Disclaimer: All characters belong to Cassandra Clare.

A/N: Tell me how you feel about this... should I do more to Alec or no? I am evil I know.

Chapter 1: Gift

Will rubbed his face on the fluffy pillow, trying to block away the ringing tone. It was his day off and he had planned to sleep until afternoon. No one was supposed to wake up that early in a holiday.

However, the phone kept on ringing. Will whined in irritation and held his hand up, two seconds later Jonathan's yell reached his ears.

"IT'S NOT ENOUGTH! Send out more droids. I want every corner covered. Will, wake the fuck up."

Massaging his eyes, Will switched to his working mode. Only under stressful circumstances did Jonathan curse. That led to one sole conclusion: Something big happened.

Yawning, Will slurred. "Shot."

"A Lightwood is missing."

In Vikram everyone knew the Lightwood family but not due to noble reasons. Maryse and Robert were infamous for their cruel business practices and scorn on Will's kind – Aristos, the genetically modified humans.

"It's not related to my division."

He was in homicide, surely a missing person file would not pass to his desk. And deep down inside, he didn't want to help. It was cold he knew, and he despised himself for thinking like that. But he had his reasons.

A sigh filled up his bedroom. Jonathan never sighed. "Will, I wish I could be like you; so carefree. This case… it's not only about Lightwood. It is The Institute."

The word had Will sat up, heart skipped a beat. He suddenly felt lucky that it was just a phone call.

"Are you sure?" His voice was shaking from excitement and somehow, a little disappointment too. People heard its name slipped through lips but never a shadow appeared. The Clave held no information concerning The Institute and Will himself had no desire to care, not until Jem was involved in the smuggling business.

Jonathan shouted to some poor rookies. "You damn well tell me how the boy disappeared from the train! – NO you… stupid!" With that sounds of shattering glasses transmitted to Will's end. Getting out from his bed the blue-eyed man stretched and nearly bended himself in half.

"Will, get here now."

Then the phone was off. Shaking his head, Will prepared himself to work.

When he arrived everything was a mess. Screens were flying across the room, words and photos passed his sides. Some even went through him on its way.

Frowning, Will headed right to Jonathan's office and found the man scolding at the officers. The full height glass panel turned black, filled with information and case files, also intercon for updates. A cleaner was collecting pieces of glass around the corner of Jonathan's desk, picking up fragments and stuffed them into its opening.

"Check every ten minutes. OUT."

Merely a second later the officers flee from the commissioner. Will whistled while sitting down in front of the desk, nearly knocked the cleaner over while crossing his legs.

"Calm down tiger. You need to keep your emotion under control."

Jonathan spared him a sideway glance, the fire inside his eyes flamed even higher. "Will, I think you have no idea how bad it is going to get."

"Pray tell." The cleaner finished its work, sprayed something on the carpet and showed itself out from the office.

"God I wish I was you, so – ignorant about what is happening. Now don't waste time discussing this, I want you to help me finding the boy."

Jonathan slashed his hands on the desk that Will thought he was about to break it, luckily the computer still functioning fine. A photo of a teenager appeared on the panel, personal detailed listed on the right side. Will gulped when he saw the Lightwood child.

"Yeah, I know. I thought it was a younger you when I saw the pictures."

On the screen was a teenager with ebony hairs staring into the camera, looked like a picture from student ID. The corners of his mouth raised, a small smile decorated the pale face. Blue eyes crystal like, speaking care and innocent. Will knew they looked alike, but only on the appearance. There was nothing the same in their eyes.

Jonathan briefed the situation after a moment of silence.

"This morning we received a missing report from the Lightwood Mansion keeper. It said Alexander entered his last log at 11:03 pm last night, after his school practice. We know that he keeps his life in a routine, music practice on every Tuesday and Friday, otherwise he stays at home. He doesn't go out. The butler and his siblings say he is responsible, quiet and disciplined. So we can rule out the chance of the boy partying, drinking or taking drugs.

"We checked the train scanning system and found a record of Alexander Lightwood entered Easton Train Station at 11:10 pm. He took the train to the direction of Guardian three minutes later. And… he vanished."

"Don't be ridiculous. Maybe he was taken in the platform."

"No. Many servers' cameras showed him walked into the train. We tried to retrieve footages from servers in every stop in-between, but all are corrupted."

"What about the cams on the trains?"

