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Characters belong to Cassie Clare, except for OCs.

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Chapter IX

"There's no winning without a sacrifice"

A cold air filled the library of the New York's Institute. Valentine was sitting in his leather chair, with his son Jonathan before him. They were discussing the latest events. The kill of the warlock and the slaughter of Michael Ashwood, his loyal friend from Idris. Santiago had a nerve to actually step inside of the city of hunters and leave there alive. Morgenstern wondered, how he got there in a first place.

"Maybe he had some help of a warlock," John said, scratching his chin. "You said yourself that you felt some magic in that house."

"Indeed, I did," he responded coldly. "But then, who was that warlock. It had to be some kind of a powerful creature, very experienced. And I made sure to enslave or kill all of them."

"I think we need to have a little talk with our warlock." Valentine raised an eyebrow at his son. "Bane for sure knows many warlocks. I believe we need to press the matter with him."

"Call for him, I'll have a small talk with our warlock."

Magnus didn't actually know, why he was called to the library this morning. He had suspicions that it may occur the yesterday's vampire attack at the shadowhunters in Los Angeles Institute. Since Ragnor's death, Raphael has begun to attack Institutes in the USA, only to anger Valentine. So far he killed around twenty hunters, young hunters, who aspired to be the new generation of fighters. Even though Magnus wasn't so keen on killing them, he knew that this is the only way to make their number lesser. This is what they needed, if they wanted to outnumber and defeat shadowhunters.

He was sitting in front of Valentine. Jonathan stood by the right side of his father. They were observing him accurately, just trying to read him.

"Magnus, Magnus," Valentine started, his fingers bouncing on the desk, "there has been a lot of tragic events lately. I'm sure you have heard about them."

"Of course, Master Morgenstern," he tried to say it without sarcasm. "I heard about the attacks on shadowhutners."

"Yes, and this is why I called you here," Magnus raised his eyebrow in a question. "I'm going to show you something, and you will tell me what do you know about it. If you dare to lie to me, you will be punished." The warlock nodded. "Bring the Counselor in, Jonathan."

The young boy went to the door and opened them. Seconds later, he led to the table an equally young, blonde woman with hair done in a ponytail. She was wearing simple jeans and white jacket on a black shirt.

"Mister Morgenstern, it's nice to see you," she spoke, smiling to him.

"Likewise. Lydia Branwell, the counselor of my Clave." He pointed at her. "Magnus Bane, the once High Warlock of Brooklyn, now my personal slave."

"I've heard so much about you," Magnus didn't know what to say so he kept his mouth shut. "Shall we begin?" Valentine just nodded. Begin what? Magnus wondered. He eyed the young woman warily, looking for some suspicious things. Lydia took a step closer to him and pulled out her stele from the pocket of her beige coat. It lightened in her hand, as she pointed it at the warlock. "Now, you know how downworlders reacts to the touch of stele, right? So, shall we start with simple questions?"

"Little girl, if you try to threaten a centuries year old creature, who has seen too many things, you should learn how to do so," Bane laughed through his words. Who did she think she is to threaten the High Warlock of Brooklyn? Magnus could kill her with one simple snap of his fingers. "Try asking nicely, and I may consider cooperating with you."

"We've discovered the magic of a warlock…"

"Duh, only warlocks and fairies are able to do magic, little girl," he interrupted her, annoyed. "And seelies are not so keen on using their flow."

"Yes, there was magic used in Idris. At Ashwoods' residence, when Raphael Santiago slaughtered Michael Ashwood on his family's eyes." She explained, looking at the warlock. "Do you know which warlock could help him get in there and trespass our wards?"

"Your wards in Idris? Please," Magnus waved his hand nonchalantly. "There are no real wards. Any half-good warlock is able to take them down."

"Yes," Valentine confirmed. "But every warlock that I know, has now bounded magic." Magnus didn't respond to that. "Now, I want you to come with me to Idris and tell me, which warlock had helped him."

"Can I say no?" Valentine gave him only a pointed look. "Fine, but don't expect too much. My magic was bounded years ago."

"That's why I'm taking the second downworlder with us." Magnus knew who he was talking about. Kasandra, Valentine's loyal minion. The blonde man turned to Lydia. "Summon Kassandra and we will leave immediately."

