Alec was zipping his suitcase up when Magnus walked into their bedroom with a glass of blood. The sound of the zip and Magnus' stomping steps ripped through his ears, only making his head pound harder.
"Hair of the dog that bit you?" Magnus asked, holding the glass out to Alec as he tiptoed across the room.
"Please, no," Alec groaned. "I thought hangovers were a thing of the past," he muttered, collapsing onto the bed.
"You were downing shots of plasma all night. It's strong stuff," Magnus said, sitting down next to Alec. In truth, he had woken up suffering just as much as his husband. Absinth was the only thing that could get a Warlock drunk. "There's one of my best hangover cures in here," he winked.
Alec practically snatched the glass from Magnus' hand. Downing it in two gulps, he wrestled his stomach into submission. The potion took effect immediately. When the pounding in his head stopped and his stomach behaved itself, he dropped the glass onto the nightstand and wrapped his arms around Magnus.
"Wanna start early?" Alec whispered in Magnus' ear, finding his husband's pulse point with his lips. He thoroughly intended to make sure his husband knew how grateful he was.
"You really can't wait until we get there, Alexander?" Magnus asked, flashing his cat eyes at his husband.
"Bali is so far away," Alec muttered, skimming his nose up Magnus' throat. He smelled divine.
"It's three seconds away by portal," Magnus grinned, letting Alec push him back down onto their bed. Snapping his fingers, he sent Alec's luggage to Ragnor's old beach house where they would be spending the first week of their honeymoon. The house used to be his until he lost it in a bet to Ragnor. He knew his old friend wouldn't mind.
"Three seconds is too long," Alec said, throwing his leg over Magnus' hip so he could make out with his husband properly. He had barely pushed into Magnus' mouth when a fire message flashed in the air.
"Seriously?" Magnus asked when Alec snagged the burning paper. Things had just been getting interesting! "Who is it from?" he sighed.
"Jia Penhallow," Alec said, sitting up to skim the note, his eyebrows rising with every word. He handed the note to Magnus when he had read it.
"Your presence is required?" Magnus huffed, raising an eyebrow at his husband. "She does know you're not a Shadowhunter anymore, right?" he asked.
"Our, presence is required," Alec corrected his man.
"Hmm, let me see. A week in Bali followed by a week's stay on a private island in the middle of the Caribbean sea. Another week on the Orient Express and then two weeks of hopping around Europe? Or... attending a meeting with your old boss?" Magnus weighed the options with his hands.
Alec snorted, tossing the paper over his shoulder. Even if a small part of him was still ready to obey the Clave's demands. That small part niggled at him as he sank into Magnus' kiss once more.
Magnus would have enjoyed the kiss if Alec was giving it everything he had. He could practically hear Alec's thoughts whirling. He surged up, trying to drive the request out of Alec's head. But it was no good.
"We're on our honeymoon!" Magnus groaned against Alec's lips.
"It's not like we're gonna miss our flight," Alec said, biting into his lip. He must be crazy. Magnus was lying there with his Warlock mark in plain sight and his husband was gripping his ass tightly, just how he liked it. But the niggling voice in the back of his head wouldn't leave him alone.
"We are portaling straight to Bali afterward," Magnus muttered, sitting them up.
"Of course," Alec said, smacking his lips to Magnus' before climbing from his lap. He threaded his fingers through Magnus' as Magnus waved his free arm, creating a portal that led to the New York Institute steps.
"This is weird," Alec mumbled as he knocked on the door. It took a moment but a Shadowhunter answered eventually. "We're here to see Jia," he said.
"Yes, Sir. She's in your off… uh, your old office," the Shadowhunter replied, stepping back for Alec and Magnus.
Magnus followed Alec through the Institute, wondering why he had to be there too. He hadn't missed the way Alec's shoulders had dropped a fraction when the Shadowhunter had said, "old office". They made it to said office, finding Max with his ear pressed to the closed door.
"You in trouble, Max?" Alec asked, chuckling when Max jumped back from the door.
