Malace || Shadowhunters || Malace || Demon On Your Shoulder || Malace || Shadowhunters || Malace
Title: Demon On Your Shoulder – The Split Soul's Soulmates
Fandom: Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments
Disclaimer: All rights to the Shadowhunters show reserved to Ed Decter, the books the show is based off and its characters belong to Cassandra Clare. This fanfiction on the other hand is entirely mine. No money is made with this, though reviews are more than welcomed.
Tags: polyamory (m/m/m), alpha/beta/omega dynamics, soulmate AU, daemons, past child abuse, hurt/comfort, angst, explicit intercourse, anal, oral, f/f, m/f
Main Pairing: Magnus/Alec/Jace
Side Pairings: Lydia/Izzy, Simon/Clary, Luke/Catarina
Shadowhunters Characters: Jonathan 'Jace' Herondale, Magnus Bane, Alexander 'Alec' Lightwood, Isabelle Lightwood, Clarissa 'Clary' Fray, Simon Lewis, Lydia Branwell, Madzie, Catarina Loss, Luke Garroway, Raphael Santiago, Maxwell Lightwood, Imogen Herondale, Valentine Morgenstern
Daemons: Aurea (Jace's Golden Retriever), Celestina (Jace's barn owl), Shyama (Magnus' panther), Minerva (Alec's snow owl), Dolios (Max's raccoon), Nagendra (Izzy's cobra), Timon (Lydia's lynx), Seraphina (Clary's robin), Adina (Simon's rat), Ares (Andrew's dog), Piedad (Raph's bat), Menelaus (Cat's lion), Regulus (Madzie's bunny), Lupercalia (Luke's wolf), Cornelius (Imogen's horned owl)
Summary: Everyone had a daemon, an animal-shaped manifestation of their own soul, and bore a picture of their soulmate's daemon on their body. Everyone, aside from Jace. Because Valentine split his soul, giving him two daemons – and took the one on his soulmate's marks. So even when he meets them and recognizes them by their daemons, his daemon doesn't match.
Demon On Your Shoulder
The Split Soul's Soulmates
Chapter 8: Return of the Golden Pup (2)
Jace's first impulse was – no, he didn't actually know. It was like all of his thoughts happened simultaneously, colliding in one spectacular explosion inside his mind.
Aurea. Here. Alive? Not just alive. But here. His Aurea? Was she real? Was she really here?
She was his? Part of him. He could feel it. Could feel the buzz deep inside his soul. Reaching out for her. That was real. It was there. That meant... she was real. She was here.
"Jace," Alec's voice was soft, gentle, like he was trying not to startle... probably Aurea, but quite frankly, in his current state of mind, Jace himself appreciated it too. "We found her, in the Wayland home. She was... She was locked into the basement, hidden away."
She... She had been in the house? The very house where Jace had continued to live after Michael had taken Aurea from him? The house he had turned his back? Had left willingly? He'd left her. And all these years, all these years that he could have returned to the house, that he could have found her, but he didn't, because he had been so pathetically afraid of a place. If he hadn't been such a coward, if he'd returned sooner, he could have found her. Could have freed her.
She'd been there, all alone, without anyone, she must have felt so abandoned.
Jace could feel the bile rising in his throat and he barely managed to hunch over the trash can before throwing up. His stomach felt like he had just been punched hard. Guilty. Within moments, Alec was at his side, kneeling next to him and pressing a large, warm hand against Jace's shoulder.
He could most likely feel Jace's turmoil through their bond. "Jace? Are you alright?"
Jace wanted to nod, to act cocky, but his head was swimming in guilt and confusion. His whole body was shaking as he sank onto the floor and leaned back against the wall behind him, right next to the door. His hands were shaking, he could see it. Tried willing them to stop. There was whine. The shaking of his hands got worse. He... He couldn't tell if the whine had come from him, or from... His head snapped up when he heard a thud, followed by a concerned noise from Magnus.
"Sweet little puppy, be careful," Magnus whispered, getting up to help Aurea.
