Thanks again for all the reviews, I'm glad people like this story and if there is anything I need to improve on, please by all means let me know.
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Alec's face felt hot from a strong mixture of anger and embarrassment. He stared down at the table, his hands balled up into fists at the (in his mind) betrayal of his family and friends.
The sound of Jenna clearing her voice got the majority of the attention of off him and onto her, ugh Angel bless her. Though Alec could still occasional glance of those at his table, he chose to ignore it and his eyes rested on Jenna.
"When will this Magnus Bane be coming? And when he arrives where will he be staying, if you don't mind me asking?"
Izzy spoke this time, "Well, we haven't spoken to him today, but the last time we did he believed he would be arriving a bit later tonight." Isabelle paused, a small glance at Alec again who didn't look at her, "and he has a contact here that he said he would be staying with. Though I may have told him he would be more than welcome here."
Alec's head snapped up at this, how could his own sister do this to him? She knew, more than practically anyone else how much his break up with Magnus devastated him. As a matter a fact, just a few months ago when she asked him to visit he said he doubted he'd be able to because it was still that hard on him. Was it selfish as hell? Yes, Alec knew this but at least it was honest. Something that wasn't nearly as important to them as it used to be. Wasn't Jace the one who considered honesty, even if brutal, incredibly important? How much could just a few years change things?
"Well, that was very generous of you to do, offering up our institute to a downworlder." Jasper huffed, and this surprised Alec very much so.
Alec was probably the only one who knew why Jasper was so angry about this, but he certainly wasn't the only one surprised by his outburst. Maria and Nick's eyes widened marginally, their brows raised. Jenna leaned back a bit, as if making sure the words had left the normally soft spoken Jasper's mouth. While Mark gazed at him with a bit of pride, Jasper was the son of Mark's old parabatai, who was killed by werewolf when Jasper was young; this was part of the reason for the Californian institute's strong prejudice towards downworlders.
Jace, who of course didn't know Jasper so he likely just lumped him in with Nick, glared at him. He was standing up as he did so, never one to back down from fight. At least some things never changed.
"Oh, I'm sorry if giving the warlock, who is offering his extremely useful powers for free, a place to stay, would inconvenience you. Is everyone here truly that ignorant and prejudiced?"
"It has nothing to do with prejudices; I just felt it was a little rude to offer that of us without asking. Shadowhunters or not, you all are guests here." Jasper replied, his voice small, but he was standing as well.
Alec took pity on the guy, and felt strengthened in the fact that at least someone here was thinking of him. He made eye contact with Jasper, offering a small smile in thanks, and he saw Jasper's lip twitch and then Jasper gave him a small nod as a 'you're welcome' gesture.
Jasper then took a seat looking a bit triumphant, because even if he hadn't technically won the argument he got approval from Alec.
Jace was leaning forward now, about to say more when Mark interrupted, still a look of pride in his eyes.
"You're both right; of course we would be more than happy to accommodate anyone who is willing to help us in this time of need, regardless of what they are. However, it would be nice to have been asked, as is Shadowhunter custom when visiting another institute. After all, the warlock's may not even be needed, how sure are you that our institute is next to be attacked, or if there is any next attack anyway. This warlock may have misconstrued the situation entirely. " Mark interjected.
Clary spoke up this time, an attempt at neutralization, "We apologize for that, it's all been last minute. However, our warlock knows what he is doing and it's highly unlikely that he would misconstrue any situation. And with what happened in Chicago, combined with happened at our institute, it's doubtful we are over exaggerating anything. One of your own even agrees with us."
Clary was gesturing towards Christopher, who was very much respected by everyone around, though he wasn't well known, a bit of an enigma to Alec. That may have had something to do with Hodge though, it was hard to understand anyone who reminded him of the man who had betrayed them and saved him at the same time.
Mark nodded his head, likely not arguing because of Christopher's opinion, rather than Clary's.
"So, what exactly can this warlock do? We don't know what the threat is, how do we know we need i- him."
There was a long time in which the question went unanswered, and Mark looked almost triumphant at that, but then Simon, who had been uncharacteristically quiet up until that point.
"Because that warlock is the reason the attack in New York didn't end like the one in Chicago."
Mark's eyes narrowed, but he couldn't argue that one, "Alright, point taken. However Christopher, I would like to hear from you on what evidence there is our institute may be next."
That's probably because you don't want to be made stupid by a downworlder, again.
Alec gave Simon an apologetic look, he may have been pissed at the group, but out of all of them, Simon was the one he was the least close to, and thus least betrayed by. Besides that, Simon didn't deserve to be treated like that because of what he was; it was one of the parts he was most annoyed by about this institute. Though, at times, he was ashamedly relieved at the prejudice (no warlocks to fall for while you're living in a place where they are so admittedly unwelcome).
Simon nodded his acceptance, and Alec noticed both Izzy and Jace attempting to make eye contact with him. He just glared and turned his attention to Christopher, who was rising from his position to speak, when all of a sudden a burst of fire appeared in front of Isabelle, causing most everyone in the room to start at the surprise fire message.
It took Isabelle just a few seconds to read the message in front of her and with a smirk she spoke up, "I'm sorry to interrupt, Christopher," She didn't sound sorry at all, "but we actually have someone more acquainted with the situation to explain things, if you don't mind."
