Brace yourselves, Malec fans. Brace yourselves.
And review. That might help too.
"Alexander," Not-Shu called. "Alexander!"
"What?!"
"Why don't we just slow down and take a moment to breathe."
"You don't seriously believe him?"
"I know that after the attempt to capture Azazel that the soul bond has been weakened between me and Magnus. He did something at the least. And Magnus was acting weird earlier, right? What if he is telling the truth?"
"This is Valentine we're talking about. He could just be taking advantage of a situation and we're putting together things that aren't related."
"And what if there's even the slightest chance we're not? What if, on the off chance, one in a million, you're being unwilling to believe the truth? If that is Magnus, under some kind of spell and that's why I can't feel the soul bond because of what Azazel did, Magnus is suffering under the torture of Valentine, and you just shut him out."
Her phone buzzed and she cursed under her breath, pulling it out and clicking off the alarm.
She held out her hand and a sphere about the size of a baseball appeared, clear and glowing with some kind of magic swirling around inside. "This is a Sphere. It contains some memories of mine. Watch them and then tell me if you're not convinced. Right now, I have to go."
She portaled off, leaving Alec to get into the elevator alone.
The entire way up, Alec stared at the Sphere in his hands. He wasn't really sure he wanted to see what was inside. Shu almost seemed too confident in the fact that what was in there would prove Valentine was actually Magnus.
Before he could make up his mind, the elevator reached his floor and he walked out only to meet up with Jace. "Hey."
"Hey."
"Jace, we need to talk."
"Yeah! I heard you banished Azazel. Congratulations!"
"Yeah. Um, this is gonna sound crazy, but…I was just with Valentine, and he says that he's Magnus, that Azazel switched them with some kind of a demonic curse."
Jace smiled in disbelief. "What?"
"I know. It's hard to believe, but it's just that…he knew things only Magnus could know. Like, intimate details."
"Okay, well he could've had a Warlock steal your memories."
"No. That's not possible. I would have noticed. Plus, Shu tells me that Azazel did something to weaken the bond between her and Magnus, that she can't sense him anymore, so she can't be sure if Azazel did something or not."
"Okay."
He pulled Alec off to the side and out of the open.
"Well, just remember that this is Valentine. He's always ten steps ahead of us. He's always planning his next move. Alec, just trust me. You don't wanna fall for his lies. He convinced me that I was Clary's brother, his son, and the evidence all pointed to that being the case, but in the end, I'm not. And he told me that when holding the Soul Sword, so all that evidence was just something that we were putting together, the power of suggestion causing us to believe him when we shouldn't have."
Alec shifted from foot to foot and pursed his lips, realizing that Jace had a point. He slipped the Sphere that Shu had given him into his jacket pocket, and walked off to deal with Valentine.
Shu skipped around in the new world.
She spread her arms and took a deep breath of the nature around her. She had no idea what this place was, if there were any people around, what animals were out there, where she even was.
But it was freedom. The air was cleaner, and for the first time in her life, she didn't sense the demonic aura all around her of Edom. The aura was fresh, weak, and it was like a weight had suddenly been lifted off her shoulders.
"I take it you like it here," Charon said behind her.
She giggled and spun around, feeling the cool air as she sliced through. "This is amazing!"
Then, a loud roar seemed to shake the earth and she shrieked, snatching up Charon.
"What was that?!" She demanded.
He laughed and wrapped his arms around her. "Probably just one of the animals around here. Don't worry. Compared to demons, he's just a bug trying to stand out."
"I hope you're right."
"There's nothing to be afraid of. I got you."
His magic shot up around them and he teleported them away. Shu nearly lost her balance and gripped his arm tightly as they came back out again.
"Still getting used to that…" She muttered.
She fell backwards, her legs giving out beneath her, as she had just made her first portal out of Edom, something that most, if not all, regular demons of all ranks had yet to accomplish. Charon could understand her exhaustion, as doing anything for the first time when it came to magic was draining, since the body wasn't using to handling that kind of strain.
He quickly caught her and kneeled to rest her on the ground, and she smiled through her heavy breaths. "We made it."
"Yeah. All thanks to you."
She shook her head. "No. I couldn't have done it without you. I wouldn't even be alive without you. Thank you."
He smiled and brushed a hair off her face. "Any time, angel."
She laughed weakly. "Stop calling me that. I can't tell if it's insulting or not for a demon to be dubbing me an angel."
