Magnus Bane usually kept within his inner circle, except for the occasional wild party. Being a warlock meant you couldn't live anywhere near the Palace but it also meant that cleaning up your house, after a few dozen people get drunk there, was quick and easy.

The primary member of Magnus's inner circle was his best friend Catarina Loss. His other warlock friends included Tessa Grey and Ragnor Fell, both of which had come to the party he'd hosted the previous night and were currently asleep somewhere in the house. Magnus always invited the fey folk to his parties as well which meant there was a rather intoxicated fairy or two sleeping on his couch. There also was a gnome in the ceiling light as well as a few pixies hovering about the alarmed gnome. Despite his generous invitations, the only member of the fey folk Magnus considered a friend would have to be Raphael, though they were on better terms some days more than others. The fey folk in general were a slightly untrustworthy people, despite the fact that they were incapable of lying.

Magnus didn't count any Nephilim as friends, especially after how they'd treated Catarina. Magnus had his own theory as to why those high and mighty Nephilim didn't like the warlocks or the faeries ― he firmly believed they were just jealous because their bodies would grow old and wither away, while warlocks and faeries remained young forever. Magnus had watched countless generations of Nephilim live and die during his life and he had yet to be impressed by a single one of them.

Though, if you asked Tessa Grey, she would say William and James had been rather wonderful. To this day Magnus didn't understand what his friend had seen in those two Nephilim boys. Being immortal as she was, Tessa had outlived them both. Magnus remembered vividly, Tessa sobbing in his arms over their deaths. It had been over fifty years ago now that they had died, yet she still mentioned them almost every day. Magnus could not fathom ever being so devoted to anything, let alone a Nephilim. He'd love and lost before but found that, in the end, it was far easier to remain unattached. Catarina was of a similar mind to him as far as romance went. She was married to her healing magic. Unlike most warlocks, Catarina's mother had not rejected her once she'd been changed. Magnus thought it was for this reason that his friend had the kindest heart of anyone he'd ever known.

Magnus had been just over ten years old when the demon had touched him. The moment his mother had seen her son's new eyes she'd ran from him, screaming. His father had reacted even more strongly, trying to drown Magnus in the water barrel outside the house. Magnus had almost given up that day but with his last breath he'd used the magic he still didn't understand to throw his father off.

Magnus remembered wishing, in the months that followed, that the demon had just waited a few more years before attempting to turn him. It was common knowledge that a demon could only turn a child into a warlock if the child had not yet hit puberty. Magnus eventually gave up wishing but it was almost ten years before Magnus learned the truth; the timing of the demon's attack had not been an accident. His parents had in some way displeased the demon and Magnus's transformation had been their punishment. Since both his parents had died shortly after Magnus figured the demon had been satisfied.

Magnus couldn't remember the exact number of years it had been since those days. The years ran together like the fibers in the blanket that made up his life. He knew where the pattern changed but the individual threads were harder to pick out. Magnus estimated it to be at least three centuries since he'd last seen his parents' faces and he had long ago forgotten what they'd looked like. This didn't bother him however.

"Why is my head pounding?" came a groggy voice. Magnus turned to see Ragnor Fell walking shakily towards Magnus, holding his head. Ragnor had light green skin and extra digits in his fingers. When a demon cursed you it always left a physical mark. Magnus's eyes were his, but a much more common mark was a change in skin colour.

"I believe it was the twelve shots of fairy wine," Magnus told his friend. "Either that or there are pixies in your ears." He laughed but Ragnor just stared at him unamused.

"Not so loud, you pest," Ragnor hissed. "Why did I let you talk me into coming to this party? I am too old for this."

"Nonsense," Magnus chimed. "You are only as old as you look, my dear cabbage, and you are looking very spry indeed." Ragnor gave Magnus a look that told him to shut up but Magnus just laughed. The day Magnus had met Ragnor, many centuries ago now, Magnus had wasted no time and Ragnor had been nicknamed cabbage from that day onward.

Ragnor was the oldest warlock Magnus knew and possibly the only one he knew that was older than himself. Magnus had met Catarina when she'd been fairly young, though already an adult. He therefore believed that Caterina and himself weren't more than a few decades apart in ages but among immortals such years were insignificant. Tessa was younger still, having been the same age as her mortal lovers when they'd met.

