Well I don't have an excuse for how incredibly late this is. Let's just leave it as life gets in the way of all things fun and I work too damn much.

Thanks to StarryOwlEyes as always for being my beta.

Alec stared despondently at the inner bowls of the Morningstar. Her walls were slick slime covered wood, the boards long warped by water damage and mold. He marveled at how different this part of the ship was. Of course he never had a reason to be in the brig before. Over the past month he'd come to think of this ship as his second home, and yet this wasn't so cozy. The cold iron bars pressed into his back as he sat on a rickety shelf that served as the only seating in his cell. He wrapped his arms around himself as best as he could, irons still attached to his wrists, to ward off the damp chill permeating the air. He thought the manacles were a bit over kill. He was already in a locked cell, the limited use of his hands was just another obstacle he'd have to overcome if he ever hoped to get out of here.

Alec let out a choked laugh at the thought of escape. Who was he kidding? Allowing himself false hope wouldn't get him out of here. He had no disillusion about what was going to happen here. Valentine would let him rot in here for a while trying to weaken his resolve, and then the torture would begin. Alec steeled his jaw at the thought. He was terrified. Not for himself, but for Magnus and his family. He knew he wouldn't last long, and when he inevitably broke down his loved ones would suffer. No matter what, he had to keep his family safe. He couldn't let Valentine slaughter his entire race.

He leaned back, thudding his head against the bars of his prison. Was it only just a short month ago that he had so foolishly volunteered to spy on Morgenstern? How naïve he had been, thinking that he'd spy on Morgenstern from a safe distance and not get directly involved. He had no idea what he had been getting himself into when he had put himself right in the path of the man who wished his race eradicated. And yet, despite the fact that nothing had gone to plan, Alec wouldn't change a thing. Just a short month ago he had stumbled onto the man who had been haunting his dreams for months. He would never regret being with him, for what short time they had had together.

Magnus's absence from the brig was worrisome. By all rights he should be down here with him, and yet Alec was alone. If he wasn't imprisoned down here, then that could only mean he was being interrogated by Valentine right now. Alec shuddered at the thought, choking down panic at the realization that Magnus was facing Valentine alone. Valentine needed to question him, not Magnus. He didn't know anything of importance. He'd never admitted it to Magnus, but part of the reason he was so hesitant to share about his mermaid heritage was because he was afraid that Valentine would do exactly this. Magnus couldn't be useful if he didn't know anything. Alec hadn't told him much, but it was enough that Valentine would want every bit of detail.

Alec's head fell into his hands, trying to stave off his tears. His fault. It was all his fault.

(line break)

Magnus shifted uncomfortably in the chair Blackburn had dumped him in. Blackburn had just dropped him off and left without a backwards glance. Though he was alone in the room, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was still being watched. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up, magnifying his paranoid thoughts. He'd never seen this room of the ship before, and it was that fact alone that confirmed he was currently in Valentine's stateroom.

Had he been here under any other circumstance, he'd be impressed by the finely decorated interior and plush furniture. Let it never be said that Valentine didn't have fine taste. And yet, Magnus felt his heart rate steadily climb. He looked around the room again, sure this time that eyes were watching his every movement. Why had he been brought here to Valentine's private quarters? He was sure that Alec had been put in the brig, so why wasn't he there with him?

Magnus's brows furrowed in consternation. What game was Valentine playing at?

Could he risk trying to slip his bonds? Magnus wriggled in his ropes, testing the limits of his imprisonment. If only Blackburn had left his hands tied in front of him, he'd have been out of the ropes in mere seconds. Alas, luck had not deigned to favor him. He rolled his shoulder, trying to angle his wrists better so he could slip them. He almost had them, just a little bit further. Magnus suddenly gasped, his tenuous grasp on escape lost as pain flooded his shoulder. He cursed under his breath, damning his wounded shoulder and the blasted bullet that had torn it to shreds. Magnus made an effort to calm his breathing, slowly stilling the rapid rise and fall of his chest. He strained his hearing, trying to detect any movement from outside. Satisfied that he hadn't been discovered he rested back into the chair.

"Fuck," he muttered, letting his head slump forward to his chest. I'm not getting out of here, he thought. He was trapped on this god-forsaken ship, with no friends or allies, no plan, and no hope. How was he supposed to rescue Alec if he couldn't even rescue himself?

Footsteps broke him out of his despondent thoughts. He jolted upright, every nerve taunt with anxiety. His eyes were firmly trained on the door, awaiting the inevitable. The door creeped open inch by inch, it was as if Valentine took perverse delight in drawing this out. Finally, the man himself emerged, his soulless black gaze immediately locking with his own. Magnus suppressed the shudder that threatened to shake his spine. He wouldn't let this man intimidate him. He raised his chin defiantly holding Valentine's eyes.

The man was eerily silent as he walked towards his desk, perching on the edge. Magnus expected an immediate interrogation, angry accusatory words full of hatred and condemnation. He expected the rage of a madman, not the steely silence that Valentine was exuding. The man looked awfully self-satisfied as he looked over his captive. The silence grew uncomfortable, and yet Valentine seemed content to just sit in silence. Finally Magnus just couldn't take it anymore.

"Are you satisfied now?" he asked unable to keep the tinge of bitterness out of his voice. Valentine smiled at his words. The expression of delight simply looked wrong on him.

"Boy," he finally said, addressing him with disdain. "I am far from satisfied." Valentine looked at him expectantly, obviously expecting some sort of reaction. Magnus, however, remained tight lipped. He didn't want to accidentally reveal something. There was no telling what Valentine knew for certain. Magnus would be damned if he played right into Valentine's hands. Seeming to realize that Magnus would not say anymore, Valentine stood up.

"I've been waiting a long time for this moment," he said, pacing languidly before him. Magnus raised an eyebrow in silent question, but Valentine said nothing further. He looked over Magnus one last time. He nodded to himself, seemingly making some internal decision. Without another word Valentine turned around and walked out the door, leaving Magnus alone once again.

Magnus stared ponderously after him. What the hell, he thought. What game was Valentine playing at? The man hadn't even interrogated him. Nothing. Magnus had been bracing himself for the worst kind of torture, and just nothing. Magnus didn't know how long he sat there in stunned silence. A minute? An hour? He didn't know. He was about to start shouting, just for the sake of hearing something. And that was when he heard the screams.

A/N: Also I would just like to say thank you for all the continued support. Even after months of no updates people were still favoriting and reading this. That means so much. So thank you.