouldn't be able to say that. Your soul is still the same." Tessa released a trembling breath. A moment later, the skin beneath Evangeline's fingers shifted, became warmer as Tessa turned back into herself. Evangeline was relieved when Tessa smiled, even if it was shaky.

"Tessa," Charlotte said after a moment. "Are you—Is everything alright?"

"You will have to practice a bit," Camille said casually. Jem and Evangeline both shot her dirty looks, while Will wore an unreadable expression. "Moving and holding your breath, I mean, if you wish to convince de Quincey that you are me. I would never slump in a chair like that." Evangeline's dirty look shifted into an outright glare. "Still, overall, and impressive showing. Someone trained you well."

Evangeline was going to throw Camille Belcourt out into the dirt.

"My necklace?" Camille reminded calmly, holding out her hand. Jem, again, moved the necklace between Tessa and Camille, and Camille clasped the necklace back around her throat. There were words engraved in the silver frame of the pendant, but Evangeline couldn't see what they were before Camille had the necklace back around her neck.

"Lady Belcourt," Will said, gaining the vampire's attention. "Since none of us have ever been in de Quincey's home, do you think it would be possible for you to provide a floor plan, or even a sketch of the grounds and rooms?"

"I shall provide you with something better." Camille smiled then, wide and feral. "Magnus Bane." Evangeline straightened much like she had at hearing Camille Belcourt's name, her eyes brightening as she circled around Tessa's chair. She nearly tripped over Jem's foot in her haste to get to Camille, to voice her curiosity about Magnus Bane currently traveling up her throat. Charlotte beat her to it, while Jem steadied her with a quiet laugh in her ear.

"The warlock?" Charlotte asked, her eyebrows rising.

"Indeed," Camille confirmed. "He knows the town house as well as I do and is often invited to de Quincey's social events. Though, like me, he has formerly eschewed the parties at which murder is committed."

"Noble of him," Will muttered.

"He will meet you there," Camille continued, "and guide you through the house. No one there will be surprised to see us together. Magnus Bane is my lover, you see." Her words sent all of them into a state of shock. Charlotte's eyebrows grew higher, Tessa's jaw dropped, and Will and Jem started shaking in silent laughter. Evangeline felt herself start to grin.

"Is he a good lover, at least?" Evangeline dared to ask. Charlotte sucked in a sharp breath to scold her, no doubt, but Camille's laughter cut her off.

"Indeed," Camille confirmed. She rose to her feet then, so smoothly that Evangeline was abruptly reminded she was a vampire. "And now, if someone will escort me out. It grows late, and I have not yet fed."

"Will, Jem, if you'll go?" Charlotte suggested. Her eyes were on Tessa now, wide with concern. She didn't like this plan very much, that much was clear. Evangeline turned her gaze away from them for a moment to watch Jem and Will flank Camille and lead her out of the room. Camille shot them one last smile over her shoulder before she left, pausing at the doorway.

"If you do this," Camille told Tessa, "and you succeed—whether or not you find your brother—I can promise you, little shapeshifter, that you won't regret it." She was gone then, and Evangeline frowned after her. Frowned until she heard Tessa speak.

"What do you think she meant by that?" Tessa demanded. "That I won't regret it?"

"I don't know," Charlotte admitted. "I'd like to think that she meant that the knowledge of a good deed done would console you, but it's Camille, so..."

"She probably thinks Tessa is in for a grand time," Evangeline said dryly, curling a lock of her hair around her finger.

"Are all vampires like that?" Tessa asked. She shivered delicately, rubbing at her arms. "Cold like that?"

"Sometimes," Evangeline said honestly. Lying to the poor girl would do her no good. "I have met vampires who never become cold, who find immortality to be rejuvenating. But some come to find it boring. I fear Camille is the latter."

"Many of them have been alive a long time," Charlotte added. "They don't see things the way we do."

"Indeed, they don't," Tessa sighed, reaching up to her temples, as if they ached. They probably did, after turning into a vampire for the first time. Evangeline swooped in to take her arm. Tessa looked at her with wide gray eyes. "What do we do now? Just wait until Saturday?"

"Oh, no," Evangeline corrected, smiling at her softly just to ease Tessa's anxieties. "First and foremost, Charlotte must call a meeting with the Enclave so that they can agree to this plan." Charlotte nodded, turning to dart out of the Sanctuary to write a message. "Until that meeting is called, you must spend time learning how to act like a vampire. Like Camille. You cannot just wear her face. You must act like her, talk like her, become her."

"Become her..." Tessa let out a soft laugh. "I usually can, you know. Become the person I am turning into. But with her, it is like a wall of ice is around who she actually is, so I cannot reach it. I don't know how I can ever be as graceful as her." Tessa shook her head. "I don't even know how to dance like a baroness, never mind walk with a vampire's grace."

"Well." Evangeline tugged her closer and started walking out of the Sanctuary, an excited smile curling at her lips. "Lucky for you, I happen to be a fantastic dancer."

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I skimmed while editing this so excuse any mistakes xx