Queenie: Hello, everyone, I just wanted to let you all know that I'm putting up a poll on my profile that's going to ask if you think I should keep Magnus and Alec together, or if I should try something new. Like different pairings. Or maybe keep Malec, but add an addition to their relationship making it like a polyamorous relationship. I've never wrote anything concerning a polyamorous relationship, and I've never understood how something like that could work out. But it's something new I could play around with, and I like to challenge myself sometimes, so that is an option if you'd like to choose that. Anyway, I hope you like the new chapter.
"Clary Fairchild." Magnus then addressed. "You've grown into a beautiful young woman."
Clary didn't seem flattered by my dad's words as she glared at him. Well, this isn't going well at all.
"Magnus Bane." Clary said. "So you're the one who stole my memories."
"At your mother's request." Magnus said. "She also requested that my children remain friends with you to protect you when they become of age, which has put them both in danger. So believe me, Clary, neither one of us is happy with the deal I made with your mother."
Magnus looked towards me while brushing back my hair to reveal the scar I had received from that demon when I was protecting Clary.
"This scar is new." Magnus said looking at Clary. "I am certain you are involved with how she received it."
Guilt washed over Clary's face as she didn't even try to defend herself to Magnus.
"Dad, that's hardly fair." I protested. "I'm the one who decided to check in on Clary. I didn't listen to you, so it's my fault."
Magnus turned to look at me, and I could see he wasn't exactly happy with me either at the moment.
"Yes, I know, my sweet." Magnus said. "You will be properly grounded once we make it home. Now, my dear, I want you to collect your brother. Once I am done with my business with these Shadowhunters, I want you both ready to leave."
I wanted to insist on staying at his side to try and talk him out of taking Myron and I away. However, before I could, he raised his finger to get me to close my mouth.
"Please, do not argue with me, Desdemona." Magnus said sternly. "I do not want to have to force you through the portal, and confine you to the lair. But I will if it means keeping you safe."
I looked down not saying another word even if they were just bubbling behind my lips wanting to get out.
"Now, please, find Myron." Magnus said gesturing for me to go on.
"Yes, sir." I said nodding my head.
I turned away while throwing a sad look at Clary and Jace before I melted into the party. I looked around trying to spot Myron where was, but it was nearly impossible in this lighting with so many people around.
"Looking for someone?"
I jumped before whirling around to see Dion had managed to sneak up behind me without me noticing. The uneasy feeling returned with vengeance as I felt exposed without the others around.
"Yes, for Myron." I said while trying to remain casual.
Dion put on a mocking disappointed expression as I tried to ignore the blood rushing through my veins that was telling me either fight or run. I don't know exactly what triggered my fight or flight instincts, but I didn't like it. Was the person in front of me really Dion? Or was Dion some kind of threat now? But why would he be?
"I noticed something interesting about your little group, Desdemona." Dion said as he circled me casually.
His movements had me even more on edge though I tried to keep my body relax, so he wouldn't notice.
"Oh?" I murmured. "Really?"
"Yes, I saw you had someone important amongst you." Dion said. "Someone that all the Downworlders talk about."
I stiffened knowing he had to mean Clary. Why would Clary interest him? It wasn't as if she had anything to do with our people.
"I actually have a friend who would be very interested in meeting her." Dion continued.
The uneasy feeling spiked as Dion stopped behind me while placing his hands on my shoulders. I knew I shouldn't let him be where I couldn't see him. However, he was holding my shoulders firmly in place, so I couldn't turn around to look at him. My heart thumped loudly as I grit my teeth. I was in danger. Whether if this was the true Dion or not, I had to get away from him. Dion then leaned in to place his lips near my ear.
"I'm sure you've heard of him before." Dion said. "His name is Valentine."
My eyes widened as I froze in completely surprise. Dion knew Valentine? What were those two doing even talking to each other? Just as I was about to whirl around to push Dion away, he tightened his hold while whispering into my ear.
"Stop moving." He said in a soft, alluring tone. "You will stand here completely still and not making a sound while I speak."