But Aurea did not let herself be helped back onto the bed. She crawled over toward Jace and Alec. It was obvious that this took every bit of strength Aurea still had, but she seemed determined. If Jace wasn't shaking so much, if Jace wasn't feeling frozen on the spot, he would have come to meet her. However, he couldn't move, paralyzed by all the emotions that currently overwhelmed him.
This time, Jace could see and hear that the whine came from Aurea as she reached him. The moment one of her paws rested on his thigh, it was like an electric current went through his body. It stung and ached but it also felt like it was making him more whole again. Like the shattered pieces of his soul were gently put together again. Without thinking about it, he grasped her. He was gentle as his hands wrapped around her torso to lift her up and hold her against his chest. Pressing all of her against himself. Feeling her warmth, her soft fur. Her heartbeat. They had the same heartbeat.
"Aurea," Jace's voice was rough when he spoke. "Aurea."
He buried his face in her fur as he started shaking again. This time, shaking with tears.
"Ja-" Alec started, wavering.
Before he could even finish saying his parabatai's name, he was interrupted by Celestina. She was head-putting him, trying to push him. Away from Jace. Toward the door. When she took to the sky, she grabbed his sleeve in her beak and pulled him urgently. At first, Alec didn't understand and wanted to protest, push her away so he could tend to his parabatai, who was clearly distressed. Only when Celestina was aided by Shyama and Minervy – the large black panther pushing Alec from behind, Minerva picking up Alec's other sleeve – did Alec obey. Both him and Magnus left the bedroom, albeit reluctant.
"I know you have many questions, but please," Celestina's voice was so small. "I think. I think they need a moment. Please give them a moment."
Why would they need a moment? Why did Jace know Aurea's name? Alec hadn't even said it yet. Why did Jace seem so physically ill? Why had he been crying? It was so rare to see Jace cry and it always shook Alec to his very core. Never before had he just abandoned Jace when Jace was crying. Never. He would never leave Jace's side, not until Jace was calmed down again and requested it.
The moment each of these questions formed in his mind, he already knew the answer though. Deep down, he knew it. Because there was only one possible answer. Only one reason why Jace would know Aurea's name, why he would be shaken like this. But that answer was too horrible to even think for Alec. He didn't dare put it into words, not even in his own mind.
"She's his, isn't she?" Magnus asked, his voice so calm.
His voice was calm, but when Alec looked up, looked at his alpha, he could see a storm of rage on his face. Never before had Magnus looked this... demonic. Like he could and would unleash all of hell in a second, with no effort or regret. Alec had never seen Magnus look more terrifying. Not that he was terrified, because he knew this wasn't aimed at him. It was aimed at Valentine.
So far, the only Magnus he had seen was the soft and gentle and loving one, the kind and goofy one even, when with Madzie or Max. Yes, he'd seen Magnus be powerful. But that had still been... contained. Not right now though. No, the look on Magnus' face was completely vicious, an untamed power that could level mountains. Alec found himself speechless, his breath taken away as he looked at his alpha. He knew Magnus was powerful, had always known it, but in that very moment, he realized the exact extend of that power and just how much control Magnus displayed every single day by containing it.
The next second, it was all gone. When Magnus turned away from the door to look at Celestina, every trace of that terrifyingly powerful warlock was gone and there was only warmth and gentleness in his expression as he regarded the barn owl daemon. Not wanting to frighten her.
"Will you answer our questions, so he doesn't have to, little one?"
Celestina looked so troubled even as she landed on the backrest of the couch. "I... Yes?"
Magnus stepped up to Alec, taking his hand and linking their fingers. Giving Alec support just as he himself sought Alec's support too. Alec clung onto his soulmate's hand like a lifeline. The only thing that kept him from rushing back into the bedroom – back to... to his other soulmate. Because that was where this was headed, wasn't it? As much as Alec didn't want to wrap his head around the horrid implications of it all, this was... this was the only bright light here.
"How?" Alec asked, clearing his throat because his voice cracked. "How can she... You're here?"