"Hey, we demons acknowledge that we're not exactly the nicest guys. Besides, you do got some angel in you, darling, meaning I am totally appropriate in calling you that."
She smiled. "Fine, fine. I'll take pride in the nickname, dork."
They both laughed together, but it was quickly silenced as Shu went back to regaining her breath and Charon started staring at her face, a dazed expression taking over.
Before either of them knew it he was sealing his lips on hers.
She had no idea what was happening, considering she hadn't ever been taught what a kiss was, but Charon was being extremely gentle, and she knew he wouldn't ever hurt her.
Before she even needed to worry about oxygen, even in her tired state, it was over.
"Sorry," He quickly breathed. "Sorry, I just…that was inappropriate. Great, you probably thought I was suffocating you. Not my intent!"
"Charon!"
She took his shaking hand. "It's fine. That was supposed to be a good thing, right?"
He nodded quickly. "Right. Yes. Good thing. Weird good thing, but good thing."
She laughed. "Hey, calm down. I'm fine. Perhaps you could teach me more about this good thing."
He hesitated, but let out a deep sigh. "I'd be happy to, if you're okay with it."
"I am."
"Good."
"Good."
The lights in Valentine's cage suddenly flicked on.
"Alexander?" Not-Valentine muttered. "Alexander! Is that you? Please! Please, they're torturing me! I can't take any more of this!"
"I know the feeling," Not-Magnus said, walking in.
Not-Valentine stood in shock, walking over to the edge of the cell to meet his body and Real-Valentine.
"Let's get you out of here."
Not-Valentine started knocking on the glass walls. "Guards! He's here! Valentine is here!"
"It's no use. I've cloaked myself so no one can see me."
Not-Valentine dropped his hand. "You fool. You have no idea what you're doing. After your capture, the Clave hired me to create wards to block Downworlder powers from being used in this cellblock. Not only can't you break me out, but your cloaking spell won't work in here."
"We'll see about that," Not-Magnus countered.
He moved to wave his magic forward, but nothing happened. He tried once more, but the same result.
He smacked his wrist. "What the hell?"
"They can see you," Not-Valentine declared.
Not-Magnus quickly moved to hit the sound on the cell before looking around innocently as the Clave Inquisitor and a couple guards came walking in.
"Mr. Bane, what are you doing here?" The Inquisitor asked.
"I was brought in to check on the wards you had me install. After Azazel's escape there was a concern that his demonic energy may have weakened them."
"Brought in on whose authority?"
"Are you questioning my integrity? After everything I've done for the Clave?"
"Your security clearances are hereby terminated. Escort Mr. Bane out."
The two guards took Not-Magnus by the arm each and took him away. Not-Valentine was pounding on the walls of the prison, trying to tell them, but Not-Magnus had activated the sound-proofing.
And now the Inquisitor got to have her way with Not-Valentine once again.
Shu was screaming.
"No! Mama! Uncle! Mama! Wake up! I'm sorry! Father! Please!"
"Shu, it's not real, this isn't-!"
"I DIDN'T MEAN TO!"
"I DIDN'T MEAN TO! I didn't mean to…! Please!"
The Inquisitor let Not-Valentine scream and cry, before giving him a break from the agony rune.
"Where is the Mortal Cup?" She demanded.
"Please…please, you have to believe me. I'm Magnus Bane. S…Somebody used the Unum ad Unum spell on us. I don't know."
"This had gone far enough. You're never going to tell me where the Mortal Cup is, are you?"
"I don't know," He sobbed.
"Prepare him for execution."
"No, please! Please! Please."
He keeps smiling at me.
He lies dead on the ground.
He laughs and hands me a flower.
I reach other to take the ring from his corpse.
She finally began to relax once more, only half conscious, but breathing hard. "They're going to execute him, Charon."
"You can hear what he hears?"
"I can still feel his fears, but they're fading already. The agony rune keeps enhancing the connection, but…but it's not worth it. Please, save him, Charon, please. If he dies, even in Valentine's body…"
"I know. Just stay strong, I'm working on it. He will not die. You need to hold on."
"I can't. I can't! He's going to die, and I can't do anything!"
"Hey. Hey!"
He grabbed her hand and gripped it tightly. "Remember that day on the Blackfriars Bridge? Remember how empty you felt? Remember how helpless you felt as an unseen enemy just squeezed you from the inside out? You remember how sad you were?"
She began to fall limp.
"Do you remember how terrified I was? Because I do."
She closed her eyes as he fed the memory back through her.
"And do you remember how strong you were?"
Charon was running.
