Jonas watched Magnus work on the potion, his gaze locked on the hand he was stirring it with. "What is it that you are making?" Jonas asked.

Magnus stopped stirring so he could mix two vials of ingredients. "The base for the potion," Magnus replied. He brought them up to eye level, and then poured the right one into the left. The vial glowed white, and he brought it down towards the cauldron. "Stir," he ordered as he poured the vial into the potion, changing it to a fluorescent blue for just a moment.

Jonas picked up the spoon once he was done and began to stir.

"We need to have it ready before blondie gets back," Magnus explained.

"Right," Jonas replied. After a few moments of silent stirring, Jonas laid the spoon aside and turned to face Magnus. Sensing that the man wanted to say something, the warlock paused his work and looked at the man.

Jonas offered a hand. "My name is Hoot. I am told that I should introduce myself to you, now that you know of our secret."

Magnus blinked. Then, a warm smile growing on his face, Magnus shook Hoot's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Hoot. Jonas tells me you're a genius."

Hoot rolled his eyes as their hands parted. "Jonas flatters me."

"Does he now?"

"There are certain things I do for the system that have evolved over time to keep us safe." Hoot clasped his hands in front of him, fingers interlocking tightly. As he spoke, Magnus noticed a slight Irish lilt to the man's words. "I appreciate the compliment, though. Jonas does not often think of me in high regard."

"He said he was jealous of you."

Hoot's lips twitched in amusement, and to hide it he turned his attention back to stirring. With precise movements, he picked up the spoon and returned to work. While he did so, he replied, "As I said; Jonas flatters me."

With a grin, Magnus watched him for a beat, and then went to go and collect some more herbs.

When he returned, he added the herbs to the antidote and took over stirring again. Hoot watched, silent and patient with eager eyes, soaking up everything he saw like a sponge. Magnus worked for a few more moments before they were interrupted by Luke.

"Jocelyn!" the werewolf called. "No, don't... don't…"

Hoot shot Magnus a look that was completely bewildered. Magnus offered him a sympathetic look before he hurried over to Luke. He knelt over the man and reached out, "Let me take your pain away."

"No. No," Luke gasped out.

"Agitation only makes the venom work faster," Magnus pressed.

"I need to tell Jonas–"

"Perhaps it is best you wait until you have recovered," Hoot said from his position at the end of the couch.

"No, you need to know," Luke insisted. "No, please– You need to tell him, all of it." Luke stared at Magnus. "Promise me."

Luke grunted in pain and Magnus didn't wait any longer. He snapped his fingers, calling the magic to him and then flared his fingers out, moving his hand over Luke's body.

"The poison is spreading," Magnus explained. "Blondie needs to hurry."

"Why?" Hoot asked. "What is Jace doing?"

Magnus couldn't respond right away, busy trying to ease Luke back into sleep. Once the werewolf was calm enough, Magnus stood up and faced Hoot. "I sent him to get ingredients for the antidote."

"He should not take long," Hoot replied. He glanced at Luke for a beat, and then focused on Magnus once more. "In the interim, perhaps you could explain to me what Luke was talking about."

Magnus sighed. "For that, I will need a drink."

Hoot stood at the end of the table as Magnus drank his drink and told his story. "When I first heard about your father," he bagan. "Around the time he and Jocelyn first got together, long before the Uprising and the Circle, Valentine elevated the Morgenstern name to be synonymous with virtue. And Jocelyn was at his side.

"But by the time my people came to know him, barely two years later… his name had become synonymous with devastation. Jocelyn told me it was then she first saw the signs." Magnus swallowed, pausing to check on Hoot. He seemed okay, even eager for the warlock to finish. So he did. "They never found all the bodies. We'd all stood with the Clave for centuries."

Hoot's brows were furrowed. "And he conveniently… forgot about that."

"He was obsessed with ensuring purity of blood," Magnus explained. "Convinced that the impurities were a threat to peace."

"He was the threat to peace," Hoot countered.

"Mad men rarely make sense," Magnus said. "Mostly, they just hate. And he hated the Downworlders, for the gifts that we possess that he could not have. He hated us enough to kill us all."

Hoot huffed and began pacing. "Hearing this makes me glad that I did not know the man. Most of these 'Downworlders'" -Hoot glanced at Magnus- "have only tried to help me, despite the risk."

