Chapter 3

Disclaimer: I am a sixteen year old british kid, not an amazing american novelist

Knight in Glittering Armour

"There are monsters all around us
they can be so hard to see
they don't have fangs, no blood soaked claws
they look like you and me" - Gayle forman

Alec knew that taking Simons alleged "shortcut" was a bad idea. It was his third day at Idris, and so far he'd managed to find his way to every class without getting lost. However he'd gotten cocky and had tried to use a shortcut. Now he was already ten minutes late for his history lesson and he had no clue as to where he was. All he knew was that he was in a long, locker filled corridor (identical to every other corridor in the school), fairly high up and completely alone. He appeared to have stumbled upon the old, abandoned portion of the school, as none of the classrooms were in use and the walls had been heavily vandalized.

He wished he'd brought the map that the receptionist had given him, so he could've avoided this conundrum altogether. But he hadn't, so he was left wandering the corridors, becoming more lost and nervous by the minute.

Just as he was considering retracing his steps he heard voices behind him. Three boys were stalking down the corridor towards him, engaged in an angry debate. One was extremely tall with chin length black hair that framed his tanned face nicely and emphasized his green eyes. The other was a golden blonde with innocent blue eye and an open face. However the third was definitely the most intimidating. He was an average height with shockingly white hair, cut short and chiseled, harsh features. It was his eyes though that really sent shivers down Alec's spine. They were impossibly dark and pitiless. Looking into them was like falling into the depths of Tartarus, a suicidal leap into endless black.

"Look Nate, I don't care if she threatened to call the fucking FBI, you shouldn't have let her go" The dark eyed boy snapped at the blond, causing him to flinch slightly. "I swear if you fuck up this deal one more time I will cu-"

The boy stopped mid word as he spotted Alec in front of him. "You better not have been eavesdropping you little shit," he growled at him, his onyx eyes narrowed.

"N-no," Alec stuttered, his heart racing. "I was j-just lost."

The blond, Nate, laughed at his stutter. "Aww, look at the poor baby, he's scared. Hey dumbass, what's your name?"

Alec gulped, half considering making run for it. "Alexander Lightwood, I'm new." He wasn't sure if he should've mentioned he was new or not. He guessed there was always the possibility they would let him off easy.

"New, hmmmm, well fresh meat, we have a special way to welcome you to this school." The dark eyed boy sneered as the trio began to advance.

Unable to hold out any longer Alec turned and sprinted towards the end of the corridor. He could hear feet slapping the floor behind him and he prayed he'd make it in time. Alec had always been a fast runner (he had even won a few medals at his previous school), but it appeared that the leader of the group (the one with the satanic eyes) was freakishly fast, as within a second of running he'd rugby tackled Alec to the ground.

Alec was so shocked by this abrupt attack, he didn't even have time to protect his face from the powerful punch that followed. His cheek throbbed violently from where the hand had hit it and he groaned aloud. Then hands were encircling his biceps on either side and pulling him up into a standing position. Alec tried to fight them but it was no use.

He found himself face to face with the intimidating boy, whilst his two cronies held him in place. "So Alexander Lightwood, my name is Jonathan Morgenstern, they are Sebastian Verlac and Nathaniel Grey and on behalf of the students here we'd like to welcome you to Idris Academy."

Sebastian snorted derisively. "and then," Jonathan continued, "I'd like to ask you to leave. We don't need your kind here" he snarled, all traces of amusement gone. "So get the fuck out scholarship boy." And with that he punched Alec hard in the stomach, causing him to gasp for air. Alec was shocked at the boy's crazy anger towards people off a different class. Sure he knew that some people thought that the poor should be treated differently from everyone else but, it was the 21st century and Jonathan's behaviour was ridiculous.

"We all paid good money to be here," he snapped kicking Alec's legs, "and you think you can get a free ride? Pathetic! You're just a charity case Lightwood, no'one really wants you here." He accentuated every few words with a hard punch until Alec's vision had blurred.

Jonathan would probably have continued beating him up if a loud, velvety voice hadn't interrupted him. "What the hell do you assholes think you're doing?"

The hands abruptly dropped Alec and he fell to the floor, moaning slightly. "Don't you dare, call me that, you freak," Jonathan snapped, advancing on the newcomer.

"You're right" the velvet voice retorted. "As someone who likes actual assholes, I shouldn't compare them to you. You are far worse." Alec squinted up from his position, desperate to catch a glimpse of his savior.

When he finally managed to focus his blurry gaze on the owner of the velvety voice, he was stunned by what he saw. The man was tall. Taller even than Sebastian and Alec and slim as well. His ebony hair was carefully spiked into a stylish forest on his head. His perfectly articulated features were emphasized by the professional looking make up he wore and his numerous piercings. He wore a tight, glittery v-neck paired with a leather jacket and sinfully skinny jeans. Overall he was absolutely captivating and quite possibly the most beautiful man Alec had ever seen.