"How dare you be so chipper," Ragnor grumbled. "You drank at least as much as I did last night."

"Yes but I am a warlock," Magnus replied laughing. "Which you seem to have forgotten."

"Oh right," Ragnor said. He placed his hand on his head, as green light flowed from his fingers and weaved around him. When the magic stopped Ragnor sighed. "That's better."

When Catarina glided into the room moments later she looked even less hungover than Magnus or Ragnor. "But no one can match the power of Catarina's healing magic," Magnus complimented his friend.

"Is it my fault you fools have wasted your centuries perfecting other skills?" she asked, giggling. "Great party, Magnus!"

"Thanks," Magnus answered. "Same time next week?"

"Definitely not," Ragnor replied. "I shall require at least a decade to recover."

"Sorry, Magnus, but I am travelling south," Catarina explained. "I shall not return for some time."

"Still hiding among the mundanes?" Magnus sighed. With a smile Catarina snapped her fingers and glamoured her appearance in answer. A glamour is a form of magic that hides the truth. Before Magnus now stood an average looking mundane woman rather than the beautiful blue skinned warlock, with pale white hair, that had been there before.

"And I am not hiding," Catarina explained. "I am healing."

"You have to keep a glamour up twenty-four seven," Magnus reminded her. "I call that hiding."

"Well, how else can I heal those who are afraid of me?" Catarina asked.

"The better question is why do you want to heal people who are afraid of you," Magnus replied.

"Don't get us into this old argument again, Magnus," Ragnor sighed.

"A wise decision," Catarina replied kindly. Magnus didn't understand his friends need to heal others, especially when Catarina got so little in return. He usually chalked it up to her wonderful childhood and loving mother.

"I think Will would have loved your party last night," Tessa said absently as she made an appearance. "It was quite something." Tessa didn't look hung over but Magnus knew this to be likely due to her drinking less than everyone else, rather than her magical expertise. Tessa had lived most of her life among Shadowhunters and wasn't as comfortable doing magic as most warlocks. This had been possible for her because next to Magnus, she'd had the smallest reaction to the demon's curse of any warlock he'd ever known. If Tessa indeed had a demon's mark it was so small as to basically go unnoticed. She did have long brown hair though and always wore a kind smile on her face.

"Thanks," Magnus said, choosing not to comment on his crazy friend keeping alive the memory of her long-dead Nephilim lovers. Like with Catarina's need to heal, Tessa's love for those Nephilim boys Magnus usually put down to her lack of an obvious demon mark.

Slowly Magnus's guests left, Ragnor complaining about a hangover he no longer had and Catarina packing for her trip to heal those who would kill her if they saw her true appearance. Tessa actually might be the sanest of Magnus's friends now that he thought about it. And wasn't that a scary thought!

Magnus waved goodbye to them as he stood on his front step. Going back inside Magnus decided he would take today off. He put the kettle on and busied himself making tea while he decided what to do. He'd decided he'd reading a book and was just settled down wearing his slippers with a warm blanket when there was a knock at his door. Magnus took a sip of his tea and tried to ignore it. Who did he know that came here and bothered to knock? All his friends knew to just walk in.

Two more knocks. The knocking became more like banging. Soon the banging was starting to sound like whoever was there was willing to break down his door. With a sigh, Magnus got up and went to great the annoyance.

Once the door swung open Magnus found himself eye to eye with the Queen. It was literally Maryse Lightwood standing before him. Magnus blinked, slightly stunned. He could see a carriage and entourage behind her but if she herself had left the Palaces protection and come there must be a damn good reason.

"Queen Maryse," Magnus greeted her.

"Prince Alec has been poisoned," she explained.

"Good morning to you too," Magnus replied.

"There is no time for pleasantries," Maryse said urgently. "I seek a warlock's assistant."

"Of course," Magnus laughed. "Should've guessed." The nephilim only ever bother the warlocks when they wanted something after all.

"Please will you heal him?"

"And why should I help?" Magnus asked her.

