Magnus was sitting on his couch in his loft with all the lights off, staring off into the darkness. It was well past midnight, but Magnus wasn't really aware of the time. The entire day had been one giant series of unfortunate events.

First, Magnus had played with the bond in the pentagram at his side. He wasn't sure what would happen, but he never expected Alexander to show up in his loft. While also completely bypassing his wards. The conversation had not gone the way Magnus thought it would, and ended so abruptly he had minor whiplash from the whole thing.

Then came the call from Catarina that Madzye's day school had been attacked. What should have been a very clear cut, 'a botched summoning brought Greater Demon X to the Mortal Realm and it attacked the school,' turned into an absolute mess of contradictions, controversies, and strife.

Six dead Shadowhunters. Three dead warlocks. One warlock in critical condition, but now on the mend. Eleven rattled and slightly traumatized, but ultimately safe warlock children.

And one blood covered Greater Demon, who had protected eleven warlock children from Shadowhunters. At least three of which were x-Circle members. Madzye had confirmed it, face pressed into Catarina's shoulder, the only tell that she was truly affected by the events of the day.

A Greater Demon, who had feelings like fierce protectiveness, something Magnus didn't realize was possible for any demon. Who had hissed in pain at Magnus' loft, while eyeing his right arm before demanding to be let go, but had not lashed out physically at Magnus. Who was also connected to Madzye in some way, not that either of them were being very forthcoming with information on said connection. Who was also evading Magnus' every attempt to get him to come back to his loft through the bond. Both through an actual summons and Magnus wrapping his magic around the bond, then pulling on the feel of Alec's own magic.

There was a steady stream of agitation and slightly intensifying pain humming through the bond, which meant Alec was intentionally ignoring Magnus. /Like he's avoiding me./

At the same time Magnus was trying to figure out why he kept pushing to speak to Alec right now. The day had been a mess. But for whatever reason, Alec wasn't acting like any other Greater Demon Magnus knew or had interacted with. Nor could he and the others find any reference in their demonology books to a demon matching Alec's description or having his name. Magnus also came to the realization that he was becoming overly obsessed with the demon on both a physical level (he was pretty damn hot in Magnus' expert opinion), but an emotional/mental level as well. The mystery behind Alec was like a blackhole and Magnus was powerless to stop himself from being pulled in head first.

Suddenly, the bond pulsed with irritation, fondness, and what Magnus knew was an eye roll of epic proportions.

A minute later the pain coming from the demon receded and Magnus blinked to find Alec sitting on the chair across from him. The demon's face was blank again and the emotions coming through the bond were more muted than they were literally minutes beforehand.

"Who's stalking whom now Little Warlock, hmm?" Came the teasing question from Alec. However, like before the tone didn't match his blank facial expressions or muted emotions.

Magnus made a split second decision, "I'd like to chat with you, about what happened today. If I release the bond, will you stay so that can happen?"

Alec tilted his head with a small smile, "Depends, what are you going to do to make it worth my while?"

Magnus rolled his eyes with his normal flirty quip, "please, my presence alone is more than enough payment."

Alec's smile got bigger as he blatantly raked his eyes over Magnus' form, "hmm. I don't know. It might be a bit torturous to just look and not touch."

"Lucky you're a greater demon then. Torture is right up your alley," came Magnus' quick reply. He'd meant it teasingly, but Alec's smile dropped from his face, and it became impassive again.

Magnus blinked at the sudden change, not sure why Alec seemed to be upset by the statement he'd made. Going on instinct, Magnus released the bond even though Alec hadn't agreed to stay for the chat. It was risky, but the warlock wanted to extend a metaphorical olive branch.

Alec's posture immediately relaxed, and his eyes became less weary, some of his usual spark flowing back into the flaming hazel orbs.

