A/N: Well hello there, everyone! Thank you again, to those who reviewed and the new followers! I hope everyone is still enjoying it and it means the world to me that every one of you is reading this! It really makes me happy. :)
On that note, you might all kill me after this chapter. And I sincerely hope not. Just, uh. Keep in mind I'm needed to write the next chapter, yeah? :D?
Warnings: Swearing. Mild violence. My lack of ability to write violence. Yuuup.
Disclaimer: So this time I tried to take Julian and Cassie almost let me, mainly because Julian is basically an OC with only a mild base from her. But she still didn't let me have him, or any of the other characters, for that matter. Not even Sebastian, the poor guy.
I hope you enjoy!
Chapter Nine
"Careful," Alec said, wincing as Julian hammered at the chisel.
Julian huffed. "I can't be so careful we don't get anything done. We do have a time limit," he said as he changed the angle of his tools.
"Yes, but it has to be perfect," Alec said as he circled the sculpture. It didn't look like they had progressed much, yet they had already been working on it for hours, even through lunch. Magnus had sat in the corner with his laptop in his lap, watching the two artists curiously.
"It is impossible to replicate something perfectly," Julian retorted.
"This sculpture could be done within twenty-four hours if we just did it sloppily. We have two days on top of that to get it as perfectly as we can," Alec said.
"Now, now, Gentlemen," Magnus cut in. "Alec is right, in that you have to make it as exact as possible, even if it takes a longer time. There's no need to be overly cautious to the point it wastes valuable time, however." The artists were silent before Julian went back to work, chiseling at the stone. Magnus, seeing Alec getting slowly more and more distressed, decided to help. "Darling, why don't we work on your cover some more before the meeting? It's only in a few hours."
That didn't really seem to help Alec's distress at all, but the older artist nodded hesitantly and walked over to Magnus. "What are you doing, anyway?"
Magnus turned his laptop so Alec could see the screen. "I'm making your background, of course. I made it easier for you—all of your official documents now say 'Will Herondale'. I even sent to have a diploma to be printed from NYU." He grinned proudly.
"What," Alec said, more as a dumbfounded statement than a question as his eyes scanned over the screen. Then, his distress growing further, he grabbed Magnus's laptop. "What? This is—this is all of my information! How did you get this?!" He asked frantically, his wild eyes looking at Magnus.
"Magic," Magnus said easily, waving his hand dismissively. "It was to help. Now you have a cover as Will Herondale that Valentine can't trace and it's close enough to your actual story you won't have to lie as much."
"So I'm, what, nonexistent now?!"
"Calm down, Darling. I can change everything back once Valentine's captured," Magnus reassured, closing his laptop and standing up, taking Alec's hand. "Come on, let's get you ready."
"Don't let me hear anything inappropriate you do in there," Julian piped up, smirking with satisfaction as he saw Alec's face heat up.
"No promises," Magnus said with a wink as he pulled Alec into his bedroom, closing the door behind him.
"Magnus! This is the second time you—you've pulled me into your bedroom in front of Julian," Alec said, exasperated. "I'm supposed to be his role model. He's going to go home and tell his parents I'm some kind of-of…"
Magnus raised an eyebrow. "Of what? He's a teenage boy, Alec. He's not going to mention anything to his parents, especially when he has a girlfriend he probably wants to bang."
Alec groaned and rubbed his eyes. "Let's just go over everything."
Taking pity on Alec, Magnus put all suggestive comments aside. "You know the details, we just have to work on your confidence. That is the only thing that could get you in trouble. Valentine will tear you apart if you can't hold your own."
"I can't just make myself confident," Alec said. "You're more suited for that."
"I won't be the one being interrogated by Valentine," Magnus pointed out. "Remember, the best lies are the ones closest to the truth. You are a talent artist. You have awards—and don't say otherwise, I found them! You know you're able to replicate pieces. Be factual, and just… just… say it like Jace would. He seems a bit arrogant."
