38.

(The next day)

The softness underneath Alec was welcoming but his body still felt rough and painful in places. His shoulders ached along with his neck being stiff and a headache crept behind his eyes but his stomach felt the worse. Running his hand down his bare torso it felt sensitive but back to how it was before the pregnancy, it was then Alec went the huge scar running down the side of his stomach. His eyes shot wide open as he sat up.

Once his eyes adjusted to the light Alec realised where he was. He was in one of the Gard's meeting rooms, it seemed similar to the one Jace and Clary had been brought to after an attack they were both involved in with Sebastian. It could've been the same one, he sat upon a leather sofa in front of a lit fireplace covered in blankets which he was thankful for, only being in boxers. There was a bookcase full of books along one of the walls and the windows flooded the room with light and Alec could see the Demon towers. So he was back in Idris, he was half surprised he wasn't in the Basilias being checked over there until fear filled him. He was in the Gard for a reason... The Clave knew about him and Alexis.

"Alec." Magnus spoke from behind him as Alec turned to see his boyfriend walk towards him. Seeing the expression on Magnus's face, he was relieved to see him awake. He sat down next to Alec on the sofa and wrapped his arms around him. Alec allowed him to hold him.

"Magnus..." Alec breathed in his boyfriends sent. He was no longer wearing the leather pants and from what Alec could remember, one of his own sweaters. Now Magnus wore faded skinny jeans and a glittery purple tank top which showed off his arms well. They were decorated with many bracelets and around his neck Magnus wore three necklaces. His hair was spiked up with silver and blue glitter. It felt so good to be with him again.

Magnus pulled back slightly and stroke Alec's messed up hair. "How are you feeling, do you need healing?" He asked concerned.

"I'm ok. Just feel a bit rough but it's wearing off." He paused looking into Magnus's cats eyes. "Where's Alexis, is she alright?"

Magnus smiled. "She is fine and she is beautiful." Alec relaxed slightly until he realised he hadn't answered both of his questions. Magnus too realised and his smiled faded. "Alec, do not worry, she is ok, Jem and Tessa are with her with the Silent-"

"What?!" Alec gasped, his eyes widened and instantly pulled back from Magnus. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. The Silent Brothers had their daughter. It was the last thing he wanted to hear. He needed to see his daughter, he wanted her.

"Alec, my love, please calm down." Magnus said rubbing the bare arms of his boyfriend. "I swear to you she is save. Tessa and Jem would not allow any harm to happen to her. Trust me she is in safe hands."

Alec's body tensed, he could feel the anger inside of him. He did not blame Magnus, he trusted him to the end but there was one person he felt hatred towards. "Did my father put you up to this?"

Magnus blinked, stunned by his words but then he brought a hand to his face and shook his head. "Oh Alexander, I forgot you didn't know what happened while you were taken."

Alec looked at Magnus and moved towards him. "What don't I know?"

Magnus moved his hand away from his eyes and held one of Alec's, squeezing it gently. "Robert saved my life."

Alec stayed silent while Magnus explained everything that had happened while he was under Lucinda's influence. The fight with the Forsaken, where his father risked his life for Magnus's, then the encounter with Demonic Sally and how the mundane boy Nigel saved his life while he was literally embedded in a wardrobe with an unconscious Jace on top of him. Then finally the attack of the Shadowhunters in their home and once again being saved by Nigel before he was killed by one of their blades. Alec couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by this new information, he didn't take it too well.

Instantly Alec rested his head against Magnus's chest as he pulled Magnus to him as close as he possible could. "I'm so sorry." He choked out.

Magnus pulled him up to face him as Alec's eyes were sore with tears. "Alexander, you have nothing to be sorry for." He spoke softly wiping away Alec's tears.

"Yes I do. Magnus I'm a Shadowhunter, I should have fought back against Lucinda, I should have done something sooner."

"This is not your fault Alec. Lucinda is a, was a powerful Warlock. She overpowered so many over her years. You were under her spell, a very powerful one. You broke free of it. You fought her and you won. You saved my life Alexander. That means a lot."

Alec touched Magnus's face remembering how Lucinda had him hanging from her grasp over the cliff. There were still claw marks around Magnus's jaw and Alec ran his fingers over them. "There was no way I would've let her kill you." Alec spoke with certainty. "I don't know if I could cope without you."

This time Magnus had tears form from his golden cats eyes "And I the same with you. Alexander, you are one of the most important persons I am in love with, the only other being Alexis. You two mean the world to me and I will do everything I can to make sure you are both safe."

