Chapter Text
"This is a terrible idea. I’m being underutilized by being put into hiding," Alec grumbled.
"Stop arguing, Alec! It's been decided." Jace instructed sharply. His frustration showing freely.
"Try not to move, Alexander. It will take less time if you stop shaking the magic by talking.” Magnus suggested gently.
“Terrible idea.” Alec mumbled trying to keep his mouth still. But as he is not an accomplished ventriloquist, the attempt missed its mark.
"What’s happening?" Maia asked, tray of drinks in hand as she walked into the backroom of the Hunter’s Moon. She was wondering if she’d regret letting them use this space for what was now obviously complicated shenanigans.
Simon took a glass of blood from her tray and brought her up to speed. "It's a witness protection program of sorts. Alec is apparently the target of some big bad conspiracy. The attacks started out seemingly random. We thought they were your standard demon presence at first. But we realized that someone is trying to take out the Head of the Institute."
"Alec has to lie low for a bit while we hunt down the source of the attacks." Jace added, cutting off Simon's story telling.
"I should be facing down this enemy, not hiding." Alec argued, but with less enthusiasm. He was growing tired of fighting the group on this.
“We can’t investigate and fend off the attacks at the same time. We need to limit the battles we're waging here,” countered Jace.
Magnus finished the last of the glamour now hiding Alec's runes.
"You can still use them," Magnus instructed, waving a hand over a rune on his arm, "but only if absolutely necessary. It’ll blow your cover completely to all witnesses. The glamour will trick others' minds, but if they see you use a rune the glamour will lose its effect."
"What is the point of covering up my runes if I still look the same?" Alec asked "Can't you change my face, my appearance, something?"
"No darling. They’ll be expecting that, and a spell that big is traceable by even a beginner mage."
"Oh. Well I need something and I'm not wearing one of those mundane child monster masks," Alec snapped.
"They make adult size masks." Simon chipped in.
"I have a slightly better plan." Magnus suggested matter of factly, sauntering across the room to address the group. "In addition to the light glamour covering his runes, Alexander is covered in a perception spell. It’s simple enough to not trigger any radar. It’ll make him seem familiar to everyone, but they won't know why. They’ll assume he’s just another downworlder that runs in the same circles as them, but they haven’t directly met yet."
"Still a terrible plan," Alec said distractedly as he scowled into the mirror.
Magnus scowled at him silently, giving him a sideways glance.
Alec caught his narrowed eyes and slowly blew out a breath. "I mean, thank you. Thank you, Magnus."
"Of course, Alexander" Magnus took his lover's face in his hands and kissed him gently. "Trust me. This will work. You’ll be safe. We’ll figure out who is after you and keep you safe."