It didn't surprise her that Jem noticed her presence. He always seemed to know when she was near and sensed her moods better than almost anyone else ever had. Some of her melancholy slipped away when Tessa saw his delight at seeing her, but she still felt that she was intruding on something private that she should have no part of.

Will and Jem had grown up together and were bound in ways that even other Shadowhunters could not understand. And, if she wasn't careful, she could tear them apart. It weighed on her heart that a simple mistake or misplaced word could harm something so perfect but she could not bear to hurt either one of them.

But even knowing that, she couldn't help letting her gaze linger on Will, telling herself that it was only concern that made her look longer than was proper. Moving into the room, she feigned a resigned sigh. "If Will insists on being the first to hear your latest song, then I must be patient."

As she spoke, a hint of amusement brightened her gray eyes, almost chasing away the worry as she took in Will's appearance. "At least Sophie won't be chasing after him for bleeding all over the floors." Shaking her head, she glanced from one to the other, giving Jem a look that was a silent offer to help deal with his parabatai if assistance was required. "What is the difference between an excursion and an outing."