Chapter 14: "The words which never left your lips..."
Previously...
"Don't let this sinful blood which runs through my veins drown my call, please... Please, my Lord Raziel..." Magnus paused then, swallowing hard. "I beg of you... I beg of you, please, spare him, give him the strength to keep fighting..." Magnus fell silent as soon as his troubled mind realized what he had just done, to whom he had reached out for help. Minutes passed in utter silence and one would think that the Angels were weighing Magnus' prayer, were weighing Alec's life, trying to decide which course of action to take. And maybe this wouldn't be a false claim, because, at long last, the silence was broken, only not by a pained lament, or by an incoherent plea, but by a low, hoarse, yet audible call. "Magnus..." Alec chanted lowly, but the Warlock didn't hear him, for he was lost in his thoughts. Only when Alec's good hand moved, albeit slowly, and his trained fingers slid in between Magnus' ring clad ones, occupying the Warlock's right hand, did he became aware of his lover.
"Ma- Mags..." Alec repeated, and it was a sentient call, albeit muttered through gritted teeth. "Oh, Alec... Thank the Angel..." The Warlock blurted out, eyes stinging with unshed tears. Magnus' eyes were fixed on Alec's blurry, hazel ones, unable to drift away, for the Warlock longed to look at them forever, he wished to drown in their depths and never resurface. But, as Fate would have it, this longing would soon prove to be fatal, because at the very same moments, Alan was walking down the halls of the Institute, knowing that there was no one left to stop him, for Raphael and Aldertree were locked in the latter's office...
NOW...
Alec breathed, finally winning the fight against his heavy eyelashes, which, after many failed attempts, fluttered open, revealing Alec's hazed, hazel orbs. The young man blinked owlishly, offering the tiniest of smirks when his vision cleared enough so as to make out Magnus' frame and taut face.
"Mags... I... Water..." Magnus' eyes widened and he hurried to help his young lover. His free hand moved on its own, conjuring up a glass of water, which the Downworlder brought before Alec's dry lips. "I need both my hands my darling..." Magnus explained in a low, thick voice, as he tried to free his other hand from Alec's weak hold. He eventually succeeded, and propped Alec's head upwards ever so gently, bringing the brim of the glass to his lips. "Easy, easy now..." Magnus cooed, as he allowed Alec to drink only a couple of small sips, before pulling the glass away from the Nephelim's now moisturized lips.
A low whine, was the proof his movement was not what Alec wanted him to do, but Magnus hurried to calm Alec down as soon as he placed the glass aside. "There's plenty my darling, but you've got to take it slow." The Warlock explained, eyeing Alec as though the young Nephilim would disolve into specks of dust, should Magnus dare to avert his gaze. Alec managed a nod and so the Warlock resumed his previous position, focusing on the task at hand. Alec needed to stay hydrated and the fact he was willingly asking for water, caused a wave a joy to wash over Magnus' heart.
The young archer drank in earnest, as soon as Magnus brought the glass close to his lips, trying his best to chase the awful taste which was lingering on the tip of his tongue, away. The water felt like a blessing, taming the roaring fire which Alec could feel burning every fiber of his being. Magnus allowed Alec to have only a few sips and then he would pull the glass away, giving the young man time to swallow and breathe through the pain, which was still ravaging his weary body.
"Thank you... Mags, thank you..." Alec offered in a low voice, but the look on his face spoke volumes. He was so tired, his brow was frowned and he was in a lot of pain... And yet, a small smile had managed to creep into the corners of his lips. He was happy, Magnus realized, eyes widening in awe and bewilderment. Happy, because... "Thank you for being here..." The archer blurted out, his hazed eyes fixed on Magnus' frame. The Warlock froze, offering his lover a tiny nod, for he was unable to find his voice. And so, for a few seconds they stayed still, as the realization of how much they loved one another hit them both, hard and fast...
Meanwhile, in the streets of New York city...
