A/N: Wow…Haven't been here for a while…Well, better get this over with I suppose.
I'm late. In my defense, I said they would be sporadic, I just never thought it would be because of what happened.
My grandmother whom I was very close to passed away suddenly of a heart attack on the 27th of last month, one day before my grandparents' 52nd anniversary and six days after my birthday. I held her hand as she passed and have since been busy with funeral arrangements and memorial talks at schools where she worked all her life. She will be missed and will always be loved.
Thank you for your patience and for the new follows/favorites and reviews. Enjoy your chapter now, lovelies.
. 29 .
Jace finally stopped screaming, only whimpers now escaping his dry, parted lips. Maryse hadn't stopped rubbing soothing circles on her son's shoulders and neck, her fingers tangled in Jace's hair. Robert moved to the opposite side of Magnus, who had sat keeping time for how long the beating lasted. Three hours…
"Magnus!"
The warlock's head snapped up to Robert, who so rudely interrupted his thoughts. The man looked impatiently to Jace, holding his stele in his hand. "May I draw a healing rune on him now? He has bruises…"
Magnus inspected the darkening marks on the young Shadowhunter's skin. If Jace has bruises like this, what does Alec have?
"Bane!" Robert snapped.
Magnus nodded sharply. "Yes. Yes, draw a healing rune. But before you do, I think we should move him to a bedroom. He needs rest and I wish to inspect him first. Just in case."
Robert nodded and bent to scoop up his son as gently as he could. A small cry and a gasp came from Jace's lips at the movement and Maryse hushed her son in a calm voice as Robert leaned his head on his chest.
"I'll take him to his room," Robert informed. Magnus nodded and began to follow the man.
"Excuse me," Hodge broke in. "Magnus and I are not done speaking about his new restrictions."
Blue sparks shot from Magnus' palms, his eyes narrowing on the Clave member. "I've had just about enough of you, Starkweather. I suggest you tread carefully. I am going to find Alexander. Until he is found, I will not speak with you about anything else but his rescue. If you do not intend to help him, I suggest you leave."
"You have no right to—"
"I have every right!" Magnus bellowed, flames erupting from his hands.
Isabelle suddenly appeared in front of the warlock, her hand gently touching Magnus' arm. Her glossy eyes met the warlock's own as she whispered, "Magnus. Magnus, please, now is not the time. Take care of Jace. Take care of Jace and focus on Alec. Alec needs you. Please…I need you to find my brother. To take care of them."
With a quiet growl, Magnus nodded and turned to follow the rest of the Lightwoods. Once they were gone, Isabelle turned to Hodge, a stiff but firm glare overtaking her features.
Hodge raised his chin with authority, "I will talk to him eventually. His restrictions still apply."
"Now you listen to me," Isabelle hissed. "You so much as touch Magnus, I will have your head. You have no evidence that he did anything, therefore, you have no reason to convict him. They are pointless accusations as of now and they will remain so until we find Alec. So if you want to convict him, you need Alec first. Focus on finding my brother and let Magnus do the same."
The girl straightened, her tone much different than before, "You are more than welcome to stay here and help with the search, Mr. Starkweather. As long as you know that you are not our first priority right now," Isabelle said softly before her eyes darkened, "But get in our way, and I swear by the Angel that I will end your life because we both know that Magnus is the only hope of finding Alec. So just shut up and stay the fuck out of our way."
Hodge could only stare after her as she stormed out of the room, her heels clicking in time with her step.
oooOOOooo
Magnus ran his hands over Jace's body slowly and meticulously. Maryse had stripped her son of his shirt and weapons, leaving him only in his jeans to allow better evaluation. The boy had bruises all along his torso, especially around his ribs. Bruises covered his body, his lip was split as well as a bloody nose, and however no serious damage had been done Magnus could not help but wonder if Alec was receiving any medical attention.
Pulling away after casting a simple healing charm, Magnus nodded at Robert. "You may draw a healing rune. I cast a simple healing spell, but he will be sore for a day or so. Thank you for letting me have a look at him—"
"Is my baby okay?" Maryse blurted out.
