A/N: Hello everyone! Thank you so much for the positive reviews of the first chapter! I know this chapter is a lot shorter, but I hope you enjoy it! There will be more to come so stay tuned! :DD
Jace showed up at the Institute with Isabelle and Clary, a bad feeling creeping into his chest. Something was wrong with Alec, he could feel it. He kept his face calm and collected like he always did, not wanting to frighten the girls. But he knew he had to find Alec, and fast.
As soon as they walked in destruction was visable. The elevator was destroyed and in its place was a giant hole. He instantly recognized the smell of Drevak demons and his heart sank even further into his stomach. Drevak demons were extremely poisonous and treatment was only possible with a spell from a Warlock. Praying to the Angel for Alec's safety, Jace ventured further into the Institute.
"How did these things get inside?" Jace asked, climbing up the rubble to reach the top level.
"I'm not sure," Isabelle replied, sounding exasperated but following Jace. "But that doesn't matter right now. We need to find Alec."
Jace reached the top and stopped to help Clary the rest of the way. Her eyes were filled with worry and Jace knew she could see through his facade, see how worried he was about Alec. He turned away before she could look too closely and saw even more damage. Ichor and blood spotted the hallway and pieces of bent metal and glass was littered in front of the weapons room. Ignoring everything else, Jace made his way to the weapons room while Isabelle abd Clary searched the other rooms.
He looked slowly around the room, taking in all the broken weapons. There was nothing useful left. It looked as if a tornado went spirling through the room, and Jace couldn't help but wish they were that lucky. He'd take a tornado over a Greater Demon any day.
He spotted Alec a few feet away from the door. Alec was lying face down, a puddle of blood underneath him. Jace rushed toward his parabatai and turned him over slowly. His gear was torn away, revealing four deep gashes across his chest. Blood was still seeping from them and Jace stifled a cry of shock.
Lying Alec back down softly, Jace ripped away the rest of his armor until he found a piece of Alec's chest that was clear of any cuts. He took out his stele and set to work on an iratze. It dissolved into his skin immediately, telling Jace his injuries were far too deep for a healing rune to reach.
Jace began searching the rest of Alec's body for more injuries.
He reached his leg and found five small puncture points. Alec's leg was red and swollen, the viens turning a sickly purple color. Jace found the spines of a Drevak demon nearby and cursed, knowing he was poisoned.
Clary and Isabelle entered the room then, stopping when they saw Alec. Isabelle screamed, covering her mouth with her hands and sank to the floor. She began to shake and sob uncontrollably, and Clary put her arms around her and tried to hold her together.
Jace jumped to his feet.
"Izzy stop!" He shouted. "He's not dead but he will be if you don't get your act together and help me!"
Isabelle tried to stifle her cries and managed to speak. "What do I need to do?"
"Keep him comfortable. Clean him up," Jace exited the room, whipping out his cell phone. "I have a phone call to make."
Magnus was dozing off on the couch when his phone began to blare in his pocket. Chairman Meow, who was sleeping on Magnus's chest, was startled awake and jumped off in search of a new bed. Magnus reached into his pocket and retrieved his phone, answering it without checking the caller ID.
"Hello?" he mumbled, his voice groggy from sleep.
"Magnus, I need your help." The voice on the other end sounded frantic, and Magnus sat up, rubbing his eyes to wake himself up.
"Well a lot of people need my help. What makes you think your problem needs to become my priority?"
"Magnus, please," the voice pleaded. "It's Alec. He's hurt."
Magnus felt his heart skip a beat as he realized he was talking to Jace. "Hurt?" he asked, trying to keep his voice calm. "And why do you assume that concerns me?"
"Because he was poisoned by a Drevak demon," said Jace quickly. "You know as well as I do that only a Warlock can save Alec now."
"Then I suggest you call a different Warlock," said Magnus, about to hang the phone up. "I told you I was done helping you Shadowhunters."
Jace must have caught on to the tone of Magnus's voice because he became suddenly frantic. "Wait!" he shouted. "It's worse than you think. He'll be dead by morning and I know no other Warlock will care enough to fit me into their schedules. I'll pay you any amount of money you want, even if I can't afford it. I'll be endebted to you for the rest of my life, if that's what it takes. Just please," he finished. "Help him."
Magnus rubbed his face with his free hand. "I'm on my way," he said, ending the call & rising to his feet. It has been five months since he last saw Alec.
He replayed the moment he decided to leave him over and over in his mind. He remembered it perfectly, like it happened only minutes ago. The slight quiver his bottom lip made as he fought back tears. His bright blue eyes shimmering with a desperate plea for Magnus to understand his motives.
But Magnus didn't understand his reasoning and didn't stick around long enough to hear it. The bottom line was Alec tried to change him by meeting with his vampire ex girlfriend Camille Belcourt. And if Alec didn't want to be with Magnus while accepting the fact that he was immortal, then Magnus couldn't bring himself to stay with Alec.
