The warlock of Notre Dame: Chapter Two- Out There.
Alec Pov- "I don't know how many times I need to tell you to keep your head down and not cause a fuss. You are new to this town. It is idiotic to make enemies right out of the gate," the leader of the Downworlders Defenders Society, Luke Garraway scolded, pinching the rim of his nose in irritation.
I sat on top of the stand he used to sell books, crossing my arms over my chest in irritation. "So I'm just supposed to ignore it when a Downworlder is obviously being falsely accused of something? That seems like the opposite of defending, if you ask me."
The face he gave me told me he was not amused.
"Downworlders know the risks that come with Accords day. The Nephilim say that they won't arrest them but they all know it's a lie. Nephilim will look for any reason to punish the 'unworthy'."
I rolled my eyes at that.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. The wicked shall not go unpunished and all that bull. It's all my father ever talked about. Saying things like Downworlders need to be exterminated and put back in their place. It makes me sick."
He shooed me off of his book stand, making me roll my eyes and hop off.
"The Downworlder discrimination in New York is nothing like it is here in Paris. You Americans are soft compared to these people. I've seen Valentine Morgenstern whip Downworlders in the street, just because they accidentally nudged a man."
I frowned, thinking about the head of the Notre Dame institute. The guy gave me the creeps. He had a dark, powerful air about him that just screamed he was dangerous. I told him off today no problem, but deep down I was a little scared.
"You used to be his Parabatai, right Luke?"
He nodded, setting up the last of his books. "I was but when my attitude toward Downworlders changed, he wanted nothing to do with me. A werewolf saved my life when it would have been better for them to have me dead. That's far from a monster."
I leaned against his stall thinking before asking, "what's it like having a Parabatai? I've always wanted one."
He stayed silent, seeming to be trying to find the right words to describe it.
"It's like having another part of yourself. Your Parabatai is the closest relationship you will ever have. Nothing compares to it. It's indescribable."
I frowned looking down at my runeless, scared arms.
"I'll never experience such a thing. I'm no longer a Shadowhunter."
Luke watched me for a moment before asking, "do you ever regret giving up your marks?"
I shook my head no. "Not really. If being a Shadowhunter means degrading others, then I want no part of it. The only time I ever regretted it was during the process of getting my marks removed."
Getting your runes taken away was maybe the most painful thing anyone could ever go through. It's like tearing out your very soul. Everything that you ever were is gone, and you're left with nothingness.
Luke nodded before standing up straight, pushing his glasses up the rim of his nose. "Enough talk. You have an archery contest in an hour right? You should go enjoy your first Accords Festival until then. Go make friends, not enemies."
"I seem to have a hard time making friends" I sighed, before walking away from his stand. Even when I was still a Nephilim, I didn't have many friends. I'm too reserved.
I used to be reserved anyway. It's safe to say that it was a shock to everyone who knows me when I decided to become a member of the DDS. I was the quiet one who always did what my parents told me while my sister was the one who pushed the envelope.
When I told my parents I was giving up my marks to join the DDS, they both burst out laughing. Thinking I was joking. My serious expression and silence told them that I was not.
My father then proceeded to smack me so hard across the face that blood filled my mouth. He called me a disgrace to the Lightwood name and threw me out of the New York institute with just the clothes on my back. A few days later, my runes were stripped off my body.
I try not to think too much about the rune removing process. It hurt so bad that I was practically begging to just die. I thought I was going to die, in all honesty.
Shaking those thoughts out of my head, I started to look around for something to do before the contest. Luke told me to make friends but there are more Nephilim than DDS members here and they definitely don't want anything to do with me.
My attention was grabbed by someone in a black cloak, looking around like he was lost. There was a hood over his head so I couldn't see his face, but his demeanor just seemed frazzled.
"Excuse me sir, do you need help" I asked, walking up to him.
He turned to me slightly but held the hood in front of his face so I couldn't look at him. That was very odd.
"No, I'm sorry. I'm just a little lost. I don't know where anything is from down here."
Down here? What does that mean?
"Are you new to Paris?"
