Magnus had just finished with his last client for the day and was pouring himself a well-earned drink when his phone rang. He contemplated letting it ring, after all even warlocks deserved a drink break. His irritation only grew when he saw that the call was coming from the institute. His determination to let it go unanswered, strengthened as he thought of Shadowhunters and their arrogance and prejudice, but images of a certain tall, handsome, adorably shy and tragically repressed Shadowhunter flashed unbidden through his mind. With a dramatic flourish he returned his untouched drink to the tray and answered his phone, but only to put an end to the incessant ringing, not at all due to a desire to speak with a certain someone.
"Magnus Bane, how may I be of service?" he purred.
"You are needed at the institute. A forsaken created by Valentine broke through our wards last night, injuring two of our men." The voice on the other end was curt and all business, the complete antithesis to Magnus' languid eloquence, and one Magnus immediately recognized as Robert Lightwood.
"That is indeed concerning," Magnus offered offhandedly. It wasn't that he didn't care, but the drama within the Shadowhunter community was exhausting to say the least, and for his part, he would like very much to stay well away from it. He had enough on his plate keeping his own Downworlder children in line.
"That's putting it lightly. We need the wards reinforced immediately. I'll expect you within the hour." Robert's terse voice broke Magnus out of his reverie, but before he could respond Robert had already hung up the phone.
Typical Shadowhunter. Magnus thought bitterly.Entitled, arrogant, demanding, prejudiced . . .
But his tirade against the evils of Shadowhunters was once again interrupted by thoughts of Alexander. Alexander was a mystery to Magnus. He was unlike any Shadowhunter Magnus had ever met. For that matter, he was unlike anyone Magnus had ever met. He was a bundle of contradictions. He was a leader and a warrior, but he was also shy and unsure of himself. He was kind and gentle but could be harsh and unyielding. He seemed determined to be everything to everyone, the perfect son, the doting brother, the loyal Parabatai, and yet in the process had somehow lost who he was. Magnus cursed himself for allowing himself to be so moved by the young Shadowhunter. Perhaps he had grown sentimental over the very long course of his existence.
Magnus began gathering a few items he would need to reinforce the wards. Because, despite the unpleasant and frankly insulting conversation with Robert Lightwood, the institute was Alexander's home and Magnus couldn't help but want to protect the young Shadowhunter. Once he had collected all the necessary items and quickly touched up his eye makeup (purely for professional reasons) he portaled himself to the institute.