Chapter Eleven: Breath

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Cassandra Clare.

Author's Note: This takes place when Alec is left at Magnus's while the rest of the gang visits the Fair People.

Time: City of Ashes

Genre: Drama, Romance, and Angst

Rating: PG-13

Date Finished: July 17, 2012

A rather short chapter...

Magnus told himself that he just needed to take a deep breath. He knew that this was bound to happen one day. He just did not think that day would be today. Alec was staring at him, his blue eyes cold. Magnus expected Jace to be the jealous Shadowhunter, not his Alexander.

Magnus did not know how he was going to explain this one. How on Earth does one describe Camille? There was no words in any modern day language that would fit her.

Alec crossed his arms over his chest. "Well, who is she?"

Magnus bit his lip. He knew that there was no way he was going to get out of this one. Camille was Camille, an amazing woman and vampire. She had cheated on him, but that still could not erase his feelings for her. He had not been in contact with her for years and now since he had Alec, he had almost forgotten about her.

Until now.

Alec was giving the warlock an even colder look and Magnus knew that he better be coming up with an answer soon. "She was a former lover."

"And?" Alec pressed.

"I thought we were in love and she cheated on me," Magnus said slowly looking down at the Shadowhunter for any sign of mercy.

Alec's face had not changed. Magnus knew that he was going to have to come up with something better.

"What Camille and I had does not even come close to what you and I have." Magnus gave Alec his best puppy dog face.

Alec looked at the floor. Magnus knew that the boy was going to break, but not in the near future. Really, Magnus did not understand what the problem was. Alec surely must had thought that Magnus had other relationships, but then the warlock could have been wrong.

"It is not going to work," Alec stated. "Puppy dog eyes have no effect on me whatsoever."

Magnus dropped the expression. "Alexander." He took both of Alec's hands into his. "Camille is nothing. She is in the past." He kissed Alec's hands. "You are my present and future."

Alec did not pull his hands away from Magnus. The warlock took this as a sign that the boy was coming around.

"I still want to know who she is." His blue eyes were staring at Magnus. "I want to know about her. She must have meant something to you in order for you to keep her things."

Magnus sat down next to Alec and pulled him close. "Just promise something for me."

Alec nodded. "What?"

Magnus embraced the Shadowhunter. "Just remember to breath and trust the one you love."
Alec nodded into Magnus's shoulder.

It was then, that Magnus finally realized that they were going to be okay.

Alec moved away from Magnus's shoulder. This was not the time to be nice. He wanted answers and he wanted them now. Magnus knew everything about Alec. Alec felt that he had the right to know about Magnus's past.

"Are you going to tell me who she is?" Alec asked again.

Magnus took a breath. "I already told you that she and I had a thing that has been over since Victorian England."

That was not enough for Alec. He wanted to know the entire story. "What made her so special to you."

Magnus looked up at Alec with big eyes. "She is nobody compared to you."

Alec knew that was supposed to flatter him. Too bad, flattery did not work on him. "Magnus, I just want to know who she is."

"When I knew her, she was an agent for the London Institute, passing information from Downworlders to Shadowhunters. And, yes, we were lovers." Magnus paused as if he was remembering.

"Go on," Alec pressed.

"She gave the Clave information on a vampire who was at the time breaking the law and killing humans. We stormed that house and most of the vampires in it were killed. Those who escaped vowed to come after Camille and she was forced to flee."

"And?"
Magnus looked at Alec. "You like details, huh?"

Alec nodded.

"I should have known," Magnus laughed.

"Is there more?"

"Yes, there is more." Magnus took another breath before continuing. "While she was on the run, she let me use her house. It was when she returned that problems came about. She told me that she was in love with someone else and that I had to go."

Alec did not offer any emotional support.

"Then, a few years she came to New York City and took command of the local vampire clan. However, she was still on the run from the vampires from England was forced to flee again. I have no idea where she is now."

Alec backed away from Magnus. "Are you telling me that she is still alive?" A dead, ex-lover he could deal with, but one who was still alive he was not so sure about.

"Yes, Alexander, that is exactly what I am saying," Magnus replied slowly.

"And is a vampire?"

"You are good at this game, so far you are two for two."

Alec did not find that funny.

"Alexander?" Magnus touched Alec's shoulder. "Are you okay?"

Alec could not find it in his heart to answer. If Camille was still alive and had once ruled the local vampire clan, there was a very good chance that she could come back. If she came back, there was a chance that she and Magnus could get back together. If that happened, then Alec would be tossed aside like an unwanted toy.

"Alec?" Magnus asked.

Alec took a deep breath and turned to the warlock.