"Drink?" Asked Magnus as he stood from the couch to mix himself a drink at his minibar. He didn't wait for a response, but did pour Alec a martini to match his own. He also didn't jump, OR spill the drink when he turned around to find Alec a hair's breadth away from him. He just handed the demon his drink and returned to his spot on the couch.

Alec eyed the drink in his hand before turning to watch Magnus sit back down on his couch. The demon then moved back to the chair he was originally sitting in, and held the drink on the chair's arm, but didn't sip it at all.

Magnus took a sip of his drink before setting it down on the coffee table in front of him. He also raised an eyebrow in challenge to see what Alec would do next.

The unspoken challenge was accepted as Alec's smile grew to reach his eyes. He lifted the drink and took a small sip before also putting his glass on the table between them. As he sat back, all fluid grace, he crossed his legs and propped his arms on the arms of the chair.

Magnus belatedly realized, after his eyes finished roaming over Alec's form that was settled onto his chair like he owned the damn loft, that Alec was waiting for him to start the conversation he wanted to have. The problem was Magnus' brain seemed to stop firing on all cylinders. He forced his eyes up so he met Alec's own amused eyes before clearing his throat.

"Before I ask you anything," said Magnus, finally able to think straight, "I wanted to thank you on behalf of the New York Warlock Community for what you did to save the Warlocks at the day school today. I know I'm not the High Warlock anymore, but the community as a whole isn't going to try to banish you anytime soon. It's the least we can do for you, for saving all those children and Felip."

Alec didn't respond verbally, but Magnus did realize he seemed to be fighting a blush from forming on his cheeks. That realization had Magnus squee-ing on the inside, so Magnus kept going, "Cat and I also wanted to thank you for what you did for Madzye. Sweet Pea means the world to us both and we don't know how to even begin to repay you for keeping her safe."

Alec cleared his throat and looked away from Magnus, the blush he was fighting now fully covering his face and neck, "I'm sure I'll be able to think of something as payment."

Magnus bit back his, 'I'm sure you will,' comment he wanted to make, but wasn't sure how it would be received as Alec had already once not responded well to Magnus making a comment about his demonic nature tonight. It was more important to see if he could get answers from the other instead of more questions.

The warlock paused a moment before adding, "When did you meet Madzye? You mentioned a 'before,' situation when she was clinging to you at the school."

Alec didn't tense, necessarily, with the question, but there was a shift in his posture that Magnus couldn't identify. There was a pause as the demon worked out what he wanted to say. He brought his eyes back up to Magnus', a decision settling over him as his posture shifted again.

"I've known Madzye since she was days old. The situation I was referring to was when Valentine had taken her to the New York Institute and she was wandering the hallways. She was looking for the warlock with the beautiful golden cat eyes that would help her get to safety."

Magnus gasped as his brain short circuited again before rebooting with even more questions than before he got out a strangled, "How?!" How do you know about my mark? How could you call it beautiful? How did you know I was even there that night? How did you come into her life? How, how, how… The questions kept growing.

"Are you her father!?" Was the next thing to actually make it out of Magnus' mouth.

Alec's snort and self deprecating look shot that question down before his verbal answer did, "no. I have no interest in lying with any kind of woman. Nor would I be able to father a child if I did want to. You are much more my speed Little Warlock."

Magnus seemed to be misreading his look though, "there's nothing wrong with only sleeping with men."

"That is so very true," purred Alec as he reached for his drink on the coffee table and took another slip before setting it back down and returning to his previous position.

The fluid motion once again completely derailed Mangus' train of thought. /He's doing that on purpose./ Thought Magnus, /he has to know that I find him physically attractive and is using that to throw me off this topic of conversation. But why./

Magnus decided to allow Alec the subject change and continued his questions going down a different path, "did you know the Shadowhunters you killed were ex-Circle members?"

Alec nodded, "they are not the first ones I've killed since you've summoned me to this plane. Nor will they be the last." There was definitely a lot of anger in his tone.

