Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Alec was resting in the loft. He spent another night of fruitless research. It was 11 PM. He just got back from the Institute. He should go to sleep, he had to get up soon back to work, but he couldn’t. He barely slept these days. He was unable to forget that Magnus was in Edom, far from his reach. Proved by the last 11 months of never-ending searching. His siblings tried to convince him to rest and sleep, but Alec couldn’t. He couldn’t bear the fact that Magnus was in Edom. His kind fiancé for whom Edom was his worst nightmare. It was only made worse by the fact that Alec knew this was once again his own fault. If not for him and his siblings and Clary, Magnus wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to save Alicante, wouldn’t have gone to literal hell to save strangers. Especially not Shadowhunters, the people that considered him and his kind beneath them.

Alec would never give up, wouldn’t abandon that one person he loved above all else to Edom. Everyone else had given up though, believing they exhausted their options. His siblings had given up after 3 months of researching, Catarina after 5. She tried to convince him that Magnus will find a way back home by himself, but he knew not even she believed it.

Alec knew finding something now was minimal. They went through Magnus and Catarina's libraries and even some tomes from the Spiral Labyrinth that Catarina had brought. Everything that had a possibility of containing something about Edom, portals to Hell, and closing the rifts properly. But no one was capable of traveling to Edom nowadays, including warlocks. No one knew why but Catarina believed the rift of such a magnitude threw Edom off the course and caused traveling there unstable. There was a chance that enough power would allow them to stabilize the portal and travel there successfully, but it would take at least a dozen warlocks and Lorenzo had refused his help.

Of course, that wouldn't stop Alec from trying but apparently even if they traveled there, it would be useless. Magnus was keeping the rift closed and without finding a way to close it completely, traveling to Edom was pointless.

Alec took great pleasure in the fact that after saving Alicante, Catarina and other Brooklyn warlocks informed the Spiral Labyrinth of all the happenings here and Lorenzo was on shaky ground with them. He was severely reprimanded for not helping with Lilith whom they saw as a very serious threat to the entire warlock community, and he became greatly despised for claiming he purified the ley lines. Apparently, among the warlock community, to claim another warlock’s accomplishments is abhorrent. The only reason he was still the High Warlock of Brooklyn was that there was no one else to take it. Warlocks still hoped Magnus might find his way back.

Alec divided his time between the Institute and Magnus’s loft that Lorenzo had given up after his time as a lizard. His siblings and friends kept telling him he shouldn’t be staying there and torturing himself with memories of Magnus but for Alec, it was a reminder of what-or rather who-he had lost and must get back. It gave him the strength to continue. The only other person who still supported him was his mother, which was surprising to him. Maryse explained that she knew he’d never give up on Magnus, not after everything, so the least she could do was support him.

Alec sighed, he wasn’t getting anywhere, and he knew it. Suddenly, he heard the door to the loft open. It was Jace.

“Hey, you still awake?” he asked.

“Yeah, I was just reading.” He didn’t want to admit, he was thinking about Magnus, so he picked up the closest book to him on a random page. Jace looked at him.

“Right. Let’s say I believe you.” Jace answered.

“I thought you went to stalk Clary once again,” he told Jace.

“I don’t stalk Clary,” Jace answered haughtily. “I was just checking on her.”

“Right,” Alec replied sarcastically. “You just follow her everywhere, anytime you’re off duty without her knowing about it. I’m pretty sure that’s stalking.”

Jace was the only one who understood at least a little what Alec was going through. What it meant to lose the love of your life. But Jace could at least see Clary, he knew she was safe and happy. Alec didn’t have this comfort. He hasn’t seen Magnus in 11 months, longer than they had even been together. He didn’t know if Magnus was safe-only that he was alive- considering the rift stayed closed. And what was worse, he knew Magnus wasn’t happy. After all, he was in hell. Trapped there with no one but demons.

They didn’t even know what’s going on with Lilith, she didn’t come back after Jonathan’s final death and that was the confirmation, she was trapped in Edom, by Magnus presumably. But she could be biding her time or trying to kill Magnus, and they’d have no idea. Alec kept up hope, now Magnus was King of Edom, he had enough power Lilith didn’t present a threat to him. He knew though if Lilith ever harmed Magnus, or worse, Greater Demon or not, Alec would find a way to destroy her if it was the last thing he ever did.

“As if you wouldn’t do the same thing if it were Magnus,” Jace’s voice snapped Alec out of his thoughts. Jace was right of course, Alec would definitely do the same.

“Yeah, but you are the lucky one. You can see her. Raziel, you could pretend to be a mundane and be with her. I can’t go to Edom,” Alec’s voice lowered to whisper at the end.

“This got really depressing, really fast,” Jace said. “You know what? We’re going to get a drink.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“Nah, I meant, we’re going to take something from Mag-I mean from the collection in the loft.” With this said, Jace went in search of something to drink.

