Chapter 4

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"Dot and Clary stood nervously at the base of Magnus apartment building, its dark interior remaining solidly unwelcoming despite their insistent ringing. Dot stood on her own, arms folded across her chest, having recovered from her extreme use of magic as she and Clary had journeyed the thirty-something minutes it had taken to get to Magnus'. Clary was beginning to pace nervously, shaking her head in confusion, her worry for Jace and Alec growing with each passing moment. She had a little more understanding of what the spell entailed, as she had tied it to Jace, and that knowledge made her concern grow for the two Shadowhunters tucked into the glen.

"Maybe Magnus isn't home," she offered at Dot's anxious look, "maybe he finally decided to leave, maybe a customer called him away?"

Dot shook her head, her sad gesture striking Clary deeply, as she returned to her nervous pacing. "Magnus hasn't loved in a long time, Clary. There's no way he's back to his normal self after this, not yet. Maybe not for centuries. He's up there, I can feel him. He feels different though, lost somehow, darker, colder." She stared at the dark windows of the loft, her soul growing tired at the thought of Magnus tucked away behind their cold frames. "I'm scared for him," she added softly, so softly that Clary might have missed it had she not been watching her friend's face. They looked at each other for a moment, dismay and fear on both of their faces, before the sound of footsteps behind them caused them both to whirl, coming face to face with a flustered, blue-skinned woman carrying a dark-haired little girl in her arms.

"Catarina" Clary cried, rushing up to the woman, hugging her tightly, before turning to the little one who stared indignantly at coming in second. "Madzie, oh, Madzie", she said softly, tears coming to her eyes at the sight of the little girl much loved by the Shadowhunter and the Magician. She clutched at the little warlock, who seemed to understand that there was something serious taking place. Madzie put her little hands on Clary's cheeks and sent comforting rays of warmth through her hands into Clary's mind, comforting and strengthening her, lifting her soul up with just a little bit of hope.

Clary smiled as she opened her eyes, absent-mindedly wiping away tears as she laughed quietly. "Whoever said that Warlocks are creatures of darkness have never met you, Madzie," she declared, warmly embracing the little girl again. "I suppose this is your back-up", she questioningly asked as she picked Madzie up and turned to face Dot and Catarina, who stood arm in arm.

Dot smiled softly, looking at the blue-skinned warlock at her side. "Indeed, I couldn't think of anyone else who has known Magnus longer, or who is more stubborn than he is. And no one, not even Magnus in this state, could resist Madzie, once she has her mind set on something." The three adults shared a knowing smile before Catarina stepped forward to ring Magnus' buzzer another time. After a few seconds, she looked back at the other two, who shook their heads quietly at her unspoken question.

Cat let out a frustrated breath before clasping her hands together and beginning to ferociously rub them together, sparking purple magic between them. Clary watched as Catarina spoke quietly to Madzie, who nodded and began to direct her own magic towards Magnus' apartment.

"I'm having Madzie check Magnus' wards for any weaknesses or traps. With Asmodeus back, we don't know exactly what changes have been made to Magnus' wards, and trying to tamper with them without checking is very much like running blind. As soon as Madzie lets me know what she's found, I'll open a portal through and get us to Magnus."

Dot and Clary nodded, standing in awe of the two warlocks at work. After several moments, and several petulant frowns on Madzie's part as she moved her hands in a tearing motion, Madzie gave Catarina a nod. As Cat began to open the portal, Dot smiled approvingly.

"That is one powerful warlock child," she commented to Clary as Madzie came back towards them and stood, waiting, for Catarina's portal to stabilize. "You couldn't see any of this, but this girl just rent her way through Magnus' wards, and some pitfalls set by Asmodeus, a greater demon, no less. And yet here she stands, like she's done nothing. It would've taken me an incredible amount of strength to try and repeat what she's done. And I bet you, neither Magnus or Asmodeus are even aware of the change." Dot leaned down to give Madzie a hug, as Clary looked on in amazement. Catarina joined them and, holding hands, they stepped through into Magnus' flat.

Clary had the brief sensation of passing through clouds of water, ice, and fire, before the little group stepped out into the frigid space that Magnus called home.

"By the Angel, it's freezing in here. What in the world," muttered Clary. "How does Magnus stand this."

"It's not Magnus' doing," replied Catarina, who had begun to slowly move into the flat. "Demons, when they get out into the human world, are finally out of the terrible heat they live in. They immediately try to cool down and live in an environment that suits them. That's why you see so many demons living in crypts, in tombs, underground, etc. It's also why you get a chill down your spine every time they try to creep up on you. The hot environment they live in normally is a part of their punishment. Magnus would normally never allow this to happen, he loves his home. Oh, Magnus." As Cat spoke, her breath showed in small puffs of moist air, desperately trying to warm up the area around her.

The little group wandered further into the apartment, feeling a bit as though they were invading enemy territory. It was only as they wandered into Magnus' living room that Dot gave a cry, running to the chairs arranged by the large picture windows along the wall.

"Magnus!" She called as knelt in front of one of the chairs, her facing showing her concern as she grasped Magnus' wrist, feeling for a pulse. She couldn't feel anything under her grasp, but Catarina gently edged her out of the way, and palmed Magnus neck, holding her fingers in place for longer than Dot could stand. "Well…", she questioned. "Is he alive?"

