PROLOGUE
Alexander is lying on the bed in his room in the Institute. His breath is heavy, uneven, heart beats like a hammer, body is afire and the blood is boiling in his veins. Alec is naked from the waist up. The white sheet underneath him is stained with blood, ash and sweat brought from the battlefield. I'm sitting with him like it's nothing special, like all of these horrible things never happened to us.
I'm combing my fingers through his unruly wisps and softly moved my hand which makes his fever little bit lighter. Alec is injured, exhausted and balancing between life and death. Sounds funny that even now, if he knew who's sitting with him, he would take his seraphic sword and pierce my heart without any second thoughts. Even if this will cost his life. My dear.
He looks so peaceful and purely when he sleeps. Nothing from bloodthirsty soldier on the battlefield or thoughtful partner as I remembered him.
Alexander... Alec. My Alec.
I'm focusing once again and healing his wounds, all damages inside and outside his body. I can fix everything. Fine, maybe... Skipping heartbroken.
I put my hand on his chest, feeling fluttering under my fingers. Alec's heart's still beating, although he said million times it does it just for me.
And now I'm gone and it's still beating. Still.
I decide not to touch him. I never forget about respect to Alexander as a person, I always put it into a first place in our relationships... There's no 'our relationships', Magnus.
I'm giving him a gentle kiss on his chapped lips and coming back to saving little Shadowhunter's life. He'll get a second chance. Well, maybe... Maybe not everything is completely lost for me either?
CHAPTER 1
„Once I was an old warlock, tired of living alone
Once I was a young Shadowhunter who never fell in love"
- I don't know, Sophie, I'm 70 already, I saw everything and if I had not my kids and grandchildren I'd become crazy because of boredom... - I heard a small piece of conversation between two old ladies. I snorted softly laughing. She saw everything in her 70 years old life... What an 800 years old warlock should say? I was in every place on earth, I slept with every creature which exist (don't count sirens, they always stink like seaweed), I learned about 30 languages... And I did couple things I prefer not to remember. Not worth it.
Yup. I, Magnus Bane, hate my immortality. I guess mostly because of the fact it's boring.
Apart from the obvious fact that I visited everything what was able to visit, for almost a hundred years I didn't feel this special sparkle in my heart called love. No one impressed me enough. I started wondering maybe I'm changing into one of these cold, statuesque warlocks whose sitting in their apartments, studying ancient books with magic, despise everyone and think that conversation is just a waste of their precious time. The time. The curse of my life. Now I'm going to use a little bit, coming for my meeting with Maryse and rest of the Lightwoods. They were smart enough and chose the best, most stylish warlock in New York to their „sensitive issue", by the way released me from boredom and routine. Hope it's something interesting.
It turned out Institute was bigger than I thought, that's why I was thanking in my heart that they send this girl to lead me to Maryse.
- I'm Isabelle – she said, smiling
- Oh – damn, of course. She's Maryse's daughter, fool warlock!
- Magnus Bane, nice to meet you.
- I know who you are, everybody knows you, you always throw the best parties in New York!
- Don't remember inviting a Shadowhunter – I smiled to her a little bit – How do you know?
- Seelies are invited very ofter – Izzy said quickly. Too quickly – Mom's waiting for you.
- Thanks, Isabelle – I went to the library and saw Maryse sitting on the chair.
- Magnus – her voice like ice – You're not late? What a surprise.
- Nice to see you to, Maryse – I sat opposite to her – So?
- We have a problem.
- Interesting, I thought you invited me for coffe and biscuits – I snorted.
- Stop. It's serious.
- Fine, here to listen.
- I found something we need and... Actually it belonged to you. It's a book.
- Okay, what kind of book?
- The White Book one?
- What?! - I screamed – Finally, I was sure it's gone forever! I want it – I said tough
- We want it too. We need it to help Max.
- So you're not gonna give it to me?
- You'll get the book. But first, we have to take it and second, help Max.
- What's the problem then?
- The owner of a book is a problem. It's Camille.
- THIS Camille? - oh my...
