Chapter 23 Taken part 4

There was no way out.

After finally getting some of the feeling back in his legs, Alec had turned the room upside down. He'd searched every nook and cranny, only to find that he was entirely surrounded by a thick layer of brick wall. Even beneath the carpeted floor, layed a thick layer of concrete. Other than somehow breaking through the wall and digging his way out, the only way he was getting out of there was through the front door...so to speak.

He was again resting on the now rumpled up bed when Jonathan came back in.

"I see you've been busy," the other shadowhunter noted as he made his way into the room, looking around at the mess that Alec hadn't even bothered trying to clean up. "I hope you've at least managed to calm down some now. How are you feeling?" He asked. But, Alec did not respond.

If looks could kill, Jonathan wouldn't be more than ashes right then. Alec watched with fire in his eyes as he slowly made his way across the room, stepping over broken vases, curtains and other decorations strewn about on the floor. He sat down on the edge of the bed next to him, but Alec quickly shifted his body as much as he could to the other side, the action causing Jonathan to frown in obvious disapproval.

What then followed was a very long, very awkward silence, where what felt like hours, but was in fact only a few minutes, passed by. Trying to ignore Jonathan, Alec fixed his eyes on the closed door, wondering what exactly was on the other side. He was not yet prepared to deal with the other boy. Nontheless, he was still very much aware of Jonathan's burning gaze. He could feel the others' eyes boring into him. It made his skin crawl. Not able to withstand such salacious attention any longer, he broke the silence.

"I need to use the bathroom," said Alec.

"Oh. Oh, ok." Jonathan seemed as if he was in a daze, shaking his head to clear his mind. Alec did not even want to think about what might be going on in that crazy mind of his.

Seeming to have gathered his thoughts, he donned a sincere expression when his eyes met Alec's. "I just want you to know that I'm really sorry about inconveniencing you like this. It really wasn't my intention," said Jonathan. "Please bear with me alright. We've tried our best to make this place as comfortable for you as possible. It's only temporary."

When Alec didn't respond, "Do you need help?" Jonathan asked, already moving to his feet. He held out one of his hands to Alec.

Is this person crazy, Alec wondered for the umteenth time. He was sorry for inconviniencing him? What the hell? What a freaking joke!

Ignoring Jonathan's offered hand, Alec climbed off his side of the bed. Although he was still somewhat a bit shaky, he had no problem moving around on his own.

Jonathan couldn't help but smile to himself. If anything, he had always appreciated Alec's stubborn nature, and now wasn't any different. He awkwardly dropped his hand that had been left hanging in the air and started for the door. Still smiling, the alpha walked just ahead of Alec before he suddenly stopped.

Turning to look back at the omega, "Please don't try anything," said Jonathan. It almost seemed as if he was pleading. But, Alec knew better. There was a warning in there as well.

The two exited the room, into what looked to be a very long, never ending hallway. Two darklings were standing guard waiting for them. They were obviously Camille's subjugates; the poor bastards.

Much like the room he'd been kept in, the hallway was all brick walls, from the ceiling, to either side of him. And the lights, Alec noted, something that he hadn't paid much attention to before, much like the lights in the room, weren't powered by any mundane energy source. Instead, some kind of energy stone resembling their own witchlight, lined the walls. They were hunged some few meters apart in what appeared to be...glass jars? At least that's what they looked like.

Witchlight stones were extracted from the same rock the adamas used in creating shadowhunters' weapons were extracted from. They were also known to burn the skin of vampires. Hence why Alec was certain that the ones currently lighting their way, couldn't have possibly been witchlight stones. Which could only mean one thing...magic. Jonathan and Camille were obviously getting help from a warlock, or at the very least, were paying one for their services.

Alec didn't have to walk for very long, only about a hundred steps, before they came to another door.

"Here," Jonathan stopped in front of the door, the two darklings also stopping behind them. He then pushed the door open, holding out one arm in a presenting gesture. "Everything you need should be in there. Just call for me if there's anything else you need. I'll be right outside."

Alec didn't linger. Rolling his eyes, Pfft right...

Entering the bathroom, he closed the door behind him, breathing out a tired sigh as he took in his surroundings. Brick walls, concrete floor, no windows, only the one door, 'witchlight' and of course, victorian era styled amenities; Alec was beginning to get the idea. He was either in the spruced up dungen of some old eighteenth century castle, or he was in the Gard. Although he wasn't exactly sure what the current state of the Gard was, there had to be some sections of the large prison that resembled his current surroundings...minus the pricy furnishings of course. In any case, he was definately somewhere underground, Alec concluded. At least that was what it felt like. Then again, the extreme stuffiness and his slight feeling of claustrophobia, could also just be a result of his overall situation.

