Chapter 14: The demons dance

I am terribly sorry for the delay, but hopefully the fact that this is my longest chapter posted to date will make up for it. First my grandma was sick and I had to take care of her, then I got a bit depressed because none of the original works I submitted to writing and poetry contests were selected for any major prize, so I lost confidence in my writing and had an awful case of writer's block and THEN I got a puppy XD So yeah, I'm not sure about this chapters quality, so please tell me your thoughts!

It is war inside me

And I'm losing ground

I'm gone

Fading while ambitions burn

And passion dies with every fight

I loose, my demons dance

Let your demons dance!

-The Anatomy of a nervous breakdown: Neurasthenia by ReVamp

Magnus stayed there, holding Alec's hand while the shadowhunter looked out the window, absorbed in his own thoughts. Magnus was thinking about many things as well, for one he couldn't take out of his mind what Alec had said: That to be loved was to be the one destroyed. At first, Magnus had regarded those words as nothing but a comfort, something Alexander's brother had once said that made the shadowhunter feel identified in his moment of outmost anguish, but now? The cadence and the specific choice of the words had left Magnus reeling, was that sentence meant to be a particular clue about his blue-eyed shadowhunter's predicament?

Magnus wouldn't find out immediately, right now, a pained moan called his attention back to the black haired boy lying beside him. It was obvious that he was suffering, no matter how hard he tried to hide it. He caressed the boy's face with one of his long hands, making the shadowhunter turn in his direction.

"What is it?" The warlock asked, not wanting to sound demanding but still very worried.

Alexander merely shrugged "The usual, I was trying to shift a little and probably injured something, it took me by surprise, that's all"

"I think we've been through the whole 'you are a terrible liar' issue before, remember?"

Magnus considered Alec's silence as answer enough, in one swift, elegant movement he changed position in the bed and helped Alec sit up more comfortably, since that's what it seemed the blue-eyed boy had originally meant to do, he sat too, leaning against one of the bedposts, which distanced him from Alexander a little. The shadowhunter promptly reached for one of the warlock's hands once more. Clearly he wanted no distance –at least the physical sort- between them.

"Thank you" Alec said with one of his tiny, shy smiles. It was not his beautiful light-up-the-world grin, but Magnus thought that it was progress.

"What for helping you in your sick bed? That's hardly something that deserves praise"

Especially since all evidence seems to point that you being on a sick bed at all is my fault to begin with.

"That's not exactly what I meant" replied Alec, leaning into Magnus, hoping for closer contact, which the warlock gave freely.

"Then what exactly did you mean?"

"Thank you for being here, even after I yelled at you. Thank you for finding when I didn't want to be found. Just…Thank you"

What else could he say? Thank you for loving me and making me fall in love with you, even though now I'm cursed and bound to die in a few hours? That would just be cruelty, and Magnus didn't deserve it.

The warlock seemed stunned by Alec's passionate soliloquy and it took some time before he managed to find his voice again "Nothing to be thankful for darling. I like to think you would have done the same if our roles were switched"

"Indeed, I would" Agreed the shadowhunter instantly, not an ounce of doubt in his voice.

Alec leaned closer to Magnus, a question in his deep blue eyes. The warlock opened his arms and the young shadowhunter slid into their protective embrace. Alec nuzzled at the crook of his love's neck and let out a short, pleased sigh.

"This is nice" Alec said, relishing at the contact.

"Yes it is" And the shadowhunter felt a rush of satisfaction when Magnus held him tighter. They could have stayed like that longer, for all Alec cared, if a knock on the door hadn't brought their attention back to their visitor.

Alec sighed "Come in"

The door opened and Jace waltzed in, all blond hair and coiled energy. He looked towards the bed and his eyes narrowed ever so slightly. Then he made eye contact with Alec and the blue eyed boy detected fear and pain in his eyes, and also anger, there was quite a bit of anger too, which probably didn't bode well for him.

"How are you feeling" Jace asked, though it seemed to Alec that he wanted to say much more than that.

"Same as usual" The shadowhunter said, not bothering to cover up the current state of his health, Magnus would probably tell on him if he tried.

"Terribly ill and too proud to admit just how bad you feel?"

Alec turned to stare at his brother dead in his golden eyes "Really? You are accusing me of being too proud? Hello pot, my name is kettle and I'm black!"

Magnus snorted making the mattress dip slightly with the motion "I don't think that's the best way of keeping your brother calm and compliant, which I'm sure is the reason Izzy sent you here to begin with"

Jace sighed "You're right. I'm sorry Alec, I'm just actions and you know what happens when I'm anxious"

Alec nodded, a tiny smile playing at the corner of his lips "You either lash out at innocent bystanders or try to be nice and end up putting a foot on your mouth"

Jace flipped him a rude gesture, but the grin plastered on his face made clear that he took no offense.