Demon and angelic powers had been disabled by her. She was going to do it.
Even if she survived the fall, Magnus wouldn't. She wouldn't protect him. If he died, a piece of her would die too, only making this worse. And she would let the rest of her shattered pieces drown.
A woman was already trying to coax them off. Magnus was hesitating. Shu kept them both up there.
"Shu, stop! I'm sorry! I'll take any punishment, just please come back!"
She gave no response, her resolve for jumping only being revived upon hearing his voice.
"I'm sorry! I never meant to hurt you-!"
"Too late!" She snapped without turning around. "You lying, cowardly, snake! You're like every other demon! You want me and my power, you want me to trust you, to work for you, to do your bidding! Well I'm ending this! This stupid power-struggle, this stupid game of trust!"
"It's not like that! You of all people should understand that I did fall in love with you! That was never a lie!"
"And you have the gall to say these things to me while you still wear that face?! The face of my uncle, my father, who you merely used to make sure that I trusted you?! You stole his face from my memories to gain my trust and love of him for yourself!"
"That's how it started, but that's not how it is now! You want to do this not to punish yourself, but to punish me! You're doing this because you know that the worst punishment for me is to see you jump! But that's only because you know that I don't want to see you die! Not because of your stupid power, but because I love you! I could take your memories of what happened, I could have never revealed anything in the first place and led you blindly into whatever the hell I wanted, but did I?! The fact that you're still up there is showing how much you hate me, how much I've let you hate me, and how truthful I'm being!"
She was crying, her tears mixing with the rain as her fists were clenched at her sides. "What's the point of doing this? For the rest of eternity I'll be used, hunted, tortured, and the only reason I'm alive is because they want me that way. What does staying alive do for me, huh?! All it does is allow this endless dance to continue. I'll fall into their hands eventually, again and again each time I escape. I can't keep doing this forever. But there is no such thing as eternity if you end it."
"So you're giving up? You're submitting to them?"
"I'm defying them! I'm giving one last fuck you by killing the very thing they want so desperately, and no one can stop me! Else they'd be here already. They made me strong enough to ward of the greatest of demons and angels alike, and they made me strong enough to ruin their plans!"
"But I'm here. You let me in. Because you wanna hear what I have to say. You are strong, Asushunamir, you can't just give up. Fight back against them, fight back against everything that stands in your path, because I know you're strong enough to beat back anything."
"That's right. I'm strong. Strong enough to decimate everything in my path, including people I love. There's nothing good in me, Charon, no good purpose I serve. There's no point in me living, not with an infinite lifespan, with so many things trying to use me."
"And that's why living is the major fuck you, not dying! Right there! Everything points to you ending your life, solving the problems all with one simple death, but that's not you! You will tear down the skies even if someone demands that they not be touched if you knew that it would help save people. But you will also have the will to stand down when others are driving themselves into reckless action."
She let out a slightly humorless chuckle. "Tearing down the skies wouldn't save anyone. I'd still hurt someone, no matter how many I save. And they all die in the end anyway. Everything seems to be ephemeral but me. So what's the point?!"
"The point is, you have seen the goods and the bads in the world, but no one can ever tell you how to use your powers now. No one can ever touch you again. Every joy you've ever felt, isn't that worth fighting for? Joy is ephemeral, but that doesn't mean that it can't be revived, again and again. It doesn't mean you have to just accept it."
She took deep breaths, her tears no longer flowing.
"Just give me one chance, Asushunamir. Let me show you that I'm not fake, that I love you. Show how strong you are, give all those fuckers that dare challenge you a 'Fuck you' right to the face. Because you can guide people, help them not make the mistakes and suffer the consequences you have. You've learned what's out there and the world and survived. Your immortality doesn't mean endless pain. It means endless chances for joy. Endless chances to live. You have an infinite future ahead of you, and I know you're brave enough to face it."
Unbeknownst to them, Magnus had already come down.
Shu turned around, and allowed Charon to walk up slowly. He took her hand, and she let him pull her to the right side of the ledge. Into his arms.
"One chance, Valak. One chance."
"Okay."
But that was too close of a call for Charon. He'd messed up. He'd put her into a state that she could never climb back from, no matter how much he tried to support her. He knew that. He knew she'd give him a chance, but there was nothing he could do to convince her again, no way to guarantee she'd never stand on a ledge like that again.
And so by the time the storm clouds parted, the events surrounding Shu's place standing up on that bridge were blurred by all those involved, and Charon left Shu with vague memories of a breakup. He couldn't be very creative, but he managed to get his point across before he left.
