Alec slept-ed in and felt groggy he forgot about the stele or where he left it. Saturday night was too much for him and he wasn't ready to even contemplate the weirdness. He walked to the kitchen to grab some breakfast, Maryse and Luke made his favorite dish which made him suspicious. It wasn't his birthday and he couldn't think of any special occasion.
"Good morning or should I say afternoon." Maryse placed his breakfast in front of him.
"What's the occasion?" Alec didn't really care about the reason but knew something must be up, still he couldn't wait to eat. He added additional seasoning and started his meal.
"No reason, we wanted to treat you." Maryse smiled. "We know it hasn't been easy here." She shrugged to play it off as if nothing was amiss. "We wanted to comfort you in some way." Maryse was too aware of her son's moods and choose to try and find a way to put him at ease.
His parents were sipping coffee and watched him, Alec thought they were being odd but let it go. Maryse and Luke waited until he was almost done with breakfast before starting their conversation with him. The one thing they knew about Alec, if you upset or anger him, he won't eat. Something that developed from his youth with Robert. His dad was very strict with his eldest and it had repercussions. Maryse did her best to undo the damage but it would always be a work in progress.
Isabelle was clearly the favorite child for Robert, he let her do anything. Maryse wished he had been more lenient with Alec. Maryse tried not to show favoritism, sometimes unsuccessfully but she doted on Alec to make up for the poor treatment from his biological father. It made things difficult with Izzy but she was determined to be better with her children. At least Robert's father Andrew spoiled both kids equally. Maryse introspection was interrupted thankfully.
Luke placed the stele on the table and waited for his step-son's reaction, when he didn't get one or at least the one he had hoped for, "I found this in your room."
"What?" Alec set his fork down, "why were you in my room?"
Maryse smoothly intervened, "Jocelyn called, she noticed you were missing. She wanted to make sure you were home. We wouldn't have been able to sleep without knowing where you were."
"I didn't want to stay there, I told you I didn't want to go." Alec huffed in annoyance but didn't address the stele. He tried to ignore that it was on the table.
Luke pointed to the stele, "what is this?"
"It's a pen, it doesn't write, it must be out of ink." He reached for it but Luke was quicker.
His step-father moved the implement out of Alec's reach. "Wanna try again."
"I told you, it's a pen." Alec backed up his chair from the table.
"Where did you get it" Maryse tried to be nonchalant with her question but failed.
"I found it,"Alec was irritated but held his ground, he did his best to not show his emotions.
"Where did you find it." Luke made an attempt to not sound like the sheriff he was known to be.
"I don't remember."Alec shrugged it off.
"Alec …." Maryse warned.
"What! I told you I found it. And I would like it back." Alec was more animated than he intended but he couldn't help it.
"No." Luke knew when he had to be the bad guy as needed. Alec and Izzy respected him, he knew it wasn't lost on either sibling when he re-enforced the rules of the home.
"What, why, it's a useless pen." Alec had stood up, he was fed up with the entire conversation.
"You aren't being truthful," Luke couldn't help but use a lower tone with him in hopes of more cooperation from him.
"Oh, like you are ones to talk." Alec Lightwood was done with everything, his sass couldn't be contained.
"What does that mean?" Maryse was surprised by her son's comment, which told her everything she needed to know. He was aware of their odd life and would need to be told the truth.
"Nothing," he stormed out.
Maryse and Luke watched him go, "we can't lose him. It's time." Maryse was determined, "he knows enough," and she could not lose her family. "We need to own up to our heritage and make sure they're ready for anything." Luke nodded his agreement.
Izzy, Simon, Clary and Jace had entered the premises not long after Alec went to his room. Maryse made lunch for them and kept Luke from going after Alec. It was unintentional but it was a long enough of a distraction for Alec to get into mischief on his own and they knew it. And if that wasn't enough, Jocelyn and Dot accompanied the kids for a 'social' as they called it. It would have been easy to let the teens fend for themselves but there was no way they could ignore their adult guests. Dealing with Alec would have to wait.
