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Chapter 2:
Wiccan Wishes…
Summary:
Magnus goes to check on Clary. Alec and Simon have a meeting with the chief.
*~********~*~********~* Magnus-Magnus-Magnus-Magnus-Magnus *~********~*~********~*Magnus landed agilely just outside the shimmering portal, closing it with a quick snap of his fingers. Clary was to him instantly, hugging him tight. He wrapped his arms around her, pressing a slight kiss to her cheek.
"I'm sorry biscuit." He said gently,
"We'll f-"
He trailed off, glancing up.
Oh…
When Clary had said someone had thrashed the place…h-he wasn't expecting this.
It hurt him to see so much destruction in something that was always so beautiful.
'Wiccan Wishes' was easily one of his favorite places in the city; the entire place always filled with light, color, enchantment and positivity.
The walls were absolutely covered with Clary's beautiful artwork interspersed with dream catchers and various tapestries. Crystals hung everywhere, catching in the light, shimmering and sparkling, sending brilliant rainbows flitting about like tiny fairies. Colorful crystals, carvings, statues, and talismans covered every surface.
Various wind chimes hung throughout the store, set to catch in the slightest breeze from the open door.
The entire shop always had a warm, invitingly spicy scent thanks to the apothecary area, filled near to bursting with dried and fresh herbs, all sorted and cataloged, labeled carefully in Clary's careful script.
The heart of the shop was the jewelry section, two glass showcases and several stands and holders covered in beautiful, glittering items. Gemstones, crystals and various power symbols from around the world mixed with precious metals and natural elements, every last bit painstakingly handmade by the young warlock.
In many ways Magnus felt the shop was an extension of her- a glimpse into her heart; all warm, bright, powerful, chaotic and beautiful…
It was everything to her.
In many ways it WAS her…
You could see her in every part of this place…
Now it was all but destroyed.
Everything was broken; there was shattered glass everywhere. The crystals, pottery, everything was absolutely obliterated, as if someone had taken a sledge hammer to them. The cases where smashed, contents strewn about, broken and crushed.
Anything hanging up seemed to have been pulled down, stomped on. There were slashes going through much of the canvas and tapestries on the walls. Someone had taken spray paint covering them in ugly, angry black marks and vicious slurs.
Magnus felt his power surging up, the familiar crackle traveling up his arms flickering and snapping.
Oh…when he found out who did this they were going t-…
"Umm…M-Mag's? You're kind of sparking." Clary said, now standing a bit away, looking him over worriedly,
He took a deep breath, pulling back, regaining control, before shifting his focus back to the young warlock, he shook his head.
"Sorry darling…this…it is far worse than I expected." He moved closer, looking he over in concern,
"Are you sure you are alright sweetheart?"
She nodded, wrapping her arms around herself,
"Yeah…I wasn't here. I closed up about seven yesterday; had some things to do and needed to put some of the final touches on my work for the exhibit next week. I came in today at ten like I always do and it was like this."
She glanced around again,
"I…sorry, I probably shouldn't have called you; I just freaked out when I saw this. I can handle it…"
He shook his head quickly,
"Sweetheart, of course you should have called me! You're not dealing with this on your own."
She sighed,
"Mag's, I checked for any magic or supernatural signatures. Whoever did this was human, there's nothing you can do."
He scoffed,
"Sweetie there's plenty I can do." he gestured faintly, sending brilliant violet blue sparks dancing through the air.
She shook her head,
"Not without bringing a whole host of problems on yourself. I would never ask you to do that."
"You didn't ask. And besides, I've been around longer than the accords. Rules don't apply when you're older than them."
She huffed faintly, giving a slight not quite smile,
"I don't think that's quite how it works."
He gave a dismissive shrug, and a rather dangerous smirk,
"I'd like to see someone tell me otherwise."
She rolled her eyes
"I'm telling you otherwise…
Like I said, it was a mistake calling. I just freaked for a minute. It's easy enough to fix, it was just a shock, seeing it like this, that's all."
