Magnus hands clenched as he watched Alec walk away. Now- now would be the perfect time to cast the spell, he knew- and yet, he also knew that he wouldn't do it. The spell was simple and effective, as Magnus himself remembered from experience. A few whispered words, a quick hand gesture, and Magnus would possess the complete devotion of anyone he chose. In his 300 years, he'd had many lovers- Downworlders, Nephilim, and humans alike. In the end, they all fell under Magnus' spell (not all of them willingly). And in the end, Magnus always grew bored of them. Mortals forgot and died all too easily. Yet, though Alec was a mortal like the rest of them, he possessed something that the others didn't. Magnus didn't understand what it was about the quiet blue-eyed boy that was different. He was beautiful, to be sure, but then, many of his former lovers had been as well. Perhaps it was Alec's uncertainty in himself, his complete ignorance of his beauty that made him appealing. Perhaps it was his utter devotion and loyalty to his loved ones, his unsure innocence, or perhaps- perhaps it was something indefinable- something unique- something that made Alec Alec. There was some force in the boy that Magnus didn't understand. It defied magic, enchanting Magnus, and making him want to earn Alec's love.
Whatever that force was, it had woven a spell of its own. It had ensnared Magnus, entangling him in its slippery threads- and Magnus, for all his magical skill, could do nothing to free himself.