Magnus knew exactly who she was talking about. He swallowed nervously, "I—I'm afraid I don't have an answer for you…"
Jace began to stir, having been partially conscious for the entire time. "Alec…Alec, is he alright?"
Robert pushed the damp hair from his eyes, "Shh. It's okay, Jace. Alec is just fine. He's strong. You know that."
Jace gave a miniscule nod but Magnus became suddenly cold. If this was only a fraction of what Alec had endured and it had this effect on Jace, what was Alec feeling? Was this a warning from Jonathan?
"Jace," Magnus spoke, "I need to ask you a question. How is your parabatai rune?"
"Hurts…It hurts…"
Magnus glanced at the rune and cringed. I'm so sorry, Alec. I'm coming to save you. I promise…I'm so sorry, love…So sorry…
oooOOOooo
Alec was forced to wait by Jonathan's door for nearly fifteen minutes before the Shadowhunter felt the need to show up. He waived the demons away and led Alec into the rooms, keeping a light yet threatening grip on his upper arm.
Alec surveyed the room as he was ushered to the bed. Through a pair of glass doors, it had shelves overflowing with books, with a desk in the middle of the shelves that was undoubtedly Jonathan's study. To the opposite side was a large bathroom with dark tones that matched the bedroom. The bed was four poster, king sized and completely black silk and beyond it were windows that reached from the floor to the ceiling, their view cast over a lake and even farther away the lights of a city shown in contrast to the fading light in the sky. Were they near Idris?
Alec was torn from his thoughts as he was pushed onto the bed and ordered, "Sit."
Exhaustion ached throughout his entire body but simply to disobey the order, Alexander fell backwards onto the extremely soft, welcoming sheets and closed his eyes. He heard a small huff of annoyance from the other Shadowhunter, but nothing was said. He was happy that he hadn't said anything because, frankly, he didn't believe he could sit back up. His ribs were on fire and he didn't want to even think of what they looked like.
He was, however, positive that Jonathan was not going to murder him yet as he still had value to the man, but he was not going to simply lie down and take it. No, he would need to be smarter than simply grabbing a stele and making a run for it. If the city over the lake was Idris, he would head in that direction. He would have to come up with a plan—
"Remove your clothes," Jonathan said indifferently. Seeing Alec's face, he clarified, "I'm going to draw a healing rune."
"So you beat me to the brink of unconsciousness and then want to heal me after? Excuse me if I find it a bit pointless," Alexander huffed, trying to sound better than he felt. Jonathan had admitted that Alec had value to him, so Alexander had a new curiosity of just how far he could push the opposing Shadowhunter. A dangerous curiosity, but a curiosity in the least.
Alec glanced at Jonathan almost hesitantly, "I believe I said that I will not be a pet. If you want me to do something you can ask nicely for it."
Alexander expected to be hit or choked or something, but Jonathan simply raised a brow at the boy. His voice was calm and indifferent, "I can always not offer a healing rune if you would prefer it."
"You said you wanted to compromise. This is me compromising. You start treating me like a guest instead of a prisoner and I might just cooperate with you."
"I do not need your cooperation, Alexander. This is your new life. I suggest you come to terms with it," the Shadowhunter answered, his voice hinting at an edge of annoyance, "Now, remove your clothes or I will not give you the choice of doing so."
Alec rolled his eyes at the threat, "Or what? You'll beat me again?"
"Actually, I was thinking I would beat Magnus," Jonathan replied calmly. "Considering I already used you to get to Jace, I figure the warlock is next in line."
Alexander froze. He had to hand it to Jonathan, he did know how to hit home. Alec barely managed to sit up with a wince before he began to slowly, carefully remove his shirt. Once it was finally off, he let it drop to the ground and looked at Jonathan expectantly.
"I believe I stated all of your clothes, Alexander. I will not have those filthy rags in my personal room."
Alec shook his head. "You've got to be kidding."
"I do not kid. Remove your clothes, let me draw a healing rune, and then I will allow you a bath. Come on now, I don't have all day."
Alec swallowed, finding himself suddenly very self-conscious. "I—I can't…Magnus—"
"Magnus would rather have you in one piece than anything else and if you don't bloody hurry up then I will take your clothes and refuse to give you any after you bathe. And I'm sure Magnus would hate that even more. Is that clear?"