No one has spoken Magnus’s name in front of Alec for the past two months. Not since Alec broke down crying when his last trace turned out to be useless.

Jace returned with an old-looking bottle. “This one looks expensive,” Alec remarked.

“Everything here’s expensive. If you sold that stash of alcohol, you’d probably make a few million,' Jace answered. But Alec wasn’t paying attention anymore. “There’s an endowment on the bottle. We shouldn’t be drinking it.”

“What’s written there? Perhaps it was from some king or queen, would pretty much fit in M-his habits," Jace joked.

They both looked at the endowment. ‘For my favorite nephew. For Magnus from Lucifer.”

“No way,” Jace said. “This must be some namesake.”

“Right,” Alec replied with a voice full of sarcasm. “Because Magnus’s got more uncles called Lucifer.”

And wasn't that the truth. Magnus's father was a Prince of Hell, a Fallen Angel, and weren't all angels technically siblings? Which made Magnus the Devil's nephew, the favorite nephew, if the note is anything to go by.

Suddenly, Alec had an idea.

“Jace, that’s it,” he exclaimed in excitement. For the first time in weeks, he didn’t feel tired. Once again he had hope, he could see Magnus again.

“What?” Jace was surprised by his parabatai’s excitement.

“Lucifer is the King of Hell. He could help.”

“Again, what? Have you gone absolutely mad? It’s the Devil, we’re talking about here. What suggests he’d help us, not even mentioning some frankly ridiculous payment. What do you think he’d ask for a price, hm? Remember the last time you made a deal with Hell’s royalty?” Jace was sure his brother’s finally cracked. He knew Alec wasn’t dealing with Magnus’s loss well, no one would. Jace understood it. Magnus was practically family. They all missed him.

Of course, Alec remembered, but he had to try this. It was his last hope, the only chance he might have of seeing Magnus again.

“What if it was Clary?” he returned Jace’s earlier words.

“OK, fine. I’ll help. Just be careful,” Jace knew he lost. He could see it on Alec’s face. “What can I do to help?” he asked in the end.

Chapter Text

"Absolutely not," Lorenzo said after Alec explained why he came.

After discovering the bottle Magnus had received from his uncle Lucifer, the Devil himself, Alec started forming a plan. The first step involved summoning the Devil, and he needed a warlock for that. He knew, of course, that Catarina would never do the summoning. She would consider it too risky and too dangerous and might try to stop him.
He had a few other warlocks in mind who he could try to convince if Lorenzo refused him. But he was the easiest choice. He lived nearby and more importantly, he was powerful enough to do the summoning.

"Look. I understand it's dangerous, but it's the best idea how to solve the problem. Lilith's still the threat, we don't know how long M-Magnus can keep her trapped. She could re-open the Rift and then what?" Alec tried his best diplomatic voice. He couldn't lose his temper, not now.

"And your solution is to summon the Devil and hope he's going to help us? How do you know he won't help her instead of us? Each time you tried to solve a problem by summoning a demon, you only made things worse. Don't you remember? Azazel, Lilith, Asmodeus. Oh yes, I've heard about Azazel." he added at Alec's surprised face.

"One of these summonings got me turned into a lizard even," he then added as an afterthought. Lorenzo never missed a chance to remind Alec about it.

"Isn't this a good shot for you to prove you're better than Magnus? He couldn't contain Azazel and Asmodeus was my fault, I know, I underestimated him. But, look, you have to understand, it can't stay like this. Sure Magnus will keep the rift closed as long as he can, but can he do it for centuries to come? This is a Greater Demon he's fighting against. I'm mortal. In half a century, if I'm lucky, I'll be gone. But you, you're immortal. What about in half a millennium, do you think Magnus will still keep her in check? This could solve everything, and you can prove to everyone you're better than Magnus by helping."

Alec hated how he was talking about Magnus, the words left a bad taste in his mouth and made him swallow bile. As if he could ever see Lorenzo as better than Magnus, but what else could he do. If stroking his ego gets Magnus back to him, he’ll do it gladly.

"If I do this," Lorenzo seemed to be considering it. "I want you to ensure that people will know it was me who saved them. Not Bane. I want to vomit every time they sing his praise. As if it's some great sacrifice, he's now the King of Edom," he practically spat out the last three words. Lorenzo has always seen Magnus in a bad light. He was envious of him and wanted to see him as power-hungry and petty, so he did. Since he started dating Underhill - and wasn’t that a surprise! - 9 months ago, he got at least more tolerable to be around and was mostly cordial to Alec, but it only lasted as long as no one mentioned Magnus.