"Hey, big brother," Max said, willing the sudden erratic beat of his heart to settle. He hadn't been doing anything. "Heybigbrother," he said to Magnus with a grin.
"Are you calling me old,littlebrother?" Magnus asked, ruffling Max's hair. The name had the desired effect on his smartass brother-in-law. A grin spread over his face when Max wrestled his hand away, huffing at being addressed as such.
"You need to keep up with your training while you're here, go on, git," Alec said, raising an eyebrow at his little brother until Max slunk off.
"Hm, your Head Of The Institute voice," Magnus whispered, curling into Alec's side. "I never did finish my training, either,Sir," he said, batting his eyelashes at Alec.
"I'm sure I can think of a suitable punishment," Alec said, not even trying to hide how low and gravelly his voice was.
"I bet you could," magnus replied, wondering if Alec's old room was still free. The door, opening before them, stopped him from pushing Alec into the wall.
"Mr. Lightwood-Bane," Jia greeted Alec with a nod. "Mr. Lightwood-Bane," she said, assuming the man Alec was standing in the hall with was Magnus Lightwood-Bane. They had never met but she had heard… things.
"Consul Penhallow," Alec said, observing formalities as Magnus and Jia shook hands. The fact that most of his family, as well as; Underhill, Lorenzo Rey, and Simon, were in the office piqued his curiosity. And explained why Max had been listening at the door.
Alec led the way when Jia gestured for them to come in. He had to hide his smirk when he saw that Underhill was practically sat in Lorenzo's lap, knowing that Magnus was dying to say something.
"Now that everyone is here, we can begin," Jia said, taking a seat behind the desk to address the room. "As you are all aware, the Clave has suffered its greatest loss in numbers since before the accords. With that being said, we have had to make some decisions regarding everyone's roles within the Clave.
"Resouces are scarce so it has been decided that you will all be reassigned," Jia said, turning to Underhill. "Mr. Underhill. I would like to offer you the position of Head of The New York Institute."
Andrew's eyebrows shot up. He looked around, wondering if the Consul was playing a trick on him. When nobody took the offer away or complained that he was only the head of security, he realized that it wasn't a joke. The nods from Clary, and Jace, who he had assumed would have been offered the position, and Alec, had him accepting.
"Yes, Ma'am. Thank you, I'm more than happy to accept," Andrew said, staring when Simon, who was sat on the chair next to him, held his hand up.
"You're supposed… like this," Simon said, grabbing underhill's hand and high-fiving him. The guy didn't even know what a high-five was. "Congratulations," he muttered when Underhill continued to look at him like he had two heads, much to Clary's amusement.
Clary couldn't help her snort, Simon was mortified. She fixed her face when Jia turned to her after giving Simon a long, hard look. He was only there because Izzy had refused to let him from her sight.
"Miss. Fairchild, Mr. Herondale. The Academy in Idris has been badly affected by recent events. The Shadowhunters who were running it were killed when Jonathan Morgenstern opened the rift. We need you both to run the Academy. From now on, all Shadowhunter children will be trained there and it is vitally important that we start training new recruits as soon as possible," Jia said to Clary and Jace.
After everything that the two of them had been involved in over the last few months, they wouldn't have been Jia's first choice but she didn't have many options. She hoped that they would redeem themselves in the eyes of the Clave by accepting the positions. Plus, she couldn't deny that they were two of her best, despite the many problems that had arisen because of their antics.
Clary exchanged a look with Jace, seeing her own shock mirrored in his eyes. The offer wasn't what either of them had expected. When they had received the summons from Jia, they had both wondered if they were going to be punished for the things that they'd done while Jace was possessed by Lilith and she was with her brother.
"We can make a fresh start," Jace said to Clary, gripping her hand tightly. They had both wanted to make amends for what they had done. The others had reassured them that it wasn't their fault but guilt ran deep. If they were being offered the chance, he wasn't going to turn it down.
