Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

23 years ago, Valentine rose to power.
His darkness and desires were so intense that he dragged everyone and everything into chaos. The Nephilim were forced to bow to him, though none were pleased. The Downworlders were filled with rage, and they were right to be. Valentine had gathered all the Mortal Instruments, which meant he wanted to create more Shadowhunters—and he did. Things escalated quickly. The most powerful families supported Valentine. But everything has a limit.

Leading the resistance was the powerful warlock Magnus Bane; Lorenzo Rey, Catarina Loss, Ragnor Fell, Raphael Santiago, Luke Garroway, Meliorn, and many others joined the war.

Valentine, of course, did not stay idle. But he failed to account for one thing: the angels.

Raziel was deeply disappointed by what had happened, and after consulting with God, he withdrew his blessing from all hunters who carried angel blood. It happened so suddenly that Valentine was left bewildered. As a result, they could no longer fight against the Downworlders. Despite it all, Raziel remained merciful. He encouraged the now-blessingless hunters to live normal lives.

He asked them to redeem themselves for the evils they had committed. Many agreed. Truly, they did. Though ashamed for being brainwashed by someone as wicked as Valentine, over time, they made peace with the other races. They were now ordinary. Just people. They had to earn their lives from scratch.

After everything, Valentine fled.
The Shadow World came under the rule of a fourfold alliance—warlocks, werewolves, vampires, and the Seelies. Though Valentine was never found, it didn’t matter. Everyone was finally at peace.

The Nephilim race ceased to exist.
Those who once carried angel blood began living like regular humans. Some collaborated with Downworlders; others started their own businesses. Everything was fine. There were no more problems.

Of course, there were always small annoyances—like how the Lightwoods were still as arrogant as ever.

Magnus Bane especially couldn’t understand it.
This family had willingly stood beside Valentine. They should have been wiped out. Yet, like everyone else, they were given a second chance. Robert and Maryse built a powerful family company. Their eldest, Jace Lightwood, was arrogant and flirtatious. He skipped school entirely and dove into the family business. Isabelle Lightwood was much the same—partying, showing up at the company occasionally, and living her life. The youngest, Max Lightwood, was still oblivious to everything… for now.

And then, there was Alexsander Gideon Lightwood.
The third child. He used to be the youngest before Max. And the only one in the family who was unloved.

There were a few reasons for that, but none of them justified the way he was treated.

Alexsander was born different. He was always calm and never cried. Yet, he was constantly in motion—energetic beyond measure. Focus was difficult for him. When his parents realized something was off, they took him to a doctor. He was diagnosed with ADHD, which, to them, was already a flaw. He also barely spoke, even at home—leading to a second diagnosis: selective mutism. Naturally, Maryse and Robert lost their minds. All their children had to be successful and useful in rebuilding their legacy. But Alexsander didn’t fit.

Things changed quickly.
He was ostracized at home.
Any small mistake resulted in punishment.
His siblings mocked him.
And yet, Alexsander was always the one who covered for his brother and sister’s mistakes.

The strangest part of his painful life? He could see demons roaming the streets and was aware of the Downworlders. But no, Alexsander didn’t have the Sight.

Raziel had gifted him with his blessing.

At first, Alexsander didn’t understand what was happening.
But in a disused room in the house, he found books and an obelisk.
He started to understand.
He learned everything about the Shadow World.
He studied runes.
After struggling through school, he found a job and saved money.
At 18, he ran away from home.

His parents didn’t think he was worth sending to college.

Alexsander was the last existing Nephilim.
Despite his ADHD, he mastered various combat styles, carved runes into his body and hid them. After reading the legends of Valentine, he knew the man would return one day. Until then, he had to remain hidden—just as it should be. He had no other choice but to act like a regular college student.

Chapter Text

---

Alec Lightwood had always known he was different.
Even though he was very young, he was so energetic that his family took him to a doctor. After some tests, they learned he had ADHD. His mother and father were furious, and they began to pressure him constantly. The pressure was so intense that Alec eventually stopped speaking. Speaking only in the environments where he felt completely safe became the only thing he could manage.

And that wasn’t the only thing—when he was little, he started seeing strange creatures and people. He was too young to understand what they were, but over time, with the help of some books he found in a hidden room in the house, he began to figure it out.

Alec became aware of the existence of the Shadow World.
And not just that—Raziel started speaking to him. Raziel told him about what had happened in the past and said there was new hope for the Nephilim. He had also given Alec two additional powers: the ability to control water and air. From that day on, Alec began training, guided by Raziel and the books he read. He unearthed weapons from the tombs of ancient Shadowhunters—angel blades, daggers, steles, and his greatest fascination: bows and arrows.

Over time, Alec slowly began to understand the great responsibility on his shoulders. One day, Valentine might return, and by then, he needed to be ready.

---

As Alec adjusted his art portfolio and walked down the hallway, he took a deep breath.
Being in the final year of university was both comforting and nerve-wracking. On the bright side, he had more time to dedicate to his library job and studies. And his paintings were good. Clary had told him he was quite talented. So had Lydia and Simon—that’s why he trusted them.

> “Alec, I was just looking for you.”

Hearing his name, Alec stopped and looked at the woman approaching him. She was one of the professors in his department, someone he actually liked—she was understanding enough.

> “We have three important guests who need to go to the rector’s office. Can you escort them?”

Alec immediately tensed up. He hardly ever spoke to people—especially not strangers.

> “Don’t worry, I already explained a little about your situation to them. They’re only expecting you to accompany them, that’s all.”

Alec nodded silently and began walking to greet the people he would only have to deal with for a few minutes.

---

Magnus Bane, along with his friends Catarina Loss and Ragnor Fell, had arrived at one of New York’s finest universities. Magnus wanted to donate to the fine arts department, and of course, he brought his friends along.
He was the High Warlock, yes—but also a fabulous fashion designer.

> “You never get tired of dragging us everywhere, do you?”

Ragnor grumbled as Magnus grinned at him. Wherever he went, his friends would follow. That was simply how it was.

> “Oh come on, my little cabbage. Don’t be so grumpy. Let’s see when this ‘Alec’ boy is going to show up.”

The woman who had welcomed them had mentioned Alec didn’t speak, and when he did, it was only in rare, short words. Magnus was curious, yes—but he also wasn’t going to push the kid.

Just then, his eyes caught a figure approaching, and his brows furrowed.

> “Why is someone who looks like Maryse Lightwood walking toward us?”

Catarina had voiced exactly what he was thinking. But as the boy approached them, she muttered a quiet curse.

