Day six: switch day. Magnus is a Shadowhunter leaving Idris for the first time in his life. He has never seen a Downworlder before but that changes when he meets Alec Lightwood, the High Warlock of Brooklyn.
Malec Week 2017- Day 6- Switch: Loving You is Magic
Magnus Pov- "Can you believe this? I can't believe this. There is no way to contain the absolute excitement I feel at this very moment. Nothing will ever top this moment in time, right now," I gushed pacing back in forth in the training room of the Shadowhunter Academy.
"Calm down, won't you? We just graduated from the Academy and you're already acting like a fool with its head cut off," my best friend and Parabatai Ragnor Fell sighed, shaking his head at me.
My name is Magnus Bane and I'm the best Shadowhunter of my recent graduating class. Some may disagree with that but who cares what they think. The graduation ceremony was last week but today was the day to really be excited about. It was the day when we got sent on our institute tours all around the world!
You see, I have lived in Idris all my life. My father isn't the most active Nephilim and my mother died in war when I was very young. Because of her death, my father forbids me from ever leaving Idris in fear that I would get hurt. I'm a Shadowhunter though, it's my job to be in the line of danger. The moment I turned eighteen, I made sure to sign up to leave Idris and finally see a real-life institute, not to mention the mundane world.
"Where do you think they will send us? Do you think it will be a city or an Island? Honestly, I'm hoping for a big city that I can get lost in. Alicante is just so small, I want to experience something huge!"
"Magnus, calm down! I've been to institutes before and I'm telling you that you are building it up to be more exciting than it actually is," Ragnor sighed. I shook my head at him. "You just don't understand Ragnor. I have been in Idris my entire life! I've never seen an institute or a city. Hell, I've never even seen a Downworlder before."
"Which is a good thing in all honesty. Nothing good comes out of knowing Downworlders. I've had to deal with a few of them and I rather not have to do it again. Of course, you, signing us up to be part of an institute means we will be dealing with a lot of Downworlders."
"Yeah, I know, it's going to be so great" I squeeled, causing Ragnor to throw up his hands in defeat. Our friend Catarina walked in the room and Ragnor sighed with relief. "Catarina, talk some sense into this idiot. Tell him that being a part of an institute isn't as fun as he thinks it will be."
Catarina shrugged, closing the book she was reading and setting it on the table next to us. "Magnus hasn't been out of Idris before Ragnor. Maybe you should just let him have this one." I smiled at her before smirking at Ragnor. "See that my Parabatai? I think it's clear who my true friend is here."
"Ragnor is right Magnus but I know there is no getting through to you when you're like this. You are going to be excited until you experience it yourself and see that it really isn't anything to be excited about."
I groaned in irritation, looking up at the ceiling. "Of course, you aren't really on my side. Why aren't my 'so called friends' ever on my side?"
"Maybe because you are an idiot," Raphael, another friend of mine answered as he walked in. It has come to my attention that all my friends are assholes. Perhaps I will make some new ones wherever I end up.
"I've come to inform you all that they are getting ready to send us to our new Institute. All four of us are being sent to New York City," Raphael grumbled. I gasped loudly, biting my lip to try containing my excitement. "New York? That's one of the biggest cities in all of America!"
"Looks like you got what you wanted," Ragnor sighed crossing his arms and walking out of the training room. "If we're going to be going to New York then I guess it's time to pack. Let's all meet at the accords hall in an hour. Oh, and Magnus, try to pack like a real Shadowhunter."
What he meant by that was my clothes needed to be practical for fighting. I may have never left Idris before but that didn't stop me from having all the latest mundane fashion. My closest female friend Tessa Gray always brings me stylish outfits when she comes back from her travels. Ragnor claims that I should wear darker clothes and actually use the gear when in battle.
I for one think I fight just fine without it. My dagger throwing skills are the best of my age. I also have cat-like reflexes so I've never been hit by any weapon so there's no need for gear.
"I will pack what I please thank you very much," I called out to him before making my way home to pack.
