A/N: Ok, here's the next part. This is from Alec's POV and just like Magnus I'm still working on getting the hang of his internal voice but I hope you like what I've developed for him.
Also, as I was writing this chapter I realized this story was definitely going to be longer than a two-shot so I changed the chapter numbers to unknown. We'll see.
Just as a reminder, I take elements of the books and the show and thoroughly disregard both to suit my needs. This is especially true after that winter finale as this story is now completely canon divergent now.
(How about that finale, ammirite? Jimon blood drinking, Canon Ace Raphael, they finally saved Dot and Madzie, and that effing Malec scene…omfg!)
Anyway, have fun, guys!
Chapter 2
"In light of what has been brought before us this week, I personally find it inconceivable that Acting Head Alexander Lightwood and those loyal to him are as yet still in control of a single Institute let alone the entire New York Conclave. While I am sure in time he might prove a fitting Head along with…whomever he chooses to marry, right now he seems to be far too…inexperienced, shall we say, to adequately handle such a daunting task. Furthermore…."
Alec's eyes narrowed and his left hand tightened around his right in frustration. Luckily both his hands and the evidence of his annoyance were hidden behind his back as he stood in parade rest before the presenting podium of the Council Hall. The front of his formal dark gray suit jacket, still buttoned over the end of his red silk tie, pressed to his chest and was a welcome focus for his attention before his temper got the best of him.
He had just finished his report of the events surrounding Valentine's infiltration of the New York Institute and was waiting for his chance to follow up with his plans and recommendations for the near future. He had been standing thus for just under an hour after he gave his report and the senior Clave members argued back and forth. Years of discipline helped him hold his tongue but Bartholomew Winterwell was truly testing his training.
Winterwell was a short but stocky man pushing into his 70s with blazing red hair gone almost completely gray and ruddy skin currently pulled tight across his face as he made an insincere smile. The man had been "politely" slandering his family for the entire week of Council meetings and now was attempting to use Alec's personal life as fuel for the flame.
Winterwell was a Councilman to the Clave appointed as such by the Baton Rouge Conclave in charge of the southern US Institutes. He was not the Head of the Baton Rouge Institute but rather had been appointed by the Head to sit on the Council. He was also well known for trying to push up into the Lightwoods' territory. He had felt that it should have been the Winterwells who were given the New York Conclave after the Whitelaws had been killed wholesale by the Circle.
For years Alec had not really understood Bartholomew's disdain. He thought it was simple greed and jealousy. When he had learned the full truth of his parents' involvement with the Circle and their subsequent "exile," he had finally gotten it. His parents had basically murdered or been complicit in the murder of the entire family in charge of the New York Conclave and instead of being truly punished for their crimes, they had cut deals and then had been rewarded with the power and control of the very Institute they had destroyed.
Nothing about Winterwell truly said he actually cared about what Alec's parents had done to the Whitelaws. In fact, every bit of evidence suggested he had been trying to push even them out of their position back in the day too. But Alec cared and what his parents had done was…terrible and terrifying, if he was honest.
Still, Alec was sick of Winterwell trying to use his relationship with Magnus and his sexuality as fodder for his war against his parents. He had been making underhanded comments all week and Alec was barely holding on. However, it was not yet his chance to speak again and while he was a Clave member, having sworn his loyalty to Idris upon turning eighteen and thus had the right to speak before the Council just as much as anyone, his youth as a member made it difficult to interject. He had to wait for a better moment.
Or perhaps create one.
Alec locked eyes with his mother perched delicately in her chair on the right side of the Council Hall. Beside her sat his father, carefully not touching her even once. She was dressed for diplomacy in a dark gray long-sleeved dress with her soft curls pulled up off of her shoulders and her make up done simply except for the splash of brilliant red on her lips. She wore a loop necklace of rubies and hematite stones draped across her neck with matching earrings in drops from her ears. Over her elegant dress was draped her Council robe, edged with silver runes.
Despite their…difficult relationship at the moment when it came to his romantic life, in this they were as one. If there was one thing he had learned from her, it was that the Lightwood family would always rally to each other to protect their honor from outsiders. He had been learning statecraft from Maryse for years now and in that time they had become keenly attuned to each other's nonverbal cues, especially when it came to political plays. Alec and Maryse took a moment while Winterwell continued in his passive-aggressive rant to exchange a short but silent conversation.
Alec broke their locked stare to cut his eyes slightly towards Winterwell as if to say, 'I only need a window and I can turn this around and finish it.'
She raised an eyebrow then dipped her eyes toward the ground. 'Are you certain? I can step in myself.'
'Absolutely, mother,' he replied with a slow blink and a twitch of his jaw.
'So be it.' Maryse flashed a smirk that was gone before anyone else could notice.
Maryse Lightwood's ability to make someone feel like a complete failure was well known among her children but her biting ridicule could be deployed against anyone when needed. Even other members of the Clave. It was a delicate balance for her to maintain, being both a disgraced former Circle member yet also an influential force on the Clave Council. When he had learned of his parents' blackened history, he had been overcome with rage considering how hard they were on him and his siblings. Now that he had calmed down about it somewhat and had taken a step back, he had to admit he was also strangely impressed with them. Their ability to recover even part of the family honor was pretty remarkable considering. Their time in the Circle had been the worst mark against the Lightwood name since their ancestor Benedict had been exposed for enjoying sex with demons when he had turned into a giant worm from demon-pox.
