10/10/2017- 3,530

Chapter 7

Uncle Magnus

June 20, 2007

"Ragnor!" The voice of a visitor yelled, and we both froze.

It knocked repeatedly, apparently they could get through the wards, "Open the damn door, it's hot out here, and it's ruining my hair!"

I gave a relieved sound, unbolting the door, and letting in the visitor. He scared me half to death, but I was never so happy to see him in my life.

"Uncle Magnus!" I greeted him with a warm hug.

"The one and only," he told us, and he returned the hug just as warmly. My senses were filled with strong cologne, sandalwood, and smoke sugary smell from the recent portal travel. My face met with his chest, and something pricked my soft cheek.

"Ouch," I said, "you hurt me."

"I have that affect on some woman," Magnus winked at me.

I finally could see what he was wearing, and as usual it was far cry of normal. He was wearing a prickly animal skinned jacket that went good with his tanned skin, hunter green pants ending with brown boots, and his hair was jelled into two dark-haired spiked horns that stuck up on either side of his face.

"Look how you have grown," he appraised me, "how long has it been?"

"Time goes by so slow here. Let's see, a few millennia," I mused, "At least three if we are being specific."

"Three years?" He looked surprised. Oh the woes of being immortal.

"You haven't aged a day," I kidded with him, "I will take whatever it is that you are taking."

I flicked his hairs. The tips were painted white, and I could see where he got the inspiration. He was wearing the gold bracelet I made him for him last year. It said Fashion Diva, and Magnus promised he would always wear it, unless it clashed with his attire of course.

He touched the pricking jacket, "Porcupine skin," he explained, "keeps all the lovelies from putting their paws on me. I am a man of certain taste."

"We just have to beat them down right Uncle Magnus. But I think it is high time you settle down. When are you going to get a girlfriend?" My eyes wiggled at the insinuation.

"Depends on the type of girl," he said turning his attention to Ragnor, "Well Felly, you haven't been returning my calls? I think you are jealous of me now that I am on the market, and well you do not… but of course you have always been the lone wolf. Riding solo wherever you go," he smirked at my dad's frown.

"Why are you here Magnus?" Ragnor started putting away our escape act. It would seem the Clave had not made their appearance just yet.

"I am aghast Felly! What Uncle does not want to visit his lovely niece?"

He ruined my combed hair with fierce jerks on my pony tail, but I escaped with ease, taking a safe zone seat on my dad's rather squatter-brained desk, "especially when she has such a good sense of style," he eyed the uniform I was wearing and gave me the "look-good" gesture. I gave him the thumbs up, and dad sighed at our hidden lingo. He hated when we bonded like that.

"You came Magnus, now you can go home."

"I bet you say that to all the sexy Warlock's that come over," Uncle Magnus came near me, but was more interested with the table, "but alas Ragnor I told you that you can't only use me for 'sex on legs'," Magnus tried to get father's attention by shaking one of his fairies dust containers, rather loudly, but dad stood, already moving, disappearing into the kitchen for his tea, for him headaches came with Magnus, "stop playing hard to get Felly, it doesn't work anymore."

Dad was always in a bad mood when Magnus came. He told me that Magnus was eccentric and an indecent role model, willing to go to all matters of length to achieve attention. It was the reason why Uncle Magnus and I got along so well.

"He doesn't want sexy Warlock Magnus," I teased, going to hug my Uncle, but refusing to get pricked again, so I tried to take it off him, "He has me remember. I don't want to have an evil stepmother, or stepfather," I added for him, happy to hug him without the porcupine between us, "they might take all of my father-daughter time. Then I would have to do away with her, and let's just not add another thing for the Clave to hate me for." Father's retreating back cringed when I mentioned the Clave, and Magnus caught that his smile growing.

"Naughty Sera-belly," he waved his finger at me his amber Asian eyes glowed with mirth, or was it the gold shimmering around them, "causing chaos for the poor Nephilium."

"Just like you taught me."

"My girl," he hugged me again, "why didn't I come to visit again?"

"You should," I said when my father said, "you aren't welcome here."

