Chapter 10
It was the intense pain that ripped Alec out of his dream about the loft on a stormy night, and being tucked up in bed, safe and sated with Magnus. His eye lids fluttered open as a low groan escaped his mouth. He was laying on a cold, stone floor, hands and feet bound tightly. The reality of his predicament such a sharp contrast to his dream that for a moment he would have given all he had to get back there. But he could not, some mad woman, who knew Magnus had kidnapped him with the intension of forcing the warlock to do something, at least that's what his still befuddled mind told him. Who she was and what she wanted from Magnus were not clear, but he had no doubt it wouldn't be good. And if she knew Magnus didn't it follow that he knew her?
Alec heard the sharp crack of the whip before he felt it burn across his bare chest and it tore a cry from him. All conscious thought eclipsed now by the searing pain.
"Hellequin, enough!" A shrill voice cried out. "I need him alive, and you've had quite enough fun for the time being."
As Alec's eyes adjusted to the gloomy light in what was obviously a windowless, damp, underground chamber he saw the tall, graceful form of the woman standing with her hands on her hips a few feet away from the demon. She had to be a warlock, though he could see no obvious warlock's mark. No mortal or even other downworlder would be crazy enough to summon Hellequin and try to control her. His mind flashed back to the scene at Renwick's and he prayed that Jace and the others had arrived in time to save Josh, Ian and Shivvy. Some head of the Institute he was turning out to be if he couldn't keep three young trainees safe.
The warlock and the demon each tried to stare the other down and Alec was more than a little surprised when, with an angry snarl, Hellequin retired to the corner of the room. A shrill, cacophonous laugh rose from the woman and she clapped her hands together like a demented child that had gotten her way once again, before turning to face Alec.
"So glad to see you're awake again, I've given my brother, Magnus, two days to come to me and do what he promised!" An evil smile spread across her face as she saw the shock her words produced.
"You know, I must say, I did expect a little more fight from a shadowhunter. It must be galling that the angel skimped so when it came to arming his champions; no magic, no immortality, just a few stupid runes. What is it they say these days, lame? Still, you are quite pretty which is why my brother bothers with you I guess."
Alec remained silent, refusing to let her bate him.
"I'm guessing my brother forgot to mention me to you, my name is Lucia, and you and I are going to get very well acquainted in the next two days, brother-in-law." The warlock said a cruel light dancing in her gold-green eyes. Except for the slit pupils, her eyes reminded Alec of Magnus', though that was a resemblance he didn't find comforting at the moment. Why had his husband never told him about Lucia, and what did she want from him? The uncomfortable idea that Jace had been right about Magnus hiding something hurt him almost more than Hellequin's whip had done. Hadn't they gotten past keeping secrets, or had he just been a fool to believe that Magnus truly trusted him?
A snarl from the corner of the room reminded Alec that this warlock, however powerful she might be, had loosed Hellequin on the world and he wondered how long she would be able to control the demon princess and her hellcats.
The far off sound of a door creaking on its hinges caused Alec to raise his head, trying to listen for more sounds that someone might be coming, like the cavalry. Lucia tipped her head to the side and allowed a sly smile to cross her lovely face. "Ohhh! She cried clapping her hands like an excited child; "Magnus has arrived early. He must really want you back!" She giggled before turning toward the door. "Hellequin dear;" she said over her shoulder as she left; " I have to go get ready for my brother, please take care of our guest, and don't hurt him too badly, I still need him."
~~~~~ ! ~~~~~
As Magnus stepped through the front door of the derelict tenement on Bedford Avenue, it was like stepping into the past. The dank walls and rotting floor boards melted away and he stood in the spacious entry hall of a colonial era mansion. Dark wood wainscoting covered the lower third of the wall and the rest was covered in an expensive, richly patterned wallpaper. The elaborately carved staircase curved up to a second floor gallery, and a large chandelier and candle sconces bathed the foyer in a warm, welcoming glow.
Descending the wide staircase to meet him was Lucia dressed in a stunning red silk taffeta ball gown. The fitted bodice was covered in black tulle and beaded lace with a large, asymmetrical red taffeta ruffle across the shoulders. The style was decidedly current but with a nod to the century she had last lived in the mortal world. The whole effect was surreal, here was Lucia coming to meet him, like the lady of the manor would greet a long, lost friend; but the reality of their meeting was far more confrontational and sinister, and it was all Magnus could do not to growl at such affectation.
"Magnus, you are early, but not less welcome for that;" Lucia said with a small smirk on her lovely face.
"Where is Alec?" Magnus demanded.
"Now, now!" Lucia responded. "Business first, and perhaps if you are good, I'll allow you to see him for a moment." Then she ushered Magnus into a large sitting room and indicated he take a seat. Magnus, however walked over to the fire place, before turning to face his half sister.
Without further delay, Lucia demanded; "How long will it take for you to collect the necessary items and be ready to fulfill our bargain? Remember you will not get your little boy toy back until you do, and Hellequin just loves to play with him;"
"Hellequin are you mad! Magnus gasped as he tried to wrap his mind around the devastation that could result from summoning a greater demon like Hellequin.
"You have no family feeling Magnus;" Lucia scolded; "She is as much your half sister as I am."
"Please don't remind me;" Magnus snapped; "And if anything happens to Alec..."
"Temper, temper... the sooner we get down to business the sooner you will get to see your precious shadowhunter." Lucia giggled gleefully.
Taking a deep, calming breath Magnus said; "It will take a couple of hours for me to get everything I need for this spell. I will be back here at 9:00 pm, now take me to Alec."
Without another word, Lucia led Magnus out of the room, through the house to a small stairway off the kitchen which led to the basement. As they proceeded through a narrow hallway, Magnus could hear the crack of a whip and cries of pain that sent chills to his heart, Alexander, his Alexander.
At last Lucia stopped and threw open a door at the very end of the hallway. Even in the dim light, Magnus could see Alec's bound form on the ground, Hellequin towering over him, whip poised to strike again. An enormous flash of blue energy burst from his finger tips as he sent the demon flying across the room. He permitted himself a small smile of satisfaction on hearing the loud thud indicating she'd collided heavily with the stone wall. Then he pushed past Lucia to kneel next to his unconscious husband, placing his hands on either side of Alec's face he murmured; "Sayang, I am so, so sorry..."
It was the familiar tingling of Magnus' healing magic that brought Alec around; "M-Magnus, is it really you, or am I dreaming?"
"I'm here, baby...;" A small sob chocked off the warlock's words as his hand ran gently over Alec's chest healing the wounds left by Hellequin's whip.
"Enough, you have had more than the minute I promised you Magnus;" Lucia's voice rang out, angry now as she struggled to control a raging Hellequin. "It is time for you to go and get what you need to complete our bargain, and remember, the quicker you are, the less time poor Alexander has to spend with your extended family.
Magnus knew he had no choice, he couldn't fight both Lucia and Hellequin. The only way to free Alec was to fulfill his oath, so with tears streaming down his face, he bent his head to place a gentle kiss on Alec's lips. "I'll be back to get you out of here darling, I promise;" Then he rose and turned to Lucia. "You had better control your pet demon;" Magnus growled; "If you allow any more damage to be inflicted on Alexander, I will destroy you, no matter how long it takes, and I do not make idle threats Lucia." With that he stalked out of the room to the dissonant sound of Lucia's laughter.