Clary turned to Izzy, her heart breaking a little when she saw her parabatai smile for her, even if Izzy looked sad. They had only just formed their bond but it already felt like she would be ripping her right arm off if she accepted.
"We're still parabatai. I can come and visit," Izzy said, gripping Clary's hand tightly. No distance could be put between them that would break their bond. She wanted to keep Clary with her but she didn't want to be the one to hold her friend back either. So she could let her go. It was an amazing opportunity and she wouldn't let Clary give that up. That wasn't what being parabatai was about.
"We would like to accept the offer. Thank you," Clary said when Jace and Izzy both nodded.
"The Academy was pretty much decimated so it is going to take a while to rebuild. Until then, I have a mission for both of you," Jia said, taking an iPad from her purse and handing it to Jace before returning to her seat.
"Unfortunately, the Shadowhunter families that are currently serving the Clave don't have enough children between them to provide another generation of Shadowhunters," Jia continued. "On that iPad is a list of old Shadowhunter families who, for one reason or another, have broken with the Clave in the past. The people on the list are mundanes, descendants of those families.
"The Warlock Council has agreed to sanction a Warlock escort for the two of you. You are to portal to the locations on the list and enlist those mundanes. It is of the utmost importance that you convince as many of them as you can to join us," Jia finished.
"They might not be able to ascend," Jace said, clutching the iPad. If the offer to run the Academy was a surprise, it was nothing compared to this. The clave must be desperate. He knew that "for one reason or another" meant that the ancestors of the mundanes had probably been stripped of their runes and banished for some transgression. The Clave didn't forgive easily.
"It is up to you both to inform them of the risks but we need new Shadowhunters," Jia replied. When Clary and Jace agreed, she turned to Izzy. "Miss. Lightwood. The clave is in need of a new Inquisitor. Will you accept the position?"
"Me?" Izzy asked, her eyes going wide. She looked to Alec, shaking her head when her brother reached out and grabbed her hand, Magnus looking just as happy for her, before turning to her mom. The pride she saw in Maryse's eyes made her stomach clench in the best way. "What about my father? He…"
"Your father is needed to rebuild the LA Institute," Jia said, cutting Izzy off.
"But… Luke…?" Izzy asked, looking to Luke. He looked just as proud as her mother did.
"Mr. Greymark is needed elsewhere," Jia said, shaking her head when Luke turned to her. "Miss. Lightwood. The position of the Inquisitor is an important one. It is an honor to be considered for the job. You come from a long line of Lightwoods who have held the position. I'm sure you would do as good a job as any of them. You've proven your capabilities during negotiations with Downworlders and your part in ridding us of Jonathan Morgenstern," she said.
"Izzy, you'd be an amazing Inquisitor," Clary said, taking her parabatai's free hand in her own. Her stomach sank when she saw Izzy's eyes flick to Simon. Izzy would get to move to Alicante with her and Jace but she would have to leave Simon behind. They would both have to leave him behind. Unless...
"Consul Penhallow. I think I've found our first new Shadowhunter," Clary said when the idea popped into her head.
Simon looked around when first Clary, then Jace, then the rest of them turned to him. "Me?" he asked dumbly, staring at the smirk his best friend wore. He saw Jace's eyes almost roll into the back of his head but Jace nodded at him nonetheless.
"He already knows about the Shadow World," Clary started when Jia opened her mouth. "And he's a lot stronger than he looks. He can fight, he's loyal, and he always does the right thing. He embodies everything a Shadowhunter should be," she said with a grin for her best friend.
"Thanks, Fray," Simon said, feeling all warm inside. It would mean that he couldn't go to his mom, tell her that his death was all a big mistake but if he was honest with himself, he didn't know if his mother would be able to take one more hit like that.
"Mr. Lewis isn't descended from Shadowhunters. He might not be able to take the blood of the Angel. If his body rejects the ascension, he will die," Jia said. The mundane needed to know the risks. This death would be permanent.
"He's already had the blood of the Angel," Jace said, giving Simon another eye-roll when Simon's face lit up. "Calm down, we aren't going to be besties!" he muttered before turning to Alec.