He wouldn't be able to look at her face knowing what he'd done. He'd lied and deceived her, and promised to be truthful only to lie again.
How he wished he could take his own memories, forget something so easily. But he'd never entrust those memories to any other demon, and there is no way to fully destroy the memory of something. Whether or not you remember something, what happened happened, and no amount of memory erasure could change that.
So Charon walked away a coward, weak and burdened with guilt only he could understand. And Asushunamir walked away strong, her heart given more time to build ever stronger, so that one day she might regain these memories, and she'd not be on another ledge ever again.
"I wasn't strong," She whispered.
"Yes you were. You came off that bridge. You gave me one chance when you believed everything was falling apart."
"But it was the memory loss that kept me strong."
"No. The memory loss just made you believe you were strong, but you were the one who made yourself that way. No amount of memories can change that. Whatever you believe, whatever you remember, none of it can change what is fact. Take a memory demon's word for it. You were strong, you are strong. You just needed some memory meddling to make you believe it. Now that you do remember, I know that you're only going to get stronger."
She hesitated for a long moment, so long that Charon thought she'd fallen asleep again.
"Take me to him, Charon."
"What?"
She moved to sit up on the bed. "Take me to him. I've recovered a lot of strength since my body's adjusting to the weakness of the soul bond, but if I can get close enough, we can rejuvenate it, make it fresh once more, even with him in Valentine's body."
"No! You are in no condition to be breaking into the Shadowhunter Institute, worse, Valentine's cell."
"Then you have to bring him here, Charon. I don't care what it takes, who's trust you break, whatever. Just portal him here, and we'll reestablish the bond. Then, once I'm at full strength again, we grab Valentine in Magnus's body and make the switch. After that's done, we can return Valentine to the Clave, no harm no foul. Bringing Valentine to Edom will leave him no place to run."
Charon shook his head. "B-But…what if I get caught? They'll kill me on sight, Shu, and I'll draw attention to your face, making it so that you're known as a Warlock who has runes."
"Just change my face slightly. The only ones who have taken a good look at my face are the Scooby-Doo club. People can say they've seen me around, but they'll have no choice but to believe that the face you're using is the one they've been seeing all along. Please, Charon. If you want me to forgive you for all you've done, just please do this one thing for me."
He swallowed, but sighed after a moment. "I'd do anything for you, angel. Now get some rest. I'll be back."
She nodded, her eyes already drooping, and she collapsed against the pillow on the bed once more.
"Alec," Not-Shu called. "I heard Valentine is going to be executed?"
"Inquisitor Herondale put in the request, yeah."
"They can't do that."
"As much as I hate Valentine, you're right."
He walked forward, and Not-Shu quickly followed after to find he was going to the elevator where the Inquisitor was.
"Inquisitor Herondale. I heard you put a request in for Valentine's execution."
She pressed the button on the elevator. "Unfortunately the Clave has denied that request. They don't understand. Valentine will never tell us where the Mortal Cup. It's time to take matters into my own hands."
The elevator dinged and she walked in. Alec walked in behind, but when Not-Shu moved to follow, the Inquisitor held her hand out. "Not you, ma'am."
A group of Shadowhunters moved in from out of nowhere and suddenly grabbed and restrained her. Her hands were pulled behind her back, and the next thing she knew her hands were cuffed together and her powers were disabled.
"You are hereby placed under arrest. You are not a part of this facility, nor are you in any of the databanks of the Clave. Upon further investigation, it seems you hold demonic blood."
"Hey, hold on a moment," Alec protested.
"I know you think you know who this is, Mr. Lightwood, however, this is not a Shadowhunter, nor even a Downworlder. We've also detected traces of angelic power with you. I don't know what you are, but you will not be roaming freely about this Institute, and you will certainly not be going anywhere near Mr. Morgenstern."
Not-Shu scoffed. "Should've gone for Magnus first."
"Take her away."
She was dragged away, both her demonic powers and the angelic powers from her ring temporarily weakened and/or disabled.
"Alexander, look at the Sphere!" She called. "You have to save him! You have to save her! Please, Alexander! Please! If he dies, we don't know what will happen!"
The Inquisitor sighed and walked back into the elevator. "Now, shall we?"
The elevator arrived, and Alec walked nervously after the Inquisitor.
"You're going to execute Valentine?" Alec questioned. "Right here in the Institute?"
"I disabled the security system."
