The Shadowhunter stared back at Magnus. He shifted imperceptibly from foot to foot, uncomfortable in the warlock's gaze, and raised a hand to his head, running his long pale fingers through his dark hair in an unconscious effort to smooth down the inky wisps.
Magnus watched his actions with interest. He didn't seem like the Shadowhunters he'd met before. By trade they tended to be a cocky, self-assured bunch – probably something to do with being raised with the idea that they, as the angel's chosen warriors, were vastly superior to humans and Downworlders alike. This Shadowhunter however, seemed unsure, almost shy.
The stranger's blue eyes locked with his yellow ones and Magnus noticed with faint amusement, the way the man's breath hitched with surprise as he noticed his warlock's mark.
"It's OK," Magnus said in a measured voice, enjoying the uncertainty in the Shadowhunter's eyes. He gestured to the floor, where he had been sprawled a few moments before. "Accidents happen. I'm Magnus, by the way. Magnus Bane." He extended his right hand towards the man, who took it gingerly, encasing Magnus' warm fingers in his cool ones.
"Oh – yes. Yes, of course." He smiled, quickly recovering from the shock of finding a warlock in his midst. "I'm Alec."
Magnus frowned and he released the hand. "Not Alec Lightwood?" he asked, although he already knew the answer.
"Uh – yes," Alec said, looking confused. His cheeks flushed a pale shade of pink, and he rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't think we've met yet – although, I think you've met my brother?"
Magnus groaned inwardly. This was not just any Shadowhunter, this was Alec Lightwood, the recently-named Head of the New York Institute. Jace Herondale's brother, Alec Lightwood. He really should have guessed, upon closer inspection, the man looked almost identical to his parents. Magnus's eyes swept over him again, this time noting his height, dark hair and pale skin. The bright blue eyes had thrown him, both Maryse and Robert had dark eyes - although children don't always look like their parents, Magnus reminded himself bitterly, he himself was proof of that.
"I have," he acknowledged, ducking his head in agreement. "And your parents, of course." Alec nodded and gave another small smile. If Magnus remembered correctly, Alec had been living in Idris for the past few years, he'd only returned to the city recently to take over the Institute. Magnus hadn't had a chance to work with him yet. After the party, he hadn't had any further contact with Jace or any of the other Shadowhunters, and he'd hoped to keep it that way. He wasn't keen on taking on any new projects or clients at the moment, he had enough on his plate, especially with the baby due in two months.
The baby. Em.
Magnus turned his head to the side, scanning the nearby vicinity in what he hoped was a subtle manner. He caught a flash of auburn in the corner of his eye and honed in on it. Em had drifted off towards the back of the store and was examining a stack of baby monitors, totally oblivious to the exchange happening between the Shadowhunter and the warlock.
Alec seemed nice enough - for a Shadowhunter anyway, but Catarina's warnings still rang in Magnus' ears. It would be better if they could keep their secret for a little longer, until the baby was born at least. "It was nice to meet you, Alec." Magnus began, "But I must be goin-"
"Alec!" he was cut off as a familiar blonde head appeared at Alec's shoulder. Jace grinned widely at Alec, clapping a hand on the taller man's back before regarding Magnus with mock surprise. Magnus wondered how long he'd been watching them. "I see you've met our resident High Warlock?" he grinned.
"Jace," Magnus greeted him calmly, with a courteous nod.
"What, no hug?" Jace smirked at the warlock. "And after everything we've been through? Oh, how you wound me, Magnus," he said with a theatrical sigh. Alec stared at his brother, a puzzled expression working its way across his face. "What are you doing here anyway?" Jace continued, ignoring the look Alec was shooting him which even Magnus could see very obviously translated to shut up, you idiot.
"I was just in the area, shopping." Magnus lied smoothly.
Jace's eyes narrowed. "Is that right?" he said, "What a coincidence - we were too, our sister is having a baby shower this weekend. We need to find gifts."
"Congratulations," Magnus plastered a fake smile across his face. He had the distinct impression Jace was trying to get some sort of reaction out of him, but he wasn't biting. The quicker he could get away from these two, the better. "May I suggest clothes? You can never have too many, even for a baby."