It was the first thing he could think of, really. Because he had never heard of someone having two daemons. Magnus and Alec, they hadn't been able to explain how Valentine could have possibly separated a daemon from their human, but they'd both been in silent agreement that this must mean their soulmate was either dead, or walking around deamon-less.
"He... The bad man, he did something to Jace. I don't know what it was. It happened before I existed," Celestina's voice was a whisper. "When I came to be, my Jace was crying and the bad man was taking her out of the room and... we thought she was dead."
"But how can Jace have two daemons? How can you exist, if she existed first?"
Celestina looked so troubled and small. "I don't know. Jace says it was because he was in the middle of presenting. She had only just settled on a form. Jace's soul was still forming. So when the bad man cut her out... his still forming soul... formed me."
Magnus reached out for the owl, gently scooping her up with his free hand. When he sat down, he placed her on his lap, running a careful and tender hand over her head to sooth her and to let her know that they were not mad at her, that this was not her fault. His eyes wandered, to find his own daemon stretched out in front of the bedroom door. Guarding it. Guarding them.
All the little pieces finally fell into place. The things that on their own had not made sense, now they were coming together, forming a larger picture that actually made sense. This was why Shyama was so possessive of Jace, so protective. Because where Magnus had let himself be guided by observation and logic – Jace's daemon was an owl, not a Golden Retriever, Jace was a beta, not an omega, therefor he could not possibly be their soulmate – Shyama had let her instincts guide her and her instincts had told her, without a doubt, that Jace was hers. She'd told him. She'd told Magnus point blank that Jace was hers and he hadn't... He hadn't understood.
"He knows, doesn't he?" Magnus asked after a moment.
Again, Celestina looked troubled. It was also clear that she knew what he was asking.
"...Yes," Celestina whispered, ducking her head some.
"Yes," Alec repeated, sounding like he'd been punched in the gut. "He did? All this time?"
Magnus had never thought it was possible for an owl to look tormented, but that was the only word he could think of for the expression on Celestina's face. He knew they were putting her into an uncomfortable situation here. Her loyalty was first and foremost with Jace and she was currently sharing things with them that he had spent years hiding from everyone. At this point though, the secret was out. It was only a matter of details right now and even Jace must know they would not ease up until they got them, so there should not be a reason to be mad at her.
"He didn't think..." Celestina paused, clearly unsure how to say this. "He doesn't think he deserves it. Love. The bad man, he hurt Jace... not just physically. Not just by taking her away from him. He twisted Jace. Made him think soulmates are a weakness. And that you aren't... that he isn't your soulmate anymore, because he didn't have her anymore – and she is who's on your soul-marks. Not me. I'm not... so... so he isn't... so..."
"Tina," Alec's voice croaked. "I'm so sorry."
Alec's mind had been flooded with Jace, Aurea, and Jace and Aurea. And then it had been on the verge of spiraling into why. Why would Jace not tell Alec? Was Alec not worthy of being Jace's soulmate? Did Jace not trust him enough to tell him? But this was like hitting a brick-wall.
Celestina, the wonderful little owl he had spent so much time with, had bonded with so much, she had felt like she wasn't enough too. Because she wasn't on Alec's soul-mark. Like she wasn't good enough for Alec. He gently scooped her up and off Magnus' lap to hug her.
"Celestina, you're absolutely perfect the way you are," Alec's voice was firm, no room for argument. "You... You said that Valentine cut Aurea out of Jace when she was forming, that means you formed when our soul-marks were forming. They must have... They must have settled before you fully formed, that's the only reason, I'm sure."
"Yes," Magnus agreed, even though neither knew any concrete and definite answer, they both felt like this was true, deep in their hearts. "I'm sure that's it. Nothing is wrong with you, precious."
Minerva made an agreeing noise, for the first time since Jace had stumbled into their bedroom. She huddled up to Celestina, nudging her and rubbing her face against the other owl. Those two had always been so very close. Alec wondered, for just a moment, if she had sensed it? Sensed that this was the soul of their soulmate, even if Celestina's picture wasn't on Alec's body?
