27th August, 2016: 3am Magnus' Lair
The Shadowhunters, Magnus and Nick returned to see how Clary had gotten on.
"Jocelyn was right, your artistry is beyond compare" Magnus praised.
"I don't know about that" Clary said being modest.
Nick scoffed.
"Oh, the only other person I've known who could draw as well was Michelangelo, who was excellent in bed, I might add".
Magnus' words effectively distracted Alec as he looked embarrassed and charmed at the same time when the warlock looked pointedly over at him. Jace noticed Magnus' look and shot a disturbed glance in his parabatai's direction who tried for an expression of confusion. When Magnus then turned to Nick.
Nick who rolled his eyes and replied "Really, Magnus?".
Isabelle chuckles.
"Okay. We're ready. Everyone take your rightful place on the pentagram. Nicholas you can sit out on this one. You need to converse your strength. Your awakening has weakened you and the greater demon will use that against you".
"Fine by me" Nick said as he stood leaning against the door watching them arrange themselves into position at the pentagram from a safe distance.
"We must initiate a bond. Once this bond is sealed, it cannot be broken until the demon retreats. No matter what happens, we must not let go of each other's hands. I will lead the ceremony, and you all must do exactly as I say. The demon's name is Valak. And at some point, he will ask for payment in exchange for Clary's memories".
"What do you mean? What kind of payment?" Asked Jace uneasy about the whole thing.
"We will see" Magnus rolled his shoulders "Let us begin".
Magnus began to speak in speaking Chthonian, which oddly enough sounded a bit like English to Nick. He was able to pick up and understand a few words that the warlock was reciting and once he was done Isabelle spoke up "The necklace. It's pulsing".
Nick looked down at his hands to see his fingertips sparking like crazy as his eyes and sclera were flickering between pure black and their normal coloration "That can't be good" He said snapping his head up to the others who looked over to him as the memory demon showed up. It dived down from the ceiling, arriving in a swirl of a smoke-like mass.
"Valak is among us. Do not break the bond".
"Hold on!" Jace told Clary
"I'm trying" She said beginning to lose her grip on Jace.
A set of burning eyes within the torrent mass of black smoke. The demon growled.
"It is time," Magnus declared "The demon demands payment".
Nick began pacing back and forth like a caged animal. He's instincts were compelling him to send Valak to the void. "I can't hold on, much longer. I'm losing control. A greater demon this powerful cannot be allowed to remain on this plane for much longer whilst I'm in its vicinity" He warned.
The greater demon locked eyes with Nick "Well, well, well Hades offspring has finally broken free of the shackles and awoken up".
Nick growled "You would be wise to hold your tongue or I will send you to the void, demon. Magnus what does this Valak want?" He hissed out the demon's name.
"We must each relinquish a beloved memory of the one we love the most" Magnus shouted.
Isabelle went first, and saw Alec's face appear in front of her. Next was Clary who saw her mother's face appear and then the demon reached deep inside Alec.
Nick was hoping to see an image of his face. But was mildly disappointed when Jace's face arose.
"No, it's not true!" Alec denied immediately, glancing panicked at his parabatai as he continued, "The demon deceived me!".
"Do not break the bond! Magnus yelled.
Things were quickly beginning to spiral out of control.
Isabelle tried to console him "Alec, it's okay!".
"No!" Alec shouted and let go of the hands he was holding.
"Alec" shouted Jace.
Everyone was thrown backwards as the demon raged "No!" Magnus cried, "I can't contain the demon much longer!".
Nick strode forwards to deal with Valek who had tried to get a rise out of him.
"No, don't. If the demon is destroyed then, Clary will lose her memories forever" Magnus shouted.
Nick looked pissed at being denied to end the demon right then and there.
Alec made the decision to fix his mistake. He got up and raced towards the demon, not quite sure what he was planning to do. He felt something collide against him, and knew immediately that it was Jace.
"No" Shouted Jace.
Alec was thrown back as the demon made a grab for Jace. Isabelle rushed over and grabbed a hold of Jace for dear life "Jace!" exclaimed and turned to Alec "Grab him. Grab him".