- Unfortunately yes. That's why I wanna ask for help in getting the book back.
- And you think Camille's just gonna give you this?
- To this I need you, you two were...
- Don't...
- ...very close.
- She hates me now.
- Oh please, Magnus. You're a powerful warlock.
- And she's a powerful vampire. We have to give her something instead. She can't use the book, she keeps it just for benefits. Camille is smart, she knows she's gonna get something good for a book.
- But what can we give her?
- I have an idea... You know, once... - then the library doors suddenly open and a boy came into the room. He was tall, his hair black and big eyes wide open, dark and beautiful, the lips soft and...
- What are you doing here, Alec? - Maryse asked sharply – Don't you have training?
- I... I do I just... - he looked at me. I winked to him and he immediately blushed and looked away. Oh my sweet Lord that was priceless...
- Don't yell at him, Maryse - I approached to the boy – I'm Magnus.
- Alec... - he said quietly, shaking my hand. I had an opportunity to watch his face very closely. Alec was beautiful in the best way he could be.
- Is it your full name? Alec?
- Actually it's Alexander but I don't like it. Only mom calls me like that.
- Sounds good. Alexander. It's very beautiful name, ya know? To be honest... - I moved little bit closer and whispered just for him – It's as beautiful as you are – Alec's face changed color for deep red what I recognized as a good sign. I sat back on the chair and asked:
- So?
- Mum... - Alec stares at the floor, crushing down of his shirt – I'm... Just... Isabelle needs you in her room, I don't know why...
- Can you stay with Magnus for a minute? I'll be back soon.
- Sure – when Maryse went out, I looked at Alec and asked:
- How old are you?
- I'm 19 – he said very insecure
- Really? You look older.
- Mh – he murmured, didn't know what to say
- Tell me something about yourself, can you?
- Uhm... So... I like using my bow and quiver.
- So you are an archer?
- Yeah.
- A very shy archer.
- I'm not... I...
- It's fine – I smiled – What about hobby? You have one?
- I'm a Shadowhunter.
- And I'm a warlock, so nice – I saw him laughing for a sec – You're Shadowhunter and?
- Don't have time for hobby.
- Got it... You have sister, do you?
- Yes, Isabelle. And two brothers, Jace and Max.
- Is it nice to have siblings?
- Sometimes. Depends on a lot of things.
- Sure. But mostly you like having them?
- I do. It's fun – his eyes still focused on the floor.
- Wanna see something?
- What? - I snapped my fingers and suddenly a little cat was rubbing around Alec's leg. He sighed in amazement and touched the cat.
- It's just a piece of glamour. It's not real – I explained
- I know.
- You like it?
- Pretty. I like cats.
- Do you? Me either. I have one, his name's Chairman Meow.
- How?
- Chairman Meow.
- I have a cat too. Church. He doesn't like people very much.
- Mine too, actually I think he hates everything and everyone and didn't kill me yet because of a package with Whiskas in my kitchen – this time Alexander seriously laughed, loudly and very sweet. I was getting ready to ask him about something else but then Maryse came and said:
- You are free to go, Alec, thanks.
- Of course – he looked at me last time and left the library. I had enough time to snap and make little piece of paper with my number appeared in Alec's pocket. Hope he'll find it.
- So how's Izzy? - I said without much interest
- She's fine. So, you were saying about a way to exchange with Camille?
- Hey, buddy, wait! - I heard Jace's voice behind me – Where were you so long?
- I was with... Magnus Bane.
- This warlock mom invited to help?
- Yup, this one.
- And that's why you're blushing so hard? - he joked and giggled.
- No, are you crazy? I... was... running.
- Alec, you have a perfect form, you never get tired while running.
- Gosh, Jace, we have a lot of stairs here and actually it's so far away from the library and...
- Okay, okay – Jace was laughing so hard – I'm joking.