Jace's Seraph blade tore yet another demon apart, causing the fine silver dagger to be drenched in thick, black ichor. A sharp sound reached the warrior's ears a second after the demon he had stabbed fell dead. Jace turned around abruptly, only to smile at the sight of Isabelle's whip devouring yet another hellish creature. "I swear, I've lost count of how many demons we've killed..." The black haired Shadowhunter exhaled tiredly, and Jace could only nod in agreement. "Twenty five." Came Clary's voice from a nearby alley. Her clothes were drenched in sweat and stained with demon ichor, her face weary. "But I think that there aren't many of those freaks left." She explained, as the three of them gathered closer to one another.
Jace opened his mouth to speak, for he believed Clary's claim, but all words died in his throat as he felt his parabatai rune throbbing intensively, burning his skin. He growled, dropping his blade to the ground, grabbing his side with his now, free hand. "Jace, what is it?" Both women asked almost at the same time, their calls alarmed and filled with worry. "It's... It's Alec." Jace managed to utter and for a few torturous moments, no other words escaped his lips, the only indication that he was alive being the sharp, pained inhales he was taking in. But after a while, Jace raised his head and his eyes shone under the streetlights.
"He's alive, he has woken up..." Jace murmured, a smile creeping into the corners of his lips. A pained grunt caused Izzy's face to twitch in what could only be worry. "Is he in pain?" She asked, voice filled with fear. "Yeah... Yeah, he's in pain, but..." Jace's smile widened and he took a moment for himself, allowing the feeling of Alec's presence to fill in the hole in his heart and soul. After hours, he could finally feel Alec again, and to say the feeling was rejuvenating wouldn't be a false claim. A part of him wondered when had Alec become not only his parabatai, but a part of his very soul as well. His mind tried to provide the blond Shadowhunter with an answer, but a firm hand on his shoulder got Jace out of his thoughts.
"Jace!" Izzy rasped, eyes fixed on her brother's frame. "Sorry..." Jace mumbled, still dazed from the overwhelming feeling. "You said Alec is in too much pain!" The woman rasped, a statement to which the young man offered a nod. "Yeah... But Izzy... He's happy. He feels... Happy... Cared for. Safe..." Jace explained in a low voice, eyes flicking between Izzy and Clary. A small smile lit the latter's face and she spoke, keeping her voice even.
"Magnus is there Jace, what did you expect?" She offered kindly, and all three of them remained silent, relishing the moment. Jace was the first to snap out of that blissful trance, as Magnus' words echoed loud and clear inside his head. 'This is an inside job, do you understand? Think Jace, think what they say about Alexander...' A shiver shook Jace's body and the blond man made up his mind in a blink of an eye.
"Izzy, you need to get back to the Institute." He said, his tone leaving little, to no room for an argument. "What? Why?" Jace took in his surroundings and when he was certain that there were no signs of neither Shadowhunters, nor of any demon, he spoke, keeping his voice low. "Remember how you two had left the infirmary, but then Aldertree had to come back inside, to get me out?" He questioned, watching as both women nodded in agreement.
"Yes and you've been acting strangely ever since." Izzy pointed out, scrutinizing the man's taut face. "I asked you at the steps of the Institute, and I'm asking you again now. What did Magnus tell you, Jace?" Izzy pressed, and Jace had no choice but to account everything the Warlock had told him.
"This is madness..." Izzy uttered, yet Clary waved her head in refusal. "I'm sorry Izzy, but it's not. I mean, think about it. Alec has defined the Clave and for them, this is unacceptable... He called off his wedding by kissing Magnus right before their eyes... They think he has humiliated them in the worst way imaginable." Clary uttered, her eyes soft.
"That's one thing... But to set up an entire conspiracy so as to kill him..." Izzy paused, swallowing hard so as to maintain her voice even. "That's why I need you to go back." Jace said, his voice taut. "I've given Magnus Alec's Sheraph blade and Stele, but..." At that moment, Jace's voice trailed off, and the young man lowered his gaze.
"I have a bad feeling, Izzy... A very bad feeling." Jace finally confessed, leaning against Clary, who had come to his side. "The broken cell phone we found at the steps of the Institute may belong to an intruder, or to a spy, or to one of Valentine's men-" "Okay... I'm off then..." Izzy replied, putting a stop to Jace's frantic rambling.
