Me: Thank you to all who reviewed!I love that this story has kept your interest and you are excited to see what's next. Without further ado…
Disclaimer: Nothing but my OC's as per usual
…
Chapter 28: Meanwhile…
Alec slept fretfully. Being a warrior, he had been instructed from a young age on how to be alert of his surroundings even when asleep, on guard for any unexpected trouble that may arise. He was not used, however, to being on guard in his own home.
Everything is fine. He was beginning to think he should have that statement carved onto his skin, preferably with a sharp knife in order to drill it into his head and make himself believe it.
Alec gave a quiet sigh at himself. He opened and shut his mouth to make his jaw stop aching. He had to taken to grinding his teeth, seemingly even in his sleep. He glanced next to him at Magnus and little Max, sound asleep, the former with his toy under his chin and his mouth open, drooling onto the defenseless stuffed animal. Alec smirked and grabbed a tissue from the night stand. He carefully wiped his son's mouth.
Slowly so as not to jostle the bed, Alec sat up and placed his legs on the floor. He tossed the tissue across the room into the wastebasket. His eye caught the clock. 2:30 A.M. He felt wide awake. He resisted the urge to sigh again.
I'm thirsty. Quietly, Alec stood up and exited the bedroom, shutting the door softly behind him. At the end of the hallway he turned on the light, and blinked sleepily at the sudden illumination. Maybe I'm not as awake as I thought.
He shuffled to the kitchen, running a hand through his hair. He didn't bother turning on the kitchen light, and because of this was quite startled to make out a small shape, crouched by the door. ''What in the Angel's name-''
Alec's exclamation died on his tongue when the figure snapped their head towards him. His heart jumped, but then went back to normal when he realized who it was. ''Moriah… God, why do you do that?''
The silent little girl just blinked at him. Alec breathed a heavy breath, realizing his heart was still beating fast. He forced the feeling down. ''What are you doing?''
Moriah stared at him a moment longer before turning back to her task. She was digging through the bag Jace had brought. ''You looking for something?''
He came over just as she procured her finds. She pulled out two stuffed animals. ''Is that all?''
Moriah glanced at the two toys before laying them aside and digging through the bag again. ''Are some missing?'' Alec asked, feeling stupid for asking yet another question. He watched a moment as Moriah began looking through the contents of the bag quite furiously, and then taking them out and flinging them behind her. ''Okay, before you make a mess…''
He crouched down next to her and flinched when she flinched at him. ''Look through it carefully,'' he explained, taking the bag. He removed the extra clothes and shook them out on his lap. Another stuffed animal tumbled out. ''There. Is that it?''
Moriah promptly grabbed it. ''That's three,'' Alec noted. ''Wait, didn't you have four at one point?''
Moriah ceased looking at her toys and looked to Alec, her head cocked to the side. An expression almost of confusion was on her face, as if he had mentioned something interesting. The look was too subtle, and Alec didn't like it. ''Never mind. You going back to bed now?''
Moriah looked away from him. She got to her feet and gathered the three toys up. They were large stuffies, and as she was such a small thing, she had trouble gathering them all. Alec picked up the red lizard she had dropped and made to place it atop the bundle in her arms.
''Hm!''
The noise was high pitched in Moriah's throat. She adjusted the other two toys and snatched the one Alec was holding quickly, as if afraid he wasn't going to give it up. Goosebumps appeared on Alec's arm from the brief contact of her cold hand. ''Sorry,'' he offered.
Moriah didn't look at him again. She continued on her way into the living room. Alec thought she was going back to Rafe's room, but instead she simply sat on the floor by the armchair, her back against it, and began arranging her toys in her lap.
Alec watched her for a moment before getting to his feet. He placed the bag on the counter and finally got himself a drink of water. In the fridge, he noticed the sippy cup that had been in the bag and that he had placed in the fridge upon Moriah's arrival. Rafe had taken Moriah with him into his room before Alec had had the chance to give it to her. After a drink of water and a moment's contemplation, Alec took the cup out.
He entered the living room. ''You want this now?'' He asked Moriah. She raised her head at being addressed, saw the cup, and then turned her gaze back to her toys, clearly uninterested. ''Is that a no?''
She continued running her fingers along the soft material of her green toy. ''Do you eschew sleep in general or are you just nocturnal?'' She did not respond.
Alec sat down on the couch across the room from where Moriah was. Weariness was hanging over him, and he would've like to fall asleep right there on the couch. Normally, a two year old waking up before three o'clock in the morning would want that as well.
