"Take my hands," Alec said. "And take my strength too. Whatever of it you can use to-to keep yourself going."

Magnus didn't move. "I thought you had to get back to the ship."

"I have to fight," said Alec. "But that's what you're doing, isn't it? You're part of the fight just as much as the Shadowhunters on the ship-and I know you can take some of my strength, I've heard of warlocks doing that-so I'm offering. Take it. It's yours."

Alec tossed wildly on the floor, hands striking out at the invisable demons. His fingers raked like knives in the darkness, cutting with a whistle through the still air. His black hair was damp with sweat, clinging to his skin and the hardwood floor."Magnus! Magnus!" And though his warlock lover replied in soothing words and with a cool hand on his forehead, Alec continued to scream and thrash with abandon. The demon posion coursing through his blood burned at him from the inside, setting his body on fire.

"You're an idiot."

"If that why you didn't call me? Because I'm an idiot?"

"No." Magnus strode toward him. "I didn't call you because I'm tired of you only wanting me me around when you need something. I'm tired of watching you be in love with someone else-someone, incidentally, who will never love you back. Not the way I do."

The world in his vision blurred and changed. There was Magnus, beautiful Magnus. But there was something wrong with him. His eyes were empty pits, black holes that bored down at Alec with empty anger. Then the colours began to run together and merged like the blending of a million different paint cans. He screamed as the pressure of Magnus's hand on his forehead increased until it felt like his brain was caving in.

Magnus followed his gaze. The demons were already fanning out into a half circle around them, their yellow eyes glowing. "Way to change the subject, Lightwood."

"Tell you what." Alec reached for a second seraph blade. "We live through this, and I promise I'll introduce you to my whole family."

Magnus raised his hands, his fingers shining with individual azure flames. They lit his grin with a fiery blue glow. "It's a deal."

"Damn it Lightwood! I'm not losing you now!" There was a splash of blue sparks across the mud mixture of colours flooding Alec's vision and the pain suddenly broke off. He gasped, jerking forward off the floor. Magnus caught him up, bringing Alec gently to his chest. "There you go. There you go."

They were kneeling on the floor of the Accords Hall, the marble flooring cool on the back of Alec's legs. Around them, the Hall was filled with Shadowhunters, though there was hardly any sound. Magnus pressed Alec's face to his shoulder, wrapping his arms around the younger man. "I'm not losing you Alexander. Certainly not now."

Alec laughed and took in the heavy scent of Magnus, fruity body wash mixed with the universal smell of cat hair. "I wasn't planning on leaving you."

"Good, because we've still got two seasons left of What Not To Wear."