I took a hiatus without informing anyone. Yes. I am a cruel, cruel child. But we're still cool, right? (Not even if I say sorry?)
On the plus side, there was sufficient time for all those reviews I love. You can't tell, but I whisper 'precious' every time one of you lovely readers drop a review. No matter the length. Moral of the story? REVIEW 3.
… As usual—I don't own anything except the plot and delusion. But I can dream (and then wake up crushed).
I would promise to be better... but I'm unreliable like that—sorry. Lots of Love, and if it feels better—I feel immensely guilty when you guys review so faithfully and I haven't updated. Does that make you want to review more, or what? Also, confession time: I read the final one and (SPOILER!) I didn't really like that pretty much everyone ended happy/ alive. I miss the Harry Potter kind of endings where you would win big but also loose big. Maybe it's just me. What do you guys think? Am I being too harsh?
CHAPTER 7: THE OTHER SIDE OF THINGS
It wasn't a big deal. At least, that's what Magnus Bane told himself as he strode up to the group of shadowhunters in the distance. It wasn't a big deal.
But, damn it—it was!
He swallowed and rehearsed in his mind.
'Hello, I am Magnolia Bane, you might know my brother. He isn't here today but he sent me to take care of this…problem. I am here to work with you against Jonathan Morgenstern. There is no need to fill me in, Magnus told me all I need to know and I want to make it clear that this is purely a business transaction. I support you with my magic on behalf of the WAP squad and I get my pay check from them.'
At Jem's baffled expression, Isabelle turned to him to explain. The Willing Agents to Protect Under-aged Shadowhunters (the WAPUS, more commonly known as the WAP squad) was the brainchild of the Clave. Or rather, it was the brainchild of an exiled member who later lost all the credit to the organisation which had separated him from the rest of Shadowhunter civilisation. It comprised of warlocks and was doing wonders (or atleast, that's what the brochures always said).
'Magnolia Bane?' Jace asked, sceptically while Alec visibly paled.
'Correct—same demon father and we formed an odd alliance. You know Magnus, he chooses who he befriends wisely'
Alec winced, and Magnus, seeing this, pointedly looked away.
'I'm here with information, really. A warlock in our agency has been watching over you and noticed some unusual activity.'
Jem's eyes met the cat-like ones of Magnolia Bane's and he couldn't reign in the knowing smile that his features took on. This didn't go unnoticed by Magnus, who nervously brought his hand up to his hair to make sure that it was still longer than shoulder length. Then he took a deep breath and continued.
'I am under the impression that Jonathan, Sebastian, whatever-you-want-to-call-him has taken Clarissa Morgenstern to the Fey Lands considering the previous times the Seelie Court has looked kindly upon him. I will accompany you there,' Magnus sounded out, ensuring he pushed words out of his mouth at a different pace than usual and forcing his mouth to sound out syllables in unfamiliar ways, 'but beyond this one instance I will not be able to help you. It is my greater duty to the warlocks than to the Clave.'
He lied. This was the warlock's true weakness. He could not stay away but he couldn't bear to continue the ruse beyond what would be permitted under the farce of professionalism. He schooled his visage and waited for the barrage of questions that were sure to ensue.
'Then why help us now?'
It was Jace—always the least trusting.
'The WAP squad considers you a priority individual'
This wasn't a lie. Last Magnus had checked, the Warlock community were testing ways to extract the holy fire from Jace and they had him under constant surveillance. It was both for Jace's protection and those around him with the aim of developing a weapon to channel all that power.
'Why?' Isabelle quirked an eyebrow.
'He is the weapon we can use against Sebastian. He is the last option we have.'
Jace stiffened visibly at this and he almost laughed at the irony when he thought back to Valentine's mantra the first time he held a seraph blade. 'Be the weapon'. Here he was in front of the burning Institute being told something so similar and so different by people who fought on the opposite side.
Alec's eyes met Magnolia's. Magnus swallowed hard and broke the connection—not that Alec noticed, too involved in where his thoughts had led him: - 'Then why didn't Sebastian take Jace—so Jace couldn't be used against him?'
Jace sighed slightly and said, 'Because my proximity to him could kill him. I'm his kryptonite'
He smiled slightly as he said this, paying a tribute to the Superman collection of comics he had surreptitiously borrowed from Clary only to have it burn to ashes in the middle of the night. Oddly enough, he had identified with the superhero—though he did have qualms with the outfit.
At the blank stares he was receiving he rolled his eyes and explained, 'I glow brightly, and he's destroyed'
After a sufficiently awkward and lengthy silence, Magnus cut in 'I think we should leave the burning building to the Clave and move on to the fey lands'
There were nods of agreement from all concerned. Especially Tess, who was growing worried as her fiancé's face contorted with a familiar suppressed grimace of pain.
The group left, making their way towards Central Park while Jace followed at the back of the group, his brows furrowed, 'Why hasn't the Clave arrived already?' His musings were met with deaf ears.
This time, when they entered the cavernous hallways of the land of the Seelie Court they were met with no guards and not a single soul. There were no festivities, there was no music and there were only more dank hallways to follow from the central hall. The hall smelt musty and had only one patch of light by which the group could discern the emptiness of the structure. Jace found himself actually wishing for Simon's company. His superior eyesight would have been invaluable.
Nevertheless, the Shadowhunters moved through the central chamber, their footsteps ricocheting off curved walls—announcing their presence sonorously, much to their displeasure. It was only when there passed a moment of stillness that, over their echoing footsteps, a deep moan was heard coming from a passage on the right. The contingent exchanged glances as a shadowy figure emerged from the tunnel and crawled into the patch of light, the moans shaking the foundation of the ground. It shuddered for a brief moment as its arms shakily pushed what could now be identified as a boy to his feet, but at the last moment the figure collapsed and Isabelle drew in a sharp breath of recognition.
It's been ages and I wasn't sure I would even continue this but I stumbled upon a document labelled PLOT yesterday, and I couldn't resist.
I know this wasn't one of the best chapters, but I felt as though I needed to get the plot for the other side moving so that the story could progress. Also I was wondering whether any of you have any preferences in terms of ships? PM or review your answers and I will certainly reply anything you want if you PM or review. I've decided that it's almost been a year and I felt immense guilt. Thank you for all the continued support, the follows and the favourites—despite all.
