Chapter Text
Magnus marveled at the ease he felt as he walked the halls of the New York Institute. There had been a time and it hadn’t been that long ago, where he had felt that living in the dungeons of City of Bones was a better option than spending even a minute in the Institute. Over the centuries, Magnus had made one too many enemies but none were like the hostile shadowhunters he passed in here.
But now, things had changed. It was amazing how different it would be only because of a certain few members. Magnus wasn’t naïve. He knew half of the people living here still did not like him; some could barely look at him. But even a single glance of respect and fondness sent towards him could make him feel good and at ease. Not to mention, having the head of the said institute as your boyfriend had its own interesting perks.
Magnus no more felt trapped or suffocating when he visited here which was a lot of times now. Well except for the drab indoors and the rusty architecture. It was about time he insisted Alec to make a few changes around here to lighten it up. As if his thoughts conjured him, he saw Alec walking towards him from the other side.
“Magnus.” Alec greeted, nodding at him.
“Hello darling. I thought we were supposed to meet in your office.” Magnus said with a smile. He couldn’t help the familiar lurch of his heart as he set his eyes on Alec.
“Oh yes. I was just doing some work when I saw you.” Alec said a little distantly. He looked tired. “So I came to join you.”
“I am definitely not complaining.” Magnus said, leaning in to give a quick peck on his cheek. He faltered as he saw Alec already turning away from him. He must be really out of it, he thought as he voiced his concern. “You look very tired. Have you been working too much again?”
Alec waved his hand dismissively. “Just something that came up. I actually want your help on it.”
“Sure. What is it?” Magnus asked quickly. The sooner he could finish the work for him the sooner he could get Alec to rest and all to himself.
“One of our teams was checking out this demon hot spot downtown. They didn’t found any demons but they came back with a curse box or the likes of it.” Alec informed as they started walking.
“A curse box?” Magnus frowned.
“That’s what it looks like at first glance. Isabelle couldn’t pick up anything from it. I am guessing you would know more about it than any of us.”
“I will certainly take a look at it. Curse boxes are a sneaky thing.” Magnus shuddered. He looked around at the new corridor that they turned into. “Where are we going?” he asked curiously.
“We secured the box in one of the locked basements. Figured it would be safer there.” Alec said quickly.
“Right.” Magnus nodded, gazing at the new place he was in. He knew the Institute was big and had more hidden corridors and places than a maze. He hadn’t really found himself wanting to visit all of it. Not even now. Alec’s office and bedroom were good enough places for him.
Alec led him down a flight of stairs that was in darkness and looked like it hadn’t been used in a while. He grimaced at the motes and the dust and the creaky noises that sounded at every other step.
“Had you told me this before, I wouldn’t have worn my best outfit. This place is horrendous.” Magnus commented lightly. He expected a familiar quip from Alec but only got a half grimace half smile out of him as they continued further. He really looked stressed and it amped up Magnus’ worry.
They came to a stop in front of a large ornate door with more dust on it. Magnus clicked his fingers to magic some light and startled as Alec jumped a little away from him. There was something strange in his eyes as he followed the stray of yellow light emanating from his fingertips.
“Are you okay, Alexander?” Magnus frowned.
“Huh? Ye-yeah of course. You just startled me.” Alec said quickly. “Come on. The box is in there.”
“Is there anyone else in there? Did you post anyone to keep an eye on it?” Magnus asked as he followed Alec through the door. The room was shrouded in more darkness and there was faint smell of rot and dampness. It was like the room hadn’t been used in a long time.
Something was nicking in the back of Magnus’ mind ever since he had started following Alec down here. He couldn’t quite connect the dots. Frowning he turned back to Alec who had stopped to do something near the door. He had thought it was to bring some lights here but he was merely locking it and pulling out his stele.
“Why is no one here? And where is the box?” Magnus asked slowly. His cat eyes minutely tracked Alec’s movements as he drew a rune on the door. It took a minute for him to understand what it was. Lock and Silence. “Alexander? What are you doing?”
“Something that should have been done a long time ago.” Alec said in a voice that didn’t sound like his. “And oh, I am not your Alexander.”
Magnus didn’t have even a second to process it before he felt sharp pain shoot down his back. The unexpectedness and force of it sent him tumbling to his knees. But not before his magic reflexively acted and shot out in an arc at whatever enemy lay behind him. Something exploded and something snapped, Magnus couldn’t make anything out in the darkness. He started to get up and do something about it but before he could do anything he felt something snap shut around his wrists.
Magnus felt the horrifying sensation of his magic being blocked from him as the manacles branded themselves around his wrist. He had been privy to these devices before. It was the worst kind of torture. The magic in them prevented him from accessing his own. Coupled with the throbbing pain in his back, Magnus felt crippled.