"Ah of course," he tapped my chin playfully, and then turned to the work table in the middle of the room, "but I will rectify these overdue visits. I have missed the times we have had together," Magnus was being nosey inspecting dad's things, "getting in trouble with the Law again. Ragnor taught you well. I can't wait to see what else you both have been up to."

I was thinking of a retort, when I saw Dad returned with quick steps.

Like lighting Ragnor descended, "Don't touch anything," Dad took away the open spell books Magnus was reading through, "you always steal my spells. If and when, you feel the urge to sneak through my things then get in line like everyone else."

"But that is such a large line," Magnus pouted at my Dad, "can I get the discount. I am practically family," he pointed to me while I giggled.

"This isn't a rental store Magnus, don't touch my things!"

"Okay, Geesh I won't touch," Magnus playfully poked a fake globe of the world, and dad looked ready to have a fit.

"Okay Sera, darling. What do you think?" He gave a twirl and I checked him out professionally.

"I don't know," I had already knew what he was going for; "you should have worn some thrift store Christmas PJ's, it would have gone better. I have to give it to you. It was a bit creative with painting your hair like horns, thank goodness for hair magic."

He touched the design as if I had offended it, "This is my soul."

Only Magnus could say things like that and get away with it, "It tells how I only call my friends unless I want something. But the porcupine is an example of my inner ability to fend others off with my barbed wire demeanor. Plus I never have to go to the cleaners." So, he wanted to play that way… game on.

"Well I guess you just made me a believer," I said grinning at him so he knew I caught on.

"Oh believe me, this is just a teaser, the next outfit I have will surely give you seizures!"

"I hope it is not from another creature, or else I will have to be using tweezers."

He shrugged, "Let's just say if there was a crowd, there would definitely be some screamers."

"But all of your friends are seniors, surely they would break their femurs," I had him now.

"Not my peepers, they are more than geezers with fleshy features," how did he do that?

"I would call them all deceivers," take that Magnus Bane.

He leaned back and said, "Hunny, they would be at their leisure, to be my very own deceivers."

And look who is the reigning champion! I am.

"I win, I win. You can't use the same word twice!" I did a victory dance.

"But it went so well with it, next time just go with it," he couldn't tell me how to play the game.

"You are a cheater!"

"Well you don't understand the concept of the game."

Dad returned with a new cup of tea, "You both sound like children. What do you want Magnus? I am busy with my daughter," he was not in the mood for company. But yet again, when was he ever?

Instead of lingering on in the conversation I made myself useful. I was helping Dad clean around since I was stuck here anyways.

I hated cleaning, but surprisingly today it was keeping my mind busy from worrying about Amatis at home being invaded by the Clave, Adam in the square being worried about me, and Jon… I sighed. I didn't have to worry about him, I am sure he is perfectly fine. Though how could I not worry about him, think of him, fantasize his hands…. okay STOP! STOP right there Sera, get it together. The Clave is going to send you to kingdom come, and all you can think about is Jon's hands, his hands that are strong and so sure, and touched me so…uggghhh…. GAWD I had it bad!

I was in a shit heap of trouble, and it was my entire fault this time. After I cleared the coffee table, I turned and both of the Warlocks expressions had changed. They had silently communicated, behind my back.

"Okay, what are you guys hiding?" They stopped communicating.

"oh nothing, nothing important, nothing to see here, nothing," Magnus swung his hands back and forth whistling a song instead of continuing, and then began taunting the Mormo. Who was surprisingly taking to him very well, why was that? While dear old dad tried to look innocent.

They were definitely hiding something, "Sera," he tried to distract me again, "Why don't you go prepare the Alicorn he hasn't had a bath in a few days."

Like I would fall for that, "I washed Allie two days ago. I know what is happening here. You mean for me to go away while you guys gossip like old woman?"

"What he means," Magnus tone was forceful, "is go give the Alicorn a bath."

I was taken aback by how serious he was, and for a moment I believed him.

He clucked, "Though it probably means the poor thing smells as bad as Ragnor's crone feet," he stared at dad's bare feet, "you haven't washed them in decades."