"….Especially now that the future of the Lightwood lineage and legacy is…in question, shall we say? What guarantee do we have that the New York Conclave will last? The fact of the matter is the current leadership is underperforming on its own and the future of the Conclave is in doubt. The level of incompetence shown in New York recently has been exponentially detrimental to the whole of the Clave and it is my solemn recommendation that the Council consider permanently reassigning control of that area to a more suitable family that is better prepared to uphold the Covenant. No more temporary solutions—ah, no offense meant, Mr. Aldertree and Ms. Branwell…"
Winterwell paused in his rant which let his mother make her move. Her red painted lips curved up in the most viciously polite smile he had ever seen.
"Of course, Bartholomew, and what family would you suggest is more appropriate? Your in-laws, the Redwillows? Perhaps something more distant like your second cousins twice removed, the Solbergs?"
To his right but further down than his mother, Alec saw Lydia Branwell cover a smirk with her hand. Even though there was no love lost between his ex-fiancé and his mother, no one liked Bartholomew Winterwell so seeing him be called on his bullshit was extremely satisfying. She was fully recovered from her injury during the demon attack and attending the week long meetings as well. Opposite her and completely across the hall sat Victor Aldertree, his bearded face tight in displeasure. Both Lydia and Victor had been called for the Clave conferences, each giving their own reports on their Envoy duties.
While Alec, Lydia, and Victor were all away from the New York Institute, Alec had left Jace and Izzy jointly in charge. It had been slightly against his better judgement considering recent events but Izzy was recovering steadily from her addiction and Jace had mellowed while he had been living with Magnus. He had also doubled down in his dedication to protecting everyone after they had all watched Valentine force Clary to gut Simon…which had been terrible to experience for all parties. Alec thought the two siblings working together should be enough to keep the Institute out of trouble for a week.
"I take offense at your insinuation, Maryse."
"Really? As offensive as your slander against my son and my family have been all week? Impossible. Your thinly veiled attempts at nepotism are well documented in this hall. I seem to recall a similar proposal brought by you two years ago. What was the family you suggested take our place again?"
"How dare you! I have-"
Another voice rang out, lightly accented and drawling as if the owner was completely uninterested in the proceedings. "Wasn't it the Canterfells?"
Maryse didn't miss a beat, "That's right. Your niece is married to Adrian Canterfell, isn't she, Bartholomew?"
The occupants of the Council Hall took a moment to digest exactly who had supported his mother. It was Makoto Kitagawa, the delegate from the Tokyo Institute.
They were recent allies of the Lightwood family. By recent, he meant literally less than a week ago. The first day of the Clave conference, before the official meetings began, Alec and his parents had been trying to strategize in their Alicante home when Kitagawa had shown up on their doorstep asking for entrance. He had sent neither fire message nor a runner to give them warning but Maryse and Robert had elected to hear him out anyway.
Robert had disagreed but Maryse had insisted Alec stay to hear everything. Maryse's increase in support of Alec's involvement with family decisions had been a byproduct of her recent attempts to reconcile with him combined with her estrangement from Robert. Alec had decided not to pick at the bitter edges of those particular wounds until after the conference ended. They had to present a united front even if everything behind closed doors was falling apart. He could tell Maryse felt the same.
Makoto Kitagawa was of average height with broad shoulders and a portly belly gone wide with age. A similar build to Robert's, in fact. He was an older gentleman pushing into his mid-60s. Considering the informal nature of Kitagawa's approach, Maryse and Robert had chosen to speak with him in the parlor over wine. His parents had sat on one of the couches, an uncomfortably noticeable gap of distance between them. Alec had acted as both servant and silent observer while the older shadowhunters talked, filling everyone's glasses when they ran low and trying to stay as unobtrusive as possible even while he soaked in everything.
Kitagawa had proposed that their families would benefit from an alliance going forward. He had indicated that he was looking for support in several crucial Law reforms he wanted to present to the Clave and thought the Lightwoods would be sympathetic to those changes as well. He had also offered his backing for any political moves they, Alec included, could possibly want to make in return. Within reason, of course.
A striking proposition, especially considering the fact that Kitagawa had not offered the usual method of alliance: marriage. The older statesman had then gone over several different broad descriptions of the type of reforms he was looking to push. Most of them had dealt with zoning and trade laws in relation to Downworlders.
Alec had been perplexed. Now he wasn't exactly an expert in Clave Law but all of Makoto's reforms had not seemed to be so radical that he needed to curry extra support from the Lightwoods of all people to get them pushed through.
Then Makoto had put down his last card.
Robert had just finished off the rest of his current glass as Kitagawa talked and his brow had furrowed in confusion.
Going slowly, Robert had said, "I hope you don't take this the wrong way but why us, Makoto? I can certainly see what's in it for us but for you…? You already have the general support of the Taidou family, the Pennyfeathers, and the Montclaires. Plus, by extension you could probably get the Herondale vote. And where the Inquisitor goes, so too goes dozens of other families. Nothing you have brought to us seems worth allying with us, considering the timing. It might take a few years but you could easily get those passed if you're patient."
Alec had known he'd read the situation correctly. Still, it would not look good in front of Kitagawa so he had managed to keep the smug smile he wanted to sport under wraps.
