A/N: What's up, guys? So this is the sequel I promised. Not sure how often it'll be updated with work and my inspiration being flighty. Anyway, I'm a published author now, and I've started a blog! Enjoy, y'all!

1: Magnus

I stare up at Alec groggily as he throws on his scrubs.

"What's wrong?" I croak, sitting up.

"Emergency. Kai's hurt. I don't know what happened or how bad he's hurt or when I'll be back. I'll call you as soon as I can. I love you," he replies, kissing me softly before he leaves.

I'm too worried to go back to sleep, even though it's three in the morning. I'm worried about Kai. I'm worried about Alec and Max if something happens to Kai. I don't know how to explain to a nine-year-old kid about death.

Instead of just lying in bed, I make my way downstairs to the salon I have in the back of our townhouse. Flipping the light on and gazing around my salon still fills me with immense pride and a feeling of accomplishment. I've only had it about four months, which is how long we've lived in the townhouse, but I haven't had much business so far. A lot of people are still reluctant to trust a hybrid to cut their hair. I turn my iPod on low and begin checking my inventory.

Six long, agonizing hours later, Alec calls.

"How is he? What happened?" I ask.

"He could die. Don't bring Max to see him right now. The cops think someone's copycatting the Circle's attacks. His whole family's gone. He's really hurt. I'm gonna stay here for a little bit to keep an eye on him," Alec replies.

"Are Max and I gonna be safe alone? Or with your mother?"

"I don't-Gotta go! I love you. I'll call you when I can."

Before he hangs up, I hear the angry beeping of a machine in the background.

The patter of feet on the hardwood floor makes me look up. Max is standing the doorway. His bright blue eyes gaze up at me worriedly.

"What's going on?" he asks.

"Alec had an emergency at work to deal with. Are you ready for breakfast?" I reply.

"Can I cook it?"

"Only if I'm with you. It's not that I don't trust you."

He's grinning excitedly as he runs to the kitchen. Chuckling to myself, I follow him. I love how excited he gets over things.

"What do you wanna make?" I ask, scooting the step stool over to the counter for him.

"Can we have waffles? With cheese in them? And mushrooms and green onions?" he replies, gazing up at me hopefully.

"We can try it."

I love teaching him how to cook. He's a quick learner. In the two weeks since he asked me to teach him, he's learned how to make grilled cheese in the oven, rice in the microwave, eggs, and mac and cheese. He's learned how to use the microwave.

"How's school? Have you made more friends?" I ask, pouring the batter into the waffle iron.

"I don't like it. Not really. One of the teachers likes to pull our tails. He yelled at me for scratching him yesterday," he replies, ears drooping.

"Who is he? He should have never pulled your tail. Max, I'm gonna talk to Alec about it whenever he gets back and we'll probably talk to the principal about it. I'm glad you told me."

"Sebastian Verlac. None of us like him."

"I don't know him."

I thought I knew every hybrid-hating psycho in Brooklyn. I guess not.

"You're lucky. I think I might actually like Jace more than him," Max informs me, closing the lid on the waffle iron.

"That is bad," I murmur.

He settles on the floor with his toy cars after breakfast while I reschedule my three appointments from today for tomorrow. With two hours of sleep, I shouldn't be handling sharp objects near someone's head.

"When's Alec coming home?" Max asks when I hang up.

"I don't know. He said he was gonna be at Catarina's office a while," I reply.

Alec calls again at noon.

"Are things any better?" I ask.

"Magnus, he just died. He-We couldn't save him," Alec chokes.

"I'm sorry. Do you want us to come get you? When's the funeral?"

"You're not putting yourselves at risk. Tomorrow. Does Max know?"

"No. I'm waiting until you get home. You're not handling it well, are you?"

"No. Those monsters killed a kid, Mags. It could've been our son. It could've been you."

That's when he completely falls apart. I hate when he cries because I know things have to be really bad for it to happen.

"Baby, it's gonna be okay. We're gonna be fine," I murmur gently.

"I'm covered in a kid's blood. And I couldn't fix him. I hate how cruel people are," he sobs.

"You know what I'm gonna do? I'm gonna run you a nice warm bubble bath when you get home and lay out your comfiest clothes and I'll make you tea and let you unwind. Sound good?"

"That sounds really good. I love you. Are you okay with what happened?"

"I'm not as worried as you are. It hasn't sunk in yet."

Alec looks like he's five seconds from falling apart again when he walks in the front door. His blue eyes are puffy and red from his earlier breakdown.

"Whose blood is that?" Max asks.

"Max, honey, we need to talk to you about something very important," I reply carefully.

"You know how you were gonna stay the weekend at Kai's house?" Alec asks, kneeling in front of Max.

"Yeah. Did I mess up and now you won't let me go?" Max replies, his forehead crinkling adorably.

"No, honey. Um, someone hurt Kai really, really badly last night, and Kai died. You remember when I first brought you home and you asked what death was when I was reading Harry Potter to you? That's what happened to Kai. Does that make sense?"

"Someone performed the Killing Curse on him? You said it wasn't real. Why'd they hurt Kai?"

"No, Max, he died because he was hurt so badly. Because some people are horrible, evil creatures."

"Are they gonna hurt us too?"

"They better not. Are you okay?"

Max shakes his head slowly. I watch as he crawls onto Alec's lap and buries his face into Alec's neck. Max's choked, gasping sobs break my heart. I find myself kneeling beside Max and putting my arms around them both. I hate seeing either of them in pain.