Without warning Alec's posture shifted again, back into the relaxed flirty demeanor it was in Paris at the cafe. "It's getting late," he started to say, "and I believe I know what I'd like as payment for saving Sweets today."

"Oh?," Magnus kept his tone light, remembering the demands from their previous deal, but also not sure he'd be able to say no to whatever Alec wanted. Yet still a little wary.

"Mmm," said Alec in agreement as his smile widened, "I want a kiss from you before I go this evening." He paused a moment before adding, "with your consent of course."

The payment had Magnus blinking in confusion. He'd seen the predatory nature of Alec's smile and lust in his eyes, as they again ran down Magnus' body. He was expecting the demon to request something more sexual in nature. His eyes narrowed slightly, "just one kiss?"

Alec's smile grew, but he didn't respond verbally. He just waited Magnus out, looking perfect and ravishing in his chair. /Oh Magic. There's no coming back from this./

Magnus was saying, "okay," before he realized the word was coming out of his mouth. But he also knew he wouldn't take it back.

For the first time that evening, since Magnus had released his hold on their bond, the warlock felt a pulse in Alec's own magic. He hadn't realized that Alec would also be able to control it from his end to the extent that he was almost completely muting the connection. Magnus wasn't sure how he felt about it though.

He couldn't think on it further, because Alec was smoothly standing from his chair and stepping halfway around the coffee table towards Magnus. He didn't come all the way over, but he did raise an eyebrow in silent challenge to the warlock to follow through on his agreement.

Never one to back down from a challenge, Magnus also stood from the couch with his usual grace, and walked over to meet Alec where he was waiting. If Magnus decided to add a little more sway to his hips as he walked, that was his own business. When Magnus stopped walking, he also leaned forward just a little. Just enough that Alec took the hint and closed the remaining distance between their mouths for his kiss.

There was an explosion of sensation resonating from their connected lips and Magnus was positive he physically blacked out for a moment. His knees felt weak, and while air was a necessity to keep living, Magnus was more than happy to just keel over from oxygen deprivation right there.

When the need to breathe became something they both couldn't ignore any longer, Alec did start to pull his lips away from Magnus', much to the warlock's dismay. Magnus made an unhappy noise and followed Alec's lips with his own. He also realized he was clutching the demon's hips like Alec was the only thing keeping him tethered to Earth. He used that connection to pull Alec back to him and slotted their lips together for another kiss. He also realized that Alec's hands were tangled in the V neck of his shirt with a tearing grip.

Literally, Magnus could feel the seam of his shirt tearing in Alec's hands.

He didn't care in the slightest.

When air became a necessity again, Alec pulled away and used his hold on Magnus' shirt to keep him in place. They were both panting, and Magnus had a whole new understanding of being 'swept off his feet,' as he opened his eyes to see how dilated Alec's pupils were.

Alec took a step back, releasing the hold he had on Magnus' now ruined shirt, and forcing the warlock to let go of his own hold on Alec's hips.

Magnus also took a step back, but that was more so because he was still having trouble getting his legs to cooperate and hold his weight up. He tried for nonchalance as he leaned into the arm of the couch, but the look Alec was giving him, said the other was well aware of what Magnus was doing.

"Until next time Little Warlock," purred Alec before he disappeared again from Magnus' loft. Only his half finished drink, sitting innocently on the coffee table, was any indication that the demon had been there. Well, aside from Magnus' shirt.

/I am so fucked./ Thought Magnus as he fixed his shirt and turned to go to his bedroom. He absently waved a hand to make the glasses disappear before shutting his bedroom door and attempting to sleep.

888888888

"You did what!?" Max was careful not to shout, but Magnus was telling him about the deal he had made with a previously unknown Greater Demon. A deal that Max and Izzy had actually begged him to make with his father, to help save Jace.

Magnus didn't repeat anything he had said, just crossed his arms and waited for Max to regain his footing. He had called Max over to ask questions about his parabatai bond with Jace, trying to figure out if it was anything like the one he shared with Alec. Magnus didn't give his friend all the details of the deal, just the barebones of the situation when Max started asking his own questions about what was going on. Which had led to Max's outburst.