She took a moment to regain her composure. "Be careful." She pointed out, gazing at Jace and Clary who nodded in unison. And so it was, that Izzy took off, heading back to the New York Institute, whilst Jace and Clary turned around, heading in the opposite direction...
Little did they know, but a pair of keen eyes was gazing down on them from a nearby rooftop, witnessing of their every move. "That can complicate things..." A low, thick voice muttered. The bearer of the voice jumped down then, landing on the spot where Jace had been standing only a few minutes ago.
"Let's see what you're going to do now, Mister Ashman..." The figure muttered amused, in a low voice. "I've warned you on the phone about the consequences you will face, should you fail to kill Alec Lightwood by dawn." He chanted to himself, eyes shining. "And I won't waste another moment of my time for you, not when Jace and Clarissa are fighting together..." He continued, as he began following the same path Jace and Clary were walking on, careful to keep his distance for the time being...
Meanwhile, Back at the Infirmary...
"Thank you for being here..." The archer blurted out once more, squeezing Magnus' hand softly, getting the Warlock out of his trance. "I'm always going to be by your side, my darling..." Magnus chanted lowly, rubbing his thumb on Alec's knuckles softly. Alec blinked, allowing the words to sink in. Magnus was there, and that was all he ever wanted. The Warlock longed to stay by his lover's side forever, but unfortunately, he knew he had to move, for Alec's frame was still shivering violently. "Shh... It's going to be alright, Alexander..." Magnus tried to sound convincing, however, he ended up sounding anything but.
Extending his hand, Magnus placed the glass on the nearby desk and grabbed the towel he had left in the bowl with the clear water. Alec let out a pained lament as the Warlock placed him back on the sheets. "Shh, I'm right here my darling..." Magnus offered, brushing Alec's face with the wet towel.
The archer shivered violently, his uninjured hand grabbing Magnus' free one reflexively. The Warlock held Alec's hand in his own gently, swallowing soundly. "Mags... It hurts..." "I know my dear Alexander, I know..." Despite his pain, the archer noticed that Magnus was sounding as wrecked as Alec himself was feeling.
With the gentlest of touches- a caress one could call it- Magnus began brushing the sweat away from Alec's forehead, patting the burning skin softly. Alec let himself relax almost automatically, breathing out a series of relieved sighs every time the wet towel would touch his skin. His eyelashes felt heavy, and the young archer allowed his eyes to fall closed, only to open them again the very next second, as he heard Magnus' frightened pleas.
"You have to stay awake, please, Alexander, please..." The Nephelim swallowed soundly, guilt clinching around his heart. He reopened his eyes, feeling his senses coming back to him slowly, as the warm towel chased the burning feeling which was lingering underneath Alec's skin, away.
Alec growled through gritted teeth, darting his head to the side. His blurry eyes got a glimpse of the desk which Jace had brought next to the bed and his breath hitched, at the sight of the towels which were drenched in demon ichor and in blood."Mags..." "No, no, don't force yourself to speak, save your strength..." Magnus highlighted, his voice raw from all the emotions it carried.
Another wave of pain hit the young archer, who let out a shameless grunt, blinking tiredly. His body felt as if it was constantly crushed on sharp rocks and Alec felt hot blood dumping the rough bandages, which were wrapped around his left shoulder. Magnus' heart sank, as the wave of hope which had previously engulfed it, had now transformed into a deadly ocean of despair. And Magnus was, once again, drowning in it.
"Mags... Magnus..." Alec pleaded, eyeing his lover beseechingly, his blurred hazel eyes begging him to do something. "Shh... It's almost over, my darling..." The Warlock promised weakly, unable to speak any other words. "The healing rune, Mags..." Alec rasped in a hoarse, low voice, as his eyes found his stele, which was lingering on the edge of the desk. Magnus' eyes widened, but then he exhaled bitterly, placing the wet towel aside, only to cradle Alec's burning face in his hands.
"You need to fight the pain Alec... I know it's hard, but there is still demon venom running through your veins, so the healing rune won't be of help to you now." The Warlock explained, caressing his lover's face in an attempt to offer him even the slightest comfort. "The stamina rune-" Magnus' wave of refusal caused Alec to fall silent, eyes shining with unshed tears.
