Chain of Thorns

Chapter 9

"Jesse, Jesse,are you there?"

"Lucie!'

Jesse appeared out of thin air from the darkness.

'I was wondering where you were!"

"Well..."

Lucie explained that she was going on trial for using necromancy to bring him back. Jesse was nodding as she talked.

"So..."

'Malcolm Fade is my witness. But he is a warlock so I am in London to get trialed." She sighed. "Do you think that I used necromancy?"

"Of course not!" Jesse exclaimed. "You have a power with ghosts, Lucie. That is not necromancy. That is a rare power."

"I am not sure Bridgestock agrees."

"Then so be it. You will win the trial and be set free Lucie. I know you will."

*Cordelia*

The trio were off the train, shaking at the experience with Lilith, but staying strong.

"So,where is this Christopher boy?" Jasmine asked curiously.

'My track rune says he's at a hotel. It's called Paris Beauty Hotel.' James said.

"Posh," Cordelia said at the sound of the name. "Sounds very posh. Does Christopher's parents know he's here?"

"I don't know," James replied. "But if they don't, it's very unlike him. They probably don't even care. Ah- here we are."

Before them was the Paris Beauty Hotel, they walked inside and a beautiful lobby greeted them.

"Hello!" A man greeted them.

"Oh-" Cordelia began. James held her sleeve and he spoke instead.

"Hello," James continued for her. "Mr-"

"You call me Steve."

"Okay- Steve- do you know a man named Mr Lightwood?"

"Ah, his name is Cris- Crisp..."

"Christopher."

"Yes, silly me, who is he to you?'

"I am his cousin."

"Hmmm,okay boy, who are these ladies with you?"

"One is my wife and one is her friend."

"Where's her ring?"

Cordelia gasped.

"How dare you! Just take us to Christopher! My ring is at home!"

Cordelia's outrageous scream scared him and he muttered 'Room 769 floor 6' and scuttled off. Cordelia dusted off her hands.

"Now, that, is the way."

"Daisy,"James said. 'Wow."

'Lets go," Jasmine said and walked off.

When they were at the room, James opened the door with a bobby pin from Cordelia's hair and to be greeted with an unexpected surprise. Grace was there, and Christopher, and they were kissing.

"Christopher!" James yelled.

Grace darted away from him, blushing. Christopher adjusted his goggles.

"James, how lovely to see you," he said awkwardly.

"Yes, you too," James said stiffly. Aware of his facial expressions, he put on the Mask, the invisible mask James would slide on to hide his feelings. He never wore it around Cordelia though. It was weird seeing her husband with the Mask on.

"Grace," James' sharp words cut through her thoughts like a blade.

"Yes?" Grace said quietly, her head still looking at the floor.

"Is this why the bracelet had cracked and fallen off? Not just because of me. Because-"

"Yes, I have found myself a new love."

"Of all things," Jasmine butted in. "It had to be Christopher?"

Grace spoke sharply at Jasmine.

"Yes, why wouldn't it not be?"

Jasmine looked taken aback by this girl.

"Well," Cordelia said. "For starters, I didn't think Christopher was your type."

"You thought wrong."

Cordelia groaned. She pulled James and Jasmine away from the room and completely out of the lobby.

"Shall we just go?"

"Yes," James said. "I've got a room and it is very magical."

"Yay!" Jasmine said. "I can't wait!"