Chapter 7 Meeting...Again

"It's a fire message," she said, turning to face her husband, a shocked expression painting her face. "It's from Magnus Bane."

"Well, what does it say?" Robert prompted, wondering what the warlock could possibly want.

"I'll be there at noon." Maryse read.

"I don't understand," said Robert, looking even more confused. "Is that all?" He asked.

"Yes," Maryse answered, turning the burnt piece of paper over in her hand, checking both sides. "That's all."

"Did we have a meeting with him planned for today that I forgot about?" Robert asked, to which Maryse shook her head, answering 'no'.

Their moment of silent ponder was then interrupted by the shrill sound of a ringing telephone.

Maryse felt her heart flip in her chest at the realization that it was the black telephone. There was an old, what the mundanes would call antique, black and gold rotary dial telephone that sat safely to Robert's right, at the corner of the large oak desk. It was the only direct and safe line of communication that they had with the Clave, and was never used unless it was for official clave business. The rest of the time they just used fire messages or their cell phones where applicable.

It was daunting enough hearing the thing ring on normal days, but hearing it ring now, at the moment when everything and everyone at the Institute was on edge, was even more so.

With a heavy sigh and a few calming breaths, Robert answered the phone, giving his usual formal greeting.

Maryse watched as her husband's eyes widen in shock and his already pale complexion grew even paler as he nodded and agreed with whatever was being asked of him. She yerned to reach out grab the phone from his hand so she could hear what was being said. What had her normally calm and composed husband looking so flustered.

She bit her bottom lip and raised her brows in question as she heard him say the name, Magnus Bane. He nodded, still deep in his conversation, as to confirm what she had feared. That this phone call was infact related to the warlock and the previous night's incident.

After what felt like an eternity, Robert, finally hung up the phone, his eyes now firmly focused on his wife.

"Well?" Maryse asked, now standing directly in front of the desk, both of her hands resting flat against the sheened wood.

"That was consul Penhallow."

Magnus had spent most of his night doing research. He had felt like a young warlock again being forced by his father to study, only this time he was actually enjoying himself, and his new found knowledge would prove to be very useful. Not that what he had been taught in his youth wasn't, but some how he felt like this mattered more than anything ever had, at least to him. He had summoned every book he could think of that had some kind of information pertaining omegas. From their physical makeup, to the emotional, and every other thing in between.

Though like most he'd learnt about omegas as a child, as is customery with every specie in the shadow world, and even in the mundane world, like most he had not kept this knowledge at the forefront of his mind. Never thinking that he would need it.

He had even summoned books from his father's personal library back in Edom. He just hoped that his father hadn't noticed them missing. He knew there was a possibility that his father was still a little angry with him for leaving sooner than he had originally planned. But when his father had started with his decorating, Magnus had known that that was his cue to get the hell out of there.

When he felt like he had accumulated all the knowledge he could where the overall makeup of an omega was concerned, he then turned his attention to their history. He needed to know what it was like when omega's existed, how they were treated, courting rituals... everything. He even re-read all the printed theories as to why omegas had suddenly stopped being born.

Finally, when he was done looking into the past, reading everything his anxious mind could retain, he came back to the present. Back to the main problem at hand. How was he going to see Alexander again? Surely he couldn't just walk straight into the Institute and ask to see the beautiful young omega. That would be asking for trouble. After all, they'd kept him hidden for a reason. But still... thought Magnus.

If there was one very important fact that one needed to know when it came to dealing with Magnus Bane; it was that he always goes after what he wants. And nine times out of ten, he gets it. No matter what it was or how difficult the challenge, he never backs down. Infact, he rather loved a good challenge. Finding new ways to challenge one's self was what made life worth living. And when you've been alive for as long as he has, over four hundred years, it was even more so important to find reasons to go on living.

And although he would never admit it to anyone, especially his father, Magnus had long lost his desire to live. At least not in the true sense of what it meant for one to live...really live. Nothing excited him anymore. The world around him had become nothing but a bland, colorless movie that he had seen far too many times and could now quote word for word, the ending always the same. Unhappily, ever, after.

