As we used to say in RadioShack, you got questions, we got answers. And man does Magnus have a lot of questions.

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Magnus taps on the cot absently as he watches the elevator doors. He thought after talking to Clary, Alec and Jace last night, he would be closer to getting out of this box. But it's almost dinner time and nothing has changed.

He sighs as the doors open and a male ShadowHunter steps out with his dinner tray in his hands. Magnus has seen this one a few times. Unlike the others, this one doesn't look at Magnus with disdain or hostility, but with curiosity, and it confuses Magnus.

It also makes him uneasy.

The ShadowHunter unlocks the door and waits for Magnus to stand and walk over to get his tray.

Magnus sits on the cot and starts eating. He glances up and sees that the ShadowHunter is standing in the doorway, looking at him, with an odd smile on his face. He notices Magnus looking at him. He steps into the cell and closes the door behind him without saying a word.

Magnus raises an eyebrow, "Can I help you?"

"Tell me about Lightwood."

Magnus' unease gets worse, "You would know more about him than I."

"No, what do you think of him?"

Magnus shrugs, this conversation setting off all kinds of alarms in his head, "He seems okay."

"Okay? Like good okay or bad okay?"

"He seems like a decent guy, why?"

"Hmm, just wondering." He looks around the cell, "You want to get out of here."

Magnus sets the tray beside him on the cot, "Of course."

The ShadowHunter nods, "Soon." He points at the tray, "Done?"

Magnus slowly nods, "Yes."

The ShadowHunter walks over and picks up the tray. He gives Magnus that odd smile, "Oh yes, this is almost over." He unlocks the door and leaves the cell. The door slams behind him and he walks to the elevator. Magnus rubs his thumb and pointer fingers together as the elevator doors close.

Magnus wishes that there was some way of getting word to Jace about this. Then again, he has no idea who the ShadowHunter is. He thinks, not for the first time, that they should wear name tags. For the most part, ShadowHunters lack the manners to introduce themselves.

Magnus smiles as he thinks of a drunk Alec, shaking his hand and giggling. Magnus glances at the elevator doors, something is going on and he's pretty sure Alec is in the middle of it.

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Magnus opens his eyes, the lights are dim, he must have fallen asleep. He startles when he sees Alec leaning against the closed door. Magnus quickly sits up, "How long have you been watching me sleep?"

Alec smiles, "Not long. You looked so peaceful, I didn't want to wake you. I almost lost my nerve when I saw you sleeping. But I figured if I didn't do this now, I might chicken out all together." He walks over to the bench and sits down.

"Do what?"

Alec sighs, "Consul Malachi finally sent me the evidence."

Magnus leans closer as he notices Alec's empty hands, "So where is it?"

Alec shakes his head, "It's bullshit."

"Oh?"

"The six mundanes had their throats slashed and the initials 'MB' cut into their foreheads."

Magnus closes his eyes, "MB, Magnus Bane."

Alec nods, "The lettering was intricate. Hodge researched and found fire messages signed by you with the same lettering."

Magnus opens his eyes, "Your sister also mentioned Hodge knowing a lot about me."

"Hodge used to be in the Circle with my parents. His punishment is that every time the name 'Valentine' is mentioned, his circle rune burns him."

Magnus smiles, "February 14th must be a bitch for him."

Alec looks at him confused, "Why?"

Magnus laughs, "It's Valentine's Day. Mundanes buy their sweethearts candy, flowers and gifts."

"Oh. Anyway, the Clave saw this as your signature on the murders and that's why they ordered your arrest."

"That's it?"

Alec nods, "Yes. I had our forensic expert check the times of death and you were seen in your club or with others at each time. Therefore you are innocent."

Magnus smiles, "I owe your forensic expert a drink."

Alec smiles, "Izzy doesn't drink but she likes chocolate."

"Izzy?"

"Yes, my sister Isabelle, you met her."

"Wow, then a box of chocolates it is."

Alec sighs, "I am so sorry about this." He stands and walks over to Magnus. He holds out his hand.

Magnus raises an eyebrow, "You want to shake hands again?"

Alec laughs, "No, I want to remove the bands."

Magnus laughs, "By all means." He stands and puts his left wrist in Alec's hand.

Alec takes his stele out his pocket and passes it over the unlock rune. The band snaps open and falls to the floor. Alec looks up and sees the elevator doors open, a ShadowHunter steps out. Alec narrows his eyes, "What the hell is Raj doing here?"

Magnus turns around and sees that it's the ShadowHunter who bought him his dinner. The unease returns as Magnus watches Alec walk to the door of the cell. Without thinking, Magnus follows him.

Alec passes his stele over the unlock rune. He pushes the door open and leaves the cell. Magnus follows him out.

Raj is standing by the elevator, he smiles as Alec walks closer, "You couldn't wait to tell him."

Alec's eyes are cold, "Not that I need your permission."

"Why is he out?"

"Why are you here?"

Raj smiles, "I'm here on official business." He takes a step closer to Alec.

"Oh really? I'm the Head of the Institute, and I don't remember giving you anything to do, dealing with Magnus."

"Who said anything about dealing with Magnus?" He pulls a small dagger from his thigh holster and stabs Alec in the stomach. Alec sinks to the floor.

Magnus reacts in the blink of an eye, creating a fireball and throwing it at Raj. It hits the ShadowHunter in the chest and sends him flying across the room hitting the wall near the elevator. Raj gets to his feet just as Magnus sends another one. This one sets his clothes on fire and Raj screams in pain as he burns.

Magnus sits on the floor next to Alec. He rests Alec's head on his leg as he gently pulls the dagger out and tosses it to the side. He quickly brings healing magic to his fingertips and covers the wound with the palm of his hand. He whispers, "Alec, please stay with me."

The elevator doors open and Jace runs out with another ShadowHunter. Jace runs over to Magnus and Alec, while the other ShadowHunter checks Raj's burned corpse.

Jace kneels next to Alec, "He cut the main video. By the time I got the auxiliary feed up, we just saw it happen." He looks at Magnus, "How is he?"

Magnus swallows, "He lost consciousness, but I think I was able to stop the bleeding in time."

Jace sighs, "Thank you. I'm sorry Magnus, but you have to get back in the cell until we get this sorted out."

Magnus nods, "I understand." He sees the other ShadowHunter get in the elevator. Jace puts Alec's head on his leg, so Magnus can stand up.

"The door will lock as long as you slam it."

Magnus nods as he slowly walks back to the cell. He sees that there is a small knob on the inside of the door, he holds it and slams the door as he enters the cell. He runs over to the glass wall as the elevator doors open. Isabelle and the other ShadowHunter step out with a gurney.

The two men gently lift Alec up as Isabelle holds his head. They place him on the gurney and wheel it to the elevator. Jace grabs the dagger as they walk past it. Isabelle glances at Magnus and gives him a tiny smile as the doors close.

Magnus rests his forehead against the wall and closes his eyes for a few minutes. He slowly opens them. He sees two ShadowHunters lift Raj's burnt remains onto a table and wheel it to the elevator. The doors close.

Magnus is alone.

He walks to the cot and picks the band off the floor. He sits down and tosses it on the bench. He looks out and sees Alec's blood on the floor. He can see scorch marks on the wall and floor.

Magnus leans against the wall. He finally got answers, but was it worth it?

-tbc-

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As you might have realized, this story is coming fast and furious.

My regular readers probably aren't too surprised to see Raj as the bad guy. But trust me, I have plenty of surprises still in store.