For some reason I felt compelled to do as he said, which had me realizing he had used his Charm Speak on me. It is a gift only the children of Aphrodite possess. They can use the power of their voice to make people do as they please. Almost like a vampire's glamor technique. However, even Charm Speak was rare amongst Aphrodite's children. I only thought two out of the 21 children had the gift. I thought only Drew Tanaka and Kalista Saltzman had the gift. But it seems as if I was wrong.
"Now I hate to do this, Mona, but you see, Valentine asked me to do something for him." Dion said. "And as his friend, I want to help him out. Do you know what he asked me to do?"
He moved one hand away from my shoulder, but not before he wrapped the other tightly around my neck to jerk me closer. I choked slightly as he gripped my neck tightly.
"He asked me to get rid of all who stood in his way in getting the cup." Dion said. "Sadly that means you and Myron too. Nothing personal. I hope you can forgive me.
I then saw a glimmer of celestial bronze in the lighting while knowing I didn't have much time to make my move. And I knew he told me not to move, so what was I about to do? There had to be a way out of his order. Just then a thought came to mind that might save me. As he was bringing down the dagger towards my heart, I knew I couldn't avoid the blow completely, but I could make it where it hit something less vital. So in a split second I reared my head back to hit his nose, which crunched loudly from the impact. As he cursed in pain, his aim was thrown off, so the dagger was embedded in my shoulder.
I hissed in pain, but knew I couldn't waste much time worrying about a hurt shoulder. I then stomped hard on his foot, which had him letting go of my neck. I whirled to kick the side of his knee hard, which sent the bone out of place. He fell to his other knee while lifting his head to glare at me as blood poured down his face. Of course, our scuffle caught the attention of others, but I ignored them as I pulled the blade from my shoulder. I pressed my hand against the bleeding wound to try and slow the bleeding down.
"You bitch!" Dion snapped. "How did you break the Charm Speak order?"
"You just stand still while you spoke." I spat. "You seemed done talking to me."
Dion glared while quickly stumbling to his feet to attack me, which had me getting in a defensive stance.
"Desdemona!" I heard Magnus shout in worry.
I turned to look at him and the others, which is when I noticed the man sneaking up behind Magnus with a dagger.
"Look out!" I cried.
Magnus whirled around with obviously not enough time to defend himself, but he was saved by an arrow that went whizzing past him to kill the attacker. I looked seeing the arrow came from Alec. I smiled so glad Magnus was alright. As Jace got out his sword, Alec walked down the steps to see if the attacker was really dead. I was about to hurry over as well, but remembered Dion was behind me. I whirled around just as he was about to take a swing at me. However, before he could land a hit Myron agreed between us while grabbing Dion's fist. Myron twisted the younger man's hand causing him to cry out in pain.
"You laid your hands on the wrong girl." Myron said as he kept me shielded from Dion. "And I'm going to make sure you can never lay your hands on any other girl again. I'll start by removing your hands."
Just as Myron's hands started to glow blue we were both hit by a blast of dark magic. It sent us flying backwards towards Magnus and the others, and as I hit the ground I cried out since my wounded shoulder hit first. Magnus quickly knelt at my side to help me into a sitting position as Myron and I looked up. My eyes widened seeing Alabaster standing in front of Dion like a shield.
"Alabaster?" Myron practically hissed out as he stood. "What are you doing here, brother?"
Magnus helped me to my feet while keeping his arms protectively around me. I looked from our two fellow half-bloods to my brother as he narrowed his eyes at Alabaster.
"I'm sorry for this, Myron." Alabaster said sounding truly apologetic. "But I'm not quite ready to give up the future where it's our turn to rule in place of our parents. The time of the gods will come to an end."
"Are you saying you both are teaming up with Valentine to start another war?" I asked hoping it wasn't true.
"To put it simply, yes." Alabaster said. "I'll warn you now, Desdemona, Myron, anyone who gets in Valentine's way is in ours as well, and if you refuse to move, you will become part of the causalities. That goes for any of our half-blood brethren as well."
Before another word could be said, Alabaster fled in a wisp of black smoke while taking the wounded Dion with him.