He'd already been loosing himself before he'd met Camille...before her betrayal had threatened to break him. He was simply moving through the world, enjoying what it had to offer, but never really feeling any of it. But then, Camille had come along and she had brought a spark with her, lighting a fire, however small, in his cold heart once more. And though he knew, knew she was not his perfect mate or what his heart truely wanted in a mate, he had felt she could be enough. He had wanted her to be enough. He was ready to settle.

Now however, Magnus was thankful. Thankful to Lucifer and all the relms of hell that they had not officially mated, that he had not claimed her. And he wasn't just thankful where Camille was concerned, but where all the lovers he had taken over the centuries were. Because he now knew, that had he claimed any of them, it would have been his greatest mistake. One he would have regretted for all of eternity. Meeting Alexander had proven that. What he felt when he'd laid eyes on the beautiful blue eye'd omega, was unlike anything he had ever felt. More than anything he thought he was even capable of feeling... and it had all happened in an instant. A perfect moment in time, now frozen forever in his memories. What he'd felt in that moment, that incredible breath taking moment... how alive he'd felt, the way his heart seemed to have stopped, only to start beating again in a new blithe rhythm... nothing had ever felt like that. And nothing probably ever would.

He needed to feel that feeling again. He needed to keep that feeling. He needed to see Alexander.

But how? That was the main question, Magnus thought not for the first time as he moved from where he sat on his bed leaned against the headboard, and began pacing his room, the canary yellow satin sheets on his bed left covered in ancient books and scrolls.

They probably think him to be a threat to the young omega, thought Magnus. And he wouldn't blame them. If the bawdy thoughts he was having of the beautiful shadowhunter was anything to go by, he was most definitely a threat. Only, not in the way that they were probably thinking.

Sneaking around was also out of the question. That would just be asking for trouble. Not that Magnus was opposed to a bit of trouble. He had always found that taking risks had it's own rewards. This time however, he wanted to do things the right way, or at least as right as he can. So no sneaking around. That would only cause unnecessary problems. He needed to get the young omega's parents to allow it. The clave even, thought Magnus, his fingers tapping away at his chin.

As cliche as it might sound, Magnus had a light bulb over the head moment.

He suddenly remembered seeing something in one of the many books strewn about his bed that could, maybe prove useful.

He waved his hand, scattering the books and papers about even more. Then with a gesture of his fingers, called forth the correct book to him. After flipping through a few pages, he found what he had been looking for. Yes, this could definately be helpful, he thought as he read.

Back when omegas existed - well at least more than one, though they had always been rare, each species ever only producing a few, even to this day no one really knowing why this was the case - they had always been given full authority when it came to choosing their mates. Infact, they were laws against any outside influences or anyone forcing, even an alpha comanding, an omega against their will. They had the right to court whomever they choose, as many as they choose, until they found their right match, their perfect, fated mate.

It had always been believed that omegas where special, blessed by the Heavens, given their ability to carry more than one child at a time...in the shadow world, their children always being born with special gifts, powers.

Even though Magnus was happy with this information, he still wasn't completely satisfied. He hadn't found anywhere in any of the books he'd read, where a shadowhunter and a downworlder had ever officially mated, claimed each other. Both downworlders and shadowhunters have been known to take mundanes as their mates, even claiming them. But although shadowhunters and downworlders have mated, having long lasting relationships, a few even having children, they have never claimed each other. Atleast non that he knew of.

It had always been a topic of great speculation in the shadow world, of what would happen if a shadowhunter and a downworlder were to claim each other. Both groups have always been afraid of what the outcome could be.

This could prove to be a problem, Magnus knew. But he figured he would cross that bridge when he got to it. If he ever got to it. He was sure them claiming each other wouldn't be a problem if they were infact meant to be together. However, he wasn't going to get too far ahead of himself. He was no where near thinking of mating, or claiming the young omega. At least not yet. Right now he just needed to see him again. Preferably for longer than a minute. Maybe have a conversation with him, see if what he felt was real, and not just wishful thinking.

See if maybe there really was such a thing as fated mates.

Now that he knew that if Alexander wanted to see him, that the omega could, he felt a little relieved. But that still didn't solve his main problem. Maybe Alexander didn't even know that he had the right to see whomever he wanted to. Maybe he didn't even want to see him again...