Nick went over to Magnus and offered him his hand "Use my energy".
"No, you're too weak" Magnus shouted.
"Even better, I don't have to tell you what too much voltage into one battery would do. Please, Magnus. The demon is getting stronger. You cannot contain him for much longer. Let me help you".
"He's slipping!".
Magnus eyed the offered hand and reached out and grabbed it. As soon as their hands fully connected, their bodies jolted and their eyes locked. The whole process seem rather intimidate.
Nick took a deep breath as Magnus siphoned his energy. Valek was contained and unfortunately so was Jace. Nick's hands were hot against Magnus skin and it sent a heat wave through his body.
Nick wasn't fairing much better he was shaking violently as beads of sweat rolled down his face and body. He was burning up and only getting hotter and hotter as Magnus continued to drain him. He screamed out "Clary, I can't hold on much longer!".
"Help us!" commanded Isabelle as both her and Alec pulled Jace as hard as they could. It was like a tug of war and one the demon didn't intent to lose.
Clary didn't have much of a choice as she drove the sword into the demon and Jace fell.
Nick collapsed to the ground unconscious.
Magnus concerned eyes were glued to Nick as he cradled him in his lap "Come on, Nicholas. Wake up".
"Jace... Oh, my God".
"Jace. Jace, get up".
"Oh my God, Nicky!" Clary noticed Magnus holding Nick, who was unconscious and looked to be close to death.
"Is he going to be okay?"
Nick groaned and opened his eyes to see Magnus holding him in his lap, with eyes full of concern.
"What happened?" He questioned.
"You passed out, Nicholas".
"I did not, I was just too tired to keep my eyes open" He slurred "Come on, help me up".
Magnus scoffed as his hands went around Nick's waist and he pulled him up from the ground, but Nick's legs were too shaky to hold himself up as Magnus grip tightened "You need to rest, Nicholas" He told Nick who sagged heavily against him.
"I'm fine, I don't need any rest" He said stubbornly.
"Even warriors need their rest, Nicholas" He replied dragging Nicholas towards the door.
"Is Jace, okay?" Questioned Clary relieved to see that Nicholas was conscious again.
Magnus looked down at Jace "Does your Shadowhunter friend normally just lay like that without moving?".
"Get up. Jace" Alec urged
"Jace" Clary shook him.
Jace gasping and coughing and breathes heavily "I'm all right. I'm all right. I'm all right. I'm just getting my second wind" He said weakly.
"There's nothing to be ashamed of, Alec" Magnus told him as Alec stared down at Nick. Guilt rose in his chest at seeing Nick in such a weakened state and knowing that he was responsible for it.
"You will" He swiftly whisked Nick out of the room and upstairs.
"Where are you taking me, kitten?" He asked.
"To bed" Replied Magus.
Nick let out a sinful purr that send shivers of pleasure down Magnus back "Someone certainly moves fast, I barely even know you and now you're taking me to bed. Not that I'm complaining, but we need to take about the angel. You know the one tall, dark-haired and broods a lot".
"Alexander" Magnus answers.
"That's the one," He gives Magnus a dopey with half lidded eyes as Magnus brought Nick into one of the guest rooms and laid him down on the bed. "Alex, so pretty. He's my angel. I see the way you look at him, kitten. I know that you want him too, which means we're going to have to share him. I don't mind though. You're the most prettiest warlock I've ever seen. You and Alec have awoken something with me. That I've never felt before at least never so strongly. I guess there is a first time for everything".
"We'll talk more when your more lucid, my little marshmallow" Magnus promised with an adorable smile. He then snapped his fingers removing Nick's jacket.
Magnus frowned "What is this?" He was making an effort to keep his voice uniform and calm. He twisted Nick's wrist with a gentle movement, and his fears were confirmed. His arm was covered with white straight marks all over that glimmered in the dim-light they were obviously self inflicted.
Nick immediately broke off Magnus' grip while murmuring a low nothing before falling asleep.
Magnus wanted nothing more than to hear his Nick's story, to hear of his demons and help heal the scars that had been left on him. He tucked him in and stroked his forehead. "Rest now, my warrior. Live to fight another day".