"This can't be happening." I said. "Didn't they learn from the war that rebelling against the gods is wrong?"
Magnus hugged my closely, which gave me some comfort before he looked to Alec.
"Who are you?" Magnus asked sounding intrigued.
I looked away from the spot that Alabaster and Dion vanished from to look up at my dad. He sounded kind of funny and had this dazed look on his face. Magnus then shook himself as to snap himself out of a trance.
"We're leaving." Magnus said looking to Myron as he kept his arms around me. "It isn't safe here anymore."
Before Myron and I could protest Magnus grabbed Myron practically shove him through the portal to disappear.
"Myron!" Clary gasped then looked to Magnus as he was ushering me along. "Magnus, wait!"
She grabbed onto his wrist getting him to stop and look at her as my eyes found Jace's. I looked at him sadly knowing there would be no changing my dad's mind at the moment. Even if I pulled away to try and stay, Magnus would use his magic if he had to, to throw me into the portal.
"You're my only hope." Clary said. "And you can't take Myron and Mona away. They're all I have left!"
"Valentine found us." Magnus said. "I warned your mother this might happen, and I will not risk my children."
Then before I could blink I was being sucked in by the portal making my eyes widened.
"Clary!" I cried out before disappearing from the club with Magnus.
NO POV:
After tracking down Magnus's location, Jace and the others came to what looked like an abandoned warehouse. With his sword in hand, Jace led the group forward with his eyes scanning the surroundings. While he was looking for threats, he was also keeping his eyes out for any sign of Mona. He would get her back. He wouldn't just let Magnus keep Mona locked up against her will even if the warlock was just trying to protect her.
"Magnus's lair is right there beyond that fence." Jace said once spotting the fence.
"Magnus lives in a warehouse?" Clary asked.
She thought he would have lived in the same apartment as Myron and Mona. Or in a classier place considering how he's dressed and acts.
"Not exactly." Jace said. "Warlock glamour."
"Something's wrong." Isabelle said. "It's far too easy to get this close."
"His protective wards must be down." Jace guessed.
Which didn't make much sense. If Magnus wanted to keep all the warlocks and his family safe, why would he drop the wards?
"You." Alec said getting Clary's attention. "Don't get in the way. We don't want you doing anything that could put Mona and her brother at risk."
Normally Clary would have said something in retort, but she paused when realizing Alec mentioned Mona by name. Something he hasn't done for her, Myron, or Simon. And Alec seems worried about Mona. What changed in their relationship? The group then heard a struggle, so they looked up in enough time to see a member of the circle killing a warlock.
"Oh God!" Clary exclaimed. "Valentine found Magnus!"
Before she even finished her sentence Jace was hurrying forward as the warlock's body fell to the ground. If Magnus was found it meant, Mona and Myron were in danger too. And Mona was wounded at the moment, which meant she wouldn't be able to defend herself as well. He hurried to the upper level after the man who committed the killing, but also to head inside to find Mona.
He was just about to enter when he heard a scuffle down below. He went over to the edge to see Clary had come to the defense of a warlock girl, and Isabelle was holding back the attacker with her whip. He was about to throw a dagger to kill the man, but suddenly Mona appeared while jumping over some crates. She had one sword in hand, and in one swift movement she cut the man's head clean off while landing in a crouch on her feet.
"Mona!" Clary exclaimed happily when seeing her friend.
Mona just winced while clutching her still bleeding shoulder that was just getting worse the longer this fight was going on.
"Mona," Clary said sounding worried now.
Clary went over to Mona's side while kneeling down beside Mona to place a hand on her back.
"I'm fine." Mona said as she lifted her head. "It just stings a bit."
Clary didn't look so convinced considering all the blood that covered Mona's shoulder and arm caused by the profuse bleeding from the wound. Mona noticed her look while giving her a stern look.
"Don't look so worried." Mona said. "I'll be fine. Just keep close to Isabelle. It'll be safer that way, and please, don't let Zoey out of your sight."