He simply couldn't understand Magnus wasn’t the way he had envisioned him, that he didn't seek power, and that it could never make him happy. Alec knew that for Magnus, the worst feeling in the world was loneliness, and it was that he was left in. This was a spiral of thoughts Alec hasn't been able to free himself from for almost a year. In only two weeks, it will be exactly a year since they got engaged since Magnus left.

Alec never told anyone, except for Simon, that he had tried to become a vampire. The only thing that stopped him from turning was that he couldn't get to Edom. Even if he was turned, he'd still have no way to get to Magnus. Yet, he still considered it. "Fine. I've got no problem with that. Just do the summoning."

"Stop ordering me around, Shadowhunter," Lorenzo answered him with derision in his voice. "Besides, this cannot be hurried. I need a few hours to prepare."
- - -
Alec decided to wait outside of Lorenzo’s apartment. He had to be there when Lorenzo was ready. He wasn’t going to waste time. While waiting, he dialed Jace’s number. After a few ringtones, Jace picked up.

“Hey, everything okay?” Alec asked. He needed someone to cover for him. He didn’t know how long this would take.

“Yeah. I told Izzy, you decided to take the next three days off,” Jace informed him. He still didn’t like it, but he knew there was nothing, short of Magnus coming back by himself, that would steer Alec from this path. If he couldn’t talk his parabatai out of it, then he’d support him.

“She didn’t like it. I told her you’re finally starting to accept that Magnus’s gone for real,” he continued. Alec snorted. As if that would ever happen.

“Yeah, I know. But I had to tell her something,” Jace added. “What about Lorenzo? Will he do it?”

“He agreed to it. I had to play on his ego though.”

“What else did you expect? What an ass.”

“That’s rich, coming from you,” Alec teased him. Jace laughed at it. Alec hadn’t teased him in months. Only a few hours of hope he might get Magnus back, and he started to sound like the Alec he knew, not like the barely living one, he’s been almost a year. Jace realized at that moment, that if this didn’t work out, Alec might be left even worse off than before.

“Just keep them all busy for a while, I don’t need them all talking me out of it and trying to stop me. None of them would understand why I have to do this.” Izzy might have fallen in love with Simon, but she didn’t know what it was like to lose someone like Alec and Jace did, to lose the integral part of himself, a part he couldn’t live without.

Only after he had lost him, did Alec realize what Magnus really meant to him. He almost had lost him once, when the Soul Sword was activated. But that was at the beginning of their relationship. Although Alec already loved him then, with time Magnus has become so much more. By now, Magnus meant to Alec more than anything in the world. But he’s never told him that. He never told Magnus he was the most important person in his life. He let Magnus believe, especially so with the Lilith and the Owl fiasco, he was Alec’s second choice, but he wasn’t. Alec would choose Magnus over anyone and anything, over the damn Clave and the entire Alicante, even over Izzy and Jace.

There were nights when he wanted nothing else but to go back, to tell Magnus to let Alicante burn if only they were still together. He felt horrible having thoughts about leaving innocent people to die, but he knew in a few years the Clave will forget to whom they owe their lives. While Alec will never forget.

He was deep in his thoughts when he heard the opening door to Lorenzo’s apartment interrupt him.

“You prepared?” He asked Lorenzo when he saw him.

“Yes, come in.”

Alec entered Lorenzo’s living room and saw a pentagram unlike any he’s ever seen before.

“This summoning will be much harder than any I’ve ever done before,” Lorenzo said. “We must be prepared for anything. I cannot tell how he will react to the summoning. Some demons are glad to be summoned to make deals and cause problems and suffering through them. But not all demons like to be summoned, many - and especially the powerful ones - see it as beneath them. Probably, the only reason you even succeeded in summoning Asmodeus and making a deal with him is that he wanted you to. If you were anyone else he might not have come.”

“Wait, so that means Lucifer might not come?” Alec got angry at that. It might not even work?

“No. This summoning is different. This will not be only astral projection as you mentioned you had done last time, but I will actually make him come. It requires an incredible amount of power and will leave me exhausted. Not even mentioning he might be furious at being forcefully summoned. You will have to speak fast and hope for him to be in a good mood - whatever that is for a demon - I will not be able to contain him for long, if at all,” Lorenzo added the last part quietly.

“What do you mean if at all?” Alec knew summonings backfired of course. Especially in his experience, there wasn't a summoning that didn’t, but considering how Lorenzo criticized their past summonings he came more prepared when he agreed to do it. Alec realized that maybe he misjudged him - that despite Lorenzo not wanting to do it at first - perhaps he really wants to help at least a little.

“I mean that there is a reason why almost no one summons Princes - or the King - of Hell to this plane. Keeping them contained is nearly impossible. They’re deeply cunning and always find a loophole to exploit and escape. Pentagrams imbued with the power of the warlock are made to contain them, but even then they are not always perfect. Not that they are drawn wrong but who do you think even wrote the first books on magic?” Alec shot him a surprised look at this.