"We will pay you in whatever you wish," Maryse replied.

"Yes, but I wish for nothing you can give," Magnus said, slyly. "Except to be left alone. And, besides, if I do not try to save the boy then I cannot be blamed for the boy's death but if I go and fail to save him, you shall blame me for his death as you blamed Catarina for the death of your other son."

"She did not try!" Maryse accused. Magnus felt his blood boil.

"There is a not a single warlock in the world who has better healing powers than Catarina Loss!" Magnus yelled, incensed at her accusation. "She has devoted her life to healing you, ungrateful fools! If she could not save him, he was beyond saving. And that is that!" He let out a furious breath before continuing. "Rather than blame her, why not blame yourselves for putting children in harm's way in the first place!"

"Max followed his brother and sister," Maryse sobbed. "He was not yet old enough to be sent to fight."

"But why send your heirs to fight at all?" Magnus asked his anger fading a little. He had seen far too many Nephilim live and die in his life to be too bent out of shape about it; he'd said his peace about Catarina, and though he still wanted justice for what had happened to his friend he knew she did not. "You have others of the blood who can fight. Why send the future king to die in the first place?"

"The closer to the king's line, the stronger the fighter," Maryse explained.

"Sounds like you have a population problem," Magnus mused looking down at his fingernails absently. Magnus liked to colour his fingernails and noticed it was time for a fresh coat of varnish. "Not enough Nephilim. Have you considered a mandatory minimum of children per couple? Ten perhaps." He laughed. "You won't let your women rule after all, so why not put them to work making more men?"

"You foul beast!" Maryse accused.

"So you paint me, so shall I become," Magnus replied coolly. He was already bored of taunting her. His fingernails were more interesting. Maybe he'd try neon orange this time, he hadn't worn it in a while.

"Warlocks never help when they are needed!" she shot at him and turned away. But a tiny voice in Magnus's head was starting to make him feel bad. He knew the voice was all Catarina's fault since, if she were here, she would be lecturing him right now.

"Wait," Magnus replied, with a sigh. "Wait, I'll help."

Maryse stopped, turning to face him again, clearly shocked. "Why?" she asked.

"Because if Catarina were here she'd yell at me if I didn't," he shrugged. Magnus was pretty sure her exact words would have been to call him selfish. "And I am not technically busy at the moment." Though he had really been looking forward to his tea and a little peace and quiet.

"What do you want in return?" Maryse asked.

"Well, you said anything right?" Magnus winked. "Since you have no choice but to enlist me, why don't we worry about that after the work is done?"

Maryse nodded, stony faced as if dooming herself to a fate worse than death. Magnus sighed again. He really shouldn't goad these fools, but they asked for it every time!

"Where is my patient?" Magnus asked. She told him where the attack had been. Magnus knew the area well and snapping his fingers a portal appeared to his left.

"You coming?" he asked her. She still seemed slightly stunned but did follow. He was impressed she followed without calling for her entourage.

When Magnus emerged on the other side, the first thing he noticed was the stink of demon ichor. They were out in the open, a field currently fallow but that had likely yielded crops recently. Then Magnus saw people huddled around someone lying on the ground. He recognized everyone of them as Nephilim but didn't bother to notice who they were aside from that. Assuming his patient was the one on the ground, Magnus moved forward.

"Everyone back," Magnus said. "I need space."

"Maryse!" said a tall man Magnus recognized as the King, but couldn't recall his name. The king before this one Magnus could remember perfectly. His name has been Andrew Lightwood and he'd been rather more fun than this new guy.

"He says he's going to help," Maryse replied.

"You know how well that worked last time!" the king yelled.

"Do you have a better idea?" Maryse fired back at her husband. Magnus wasn't sure why he knew her name and not the king's, maybe it was simply that she annoyed him more, or maybe he'd retained Maryse's name because of the aftermath of her last visit when she came to enlist Catarina's healing abilities.

The King stepped back under the piercing gaze of his wife and Magnus turned his attention to the bleeding prince. If Magnus was remembering correctly, the prince's name was Alexander. There were three deep claw marks in his back and a shallow cut on his shoulder. Both were dark with poison and pulsing slightly with magic. This was the work of a Thammuz demon. Their blood red talons carried a potent poison, but thankfully left an easily recognizable pattern in the victim's skin. If Magnus could identify the poison he had a much better chance of curing it.

