Chapter 7

The creature were large perhaps nine feet tall and heavily muscled. Their skin was dark gray and lizard-like and along the outer edges of the lower arms and legs sharp spines protruded. The head of each demon sported long pointed ears, a short snout and a mouth full of murderous looking fangs. The demons long flexible tails lashed and cracked behind them like whips. Alec had never seen Falin demons before, but he had studied them and knew that both the spines and fangs were highly poisonous. The thick lizard-like skin was difficult to breach even with a blessed blade. The demons also had small wings on their upper backs that, while not powerful enough for actual flight, allowed the creatures to attain great heights when jumping.

The shadowhunters having been out for an evening's fun at the pub were not fully geared up, but they did carry both seraph blades and runed daggers. Alec remembering one of Hodge's lectures on Falin demons knew they had a weak spot on the neck where the skin was thinner and could be easily pierced with an arrow or blade. He wished fervently that he had his bow with him, but perhaps, if he was very lucky, a throwing dagger would do as well. As the foremost demon raised its head to emit an ear-splitting roar, Alec grabbed his knife from the sheath in his boot and threw it. His aim was true and the massive creature fell with a terrible scream, showering the pavement with gray dust as it hit the ground and vanished.

The other shadowhunters began to move, Alec yelled at Josh to take Ian and concentrate on the second Falin, while he and Shivvy handled the third. "Aim for the neck, that's where they're most vulnerable to a blade!" He said as he pulled out a seraph blade and whispered Sacriel as the blade began to glow in his hands. Alec took off at a run, waiting for the last minute to launch himself feet first at the large demon, knocking it off its feet. He rolled back up to a crouch and swung the seraph catching the Falin's shoulder with enough force to slice through the tough skin. The Falin screamed as black ichor flowed from the wound. The demon sprang back to its feet, its long, whip-like tail lashing angrily.

"I think you made it mad!" Shivvy yelled to him over the roar of the wounded Falin. She raced forward throwing her dagger at the demon's neck. Lowering its head to protect the vulnerable neck, the dagger bounced harmlessly off the demon's boney skull. The Falin lashed out again with its long, flexible tail and swept Shivvy's legs out from under her. As soon as she hit the ground Shivvy rolled to her feet, only just managing to avoid the deadly claws and serrated forearms of the demon as it reached out to grab her.

Without a second thought, Alec leapt onto the Falin's back, just between the small leathery wings. He grabbed the long, pointed ears and with all the strength he could muster yanked the demon's head back exposing its vulnerable neck. Shivvy took the opportunity that Alec's actions provided and threw her last dagger, praying her aim would find its mark before the demon had a chance to tear Alec off its back.

As the demon vanished leaving a cloud of gray ash, Alec dropped to the ground and the thought again how much Shivvy reminded him of Isabelle, confident and fearless, a natural shadowhunter. He also realized, with a small smile, that jumping on the demons back like that was something Jace would have done, and he would have been furious with his brother for it.

Alec and Shivvy now turned their attention to Falin demon that Josh and Ian were fighting. Alec could see the hilt of Josh's dagger protruding from the demon's right eye and the creature maddened by pain, lashing out wildly. Knowing the Falin was now blind on the right side, the boys had concentrated their attack on that side. Alec came in from the left where the demon could see him distracting it while Josh and Ian managed to get a clear shot at the neck and two runned daggers found their mark.

The last of the Falin demons vanished in a cloud of fine gray ash, leaving the four shadowhunters tired, dusty and elated, grins spread across their features as they grabbed each other in a group hug. Earlier that evening Alec had been a virtual stranger to them, now he was a trusted companion and friend. They had faced danger together and it had bonded them tightly as few other experiences could.

Josh broke the silence first saying; "Alec, you were amazing, could you train with us while you're in Edinburgh? It would really help us a lot." The others nodded and looked at Alec expectantly.

"Sure, I'd love too;" Alec said blushing a little; "But you guys are pretty good, I don't know if I can teach you much." They all shook their heads and heaved sighs as if Alec was blind to his own skill, and in truth he was rather.

The remaining trip back to the Institute was blissfully uneventful. They talked quietly among themselves about the evening's events; Alec thought about how much his mother would love to train these young shadowhunters, particularly Shivvy. Maryse had been adamant that Izzy be trained as a fighter, and she would enjoy seeing another girl just as gifted as his sister.

It was around 3:00 am when they arrived back at the Institute to face an angry Maeve and a cold, stoic Fergus waiting for them in the sanctuary. The intense look of anger on Maeve's face finally jogged Alec's memory and, with a feeling of shock, he knew who she reminded him of, Ezra Highsmith, the new Inquisitor. Josh voice interrupted his thoughts as he said;

"Sorry mum, we would have been home on time but we ran into some Falin demons…." Their battered, bruised and dusty condition spoke to the truth of his words.

"Falin demons!' Maeve exclaimed her face paling visibly as she glanced over at Fergus with an unreadable expression.

"It's ok Mum, we're fine, Alec was brilliant;" Josh continued trying to assuage his mother's concern.

Collecting herself, Maeve frowned slightly and said; "You had better get to bed, Falin demons or not, you have early morning training to do."

The young shadowhunters said their goodnights and trudged off to their rooms for some much needed sleep. As Alec was leaving, he thought he heard Maeve hiss at Fergus; "Falin demons, what were…" and him interrupting; "They have been well trained, there is no need to overreact;"

Arriving back at his room, Alec took a quick shower, enjoying the feeling of hot water on his tired, aching muscles. Once he was done, he threw on a t-shirt and some sweatpants before sitting at the desk to write some fire messages. The first was to Jace asking him to check if there was any family relationship between Ezra Highsmith and Maeve Cameron. He also gave Jace a brief description of the fight with the Falin demons, knowing that his parabati would be interested in the rare creatures.

Once Alec had sent that message, he wrote to Magnus. He did not mention the Falin demons this time, not wanting to worry Magnus unnecessarily. But he did tell Magnus about the lack of a downworld presence in Edinburgh and asked if there was anyone Magnus knew who could help him contact the High Warlock. Writing to Magnus always brought the man vividly to Alec's mind along with feelings of love and longing. Alec never liked being away from Magnus and he found himself hoping the business in New York would not detain him too much longer. Finished with his letter writing, Alec lay down on the bed and tried to sleep. He was definitely tired but still a bit too keyed up to drift off, and he missed his Magnus.