Lorenzo added then. “Oh yes, it’s said that it was the first demons, the Greater Demons, who wrote down the first spells and summonings. They wanted to have access to this plane, but it became a chore for them, being summoned and forced to do the summoner’s bidding, so they started to alter the original summonings, weakening them in the process and making it easier to escape and wreak havoc. That’s why it requires so much power to keep them in check. The pentagram still summons them and contains them to a certain level but how long and how much is left to the power of the warlock.”

Alec didn’t know any of this. Magnus has never mentioned it. The shock must have shown on his face because Lorenzo continued.

“Warlocks do not like to talk about it. Many of us wish to keep as far away from our demonic parents as we can. We do not usually wish to have anything to do with them. It’s rather distasteful to admit even our first spells come from them. But enough about it now. I’ll start, and you try not to insult him.”

Chapter Text

Alec didn’t know what he expected, but it wasn’t this.

When Lorenzo finished the summoning, he felt a surge of power. Then it started subsiding and he could breathe freely once again.

There was a form of a man in the summoning circle. The man, at least in appearance, had dark brown hair and eyes. Alec knew Greater Demons took on human appearances, but he didn’t expect the Devil himself to look - well - ordinary. Alec could admit he was handsome and clothed in a dark three-piece suit, but he still expected something different.

“Well. What do we have here? A warlock and a shadowhunter? What an unusual combination,” the King of Hell sounded British. Alec just added it to the pile of unexpected things.

“I’m Alec Lightwood and this is Lorenzo Rey,” Alec remembered Lorenzo’s advice and introduced them. “We want to make a deal.”

At Lorenzo’s glare, Alec amended. “I want to make a deal.”

“Is that so?” The man - Lucifer - looked surprised. “A nephilim wanting to make a deal with the Devil? That is certainly the first. I suppose I can take a moment of my time for you. You’ve made me curious. Not too long though, I have a date to get to.” He smiled the last few words as if excited.

He definitely wasn’t what Alec expected and since when does the Devil go on dates. He had so many questions but none of them really mattered, except for one.

“You’re Magnus’s uncle, right?” Alec asked. He was curious about Lucifer’s relationship with Alec’s fiancé. He may have called Magnus his favorite nephew, but what did that mean to a demon?

Lucifer narrowed his eyes at him and Alec could see the danger in them. Suddenly, they turned red. “Yes, I am. If this is some elaborate way to get my dear nephew into your prison for your made-up crimes, then -.”

“No, no, it’s nothing like that,” Alec interrupted. He couldn’t - mustn’t - make Lucifer misunderstand and anger him. This was his only remaining chance to see Magnus again.

“Don’t you dare lie to me, Shadowhunter. I know your Clave despises Magnus. He’s always had problems with your race. And you said your last name is Lightwood,” Lucifer added the last sentence as an afterthought as if remembering something. “Magnus has many times complained about the Lightwood family, the Circle, and the Morgenstern lunatic.”

Then he scoffed in disgust. “How disgusting, it is my name the family is using and sullying with their genocide.”

“It’s really not like this,” Alec tried again. But Lucifer interrupted him, looking him in the eyes. “Tell me, little nephilim, what is it you really desire?”

Alec felt something in him, forcing him to answer. “Magnus. I want Magnus back.”

“Yes, but for what? What do you want with him?” Lucifer asked, looking impatient. The power forcing him to speak increased.

“I want him to come back. I want to hold him, kiss him. Tell him I-I’m sorry for failing him, for not choosing him first,” Alec felt tears stinging in his eyes and he choked down a sob. “I want to spend eternity with him, anywhere, be it in Edom or on Earth.”

His answer shocked Lucifer into silence. Alec felt hot tears rolling down his cheeks. He dried them with the back of his hand. Then, he looked at Lorenzo, who looked exhausted, barely even standing. Alec could see the disgust on his face, probably caused by Alec’s words.

Lucifer sighed when he looked at Lorenzo. “Oh, you can release the spell. It’s useless.” And then he stepped outside of the summoning circle as if there was nothing.

Alec paled and took a step back. He took his bow in his hands. Lorenzo stuttered in disbelief. "W-what? How?"

"Bloody hell," Lucifer exclaimed. "Surely, you didn't think you could hold me." At their shocked faces, he added. "Well, for one I'm not a demon, but an angel. A Fallen angel, but not still not a demon, so summoning circles are rather simple obstacles. Point two, you are nowhere near powerful enough to do it. Even Maggie wouldn't be able to hold me longer than a minute or two tops. And he's actually descended from one of us." Lucifer scoffed. "Point three, well I won't be telling you that. I have to keep some secrets to myself," he smiled at that.

“You,” he then pointed at Alec, “said your name is Alec? Is that short for something?”