That seemed to click in Alec's head. "I'm not anything like Jace, though."
"That's why it's acting, Darling. You know Jace well enough to predict what he would say," Magnus reassured. "Act like you're mocking him, if that would help. Try it. Say 'I'm the best artist in all of Brooklyn!', or something like that."
Alec scrunched his eyebrows. "Er," he started before taking a breath through his nose, tilting his chin up. "I'm the best artist in all of Brooklyn!" When the words left his lips he then scrunched his nose. "I feel ridiculous saying that."
Magnus chuckled, finding the attempt adorable. "You seemed pretty ridiculous. Arrogance doesn't fit you at all."
"Right? So what am I going to do?" Alec asked, raking a hand through his messy hair. "I can't convince Valentine otherwise."
"Start by never saying 'can't'," Magnus said, shaking his finger. "You can. It's the whole concept of 'say it until it's true.' You are a talented artist. Repeat that, except referring to yourself."
"This is ridiculous," Alec deadpanned.
"Do it."
"Fine. I am a talented artist," Alec said, with no energy behind the words at all, his eyes adverted.
"Alec, Darling," Magnus said with a sigh. "Valentine is a pro at reading deception. He's like a human lie detector. Have you ever heard of micro expressions?"
"No," Alec said.
"Micro expressions are the extremely small movements in your face. They can have different meaning, depending on the situation, but the best liars know how to control those. You," Magnus said, putting a finger between Alec's eyebrows. "have no control over your face at all. You wouldn't even need to know about micro expressions for someone to catch you lying."
Alec grumbled, swatting Magnus's hand away. "I never thought that was a bad thing."
"Oh, personally I find it extremely heartwarming. Valentine won't," Magnus said, frowning in thought. "Just keep some of these rules in mind: Like I said, always answer as close to the truth as possible. Say things you believe, or that you can convince yourself of. Keep eye contact. Do not fiddle with your hands. Do not rub your face, or anything else for that matter. Just keep your hands at your sides, or in your pockets. Most importantly, don't answer if you don't need to. Even in this world, you have the right to some privacy."
"This is all great and everything, but you've been doing this for a while," Alec said, rubbing his hands nervously. "I've only had a day, during which I've needed to focus on other things as well. I can't even fake confidence in a job interview. How am I going to do this?"
Magnus leaned in towards him then, making Alec's eyes widen as they became close enough for their breaths to mingle. "Believe your words because I do." Magnus kept his eyes locked with Alec's, the blue eyes seemingly unable to look away. "In your head, think 'Magnus believes…' and when you speak, just skip over that part. 'Magnus believes I am the most talented artist there is.' Then, 'I am the most talented artist there is.' It's not so strange to say if it's my words, is it?"
Alec swallowed. "…I." He paused and licked his lips, his eyes still locked with the others'. Then his lips thinned and his eyes became determined. "I am the most talented artist there is."
Magnus's eyes shone with pride. "Magnus believes I can replicate any piece of art."
"I can replicate any piece of art," Alec said, his chin tilting up again, yet this was just making them closer, their lips almost touching. If Magnus were to be honest with himself, he would admit how attractive confidence was on Alec, and how he wished it could be real more often.
"Magnus believes I am extremely attractive," Magnus said, noting the small waver in Alec's expression as his eyes slipped down, but it wasn't because of the words. He was looking at Magnus's lips as they moved. He allowed that slip, letting Alec watch as he stretched his lips into a smirk.
"I… am extremely attractive," Alec said, his voice now lower, and distracted. Magnus couldn't take it. He threaded his hands in Alec's hair and pulled him into a kiss.
"God, you're delectable," Magnus said between long kisses. His stomach was clenched with anticipation and it felt like it would flip whenever Alec's lips met his own. And they did, again and again. Alec was definitely learning, or maybe it was this false confidence they had built up, combined with his tendency to put everything he had into every kiss; every touch. However long it lasted, it was too short when Alec pulled away, his face flushed deeply, his lips wet and puffy.