Max was aware he didn't have all the information about what happened in Edom. Magnus was too upset afterward to even speak to them, and it was still possible the warlock was still working through the situation. Max was just shocked that Magnus now seemed to have a strange demonic version of the parabatai bond with a Greater Demon.

"Magnus," started Max, when he realized that Magnus probably thought the bond was a one way thing based on what he'd shared so far, "the parabatai bond is an open line of communication between me and Jace. I feel his pain and emotions, he feels mine. We have a sixth sense about the other in battle, that sort of thing."

He was trying and possibly failing to put the bond into words, "If you can feel this demon's emotions and magic… There's a good possibility he can feel yours as well."

Magnus' eyes widened in realization and his hand went to the pentagram on his side only he could see. Max's eyes tracked the motion and realized the mark was in the same place as his parabatai rune. /That can't be a coincidence./ Thought Max suddenly.

"I only ever feel his emotions when I wrap my magic around the bond completely. The rest of the time I just get occasional pulses of his magic," said Magnus, as he tried to work through his interactions with Alec over the past two months. "You're saying he can feel my emotions as well? Do you think he can summon me like I can him?"

Max shrugged a little helplessly, not sure what to unpack first, "That I don't know. If Jace is in trouble, I feel it and try to get to him as quickly as possible. But the summoning is a demon thing. Can you be summoned in general?"

Magnus shook his head, his shoulders relaxing slightly with this realization that he wouldn't be summoned to wherever Alec was at any given moment against his will. Relief shot through his body, followed by a sense of guilt for summoning Alec twice now this way. The first time had been unintentional. But the second time… The second time Magnus was definitely forcing the issue and didn't let up until Alec had showed up in his loft.

Alec's comment about Magnus' consent for the kiss suddenly took on a new light with this revelation. The warlock could feel himself spiraling in a bad way.

Max, who wasn't aware of the turn Magnus' thoughts were taking, continued talking, "As for the magic, that could just be the big things he's doing. He could be feeling a similar pulse whenever you do magic as well. At least the bigger spells and things, but again, that's not something I have experience with in general, so I'm really not sure if that's accurate or not."

Magnus latched onto the magic piece to refocus his mind. He couldn't think about the consent piece right now. Not with Max still here.

"Do you feel if Jace gets a paper cut or stubs his toe?," he asked with a super quiet voice, already knowing the answer to the magic situation.

Max shrugged, "yes? More so when we first bonded. We were hyper aware of each other. Now it's like an afterthought or feeling. If we have the bond closed things like that don't usually get through. Mostly just the bigger or life threatening things."

Magnus nodded, as he worked through everything Max had told him. "Look Max, I'd rather this conversation stay between us. I don't need the Clave coming after me for releasing a Greater Demon into the world."

Max nodded, "I will keep this to myself Magnus. We all owe you a great debt for what you did for Jace. This is the least I can do to start to repay that. Let me know if you have other questions or want to talk about this more." Max realized that Magnus needed time to digest the information he now had. The Shadowhunter patted Magnus' shoulder before making his way towards the door. He would do a patrol circuit on his way back to the Institute.

With the click of the door closing behind Max, Mangus went to his work room to start on some potions for clients. He hoped it would help him gather his thoughts.

One thing was for sure, Magnus wasn't going to force the bond like he had the previous night. Both times that Alec had come to his apartment that way, he had a strong weariness in his eyes and a blank expression that Magnus didn't want to see pointed at him ever again. Especially because he was the one that put it there. /I want to see the smile in his eyes like Paris and Edom. The flirty tone and teasing words that matched the look on his face… I wonder if he could receive a fire message? But what to even say!?/

Magnus bottled the potion and labeled it. He would message the client to let them know it was ready for pick up today. When that fire message was sent, he grabbed a new piece of paper and tried to decide what to write to Alec.