Alec nodded. The Clave would find out eventually. The only people present who didn't know were Lorenzo and Underhill. Underhill knew how to keep his mouth shut and Lorenzo probably had no interest in spreading the word. It was no secret that Lorenzo thought Warlocks were above the rest of the Shadow World.
"When Simon became a Daylighter, it was because he drank my pure Angel blood. His body won't reject it," Jace said, watching Jia's eyes flick from him to Simon to Alec. He could already see her calculating, trying to figure out how the Clave could use the information to their advantage.
"If you are willing to take the risk, that is up to you," Jia said to Simon. They needed Shadowhunters. If he wanted to risk it, knowing the danger, then it was up to him.
"What do you think?" Simon asked Izzy.
"If you move to Alicante and join the Academy then I'll accept the Inquisitor job," Izzy said, her stomach once again churning. She agreed with Jace. Simon still had Angelic blood in his system. She had tested it after Simon had turned back into a mundane. Not that all of them needed to know that. Especially not Jia. The Consul would find some way to make it work for her.
"Okay," Simon shrugged, smiling when everyone congratulated him and Izzy. He had been a mundane and a Vampire and he was good at being neither. Maybe he would make a good Shadowhunter. And hopefully, he could change the Clave's misconceptions and prejudices about mundies and Downworlders while he was at it. They needed fresh blood.
Jia nodded before turning to Luke.
"The Clave needs to move forward, Mr. Greymark. After seeing the successes that Mr. Lightwood-Bane achieved with his Downworld Council, I've decided to reach out to all of the Downworld leaders and I want you to head up the efforts. The Warlock Council is already on board as is the Seelie Queen.
"They have agreed to create a new Shadow council. Each faction will be represented by one of their people. If you accept you would become the representative for the Clave. The position requires you to liaise with leaders all over the world and convince the Vampires and Werewolves to join us but you would be based in Alicante," Jia finished.
"I prefer to go by Garroway," Luke said, taking a moment to think about the offer. He turned to Maryse, frowning when she just gave him a small, sad-looking nod. "I'm sorry. I can't accept," he said.
"Lucian, the Shadow World needs this. They need you. The Shadow World will only be stronger by working together," Maryse said, squeezing Luke's hand when he took hold of hers.
"And I need you. I wasted so many years by not going for what I wanted with Jocelyn," Luke said, looking to his daughter, smiling for her when she gave him a thumbs-up, her eyes sparkling. "I won't make that mistake again," he said.
"Mr. Garroway. You are the only one that can take this role up. The Downworld knows you, they trust you. You're the only Shadowhunter who can convince them to cooperate with us," Jia said, giving Alec a pointed look. She could have said the same of him if he hadn't turned.
"I'm sorry. You'll have to find someone else," Luke said firmly. He wouldn't give up Maryse for the sake of making life easier for Jia.
"Maryse. Would you consider moving your store to Alicante?" Jia asked, seeing the firm set of Luke's face.
"You won't even let Downworlders set foot in Alicante. Why would you let a mundane move there?" Maryse asked skeptically.
"Because the Clave needs to move forward. Things are changing. With a new council, one where everyone has a voice, the gates of Alicante will be open to all. Unfortunately, after Mr. Morgenstern's attack, there are plenty of empty premises for you to choose from. You and Downworlders will be welcome there," Jia said. They needed Luke if it was to work. If they came as a deal package then so be it.
Maryse looked at Alec and Magnus. All of her children had been offered a place in Alicante except them.
"You have to do what is right for you," Alec said, refusing to be the reason that his mother didn't go for what she wanted. She deserved that after what she had been through over the last few months, a chance at happiness.
"Yes. I'd move there," Maryse said to Jia. If Alec and Magnus could visit then she could move there for Luke and for the people he would help. And she would be close to her kids.
"Then I'll accept the job on the condition that Maryse can travel with me. You lost one of our best diplomats when you took her runes," Luke said, refusing to back down from the look Jia gave him.