An hour later the four of us stepped out of a portal looking around at the huge city surrounding us. Buildings were stretching to the sky and it made me feel a little light headed. I've never seen anything so amazing in all my life.
"So, this is a city," I exclaimed looking at the traffic of the cars and listening to the loud hustle and bustle of New York. Raphael nodded picking up his suitcase and heading toward the Institute that was a block or so away from us. "I was born here so it's nice to be home after so long."
Raphael's family owned the New York Institute so it was no brainer that he was going to be placed here. He came to the Academy when he was fourteen though so he's been away from home for a long time.
"What are your parents like Raphe? Are they as hard to deal with as the instructors at the institute," I asked, looking around as we all walked.
"My mother is the one who owns the Institute. My father died in war years ago so she runs it by herself for now. I'll be taking her place soon since I'm the oldest of all my brothers. To answer your question, she's as tough as nails so you better be on your best behavior."
"I give it a week before he's kicked out," Ragnor chided making me gasp at his betrayal. "Some Parabatai you turned out to be. You know that if I get kicked out you have no choice but to come with me, right?"
He sighed shaking his head. "Sadly, that's the truth. Tell me again what made me want to become your Parabatai? I must have come down with a case of the demon pox." "Demon pox don't even exist, thank you very much" I huffed, stopping in front of the institute entrance.
"Please refrain from bickering like this in front of my mother. I haven't seen her in four years, so I would appreciate it if our reunion wasn't ruined by your big mouth Magnus," Raphael scolded.
"Why am I the only one being yelled at," I grumbled, crossing my arms and pouting like a five-year-old. Everyone shook their heads at me before Raphael pushed the doors open and we all entered, going straight to the elevator.
It was very old and the doors shrieked loudly as Ragnor shut them. "You may want to get that fixed at some point," I suggested, pushing the button to go to the main floor. "It has always been like this. I thought mom would have had it fixed by now but it seems she hasn't gotten around to it," Raphael sighed shaking his head.
The elevator stopped on the main floor and it took both Ragnor and I to open the doors. Yep, this thing defiantly needed to be replaced with a new one. Someone could get trapped in here if they are alone.
Once we were inside the actual institute I couldn't stop myself from gawking at the high ceilings and old gothic church architecture. My small house in Idris had nothing on this place. There seemed to be enough room to hold over five hundred people.
Raphael led us to the library where he said his mother would be waiting for us. Honestly, I was a little worried about meeting this woman. Raphael has spent years telling me about her and all the stories were terrifying. An angry Spanish mother is the one you don't want to cross.
The Library doors opened and to my surprise, a small petite lady was standing by the desk in the middle of the room. I don't know what I was imagining Raphael's mother to look like, but it wasn't a lady half my size.
She turned around to face us with an angry scowl on her face, and the moment her eyes landed on Raphael, her cold stare turned gentle. "Raphael, my little boy is back home." Raphael smiled back at her, a true genuine smile that I don't think I've ever seen from him.
"Mama, I've missed you," he beamed, going up to his mother and giving her a big hug. She only came up to the middle of his chest so he picked her up as he hugged her. She smiled happily, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing his cheek.
Once he put her down, she looked behind him at the rest of us. "These must be all your friends." Raphael nodded looking at us. "They are my friends. This is Ragnor Fell and Catarina Loss." I waited for him to introduce me but after a long moment of silence, it was obvious that he wasn't going to.
"Hey, why aren't you telling her my name," I huffed, crossing my arms in irritation. He shrugged as if the answer was simple. "I was introducing my friends." "I'm your friend too," I whined making his roll his eyes at me.
"Mama, this annoying guy is Magnus Bane. I apologize for any future mess he gets into around here." His mom looked at him before looking back at me. "Bane? I knew your mother. We went to the academy together and were very good friends. It's nice to see that her son is in good health."
She looked at everyone else still smiling, "my name is Guadalupe Santiago, the leader of this institute. I have a lot of rules so be respectful and follow them. There will be consequences if you don't."