He shook his head no. "Just not used to seeing everything from this angle. I'm all turned around."
I smiled thinking he could be someone to get to know. He seems harmless.
"Maybe you can tell me what you are trying to find and I can help you find it."
He turned slightly more toward me. I got a glimpse of a tan brown cheek but that was all I could see of his face.
"I-I'm looking around the city before attending the Accords festival. It's my first time."
That made me smile. "Hey, it's my first time too. I just moved here to Paris a week or so ago and still don't know much about the town. Want to look around together?"
This time he did completely face me, wearing a look of surprise. I sucked in a breath at seeing gorgeous green and gold cat-like eyes. It wasn't just his eyes. Everything about this guy was handsome. His skin, his face, his voice.
"Are you a warlock," I asked, not able to help myself.
He flinched and covered his face again, turning his back to me. Frowning, I gently placed my hand on his back.
"It's okay, you don't need to hide. I've always wanted to meet a real warlock. There aren't that many of you any more."
The tenseness in his back seemed to relax at my words and he turned around again to look at me.
I smiled at him, holding out my hand. "My name is Alexander Lightwood, but you can just call me Alec. What's your name?"
He looked down at my hand frowning before looking back at my face.
"My name is Magnus Bane."
I held my hand out a little longer but when it became clear that he was not going to shake it, I dropped it to my side, slightly embarrassed.
"Right, well, if you want, I can walk around with you before my archery contest starts. I haven't done much exploring of Paris yet, so it could be fun."
He hesitated a moment longer before nodding and starting to walk down the street. I followed him looking around at all the buildings.
"So, what did you mean buy 'I'm not used to seeing things from down here?'"
He rubbed his arm, looking around as if waiting to be caught doing something wrong.
"I live in the bell tower inside Notre Dame."
That made me stop in my tracks, looking at him completely shocked. "Wait a minute, you live in Notre Dame? The Notre Dame institute, Notre Dame?"
"Is there another," he asked, looking perplexed at the thought of there being another Institute with the same name.
"No there isn't… it's just strange for a Downworlder to live inside of an institute. Mundanes being there is strange enough."
He shrugged, pushing a loose strand of hair behind his ear. "I was taken in by Valentine Morgenstern when I was a baby. My parents didn't like that I was a warlock and tried to kill me. Master saved me and raised me in the bell tower."
I don't know what was more surprising, Valentine Morgenstern saving a Downworlder child and raising it, or the fact that Magnus calls him master.
That makes it sound like Magnus is his dog or servant and that's just not right. He is a person with rights, just like the rest of us.
"I'm sorry about your parents. It's unfortunate that they can't always find it in their heart to love their child."
I frowned at my own words. "They say they will love you no matter what but then you do something they don't approve of and it's like you don't exist to them anymore."
Magnus seemed confused by my comment but I just shook my head smiling at him.
"Sorry, that was more about my situation with my family, not yours. I don't usually make it a habit of turning other people's problems around to focus on mine."
Magnus shook his head no. He had a slight innocence in his eyes that I didn't know existed in people anymore. It was kind of nice to look at.
"You don't have to be sorry. My problems are nothing for you to be concerned about. I'm not worth it."
With just those few words, a bit of that innocence in his eyes died, replaced by sadness and acceptance that things are just the way they are.
It reminds me of the way I used to feel when I was forced to just sit back and watch Nephilim beat on Downworlders. I lost my hope that the world was a nice place a long time ago. Living with someone like Valentine, I'm surprised Magnus still has even a shred of it left.
"Everyone is worth having someone listen to their problems" I replied, making him look at me again.
He was taller than me, or at least should have been. If he stood up straight he would be a few inches taller than me. He slumps forward slightly though, like he didn't have the confidence or self worth to be on level with me.
"You're going to get a hunchback if you keep slumping like that," I teased, putting one hand on his chest and the other on his lower back, pushing him up so he was standing straighter.
He flinched at my touch at first but didn't object to me helping him. Once I let him go, he looked at himself before looking down at me.
I smiled, crossing my arms over my chest. "There, now you at least stand like you have some confidence. Maybe we can get you some before the day is over."
