Chapter 29

Alec Lightwood pushed himself away from the desk in his mother's study. He'd been writing a letter to Magnus, the only thing that could possibly distract him on this, the first day of his husband's trial. The fact that Magnus' Advocate, had offered to take any correspondence Alec wished to send his husband, had gone a long way to overcome the initial bad impression the shadowhunter had of the fairy.

Alec's letter to Magus was filled with his love for the warlock, words of encouragement and hope for the future, a hope that, in his heart of hearts, Alec sometimes had trouble believing in, no matter how much he wanted to. He missed Magnus so much, and their precious son. If only there was something he could do instead of sitting here day after day, helpless while those he loved were in danger.

A soft sound at the front door told Alec the evening paper was here, and he hurried to get it. He didn't expect there to be much news, it was only the first day of the trial after all, but he scanned the headlines anxiously all the same. The first few lines told him he had been right, there was nothing but speculation, separated by one or two actual facts from the day's testimony. Yes, Magnus had gone to Mont Saint-Michel, which was suspicious, but no, there was no hard evidence that he had actually stolen the spell at that time. Alec sighed, popular opinion seemed to be one of suspicion and mistrust. Warlocks were dangerous, and secretive, enemies in their midst. No one seemed to recall that warlocks and other downworlders had been their allies against Valentine, that shadowhunters had once born alliance runes sharing strengths to meet a common enemy.

In a moment of fury, Alec crumpled the paper and threw it aside, needing desperately to do something, anything to help his beloved family, the riskier, the better. Half way to the front door of the flat Alec heard the sounds of Jace, Izzy and Maryse returning.

Jace paused just over the threshold, examining his parabatai closely; "Going somewhere?"

Alec flushed, knowing full well that, but for their timely arrival, he would probably have tried to leave the flat. He also knew, the consequences of doing so would have only added to their troubles. Taking a deep, steadying breath, he disregarded Jaces's question and said; "I'm glad your back. H-how was Magnus?"

Jace ignored the slight crack in his brother's voice; "He looked, strong, calm. I think it's been really good for him to get your letters, Alec."

Alec gave Jace a small, sad smile and then asked; "How did the trial go today?"

"I'll have to defer to the ladies on that;" Jace replied. "They had me cooped up in this tiny, windowless room. I don't know how they think it would taint a witness to at least have a view of the gardens."