"There's the woman you warned us about," Ragnor whispered leaning in toward Raphael. He nodded whispering back, "she may be small but she can get really angry."
The library phone started ringing and Guadalupe groaned in irritation. "Again? I swear this phone has been ringing all day." She rolled her eyes before turning to grab it, leaving a trail of Spanish swears in her wake.
"Wow, she really does get mad easily," I mumbled softly. Everyone nodded in agreement as she picked up the phone and yelled "what?!"
We all stayed silent as the person on the other end spoke and she sighed, rubbing her eyes. "To do that we will have to get warlock assistance. You know how hard it is to get the High Warlock to accept work from us?"
My ears perked up at the mention of a warlock. How awesome would that be to have my first downworlder be a magic user? I've heard interesting things about warlocks. Especially High Warlocks.
Guadalupe sighed running her hand over her face. "Yes, I know, I will send someone to go talk to him." She hung up and Raphael frowned at her. "What's the matter mama?" She shook her head putting her hands on her hips.
"We need a truth potion for an interrogation going on in Idris. They think that the best warlock for the job is the High Warlock of Brooklyn. The problem is, he doesn't trust Nephilim and he rarely ever helps us. He mostly works with other Downworlders and Mundanes that somehow find out about the shadow world."
"So, you just have to convince this guy to make you a potion? That sounds easy enough. Send me to go talk to him. I can be very convincing," I offered excitedly. Raphael frowned at that. "Magnus you've never seen a downworlder before. You don't know how to talk to them."
"I hate to say this Raphael, but Magnus is right," Ragnor agreed making me look at him shocked. "Magnus may be a huge idiot and a screw up most of the time but if there is one thing he's good at, it's convincing someone to do something."
It was true. I could talk anyone into doing anything I wanted. How hard could it be to talk a warlock into making a small potion?
"If you think you can convince him then by all means, go," Guadalupe sighed, sitting at the desk and pulling out a planner. "I can't deal with that family."
That surprised me a little. "Wait, family? I thought warlocks couldn't have children." Raphael shrugged "they can't but they do have siblings. They may not have the same mothers but they do have the same demon father."
"Maybe we should go with you Magnus," Catarina sighed. "I don't want you to say the wrong thing and insult the High Warlock." "Thanks for the concern but it might be best if I just go alone. I'm more convincing when I don't have people holding me back," I grumbled rolling my eyes.
They all looked at each other like this was a bad idea and I just rolled my eyes again before looking over at Guadalupe. "Give me this guys' address. I'll have that truth potion here in no time."
An hour later I was standing in front of a huge old looking apartment building. There were so many complexes I didn't know which one I should try. The note Guadalupe gave me only says the address and the word 'Lightwood'.
"Maybe that's the street name," I mumbled to myself looking up at the street signs. None of them were called that so maybe street name wasn't correct. I turned toward the buzzers with names written next to them. After scrolling down, the name Lightwood caught my eye making me smile.
"There you are," I chimed pushing the call button.
Silence.
I push the button again… and then again… and then again.
Still silence.
Sighing, I pushed the button repeatedly not even taking my finger off it for a second. I wasn't going to let this guy ignore me like this!
After the fiftieth push, the speaker crackled and a loud voice yelled, "what the hell do you want?!" Blinking in surprise, I pushed the button again speaking into the speaker. "Hi, I'm Magnus Bane. I am in need of assistance from the High Warlock of Brooklyn."
"Sorry, our business hours are only on days that don't end in Y," the irritated voice chided. I thought about what day that would be and rolled my eyes when I realized every day ends in Y. "Ha, ha, very funny. Enough games. I demand to see the High Warlock."
There was nothing but silence around me and I wondered if he walked away from the buzzer and was now ignoring me. I was going to push the button again but stopped when the door made a clicking noise.
"The doors open, come on up," the voice sighed.