##
Alec made it to his room, frustrated and angry. He lost the stele and knew that his parents were on to him, maybe not exactly but enough. His heart was racing and he ran to the mirror looking for Magnus. "Magnus?" He searched for any signs of the warlock in the mirror. And wasn't disappointed when Magnus appeared before him.
"Hello pretty boy." Magnus almost leered at the Nephilim but gave him his best coy smile. Over time the two males flirted and both knew there was interest between them, however they left all of that unsaid and that meant innuendos galore. The interest lingered none the less which pleased both men. Alec huffed, he was used to Magnus and his flirting even if he enjoyed it, he still acted annoyed. It was a distraction.
"I'm going to get you out of there." Alec stated, he knew he was being a little rebellious but he didn't care. It was time to trust the being who had been nothing but kind, sweet and honest with him, something he felt lacking at the moment in the home. While he may be keeping a secret, it was an offshoot to the manor and his parents or so he reasoned with himself. Alec would reconcile with that at another time. Right now if he was truthful with himself, he wanted to actually get physical with Magnus too and that can't happen if he's stuck in a mirror. He was enamored with Magnus.
Magnus was pleased, "okay." He gained the trust he worked hard for and couldn't wait for freedom. He was aware of the late breakfast that had gone wrong as far as communication goes but he wouldn't bring it up. His Nephilim was motivated and if it was because of his parents, he'd soothe him once free.
Alec followed all of the Warlock's instructions, he rearranged his room to have enough space for the pentagram. Once the ash like material was connected, Magnus looked through his mirror copy of his spell book for the right incantation. Magnus informed Alec he would have to spill some of his own blood onto the pentagram as a grounding agent to the realm. The warlock counted on Alec's angelic connection as a shadowhunter to bind everything and pull him out of his own personal hell.
The warlock showed the page to Alec in the book he had and magicked a knife for Alec to cut his hand. Once the Nephilim poured some of his blood onto the ash, they both chanted the incantation. Blue flames fanned up from the pentagram and after a minute, Magnus was standing inside the drawing and was free from the mirror. Alec looked shocked at how well everything worked. Magnus stepped outside the pentagram and before he could stop himself pulled Alec into a hug. "Thank you."
Alec returned the hug, "your welcome." He was amazed at how well they fit together. It was all of his fantasies coming true in one moment.
Magnus backed away from Alec when he thought the younger man might be uncomfortable, then spun around to look at the mirror. With a flick of both hands Magnus called upon his magic and he covered the mirror with an ornate wood covering with symbols that matched the manor and he made sure it matched the décor of the room. He looked at the pentagram and cleaned it up and then used his magic to make Alec's room exactly as it was, it would be best to not cause any more issues for the male. The warlock reached for Alec's cut hand and healed him.
Alec was awed by watching Magnus use his powers, it was an incredible thing to witness and he couldn't believe he waited so long to release him. And he admitted to himself, the warlock was far more stunning with beauty in person. Being in the mirror did no justice to the actual man standing in his room. It made his heart race and though he was nervous, he really wanted to know him in all aspects including intimately. It scared him a little but in his mind completely worth it.
Once Magnus was satisfied with his handy work he knew his next actions might upset Alec but it couldn't be helped. He told himself he'd make it up to the Nephilim, he would spoil him. "I've got to go, but I'll be back for you."
"What? What do you mean?" Alec was confused, "I thought we could, I dunno, hang out or something." His disappointment clear on his face.
Magnus smiled, "oh we'll do more than that when I get back." He did leer this time at Alec.
The Nephilim rolled his eyes but relaxed, "where are you going?"
"My loft in Brooklyn, and I need to do a few things but don't worry that pretty head of yours, I will be back." Magnus grabbed his spell book and the book of the white that Alec had taken from the apothecary for him. "I'm taking these with me, you keep that book of the grey hidden. It's yours and it's part of your heritage, don't let anyone take it from you." The warlock snapped his fingers and a stele was now on Alec's bedside table. "Keep that hidden, I'm certain your parents won't give the other one back." Magnus looked around the room. He added a hidden drawer to the dresser at the bottom and he spelled it to make sure no one but Alec could see it. "Use that drawer to keep your things from others."
