"It's the early morn
lights flick on
sleepy eyes peek through the blinds at something wrong
Motionless remains the mess
Shame, such a beautiful, beautiful young life."

-By the Time, Mika

Chapter one: Mist

Alec awoke, sitting up violently. He half expected a demon to be looming over him; but obviously, there wasn't. Nothing the least bit spiteful was in site. There never was; at least not in the room he and Magnus had shared.

Alec sighed, cursing his idiotic behavior. It was just a nightmare – it wasn't something he should worry about, let alone be scared of. He looked to the right, where Magnus lay beside him. His lean, tall body was turned towards Alec. His dark, silky hair was thrown in a crown on his pillow. And his tanned, flawless skin seemed to be able to glow – even in the dark.

Magnus always looked peaceful sleeping, a quality Alec knew he could never muster. He always felt as though a demon might attack him in his sleep, or he might have to get out of bed in an emergency. Magnus always told him he did look peaceful, but Alec highly doubted that.

He wiped the sweat off his forehead and ran his fingers through his hair. He was drenched in a cold, repulsive sweat. Alec automatically swept the covers away.

Alec slowly placed his feet on the floor, and walked out of the room. He didn't bother closing the door – last time, when he had tried to sneak out, Magnus heard the fast click of the latch and awoke. He was like a cat. He heard the slightest click or scoff, always felt the slightest difference of a room's aura.

When Alec had reached the bathroom, he turned on the shower immediately. Magnus wouldn't bother coming in if he heard the shower running, as he didn't want to anger his boyfriend. He locked the door, although he knew Magnus could unlock it with his magic. It was still a strange comfort for him, knowing there was one more barrier there than there was before. It didn't matter how small it was. It worked.

Alec undressed out of the pure white PJs Magnus had "bought" for him weeks before, and tested the shower's temperature. As far as Alec was concerned, he liked hot showers - just not too hot. He didn't need to get burned at 2:00am. Magnus just might confiscate the shower, or put some kind of magical lock on it.

He groaned when he got in, the feeling of the warm water trickling down his face overwhelming him. Alec felt the dirt and grime roll down his back, and watched it run down the drain. He let the hot water slide over his face, and imagined a spring's waterfall. He needed the water there, not only to cleanse him of dirt, but of stress.

It didn't matter how much Magnus did to relieve it from his conscience. It didn't matter how much Jace told him not to worry about the smallest of things, the easiest problems waiting to be fixed. Alec Lightwood was always stressed.

It didn't matter what he was stressed about exactly, or who was going to fix it for him. It was always the same.

He and Magnus had to be in Idris for at least couple of weeks. Maybe for even a month. The council, which had been put in place after the "war" with Valentine, needed to meet. He honestly didn't know for what, and why Magnus had to be involved. Neither of them had any part within the council.

Magnus told him his mother, Maryse, asked this favor of him. Alec asked Magnus why, but he had said not to worry about it. So he didn't… or at least he tried not to.

It had been a year since Valentine had been defeated. Almost a year since Magnus and Alec had been officially "together". Even Jace and Clary, who were once believed to be siblings, had an anniversary also coming along. And Alec really didn't want to share one with them.

Not that he didn't like them. They were just touchy. Mushy. Always seen saying and doing things Alec did not want to hear, and/or see. Did Magnus and he act like that? Of course not. At least not of Alec's knowledge.

He turned the knob in front of him tightly, just enough for the shower to turn off. He opened the curtain, and grabbed the closest clean towel. Alec immediately wiped his face, scrubbing off the water dripping into his eyes.

He, for the first time since he woke up, heard the boom of thunder. It was loud, shrill. Unlike the many storms Alec had ever heard before. It even seemed to shake the small chandelier that hung on the bathroom ceiling. The rain also pattered at the window, as if knocking. As if actual granite-white hands streaked past his window, requesting an entry.