"You're right, of course. However, this next reform in particular is the one I'm really looking for you to support."
Kitagawa had paused and swirled his wine, keeping his eyes glued to the logs burning in the parlor fireplace. Alec had moved forward to refill his father's glass.
"I want to propose changes to our marriage laws, particularly the ones about intermarrying with mundanes."
Alec had almost lost his grip on the wine bottle as he poured his father's glass and the clink it had made as it dropped onto the rim rang in the quiet room. He had managed to regain his composure before he spilled and quickly moved back into the shadows.
The silence had stretched for what felt like hours but was probably only a few minutes before Robert had managed to clear his throat and reply with, "Yes, well…by 'changes' do you mean-?"
"Up to a full repeal."
Raziel!
"Angel above, Kitagawa!"
Robert had taken a gulp of his wine after his shout but didn't, or maybe couldn't, continue.
"Now you understand why I need extra support. As I'm sure you know, I lost my wife and youngest boy fifteen years ago to a demon horde attack. All I have left is my oldest and despite my many attempts to change his mind, Kazuo has decided on a human girl. He won't have anyone else." He had paused then, as if to get himself together.
"Even if we still had the Mortal Cup or we recover it from Valentine, she has sworn against Ascending to become a shadowhunter and Kazuo has made himself honor bound to protect her decision."
Alec had understood then why Kitagawa had come to them. A shadowhunter marrying a mundane. One who refused to try and become a Nephilim. It was one of the few taboo relationships actually codified into Law. Even as frowned upon as it was, as a US based shadowhunter Alec could still marry Magnus, a warlock and a man, without actually breaking the Law. He'd be ostracized for it but not de-runed. While it would be difficult and likely would take years, he could even probably have his marriage formally recognized by Idris long before Kazuo Kitagawa could for his marriage to the mundane girl he loved.
Alec had aggressively ignored the slight flutter that rose in his heart when he thought about marriage and Magnus in the same sentence. It was far too soon in their relationship to bring up that particular topic so he let it recede back into his subconscious.
Instead, Alec had slowly glanced towards his mother, the real reason Kitagawa had proposed an alliance with the Lightwood family.
The entire time the Japanese man had spoken, Maryse had sat quiet in her corner of the couch. Her face had been locked in a rictus of discomfort and her hand had trembled slightly as it had gripped her wineglass.
Alec did not know much about the story since his mother rarely talked about it but Max Trueblood, Maryse's older brother and Alec's only maternal uncle, had been very similar to Kazuo Kitagawa. Before Alec had been born, even before Maryse had left the Academy as a child, Uncle Max had renounced his shadowhunter heritage and run off with his mundane lover so he could marry her, never to be seen or heard from again.
Alec and his siblings had heard rumors but none of them had dared to talk to Maryse about it. The only reason Alec had even learned that Uncle Max existed was because Maryse had chosen to name their little brother after him when he was born. It was the first and last time she had ever talked about him.
Leaving the Clave and your shadowhunter life was a serious and potentially deadly choice. The shadowhunter was stripped of their runes, denied contact with any other shadowhunter including their family, and most critically they were denied all protections of Covenant Law. Even Downworlders fell under the protection of the Law and had some say in the Accords. Even natural born mundanes could hope to be protected by a Nephilim if they were being attacked by demon or denizen of the Shadow World. De-runed shadowhunters were anathema. Even if they were wailing in agony as demons ripped them apart ten feet away from a shadowhunter, that shadowhunter was not allowed to help them or risk de-runing themselves. According to the Law as it stands, that is.
Alec had had to admit it was not a Law he had ever had to think about much. He was not overly fond of mundanes at all—alright, I hate them—and the only people he had ever felt a serious romantic attraction to had been Jace and Magnus, both part of the Shadow World. The likelihood of him wanting to marry a mundane was nonexistent and, honestly, laughable. He was, however, extremely familiar with fear of de-runing and banishment as that was the punishment for falling in love with your parabatai. While his…complicated feelings for loving both a man and his brother had twisted him up so much for years, fear of being stripped of his runes and cast out from his family had certainly put the nail in the coffin of any thought he had about confessing those feelings.
He had had a lot of violent nightmares about re-runing and being torn apart by demons growing up. Many of which had resurfaced in recent months only now featuring Izzy as well since Aldertree just loved to use de-runing as a threat against his family.
Maryse had still not spoken and her fingers had been turning white with her grip on her wine glass. Seeing his mother falter when it came to things like this at least was never easy or fun for Alec and he had moved forward to help her rally. He had taken her hand around her glass, cupping the small appendage with his own massive one as he used the motion of taking her glass to cover up his small comfort. The brief moment of contact had knocked her out of whatever stupor she had fallen into and she had given him a quick smile in thanks. He had moved back, glass in hand, as she spoke.
"So, Kitagawa, it's me you hope will support you."
"My apologies, Maryse, I know this is a…difficult topic for you but I am desperate to solve this and I don't really have time to be polite about it. You have an experience with…unorthodox shadowhunter romances in your family and I believe the reforms I am thinking of pushing will help all of us in more ways than one."
Kitagawa's gaze had then alighted on Alec for the first time since he had entered their home and introduced himself. Maryse and Robert had both followed his eyes to Alec who had been standing to the side of them all, filling Maryse's glass of wine from the decanter.