"Think you're such a smart ass, don't you Magnus Bane." Jonathan sneered, but the tall man only smirked.

"Yes as a matter of fact I do," he replied smoothly, "and if I was you I'd get out of here before you do something you'll regret."

"Are you threatening me Bane," the onyx eyed boy snarled, his pale cheeks flushed. Magnus stepped closer to him and gave him an intense look. "Yes, Morgenstern I am. Do you remember what happened last time you crossed me…...or do I have to remind you?" Although his voice was quiet and soft, it held more menace than all of Jonathan's shouting.

The two boys glared into each others eyes for a bit longer. Alec though he saw something that looked like fear flash though the darker pair, but it was gone so quickly he couldn't be sure. "Ok then," Jonathan finally snapped, stepping back, "you can have the little tramp, it's not like he's worth the trouble anyway." Gesturing to his two sidekicks to follow, he turned and marched angrily down the corridor and out of sight.

Alec let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. His heart was racing at an alarming speed and he could already feel the bruises forming all over his body. "Hey, are you ok?" a smooth voice asked from right beside him. Alec blinked in surprise and saw that his saviour, Magnus, was knelt beside him. Every minutely sensible thought fled his mind as the boy's intoxicating scent filled his nostrils. Alec noticed he also had the most amazing eyes. They were a swirling matrix of green and gold, the contrast stunning.

"M-me?" Alec stuttered.

"Well...I don't see anyone else here, so…."

Alec blushed, "sorry, that was stupid. I'm feeling fine." Magnus quirked an eyebrow at this blatant lie. "Ok, maybe not fine," Alec amended, "but I'll get over it."

Then he abruptly froze as cool fingers caressed his face. "Hmmm, it's not too bad but it will sting like a bitch tomorrow," Magnus commented, as he carefully examined Alec's many cuts and bruises. Alec tried to think up a reply, but his mind was entirely focused on the soft skin that was stroking his. Close up Magnus' eyes were even more striking. The green spiked out from his pupils like the petals of an exotic plant. Black lined the iris' outskirts and delicate dabs of gold encircled the eye's centre. What struck Alec most, was the heart wrenching sorrow that filled the eyes, that had clearly seen a lot. Magnus seemed to notice him staring as he gave Alec a flirtatious wink before standing up.

"I trust you can find your way back to class?" He asked, brushing back a loose hair with his long fingers. Alec nodded, although he didn't really think hisanswer through, and stood up to. He was pleased to see that although Magnus was tall, he only had an inch or two on Alec. "Well…..what's your name?"

"Alec Lightwood"

"Well Alec Lightwood it's been a pleasure," Magnus purred, somehow managing to make a simple sentence sound ridiculously seductive.

"Um...yerr…" Nice one Alec, he groaned internally, way to look like an idiot.

Magnus shot him an amused smirk before sauntering off. Alec watched him go (totally not checking out his butt), before remembering something.
"Hey Magnus wait!" he called to the retreating figure. The man turned slowly, eyebrow raised. "I-I just wanted to say thank you, for helping me I mean. If you hadn't intervened I would probably have been reduced to a bloodstain on the wall by now." Alec smiled, hoping that he got his immense gratitude across.

Magnus gave him a grin, "don't mention it," he said before for resuming his walk. He only got a few steps however before turning back. "But seriously Alec, don't mention it, I have a reputation to uphold." and with that he turned the corner, leaving behind a confused Alec and the faint scent of vanilla.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Alec decided not to go back to his lesson, or to be more precise any lessons (he'd already missed the first two). After about an hour of exhausted shuffling (finding his way back to his room proved to be harder than he had anticipated), he finally found himself in front of his mahogany door. He kind of hoped that his roommate was absent, as he had endured enough today and didn't think he could handle Jace's mocking tone.

But despite Alec's original conclusion, that Jace Herondale was an almighty twat, the two had unconsciously formed a tentative truce. Although they rarely talked, both were very polite, mature and Alec could have sworn that Jace had grinned at him yesterday. Still Alec was sure that if the man saw him in his current state (bruised, bleeding and pathetic) he wouldn't be able to resist making an obnoxious comment.

Crossing his fingers, Alec slowly pushed the door open and stepped inside. It seemed that the Gods were not smiling on him as lying upon his luxurious mattress, was Jace Herondale. His tawny eyes remained fixed on the burgundy canopy above him, but Alec was sure he knew he had company. Sure enough, the blond then drawled, "Well well, Einstein's not in class. What's with the skiving Lightwood?"

Alec groaned, shielding his battered face before muttering, "I got lost."

Jace chuckled, the sound deep and melodic, "Okay, then why aren't you in class right now." Alec bit his lip trying to formulate a decent excuse, when he heard the other boy gasp. He looked up to see a pair of golden eyes staring at him in shock. "Dude," Jace exclaimed, getting to his feet, "what happened to you? You look like utter shit"

"Nothing," Alec mumbled, almost tripping over his feet in his desperation to get to the bathroom.