"How about a compromise?" Alec asked timidly. He had no intention to follow through with Jonathan's demands. He couldn't betray Magnus like that…
Jonathan's glare intensified. "Alexander. You are pushing my limits and my patience wears thin. I will only ask once more. Remove your clothes so that I can dispose of them."
Swallowing hard, Alec pondered his options—not that he had many. Either do as Jonathan said or face the consequences, which he was sure he couldn't handle at the moment. He closed his eyes and moved his fingers to fumble with the button of his jeans. Once he managed to get them off, leaving himself bare save for his boxers in front of the demon, he kept his eyes closed not wanting to see the look on Jonathan's face.
He flinched when he felt the familiar burn of a stele on his skin. As Jonathan drew the rune he was surprised at how small Alec's voice was when the boy whispered, "Why are you doing this?"
"I believe I have already answered that question, Alexander," he answered smoothly. There was no hint of anger or annoyance in his voice now.
Alec ducked his head, keeping his eyes shut as tight as possible to prevent the tears from falling. "You already have me. Why can't you just lock me up and leave me be? Why bother with all of this? Why bother humiliating me?"
Jonathan eyed the boy carefully. "You find my giving you a healing rune humiliating?"
"You know what you're doing," Alec replied miserably.
Jonathan finished drawing the rune and straightened, sliding the stele into its place at his side. He sighed, "I do not wish to break you, Alexander, contrary to your belief. Now, enough of this. It is a topic we have already discussed. Can you stand?"
Alec nodded but when he stood his legs refused to carry him much farther than a few steps. He crumbled towards the ground but before he could make impact Jonathan took on his weight and helped him back to his feet, never letting go of him just in case he were to fall again. Alec grimaced at the close contact and felt his stomach drop when they entered the luxurious grand bathroom. The bath as it turned out was more of a small swimming pool and the shower was made of complete glass. Jonathan began to fill the tub with water before turning to the boy, who was now trembling as his skin prickled at the cold.
"Honestly, Alexander," Jonathan sighed. "What do you expect me to do? Rape you?"
"I wouldn't put it past you," Alec replied honestly.
Jonathan shook his head. "I do not want you for those reasons, Alec. I simply wanted to keep a better eye on you so you would stop injuring yourself." He bent over and turned off the water before continuing, "Besides, the last thing I need is an angry, love-bent warlock after me."
"He's already after you."
"Well, I would be dead if I ever tried to bed you. I am not insolent nor stupid. I wanted to anger Magnus Bane—as I have by taking you—not send him on a killing rampage throughout Brooklyn."
Alec stared at the water a moment. "You're not going to hurt him…Are you?"
"Not physically, no."
"But you'll use me to make him do what you want. Won't you?"
Jonathan did not lie as Alec had half expected. "Of course. I do not intend to rape you nor permanently harm you as long as I do not have to. But if Magnus refuses to be reasonable, then I will be forced to take action."
Alec nodded mutely. He'd known it was a possibility from the beginning.
"You should be happy," Jonathan said in a mockingly cheerful tone. "Your dear warlock will be joining us very soon. If you continue to behave I may consider letting you see him while he is here." Seeing Alexander pale, he dismissed the previous words by ushering him towards the bath. "I'll leave you to bathe. I will be in my study and the door will remain open so that I may see you whenever I feel it necessary to check on you. Wouldn't want you to drown yourself now, would we? I will set out clothes and towels for you. You have a half hour. If you even think of pulling some stupid stunt, I will behead the warlock as soon as he steps foot inside this estate. Is that clear?"
Alec nodded once again, his mind still processing what he had been told. Did Magnus know where he was? Why hadn't he come to save him? Would he try to get him out when he saw him? What if he brought Jace?
No, no, no, no, no. Magnus would never hand Jace over to Jonathan…
Would he?
oooOOOooo
Jace hadn't stayed in bed for over an hour before he attempted to start searching for Alec and demanding answers. The thought that his parabatai had received worse shattered him and he cursed the Angel because it should have been him instead of Alec. No, he wouldn't let anything happen to Alec as long as he could help it. Alec didn't deserve any of this.