The blonde shadowhunter turned towards Magnus with an intense expression "Could you give us a few minutes? Simon, Clary and Izzy are in the kitchen preparing dinner. You could help them bring it here when they are done. We all want to eat with Alec, and he can't move from this room.

"I most certainly can move!" Protested Alec

"It's a good thing then that this is not up to discussion" replied Jace, in that no-nonsense tone of voice that irritated everyone within earshot "We had to carry you all the way here and I can see how even though Magnus is supporting most of your weight you are still sweating and breathing hard"

Alec's face contorted with angry embarrassment, he felt his temper flare in that odd, bloodthirsty way that sometimes made him fear he was going mad. He managed to control himself before he had an outburst, but the searing fire of his anger was still there.

He felt Magnus' arms give a quick reassuring squeeze "I'll be back soon darling, I think Jace really needs some time alone with you"

Magnus leaned away and helped Alec settle more comfortably on the bed. The warlock rearranged the pillows so that they supported some of the shadowhunter's weight and then turned to leave the room.

After he left, Jace and Alec remained still for an uncomfortable moment. The blond shadow hunter shifted from foot to foot and remained standing by Isabelle's vanity table for about a minute before walking towards the bed. He jumped into it and lied down next to his brother. He took one of Alec's hands into his own and squeezed it hard.

"For one awful moment I thought you had died, you know?" Jace had turned away so that Alec couldn't read his expression, but his tone alone let on how scared he was.

"I'm sorry?" The blue eyed boy tried, unsure if that's what his brother wanted to hear?

Jace made a dismissive gesture and continued "How was it…for you?"

"The bond you mean?"

Jace nodded somberly.

"I can´t really explain" Alexander took a deep breath before continuing with his explanation "I have felt numb and detached from my own body since the worst of the symptoms started acting out" He saw Jace's jaw clench and felt his body stiffen, but he decided to keep going before he had time to back out.

"But suddenly I felt this part of myself crack and leave my body. It wasn't painful, or maybe it was, but it probably couldn't compare to the pain I was experiencing at the time. Anyway, what I felt was sadness and pain. I felt my soul struggling to keep the bond in place, and then I felt my spirit being torn apart. There was nothing but loneliness and fear. Sonneillon had shown me many illusions before that happened, so at first I thought it was an illusion too and the tiniest bit of hope flickered inside me. But then I saw the rune, oozing dark fluid as if the bond was bleeding out of me, and that shard of hope crumbled, and me along with it"

"I'm sorry" Jace said, swallowing the lump that had formed on his throat.

Alec shook his head and leaned his head on his brother's shoulder "How was it for you?"

"Sorrow" Jace replied simply "A sorrow so deep it knocked me off my feet, for one horrible second we all feared you were dead"

"I'm sorry" Alec said again between short, ragged breaths. It seemed to be the only thing he could say lately.

"Stop apologizing!" His very blond, very upset brother cried, hugging Alec tightly, so tightly it was actually painful. The oldest Lightwood was stunned to realize that Jace was crying, real heart-wrenching sobs escaping from his lips, while hot tears slid down his face.

"You shouldn't apologize!" Jace sobbed "You should be angry and sad and cursing your fate! How can you be so calm?!"

Alec's anger showed its ugly head again "CALM?! I AM NOT BY ANY MEANS CALM JACE HERONDALE! I AM SIMPLY TRYING NOT TO FALL TO PIECES LIKE A JIGZAW PUZZLE!" the last bit came out as a shriek, an Alec realized a bit late that he had truly upset his brother. Jace was looking at him with an ashen face and golden eyes open as wide as saucers.

Alec had mean to apologize but his brother beat him to it.

"I didn't mean to upset you" Jace said in a soothing voice "I just thought maybe you were in shock and that was why you didn't react to this whole thing. But apparently you're just hard to read"

Alec chuckled, finally able to reign in his flaring temper "While you are like a very open book, really, like a child's bedtime story, with lots of pictures and little words"

"Now, that's just insulting" replied Jace with a fake wounded grimace in his face "I might have to stoop as low as Izzy and criticize your fashion choices to right my pride"

Alec cackled. He had missed this. The easy, companionable interactions he had with his family. The hilarious banter and the plentiful smiles. It was in moments such as these that he noticed the extent of the curse's reach. He had wallowed in his misery alone, distancing himself from his family while letting himself be consumed by pain, sorrow and rage.