"You know how silly those public transports are, they adjust the brightness according to the real time. So we only have videos in night vision and heat energy detectors," Jonathan circled on the desk, "and basically it has no use. Those cams freeze ALL the time and are easily hacked. The searchers have already watched it, not only footages are lost during this critical time period, almost – 80% of other time has no vision! Are you fucking with me?"

Furiously Jonathan slammed his fists on the desk, the neon greens on the panel shook from his aura. Will asked a question that had been bothering him since the call.

"How do you know it is The Institute? And shouldn't a Lighwood have personal guards? After all that happened."

"For your first question, they sent… something of him to the Lightwood Mansion this morning, at 7 I think. It has a letter asking for money with Sebastian Verlac's signature. As the latter, I share the same curiosity with you. Helen suspects it is about the system the Lightwood Company wanted to sell five years ago."

"Oh yeah, the Tracker. You don't mean…" Will's heart chilled on his own thoughts. Maryse and Robert Lightwood were cold-hearted, but really, could they do that to their own children?

"If you read the news, Will, they did."

Jonathan said, both sighed sympathetically for the Lightwood's children. Just when Will parted his lips, his phone vibrated in his pocket. Jonathan nodded when Will looked at him for permission.

"Jem, I can't talk now."

"Oh, sorry. Um, I just want to remind you of our dinner tonight. At Taki." Jem spoke quickly and apologized again before hanging up. Will returned his focus on the panel.

He leaned forward, rested elbows on his knees. "If Alexander has the chip on him we can track him down, assume he is still alive."

However, Jonathan fixed his eyes on the desk, his finger tapping on the edge. His avoidance terrified Will. "Spill it, Jon."

"It was pulled out."

Will's brain stopped running for a second; all he had in mind was bloods. Pools of bloods.

Rubbed his face with his palm, Jonathan bit lightly at his knuckles before continuing. "His sister Isabelle got the package. You can imagine what her reaction was when she saw a bloodstained chip with scrap of fleshes on it."

Let out the breath he was holding, Will leaned back into the chair. This was fucked up.

"What can I do? It seems nothing can lead us to the boy's location."

"You are the best I have, Will. I want you to take the case." Jonathan ordered when he slumped, massaging his temples. He had never seen the blond this troubled. Politics was not his thing, still Will could imagine what position Jonathan was trapped.

Pressed his lips into a hard line, Will stood up. "But I just want you to know, finding missing person is not my strength. I can't guarantee anything."

Jonathan nodded, said tiredly. "I understand. Just fine me the boy, Will. Dead or alive."

Uncontrollably Will shivered, dead or alive, Jonathan had already expected the worst outcome. He shouldn't be surprised, after all it was Sebastian had the boy captured. Everything could have happened.

Took some deep breaths Will walked out of the office, a file sped an inch away from his face. But he was used to it.

Isabelle was holding herself on the sofa, watching the news about the unusual frequent scanning of the city. A hand patted her shoulder.

"Izzy, you should eat something." Jace was sitting next to her quivering form, soothing the tensed teenage girl. Hodge was holding a plate of roast pork. It smelled nice, but Isabelle wanted to throw up. She bended forward, gagged with dry throat. Jace immediately commanded Hodge to go back to the kitchen, palm brushing up and down on the girl's shrinking back. It was after the news was over that torture stopped.

Torture, tears welled up in her eyes. Choked a cry, Isabelle launched herself to Jace, who caught her in his arms tightly. She returned it by girding the muscled torso closer, buried her face into her brother's neck. And the tears she could not control anymore.

"Cry it out, Izzy. I'm here. He will be okay, I know it."

"No… no you don't…"

Alec was in Sebastian's hand, how could he be okay? She wanted to scream, but was too exhausted from the crying. Startled by her words, Jace seemed to lose his confidence. Yet he soon picked it back up.

"Alec is a fighter. Have a little faith in him. He will fight, and he will come back to us. Alive."

Isabelle swore, his last word just made her heart dulling in pain. She couldn't help but think of the package in her palms. It was some small and daintily wrapped in light blue paper. At first she thought it was one of her admirers and had the intention to dump it in the bin, only stopped by a grumpy Jace joining her at the table.

Lifting his palm up and down, Jace said. "This is light."

"It's probably from Meliorn." Took a sip from the glass, Isabelle put down her milk.

Jace pushed the little box forward until it touched her plate of bacon and eggs, raised an eyebrow. "Open it."

