A/N: So I've had this idea bouncing around in my head for awhile now and I've decided to go ahead and post it. Very Magnus centric lol. Will incorporate things from the show as well as the book. Hope you like it.
Disclaimer: As always I do not own the characters.
Chapter 3: Lightwood Men
Jace shuddered and dropped a hand on his parabatai rune, frowning. He caught Isabelle's gaze across the table and nodded subtly towards outside. A few other people gathered around shot him a glance but he ignored it as he left the hall and went over to Isabelle a few ways off.
"You look like you've seen a ghost," she said.
"I can't sense Alec anymore," Jace replied, keeping his voice low.
"What do you mean you can't sense him?" She asked.
"It's like he's dropped off the face of the earth," Jace answered. "I could sense him just fine a couple minutes ago...And now...nothing."
"You don't think he tried to-"
"No," Jace interrupted. "No. If he did something like that...he wouldn't do something like that."
"We didn't think he'd break the law either," Isabelle replied.
"He wouldn't've done it unless he had a reason to," Jace said. "We know Magnus didn't kill anyone."
"Aldertree seems to think he's guilty," Isabelle pointed out.
"Aldertree thinks everyone is guilty. He thought Clary was in line with Valentine because he's her father and he threw Simon in jail because he wouldn't testify against our family," Jace replied.
Isabelle wrapped her arms around herself. "You think this has anything to do with Ragnor Fell offering to use a blood tracking spell to find Magnus and Alec?"
"It did seem a little too...helpful," Jace answered.
Isabelle nodded. "So, they were right under our noses. Smart." She dropped her arms. "What should we do?"
"They're going to figure out Ragnor lied," Jace answered. "Could you cover for me while I go?"
"Just be careful," Isabelle told him. "I can't lose any more brothers Jace."
"Alec will fight for what he believe's in Iz, and he'll win," Jace told her.
"I wasn't talking about Alec," she said, but smiled a bit.
"I know," Jace replied.
She rolled her eyes. "Go before I change my mind."
Isabelle started walking back towards the house they were staying in and spotted Clary sitting on the front steps.
"What are you doing out here?" Isabelle asked.
"No one was answering," Clary answered as she stood up. "I told Lydia I wanted to see how you were holding up."
"And she let you come?" Isabelle asked.
"On the grounds that if I found out anything regarding Alec and Magnus I report back," Clary answered.
Isabelle unlocked the front door and led her inside. "My parents are trying to make a deal with Aldertree for Alec. They swear he will testify that Magnus coerced him into everything."
"That's not telling me how you're holding up," Clary pointed out.
They sat down on the couch in the living room and Isabelle ran a hand through her hair. "I know why he didn't tell us what he planned," she said. "The less we know, the less we can be incriminated...and I want to be mad at him for it…"
"But you can't," Clary finished for her.
"I would've done the same thing for someone I loved," Isabelle sighed. "What is it about the men in this family and the things they do for love? My father had no real interest in Valentine's Uprising but stayed for my mother. Jace risked everything for you and helping you find your mother...and Max…"
Clary reached over and squeezed her hand.
Isabelle gave her an apologetic smile and slipped her hand free to wipe her eyes. "You didn't come over here to see me cry."
"No, but I did come over to see how you were and if you need to cry, then I'll be your shoulder," Clary replied.
"You are way too nice for a shadowhunter," Isabelle said.
"Please, I can kick your ass any day," Clary replied.
Isabelle smirked. "Someone's a bit too confident."
"Nope, just sure," Clary replied.
"If you're so sure then you won't object to a little sparring match in the back yard," Isabelle said as she stood up. "Loser cooks dinner?"
"Now I'm tempted to let you win," Clary teased.
She stood up and followed Isabelle outside to the back yard.
"How about loser takes the winner to dinner?" Clary added. "Winner picks the place."
"Alright," Isabelle nodded and took off her jacket. "I'll take that bet."
"Jace Herondale," Ragnor said as he opened the door. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"The Council is going to figure out the blood track is bogus," Jace told him. "You needed my blood to do some sort of blocking spell didn't you?"
"He was very adamant about it," Ragnor waved him in and shut the door. "Drink?"
"I can't stay," Jace shook his head. "I just figured I should warn you. If I figured it out, Aldertree is going to figure it out and when he does, it's not going to be good."
"Dealing with shadowhunters never is," Ragnor pointed out. "Let Aldertree come. I've nothing to hide. I told you all the blood tracking was not reliable."
Jace nodded a little. "Do you...do you know where they are?"
"I don't," Ragnor answered. "I didn't ask. Magnus has a few places scattered around the globe, and enough money. For all I know, they could still be in Idris."
"Why would they stay in Idris?" Jace asked. "The only reason would be if they went to look at the council member's home. Which Alec wouldn't agree to because it'd be to dangerous and Aldertree has that place set up like Fort Knox."
"Speculate all you want," Ragnor said. "I have no idea where they are."
"You have to know something," Jace replied. "Did they have a plan?"
"They didn't tell me anything," Ragnor said. "I told them they could stay as long as they needed, they stayed a day and a half at most, then left."
"And...Alec's okay?" Jace asked.
"He wants to return the favor to the guards who roughed up Magnus," Ragnor answered. "I agree with him on that sentiment. Otherwise he's fine. Your brother is no delicate flower."
"Yeah...Alec's a force to be reckoned with when he puts his mind to it," Jace sighed. "Is it too much to ask for you to tell me if you hear from them?"
"Yes," Ragnor answered. "But I would let you know regardless. The loss must've come as a shock."
"What kind of spell is it?" Jace asked.
"You know of how the very first parabatai ceremony took place right?" Ragnor asked.
"It's taught to us," Jace answered. "Jonathan Shadowhunter and David the Silent were the first parabatai. They took each other's blood, spoke the oath, and inscribed the runes on each other."
"The blocking spell works in a similar way. I took some of your blood and some of Alec's blood and mixed it together. Alec spoke the words of the oath and I traced over the mark with your mixed blood," Ragnor explained. "I gave him the spell to reverse it as well should Alec change his mind."
"He will change his mind right?" Jace asked.
"He will," Ragnor answered. "But not for the reasons you're hoping for."