"MAGNUS," Clary abruptly shouted while barging into the warlock's home interrupting Magnus's usual quiet morning. But of course, ever since helping Clary and the other nephilims it's been outrageously noisy in his house, "we need you to come to the institute."
"Is there a reason why this couldn't have been informed through text?" Magnus asked with a calm demeanor, sitting in his exuberant arm chair with a glass of wine in hand.
"That would require you, yourself to enter the institute on your own and Maryse didn't appreciate your grand entrance with your last visit. So, I've been told to pick you up." Clary said with her usual chipper smile.
"Of course that woman would never appreciate" Magnus used his left hand to do hand motions for his words while slowly drinking his morning wine, "a warm welcome."
"She's a Lightwood." because that statement alone explains everything, "Plus, You nearly blew up half of the building."
"Nearly." Magnus emphasized, "It wasn't completely, it's just a hole in the wall." Magnus said and with a snap of his fingers, he changes into his casual attire, which some would consider the most fashionable choice of clothes needed for any fashionable occasion. "Dear, let me finish my make up and I'll be right behind you."
Clary smiled at him, "I'll be here"
It wasn't until about a year ago Clary was dragged into this Shadowhunter business and found her soulmate, Jace Wayland. Magnus was jealous of her. The quick learning of the world and the quick finding of her mate. It's been over four hundred years since he searched for his soul mate and he couldn't find this soulmate anywhere. Granted, his friends tell him that they're' probably not in this century. But, his hopes are dying out. Magnus might be jealous of Clary but Magnus could never hate her. She was family to him.
Magnus went into his room to put on his eyeliner, and foundation, and let's not forget that amazing amount of glitter. After admiring himself in the mirror, he walks out of his room and sees Clary eyeing with awe. "My my, someone's looking at some eye candy." Magnus winks at her, "And it's not cheap."
Clary blushed, "uh, sorry I didn't mean to stare."
"It's fine, I live for the attention." Magnus smiled.
Clary chuckled, "Alright Magnus, the others are waiting."
She was headed out towards the door but Magnus stopped her. "Oh no, sweetie, not in this weather. With this marvelous makeup and glamorous attire." Magnus sounded half heartedly offended, "we shall take my portal." He snapped his fingers and walked through without looking back to see if clary was following.
/
Magnus walked out of the portal to be met up by the usual crew: Jace, Isabelle, and Simon. And from a distance you can see Maryse walking over. "Couldn't even wait for me?" Clary asked behind Magnus and ran straight over to Jace and hugged him tight. And you can hear all the cuddly sweet nothings they tell each other. It's sweet, but at times it can get annoying.
"Magnus." Izzy walked over to hug Magnus, as always.
"Morning dear." Magnus greeted.
"Magnus, morning." Simon said waving at him, and yawning in the process.
"Rough night?" Magnus asked with a wink.
Simon blushed, "Look at us singles, when are we going to find ours?" Izzy asked herself and Magnus. Magnus sighed, he wasn't lying when he gave up looking.
"I hope you're making yourself comfortable." Maryse said walking up to the group. Everyone's chipper mood flew out the door. "We have a debriefing to get to." She said and walked away while the rest followed behind her and started to give the overview when everyone huddled around her by the high tech computers.
"There better be a reason as to your early group huddle, because you have interrupted my morning routine." Magnus spoke up, filing his nails out of nowhere.
"Magnus," Maryse eyed him casually, "always a pleasure." She said without showing a hint of sarcasm but if you pay attention closely it's hidden in there somewhere. "Anyway, let's start the debriefing." Maryse said flipping through paper, files, and screens. "As you know, there have been mysterious murders around town, and that includes other countries, states, and cities. Two nights ago this werewolf was caught messing with mundanes as well as other downworlder business and killing them off after whatever he does. He was brought in for questioning and has not answered any question we have asked and does not respond, at all, to whatever torture method Robert has used. And he has been taken to the silent brothers last night and it looks as though he is, well we don't know if it's a cult by definition, but he is part of some outstandingly large organization. Which as well explains the strange murder cases in the areas."
"Silent Brothers?" Clary repeated surprised by the outcome.
Maryse nodded, "After taking him to the silent brothers, we were heading over to get locked up, but before we noticed anything, his last words were, The Rogue Nation, and he grabbed a knife that was hiding in one of a shadowhunter's garments and killed himself before we could ask anymore questions." Maryse answered.
"A martyr?" Simon asked, the others looked at him questioningly, "What, just an idea?"
"Magnus, do you know anything about this?" Jace asked.
"I've only heard of it about twice throughout my lifetime." Magnus replied. "The Rogue Nation is a highly secret organization that hasn't exactly been found over a hundred years. It was not until about fifty years ago people started to hear about it. It's a highly trained organization for whatever business it attends to for their own benefit. They used to kidnap their soldiers, but from what I've heard now, whoever wants to join needs to go through a series of tests first and pass in order for them to join, but the latter choice of kidnapping still occurs but less frequently."
"That is what we have gathered as well. Which leads us to the mission. All of you will be going undercover for this mission. We need explanations, goals, and operations." Maryse announced.
Magnus interrupted. "What's in it for me? Why should I risk my life for your fight?"
"You'll gain my respect." Maryse suggested.
"I don't really need it." Magnus bluntly stated, checking his nails.
Maryse sighed and gave an annoyed smile, "You don't have to work with us on this case. However, it's a fight that requires both the shadow world and the downworlders to work together. Because as you have seen, in the many years you have lived, there is no consistent profile. They are random killings." Maryse explained.
"Right, but after many decades," Magnus counter attacked, "why are you suddenly interested in it?"