“It’s short for Alexander.” It was painful to say. He missed so much hearing his name said in Magnus’s voice.

“Well then, Alexander-.” Lucifer started and Alec interrupted him. “Don”t. Don’t call me that.”

Lucifer’s smile fell and Lorenzo shot him a warning look. But Alec wouldn’t budge on this. “Only Magnus can call me Alexander,” Alec explained.

Lucifer smirked. “Oh, is that so? What exactly is Maggie to you, little Shadowhunter?”

“My lover, my fiancé.” Lucifer looked downright excited at the last part. Alec cut himself off. “Look, I don’t care what you think about me. Just tell me, are you willing to make a deal?”

“And what exactly is it you want from me? If my nephew got engaged and then got scared, I can at most talk to him.”

“He didn’t get scared. He had to leave to close the rift. I-,” Alec steeled himself. “I want you to get Magnus back or send me to him.”

Alec heard Lorenzo gasp, he never mentioned the second option.

“And where exactly is my nephew? You still didn’t mention it.”

“You didn’t know?” Alec grew worried at that. He thought Lucifer would have known considering he’s the King of Hell. Was something seriously wrong in Edom?

“How should I know? I haven’t talked to Maggie in two years,” Lucifer sounded annoyed.

“He should be in Edom,” Alec answered him. Magnus was in contact with Lucifer then. It at least sounded as if he was more in touch with his uncle than his father.

The Devil looked truly shocked at the news. “Edom? But he hates it there. Why would he go to Edom? Perhaps you should start from the beginning of how this came to be. I seem to have missed quite a few things.” Then he sat comfortably on one of Lorenzo’s armchairs, waved a hand, and a bottle and a glass appeared in his hand. “Would you like some?”

Alec refused. Lorenzo did as well. “Suit yourselves. Now, little Shadowhunter, start explaining.”

Alec swallowed and started retelling the madness that took place over several months almost a year ago. Valentine Morgenstern, Clary’s wish, Lilith, Jonathan, Magnus’s deal, Alec’s deal, and the rift.

“That was very stupid of you,” Lucifer remarked when he mentioned his deal with Asmodeus. “My brother has been trying to get Magnus to come to Edom for centuries and you practically handed him your boyfriend on a silver platter.”

Alec swallowed bile and nodded. He knew he screwed up, but he was desperate. Magnus was in such a dark place after the loss of his magic and Alec thought this was the solution. He should have known Asmodeus would come for Magnus. Only if he hadn’t done it. Magnus would still be without his magic, but he wouldn’t be in Edom. Alec only wanted him to be happy, and he knew he definitely wasn’t now. But it was too late to change anything. He dismissed the thoughts for now and finished the explanation.

“This was 11 months ago,” he added, sounding desperate. “We tried to get to Edom and find a solution for the rift and Lilith.”

Lucifer looked shocked at the news. “Lilith and Asmodeus both wreaking havoc and no one even informs me? I would have thought at least Maze would have known about her mother or Amenadiel or I would have sensed them.”

Alec didn’t know if he heard right. Lucifer was in contact with the angel Amenadiel, the Fist of God? And who was Maze? But Lucifer continued and he sounded angry. “Of course, they know I’m on Earth, so they masked their power signatures.”

He then turned to Alec. “You said Magnus sent Asmodeus to Limbo?”

“Yes.” Did Lucifer say he’s been staying on Earth? Alec decided to dismiss it for now. He had bigger concerns.

“And Lilith is stuck in Edom with Magnus?”

“Yes,” Alec answered impatiently. “Can you do something about it? Can you close the rift and bring Magnus back or not?”

Lorenzo glared at him, but Lucifer let out a laugh. “I can see why Maggie likes you. Such a pity you’re taken and so am I. I don’t think the Detective would like a foursome.”

Alec didn’t know who the Detective was. It sounded as if this person was in a relationship with the King of Hell though. He didn’t know demons or Fallen angels did relationships.

“You see, this is not such a simple situation as you might think,” Lucifer interrupted Alec’s thoughts. “Can I go to Edom and bring my nephew with me? Yes. I could even banish Lilith for a time.”

Alec didn’t dare to hope. It sounded like a dream come true and Lucifer’s next words shattered it. “It’s not possible though.”

“What? Why not?” Why wasn’t it possible? Why couldn’t Magnus come back home? “Is it because of the rift? It was opened by your sword right? You can just close it.”

“No, it’s not because of the rift. And I haven’t seen the sword in millennia. The rift is likely closed. Knowing Magnus, he probably closed it completely as soon as he arrived in Edom.”

“That is not possible,” Lorenzo cut in. “No warlock has the power to completely close the rift. Bane may keep it closed by channeling some power of Edom, but-.”