"He was blinded by his ambition," Magnus said.

"The Clave should have stopped this."

Magnus sighed. "He was clever. He and his followers, they managed to convince the Clave that the Downworlders they killed on their special missions had violated the Accords in some way." He pushed away from the counter, frustrated. "Complete fabrications."

"And the Clave did not notice?"

"Shadowhunters believe in the Law as absolute," Magnus said. "They could never conceive of one of their own going astray."

Hoot scoffed. "'Going astray'? That is an understatement."

"What happened back then is happening again," Magnus replied. "The Clave refuses to believe that Valentine's a threat. Nineteen years ago, their lack of vision allowed the Circle to almost decimate the entire Shadow World."

"The Uprising?" Hoot queried. "What was his plan exactly?"

"Valentine wanted to create a new Shadowhunter army. And for that, he needed the Mortal Cup." Magnus stepped closer to Hoot as he spoke. "He knew it would be on display at the signing of the Accords as a show of the Clave's power. He seized the opportunity to accomplish everything he ever wanted. Destroy the Accords, murder Downworlders, and secure the Cup."

"How could Jocelyn and Luke be a part of something like this?"

"Jocelyn and Luke tried to prevent the Uprising. They tried to change Valentine's mind about Downworlders." Magnus gestured to intone how important this was. "If it wasn't for them, the Circle would have won."

"Well at least she managed to do one good thing in her life," Hoot said.

Magnus nodded, and refrained from saying anything else on the matter of Jocelyn. He didn't want to say anything that may upset Hoot. There was still a lot Magnus had to find out, or at least understand. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt the Shadowhunter's feelings.

After a moment, Hoot asked, "Alright, but how does this help us find the cup?"

"Maybe Luke thinks if you know Jocelyn better, you'll know where she hid it."

"Trust me," Hoot said. "I know more about her than everyone."

"And I don't doubt that," Magnus agreed.

The werewolf woke then, grunting in pain. Magnus glanced at Luke and groaned, frustrated. "The magic's wearing off."

He got up to check on Luke. Hoot followed at a distance.

"It was our fault," Luke cried out. "It was our fault!"

The werewolf writhed in pain, his body went taut and one of the bandages fell off.

"His wound has gotten worse," Hoot observed oh-so-helpfully.

Magnus shot him a look and then focused on Luke. He spread his hands out and began siphoning magic, trying to calm the werewolf down. The room began to shake from Magnus' efforts, and he fell to his knees as he pushed himself to his limits.

"I'm running out of magic," Magnus told Hoot.

"How can I help?" Hoot asked immediately, without hesitation.

Magnus took a moment to admire the show of compassion. Then, he said, "I can't leave him, but the potion stock still needs Komodo scale. Find it, add the rest when they get here." As he spoke, Hoot began moving. The man struggled though, as the room trembled even more violently. "You'll have to feed it to Luke," Magnus added.

Magnus then watched as Hoot disappeared into the storage room. The warlock held on for as long as he could, but as his magic ran out, so did his energy. He felt himself collapsing backwards, and he realised that he had failed.

Then, suddenly, hands were on him, holding him upright. Magnus panted, turning to meet Alec's gaze. "Help me," the warlock said and held out his hand. "I need your strength."

Alec's gaze flickered between Magnus' face and his proffered hand. Finally, he said, "Take what you need."

Their hands clasped, and the two shared a look, Magnus smiled thankfully.

Then, together the two of them sat up and leaned over Luke, Magnus' magic renewed.

Distantly, he heard blondie return, and then a few agonising moments later Hoot appeared. The man grabbed Luke's chin and poured the antidote down the werewolf's open mouth.

It worked immediately, and Magnus reigned in his magic, collapsing against Alec in exhaustion.

"Hey... Jonas," Luke greeted softly.

Magnus blinked blearily and looked up at Alec, meeting the Shadowhunter's gaze as he hovered over him. "You okay?" Alec asked.

Magnus nodded. "Yeah," he murmured, voice faint.

Magnus watched as Hoot rushed over and crouched down next to Luke, grabbing the werewolf's hand and soothing his forehead with careful brushes of his fingers. "You're okay now," Hoot soothed. Or maybe not Hoot, Magnus frowned, because so far Hoot had gone out of his way to avoid being near Luke.