She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, her glamour falling, a soft, opalescent shimmer rippling over her skin, catching in the light like the crystals she's so very fond of. She flicks her hands, a soft golden light forming, her lips move silently, reciting an incantation. She begins with her hands pointed to the floor, slowly bringing them up.
The glittering golden light shimmers, sliding over the room, everything it touches righting itself, reforming. Slowly the paint disappears, slashes mend- it's almost disorienting, like a movie playing in reverse.
Finally she takes one more deep breath, opening her bright green eyes, glancing around before settling back on him, giving a slight smile.
"See?"
He gave a faintly impressed nod. The girl really was gifted. She was barely twenty five; by all logic she shouldn't be capable of a spell that in-depth for at least another century, but it wasn't surprising.
After all she had a fabulous teacher.
She shrugged,
"Sorry to have bothered you. I kinda overreacted. I'll just board up the windows and take a bit of time off. I can finish my project and then re-open next week. It'll be fine." she finished, giving him a slight smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
He tilted his head, squinting,
"Sweetheart, what aren't you telling me?"
She shook her head, brushing her hair back, eyes a bit too wide.
"Nothing." She said, far too quickly,
He raised his eyebrow,
"Biscuit, I have known you for over a decade. I know you better than anyone…particularly when you are trying to keep something from me. Now what is it? Do you know who did this?"
She sighed,
"No…not for sure…"
He just tilted his head, waiting
"Okay…so I've kinda had a few issues this past week, but nothing like this."
His eyes widened, gaze going sharp,
"Issues? What issues?"
She shrugged, wrapping her arms around herself once more,
"Angry notes…someone threw a rock through the window… little things, relatively harmless."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
She shook her head,
"Because I know how protective you can be and it really wasn't anything. Just a few people on edge freaking because of these killings.
I know you want to protect me, but they're not bad, just scared…look-" she turned from him, waving her hand, an odd, pale, sickly yellow and orange mist like haze flickering into focus hovering in the room, intermingled in places with a bruised purplish black.
He tilted his head curiously,
"What is that?"
She shrugged faintly,
"A spell I've been working on. It allows you to see emotions…kinda like being able to see people auras. It shows the emotional signature left at any given time. This was the one at the time of the break-in.
The yellow is fear, orange panic, the purplish color dread. Whoever did this, they weren't motivated by hate or violence…they're terrified. These killings have the humans on edge; I can't blame them for being frightened, and I don't want you going after humans who just don't know how to process their fear."
He shook his head,
"Regardless of their motives, they attacked your shop-"
She sighed, nodding,
"Yes, they did…because they are terrified and lashing out at the only connection to the magic/supernatural world they actually see.
Mag's, I know you don't like staying out of this, and if it was some other warlocks or a Fae or whatever targeting me because of the magic drama that'd be one thing-
But these are just normal, powerless, humans.
Their scared because they don't know what's going on. I'm sure once this gets dealt with it'll go back to normal. I'll just try to keep my head down till then; maybe install a security system.
It'll be okay."
He sighed,
"Hopefully it will."
She tilted her head in concern,
"You don't think so?"
He gave a faint shrug, shaking his head a bit,
"I am not sure. You're right, humans are panicking over this. The more on edge they get the easier it is for them to see us. If this doesn't get solved soon, I am rather concerned what it will turn into. If they attacked your shop in fear of the magic connection…" he sighed,
"I do not like what that could lead to.
Humans are beginning to notice the packs, taking notice of howling…no longer so quick to write it off as a dog.
What happens if one of these 'scared defenseless' humans catches sight of a young warlock, Fae or the like not entirely in control of their powers?
The more on edge they are the more they will see."
She shook her head slightly,
"T-that…yeah, that'd be really bad. But they'll figure it out right? I mean Luke's sharp; if there's a supernatural connection he'd be on it. I've heard a few humans mention it but nothing from any of the others who come in to the shop. I mean yeah, I don't get much from many warlocks except dirty looks, but with most of the others usually I'm pretty much in the loop.
Plus I always watch for anything for dark magic or summoning- I haven't had anyone buying anything for that in months. Besides, no warlock is going to be stupid enough to pull something like this in your territory."