He just stared at me blankly before a small smile formed on his face. I smiled back at him before leading him down the street.
"So, what do you want to see first? There is a bakery down this street that is amazing… but they don't serve Downworlders so… maybe not."
I never noticed how many places around here refused to serve Downworlders. It's amazing since this town is made up of mostly Mundanes. They don't even know that Downworlders exists. Nephilim put invisible signs in their shops that say Downworlders aren't welcome.
"What's a bakery" Magnus asked looking at me. I shrugged, walking with my hands behind my back.
"It's a place that makes cakes and bread and all kinds of sweet goods."
He still seemed confused, making me stop in my tracks and look at him shocked.
"Wait. Magnus, do you not know what cake is?"
He hesitantly shook his head no, making me gasp maybe a little too dramatically. Who hasn't had cake?
"Well then you wait right here, I'll be back in a minute" I said before going into the bakery.
You would think that it would be busy since this was a day of the Accords Festival, but this shop is owned by a Mundane. He doesn't know about the festival, so to him, it's just another day.
"Can I get you something son," the baker asked, just pulling some fresh bread out of the oven. It smelled absolutely delicious.
"Yes. I would like two slices of your chocolate cake please."
This made him smirk slightly. "Two slices? Is the second slice for a special lady?"
It took all my self control not to roll my eyes. Why does it always have to be for a girl? I can't go anywhere with Clary without someone asking if we are dating. It makes me gag every time.
"No lady. Just a new friend," I said shrugging.
He nodded pulling the cake out of it's display case and setting it on the counter.
"I see. It's nice that you are making some friends. I only ever see you with your redhead girlfriend."
This time I did roll my eyes. Seriously? How many times was this going to happen before these people got it?
"I don't have a girlfriend."
I don't want a girlfriend.
"Aw, well who knows. Maybe you will meet a sweet girl around here. Don't give up hope. My granddaughter thinks you're cute."
His grandson thinks I'm pretty cute as well. We went dancing last week at a tavern hidden deep in town. That was a fun night.
He cut two pieces of cake for me before placing them inside a box.
"Here you go, hope your friend likes the cake."
I just nodded, thanking him before grabbing the box and walking out of the bakery.
Magnus was right where I left him, standing completely straight, not having moved a muscle.
"You know, when I said to stay right here, I didn't mean you couldn't move at all."
His body relaxed and he looked slightly embarrassed.
"Master taught me to always follow directions."
"Sounds like Valentine" I sighed grabbing his arm and pulling him into the alleyway a few buildings away. We sat down on the ground and I leaned my back on the wall, putting the box in my lap and opening it.
I put his piece on a napkin before holding it out to him. He stared at it, his hand slowly coming up to grab it. It was like he was expecting me to slap his hand away.
He took the cake and I smiled, putting a fork in his other hand. He looked at the fork as if he was Ariel from The Little Mermaid. I half expected him to call it a dingelhopper.
"You know how to eat with a fork right?"
He shook his head no. "Master only let's me eat with my hands. I usually only get to eat grapes."
That made me frown. How was he not skin and bones? No normal person could live off only grapes.
"Well I'll show you how to use it," I said going to grab his hand but he moved it away before I could.
"You can't touch me. You aren't wearing any gloves."
That confused me. "Do you have a problem with people touching you?"
He shook his head no. "Master says that my skin can't be touched without gloves because my tainted blood will rub off on them and make them sin."
"That is absolutely crazy," I yelled, outraged. "There is no way you can taint someone like that. Downworlders don't have a sickness that makes people sin."
He seemed hesitant about it but I just shook my head, grabbing his hand and directing the end of the fork down into the cake. I gathered a big chunk before directing it to his mouth.
He hesitated some more before leaning in and taking a bite. The way his eyes lit up afterwards made me laugh. He was like a child in a candy store.
I let go of his hand letting him dig into the cake himself. He finished it quickly and I happily handed him my slice. He looked at it before looking at me surprised.
"Don't you want it?"
I shrugged, pulling my knees up to my chest and wrapping my arms around them. "It's alright. I can have this whenever I want."