The omega made is way over to the wash basin first. He was actually a bit surprised to see that there was both hot and cold water.

Splashing his face with some cold water, Alec gazed at his reflection in the mirror. The eyes looking back at him seemed so cold, even to himself. After awhile, his gaze naturally shifted down to his neck, remembering the slight soreness he'd felt when he'd first woken up. He brought his fingers up to rub against the area, searching the skin for signs of anything out of the ordinary, perhaps a small puncture wound left behind by a needle.

Other than still feeling a slight soreness when he pressed his fingers against the area, there were no visible signs of anything having happened. It must have healed, thought Alec. One of the many gifts of being a shadowhunter. As he grabbed the toothbrush that was sitting on the neatly folded pile of clothes that was obviously meant for him, pulling it out of the package, he couldn't help the sudden shiver that raced up his spine. Just the thought that Jonathan had gotten close enough to inject him with the Angel knows what while he was sleeping... Alec wanted to screem. He didn't even want to think about what the bastard could have done to him while he'd been unconscious.

After he finished brushing his teeth and using the other facilities, Alec was left staring longingly at the shower as he contemplated his next move. It was a very elegant set up; a large white porcelain clawfoot bath tub with gold piping. It was the sort of thing that Magnus would've probably enjoyed.

Alec knew that he wasn't going to get out of there by being combative. Infact, that could only make his situation worst; Jonathan's threat of drugging him again coming to mind. What he needed to do right now, was to play along as best as he could and buy his time. If he played his cards just right, then perhaps he could get Jonathan to let his guard down. He also needed to find out what exactly the other shadowhunter meant by Magnus was going have his hands full.

Damn it, a hot shower would feel so good right now, Alec groaned as he stopped to stare at the shower once again. He'd been pacing back and forth for a few minutes now. A hot shower would definitely do wonders in soothing his aching muscles and clearing his mind. The problem; Jonathan was just outside of the door. He just couldn't risk it, not with what the shadowhunter did to him, and was still planning to do.

However, the more he thought about it, the more Alec hated the fact that Jonathan made him feel so...vulnerable. It was one incident for Heaven's sake, and he'd caught him off guard.

After contemplating for a while longer, Alec decided to just go for it. He wasn't going to let Jonathan incite any more fear within him; he wasn't going to let him win. The omega took off the pajamas that Magnus had clothed him in and that still had a faint wiff of the alpha's scent. He could only guess that the potion Magnus had given him to cloak his own scent had long since worn off. He folded the clothes neatly and brought them to his nose, taking a deep breath before he placed them on top of the small closet by the wash basin. Alec then stepped into the shower.

He of course kept watchful eyes on the door the entire time. He wasn't that stupid.

Crash!

A large antique vase shattered into pieces as it smashed into the wall.

"Magnus, you need to calm down," Ragnor urged as he watched his friend tore apart his newly furnished living room.

Since the two of them left the Institute, they've been trying non stop to track Alec. But even with their combined efforts, their attempts were still proving useless. They were still coming up against a brick wall.

Frustrated, Magnus made his way over to what was left of his bar, pouring himself a drink. He needed something strong to help settle his nerves. He was about taking a sip when Ragnor suddenly appeared at his side, grabbing his arm.

"What..." Magnus snapped.

"When was the last time you had something to eat?" Asked Ragnor, giving his friend a once over. Magnus' breathing was still somewhat ragged from his earlier tantrum. His usually glowing honey toned skin looked pale, and there were bags underneath his eyes. "You look like crap," said Ragnor, rather bluntly.

Magnus turned to face his friend fully, looking every bit indignant. "What is that suppose to mean..." he started, only for Ragnor to cut him off.

"How are you going to find Alec like this?" Asked Ragnor. "You look like you can barely stand."

"Oh don't exaggerated. I'm fine," said Magnus, shaking off Ragnor's hand and taking a sip of his drink.

"You need to rest, Magnus. At least eat something," Ragnor argued, his voice softening. And without giving Magnus a chance to decline, he snapped his fingers, causing the drink in Magnus' hand to vanish. Then, with a flourish of his hands, he conjured up a small table with a very appetizing looking spread arranged on top of it. All of the dishes; things he knew that Magnus liked to eat. "Sit down and eat something. I'm sure there's still a lot we're missing here," said Ragnor, in reference to Alec's case. "We just need to think critically and stop acting out irrationally. You've been running about like a headless chicken." He had truly never seen his friend this frantic.

Looking at the table full of food before him, Magnus couldn't help but sigh, his anger slowly dissipating. He knew that Ragnor was right. If he was going to find Alec and deal with the bastards who took him, then he needed to be at his full strength.

As Magnus forced himself to eat something, mostly just drinking the coffee, the two chatted. They once again analyzed the whole situation, carefully going over each detail. When they got to the interrogation, Ragnor asked him about Raj.