Magnus immediately dropped that train of thought. He needed to focus, he couldn't let himself think that way. Not now.

Massaging his temples with his fingers, "I got it," Magnus exclaimed a few beats later.

Snapping his fingers, a coiled piece of paper with a red string tied around it appeared in his hand. "Jia Penhallow, haven't you been naughty," he whispered as he unraveled it.

He now knew exactly what he needed to do to make sure that he could see the young omega again...freely.

It was early the following morning when Magnus telephoned consul Penhallow, not wanting to delay things. He knew he had to act quickly. Though he had been away from the mundane world, residing in Edom for the last tweenty years, he had still kept somewhat in intouch with some of his connections, and always did his best to keep in the know of everything happening in the shadow world. Jia Penhallow being made the new consul was one of those things.

And as he'd always done, Magnus made sure that he had any information available that could prove useful in the future with regards to the council memebers, the downworlder council included. He still couldn't understand how he had not known about an omega being born though, but that would be a mystery to solve another day.

"Are you blackmailing me?" Jia asked, sounding quite nervous. She had just gotten out of bed and was nursing a hot cup of coffee, when her assistant had ran into her dinning room looking out of sorts, only to inform her that she had a phone call from non other than Magnus Bane, the new High Warlock of Brooklyn. Imagine her surprise. How had he even gotten her phone number? Only Institutes had that particular number. It was supposed to be a secure line, only used for official Clave business.

Never the less, she'd quickly put her coffee on the large stained dinning table beside the documents she had been looking over, and made her way into her office. She didn't know what to expect, but certainly not what she heard. A decision made a long time ago in the midst of desperation, long before she was made consul, long before she thought she would have anything else to loose, was now coming back to haunt her. She had wondered when it would happen. Ever since she was made consul she had been looking over her shoulders expecting it. But not from the source it was now coming from. Not from Magnus Bane.

"I would never dream of doing such a thing," Magnus replied. "I am simply asking you to pay off your debt. I need you to ensure that the young omega will be left to make his choice. Whatever that choice may be. And to also grant me visiting rights to see the young shadowhunter whenever I choose."

"You know I cannot do that," said Jia, knowing her back was to the wall even as she spoke. "His parents has authority over him, not me."

"And you have authority over his parents," Magnus retorted. "And him," he added after a few beats. "I am not stupid, Jia. Just make the call. In return I am not only guaranteeing that you and your daughter will be free of your debt and will be able to continue living your happy, hopefully, long life. But also the young omega will be kept safe. You know the danger he now faces... it is not my wish to harm him, you have my word. I simply wish to be his friend. But there are those who would seek to harm him, as I'm sure you know, having kept him hidden all these years."

"And the rest of the council? The clave?" Jia asked. "How do I explain this to them?"

"I'm sure you'll think of something," said Magnus. "Maybe the truth. Tell them the secret is out. Tell them you've made a deal with me for the young omega's protection."

The line was quiet for a long moment, then Magnus spoke again

"You know, it was really stupid of you to make a blood oath... And of the all the warlocks, you chose Iris. You should count yourself lucky that she owed me a favor, and I had managed to get her to sign over your contract to me as payment. Your Angel only knows what she would have asked of you in payment. So the way I see it, I'm doing you a big favor."

"I was desperate," Jia responded, finally finding her voice again. "My daughter was dying, what other choice did I have?"

"You could have allowed nature to take it's course...let her die," said Magnus. "But enough of this. Will you make the call or do I consider this breach of contract? You know what that would mean."

"No." Jia's voice was but a whisper. She knew he had her by the throat. She would just have to find a way to deal with the rest of the council and the clave. "I'll make the call," she confirmed. "But after this, my debt is paid. That is it."

"But of course," Magnus smirked. Though he hated having to resort to such dirty tactics to get what he wanted, he wasn't above using them. He knew how the world worked and he was under no illusion that Jia wouldn't have done the same thing to get her way as well.

"What even makes you think he wants to be friends with you?" Jia asked after a moment.

"I don't," said Magnus.

After his phone call with Jia ended, Magnus had quickly gotten ready for the downworlder council meeting he was holding at the Hotel Dumort. Keeping in his mind, that even though he had gotten Jia's cooperation, that didn't mean he wouldn't face some obstruction. Infact, he was expecting it. But for now his main goal was protecting the young omega... and being able to see him again of course.

