The Warlock of Notre Dame: Chapter Six- What Makes a Monster?
Jace Pov- Notre Dame was closed to the mundanes today, Every Shadowhunter who piled into the church was dressed head to toe in white. Myself included.
Today was the day of Valentine Morgensterns funeral. His body wasn't here. It was taken to Idris last night to be cremated and sent to the city of bones. The funeral being held at the institute was a small celebration of life. Jonathan insisted on it.
I haven't known my boss long enough to figure out if he was someone worth celebrating, but his son was mourning him, so it was the least I could do. It was two nights ago when a very hysterical Jonathan Morgenstern showed up at my bedroom door, crying about his father being murdered.
He showed me the murder weapon that was sticking out of Valentines chest when Jonathan found him. It was one of Alec's special made arrows that he bought when we were together that day. I couldn't believe my eyes. Alec didn't seem like the kind of person who would murder someone, even if it was someone as awful as Valentine. I still don't think he would do that.
There must be another explanation. Maybe Valentine tried to hurt Alec and he had to defend himself. That, or someone got ahold of Alec's arrows and did it to frame him. The last time I saw Alec was when I left him alone with Jonathan to talk.
"I can't remember the last time I've seen so much white," Jonathan mumbled, looking around at all the Nephilim gathered. I'm actually surprised that there were so many people who liked Valentine enough to mourn him. He took me as the kind of guy who didn't have any friends.
"It's nice that people showed up," was all I could think to say. Honestly, I didn't even want to be here. Funerals were depressing, and I was still confused about the whole 'Alec killing him' thing. There is no way he would have done that.
Then again, I don't really know Alec. We have only had a couple small conversations. That's barely enough time with someone to decide wither or not they were a murderer. Still, a part of me knew that Alec wasn't capable of such a thing.
I turned toward Jonathan, who was cleaning off a table full of food. He sat a bowl of fruit salad on top of a Shadowhunter Codex which stunned me. One thing I learned about Jonathan Morgenstern when I arrived here, was the fact that he loved the angel. He worshiped the codex in the same way mundanes worshiped the Bible.
That Jonathan would never sit a bowl of fruit salad on top of it like it was a cozy. Very strange indeed.
"You left your book on the table," I pointed out.
He looked down at the codex before shrugging and going back to cleaning off the table, putting some food in a little container.
"Would you like to come with me to take this food to Magnus? I doubt you want to be left here alone with all these strangers. Especially with Hodge Starkweather. He keeps spewing lies about adventures he went on with my father. It's really starting to irritate me."
I nodded, following him out of the room and to the hidden door in the hallway. We made our way up the dark creaky steps before coming out of a hole in the bell tower floor.
Magnus was pacing the floor dressed head to toe in white, just like Jonathan. He was wringing his hands together with a worried expression on his face. I'm sure he is more conflicted about what Alec possibly done than even I am.
"Magnus, what's the matter with you? You look like a caged-up animal. Come over here and eat some food. You haven't had anything since breakfast yesterday," Jonathan said, putting the container on the table.
The way Jonathan interacted with Magnus was a whole new side to him. He spoke to him gently, never raising his voice or looking upset. I'm sure it's the opposite treatment that Valentine gave the warlock.
Still, watching the two of them interact was unnerving. They were two soft innocent souls that were slowly being corrupted by Valentine. It's only a matter of time before that corruption takes over and makes one of them snap. Even with Valentine gone, all that mental abuse doesn't just go away.
I wonder which one will snap first.
perhaps one already has.
Magnus made his way over to the table, sitting on a small stool that made him appear shorter than Jonathan. God forbid a warlock tower over you.
I didn't join them at the table. Instead, I leaned against the wall, silently watching them. A monster and a man, eating dinner together. Which is which, I couldn't tell you.
I don't know what the truth is anymore.