Alec fell back into Magnus's embrace and Magnus held him. "So she is dead?" Magnus knew who 'she' was but his body tensed slightly and Alec felt it. "Magnus?" He turned to look up to his face.

"They didn't find her body." Magnus said. "They believe the waves took her out to sea."

"But you're not sure?"

He shook his head. "Unfortunately no. I feel she may had been saved..." Magnus trailed off and Alec could feel his body tense again. Alec sat up and touched his cheek tenderly. Magnus sighed and faced him. "Nigel told me something, something private and not something I'd want anyone else to know."

Alec's eyes widened, first he was surprised but relieved Nigel was ok but mainly by what Magnus had stated. "Magnus you know if you tell me anything I would never share it."

Magnus smiled at him "I know, but this... This is something the Clave would fear if they were to ever find out." He looked into Alec's eyes and Alec knew he saw his silent promise. He would not tell. Magnus let out a breathe and continued "It's regarding Lucinda and who her father is."

Alec's eyes widened again "I take it he's a greater demon. One of the 9?" Alec said dreading what he'd said was correct.

"Lets just say my father knows him very well."

Alec did not push Magnus any further, for one thing it was one subject Magnus hated discussing and Alec now could understand. Secondly the door to the meeting room suddenly opened and Isabelle came marching in along with Jace. As Jace closed the door behind him Isabelle came walking in with a bundle of clothes and dumped them at the end of the sofa next to Alec.

"Izzy?" Alec inquired, his sister did not look pleased at all.

Isabelle looked up to Alec with sad eyes. "Sorry, I didn't mean to. Sorry Alec, are you alright now? You look better." She smiled at him but kept her distance.

"What's going on?" Alec asked her, then turned to face Jace who stood leaning against the back of the sofa. His arms crossed but his eyes studying Alec. "Jace?"

"You need to get dressed. The council has finished with the prisoners, now they want to see you. Both of you." Jace turned to face Magnus as well.

"Prisoners?" Alec asked.

"William Ravenshed or whatever his name was and his band of Shadowhunters." Magnus stated. "What was the outcome?"

"Most got their marks stripped. William however got the worse of it." Jace closed his eyes and Alec could feel him shudder. It didn't take much to make Jace worry, and he was. Not for what happened to the other Shadowhunters, but what could happen to him. Jace was worried for Alec. "Also Magnus, for the moment, you've been kicked off of the Council."

Alec was stunned but Magnus seemed to have predicted it "I thought so, who did they get to replace me?"

"Someone called Malcolm Fade?" Isabelle answered him. "Do you know him?"

Magnus smiled. "He's the high Warlock of Los Angeles. Who's idea was it, by the way, for Malcolm to be the representative?"

"Maia Roberts and your friend Catarina both vouched for him." Jace said and saw the amusement in Magnus's eyes. "Is there something going on?"

Alec turned to face Magnus as he answered "I'm not sure. But this could be interesting."

There was a sudden knock on the door and Clary appeared from behind the door as it opened slightly. "Sorry to interrupt, but the Counsil is waiting."

"We'll be there in a sec, tell Jia we're on our way." Jace said and Clary closed the door behind her. Jace didn't move and neither did Isabelle. Alec looked from both of them wondering why they hadn't gone with Clary? He then reached for his clothes and pulled them too him, thankful it was just a pair of black jeans and a dark blue sweater. One that wasn't covered in holes. He stopped however seeing Isabelle watching him. He looked at her and she rolled her eyes.

"Fine. I'll leave." She said and left the room. Alec was surprised she didn't slam it behind her.

Alec sighed and felt Jace's hand on his shoulder. "She's ok, she's just a bit stressed. You know Izzy, she can be very blunt when she's like this."

Alec knew all too well but didn't say anything as he pulled the blankets off of his body and pulled on his jeans. Then threw on his sweater. Once dressed he stood realising his feet were still bare. He somehow doubted Jia and his father would be impressed by that. Magnus saw too and instantly clicked his fingers and instantly his feet were covered by a pair of boots. His own boots. Alec smiled at Magnus and reached out a hand for him, which Magnus took gracefully and allowed Alec to pull him up.

"You ready?" Magnus asked.

Alec took a moment to answer. He was nervous, it was obvious but he was more determined than ever to make sure the Clave did not separate him from their daughter. He would fight and would never stop.

"Yes, I'm ready."

Magnus kissed him, tenderly and lovingly as Jace opened the door for them. They let Jace lead the way as they walked towards the amphitheater, the council room where their fate will be made.