Matthew came to his feet. “Alastair, if you’re lying, I swear on the Angel—”
“Stop!” Charlotte held up a commanding hand. “Alastair. Say what you mean. Now.”
“As I said.” Alastair’s lip was curled, his head back; he looked every inch the arrogant bastard he’d been at the Academy. “I was in Golden Square when Thomas was passing through. I also heard Lilian Highsmith scream. I saw Thomas run to help her. She was already dying when he got there. He never harmed her. I’ll swear to it.”
Matthew sat back down with a thump. Thomas stared at Alastair with a dazed expression. Gideon looked pleased, if not a little bit baffled by everyone else’s stunned expressions.
“Er—what?” said Christopher—speaking for them all, James felt.
Bridgestock sneered. “So it’s coincidence on top of coincidence, then. Tell me, Carstairs, what possible reason could you have had to be in Golden Square at the same time as Thomas Lightwood?”
“Because I was following him,” Alastair said, raking the Inquisitor with a disdainful gaze. “I’ve been following Thomas for days. I knew he was going out on these insane night patrols by himself, and I wanted to make sure that he was safe. Cordelia is fond of him.”
“You’re the one who’s been following me?” Thomas said, astonished.
“You knew someone was following you?” Matthew demanded. “And you didn’t say anything? Thomas!”
“Everyone be quiet,” said Charlotte; she didn’t raise her voice, but something in the pitch of it reminded everyone why she’d been elected Consul.
Thomas was still looking as if he might faint. Alastair was studying his nails. It was Bridgestock who broke the ensuing silence first. “This is preposterous, Charlotte. Carstairs is lying to cover up for his friend.”
“They’re not friends,” said James. “One of us might lie for Thomas. Not Alastair.”
“Then he’s probably mad with grief over his father’s death. Either way he’s not credible,” Bridgestock snarled.
“And yet we are going to hear him out, and Thomas as well, because that is the task that is appointed to us,” Charlotte said icily. “Thomas and Alastair both will be held here in the Sanctuary until they can be tried by the Mortal Sword.”
“You cannot make that decision without me,” Bridgestock objected. “I would try them right now, if not for the fact that the Mortal Sword is currently in Paris.” He said the word “Paris” with surprising loathing.
“Fortunately, Will and Tessa will be here tomorrow morning, with the Sword,” said Charlotte, exchanging a swift look with Gideon. “Now, Maurice, I fear your eagerness to make your arrest known has only stoked panic. You had best come with me to the courtyard, to communicate that the Enclave has the matter well in hand. The identity of the accused will not be released until after the Mortal Sword is employed tomorrow.”
Bridgestock gave Charlotte a long, furious look, but he had no choice. She was the Consul. With an oath, he stalked from the room; he would have slammed the doors behind him, James was sure, if not for the fact that Cordelia had shoved herself through the gap. She raced past the Inquisitor without a glance and threw her arms around Alastair. “I heard,” she said, pressing her forehead to her brother’s shoulder. “I was outside with Eugenia. I heard everything.”
“Ghoseh nakhor, hamechi dorost mishe,” Alastair said, stroking his sister’s back. James was surprised to realize he understood. Everything will be all right. “Listen to me, Layla.” Alastair lowered his voice. “I haven’t wanted to fret you, but Maman has been told by the Silent Brothers to keep to her bed, for the sake of her health and the baby’s. I do not think we should worry her more. Tell her I’m spending the night at the Institute to keep Christopher company.”
Cordelia blinked back tears. “Yes—I’ll send a runner with a message, but—will she believe that? You hardly know Christopher.”
Alastair kissed Cordelia’s forehead. As he did, he closed his eyes, and James felt the strange sense that he was getting a rare glimpse at the intensity of Alastair’s true feelings. “She’ll just be glad to think I have a friend, I suspect.”
“Alastair—”
“This room has become entirely too crowded,” said Charlotte, looking worriedly after the Inquisitor. “All of you, save Alastair and Thomas, clear out—you, too, Gideon. We must be seen to be cooperating. You do understand that.”