> “The one escorting us is a Lightwood kid. Great.”

All three of them were uneasy—Lightwoods had caused a lot of problems in the past. Their children had been just as spoiled.
But Magnus couldn’t recall ever seeing this Alec kid on any screen or news.

> “I guess you’re the one escorting us?”

Magnus asked, unable to keep the chill out of his voice. The blue-eyed boy looked at him and simply nodded, then gestured forward and began walking.

> “So, Alec—short for Alexander?”

Again, just a nod.
Magnus looked at the boy’s back. He was tall but thin, an art portfolio slung over his shoulder. When Magnus looked closer, he noticed a few band-aids on the boy’s fingers and smudges of paint.

When his eyes drifted to his friends, he saw them also watching the boy with guarded expressions. Understandable, given the past.

When Alexander finally led them to the rector’s office, he gave a short nod in farewell and quickly walked away.

Seeing a Lightwood child this quiet—and in a university setting—was strange. Everyone knew that even in the mundane world, the Lightwoods were notorious workaholics.

---

Chapter Text

"By the Angel, he was so handsome!"

Alec let out a sigh as he rested his head on his pillow. At twenty-three, a gay Nephilim, he had quite literally fallen for Magnus Bane. Of course, he knew who he was—the High Warlock Magnus Bane... handsome, powerful, and magnificent. Alec had barely managed to keep his cool when he saw him. The moment he completed his assigned task, he left immediately. He was aware that Magnus and his friends had figured out what family he came from—and that they didn’t like him. Not that he could blame them. His parents were awful people.

"I guess this is the first time you’ve liked someone, Alec."

When Raziel’s voice echoed in his head, Alec turned bright red. Damn it! Ever since he had started seeing demons as a child, Raziel had been with him. The angel had taught him everything about runes and the Shadow World. He was a good guide and had been with him through everything.

"He just caught my attention, okay?"

Trying to defend himself, Alec could already hear Raziel’s amused chuckle. Of course he didn’t believe him. Honestly, Alec didn’t even believe himself.

"It’s alright, Alec. Magnus Bane catches everyone’s attention. And you’re young. It’s not wrong to be drawn to someone for the first time."

Alec knew that. When he had first realized he was gay, he’d been terrified. Raziel had spoken to him for hours until Alec accepted that it was perfectly normal. His parents, on the other hand, had not reacted well. Then again, he had already run away from home by the time they found out.

"I know... I just don’t have time to like anyone. I need to keep improving myself..."

He sighed and lay on his back, staring at the ceiling. He was exhausted. His bones ached, and his fingers were covered in bandages, but Alec wasn’t going to give up. If he did, the Shadow World could plunge into chaos.

"I know, Alec. You've been training for years, and honestly, you're on par with the best Shadowhunters I’ve ever seen—maybe even better."

Raziel always told the truth, even when it hurt. That’s how Alec knew he meant it. It was almost time to reveal himself. He needed to gather allies he could trust—before Valentine found out a Nephilim still existed.

Well, little did Alec know, he was already too late. Because at that very same hour, a message was making its way to the leaders of the Downworlders—and once it reached them, starting with Magnus Bane, they would all begin searching for him.

---

The meeting was proceeding as usual.
Magnus sipped from his glass while listening to the others, then snapped his fingers, conjuring a glass filled with blood for his son—Raphael. When the vampire gave him a grateful look, Magnus merely smiled.

"Seems like everything’s in order."

When the High Warlock glanced around the table, no one raised any concerns. The four races were managing things well, and although occasional problems arose, they were handled swiftly.

"All good. Just the usual scuffles here and there."

Luke spoke while looking directly at Raphael, who blatantly ignored him. Wolves and vampires had never truly gotten along anyway.

"Well, shall we head out then?"

Magnus looked at Catarina, Ragnor, and Jem sitting nearby. Jem, one of his closest friends—even if he was a former Nephilim—had always stood by Magnus.

Just as they all nodded, a fire message appeared in front of Magnus. Everyone froze. Receiving a fire message wasn’t unusual, especially since this meeting was in a more public location.

Magnus leaned forward to read it—and within seconds, his cat eyes shimmered into view.

"Magnus?"

Catarina’s voice was full of concern. Magnus took a deep breath, then looked at each person around the table one by one.

"It’s from Valentine."

The moment he said that, everyone straightened in their seats. Their brows furrowed, trying to make sense of what that meant. So Magnus continued:

"He’s demanding we hand over the Nephilim we’ve been hiding."

With those words, the room exploded. Everyone was speaking at once, eyes darting around. They all protested that Nephilim no longer existed—which, technically, was true. They hadn’t existed for a long time. The blessings had been withdrawn.

"So it’s finally happening."

Jem’s voice made everyone fall silent. Magnus turned to him, confused by his words. But when his friend’s far-off gaze met his own, Magnus sensed the truth was about to come out.

"When Raziel withdrew his blessings, he spoke to me," Jem said quietly. "I was the youngest Silent Brother then, and I was expected to live longer in a mortal life. And I did. Raziel told me one day the Nephilim would return. There would be one at first—someone who would help the Downworlders bring down Valentine. And then that Nephilim’s chosen few would be blessed. I didn’t expect it to happen this soon. I don’t know how Valentine found out, but that Nephilim is in danger—probably in their twenties, and likely completely unaware of any of this."

Everyone sat in stunned silence. The revelation was shocking. There had been no Nephilim for years. Idris was gone. Yes, demons still attacked, but the Downworlders had managed on their own.

"Then let’s find and kill him," Raphael said coldly. "The Nephilim were always our enemies. They massacred us. If Valentine finds him, it’ll be worse. He must die."

Some voices agreed with him, but Jem interrupted again—and Magnus listened closely.

"But remember, Raphael, Raziel saw the injustice and took everything back from his own children. That wasn’t easy. Now he’s making another move, probably trying to get it right this time. And you’re suggesting we kill a young, innocent person who doesn’t even know what’s going on?"

Jem made good points. Magnus sighed, placing his hands on the table. Everyone turned toward him again.

"Valentine is becoming a threat once more. And now there’s a missing Nephilim. Like Jem said, they’re probably completely unaware. Yes, Nephilim caused us pain in the past, but Valentine was the true cause of that. Let’s find this one. And no harm will come to them. Everyone deserves a chance."

Magnus always had the final word, and everyone else followed him—and that’s exactly what happened.
He didn’t know what the coming days would bring, but one thing was certain:
They had to find the Nephilim before Valentine did.

