"Now… what to do with you three."
The three children all huddled together in fear, still shaken up by the experience.
The warlock seemed to notice how scared they were, moving to his knees so that he could look them in the eyes. "You're Lightwoods, correct?"
The children remained stubbornly silent, as the warlock rolled his eyes.
"That's just what I need. Nobody's going to believe I didn't kidnap you for nefarious reasons."
"I'll tell them." Alec piped up, before Jace could get them in trouble, "I'll tell them it was our fault."
For a moment, the warlock looked stunned, before a soft smile appeared on his face, "I appreciate that Young Lightwood." He pushed himself to his feet, the light from the club ceiling casting him in a gorgeous glow and making Alec's stomach do funny things.
"Come on." The warlock sighed, "I'd better get you home."
…
Alec kept his eyes on the ground as his Father thanked Magnus, voice tight and controlled as he practically threw the warlock off the steps of the building.
"Jace. Isabella, go to your rooms." Robert ordered, "I need to have a word with Alec."
"It wasn't just Alec, it was – "
"- NOW!"
When he was sure that the pair were out of earshot, Robert turned to his son, "I am very, very disappointed in you Alec. You've let down the Lightwood name!"
"I know, but- "
"You deliberately disobeyed me! And what's worse, you put your sister and Jace in danger!"
Alec fought not to cry.
"Extra lessons, constant supervision and grounded to either home or here." His Father scowled, "And if you even think about disobeying me again, you can forget about having the Lightwood name. I don't need disobedient children."
"… Yes Father."
…
"I didn't know he cared so much for the Shadowhunter babies!" One of the vampire hissed, "I thought the warlock would keep his nose out of vampire business."
"That's not Bane's style."
The other vampire nodded in agreement, all they all huddled in the corner, waiting for the message from their source to arrive.
As if on cue, a piece of parchment suddenly appeared in front of them, giving them just enough time to read it, before it disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
There was silence for a moment.
"That- everyone else read that, right?"
The other two nodded.
"And… it said we needed to kill Robert Lightwood?"
"And Alec Lightwood."
"… Fuck."
….
His Father had practically ignored him since the club incident.
Alec had desperately thrown himself into training, hoping to gain his Father's approval once more, but to no avail.
Judging by the stares he was getting from everyone else in the room, they all knew about the club incident.
Unable to take it any longer, he tidied up his training equipment and headed for the exit.
Maybe he could sit in his room until all this blew over.
And then he remembered something Hodge told him after the 'incident'.
/"If there's anywhere you need to just take a breather, there's an abandoned on the far right of the building. Go there anytime you need. \\
Turning away from the direction of his room, Alec headed in that direction.
….
"Are you sure he'll be in here?"
"He promised."
"We'll hold the kid as hostage, wait until his father arrives and then kill them both, right?"
"That's the plan."
…
Alec sighed in relief as he entered the room.
He hadn't realised just how much the judging states were beginning to get to him.
Taking a seat on a dusty chair, he buried his face in his hands, desperately trying not to cry.
And then he heard the snickering from the corner.
…
"The wards have failed!" Hodge came rushing into the room, "There are reports of vampires in the far right of the building!"
Robert Lightwood didn't even look up from his paperwork, "Send someone to deal with them and arrest that… Warlock. It's clear this is an obvious attempt at sabotage from him."
"Yes Sir but-" Hodge hesitated, "- Someone saw Alec near there."
Robert hesitated for a moment, before shaking his head. "Alec needs to learn how to take care of himself. Vampires shouldn't be so much of a problem for him."
"But Sir- "
"- Send the reinforcements, and when it's over, send Alec to my office."
"… Yes Sir."
…
"He's getting away!"
"He's heading out of the building!"
…
Alec knew he couldn't hold off against so many vampires.
Why were they even here?
How?
Unconsciously, Alec found that he was heading towards the club from the night before.
The High Warlock saved him before… surely he'd help him again, right?
Managing to make it to the door, he banged on it desperately. "Please! Please! Help me!"
A panel in the door slid open, to reveal familiar eyes, which narrowed in confusion before the door opened up to reveal the High Warlock.
"What are you- " He stopped, taking in the terrified expression on Alec's face… and the vampires rushing towards them, "- Hurry, inside!"
The warlock just about managed to shut the door in the vampires' face, before turning to the child.
"What Is going on? Don't tell me you've snuck out again, because I don't think your Father is going to be as understanding this- "
He was cut off as the Vampires banged heavily at the door.
"Up those stairs!" The High Warlock ordered, "My office door should be open. Lock yourself inside, and don't come out until I tell you to!"
"I can help!"
"GO!"
Racing upstairs, Alec took one last look at the Warlock, shutting the office door just as the main entrance door slammed open. Rushing to hide under the desk, he covered his ears with his hands and squeezed his eyes closed.
…
Several hours seemed to have passed, before Alec found the courage to open his eyes again, hearing the office door open, and a familiar figure to stand in the doorway.
"Dad?"
Robert didn't move.
"Dad?"
"You were in here… the entire time?" Robert whispered.
Alec felt like he was on the verge of tears, "T-there were vampires at the headquarters, I-I couldn't do anything so I led them out. I-I thought the High Warlock could help and- "
"- and now he's dead."
Alec felt frozen in place as his Father moved closer.
"There was back-up on the way." His Father snarled, "You couldn't hold out that long, no, you just had to go running away and now, because of you, the High Warlock of Brooklyn is dead! If it weren't for you being a coward, he'd still be alive!"
"I-I- "
"- You have disappointed me today Alec." Robert sighed, "And it pains me to do this- "
"- Father, please- "
"- From this moment forth, you are no longer a Lightwood." Robert ignored his son's cries, "I suggest you run… run away and never return."