I raised an eyebrow at his rude tone before rolling my eyes and making my way inside. Once I was up the stairs, I stopped by the door that was labeled Lightwood. 'Should I knock or just walk in,' I wondered before reaching out to knock on the door. Before I could do that, the door opened and there stood a tall young man maybe a year younger than me, with golden blonde hair and bright gold eyes that practically glowed.
"Are you the High Warlock of Brooklyn," I asked looking him up and down. He was wearing black jeans, a plain gray T-shirt and a leather Jacket over it. I don't know why, but I imagined the High Warlock being more… mystical?
He leaned against the doorframe, blocking my way from coming inside. "I am a warlock. Wither I'm the High Warlock or not is the question. What do you want with the High Warlock?"
"As I said before, I am Magnus Bane and starting today I am a resident of the New York Institute. The leader of said institute needs a very important potion made by a strong warlock. The clave believes that the best warlock for the job is the High Warlock of Brooklyn."
"Nephilim huh," he inquired looking down at my rune covered arms. "How much is Guadalupe willing to pay for the potion? She knows that the High Warlock doesn't make a habit of helping Nephilim."
"Well maybe you can make an exception just this once," I pushed, batting my eyelashes at him. He raised a questioning eyebrow at me before looking back when another male voice spoke from inside.
"Jace, how long are you going to stand there pretending to be me? I thought I told you to stop doing that."
The blond guy, Jace I guess his name is; rolled his eyes before moving out of the doorway and going back inside. I glanced around, wondering if that was an invitation to go inside.
"You can come in Nephilim, I apologize for my brother's behavior. I'll be with you in just a minute" the other male voice spoke from inside, sounding like he was going in another room. I did as he said, coming inside and closing the door behind me before looking around.
I don't know what I was expecting from a warlock home. Magical pets, house hold items coming to life, magic everywhere you looked. What I got was a normal living room with a long leather sofa, a little coffee table in the middle and a flat screen hanging on the wall.
"Can't help but feel slightly disappointed," I mumbled to myself, sitting on the leather couch. Then again, the blond guy I met at the door wasn't very impressive either. I always heard that warlocks had a mark that showed they were warlocks. Be that being unnatural colored skin, horns or animal like birth defects.
Besides his eyes being so gold, they were vibrant enough to light the way in the dark; there was nothing about the boy that screamed 'hey I'm an all-powerful warlock.'
"Well hello, it's strange seeing Nephilim sitting on our couch," a musical female voice came from behind me. I turned to face her and gasped at what I saw. She was stunning, her skin pale as marble and her black hair trailing all the way down to the floor. What really caught my attention though were her eyes. Hers were like a cat. Brown, with specks of green floating around giving them a predatory, majestic look.
She cocked her head to the side, causing some of her hair to fall in front of her shoulder. "You're cute for a Nephilim boy. It's nice to see at least some of you know how to dress in style."
I looked down at my ripped up black skinny jeans, my neon green shirt that has one sleeve that slides off my shoulder, and my sparkly purple scarf that I used to complete my look. I also applied a light shade of purple eyeshadow as well.
She was stylish herself. She had on tight high waist jeans and a bright red crop top that draped below her shoulders. Her lipstick matched her shirt and was perfect with her complexion. She finished off the look with some wedged boots.
I smiled at her 'cute' comment. "I'm flattered really, but I'm afraid I'm not looking to date girls at the moment." She blinked in silence a couple times before a small smile spread on her lips. "You're gay," she asked.
I shook my head, "I like both men and women but I've never had the chance to date a guy before. See, I've lived in Idris all my life and my father would kill me if he knew I was also attracted to guys."
"Hmm, interesting," she mused, smirking slightly. The smirk confused me but I ignored it as I looked around the room again. "So… is the High Warlock guy coming back or what?"
"I'm back," he called walking back in the room. I turned toward him, opening my mouth to greet him but no words escaped passed my lips. I was stunned into silence from the sight of the most beautiful boy- no, most beautiful person I have ever seen in my entire life.
He was drop dead gorgeous with the same white skin and black hair as the girls only his was short and barely went to the nape of his neck. He was wearing an old looking gray sweater and some faded jeans but that didn't take away from his sexiness.