Chapter Text

---

Alec sat quietly, scribbling in his sketchbook while occasionally sipping his coffee. The café was near the university, and because there weren’t many people around, Alec preferred to sit there. His mind was occupied with the news Raziel had given him that morning.
Valentine had somehow learned of his existence — and was now threatening the Downworlders over it.
Alec hadn’t expected things to escalate so quickly, but danger had always been lurking.

Soon, he would have to talk to at least one Downworld leader.
But which one?
He was a Lightwood — and since the Circle, his family had served Valentine.

"Hey, Alec."

At the sound of his name, he looked up to see Simon approaching. His friend wore a worried expression, and Alec could understand why.

"Hey."

He spoke with his friends — especially Simon. Three years ago, Simon had been attacked by a rogue vampire. Alec had arrived just in time. After turning him into a vampire, Alec had given him his own blood. Because Alec was Nephilim, Simon had become a Daylighter — just like Raphael Santiago had after drinking Nephilim blood before Idris fell.

"What’s wrong? You’ve been distracted all day. Did something bad happen?"

Simon knew everything about him. Alec had taught him how to fight and had shared everything he knew about the Shadow World. He was grateful to have someone he could talk to.

"Valentine knows I exist."

He swallowed hard as he spoke. Simon’s face grew serious, and he glanced around — though no one was nearby, he still leaned in slightly.

"What are you going to do?"

A good question. Alec knew what needed to be done — he just hadn’t decided on the timing yet. The Downworlders might see him as an enemy, and they had every right to. They had suffered terribly because of Valentine and the other Shadowhunters. All they wanted now was to live their lives in peace. And they deserved that.

"I’m not sure yet. But I’ll handle it somehow."

He had to. Raziel believed in him. And Alec couldn’t let the Downworlders be subjected to that kind of suffering again. They had already endured enough.

"I’ll always be by your side, Alec."

And Alec knew that. He was thankful for Simon — and always would be.

---

Magnus knew life was full of coincidences. He had seen it many times over his long life, but it still had the power to surprise him.

He had gone to a café near the hospital where Catarina worked to meet her. The weather was nice, so he’d chosen to sit outside — though it seemed most people preferred the indoors for better WiFi. Still, he wasn’t entirely alone.
Alexander Lightwood was sitting a few tables away, sketching something with complete focus. Magnus couldn’t stop himself from watching.

Even if the boy was a Lightwood, Magnus wasn’t afraid to admit how beautiful he looked. His messy black hair slightly obscured his blue eyes, and Magnus let out a quiet sigh.

He had thought of going over just to say hello, but then something caught his eye — a blond head. His eyes narrowed. Of course, he recognized him: Jace Lightwood. The eldest of the siblings.
So now he was going to witness a family moment.

"Are you ever going to respond to our calls or texts, Alec?"

Jace’s voice was tense, and the fact that those were his first words — without even a greeting — made Magnus frown. Alec had looked up and stared at his brother silently.

"Still playing this silent game, I see? You’re not a kid anymore, Alec. This little act won’t help you at school either. And there’s also the whole being gay thing. The family said if you come back and agree to the reformation program, you’ll be granted full rights again."

Well. Now Magnus had two reasons to intervene.
The first — the cruel words about Alexander’s sexual identity.
The second — Jace had deliberately spilled the coffee on Alec’s sketchbook.

But before he could act, a hand on his shoulder stopped him. Catarina was shaking her head gently. Then she turned to the two brothers. So did Magnus.

"I’m not coming back."

In that moment, Magnus heard the most beautiful voice.
Alexander, who rarely spoke — as his professors had told Magnus — had decided to speak now, for the sake of standing up to his brother.

"I haven’t been home in five years, Jace. I’m about to graduate from university, and I’m content. As for being gay — I am who I am. If you can’t accept me for that, then we have nothing more to say. I can’t believe you came here to say all this... you’re my brother. Even though I’m younger, I was always the one protecting you and Isabelle when we were kids. And now you come here and say this to me..."

Alexander’s voice was filled with disappointment — and it made Magnus’s heart ache.
The younger man quickly packed his things into his bag and turned back to the blond.

"If one day you want to be by my side, I’ll be ready to forgive you — you and Isabelle. But Maryse and Robert? They’re already out of the picture for me. You can tell them that. I’ve been standing on my own for years, and I don’t need them. I never will."

And with that, he walked away. Jace stood still for a few seconds before leaving as well. Catarina sat down beside Magnus.

"Maybe not every Lightwood is so terrible..."

Magnus could hear the sadness in her voice — and he felt it too. Alexander must be around twenty-three now. Which meant he had left home at eighteen.
Such a big step to take at such a young age.

"Life still finds ways to surprise us, dear Catarina."

Chapter Text

Finding the lost Nephilim was proving far more difficult than anyone had expected.
All the Downworlders were looking for him, yet they didn’t even have a single clue. Neither vampires nor werewolves could sense the scent of angel blood anywhere. That led to the unsettling possibility that Valentine had lied—but that didn’t make much sense either. Why lie now, after all these years? And Jem had already shared the prophecy with them.

“Maybe he already knows who he is?”

Meliorn’s voice cut through their thoughts like a blade. All the prominent leaders were seated around the table, discussing the current situation. The possibility raised by the Seelie had already been lingering in everyone’s minds.

“How long could he have known? We only just learned, and that’s thanks to Valentine. Chances are, he only recently found out too.”

Ragnor shook his head as he spoke. They had been searching for the Nephilim for two weeks, with no success. The only good news was that Valentine was also coming up empty—otherwise, the world would already have heard of it.

“He might be someone who keeps to himself… someone who rarely leaves home.”

Magnus’s voice was thoughtful as he took a sip from the drink forming in his hand, sighing quietly. His mind was torn between the mystery of the Nephilim and his own troubles with Alexander. He had overheard a portion of the argument between Alec and his brother—and even just a few words were enough to show that Alec was nothing like the other Lightwoods.

“So what do we do now?”

This time, it was Raphael who asked. Magnus only shrugged in response—he honestly didn’t know. No new theory had come to mind.

“We keep searching. Let’s just hope Valentine doesn’t find the Nephilim before we do.”

As if summoned by the mere mention of his name, a fire-message materialized in front of Magnus. Of course, it was from Valentine. The man was no longer a Nephilim himself, so he must’ve used a Downworlder to send it.

“Wonderful,” Magnus muttered aloud after reading it, his tone dripping with sarcasm. This was becoming more and more annoying by the day.

“Valentine wants a meeting. Tonight. He says it’s about the Nephilim. And he made it clear—if we refuse, he won’t hesitate to launch attacks at random locations.”