Dad seemed to take the compliment with great attention, sarcastic and neutral to the war ready to explode, "Thank you, Magnus for worrying about my hygiene. Whatever would I do without your concern for how my cleanliness compares to un-bathed winged horse."

"As the saying goes," Magnus tucked one of dad's potions in his pocket, "What are friends for?"

Well this was going on a long-winded road called nowhere. They were not even paying attention to anything but their little worlds called thoughts. I had a lot of experience dealing with immortals, and sometimes they needed a good kick in the shin to keep things going.

I sighed, "Well let's get to this going. Is this about Valentine?"

"What Valentine?" Magnus looked ready to combust, and I knew I had hit the nail on the head. Magnus was a hipster glamour girl stuck in the body of an immortal Warlock. He couldn't give up the chance to be dramatic.

"Valentine Morgenstern," I said slowly watching their faces, "supposedly the root of my very existence."

The bell chimed twice on the grandfather clock. It was twelve o'clock, and I couldn't believe it had only been six hours. Six hours that the Clave had not found me yet. Dear Lord, I needed to leave already. My whole life force felt like it had run a marathon.

"Valentine is the least of our problems right now," Dad said, "being that he is buried six feet under, " he did have a point.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Magnus mumbled opening the cage, and the Mormo pounced on his shoulder like a parrot. A furry razor teethed parrot that is. I was waiting for its little mouth to attack his jugular; my hands were near Duma just in case.

Did he know something we didn't? "What was that? What did you say?"

"Nothing," Magnus petted the little beast, "Nothing at all."

"What was that Magnus," Ragnor inquired repeating the question for me, "choosing to keep quite instead of voicing your opinion? If I recall correctly it is nowhere near my birthday?"

Magnus ducked into my favorite chair his legs spread out, "If you wanted me for your birthday, all you had to do is ask," The Mormo eyed the door, then it's gaze landed on me, and my seraph blade at my fingertips. I knew that my eyes were daring it just to see who would reach the front door first. It's yellow teeth grew in size, little fucker.

Instead of attacking, it switched tactics, cuddling it's nasty little fur-ball body into Magnus open neck, smart little thing.

I hoped it got pricked with the porcupine jacket.

"Why are you still here?" I had no idea Magnus was talking to me, "go and do your chores."

I took a seat on my dad's armrest unwilling to leave, "Now Uncle Magnus, parenting doesn't suit you," I said, "I had more than my fair share this morning."

"Seraphina," my father warned, I placed a hand on his shoulder telling him physically that it was okay.

I thought it was time to start with the conversation, "I know Magnus. Father told me everything, and I think I have a right to know if it is about…" I took a breather, "my real father."

Magnus looked to Ragnor who had his head in his hands his cropped bleached white hair faintly brushed his forehead. That was him being embarrassed. I noticed how Magnus Bane looked pleased with something, and then was instantly aware I was in the room.

He put up an act, "Ragnor isn't your father," he gave a fake gasp, "I had no idea about that. But you look so much alike, a stranger could tell you are both related. I mean you both have… things that are similar. So many similarities," he looked between us rubbing his chin, "Hmmm… You're… um…"

"I know Magnus. I know you aware of my origins. You and Dad tell each other everything, you're acting like a hypocrite," way to call the kettle black, my conscious said.

"He doesn't have to act," father took another swig of his tea, "he is."

"There, you both like putting me down, that is your familial similarity," Magnus looked proud of himself, "that wasn't so hard."

"Magnus you know something about Valentine," I pleaded as best as I could, "tell us already," I was dying to know what he knew.

He moaned angrily sounding like an angry cat, "I'm so tired of having people asking me for things."

Magnus rolled his legs side to side using his heels, "You don't know how it feels," a pause, "except for you Ragnor," father lifted his tea, "In the good old days it was friends that gathered to ask favors, and now it is any dandy fellow that comes knocking for something. Especially the Nephilium," he said the word with new loathing, "coming in like they own the place, no offense Sera,"

"None taken," I knew the feeling.