The most stunning thing about him though was his bright blue cat eyes. Blue eyes on a black cat in gorgeous on its own but blue cat eyes on a sexy black haired male was dazzling.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. My name is Alexander Lightwood, High Warlock of Brooklyn. You can just call me Alec though. Was there something you needed from me Nephilim?"
I licked my dry lips trying to make the words come out but nothing did. This has never happened to me before. No one has ever made me feel this way ever! Maybe it's just the excitement of meeting my first downworlder, but I didn't feel this way about the other two.
Alec blinked, confused by my shyness before looking at the girl. "Does he not talk?" She laughed, putting her arm around his neck. "He was talking to me just fine. We were just discussing how he wants to find a cute boy to date. Maybe you'd know someone good for him Alec."
Alec rolled his eyes at her before pulling her arm off him. "There's no need to tease him Isabelle. Even if he's Nephilim, he is still a customer."
That surprised me. The way Guadalupe made it sound, it was almost impossible to get the High Warlock to work with Shadowhunters. I thought this was going to be a situation where I would have to bring out my charm and trick him into helping us.
So much for charm! I can't even get a single word out! What in the angel is happening to me?!
"I…. um I…" I inwardly cursed at myself. Why was it so hard to open my mouth and talk to him? Normally, I would already be talking circles around him and maybe wittingly flirting with him at the same time.
"Maybe having all these warlocks around him is making him nervous. Isabelle, go get Jace and go out to dinner or something. Jace must have rattled him with his stupid joke at the door earlier."
"I'm not rattled by him," I rushed out, making them both look at me. Clearing my throat, I glanced over at Alec, meeting his eyes. "It's just… I've never seen anyone as handsome as you before. It made me feel a little flustered is all."
The blue-eyed warlock seemed surprised. "You think I'm handsome… even after seeing Jace?" "Who's Jace," I asked confused. "That would be me," the golden boy answered, coming back in the room.
I looked him over for a moment before looking back at Alec. "He dresses better than you… but that's about it. You are ten times more gorgeous than he is."
A blush spread across Alec's face and that made me smile. Even though I was feeling flustered, I was still able to make him blush in such a way.
Jace scoffed at that and Isabelle smirked at him before grabbing her, jacket. "Come on Jace, let's leave Alec to his work. It doesn't look like he will be needing our help. We'd just be in the way if we stay"
Jace rolled his and waited for Isabelle to braid her hair and put it up so it wouldn't sweep against the dirty city streets, before leaving with her. Alec shook his head before looking back at me. "I'm sorry about my brother and sister. They don't know how to be mature."
"Are they both your blood related siblings," I asked then silently cursed myself for it. Might as well said 'hey did all your moms get raped by the same demon?' Raphael's right, I am an idiot.
"Well, Isabelle and I are. Jace on the other hand is just my best friend who I consider a brother. He acts immature like a little brother so I might as well treat him like one." He sat down next to me and I swear my air supply was cut off by how close he was to me.
When did I become such an inexperienced dork? This warlock is who knows how old. He must be used to flirting and talking like a normal person. He must think I'm pathetic.
"So… you needed something from me," He asked with a smile. I nodded quickly, trying to remember what my reason for coming here in the first place was. "The Clave needs your assistance with a truth spell, so the head of the New York Institute sent me here to get one."
Alec frowned slightly, leaning back in the couch and laying his head on it thinking. "What did the head of the institute tell you about me?" I shrugged, "she said that it's almost impossible to get you to help them. Still… I have the feeling you're a caring person."
"Well you'd be right about that. I am a very caring person and that's why I won't help you." That caused me to frown at him. "Why not? All I need is a truth spell." Alec rolled his eyes before snapping his fingers making a cup of tea appear in my hands. I almost spilled it in surprise but didn't drop it.
Alec also had some tea, and he sipped at it in silence before looking at me again. "The fact that you think it's just a truth spell only proves how young you are. Have you ever dealt with Magic before?"