Cat nodded as she slowly stood back up. "Magnus is alive, he's put himself into a memory state. That, combined with the coldness in the apartment, has lowered his body temperature. We've got to get him out of this, delicately, if we're going to save Alec." Catarina looked around the apartment for a moment, taking in all that needed to be done to revive Magnus.

Clary couldn't take her eyes off of Magnus. He was so, so still, his raven hair falling limply across his forehead, un-styled. The darkness of his hair set off the paleness of his skin, unusual for the darker-skinned man. A blue tinge had begun to cover his lips, which, despite his rumpled appearance, were curled up in a small smile. Clary wondered what Magnus was thinking about, what could have set off this memory state and yet left him so happy. She remained where she was, gazing on Magnus' countenance, until Cat began to speak again, startling Clary out of her reverie.

Cat was giving instructions to the other two warlocks, her face set in determination to bring Magnus around. "Dot, you focus on warming this place up, bring the flat back to Magnus' normal. You've spent the most time in this version of his home, make everything as normal as possible."

Dot nodded, and summoning her magic, she began to return the apartment to Magnus' home. Cat then turned to the little warlock standing at Clary's side.

"Madzie", she said softly, "I need you to bring Magnus back. Gently get inside his mind, figure out where he's at, and guide him to a place, to a memory, that you are in. Once he's there, we can safely wake him out of the memory state without disturbing his mind too greatly. But we have to wait until his body is also ready for him. Do you understand?"

Madzie nodded quickly and walked over to Magnus. She stopped and stared at Magnus for a moment as Cat began the process of warming Magnus' body. Madzie put both of her palms on the sides of Magnus' head and closed her eyes, delving into the vast cavernous space that was Magnus Bane.

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Magnus was strolling down the sidewalk of New York City with Alec by his side. They had just placed a locket together onto that fence piece, and Magnus' heart was soaring. No one had ever been that sweet to him before, openly declaring that they were one with him, with Magnus Bane. Though their names weren't on the lock, Magnus knew that the incantation he had set upon it would always remind the world that their love existed, that they existed, and that they were one soul. Magnus and Alec were walking hand-in-hand, un-glamoured, through times square, one of the busiest places in the world, and he couldn't be happier. Alec had come such a long way, announcing to all that he cared about that he loved Magnus, and now he was announcing it to the world. Not in any conspicuous way, but just being there together was enough for Magnus. He was content. And he and Alec were supposed to pick up Madzie later…

Pick up Madzie later? Wait, what? Alec and I have dinner plans over on Broad… With Madzie?

Magnus was confused, he thought that Alec had gotten them reservations in that restaurant they both liked, but that it was just the two of them. They were coming up on an important day, with everything in the Institute and the DownWorld under control. For once.

Magnus turned to ask Alec about their plans when his Nephilim looked at him, smiling, and suddenly Magnus couldn't think of his question. Alec leaned over and gave him the gentlest of kisses before holding his face against Magnus's for a moment. Magnus closed his eyes, breathing in Alec's sweet scent as they stood there, two souls lost in crowded places, but exactly where they should be.

Alec leaned back, smiling again at Magnus, before taking a deep breath, saying "are you ready Magnus?"

"Ready for what," replied Magnus dreamily.

"To pick up Madzie?"

Magnus shook his head, trying to clear it of the emotions he had been enveloped by only a moment before. "Were we picking her up," he questioned, desperate to return to what they had been doing before, wanting to keep his Nephilim to himself.

"I sure hope so," said Alec, his eyes twinkling. "Cause here they come!" He laughed as Magnus looked up. Sure enough, their favorite little warlock was running towards them, arms outstretched towards Alec, who swooped her up with a loud enough shout that the Mundanes passing by spared enough effort to give them a glance.

Watching from the side, Magnus felt his heart jolt a little at the site. He and Alec had never talked about having a family together- they hadn't been together all that long and with everything going on, they all tended to live more in the present than the future. But as he watched the Nephilim and the Warlock interact, Magnus couldn't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, he and Alec could be fathers together.

Magnus could've watched this scene for forever, but even as he gazed on, a haze filled his vision. Like a glass plate, covering the scene in front of him and projecting a new sight out in his eyes. Far ahead, he could see two dark figures laughing as they suddenly were drenched n a downpour, then proceeding to kiss through the rain, the light from the screens in Times Square highlighting their tall, lean frames. As they pulled apart, the taller of the two figures reached out and pulled down the hood of the other- revealing two striking cat eyes and spiked hair that was quickly drenched.

Magnus lurched at the sight of himself, turning back to the others. "Is no one seeing this," he questioned? But even as he spoke the words, he could see that the others hadn't heard him. It was as if they were no longer even in the same space as himself. Magnus stumbled back, flicking his magic into being, when he caught Madzie's eyes.

The young warlock gazed at him, conscious of his dismayed voice and very real confusion. Magnus couldn't help but be a little afraid as she stepped closer, her arms outstretched. This is like the plotline of every horror movie ever written, he thought taking a step back. But even as she stepped closer, he could feel her presence, her warmth, her love, her openness.- it was Madzie.

"Please", she whispered at him, holding out her arms, waiting for Magnus to pick her up, as he normally did.

"Chickadee?"

She nodded, stubbornly keeping her arms up. Magnus sighed and lifted her. Once she was settled in his arms, she held his face between her hands and stared into his cat eyes, her gills opening briefly, and then there was nothing...

...Until he heard the very urgent and annoyed voice of Catarina call out, "Oh thank heaven."