Chapter 8: He's Dead

'A thousands times we die in one life. We crumble break and tear apart until the layers of illusion are burned away and all that is left, is the truth of who or what we really are.'-Teal Scott

Magnus stared at his coffee-filled cup, staring for who knows how long. It use to feel hot on his fingers but now it felt cool and cold because of the passing of the inevitable time. He never really felt like drinking the smooth brown liquid, even if it was warm and refreshing. He just didn't really have the appetite to eat or drink anything.

"Magnus, quit staring at your coffee and just drink it." Rose scolded him. She wore her usual white apron, when she would cook breakfast. Her bright red hair was pinned away from her face. "If you won't drink your coffee, at least eat some waffles." She placed a plate of waffles in front of him, and poured some strawberry sauce on top. She knew they were Magnus' favourite.

But the warlock only pushed the plate away from him. "I'm just not hungry."

"You haven't eaten for a whole week." Rose said and pushed the plate back to him. Her forehead looked huge without her bangs and her grey eyes were clearly laced with worry and sorrow.

Magnus sighed and dropped his eyes on the table. He didn't really want to eat, in fact, he didn't want to be in the kitchen at all. He just wanted to run away from his wife and locked himself up in his office.

He has been spending the whole week in his office, just analysing the 'gifts' Alec gave him. So far, he found nothing. He would try to use some spell to 'heal' the eye, but it only ended up with him setting the eyeball on fire. The sketches and drawing had no clues except it had ink-drawn symbols on it that looked nothing like runes of the nephilim, or any ancient language.

The situation seemed to be getting more and more hopeless as time passes. Alec never showed up to continue their 'game'. But Magnus never gave up and was determined to get his Alec back.

Rose sighed. "Look, I get that you are going through a hard time, Magnus." She gave him a pat on the shoulder for comfort. "But I want to help you, so please just tell me what's going…."

Magnus still continued to stay silent. He didn't even bother to look at her face, because he couldn't make himself go through the guilt of looking at her loving and beautiful face. What could he really say to her? That his ex, who he may love more than her, is back from the dead and is a really deadly serial killer. Also he made a deal with that so called killer ex and he might kill you because we had this 'game'.

That sounded ridiculous and heartbreaking in Magnus' mind.

"And….I've…been calling….Catarina." Rose admitted, looking at her fingers in shame.

The mug in his hands almost dropped from his shock. He hasn't seen or talked to Catarina since he left New York, and it wasn't really the best time during that past.

"Why?" Magnus asked covering his emotions.

"Because she use to be psychologist, maybe she can help." Rose averted her eyes like she was hiding something.

"And how can that help me?" Magnus said rudely.

By his statement, Rose lost all of her patience and glared at him. "Listen Magnus…." She said in an icy voice. "You have been sulking for so long, so we are going to Catarina's because you need help."

"But…" He started.

Then the female warlock's hands blazed with red fire.

"Okay. Okay."

Magnus decided to pack a suitcase when they were preparing for the trip at Catarina's, since her house was quite far away, somewhere in Canada, and they were staying there for a few days. He packed clothes, make-up, multiple shoes, jewellery, and most importantly the sketches, Alec gave him. He thought that maybe he could study them there and maybe Catarina has some books that can help him.

Rose and him left through a portal, they created, and they landed in the middle of the Canadian wilderness filled with fresh green trees so tall that they almost covered the sun light above them, and a breeze blew so strong and cold.

"We're lost…" Magnus grumbled as he shivered. He only wore a thin shirt and tight jeans. Leaves were drifting around them as the green parts rode with wind.

Rose scanned the map in her hands. Her long skirt blew with the wind and she had to pull her hair back to see the map clearly. "It's this way…" She pointed in a pathway between two bushes.

They both strolled through the trees and plants. Rose was guiding the both of them as Magnus followed behind her quietly. They didn't really bother to speak that much because their relationship right now was quite strain.

As they kept moving forward, Magnus' mind began to jolt, like he sense something coming. He gave a short huff as the jolt became fast. He knew he had this sixth sense when his father tried to drown him.

Rustle

In instinct, Magnus turned his head back to check where the noise came from, but he saw nothing, only a clear path of trees and fallen leaves.

"Is something wrong?" Rose turned her head in to Magnus' direction.

"I think something's following us…" Magnus answered stepping forward, closer to Rose.

"This woods can be quite dangerous, around here.." Rose explained. "There's probably some demons around here…I say we hurry.."

Magnus didn't argue back and they walked even faster towards Catarina's house.

The house was exactly what Magnus imagined. It was simple yet beautiful like Catarina. It was a yellow bricked house with two stories. The roof was painted crimson red and blue curtains covered the windows. A white fence surrounded the area and the front was beautiful, surprising Magnus didn't find any flowers in the garden, but instead he found fruits, vegetables, and medical herbs.

When they entered the house, Catarina greeted them with a sad smile. She was in the living drinking a small cup of tea. Her white hair was tied in a simple braid over her shoulder, like an ivory rope. She wore a simple green dress, and a short-sleeved jacket to suppress the cold. She seemed fine in Magnus' eyes at first, but when he analysed her even closer. He noticed her skin was…wrong.

Her skin was once a shade of brilliant blue that contrasted with her clothes. It was like the bright green of Rose's skin, but now Catarina's skin was a dull sickly grey.

"What happened to you?" His voice broke.

Catarina only sighed and said. "Maybe that's another story for later….Tea?" She offered.

Magnus sat beside Rose in the sofa across from Catarina's. The grey-skinned woman poured them some sweet-smelling tea and served some biscuits. Rose sipped some of her tea because she was a tea-lover and Magnus left his drink on the table, untouched.

"So Rose told me….you had some problems.." Catarina started.

"I'm just going through a hard time." Magnus protested.

Catarina sighed and looked at Rose. "He really is stubborn."

Rose nodded in agreement as Magnus gave an offended 'Hey!'.

"Have I told you how I got my skin this colour, Magnus?" Catarina stared down her hands.

"No, in fact, I just found out today.."

"Rose has told me some…things." Catarina started making Magnus stare at his wife suspiciously. "You need to know…"

"What?" Magnus asked clearly confused,

"He's dead." Catarina looked at him like he was a lab rat.

"Who?"

"Alec."

Author's note: Hey guys! Sorry I haven't updated in a while. There had been so much happening in school and I added another story so I have more work, but I promise I'm not abandoning the story. Thanks for reading.