"That is acceptable," Jia said, silently conceding Luke's point, even if Maryse was never meant to have anything to do with the Clave again. Maryse had still been one of their best diplomats when she had been a Shadowhunter. It wouldn't hurt the Clave's cause to have her help.
Jia turned to Alec and Magnus, taking in Magnus' skeptical look, which he didn't bother to hide, and Alec's curious expression. Which he did try to hide. She had saved them until last on purpose, hoping that Alec would be persuaded if his siblings agreed to their new positions.
"Mr. Lightwood-Bane… Alec. I would also like to offer you a place in Alicante," Jia said, holding her hand up when she saw Alec and Magnus take each other's hands. She had already anticipated resistance. "I understand that you no longer owe us any allegiance but we need your help and you would be paid handsomely for it.
"I would like you to help Mr. Herondale and Miss. Fairchild run the Academy. It is the Clave's hope that Downworlders and Shadowhunters can work together. You are in the same unique position as Mr. Garroway. You have been a Shadowhunter and are now a Downworlder," Jia said.
"Why would that make a difference?" Alec asked, frowning at the request. "I don't have any affiliations with the Downworld beside my husband. No one is going to listen to me when I tell them they should work with the Clave. And honestly, do you think any of them are going to trust me if I train Shadowhunters to hunt them?" he asked.
"You misunderstand. You wouldn't just be training Shadowhunters, you would be training Downworlders too," Jia said, her eyes flicking around the room. The surprise that she saw in each pair of eyes was expected.
"You were one of our finest, Alec. You know how to train Shadowhunters of the highest standard. You can also do that for Downworlders, show them how we can all work together to protect this world from future demon invasions.
"Along with the responsibility of running the Academy, Miss. Fairchild will be responsible for teaching demonology classes and rune studies. Mr. Herondale will be tasked with teaching the Clave's history and ensuring that the new recruits are mission ready. While they will both be expected to help train the new recruits in combat, you will be the head of combat training and weapon study. You now have certain advantages that they don't and the Downworlders are more likely to listen to one of their own," Jia said.
Alec shared a look with Magnus, seeing his own surprise mirrored on his husband's face. This was a huge leap forward for the Clave and Downworld alike, the first step for peace between the two. There was only one problem. "In case you didn't notice, Consul, I have just gotten married," he said.
"I did notice. That is why Mr. Rey is here," Jia said, nodding to Lorenzo.
"The Clave and the Warlock Council have come to several agreements over the last few days," Lorenzo said, addressing Magnus. "One of which is that you will be offered the position of High Warlock of Alicante, Magnus."
"There's no such thing as a High Warlock of Alicante," Magnus said, wondering if Lorenzo had lost his mind. Shadowhunters didn't let Warlocks live amongst them.
"The Clave sees the need for one," Lorenzo said, hiding the smirk that threatened to break loose. It had been a particularly sweet moment when the Clave had come begging for the Warlock Council's help.
"Alicante was almost destroyed. We need help to rebuild and to protect the city," Jia agreed, as much as it pained her. "With the influx of Warlocks that we expect over the next few months, they will need a leader. Someone to speak on their behalf and look after their interests. We realize that you and Alec won't want to be separated so soon after marrying. It is the best solution for everyone."
Magnus considered the information, catching Alec's gaze. He would have thought Lorenzo would have asked for the position but by the way Lorenzo and Andrew were wedged together, he thought that Lorenzo would probably be more than happy to remain High Warlock of Brooklyn. As much as he wouldn't admit it to Lorenzo, he missed being High Warlock. He liked having Warlocks rely on him. It made him feel useful.
"What do you think?" Magnus asked Alec. If someone had told him a few months ago that he would be asked to move to Alicante, he would have laughed in their face. Then again, if someone had told him a few months ago that he would fall in love with a Shadowhunter and marry them, he would have done more than laugh in their face. He would have escorted them to the Silent Brothers.