/Ugh,/ thought Magnus, as he crumbled up his third sheet of paper and threw it out, /I feel like a first century warlock messaging his first crush!/

He finally decided on, 'Alexander, I'd love to continue our conversations and drinks from the other day. Shall we try again? -Magnus/

Magnus sent the message, and proceeded to not panic. Or pace. At all.

Thankfully, the pinging of his wards and a knock at his front door pulled Magnus' attention back towards his work for the day.

8888888888

After about a week of fire messages to Alec, Magnus was at his wits end. The demon had not responded even once. Magnus had no idea if Alec was even receiving the messages to begin with either, as there were no pulses in the bond after any of them were sent.

It was like Alec was ignoring him, and Magnus had no idea why that was. Especially after that kiss they shared.

A knock on his apartment door interrupted Magnus' brooding. When he opened it, Madzye flew into his arms with a shouted, "Magnus!," while Catarina walked in at a more sedate pace.

"Hey Sweet Pea!" said Magnus as he spun her around in a circle, "how's my favorite mini warlock?"

"Good," said Madzye as she gave Magnus a hug and got comfortable in his arms.

"Hey Cat," said Magnus to Catarina as they all moved to the living room to sit, "how's the day school?"

"It's better," said Cat as she got comfortable on one of Magnus' chairs and put her feet on the coffee table. "We have some extra adults helping out, and we've strengthened the wards. Andrew Underhill even offered to stop by every few days to check and make sure no other Shadowhunters were coming into the building. He's been coordinating those visits with Lorenzo. He's actually pretty cute with the kids."

Madzye leaned in towards Magnus to stage whisper, "he's cooler than Max! But don't tell Max I said that."

Catarina covered her laugh with a cough, while Magnus just let out a chuckle, "your secret is safe with me Sweet Pea. Any more visits from our friend?"

That last question was directed back towards Catarina, who shook her head no, "I've been in contact with other warlocks though, there have been multiple attacks around the world with ex-circle members being found dead during their patrols. I don't think it's a coincidence either."

Magnus nodded, "I'll let Max know there might be a connection to the circle and the reports he's getting of murdered Shadowhunters."

"He's making it safe for us," said Madzye suddenly.

"What?" and "Who?" Came from both Magnus and Cat at the same time.

"Who's making it safe, Mads?" Asked Catarina from the chair, though she likely already knew who.

"Alec of course," she said like they were both being dumb, "he told me he was the night he saved us at school."

Magnus and Catarina both sat up, with a startled, "What!?" For Magnus, he realized why Alec hadn't responded to his summons right away- he was with Madzye. For Cat, she realized a Greater Demon had been in her house without setting off her wards.

"Sweet Pea," said Magnus, sharing a look with Cat, "can you summon Alec to where you are?"

Madzye shrugged, not really understanding the issue, "it's only been recently that he's come to me to make sure I'm safe. Nana would summon him sometimes and I would try to talk with him that way, but she always banished him back when she realized I was in the room."

"When have you summoned him Madzye?" Asked Catarina, who was not sure she wanted the answer to this question.

"I… don't be mad," started Madzye, suddenly looking down and worried that they would be upset, "the night the Shadowhunters attacked my school, I was still really scared and Alec came to talk to me and stayed until I fell asleep."

Catarina made a strangled noise, while Magnus was confirming in his head that Alec had been with Madzye that night, which was why he wasn't responding to the summons. This just strengthened his resolve to not do that again.

"I…" said Catarina between breaths, "I'm not mad at you Madzye. I just wish you had told me he was in the house that night. I want to thank him in person for saving you that day."

"Really?!" said Madzye pulling away from Magnus, suddenly super happy, "I can see if he'll come now!" She closed her eyes in concentration before Magnus and Cat even registered what she was doing.