The meeting was taking place in what looked like it used to be a ballroom, but now served as a kind of conference room. There was a large round table edged by about a dozen chairs set in the middle of the room. Except for the decorations on the wall, the rest of the space had been left bare.

Magnus went into the meeting with the assumption that knowledge of the omega was already spreading throughout the downworld. He wasn't even going to bother asking. He knew that the moment the seelie queen had asked Meliorn of the meeting, given the inability of faries to lie, once he told her everything that happened, the secret would most likely be out.

Even if the seelies didn't leak it, there was still Luke and Raphael. So he wasn't even going to bother asking them if they'd told anyone, he simply had to lay down the new rules.

"I've spoken with consul Penhallow," said Magnus. "And I've given her my word that the omega will remain safe. I will be holding each of you responsible for the actions of your people, well, except for you Meliron." He gestured to the fey. "Make sure the seelie queen gets the message." Meliorn nodded his understanding.

"Don't you think you're going a little bit overboard here?" Raphael asked. "I'm just saying."

"Just keep your clan in check," said Magnus. "And the same goes for you, Luke."

"Hey," Luke said, raising his hands up in defense. "You don't have to worry about me or my pack."

"Good."

Even though they denied anyone outside the council knowing of the omega's existence, the meeting had went well, Magnus thought. They had all agreed to ensure that their people understood that the omega was to be left alone.

Now whilst Magnus was happy with that, he was under no illusion that Alexander would ever be completely safe, that there weren't those who would break the rules. He just had to be ready for them.

After the meeting, he'd sent a fire message to the Institute. He didn't write much, just the time he would be there, leaving the rest for Jia to handle. He felt that that would be for the best.

"No!" Maryse yelled. "Absolutely not. What could he possibly want from our son?"

Robert had moved from where he sat behind the desk and now standing in front of Maryse. "I told you something happened between them in the halls, that he did something to our boy, but you didn't believe me. And now, now he wants to finish whatever it was that he started."

Robert had just finished explaining the reason behind the consul's phone call. She had informed them that she knew of the previous night's incident and that she had a guarantee from the downworld council that Alec would be safe to remain in New York, no harm would come him; that the head of the council, Magnus Bane, would see personally to his safety. And that said Magnus Bane would be coming to the Institute to check and secure the wards, and would also speak further with them on the issue.

Also, that Magnus Bane had requested an audience with the young omega and that they were to see to it.

"Maryse, please calm down," Robert begged.

"How can I when a warlock is after my son for Angel knows what?" Asked Maryse. She had always been over protective when it came to Alec. Some might say a little too over protective.

"Sweetheart, do you really think he would try something...here?" Robert gestured with his hand. "In an instititute full of shadowhunters? He asked, now placing both hands on his wife's shoulders, massaging them in a comforting gesture. "Look, Jia asked us to let him meet with Alec, yes, but at no point did she say they had to be alone."

Maryse visibly relaxed in his arms. "We'll be by his side the entire time. We'll even have guards on stand by if it makes you feel better. Alright?"

Maryse nodded her response. There was nothing he could do or say that was going to make her feel any better about this whole situation, but she knew that they couldn't just disregard a direct order from the consul. That was just not done.

Alec was in the training room with Izzy, Jace, Simon and Clary, when his parents came in. They had started their morning training a little later than usual, but were well on their way through their nomal warm-up routine. They would be focusing on hand to hand combat this morning. Alec was taking things a bit easy, as he was still feeling a little low energy after his fainting spell from the night before.

Alec's parents stood in the doorway and watched their beautiful boy for a while before calling out to him, getting his attention.

Robert wondered if he was making the right decision. They had decided that they would leave it for Alec to decide whether he met with Magnus or not. He knew it was their best option. They would not force their son either way. If he said he was ok with seeing the warlock, then they would allow it. If not, then, Robert was afraid that for the first time in his life, he would have to go against a direct order from the consul.

Maryse had agreed with her husband, but that didn't mean she had to like it. She understood that alec could make certain decisions on his own, but as far as she was concerned he would always be a child in her eyes...her child. He had been sheltered all of his life, he didn't understand first hand the dangers of the world that they lived in and it was her responsibility to make sure that he never had to. It was her responsibility to protect him from it, and that is what she would do.