"Magnus," Jonathan started, grabbing my attention. "I didn't mention it before but now that we have some time, I would like to address it. When I came to tell you about father, it looked like you were wearing new clothes. May I ask where you got them?"
Magnus swallowed hard, as if he knew the answer was going to lead to trouble. He could always lie about where he got the clothes, but something tells me he hasn't lied a single day of his life.
"Alexander got them for me," he said softly.
Jonathan's shoulders tensed at the name. "Alec Lightwood bought you clothes?"
He nodded, fidgeting with his fingers under the table, nervously.
This poor guy was so timid. I have a feeling that if he was able to grow up with a real family, he would be one of those people who dripped confidence. Instead, he was like a fidgety small dog who was just waiting for his master to strike him.
You can only hit a dog so many times before he bites you.
"Can you show me the clothes," Jonathan asked. The slight anger he showed was now gone and was replaced once again with his calming smile.
Magnus hesitated before standing up and making his way to a clothes wire, where he hung them to dry after being washed. He had to have washed them in a bucket with soap, because there was not way there was a washing machine in here.
He held them up, showing Jonathan who smiled, looking them over.
"They look nice." He lost his smile, looking angry now. "Burn them."
I frowned at that request. Alec told me that Magnus only had one outfit. What was wrong with him having another? Maybe it was because Alec was the one who gave it to him.
Magnus frowned, holding the clothes to his chest protectively. "What? Why?"
"You got those from the man who murdered our father. Why wouldn't you burn them?"
Magnus looked down at the clothes before looking at Jonathan again saying, "I won't."
I tick formed in the corner of Jonathans jaw, showing his annoyance. That sweet brotherly warmth I felt in the room moments ago was instantly gone, as he got out of his chair.
"You won't? That sounds a lot like you're disobeying an order. Has my kindness made you forget your place? Just because father is no longer here doesn't mean that you suddenly have freedom. You are still a Downworlder and you listen to me. I said burn them."
"Alec gave these to me. They're special to me," Magnus fought back.
"You don't need anything from him. Now get rid of them now or I will do it myself, and believe me, you don't want to see what will happen if I have to do it myself."
Magnus seemed genuinely surprised by the way Jonathan was speaking to him. My guess is that he doesn't do this very often.
Magnus glanced down at the clothes in his hands before looking back at his 'brother'.
"Jonathan..."
"Do it Magnus!"
Magnus closed his eyes tight before the clothes in his hands were engulphed in blue flames. The pain in his eyes were evident as the ash the fabric turned into slipped through his fingers and fell to the floor.
Jonathan looked down at the remains of the clothes before smiling slightly, walking up and placing his hand on Magnus's cheek. He rubbed his cheek with his thumb before moving away to the balcony, looking over at the city below.
"We will mourn our loss for today. Tomorrow we will search the city high and low. I won't stop until Alexander Lightwood is in my custody. He will pay for the crime he committed."
I watched him frowning before glancing at the time. "Jonathan, it's almost time for the bells to be rung. Maybe we should go and leave Magnus to his work."
Jonathan nodded, still looking at the city before turning away and walking back over to us. He pulled off one of his gloves, as he walked, making me raise an eyebrow. Both he and Valentine were adamant about their need to wear gloves around Magnus, so he doesn't taint them.
He stopped in front of Magnus and as quick as lightning, backhanded him in the face with his ungloved hand. I sucked on my teeth as Magnus toppled to the floor.
It must have been one hell of a slap because Jonathan was shaking his hand a bit, as if it stung slightly. He proceeded to put his glove back on before facing away from Magnus.
"Forget about Alec Lightwood, Magnus. I have told you before and I will tell you again. He is nothing but trouble."
With that Jonathan made his way to the hole in the floor, leaving Magnus and I behind. I was shocked that he didn't scream at me to follow him.
I looked down at Magnus on the floor, seeing him wipe blood off the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand.
"Are you alright?"
He glanced up at me before getting up, not answering.