A few minutes went by, with Moriah siting in the same spot cross legged on the floor, placing her three toys first in one manner, and then another. Green, blue, red, then red, blue, green- was she deciding her favorite color? Picking her preferred palette?
Alec shook himself as another wave of exhaustion swept over him. He got to his feet, not wanting to fall asleep and leave Moriah up, unattended. He walked past her to the hallway. She blinked at him. ''I'm just checking on Rafe.''
She blinked again and he could feel her eyes on his back, following him as he went down the hall.
The door was closed but not properly. Clearly when she left the room, Moriah hadn't wanted to hear the latch click in the socket. Maybe she was attempting to be quiet. Can demon children be considerate?
Alec slowly opened the door and couldn't resist a smile at the mess that was his son's room. He had heard and seen Rafe begin constructing his fort, but hadn't viewed the finished product. His mattress was off the bed and leaning on it's side, acting as a far wall. His desk chair and a small stack of books was the other wall, and stuffed animals on both sides kept the blanket that acted as the overhang in place.
Rafe was sound asleep in the tent, and the pillow and blanket beside him must've been where Moriah was laying until recently. After checking he was covered and the tent was secure in the sense nothing would tumble off in the night, Alec left the room, closing the door properly behind him.
Smiling about Rafe's love of forts, Alec reentered the living room. He paused when he noticed Moriah was not there. ''Moriah?''
He glanced around and spotted her, standing by the window. ''There you are,'' he said, shaking himself. ''Always moving when no one can see you…''
He was on his way back to the couch when he realized Moriah wasn't just by the window, but staring out it. ''Moriah?'' He looked at her. ''What? Do you see something?''
''Hmmm.'' The whine was low and frantic. Moriah pressed her fingers against her mouth. ''Hmmm.''
Startled, Alec approached the window. He glanced out, but saw nothing more than the city's lights and late night traffic. ''There's nothing there.'' he looked down at Moriah and was taken aback at just how pale her face was, how wide her black eyes were. She looked…frightened?
She didn't seem to take kindly to his assessment. ''Hmmm,'' she whined again. She started rocking back and forth on her heels. ''Hmmm.''
''Hey.'' He knelt down to her level. ''It's okay. Nothing's wrong.''
''Hmmm!''
''Shh,'' he spoke over her frantic whines. ''It's fine. Okay? Nothing's here.''
Moriah did not look at him. She was still staring out the window, looking as though she were beholding a terrible sight. She had stopped rocking and was now standing stock still, one hand clamped over her mouth.
''Moriah?'' Alec prompted.
She gave no indication she heard him. She stumbled back from the window and brought her other hand over her face, curling up on herself as if in pain. And then she screamed.
For a moment, Alec could only stare dumbly at her. Her screams became sobs that she tried to contain behind her hands. Alec reached for her. ''Moriah-''
She recoiled away from him. Her black eyes glinted at him, and for the first time Alec didn't feel fear looking into them. He felt pity. She was scared. ''I'm not going to hurt you,'' he promised.
Moriah didn't hear. She fell on the floor and curled into a ball, her face buried in her knees. She continued to cry, and Alec could only watch, unsure of what to do.
Just when Moriah seemed to be getting a hold of herself, she stiffened, her gaze snapping back to the window. ''What is it?'' Alec pleaded. He risked making a small movement towards her. ''Moriah, honey, what's wrong?''
Moriah jerked suddenly, as if she had been hit. She screamed again, and the phrase bloody murder did not cover just how terrified she sounded.
Alec got to his feet. He picked her up and she squirmed to get away from him. Alec just held her tighter.
Moriah's screams became louder. She made these horrible, choked, gasping sounds in her throat that made him wonder if she could breath. He held her with one arm around her neck and the other under her legs, swaying back and forth as her little body tried to squirm and kick with all her might.
''Moriah, it's okay. You're okay.'' This assurance made no difference. Alec closed his eyes to avoid looking at her. There were no tears on her face, but her black eyes held what could only be described as an expression of terror. An argument he had had with Jace came back to him. 'Imagine one of your sons missing. Imagine them being fucking tortured and experimented on for days, and the only way you knew they were alive was by their screams. Can you imagine that? Do you have any idea what that feels like?'
Is this what you sounded like as the fairies studied you? Is this why Clary and Jace cling to you so tight? Why you cling to them?
''Daddy?''
Alec caught sight of Rafe, standing in the hallway. He had his hands over his ears, and he was looking at Alec holding Moriah with wide, fearful eyes.
''Go to Papa, Rafe,'' Alec instructed him over the screaming. ''Go to my room. Now.''
Rafe obeyed without hesitation. He ran across the living room to the other hallway and disappeared down it, where no doubt Magnus and Little Max were awake.