"Madzye- wait!" and "Sweet Pea- don't!" were said at the same time, but it was too late.

"Sweets! What's going on?" Came from a new voice that all three warlocks instantly recognized. They all turned towards the patio doors, where the voice was coming from.

"Alec!" Squealed Madzye as she jumped off the couch and ran over to Alec for a hug, which he provided. Alec was also looking between Cat and Magnus, not sure what to expect from the pair. Though Magnus was happy to see his expression wasn't weary, just cautious.

Both Cat and Magnus stood up and faced Alec as well, "We're sorry," started Magnus slightly frantic that Alec was here against his will, "we tried to stop her from summoning you."

Alec raised an eyebrow before looking between the pair of adults and Madzye, who was still snuggled into his shoulder. A moment later, a small smile formed on his lips as he knelt to put Madzye down. "Sweets," started Alec with a teasing tone and while ignoring Cat and Magnus for the time being, "don't I owe you an ice cream cone?"

"Yes!" said Madzye, pulling back from him a little so he could produce one for her. Alec nodded and reached behind his back. When he brought his arm forward it was holding a vanilla ice cream cone.

"Thanks Alec!" Said Madzye as she took the cone, "no sprinkles?"

"Can't you do that Sweets?" Asked Alec as he nodded towards the cone. Madzye nodded back and waved an arm to add sprinkles to her cone. With that done, Madzye happily complied with the small push Alec gave her back towards the couch and Magnus. There was a challenge in his eyes as he finally acknowledged Magnus' presence.

"That ice cream better not ruin her dinner," said Cat in a teasingly annoyed tone, which broke the staring contest between Alec and Magnus (who didn't even know where to start with a conversation at this point).

Alec just stood back up and crossed his arms while giving Cat a tooth grin.

Cat snorted and rolled her eyes in response. Magnus could tell that she and the demon were going to get along like a house on fire.

"Look, Alec," said Catarina, not stumbling over his name, "I owe you a debt for what you did for Madzye at the day school, which I know Magnus has already told you about. Madzye clearly has strong feelings for you, and I'd like to repay you by allowing you to visit whenever Madzye wants, or wherever you want. If you agree, we can set up a time to get you properly keyed into my wards."

Alec's smile became more genuine, "thank you. That means a lot to me." He pulled out a phone from his inner jacket pocket, "put your number in and call me whenever you want to set something up."

Magnus' jaw hit the ground, when Alec got his phone back and proceeded to shoot a quick text to Cat so they both had the other's number.

"Come on Mads," said Cat as she put her phone away. "We still have errands to run before we head home and these two might need some time to talk again." Catarina was well aware of the fire messages Magnus had been sending the demon all week. Hopefully now they could chat without the pentagram bond getting in the way.

"Bye Magnus, bye Alec," said Madzye as she waved and skipped over to Catarina, who was opening a portal for the pair.

"Bye Sweets," came from Alec, who was now staring at Magnus with amusement clear on his face. Magnus' jaw was still on the floor.

The sound of the portal closing brought Magnus out of his stupor, with a sputtered, "you have a cell phone!?"

Alec didn't respond verbally, just let his smile and amusement grow on his face.

Magnus was flabbergasted, "you have a cellphone, but you can't respond to fire messages!? Really?!"

"Oh," said Alec with laughter dripping on his voice, as he pulled a small pile of fire messages from his inner jacket pocket, "these were all from you? Good to know. I don't read English, but I should've guessed as much. Though, getting the Shadowhunters I was murdering to read the messages to me didn't quite work out."

Magnus let out a strangled sound, "what!? You can't read English!? How is that even a thing?! Why are you smiling so much!? This isn't funny at all!" His voice was getting progressively higher as he talked, which was causing Alec to start laughing.

"Ahahahah, you're face!" Alec was nearly doubled over in hysterics, which clued Magnus in on the fact that Alec was messing with him. With that realization, Magnus threw himself back on the couch dramatically and tried to smother himself with a throw pillow.

