Moira sat beside Magnus in the silence of the car. The only talking they did, was when she told him when the next turn was and he'd grumble an okay.
"Is that a cover?" Magnus asked trying to relieve the awkwardness
"Huh?" Moira looked up at him
Magnus pointed to his own eyes in reference to her own.
"Oh yah, it helps when you're trying to not stand out." She smiled
When they arrived at the tea house Magnus turned the engine off and turned to his sister. Moira had opened the overhead mirror and was carefully removing the contact lens and placing them into a container and putting them into her purse. She looked over at Magnus.
He reached out and cupped her warm cheek. She was warm and smelt softly of coffee grounds.
"I wondered if this was a dream." Magnus said aloud
"Come inside Mags they have the best oolong tea."
She undid her seat belt and stepped from the car.
They grabbed the two open chairs near the fireplace. Moira was gingerly sipping a cup of Earl Grey, while Magnus had a delightful cup of Oolong.
After a moment of thought Moira shifted to face her brother.
"How are you?" She asked her eye shinning in the light of the fire
"I've been alright." He said
"Oh by the Angle Magnus! Tell me about your life. We haven't seen each other in years." Magnus glanced up she was still using Shadowhunter phrases. An influence from a certain blue eyed boy at the London institute, no doubt.
Magnus looked Into the fire then back to his sisters eager face.
"Fine. I'm living in Brooklyn, I'm actually the High Warlock." Her eyes widened, but she stayed quiet to allow him to finish
"I'm partners with the New York institute. I give them my services now and again." Bringing up the Institute reminded Magnus of a dark haired boy.
"I'm actually dating a Shadowhunter, we've been together for sometime now."
Moira spoke this time.
"What's his name?"
"Alec." Magnus felt a smile spread across his face
"Lightwood?" She asked curiously
"How did you-" Magnus started
Moira smiled "I keep up with the Shadowhunters family trees. Wanted to make sure I knew who would help should I need it." She smirked
They sat in silence for a while drinking tea and watching the fire. Then one word broke the silence.
"Why?" He asked
Moira looked at Magnus, she knew she couldn't avoid his questions any more.
"It was never because of you Mags." She said "I want you to know that."
"I left because I saw the agony that boy went through. I saw what death does to people, I saw it and couldn't stop it." Tears were brimming her eyes
"You mean Will Herondale?" Magnus asked
Moira nodded her head. " I don't want to go through the pain of seeing people I cared about in agony." She sipped her tea
"You never came to me. You should have talked to me about it." Magnus said
"I wanted to. When I awoke it was the first thing I wanted to do."
"Tell me now" Magnus reached out and clasped her hand
Moira took a deep breath. " When I teleported I was in a small village. It was raining and so cold." Magnus remembered how cold she was when she returned and how heavy her cloak was because of the rain
"I hid beneath a stable to recover from teleporting. That was when Will emerged from the inn. He was staggering as if he was drunk and there was blood on his front." Moira's hands were clammy
"Some men followed Will out of the inn and started to fight him. I wanted to help and I started to when I was stopped by Woolsey." Moira touched her neck
"He gave you those bruises?" Magnus asked. Anger was rising up inside of him.
"He grabbed my neck. Told me he always thought it was disgusting how you and I helped the Shadowhunters. I begged him to let me go, I had to get back and tell the Silent Brothers that the rune was severed." Her voice was shaking
"I think he just squeezed harder than finally released me. I quickly teleported back and I hadn't even given myself the chance to recover and that's why I passed out."
Magnus couldn't believe that his sister went through of of this pain alone and for years she kept this from him. He gave her hand a slight squeeze, she looked over at him and smiled tears rolling down her face.
"Come to New York with me."
Moira's mismatched eye met his.