"I know where Alec got you those clothes. I was with him when he bought them. Would you like me to get you some to replace the others?"
He shook his head no. "Alec gave those to me. It was my first ever gift."
'Well that's just sad' I thought to myself before heading to the exit. Magnus quickly grabbed my arm, making me stop and look at him with a raised eyebrow.
"You say you were with Alec when he bought the clothes. Were you with him at the time Valentine was killed? Is he innocent?"
I frowned at that. "Sorry, I wasn't with him around that time. I left him shortly before it happened."
He let me go, his arm dropping to his side in defeat. It was obvious that he was trying to cling onto any possibility that Alec could be innocent. You don't want to find out that the one person who helped you and was nice to you is a murder. Especially not if Alec and he were getting as close as Clary said.
"If it's any consolation, I think he's innocent too."
Those words made Magnus look at me again, hope returning to those green gold eyes.
"Does that mean you won't help Jonathan hunt for him?"
I frowned at that question. Sure, Alec and I were friends and I wanted things to be different this time. The last friend I made, I was forced to murder him in cold blood. There is a chance that I will have to do that again with Alec. Jonathan is my boss now. If he orders me to kill Alec, I may not have a choice in the matter.
I was a soldier above all else.
"If Jonathan says I must then I will. My job is to listen to the head of the Institutes orders."
Magnus's hope died, his shoulders once again slumping in defeat.
I bowed my head slightly to him before turning away and leaving the bell tower, feeling my conscience become ten times heavier with every step I took down the stairs.
At exactly eight am, every Nephilim in town was standing in front of the institute, getting prepared for a manhunt. We were all decked out in gear, making us look like a sea of black. I had a sword strapped to my waist, hoping I wouldn't actually have to use it.
Jonathan walked out of the institute, looking like a vengeful angel that fell from heaven. His white blonde hair was swept back out of his eyes and he wore black gear like everyone else's. He also had a sword at his side that belonged to his father.
He stopped in front of us, scanning us all with his eyes before standing up straight, meaning we should give him our full attention.
"Nephilim of Paris, we have a murderer in our city. He has taken my fathers life and it is only a matter of time before he strikes again. We must liberate his presence before that happens. Check every establishment, every Downworlder home. If he had even glanced at a person, I want them questioned. If you find him, bring him to me alive. I will give him judgment from there."
He divided everyone into groups before having me and a few others move with him down the road. The first place we stopped was the DDS living quarters. It would be stupid of Alec to actually be there, but it was still a place that needed to be checked.
Jonathan had one of his men break open the door, not even bothering to knock. This caused many of the residence to start panicking, backing up against the walls to get out of our way as we came inside.
The leader of the DDS, Luke Garroway made his way down the hall to meet us, Joycelyn and Clary standing behind him. I thought seeing his mother and sister would irritate Jonathan, but the expression on his face was stoic.
"Mother, sister. You didn't come to fathers' funeral yesterday. That was very heartless of you."
Luke stepped in front of them, hiding them from view of him. "What do you want Jonathan?"
Jonathan stood up straight, getting to business. "We are looking for Alec Lightwood. He is under arrest for the murder of my father."
Luke glared at us, but his eyes looked pained. I'm sure he feels terrified for Alec and what's bound to happen to him.
"Alec isn't here. He ran away when he learned that he was being accused of a crime he did not commit."
Jonathan sent Luke a glare of his own. "There is no accusation. Alec was the one who murdered my father. His special made arrow was dug deep in his chest. Who else could it have been? Tell me where he is, or I will be forced to take drastic action."
"We don't know where he went," Clary spoke up, her fists clenched tightly at her sides. They shook angerly from her rage. Her eyes also reflected how she felt. The green color was fierce and hateful.
"While we are on the subject of Alec, why don't you tell everyone what you did to him that day, Jonathan. He told me all about it," Clary spat, making me look at him confused.