- Not funny – I murmured – Going to take a shower before dinner, see ya – I went to my room and took of the shirt and jeans. Suddenly something small fell out of my pocket. I grabbed it and noticed it's a number. And a name. Magnus Bane. Why did he give me his number? I shook my head and went to the bathroom. In my mind was still this tiny, magical cat he conjured up for me and his catlike gold-green eyes. Deep and clear. Alec, stop it. You can't do things like these. You have to focus on work, trainings and demon hunting. Focus!
When I was done with my shower and stuff I took a little piece of paper and threw it away. I don't need a distraction. Then I heard someone knocking on my door.
- Who's this?
- Me, Izzy.
- Come in – I put on some fresh clothes and sent her a little smile – What's up?
- Fine, bored and have some great news!
- Go on.
- You know this warlock, Magnus, right?
- I met him today.
- Yes, okay, so you know he gave me a invitation to one of his famous parties, actually it's a invitation for me, Jace and you and you know when he was leaving he was asking me about you and..
- What? - I interrupted her in mid-sentence – What did you tell him about me?
- Nothing, just that you are very quiet, very smart, hard working, always follow the rules and you are very good looking – her grin was little bit irritating – But the last one he saw by himself.
- Why would he care about me?
- Maybe you are attracted to him?
- Are you insane?! I'm not...
- Alec – she touched my shoulder – You forget I know your little secret. And it's fine! Do not even try to tell me you're not lonely. Jace has Clary what makes you very jealous...
- Izzy...
- Shut up, I'm talking right now.
- Fine.
- I have Simon... And you are lonely.
- I don't need anyone. Emotions are just a distraction.
- Please – she laid down on her back – Sometimes love is the only thing makes you stronger or alive.
- I don't need it, Isabelle. I'm fine on my own.
- Did he give you his number?
- No...
- Liar! I know he did. He told me. What did you do with it?
- Not your business.
- Alec! - she was irritated – You meet a guy who is definitely interested about you, he gives you his number and you doing this?!
- Don't yell at me... I don't even know him...
- That's why he gave you the number, cupcake – she stroked my hair – Now's your move. But – she sat straight – What do you think about him?
- Uhm... he's... special.
- Wow, that's all?
- Very sparkling.
- And...?
- I dunno, we were talking maybe for 3 minutes! But he conjured up a magic cat for me. That was really pretty.
- I rather know is he pretty for you?
- I'm... I like his eyes. Like cat's.
- Nice – she embraced me and looked into my eyes – Call him.
- No way...
- Alec!
- No.
- Alec.
- Izzy.
- I'm begging...
- No!
- Please.
- I don't want to!
- Don't you? - Isabelle raised one eyebrow – Your blush tells me something opposite – I hid my face in hands – Be honest with me, Alec. I'm the only one you can talk with about those stuff, you know that.
- But... I'm... He's not gonna like me...
- What? Why?
- I'm boring...
- Are you crazy? - she grabbed my chin and lifted my head – You are perfect, very sweet and very handsome. And he already likes you. I know what I'm saying, big brother.
- So... I should call him...?
- Yes. You have to.
- Not today.
- Okay, but do it tomorrow and tell me everything right after. Even if it doesn't work out then at least you'll know you tried.
- Fine. Going to sleep?
- I guess, I'm so tired.
- So good night – I kissed her on forehead – Have a nice dreams!
- You too – she winked and left my room.
While I was trying to fall asleep I couldn't stop thinking about that Magnus. Finally, at 2 am I got up from bed, took out the Bane's number and texted him:
2:03 AM
To: Magnus Bane
Hi, it's Alec. Can I call you later, I mean tonight?
I got reply after couple minutes:
2:09 AM
To: Alec
Sure :) I'm waiting. Goodnight.
2:11 AM
To: Magnus
Night
After that my eyelids closed immediately and I finally fell asleep.
Okay this is prologue and chapter 1 :) What do you guys think? Is it a good idea for a story?
And I have a question - is it a way publish stories without editing it? I mean... I write in OpenOffice where conversation looks like this:
- Hey
- Hi!
And when I upload it here it's:
Hello
Hi!
No "-" - how to fix it?
MylesowaHudson