He looked down at it thinking before smiling again and starting to eat it, this time much slower to savor it.
"I still can't believe you've never had cake. Do you really live on grapes?"
He shrugged, glancing away from me. "Sometimes my brother Jonathan sneaks something to me. This morning he brought me a roll from last night's dinner. He promised to get me something good tonight…" he frowned putting the fork down on the ground. "Only if I'm good though. I'm not being very good."
"What makes you say that?"
He shrugged, looking down at the half eaten cake on his lap.
"I'm never supposed to leave the Bell tower. It's not safe for Downworlders out here in the world. The tower is the only place I'm safe."
I frowned, turning my body so I was facing him. "That's not true Magnus. There are plenty of Downworlders down here who would support you. As for safety, that's the job of the Downworlders Defenders Society. We help protect Downworlders like you."
That seemed to shock him. "You're a member or the DDS?"
"You've heard of us?"
He nodded, setting the cake on the floor. "Master doesn't like you very much. He says that you stole his wife and daughter."
"You mean Jocelyn and Clary? They only joined because they want to do what's right. We didn't steal them. They chose to come join us."
He glanced down at my scared arms and it made me self consciously pull my sleeves down to hide them.
"Did you really give up your Shadowhunter runes to protect Downworlders?"
I nodded taking the cake and napkins and putting them in the box before standing up. "Yes but it wasn't an easy choice. I didn't want to give up my family, but it was the sacrifice that had to be made in order to help people."
He stood up, going to slouch again but he caught himself and stood up straight. I smiled at him before heading over to a trash can at the end of the alley.
"Looks like we both have family problems" Magnus commented, then looked regretful, like he overstepped and offended me.
I waved a dismissive hand at him before shrugging.
"Mines nothing compared to yours. I'm sorry again about that."
He shrugged smiling slightly. He looked really nice when he smiled. It brightened up his face and his eyes.
"Jonathan is nice to me so at least I have him."
Clary told me a little bit about her father and brother. She says that Valentine is a controlling asshole but her brother is pretty sweet. The only thing wrong with him is that he worships the ground their dad walks on and buys into all his words. That's why they didn't try to take Jonathan with them to join the DDS.
I looked down at my wrist watch before smiling, seeing the time. "The accords festival is about to begin. I need to go prepare for the archery contest. Come check it out and then we can go to the stands and stuff after okay?"
He nodded before we headed toward Notre Dame, where the festival was being held in front of.
Jonathan Pov- "Why must I be the judge for this stupid contest every year," my father groaned, standing in front of a small stage being used for the shows and contests.
"Because you are the head of the Notre Dame institute," I guessed with a shrug.
He sighed looking over the contestants getting ready to go on stage. Most were Shadowhunters, but some we're also Downworlders.
"What makes those creatures think they could beat a Nephilim at archery? They really are all dumb in the head," father growled.
"I don't know father. Some of the Downworlder archers are Fairies. They are known to be good at shooting."
"Don't defend them Jonathan. It will just make people second guess your ability as a leader."
Jace watched us, obviously feeling awkward as he looked around to distract himself.
"I for one suck at archery so I'm sure a squirrel could beat me."
I laughed at that but my father just rolled his eyes.
The contest begun and like father said, most of the contestants were Nephilim. They didn't feel like the Downworlders were much competition so they were cocky as they pulled back their bow stings and shot their arrows without much effort.
Because they were being so cocky, most of the arrows didn't hit their marks, so they just ended up making asses of themselves.
Jace snickered, finding entertainment in their attempts to make it look like they were going easy on the Downworlders so they would have 'a sliver of a chance' to beat them.
The fey boy was next in line. He wasn't entirely fey. His name was Mark Blackthorn and he was half Nephilim, half Fairie. You would think someone like him would join the DDS but he still had his runes on his skin.
"I heard this vile creature was back in Paris. He should have stayed in Fairie where he belongs," father hissed, making me glance at him. They say that angel blood beats out all other but Nephilim still curse you if you have mixed blood.
