Chapter 18
Maryse Lightwood stood in the garden of the New York Institute as the last swirls of magic from the portal that brought her faded away. In the early morning light, the overgrown shrubs and mature trees gave the place a secret, secluded look that brought back memories of three, small children running, laughing, playing games of hide-n-seek and tag. She wondered why it was only now she found those the most precious of her remembrances, when at the time she had been consumed by feelings of betrayal, exile, and bitterness. Shaking her head slightly to clear away the lingering feelings of nostalgia and loss she entered the Institute.
Maryse smiled slightly as she walked through the hallways of the gothic styled structure that had for many years been her home. She saw that Alec and Magnus had made small changes here and there, putting their own unique stamp on the place. Alec's classic, almost severe taste soften by Magnus hits of colour and love of comfort. The warlock would never have been her choice of a partner for her eldest son, but Maryse had to admit that perhaps Alexander had chosen better for himself than she would have done.
As she neared her son's office, Maryse began to think about the reasons for this unscheduled visit. The call she had made last evening had gone unanswered, not entirely unheard of, if nightly patrols had been more lively than usual. New York was a big city, home to many downworlders and mundanes. It required vigilance to ensure the safety of the populace from demon activity, as well as keep the peace between the species.
Maryse hoped that she could speak privately with Magnus and forestall any Clave investigation into the disappearance of Janus Dark involving the New York Institute. It wasn't that she truly believed the warlock was guilty of any wrong doing, but downworld politics and alliances could be very murky, and there was her grandson to consider. The laws prohibiting the magic used in his creation were still on the books, and if they were invoked it would be devastating to her family.
Arriving at the door to Alec's office, Maryse knocked briefly and strode into the room, not waiting for an invitation. She stopped abruptly as she saw Isabelle, instead of Alec, sitting at the desk.
"Where is your brother?" Maryse demanded.
"Hello to you too, mother;" Izzy responded schooling her features to hide the shock the older woman's sudden appearance produced. "Alec is away at the moment, can I help you with something?"
"Yes, tell Magnus I must see him immediately;" Maryse stated, not wishing to waste time sparring with her daughter.
"Magnus is with Alec, what's this about?" Izzy asked, not liking the look of consternation on her mother's face.
"When will they be back? It's crucial that I speak with them as soon as possible!"
Isabelle hesitated, for years she and her brothers had been very careful how much information they shared with their elders, and the habits of a lifetime were difficult to break. "Is there some problem?" she asked hoping to buy a bit more time to decide how much to confide about the kidnapping and Alec's whereabouts.
Maryse sighed, she knew it would not be easy to pry information out of Isabelle unless she could first impress upon her daughter the urgency of sharing whatever she knew. "A warlock, Janus Dark, is missing. The Clave is looking into it and the first person they want to question is Magnus. The Warlock Council Representative seems to feel that Dark's disappearance may be related to the murder of Xaiver Malum. I don't need to tell you how dangerous a Clave Investigation in New York might be to Aiden." Maryse paused waiting to see the effect of her words.
"Oh my God!" Isabelle sank down in the nearest chair, taking several deep breaths to calm herself before she began to tell her mother the truth of their awful situation. Aiden had been kidnapped by members of the Hellfire Club who were also, very likely, responsible for the death of Xavier Malum. She didn't know anything about Janus Dark's disappearance, but Alec, Magnus and Jace had left several hours ago after receiving information on a possible meeting of the Hellfire Club in Scotland. She had no idea when they would return. The look of shock and fear on Maryse's face told Isabelle that any hope of avoiding Clave involvement was nil.
~~~~~ ! ~~~~~
Aidan Briosag paced the dimly lit room of the old manor where he'd met Daniel LaCroix only a few short days ago. The distant rumble of thunder and flash of lightening, seemed to penetrate the gloomy room, and his disquiet thoughts. Magnus' request for information on the Hellfire Club had reached him here, sent along by his trusted second-in-command, Hamish Nathrach. Aidan wasted no time passing the information to Magnus and was now expecting a party from the New York Institute to arrive momentarily.
The sudden appearance of swirling, blue magic on the far wall alerted Aidan that his guests were indeed here, and he smiled as he saw first Jace, then Alec and Magnus tumble from the vortex.
"Alec, Magnus! It's been too long!" Aidan said, in his soft, Scottish brogue. The smile died on his lips, however, as he took in Magnus' grim expression, and Alec's pale, drawn face. "Whatever has brought ye here, I see it's not good, what can I do to help?"
Magnus grasped Alec's hand as he stepped toward Aidan Briosag. Jace fell into place behind them and waited, silently, for Magnus to answer; "My son has been kidnapped, and I believe the Hellfire Club is responsible. Aiden is part shadowhunter, part warlock, and that has made his blood essential to that cursed group."
Aidan Briosag was shocked by Magnus' words; " What could the Hellfire Club possibly want with my Godson's blood?" It was with growing concern that the High Warlock of Edinburgh heard the rest of the story. "Magnus, I am more sorry than I can say about this, and of course I will do anything I can to help. The Hellfire Club is meeting at Eilean Donan to invest new members, I am here at Daniel LaCroix's behest, he was concerned because Shivvy McRae is the guest of the master of Eilean Donan."
"Shivvy is here!?" Alec said, startled by the unexpected news.
"The master of Eilean Donan is none other than Gerard McKenzie, Head of the Edinburgh Institute. Aidan replied, waiting for the gasps of shock and muttering to die down before he continued. "Daniel has entered the castle as a potential novitiate of the Hellfire Club, to try and extricate Shivvy. I expect him here shortly. I don't know if your son is being kept at Eilean Donan, or if Daniel has been able to make contact with the girl, but at very least he should be able to tell us the best way into the fortress, and who we are likely to encounter while there. I will ask for reinforcements from the Edinburgh downworld if necessary."
"Thank you Aidan!" Magnus replied as he pulled Alec into a tight embrace. He did not know exactly what they would be facing in the next few hours, but he would do whatever was required to locate their child and bring him back safely to Alec, Clave laws be damned!