27th August, 2016: 1am Magnus' Lair

When they arrived at their destination.

"Magnus' lair is right behind that fence" Jace informed his team.

"Magnus lives in a warehouse?" Asked confused.

"Not exactly. Warlock glamour" Replied Nick "Something's wrong. It's far too easy to get this close. His protective wards must be down. So, much for being the safest place".

"You... Don't get in the way" Alec told Clary.

'Be prepared...' Nick heard his father's voice in his head stronger than ever before 'Be prepared...'.

Suddenly a warlock was struggling with a circle member before being stabbed with a sword. The warlock grunted and was thrown down onto the lower level.

"Oh, God! Valentine found Magnus!".

"Daddy! Daddy?" A warlock child rushed over to her dead father.

"Daddy, get up, please!".

Nick saw the circle member approach the young warlock and he jumped out of hiding "All of you stay back!" It was like a light switch had gone off. Nick exploded like a time bomb that had no hope of being stopped. Nick's emotion was so strong, so visible, as he faced the circle member "Don't you touch her!" He roared and kicked the circle member who had raised his sword to kill the young warlock. The blackened cracked shackles that had bound him shattered in his mind. The girl ran behind Nick for safety unaware what was about to happen.

Nick scrunched up his face in excruciating pain as he doubled over and screams "Aargh!" in a demonic undertone of voice as some of the runes on his body turned black and burned like fire as they became active whilst the dormant ones give the appearance of silver scars that produced an icy feeling.

There was a powerful earthquake that was a 6.0 on the Magnitude Scale. The ground shook with such intensity that everyone, but Nick had fallen onto the ground. The earthquake was followed by an aftershock of raw magic that burst out of Nick as a powerful aura surrounded him. Nick's eyes and sclera became pure black and ignited with a cold fury. They reflected hard earned survival as did the rest of his body. There was no doubt in their minds that he was a force to be reckoned with. Flicking blue and white sparks were being produced in the palm of his hand. The circle member began to back away knowing that he was no match for the newly awakened unclaimed demigod.

Nick let out a demonic sounding battle cry and used his instincts to guide him as he thrust his hand out and blasted the circle member with his magic. The circle member was thrown back into the wall with enough force to break his neck. A deafening crack rang out and then a sickening crunch as the circle member slides down the wall. There was nothing left of him, but a burnt skeletal. Nick, then fell onto one knee as he panted heavily as the edges of his vision was going grey, but he hung on through sheer strength of will. His voice and eyes returned to normal and he could feel his magic surge through him as if he'd just been struck by a bolt of electricity. At that moment he had never felt more alive.

Nick shook his head and stretched out his arms to the young warlock who despite being fearful of Nick without hesitation through herself into his arms. Nick lifted the girl up as she wrapped her legs around his waist. He held her "You're safe, my little magpie" He reassured "You're under my protection now".

The Shadowhunters all came over to him.

"Are you alright?!" Clary asked frantic with worry "What was that?".

"I finally broke free from the shackles that bound me. The warrior within has been set free. I have awoken as an unclaimed demigod" He told her.

"That was amazing!" Isabelle said breathless and kissed Nick on the cheek. "You're just full of surprises".

"Unclaimed demigod?" Clary questioned.

"This is not the time or place to talk about such things. The others will fill you in. Right now we have a job to do. Stick close. It's safest if we stay together" He turned to the Shadowhunters "Alec, take the lead" He ordered in an authoritarian tone.

Alec nodded glad to see that Nick was alright and moved forward following the orders of the new chain of command as Nick now out ranked Jace. He couldn't bring himself to mind. He knew that Nick would make a good leader and would be a great asset now to their team.

Jace clapped Nick on the back.

Meanwhile

Magnus Bane fought to safe himself from yet another member of Valentine's circle, even going so far to knock over his bookcase that he had spend a good deal of time organising exactly the way he had liked it.

It was a shame to see his hard work go to waste as the circle member stepped over the bookcase undeterred as he twirled his seraph blade "Your magic's strong, warlock. Much stronger than that horned weakling I killed this morning".

"Elias…" Magnus murmured, as he recognised who the circle member was talking about it came to no surprise that the warlock had sold him out.