Mona looked towards the young warlock as she was kneeling next to Clary to look at Mona in worry. Mona reached out with her unbloodied hand to brush Zoey's hair back.
"It's alright." Mona said gently. "We will drive them away from here. I won't let them hurt you."
Zoey nodded her head then watched as Mona made it to her feet. The dark-haired girl turned her head up to Jace who seemed happy to see her.
"I suppose we should get to work." She said to him.
"Yeah," He said grinning. "But if you need any saving, I'll come to your rescue."
He gave a wink before disappearing inside feeling much better knowing Mona wasn't gone from reach. Once all this was over, he'd make sure Magnus couldn't whisk her away again.
DESDEMONA'S POV:
I let out a sigh after all the fighting was over. And those still alive were gathered together now, which meant we could get started on taking care of the wounded. Myron was looking over some of the wounded as Magnus was finally getting to look at my shoulder. He was cleaning all the blood off to see the exact damage of the wound. I winced trying to resist jerking away from his hold.
"I'm sorry, my sweet." He said softly. "I will try to be gentler."
I nodded my head to his words while not really hearing them. I had a lot going through my head at the moment. I still haven't really had time to process all that's happened since as soon as we arrived here we had to fight against members of the Circle.
"I can use magic to heal this, Mona." Magnus told me as he cleaned away more of the blood.
Despite being a clean stab through the shoulder the bleeding had nearly stopped completely because the blood clod together to keep it from pouring out. It was just small trickles now.
"I'll just get Myron to stitch it later." I said "There is no reason to waste magic on such a small wound."
Magnus nodded his head though still had a worried look in his eyes as he continued to clean my wound.
"I am sorry for you are hurt." Magnus said. "I brought you here to keep you safe."
"And you didn't give me a choice in the matter either." I said.
Normally I would never get an attitude with Magnus, but right now…well, I'm not necessarily angry with him, but I'm not happy with him either. I think he realized this as he looked at my upset expression.
"Now, I know you're not happy with me." Magnus said. "Sometimes a parent has to do things their children don't like to keep them safe. You can stay mad at me for the rest of forever if you want, but as long as that keeps you alive, I will take your anger."
Magnus took a moment to brush my hair back from my face as he looked me in the eyes
"You and your brother are my world." Magnus said. "I will not allow you to be taken away from me."
He leaned down to place a kiss on my brow before grabbing some bandages to wrap around my shoulder for now until Myron could apply stitches.
"I understand you do not want to lose us." I said getting him to look at me directly again. "But hiding isn't the answer. We have to fight, dad. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it's in our blood. Besides,"
I paused as he finished bandaging my shoulder, so I could stand. It felt stiff, but most of the pain was gone.
"We're mortal." I said to Magnus. "You will have to say goodbye to us eventually, I'm afraid. So before that time comes let us live as we see fit even if that means dangerously."
I hated saying that to him because I know Magnus has had to say goodbye to too many loved ones in his immortal life, but he had to understand he couldn't protect us forever. Mostly because we didn't have forever as he did. I cupped his cheek to look him in the eyes, which held sadness.
"I'm sorry, Daddy." I said sincerely. "I don't ever want to leave you, but the day will come. Please, don't keep us locked away until it does."
I kissed his brow as he had kissed mine while hoping he understood I didn't want to hurt him. I just wanted him to understand how Myron and I felt. I then pulled back while unable to look at his face since I'm sure the hurt look in his eyes would break me. I welcomed Clary walking in with Zoey since it was a nice distraction.
"Magnus." Clary said as she led Zoey over.
Zoey ran over to Magnus to hug him, and he returned the hug before gently pushing her back to look at her. He caressed her cheek with the sad look still in his eyes, and I could see he was still having trouble speaking.
"Zoey, let's go look after the others." I said taking her hand. "I'm sure Myron could use the help."
Zoey nodded her head then let me lead her out of the room to where Myron was looking after some of the less wounded. I guided her towards the room where Myron was. I opened the door with Myron looking up from his work. I nodded to Zoey, and he nodded in understanding.
"Why don't you come help me, Zoey?" Myron asked gesturing for her to come inside.