But he could make it right, at least a little. He could joke with Jace and humor Izzy, he could try and be nice to Simon, smile at Clary –Jace had told him once that she thought he looked so cute and happy when he smiled- and love Magnus freely, regardless of the current status of their relationship. A few hours of bliss for an eternity of shadows, it seemed appropriate now Pulvis et umbra sumus, We are but dust and shadows.

He said none of these things out loud, instead he turned to Jace and fell into the easy exchange of jokes –in Jace's part- and reassurances about the state of his health – this was Alec- minutes passed this way in the comfortable companionship of the brothers. Nearly half an hour after Magnus had left them alone they heard the sound of several footfalls approaching, Jace looked at his brother and chuckled while Alec shuddered and braced himself.

"Ready to have Izzy, Clary and Magnus fussing over you bro?" The blonde shadowhunter seemed to be having the time of his life poking fun at his usually unfazed brother.

"I can't contain my excitement"

The door swung open and four figures walked into the room. Isabelle, holding a plate full of empty glasses; Simon, who carried bottles of water and a plastic jug of juice in a very odd color; Clary who had another tray filled with plates of food and lastly; Magnus, who was holding –Thank the Angel!- a very inconspicuous bag of cookies.

"We brought nourishment!" said Isabelle happily, settling her tray in her vanity table, an amazing accomplishment, considering it was so full of perfume and beauty products.

"Fear not my dear shadowhunters" Magnus said, looking at Jace and Alec on the bed "Isabelle cooked none of it. So it's safe to eat"

Izzy glared in his direction for a moment and then walked towards her bed and sat in front of Alec.

"I'm still mad at you" she declared in a soft voice before embracing her brother in a bone crushing hug.

"I know" Alec said, returning her embrace with all the strength he could muster, judging by his sister lack of reaction, all of his strength wasn't much.

"Cut him some slack Izzy" said Simon "He probably meant well. We all need to eat now, you can nag at him later"

Except there won't be a later. Alec thought, but remained quiet to spare his loved ones the pain of how little time he had left.

"You are right" Izzy said smiling "We should all enjoy our meal and have some fun together"

Alec nodded and lifted the covers from his legs, he lifted his head from the bed and tried to stand, but his strength faltered and he fell on the mattress. Jace put his hands on his brother's back preventing him from falling any further.

Alec wasn't very given to blushing, but his brows furrowed and he looked down at his legs, trying to hide his embarrassment.

Suddenly everyone was close beside him, their intent gazes looming over him, staring anxiously.

"I'm fine" he said, trying to calm their panic and soothe his own heart.

Oh, but you are not, my beautiful shadowhunter. Sonneillon's voice said into his mind, surprisingly loud. In just a few hours you will be mine, forever.

Alec tuned out the demon's voice and focused on his family "Uhhhh…" he mused, still slightly embarrassed "I might need a bit of help to stand"

Clary steeped closer and moved to stand beside Jace "Or you could just, you know, climb back into bed and let us pamper you?"

"No deal, tiny woman" declared Alec teasingly "Now help me to a chair all of you, I want as much normalcy as possible"

They chuckled and Izzy even rolled her eyes. He heard Magnus joking about how that was impossible for shadowhunters and then Jace added a scathing remark about his position as the High warlock of Brooklyn and 'all that freaking glitter'.

Alec couldn't help but chuckle. This felt right, it felt perfect. Being able to have meaningless conversations and laugh out loud, he needed nothing more. When Clary and Jace deposited him on the chair of Izzy's vanity table he was so happy that he didn't even comment when his baby sister and the rest of his family sat on the floor, as close to him as possible, or when they handed him his food already cut, he did however, protest when Izzy tried to help him eat and there was not a word strong enough to describe how he felt when it was made clear than the odd-looking juice Simon had brought in was meant exclusively for him.

"I am not drinking THAT!" Alec hissed, shooting the plastic container a look of outmost disgust.

"Of course you are, Alexander" Magnus tone made it clear that he was not above force-feeding if necessary "I made that juice to be especially nutritious using one of Catarina's health manuals" The warlock's smile was perfect and filled with all of his charm, but still, Alec was unconvinced.

"I still don't see why I have to drink it, I don't think it will help that much"

"You won't now unless you try" said Clary cheerfully.

Alec made a face at her and noticed the tray with the empty glasses, he pointed at them "Do those mean you are going to suffer along with me?"

"Nope" clarified Izzy "The medicinal juice is all yours, Magnus can just magic whatever we want into our glasses"

Alec grimaced when Magnus handed him a glassful of the icky substance with a small smile.