"And there's still no clues who else he could be working with?"

Magnus shook his head, "Not yet."

Ragnor frowned at this. From everything Magnus had told him, he wasn't at all surprised that the shadowhunter was refusing to give up his accomplices. He silently thought over everything in his mind, asking Magnus after some time, "What about the other suspects? Other people who might want to hurt Alec? Have you all looked into them yet?"

Magnus' brows knitted together. It felt like everything had happened so quickly. When he'd first found out about Alec's disappearnce, his initial thought was that a shadowhunter had done it. And when Raj's name came up, they'd all been quick to, and rightfully so, followed that line of inquiry. Which did actually prove fruitful. But, what they had fail to do, was to also look into other possible suspects.

Not waiting for Magnus' reply, Ragnor asked, or rather began voicing his thoughts. "It has to be another shadowhunter, right? From everything you've said, this Raj character is obviously not the one in charge, nor is it this Larkspear. Raj also doesn't seem like the type to work with a downworlder, so it's not someone from our side. Then, there is the implication that whoever is holding Alec, intends to mate with him by force..."

Ragnor's words slowly faded into the background. It was as if Magnus was finally beginning to see things clearly.

A shadowhunter who wanted to mate with Alec?

Hell, they all wanted to mate with Alec. The question is who would dare do it by force...

'This is about rebuilding the nephillin race. I can promise you that Alec is safe. You don't have to worry about him. He'll be back real soon. In, oh say, about ten days.'

As both Ragnor's and Raj's words replayed in Magnus' mind, one name in particular started ring to out loudly. A shadowhunter who wanted to mate with Alec. Someone who was willing to do it by force... Perhaps this person had even already tried to force Alec...

Magnus felt his entire body go weak. He wanted to stand up, but could only remain seated, his mind in utter chaos. Of course it was him. Who else could it possibly be? Forget about Raj, Magnus wanted set himself on fire. It was so damned obvious. The warlock immediately conjured up his cellphone.

Ragnor had long since stopped talking and was now silently watching his friend, having caught on that Magnus was perhaps having some sort of breakthrough. If the varying emotions playing across his features were anything to go by. He watched as Magnus tapped a few icons on his phone and brought it to his ear.

Just as the person on the other end of the call answered, what sounded like a portal opening, suddenly sounded in Magnus' apartment.

Turning around to where the noise sounded, both warlocks gasped.

In the same breath, "Hello," the person on the other end of the line called out. "Magnus? Is everything alright? Magnus? What..."

"Find out if Jonathan is still in Idris for me will you."

At the other end of the call, Izzy's eyes widen. For a moment she looked as if she'd been hit over the head with something, "You don't think...?"

"Yes," Magnus replied, cutting her off.

There was a moment of silence, where for Magnus, it seemed as if the world that had been off its axis ever since Alec's disappearance, took a break from trying to right itself. Then...

"Magnus," Izzy started. "But..." But Jonathan was supposed to be under heavy surveillance as part of the arrangements her parents had made. Someone was supposed to be watching him at all times. They would have been informed if he was missing. Surely?

Izzy felt as if her head was going to explode. Jonathan had crossed her mind in beginning of this whole ordeal as well, but...it just hadn't seemed likely. Could he really have...? Had Jonathan really gone that crazy?

"Just check," Magnus insisted, cutting into her thoughts. His voice was eerily calm. "I'll call you back in a little bit." And with that, the warlock ended the call.

What had made the noise earlier and had caused both Ragnor and himself such shock, was not a portal opening, but his...

"Father!" Magnus exclaimed, quickly getting to his feet. The warlock suddenly felt a burst of energy. He was like a child who'd taken a wrong turn on his path home and had gotten lost, only to suddenly have their father come to the rescue...and just when they were at the point of giving up too. With glossy eyes, Magnus practically launched himself at his father. Unfortunately, there was something very perculiar about the person he was trying to hug. It was as if trying to capture smoke with his hands. Magnus' entire body went right through Asmodeus'.

Recovering from his momentary fumble, Magnus turned back to look at his father, "Astral projection?"

Asmodeus' still somewhat foggy figure nodded. "Give it a moment," he said, his voice seemingly coming from some place far away. With the use of astral projection, the greater demon could pretty much appear just about anywhere he wanted without needing to be summoned. There were exceptions of course, plus it took a great deal of power, even more so to give his projected body a corporeal form.

After some few beats, Asmodeus sighed, "There." Not waiting for Magnus, the greater demon stepped forward, pulling his son into his arms.

Magnus simply allowed himself to be held, resting his head on his much taller father's shoulder. "What are you doing here?" He whispered.