Christopher, who the few times Alec had seen him speak had always been very respectful, just nodded and bowed towards Isabelle, "If you know of someone who can do so better than me, than by all means."
Isabelle looked a bit confused, probably thinking everyone here was some prejudiced asshole. Not true actually, Jasper was just defending Alec (there wasn't a prejudice bone in the guy's body), Mark had his own reasons though he was prejudiced, Jenna was kind to everyone, Christopher was way too intelligent for such prejudices, and Maria clearly wasn't prejudice as she was dating a mundane (a mundane with the sight, but whatever). The only true prejudiced one was Nick, and though Alec disliked the guy, he knew Nick had his reasons as well.
"Well, actually our warlock is here." Isabelle replied after a moment, and seeming to notice it wasn't as much a victory as she had thought earlier.
She gave Alec a sad, longing look, as if she were hoping he would understand she was sorry. Alec didn't accept it, and just turned to the library entryway as it swung open in a most attention grabbing manner, an entrance only Magnus could pull off.
And of course, the spiky haired, glitter covered, incredibly tall warlock entered, as if Isabelle's words were some sort of introduction for him and he had been standing outside the doorway waiting for her to say them.
"Sorry for my lateness, or I guess I am a bit early considering I wasn't expected until tonight, however my later appointments were cancelled, and I knew, given this institute's reputation that there may be a bit of an issue with my assistance. Am I right?" Magnus began, talking quickly as he strode in.
Most of the Californian residents were too stunned to speak at first, taking in Magnus's appearance. It was quite hard to shock a Shadowhunter and Magnus seemed to gauge their reactions. He stood at the front of the room, next to Mark, arms across his chest and leaning back against a wall, looking quite pleased with himself. Was it part of Alec's imagination or did Magnus seem to stare at him as he passed by?
Probably wishful thinking.
"I'll take that as a yes, and while my title alone should give you all an idea of my scope of powers, I would be more than happy to list off reasons why I would be more than helpful in this predicament you all are smack in the middle of."
"Do they not teach any manners whatsoever in New York?" Nick finally asked, annoyed and startled by the big entrance.
Magnus merely looked amused. "I didn't realize this was a meeting about manners."
Nick rolled his eyes, "It's not, obviously, but this is a meeting and in meetings there are formal regulations which do not involve people just bursting in spouting off about how wonderful they are."
"I don't believe I used wonderful to describe myself, but I do understand the formality of such meetings, hence the fire message announcing my arrival."
"And letting yourself in is considered mannerly?"
"Nicholas, that's enough." Mark reprimanded, Nick scowled but did as he was told.
"Once again, an earlier announcement of your arrival would have been appreciated but clearly as most of us in this room are in the dark, would you please fill us in on what you know, Warlock Bane."
Magnus, who was never quite fond of being formally addressed, shot the man an odd look (which was all the more intimidating with his cat eyes) but did as he was asked.
"I'm sure my fellow New Yorkers have informed you of the basics, I however have found out a bit more information from various contacts over this past week. While there still are more people I would like to get information from, the information I have found all points to the fact that whatever going on, this institute is the center of it all."
"What information is that?"
Magnus locked eyes with Jasper, who had once again boldly spoken up. Innocent gray eyes meeting wise green and gold ones, their eyes locked in a battle that Magnus probably didn't quite understand. It was about Alec, Jasper was jealous of this man who had once had exactly what Jasper desperately wanted, Alec's love. After a while, Magnus just blinked and looked away, as if the contest wasn't worth his time.
"That information is most confidential, as those who I got it from, all powerful in their own right, are extremely fearful of what could happen to them if it was revealed that they were working against someone so powerful that they have links to the demonic activity of recent months, and especially with these recent attacks on institutes."
"So how do we know to rely on just your word, if you aren't even willing to provide neither the information you have nor the names of those you have gotten said information from?" Mark challenged, and even though Alec knew it was from an area of prejudice, it was a good point.
"I have no reason to lie, you can trust me," Magnus replied, cat eyes narrowed.
"Can we?" Alec asked, and his heart clenched as he did so. He hadn't even meant to say the words out loud, but he meant them.
Can I? Can I trust you again? Because I once trusted you with my heart, and that didn't end well.
Magnus's gaze softened unmistakably, and this wasn't part of Alec's imagination. The warlock almost looked sad as he met Alec's hard gaze, "Yes, yes you can."
Alec didn't say anything as he looked back down at the table, feeling all the eyes on him, just as they had been earlier. Jenna, once again, spoke up and saved him from that horrible feeling of being the center of attention.
"Well, this has been a most interesting meeting, but I'm afraid we must bring it to a close, as I have an appointment in half an hour and think it would best if all of us are here for this. How about we restart this later?" Jenna asked.
Everyone nodded in agreement, an uncomfortable silence from most everyone since Alec had spoken still lingered.
"And if you don't mind Mr. Bane, Christopher, I believe Mark would like to speak to you two privately after this, just to discuss a few things you didn't get to during this. Does that sound alright?"
Magnus and Christopher nodded in agreement, Mark looking at his wife in a slight confusion before they had a silent conversation with just a few looks and he understood.
"Well then, meeting dismissed." Mark announced, and Alec made a beeline for the door, ignoring whoever was calling after him.