Lucifer scoffed. “You are talking about things you know nothing about. It’s not possible for you. But Magnus is the Prince, well now the King, of Edom. You have no idea how much power it gives him.”

Lorenzo obviously didn’t like being told there is something Magnus can do better. It was a bitter pill for him to swallow. For a few seconds he glared at Lucifer, then he realized what he did, paled, and turned away.

Alec on the other hand was proud of his fiancé. He’s always known Magnus is powerful, but only now he’s finding out how powerful. “Why can’t Magnus just come back then? If the rift is closed, why don’t the portals work?”

Lucifer let out a sigh. “I don’t know why your portals don’t work. It is possible, the rift made Edom temporarily unstable though. As for why Magnus can’t leave, this requires a bit of an explanation. You know, I hope, there are several realms of Hell, each one ruled by a Prince of Hell. I have of course my own realm, plus I have authority even over my siblings.”

At Alec’s nod, he continued. “But what you might now know is that each realm has a throne and each realm requires a ruler to sit on it. The realm and its ruler have a, let’s say, symbiotic relationship. The ruler of the realm is powered by it and in, return the ruler stabilizes the power of the realm.”

He refilled his glass. “I still have a connection to my realm, even though I don’t live there anymore, but it’s a connection built by hundreds of thousands of years. Magnus doesn’t have the time if he ever wants to see you again before your mortal lifespan runs out. If he leaves, the realm won’t have a ruler and it may completely shatter under its own power.”

“Why does it matter? Isn’t it a good thing if one realm of Hell doesn’t exist?”

In a second, he realized whom he’s talking to, but Lucifer didn’t seem to get angry, only annoyed. “A good thing? There is a balance to everything. Seven archangels, seven Princes of Hell. Heaven and Hell, balancing out themselves. What would happen to the natural order of things if a part of Hell falls apart?”

“Alright. Edom’s destruction is a bad thing.” Alec’s mind was racing, trying to find a solution. He can’t give up now. “Can’t you just appoint a new King of Edom?”

“If only it were that simple. Only someone with angel blood can sit on any throne of Hell, it’s one of Dad’s bloody rules.” Dad? Was Lucifer talking about God? And wait angel blood? “But, Magnus isn't-”

Lucifer seemed to have guessed what he wanted to say. “He is a son of a Fallen angel. Maggie is far more of a nephilim than any of your race.”

Alec was flabbergasted. Magnus has never mentioned he has angel blood. He was probably worried about Alec’s reaction. Then he realized something and laughed. “The whole of the Clave would have a conniption if they found out Magnus has more angel blood than all of them put together. Some might actually keel over.” It would certainly serve them right, considering some had the nerve to bad mouth his fiancé even after his sacrifice.

Lucifer also let out a laugh at Alec’s words. “Indeed.”

Alec calmed down soon and attempted to come up with ideas. “Aren’t there other Fallen angels who might take the throne? I heard it was almost a third of the Heavenly Host that followed you to Hell. Surely, there must be others.” Alec couldn’t let this stop him. He’d never accept an outcome in which he wasn’t with Magnus.

“You don’t give up easily, do you?” Lucifer asked with a wry smile, which softened shortly. “You genuinely love him, even though you know what he is. Not only a child of Hell but a child of one of the Fallen ones. This fact alone would be a deterrent to most other people.”

“I’m not other people. I don’t care about Magnus’s race or his parentage. I once told him he is the furthest thing from a Greater Demon and I stand by it,” Alec exclaimed proudly.

“You have to realize, little Shadowhunter, that he might have changed. 11 months in Edom could have irreparably scarred him,” Lucifer warned him and there was something haunted in his eyes as if he realized or remembered something.

“I don’t care,” Alec was resolute in this. “I love him, more than anything and nothing can change that.”

There was a strange look on Lucifer’s face as if seeing Alec for the first time. “Only a being with angel blood can sit on a throne of Hell and only someone with Asmodeus’s blood can sit on the throne of Edom. The Asmodei - my brother’s demon children - would tear anyone else apart. No other angel can rule Edom,” Lucifer’s words destroyed any hope of Magnus coming back.

“Then send me to him,” Alec has decided. “If you can’t bring him here, then send me to him. I can find a vampire to turn me if need be.”

“I don’t think he would want that.” Alec wanted to protest. He didn’t care if Magnus was angry, only that they were together. But Lucifer wasn’t finished. “Luckily for you, I have a solution.”

“Really?” Alec couldn’t stop the hope slipping into his voice.

“Living in Hell would soon destroy both of you,” Alec wanted to disagree. Rather they were together than separated. Lucifer stopped him by adding. “You know nothing about Hell, little Shadowhunter, and what it might do to a person.”

There was a dark look on his face as he said it and Alec acknowledged that someone who lived there - ruled it - knew it better.

“So, what is your solution?” He asked in the end.

