The elevator came to a stop at the top of Magnus' building and Alec felt a sense of relief move through him like a wave. The elevator made a ping noise when it settled at the penthouse floor, the doors rattling as they slid open. Alec stepped forward and moved into the hallway with Madzie still clinging to him under Jace's leather jacket, his arms wrapped around her. He felt the little girl's grip on his shirt tighten as he walked forward.

"It's ok, Madzie," Alec said. "We are at my friend's house. He'll know how to help make you better. He's a warlock too."

She had been keeping her face hidden in his neck as he spoke, but at the mention of the word "warlock," she shook her head back and forth and pushed against his chest, trying to wiggle out of his hold.

Alec was taken aback and held onto her to keep her from falling. He was grateful that Jace's jacket aided him in keeping Madzie secure.

"Madzie," Alec whispered. "Don't be scared, sweetheart. Don't be scared."

Madzie reached up and touched her fingers to the side of Alec's cheek. "No—"

It was the smallest mumble Alec had ever heard, but Madzie had spoken to him, and Alec wasn't expecting any sort of trust from her so soon.

The little girl, realizing she had gotten his attention, tucked her arms back down under the jacket and buried her face in his shoulder once more.

"No?" Alec asked softly, "No to what, Madzie?"

"N-no…" she whispered again, wiping her eyes against Alec's shirt. "No warlocks."

Alec rubbed circles on her back and bounced her a bit in his arms as he paced in the hallway.

"No warlocks?"

"No more," she whispered. She squinted her eyes tightly again, fearful.

Alec could feel her shaking now. Someone had coached her to fear warlocks. Had she not remembered that she was a warlock herself? Alec knew he needed to play along if he was going to keep her calm under Magnus' care.

"Ok," Alec said, "ok, Madzie. No warlocks."

She gave a small nod but kept her eyes closed, trying to relax in Alec's arms.

Alec sighed and walked further down the hall. "I'm not going to let anything hurt you, remember? Nothing can get you here. No one's going to hurt you. He's gone."

Alec stared at Magnus' door at the end of the hallway.

He hadn't gotten to speak to Magnus on the phone back at the warehouse, and he didn't know what Jace had told Magnus about Madzie.

Alec knew Magnus was incredibly protective as the high warlock, and seeing Madzie in such a fragile state was going to make him furious, but now - how were they going to help her and treat her if she was afraid of herself?

Alec stared down at the cuts on Madzie's neck and studied them more closely. Something non-human had attacked her, attacked her warlock mark. And if Valentine was behind it, what else had she been through while she was held captive?

Alec couldn't afford to show his anger in front of her. There would be time for vengeance tomorrow.

"Madzie, is it ok if we knock on the door and go inside?" Alec asked gently. "My friend Magnus lives here. He won't let anyone hurt you... or any warlocks hurt you."

Madzie shut her eyes, squinting them tightly.

"N-no," Madzie whispered.

Alec's heart dropped.

"I promise you, Madzie," Alec said, holding her close. He rocked her in his arms and continued to pace. "He's safe."

"J-just, no m-magic," she stuttered.

Alec hesitated. He lifted the arm that had been wrapped around her back and ran his hand across the top of her head. "To help you feel better? No magic?" Alec asked.

"He'll get mad..." she whispered.

"Oh, Alexander."

Alec took in a sharp breath and spun on his heels. Magnus stood in the doorway with his head tilted, watching the Shadowhunter's every move.

"How long have you been standing there?" Alec asked. He knew his own eyes were watery now.

"Long enough," Magnus said.

Madzie flinched at the sound of the foreign voice and Magnus internally recoiled. Sure he was a stranger to her, but from what he had overheard, he was certain that she had been brainwashed, conditioned to fear her own kind. Their kind.

Magnus nodded toward his apartment behind him, gesturing for Alec to just come inside with Madzie.

"Is it ok if we go inside?" Alec asked her gently. Madzie didn't react. Alec was ready to carry her in regardless, but she still had powers whether she realized it or not, and he didn't want to do anything against her wishes. "You can trust him. I promise," he added. Alec looked to Magnus, unsure of what to do next.

"Hi, sweet pea," Magnus said, still planted in the entryway. "I won't hurt you. No magic. Just like you said."

Madzie didn't resist or try to get away from Alec's hold.

"I'm going to walk inside now, ok?" Alec said. "Let's get you some juice."

Madzie pulled down on the piece of Alec's shirt that was bunched up in her hand, and though Magnus probably couldn't see it, Alec felt her discreetly nod her head. He smiled and headed to the door, but a part of him still wanted to protect Magnus.

Alec pulled Jace's jacket up a bit higher over Madzie's gills as he got closer to the warlock, nervous about how Magnus would react to seeing what had happened.

When Alec was inside, Magnus silently shut the door behind them, and Alec turned toward the kitchen.

"I'm proud of you, Alexander," Magnus whispered.

"I just hope you have a plan."