He smirked, tilting his head consideringly,
"That is quite true."
She nodded,
"So that means it has to be a human…right? So they'll solve it and it'll just blow over." She finished kind of hopefully,
He shrugged,
"I don't know. But whatever this is it needs to be dealt with, sooner rather than later. Perhaps I will go around to a few of the scenes, try to find out what's going on.
It's five humans- as a rule unless I had some kind of fondness for one of the victims, or they were a particularly empathetic figure I'd just stay out of something so small. I have far more I could be doing and there are plenty of beings in this city powerful enough to handle it.
However, this has gone on a bit too long and is drawing far too much attention for my tastes. In addition, as the attention has now been focused on you it is high time someone put a stop to it." He gave her a gentle smile,
"Do not worry biscuit; I'll get this sorted. If it's humans behind it, I'll know soon enough."
She raised her eyebrow, censoring, he rolled his eyes, giving an exaggerated huff, putting his hands up placatingly,
"I know, I know 'don't hurt them; they're defenseless,' blah, blah blah…
I'll just give Luke their names and let him follow the proper channels…"pausing he tilted his head, giving a sharp smirk, eyes glinting dangerously, a flicker of magic sparking in his palm, snaking around his hand, licking at the air like a violet flame,
"And if it is not a human…well then…this might be a whole lot more fun."
She snorted, shaking her head a bit,
"Goddess…when you do that I always expect to see lightning or hear a thunder clap…
You are SO melodramatic."
He gave a playfully flourishing dramatic bow, followed by an impish wink,
"All part of my charm."
"A really small part…" she muttered
He chuckled, before sobering faintly, giving her a reassuring smile. He reached over, slipping his arm around her shoulders, squeezing faintly,
"Don't worry sweetheart; I'll make sure everything is alright."
She gave a soft smile, slipping her arm around him too,
"You always do."
*~********~*~********~* Alec-Alec-Alec-Alec-Alec *~********~*~********~*"-yes Ma'am, we are doing everything we can..." Luke glanced up, waiving the two detectives into his office, nodding faintly,
"Yes, of course; we'll keep you updated, as soon as we get anything I'll let you know.
Okay…thank you." he hung up the phone, shaking his head,
Alec winced slightly, pointing towards the phone,
"The Mayor's office again?"
Luke nodded
"Yeah; third call today and it's not even noon. People are losing their damn minds over this. Please tell me you have some good news for me?"
Alec sighed, shaking his head,
"Afraid not…it's definitely part of the pattern- same physical type, similar clothing, Enochian brands…it's another one, no question."
"Damnit…"
"That's what I said." Simon muttered slumping a bit against the door,
Luke leaned forward,
"Do you guys have anything more to work with…any kind of connection?"
"No…not really. Izzy's doing the autopsy now, but her prelim showed exactly what the others did- which is basically nothing.
An otherwise healthy thirty year old in near peak physical condition, no traces of any drug, toxin or alcohol, no sign as to how they died except for being covered in odd, seemingly simultaneous brands.
We really don't know…" he paused, glancing over at Simon,
"Well. We have been considering this possibly being some manner of cult type practice."
Luke sighed, rubbing at his temple,
"That…that really isn't going to help with the crazy calls…"
Alec nodded
"Yeah, kinda figured that…still coming I take it?"
"Oh yeah; last one said it's her neighbor. Lady swore he was in fact a goblin. Says she knows it's him cause he was out every night the killings happened and he always wears leather, black and combat boots."
Simon blinked,
"Oookay, well, forgetting the whole 'gremlin' thing, it might be something to look into."
Luke shook his head,
"Goblin- and no, it's not. He was out those nights- he's out every night; he works as a bartender at a club - apparently the black and leather and such is basically his uniform."
"Ah…"
Luke nodded faintly,
"Yup…so you guys are thinking cult?"
Alec and Simon nod,
"It does make sense. And Simon pointed out that maybe the reason we don't see any defensive marks on the victims is that, for whatever reason, the marks where done voluntarily.