Jonathan stayed cool and collected. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Clary's glare got even more intense if that was even possible. "You tried to rape him."
Jonathan's eyes got just as intense and angry. "He tells nothing but lies. I would never do something like that, especially not with a man. Maybe you should rethink who you trust."
"I trust him over you any day," she yelled before lifting her fist in the air, going to punch her brother in the face. Luke quickly grabbed her around the waist, stopping her.
"Your men can search this place all they want. Alec is not here. He is no longer in the protection of the DDS."
Jonathan glanced at Clary before looking up at Luke. "Hiding him where you hide all the other Downworlders no doubt. You really think I won't be able to locate them? Just because my father couldn't find your hide out doesn't mean I will not."
With that he snapped his fingers and directed his men to head out. They left the building without checking it, but it was obvious that Alec truly wasn't here. I went to follow them but stopped when someone got a tight grip on my wrist.
I looked down at the petite hand clenching me before looking into Clary's green eyes.
"Alec told me the two of you have become friends. Why are you helping Jonathan hunt for him? Are you planning on killing him?"
I frowned, not liking that she was asking me those kinds of questions. Once again, I was in a spot where I had to pick between friendship and duty. My parents taught me that duty came before all else.
"I will do what is asked of me," was all I said.
Clary's grip loosed before she completely let me go, letting her arm fall to her side. She still looked angry, but those beautiful green eyes also seemed sad by my choice.
"I thought you were different. Alec defended you. He told me you were good. I don't see anything good about you."
Honestly, it stung to hear her say that. I really liked Clary. I really liked Alec. They were both people I wanted to get close to. Friends I wanted to keep. I wanted to be more than just friends with Clary.
Why did I even try to change?
"I'm not different Clary. I'm a Herondale. We are raised to be warriors and follow directions. I'm sorry."
Her fists clenched tighter at her sides, tears filling in her eyes.
"I'm sorry too," she said softly.
We stood in silence for a moment, staring at each other before I turned away, going to follow Jonathan and the others.
We checked a few pubs and the werewolf bar that Alec was known to venture into, every once in a while. Jonathan had his goons tare each place apart until it was destroyed. There was no point in it, Alec obviously wasn't hiding here, but Jonathan still made it his job to torture the Downworlders who owned the places.
Finally, we got to the bakery Alec liked to visit often. It was a mundane establishment, so I highly doubt he would risk endangering these people to hide here.
"These are mundanes Jonathan, Alec wouldn't hide here," I voiced my opinion, making him roll his eyes at me.
"That's what he wants you to think," he growled before going inside. His men followed him, and I sighed before going with them.
Usually an old man accompanied the front desk, but today it was a handsome young man who looked about our age. He had light brown hair, hazel eyes, and a dimpled smile I'm sure all the girls fell for.
He lost that smile though when he noticed the tense atmosphere surrounding Jonathan. He really was an intimidating person to be around. Especially when you're mundane.
"Can I help you gentlemen?"
Jonathan held up a wanted poster with Alec's face on it. "Do you know who this is?"
The boy nodded, smiling slightly. "Yeah, that is Alec Lightwood. He and I dance together a lot at the pub. Why are you looking for him?"
Jonathan's shoulders stiffened at the mention of Alec dancing with the guy. His jaw clenched irritably.
"You've danced with him?"
He nodded hesitantly, also being a little weary of Jonathans irritability.
Jonathan glared at him before calming down, going back to his stoic face expression. He turned to his soldiers saying, "I feel he may have information on Alec's whereabouts. Take him to the questioning house in town and make him talk. Do whatever is necessary."
My eyes widened in shock. "Jonathan, he is a mundane. You couldn't possibly be suggesting that we torture him?"
"That's exactly what I'm proposing," he said nodding.
Even the others looked hesitant about following the order. Our job was to protect mundanes, not torture them. Doing this goes against everything Nephilim stand for.