"Alexander, a word please," Robert called, walking over with Maryse to the mat where Alec was laying on the floor, doing some stretches for increased flexibilty.

"Sure," Alec answered, springing to his feet. The others stopped their stretching routine as well to see what was happening.

"Leave us please," Maryse ordered, before any of them even had a chance to say anything.

"What's going on?" Izzy asked. She could tell that something was seriously wrong. While her mom always has this intense look about her, her usually laid back father was now looking equally strained. Something was definately going on.

"I'll explain later sweetie, I promise," said Robert, tapping his daughter's shoulder, trying to defuse the situation before it escalated. He knew how protective Izzy got when it came to her big brother. She was a tigress much like her mother, and the last thing he needed right now was a clash between the two of them.

Alec looked to his sister as she eyed him warily. He nodded his head to let her know that it was ok for her to leave.

"Mom, Dad," Alec started after Izzy and the others left the room, taking in his parents worried looks. He knew though that they were probably just outside the door eavesdropping. "Is everything ok?" He asked.

"Yes and no," his father replied.

He then began explaining the situation to Alec, telling him of the consul's orders. Alec was stunned. He had spent most of the morning with his little band of misfits, as he liked to call them, planning how they were going to sneak out of the Institute to go and see Magnus, and now he was being told by his parents that Magnus... Magnus, would be coming to the Institute. And not just that, but that he wanted to see him... and that the consul of all people, had sanctioned this.

Alec didn't know what to say, how to feel, or even how to react. He was elated, over the moon with joy. But, at the same time he felt nervous... afraid even. Why did Magnus want to see him?

...and coming to the Institute with his parents around? Was it for the same reasons that he wanted to see Magnus? Alec was suddenly doubting himself. The confidence he'd felt when he spoke to his friends earlier about Magnus' feelings being the same as his own...was diminishing now that the chance of them actually seeing each other again wasn't just a possibility, but more of a surety.

"You know, you don't have to say yes," said Robert, cutting into Alec's thoughts when he took too long to respond. "There's no pressure."

"It's ok, dad," Alec assured, trying to hide just how happy he was. Whatever the outcome of this meeting would be, he was happy that he would be seeing the beautiful warlock again, at least to clear things up. "I want to do this."

"And we will be by your side the entire time," said Maryse, placing a comforting hand on Alec's shoulder.

Alec frowned at this. He wanted to see Magnus alone. There was no way he would be able to talk to Magnus about what he wanted to with his parents there.

"I don't think that that will be neccessary, mom," said Alec, trying to hide his annoyance. "l'll be fine."

"But.." Maryse began, but Alec cut her off.

"Dad," he called, straightening his shoulders as he looked his father in the eyes, his tone firm. "I will be fine. Alone."

"Alright, son." Robert agreed after a few beats, much to his wife's dismay. But he knew what his son was asking. Alec needed them to trust that he could take care of himself. Plus, he had already planned on having the entire Institute on high alert, his best shadowhunters will be on standby just in case anything were to go wrong.

"Robert," Maryse started. "This is not what we agreed. I hope you know what you're doing. If..."

"Everything will be alright," Robert assured, cutting her off. "Have some faith. Now, come," he gestured, placing an arm around maryse's waist. "Let's allow our son and his friends to get back to their training. Alexander..." He nodded to Alec. "We'll send someone to get you when it's time." Robert then turned to leave the training room. As they walked, he lifted his arm from Maryse's waist. He brought his hand to the side of her head, gently brushing her hair back as he brought her head down to lean against his shoulder and into the curve of his neck so that his scent could calm her down.

Alec watched on. It will never not amaze him at how easily his father seem to be able to bring calm to any situation.

Just as Alec had thought, his little band of misfits had been eavesdropping and had overheard the entire conversation.

"Well that was crazy," said Izzy, when they came back into the training room.

"Yeah," Alec agreed. He was still trying to get a grasp on the whole situation.

"I guess this means our little midnight stroll's been canceled," said Jace.

Alec nodded.