"Is Jace..." Magnus trailed off, deciding to rephrase. "Was Jace born a beta?"
Alec looked up at him in confusion, unsure what that question even meant. Only then did he remember. He was a beta. Magnus was an alpha. The logical conclusion had been that their third ought to be an omega. But Jace wasn't an omega. How was that...
"...No," Celestina shook herself, fluffing up her feathers some. "No, he wasn't. He only became one when I was born. That's why the... why the bad man did what he did."
The way she couldn't bring herself to say either of his names – Michael, or Valentine – and only could refer to him as the 'bad man', it somehow hurt Alec. She was so afraid of this man and what he had done to Jace that she couldn't say his name. His fingers gently caressed her face.
"What does that mean, Tina?"
Celestina looked up at Alec with large eyes. "He said that Jace was wrong for what he was. That Jace was a disappointment. He was trying to cut that part of Jace out. That was... why he did it. And it... it worked. Because Jace was in the middle of presenting and he cut the part he didn't want out of Jace and took it away, when he took her away."
"He removed Jace's omega nature," Magnus concluded, a horrified look on his face. "That's what he took away when he severed Jace's connection to his first daemon."
Alec felt so incredibly overwhelmed by this all. All the new information, all these new horrors revealed about Jace's past. He leaned against Magnus, feeling dizzy from all these feelings. The warlock wrapped an arm around him, pulling Alec closer. The soothing scent of his alpha helped relax Alec just a little bit. He knew he wouldn't be able to relax until he was back in the same room as his parabatai – his soulmate. His omega – and could see Jace for himself.
"Magnus," Alec tilted his head back. "What do we do?"
"Mh..." Magnus' face was overcome with a dark expression. "Start cutting small pieces off of Valentine Morgenstern. Bit by bit. Until he begs for mercy."
Now, Alec felt like this side of Magnus shouldn't turn him on. But what could possibly be hotter than his alpha, intend on avenging their omega? His Magnus, ready to tear the man apart who had abused and tortured his Jace? Alec leaned in to place a brief kiss on Magnus' lips.
Alec didn't know what to do. What to say. He just sat in the moment for a little longer, until it was Shyama who interrupted it. She raised her head, ears twitching as she turned toward the door with narrowed eyes. Getting up, she slowly walked over to Magnus and Alec.
"They have fallen asleep," Shyama declared. "Go and put them to bed."
She nudged her head against both their legs, trying to urge them. Like they needed to be urged here. Alec nearly fell over his own feet in his hurry to get back into their bedroom and see his parabatai. Jace was where he had left him, only now he was curled together on the floor, curled around Aurea. Both of them asleep, as Shyama had said. Alec grabbed his stele to activate his strength rune so he could gather both of them up in his arms carefully, carrying them over toward the bed. The option to bring Jace to his own bed didn't even cross his mind. No. He needed Jace close. Even as Alec carried him and placed him on the bed, Jace remained asleep. He only started stirring when Alec was about to let go of him and move away. While one arm was still tightly wrapped around Aurea, Jace's other hand reached out to cling onto Alec's shirt.
"Sh, rest some," Magnus whispered softly, brushing Jace's hair out of his face.
The look he gave Alec clearly told the beta to just stay. Not that he needed the instruction. He was careful as he climbed into the bed, holding Jace close, with Aurea stuck between them. Magnus smiled, though it looked pained, as he bent down to kiss them both on their foreheads. Both, Alec and Jace. It put the smallest smile on Alec's lips, though that turned into a frown when Magnus moved away from the bed instead of sitting down with him.
"Magnus?" Alec wanted to reach out but couldn't. "Where are you going?"
"I have some... business to take care of. But don't worry, darling, I'll join you soon."
Alec furrowed his brows, not having a very good feeling about this. Shyama growled, clearly displeased that Magnus was leaving, but she didn't physically try to stop him. She followed.