Mark Blackthorn grabbed three arrows out of a straw basket sitting at his feet. He looked them over carefully before putting all of them on the bows string. That surprised me.
"Is he going to shoot all three at the same time?"
"Please, no one can do that," father grumbled, rolling his eyes. He sure likes rolling his eyes today. They might fall out if he keeps it up.
He said it was impossible, but Mark didn't seem to care about what was possible or not. He pulled the bow string back, holding all three arrows against it. He let go and all the arrows shot forward, hitting their separate marks.
Every jaw in the crowd dropped to the floor. All but my father's of course. He would die before admitting that a half breed impressed him.
Without a word Mark walked off the stage, not even bothering to rub it in the other contestants faces that he pretty much beat them. A regular Nephilim would have gloated.
"Is that all of them? I'm ready for this to be over," father groaned, rubbing his temples irritability.
Jace looked at his clipboard with a list of archers on it.
"Alec Lightwood is the last up."
Father growled low in his throat at the name but I just frowned, knowing that name from somewhere.
"Don't the Lightwoods own the institute in New York? Why is one here?"
"He disgraced his family by becoming a member of the DDS. He shouldn't even be allowed to participate in his contest. He's practically a mundane."
Jace shook his head. "As a former Shadowhunter he qualifies for the contest sir."
Sighing, my father waved his hand as if saying to continue the contest.
The crowed around us got quite as a boy my age with shaggy black hair and deep blue eyes walked on the stage.
I was a little taken back by him. He was definitely a Lightwood but seemed nervous about being in front of everyone. It was strange for a Nephilim to be self conscious about being watched.
"That's the guy who helped the werewolf girl earlier," Jace mumbled, making me glance at him for a moment before looking back at Alec.
He rolled his shoulders before reaching into the basket for arrows. Like Mark Blackthorn, he pulled out three of them.
"Don't tell me he is going to try to copy the last shooter. There is no way he will be able to do it," Jace asked shocked.
I was slightly shocked as well. It took some guts to try to attempt something like that right after someone did it.
He would be laughed off the stage if he failed.
He took a deep breath before getting in position, holding up the bow and pulled the arrows back on the string. His deep blue eyes turned intense and determined, making me lose the ability to breath for a moment.
I shook my head, shaking off the weird feeling that suddenly hit me. Determination always impresses me, that's all that was. If you aren't sure of yourself, then you are a waste of time.
Alec closed his eyes, making everyone's jaws drop again. Even my father seemed caught off guard this time. Was he going to shoot all three of those arrows with his eyes closed.
He opened his eyes, frowning slightly before looking out into the crowed. His eyes met mine and I felt my shoulders tense up.
He pointed to the bandana I had wrapped around my arm. It was something my sister got me for my birthday. Nothing too fancy but I never left the house without it.
"Could I use that for a second?"
I frowned at him confused but didn't question it as I untied the bandana and handed it to him. He set his bow and arrows down for a moment before grabbing the bandana, tying it around his eyes.
This just shocked everyone even more. He was going to shoot all three of those arrows blindfolded? What makes it worse is he put his arrows down, so now he won't even know if he's shooting in the right direction when he goes to situate himself again.
He picked the bow and arrows up again and by some miracle, he placed the arrows on the string the right way. He took a deep breath before turning toward the targets, pulling the arrows back on the string.
He stayed still for a few moments before letting go of all the arrows. It was like all the crowd held in their breaths as the arrows flew across stage.
They each hit their desired targets and the crowd erupted in cheers. Alec sighed in relief, the cheers signaling that he didn't mess up. He pulled off the bandana and smiled as he held it out to me. I hesitated before reaching up and grabbing it. Our skin brushed slightly, making me quickly grab the cloth and pull away.
He didn't seem to be phased though as he just turned and walked off the stage, an announcer taking his place.
"Well, I think it's pretty obvious who the winner is. Alexander Lightwood of New York!"
The crowed cheered for the victor and Alec smiled at them all before fully getting off the stage, going to get his reward.
"What was the point of having me judge when I don't even get to pick the winner," Father grumbled, making me look at him.