Still, I could hear my fathers voice in the back of my head saying: Sometimes for the greater good, dreadful things need to happen. Sometimes mundanes get hurt in the process.
Was this for the greater good? All he said is that Alec and he danced a couple times. How was that enough to take him in for questioning?
The two other Nephilim seemed to make their choice. They made their way around the desk and grabbed the boy by the arms. He looked terrified as they dragged him out of the bakery. I watched them take him, hearing his yells of fear and confusion fade as they got further away.
I quickly turned to Jonathan frowning. "That boy did nothing wrong."
"He was involved with Alec. That's crime enough."
Then I should be arrested too.
The thought formed in my head, but I didn't voice it out loud. Instead, I stood in silence as Jonathan walked passed me, leaving the store. I clenched my hands at my side for a moment, before unclenching them and following them outside.
A young Shadowhunter girl named Holly ran down the street toward us, calling out to Jonathan. She obviously had a crush on him. She was always trying to impress him and every time she looked at him, her eyes practically had hearts in them.
I don't think Jonathan even knows her name.
He turned toward her, waiting for her to stop in front of him. When she did, she leaned over trying to catch her breath. A Nephilim who gets easily winded was a useless Nephilim. That's what my grandmother used to tell me anyway.
She stood up straight, looking excited as she smiled up at Jonathan. "Sir, I got some information about Alec Lightwood. There was news of him being spotted at an old antique store ran by vampires. It's at the edge of town."
If she was expecting him to praise her, she would be very disappointed. He didn't say a word to her as he took fast strides down the road. She watched him before looking at me pouting. "I thought that would have made him happy."
"That's a tall order to fill," I sighed before running after him. To my relief, she did not follow us.
We stopped at an old wooden building with white paint peeling off it. A sign on the front door said 'Santiago's antiques'. Holly said it was ran by vampires, and Raphael Santiago was the head vampire of Paris. He was the one who kept all the others in line.
Jonathan stormed through the door and I followed getting a bad feeling about this. The shop was covered in long tables with trinkets scattered all over them. Some looked beyond valuable, while others just looked like junk.
The air around us immediately got stiff as the vampires sensed our presence. Every vampire in town lived at this place, in the rooms above the shop. That's where most of the vampires had to be, because only three occupied the shop.
The first one to catch my eye was a beautiful Asian girl with long black hair. She wore a tight black dress and boots that had a heel as sharp as her fangs. Her arms were crossed over her chest as she leaned on the front desk, glaring at us.
Next, there was a tall dark-skinned man with long dreadlocks falling down his back, some hanging over his shoulder. He was wearing a black tang top, leather pants, and a leather jacket, the sleeves cutting off at the elbow.
Finally, my eyes landed on the vampire behind the desk. Anger radiated off him at the sight of Jonathan and myself. He was Hispanic, with dark black hair, dark brown hateful eyes, and a permanent scowl on his face.
He was dressed normally with a long sleeved white shirt and some dark jeans. His hands were pressed flat against the table, but I could see his clawed nailed digging into the wood in irritation.
"What do you want Nephilim? This is a Downworlder or Mundane establishment only. No Shadowhunters allowed. Tell me your business and get out."
Jonathan wasn't phased by the vampires' anger. He leaned against on of the tables, looking around the place before looking at the guy in the middle.
"I'm looking for someone named Alec Lightwood. There was word that he was spotted in this shop not too long ago. If you are hiding him, Raphael, I suggest you give him up at once."
The boy and girl beside Raphael glared at Jonathan hatefully, but Raphael himself kept a cool head.
"I don't get involved with the DDS. Even if they claim to help Downworlders, they are still made up of ex Nephilim and I trust you as far as I can throw you."
"Guess you don't mind me checking upstairs then," Jonathan asked, raising an eyebrow.