Asmodeus held him even tigher, "I could feel your pain all the way from Edom. I had to come."

Needless to say that after finding out exactly what his son had been going through over the past two days, Asmodeus was beyond livid.

"They dare bring harm to my blood...to his chosen!"

It took a great deal of self control for the demon to calm himself down and not revert to his most primitive form. There would always be time for death and destruction. The most important thing right now was to, first and foremost, help his son get his mate back.

The king of Edom had felt his son's distress for some time now. However, after contracting a few Seelie spies, he'd found out that Magnus had been held up inside of the New York Institute and had placed a barrier around the old church for reasons, that at the time, he had no doubt had something to do with his mate. And even though it had been very difficult for the impatient demon to stay away, he knew he had to wait before reaching out to his son. A greater demon breaking into an Institute...whether it was to see his son or not, would have no doubt only made things more difficult for Magnus.

It barely took any effort for the greater demon to channel his own powers alongside Magnus'. Joining hands, the father and son duo held the strip of material from Alec's t-shirt tightly between them. And for a moment, it was as if time was standing still. Then, as time started up again, Magnus released his father's hands, the identical fire like golden hue that had encased them, slowly retreating.

For a long while neither of them said anything. If Magnus was surprised that it hadn't worked, he didn't show it. Asmodeus equally didn't seem too surprised. It was Ragnor who spoke up first, lashing out in confusion.

"I don't understand," the warlock voiced, having realized based on the other two's expression, or rather lack their of, that their attempt at tracking Alec had also proved unsuccessful. "It should have worked." All that power, thought Ragnor, still feeling some of the residual was a greater demon for Hell's sake. Was it because this was only a projection and not his true form? Ragnor was really confused.

On the other hand, Magnus just seemed...resigned.

Appearing to have been deep in thought, Asmodeus suddenly perked up, a small smile curving the corners of his lips. He looked as if he knew something, well, a lot actually, that the others didn't.

Seeing this, Magnus finally spoke up. Raising a curious brow at his father, he reiterated Ragnor's question, "Do you know something? Why didn't that work?"

In that moment, Asmodeus wished that he could give his son and his friend a good scolding, or better yet still, a good old fashion spanking. However, now was not the time.

"I fear that after this whole thing is over, you will have to begin your studies anew," Asmodeus said instead, drawing an annoyed groan from his son.

"Father, please," Magnus urged.

"Think about it, my boy. If our powers combined cannot find your Alexander in the whole of this world, then, it can only mean one thing..."

Magnus gasped, his eyes going wide. "That he's not in this world," he said slowly, finishing his father's sentence.

"Exactly. Or as the humans like to say; bingo," Asmodeus confirmed.

But then where was he?

"Hell? Another dimension?" Asked Ragnor, his brows knitted together. This whole thing was becoming more and more complicated with each minute that ticked by.

Asmodeus shook his head, "Even an alternate dimension of this world is still connected to this world. We would still be able to track his location." Except that he would be in said location in the alternate dimension. Asmodeus of course did not need to explain this as both Ragnor and Magnus understood as much.

The greater demon went on to explain that, "As for hell, there is no corner in Edom that they could've possibly hidden him without my knowledge. Likewise the other realms..." Which, together with Edom were all of nine.

"Word would have gotten out," said Asmodeus. "Especially now that we have spies embedded everywhere and in every corner. That then leaves only one place..."

There was a moment of silence as Ragnor and Magnus looked at each other, both with a different level of realization and acceptance slowly spreading across their features.

"He's in the Inbetweens," said Magnus simply, speaking all of their minds.

Entrances to all of the nine realms of hell were scattered throughout the mundane world. And located at each of these entrances were what demons have come to call the Inbetweens. It was where the mundane world and the world of demons collide. It could be likened to a fresh water river rushing out to meet the open sea; that bit of water where the two mixed and came together. Similarly were the Inbetweens. Only, instead of brackish water, the Inbetweens were anything from a vast desert waste land, to a labyrinth of underground tunnels. They were a sort of no man's, or perhaps more accurately, no demon's land. Over the centuries they've become refuges for fugitive demons and anyone else who had the guts and know how to survive and navigate them.

"This is not good," Ragnor bemoaned.

Magnus was not at all happy with this new revelation. However, it would certainly explain everything; why both his and his father's magic weren't able to track Alec.

Since the Inbetweens were a sort of paradox; in that while they belonged to both the human and the demonic relms, they were also seen as separate, an entirely different relm of their own. It made it damn near impossible to track anyone once they're inside. It was even more so difficult on foot. You needed to know exactly where you were going. And even then, they were extremely difficult to navigate.

It was said that the terrain in the Inbetweens were like a giant jigsaw puzzle whose pieces were ever shifting, always changing. You could be walking in a fixed direction, only to find yourself right back to where you started. One could spend years walking in circles. Not to mention having to battle whatever one might run into while there.

