Chapter 1
By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something wicked this way comes. - Wm Shakespeare
Alec sat slumped on a wingback chair in the otherwise deserted library of the New York Institute. The early winter evening left long, deep shadows in the corners of the large room. The few reading lamps that were lit creating small islands of light that did little to dispel the general gloom. Normally one of Alec's favourite places, the library had become something of a refuge over the last couple of months as the New York Institute underwent an extensive face lift in preparation for hosting an important Clave meeting, and 'the wedding'. he wondered sadly when he'd started to think of it as 'the wedding' instead of their wedding?
Alec had given up the fight for a small, 'friends and family' wedding in the face of pressure from his mother, Maryse who had convinced him it was important for the Accords to celebrate the alliance of a shadowhunter and a downworlder in a formal and public way. Heaving a soft sigh, Alec wondered if it was safe to leave the library yet, or if he would be accosted by Isabelle or Maryse wanting him to make decisions about this or that irrelevant wedding detail. He knew Isabelle would accuse him of sulking, but he couldn't help feeling overwhelmed by the circus like atmosphere this event had acquired. It wasn't so bad when Magnus was there to handle the details, but he was off visiting clients today and wouldn't be at the Institute until later.
Alec tensed as he heard the library door creak open. "Thought I might find you here;" Isabelle whispered as she quietly took the chair next to Alec. "Don't worry; I haven't come to pepper you with questions about the wedding. Just want to make sure you're okay." She glanced over at Alec, her dark eyes warm and slightly concerned. While Isabelle thrived on being the centre of attention, she knew her brother did not.
"I'm fine Izzy;" He replied; "…thanks."
"Jace just went down to let Magnus in, so I think it's safe for you to come out now."
Alec smiled a little sheepishly and stood holding his hand out to help Izzy up. "Shall we go?"
"I thought you'd never ask!" She said grinning widely as the two left the quiet gloom of the library and headed down the hall to meet Jace and Magnus.
Alec and Isabelle entered the lounge to find Jace and Magnus already there. The well worn room had recently undergone a makeover. Fresh cream paint on the walls, new curtains and beautiful, antique oriental carpets breathed new life into the familiar space. Jace was sprawled out on one of the new leather couches and Magnus lounged on the matching loveseat. Alec hurried to join Magnus who rose to give his fiancé a warm hug and peck on the lips before settling down again on the love seat with his arm around Alec.
"You're earlier than I thought you'd be;" Alec commented as he looked into Magnus beautiful gold-green cat eyes.
Magnus smiled, noticing the look of relief that passed quickly over Alec's pale face. "I thought you might need some moral support, only a few more days to the wedding."
"Mum has a list of last minute details she needs to go over with you Magnus." Isabelle said flopping down in the nearest arm chair and throwing her long legs over one arm. "We also need to talk about your bachelor party! Jace and I thought maybe Pandemonium tomorrow night; that still gives you guys a day to recover before the wedding, what do you think?"
Magnus' grin and Alec's grimace summed up their feelings without the need for words; but one look at the sparkle in his fiancé's eye had Alec smiling softly and saying; "Sounds great;"
"Well now that's settled;" Jace said; "Maybe we should talk about the elephant in the room… Ezra Highsmith. He'll be arriving later tonight with the rest of the Clave for the meeting tomorrow and to attend your wedding;"
At the Inquisitor's name, Alec's face sobered, he was still convinced that Ezra was the true mastermind behind the corruption in Edinburgh; that the Inquisitor had maintained and encouraged the horrible, old practice of considering downworlders the same as demons, and hunting them for sport and profit. Alec had exposed what was going on in Edinburgh and, though he had no proof of Ezra's involvement, he was sure that he'd earned the man's undying hatred. Alec shook his head slightly trying to dislodge those uncomfortable thoughts, after all, what could the Inquisitor possibly do to him or Magnus at such a public venue?
"Jace, we still have no proof of Highsmith's guilt so there is nothing we can do to prevent his attending the conference or the wedding. A lot of shadowhunters will be attending, I don't think he would be reckless enough to seek revenge with so many potential witnesses around, do you?" Alec shrugged his shoulders as if to dismiss the subject, but Jace did not look satisfied.
Further discussion was interrupted by the rather noisy entrance of Josh, Ian and Shivvy who tumbled into the lounge having just finished a late afternoon training session with Maryse. Jace took the opportunity of the distraction to whisper in Magnus' ear; "I'll watch his back." Magnus gave Jace a grateful nod in response; the warlock would not trust random witnesses to keep his beloved safe.
As the young shadowhunters joined the others around the large fireplace, Izzy smiled and said; "We were just talking about Alec and Magnus' bachelor party tomorrow night at Pandemonium. I expect you all to be there!"
Josh and Ian agreed enthusiastically. Shivvy squealed and threw herself between Alec and Magnus on the loveseat. Magnus laughed as he made some room for her. "I guess we still need a chaperon for the next few days!" He was very fond of the lively young shadowhunter, viewing her as a little sister he could tease to his heart's content.
Maryse Lightwood stood in the doorway watching the animated group, laughing and chattering to each other. She almost hated to intrude, it was nice to see her family so relaxed and happy, but she needed to speak with Alec, and she had put it off long enough.
"Alexander;" she said raising her voice so it would be heard above the general noise of conversation in the room. "I need to see you in my office before you leave today;"
"Of course;" Alec said immediately startled by his mother's sudden appearance. He hoped it wasn't about the wedding, but then he reasoned, if it had been, she would have included Magnus in her request. At Alec's words, Maryse nodded briefly and left the room.
"What's that about?" Magnus asked looking around Shivvy at his fiancé.
"No idea;" Alec responded; "But I'd better go see or we'll be even later getting home and you know how the Chairman gets if dinner's late." The smile on Alec's face reached his eyes as he thought about the spoiled kitten that waited for them at home. He disentangled himself from the love seat. "I'll go see Mum now and then we can head back to the loft;"
"I'll be waiting;" Magnus replied as Shivvy shifted to give him more room now Alec was gone.
Alec found himself walking slowly down the dark hallway to his mother's office. He didn't know why he felt so reluctant to leave the light and warmth of the lounge, only that he did. He assumed Maryse wanted to talk to him about tomorrow's Clave meeting, if it had been wedding related, she would have asked to see Magnus as well.
Arriving at his mother's office, Alec knocked briefly on the door and waited until he heard her voice before entering.
"Alexander, come in and sit down, there is something I need to tell you;" Maryse's voice held a note of concern and uncertainty that surprised Alec. He had rarely known her to be anything but strong and confident in herself and her decisions. Alec sat in one of the chairs across from his mother's desk wondering what this could possibly be about.
"As you know, we are hosting the Clave meeting here tomorrow;" She began her voice sounding a little strained; "Everyone has been invited to attend the wedding. Your father is a member of the Clave and he will be attending the meeting and the wedding;" Maryse concluded trying to school her voice into sounding like it was business as usual.
Alec was dumbstruck, he had never considered the possibility that Robert would be there. Could this wedding get any worse? What would he tell Magnus? They had both agreed, somewhat jokingly, that neither of their fathers would be invited. He glanced up at his mother, the beginnings of anger stirring in his eyes. "You should have talked to me before the invitation was given!"
"Alexander you have done your best the last few months to avoid discussing anything about the wedding! Telling you ahead of time would only have upset you more and not changed anything;" Maryse said sharply, then softening her tone again as she looked at her first born; "I know this big formal wedding is not what you would have chosen, but there really was no way to avoid inviting your father. I promise I will do everything in my power to ensure there is no unpleasantness between you."