Frowning, I shook my head no. "This is my first day being away from Idris. They don't talk about magic in the Shadowhunter Academy."
"To put it simply, a truth spell is used for interrogation. Tell me Shadowhunter, what does the Clave do when they interrogate one of you?" I thought about that for a moment before answering, "they use to Mortal Sword. The Nephilim hold it and it forces them to tell the truth."
He nodded, "correct. Now, why would the Clave need a truth spell if they had their precious little sword?"
I thought about that for a moment before shaking my head, not able to give him an answer.
"It means that they would be using it on a Downworlder. They want to use my magic to interrogate one of my own. Believe me, if they don't answer the questions honestly, the side effects of the spell are torture. I refuse to torture a fellow Downworlder. Especially when I can almost guarantee that that downworlder hasn't really done anything wrong."
I opened my mouth to argue against that but nothing came out. He was right. If it was a Shadowhunter they were questioning, they would just use the Mortal Sword. That must mean it's a Downworlder they're questioning. What kind of Downworlder, and what did they do to have the Clave interrogate them?
"I guess that's true…" I sighed looking down at my hands in my lap.
Alec watched me in silence for a moment before he reached up and grabbed my chin, making me look back up at him. "You know, I don't think I've ever seen a Nephilim look concerned for my kind before."
"Never? But you must be really, really old" I commented then quickly closed my eyes, grimacing. Did I just call him old? No, I didn't just call him old. I called him fucking ancient!
"Alexander, I am so sorry! I wasn't trying to call you old. I mean, yeah, the words I used were 'really, really old' but I didn't mean it. You don't look a day over nineteen. How old are you? Oh crap! You don't have to answer that question. It was really stupid and insensitive-"
Alec stopped my rant by putting his hand over my mouth, a small smile pulling at the corner of his mouth. "All the Shadowhunters I've ever met always seem so cool and collected. You're nothing like them."
"I'm usually a lot smoother than this, I promise," I assured but he just shook his head.
"I like this much better."
"Really," I mumbled softly.
He nodded, his smile growing bigger. "It's been a long time since I've talked to someone so interesting. To answer your previous question, I am over three hundred years old."
"Wow… you really don't look a day over nineteen."
He shrugged at that. "Most warlocks stop growing at a young age. I think there's only three warlocks in the world who managed to become old. They stopped aging around their early sixties."
That was very interesting. In fact, everything that came out of Alec's mouth was interesting. It made me want to forget about the truth spell and just talk to him like this about anything and everything.
So… that's what I did.
"What's up with your fashion sense? I would assume being alive so long, you would be on trend with all the latest looks. Instead you're wearing a gray sweater that looks like It's as old as you."
The thought that he could feel insulted made me second guess my comment but I calmed down when he started laughing. He had a beautiful laugh and it lit up his face. I wouldn't mind hearing that laugh every day.
"To be honest, I used to be obsessed with staying in trend with everyone else. That stopped around when I turned a hundred. The older you get, the more you realize that there's no point in trying to impress people. They will one day leave and then you will just have to start again and impress new people. It gets tiring after a while. At least it was for me. Jace and Isabelle are all about keeping up with the latest trends."
"That's an interesting way of thinking about it. I've always been, well… different than other Shadowhunters. My mother died when I was ten and after that happened I decided there's no time to waste. You never know when tomorrow will be your last day on earth. So when my friend Tessa brought me some stylish clothes, I didn't hesitate to wear them."
"What does your father think about you being Bi," he asked making me look at him shocked.
"How did you know I was Bi?"
"I overheard you say it to Isabelle but I didn't hear the whole conversation."
I sighed, thinking about my father. "He used to be a hard man to deal with. Before my mom died he would have killed me for dressing the way I do now. Ever since she died though he's gotten a little soft. He's still hard on me and is always super protective. He was furious when I told him that I signed up to be a part of an institute."
"If he's become soft then why not tell him about your sexuality," he asked, looking honestly curious.
"He may be softer now but he's still a hard man to deal with. The clothes are one thing but if I told him that I wanted to date a guy? He would kill me with my own daggers."