"You are not getting out of this darling, so drink up" Magnus declared.

Hesitantly Alec drank the juice. It wasn't as bad as he had expected, it tasted bitter and spicy but it sent warmth to his limbs as it slid down his throat and soothed some of his aches.

"So what's the verdict for the goo dearest brother?" wondered Isabelle.

"I've had worse" was Alec's honest reply "But I'm drinking no more than this one glass"

Isabelle smiled and nodded "Fair enough"

When Alec was done, he placed the glass on the table and turned to stare at Magnus. The warlock was looking at him too, with sharp and searching eyes.

"It did work" Alec said "I don't feel as tired anymore, thank you"

"You need to stop thanking me for things like this" the warlock was smiling and he stood up to place himself closer to Alexander "I did it gladly, for you"

Magnus sat at the foot of Alec's chair and signaled for Izzy to move a bit. The warlock turned to look up at Alec and held out his hand to him. The shadowhunter took it and gave a light squeeze, smiling shyly at Magnus.

"What's this?" asked Jace "Are you guys back together?"

"No" Alec replied quickly, not noticing the flash of sadness that passed Magnus eyes at how fast he had answered "It's just that…" he hesitated, not at all sure what his situation was with his ex-boyfriend.

"It's just that we still love each other and right now the most important thing is breaking the curse, we will solve our situation once Alec is restored to full health again"

Alec nodded at the answer Magnus supplied. He was happy to be able to freely display his love for Magnus, even if just for a few hours. He slid off the chair with a motion that was meant to be effortless but that actually made him fall gracelessly into Magnus' lap.

"You could have hurt yourself" Magnus chided. He rearranged Alec so that he was seating between the downworlder's legs. Alec leaned into his ex-boyfriend's chest and Magnus' silently placed his arms around the shadowhunters thin frame.

"I don't think I could do myself any more harm" Alec chuckled dryly.

Oh, but I disagree with you.

Alec looked around, startled. Sonneillon's voice had sounded surprisingly close and real. It was not like the distant echo he had grown so used to in their mental conversations. He looked around the room but didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. His family noticed nothing, since they kept chatting cheerfully amongst them.

Have you learned nothing, dearest Alexander? This is between you and me. They can't hear us.

Alec stiffened terrified. He had lost track of time. How long had he stayed in that alley? How much time had it taken them to arrive back in The Institute? Just how much time did he have left?

If I wish to let the curse be fulfilled perfectly, you could still enjoy four more hours with your dear family. But like I told you, your precious life energy as one of the Nephilim as restored me to full power sooner than I expected. So now I can only wonder, what would hurt your family more?

Alec stiffened in Magnus' arms. He had not anticipated this, Sonneillon couldn't do this to him. His family didn't deserve it, they were so happy right now.

"What's wrong darling?" wondered Magnus, who noticed Alec's reaction.

"Nothing" Alec replied "I'm fine"

"Are you sure?" This time it was Jace's turn to be worried "You turned pale all of a sudden, well, paler, and I didn't think that was possible"

"Really it's nothing" But Alec couldn't fool himself, his eyes darted through the room, searching intently for any sign of Sonneillon. He felt the ghost of a kiss on his left cheek and he jumped nervously only to realize that it had been Magnus who had placed his head on one of Alec's shoulders and kissed his cheek in an effort to calm his nerves.

"You're too jumpy, what's happening?"

"I told you" Alexander replied "It's nothing, I'm just feeling tired"

"Do you want to lie down again?" Izzy asked concerned, apparently she too, had noticed his stiff posture and paleness.

"No, no. I'm fine" He said, he shifted and clung desperately to Magnus' neck. The motion placed him face to face with the mirror of Isabelle's vanity table where a pair of red-orange eyes that shone like fire where staring intently at him.

No. You can't be here. You can't do this to me! Alec was screaming in his mind and he was sure that his siblings would soon notice his odd attitude, but he couldn't peer his eyes away from the mirror.

But of course I can, I have decided that a grand entrance and some dramatic flair would be best to shock your beloved family.

"No…" Alec pleaded "Please don't do this, don't do this to me!" He was rambling desperately and was so frightened that he didn't realize he was talking out loud.

"Alec what's going on?" Magnus said shaking him "Alexander, snap out of it! You're shacking"

"You can't be here. You can't do this, it's too soon. I still have time!" Alec was wailing and sobbing, and soon another fit of bloody coughs started shacking his body.

"What are you talking about? Alec please! You need to calm down, it's not good for your health!" Jace, Isabelle and Clary were looming over him and Magnus was caressing his hair and trying to calm him down.