Another reason why this revelation was such a devastating blow for Magnus, was that it also meant that his previous deductions were completely wrong. The shadowhunters weren't in fact working alone. If they were in the Inbetweens, then it was safe to say that they were definately getting help from someone in the downworld. And from Magnus' own experience, it had to be a warlock.

Why hadn't he realized any of this before? How could he have been so stupid? Had he just been so desperate for this to be simple case of the shadowhunters trying to pull a fast one on him, that he didn't even want to think about the possibility of someone from the downworld being involved?

A very frightening possibility was beginning to take form in Magnus' mind. During his last trip to Edom, he and his father had spoken at length about the possibility of another person, a certain greater demon, that they'd been searching for high and low hiding in the Inbetweens.

If this was true, then it could mean that Alec's disappearance wasn't a seperate case, but that it was somehow connected to Lilith.

Magnus shuddered at the thought.

Having guessed perfectly what was going on in his son's mind, Asmodeus layed a comforting hand on Magnus' shoulder.

"We don't know if she has anything to do with it," said Asmodeus. "Let's not jump to conclusions just yet. It could very well just be the work of some reprobate warlock for hire."

Magnus pulled away from his father, "Which warlock knows how to navigate the Inbetweens? Even I don't have such knowledge."

"Very few beings do I'm afraid," said Asmodeus as he once again tried to comfort his son.

If Jonathan was really the one who took Alec, which the more Magnus thought about it, the more inclined he was to believe that that was the case, then how did he get involved with Lilith? It just didn't make any sense, yet at the same time, the timing and coincidences were just too much for him to ignore.

"I think I know the warlock helping them," said Ragnor, cutting into Magnus' thoughts. "Remember when I asked if the name Lorenzo Rey meant anything to you?"

Magnus frowned, remembering his phone conversation with Ragnor from earlier. He'd heard that name somewhere before, but he had trouble remembering where exactly. He just couldn't seem to put a face to it.

"From all of my investigation," said Ragnor. "I think he's the one who has been helping Lilith. He's certainly powerful enough. He was working for the High Warlock of Madrid when he suddenly disappeared. And, it just so happened to have coincided with Lilith own disappearance. No one has heard from him since."

"Lorenzo Rey?" Asmodeus tapped his fingers against his chin, seemingly lost in thought. "Is that not the son of the demon Belial?"

Magnus looked at his father, "You know him?"

"Well, I try my best to know all of the warlocks with any power of note, but yes," Asmodeus replied. "I do know of him. His father was once a subject of mine before he was banished... I believe about two centuries ago. If I remember correctly, he was accused of spying. Although he never admitted to it."

"I've already sent someone to Madrid to investigate his disappearance," said Ragnor. "We should be hearing from them soon."

"So what...this Lorenzo Rey is trying to get revenge for his father?" Asked Magnus, letting his wondering thoughts out loud. The picture was becoming clearer and clearer, but, he couldn't worry about any of that right now. If Alec was indeed in the Inbetweens, then he needed to figure out how to get to him first.

"I don't care about Lorenzo Rey, Belial or Lilith right now," said Magnus. "How do we find Alexander? Sending demons out to blindly scour the Inbetweens could take weeks, months. Hell, it could take years. It would be like searching for a needle in a hay stack. We don't have that kind of time."

"And it would leave Edom vulnerable," said Ragnor. "We would be playing right into Lilith's hand." Which is why they hadn't sent anyone there to search for her in the first place. It would've been foolish on their part to further scatter their forces right when they were on the eve of a battle.

"There might still be a way to track his exact location," Asmodeus suddenly announced. He'd been pacing back and forth with one hand on his hip and the other on his chin, in a sort of thinking man gesture, before he suddenly stopped, a small smile curving at his lips. "If I remember correctly, our dear Alexander has a parabatai, am I right?" When Magnus nodded, he continued. The demon looked like the cat that ate the canary. "Then, I think we might be able to use him."

"We've already tried," said Magnus. "It didn't work."

"Not if we amply their bond."

"And how exactly do we do that?" Asked Magnus.

"Adamas," said Asmodeus. He then went on to explain how in the past shadowhunters were known to use pieces of raw adamas as a way to amplify their powers.

"It is very dangerous for the user however," Asmodeus explained. "Alexander's parabatai might not be so willing to try it."

Magnus felt as if his heart was going to burst out of his chest. The already anxious warlock could barely stand still. This is what he had been waiting for; they might finally have a way to find Alec. He was going to get his mate back.

"That won't be a problem." He was confident that Jace, like himself, would do anything within his power to get Alec back, no matter how dangerous. "Where can we get a piece of this adamas?" Even as Magnus asked his father this question, he, himself, already knew the answer.