"Of course, Valentine."

There was a soft knock to the door, and a second later a familiar black mop of hair poked inside. A small smile came upon Magnus's face, when his eyes landed on Alec.

"Jia Penhallow is here, and wants to see you, Valentine," he addressed older man. "Father took her to the lobby for now."

"Ah yes," Morgenstern retorted, getting up from his leather chair. "Tell them to come here, Alec. We're done here." The young boy nodded and turned to the door. "Take Magnus with you, Alec. And have him prepared for the travel. You will come as well with us, Alec. To Idris. We leave soon."

Magnus got up from his chair and almost ran to his little, blue eyed hunter. There was a shy smile on the boy's face, when Magnus stopped before him. The warlock addressed him officially, to which Alec's cheeks became rosy. He truly enjoyed bringing the color to Alec's face. They both left the library all silently and at a small distance from each other, though Magnus was sure that if he moved his arm to the right side, he could easily reach Alec's hand. But he couldn't. He wasn't sure who they could meet on their way.

"Are you ok with coming with us?" Magnus finally asked, looking at his lover. Alec confirmed with a single nod. "It's good. At least I'll have some nice company there. Do you think we'll stay the night there?"

"I don't know."

"If so, we're so sharing the bed. I refuse to sleep in one room with Kassandra. I hate that woman." Alec laughed silently, shaking his head. "Hey, what's up? You've been awfully quiet."

"Izzy knows," he said, not looking at Magnus. Magnus just shrugged his arms, not really knowing to what he's referring. "About...us." He whispered. "She found out about the attic."

"I think that your sister won't be a problem, Alexander." Alec didn't respond to that. He smiled a bit to Magnus and rushed ahead. The warlock stood there, in the middle of the hall, awkwardly, not knowing if he should follow the young boy. Fortunately Alec came back a few moments later and took him to his room, so Magnus could help him with packing for a travel. Bane smirked at the idea of being all alone with Alexander. Even with so little time, they could do a few, pleasurable things.

…

Valentine was left disappointed after the talk with Jia. The former consul wasn't able to stop Raphael Santiago from killing shadowhunters around the USA. With every next name she spoke of, the man was becoming angrier. He needed to stop that downworlder, before he'll kill every valued hunter in the world. He just couldn't conclude from where the vampire has the magical help. After all, Valentine had killed his filthy lover - Ragnor Fell - so there was no possibility for him to use the warlock magic. And the friends of Fell - Bane, Loss and Gray - were captured and enslaved years ago. Their magic was bounded, they couldn't use it. Santiago wasn't a magical creature, he couldn't use magic by himself. He had to have some help. But who? Who would dare to fool Valentine Morgenstern? Who would dare to play dirty against him?

Once in Idris, again, he was disappointed. Neither Kassandra, nor Bane could tell him which warlock could help Santiago get in Idris. The magic was familiar to Morgenstern, he had felt it somewhere in his life, but he couldn't remember where and when. He had interacted with many warlocks during the last seventeen years.

"We should take Clarissa with us," his son whispered to him, when Bane was standing with closed eyes in the middle of the room. "Maybe she could help us."

"Your sister must train as much as she can," he explained, eyeing Kassandra and Bane. "Your brother will train her well."

"I could do it better."

"I have other tasks for you, my son." At that Jonathan looked at him weirdly. "You must help me with ending Raphael Santiago. I need a way to finish him."

The young boy was silent for a moment, eyeing the whole room. His eyes stopped at Alec, who was looking hard at Kassandra. John followed his look and found out why the boy was glaring the female warlock. Kassandra was giving lustful looks to Bane, who was focused on his chants. It was all interesting. He must remember this scene for later.

Now he had to focus on other matter. Jonathan knew that he needs help with ending Raphael Santiago. He needed to provide a hunting for the vampire. But he couldn't do it alone. He needed some people who will hunt for him. On the other hand, he was smart enough to know that his sister won't help him. Clary wasn't very against downworlders. And Jace will follow her lead. Jace is attached to their little sister. Alec will follow the lead of his parabatai, and Isabelle will do as Alec. It means that they won't go for a wild hunt after Raphael Santiago.

Unless they will have some motivation.

