Alec sat in the darkness staring at the cot where Jace's pale form lay. Even though Alec was not moving his blood was boiling. Why didn't he see it, how could he have missed it? The black eyes, the un healable wound, but she looked just like Clary. She spoke with her voice. All the time inside she was pure evil.
"My Alec," Magnus' soft voice filled his head.
Alec looked up at his boyfriend. He noticed how wan and tired he looked. "How did you get here?"
"Your mother sent me." Magnus explained, "as soon as we found out Clary had been taken."
"Do you know where she is?"
Magnus shook his head. "Jem, Tessa, Emma and Julian are looking for her right now. They believe she was taken to Faerie."
Alec sighed nervously, "is she alive?"
Magnus took Alec's hand. "I don't know, I wish I did."
"Jace…" Alec began.
"I know he will be devastated when he awakens." Magnus said quickly. "I modified the spell I used to heal him to keep him asleep, but it will not last. When he awakens, we must do everything to keep him from harm."
"I've been doing that half my life." Alec murmured.
Magnus nodded. "I know, it didn't need to be said."
"Jocelyn and Luke must be crazy with worry." Alec said.
"They've returned to New York and will stay at The Institute until Clary is found." Magnus said. "Isabelle and Simon are also going to help in the search. Luke will be rallying the Downworlders that are loyal to the Clave. Maya has already mobilized her pack."
"I feel so useless." Alec said. "I should be doing more."
"You are my love…" Magnus said touching his face. "You are right where you are supposed to be, at the side of your Parabatai."
"I guess…" Alec began.
"Jace will live." Magnus pointed out. "When he is healed we will return to New York and reunite him with Clary."
"How can you be so sure?" Alec asked sounding frustrated. "No one knows where Clary was taken."
"We are a family and we fight for our own." Magnus said. "Family is above the Clave, the heart is stronger than anything else."
Alec lay his head on Magnus' shoulder. Magnus touched Alec's hair gently. "Rest dear one, I will awaken you if Jace needs you."