"Daggers? Is that your weapon on choice," he asked; smirking.
I nodded smiling. "I'm amazing at throwing daggers. I always hit my target wither it's moving or not. Do you have any magic tricks you favor?"
"My magic isn't a trick. If I must choose my favorite magic to use though, it would have to be my weapons," he mused, looking thoughtful.
"Weapons? What would you need weapons for?"
He shrugged, "I've fought in a war or two. You don't live three hundred years without getting in a few battles. Would you like to see my weapon?"
I nodded quickly, very interested in seeing what kind of weapon a warlock would use. He put his tea down on the coffee table before standing up and closing his eyes. He stretched out his arms, concentrating and a few seconds later, an archery bow made from blue flames appeared in his hand.
Gasping loudly, I put my tea down and stood up, getting closer to the weapon. I reached out to touch it but Alec pulled it away. "It's made from fire Nephilim. That means it can burn you."
Him saying that made me realize something. I looked down at him meeting his eyes. "You told me your name but I don't think I told you mine."
A playful smirk made its way on Alec's face. "I was wondering how long it would take you to notice. So Shadowhunter, may I know your name?"
A hesitant laugh escaped passed my lips before answering, "Magnus. My name is Magnus Bane."
Alec's smirk turned into a sweet smile, melting my heart in the process. "Well it's nice to meet you Magnus."
I smiled back at him before looking down once again at the bow in his hand. "Is all you use is the bow?" He shook his head, holding it up and pulling the bow string with his other hand. As he did that, more fire formed into the shape of an arrow.
"I use fire arrows as well. They sink into my opponents' body and paralyzes them from the inside. Only for a short while of course. I would never permanently paralyze someone, no matter who it was."
"That's… surprisingly human of you" I complimented, my voice soft. Alec shrugged making his weapon vanish. "Just because my father's a demon doesn't mean I'm not human. I may not be mundane, but I do have a soul."
"My father always talked about Downworlders like they were a nuisance to everyone around them. I never really believed anything he said. In fact, I always wanted to meet a Downworlder." I glanced up at him, feeling a little nervous for some reason.
"I'm glad my first Downworlder encounter has been with you. It'll be a moment I remember."
A light blush made its way on Alec's face and I couldn't help but smile because of it. Something about making a three-hundred-year-old warlock bashful just sends thrills through me. Maybe it's because I feel like I make an impact in his life. That's a crazy thought though. We just met.
"If you want to be literal about it, Jace was your first Downworlder encounter," he mumbled, glancing away from me bashfully.
My smile grew at how adorable he was. "Oh, I plan on blocking that part out of my brain. In fact, every moment that happened before you walked into the room is going to be forgotten. I much rather remember you."
"Now you're just trying to embarrass me" he accused, making me laugh slightly.
"Yeah I am but it looks like it's working."
He raised an amused eyebrow at me before shaking his head with his eyes closed. "You really are an interesting Shadowhunter. Maybe I would like your kind if they were more like you."
"Sadly, I'm one of a kind," I sighed shrugging.
Alec opened his eyes again. His blue eyes shining as he smiled sweetly at me. "There isn't anything wrong with that. It just means that you have a lot to offer to the world."
His words stunned me into silence. Everyone around me always goes out of their way to point out all my short comings. They call me an idiot or criticize the way I learn or fight. Even my Parabatai tares me down more than I would like.
No one has ever encouraged my madness. They never embrace it and tell me that maybe it's a good thing to be different. Yet here this stranger was, thinking that I had a lot to offer to the world. He was a Downworlder. He was supposed to be my 'enemy' yet he said such a thing.
"Do you really think that," I whispered, not able to make my voice any louder.
"I don't know you very well but I do know how to judge a person. You Magnus Bane are a very interesting person. I would love to get to know you better."
Alec seemed surprised by his words but it wasn't surprising to me. He pretty much said that he doesn't trust my kind and didn't like being around us. Still, he said that he wanted to get to know me better.