Moriah gave no indiction she was even aware of her surroundings. She just continued to scream. Alec didn't want to hear the screaming anymore. He didn't want her to hear her own screaming anymore.
What would you do if it were your child?
He pressed her close against him, putting his cheek against her face. He thought his eardrum might burst. He started singing softly over her screams, low and steady right against her and into her ear.
''Six o'clock already
I was just in the middle of a dream
I was kissin' Valentino
By a crystal blue Italian stream
But I can't be late
'Cause then I guess I just won't get paid
These are the days
When you wish your bed was already made.''
Moriah quieted down for a fraction of a second, processing this new noise. She started to scream again, and Alec rocked back and forth, ignoring the noise and raising his voice.
''It's just another manic Monday
I wish it was Sunday
'Cause that's my fun day
My I don't have to run day
It's just another manic Monday.''
Moriah choked for breath. Alec raised his head from her cheek and let her bury her face in his neck. He shuddered from the cold.
''Have to catch an early train
Got to be to work by nine
And if I had an air-o-plane
I still couldn't make it on time
'Cause it takes me so long
Just to figure out what I'm gonna wear
Blame it on the train
But the boss is already there.''
The screaming was replaced with whining. From fear or annoyance, Alec couldn't say. She lifted her head to look at him, black eyes not even blinking. Her little body was heaving with effort, trying to control herself and figure out what he was doing. Alec adjusted her so he was holding her upright and used his free hand to stroke her hair.
''It's just another manic Monday
I wish it was Sunday
'Cause that's my fun day
My I don't have to run day
It's just another manic Monday.''
Alec decided the last verse wasn't age appropriate- not that she would understand. It didn't matter. In an almost defeated manner, Moriah laid her forehead against his chest, finally quiet. Her fists grabbed onto his shirt, clinging to him tightly.
''It's just another manic Monday
I wish it was Sunday
'Cause that's my fun day
My I don't have to run day
It's just another manic Monday.''
Alec walked over to the couch. He sat down slowly. The contrast of screaming to silence made the blood pound in his ears. The only noises now were the traffic in the streets below and Moriah's soft, gasping breaths.
It was several minutes before Moriah raised her head. She rubbed her eyes with a fist, not meeting his gaze. With her other hand she pointed to the coffee table. ''What is it?'' Alec asked. She opened and closed her fist. Alec followed her hand and saw the sippy cup. ''You want your drink now?'' Moriah nodded.
Alec reached for it and handed it to her. She took it without hesitation. Alec adjusted her so she was laying across his lap, her head against his shoulder. The complete calm and normalcy of holding a small child in the quiet of night compared to a few moments ago made his head spin. The apartment was now filled with the sounds of Moriah sucking on the sippy cup and Chairman Meow, who let out a meow of contentment.
Moriah didn't stay in Alec's embrace long. After a few moments she sat up again, holding her cup and wiggling out of his grip. He let her go hesitantly. She perched on her knees on the other cushion, brushing her hair out of her face and taking a shuddering breath. She then scurried to the other end of the couch, as far from him as she could. She sat back and resumed drinking, her cold gaze staring at the wall.
Alec just watched her. He sat forward, looking to the floor when he stepped on something. Moriah's three toys. She must've dropped them when she went to the window.
He picked them up and was unsurprised to find her staring at him, stock still again. He just carefully placed them on the couch cushion between them, lined up in a row. Green, blue, red. It wasn't until he moved his hand back to his side that Moriah dared lean forward and snatch them up.
She made herself small in the corner of the couch, surrounded now by her toys. She was looking at him again, suspicion snapping in her black eyes. Alec only broke eye contact when he sensed movement in the hall. Magnus was standing there, the bedroom door closed behind him. Alec got off the couch and went over to him.
''The Bangles,'' he commented lowly. ''Nice choice.''
Alec felt his face go red. ''Are the boys okay?''
''They're fine. What happened?''
Alec took a shaky breath. ''I have no idea,'' he replied honestly.
Magnus' gaze went to the couch. ''She just…started screaming,'' Alec explained. ''I thought something was outside but there wasn't. She just…got scared.''
''That,'' Magnus whispered, ''Wasn't just fear.''
Alec swallowed hard. He agreed. Moriah had sounded…horrified. Horrified of some great and terrible thing. What that thing was, and whether it existed outside of her own head, no one could say.
''The boys are alright?'' Alec asked again. Magnus nodded. ''You can go back in with them. I'll stay out here.''
Magnus raised an eyebrow. ''You sure?''