Well…of course. "Unorthodox romance." Right. Alec had expected his open relationship with Magnus to be a topic of gossip in Idris but he had certainly not anticipated it being the impetus for a potential political alliance. Quite the opposite, in fact. After the failed Branwell marriage, he had thought political alliances would be closed to him at least.
Alec had straightened rigidly and moved to hand Maryse's glass back to her.
"I'm sure," Maryse had said acerbically as she accepted the drink.
Kitagawa continued, "Kazuo has already threatened to leave several times. Even removing how- Even if I were to ignore my love for him and what it would mean to no longer see him, I am also a politician. I have to think of my family's legacy. I would have no guarantee that his children would wish to join our ranks as they grew older outside of our society and, unfortunately unlike other families, Ido not have any other children to carry on my line, to offer in marriage, or to offer up as a Sister or Brother to recover our honor. The disgrace would eradicate my influence in the Clave. Thousands of people rely on that. I cannot allow this."
Maryse had slashed her hand in front of her face and said, "You don't have to explain to me the consequences of banishment. I know them very well."
She had glanced then at his father, so quick Alec had almost missed it. Robert had shifted uneasily and sipped at his own wine, avoiding eye contact with everyone. Suddenly several disjointed puzzle pieces that had risen in his mind due to his parents' marital trouble had fallen into neat interlocking rows. Alec had bit back a bewildered scoff.
The families of shadowhunters who had voluntarily left their society were ridiculed and bullied terribly for the shame. It was common to blame the de-runed shadowhunter's home life and upbringing for their wrong choice. For how could anyone choose to leave the blessed Nephilim? Who would turn away from such an exalted and sacred duty to be less than? There must be something amiss. Their parents had clearly failed to instill within them the proper values. Maybe there's something wrong with the whole bloodline…something unnatural.
Alec could see it clearly. The moment he had seen his mother's glance, an image had been drawn across his mind in vivid detail. A young teen Maryse recently abandoned by her beloved brother, social pariah among her classmates, and suddenly finding herself to be wholly responsible for the entire Trueblood legacy. A young Robert Lightwood, looking for a suitable match, offering his hand in marriage to a fellow Circle member aligned with his own creed. Of course Maryse had said 'yes.' The Lightwoods were a storied and ancient family of shadowhunters bursting at the seams with prestige, unfortunate kerfuffle with Benedict the Slug notwithstanding.
So much of his parents' marriage had made sense to Alec in that moment. The fights, the staunch formality…oh, Alec had no doubt in his mind that at least Maryse had loved his father. The nights he had heard her crying alone in her room with Robert nowhere to be found this week while they had been at the conference attested to the feelings that she must've had. Perhaps Robert had loved her the same when they were younger. But Alec knew his mother. He knew exactly and in intimate detail how her love had a caveat for duty. He was certain that Maryse had fallen in love with Robert yet he was also certain she had made damn sure to only allow herself to love a man who could also help her family's position. His mother was complicated like that.
After the minuscule glance shot at his father, Maryse had said, "While I appreciate your candor, what you are proposing is…a bit overwhelming. It has been over four hundred years since the mundane marriage ban was ratified and over two hundred since it was amended to allow for Ascension. I can't imagine that you think you can change centuries of tradition in a few years."
Robert had shifted then and said, "I agree. Even on the off chance we pass these reforms within our lifetime, it could take years, maybe even decades before we saw any movement. Will it even help, considering your son's urgency?"
Fair point, Alec had thought.
Kitagawa had given a short nod as well. "All true. But young people are fickle and, let's be honest, easy to manage when something they desire is dangled in front of them. My son could discover that this grand love he professes is not all what it seems and leave the girl. Or perhaps she could leave him. Or she changes her mind about Ascension and chooses to join our ranks. Or-"
"Or, with the help of my husband and me, we pass your reforms and your son is allowed to marry as he pleases and any children he has with this girl remain in your influence."
"Exactly. All I need is time."
Even though he had felt a little insulted at the older man's backhanded comments about young shadowhunters in love, Alec had had to admit Kitagawa's suggested alliance was an advantageous one for the Lightwoods and, if reform was truly his goal, for Kitagawa as well. More than, really. Covenant Reform was a notoriously difficult affair as change happened extremely slowly in the Clave. Alec had known well how hidebound and stubborn shadowhunter society could be even if based solely on the subtle snubbing he had encountered in Idris after his wedding debacle.
Alec had been somewhat uncomfortable with the idea of being a part of any plan to string along Kazuo Kitagawa and his fiancé but ultimately he had dismissed those thoughts. He didn't even know the guy but he was an adult in his own right and what happened in Kitagawa's family was their business. Kazuo or his fiancé would either wise up to his father's plans or they wouldn't and it wasn't Alec's responsibility to interfere. He had enough on his plate with his own family.
Maryse had hummed contemplatively, sipped from her wine glass, and that was that. His parents had bid Kitagawa goodbye and the three had discussed everything into the wee hours of the morning. Ultimately they had agreed to take Kitagawa up on his offer and had discreetly moved to let him know that the alliance was accepted.
Now, in the Council Hall, as Alec stood before the assembly of senior Clave members, that alliance was coming to fruition even in this small way.