The circle member took that moment to dash past him, Magnus shot a blast of magic as the circle member dodged and stepped out of the way "That was his name. Well, lucky for us, he sold you out before I took his warlock mark. Cat's eyes. Be a nice addition to my collection".

Suddenly, the warlock and circle member stopped circling one another and froze momentarily at hearing the blood curling demonic scream.

Then, there was an earthquake that knocked them both to the floor as the apartment shook violently at the force.

"What the hell-!?" Yelled the circle member as he struggled to get back up onto his feet.

Magnus, however remained on the ground knowing what was going to happen next. He had felt his little marshmallow's magic building and knew that it was only a matter of time before it was released in an explosion of raw magical energy. Magnus had never felt anything quite like it.

The circle member grabbed his sword and approached Magnus when he was thrown back down painfully almost impaling himself on his own sword as a pulsing wind of blue energy rushed him. Nick's magic was a wild, unrelenting destructive force.

Magnus briefly mourned his priceless antiques that exploded on impact sending shards of glass flying everywhere. Windows blew apart and his furniture was sent crashing up against the walls. Lights flickered as the air became charged with magical residue. Once the chaotic magic seemed to disperse Magnus looked up to see his apartment was destroyed. It would take him ages to repair the damage. Nick's magic had torn apart almost everything that stood in its path. He was astonishing to find that his apartment was still standing.

The circle member was covered in rubble and debris from the ceiling that had partly collapsed on to him.

He groaned and proceeded to free himself from the rubble as Magnus got back onto his feet seemingly no worse for wear.

The circle member staggered and got to his feet "Let's finish this, warlock" He stumbled towards Magnus.
Alec stopped him from coming any closer as he shot the circle member in the leg with one of his arrows. The circle member let out a cry of pain and fell to the ground, and Magnus swiftly disabled him with a blast of magic.

The circle member collapsed, and Magnus heard someone behind him say "Well done,".

"More like medium rare," Magnus quipped back, and then turned around to say who'd helped him. He felt his mouth drop open at seeing the tall, dark and handsome Shadowhunter he spotted back at the rave.

Magnus shifted his expression into something charming and approached Alec "I'm Magnus. I don't think we've been formally introduced".

"Alec" He said with an adorable smile on his face that dazzled Magnus as he stammering "Oh, uh... We should really... You know, probably get..." He pointed awkwardly at the door.

"Right," Magnus grinned. That was twice in one day that he had felt an immediate connection with. "We should join the party".

"Right" Alec said in agreement and flashed Magnus one last beautiful smile that he tend to reserve for family and Nick before heading off to join the others.

Magnus watched the young Shadowhunter dash off, and then turned back to look at the destroyed room and sighed "This fight's far from over".

Once Magnus lair had been cleared out and been made secure, the warlock ordered everyone to regroup into the sitting room. He'd just decided on a new location to move his hideout, when he heard a very familiar voice call his name, "Magnus".

Magnus smiled pleasantly and turned around to see Nick, who had become one of his new fixations. He was holding Zoe, a daughter of a fellow warlock. Nick gingerly lowered Zoe to the ground and knelt down as he gazed into her beautiful eyes. He could see behind her glamour. She had long white hair, black taloned hands and unnatural UV blue eyes. "Go to Magnus, my little magpie" He said kissing her forehead and watched as she ran up to Magnus and give him a hug.

Magus pulled back after a moment and said, "Go join the others, my dear. This is no place for a little girl. Go".

He watched as the girl ran off to join the other warlocks, before turning to Nick who was struggling to get back up from the floor.

Magnus offered his hand and helped Nick to stand up. Nick leaned against Magnus for support "Hello, again kitten".

Magnus smiled at Nick with endearment "I don't believe we've been formally introduce my little marshmallow. I'm Magnus Bane".

"Nick, but most just call me Nicky".

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Nicholas. I heard what you did for Zoe," He began "You risked your life without hesitation for a young warlock child".

"Mhmm," Nick hummed in reply "It doesn't matter what someone is born, but what they grow to be. Family isn't always blood, Magnus. When everything goes to hell, the people who stand by you without flinching-they are your family. When I first awoke I was stripped down to my basic instincts. I wasn't in control of myself or my magic. And even know Zoe was afraid she remained by my side. She's family to me. And we protect our own. No matter what the personal cost to ourselves maybe".