"Oh come on! Don't make me do it."

Isabelle glared at the smirking Jace, put another bite of eggs into her mouth. It was delicious as usual. Trying to ignore Jace's vicious stare she concentrated on eating her breakfast. Looked at the empty seat which would always be occupied by Alec, she aired her concern.

"Is Alec still upstairs?"

Still chewing, Jace mumbled. "Yeah."

It was weird for Alec to wake up late on a school day. Every morning they would find Alec was having his breakfast when they came to the dining room. Her brother would smile and welcome them to the table, setting out plates for them. It could have been done by Hodge, Isabelle had tried to convince Alec let the robot to its job. Deep down though, she was glad Alec insisted on this custom. It was these small gestures had her felt this was her home. There was a family in this house.

Cleaned her lips with napkin Isabelle suddenly was interested in the package. It was calling her; coaxing the Lightwood girl to open it, see it with her eyes what was in the tiny box. Jace grinned when she snatched the package up, she felt something moved inside as she twiddled it, tearing the wrapping paper.

Instead of a brown paperboard Meliorn always gave her, it was made in metal. A jewelry box in shiver, glossy with sprigs craving. Meliorn could not be in such a good taste.

"This isn't like Meliorn."

Sensing her doubts Jace leaned forward, eyeing the box. He encouraged, "He might leave his name inside. Open it."

"Alright."

Her fingers lingered on the lock, flipped the top over; she screamed and threw the box on the table, as if it was burning her hands. "MY GOD!" She heavily fell from the chair and landed on her hip. Jace jumped to her side by instinct, helping Isabelle up.

"Are you okay?"

She was shaking, air caught within her lungs. Isabelle gripped at Jace's wrists. "God – Alec… Alec!"

"Alec what?" Jace was searching for her eyes, something clicked when he saw the horror in her pupils. He struggled to pull her claws away. "Izzy, let go!"

Lost her control over the body, Isabelle only loosened her grasps seconds later. And once Jace was out of her hands, he leaped to inspect the item on the table. Isabelle watched his stiffen body stumbled backward, hand flee to cover his agape mouth.

"Hodge!" Jace yelled, but nothing responded. Hodge was on its charging spot, it was those rare time that it would shut down for energy regeneration. "I'm going to get Seelie, stay right here."

Minutes later Seelie rushed to the table, blocking Isabelle from it. "Please, Master Jace, take Master Isabelle to the living room before the police is arrived."

Jace kneed down and cupped Isabelle's bloodless face, calling her to stay sane. She had to hold on to Jace in order to get on her feet. Her eyes found the box on the table, now covered by a layer of jelly-like oil. The chip was gleaming under the light shot from Seelie's eyes, revealed itself with the layers of liquid and solid.

She simply couldn't tear her sight off it.

Hodge was back when the commissioner Jonathan Fairchild announced his presence. Jace was ordering Seelie to grab her a blanket when Jonathan asked her questions.

"Ms. Lightwood, has your brother got in some troubles recently?" The man sat down, keeping a comfortable distance. Isabelle answered with sobs.

"No… everyone likes him. He is nice to anyone, Aristos or us, or bots. He just, just too kind." Her eyes puffy, capillaries crawling their ways to the dark-brown pupils. Jace returned and wrapped the blanket around Isabelle, planted a kiss on her temple.

Jonathan changed his question toward Jace. "Mr. Lightwood, have you notified your parents yet?"

The golden-haired teenager snorted in light hatred.

"Yes. But they are in the middle of a negotiation."

Isabelle bit her bottom lip to prevent herself from cursing. It was unbelievable that her parents wouldn't sacrifice their business for their own blood and flesh. She thought she was used to their absence, and this proved her to be totally wrong; she wished Maryse and Robert were here to comfort her. But it was her wishful thinking.

Noticed the tension when Jace spoke of the leaders of Lightwood Company, Jonathan explained the situation to them like they were in charge. Funny thing was they had not reached the legal age to do such thing yet. An analyst came in and whispered something to the blond. Isabelle saw his afflict expression.

"Sorry to inform you that… we confirm Sebastian Verlac is involved in this kidnapping. A letter was found under the chip."

Something ran up her throat whenever she thought of the chip inside the box. And she knew what it meant by Sebastian Verlac, a famous member of The Institute – her hope of seeing her brother again extinguished like a fire ran out of oxygen.