Lucifer drank from his glass and after a few seconds said. “We need both the angel blood and Asmodeus’s blood, which leaves us with Magnus and Asmodeus. You want Magnus back. So, we have to get my brother back from Limbo.”

Chapter Text

A silence filled the room after Lucifer’s exclamation. Lorenzo broke it by exclaiming in indignation. “Absolutely not. To bring that monster back after what he did to me.” He turned to Lucifer and accused him. “This was your whole plan, wasn’t it? To manipulate us into bringing your brother back. I’ll have no part in it.”

Lucifer growled in anger. “I don’t manipulate people into doing anything. That is more my Father’s area. But this is the only option. I’m sure my nephew will understand why you all left him in Edom.” He added the last part sarcastically.

Lorenzo stood up and announced. “I don’t care about Bane. It’s his own fault Edom needed a new ruler.” He then turned to Alec, who was watching them, unsure of what to do. “Actually it’s both of your faults. If you left Asmodeus be, none of this would have happened. You do what you want. I’ll be back in an hour and I expect you’ll both be gone by then.” He made a portal and left.

“Not a very brave one, is he?” Lucifer’s voice filled the room after a while. “What about you, little Shadowhunter. Are you also running away, even after your declarations of love?”

Alec realized that’s exactly what Lucifer thought he’d do. That at the first sign of trouble he’d run away. Alec knew though, he had no other option left. He hasn’t spent the last 11 months desperately finding a way to find Magnus to balk now - even if this way meant putting his trust in the Devil’s plan - whatever that was.

But first, he had to know. “Why should I believe you really want to help? You might only want to get your brother back and leave Magnus there. The last time Asmodeus was on Earth he made me break up with Magnus. You also said how stupid it was of me to make the deal with him. He wants Magnus in Edom. He won’t let him leave.”

Lucifer snorted at that. “We don’t have a very good relationship, Asmodeus and I. I get along with Maggie, yes. But, I’m sure you’ve come to realize, they are not very much alike, personality-wise. My brother finds me childish and doesn’t understand why I don’t like Hell. Concerning the deal you made with him, you don’t need to worry about it. You’ve met your own end of it, as you said, it wasn’t you who revealed it to Magnus. And my brother will be willing to help us, even at the cost of Magnus leaving Edom.”

Seeing Alec’s disbelieving look, he continued. “Limbo isn’t a very pleasant place, as I heard. I don’t think he fancies staying there for future centuries or millennia - and yes, he will most certainly escape one day, Limbo cannot hold a fallen angel indefinitely. I can give him an earlier way out for the right price, in this case, him taking his throne, and leaving you and Magnus to your own devices. I have no intention of letting my wayward siblings wreak havoc on Earth or in Hell. I’d have to go back to Hell to fix it and I quite like my stay on Earth.”

Alec tried to make sense of his words. He didn’t want Asmodeus back, but if it was a solution to be with Magnus again, then he would do it. He knew he was an idiot, but he was desperate. Every day waking without Magnus in his arms was torture. Before when he had broken up with him, he had at least believed Magnus would have been happy with his magic back. But now he had to live with the knowledge that Magnus is in literal Hell and Lilith may be trying to kill him. In the end, it was no choice at all. He still had other questions before he announced his decision.

“Let’s say, we do it. What do you want in return?”

Lucifer refilled his glass and drank. “A favor. An IOU.”

Alec paled. He expected a price - he didn’t know what, perhaps some kind of service - but a non-specified favor? That was dangerous. Lucifer could ask for anything at all. Lucifer was watching Alec’s reaction and sighed. “It won’t be anything too horrible. I’m rather fond of Magnus. I may ask you to kill some demon for me or get me some information. Demons are quite angry at me for leaving. Or I might ask you to protect the Detective for a time. I like to keep my options open.”

It didn’t sound too bad. Alec feared worse. “You mentioned you left Hell and live on Earth now. How is that possible?”

“I decided to take a vacation,” Lucifer answered.

“You can do that?” Alec’s disbelief slipped in his voice.

“Why not? Humans also take vacations. I’ve been doing a Dad-appointed job for eons. So I’ve quit Hell and I’m now enjoying my time in Los Angeles.”

“Los Angeles? But the LA institute-.” Alec tried to make sense of it, but Lucifer interrupted him. “Oh, what could they do. I am the King of Hell. No one short of Dad could force me to go back. We’ve reached an agreement, the LA Shadowhunters and I. I behave, stick to their little rule of no killing and they pretend I don’t exist. It’s not as if I actually have problems with not killing humans. I’ve always followed that one. Well except for the one little exception, but Cain doesn’t count and even the Shadowhunters acknowledged it as not my fault.”

Alec didn’t know what he was talking about and decided he wasn’t going to ask about every single thing or they’d be here for hours. “And what do you do in LA?”