"That's not protocol, that's-"
"Mr. Lightwood. Either help or go. The choice is yours."
Alec hesitated as she marched over to the cell and activated the lights. Alec followed and opened the door for her, still concerned as to what she planned to do.
"Put him in the chair," She ordered.
"Alexander, what's happening?" Not-Valentine asked nervously.
"Now."
Alec hesitated, but moved his eyes from her to him.
"Alec…no…" Not-Valentine muttered.
Alec then moved forward to do as she said.
"No, no. Please. Please don't do this. Don't. Don't do this. Please. Don't do this."
"Gag him," She ordered.
"Alexander, what are you doing? Please don't-" The gag was placed over his mouth. "Please don't do this! Please!"
But Alec stepped away and let the Inquisitor walk forward. "My son is dead because of you. And it's been 23 years, and the pain just never goes away. Guard the entrance."
Not-Valentine looked to Alec pleadingly. "Please."
Alec hesitated once more, not completely okay with what the Inquisitor was doing, but he turned and walked out.
Alec sighed as he stood by the elevator, before remembering what Shu had told him. Look at the Sphere. You have to save him. You have to save her. We don't know what will happen.
He pulled the sphere out of his pocket reluctantly, wondering how to activate it.
Then, his eyes clouded over as the memories were transferred into him, no different than using a rune to share a memory.
It would seem the Warlock I tampered with was the one little Shu was bonded to. Do you care?
I switched Magnus Bane and Valentine Morgenstern, sure.
That was Azazel. Oh, gods, it was true.
"Hello, Alec."
A hologram of Jace and Magnus appeared, Jace's hands shackled together.
"Alec, I'm so sorry," Jace said. "You were right, they switched."
"Magnus…!"
Shu (Real-Shu) fell through a portal, unable to catch herself, but crawling her way forward.
"Stop it…! Don't…! Please…!"
She made her way into the cell and held her wrist forward. In a spark, a cord of magic appeared connecting their wrists. Shu gasped and took a deep breath, lying on the floor of the cell before Alec surged past and pushed the Inquisitor, who had a seraph knife drawn (though she was slightly recoiling from the soul bond's appearance).
"Stop! Stop! Whoa! Stop! It's not Valentine!"
Not-Valentine sighed in relief, while Shu pulled herself to her feet.
"What are you talking about?" The Inquisitor asked.
"You've taken my light…your darkness will come," Not-Magnus said.
She looked over to see the hologram of Not-Magnus and Jace.
"What did you just say?" The Inquisitor asked.
"I'm repeating your words back to you," Not-Magnus said.
She walked out, and Alec removed the gag from Not-Valentine while Shu quickly handed the cuffs around his wrists.
"Maggie, I'm so sorry I couldn't make it sooner."
"I couldn't feel it."
"I know. But it's still there. I wanted to come sooner, but Charon trapped me in bed."
"You remember the fire message you sent to me the night Stephen died," Not-Magnus continued. "The good news is, in exchange for my freedom, you can save your pure-angel blooded warrior."
"I don't make deals with devils," The Inquisitor said.
"You chose the wrong bait," Jace agreed. "For all she cares, you could slaughter me right now."
"I don't think so. Imogen wouldn't dare slaughter her grandson."
"After all your lies, you expect me to believe I'm a Herondale?"
"Stephen Herondale was your father, and his wife Céline was your mother." He looked to the Inquisitor. "You ever think about poor Céline? Nine months pregnant when she took her own life. Her dead body ravaged by Werewolves, her unborn son eaten alive. Or was he?"
"You didn't…" She muttered.
"The Clave took so much from me. So I took something in return. But I'm sure you want further proof."
He held up a silver ring.
"My family ring…Where did you get that?"
"Off Céline's very hand. You have one hour to meet my demands, or your grandson dies."
And the image disappeared.
"Can I please get my friend back?" Shu asked. "Looks kinda like me? In every aspect because he's disguised as me?"
"The demon that attempted to break Valentine out?"
"Under my orders, because I wanted to make the switch between these two before something like this happened."
"You made a deal with a demon?"
"Yeah. I gave him a memory of the last time I ate spaghetti."
"Wait, you were serious?" Alec asked.
"Yeah, dude. Spaghetti is awesome. Anyway, can I get him out in a civil way, or are we going to have to do this by force?"
"Bad enough that I have to make a deal involving the freedom of Valentine, but a deal involving the freedom of a demon?"
"Fine, force it is."