I have told you. Sonneillon taunted. You have as much time as I say you do. And I say your time ends now.

As he lied on the floor, Alec noticed how a shadow materialized in the mirror, at first it's only human features were those frightening red eyes, but soon the smoky silhouette materialized and Sonneillon was sneering down at him from the mirror. The demon chuckled and this time he must have meant for everyone to hear since they turned around looking for the source of that eerie laughter.

Magnus was the first to realize the truth. He paled and murmured something under his breath and then lowered his eyes to look at Alec. Terror evident in his cat eyes.

"I absolutely adore family gatherings" Sonneillon said stepping outside from the mirror to stand face to face with Jace and Isabelle in the room "They are so very touching, wouldn't you agree?"

Faster than lighting, Isabelle and Jace took out seraph blades from their belts and named them, they moved to attack but were sent out flying towards the walls with a flick from the demon's wrist.

With a move of his other hand Simon and Clary were pinned to the ground unable to move even an inch.

"You cannot stop me, children of Raziel" Sonneillon said with a chuckle "Not even with your especial gifts and runes"

He walked towards Magnus and the warlock tensed. He placed Alec on the ground, who didn't seem to notice, trapped as he was in his delirium. The warlock stood up, blue flames already shinning in his hands.

"You won't touch him" Magnus hiss between clenched teeth, blue fire flickering around him and Alec like a protective shield.

"Oh, but I already have" said the demon, sneering openly at him "Isn't that why we are standing here right now?"

Magnus screamed something in a language none of them could identify and a blue flare of light engulfed the room. Within his fevered delusions Alec heard Sonneillon laugh heartily. When the light dissipated Magnus was crouching near him, his right hand clutching at his bloodied left arm, he was glaring at the demon as were Clary, Jace, Izzy and even Simon.

"Did you honestly think you could defeat so easily, son of Asmodeus?"

"I don't see why not" Magnus hissed "I defeated you once. I will do it again"

"Not this time" Sonneillon declared "Do you honestly believe the same tick will work on me twice?"

There was a loud boom and the mirror exploded into hundreds of pieces, some very tiny, some others as big as Magnus forearm. One of the biggest fragments stabbed the warlock in the abdomen leaving him panting on the ground.

"You cannot do much now, can you?" The demon was looking down at him, amusement and scorn clear in his red eyes "Either you try and attack me again or you focus on healing your wounds"

Magnus spat at Sonneillon, the blood in his mouth staining the carpet between them.

"It could have been so easy you know Bane?" The demon was gloating. He walked towards Alec and picked him up, hugging him to his body

"How nice to finally be able to finally touch you like this" The demon roamed one of his hands down Alec's back while the other cupped the shadowhunter's cheek.

"Get your filthy hands off of him!" Isabelle roared, still unable to move.

Sonneillon turned to look at her, an expression of thinly veiled irritation across his face "It is not very polite to cut into other people's conversations child" With a flicker of his hands Isabelle's insults died in her throat, silenced by the demon's magic. Alec's eyes widened and he tried to move away and protest, but found himself too weak to do so.

Sonneillon turned towards Magnus again hugging Alexander closer, just for the fun of it "As I was telling you" he continued "Breaking the curse would have been so easy, if it weren't for your pride, Magnus Bane. The condition I placed for he curse's removal was for you to swear a vow of love to your dearest shadowhunter and prove with a deed. But you just couldn't be honest with your feelings could you?"

With one swift movement Sonneillon laid Alec on the ground in the middle of the room. He heard Jace, Clary and Simon cry out and Magnus screamed something than the blue-eyed Nephilim couldn't make out. The demon was straddling him with his legs, though he knew it wasn't necessary since Alec was too weak to move. Sonneillon placed both his hands on Alexander's chest, right above the cursed mark.

"How does it feel?" he asked addressing the room "To know that you were so close to saving him and failed, to know that you couldn't protect him. His life belongs to me now"

One of the demons hands pierced Alec's chest and the boy screamed in agony. A whirlwind of pain, terror and fire. Pain was all there was, he could feel nothing beyond it. He could hear his family's screams or Magnus threats. He didn't hear Sonneillon's malicious chuckle as he twisted the hand that was inside his body, as if he was stirring a pot. With one final twist the demon removed his hand which now held a beautiful, shining blue orb of light. That was the last thing he saw, and the last sound he heard was his name, cried out by a chorus of voices.

After that there was only darkness. Sweet, beautiful shadows that soothed his pain and eased all of his fears.

Didn't I say your soul would one day belong to me, my beautiful little angel?

So yeah… That happened :D Please review with your thoughts and/or ideas