Creating a circular motion with his hand Magnus summoned a small vial from his home. He leaned over the prince and placed a few drops of it in the wounds. Alec thrashed as if it had caused him pain, which it probably had.

There was nothing painless about Thammuz poison. Magnus pooled his magic in his hands and they lit up bright cobalt blue. He placed them over the prince's wounds. Magnus began to chant as he drew the poison out of the boy's body and into his hands where the blue flames incinerated the poison. Slowly, ever so slowly, the dark black of the boy's skin pulled away to reveal pale healthy skin. The dark poison moved through the air with great haste to Magnus.

Magnus was not nearly as skilled in healing magic as Catarina was and could already feel the toll this was taking on his magic reserves. His flames flickered for a moment and he felt the poison contact his hand. Reeling back in pain Magnus tried to get a grip. It was then that Alec's eyes opened and Magnus saw the perfect blue colour of them.

He froze for a moment, task forgotten, as he gazed at those cobalt blue eyes. They were the exact same shade of blue as Magnus's magic. Magnus couldn't help but noticed the prince's face, the strength in the lines of his face as he endured the agony of the poison. Magnus suddenly found himself adding a numbing element to his magic to ease the boy's pain. Alexander's eyes closed and his face relaxed. There was a kindness to his face Magnus had never before seen on a Nephilim.

A sharp pain brought Magnus back to his senses. He'd been so distracted he'd forgotten to incinerate the poison and his hands were suffering the consequences. With a slight shake of his head Magnus returned to his task and moments later the last of the poison was drawn out. Magnus collapsed backward, sitting down on the cold hard ground.

Ignoring his hands, he inspected what remained of the prince's wounds. It was still a rather deep gash, even if it was free of the poison. He could just stop. Alexander wasn't in danger of dying anymore and Nephilim healed quickly after all, but instead Magnus ran a hand over the cuts and they sealed up behind his blue sparks, leaving nothing behind but shallow, faint scars.

"There," Magnus said as he stood up. "Done." He took a few steps back as the royal family crowded around him. Magnus was very drained of magic and anxious to get home, but he could also feel confusion welling up inside him. Why had he let himself be distracted? Why had Alexander's face held his attention? Magnus looked down at his hands and, sure enough, the poison was there. This is what happened when one was distracted.

Stupid sentimental moment, Magnus grumbled to himself. He was so low on magic that even portaling home would be uncomfortable. Deciding to focus on the painful poison first, Magnus held one hand over the other and started to draw out the toxin like he had done with the prince. Before he could finish he was interrupted.

"What are you doing?" Maryse asked him.

"Like you care," Magnus replied.

"I-" Maryse said but she seemed suddenly speechless.

"Whatever," Magnus sigh. "I shall return to collect payment at my leisure."

Maryse's gentle shock quickly turned back to fear when Magnus mentioned payment. Magnus so didn't have the energy for this right now. He'd rather open a portal than spend another minute in the Queen's company, feeling like a second-class citizen. Of course, with his magic this low he couldn't get very far by portal. Magnus couldn't remember when his magic had last been this low, but he knew it had been a very long time ago. Determined to leave he snapped his fingers and stepped through the portal that appeared beside him. He emerged just a few miles south since that was all the magic he had left, though Maryse didn't need to know that.

Magnus's hands hurt, along with his head as he started home the long, tedious way. Most people usually referred to it as walking.

Please tell me what you think! I am feeling kinds insecure about this story guys and I really need some comments or reviews about what you think. It would mean alot. Thank you in advance!

Sneak Peek Chapter 3

Then the man was gone and Alec found himself instantly disappointed to have be surrounded by his family. They were all speaking at once but Alec wasn't listening. He sat up looking for the remarkable man.

"Who saved me?" Alec asked as he looked left and right.

"A warlock," someone replied.

"Yes but which one?" Alec asked.

"It doesn't matter. What matters is that you're alright." It was his mother voice and Alec turned to her.