"You're not like the others, Nicholas. Most unclaimed demigods protect Downworlders out of sense of duty, but you saved young Zoe because of what was inside your heart" Magnus told him as he directed Nick into one of the chairs.

"Nick, are you sure you're alright. You look exhausted".

He yawned and snuggled into the chair "I'm fine, don't worry about me, little red" He said groggily.

Clary didn't look convinced and crossed her arms "You have a habit of saying your fine when in reality your far from it, Nicky",

"Then, why bother asking a question you already know the answer, too?" He looked up at Magnus "Is there anything that can be done to retrieve Clary's memories?".

"I can summon the demon, but Clary must make the demand" Magnus said, with some reluctance, and spoke to Clary "Now, I warn you... retrieving your memories will not be easy".

"I will do what I have to do" She said determined.

"All right. But we're not safe here. The lair's location has been compromised".

Magnus warned "Hold tight, everyone, we're about to move".

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Alec walked over to Nick. He seemed to be very protective of the now awakened unclaimed demigod. Nick looked relieve now to have the Shadowhunter by his side.

'Hmm, Interesting' He thought to himself and made a mental note of what he had just seen to reflect upon at a later time. He turned his attention to the matter at hand. Thrusting both his hands out, he charged up his magic, and then joined his two palms together. His magic then exploded outwards in a similar matter to how Nick's own magic had burst out of him earlier.

He then jerked his hands and teleported them away from Brooklyn.

Clary gasped as energy pulsed in the same blue shimmer that she had witnessed earlier come from Nick.

Magnus sighs deeply "Ah, much better". He looked out of the window at the beautiful view in front of him. Anything was better than red brick. He then, turned to get a better look at his apartment. "Ugh, it's inevitable. After each move, I get the itch to redecorate" He murmured seeing the new home renovations and turned gazing at both Alec and Nick "Normally, I love a dirty lair, but this is one is just sloppy" He emphasised his words by flipping the table with the heel of his foot.

Magnus eyed the two watching their reactions closely as the tall darked haired handsome one stared at him, perplexed as did the white-haired beauty. Magnus wasn't sure what to how to take their reactions.

Nick began to stand up, but collapsed and was caught by Alec.

"Are you alright?" Alec asked concerned as he helped Nick up.

Nick nodded "Saved by my knight in shining armour" He smiled sweetly "Thank you, angel face".

Magnus raised an eyebrow at overhearing their interacting with one another and walked over to Isabelle "Thank you for defending the warlocks" He stated as he picked up the jewellery that he once gave to Camille and handed it to Isabelle as he stood behind her. "I couldn't" Isabelle gasped.

"Oh, but you could. And you should. The Lightwoods have been wearing this for years. Besides, this would look silly on your brother".

Isabelle chuckles.

Magnus glanced over to see Alec had drifted over to Jace, taking Nick with him. Magnus met Alec's gaze briefly and then turned to Isabelle he leaned in and whispered "About Alec, is he more of a flower or cologne man?".

Isabelle chuckles and replies "I wouldn't know, Alec is impossible to shop for, but Nicky on the other hand I would say that she's both. Although, he does have a taste for sexy lingerie and chocolate" She winked at Magnus "Nicky is a saucy little minx, I'm sure any earthy pleasures you and my brother could offer would be welcomed".

Magnus grinned eyeing Nick like a piece of eye-candy "I'll have to keep that in mind".

Nick noticed and blushed a light shade of pink with an adorable coy smile on his face.

"See what did I tell you, Nicky is a natural at seduction. I'm surprised that Alec is able to resist his charm thus far. Nicky certainly hasn't made it easy for him. I think she likes it when Alec plays hard to get"

"I myself do love a challenge" Replied Magnus.

"Okay, so how do we summon the memory demon?" Clary asked becoming impatient.

"Are you certain? Summoning such a powerful demon could be lethal".

"I'll do anything to save my mother" She said sounding determined.

"Okay. Pretty boy, get your team ready".

Both men looked to Nick, who shrugged with indifference.

"You know what to do" Jace responded.