A collective sigh rose from the table—and Magnus couldn’t blame them. Yes, it was going to be one very unpleasant night.

---

Alec could hide the scent of his blood from all Downworlders and demons.
That was thanks to Raziel. Ever since Alec had discovered what he was at a young age, Raziel had been by his side, protecting him. Over time, the angel had even gifted him with unique runes. His favorites were the portal rune and the one that granted him angelic wings. Both consumed a lot of energy—but with the endurance rune, he managed just fine.

Now, with the news Raziel had brought him, Alec was getting ready. Valentine and the Downworlders were going to meet—and Alec knew it was about him. It was time to stop hiding.

He gathered his arrows, seraph blades, and daggers. His stele was already at his side. He had trained for this moment. He wanted to help the Downworlders, and most of all, fix the mistakes of his family. He had read every hidden record his parents had stashed away in the secret parts of the house. He had copies of everything—and the more he read, the more disgusted he felt. Shadowhunters weren’t supposed to be like this. There should have been peace between both worlds. But his family—and many others—were arrogant monsters.

“Hey, Alec… is it time to go?”

Simon’s voice brought him back. Alec turned to see his friend looking at him with concern and gave a silent nod. He slipped on his jacket, secured his weapons, and grabbed his stele. They were going to use a portal to get there an hour early—so no one would sense their presence.

As Alec opened the portal, he and Simon stepped through together. The place was filled with cargo containers. Hiding in the shadows, all that remained was to wait.

---

“Are those… your parents?”

An hour later, the place had filled with warlocks, werewolves, vampires, and Seelie folk. Valentine stood among the Downworlders, and just like Simon had said—Alec’s parents were there, too. Alec wasn’t surprised. They were nothing but disappointment—and always would be. He simply nodded and focused on the conversation ahead.

“Hand over the Nephilim, you cursed creatures.”

Valentine’s words made Alec roll his eyes. The only cursed creature here was Valentine himself.

“The Nephilim is not with us. And clearly, he’s not with you either. Even if he were with us, we would never give him to you.”

When Magnus Bane stepped forward, Alec paid close attention. He could feel the man’s magical energy radiating in waves. There was something unique about the warlock—something powerful.

“So we’re doing this the hard way, Magnus Bane? Very well. Perhaps the death of one of your kind will change your mind.”

A warlock, clearly restrained and flanked by two vampires, was dragged forward. Valentine now held a sword. Alec rose from his crouched position, nocked an arrow to his bow, and aimed.

“Don’t even try it!”

Magnus’s voice was sharp and cold with warning. But with so many other magical beings present, any spell Magnus cast could be interrupted. Alec knew that. So when Valentine raised his sword, Alec loosed his arrow. He could’ve hit the heart—but a werewolf in the way made that impossible. Still, the shot landed squarely in Valentine’s sword arm.

With a scream, Valentine dropped the sword and clutched his injured arm. All eyes were now scanning the shadows.

“What’s happening?!”

Alec clenched his teeth at the sound of his mother’s voice. She wasn’t a mother—just a bloodthirsty hypocrite.

“Time to make an entrance, Simon.”

Simon’s chuckle followed as the two of them leapt from the shadows. Their footsteps echoed through the stunned crowd. Alec stepped forward first, emerging from the darkness with his seraph blade glowing brightly—its runes flaring into brilliant light. But his blue eyes were fixed on one man.

“You were looking for me, Valentine.”

Chapter Text

There was a tense silence in the air. Both sides were in shock and disbelief. None of them had expected the Nephilim to appear, and even more shocking was that the Nephilim was Alec Lightwood. And to top it off, he had brought a friend with him — a boy who suddenly darted toward Raphael with a wide grin, revealing sharp fangs. He was a vampire unaffected by sunlight.

“What does this mean, Alec?! Have you been hiding angel blood from us all this time?”

Maryse’s voice drew everyone’s attention to her. Magnus frowned. Honestly, he wasn’t surprised by her reaction.

“And if I had, you would’ve handed me over to Valentine, wouldn’t you?”

Alec’s words weren’t quite a question. They sounded more like a statement of fact. Isabelle and Jace, who had been trying to process what was happening, were still silent. Clearly, they were in shock. Though both were arrogant in their own ways, it was obvious they had no idea what was going on in the shadow world.

“Mom, what’s going on? That man was going to kill the woman! And Alec? What’s with you?”

Finally, Jace found the strength to speak, asking question after question, but the elder Lightwoods ignored him. Just then, Valentine stepped forward, still clutching his arm.

“So, a Lightwood child? Why am I even surprised? You’ve always had a strong lineage. I don’t know what’s going through your head, Alec Lightwood, but join me.”

The smile on Valentine’s face was sickening. He looked like he was eager to take Alec in and use him.

“We could rule the shadow world together. Even though you’ve lost your runes, you’ve only been aware of things for a few years. I can teach you what kind of monsters Downworlders truly are.”

As soon as he finished speaking, laughter broke the silence. It came from Simon, who quickly stopped once he realized everyone was staring at him.

“Sorry, it just sounded funny.”

Oddly enough, Raphael couldn’t take his eyes off Simon. Magnus made a mental note to ask about that later.

“I’ve been seeing demons since I was five.”

Alec’s voice pulled everyone’s attention. Magnus looked at the young man, stunned. Had he really been fighting demons alone as the only Nephilim in a world ruled by Downworlders since the age of five?

"" Thanks to the reports and plans Maryse and Robert never filed, I know exactly what’s going on. I know the wrongs committed against Downworlders, and how you brainwashed many Nephilim. After all that, you still expect me to join you? You’re delusional. I’ve known this day would come ever since Raziel chose me. What you’ve done is unforgivable. What both you and my family have done is disgusting. Even if I loathe the blood I carry as a Lightwood, at least I have the chance to make amends. I might die fighting you, and that’s fine. A Nephilim lives fast and dies young. If I’m to die with honor, I don’t care about the rest. Although, I doubt you and those two even know what honor means.”"

Alec’s words were clear and confident. He had raised himself with a sense of duty and responsibility toward Downworlders. And as a Lightwood, this made his stance even more significant.

“You think the Downworlders will trust you? You’re a Lightwood. No one will believe you.”

Valentine’s voice was filled with anger after being rejected. But Magnus stepped forward. As he did, the leaders and others on his side followed, forming a line beside Alec.

“Well, you’re clearly not great at reading the room.”

Magnus spoke with a smug air, slowly waving his hand in the air.