"Aww Little Warlock," said Alec, still laughing, "that was way too easy."

"I hate you," came the muffled reply from Magnus where he was still trying to smother himself with a pillow on the couch. He was still well aware of Alec in the room, especially when the demon sat at the other end of the couch but turned to face Magnus as he leaned against the couch's arm rest.

"I don't think that's true," said Alec as he got comfortable and stopped laughing. Their bond was pulsing on Magnus' side, and he realized it wasn't magic he was feeling, it was Alec's emotions. But because he wasn't holding onto the bond, he was only feeling the heightened ones Alec was giving off. In this case, amusement. Not that he could tell it was amusement per say. He was going off the visual cues happening in front of him.

"I have to admit," started Alec as he looked through the fire messages in his hands, "you've been giving me some very confusing vibes this week Little Warlock. Fire messages to meet up again, but no times or places specified. And wards surrounding your apartment keeping it locked up tight against demon entry."

Magnus, who had brought his head out of the throw cushion to actually look at Alec, groaned and dropped his head back down at the demon's words.

"By the magic. I'm such an idiot," came his muffled response. He brought his head back up to look over at Alec again, "you could've responded back you know!?"

Alec just raised an eyebrow and put the messages back into the pocket in his jacket.

Magnus dropped the pillow back onto his lap and held out his hand towards Alec expectantly, "here, give me your hand."

Alec just raised a second eyebrow to join the first, but didn't move otherwise to comply.

"For the love of -," Magnus cut himself off with a deep breath, "I'm going to key you into the wards. I need your hand to do that."

Slowly, Alec extended his arm so his hand was hovering over Magnus' own outstretched one. After another second he placed his hand down into the warlock's, who closed his fingers around it and put his other hand over top of their combined ones. Blue magic started to form around Alec's hand for a moment before disappearing again.

"There," said Magnus, who moved his hovering hand away, but was reluctant to let go of Alec's hand in his, "all done. Next time I send you a message, you should be able to come up here no problem. I'm sorry I didn't realize the wards were actively keeping you out of the apartment."

Alec cleared his throat with a flustered, "It's fine," but didn't pull his hand away from Magnus'.

"Hmm," said Magnus, squeezing Alec's hand briefly, "I also wanted to apologize for summoning you the way I did last week through the bond. The first time it was an accident, I had no idea what I was doing. But the second time was intentional. I wanted to talk to you, but didn't know how to get you here to do it. I want you to know I won't do it again."

Alec's shoulders lost what little tension they had with Magnus' words. "Magnus," said Alec with a soft tone and startling the warlock with the use of his actual name, "if you need to, it's okay if you use the bond to summon me like the last two times. I don't want you to be hurt or killed if I can do something to help you."

"Right," said Magnus nodding to confirm a theory- the one Ragnor gave at the park a few weeks earlier, "I'm your get out of Edom free card."

Alec looked like he wanted to say something else, but, like in Paris, thought better of it and didn't. He did pull his hand away from Magnus' though, only to grab his phone to hand over to the warlock. "This might be easier to communicate with than fire messages, no?"

Magnus put in his number and heard his phone chirp a minute later with a text from Alec.

Alec stood up from the couch clearly ready to leave, "you should let the Downworlders know to be careful around the Clave. They are doing something shady right now. Shadier than their normal skirting around the Accords. Make sure you spread the word to not get caught if they can help it."

"Wait, what do you mean?" Asked Magnus as he also stood up from the couch.

Alec answered rather cryptically with, "the dark haired female or Underhill- from the day school would be good to talk to about this. They might even help fix the problem. Stay safe Little Warlock," then disappeared from the loft.

Again, leaving Magnus with more questions than answers. He would bring this up with Isabelle though. He knew she would take this little bit of information and find the answers he was looking for. And maybe, just maybe- it would help the others get over their hang ups about Alec.

-End Chapter 4-