"I wasn't talking to you" Magnus laughed as he pointed his finger towards Alec and rolled his eyes "I'm talking to you. Come with me".

"Someone has a soft spot for you. Should I feel jealous?" Nick whispered teasingly to Alec who smirked at having been picked to take the lead, yet again.

"Everyone wants the Mortal Cup. Don't trust anyone, with the cup especially not the Clave".

"Then why should I trust you?"

"You shouldn't. Only trust yourself...and Nicholas".

"Why Nicky?"

"Because, he's neutral and will not allow the Mortal Cup to fall into the wrong hands. You forget he's a demigod. Demigods doesn't serve anyone, but themselves. That's the best position to be in. He was born to keep the balance and natural order of things. Anyone or anything that threats to tip the scales in their favour and upset the natural order on a global scale he will declare war against and wipe them out. He is the greatest threat to Valentine right now. Especially, now that he has awoken as an unclaimed demigod" Magnus told her.

Clary looked perplexed and Magnus sounding shocked "Wait you didn't know?".

Nick walked over with Alec "Didn't know what?".

"That your a Demigod" Clary told him.

"Ah- well technically I'm not one yet".

"What is a Demigod, anyway" Asked Clary.

"A Demi-god is the end result of an ancient primordial entity and a mundane having a child together" Answered Nick.

Alec then added "What you have to understand is that whenever a primordial entity has a child with a mundane, it is the primordial parent's choice to claim that child or not. Primordial Beings are limited to only having one biological child, as they can easily upset the natural they reach a certain age normally late teens they go through an awakening were some of their dormant runes become active and their powers start to manifest such as enhanced human condition, instinctive battle skills and some control of basic magic. Their abilities and powers vary depending on their primordial parent. However, they must keep working at these aspects or they may fade from not being used. At this time, their primordial parent may choose whether or not to acknowledgement them as their offspring and risk claiming them".

"Basically being awakened is like going through puberty all over again, everything changes" Added Nick.

"But, why wouldn't they acknowledge their children?" Clary asked sounding confused.

"Most choose not to claim their children in order to protect their offspring as very few survive the ascension from sighted mundane to demigod. If a demigod child is not claimed before their twenty-first birthday, their demigod powers will nullify. However, they will retain their sight and physical enhancements. Which is why in the past unclaimed demigods were selected to become Enlightened Shadowhunters who are the strongest, fiercest immortal warriors in existence. There are four in existence who remain in Alicante" Explained Alec.

"Some also even end up in the care of Downworlders in most often cases warlocks who adopt them due to their basic magic abilities, slow-aging process and extended lifespan of around 210 years. The oldest living demigod was 312" Added Magnus. "However, unclaimed demigods who have not been claimed have the choice whether or not to be officially recognised as a warlocks or a prospective Ascenders by making a declaration of their allegation to either the Down world or the Clave".

"But what happens when an unclaimed Demigod is claimed?".

"Those that survive being claimed officially are recognised as Demigods. They gain a new title and become even more powerful, too powerful for their own good in my option. Which is why demigods that have been claimed in most cases will go to live with their primordial parent to undergo centuries of extensive training after the ceremony has taken place" Magnus told her.

"Ceremony? What ceremony?".

"A new demigod is required to go to the Accords Hall at Alicante and attend a formal ceremony in front of representatives of the Shadowhunters, Warlocks, Seelies, Children of the Moon and Children of the night. He or she will formally introduce themselves and then will swear an Oath of Allegiance to both Downworlders and Shadowhunters while under the influence of the Soul-Sword. Afterwards the demigod is marked with a Demigod Celestial Allegiance Rune using a Stele. Once the ceremony is complete there's a party to celebrate" Alec answered her question.

Nick clapped his hands "Good, now, that's out of the way. Let's get on with summoning the memory demon shall we?".

Magnus nodded and held up the chalk. Clary took it and looked inside. "These chalks are beautiful. What are they for?".

"If a person wants their memories returned, they must draw the pentagram to summon the demon. I can walk you through it, if you like" Magnus offered.

Clary shook her head "I've got this" and with that said they left her too it.

Magnus called Jace over "Shadowhunter... prepare Clary as best you can".