Twenty seven.

That was the number of throwing knives Magnus had just thrown at the target on the other side of the room… It was also the number of knives that had hit the target. All of them.

"I don't even know why you train anymore", said Ragnor. He had shown up around forty five minutes ago and had spent the entire time lounging in the arm chair that stayed in the corner of the room, drinking bourbon.

"I mean, don't get me wrong. Practise makes perfect and all, but you reached perfect… I don't know, like four hundred years ago? Magnus turned around at this statement.

"I'm the best Ragnor. But I want to stay the best, and besides, training helps take my mind off of things."

"Mhmm. You're still working on looking for Jocelyn Morgernstern I presume?"

"Fairchild", Magnus corrected him. "And no. I did what I could but all it did was create another problem. Now they have to find the book of the white and even I don't have the slightest clue where that is. It's protected with Angelic enchantments so my demonic tracking spells can't get next or near it." Magnus sighed and walked over to the target board. "It just seems like every time we get close to finding an answer, something gets in the way."

Ragnor had risen to his feet and was now walking towards him. "Magnus. You can do tracking spells in your sleep. You can get past even the strongest enchantments with the flick of your wrist! It sounds like someone or something big is working against you."

Magnus raised his head. "Well yes, all of Valentines fucking army is working against me!"

"No! Not Valentine. Something with power. Something strong enough to hold its own against you."

Magnus froze in his step. "You don't think…"

"Yes. That's exactly what I think."

A look of sheer anger spread across Magnus's face. He stormed out of his training room and back into his loft. With the click of his fingers he had the room reading for the summoning. The candles caught a flame when he hissed the first word.

"Asmodeus"

With that the room seemed to erupt into flames. Magnus had brought hell to him. Literally. It didn't take long for the greater demon to appear, when he did he showed up wearing his signature suit and top hat. It looked like something from a cartoon, but then again Magnus definatly had even weider outfits in his closet. He stood face to face with him, staring him down. Their identical eyes fighting with each other.

"Hello son, it's been far too long", Asmodeus began.

"Not long enough", Magnus spat back.

"Hmm. It appears i've done something to anger you, please enlighten me?".

Magnus let the sentence hang in the air between them. He wasn't going to let him play dumb, not now, not in this situation.

"People will die. Innocent people! People who have done nothing to deserve whats coming their way! Tell me i'm wrong. Tell me you are not helping Valentine Morgernstern."

The accusation simply put a grin on Asmodeus's face. "Suppose it was true? What would you do then? You don't actually expect me to believe that you care about anyone elses outcome but your own? You've made it clear how you feel about the Nephilim, why fight for them now?"

"IT'S NOT JUST FOR THEM!", Magnus roared above his father. "Think of the countless downworlders that will die in the middle of this! Children! They haven't even got to live yet! And your going to help bring hell down around them!"

Asmodeus stayed quiet during this outburst.

"When you know a war is coming Magnus. You should always pick the winning side. Heaven is weak. Most of the Shadowhunters have already been wiped out. Even if I did step back, what difference would it make? Hmm? You will all perish. Unless you can fight this war on your own? Which I seriously doubt."

Magnus looked into the cat eyes which he also possesed. "You really underestimate me father. If you dare to bring hell down amoung us, I will kill every last demon I see."

Asmodeus simply laughed before letting the flames engulf him and bring him back to his realm. "Good luck", he hissed, before vanishing into the smoke. Leaving Magnus alone with his rage.

Magnus stood for a while watching the smoke begin to clear. He didn't turn around when he heard Ragnor's footsteps behind him.

"There is no good in him Magnus. You're everything he's not. We will fight to the death if we must, retreating is not an option. Valentine will show no mercy."

"Then neither will we."

"I can't believe it's come to this. I've never fought a war before." Ragnor said in disbelief. He hadn't been sure if Asmodeus was really working with Valentine, so when it was confirmed, it was a huge blow to the system.

Magnus walked over to him. "You've never had a reason to. Neither did I. But I do now."

"What are we gonna do? It can't just be us and the Shadowhunters. I hope you have some ideas stored up in there cause... we're kinda fucked."

Magnus let a laugh escape him. He hadn't been in a good mood since the night he came across Alexander.

Alexander.

Without warning Magnus strode across the room and grabbed his coat that was hanging up. Ragnor stared in confusion at the sudden action before questioning him.

"Where do you think you're going?"

He quickly turned around. "I have to tell the Nephilim. They deserve to know. Especially Clarissa. I mean, they're the ones who dragged me into this in the first place." He quickly headed to the door before pausing again. "Are you coming or what?"

Ragnor smiled. "No I think i'll lounge about for a bit. Institutes aren't really my scene."

Magnus grinned. "Me too old friend." And with that he slammed the door behind him before flitting and landing just in front of the intitutes doors. He took a a breath before entering.

He found Jace in the hallway coming out of one of the rooms.

"Hey how did you get through the doors without one of us?!"

"I'm me", Magnus replied snarkily before walking ahead of him.

"Ladies first", Jace gestured behind him.

"Bitch, I can turn your hair pink. I'd watch it!", Magnus remarked.

The comment shut Jace up.

Magnus 1 : Jace none.