The spot on his neck where Moriah had buried her face still felt cold. Alec had to clench his fist to keep from shuddering. ''Yeah.''
With a nod of understanding, Magnus went back to the bedroom. Alec walked back around the couch. Moriah was still sitting there, but her eyes were half closed. Alec could see her grip loosening on her cup.
He took it away gently before she could drop it, surprised when she didn't protest. He placed the cup on the table again and after a moment's pause, sat down next to her. She didn't react until he touched her shoulders and laid her into his lap, and even then it was just a quiet whine. ''Shh.''
Alec took the blanket off the back of the couch and draped it over her, turning on his side slightly to lay his head on the couch cushion. Moriah gave another whine. ''It's okay. Everything's fine.''
She didn't protest again. Alec knew about her problems with sleep, but her meltdown seemed to have rendered her exhausted, and she curled up tight against him and closed her eyes.
Alec looked at her asleep in his lap. He brushed some of her hair out of her face. ''You're fine,'' he whispered again. ''Everything is fine…''
The apartment was completely silent. As Moriah slept against him, Alec leaned his head against the couch cushion, tired but too distracted to sleep himself. One question kept going around and around in his head, a question he couldn't ponder an answer to.
What causes a child to scream like that?
…
The cold temperature from the wind in the building made Simon's teeth chatter. The entire picture in front of him- the cold, the demons crawling on the stairs and walls, Jace fighting a too familiar looking fairy…this was bad. This was very bad.
And Clary- she was here somewhere. Goddamnit, Fray, if you're in trouble…
He and Isabelle wasted no time engaging in combat with the nearest demons. The demons themselves weren't strong, it was the sheer number of them that was the problem. There's no way we can fight them all off.
Isabelle must've shared this sentiment, for she ran to the stairs. ''Come on!''
Simon raced after her. They darted up the stairs, kicking and slashing the demons that dared get in their way. ''Jace!'' Isabelle shouted over the noise of the chattering demons. She threw one that charged her over the stair railing. ''Jace! Where's Clary?''
''Down along the other side of the building!'' He shouted back. He was too busy fighting Renage to give a more direct answer, but Simon didn't bother waiting for one.
''You got this?'' He asked Isabelle.
She nodded. ''Go!''
Simon took the rest of the stairs two at a time. He ran to his right, following the wrap around balcony in the direction Jace had gestured. Please be okay. Please be okay.
His parabatai rune was still burning, but it brought more a sense of urgency rather than pain. That fear he had had when he and Isabelle found the remnants of the Cells, of seeing the blood and wondering if it was Clary's, was back. You are not dying. Not after everything we've been through. Not now. Not today.
Simon followed the cold. He finally reached the archway which was it's source. His heart climbed into his throat at the sight.
There was the demon, the 'pet' Jane had spoken so fondly of. And there were the smaller demons that were crawling all over the place. The pet seemed to be fighting them somewhat, with slow, sluggish movements. As it moved, Simon caught sight of red hair and black clothes standing behind it. ''Clary!''
He ran to her, dashing around demons and throwing them off of him. ''Clary!''
''Don't!'' Came her warning. Simon didn't understand why until the large demon roared.
It was a noise that seemed to make the whole building shake. It lashed out, swiping little demons and knocking them across the room, where they evaporated into dust. This would've been comforting had it not been crystal clear the large demon was lashing out in anger rather than to be helpful.
Simon scrambled out of the large demon's way, ignoring Clary's previous warning and getting to her side. She had her arms outstretched, palms facing the demons. ''Are you controlling it?''
''That was the idea.'' Her voice was shaky, trying to be able to be heard over the roaring of the wind and demon. ''But- but I can't-''
The demon roared again. Abandoned crates that were in the room fell atop of each other, splintering and sending wood shards everywhere. More small demons fled. ''I'm losing it,'' Clary finished. ''I can't keep it contained.''
''We have to get out of here,'' Simon said.
''You don't understand.'' Clary gasped for breath. ''I can't-''
She stumbled back, her hands falling to her side. The demon let out another earth shattering roar, and turned to face his captor.
''No!'' Simon ran to her side. He grabbed her hand and made to pull her along. ''Run-''
He stopped short, his words dying on his lips. She was cold. So very, very cold. And when he grabbed her hand she had turned around and now he could see her face. Her pale, pale face. And her eyes…
Her eyes were black.
…
Me: There's a scene from a favorite show of mine where the main character whispers the lyrics to Manic Monday in a lullaby like fashion, and that is why the song choice (that and because of my head cannon of the Circle Members hearing the song a lot, lol).
I hope you enjoyed! If you have a moment, please leave a review!
Happy Writing!