Dimly through the haze, he heard laughter. He clenched his eyes shut and forced himself to clear his head from the fog of pain. He was lying on the filthy floor of the basement or whatever it was, his writs held in silver cuffs in front of him. He managed to get a good look at them and recognized the spell used. He internally sighed in relief as he realized that the cuffs were amateur at best and wouldn’t hold him for long. But it would be of no use if he bled out first or if his attacker decided to stab him more.
“Who the hell are you?” Magnus started, lifting himself up from the floor. The movement hurt but there was no way he was silently taking this all in. Besides he had to keep his attacker engaged till the magic on his cuffs wore off.
“I can’t believe you were fool enough to fall for that.” The voice said in front of him. It took a few blinks to confirm that it indeed was not Alec but some other shadowhunter if the runes were anything to go by. He was a short stocky guy who looked younger than Alec. He looked like a fairly ordinary shadowhunter, someone Magnus wouldn’t give a second glance if he walked by. But there was gleam in his eye, something akin to rage and malice. If anything, this person was crazy and dangerous. “Guess High warlocks aren’t really that smart.”
Magnus resisted the urge to blast him away. He had to take his time. “And I am guessing what you just did is very smart? Trapping and attacking the high warlock?”
“It had to be done.” The shadowhunter sneered. “And I succeeded. You are going to die in here.”
“What have I done to you? I don’t even know you.” Magnus said, taking a breath. His blood was flowing out alarmingly fast. And the spell was still holding steady.
“Of course you don’t know me. I don’t associate myself with evil skunk like you.” He said, taking a step forward. “I am a true shadowhunter and I am merely doing my job.”
“What job? Tricking and back stabbing someone who hasn’t done any harm?” Magnus said with narrowed eyes.
“Wiping off demon blooded evil trash from this world.” He leaned out as he stabbed the words at him. His face was taut with tension and rage. “Everyone else seems to have forgotten it. Especially your lover. This Institute cannot survive with him being entranced by you.”
“Let me assure you, Alec is only entranced by my excellent looks and skills in bed.” Magnus said smirking. “Besides that, he above everyone else knows how to do his job.”
“No, you bastard!” The shadowhunter yelled, clenching his hands together. “You have him under your spell. You did this to him. I trust Alec. I have looked up to him since I was a kid. All I want is to be a strong shadowhunter like him.”
Magnus swallowed, “Trust me kid, this is the very last thing Alec would do. If you think doing this is going to get you in his good looks, you couldn’t be more wrong.”
“You are the one who’s wrong.” He said tightly. “Once you die and Alec gets out of your spell, he will realize what I did. He will be so grateful to me. He will thank me for killing you.”
Magnus couldn’t help but laugh at that. It sparked another wave of pain through his body. He could feel the spell weaning off from the cuffs. Anytime now. “I feel bad for you. You are so delusional you can’t see what’s right or what’s wrong. You still have a chance. Get me out of here now and I will make sure Alec doesn’t kill you on the spot.”
“I am not hearing one word that comes out of your filthy mouth.” He raged. “Don’t think you can enchant me like you did with Alec. I am going to save this world and him from demons like you. And then finally, Alec and I will be together.”
Magnus might have been a little delirious from the pain because he really wasn’t sure he had heard that right. “What?”
“Do you really think Alec would want to be with someone from your kind if he was thinking right?” The guy laughed crookedly. “What does he get out of this? Fear that you would turn dark and kill him one day? Having to always make choices between his family and you?”
“You don’t know what you are saying.” Magnus gritted, his body now shivering from the cold and pain.
“Alec is gay. I understand and respect that. But he should be with a man from his own kind. Someone who can understand what he goes through. Someone who he can be with without having to constantly fight everyone on it. What can you even give him, demon? He can’t run his Institute properly, he can’t marry, he can’t have kids.”
“Shut the fuck up.” Magnus whispered quietly. He resisted, he truly did but he couldn’t help but listen to what he was saying.
“You know it’s the truth.” The shadowhunter hissed. “You are nothing but a filthy demon tainted scum who deserves to die. You are not good for anyone.”
There was a sound of crash from somewhere out the door. It was distant but clear enough for the two of them. It was enough to clear the fog that was Magnus’ head. His back was numb now with cold and pain. His heart was frozen with the words that had passed through. But now it beat hard. His hands clenched and the pain disappeared for just a moment. His magic lay at his fingertips, low but ready to lash out.
Magnus looked up straight at the sneering shadowhunter. He had the brief satisfaction of watching the fear bleed on his face as he came face to face with his warlock mark, filled with undiluted rage. Something he ever truly showed to his sworn enemies.
“You are right. I am a demon blooded scum. I am dangerous.” Magnus hissed in a cold voice. He saw the slight quiver of his lip and smirked. “And you are going to find out just how much.”