Raphael clenched his jaw at that. "Actually, I do mind. All the vampires of Paris are up there sleeping. Do you really want me to wake them all up after just falling asleep? Nothing is worse than a cranky vampire. Also, the sun is up. If we let you check the place, we would have to go outside to be out of your way and that won't be happening while the sun is up. Come back tonight and you can check it all you want."
He made a very good point. Vampires are tricky creatures they know how to get around things like this. Even so, Alec could have betted on that. He could be up there hiding with the vampires, knowing that by accord law, we can't make the vampires go outside while the sun is up.
Jonathan seemed to come to the same conclusion because he said behind clenched teeth, "All the more reason for me to think he is here."
Raphael shook his head frowning. "I only care for my own kind. Why would I risk getting in trouble with Nephilim to protect any other? Leave this place and come back tonight if you still don't find him by sundown. I guarantee that while you are here badgering me, he is closer to getting out of town."
Jonathan clenched his jaw irritably before turning around and walking out of the shop. I watched him go before looking back at the vampires. "Why aren't the three of you sleeping," I asked out of curiosity.
Raphael shrugged. "Some of us have to make a living."
I nodded in understanding, a small smile quirking up the side of my mouth. This guy was interesting for a vampire. He spoke his mind and cared deeply for his people. You don't see a lot of Nephilim like that.
"I'm sorry to have disturbed your business," I said bowing my head slightly, before making my way outside. I shut the door behind me before turning to Jonathan, who was looking up at the top floor of the building glaring.
"I know he's up there. Alec insults me by hiding at such an obvious place. Thinking the vampire accords would keep him safe. He's going to get a huge wake up call."
His words caused me to frown. "What are you planning to do? We can't search the place until the sun goes down. That won't be for several hours now."
"Yes, and he will be long gone before that happens."
I looked back up at the building before looking back at him. "Set up guards around the building then. I will stay and watch over the place while you keep looking for Alec. If I see him trying to escape, I will bring him to Notre Dame at once."
Jonathan glanced over at me, his face stoic again. "Do you really think I don't know about he friendship the two of you have gained? You went with him to get those clothes for Magnus. You are the one who's been letting him into the institute to see Magnus. Why wouldn't you let him escape out of this building and not tell me? No, I don't trust you to make that call."
"My relationship with Alec and my job are two different things. I never let friendships hinder my job performance."
Jonathan seemed to ponder that for a moment before putting his hands behind his back.
"Prove your loyalty to me."
I frowned at that. "Excuse me?"
He pointed to the building. "Place a heat rune on that building and burn it down."
My eyes widened in horror. "Jonathan, you know I can't do that. It's against the accords. Every vampire in town is in there. They will all die and even if they manage to get out of the house, the sun will still burn them."
"They are hiding a fugitive, Jace. These vermin need to be made examples of. Burn the place down now. That is an order and it's your job to obey my orders."
I clenched my fists at my side. "Those Vampires are innocent. They didn't do anything wrong. Just like the mundane you had dragged out of his family business. He was an innocent man that you sent to be tortured. What is the matter with you? Why are you so obsessed with getting Alec? Does this even have anything to do with your father's death?"
Jonathan's glare on me was hard and cold before he made his way over to the building. He pulled out his Steele and pressed it hard against the warped wood, before drawing the rune for heat onto it. I ran at him, tackling him onto the ground to stop him, but it was too late. In only moments, the entire building burst into flames.
The agonizing screams cut through me like a knife. I wanted to bust in there and save every one of them, but I couldn't. It was a bright sunny day outside. The moment's those vampires stepped out of the building, the sun would still be burning them. There was no escape for them.
Black smoke seeped out of the windows as the flames grew taller. The groups of screaming I heard moments ago were now a few whimpers of pain and agony.
The back door of the building swinging open caught my eye, someone crawling out of the building and hunching over on the ground, coughing up smoke and ash. The sun didn't burn him as he held onto his stomach, trying to gain air through his smoke clogged lungs.
His white skin darkened with soot.
His black hair covered in white ash.
Alec Lightwood.