"No one will notice that there is an extra drawer?" Alec was again amazed, was there anything Magnus couldn't do.
"Nope, I've made sure of it." Magnus kissed Alec's cheek, surprising the Nephilim and the brilliant smile and accompanying blush that appeared thrilled the warlock. Yes, he would indeed come back for this male. "I won't be gone long, just a few days."
"Okay," Alec grabbed a piece of paper from his desk and wrote down his number for Magnus knowing the warlock didn't have a phone at this time. Magnus pocketed the information and then created a portal to his loft in Brooklyn. He blew a kiss to Alec who blushed again and went home, he had things to do and wanted to wrap it up quickly.
Magnus entered his loft and noticed it was exactly as he remembered and it made him happy. He was free thanks to a shadowhunter and he would never forget that and planned on thanking the male properly and often. As he made his way through the apartment, and opened his safe for the two books he took with him. Once locked away, he made a martini and would have gotten a phone but first a fire message to Raphael, Catarina and Ragnor. The phone necessity would wait but he would get one. After-all, he had a beauty waiting to hear from him.
##
Dot and Jocelyn were having another cup of tea or coffee with the Lightwood-Graymarks and while it was awkward at times, the conversation seemed to flow easily, mostly catching them up on all the gossip of the small town in Upstate New York. Dot flinched briefly when she felt a magical disturbance. It was the High Warlock of Brooklyn, she would recognize his aura anywhere. He had been missing for a long time and his presence back meant something. She quickly made an excuse for her and Jocelyn to head home, thanked their hosts and called out to Clary, Jace and Simon to head home with them. Izzy was disappointed that her friends had to leave but they made plans for things to do after school.
Raj and Duncan jolted from their makeshift office in the hotel room they were working from, a large amount of magic was used recently and it had come from the Lightwood Manor. They had a monitoring station set up with lots of technology to catalog anything out of the ordinary. The occurrence didn't last long but it was powerful nonetheless. They decided to call it in and get instructions, if it was time to invade the Lightwood Manor, they would hold all captive until Valentine and Aldertree could arrive.
##
Magnus sipped his martini, he decided on a vodka one or more for the day. He waited for his good friends to arrive. They didn't make him wait, Raphael, Catarina and Ragnor were at his door and once they reconnected with hugs and general relief that Magnus was not dead, the group gathered in his kitchen for some food and drinks. Plus all of the details that Magnus could provide for his lengthy disappearance.
"I felt your magic right away," both Cat and Ragnor said at the same time. Catarina and Ragnor laughed at their statement but it was more in relief than mirth. Raphael agreed that it was great that Magnus was alive. They had been so worried for him.
Ragnor called upon another fellow warlock who could commune with the dead to make sure Magnus wasn't gone. He shed a few tears in relief when that warlock couldn't find him in the ghost plane or in any other realm. It didn't stop him from checking from time to time, it gave him hope that he had not lost his good friend. Magnus was moved emotionally and had to hug all of them. Raphael rolled his eyes when he thought the hug went on too long but didn't stop him.
"Thanks for keeping my place up to date and in shape." Magnus felt so good to be in his loft. He would need these next few days to familiarize himself with the real world and then he was going back to Upstate New York, there was someone waiting for him. He would keep his promise. There was one Nephilim who had his attention and he was delighted by it. It wasn't only that he helped him, it was that they connected in a romantic and friendship way, it was something he wanted more of and he would get what he wanted.
He also knew trouble was brewing for the Lightwoods and as well for others who made their home in what was an alleged quiet town. His power would help and he would recruit his friends to balance it out. The Clave nor the Circle would win this battle. He would see to it, he's not the most powerful warlock in existence, fathered by Asmodeus for nothing. Unlike his father, he cared for all beings.