"We would be close to the family. And it would give us something to do," Alec said, turning the possibilities over in his head. They had only been back from Edom for three days. They hadn't even thought about what they were going to do next beyond getting married. They both had a lot of time on their hands. And the positions were ones that they could hold for years. Indefinitely if it worked out.
"You will both be well paid for your positions and the Clave can provide accommodations," Jia said, hoping that would sweeten the deal.
"Accommodations would be unnecessary," Magnus said. He wouldn't turn down the handsome paycheck, however. When Alec nodded, he turned to Lorenzo. "Tell the council I accept."
"I will inform them and start making the arrangements," Lorenzo agreed with a tentative smile. Before the wedding, he had met with Alec and Magnus. They had informed him of what had happened in Edom and about his father's betrayal. He couldn't say that the death of his father was something he regretted. They had done him a favor.
"You have yourself a new Head of Combat," Alec said to Jia, grinning when his family breathed a collective sigh of relief, Izzy squeezing his hand.
"Excellent. Your first mission will be to oversee the rebuilding of the Academy. You know what we will need. I want a state of the art training facility. Budget is no of no concern," Jia said, gathering her things up. She needed to get back to Alicante and start on the paperwork.
"Of course. I will start in a month," Alec said, smiling when Jia stopped shoving stuff in her purse, an incredulous look on her face. "My husband and I have our honeymoon to enjoy first," he said, silently adding that he was no longer the Clave's bitch. He would take the position but he would do it his enjoyed five long weeks of sun, sand, and crazy wild sex with his hot husband.
"Of course," Jia said, plastering a smile onto her face as she shoved the last of her things into her purse. "I'll see you then," she nodded to everyone else before departing.
Everyone burst into laughter when Jia left. She was obviously smarting over the delay.
"We'll all be together," Maryse said when everyone stood, pulling all of her children into a family hug and glaring at Magnus until he waded in and joined them.
"Will you help out as a guest lecturer?" Jace asked his mom. She had been an excellent Shadowhunter. "You too, Iz? And you, Luke? Alec will probably need the help," he cracked a smile when they all agreed, dodging back from the elbow Alec aimed at him.
"Of course. I can keep an eye on Simon," Izzy said, sliding her hand into Simon's before leaning in. "I can help train my big strong Shadowhunter," she whispered in his ear, grinning when his face lit up.
Alec cleared his throat, trying not to pull a face when he heard his sister's whispered comment. "Come on, let's let the Head of The Institute enjoy his new office," he said, reaching out to shake Andrew's hand before they all departed, Magnus, shaking hands with Lorenzo. They both noted with a grin that Lorenzo seemed to be in no hurry to leave.
"Enjoy the desk, I know we did," Magnus muttered under his breath as he let go of Lorenzo's hand, silently adding the couch, the balcony, the rug in front of the fire, all of the guest chairs... The snort that erupted from his husband had him winking at Alec before taking his hand.
Everyone insisted on accompanying Magnus and Alec to the front of the Institute to see them off on their honeymoon. They all hugged on the Institute steps before parting ways, excitement running through the group for the fresh start that lay ahead of them.
When the others headed back inside to make arrangements for the move to Alicante, Magnus took Alec's hand in his. "Ready for a vacation?" he asked, feeling more optimistic about the future than he had done in weeks.
"Lead the way," Alec said, entwining their fingers, already anticipating trying the bed out in their first location. He glared down at the outfit he was wearing when Magnus snapped his fingers and dressed them both in bright Hawaiian shirts and very short shorts. The flip flops were a revolation.
"Don't look at it like that. It will soon be decorating the bedroom floor," Magnus winked when he saw Alec glaring at his shirt, creating a portal. Alec didn't need much encouragement, scooping him up with a speed and strength that would never fail to take his breath away. "To Bali!" he yelled as he wrapped his arms around his husband's neck, ignoring the mundanes who looked blindly around for the source of the sound.
"Yes, My King," Alec grinned, burying his face in Magnus' neck as he dived through the portal. He liked the sound of his shirt ending up on the bedroom floor and couldn't wait to divest his husband of his.