"It's pretty obvious who won. You wouldn't have picked him because he's a member of the DDS. He deserved it."
"Better him than the damn fey."
I nodded watching as a small crowd formed around Alec, congratulating him. I glanced away, looking around and my eyes widened at what I saw.
Magnus was standing behind the crowd. He had a hood over his head but it didn't hide his face as he looked up at Alec with aw in his eyes.
What the hell was he doing? If father were to see him… oh crap, father.
"I'm over this contest father. Could we maybe move on," I asked, grabbing his arm and pulling him in the other direction.
He dug his heels into the ground, raising a suspicious eyebrow at me.
"What are you trying to hide from me?"
"Nothing father, I just want to look at new stuff. I'm getting bored."
He glared down at me. "That's the face you make when you try to get Magnus out of trouble or try to hide something. Which is it?"
I tried not to bring attention to Magnus but I couldn't stop myself from looking over at him for a split second. That split second was long enough because it made father turn around.
The moment he saw Magnus standing there, his face became red with rage. I quickly got in front of him, holding my hands up to hold him off.
"Father please, don't punish Magnus. Not in front of all these people. He doesn't seem to be getting into any trouble. Is it so bad he's out here?"
"He disobeyed me, Jonathan."
"Yes but he doesn't know any better. Please don't hurt him in front of all these people."
Father smiled. It was never a good thing when my father smiled.
"I won't be punishing him Jonathan."
He looked over at Jace for a moment before shaking his head as if deciding against something.
"No, it would be too obvious that it was me who did it."
"Did what? Father what do you plan to do?"
A couple Nephilim walked by us. One with light brown hair and sun kissed skin, the other dark skinned with long dreadlocks.
"You two, come here," father ordered, making the boys stand up straight in respect.
"What can we do for you Valentine," the dark skinned one asked.
Father pointed at Magnus who was now sitting on the curb as if waiting for something or someone.
"See that Downworlder right there? He committed a horrible crime. He needs to be made an example of. Take him to the town square and have him whipped."
My eyes widened in horror.
"Father please no! That will humiliate him! Please punish him at home!"
"Enough Jonathan! He needs to learn his lesson!"
He turned back to the boys, nodding at them to do the job. They both smirked, making their way over to Magnus.
Jace seemed confused. All I could do was watch, unable to protect Magnus from Father's wrath.
Magnus Pov- I sat on the sidewalk, waiting for Alexander to come back. He was amazing shooting those arrows. That fey was pretty cool too. Maybe I could talk to him, Downworlder to Downworlder.
The blazing sun was blocked out by two shadows in front of me, making me look up.
Two men stood there, smirking down at me. They both had black Shadowhunter runes plain on their arms.
I frowned, pulling my hood more closed around my face.
"Can I help you?"
The dark skin man's smirk grew wider. "Yes, we need to see your papers."
This confused me. "Papers?"
The browned haired one nodded. "The papers that show you aren't a Downworlder that came into Paris illegally."
I swallowed hard, fear creeping down on me. I didn't know that Downworlders needed to have papers to be in Paris. How could I tell them I belonged to Valentine? No one knew about me. They wouldn't believe me. Also, if master were to see me out here…
"I don't have any papers," I softly informed them.
They looked at each other before both leaning down and grabbing me by the arms. The fear slammed down on me as they dragged me away from my waiting spot and up toward the stage.
"What are you doing? Please let me go. I know Jonathan Morgenstern. Get Jonathan."
Jonathan would stop them. He always kept me safe.
They didn't listen to me. Instead, they tore off my cloak and shirt before slamming me down on the stage floor. The dark skinned ones grabbed some chains and shackled my hands to the stage.
People started to notice and for a moment I felt relief that I was going to be saved. No one tried to save me though. They just gathered around like a new show was starting.
I looked behind me, tensing up at the sight of the brown haired Nephilim uncoiling a long leather whip. It was just like the one Valentine used that one time he actually whipped me.
"Attention everyone! We have a last minute show! It seems we have a illegal Downworlder among us!"
The crowd started to boo, glaring darkly at me. They weren't even going to get the full story? They were just going to punish me because these Nephilim say so?