She waved her hand, and suddenly a duplicate of her appeared, Real-Shu holding onto the necklace of Not-Shu.
"Oh, hey," Not-Shu said.
Real-Shu pulled the necklace off and put it around her own neck before waving her hand as some magic came out of the Inquisitor's forehead and formed a Sphere in her hand.
She passed it to Not-Shu. "Keep that safe for me, will ya?"
"Uh, yeah, that might be in my best interests. On that note, I am out."
Not-Shu disappeared, before Real-Shu waved her hand and the Inquisitor snapped to attention.
"Right, where were we?"
Shu knocked on the door to the apartment, and Not-Magnus opened the door, staring at his own body in confusion.
"Sorry he couldn't come alone, but since your souls were switched, this happened between us," Shu said, holding up her wrist to reveal the ten-foot long chain that had been dragging behind them. "We keep this deal clean, all right? You each get your bodies back, a fair trade, and then Jace lives for your freedom."
She and Not-Valentine walked inside and Not-Magnus threw up the wards behind them.
"You used Jace to get me here," Not-Valentine said. "Now let him go."
Not-Magnus turned around before waving his hand and blasting Jace away into the next room and closing the door. He then opened a portal behind Not-Valentine.
"The first person who leaves here is me," Not-Magnus declared.
"As per the deal," Shu agreed. "Now, let's do this thing already. I know you don't like being tainted in a Downworlder body."
Shu snapped her fingers and objects from around the room flew over to them, including a desk, which then held a good deal of ingredients along with the Book of the White.
She rubbed her hands together. "Now."
She began pouring some ingredients into a bowl and mixing them, Magnus measuring out some powders to add in as well.
"Try anything, and with the flick of my finger Jace dies," Not-Magnus warned.
"Ooo, look who likes being a Warlock," Shu taunted. "Don't worry. This is a rather simple concoction. Besides, this is not the first, nor probably the last, time Uncle Azazel has switched people to tick me off. Now, I hope you know how to pronounce Latin properly."
She poured the mixture into a pair of glasses and handed one to each of them. "Bottoms up, boys."
The two held the drinks up. "Reddite animas nostras," Not-Valentine began.
"In earum corpora," Not-Magnus finished. (Rough translation: "Restore our lives to our bodies")
They each took a swig of the weird liquid and then set their cups down.
Shu took a step back and held her hands out to either of them, before bringing her palms together to clap in front of her.
The two of them flinched, a blue glow of energy surging out for each of them to meet in the middle. The glow flashed brighter, and the two of them were lifted up off the floor. Each of their eyes darkened to black as images of their real souls began to get tugged free.
Shu then pulled her hands away from each other, shooting them out in either direction, and in one final flash, all of the magic disappeared, and the two men fell to the ground, Shu hit with her own wave of fatigue and falling to her knees as the soul bond flickered back to life between her wrist and Magnus's.
The two boys gathered their bearings, before Valentine - Real-Valentine - looked to the still open portal.
Shu then tackled him as he tried to get to his feet, pulling him away from the portal while Magnus took over and tried to wrestle him down. Shu waved her hand and the wards for the apartment came down, Clary, Alec, and oddly enough that Sebastian guy running through.
"Alexander!" Magnus called.
Valentine shoved him away in his distraction and Valentine made for the portal. Clary sprinted after him and charged in to tackle them both through as the portal disappeared, Clary's will overpowering Valentine's and taking them back to his cell where the Inquisitor and the Shadowhunter guards were waiting for him.
"Two soul bond jumps in one day," Shu muttered.
"Actually the first one was yesterday," Charon pointed out.
"Shut up."
Magnus and Shu were still chained together from their soul bond, but they'd fix that later. They walked into the main area where Alec was picking up some broken glass from when Shu and Magnus had tried to wrestle down Valentine.
Magnus sat on one of the couches while Shu and Charon sat on the other across from it, the soul bond plenty long enough to reach.
"Magnus, I am so sorry…" Alec said. "…for everything you had to go through."
Magnus shook his head slightly. "That agony rune…it made me relive memories I've spent…centuries trying to forget. Centuries we've spent trying to forget."
Shu rested her head against Charon, laying back with the same dazed expression as Magnus - trying to keep calm when the emotions were overwhelming.
Alec sighed and sat down next to Magnus, trying to come up with something to say. "Magnus, tell me how to fix this. Just tell me what to do. Please."
Magnus shook his head with a sigh. There was nothing Alec could do, though it wasn't his fault.
What Magnus was dealing with was beyond even him.