Alec wrapped the towel around his waist, trying to get rid of the shivers racking through his body. And as another sharp boom rocked the house, he decided stepped out; but, just as his second heel hit the ground, his day took another turn for the worst.

All of a sudden, he was spinning. His stomach was turning; threatening to spew the left over's of his last meal. The cold shivers he had been experiencing seconds before gradually turned into hot sweats, and his ears started to ring in an all-too-familiar violent harmony.

In an attempt to steady himself, he grabbed the pure-white granite sink Magnus had decided to put in days before. Alec didn't have the time to question how sturdy it was. Because, within bare seconds, he had put all of his weight on the thing. His knees had threatened to buckle, and his head felt like it was going to explode. Even his shoulders were heavy; rocks, just laying there, hefting up his shoulders.

He couldn't just faint. Most likely, Magnus would find him passed out on the bathroom floor. Probably not right away, but eventually. And Alec really, really did not need such a thing.

He looked up into the mirror, which was fogged up – the heat from his long shower being the cause. He lifted a shaking hand in an attempt to wipe it away.

The back of his hand scraped the glass, just where he could see a good fourth of his face. His blue, almost glowing bottle-glass eye was visible in the dim light. His black hair was wet, and he was pale; a lot paler than usual. Especially when he took a good look behind him.

He watched his own eye widen as he caught a glimpse of the being abaft. It was a coal, slick looking black. It had a red, bloody socket of an eye. And though he couldn't see much of it, he knew it was smiling. He could feel it in its presence.

Alec lifted his paled hand and wiped the mirror again. He saw it's gray, hairy claws move back and forth – as if striking piano keys. It's teethe appeared to be a dark brown, covered in a blackish-green gook.

In a desperate attempt to help himself, Alec looked back, aiming for a punch. But nothing was there to hit. He frantically moved his arms in the place the demon should have been, but he felt nothing. Nothing was there for him to touch. Nothing was there for him to see.

Alec looked back at the accursed mirror. He half expected nothing to be stationed there, but there was. The same demon was there, staring back at him - as if it was waiting for something. Alec couldn't help but question himself: was this just another nightmare?

But it wasn't. The thing was actually there, mocking him through his bathroom mirror. And he was scared, his hands frozen – glued to the sink. There was nothing he could do to defend himself.

The thing lifted a large, clawed hand. Alec expected it to touch his shoulder, so he flinched seconds too early. Nothing happened at first. It hadn't touched his shoulder, or his back for that matter.

The claw had reached through the mirror, extending itself towards Alec's face. He tried to lift his legs, but he couldn't. He tried to move his head out of the claw's way, but he couldn't do that either. He was helpless.

The claw managed to touch his cheek, and slowly graze along his jaw. Alec felt his skin rip, and the blood drip down in a rapid ooze. His breathing, at this time, was harsh and irregular. He wanted to run out of there. He wanted to scream for Magnus's help. But his lungs failed him, and his legs were glued to the floor. He felt like bricks filled up his lungs, blocking his air circulation and cutting off his much needed vocal cords.

But then it was gone.

Magnus had burst through the door, and was grabbing him by the shoulders. Alec realized he was falling. Magnus was catching him; carefully leaning him back, helping him sit on the cold tiled floor.

"Alec?" He said. "Are you alright? What happened to you?" Magnus exclaimed, appearing to have trouble keeping up with his own questions. "I was knocking – you didn't answer me - so I decided to pound a bit of magic on the door."

"Why?" Alec panted. He was still a bit faint, so Magnus had to hold him upright.

"Why?" Magnus said sarcastically. "Because I heard you yelling for help."

Alec stared at him like he was crazy. "I wasn't… I – no one could hear me."

Magnus stared back, his brows furrowing. "You're blanched. C'mon," he said, helping Alec up by the bare shoulders. "You need more sleep."

Alec, who was now conscious about the towel hanging on his waist, tried to shake him off. "I'm fine – I don't need –"

"Alec," Magnus said impatiently. "Do not worry me."

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Next: Chapter two – reflect