Chapter 9

Magnus allowed the housekeeper to scoop Aiden up and take him to the dining room for lunch before he looked at the newly arrived fire message. Alec had left for Idris and Magnus knew he'd been on edge about whatever it was Jia wanted. The warlock hadn't expressed his own unease though, knowing it wouldn't help calm Alec's nerves. A look of surprise crossed Magnus face as he saw the note in his hand came from the potion maker, Janus Dark, and it sounded urgent. What could Dark possibly need to see him for that was so important, a bad shipment of hemlock?

Heaving a sigh, Magnus went to the dining room to make sure the housekeeper would mind Aiden until his return, or Izzy got back from patrol. He had promised to take the boy to the park after lunch, and he hated to disappoint his son. After a brief conversation it was agreed that if Magnus was not back by 2:00 pm, the housekeeper would take Aiden to the park, and Magnus would join them there as soon as he was free.

Heavily glamoured Magnus reached the blind alley that led to the Mortar & Pestle Potion Dispensary, and still, he could not shake the feeling of being watched. A sudden chill ran up his spine as he sensed the ruins of Janus' wards. Whoever had been here before Magnus, they didn't wait for an invitation.

Cautiously approaching the heavy wooden door of the shop, Magnus stopped, and listened for sounds of conflict or struggle. The silence was overwhelming. What was he walking into? Had Janus been hurt? Magnus allowed his prodigious magical power to crackle around him, he was a father, and husband, he would not take foolish risks.

Pushing open the heavy wooden door of the shop, Magnus saw the remains of a portal, the unmistakable, swirling magic just beginning to dissipate. Looking around him quickly, the High Warlock took in the signs of violence in the broken crockery on the floor, the papers and books scattered about, and most alarmingly of all, the bloody body of Janus Dark slumped in the far corner of the room. Who ever had been here meant business, and although he and Janus Dark had never been close, Nobody did violence like this on the High Warlock of Brooklyn's patch, unless they answered to Magnus for their crimes.

Moving quickly to Janus' side, Magnus checked his vital signs, relieved to find the potion maker still on the living side of the equation. What on earth had Janus got himself into, Magnus wondered as his magic shot out, and he began to heal the wounds on Dark's body. The shop looked to have been thoroughly ransacked, broken glass and dead birds littered the old oak floor. It wasn't like Janus Dark to involve himself in anything illicit, or dangerous, none of this made sense to Magnus.

It took about an hour before the potion maker had received enough healing magic to begin coming round. Magnus carefully helped him into a sitting position and handed him a glass of brandy from the bottle he'd found behind the shop counter. Luckily it had survived the general destruction. Janus' hands shook as he took the glass, drinking deeply before giving it back to Magnus.

Placing a hand on the man's shoulder, Magnus asked; "What the hell happened here Janus?"

"M-Magnus, H-high Warlock... oh God!" Dark spluttered, trying unsuccessfully to make sense of the fact that the man he had just betrayed, was trying to help him.

~~~~~ ! ~~~~~

Alec stepped out of the portal landing gracefully, on his feet. Years of practice had, at last, taught him not to stumble, but he still found the experience disorienting and unpleasant. Standing near the portal waiting for him was Jia Penhallow's aid, Roderick Starkweather.

"Welcome, Alexander Lightwood;" Starkweather said rather stiffly. "The Consul asked me to escort you to her office as soon as you arrived."

Alec nodded, too lost in his own concerns to engage the man in further conversation. He wished he knew what it was the Consul wanted to speak with him about, but he had no intention of asking his guide for information. Alec followed Starkweather silently through the old stone corridors until they came to an elaborately carved wooden door.

Wrapping lightly, Consul's aid waited patiently until he heard 'Enter' before ushering Alec into the office. Jia Penhallow rose from her desk, and came around to greet Alec with a warm hug. It was well known in Alicante, that the Lightwoods and Penhallows were old friends. A slight frown crossed Starkweather's face as he watched the proceedings, the Abbot would not be pleased, if this meeting continued in such a cordial manner.

Just then, Jia caught sight of her aid, and letting go of Alec, said; "That will be all Roderick, I'll call you if I need anything else." Her voice was cold and authoritative stopping the younger man dead in his tracks, just as he was about to opened his mouth in protest. Turning abruptly, Startweather stalked out of the room, although his courage did not extend to slamming the door behind him. He had so counted on bearing witness to this meeting, hoping to watch the Consul put Lightwood in his place, a fag had no business being head of the New York Institute. He would go and talk to Isaiah, Blackwell would know what to do.

Jia indicated that Alec should take a seat in one of the comfortable arm chairs situated around the fireplace at the opposite end of the office. It was a less formal area, designed for quiet conversation, and Alec appreciated Jia's efforts to put him at ease.

"I'm sure you're wondering why I called you here Alec, and before we get into it, I'd just like to say that I don't believe there is anything wrong, but I would be remiss if I didn't at least look into it." Jia began. Looking increasingly uncomfortable, she continued; "Do you know of any inappropriate relationship existing between Josh Cameron and Ian McRae?"

"No." Alec said sharply. "What is this all about?

"As I said, I don't think it is anything to worry about, but trainer Blackwell said he felt there might be a romantic relationship between the two, and you know that is strictly forbidden." Jia said, sounding almost apologetic.

"Blackwell 'feels' there is something wrong!" Alec said sarcastically; "Tell me would this even have come up, if I wasn't the openly gay head of the New York Institute? If Blackwell has proof, let him present it, otherwise he's just blowing smoke."

Jia had the grace to look somewhat embarrassed by the situation. "I'm sorry Alec, I know it isn't fair, but it will take time for old prejudices to be replaced by more inclusive, tolerant attitudes. I don't believe that Trainer Blackwell has any actual proof of wrong doing, and as long as that is true, I will not allow him to force a trial by Mortal Sword."

Alec was momentarily stunned. The Mortal Sword was used to compel shadowhunters to tell the truth. If there was a romantic relationship between Ian and Josh, it would be exposed and the consequences... he didn't want to think about that for either of them.

Despite the turmoil going on in Alec's heart and mind, his face remained stoic. The days when he wore his heart on his sleeve, and every deeply held thought or feeling could be read in his expressive, intense blue eyes were over. He still felt things as keenly as ever, but he had learned to discipline his features, save his emotions for those he truly loved and trusted.