“I never thought Maryse and Robert could have raised such a remarkable child, but Alexander has proven himself. Let’s not forget he just saved one of my people. So no, he’s not alone. I think the sides of this war have already been drawn.”

A silence followed Magnus’ words. The faces of Valentine and the elder Lightwoods turned red with anger. With a swift gesture, Valentine signaled one of his warlocks to open a portal.

“We’ll meet again, Alec Lightwood.”

And with that, they all passed through the portal, leaving the others behind. Magnus glanced around at his companions, then looked at Alec. The boy’s eyes were still fixed on where Valentine had stood. Taking the opportunity, Magnus gave him another glance — dressed in his Shadowhunter gear and runes, he looked perfect. The bow and quiver on his back felt like an extension of him. Just as Magnus was about to speak, Simon cut in.

“Hey Alec, Clary wants to know if you finished your part of the project… she couldn’t reach your phone.”

As the young vampire approached, Alec suddenly snapped out of his thoughts and looked at his friend. He clearly hadn’t expected the question.

“What project?”

Pulling out his phone and glancing at the screen, Alec’s face went pale.

“By the Angel… I completely forgot. It’s due tomorrow afternoon.”

Shoving the phone into his pocket, Alec drew his stele and grabbed Simon’s wrist, already starting to draw a rune. His panic was obvious.

“No! I don’t want to go through the portal!”

Simon whined, but the portal had already opened. Wait… how? Only warlocks could open portals.

“You whine too much. Move already.”

Without waiting, Alec stepped through the portal, and Simon had no choice but to follow. As he left, he gave Raphael a helpless look, as if asking for help.

“Just now…”

As the portal vanished, Catarina had started to speak but didn’t finish. Instead, Meliorn picked up:

“He just defied Valentine and then panicked over a school assignment.”

That’s exactly what happened. And seeing all of it unfold, Magnus burst into laughter.

Alexander Lightwood truly was one of a kind.

Chapter Text

When Alec laid down the final brushstroke, he leaned back in his chair with a sigh of exhaustion. The assignment he had to deliver was finally finished. These past few days had been so hectic that he hadn’t had time to properly go home. He’d go to work, return home for a quick shower, sleep for an hour or two, and then head to the art studio. Even his encounter with Valentine had been shoved into the back of his mind because of it.

“You’re overworking yourself, Alec.”

When he heard Raziel’s voice, he shook his head to himself. He knew it—but at least the assignment was done. He could skip a few classes for the next couple of days, just go to work, and actually rest for once.

He gathered his brushes and paints, leaving the painting to dry. Tomorrow, he’d tell Clary, and she could hand it over to the art teacher.

“Now I’ll head home. The midterm break is coming soon anyway. I can focus on the Shadow World then.”

He had walked away from none other than Magnus Bane and his friends because of assignment panic. In a way, that was embarrassing—but what was done was done. He didn’t know when they’d cross paths again. Surely, they were busy too.

Thinking about this as he left the studio, he passed through the fine arts faculty, then out through the university gates—only to jump back when a man appeared right in front of him.

“Hello, darling. I knew I’d find you here.”

Magnus Bane stood directly in front of him, and for a moment Alec felt like he couldn’t breathe. Magnus was strikingly handsome, power radiating from him, and the longer Alec looked at him, the stranger he felt inside.

“Hi…”

His voice came out a little hoarse, and his wide blue eyes were locked onto Magnus’s. Had he been waiting for him? Alec had never even considered the possibility.

“That show you put on the other night was impressive—and you really caught us off guard. We didn’t get the chance to talk. I hear school assignments have been keeping you busy.”

Magnus’s voice was affecting him. He spoke beautifully, and his gaze never wavered from Alec’s. Alec was now absolutely certain his cheeks were flushed.

“Yeah… sorry about that. I really had to go.”

Maybe being a student sounded simple to others, but to Alec it was important. He had been working toward this degree for years.

“No, no, it’s fine. Actually, I’d love to see your paintings someday. But before that, why don’t we talk a little? Let me buy you a coffee.”

Alec was truly exhausted, but he didn’t want to turn Magnus down. He found himself nodding, and soon they were walking toward a nearby park. Once they found a bench away from people, two cups of coffee appeared in Magnus’s hands.

“I think I can always see your runes now, once I’ve seen them once.”

It was true. Simon could see his runes too—and with them, it wasn’t an issue. They all knew what they meant now. Alec just nodded as he took the cup from Magnus.

“Can you tell me what happened to you, Alexander?”

Hearing his full name from Magnus stirred something warm in his chest. Alec realized he wanted to stay in this moment forever. Without caring that his coffee was still hot, he took a large sip and began to explain—how he’d first seen demons, how Raziel had guided him, the books and reports he’d found at home, his combat training, how Simon became a vampire, and a few other details. Magnus listened carefully the entire time, never interrupting until Alec was finished.

“That… must have been hard, Alexander. Shadowhunters usually start training early, preparing themselves. But you were alone, with no chance of telling your family.”

It was true… Alec remembered times when he felt like he was going to lose his mind, when he had wanted to end everything. If Raziel hadn’t been there, he probably would have. It wasn’t easy to carry such a burden.

“It wasn’t easy, but I managed somehow. It doesn’t change anything, but… on behalf of my family and the other Nephilim, I want to apologize to you. What you went through was terrible. None of it should have happened.”

Magnus’s face showed a flicker of surprise, but Alec kept going.

“Being a Downworlder doesn’t justify such prejudice. Not every demon-blooded is evil—just as not every angel-blooded is good. The injustices you faced were cruel. Valentine and his followers only cared about themselves, and unfortunately, my family was among them. Still is. I can’t undo what they did, but I can fight by your side. The Shadow World can’t afford that kind of discrimination.”

When his hand was suddenly taken, this time it was Alec’s turn to be startled. His eyebrows shot up, and his eyes widened as he looked at the warlock.

“You truly are an angel, Alexander. To be born into such a family and still have a heart of gold—that’s remarkable. You saved one of my people that night, and for that I’m grateful. And now you say you’ll fight alongside us, even with your family on the other side. Believe me, that’s rare.”

The sincerity in Magnus’s words only deepened Alec’s blush, and he bit his lip, unsure what to say. He was genuinely flustered.

“I hope I live up to your expectations.”

He really meant it. He never wanted Magnus—or anyone else—to be disappointed by a Shadowhunter again.

“Trust me, you already have. But you need to meet the others. Two days from now, I’m hosting a meeting at my place. I’ll be expecting you.”

And—heaven knows—Alec hadn’t said no. It wasn’t just about the meeting. He wanted to see Magnus again, and he was absolutely going to take that chance.