We're kinda theorizing they were supposed to be a kind of protection."
Luke tilted his head, glancing over at the younger detective.
"Protection?"
Simon nodded quickly, blushing faintly,
"Well, yeah…I mean, all this talk going around about Vampires, werewolves and such: the symbols are supposed to be 'angelic' maybe they were to protect whoever had them from things that are NOT, you know?"
He gave a thoughtful nod,
"Hmm…death by protection symbols… gotta say, I've heard some pretty odd things but that's a first. Okay well it's not exactly ideal, but sounds better than a lot of the other theories. Can you look into that a bit more? See if you can find anything else involving protection symbols, or this Enochian language at all for that matter.
It's a possible lead if anything."
Simon gave a quick, excited nod,
"Yeah, absolutely, no problem, I'll get right on it." he finished, giving the chief a bright smile,
Alec nodded, smiling faintly over to his partner before a sudden idea occurred to him. He paused, tilting his head curiously,
"Huh…"
"What?" Luke asked
Alec shrugged
"What you said about the gremlin guys 'uniform'."
"Goblin, but what about it?"
"Well… Okay, so one of our connections is that their dress is so similar, right?"
Luke nodded
"Yeah…what about it?"
Alec shrugged,
"Well, I mean, it's not like they're wearing the exact same thing; just black, leather and combat boots…that's practically the dress code for some places around here.
Maybe they just hang out in the same kinda places. They were all found fairly close to bars and clubs. Perhaps that's just how they dressed to go out? Which would mean we may have read this wrong-maybe that's not a factor after all. Maybe the killer just hangs out in the same type of bar or club?"
Luke gave a considering nod,
"So if that's the case, maybe the clothes weren't so much part of choosing them, but a clue as to where he was choosing them?
That could work…"
Alec nodded,
"While Simon's going over the files I'll go back to all the scenes, see which bars or clubs are close by that attract that type of clientele."
Simon gave a slight snort,
"Wait; YOU are going to go clubbing?"
Luke coughed trying unsuccessfully to cover a laugh,
Alec shook his head quickly,
"Uh no. I'm going to investigate- there will be no clubbing."
Simon smirked, glancing over at Luke,
"I don't know…maybe we need to do an undercover type thing- stake out a few of these places…
Think you could totally pull the look off.
What do you think, chief?"
Luke chuckled, raising his eyebrow,
"I don't know; might be a good idea...what do you think, Alec?"
Alec gave a sarcastic, deadpan look,
"I think you have a better chance of playing a game of fetch with the werewolves in Central Park than of me parading around in clubware."
Luke gave a surprised, choking laugh,
"Umm, yeah…w-well…in any case, it sounds like you have some other avenues to pursue, I'll let you get back to it." he said when he got his laughter in check…
Alec really didn't think it was that funny, but he'd known Luke for seven years; he always did have a kind of odd sense of humor.
The phone rang, Luke sighed, waving them off, sending a slightly grateful smile their way,
"Go on, find me something to get these politicians and the public off my back…"on the desk his cell phone began to ring as well,
"Soon. Please." He sighed, reaching over picking up the cell phone first,
"Hello Senator Ramsey…"
*~********~*~********~* _End Of Chapter Notes_ *~********~*~********~*WooHoo! Another full chapter up!
I know Clary's was a bit wishy-washy but I didn't want it to just be Magnus swoops in and fixes everything. I like her being able to reason with him- figure she's one of the few people who can.
Also, I needed a warlock mark for her but didn't know what to do…this just seemed to kind of fit to me.
I think I'm really gonna like her- FYI if you didn't read my other series, I really don't do a lot of straight characters so, you know- sorry, not sorry…
All my pairings will be the same as in my other series- it'll be like that throughout all my universes.
So this series WILL have Clizzy- and I think it's gonna come up fairly quick in this series.
And I realize the second part was a bit short, but I really want to get the story moving- next chapter Magnus and Alec meet…
So I wanted to kinda move along through this one…
Even so I still like this chapter.
What do you guys think?
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