Asmodeus sighed. "That is the problem."

They all knew that the only people known to have access to an endless supply of Adamas, were...

"The Iron Sisters."

Upon exiting the bathroom, Alec had to stop himself from smirking as he took in Jonathan's expression. The other shadowhunter seemed very surprised to see that he had taken a bath and was wearing the clothes that he'd layed out for him. Which as it turned out, were actually Alec's own clothing that they'd apparently packed for him. They were his usual black sweater and black jeans with the accompanying pair of black boots...even his own underwear.

"Is there anything to eat?" Asked Alec. "I'm starving." Without waiting for Jonathan, he started towards 'his room', the folded pajamas held tightly underneath his arm. He didn't know whether to find it disturbing or amusing that Jonathan had actually took the time, while they were busy abducting him, to pack clothes for him. What did he even think...that he would somehow appreciate it?

Snapping out of his reverie, Jonathan quickly followed after him, "What are you doing?" The alpha asked.

"What do you mean?" Alec frowned.

"Why aren't you fighting me anymore?" Jonathan seemed genuinely confused.

"Do you want me to fight you?" Alec raised one of his brows in question. "Look..." he said, not waiting for Jonathan to respond. "I'm stuck here, right? And if I fight you, you're going to drug me again. So, the way I see it, my best option is to cooperate until I get rescued."

A big smile spread across Jonathan's face. "I'm happy to hear that. Although, I hate to dampen your spirits, but, nobody is coming. They can try, but they'll never find us."

When they reached the room, Jonathan once again moved ahead of Alec to open the door for him.

"What makes you so confident?" Alec asked as he entered the room, pausing momentarily. There was already a table set up with an admittedly delicious looking spread.

Jonathan closed the door behind them, leaving the two darklings outside and gestured towards the table, once again rushing ahead of Alec to pull out his chair for him. Alec couldn't help but roll his eyes at the action. Placing his pajamas on the bed, he joined Jonathan at the table, accepting the offered seat. As he sat down, he also couldn't help but think about Magnus in that moment and how the warlock was always doing little things like that for him, even when he protested.

Jonathan took his own seat across from Alec, smirking as he answered the omega's question. "Because..." the alpha drawled. "They'll never figure out where we are. And even if they do figure it out, finding us is near impossible. Not to mention there's kind of a time crunch, wouldn't you say?"

Alec looked at the different assortment of breakfast foods on the table before him and felt his eyes blur for a moment. The scene just felt all too familiar. Shaking himself out of it, he tried his best to focus back on the here and now, asking Jonathan, "Where exactly are we?"

"You don't need to know that," said Jonathan as he picked up a croissant from the bread basket, placing it on his own plate.

"Oh come on," Alec scoffed. He looked Jonathan dead in the eyes, daring him. "What are you so worried about? You've already said that it's impossible for me to escape. So what's the harm in telling me?"

Jonathan smiled even wider. He understood exactly what Alec was trying to do and he definitely wasn't going to fall for it. However, there was no harm in playing along. Perhaps once Alec truly realized just how impossible it was for him to escape, then he would finally give in and begin to accept him.

Jonathan picked up one of the muffins and placed it on Alec's plate. "Eat something first, then I'll tell you."

Alec frowned as he looked down at what looked like a chocolate muffin. The thought of eating anything Jonathan gave him made him sick to his stomach. However, he knew that he didn't really have much of a choice. If he was going to escape, then he would need all of his strength.

Seeing his obvious hesitation, "hmpf," Jonathan sounded as he reached across the table. Picking up Alec's muffin, he took a small bite out of it, moaning at the taste, before placing it back on Alec's plate.

Sighing, the alpha then met Alec's eyes, "Alexander, I would never hurt you. You know that right?"

Alec didn't even blink before responding, "You already have."

The already cold temperature in the room instantly dropped, reaching freezing point.

Damn it, he knew that if he wanted to get anywhere with Jonathan, that he was going to have to play nice. Now was not the time to be bringing up his grievances. Now the other boy was looking at him like a damn hurt puppy. Neither of them said anything. They both knew what the other was thinking.

Rolling his eyes in exasperation, Alec conceded. He picked up the muffin and forced himself to take a few bites. Slowly he began eating, not really tasting anything. After a while, Jonathan began eating again as well. When Alec felt like the tension had calmed enough, he decided to try again.

"So," Alec drawled. "I'm eating." He held up another muffin. "Are you going to tell me or not. I know you want to," he chided Jonathan almost playfully.

Jonathan smiled from behind his coffee cup. Finally, with enough smugness in his voice to make anyone hearing it sick, he placed his cup down, replying simply...