The entire hall of dignitaries shifted then grew silent when Makoto Kitagawa spoke up. Everyone was stunned at his interruption. Simply by answering what could've been taken as a rhetorical question from Alec's mother in an argument that had nothing to do with him or his Institute, Kitagawa had very concisely and tacitly let everyone in the room know about the newly minted Lightwood-Kitagawa partnership.
Winterwell's face grew red in apoplexy and Maryse blazed in triumph, a wild smile pulling at the edges of her mouth as she continued to dismiss Winterwell.
"As for your no doubt altruistic concerns over my family's fertility and the genetic viability of the three biological Lightwood children and one adopted child, I believe that is a confidential matter privy only to family members unless specially mandated by the Council. I'm afraid, Bartholomew, you will have to file for a new meeting to release those records."
She swept her long eyelashes down to her cheeks which Alec knew was his cue.
Alec moved out of his resting stance, adjusted the fit of his suit jacket, and smoothed the lay of his tie. He stepped forward to take command of the podium once more.
"Lord Consul Dieudonne, Madame Inquisitor Herondale, and esteemed dignitaries…as illuminating as this discussion has been when it comes to Councilman Winterwell's well documented opinion on the Lightwood leadership of the New York Conclave, I believe it might be a discussion for another time. It was my understanding that we are here to discuss war strategy against Valentine Morgenstern and the Circle."
Alec took a moment to let his words settled in the Hall. Not too long, however, since he didn't want anyone to interrupt before he could finish.
"I am, of course, happy to change topics to the New York Conclave's recent leadership difficulties. I admit that I had not anticipated speaking on this topic as the Lord Consul specifically called a war meeting so I did not ask the Clave clerks to print for you all of the requisite material for that discussion."
Alec gestured towards Victor, sitting silently in his place but letting his face show his distaste for Alec. "However, I have logged 37 detailed reports during Victor Aldertree's time as Interim Institute Head as well as 12 reports of my own observations after I was reinstated 6 months ago following Valentine's infiltration of the Institute. I'm sure we can have 202 copies of each of them printed and distributed to your esteemed selves before too long so that we might all go over the exact details of the situation."
Here he glanced over to the Clave stenographers' booth. Behind the scribes typing away on their antiquated machines were three clerks who were usually used to run errands while meetings were in session. Each and every one of them looked terrified at the idea that they might have to fill Alec's request. While Alec usually found the technological disadvantages of Alicante to be extremely frustrating and definitely preferred the high tech environment encouraged in New York, here their outdated practices were to his advantage.
The heavy wards around Idris and especially Alicante prevented the use of a lot of modern technology and the Clave was reluctant to allow warlocks into the sacred city to provide updates to their ward systems in order to fix that. Only Institutes at the front lines had seen the benefits of modern tech and fully utilized it.
As a result of the Clave's uncompromising conservatism, the only working computer in all of the capital city sat next to the only working phone right there in the Gard where Clave meetings were held. However, both computer and printer were horribly outdated and it would take hours to print 202 copies of every single report Alec had ever made about Aldertree's leadership. While the meeting could go into recess during that time, no one would be able to leave. The Gard closed its doors while meetings were in session and only reopened them once the Consul called them to an end. It was approaching early evening on the last day of meetings and they had already been in this one session since early morning. No one wanted to extend this slog of bureaucracy longer than necessary.
As he glanced around the Hall, Alec could tell everyone in the room felt just about the same as the Clave clerks. No one breathed at the mere thought of having to wait through another recess.
Still, Alec decided to push it a bit more and continued with, "Of course, if my individual reports are not sufficient material and are deemed biased, we can also include all of the reports from Former Head Victor Aldertree himself followed by all of the reports of senior Institute personnel. I'm sure during a hopefully short recess, our capable Clave clerks could print-"
"That will not be necessary…thank you, Mr. Lightwood, yes." It was Consul Malachi Dieudonne who had spoken. His voice was a bit thin and high pitched as he leapt to stop Alec from finishing his sentence.
The Hall exhaled.
"Yes, Mr. Lightwood is correct. I called this conference for a specific purpose and it is appropriate that we move back to the topic at hand. Mainly, Valentine and the Soul Sword."
Winterwell was shaken from his fit of anger. "But, Lord Consul-"
"Yes, yes. If you must insist on continuing this, Bartholomew, lodge a request with my office and the meeting will be placed on the docket. We will continue with the New York Conclave war report. This discussion is over."
Alec very carefully adjusted the paperwork he had laid out on the podium and met Winterwell's enraged gaze directly. He stopped himself from the pettiness of a smirk.
After that Alec finished his report without too much interruption. He detailed Magnus' and Luke's suggested ideas about what Valentine was planning next based on Luke's history as the man's parabatai and Magnus' knowledge of his grimoire and the uses of a flipped Soul Sword. When he knew he was going to be called for a meeting, Alec had asked the two men to give him their opinions so that he could at least convey their knowledge in Idris second hand even though the Clave had not thought to include the Downworlders despite their clear capability and personal experiences. He made sure to mention their names on their reports as he read them word for word as written.
He put forth his own suggestion that the Clave move to increase and repair diplomatic relations with the Seelie Queen, after the damage that was done previously by himself and Lydia. He capped it off by suggesting that the Clave also work more closely with the Spiral Labyrinth to request the help of the warlocks and their multiple millennia's worth of magical knowledge. They could prove extremely useful with both tightening the wards of Institutes worldwide and countering whatever plans Valentine had for the Mortal Instruments.