Magnus let loose all of his remaining magic which wasn’t a lot but it was enough to do what he wanted. He wanted to kill the shadowhunter. He wanted to burn him where he stood.
But he didn’t.
He pushed his magic hard into the shadowhunter and flung him in the air. He heard a loud crack as he banged hard against the door, the force so huge that it broke at the impact. The guy fell on the ground 20 feet away and didn’t move. Magnus collapsed on the floor again having no energy or magic to do anything else. He groaned as he saw the open door and the freedom it gave but he had lost too much blood. He couldn’t walk out of here.
All he could do was send the last tendril of his magic floating out of whatever place he was in and hope that someone caught it. Darkness was simmering at the corner of his vision. He felt despair flow over him at the thought that he might truly die here.
He wished he could see Alec one more time.
Magnus let out a cold breath as the darkness spread fast and brutal. He thought he heard something, maybe a voice. Alec’s voice…Magnus smiled at the thought and
Then there was nothing.
“What’s that stupid smile on your face?” Izzy asked as she peered in through the door.
Alec quickly put his phone away and looked at her. “What are you talking about?” he said nonchalantly.
Izzy grinned. “It’s Magnus, isn’t it? Planning for a date night?”
Alec blushed. “No. Nothing like that.”
“Oh don’t be shy, big brother. You can share the details here. I promise I won’t judge.” Izzy said, coming inside.
“You should be working, Izzy. Not snooping into my personal life.” Alec reminded her.
Izzy made a fake affronted face. “I am not the one sex chatting with her boyfriend when they should be completing this big pile of paperwork.” She pointed towards a wad of files on his desk.
“Iz! We are not…doing that.” Alec said with a hint of crimson on his face. “It’s just that Magnus is on his way here. We are going out for lunch. That’s all.”
“Well that’s all I wanted to know.” Izzy said still grinning. “When is he getting here? I actually wanted to talk to him about something.”
Alec looked at the time on his desk and frowned. “He should have been here by now. Must have gotten stuck in some work. Although if you see him anywhere around here, send him in.”
“Of course. Wouldn’t want to keep you waiting for your date.”
“It’s just lunch, Iz.” Alec rolled his eyes.
Izzy just winked and walked out the door. He turned to gaze at the clock again and sighed. Magnus was always on time for their dates. He hated if anything came up between it. He picked up his phone and quickly called him. And frowned when it didn’t connect. Where was Magnus that he didn’t have a network?
Alec told himself not to worry and got back to work. The sooner he finished this the sooner he could go home and spend time with Magnus. That was all he looked forward to these days.
It was sometime later that he was pulled out of his focus by Izzy coming in again.
“Hey.” He greeted, stretching his arms out.
“Is Magnus here?” Izzy asked quickly.
“Do you see him here?” Alec asked.
Izzy rolled her eyes but he noted some unease in her posture. “I passed Miles on the way and asked if Magnus had come in. He said yes. He came in almost fifteen minutes ago.”
Alec sat up straight at that. Miles was a part of the security team that kept a tab on the people going in and out of the Institute. “So where is he? He should be here.”
“I have no idea. He can’t be with Jace and Clary because I just talked to them in the training room.” Izzy said. “Try calling him.”
“I did some time ago. It didn’t connect.” Alec said, picking up his phone and trying again. All of a sudden he was feeling uneasy. He could see the same reflected in his sister. “It’s still not connecting.” He said a little loudly.
“I am sure he is fine. Maybe he just stopped to talk to someone.” Izzy said a little uncertainly.
Alec was booting up his Ipad as he shook his head. “He doesn’t really know anyone here Izzy. I am checking the security footage.”
Izzy bit her lip but nodded. “I hope it’s nothing. But there’s this feeling I can’t shake.” She said as she came to stand beside him
“Same here.” Alec said quietly. He put in his authorization and started to thumb through the security footage of the Institute. Nothing appeared out of place until after a few minutes as he entered the last wing. “Wait a minute.”
“What? What is it?” Izzy asked quickly.
“The 7th basement wing. It’s not showing anything.” He said, clicking at it and trying to get something.
“We don’t really use that wing anymore. It’s just deserted basements and rooms. Are we sure the cameras are working properly there?” Izzy asked him.
“Yes. I rechecked the entire system just last week.” Alec said. There was something sitting heavy and coiled in his stomach. “Something’s wrong.”
“Check the 6th wing. See if anyone passed by it. Ten minutes ago.” Izzy instructed.
Alec nodded and quickly did it. He thought his hand might be shaking a bit. He replayed through the video, eyes glued to the screen. He saw it at the same time Izzy yelled, “Stop!”
It took him a moment to really understand what exactly it was. “What the hell?” he said, shocked.
“Is that really you?” Izzy asked quickly.