"My darling, your heart has undergone an immense strain... Should you activate the stamina rune- or any rune for that matter- then you would be signing a death sentence, for your heart would give out." Magnus' voice was low and pained, the words tasting like ash in the curve of his mouth.
Alec took in a sharp breath, eyes narrowing. Those words... He had heard them before, albeit they had been more vacant back then. Yes, even through a veil of almost excruciating pain, Alec had somehow heard Magnus speak those same words. His hazel eyes widened, but this time his jerk wasn't attributed to a stab of pain, but to thousands of words which flooded his mind all of a sudden.
Spoken by Magnus most of them were, in a voice low, small. Words of love, pleas for Alec to keep fighting, confessions that Magnus was scared... And then there were three words Alec had never heard before, uttered in a language foreign to the archer. Yet, their echo overpowered everything else. 'Aku cinta kamu...'
Alec breathed out slowly, pushing the pain in the back of his mind, albeit for a few moments. If Magnus needed him to stay awake, then Alec would try his best to comply. After all, he was afraid to let his eyes close, for behind his closed eyelids, hellish nightmares were waiting, ready to devour the young man's already tortured mind. Alec however, knew he needed a distraction, a way to keep his mind busy. He obliged his eyes to focus on Magnus, who didn't dare tear his gaze from the archer's weary body.
"What does it mean?" He suddenly questioned, watching as Magnus' fine eyebrows came together. "What are you talking about, Alexander?" The Warlock asked, fearing that his lover was once again delirious. "'Aku cinta kamu...' You said it..." He managed to chant, mouth gaping when he saw Magnus' face paling. "You could hear me..." It wasn't really a question, nor yet a solid statement, for the Warlock was amazed by what his young lover had asked him. Alec only nodded, allowing his eyes to look away from Magnus' figure.
It was because of this slight movement, that Alec noticed a figure coming closer to them, as a man Alec was certain he had seen before, but couldn't oblige his troubled mind to define the where and when this meeting had taken place, was crossing the door of the infirmary.
"Mags-" Alec tried to say, but his voice, low as it was, went unheard by the High Warlock of Brooklyn, whose attention was on Alec and Alec alone. "Well, it's Indonesian..." Magnus explained shyly, knowing in his heart that it was a good moment to tell Alec the truth, it was a good moment for him to finally utter those three words...
"'Aku cinta kamu' means-" Alec's body went numb for a mere second, as his hazel eyes took in the figure of the man who was drawing near the bed with steps light and almost soundless. He seemed oblivious to the fact Alec had seen him, for Magnus' hunched back was hiding the young archer's face from the intruder's line of sight.
"It means-" "Turn... Mags... Turn around..." A low chuckle escaped Magnus' lips and his eyes softened, drinking in the sight of his lover. "No, your translation is not even close, Alexander..." The Warlock offered, thinking that Alec's muttered whispers were spoken as an answer to what 'Aku cinta kamu' meant.
Alec's eyes flew open as he saw the man looming over Magnus, a silver Seraph blade shining in his right hand, which was ready to strike. "'Aku cinta kamu', my dear Alexander, means-" A wave of pain mixed with adrenaline shook the Nephilim's body to its core, and Alec's senses suddenly kicked in.
His uninjured hand moved on its own accord, grabbing the collar of the hoodie Magnus was wearing in a vice like grip. The silver blade shone under the dim light of the infirmary, shone like the scythe of Death, ready to devour Magnus. All words died in the Warlock's throat, as he felt himself being yanked to the side forcibly, as Alec used every bit of his strength to push his lover to the side, and thus, out of harms way...
Little did it matter, that in doing so, Alec was left wide open to an attack and could not stop the man who was hovering over him from ending him with a single strike... No, it didn't really matter, Alec thought, as he saw the silver blade shining over his head...
End of chapter 14...
So, here it ends! Loved it? Hated it? I would love to hear your thoughts! Also, I know I haven't translated the phrase ''Aku cinta kamu'' yet, but don't worry, i will do it very soon. Most of you know what it means already, but if you don't please don't look it up just yet... :-)
Thank you so much for all your support! Thank you for reading!
So, until next time,
Love you all,
Usagi!