Magnus couldn't know for sure, of course. He'd just have to wait.

"Let's get him cleaned up and move him to the bedroom," Magnus suggested. Alec helped the warlock to his feet as Magnus continued, "I'll grab some fresh bandages."

"I'll help," Alec offered.

Magnus shot the Shadowhunter an appreciative look, and then the two walked off to get what they needed. As they went, Magnus shot a glance back at Hoot and saw that he was still comforting Luke.

With a tired sigh, Magnus got moving. He had a werewolf to tend to.

Alec emerged from the bedroom to find Jonas in the lounge, staring off into the middle distance.

He glanced at the man, and then at a bunch of books that'd been knocked on the ground. Alec went down and knelt down to pick them up. He figured Jonas would say something eventually, but when he didn't Alec frowned and stood up.

"Jonas?" Alec questioned as he neared the other Shadowhunter. "You okay?"

"Yeah," Jonas said, sounding distant. He turned, but his gaze wasn't fully focused. "Yeah, 'm fine. Hey" -Jonas blinked a few times- "thanks for coming back. I'm glad you and Jace are okay now."

"I didn't do this for Jace."

Jonas frowned. "Did Jace mention the favor thing?"

Alec quirked a brow. "'Favor thing'?"

"Nevermind. Okay..." Jonas' lips stretched into a smile. "Then I'm glad you did it for you."

Alec's gaze was drawn over Jonas' shoulder as Jace appeared in the doorway. His parabatai grinned at the sight of him and Alec found himself smiling back. Jace walked over and the two locked hands, stepping into a hug.

"Thank you," Jace whispered.

Alec patted the man on the back and then pulled away, glancing at Jonas. It looked like the auburn haired Shadowhunter wanted to talk to Jace, so he went to go help Magnus and give them some space.

He found Magnus re-wrapping bandages around Luke's torso, and the warlock looked up when Alec entered.

"Need anything?" Alec asked, coming to stand across from the warlock.

"Could you pass me that bundle of clean gauzes?"

Alec nodded and grabbed the aforementioned items from the end of the bed. He held them out to the warlock, and Magnus took them with an appreciative smile. The warlock returned to his work on Luke again, swiftly pressing gauze to wounds and securing them with layers of bandage.

"Thank you," Magnus said without preamble. Alec regarded him with confusion, and Magnus elaborated. "For lending me your strength earlier."

"Oh… I–-" Alec began, stumbling over his response. To his relief, Luke chose that moment to wake up, and his eyes scanned the room before locking on Alec.

"Where's Jonas?" the werewolf asked. "Can I speak to him?"

Alec shifted on the spot, eyes flickering to Magnus. He took in the warlock's hesitant expression. So he had also noticed Jonas' discomfort with Luke. Alec was confident in Jonas' ability to take care of himself, however, so he told Luke, "I'll go get him."

As he left, he cast a glance back at Magnus. The warlock met his gaze, and the two shared a meaningful look before Alec headed off.

Worst came to worst, Alec felt that they'd both be there to support Jonas.

Alec walked out and found Jace and Jonas laughing about something. For a moment, Alec felt a twinge of jealousy in his chest that surprised him. He squashed it down and said, "Luke's asking for you."

Jonas looked up, smile softening at the sight of Alec. Something warm bubbled in Alec's chest as he noticed the shift in the man's expression.

"Alright." Jonas turned to Jace. "See ya'."

Jace inclined his head in farewell, and Jonas shot another smile at Alec as he passed on the way to the bedroom. Alec turned back to his parabatai and found the man gathering up bundles of bloody bandages.

"I'm going to dispose of this," Jace said. "I'll be back later."

"Okay," Alec said. He watched Jace leave and then figured he should probably help clean up as well. He walked back over to the books he'd been going to pick up earlier and did so, piling them neatly by the bookshelf to be sorted later.

He then went and grabbed a bowl, filling it with water. Alec also took a cloth and headed back out into the lounge. Magnus was there when he returned, standing by the window and mixing a drink. Alec nodded his head in greeting when the warlock glanced at him.

Kneeling down in front of the sofa Luke had been laying on, Alec began to scrub at the patches of blood that remained. He scrubbed at a particular stubborn spot and brought the rag up to glare at it, as though it was purposely not wiping up the blood.

Which, y'know, rude.