"I, uh," he stuttered, clearing his throat. "Thank you. You know, for believing those things about me."
Magnus smiled softly, giving him a small peck on the lips. "I wish I could show you how much I believe it."
Alec seemed confused. "I'm pretty sure letting me be your artist shows that. And, er. Kissing me."
"It doesn't cover how deeply I believe it," Magnus said, untangling his hands from Alec's hair, letting his hand graze the artist's cheek softly. Alec's eyes seemed brighter, though Magnus knew why. His eyes were dilated, one of the micro expression he had mentioned. Given the situation, it meant Alec held desire, and Magnus couldn't help but feel a childlike giddiness grow inside him.
Alec desired him.
It took all Magnus had to restrain himself from ripping off Alec's clothes and throwing him on the bed, but he did it, taking a few deep breaths to calm himself. "I want you," he admitted, delighted by the reddening of Alec's face as he looked away.
"I… I know," was how Alec responded. He seemed almost… sad when he said it, as if Magnus's feelings were unfortunate. Was Alec started to not feel the same way?
Magnus pushed those thoughts away, deeming them unnecessary and boring. He did his own confidence exercises on a daily basis: He was fabulous. How could anyone not want him? Thoughts similar to those helped him survive for years, and most likely led to a lot of the success he had. He knew how important it could be, yet Alec…
"We need to change your clothes," Magnus said suddenly, startling Alec.
"Clothes?" Alec looked down at what he was wearing. He pulled at the sleeve of his old hoodie mournfully. "I'm guessing Will Herondale wouldn't wear hoodies?"
"Will Herondale was from eighteenth century, London. Hoodies didn't exist," Magnus said, making Alec roll his eyes.
"And twenty-first century Will Herondale?" Alec asked.
"Would definitely not wear that hoodie," Magnus said, wrinkling his nose as he tugged at the bottom of it. "He would show himself off, be a gentleman. You know, I'm certain the right clothes would help your confidence. They say costumes help actors stay in character, and I am an expert on fashion. I'm sure I have something you can wear." He went to his closet then, Alec deciding to sit on the bed.
"Do you really think I could fit in your clothes?" Alec asked hesitantly.
"Youhave a bigger build than I do, but you're a tad shorter. I think it will balance out," Magnus said from within the closet. He looked at each side, one lined with suits and button-downs, the other with bright colors and sequins. He faced the side with the suits and started filing through them.
"Will would not wear glitter," Alec said, his tone both serious and teasing. "Or bright colors," he added quickly.
"Oh, I'm sure Will would pull off anything," Magnus said as he pulled out a dark blue button-down and a slim fitted jacket. He brought them out and handed them to Alec. "These should fit well. And dark colors, see? It's not my usual style, but I do have to try and keep my looks separate. I'll find some slacks for you as well."
Alec seemed content with what Magnus picked. "Thanks," he said as he gave just a small hesitant glance at Magnus before taking his hoodie and undershirt off, quickly grabbing the button-down and pushing his arms through the sleeves. Magnus could tell he didn't wear that type of shirt often with how concentrated he was on the buttons. Okay, he also let his eyes wonder to the flash of abs he saw, but didn't let himself linger before going back into the closet.
"What size shoes do you wear?" Magnus asked as he pulled a pair of black slacks from a hanger.
"Twelve. My boots won't work?"
"Your boots are dirty. You need to look clean and sharp," Magnus said as he also grabbed a pair of black dress shoes before returning to the bedroom. Alec had finished with all of the buttons and was adjusting the jacket.
"This feels weird," Alec said, rolling his shoulders.
"That's because it actually fits," Magnus said, looking over Alec appreciatively. He held out the pants and shoes, which Alec took.