"Okay." Zoey said smiling.
She went over to him, and he immediately started showing her what he was going, so she could mimic him. I looked at her sadly knowing things were going to be different for her now. I watched a second longer before I left the room knowing Myron would look after her. I let out a sigh as I ran my fingers through my hair. I turned around to check the parameter again since I still felt on edge. However, as I turned, I bumped right into Jace making me jump since I was still on edge.
"Whoa, it's okay." He said as he placed his hand on my uninjured shoulder. "It's just me."
"Yeah, I can see that." I said offhandedly.
Jace gave me a look of concern as he ran his hand down my arm in an attempt to comfort me. I did feel a bit comforted by the gesture, but my mind was still reeling with all that's happened.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Jace asked.
"Talk about what?" I asked.
"About the fact that the handsomest son of Aphrodite is a friend of Valentine's and that he attacked you." Jace said straight up.
I frowned because I honestly didn't want to discuss that with Jace. I already felt stupid for saying all those nice things about Dion. I feel stupid ever thinking that he was a charming, nice guy.
"What's there to talk about?" I asked. "How stupid I feel for thinking that slime ball was charming and nice? Or how stupid I feel about the fact I once had a crush on him? Or how about we talk about how stupid I am for letting him trap me like he had?"
Basically I felt all sorts of stupid, and I'm sure Jace would love to point this out since he was against the idea of me taking up Dion's invitation, which I'm glad I didn't. I would have felt stupider than I do now knowing I accepted a date with a guy who would kill me without batting an eye.
"Hey, you're not stupid." Jace said surprising me. "I mean, he was an old friend of yours—a comrade, so I can understand why you wouldn't think the worst of him. Though I have to question your taste in guys."
Jace gave me a teasing grin, and while I did feel a bit better, I couldn't muster a smile for him in return.
"He was just the only guy who ever looked at me with any interest." I said honestly as I hugged myself for comfort. "No guy has ever seen me more than just some grease monkey. Dion…Dion was the only guy to ever call me beautiful. Or treat me like I was someone special besides my dad."
Magnus tended to shower Myron and me both with praise. Probably to the point where we became a bit arrogant about certain things. It was bad when we were little, but I like to think we've matured since then.
"Then you must know a lot of stupid guys." Jace said while reaching out to brush my hair back. "Because I don't see how any guy could miss how special you are, Mona."
I felt my cheeks warm at his words as the two of us stared deeply into each other's eyes. For a moment neither one of us spoke as Jace's hand moved from caressing my hair to move down to stroke my cheek with his thumb. He opened his mouth to say something else, but a voice was cleared that had both of us jumping apart. I turned my head with my cheeks burning in embarrassment when seeing Magnus standing there. I can't believe my dad caught me so close to a guy. Let alone a Shadowhunter.
"Sorry to interrupt." Magnus said as he narrowed his eyes at Jace.
Jace frowned looking uncomfortable under Magnus's gaze, but soon Magnus's dark eyes shifted to me. I looked down still feeling guilt for the things I said to him in the other room. I'm sure I hurt his feelings, which is something I had never wanted to do.
"There's no reason to hold such a sad face, my sweet." Magnus said as he cupped my chin to make me look at him. "While it hurt to hear those words, I needed to, but do not think I will suddenly let you get away with reckless behavior. You are still my little girl, Desdemona, and as your father I will look after you."
I nodded my head while hoping that looking after me didn't include whisking me away from my friends.
"But I will not lock you away." Magnus said. "You do have your own life to live even if I might not agree with some of the people you invite into your life."
He cast a look at Jace who rolled his eyes in return. Well, I can see they're going to get along nicely—not.
"Thank-you." I said to Magnus who turned his attention back to me.
"Of course, dear." He said smiling at me. "Now fetch your brother. This location has been found out, which means it is no longer safe. We will need to relocate, but I will need Myron's help. After we find a more secure location, we will summon the memory demon that has Clary's memories."
My eyes widened because I had no idea that Magnus fed Clary's memories to a memory demon. Retrieving them was going to be a lot harder than I thought.