Alec then tried cleaning the spot again when Magnus' voice filled the air. "You know I have magic for that, right?"

"I think you've exerted yourself enough for one day," Alec replied and resumed scrubbing.

Magnus took a step closer and asked, "Drink break?"

Alec glanced up and, at the sight of two drinks in the warlock's hands, he chuckled lightly and got to his feet. He discarded the cloth on the table and made his way around the couch.

Magnus handed Alec a clear drink in a tall martini glass. Once Alec had taken it from him, Magnus snapped his thumb and forefinger. A bright blue flame to flickered to life across the surface of Alec's drink.

"To us," Magnus toasted.

Alec nodded, and then clinked glasses. Alec waited for the flame to dissipate before taking a sip. As soon as the liquid reached his tongue, he winced at its strength, scrunching up his nose and squinting his eyes.

Magnus appeared amused. Alec, wanting to save himself from embarrassment, distracted the warlock by asking, "Why did you ask for me when Jace and Jonas were both here?"

"Hmm, Jace didn't tell you?" Magnus sucked in a sharp breath and turned to move over to the window and gaze outside. "It doesn't matter. It was a lie anyway."

Alec stared at him, not understanding a single word he'd just said. "Are warlocks always this cryptic?" he asked.

Magnus chuckled. "I'm not being cryptic," he inclined his head, "I'm being coy." With a sigh, Magnus turned around to face Alec and stepped closer. "Let me spell it out for you. I wanted to see you again."

They eyed each other for a moment, and when Magnus didn't elaborate, Alec asked, "Why?"

"Why'd you come?" Magnus countered.

Alec opened his mouth to answer, but then realised that he didn't know what to say. "I'm not sure," he finally answered.

Magnus considered him for a moment, and then began, "For almost a century… I've closed myself off to feeling anything for anyone. Man or woman." The warlock's gaze turned curious. "You've unlocked something in me."

At his words, Alec's gaze dropped involuntarily and scanned back up along Magnus' gorgeous body. He certainly wasn't… against the idea of Magnus having an interest in him. As Alec tried to think of a response to the warlock's words, Magnus continued, "Both of you."

"Both?" Alec asked.

"You," Magnus said, "and Jonas."

"What do you mean?"

Magnus cocked his head. "Well, if I had my way…" He trailed off, and then sucked in a sharp breath pointedly. "Let's just say the three of us would be getting up to a lot of fun."

"The three of us," Alec repeated, brain not quite comprehending what was being suggested.

"I've already mentioned it to Jonas," Magnus continued. "He seemed rather interested in the idea of a threeway, specifically a relationship with all of us."

"A three way," Alec echoed once more, voice on the squeaky side.

Magnus smirked. "Okay, but buy me dinner first."

Stunned, Alec started to reply but his phone began to ring, cutting him off.

The two stepped apart as Alec answered his phone, turning his back on Magnus. Though, he couldn't stop himself from glancing once over his shoulder at the man. "Hey– Uh, Mother."

He frowned as she scolded him for leaving unsanctioned again and then ducked his head in disappointment when she told him he had to get back to the Institute.

"Of course," Alec replied to her. He hung up and turned back to Magnus, placing his glass down as he did so. "Duty calls," he told the man.

"Ah…" Magnus drifted closer, gazing at him intently. "Oh, the furrowed brow. Maryse must be recruiting you for something... unseemly."

Alec stared at Magnus for a while, and then said, "Oh, listen, Magnus, I…" —he stammered— "I wish I could... I just… I don't know what…" As he continued struggling to say something, Magnus raised his index finger and held it in front of Alec's lips, silencing him.

"I understand," Magnus said.

As he pulled his finger away, Alec's eyes tracked the movement and he smiled, scoffing lightly. His reaction surprised him, because Alec normally had a hard time letting his guard down around people.

He wasn't sure whether to happy… or worried about this development.

Magnus picked up Alec's discarded drink and offered it to the Shadowhunter once more. "Stay for just one more drink?" asked Magnus. "And then decide."

Alec stared at Magnus.

After thinking it through, he took the drink without regret. He was already in trouble anyway, why not stay for just a little longer?

"...And then she showed up at my place in the morning, five pound Hershey's bar in hand, and said" —Magnus adopted a high-pitched voice— "'I brought you what you asked for, now make me my damn potion.'"