Chapter Text

Alec was excited, though he didn’t know why.
When he looked into his wardrobe one more time, he took out his loose brown sweater and black pants and put them on. Then he put on his fingerless gloves. He looked good—or at least he should look good, right?

“How do I look?”

He couldn’t help but ask Raziel now.
After all, he was only going to Magnus’s house and meeting the other Downworlders there, right? There was nothing wrong with that.
Who was he kidding? He was very nervous. And he shouldn’t be.

“You look fine, Alec. You need to calm down. The people there aren’t your enemies.”

Easy to say—but Alec was the one who would actually have to meet them and step into that crowd.
And what if they didn’t like him? They could try to kill him right then and there.
Magnus couldn’t be luring him into a trap… could he? Alec wasn’t getting any bad vibes from him.

“I know what you’re thinking, but even if something does happen, I won’t let anything happen to you.”

When Raziel spoke again, Alec nodded to himself.
The angel had protected and helped him all this time. He trusted him more than anyone.

“I know… and I’m grateful to you. I’m just… nervous.”

Because he was starting to like Magnus too—and he didn’t want to get into a situation where his feelings wouldn’t be returned.
With so many problems already, he wasn’t sure he could handle heartbreak on top of it all.

“Don’t worry. I’ll do anything for your happiness. You deserve it.”

Alec wasn’t so sure about that, but he agreed with the angel anyway.
For now, he would try not to think negatively.

---

Magnus was sitting on his couch, sipping his drink. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t excited.
He was truly looking forward to seeing Alexander.
Everyone was already there—Catarina, Ragnor, Raphael, Luke, Lorenzo, and Meliorn.

“Someone’s a bit excited.”

At Catarina’s voice, Magnus let out a small grunt.
She really did know him well, and it wasn’t fair.
They were just looking for any chance to tease him.

“Like a teenage warlock in love.”

This time it was Ragnor speaking, and Magnus downed his drink in one gulp before leaning back in his seat.

“When Alexander arrives, you’d better not act like this. I don’t want to embarrass the little Nephilim.”

Well—he would like to embarrass him, but it would be much better to do that when they were alone.

“Isn’t he late?”

At Raphael’s question, Magnus glanced at the clock.
Actually, yes, he was late—because Alexander had sent him a message saying he’d left home half an hour before the meeting.
And now it was 8:45. That was a long time.

“I’ll call him. Maybe he needs a portal.”

He pulled out his phone and dialed Alexander’s number.
It rang for a long time, and just as Magnus was about to hang up, the call connected. He immediately began speaking.

“Alexander, darling, you’re late—”

But a few sobs cut him off, and Magnus frowned.
He knew from Luke and Raphael’s sharp hearing that they’d heard the same thing.

“M-Magnus… is that you?”

Magnus recognized the child’s voice instantly—it was Madzie.
But why was she crying? And why did she have Alec’s phone?

“Sweet pea, yes, it’s me. Why are you crying? Where’s Alexander?”

Putting the phone on speaker so everyone could hear, Magnus noticed that all the Downworlders in the room had tensed up.
They all knew and cared for the little warlock, so their reaction was understandable.

“Magnus, help! Alec’s hurt! There’s blood everywhere and he’s not waking up. It’s all my fault!”

Hearing her speak between sobs, Magnus shot up from his seat.
He didn’t know how Alexander and Madzie had met, but right now there were clearly more urgent problems.

“Sweetheart, I’m coming right now, okay? Stay by Alexander’s side and hold his hand.”

A tracking spell formed between his fingers, and once he had their location, he opened a portal.
Catarina was already moving toward him.

“We’re coming immediately.”

And the two warlocks stepped through the portal.
It brought them to an alley—and Magnus froze at the sight before him.

There were demon remains everywhere.
Alec’s arrows, bow, and sword had been thrown into different corners.
Alec himself was lying motionless against the wall.
There was an indentation in the wall—he had probably been slammed into it with great force first.
A pool of blood had formed beneath him.
Madzie was sitting by his side, holding his hand and crying.

“Madzie.”

As soon as they approached, Catarina began examining Alec.
His torso was soaked in blood, and his skin looked dangerously pale.

“Magnus, let’s go to your loft. I can’t heal him here.”

Magnus couldn’t take his eyes off the young man—he just nodded and opened another portal.
With magic, he lifted Alexander, while Catarina took Madzie, and they all stepped through together.

Everyone was standing, waiting.
Without a word, Magnus laid Alexander on the couch.

“Raphael, take care of Madzie.”

Magnus gave the signal, and the vampire took the little girl into his arms.
They didn’t yet know what had happened—but one thing was certain: they had to heal Alexander.

Chapter Text

It had taken Catarina two hours to heal Alec and move him to Magnus’s room. When the female warlock finally came to update them, Magnus was holding Madzie in his arms.

“I’ve healed his injuries. He had four broken bones in his back, and the demon wound was quite deep. Although it’s healed now, the long exposure to the poison has left him weak. He’ll be in pretty bad shape for a few days. I think he’ll wake up in a few hours.”

That news brought relief to everyone. Magnus, noticing that the little girl who had just stopped crying also seemed relieved, smiled softly.

“See, darling? Alexander will be just fine.”

His voice was gentle and full of warmth. Truth be told, Magnus couldn’t stand to see Madzie cry—and it made him feel bad about himself.

“Did he say he wouldn’t be mad at me?”

Her question was so innocent that Magnus bent down and kissed her hair. Who could possibly be angry with such a sweet girl?

“On the contrary, he’ll be happy to see you safe. Will you tell us how you know Alexander and what happened on the street?”

He was genuinely curious about both. It was obvious they weren’t strangers, but Madzie had never mentioned Alexander before.

“I met Alec a few months ago… I was trying to find my way to you but got lost. Alec found me. He noticed my warlock’s mark and told me to be careful. Then he brought me all the way to your place. Since then, he’s visited me every weekend and brought me gifts. From the very beginning, he asked me not to tell anyone about him because I saw his runes.”

Madzie took a deep breath, still leaning against Magnus’s broad frame.

“And today, I think he happened to be passing by when those demons attacked me. He pulled me close right away and protected me from danger, but one demon had been hiding… and it attacked him. Then you all showed up.”

When her eyes filled with tears again, Magnus sighed and stroked her hair to soothe her. Alexander truly was a kind soul. Who else would go to such lengths so easily?

“I understand, darling. Thank you for telling us. Why don’t you get some sleep? I’ll let you know as soon as Alexander wakes up.”