"Well, I don't know about you guys but I'm really dissapointed," said Simon, frowning. "I was really looking forward to us playing ninjas tonight."

"Don't we do that every night when we go demon hunting?" Jace asked, confused.

"Yes, but this time we would have had Alec with us," Simon argued.

No one could disagree with that. As happy as they all were that they weren't going to be putting Alec in harms way, it would've been nice to be out of the Institute together, out in the city, somewhat like when they were kids, before Alec presented, before things really changed and became more... restricted.

"Don't worry Simon," said Alec, placing a hand on his friend's, who was more like a brother to him, shoulder. "We'll sneak out together another night... maybe we could even still go out tonight. I could go patrolling with you guys."

"No!" They all yelled together. Sneaking out to see Magnus was one thing, sneaking out to fight demons was on a whole different level all together. They all knew Alec could handle himself, they trained with him every day after all, but still... They weren't ready to put him in that kind of danger. At least not unless it was absolutely neccassary.

Alec just huffed and folded his arms over his chest. He didn't know what he had been expecting. But soon, he thought. He was already making plans in the back of his mind. He just needed to see how things went with Magnus first.

"Alexander," Magnus greeted, rising from where he had been seated on a brown leather stuffed armchair. The young shadowhunter was even more beautiful than he remembered, his scent even more intoxicating, if that was even possible.

He had been waiting in a small sitting room, that would be the perfect place for some quiet reading, when the door opened, Alec stepping in.

"Hi," Alec said nervously, closing the door behind him. He felt a shiver race down his spine at the way Magnus spoke his name. He had never been fond of people using his full name, as it made him think of his mother scolding him, but the way Magnus said it with such reverence, the way he pronounced each syllable, so smoothly, it did things to him.

"I suppose a formal introduction is needed," said Magnus, edging his way towards the beautiful omega who had remained planted by the door. "I'm Magnus Bane." Magnus extended an arm. He figured this was a good place to start.

Alec didn't even feel his own arm leaving his side, rising to accept the warlock's. Only when he felt the jolt of electricity rush through him, did he realize he was holding Magnus' hand.

Were they standing there in threshold for a minute, an hour, days? Who knew?

"Magnus.. I think," Alec began after the long silence, finally finding his voice.

"I know," Magnus whispered, cutting him off, every nerve in his body bristling. After all this time, he thought. There was no doubt in Magnus' mind as he gazed into the most beautiful blue eyes he had ever seen, Alec was meant to be his. All his years of searching...no wonder he could never settle. And when he had finally decided to settle, against his own heart and better judgment, it had ended in disaster.

Maybe there was such a thing as fated mates after all, Magnus thought.

Alec didn't know when he had moved, but some how he found himself wrapped in Magnus' arms. He had been pulled in like a moth to a flame. His head landed softly on Magnus' shoulder, his nose nestled against the warlock's neck, his scent glands, as he breathed him in. One breath was all it took, and Alec knew, there were no more doubts in his mind.

Pulling back, "I like how you smell," Alec whispered. Angel, did I just say that? he thought, blushing furiously. The warlock's scent was simply delicious. It made him feel like playing freely in the rain, getting covered in mud and not even caring. It was earthy and spicy, coffee and vanilla, and something else, something more. Just so much more... it was making him dizzy, dizzy with a need he had never felt before.

"I like how you smell too," Magnus smiled. That was the understatement of the century. His own head had been resting against the young omega's shoulder as well, nose set firmly against his neck. Freshly cut grass in the height of spring, rain on a hot summer's day and strawberries. He never wanted to go another day, another minute without that intoxicating scent... without Alexander.

"What now?" Asked Alec.

Please Read

Though I have been reading fanfics for a while I only just recently started writing my own. I have a one shot on here for my story - Blue Eyes & Glitter - I saw a comment there telling me I broke the community guide lines for the descriptive sexual content & I need to edit or remove it. Please let me know if these people are legit and I'm not being prank. I need to know if I need to edit it or if I only have to answer to Admin.

That lemon was so tame compare to some of the things I read on here, I don't get it.

Anyways I guess when I get to the lemons in this story I'm going to have to be careful to only 'reference' and not be too descriptive.

Let me know in the comment section here please

it will really help me prevent any future problems with this story.