But what could be a good motivation for them?

John knew that the best motivation will be a rage on Raphael. But the killings of hunters didn't fill the young ones with rage. Anger, yes, but not the rage that was needed. There was no surprise, they didn't know them. But they will feel rage, once the vampire attacks someone very close to him. Someone precious for the whole group. Someone that they will be ready to kill for.

An image filled his mind. A plan began to form. He knew, exactly, what he has to do.

…

Alec, Jace, Clary, Isabelle, Valentine and Robert walked inside the Institute. They just got back from the hunting. Tonight's night wasn't as eventful as Morgenstern wanted it to be. They killed three vampires from Santiago's clan, but the leader wasn't with them. Unfortunately, they couldn't find the lair of the downworlders. It must be hidden by some magic. But Valentine will find it eventually. All he needs to have is the Mortal Cup and the Book of White. With it, he could not only control the whole shadow world, but also be the most powerful man. He will get both those things, he just needs to wake up his wife. But he can't do it without the book. Kassandra had told him, that the book contains the spell to wake her up.

A metallic smell hit their nostrils. Blood. Alec immediately took out an arrow and prepared his bow. Jace pushed Clary behind himself. Robert and Valentine took out their seraph blades. Isabelle grabbed her whip. They all moved alerted to the direction of the smell. A faint sound of moaning was heard by the young ones. As if on a cue, they ran to the lobby. But, by the Angel, they did not expect such a horrible view.

There was a bloody path on the marble floor. From the door of the library to the wall covered with runes and old paintings. But still, it wasn't the most horrible thing in there. There, in the middle of the floor were lying four bodies. Three adults and one child.

"Maryse! Max!" Robert screamed, running to them. Alec and Isabelle on his heels. Clary was standing too shocked to even see that it's her brother who lay there as well. It was Valentine and Jace, who moved to the other two bodies.

"Dad, mom's heart beats!" Isabelle screamed. She pulled out her stele and quickly drew an Iratze over Maryse's stomach, near the ripped wound. The girl looked to the side, where her brother and father were. "Max…"

Robert was crying, so was Alec. Mr. Lightwood was holding the lifeless body of the boy in his arms. Tears were streaking down his cheeks. He was murmuring some things that were understandable.

Everything stopped. Time slowed down. Sounds went off. All eyes of the hunters were focused on the little boy's body. There was no breath, no heart beating.

The realization hit them hard.

Max was dead.

Everything has gone blurred since then. None of the shadowhunters were registering what was happening around. A faint breaths were heard from somewhere. Gasp came from the left.

"Dad? " A male voice came to their ears. Valentine looked down at his son. Jonathan's blonde hair was covered with blood. His eyes were dull. Blood was running down his neck. "Cla...ry?"

"We're here, John." The girl responded, kneeling by his brother's side. "What happened?"

"Vamp...ieres...they came to the Institute...We were attacked by Santiago's clan…" the young man turned his head to the left and saw other hunters. "Max...Maryse...Kylios… I couldn't save them...there were too many of the vampires. I don't know how they walked in...I tried to…"

"It's alright, my son," Valentine whispered, before turning to Robert. "We must call for the Silent Brothers. We still have a chance to save Maryse. After that, we will go and kill Raphael Santiago."

"I will rip his head off," Alec growled, grabbing a cold hand of his little brother. "I will rip him apart, same as the rest of his vampires."

"We will kill him, my son," voiced Robert through his tears. "Slowly and painfully. He will pay for what he had done to Max and your mother. Raphael Santiago will die tonight. Angel will help us."

He was hugging the cold body of his little son, close to his chest. He kissed the bloody crown of the boy's head. Robert got up, as the Silent Brothers came inside the Institute. He walked towards brother Jeremiah and handed him his son.

"take good care of my little boy, Brother Jeremiah. And of my wife." The other man just nodded and took the boy's body from his father. Robert turned back to his children and Morgensterns. "Alec, you come with me."

"I'll go as well!" Isabelle and Jace said at the same time. Robert shook his head.

"Isabelle you stay right here with your mother. Alec and Jace will come with me." Both boys came up to the older man. "Take your weapons. We're going for a kill."

A/N: Did you like it?

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Intoxic