Marsye stepped forward then saying; "Why don't you three sit down in the living room. Isabelle can fill you in on today, while I get us something to eat." With that she moved off into the kitchen and began to prepare food, not checking, just expecting that her three children would do as she said.

~~~~~!~~~~~

Gerard McKenzie paced the width of his cell, angry and disgruntled. He had tried several times over the last few days to contact members of the Hellfire Club, but with no response. He was still their Abbot, how could they ignore him in his hour of greatest need! The shadowhunter took a deep breath trying to steady his fraying nerves. No, no, he was sure they must be working to free him, all that was required was a little more patience. It helped to know that Magnus Bane's trial had started today. There was no way that warlock would get out of this predicament unscathed. McKenzie would take what comfort he could from knowing his enemies were facing worse fates than his own.

Even so, his plan to avenge himself on Shivaun McRae had not gone as he'd anticipated. That stupid, Robert Lightwood had put HIM to the soul sword instead of Ian McRae! The incident was seared into McKenzie's memory, and he shuddered. The Inquisitor asked him only one question, did he have any proof of the serious accusations made, and McKenzie was forced to admit he did not. The portents of a Devil's Tarot reading would never be counted as proof, and Isaiah Blackwell had lost his life at Eilean Donan, before getting the evidence Gerard demanded. The Abbot had been bluffing when he blackmailed Shivaun into agreeing to be his wife. McKenzie would never forget Robert Lightwood, eyes blazing with suppressed fury, as he declared that "No witch-hunt would be initiated on the word of the degenerate, disgraced shadowhunter before him." The whole incident left the Abbot feeling angry and impotent. How dare Robert lightwood dismiss him in that disdainful manner! He would make them all pay, as soon as he was free!

A sudden soft shuffling in the hallway attracted the prisoner's attention, probably that fool, Jessie Bradshaw bringing more of the slop that passed for food in this cursed place. But, when Gerard looked through the small, barred window in the cell door, just above the slot for the food tray, he saw a shadowhunter he recognized as a club member! Help had come at last!

"Abbot;" The man said with a reverential nod of his head.

"It is about time!" Gerard snapped; "What news do you bring me?"

"The club is working to affect your release Abbot, and in the meanwhile I brought you this." The man placed a small reddish, brown tablet on the window ledge where Gerard could reach it.

The Abbot knew it was a dose of the Curatio, and wondered which version it was, the last batch that Gorgon had made using the child's blood, or the less effective variety?

Either way it was a welcome sight, almost as welcome as news of his release would be.

"How much longer before the plans to release me are in place;" He demanded, pocketing the precious tablet.

Before the man could answer, however, The voice of Jessie Bradshaw rang out; "Oiye what are you doing here! This isn't your area get along and don't let me catch you here again!"

The man ducked his head and hurried away without a word, as Bradshaw checked to ensure nothing was amiss with his prisoner. Gerard met the guard's scrutiny with an angry glare but said nothing, only waiting to make sure he wasn't observed before dry swallowing the Curatio tablet.

Jessie had only gone a dozen paces when he heard an unearthly scream from the cell he'd just left. The sound echoed off the dark, stone walls and sent a chill down the guard's spine, freezing him for just a moment, before long years of training kicked in, and he raced back toward the cell just as the door blew outward, torn off its heavy, metal hinges.

Moving out of the cell was a huge, powerful demon with grayish, corpse-like skin stretched taunt over heavy veins and muscles. Its head and face were hairless, the huge, distended jaw opening to show jagged, serrated teeth and a long, black tongue. A second maw appeared to protrude from the demon's chest, complete with its own set of vicious fangs. One look at the creature, and Jessie knew he would need help if he was to have any hope of surviving the encounter. Turning quickly on his heel, the guard ran down the hallway, pulling out his keys as he did so. Behind him, the lumbering steps of the demon seemed to shake the stone floors, and his roar sent a frisson of fear down the shadowhunter's spine.

At last Jessie arrived at the one place that might provide the help he needed, the cell of Magnus Bane! Fumbling with the keys, he managed to release the lock and swung the door open with such force, it slammed into the stone wall with a thud.

"What in the world, Jess..." Magnus began as he took in the anxious man in front of him.

"No time for explanations!" Bradshaw panted. "There's a demon headed this way, and I can't take it on alone!"

Magnus stepped quickly into the hallway, and saw the horrific creature was no more than a few yards away. Once out of the cell, the wards that prevented Magnus from using his magic no longer applied, and It was not lost on the warlock, the guard was betting his life Magnus would not just take the opportunity to escape, but stay and help him defeat the demon. With a deep breath the warlock began to summon his formidable power until, just as the beast was within striking distance, he let loose a blast of blue magic that caused it to stumble backward, screaming in pain. Jessie also moved forward, seraph blade blazing, to try and keep the demon from regaining its feet. Both men stayed just out of reach of its huge, snapping jaws, and using a combination of magic, and fighting skills, to send it back to a hell dimension, Magnus wasn't particular which one.

Slumping down to the stone floor, the exhausted men looked at each other, grins breaking out on their faces as they felt the camaraderie that only comes from facing a dangerous enemy together.

"What the hell was that?" Jessie asked.

"That was a Selachimorha, or shark demon, though how it got past Alicante's demon towers I don't know." Magnus said, shaking his head; "It seemed oddly uncoordinated though, they are usually much quicker and more frenzied when attacking.

"I-it came out of McKenzie's cell!" Jessie said as if only now realizing that his other prisoner might be injured, or dead. The guard pushed himself up off the floor with great effort. The fight had taken a lot out of him, and he wasn't as young as he used to be.

"Oh my God, McKenzie! He must have had demon pox, that would explain the fact that the demon was so slow, he hadn't had time to adjust to his new body." Magnus exclaimed, it made so much sense. Gerard McKenzie, and who knew how many more Hellfire Club members, were dependant on the Curatio to keep their secrets. His precious child had become a commodity, because depraved men like McKenzie thought more of their own pleasures than the welfare of anyone else.

"D-demon pox! I thought that was just a myth;" Jessie shuddered as the horror of the idea took hold of his mind.

"Believe me, I wish that were true;" Magnus said bitterly.