Jonathan apologized for the loss when he left the living room to the dining table, as if Alec was already dead.

There was nothing they could do. They were Lightwood, but they were so useless that they could not protect their brothers. Isabelle couldn't afford to lose another one, and so did Jace.

Alec was woken up to a kick on his ribs. Yelping, his body wanted to curl himself up but to no success. His hands were tied up behind a pillar, sitting askew on the damp ground. Something ran down his temples, ears buzzing and dizziness overflowed. His ribs shot pain all over him when the person booted again. Head lower without strength, a hand gripped his hairs and forcefully yanked it backwards.

A guy with inky Ivy League bended slightly to look down at him. His left hand fondled the skin of his temples. When he waved it in front of Alec, he saw blood on his fingertips.

"Nice to meet you, Alec." The guy crooned while Alec fought back the fogginess in his eyes. Finally he had a clean look on the guy who tugged his hairs strongly that he had to lift his head up and expose his vulnerable neck to the enemy. Everything about this man was dark and black. His eyes, jackets and jeans. The atmosphere in this small room, too.

Alec looked him in the eye, and chills crumbled up his spine.

"Human… is that what they call themselves? There is something about you."

The guy backslapped Alec when he let go of the fistful of hairs. His head flee to another side when the hand crushed his cheek, which was burning after the hit. Alec could see it swelling.

"I am surprised, to be honest, that you are polite and lovely. You're not cocky as your brother or slutty as your sister. But we will see."

"Don't touch them." It was all he could manage. The guy seemed pleased with his powerless protest and he pocketed out a syringe with green glowing liquid in. Alec unconsciously flinched when the guy approached.

The guy sat on his laps, leaning so close that Alec could feel the heat of his breath on his redden cheek. A cold hand caressed his neck and goose bumps appeared on his arms. Alec held his breath.

"Be a good boy, Alec. If you scream… thing will get ugly." That instant Alec felt something prod into his neck and a small needle pierced through muscles, digging deeper. He resisted the urge to move; scared of the tiny metal might break. When the needle reached near his cervical vertebra, floods of cool water injected into him.

It was not painful, but weird and shockingly arousing. A whimper escaped his mouth when there was a ball of warmth travelling within. The needle extracted and Alec felt lightheaded, unable to focus on the shadow the guy cast near his feet. He could not see, even his eyes were wide open. His limps went feeble; but other senses remained.

His hands were untied and right away his body dropped, head banged on the cold concrete. Alec's throat was vibrating, yet no sound came out. A pair of strong arms carried him in bridal style, the touches had Alec excited. It wasn't him, Alec never wanted this; when he heard a sneer he knew he found out.

"Big boy ain't you?"

It was humiliated, and Alec wished he could dig a hole and hide into it. After some turns and long walks, the guy landed him on a mattress. The scent of rotten metal attacked his nose, his desire to vomit worsened when the guy rolled him on his side, started to ripe off his shirt from the back.

He shouted, used all his energy but only a whine escaped. When two fingers moving down along his spine he tried not to think of what was going to happen. And failed miserably as the guy stopped around his waist, slightly pressed on the vertebrae.

Humming, the fingers left him and replaced by a cold clip. Alec's heartbeat increased like he was running, expected the pain to cut him in half. But the clip just wavering outside his skin, brushing it occasionally. The guy laughed when Alec shuddered at his false alarms.

"You're adorable."

As the last vowel pronounced, the clip penetrated the sensitive skin in one go. The pain was greater than Alec had imagined, but it was a small case when it cramped on the chip and tugged slightly – it gave him spasms. A strong grip held his waist in position, blaming Alec for the moving.

"Behave, Alec. You're messing up the mattress." As if punishing him, he wiggled the chip that was embedded in the gap between two bones.

Alec gasped and his brain shut down by the overwhelming agony from his spine. Because he could not see, the sensation intensified when the palm stroking his side. It was pain mixed with pleasure, something that both Alec did not want.

He actually screamed when the chip was pulled out, and he felt something inside him was towed along with the thin piece of metal. Strands of tissues stuck on his skin when the guy used something to cut them off. Blood was flowing out from the hole. He felt something wet his pants.

It was over. Alec thought. Not treating his wound the guy left him there, laying on a dirty mattress with his own blood and flesh, with his piss and erection.

He had no idea what was waiting for him.