Plot: What if the vampire that killed Camille was an unknown character who isn't exactly in good terms with Magnus? What if he held a particular resentment for the warlock, hence the murder of his ex-girlfriend? And when the unknown character is found by Alec, who is physically exhausted and mentally vulnerable...
Disclaimer: The plot and characters of the Mortal Instruments series belong to Cassandra Clare. I own nothing.
Warning: slash, spoiler, alternative ending, inaccurate details
Notes: Err... I don't really know what I should say here. Perhaps an "enjoy reading and don't be so critical!" will do for now. So, enjoy reading and please don't be so critical! :)
1
Alec scans the enclosed area with sharp, narrowed eyes, his trained gaze passing by an empty couch without much surprise. He knows Camille would not make it that easy for him. Yet despite being aware of that fact, he still came anyway. In the back of his mind, he already had an inkling that the vampire would not be here, and now that it has come to the forefront of his brain, he wondered what he expected to accomplish in this situation.
To kill her, make her pay.
But to do that, he needed to get to her first. And at the moment, he was at a loss as to how he would manage that. He had no idea how to track the vampire. He felt helpless. It was always Camille who initiated contact. And just like a lapdog he heeded at her beck and call.
It was embarrassing, looking back, how he portrayed himself as the jealous, insecure type. He sneaked behind his lover's back and desperately picked up second hand scraps of information about his past. It doesn't take a genius to see how wrong that was. He took in the words of the double-crossing vampire at heart over the man he was supposed to trust with his life. Nothing could excuse his screwed up logic.
Nothing.
That was plain and clear to Alec, so he would not begrudge Magnus of his initiative to break up. He'd even think that his lover – ex – was entitled to that move. If I were an all-powerful, hundreds old warlock, I wouldn't put up with an immature brat for a lover either.
He made a mistake, and he knew it hurt Magnus in proportions he couldn't even bear to think of. But he'd be damned if he wouldn't do anything to make it up to the warlock – to make it right with Magnus.
With the sudden urge to do just that, with determination and adrenaline for a game plan, he made a turn for a way out of this miserable place in hopes of catching his warlock before the damage turns irreparable.
Only to be stopped by the sight of a well-dressed man with grey eyes and a humourless smile blocking his path.
"Blue eyes and hair the shade of night. You wouldn't happen to be Alexander Lightwood?"
1
Alec didn't bother express the inappropriate epithet in his mind as he wasted no second to take several strides away from the newcomer, ensuring a good distance between them before crouching into a fighting stance.
He received an amused chortle in response, which only made him more wary of the stranger. A quick assessment of the man came up with a posh coat, with not a single wrinkle, and a hat that seemed to belong in the Victorian era. Which only lead to the conclusion, if the pale complexion, sharp features, and glimmering eyes haven't given away, that this man fit the same category as Camille.
"I see you're checking me out. Do you see something you like?"
Vampire.
The strange man applauded all of a sudden, as if he knew exactly what Alec just learned and acted as if to mock him about it. A blinding grin, seemingly composed of razor sharp teeth, was plastered on his face.
"I can tell you're not in the mood to chat. So why don't we just cut to the chase? You and I are going to have so much fun!"
The strange man was getting stranger to Alec, what with the chirpy and hyperactive attitude. No, he would definitely not put him in the same category as Camille. He lacked the regal and intimidating air that the vampiress exudes. Maniac and psychopath fits more in the man's profile.
Which makes him all the more dangerous to the Shadowhunter.
As the man started to make his way toward Alec, each footstep echoing forebodingly in his ears, he prepared to make his first move in what he perceived to be a battle to the death.
1
Alec was getting frustrated. If he ever thought of Camille as anything but nice, he'd gladly retract any statement.
This vampire, not only did he possess the grace and skill of any warrior who has perhaps outlived time itself, striked with words. And they weren't very nice ones either. They were biting, they were cruel; but most of all, they were strangely personal. The strange man pointed out his flaws, his mistakes, his insecurities and his vulnerabilities. The indifference from Jace, the disappointment from his parents; they were things that Alec have pushed in the back of his mind, at some point even forget. He no longer thought about them. Or at least he didn't think about them in ways that would drown him in depression and mental hurt. He knew now they held no weight if not fueld by his insecurities and pessimism.
No one knew of them, if not for the immediate people involved. Which, surely, were a few. And definitely did not include this vampire.
Yet the pathetic side of his life flowed effortlessly out of this man's lips. As if he were a witness to Alec's weak moments. He knew what to mock, he knew where it would hurt.
He knew everything.
So when he started on Magnus, Alec knew he was truly at a disadvantage. And it will cost him.
1
Jace, he has already accepted. Robert and Maryse, he expected.
But Magnus was different.
Magnus was a fresh pang, and it had been such a long day and Alec was so tired and hurt. So in the midst of lightning-speed fists and blood curling jabs, he finally spoke his first words to the vampire.
"SHUT UP!"
Not really the most witty thing to say, but it was appropriate. Brief and straight to the point. Besides, there were some things that can only be conveyed by the suddenly added rigor and aggression in Alec's punches and jabs that no word in the English language could aptly translate.
"Who the hell do you think you are, sticking your head in my business?" he growled, knowing that he'd regret wasting his breath on word play. Though he put that in the least of his worries when a kick on the vampire's stomach and the successful punch on the jaw resulted to a hunched over vampire who just spat a bloodied tooth out of his mouth.
Alec strongly believes that it is wrong to feel pleasure from the pain of others, but he had nothing against about feeling good when it came to justice being served.
But it was too early to claim victory, he knew. His breathing was ragged and his body was definitely bruising. Compared to his foe, he may be standing upright. But he wasn't the one cackling with enthusiasm and insanity, with no indication of pain and exhaustion.
"You're out of your mind," Alec muttered in between breaths as he prepared his stance for another round. The vampire finally looked up, a ravenous hunger in his eyes when he eyed the Nephilim.
"I think I'm actually liking you, Alexander. It's too bad Magnus got to you first. And such a waste..." the monster trailed off, licking his bottom lip, as if he had been salivating at the sight of a delicious meal. Before Alec could make out anything of what the vampire had said, the vampire turned all serious and menacing. Which caught Alec by surprise.
"You're looking for Camille Belcourt, weren't you?"
The cracking sound of a snap that broke into the stillness of the night was all the warning that Alec got, before he was blinded by the sudden surge of light in the room. But with quick Shadowhunter reflexes, he was able to adjust instantly.
And somehow wished he hadn't.
There, in plain sight, was Camille Belcourt. Lying on the ground, unmoving. Her face, barely recognizable. Her body, resembling a paper that didn't stand a chance against a shredder. Only her lucious blonde hair that pooled over her bloodied form gave her identity away.
"Guess what," the vampire murmured, quiet, but rang way too loudly in Alec's ears as the color drained from his face.
All of a sudden, Alec felt a presence behind him, air tingling the side of his face as the vampire whispered a death sentence in his ear.
"You are next."
TBC