I opened my mouth to answer him but got cut off as my cellphone started ringing. Groaning, I pulled my phone out of my pocket, looking at the caller ID. Another groan left my lips when I saw it was Ragnor calling.
"Answer that," Alec insisted, grabbing the tray of tea and taking it back into the kitchen. I watched him before sighing and answering the phone.
"What do you want Ragnor?"
"Don't ask me stupid questions Magnus. How is it going over there? You have been gone for almost an hour. Does this mean that the High Warlock is preparing the potion?"
I bit my lip, looking back toward the kitchen. "I don't think the potion is going to happen. He doesn't want to help the Clave interrogate a fellow Downworlder."
"Did you use your powers of persuasion to change his mind?"
"Um… no. It seems he's immune to my charm," I lied. I wasn't lying about the potion but I highly doubt Alec was immune to my charm. He seemed to be liking it just fine.
"Well if you can't convince him to make it, no one can. That's alright, just come back now."
I frowned not wanting to leave Alec but if I don't go back now it will look suspicious. "Okay, I'll be there soon." Ragnor hung up and I sighed lowering my phone from my ear.
"Are you leaving," Alec asked; leaning against the doorway of the kitchen. I looked back at him frowning. "Afraid so. They will think it's weird that I'm here so long and come back empty handed."
"Sorry I can't help you. If you need healing sometime look me up, but I can't go against my own kind." I shook my head standing up and walking to the front door. "You don't have to be sorry and I'll consider that next time I trip and scrap me knee."
Alec rolled his eyes at that but was smiling. "You can use a stele for that. Only come to me if you're dying."
"I promise 'Alexander' will be my last dying breath," I joked making him laugh. I really loved his laugh.
"Guess I'll be seeing you then," he said, leading me to the door. He opened it for me and I walked out into the hallway, going to go down the steps but I stopped and turned back to him.
"Will you go out on a date with me?"
His eyes widened in surprise and he grabbed the edge of the door, blushing slightly. "Why would you want to go on a date with me? I'm a warlock."
"Does that really matter? I really like you and I want to get to know you better. Please go to dinner with me this Friday," I coaxed, hoping he would accept.
He glanced away again thinking before softly saying "I can't."
My shoulders dropped in disappointment "oh… I get it. I'm sure I wouldn't want to go out with some random kid either. I'm sorry for bothering you-"
"No!" Alec yelled before clearing his throat and glancing away again, the blush returning to his cheeks. "I wasn't saying no to the date. I have a lot going on this Friday."
"Oh…"
"Perhaps we could change it to Saturday? We could go out to dinner and maybe I can show you around the city. You just moved here, right? I can show you Central Park and all my favorite sights of the city. Does that sound good?"
"That sounds perfect" I beamed, not able to contain my excitement. Alec chuckled shaking his head before smiling again. "This weekend it is then. I'll be looking forward to it."
I nodded turning to go down the stairs but once again I stopped, lost in thought.
"Something wrong," Alec asked confused.
I closed my eyes tight taking a deep breath before turning around and pressing my lips against his. He must have been surprised because at first, he just stood there not reacting. Seconds later, his lips moved with mine and the world around us vanished.
I've kissed people before but it was never like this. Kissing Alexander Lightwood was like fireworks mixed with that electric spark, while standing in the pouring rain. It was every love cliché you could possibly think about.
After what felt like hours but could only have been minutes, we both pulled away and I smiled down at him. "I'll see you Saturday." I whispered breathlessly before quickly turning and heading down the stairs.
Alec's beautiful laugh lingered in my ears as I made my way down the steps and out the door. Once I was outside I looked up at the sky, feeling my face burn up in embarrassment. A wide smile spread on my face as I looked up at the shining sun. The world was suddenly full of color and it was as if I came out of that apartment a whole new man.
"Looks like I didn't leave here empty handed after all," I swooned before making my way down the street. Whistling happily to myself as I make my way back to my new home in my new city.
Living in New York was going to be one hell of an adventure.