There was a moment where Alec did nothing but bite his lip, something that was very distracting and very obvious that Magnus should tell Alec not to do, but he was having a hard time wanting to. Then Alec stood up, slipping off his boots with a determination that confused Magnus. Why would he…
Oh. Alec was nervous about changing pants in front of him. Magnus shook his head with amusement before turning around, acting as if he had done it simply to look at his closet. "I think that's everything, though we'll need to do something with your hair…" He heard the shuffling of pants.
"You are not cutting my hair," Alec said stubbornly. There was a zip before the bed creaked and Magnus allowed himself to turn back around, watching Alec pull on the first shoe.
"I wasn't planning on that, Darling." He waited until both shoes were on. "Stand up for me, let me see."
Alec did as he was told, rolling his shoulders again. "Is it fine?"
"Definitely," Magnus said, a grin stretching his features, his eyes roaming the figure in front of him. "Oh, you meant he suit? It's fine, too," he said with a wink. "One thing, though…" He approached Alec, undoing the top few button to his shirt and untucking it from his pants. He stepped back, pleased. "There. Your hair actually goes well with it. You have a bit of a 'just fucked' looked."
"M-Magnus!" Alec sputtered, putting his hands in his hair, his eyes wide.
"Relax, darling," Magnus said reassuringly. "Let it help your confidence. Don't you feel different?"
"Uncomfortable," Alec mumbled. "I can't really… slouch."
"That's a good thing. Put your shoulders back, it shows confidence," Magnus said. He was trying to stay focused, treating the situation as if he was a guest star on What Not To Wear. He couldn't let his mind fully take in how irresistible it made Alec. There was no man a good suit didn't make attractive. Magnus had always stood by that, but it helped Alec was naturally beautiful. The suit allowed for a dark, mysterious, but intelligent impression that was sure to only help them when they met Valentine.
Magnus checked his watch.
"We don't have very long until we should leave," he informed Alec.
"Then we should go now. Jace wants me to stop by before we go," Alec said, stuffing his phone and wallet into the slacks from his jeans.
"No, he can meet us somewhere else, but we can't be headed from the station. We have to take all precautions," Magnus said, remembering different ways Valentine had caught deception before.
"Fine. I'll call him," Alec said as he took his phone back out and did just that. "Hey. Yeah, could you meet us somewhere else instead? … No, not there. You're not coming with us, he probably knows your face." Alec nodded then. "Sure, sounds good. See you in ten." He hung up the phone and looked at Magnus. "He's meeting us at Taki's."
"Great," Magnus said sarcastically. "You know he can't come along, no matter how much he'll try to."
"I know. I think he knows, too," Alec said, frowning. "He just wants to help any way he can."
Magnus bit the inside of his cheek before holding out his hand. "Give me your phone."
"What?" Alec asked. "Why?"
"My guess is that you don't have a lock on it," Magnus said, taking the phone from Alec. He fiddled with it for a while before giving it back to him. "There. I'll change it back later, but now you have a password and no "Lightwoods" in your phone." He told Alec the password.
"The Master?" Alec read.
Magnus hummed. "It seemed fitting for Jace, somehow."
Alec scrolled through his texts. "Rose Tyler? Really?"
"Although I have yet to meet your sister, I liked it. You have to appreciate it, Darling," Magnus said. "Maybe your name should have been Rory."
"No," Alec said with a shake of his head.
"Too bad."
After making sure Julian was fine on his own (which he insisted of course he was), Alec and Magnus drove to Taki's. Jace was already there, waiting for them right outside.
"Hey," Alec said as he approached his adoptive brother. Jace rose his eyebrows before he looked at Magnus.
"What have you done? Where's my brother?"
Magnus snorted. "Meet Will Herondale. It's Alec's cover. Feel free to look it up, google has thousands of results that lead straight to him."
"Should I ask why they lead to him?" Jace said, narrowing his eyes.