Alec nodded seriously at the suggestion, while Jace rolled his eyes. "Very original," he said, blithely.
An uncomfortable silence fell between the three men and Magnus seized the lull in conversation to take his leave. "Well then, I'll let you continue with your shopping. Goodbye gentlemen," he said abruptly.
He turned on his heel and ran straight into Em.
"Magnus!" She squeaked, raising her hands to stop him from walking into her, "are you ok?". Her eyes raked over his face, taking in his uncharacteristically flustered expression. Before he could answer she looked past him, over his shoulder. Magnus saw her eyes widen as she caught sight of Jace and Alec.
"Uh- hi," said Alec, smiling pleasantly. He reached out his hand. "I'm Alec Lightwood, you must be Emmeline Blackhallow, Magnus' girlfriend - right?"
Em looked a little ruffled that he knew her name, but grasped his hand anyway and nodded politely. She glanced uncertainly at Magnus, who raised his shoulders slightly in a small shrug. Em was probably in the file they had on him back at the Institute. There weren't many other Shadowhunters in New York and only one who wasn't currently registered for active duty with the Clave. He shouldn't be surprised that Alec guessed who she was.
He turned to look at Jace, who had been unusually quiet during the exchange and stifled a laugh. The cocky grin had been wiped from the Shadowhunter's face, replaced with what looked almost like... shame?
"Jace Herondale." Em nodded towards the blonde, her tone sour. Magnus noticed Alec looking from his brother to Em, confused by the sudden change in his brother's demeanour. Magnus was confused too, he made a mental note to quiz Em about it later.
Jace glanced away from Em, avoiding eye contact. When his gaze dropped to her waist a slow, dangerous smile spread across his face. Uh oh. Magnus cringed, Em's bump was now of considerable size, but it was still difficult to make out when she was wearing loose clothes, as she was now. He'd been hoping they could retreat before the Shadowhunters noticed anything. So much for that plan.
"Well," Jace said, his voice suddenly as sticky and sweet as honey. "It looks like congratulations are in order." His eyes flashed dangerously as he looked up at the warlock. "Magnus, you didn't tell us you had such good news to share?"
Em's arms wove protectively around her waist as Alec's confused glance settled there. His eyebrows rose as he realised what his brother was talking about.
"Yes, well," Magnus said in a clipped tone. He put his arm around Em's hip, instinctively pulling her closer to him. "We've been busy recently. Lots to do, you know how it is."
"Of course," Jace replied. His voice was light but his body was tense. As he folded his arms across his chest Magnus could see the muscles coiled tightly in his shoulders, like a snake getting ready to pounce. He smirked and settled back on his heels, apparently enjoying himself. "You do know that any Downworlder or Shadowhunter births have to be reported to the local Institute, though - right?"
"Jace!" Alec hissed. The dark-haired Shadowhunter was now frowning openly at his brother, appalled by his rude behaviour.
Magnus felt Em tense beside him. He resisted the urge to clench his free hand into a fist at the thinly veiled threat beneath the man's words. Instead, he slipped it into his pocket and regarded Jace coolly. "Of course," he said, forcing his voice to stay even.
Jace let out a low, mirthless chuckle in the back of his throat. "Of course. You were probably there when they created that rule, right Magnus?" He looked over at Em once again, his gaze predatory, and then turned to his brother.
"Let's go, Alec. We're late for patrol." Without waiting for an answer he turned and stalked out of the store.
Alec floundered for a moment and then gave a half-hearted wave in their direction. "I'm sorry, I don't know… Um. It was nice to meet you - and congratulations, again." He stammered the words out in a flurry before following Jace into the street.
When the two men had left Em turned to Magnus and looked up at him silently, with fear in her stormy grey eyes. He took her in his arms and placed a kiss upon her forehead, rubbing his hands reassuringly across her back.
"It's ok," he said, "Jace was just being an idiot. It's fine."
But even to his ears, it sounded like a lie.
A/N - Hello! I hope you enjoyed this, I know it's still moving very slowly but I promise there will be a little bit more drama soon. What do you guys think Jace is going to do? He doesn't seem happy...