CHAPTER FOUR
Putting up a front did no good in diminishing the still palpable tensity looming in the air. Both the men strided along the halls of the Institute with their heads bowed and mouths sealed. The deafening silence was only broken when they both reached the main hall, where Izzy and Jace had already been waiting for their arrival.
"Ah so you found him," Izzy beamed, her eyes glinting with mischief. Jace smirked next to her.
Knowing full well that his sister had lied to him, he glared at her before proceeding down the few steps and towards them, Magnus soundlessly following behind him.
"Has The Clave been informed of the assistance of Mr Bane?" Alec asked. Magnus's heart clenched at the new name, but brushed it off immediately. There was absolutely nothing going on between them, only and strictly business.
"Yes Alec, no need to worry about that," Jace answered.
Magnus decided to speak up this time. "I don't want to spend long here, I already miss my home. So why don't we get this over and done with and allow me to identify this demon?" He asked smugly. The three shadowhunters nodded and brought him to the nearby work table.
A holo screen illuminated from the desk, and the image that flashed on it shook the warlock. A broad ebony creature shone before him. With eyes so wickedly green, a dark void replacing its pupils, it stared at the eyes of the warlock with immense intensity. Its filthy mouth screaming malice, a row of deadly sharp teeth creeped from the inside. Insanely sharp claws and spikes stuck out of its gruesome body, droplets of dark green substance cascading down its jagged skin. One strike and buckets of blood would gush out the victim's body–an instant kill.
"What the hell is that?" Magnus blurted out in utter shock and perplexity.
"That was the exact same question that brought you here," Jace muttered scornfully.
"I've never seen one like this before," Magnus replied, "It seems powerful. Probably, but hopefully not, one of Lilith's."
"So that ugly dude's your brother?" Jace snickered, and Izzy slapped the back of his head.
"Him? Me? Well thank God we don't look alike. I mean, I'm clearly the better looking brother," Magnus joked, and this caused a giggle to escape Alec's lips, in which was immediately suppressed. The sound drifted in the warlock's ears like a lullaby, a melody that he has been longing for. The warlock glanced at the tall shadowhunter who stood close next to him, too close, and for a moment, his professional front slowly began to crumble. But remembering the desperate need for the demon's identity, he built the wall back and locked gazes with Izzy. "I can't seem to put a name to this filthy creature, but I can tell you right now that it's dangerous. Very dangerous. And it lurks around here somewhere, so sooner or later he and his pack would start to attack."
"And by then we would have to be ready," Izzy continued, and Magnus nodded.
"Right. I'll brief the Institute later on, and training would soon commence," – Alec turned to face Magnus – "Thank you Magnus for your help." A smile creeped up his face, and the warlock smiled back.
"I guess I'm no longer needed here. I wish the best for all of you, now I shall take my leave and finally enjoy a round of delicious medium rare steak. Oh, with a glass of wine of course, maybe two." Alec's smile widened at the last comment. Typical Magnus and his love for drinks, he thought, I miss that. With a sigh, Magnus swirled around and made his move towards the exit.
He was walking away again.
But before Magnus could properly take his leave, Izzy called out for him. Confused, Magnus turned around and slowly made his way back. As he did so, Izzy pulled Alec closer to her so that her lips were levelled with his ear, and she whispered, "Talk to him, before I make you." And with that, she gave her brother a light thrust forward before dragging Jace away with her and disappeared.
Noticing Izzy's and Jace's sudden departure, Magnus furrowed his brow. "And why did she call for me?"
"Because we need to talk." The words that slipped out of Alec's mouth startled both the men.
"There is nothing to talk about Alexander," Magnus sighed, and Alec could not help but melt at the name. Oh how he missed being called that.
"Yes we do, but not here." Alec gestured to an empty and secluded corner of the room. Magnus gave in and reluctantly sauntered there with Alec.
Shaking the nerves off his body, Alec breathed in a gulp of air and faced Magnus. "I'm sorry."
Magnus shook his head. "Don't. It's in the past, I've dealt with it."
"You have, but I haven't. Magnus I, I can't stop thinking about what I did, about what I chose. I shouldn't have left you," Alec mumbled, guilt and regret striking him.
"But you did. You did Alexander. This is the life you chose, and it's the life you have to live. There is absolutely nothing that we can do about it," Magnus replied, his voice induced with a harsh tone.
"I know. I really do. But we can- I don't know, try. We can at least try." The desperation laced in Alec's voice pained Magnus, but he knew trying wouldn't work, nothing would. He had to leave, he had no place in Idris for his heart remained in Brooklyn, and Idris was too much of a foreign land.
"Alexander," Magnus faltered, "I have to go." Bringing his hand up to cup Alec's cheek, he brushed his thumb across the skin. Alec's eyes fluttered close upon the soft gesture.
Eyes still shut, Alec stuttered, "Y-you don't have to. Just stay, for a couple of days. Please." Magnus sighed. He really wanted and needed to leave, but the prominent pain in the shadowhunter's plea restrained the warlock from going. So with one last sigh of defeat, Magnus slowly nodded.
"Fine, but just for a couple of days, and I'll be off."
Alec's eyes flew open almost instantly, and the brightest grin appeared on his face. "Thank you."
Pulling his hand back, Magnus strained a smile. How could he ever say no to the man he so loved?