"Sure," Magnus said nonchalantly. "Not that I'll actually answer you."
"I should arrest you right now," Jace said stubbornly. "Especially for getting Alec involved in this."
"I would have been involved anyway, and you know it," Alec defended. "Now, what did you need to talk to me about?"
Jace shot Magnus another look and Magnus held up his hands. "A private conversation, I got it. Geez," he said before he got back into the car. Jace faced Alec.
"You are an idiot for doing this," Jace stated.
"This is nothing, Jace," Alec said, feeling incompetent whenever he was around Jace. "We have a plan. We've worked on my cover and my lying skills. It's just meeting him, I'll be fine."
"I trust you. You know that. It's him I don't trust," Jace said, nodding towards Alec's car. "I can't help but think he's corrupting you, Alec. Helping you lie, getting you to do illegal art? Are you really okay with all of this?"
"He's protecting me," Alec said quickly. "Plus, it will be over soon and I'll be back to painting shoes and telling our father what art pieces are replicas. Just a few more days and this will be over."
"I'm glad you can believe that," Jace said, his voice low and his golden eyes sharp and untrusting. He sighed. "Well, did you at least bring a weapon?"
Alec blinked.
Jace shook his head and pushed something into Alec's hands. "I thought you might not. Take this, please. At least for my sanity."
Alec knew that weight and shape. He looked at Jace, shocked. "A gun, Jace?" he hissed quietly. "You can't expect me to use this!"
"Then don't use it. Threat with it," Jace snapped back. "Every part of this operation is dangerous, Alec. Even something that seems as simple as a meet-and-greet. Don't be stupid and get yourself hurt."
Not knowing exactly what to say to that, and feeling more overwhelmed than he had in a while, Alec nodded. He glanced around briefly before turning his back to the brick wall of Taki's and pushing the gun into the back of his pants, which were now much tighter than he preferred. Still, it seemed to pacify Jace enough.
"Have you talked to Robert?" Jace asked then, his posture now more relaxed as he stuck his hands in his pockets.
"No, not yet," Alec muttered. "I feel like it would be weird to, with everything going on. He shouldn't be involved with this. Not with him being a murder suspect. How is that going, by the way?"
Jace shrugged. "They couldn't hold him for more than forty-eight hours without more evidence, so he's free to go for now. He just can't leave the city and is on leave until he's cleared."
Alec winced. "I haven't even talked to Mother. Is she okay?"
"She's keeping busy. She was banned from working on Robert's case, so she's been doing a lot of off-duty hours," Jace informed him.
"So nothing new," Alec said, trying for a smirk but he didn't really feel like teasing. He had a fear settling in the pit of his stomach now he just couldn't get rid of. "I'll keep you updated as much as I can, but it will have to be in code."
"Of course," Jace said, putting on his normal, cocky grin and Alec imprinted it in his head—that was what he would try to replicate in front of Valentine. That was how Will Herondale would smile.
They soon parted ways and Alec slipped back into the car, feeling the gun press against his lower back.
"So what did he have to say?" Magnus asked. Alec could see his eyes wander to where the gun was hidden.
"He gave me a gun," Alec said truthfully. "Which I think is pointless, because I don't use guns. The only weapon I've been trained with is a bow and arrow and I've only shot targets with them."
"Stay that way," Magnus said. "You don't want someone else's blood on your hands."
Alec looked at him, trying to find if that statement meant more to Magnus than just advice, but only found a blank expression. That queasy feeling was building up again and he had to do something to get rid of it. Something that would make him feel better. Something…
"We're dating," Alec said, his mouth moving without his full consent. "I mean, after this, during this—what we're doing isn't just… fooling around. So the only difference would be the title, right? So—if that's still what you want—we're dating."
Magnus seemed completely taken aback by this. It was a good few minutes before he spoke up. "Say that again," he said, swallowing. "After we meet Valentine."
Alec nodded. "Deal."