/break\
Magnus walked into the institute with an air of authority like he owned the place. Valentine Morgenstern had tried to break Magnus' soulmate. He had done something so horrible, Magnus wasn't sure if it could be fixed. But he was going to try his best. And for that, he needed to know what exactly Valentine had done. Now, the real problem was getting to Valentine and getting away with whatever means he'd need to get his answers. He'd heard Inquisitor Herondale was visiting and the last thing Magnus needed was getting onto that woman's radar.
"Magnus! Good that I ran into you. I was going to head to your place to talk to Alec anyway..."
"Isabelle," Magnus smiled at her. "I'm sorry, I'm in a bit of a hurry."
He liked her, but right now, he had more important business to tend to. Isabelle looked quite determined though as she grabbed him by the arm with a shake of her head.
"It's important. And I could, at the very least, use a portal to get it to Alec."
Oh well, surely Magnus could take a small detour and give his future sister-in-law a hand. He let her lead him toward a room in the library, where Clary and Simon were leaning over large books. Clary looked troubled and her soulmate was resting a calming hand on her lower back, looking worried himself. Mh. Peculiar. Both him and Isabelle stepped up to them.
"Magnus," Clary turned toward him when she noticed them. "Did Isabelle tell you?"
"That you need a portal? Yes."
"No. The big news. The mind-blowing news," Simon gestured at the book. "Clary's brother is alive. Jace may not be him, but the real Jonathan Christopher Morgenstern is alive."
The vampire kept pointing at the book and his daemon was running in circles around the book. Adina looked like the most nervous rat Magnus had ever seen as she kept circling the book, until Clary gently scooped her up and pushed the book toward Magnus.
"And we know Jace's name," Isabelle added. "Or at least his family name, I suppose."
She gently nudged Magnus toward the book more, pointing at it. Jonathan Christopher Herondale, it said. The uncreative bastard had just given both his biological son and the child he had stolen the same last name. Herondale though. As in Will Herondale? And the inquisitor?
Magnus' fingers glided over the page, smoothing it out while his eyes wandered over the words. This was... Magnus' stomach turned. This was a documentation of the experiments Valentine had performed on both boys. As much as it made him sick, there was also a light flutter of hope. If the man had truly documented everything he had done to Jace, then Magnus might find an honest answer in these books – because even torture would not be a guarantee that Valentine would answer truthfully, not if he thought his answer could bring further harm. A documentation though? Never meant to be seen by anyone but Valentine. It might be the most honest this man had ever been.
"Who else has seen these?" Magnus turned toward Isabelle with a concerned frown.
"Nobody aside from us," Isabelle shook her head. "When I realized what it was, I... took possession of it. I don't want the details of what Jace has been through to just go into the record like that, for anyone to look at. I do think we have to comb through these for a lead on finding the real Jonathan Morgenstern. But for now... I want them at the loft. Out of sight."
"Wonderful," Magnus smiled pleased. "That's where I would want them too."
He opened a portal and motioned for Isabelle, Clary and Simon to help carry the heavy, large books from the library over to the loft. Once they would be safe there, Magnus could take his time looking through them for answers. Now that he knew where to look, it didn't feel as pressing anymore.
"I'll tell Alexander. And Jace," Magnus promised, resting a hand on Isabelle's shoulder.
She nodded, though he could see the worry in her eyes. And Magnus understood that worry. How was Jace going to take this? Every reveal of just how bad his 'father' had truly been seemed to hit Jace so hard. Clary's hand slipped into Simon's, pulling him over toward the couch, in front of the table where the books were now stacked.
"If you don't mind, I... I need to know more about my brother."
"Of course, biscuit," Magnus offered her a warm smile. "But please do be quiet? Jace is... not feeling well, he's resting. And if you don't mind, I'll leave you to it."
Clary nodded. "Of course."
Magnus watched Isabelle disappear through the portal again before he headed back to his bedroom. He would have his answers, they were somewhere in these books and he would look through them. Right now, however, with that knowledge, he could return where he truly wanted to be. With his soulmates. Shyama started purring as soon as they entered the bedroom again.
Author's note: Next chapter, Magnus is going to get some answers!