"There have already been a number of complaints lodged through Reparations," rumbled the Consul. "But those Will be dealt with as the Law sees fit. Reparations isnt really your concern, Benedict-"
"A nd," Benedict went on, his voice rising, "worst of all, she has let a dangerous criminal with plans to harm and destroy Shadowhunters escape, and we have no idea where he might be. Nor is the responsibility for finding him being laid where it should be, on the shoulders of those who lost him!"
His voice rose. In fact, the whole room was in an uproar; Charlotte looked dismayed, Henry confused, and Will furious. The Consul, whose eyes had darkened alarmingly when Benedict had mentioned the Fairchilds-they must have been Charlottes family, Tessa realized-remained silent as the noise died down. Then he said, "Your hostility toward the leader of your Enclave does not do you credit, Benedict. "
"My apologies, Consul. I do not believe that keeping Charlotte Branwel as the head of the Institute-for we all know that Henry Branwel s involvement is nominal at most-is in the best interests of the Clave. I believe a woman cannot run an Institute; women do not think with logic and discretion but with the emotions of the heart. I have no doubt that Charlotte is a good and decent woman, but a man would not have been fooled by a flimsy spy like Nathaniel Gray-"
"I was fooled. " Will had leaped to his feet and swung around, eyes blazing.
"We all were. What insinuations are you making about myself and Jem and Henry, Mr. Lightwood?"
"You and Jem are children," said Benedict cuttingly. "And Henry never looks up from his worktable. "
Will started to climb over the back of his chair; Jem tugged him back into his seat with main force, hissing under his breath. Jessamine clapped her hands together, her brown eyes bright.
"This is finally exciting," she exclaimed.
Tessa looked at her in disgust. "Are you hearing any of this? Hes insulting Charlotte!" she whispered, but Jessamine brushed her off with a gesture.
"And who would you suggest run the Institute instead?" the Consul demanded of Benedict, his voice dripping sarcasm. "Yourself, perhaps?"
Benedict spread his hands wide self-deprecatingly. "If you say so, Consull. . . "
Before he could finish speaking, three other figures had risen of their own accord; two Tessa recognized as members of the London Enclave, though she did not know their names; the third was Lilian Highsmith.
Benedict smiled. Everyone was staring at him now; beside him sat his youngest son Gabriel, who was looking up at his father with unreadable green eyes. His slim fingers gripped the back of the chair in front of him.
"Three to support my claim," Benedict said. "Thats what the Law requires for me to formal y chal enge Charlotte Branwel for the position of head of the London Enclave. "
Charlotte gave a little gasp but sat motionless in her seat, refusing to turn around. Jem still had Will by the wrist. And Jessamine continued to look as if she were watching an exciting play.
"No," said the Consul.
"You cannot prevent me from chal enging-"
"Benedict, you chal enged my appointment of Charlotte the moment I made it. Youve always wanted the Institute. Now, when the Enclave needs to work together more than ever, you bring division and contention to the proceedings of the Council. "
"Change is not always accomplished peaceful y, but that does not make it disadvantageous. My chal enge stands. " Benedicts hands gripped each other.
The Consul drummed his fingers on the lectern. Beside him the Inquisitor stood, cold-eyed. finally the Consul said, "You suggest, Benedict, that the responsibility of finding Mortmain should be laid upon the shoulders of those who you claim lost him. You would agree, I believe, that finding Mortmain is our first priority?"
Benedict nodded curtly.
"Then, my proposal is this: Let Charlotte and Henry Branwel have charge of the investigation into Mortmains whereabouts. If by the end of two weeks they have not located him, or at least some strong evidence pointing to his location, then the chal enge may go forward. "
Charlotte shot forward in her seat. "Find Mortmain?" she said. "Alone, just Henry and I-with no help from the rest of the Enclave?"
The Consuls eyes when they rested on her were not unfriendly, but neither were they entirely forgiving. "You may call upon other members of the Clave if you have some specific need, and of course the Silent Brothers and Iron Sisters are at your disposal," he said. "But as for the investigation, yes, that is for you to accomplish on your own. "
"I dont like this," complained Lilian Highsmith. "Youre turning the search for a madman into a game of power-"
"Do you wish to withdraw your support for Benedict, then?" asked the Consul. "His chal enge would be ended and there would be no need for the Branwel s to prove themselves. "
Lilian opened her mouth-and then, at a look from Benedict, closed it. She shook her head.
"We have just lost our servants," said Charlotte in a strained voice.
"Without them-"
"New servants Will be provided to you, as is standard," said the Consul.
"Your late servant Thomass brother, Cyril, is traveling here from Brighton to join your household, and the Dublin Institute has given up its second cook for you. Both are well -trained fighters-which, I must say, Charlotte, yours should have been as well. "
"Both Thomas and Agatha were trained," Henry protested.
"But you have several in your house who are not," said Benedict. "Not only is Miss Lovelace woeful y behind in her training, but your parlor girl, Sophie, and that Downworlder there-" He pointed at Tessa. "Well, since you seem bent on making her a permanent addition to your household, it would hardly hurt if she-and the maid-were trained in the basics of defense. "
Tessa looked sideways at Jem in astonishment. "He means me?"
Jem nodded. His expression was somber.
"I cant-Ill chop off my own foot!"
"If youre going to chop off anyones foot, chop off Benedicts," Will muttered.
"Youl be fine, Tessa. Its nothing you cant do," Jem began, but the rest of his words were drowned out by Benedict.
"In fact," Benedict said, "since the two of you Will be so busy investigating Mortmains whereabouts, I suggest I lend you my sons-Gabriel, and Gideon, who returns from Spain tonight-as trainers. Both are excel ent fighters and could use the teaching experience. "