"Hey Lightwood…..Alec," a warm hand circled his wrist, halting him. "Look I know we didn't really get off to a great start," Alec blushed crimson at the memory, "But you seem like a decent guy and, as your roommate, I promise to beat up any guy who gives you a hard time." Jace looked slightly embarrassed at his words, but didn't take them back.

Alec was touched by how nice the blond was being. Maybe Jace, wasn't such a jerk after all. He decided to tell him about Morgenstern, and his illogical hatred towards anyone who didn't own at least one summer house. "Well, I did actually get lost," he began quietly, "up on the seventh floor, I'm not sure where. Anyway, I was wondering around the corridors when I bumped into three guys. Jonathan Morgenstern, Nate Grey and Sebastian…...Verlac, I think? I didn't say anything to make them angry, but they seemed to know I was here on a scholarship and that made them hate me. I tried to run but, Jonathan was fast and ended up on the floor with them beating me up. After, a few punches," Jace raised an eyebrow, "ok, a lot of punches, this guy turns up and scares them off."

"Wait, what?" Jace asked, looking startled.

"I said this guy came along and threatened Jonathan until he fled."

Jace furrowed his brow, "who on earth would risk their life by back chatting Jonathan."

"Magnus Bane," the name fluttered from Alec's lips, tasting remarkably sweet.

"No way! Magnus Bane saved you? That guy is not known for his kindness."

Alec frowned, maybe that was what Magnus had meant, when he mentioned his reputation. "What do you know about him?" Alec asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"A fair amount, he's pretty talked about. So basically in freshmen year he was popular...and I mean popular. He was outgoing, fashionable and slept with half the school, boys and girls. He had a ton of friends, although he was closest to Camille Belcourt and Ragnor Fell and hosted the best parties in town. But then, halfway through the year, his mum died." Alec gasped slightly, shocked. "No'one really knows how, but the police were involved and Magnus was off school for a long time. Then when he came back, it was like he was a whole new guy. He was rude and mean to everyone who tried to talk to him, even Ragor and Camille. He pushed everyone away, completely isolating himself from the rest of us. He got drunk every other weekend and probably did drugs too, he was…..and still is in a bad place. If it weren't for his father being one of the richest men in town, then he'd be long gone, but the school don't want to loose one of their top benefactors, so he's still here. But now has no friends, although plenty of admirers, to be honest I'm very surprised he even spared you a glance, no offense."

Alec nodded in agreement, mystified at how he had managed to attract Magnus' attention. After a minute of silence, as Alec digested the story, he thanked Jace for his help and headed towards the bathroom, to clean his damaged body.

Distractedly he hauled his aching body into the shower, mulling the new information over. He wondered (although he knew it was slightly disrespectful of him) what could have happened to Magnus' mum, in order to turn her son into a rebellious and antisocial alcoholic. As he supposed that was what Magnus was, even though he'd seemed mostly nice when Alec had encountered him. Alec sighed. Magnus Bane was clearly an enigmatic man, shrouded in mystery and tragedy. He was a puzzle, and there was nothing Alec loved more than a puzzle. He was determined to solve the mystery of Magnus Bane, after all, how hard could it be.

A/N
Well there you go, an intro to my Magnus. Up until now I have only been writing Chapters from Alec's POV as I didn't want to ruin Magnus's mystery, but do you want me to? Please review about this as I'm not sure whether I will or not.

right reviews:

fangirl-booklover46 - glad you're liking it. I was worried that people wouldn't like it as much as the favour as this is less true to the books in the way of style and Chracters.

AngelWithASeraphBlade - nice to see you again :) I like Jace's ass too...I mean...I like the fact jace acts like an ass...*shifty eyes*. I hope Magnus and Alec's meeting was ok.

MagnusBane800- Damn seems like everyone knew it was Jace, and here I was thinking I was being sneaky and clever, *sigh*. And how very dare you call me cruel, I'll have you know that I am the epitome of a lady :P x

adelsaro - Glad you liked the set up and who doesn't like a bit of naked Alec ;)

Livthereader - not yet...not yet

chocolatewriter - thank you :) that's very sweet of you, and I greatly approve of the yumminess of your username ;)

Pi9 - AHA! someone fell for my little Jace trick, it was so hard to keep the descriptions general and make Jace sound like Magnus but still Jace (dont think I'm making much sense), it's your ucky day as Alec and Jace's relationship is clearly improving.

Thank you for all the wonderful reviews, they are the best part of writing. Also, just a side note, I realized that I don't atchually have any proper plot ideas for this fic and i don't want to have to make up the plot as i go like in the favour, so if anyone has any idea then message me them, don't review 'cause spoilers.

Long A/N I know. If you liked this chap, then plz read and review

lots of virtual love

Amy

xxx