"The gates of hell."

The Iron Sisters...

This is exactly what Magnus was afraid of.

The Iron Sisters were a small, and in Magnus' opinion, one of the most important fraction of shadowhunters. They were responsible for creating all of the shadowhunter's weapons. And unfortunately for Magnus, they lived in complete solitude in a place known as the Adamant Citadel. Not only was this place completely inaccessable to downworlders and demons, it was also inaccessable to most shadowhunters, only allowing the occasional female shadowhunter to enter their gates. Getting them to give him, or rather Jace, a piece of raw adamas was not going to be easy.

He'd really hoped that there had been another way. If he thought that dealing with Alec's family was difficult...then, he was certainly not ready to deal with the arrogance and strictness that came with the Iron Sisters.

Although admittedly, Alec's family was beginning to grow on him.

"So, I guess we'll be heading back to the Institute then?" Asked Ragnor as he looked at Magnus. His expression;
resolute. He was obviously ready to help his friend in which ever way he could.

Magnus nodded, "Unfortunately."

Asmodeus seemed somewhat conflicted, "I should be aiding you in a time like this."

"You cannot afford to leave Edom right now," said Magnus. "That's exactly what Lilith wants."

"Perhaps I could..."

"No. Don't even think about it," said Magnus, immediately cutting his father off.

"But you don't even know what I was going to say," Asmodeus all but whined.

"You mean you weren't going to suggest leaving your projected form in Edom so that you could accompany us?" Magnus asked, tilting his head to the side as he dared his father to refute him.

"You know I don't need you to summon me right? I can always get someone else to do it."

"And then I'll just banish you right back to Edom."

The father and son duo went back and forth like this a few more times as Ragnor watched from the sidelines, not daring to get in between the two of them.

After a few more exchanges, Asmodeus finally relented. "At least bring the Chairman with you," the greater demon suggested. "It would make me feel better. No offense Ragnor."

"None taken."

As if he'd been waiting all this time to hear his name, the small cat suddenly appeared out of nowhere, running into the room. He rubbed himself up against Asmodeus' legs before making his way over to Magnus.

Bending down at the waist, Magnus petted him, gently scratching the top of his head, "Good boy."

"I'm trusting you to watch my son's back," said Asmodeus, giving the small 'feline' a serious look. The Chairman stared back up at him with what could only be described as the world's most cutest expression ever. However, they all knew better.

Turning his attention to the other warlock, "Ragnor..." Asmodeus called.

"Your Greatness?" Ragnor bowed his head in reverence as the king of Edom approached him.

"I've told to drop the formalities," said Asmodeus. Placing a hand on Ragnor's shoulder, "Thank you for being here for my boy," he said simply, squeezing the warlock's shoulder a few time as he looked him in his eyes.

Ragnor did not know how to respond. Not at all able to hold the greater demon's piercing gaze for long, he once again bowed his head. Although this was not his first time interacting with Asmodeus, he never couldn't help but feel intimidated whenever he was in his presence. When he finally found his voice he could only nod, "It's no problem at all."

Turning back to Magnus, Asmodeus once again pulled his son in for a hug.

As Ragnor looked on, he couldn't help but wonder if he would ever get used to the greater demon's seemingly good parenting skills. If only is own bastard of a demonic father were half as caring as... Now was not the time, the warlock reminded himself.

"Don't hesitate to summon me if you need me," Asmodeus reminded Magnus as he pulled away. "Let me know as soon as you locate Alexander. I'll have my spies still check the other realms just in case. And try not to set anyone on fire. Anger is in our blood after all."

"I can't promise anything," said Magnus.

It was obvious that the greater demon did not want to leave his son's side. However, at the moment he didn't really have much of a choice. He could already feel himself losing the ability to maintain his projection. He held Magnus' shoulders tightly, giving the warlock one final look. "My beautiful boy."

After a final farewell, Asmodeus' figure slowly disappeared, leaving the two warlocks alone once again.

"Are you alright?" Asked Jonathan as he gently patted Alec on his back.

"I'm...fine," said Alec inbetween coughs, shaking off Jonathan's hand. However, the omega was obviously not fine. Jonathan promptly poured him a glass of water, which Alec begrudgingly accepted. After carefully taking a few sips, he placed the glass back on the table.

Upon hearing Jonathan's respond, the omega had choked on his muffin, coughing profusely as his face and neck turned a frightening red.

"Are you sure that you're alright?" Jonathan asked again. Not bothering to return to his seat, the alpha remained at Alec's side, gazing down at the omega with what could only be described as fondness in his eyes.

However, Alec ignored him. Having managed to stop coughing, he gathered his wits about him. "What exactly did you mean by we're at the gates of hell?"

"Exactly what I said," Jonathan shrugged.