Though reluctant, Madzie agreed, and Magnus sighed again. It had truly been a long day.

“I must admit, I like that Nephilim,” Ragnor remarked, making Magnus glance at him. He then noticed Raphael nodding as well. Getting the approval of his two grumpiest friends was certainly something.

“Alexander is too kind for his own good. I’m glad I got there in time—such a death wouldn’t have suited him.”

And now, in his bed, slept a beautiful angel. What more could Magnus want?

---

When Alec opened his eyes, the first thing he noticed was that he was in an unfamiliar room. The second was how exhausted he felt. He frowned, trying to piece things together, and as the memories came back, he tried to get up. Where was Madzie?

There was pain in his abdomen and chest, but when he touched the area, there were no wounds. He took a deep breath and looked around the room again. All his weapons were on the table, along with his clothes. He was now wearing only black sweatpants and a blue T-shirt. Even though the fatigue was overwhelming, he forced himself to his feet. If this place were dangerous, surely his weapons wouldn’t be lying out in the open… right?

Still, Alec walked to the table, picked up his stele, and drew an endurance rune on himself. He was still tired, but at least he could stay standing a little longer. Then he grabbed his seraph blade and quietly left the room.

He could hear voices, and as he carefully followed them, he took a deep breath. Not knowing where he was made him tense. Finally, as he reached the doorway to the living room, the first person he saw was Magnus—then the rest of the Downworlders.

“Alec!”

The moment the small girl ran toward him, his sword slipped from his hand, and he crouched down. All his muscles screamed in pain, but he ignored it as he pulled the little warlock into his arms.

“Madzie, are you okay?”

Straightening up again, he looked at her with worry. He had been genuinely afraid something might happen to her, and seeing her safe filled him with relief.

“I’m fine. I was so scared for you, Alec!”

Seeing the redness around her eyes, he realized she had been crying, and it made him feel bad. He had never wanted to frighten her like that.

“I’m sorry. I’m okay now. And as long as you’re safe, nothing else matters. Saving my favorite warlock was more important.”

That made the girl laugh and wrap her arms around his neck, and Alec found himself smiling as well. He had grown to truly care for her since the day they met. At that moment, he looked up at the person approaching him.

“Alexander, you shouldn’t be standing. Please, sit down.”

When he felt Magnus’s hand on his back, he couldn’t help but blush. He only nodded and let Magnus guide him to the couch, still holding Madzie in his lap.

“Thank you for saving Madzie, Alec. I’ve healed you as much as I can, but you’ll need serious rest for the next few days.”

Alec turned toward the woman who had spoken—it must be Catarina. He felt a genuine sense of gratitude toward her and smiled faintly.

“You don’t need to thank me. I’m the one who should thank you for your help.”

His words were sincere, and Catarina smiled back. Alec then looked at the others—most of them seemed to be studying him closely.

“You’re very brave for someone so young. I respect that,”

Ragnor Fell said, and for some reason, the praise made Alec happier than he expected. He was used to insults, after all.

“You’re unlike any Nephilim we’ve ever met, Alec. It’s an honor to know you,”

Luke, the leader of the werewolves, added. Alec took a deep breath. It wasn’t really an honor to meet him, but for now, he didn’t want to ruin the moment by disagreeing.

“Yes, Alexander is wonderful—but he needs rest. Postponing the meeting for a few days won’t be a problem, will it?”

At Magnus’s words, Alec looked at him, but it seemed the others got the message. Catarina and Ragnor said their goodbyes and left through a portal, while the rest walked out the door. Now, Alec was alone with Magnus. Why was he suddenly so nervous?

“You’ll be my guest for a few days, won’t you, Alexander? You saved my little sweet pea. I have to make sure you’re taken care of…”

By the Angel, the way Magnus was looking at him was making his mouth go dry. Staying here for a few days wouldn’t be a problem… right?

Chapter Text

Raphael had stepped out of the hotel to go to the hospital for blood supplies. Thanks to Catarina, they were able to get fresh blood from there, and he was grateful for it.

When he felt the sunlight touch his skin, he smiled faintly. He had been feeling this sensation for over twenty years now, and it was still beautiful to savor every moment of it. Then Simon came to mind… He actually wanted to meet him, but the opportunity had never come. For the first time in a long while, someone had caught his attention—and Raphael wasn’t quite sure what to do with that.

He had barely taken a few steps when he sensed someone approaching. Turning his head, he found the very vampire he had just been thinking about standing right in front of him.

“Hey! Raphael, right? How’s it going?”

For some reason, Simon’s energetic voice didn’t annoy him—on the contrary, he found it pleasant. So Raphael decided to focus on the moment.

“Simon, I’m doing just fine. The real question is, how are you?”

It was obvious he was a vampire without a clan. And Raphael honestly didn’t know when exactly Simon had been turned.

“Oh, I’m good. Just bouncing between school, home, and classes. I only just found out Alec was attacked, and I was really worried. Luckily, Magnus and you guys helped him—thank you for that. I actually want to go see him, but I don’t want to disturb Magnus Bane at his place, you know? Plus… Alec seems to like him a lot. The night we faced Valentine, I could tell he was really impressed by him. So, I’m not sure if I should go or not.”

As Raphael watched the other vampire speak quickly without stopping, he found the habit surprisingly endearing. Normally, he didn’t like people who talked too much—but apparently, Simon was an exception. In fact, he wouldn’t have minded listening a bit longer.

“I have a small errand to run. If you want, you can come with me, and afterward we can go to Magnus’s together.”

Deep down, he hoped Simon would say yes. The way Simon’s face lit up instantly, followed by him stepping forward and taking Raphael’s arm, was almost amusing.

“That’s a great idea! I’ve been wanting to talk to you since that night anyway.”

Maybe God was on Raphael’s side today. For the first time since his death, he felt it—and he owed Him a great deal of thanks for it.

---

“Magnus, this is too much, I can’t eat all of it.”

Alec stared in surprise at the full breakfast plate in his lap before glancing up at the warlock, who was calmly eating his own meal right across from him.

He had been here for two days now, and Magnus had been taking care of him. And there was one undeniable fact—Alec was a terrible patient. Despite having no energy, he kept trying to get up and do things. In the end, Magnus had been forced to keep him under close watch.

“Of course it’s not too much, darling. Eat it all so you can regain your strength. You’re far too thin as it is—you need to put on some weight.”

When Magnus winked at him, Alec blushed and started eating. Truth be told, the last two days had been rather nice. They’d gotten to know each other better. Magnus had told him how much he admired Alec for standing up to Valentine, and that had made Alec quietly proud.