Catarina credited Raphael who needed the warlock to know how important he was to him. Raphael's eye roll assured Magnus they were all worried about him, "you're like a father to me, I didn't give up and this place kept you near me." Raphael gestured around the apartment. "I knew you weren't gone." Raphael felt good and he hadn't had that feeling for some time. Ragnor and Cat agreed, they never gave up.
Cat finally addressed the elephant in the room, "what happened Magnus." They wanted to know everything, who, what, why and where. Everything. While Magnus had promised details at dinner, they had yet to address it. Magnus' friends recognized his need to find his zen and that meant being in his apartment. They wouldn't push but they were certain he needed them.
"My father," Magnus sighed, his Dad could be a gigantic pain in the ass. What else was there to say, Asmodeus was a difficult father sometimes or all times. "He cursed me to a mirror realm." Magnus clarified "and I mean a literal mirror," he involuntarily shook at the thoughts. "He wanted to teach me a lesson and then he thought it would be funny to give the mirror to the Lightwoods."
Ragnor's eyes grew wide. "You've got to be kidding." Ragnor was aghast, how could Asmodeus do that to Magnus. The Lightwoods were a well known and tough family of shadowhunters.
"No," Magnus conjured more drinks, "I would like to think he didn't mean for me to be stuck so long but he had to have been banished back to Edom." He saluted his friends with his glass, "thanks for not giving up on me." They all touched glasses.
"We looked for you Magnus and all we knew was that your magic wasn't gone." They didn't know what to do when your really good friend disappears. They searched but looking through other planes or realms wasn't as easy as warlocks thought.
"How did you get out of the mirror." Catarina was curious, she would have helped him had she known. She knew Ragnor would have as well. Magnus waved off her concern, he knew they would have helped him if they knew where he was but they didn't and sending a fire message through a mirror was impossible. Not to mention how tough it would be to get inside the Lightwood home.
"A Lightwood helped me." Magnus smirked, he was so pleased with his Alexander and he was amused with his own pun. He tried to hide his attraction for the Nephilim but it wasn't easy.
Ragnor and Cat were both surprised, then they noticed Magnus' romantic soul popping out. Cat gave him a knowing look, "out with it." Leave it to Magnus Bane who gets cursed into a mirror and still finds romance.
"I don't know what you are talking about." Magnus stirred his drink with his pinky finger.
"Yes, you do." Ragnor spoke this time, he crossed his arms on his chest, waiting for more details from his hopeless romantic friend.
Magnus merely smirked, "he's a sweetheart, you'd like him." He felt warm thinking of Alec, "he's shy but knows how to stand on his own." Magnus understood the being, "he doesn't know everything about his heritage but he's embracing it." Magnus made more drinks, "besides, I would still be stuck without his help."
"It's still a Lightwood." Ragnor was slightly annoyed but couldn't really pull it off, the relief of seeing his friend still too strong.
"He is nothing like his father or grandfather." Magnus would defend the boy, "his mother and stepfather raised him well." Magnus frowned a little, "though, they've hidden much from him and his sister."
"Okay, now I'm worried," Catarina knew Magnus was up to something now. "You just got back, don't rush into some crazy thing."
Magnus shrugged, "I know what's coming and the Clave and the Circle need to be stopped before innocents are hurt."
Raphael warned him, "it's not our concern." The downworld kept to itself for a reason in his mind.
Magnus shook his head in disagreement, "it is. We've ignored the problem for far too long. I know; I've had an unfortunate good seat to watch from." Magnus felt a bit of resolve as he spoke, "the downworld has let things go, they need to step up, there is more to life than hiding and survival."
"What's the plan?" Raphael needed to know, if his clan was going to get involved; it would be best to know what he was getting the vampires involved with.
"We need to find out as much as we can, I am certain the Clave and Circle are going to make their move on the Lightwood Manor." Magnus focused his thoughts, he learned so much from the mirror realm. "Robert and his father threatened them fiercely and while they were smart with their operations and were under their radar. The rest of the shadowhunters have become too complacent and it's time for all parties, downworld included to make a stand against the Clave/Circle and it's fanatics." Magnus swirled his drink as he tried to think out what would need to be done.