You do not have the advantages you think you have, Leopolda Stain, he said. I have known you were here since you set foot on these shores. I knew you were a friend of Mortmain’s. I know you want this blood to continue his works, and I will never allow that.

Her lip curled. “But you are kind,” she said. “You are famous for it. You will not hurt me.”

Jem took his staff, spinning it between his hands, and held it balanced lightly between himself and Leopolda. He knew a hundred different ways to kill her with it. He could break her neck.

That was my Shadowhunter self, he said. I have killed with this staff, though I prefer not to. Either you tell me what I wish to know, or you die. It is your choice.

He saw, from the look in her eyes, that she believed him.

Tell me what I want to know, and I will let you go with your life.

Leopolda swallowed. “First, swear upon your Angel that you will allow me to leave tonight.”

I swear upon the Angel.

Leopolda smiled a long, vulpine smile.

“The ritual that created your Tessa was magnificent,” she said. “Such glory. I never thought such a thing could be done, mating a Shadowhunter with a demon….”

Do not delay. Tell me.

“Your Tessa’s father is a prince, the greatest of Eidolon demons. The most beautiful creature in any hell, for he has a thousand shapes.”

A Prince of Hell? Jem had feared it. No wonder James could turn himself to smoke and Tessa herself could take any form, even that of an angel. A line of Nephilim whose blood was mixed with demonic royalty? There was no history of such impossible beings. Even now, he could not think of Tessa and her children as new and strange creations with incredible powers. They were simply people he loved beyond measure. You are saying Tessa’s father is a Prince of Hell?

The Clave could never know. He could not tell them. His heart lurched. Could he tell Tessa? Would it be better for her to know or not?

“Indeed a prince,” Leopolda said, “brother to Asmodeus and Sammael. What an honor to be born of him. Sooner or later, Jem Carstairs, blood will out, and such a beautiful power will blaze through this city.”

She rose to her feet.

The greatest of Eidolons? I need more than that. What is his name?

She shook her head. “The price for the name is blood, James Carstairs, and if you will not pay it, another will.”

She brought her hand out from behind her back and flung a handful of powder at Jem. Had his eyes not been protected by magic, it would likely have blinded him. As it was, he staggered back long enough for her to run past him to the door. She reached it in seconds and threw it open.