Alec frowned in confusion, "The last time I checked there was more than one hell dimension. So which one are you talking about exactly?"

Jonathan smiled at this, seemingly amused, "Guess," he said.

Without thinking, "Edom?" Alec replied hopefully.

Jonathan scoffed. Taking a few steps away from the table, he chuckled to himself mockingly before circling back. "Do you really think that I would go through all of this trouble to get you away from that bastard, only to then turn around and drop you off right on his doorstep?"

Of course not. Alec rolled his eyes, trying his best not to let Jonathan's insult towards Magnus get under his skin.

"Guess again," said Jonathan.

Sighing, Alec looked down at his plate, seemingly exasperated. "I'm not going to play your stupid game. Either tell me, or leave me the hell alone." If there was one thing Alec knew about Jonathan, it was the alpha's inability to let a good opportunity to grandstand go to waste. The alpha especially loved to gloat when he felt certain that he had the upper hand. So, pretending to ignore him, Alec went back to slowly eating his food. It barely took a minute before...

"Alright, alright," Jonathan drawled, rolling his eyes.

Alec smiled to himself. Just as he had expected.

"Fine... You're no fun," Jonathan chided. His body was practically vibrating with excitement. "Fine, I'll tell you." Then, pausing for maximum effect, Jonathan leaned in closer, his lips only a few inches away from Alec's ear. It was a simple whisper. One word. But, it left Alec completely speechless.

"Duduael."

The alpha then launched into whole monologue without any further prompting from Alec; explaining how they were at the gates of Duduael, or more specifically (the) inbetween, Duduael and the mundane realm, and therefore could not possibly be tracked. Because, as is with every realm, one had to be present in said realm in order to track the person they're searching for.

"Genius right?" Jonathan was beaming.

Needless to say that Alec was dismayed. This was bad. This was very bad. Of all the different dimensions of hell, Duduael was the worst one.

Suddenly everything about his surroundings was beginning to make to sense; the brick walls, feeling like he was underground. Alec now knew exactly where he was. He would be stupid if he didn't. Every shadowhunter knew the locations of all the nine realms of hell. However, knowing where he was, did not make Alec's situation any better. If anything, he was now even more worried. If that was even possible.

Swallowing the boulder like lump in his throat, the omega tried to push for more information. There would be plenty of time to worry about his own situation later. "What about Magnus?" Asked Alec. "What did you mean by his hands were about to be full?"

"That, I can't tell you," said Jonathan. He was now half standing, half sitting on the table before Alec.

"Why not? It's not like I can warn him or anything. I'm stuck here remember." Alec's voice sounded desperate even to his own ears.

"Even if you could warn him, it still wouldn't help," said Jonathan. "You just need to stop worrying about that warlock." The alpha was becoming visibly irritated with Alec's questions. It was obvious he did not want to talk about Magnus.

"You should start concerning yourself more with us," said Jonathan. "You and me. We're going to be mates soon. That's what we should be talking about. Are your nervous about you're..." Jonathan tried brushing his knuckles against Alec's cheek, but the omega quickly blocked his hand with his own.

"Fine," Alec conceded as the two of them stared each other down. The last thing he wanted to talk about with Jonathan, was mating. Just thinking about it made him sick. "At least tell me how you ended up working with Camille of all people?" He asked, trying to get the conversation back on track.

Jonathan frowned as both of them dropped their hands. A sort of truce. "It's a long story actually. Would you believe me if I said that it happened by chance?" He chuckled.

"Is she the one who told you that Magnus was in trouble?" Alec just couldn't help himself.

Jonathan sighed. "You're not going to let it go are you? Look," he said. "I don't really know much. Just that some big baddy Camille is working for has some very not so good plans for your little warlock friend. That's it. Are you satisfied?"

Alec's brows knitted together. "What big baddy?"

"Don't know, and don't care. It's none of my concern. My only concern is you," Jonathan muttered. "If you ask me, it's a good thing I got to you when I did. I don't even want to think about what would happen to you if you were, the Angel forbid, with that warlock when all of hell breaks loose." Jonathan once again reached out to touch Alec's cheek. This time he was successful as the omega did not turn away or block him. "Let the demons fight their own battles."

"Aren't you worried that whatever they have planned will affect shadowhunters as well?"

"Again, not my concern."

"What about your family? Clary, your father?" Alec continued as he searched Jonathan's eyes, trying to find any semblance of the boy he remembered from his childhood. There was nothing.

"Don't worry. I'll make sure their ok."

It happened very quickly. However, this time Alec was wholly prepared.

Jonathan leaned forward with puckered lips. However, instead of the stolen kiss he'd been hoping for, what the alpha got instead was a harsh blow to the cheek, which almost sent him tumbling to the floor.

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