Alec had no hope they would take his suggestions or care what Luke and Magnus had reported but at least he could say he gave it everything he had.
While there had been a bit of discussion while the Clave members went over the end of his report, the Consul concluded the meeting before another hour could pass. To say it was a relief to finally be done with the weeklong conference was an understatement.
The meeting ended just as the last bit of light faded from the horizon. The windows edging the ceiling of the Hall had let Alec keep track of the time. General Clave attendees, Councilmembers, and administrative staff poured from the meeting hall as quickly as possible. Everyone was eager to get home. The next morning everyone who came in from outside of Idris would be set to portal out. Alec was definitely planning to turn in early so he could catch an early portal schedule. He could not leave soon enough.
He missed Magnus.
His phone didn't work in Idris and the wards had been locked down even further around Alicante because of the security around the war conference. Even fire messages were currently blocked from being sent between the shadowhunter city and the mundane world unless they were Council approved. He hadn't spoken to Magnus all week.
Just outside of the doors of the hall stood Alec's parents, Makoto Kitagawa, and Nasreen Chaudhury who was the current Head of the Mumbai Institute. They were speaking in low voices with each other but their faces were pleasant so everything seemed to be going well. Behind the group, close enough to be called over but far enough not to interrupt, were three secretaries waiting for their respective Institute Heads.
His mother saw him first and extended her hand to him, a wide smile stretched across her face.
"Alec, dear, come here. We have decided to invite our friends to a small dinner to celebrate our new relationship with Makoto. I sent a fire message during afternoon recess to let Annabelle know."
He approached the group and his parents' secretary named Charles Greenleaf, Annabelle's little brother, moved forward to take Alec's presentation portfolio and stepped back into line with the rest of the staff. Annabelle and Charles worked for his parents while they were in Alicante. The twins were Nephilim in their own right but a genetic anomaly shared by both had made it difficult for them to take runes safely. They had nearly died when they'd gotten their first runes. To fulfill their duty to the Clave, they had both moved into politics and administrative roles instead. They had been employed by his parents for the last five years or so to assist them whenever they were called to Idris.
Alec took his mother's outstretched hand, folding it around his bent elbow as was expected of him when in front of other dignitaries, even allies like these. Usually his father would escort his mother in this way but considering their estrangement that was obviously not going to happen. As Maryse's oldest son, it would not look overly strange for Alec to escort her instead but anyone who knew the Lightwoods well might find the new arrangement curious.
Nasreen Chaudhury took one look at Alec and Maryse then flicked her eyes to Robert. She had made absolutely no other suspicious facial expression but Alec knew from just that look that Nasreen knew exactly what was happening.
"Alec, excellent work today. I see your mother has taught you well," she said. Her voice was deep and smooth, her Indian accent complemented by a cadence meant to put one at ease.
The Lightwoods and the Chaudhury family had been allies for several generations. Ever since the Academy had been shut down in the 90s, their children would apprentice with the other's family for long periods for their education. Alec and his siblings had often lived at the Mumbai Institute or at the Chaudhury manor in Idris when not in New York. Max was in Mumbai now, in fact. Alec had many good memories of living with Nasreen. She had been a very exacting tutor, especially with javelin training as that was her personal weapon. When he had taken more to the bow, she had been utterly heartbroken but had encouraged him to pursue perfection either way. For Izzy, she had personally overseen her in savuku work. Most of Izzy's skill with a whip came from that close interaction when they were young.
"Councilwoman, thank you. I hope Max hasn't tried a repeat of when he last tried to burn your Institute down."
Nasreen gave out a short peel of laughter. "No, no…we're still standing, thank the Angel. He's almost as bad as Jace but he's been much better since his Rune Ceremony. And while I appreciate the formality while we're in session, I am not nearly as strict as your mother so you can drop it when we are not. We've known each other too long for anything less."
Alec smiled. "Aunty, of course."
The wrinkles around her eyes shifted as her smile widened. She adjusted her gold and black sari as she extended her hand towards him and he kissed the air above her fingers as prompted. The dark brown skin of the back of her hand was smooth beneath his thumb but her palm was covered in callouses, the work of a seasoned warrior regardless of her years as a stateswoman.
"How is my nephew? He never messages anymore."
"Raj is…Raj. He's very dedicated to his work." Alec gave an awkward smile.
Nasreen raised a rounded eyebrow. "So he's being a little brat, is he?"
"I absolutely did not say that."
She hummed good-naturedly, "Well, tell him to call his mother. Priya has been beside herself thinking about him after that close call with that demon but too stubborn to message first."
Alec grew solemn at the memory of the demon that had possessed him and killed Jocelyn. "I will," he replied with a firm nod.
Raj was a Chaudhury from out of Mumbai originally, Nasreen's nephew by marriage, and just like Alec and his siblings he had often apprenticed in New York along with a couple other kids from Nasreen's family. When he'd turned eighteen and sworn loyalty to the Clave, he had started his career working in Alicante but four and a half years ago, he had requested to permanently be assigned to New York and had transitioned from Idris accordingly. They had all known each other on and off for nearly twenty years now and though he was two years older than Alec they had gotten along just fine. It was only in recent months that things had turned a bit sour between them all. Alec made a note to try and figure out what that was about and repair it. Even if only so he could look Nasreen in the eye.