They headed to the meeting location, which happened to be a building which was being renovated into a new restaurant. When Alec asked why, Magnus explained.
"Valentine Morgenstern is similar to me, with our covers. He had to explain how he had such a fortune somehow, and the best way was to run a company. He buys buildings from companies and helps build up new ones, much like how I buy the actual companies and try to improve them."
That made enough sense to Alec. Valentine would be able to pause construction at any point, making it an ideal meeting spot. If anyone caught them there, he had a viable reason to be there.
When they arrived it was still fifteen minutes before their meeting time. It was getting to be late afternoon and Alec shivered as they stepped out of the car, despite his jacket.
"He's already here," Magnus whispered, gesturing to another car, a Volvo, parked near them. There were no others in sight. Alec nodded as they approached the building.
The front door was unlocked, which Magnus didn't seem surprised about. In fact, Magnus seemed comfortable there compared to how tense Alec was feeling. The cold was not helping that. They walked through the main section of the restaurant, ignoring the power tools and worktables as they entered a back hallway. They passed a huge metal door that Alec assumed was a freezer, followed by rows of bare shelves before they reached a closed door.
Magnus knocked.
"Come in," Alec heard, recognizing it as the same voice from Magnus's phone. Magnus opened the door.
Valentine was standing there, in the middle of the large, bare room. He turned around from where he had been looking out a back window to face them. Immediately, Alec didn't like him at all.
It was strange, really. Valentine was not how Alec imagined him at all. He had thought of a typical villain, with dark hair and perhaps overweight or disfigured in some way, like in batman. He thought there would be some obvious marker as his reasoning for being in the business that he was, but there was nothing. He was blonde, tall, and strong looking. There was no aura of malice, but of intelligence and passion. This man believed himself an activist. Alec had seen enough criminals with the same mindset to tell, but they hadn't seemed so powerful, in a way Alec couldn't explain.
"You must be Will Herondale," Valentine said, his voice warm. "Magnus said you're new to the business. What brings you our way?"
Magnus had rehearsed this question with him. He had to answer as Will Herondale would—as Jace would, but close to the truth. Alec made eye contact with dark eyes and spoke. "I knew Ragnor Fell. That was how I met Magnus. I showed him my work and he brought me on." There. Perfect. Alec checked his hands, making sure he wasn't fiddling with his sleeves.
"You'll be impressed, especially considering the time frame," Magnus commented. Alec glanced to him, noticing his easy-going posture, his back straight but his weight shifted to one side. He looked like he was at home, his yellow cat eyes drifting to meet Alec's before he smirked. "I think I'm going to keep him."
That startled Alec, though he quickly tried to hide it by looking back at Valentine. He hadn't expected Magnus to be his flirty self and now his hands were itching to fiddle with something.
"Good to hear. And how is the sculpture coming along?" Valentine asked, his eyes not leaving Alec's. Alec resisted swallowing.
Magnus believes it's going well. "It's going well," Alec said. Magnus believes it will be done on time. No, Magnus believes it's not a challenge for me. "It's not a challenge for me." Magnus believes I am the best artist around. "I am the best artist around." He pulled Jace's smirk from his memory and hoped he copied it well enough. Valentine didn't give any indication whether he did or not.
"You always did like the beautiful ones, didn't you, Magnus?" Valentine said as he stepped closer to Alec before grabbing a hold his chin, turning it as if observing a specimen. Alec resisted pulled away or making a face. He was supposed to be arrogant, even about his looked.
Magnus believes I'm irresistible. No. Alec couldn't voice that. He was still uncomfortable with broadcasting his sexuality and they had never gone over if Will was gay.
"Oh, he is quite irresistible, if I do say so myself. Unfortunately, he's playing hard to get. He really is just a tease," Magnus said with mock disappointment, and Alec felt some tension leave his shoulders. He wanted to somehow show his thanks to Magnus, but Valentine's eyes were trained on him. Their eyes were locked, the key thrown away, his cold fingers still holding Alec's chin. Alec didn't say anything.