“Well, I’ve opened my nightclub, Lux, and I’m a consultant for the LAPD.” Alec let out a laugh. Seriously? The more time he spent with Lucifer, he could see why he and Magnus got along. They were actually remarkably similar.

Lucifer seemed to misunderstand Alec’s laugh. “In Hell, I used to punish the sinners for their actions. But now that I’ve quit Hell, I’ve decided to punish them in life by helping to send them behind bars.”

“I’m sorry, I wasn’t laughing at you. It’s just both you and Magnus own nightclubs, I just realized how similar you two are.”

Lucifer brightened at that. “Yes, my nephew and I have always connected through our enjoyment of life and manipulative fathers as well.”

Then, he took on a serious look again. “Well, little Shadowhunter? We get Maggie back and you’ll owe me a little favor. Do you agree or not?”

Alec swallowed. He knew his choice and to be honest with himself, he had already decided to go with anything Lucifer might suggest even before the summoning. “I agree to the deal.”

Lucifer smiled at him. “Wonderful. Of all Magnus’s lovers, of you, I might actually approve.”
Then he snapped his fingers and a portal appeared. “I usually prefer my wings for long distance travel, but this will do.”

“Where are we going?” Alec asked warily.

“My penthouse. That cowardly warlock wanted us gone. I suppose then, for my part of the deal, we should relocate.” He waved Alec to go. “After you.” Alec gathered his courage and stepped through the portal.

------------------

In the royal castle of Edom, Magnus Bane sat on his throne. He was deep in his thoughts. Lilith has been preparing to launch a new attack. No matter how many demons of her army he killed, she always found replacements. This would be her first attack in probably 10 years, but it was hard to tell. There was no day and night in Edom. Magnus sighed. By now, Lilith no longer cared about Jonathan. He must surely be dead by now. He had faith that the Shadowhunters managed to stop him. Lilith had once wished to destroy them as well. Clary and Jace, most of all. It was a point of pride for her. But they were as surely dead as Jonathan. And because she couldn’t get to them, she has decided she's going to destroy Magnus, for defying her.

Magnus had lost a passage of time decades ago and he was glad of it. He knew though more than 80 years had passed. All of his friends were dead. Alexander was dead. The thought alone was heartbreaking. He felt a hot tear rolling down his cheek. Magnus tortured himself at times by wondering if Alexander had gotten married, if he had had children. He looked at the Lightwood ring on his finger. How selfish it was of him to bind Alexander to him when he had known there was no way back.

He had tried desperately during the first 20 years. He had tried so hard to get to his Alexander. He had destroyed every army Lilith had thrown at him. But he had gotten impatient. She had captured him. If she wasn’t desperate for him to make her a portal, she would have killed him. At times he wished she had.

With the rift permanently closed, it was the only way out of Edom for her. The only way to kill Jonathan and Jace and Clary.

Oh, how she had tried to convince him to do it. He had proof of her attempts in scars covering his body. At first, he hadn’t wanted to use the full power of Edom. He had taken as little as he could have while keeping Lilith at bay. She had been recovering still from the Mark of Cain and he had severely underestimated her. She had managed to capture him and tried her best to force him to open her a portal. He didn’t know how long he had spent in her castle. He had so desperately wished someone would come for him. But he had known, no one was coming.

When she had come very close to breaking him, breaking his body by beating - and how sadistic can demons be. And breaking his mind by memories best long forgotten, almost fondly remembering the Agony rune. With her declaring to cease the pain, claiming she’d leave Alexander alone, and only kill Jonathan, he had almost agreed to open the portal.

She was lying though. And when he had realized how close he had come to almost letting Alexander die, he had finally let go of his reservations and connected to the full power of Edom. Claiming it for himself.

After that, he had destroyed Lilith's castle and wounded her enough to earn himself respite for a few decades. But even with all of the power of Edom, he couldn't destroy her. He may have become the King of Edom, but she was still its Queen. He had managed to escape at least, dragging himselft wounded and exhausted to his father's - his - castle. In following weeks, his magic had healed him enough to live, even though the scars will remain forever.

He had known that at the moment he claimed the power of Edom, it was done, there was no leaving for him. He’d have to remain here for all eternity as a Prince of Hell.

Edom would never let him leave now, unless there was someone else to take the throne and there was no one. He had dugged himself a hole by banishing his father as he's come to find out.

He’s done it nevertheless. He didn’t regret it though. This way, Alexander was safe. Magnus could barely remember his face and the sound of his voice by now. He still remembered how loved he felt though. And for this love, he had decided remain here. And stay he did.

Only when he felt the tears falling, he finally let go of his reminiscing. There was no point in it. He dried his eyes with the back of his hand. Then he stood up from the throne. The time to deal with Lilith once again.