Cast Long Shadows (Ghosts of the Shadow Market, #2)

by Cassandra Clare

Friends who were easy to get might be easy to lose, and Matthew wanted to keep people.

“Ah, Mother Hen Fairchild,” sneered Alastair. “What a lovely wife you will make for somebody one of these fine days.”

Matthew stopped and laughed for sheer joy at a warlock woman with blue skin who was juggling toy unicorns, mermaids’ shells, and small wheels on fire, and he flirted until she told him her name was Catarina.

Will has always been my favorite too, Jem agreed solemnly.

“You may be a waste of space in a waistcoat,” he told Matthew Fairchild, “but at least your waistcoat is fantastic.”

James was in the window seat, his black head bent over—what a surprise!—a book. He looked up at the tap, and smiled.

Uncle Will frequently gave dramatic readings from the book he was writing on the demon pox, which were very droll.

“I suppose I am stunned,” said James. “But am I positively stunned?”

“This is why we are chosen warrior partners, because we share such a perfect bond of sympathy. Come to me, Jamie, that we might share a manly embrace.”

Where shall I carry it? “Wherever you please. I thought I would walk with you a little way, my parabatai.” How far? asked Jem. Will smiled. “Need you ask? I will go with you as far as I possibly may.”