But Magnus was still very much in love with the young Shadowhunter, which was why he was making his way to the Institute. Magnus had never heard Jace so frantic and knew it took a lot for Jace to admit that he needed help. Magnus just hoped he was enough to save Alec.
When Magnus arrived at the Institute, something felt off to him. He was usually able to feel the force that kept Downworlder's out of the sacred building, but this time he was able to enter through the front door with ease. Whatever attacked the Institute completely destroyed it, leaving it open to any and all demon attacks. Magnus picked up his pace, climbing the rubble quickly. The sooner they fixed Alec, the sooner they could fix the barrier on the Institute.
When Magnus reached the top, he spotted Jace pacing back and forth in front of what he guessed was the room Alec was in. He looked tense, his shoulders hunched & his hand to his mouth, biting nervously on his fingernails. He stopped pacing when he saw Magnus, taking long strides to meet him halfway.
"Thank the Angel you're here," he breathed, grabbing onto Magnus's arm. "He's in here."
Jace took Magnus into the weapons room and to his injured parabatai. Alec was now covered in a fine layer of sweat, causing his black hair to stick to his forehead. His face was flushed and he was struggling to breathe.
Magnus knelt down, brushing some of Alec's hair off his face. He stole a glance at Isabelle, who was craddling Alec's head in her lap and crying softly. Tears slipped from her brown eyes as Clary had her arm wrapped around her shoulders.
"Magnus," Clary spoke, so softly Magnus wasn't quite sure he heard her. "Can you save him?"
"I'll certainly try," he whispered back, feeling a tight squeeze in his chest. "However, I'll need the three of you to attend to the Institute."
Isabelle's head snapped up abruptly. "The Institute? I don't care how messy it is. I care about Alec."
Magnus stood up, gesturing to himself. "Did you not notice that I, a Downworlder, was able to walk right in? Your barriers are down, meaning you're all completely vunerable right now. If you truly want Alec safe, then you'll prevent more demons from attacking."
Isabelle gave a small gasp but stood up and exited the room. Clary followed afterwards, giving Magnus an encouraging glance. Jace made his way out, but stopped at the door, gripping the frame tightly. "I'm counting on you, Warlock," he said, looking over his shoulder. "Please don't let him die." Jace left the room, running to catch up to Isabelle and Clary.
Magnus knelt down beside Alec again, examining his wounds. The puncture marks from the Drevak demon were now oozing a purple liquid, and his chest was covered in blood. Bloody rags were lying next to him, showing the other Shadowhunter's attempts to stop his bleeding.
Placing a tanned hand against Alec's pale chest, Magnus began chanting a healing spell, closing his eyes in concentration. He'd stop the bleeding then move on to his poisoned leg. He could feel Alec's skin closing itself back up, the energy leaving his body as it flowed into Alec's. When he opened his eyes, Alec's chest was as good as new. Smiling to himself, pleased with his work, Magnus moved down to his leg.
Magnus ripped Alec's jeans, giving himself more room to work with. He could see the poison, purple in his veins, shooting up his entire leg. He hissed air through his teeth, not expecting it to have spread so quickly. He felt his heart began to pound, panic setting it. Removing the poison was going to need more than a healing spell, and it was going to be a lot more painful for Alec.
Magnus saw a knife lying a few feet away and picked it up. He placed the tip a few inches above Alec's knee, where the poison spread the furthest, and slashed the skin open. It would be easier to remove the poison from here, not giving it the chance to spread further. Once again placing his hands over Alec's injuries, Magnus began to chant.
Alec's eyes snapped open as the pain set in. He clenched his hands into fists, letting out a cry. "Stop!" he begged, squirming underneath the Warlock's spell. "Just let me die! Please! It hurts!"
Magnus closes his eyes, trying to ignore his cries. He almost stopped but had to remind himself that this was the only way to remove the poison. It was painful but it will keep him alive.
Isabelle came running into the room, her eyes full of panic. When she saw Magnus removing the poison, she rushed to Alec's side and began whispering words of comfort. "Shhh, Alec, it's okay," she said, stroking his face. "It's Magnus. He's helping you."
It took several minutes to extract all the poison. By the end, Magnus was covered in sweat and gasping for air. It took a lot of energy from him, more than he was used to giving. He tried to stand only to find his legs shaky with exertion. He debated on closing his eyes and taking a nap, but he heard something that woke him instantly.
"Magnus?" Alec struggled to speak, his eyebrows knitting together in confusin, not believing it was really him.
Magnus turned towards him, a faint smile on his purple lipstick colored lips. "Hello love."
Magnus took a moment to really look at Alec for the first time in five months. And he felt himself falling in love all over again.