Alec was still trying to make sense of it. Because it made no sense. That couldn’t be him walking with Magnus. He had been sitting here all this time. How and what-
“Alec!” Izzy snapped. “That’s not you, is it?”
“N-No.” Alec got out. He blinked as realization hit all at once. “Oh god. Magnus is in trouble. We need to get to him. Now.”
Izzy was already nodding and walking. “They are probably in one of the basements. I am calling for backup.”
Alec banged his knee on the table as he hastily got up. The heavy feeling in his stomach had turned into a full blown sinking and his hands shook harder. He could feel the familiar feeling of panic and fear take over him whenever Magnus was in danger. He wished he were wrong but he knew without a doubt that he was in serious danger and that he needed him right now.
He half blindly strapped his seraph blade to his belt and ran after Izzy. The seventh wing with the abandoned basements seemed very far away. He didn’t realize the small group of people who had joined him in his race to Magnus until he felt his parabatai rune throb in tandem with him. Jace, Clary and three other of his trusted men followed him as he ran towards where he hoped Magnus lay unharmed.
He couldn’t let anything happen to Magnus. He would burn down anyone who even tried coming near him.
Alec had to admit; it took him an embarrassingly long moment to take in the scene before him. He was the first one to reach it after following the sounds of crashing and a wisp of magic he would recognize anywhere. Upon getting there, he had halted as he saw the carnage before him.
There was a shadowhunter lying on a broken piece of what appeared to be a door. He recognized him to be one of the young recruits, quiet and obedient. Carl? Colin? Before he could think further though, his gaze landed on the figure lying on the far side clothed in darkness. He didn’t have to think before he recognized it for who it was.
Even from the distance and the darkness, Alec could see the blood pooling around him as he lay still and quiet.
“No..” Alec whispered. He couldn’t understand what was going on. Why was Magnus lying still like that? Was he too late? Was he dea-
“Magnus!” He yelled horrified beyond words at his train of thought. This wasn’t happening. He wasn’t going to let it happen.
In two long leaps, he was sliding beside Magnus’ not body it’s not a body and grabbing at him. His heart sank further as he felt how cold his skin was under his hands. He pulled Magnus’ heavy body towards him and gently dropped his head into his lap.
“Magnus..hey.” He whispered as he got a good look at him. His eyes were closed and his face was completely pale. He gently tapped at his cold cheek to rouse him. “Come on. Open your eyes, Magnus.”
“Alec, his back. We need to stop the bleeding.” Alec didn’t even realize when his sister had come beside him. He looked up to see her calm gaze resting on him.
“Listen to me.” She said firmly. “He is alive. But he is bleeding out from a wound on his back right now. We need to act quickly or he could be in real danger. Okay? Magnus is going to be fine. We will make sure he is.”
Alec drew strength from her words and her gaze. His mind was spiraling into a dark abyss but he had to get a grip on himself. He had to save Magnus. He had to. “Ok-okay.” He nodded shakily. “Okay.”
With Izzy’s help he gently turned Magnus over and blanched at the sight of the hole in his back. His entire back was covered in blood, seeping into his favorite burgundy jacket. The wound was round and steadily oozing blood.
“Shit.” He heard Izzy mutter softly under her breath. “We need to get him help. Fast.” She said loudly.
“Ca-Catarina.” Alec said, chest heaving. “We need to get him to the loft. Call Cat.”
“Okay.” Izzy nodded. “Clary! We need a portal to Magnus’ loft.” She called out to her side.
Alec dimly registered Clary’s presence beside him. He couldn’t look away from Magnus’ still face. Underneath the grime and blood he could see the makeup he had applied. He could see how breathtaking he would have looked when he had come here. He pressed a gentle thumb down his closed eyelid. “If you can hear me, I am right here. You will be fine, Magnus. I promise.”
Then he nodded to Clary who was already in process of opening the portal. His gaze landed behind her where Jace and the others were securing the shadowhunter. The one who had attacked and hurt Magnus.
Jace caught his fiery gaze. “What do you want us to do with him?”
“Keep him in one of the holding cells. Don’t take your eyes off of him. I will personally deal with him later.” Alec said in a steely voice.
“He needs an infirmary.” One of the other shadowhunters spoke up softly.
Alec was very tempted to go over there and stab the back stabbing bastard through the heart himself. “Get him a medic in the cells. He does not leave the cell. Am I clear?”
“Don’t worry. I will make sure he doesn’t.” Jace said tightly. His gaze flicked below to Magnus and softened a bit. “Go. Take care of him.”
Alec swallowed and looked back at Clary. With a move of her hand, a golden portal emerged in the small room. Along with Izzy’s help, Alec gently picked Magnus up. Holding tightly on to him, he looked down at the pale beautiful face one more time before walking through the portal.
TBC