Alec's eyes went wide in disbelief, and he let out a laugh at the ridiculousness of Magnus' story. "She actually went and found an oversized chocolate bar for you?"

Magnus smirked and inclined his head. "People are willing to do a lot for potions that I say may or may not be real."

"Was the potion real?" Alec asked. "Did you make it for her?"

"Yes, and no." Magnus shrugged at Alec's offended look. "Despite how wonderful chocolate is, I didn't want to make her the potion."

"So then why did you tell her to get it?" Jonas asked as he stepped into the room.

Alec tensed as he noticed the man's haggard appearance, red-rimmed eyes and pasty complexion. Magnus must have noticed as well, because he cocked his head and stated, "You look like you could use a drink."

"Thanks," Jonas said. He approached them where they stood by the window, coming to a stop on Alec's left. "But I'll pass."

"How's Luke?" Magnus inquired.

"He's resting, needed a break after the conversation we just had."

Concerned, Alec felt his brow furrow and he put down his drink so he could focus on Jonas. "What did you talk about? Are you alright?"

"I'll tell you later," Jonas said. "I just need a minute."

Alec pressed his lips together, holding himself back from asking anymore questions.

Magnus spoke up and, thankfully, changed the subject. "It was a prank."

"Why would you want to prank a possible customer?"

"Because I knew I wouldn't give it to her anyway." Magnus shrugged. "I figured I'd have some fun with it before I sent her away. I didn't actually think she'd do it."

Jonas chuckled. "No, of course not. What even happened to the chocolate?"

"She…" Magnus' lips twitched in amusement. "She threw it at my face."

"Nice," Alec commented.

Jonas laughed, eyes bright as they flickered between Alec and Magnus.

Alec watched as Magnus' gaze caught Jonas', and the two shared a look. Reminded of what Magnus proposed earlier, Alec cleared his throat. "I should probably get going…"

Both of them turned, looking equally disappointed. "Really?" Jonas asked. "Now?"

Alec nodded. "Yeah." He glanced between Magnus and Jonas in turn. "Keep me posted."

"Of course," Magnus said.

Jonas stepped over to Alec. "I'll see you to the door."

"Wait," Magnus said, stopping them both. He eyed Alec carefully. "Before you go, any further thoughts on my… offer?"

"You told him?" Jonas asked, sounding nervous.

"Yes." Magnus' gaze did not leave Alec's.

Jonas then also turned to face Alec.

Feeling exposed under their combined stares, Alec shifted uncomfortably. "It was, um. We…" —he stammered— "I just— I don't really know…" Alec trailed off, feeling helpless.

Magnus and Jonas exchanged one more look before the latter said, "That's okay." He reached out and took Alec's hand. "You don't have to say anything."

"Although," Magnus said. "I hope you know that I'm going to take your hesitation as a possible yes."

Alec ducked his head, not debating the man's assumption.

Magnus smiled at his reaction, a glint in his eye.

Alec, feeling like he'd been outdone, jerked a thumb over his shoulder. "I'm just gonna… go… now."

"Mhmm," Magnus hummed in reply, gaze all-too knowing.

"C'mon," Jonas said when Alec didn't make to move. Alec finally tore his gaze from Magnus, the Warlock waving goodbye as he did so. Jonas tugged on Alec's hand and lead him to the door. He walked alongside the auburn haired Shadowhunter, feeling eyes on them as they went.

When they reached the door, Jonas pulled it open and then met Alec's gaze. "I know where the Cup is."

"You– What–" Alec's brain screeched to a halt. "You know where the Cup is?"

"I'm only telling you so that you're in the loop," Jonas replied. "Don't tell anyone, and I'll let you know when we're going to get it. We'll probably need your help."

Alec opened his mouth to try again. "Wait, you can't just–"

Jonas, the asshole, just smiled sweetly at Alec and ushered him out the door. "Okay, this was fun, thanks, bye!" He said the words in a rush as Alec was basically shoved out of the door.

Jonas then closed the door in his face.

Alec sighed and wondered how this had become his life.

Have you guys watched the alec version of the promo (2 days left vid)? who else is excited for more malec?

In celebration of only having 2 days left until Shadowhunters return: I am going to upload a chapter each day until the episode airs!

Rutvi: I'm so glad! I've been excited to post this chapter for a while. Thank you for your review xo