Isabelle, Simon, Clary, and Jace have frozen in their spots after watching the two constantly throw points across, neither backing down.
Maryse glared at Magnus and Magnus did the same thing back. After a couple minutes of silence, she backed down. Maryse turned to the screens and opened a locked file for the audience. "We had previously sent in three of our own into the case trying to dig as much information as we could. They were able to infiltrate the place and go through the exams you have informed us about. However, after one of the hunters contacted us we were not able to contact them back or receive any from them."
"So, you want us to retrieve them?" Jace asked.
Maryse shook her head, and changed the screen and showed images. A few gasps were heard, "I don't know about the other two, but one came back to us dead with a letter. Try again. And a few body parts were delivered with the body and letter. Which we decided -"
"You assumed they were dead." Magnus interrupted and Maryse only nodded.
"Well we can't just assume they're dead." Clary voiced, "for all we know they are being tortured or held somewhere."
Maryse only analyzed the situation, "I will only say this once, we are only sending you on this mission to gather information. If you wish to be reckless I will not vouch for you. So, Magnus will you be joining us?"
Magnus looked over at Simon, "will you be joining them?"
Simon nodded, "I'm not going to leave a friend behind."
Mangu sighed, "I guess I'll go."
...
"Well, if it's deeply secretive, and the four hundred year old warlock doesn't know much about it, where do we start?" Jace asked, analyzing the information Maryse and the other nephilims had gathered.
"We should first figure out how to find The Rogue Nation." Isabelle said.
"Smith, call Raphael. He should know something about this." Magnus said going through his phone and looking at blogs.
Jace groaned, "Must it be the vamp." Jace hated the presence of that vampire. He never knew why, but the Daylighter hated him and by default he hated him back.
"It's Simon." Simon ignored Jace's complaint. "And besides, we could always walk over there or something. I'm sure he's busy. so it's probably better to see him in person." Simon replied.
"Someone didn't get enough love last night." Isabelle winked, and Simon blushed an even deeper shade of red.
"Izzy." Simon glared, cutely, and everyone else laughed.
/
At the Hotel Dumort everyone is waiting around the main quarters of the hotel for Raphael.
"Simon, I missed you." Raphael said walking into the room and hugging Simon.
"It's only been about two hours." Simon said with a smile returning the hug.
"Felt like 2 years beautiful." Raphael said and watched Simon's cheeks turn red.
"Alright, you cuties, we need the deets." Isabelle cut in.
Raphael sighed, he was never a big fan of Shadowhunters. "Of course," Raphael slightly glared by their interruption, but of course stood by Simon and had his arms around his waist, a sign of possessiveness. "A drink?" He offered.
"Oh yes please." Magnus said with pleasure.
Raphael handed Magnus a Bloody Mary to Magnus and offered it to the others but refused. "Well, what can I help you with?"
"What do you know about The Rogue Nation?" Jace asked, annoyed that he was dragged to the hotel, he's not a big fan of The Knights Children Clan Leader.
Raphael was slightly wide eyed and sighed and walked over to sit on the couch pondering over his thoughts. Simon walked over to sit next to Raphael, a habit he picked up when they mated.
"Probably as much as anyone knows. They used to choose their own soldiers and students, but the past years you can choose to be recruited, if you find the correct informant."
"Informant?" Isabelle repeated.
Raphael nodded, "The seelies should know where to find them."
"Anything else?" Jace asked. Raphael was never a big fan of Jace... for personal reasons. So whenever, he sees him he gets extra annoyed with the company. Because of this, neither have liked each other.
"Impatient much." Raphael commented.
Jace clenched his fists, "Unhelpful much." Raphael glared at him and Jace returned the look.
"Enough!" Isabelle intervened.
"Is that all you know?" Jace sighed, still very annoyed.
"Since I want to make out with my love as much as you want to leave, let's get this over with." Raphael said causing Simon to cover his face with his hands from the blush he can feel rising from his cheeks and up to his ears, which causes Raphael to smirk from his achievement.
"Ugh, get a room." Magnus spoke up, but he can't help but be happy for his old friend.
"Don't worry, we have one. And I plan on using it, real soon." Raphael smirked, and Simon's blush was deeper than ever and covered from his neck to his ears. You could hear all the complaints from all the residents in the room. "Anyway, from what I heard, Valentine had a hand in this."
"How, this organization is told to be a couple hundred years old?" Jace was confused.
Raphael shrugged, "It's what I've heard. But his name has only popped up recently. When I first heard of them, it was just a small secret society. It's possible it was in the process of being formulated, but Valentine was the one who took needed action."
"I can't believe a dead man can still have this much influence in his afterlife." Magnus groaned
Raphael nodded, "You can consider the recruits as highly trained assassins. Those kidnapped, taken as hostages, or gone undercover, have not made it out alive."
"That's not going to scare us away, you know." Jace said.
"Yes, I know. You shadowhunters, act first then ask questions later. Never use your heads, especially you." Raphael pointed out, "You're the most ignorant one in the group, can't believe they're trying to place you as the next head of -" Raphael was cut off by a punch to his face. Simon, surprised by the attack, sat up from his seat and hissed out his fangs. He was mad that Jace had just punched his clan leader and his lover. Simon was about to jump on him before Raphael caught Simon from behind and pulled him back.
"Jace!" Clary and Isabelle yelled, and Magnus was surprised by the sudden action, and continued drinking his Bloody Mary watching the show, not wanting to join in a fight that was none of his business.
"I think it's about time you leave." Simon said standing up from his seat next to Raphael. "I'll meet up with you later." Simon watched them head towards the door, anger in his eyes.
"Alright Simon, text us." Clary said, and they all walked out, and Simon nodded.