"His punishment is twenty lashes on the back!"
The crowd cheered now and I had to hold back tears of fear. Were they really going to do something so awful in front of everyone?
As if answering my question, the whip came down hard on my back. The crack sound burning my eardrums almost as much as the leather burned my skin.
I screamed out in agony, tears trailing down my face. It hurt so bad! They didn't even wait for the last lash to stop stinging before bring the whip down on my back again.
The feeling of my skin splitting open made me bite my tongue hard. This pain was something I've never felt before. What made it worse was everyone just laughed. Not a single person tried to help me.
Master and Jonathan were right. There are no good people in the world. This place wasn't a place I was welcome. No one wants me! There is no sanctuary out here!
I forced my head up slightly, looking passed the crowd to see Valentine and Jonathan standing there, watching. Jonathan's eyes were wide and looked pained as he watched the whip slit my skin.
"J-Jonathan! Jonathan, help me please!"
I held my shaking hand out, begging for him to come and make all the pain stop. Jonathan always helps me. He always makes the pain stop.
Jonathan's eyes narrowed sadly before he closed them tight and looked away from me, clenching his hands at his sides.
The last of my hope died as the whip once again came down on me. I closed my eyes tight, the tears burning the corners of them as I prepared for the sting. The sound of the whip cracking came but the pain did not.
Slowly opening my eyes, I turned my head to look behind me, confused by what happened. My head sped up as I saw the back of Alexander.
He was standing behind me with both his hands out, covering my body. Blood trickled down his cheek where the whip had hit him.
Everyone in the crowd gasped, looking around and whispering amongst each other.
The dark skinned man glared down at him. "Step aside boy. This has nothing to do with you."
Alec didn't move. His blue eyes were intense as he glared at the men, hatefully.
"I will not. What right do you have to hurt this poor boy? He didn't do anything wrong."
The brown haired boy was the next to speak.
"He entered the city of Paris illegally. That is a high level crime."
Alec's glare got even more intense. "He was born in this city. Ask your boss, Valentine. He is the one who raised this boy!"
That made the crowd whisper even more frantically. Gossiping about wither that could possibly be true or not. Most of them said it wasn't, that Valentine would never do such a thing.
"That will be enough," my masters voice broke through the whispers. The crowd split like the red Sea and Master came forward, making his way to the stage.
Alec ignored them all, turning to me and grabbing the chains, taking them off of me. I sat up, rubbing my wrists before looking at him hesitantly.
He frowned at me, reaching his hand out making me flinch. I expected him to smack me for being so stupid but he just touched my cheek gently. The feeling was alien to me. It was also very warm.
I looked at him again, looking into his eyes. He frowned at me, rubbing my cheek with his thumb.
"I'm sorry this happened to you. I should have gotten to you sooner."
Why was he saying sorry? I was the bad one. I left the tower. I disobeyed my master and brother. I deserved this pain. He had no reason to be sorry. I did.
I realized he was touching me and quickly elbowed his arm away. If he touched my skin without gloves on, he would become tainted. I wouldn't want that.
"Magnus, get off that stage and go to the Bell tower this instant," master growled, making me flinch and get up as fast as I could, which wasn't very fast. The stinging of my back was still there.
I hopped off the stage, making the crowed back up even further. Looking down, I made my way passed them all before stopping at the doors of Notre Dame. Jonathan was standing there, looking at me sadly.
"I told you I couldn't protect you out here."
I just looked up at him, not knowing what to say to that. He was right. He warned me about the outside world. He said he wouldn't be able to protect me out here. Guess I didn't believe him.
Looking down again, I walked passed him and went to the stairs that led to the Bell tower.
My sanctuary.
The place I would never leave again.
A/N: Hurting Magnus hurts me.
On a brighter note, I now have an Instagram account called: the_malec_princess.
I will mostly use it for art but I will also be posting screen shots of previews of chapters and with each update i will put a picture of my favorite line in each chapter.
You can also private message me if you ever just want to chat. just tell me you came from my story and I'll answer you.
hope to see you there and thanks again for your support.