"So tell me something about yourself. What do you do besides art? What is your cover?" Valentine asked, letting Alec go, much to his relief.
His cover. As close to real life as possible. "I'm a recent graduate from NYU—which is true—who hasn't—" Alec's voice cracked. Then he laughed nervously, dread filling him, but he pushed on, trying to cover it. "To be honest, I am new, so I just tell people I'm a starving artist until I'm not. That's what people expect from artist anyway, isn't it?" That's what his father expected.
"Hm," Valentine said, his eyes lowering, as if disappointed. "Aren't you instead an art consultant for the FBI, Alexander Lightwood?"
Alec froze, the words ringing in his ears, swirling around before he was able to fully comprehend them, comprehend everything they meant, and it was only then he heard Magnus's shout. When had Magnus sounded so far away? Alec quickly broke eye contact with Valentine, not missing the sly smirk that said I won. It was like he couldn't hear, he could only see a large man hold Magnus back, dragging him out of the office, Magnus kicking and pulling to try and get out of his grasp. Then Magnus's eyes caught his, wide and scared. He screamed something else and Alec snapped out of his daze.
"ALEC!"
"Ma—ah!" Alec tried to yell out, meaning to go after them, to help Magnus, but two arms hand linked around him from behind, pulling him back sharply. He squirmed as he racked his brain, going through the self-defense moves he had practiced with Jace, but before he could use one of them he was thrown to the ground, his shoulder hitting first and sending jolts of pain through him. He tried to get up immediately but his attacker sat on his torso, holding his arms down. His gun was pushing into his back but there was no way for him to get to it.
At first Alec thought his attacker was Valentine, but this guy was smaller, if still extremely strong. His hair was blond but he had something that Valentine didn't: malice.
"So you're the artist, huh? The one who thought he could take on Valentine? What an idiot," the man spat in his face, making Alec flinch. "Where's that arrogance now?"
"Get off!" Alec growled, still trying to push again the guy, panic filling him, not only for himself but for Magnus. He had to get to him. They had to protect each other. Wasn't that the deal? Alec had to—
The guy pulled a knife from his belt.
"Sebastian, make sure not to kill him. He's a Lightwood," Valentine said without a hint of concern. He took a few steps so he was in Alec's line of sight. It was an odd angle, with the over light giving him a halo affect, like an angel. A false angel. Alec continued to struggle then but was hit across his temple with the handle of the knife. He was sure he let out some sort of noise, a small cry, his vision blurred as the room seemed to spin. He tried to blink to clear it, but it didn't help. He groaned. He felt so disoriented and dizzy.
"Stop that!" Sebastian growled. "Father, can I at least teach him a lesson?"
"Do what you must," Valentine said. The words were going in and out, as if Alec was losing the signal while going through a tunnel. He was only able to grab onto parts of sentences as his brain struggled to put them together. "We only have—before—he is—Be quick about it, will you?"
Then he felt a sharp slap across his face, stinging pain shooting from it and it did not help his vision at all. There were multiple Sebastians, multiple unhinged smirks, wide and dangerous. Multiple knives.
"Don't worry, Alexander Lightwood. I'll make sure you won't have a hand in this again. Literally."
Then another shot of pain, but this one was different. This one was like a bolt coming from his hand, a searing pain that ripped a scream from the back of his throat.
That was his limit, he realized. That was all it took to overpower him. He felt pathetic and defeated as consciousness slowly slipped from him.
A/N: So, uh. Should I run and hide? Yeah? Okay. Please review and tell me what you think! I'd love to know ways to improve or that you want me to continue!~
Much love! *runs*
~Annie
(PS- considering starting a Pygmalion/My Fair Lady type of story with Magnus and Alec. Would anyone be interested? I was honestly surprised it hadn't been done yet.)