The group made its way down the winding corridors toward the entrance and Maryse continued the dinner conversation, "Patrick isn't able to stay and caught an early portal out of Idris. He and Jia were sent on an urgent mission. Aline is still at the Penhallow home here in the city however so I invited her to stop by a little later with Helen Blackthorn."
"The delegate from the Los Angeles Institute? Whatever for?" asked Kitagawa in a curious tone.
"Yes, well…they have recently struck up an…intimate acquaintance."
Alec startled a little and glance down to his mother. She was very deliberately looking ahead of her as the group dodged busy shadowhunters rushing through the hallways.
Kitagawa looked equally shocked. "Well…times are certainly changing." He avoiding looking at Alec but everyone understood what was left unspoken.
This was news to Alec in several ways. He had known Aline from when he and his siblings were children. Maryse, Robert, and Patrick Penhallow had been very close friends as teenagers. Alec later learned that Patrick had also been in the Circle, though the man had left them before the group had turned into terrorists. He'd run off to the Beijing Institute and married the young shadowhunter Jia Ke against his family's wishes.
The ex-Circle members had maintained their friendship, however, and their kids had played together whenever they were in Idris. They didn't see each other often, and in recent years not at all, however they all got along well when they did. The last time he had seen Aline he had been eighteen, Jace and Aline had been sixteen, and Izzy had just turned fifteen. They had all been attending a wedding together. He thought he had known her fairly well but he had not known she was…that she liked women.
Actually, Alec was pretty sure he remembered that after the wedding Jace had told him he and Aline had kissed while they were adventuring out in the Brocelind Forest. Though…Alec flashed back to Lydia, I have a female ex-fiancé, so I guess a kiss doesn't mean anything. Plus there's Magnus who's bisexual so…why am I still thinking about this? It's none of my business.
The only vehicles available in Alicante with its heavy wards were pre-80s junkers operating partially on magic or outright horse and buggies if your family wanted to really lean in to the gothic aesthetic. Alec's parents had always skewed more to modernity when it came to technology at least so they had recently bought a large town car from 1976. Plus, they didn't often stay in Idris so they didn't have to worry about long term care of a horse. Charles drove, however, as Alec had yet to learn that particular skill.
Now that he thought about it, maybe he should learn how to drive. It got annoying always asking Simon to take their group places when they couldn't portal. As the oldest, he should really set the example for his siblings and learn first. Although he would rather die than learn from Simon.
I wonder if Magnus can drive,Alec mused.He can just portal everywhere but he also can do everything and anything so...Alec smiled at the image of Magnus behind the wheel of a car. His man was knowledgeable in so many fields, it wouldn't surprise him at all.Would he teach me?
Alec wondered if it would be more or less embarrassing to have Magnus teach him to drive. Still, anything would be better than learning from the vampire. Alec made a mental note to talk to Magnus about it when he got home.
The group dispatched to their separate vehicles, promising to meet at the Lightwood town home within two hours. Alec and his parents made it home quickly and Alec led his mother inside before they parted. He was eager to pack before the guests arrived for their impromptu dinner so that he could sleep right after they finished and get his early start.
When the last of the guests did arrive, it was just before 7 in the evening and Alec was the one who let them in. He opened the door to greet Aline and Helen.
The two women were both petite, Aline standing just at Izzy's height while Helen was an inch or so taller. They were both dressed in light jackets over dark pants suits and silk blouses; Helen's shirt was in cobalt and Aline's in emerald. Aline's blouse rose high around her neck, spilling in some kind of lace ruffle just below her chin and her short cut bob hair. Helen's shirt was a button down with a pointed collar. They were linked at the arms as they entered and moved in tandem.
Alec smiled a little and put out his hand for a shake while saying, "Aline, welcome."
"Alec."
"It's been a really long time."
"Five years?"
"That's right. The Pangborn wedding. It's good to see you."
"And you." She gestured to the woman next to her. "This is Helen Blackthorn. I'm sure you've seen her around this week but I'm not sure if you've been formally introduced."
Alec turned to Helen and extended his hand to her as well. Helen Blackthorn was delicate and lovely with gold hair curling in big rings. She had pulled her hair back from her face and Alec could see her pointed ears peaking from the sides. Helen was half-faerie on her mother's side.
A unique situation as it was rumored her father had been kidnapped to the Seelie Court and "seduced by the magical world and a duplicitous fae woman." Years later, after the man had married a shadowhunter and had several children, Helen and her brother Mark were left on the Los Angeles Institute's doorstep for Andrew Blackthorn and his wife to raise.
The scandal had been before his time really but the stories hadn't quite gone away and had definitely resurfaced a few years ago when Helen had been appointed to the Council. A half-faerie woman on the Clave Council? It was astonishing to say the least. Being half-downworlder meant malicious rumors were always being spread about her loyalties. Alec thought it must be even harder now that she was openly in a relationship with another woman but he also thought it would be rude to talk about so he just shook her hand and decided to avoid both topics until she brought it up.
He had seen her all week as Aline had thought but they'd had no reason to speak to each other. Her palm was cool in his. She gave a firm shake, a quick nod, and a polite smile.
"Councilwoman Blackthorn."
"Well met, Mr. Lightwood. Your war report was excellent today. Definitely a session to be remembered."
