Chapter eight: I Shall Tell No Lies

"Please," Isabelle said. She was sitting across from Magnus, who was eyeing her suspiciously. They were back at Alec and Magnus's place, and it was nearly two o' clock in the morning. Normally, neither of them wouldn't be awake at that time, but that particular discussion had called for it. They both had a mission, and they both had a goal.

"No," Magnus said. "You can't do that – not for me." He picked up his coffee and took a small sip. "I could always do this myself… for him, I would do anything–"

"I know you would," Isabelle answers. "But I would, too. He's my brother. And I planned to go there, anyway…"

Magnus leaned back in his chair, putting his arms behind his head and stretching. He had been stressed and sleep-deprived himself. "For what?"

"To see Meliorn," Isabelle looked down, watching the dark liquid of her own coffee turn. "And this is the perfect excuse." She looked up, and when she saw the look splayed on Magnus's face, rephrased herself. "Not that I wouldn't go in normal circumstances."

"I'm aware."

"Magnus, you don't get it—"

"No," he said, sitting up slowly and speaking even more carefully. "I get it. I get who you want to see. I get that you'd do anything for your brother. And I get that if more than one person goes to the Seelie Queen, there could be more… losses. Ones that are uncalled for."

"Then why not?" She was looking out the window, now. It was open, so they could hear things that had gone on outside. Isabelle had heard a couple of people shift by, and others talking. She also could have heard things that could hurt them; things that could have included demons.

"You can't go by yourself. Not now."

Isabelle's expression turned into one of aghast. She felt like he was putting her down – as if she were a little girl, as if she could never do things for herself. She picks up her coffee. "My parents won't ever know. The council won't ever know."

"What ever happened to Alec?"

"He won't know either!" She slams the coffee onto the table, the liquid dripping and glass shards breaking into her hands. "Why can't you just lie? Just lie, and I'll come back," she said, her voiced dropping multiple octaves. "I'll come back for him. And you can't leave. He needs you more."

Magnus cussed. "Don't wake the neighbors, please."

"Don't dodge me."

Magnus looks out the window Isabelle had looked out before. If anyone knew what was happening to Alec and the council, the Seelie Queen would know. "Alright," he said, in surrender. "But you need to take a friend of mine with you."

--

Alec dreamed that night. He dreamed of the faerie tales he had heard when he was younger, he dreamed of the songs his mother would sing to him in hopes of his slumber. He even dreamed of Magnus, who looked at him as if he were the best – the most precious jewel on earth.

He momentarily saw Jace, who was sitting with Clary. They weren't on anything in particular, and they weren't in any particular place. They just seemed to float in a never-ending spot of white. Alec watched as Jace's mouth moved and formed words, a crooked smile plastered on his face. He had a glint in his eye, one Alec had never seen before. One that made him shift uncomfortably in his place.

He knew he wasn't jealous. And he knew he didn't want Jace – not like before. He was just taken aback. Taken aback about how happy he was just… with a girl. A red-head that was thrust into their lives a year before. Was that the look Alec gave Magnus, just when he was to sleep? Just when he'd wake – just when he'd cracked a corny or maybe even funny joke?

Alec didn't have much time to think about that, as the scene changed just as quickly as it had came. He was sitting up, right in his and Magnus's bed. The lights were off, and Magnus wasn't awake. Alec didn't even see him, as he was fully under the covers and completely turned away. The blue eyed teen was breathing heavily, and the room was deathly quiet.

Until he had heard a creek.

He immediately turned his head, right to the left, trying to figure out what direction he had heard it. There was nothing – nothing but a shadow, completely opposite him. A shadow that did not belong.

The shadow figure was tall and had long, lean arms. It seemed to be male, and have the handsomest jaw line Alec had ever seen – even if it were just a shadow. And it wore large, seemingly oversized boots.

With a sudden realization, Alec jumped. "Sebastian!" He yelled, not caring about the neighbors or waking Magnus. His breathing grew louder and more struggled, and his body started to shake in anger. Alec didn't even have to think. He knew he wanted him dead.

"Hello, hello," Sebastian said. His voice seemed scruffy and old, as if he hadn't spoken in a long time - as if his lungs were filled with ash and gook – as if he were an actual corpse, setting out to speak with Alec.

The shadow morphed out from the wall and turned into the form he was used to see him in. And he walked on, his boots creaking the floor and seemingly pounding against the walls. Sebastian didn't stop until he was right beside Alec, right on the side of his bed. Alec, on the other hand, was frozen. He was still looking ahead, his eyes plastered wide onto the wall opposite him.

Alec felt Sebastian turn and lay his eyes on him. Sebastian was staring at him, making the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. He shivered as he felt Sebastian lift a hand and place it under his chin – a gesture he wouldn't never understand or comprehend.

"Why so terrified?" He said.

Alec did not answer. Alec did not budge.

Sebastian sighed. His grip suddenly grew tighter, making Alec cringe. "You're no fun, really." He brought his hand to the neckline of Alec's shirt, and grasped it – suddenly violent again. He yanked Alec up, hard, dragging him out of the bed and crashing him up against the nearest wall.

"Remember this?" Sebastian said, smiling brightly. "We were with that stupid red-headed bitch, the scrawny vampire, and that damned blonde," he said, smiling even brighter. Alec did not know that was possible. "That stupid, stupid, daddy's-boy-blonde."

Sebastian had spoken on. "My hand was on your neck, then. You had been choking for air. Wishing and wanting it. And you wouldn't have gotten it, if no one had gotten in the way." Since only one of his hands had held Alec against the wall, he was able to use the other one to touch the pounding pulse on Alec's neck. "I can feel it. Your fear."

"What do you want?" Alec choked out. Both of his hands had grasped Sebastian's hand, hoping he wouldn't start to seriously choke him. "What are you doing in my mind?"

Sebastian chuckled. "I want you," he said, his fingers that touched Alec's pulse unmovable. "Under my control."

Alec frowned. "Why are you just telling me? No secrets?"

"That detail won't matter. It won't change any outcomes." Sebastian leaned in so his face was close – noticeably close – to Alec's. "But I still need you, none-the-less."

Alec wanted to sink into the wall behind him. "Why?"

Sebastian seemed to shrug. "You can't know that," he winked. He suddenly dug his fingers into Alec's chest. As he heard Alec's breathing grow tighter, he laughed. "I love your fear. It's so… human."

Sebastian suddenly released Alec and let him fall to the floor. Alec didn't make any move to stand, knowing Sebastian would just knock him down again. "It's perfect." Before Alec could ask what was so "perfect," Sebastian crouched down beside him. He put his fingers under his chin, and lifted his head. Alec was forced to look at him. "Sweet dreams, precious."

Sebastian was gone, Alec had awoken, and the time had just chimed four in the morning.

He needed to speak to Magnus.

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