"Jace, you really should lie down—" Maryse tried for the thousandth time. Robert stood near his son, watching him carefully in case the boy was to collapse again. Isabelle sat beside her mother staring at her lap in complete silence.
Jace, however, continued to pace in front of the window overlooking the city, hardly acknowledging his mother's words. He refused to lie down and rest while Alec was still out there, somewhere, with Jonathan despite the other's advisements.
Magnus sighed, running a hand down his face. "We have yet to come up with anything worth pursuing and we are all—or at least I am—very tired. In fact, I am exhausted. Your body is not ready for you to put so much stress on it yet and I have not slept in days. I think we could all use a night's rest. We obviously aren't going to find him tonight so—"
"How are you saying that?" Jace questioned harshly, whirling on the warlock. "Alec is out there somewhere! He's hurt, alone, and his fate rests in Jonathan Morgenstern's hands! How can you just sit here?"
"Because I'm not a reckless teenager who's hell-bent on getting himself killed!"
Jace froze, his jaw still open even when words didn't come. He gaped at the warlock who stood before him, whose hair was wilder than he had ever seen before, whose bloodshot eyes were shadowed by dark circles. He looked as though he hadn't slept or eaten in days. Glancing at the mirror across the room, Jace saw that he looked very much so the same. Bane did have a point, but Jace refused to rest until Alec was safe at home.
Jace's jaw set and his fists clenched at his sides. "I'm not going to rest until my brother is safe."
"Do you think I can?" Magnus screeched. "Do you think that this is easy for me? That I don't miss Alexander as much as you do?"
"Well, you certainly don't care as much!"
Flames ignited from Magnus' palms causing Robert to warn the warlock before he did something he would regret. Magnus held Jace's gaze, staring the boy down. Surprisingly, Magnus' voice was eerily calm. "If you believe for one moment that I do not care for Alexander than you are mistaken. He is my world and I want him back just as much as you do. However, I will not allow you to sabotage our chances of a successful rescue by putting yourself in a dangerous situation and getting yourself killed or worse! You feel everything Alec does. What do you suppose he will feel when you get yourself killed? Or if Jonathan were to torture you? I will not let you hurt him more than what he has already endured."
"I'm trying to help him—"
"I know you are. I do. But you aren't helping anyone right now. Take care of yourself and give us all some time to think about what to do." He turned to everyone else in the room with a sigh, "I think everyone needs a good night's sleep. We'll meet up first thing tomorrow morning."
There was a series of nods as the family began to break up. Once everyone had cleared out of the room except for Jace and Magnus, the warlock fell into the chair with his head in his hands.
"I'm sorry," Jace muttered. "I just—"
"It's alright," Magnus replied tiredly, "I know."
Jace bit his lip and turned back to the window before glancing over his shoulder at the warlock. "You can stay in here for the night if you want…"
Magnus looked up at him. "You wouldn't mind?"
"Well, I've already slept with you once," Jace offered, a hint of humor in his voice, "And we both know you can't sleep alone. Besides, I don't think I'll be able to sleep anyways."
Magnus gave a small smile at the hidden request for companionship and nodded, "I suppose you have."
Jace nodded shortly but made no move towards the bed. Magnus stood, taking the Shadowhunter by the arm and leading him to the bed. Jace sighed softly, but fell onto the bed without a fight. Magnus pulled the covers up over the boy and turned out the light before climbing in beside him, careful not to get too close. In the dark, Magnus saw the faint reflection of a tear in Jace's eye as the boy laid on his back staring at the ceiling.
"Thank you, Jace," Magnus whispered into the silence.
Jace swallowed, his voice hoarse as he tried to hold back the tears. "Y—You're welcome."
"We will find him. I promise you, we will."
Jace nodded stiffly. Magnus took the Shadowhunter's hand in his own, giving a light squeeze. Jace accepted the comfort and tightened his grip on the warlock's hand.
Multiple day's lack of sleep finally caught up to the two boys and they fell asleep moments later, hand in hand.