They all stood awkwardly for a moment. It was strange acting so formally with someone he had known since he was a toddler. He was still in 'Acting Head' mode and it was clashing with his memories of rolling around in the dirt with Aline and his siblings when they were 8.
He could tell Aline felt the same. She shifted uncomfortably then perked her head up as if suddenly having an idea. A wicked smile shot across her face.
"So…I'm gay and you're gay, how about that?"
Alec sucked in a breath and his eyes widened. All of his training flew out the window as his mouth gaped. He had been trying so hard to be Acting Head all week and in a split second Aline had managed to revert him back to a teenager. He had no idea how to even start to respond.
"Aline!" Helen looked equally as scandalized as Alec.
"What? Somebody had to say something. Let's be honest, that's the main reason Maryse even invited me regardless of the fact that my parents are gone."
Alec had to admit the thought had crossed his mind once he found out that Aline and Helen were involved. It didn't matter however as he still couldn't speak a full sentence.
"Ah…yes, right. Um…what?"
Ask Alec to give a rundown of military drills and he could rattle them off the top of his head for hours. Ask Alec to talk with someone about his sexuality and he turned into a babbling infant.
Helen turned her shocked face to Alec. "I am so sorry about that. You don't have to talk to me about anything."
Alec straightened his back and shook his head, "No, it's fine. I'm…fine. I'm not- I can talk about anything, Aline. Councilwoman. It's fine."
Aline's smile dimmed slightly. "Oh, I'm sorry. I thought- I didn't know- I mean, you kissed him at your own wedding! It was all over Idris for weeks."
That's when Alec understood. Of course. Aline had just been trying to break the ice after so many years apart. How was she to know he'd act like a complete idiot?
Aline's smile disappeared completely. "I'm sorry. I only just told my mom and dad so…I mean, I know how scary it is. I just thought-" She licked her lips nervously. "All the rumors were going around how you tossed aside an arranged marriage and just went for it so…I thought maybe for you it was different."
"No, no…it's fine. I was just- I'm not ashamed of Magnus or- or myself or anything. I'm just not really used to people talking about it so directly. Other than Jace and Izzy and a couple friends, I mean. Everyone else just kind of…ignores it, you know?"
"Yeah," she said softly and a sad look crossed her face like she was thinking about someone specific.
Helen took a long look at both of them then said, "Well, we've come full circle back to awkward, haven't we? Anyway, call me 'Helen' not 'Councilwoman.' We're the same age, by the Angel."
Alec's body relaxed. "Call me 'Alec' then."
He motioned the two women deeper into the house. "Dinner will be served in about twenty minutes or so. Everyone is having drinks in the parlor until then. I can take your jackets and any weapons if you have them and don't want to wear them. You can set the weapons on the rack there."
Helen flashed a smile and shrugged out of her jacket, handing it over. She tapped lightly at her right leg and a glamoured holster revealed itself. She unbuckled the seraph blade and set it on the weapons rack to the left of the entryway. She moved forward to the door he had waved to and looked back to wait. Aline gave the woman a look, shook her head slightly, and motioned her to go first. Helen nodded and disappeared into the parlor.
Aline removed her jacket and stretched it out to him but when he grabbed it, she didn't let go. He looked up in confusion.
She licked her lips. "I'm- really sorry…about before."
"Really, it's fine."
She shook her head sharply then looked him directly in the eye. "I want you to know that I really do admire what you did. A lot of us do. After everyone heard what you did, that's when- Anyway, I told my parents about me three weeks later."
Aline had rendered Alec speechless again.
"If I hadn't've come out to my parents then, I wouldn't have had the chance to be with Helen so, thanks, I guess…"
When Alec didn't say anything, still feeling struck, Aline averted her gaze. She shoved her jacket the rest of the way into his hands, unbuckled and hung up her own seraph blade, then hurried through to the parlor.
He had never thought anyone would see what had happened at his wedding like that. From the outside Alec guessed that moment probably painted a very grandiose, romantic, and dashing image of him. He hadn't felt brave though. Just scared and lonely and like he was going to pass out. When Magnus had shown up, glittering and beautiful and a little sad, Alec had felt like he was drowning and someone had thrown him a rope to pull himself up. He had just been trying to survive. Kissing Magnus had felt like he was finally above water. It had all been desperation not bravery.
He'd had no idea what he was doing and he had followed up that impulsive moment with a rapid two weeks of the most awkward and fumbling mistakes he thought anyone could make in a new relationship. It was honestly a miracle Magnus still wanted to be with him. But he did. He did want to be with him and Alec couldn't imagine his life any other way anymore.
Aline had said Alec's wedding helped her live the life she wanted? Well, good. Alec hadn't set out to do anything like that but if Aline felt about Helen even half of what Alec felt for Magnus, then he was thankful his decision helped her. He wouldn't want to take this feeling away from anyone.
Alec exhaled a small breath and gave a wry smile. Then he neatly hung Helen and Aline's jackets in the hallway closet and followed them into the parlor.
A/N: Well…how about that? This is way longer than I'd planned. I also went way deeper into mixing book and show mythology and exploring ideas of shadowhunter politics than I thought. It kinda…got away from me but I decided to keep it and expand the story forwards.
Leave me some comments. I'll try to have the next part up soon. I'm hoping I'll be done after 1-2 more chapters but we'll see. I'm flying by the seat of my pants at this point. lmao
