Alec
Alec – that was what the warlock had called him. He didn't think much about names, that is, he couldn't recall a time when he thought much about his name. But now he wasn't even sure what his name was. He suddenly just woke up and the warlock had told him he had escaped death. But then what did that mean? He couldn't even remember anything.
Every time he tried to recall something, his head hurt and Magnus – that was the warlock who helped him sort out disorientation – would just pat his head and smile softly at him.
There was something very strange about the warlock. Only Alec – really, was that his name? Alec? Alec…Alec…Alec. – couldn't tell what. The warlock, after the first round of confusion, didn't touch Alec anymore than the reassuring pats on his head and the nods he sent his way. Alec wasn't even sure if he had a tie with this being.
But he was the only one around, so far, and he seemed to know a lot about him.
It didn't matter, Alec thought. You don't remember anything.
The day had gone by smoothly, Magnus not entertaining any of his clients – warlocks did that, did you know? Alec surely didn't. But he was sure he didn't know a lot of stuff. Either he didn't know or just didn't remember. He probably wouldn't even be able to recall any of it even if he killed himself trying.
Alec just sat on the chair, staring at what seemed to be a wand-like device. It was supposed to be a stele, wasn't it? That was what Magnus had said. Strange device. It was for Shadowhunters, too. Which he was. But how could he be something if he couldn't even remember any of it?
Magnus explained. Although it looked as if it pained him to some degree, recounting a past they both lived in – one Alec had forgotten entirely.
Alec trudged along the dirt ridden path, his boots splashing into puddles of water. He didn't even bother with the cold. It was as if something had suddenly electrified him and the feeling hadn't left ever since. Magnus – the warlock who explained things to him – explained that it was an after effect of the spell, because he had almost died. Almost died? Alec couldn't help but muse about that. What was he now, anyway? A vampire? No, that wasn't it. Magnus had denied that, even sounded offended that Alec would think he was a vampire. But he was immortal. Warlocks we're immortal – Magnus told him about that, too. And warlocks could cast spells. So Magnus Bane had spelled him into being an immortal. Just to save him from death. Brought him back from the dead? Not entirely, no. Just pulled him out of death's clutches.
It was all so strange, honestly. There was a little voice inside his head that said that death would be welcome, that he did not fear death. But then another voice challenged that. Why should he not? Death meant the end. But those two voices had quieted. He didn't fear death anymore. He didn't even think death was waiting for him, or that dying was on his to do list. No, it surely wasn't. He was…Immortal. Never dying. Well, in age, anyway. He could still die – Magnus had warned him about that, too. But aging? Never.
He passed by a shop now and he looked at his reflection. Dark hair, blue eyes. He was still twenty three. He realized that he would always look twenty three. He sighed and went on. The clouds were starting to gather now and he knew rain would fall soon.
Magnus didn't like the idea of him walking alone. But the warlock had said something about, 'Maybe you might recall your instinct for battle, at least, when faced with danger.' But no danger had come to him and surely the warlock – who worked so hard to get him eternity would not want him to die because his battle instincts were forgotten, along with his own name and his entire past.
There was a wand-like device inside his pocket as well as a knife, incase anything did happen. His gut told him that he should be careful – this was New York. Who knew what lurked behind the shadows? Alec just wished his gut would tell him, or at least give him his memories back.
It wasn't fair that Magnus would suddenly just gaze at him and not say anything. Alec had no idea what he had with the man. Did they sleep together? Date? Or was Magnus just a good friend of his that didn't want him to die? He was attractive, and Alec found himself blushing more than once when Magnus stared at him. But the warlock did not initiate anything, did not discuss anything that might have led to 'them'.
Alec didn't ask for it, anyway. Instead, Magnus just gave him the low down on his past. He was a Shadowhunter. He fought demons – demons existed, who knew? And he had a sister and an adoptive brother who was away in Paris for his honeymoon. And he also had a little brother who died. Alec felt bad that he didn't feel sad about that death. It wasn't his fault he couldn't remember a boy dying, was it? He couldn't even remember his own past, much less somebody else's.
Alec Lightwood. Twenty Three. Shadowhunter.