Maryse paced anxiously up and down the small room in Amatis's house. All the adults had convened in there, either seated on the sofa or wearing grooves in the floor as she was. They needed a plan. But how to plan against something you know nothing of? Then her husband cautiously cleared his throat from his seat by the window.
"Magnus is part demon, he might know something?" he suggested hesitantly.
Robert Lightwood knew it was hazardous bringing up the colourful warlock so soon. As much as she tried to show acceptance their son's sexuality and partner choice, he knew Maryse still harboured doubts. He himself on the other hand was happy for Alec and proud of him for revealing his true self in such a bold and public display.
"It's possible. He is also eight hundred years old, he may have heard of things like this," Luke reasoned calmly, ignoring the tightening in Maryse's eyes at his words.
"Then it's settled!" announced Jocelyn, "I'll go and contact him now."
"Favourite colour?" Magnus asked the blue eyed boy sitting across from him.
He and Alec were sitting out the front of a small diner, sipping coffee whilst asking each other questions. Since that earth moving kiss they had shared in the hall, the two had been trying to spend as much time as possible together. The only times they had been separated was at night; irrevocably having to give into the demands of sleep. Magnus had also learnt that his boyfriend was not one for showing large amounts of affection in public; though he did allow the odd kiss or two.
"Black," Alec answered quietly.
"Of course," the warlock rolled his eyes, not at all surprised by the shadowhunters choice. All the boy ever wore was faded, holey, black sweaters.
Magnus opened his mouth to ask another when suddenly a letter appeared on the table in front of him in a short burst of flames. He picked it up curiously. His name was scrawled across the front in messy print.
"Who's it from?" Alec asked, his curiosity also ignited with the sudden appearance of the fire message.
"Don't know..." Magnus murmured.
He slowly opened it and read aloud for Alec's benefit.
Dear Magnus,
Apologies if we are interrupting you but there is an urgent matter for which we need your council and knowledge on. Please, come to Amatis's as soon as possible.
Thankyou,
Jocelyn Fairchild.
He continued to frown at the yellowed paper for a moment. What on earth would they need his 'council and knowledge' on? If this involved Maryse the matter must be very dire for she would not have asked for his assistance were it not.
"We should probably go now then?" Alec inquired, not wanting to assume things.
Magnus just nodded and stood, leaving a bill and generous tip on the small round table with their half empty mugs. There walked together closely down the streets of Idris, both lost in thought as to what the urgent matter at hand was.
"What do you think they doing down there Jace?" Clary asked tentatively. It was the first time either of them had spoken since they had curled up together on the small bed in the dusty room upstairs.
"I'm not sure," he replied honestly.
She was quiet again then, submerged in the theories that ran through her troubled mind. Then a particular theory came to mind that stilled her heart and constricted her lungs. What if they tried to separate them? Move them away from each other? The mere though made her eyes prickle. She needed Jace. Surely their parents wouldn't be so cruel?
"Hey? What's the matter?" Jace asked, noticing the sudden change in her.
Her chin trembled as she looked up at his handsome face, "What if they try to break us apart Jace?"
"Oh sweetheart, come here" he said and pulled her close as the tears began to dribble from her enchanting green eyes.
Jace tucked her firmly into him, her head under his chin, his heartbeat strong under her ear. His heart hurt though as he listened to her whimpers of fear at the possible outcome. No girl as beautiful as her should cry. He gently tilted her head up to look at him. Tenderly he brushed back a few stray tangles of her fiery red hair that stick mattered to her face but her tears.
"I'd never let that happen," he says with conviction.
She sniffles a few times before giving a slight nod in acceptance. An appreciative smile graces her face as she brushes away the last few stray tears.
They lay there a while longer until a knock at the door startles them both. The unintelligible murmurs of several people drift through the door.
Then they heard the clearer voice of Jace's adoptive mother,"Jace, Clary can you come down stairs please."
It was more of a demand rather than a question but none the less they complied, rising regretfully from the bed. They looked at each other in unison, giving equal nods of encouragement and a light squeeze of their joined hands before walking down the staircase.
The first thing Clary noticed as they walked in was the bright magical Magnus seated in a wooden cane chair with Alec standing behind him. She froze. They weren't going to take away her memories again were they? No they couldn't. Desperately she tightened her grip on Jace's hand, halting his progress into the room. Only when Jace turned back to her and placed his hands on her face did she realize that she was frantically shaking her head in denial.
When Jace felt Clary stop at the entrance to the room he presumed it was just hesitancy but when he looked back and saw the fear in her eyes he began to worry. He followed her line of sight to Magnus then the pieces gradually fell into place. She though they were going to take away her memories again. He walked back towards his startled little gazelle, taking her face carefully in his hands. She looked up at him with watering, pleading eyes and his breath hitched. His poor girl was so scared.
"Clary it's ok, they're not going to take away your memory, I promise" he whispered soothingly.
He continued to try to pacify her with calm words. Little by little the awareness began to return to her face. He sighed in relief and pulled her into his warm embrace.
"Are you ok now?" he asked gently.
He took each of her hands in his, bringing them to his soft lips and grazing a kiss across their knuckles. She nodded her affirmation. He gave her a positive smile before turning them to the waiting room.