"Where was I, oh yes, graceless needy customers. It's always the same, every damn day. Tell me something Magnus, make me a potion Magnus, erase this person's memory Magnus, where can I find my friend Magnus, put a Portal here Magnus, Try to be a better lover Magnus," Dad and I raised our eyebrows, "Not so much that one. But, Give out more drinks Magnus," he was thinking of more.

"Shut your mouth why don't you, Magnus," Dad requested.

"I've heard that one," Magnus gave a laugh under his breath.

Dad kicked his foot.

"Fine I tell you," he began petting the Mormo, "You want information little Sera, fine. Have you been informed of the demon activity over the years? Who do you think is responsible? There has to be something or better yet, someone that is opening the floodgate. I warn you both," me and dad watched Magnus become serious, "something big is coming. It's going to come down pretty soon, so I suggest you guys lay low for the next couple of months. There has been a lot of talk in the Black Market, The Dumont Hotel, and Fey Court of the creator of all these troubles."

Father agreed with him, "It is not only in New York, even around Idris," I raised my eyebrow I hadn't heard anything of the sort; "there has been some hints of something going on in the mundane world. More Shadowhunters sent out, and less returning. This is nothing new, but at the rates others are missing in action it has brought a lot of attention."

"Well it all makes sense now," he petted the Mormo quickly now, and they all sat quietly in contemplation. It was driving me crazy, how can they not see it?

My voice woke them both, "Why not just say his name? If Valentine is back then the Clave should know, scratch that everyone should know!"

"Names are powerful," Magnus contemplated, "especially when Morgenstern name is said in public. Though I would argue that only gives him more power, and the last thing we need is another Uprising, not when demons are getting through the barriers more and more these days."

I huffed moving to the windows, searching for them now.

Where is the Clave already?

I moved the curtain aside peaking outside, and my mouth drooped at what I saw. Speak of the devil, and he will appear.

Dad sighed into his hands, "The Clave complains so much. It is a wonder how they decide to do anything. If demons are being raised up then the problem would pertain to the Clave. Who else is going to clean it up? I believe that the Clave will deal with this as they always have; with force first and questions later. That is, if this is not all just a farce to bring back bad blood. Magnus, if your words are true about Valentine being back."

"He is," Magnus confirmed.

"Then he will the Clave's first priority."

"I don't think so," I said defeated.

"What?" Magnus looked around; my dad's face went blank.

"Because I am number one," I opened the curtains revealing two of the most intimidating Shadowhunters exploding with rippling muscles and tattooed marks. Through the window you could see their fierce expressions were focused on the door. It wasn't hard to imagine what they were going to do.

One stood back, and knocked the door down with his platform black boots, and it slammed to the ground unleashing blinding sunlight into the darkened room. Hey! I painted that door, I wanted to scream, but that would have to wait for later. These guys meant business.

I turned, "Duma," the seraph blade flashed in my hands ready for battle.

What I was not prepared for was Duma fumbling on my sweated hands.

Derek Dragonway's chest rumbled, "Not this time, you won't." His brother stood menacingly against my uncle and father, "Anyone who interferes with this arrest, will answer to the Clave," Father dropped something on the ground his hands up. The Mormo bared its fangs and ducked underneath the table. We didn't stand a chance.

I knew they were going to send the Dragonway brothers my way. They were a legendary family of Idris that battled a dragon demon and slayed the last of their kind; hence their last name. Their ancestors were infamous and they were badass fighters living their legacy. The Russian looking brothers were saved for the worse of cases in Idris; being yours truly at the moment.

Before Magnus or Ragnor could act out, Dragonway grabbed my hand breaking my fingers, "Fack!"

Duma fell to the ground with a clang, some of my blood with it. Dragonway pulled me upwards so my face was elevated to his bearded grimace. He was a giant, and he smelled like one.

He already knew the roll, "Seraphina Fell you are to stand Trial at the Hall of Accords. Do you have anything to say?"

My fingers throbbed in his, and I wanted to spit in his big ugly face, "I am not guilty."

"Nice try," he pulled me out of my house, and I was pretty sure this was not the worst thing to happen today.

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