Yesterday, he had officially met Catarina and Ragnor as well. Catarina was very kind, while Ragnor was… grumpy, but Alec liked them both.

“Alexander, can I ask you something?”

Magnus’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. Looking up, curiosity stirred in his chest, and he gave a small, encouraging nod. What could Magnus possibly want to ask?

“Why are your siblings so cruel to you? Have they always been like that?”

Magnus already knew about his argument with Jace at the café, so Alec wasn’t surprised by the question. The sad part was, things hadn’t always been that way.

“When we were younger, we got along well. Our ages are close, and even though I’m the youngest, we did everything together—school, free time, everything. Then… my problems started to show up. ADHD, social anxiety, and more. Most of it was because of the angel blood I carry, but I didn’t understand that at the time. My parents weren’t happy about it—they constantly scolded and punished me.

One day, they went on vacation for a week and left me with a babysitter. Jace and Isabelle went with them. But when they came back, my brother and sister—who had once defended me against our parents—were suddenly different. They started making fun of me, belittling me every chance they got. And it’s been that way ever since.”

When he finished speaking, Alec sighed and took a sip of his coffee. Looking up, he saw Magnus’s brows furrowed, his expression dark with disapproval.

“That’s truly awful, Alexander. You were just a child—you shouldn’t have gone through that. But for them to suddenly change like that… it’s strange to me.”

Alec thought so too, though his parents were master manipulators. And Jace and Isabelle had been children themselves back then. Still, that didn’t excuse it.

“I don’t want to give you false hope… but is it possible they were enchanted?”

Alec froze in place, gripping his cup tightly so it wouldn’t slip from his hands. He had never considered that possibility before, but now, just hearing it planted a dangerous seed of hope in his heart.

“Do you… think they could be?”

He knew the hope was clear in his voice. No matter what had happened, Alec still loved his siblings, still missed them, still wished they could go back to how things used to be.

“I’m not sure—that’s why I don’t want you to get your hopes up.”

Magnus was right. There was no proof. Maybe they really did hate him. Biting his lip, Alec lowered his head, taking a deep breath to steady himself. Then he felt movement—warm hands cupping his face.

A moment later, his head was gently tilted upward, his eyes meeting Magnus’s.

“My love, I didn’t tell you this to make you sad. I just don’t want you to cling to hope when we don’t know the truth—if it turns out not to be the case, it will hurt even more. No matter what the truth is, I’ll be here for you, alright? You’re not alone anymore. You don’t have to do anything by yourself. Don’t forget that, okay?”

Magnus’s words were so warm, so genuine, that Alec felt his eyes sting with unshed tears. The walls he had built around himself for so long were starting to crack—and it wasn’t a bad thing. In fact, it was a relief.

“You don’t have to do this, Magnus…”

He truly didn’t. And yet, Magnus had reached out to him anyway. Alec didn’t know how he could ever repay that. When he felt lips press to his forehead, he startled slightly at the unexpected gesture.

“No, I don’t have to. But I want to, Alexander. An angel like you should never be alone—ever.”

Chapter Text

When Magnus left the house early in the morning, he went over his goal once more. Alexsander was asleep at home with Chairman Meow. After checking the protection wards again, he opened a portal and went to the place where he would meet Catarina. His plan was clear: he wanted to confirm what he had told Alexsander before. If Jace and Isabelle were truly enchanted, there would be a way to save them. That way, the lovely Nephilim wouldn’t suffer either.

When he arrived at the meeting point with Catarina, his friend gave him a knowing look. Two days earlier she had teased him about liking Alexsander, and Magnus had denied it. Yet now, even though he had denied it, he seemed to be acting to the contrary.

“You’re really strange, Magnus.”

Magnus rolled his eyes and glanced at the house in front of them, sending a small spell toward it. As he suspected, only Jace and Isabelle were inside. He didn’t want to see Robert and Maryse’s faces right now.

“I’m fabulous, darling, and we both know it.”

With a single gesture, he opened the door. When Catarina followed him in, they were greeted by a boring decor. She was quite sure Magnus’s house was far better than this.

“If you’re wrong, you know Alec will be very upset, don’t you?”

Unfortunately, he did know. Of course, Magnus had told the Nephilim not to get his hopes up, but Alexsander would still hope deep down, no matter how hard he tried not to. After all, they were his brother and sister.

“I hope I’m right.”

Just then, footsteps came from the stairs. Magnus was glad; he didn’t want to walk all the way to them anyway. He didn’t have the energy for that—he was the High Warlock, after all!

“Mom, Dad? Is that you?”

Hearing Isabelle’s voice, Magnus turned to his friend and nodded. They had already made a plan and were ready to act.

“Wait, I remember you!”

When the blond one of the two entering the living room spoke, Magnus rolled his eyes. It wasn’t a face one could easily forget, of course, but he mostly wished Alexsander would remember him.

“Well, it’s good that you remember, blondie. Makes our job easier.”

He knew he sounded arrogant, but who cared? All he wanted now was to do his job and reach the outcome—and preferably the one he desired.

“What do you want?”

He honestly didn’t want to bother explaining the situation to them. Luckily, Catarina seemed to understand as well, because she sent a wave of magic at them. Within seconds, the two young Shadowhunters lost consciousness and collapsed to the floor. Magnus sighed.

“Well then, time to check.”

And within a few minutes, when Magnus realized he was right, he drew a deep breath. It was actually a simple spell, solvable with an easily brewed potion. Clearly, years ago, a spell had been cast on them to tamper with their minds. That way, they would be full of anger and ambition, ignoring their brother.

Magnus could break the spell, but how would Jace and Isabelle behave afterward? Would they be kind and affectionate toward Alexsander? The Nephilim had told him they used to be close, that they got along very well. Then it should be that way again.

“Let’s take them to my place. Before they wake up, I’ll brew the potion and make them drink it. Then we’ll see together how things turn out.”

Catarina silently nodded, raising her hand to open a portal to Magnus’s loft. It was time to go.

“Let’s hope nothing goes wrong.”

Magnus hoped so too.

---

When Alec woke up, he realized he was in Magnus’s bedroom. He didn’t know when he had come into the warlock’s room or when he had fallen asleep, but his cheeks instantly flushed. Chairman Meow was still in his arms, but awake and staring at him.

“I guess you’re hungry, let’s find you something to eat.”

He stroked the cat’s head, got out of bed, opened the door, and stepped into the corridor. Just then, he heard voices from inside and curiously moved toward them. Magnus and Catarina’s voices reached his ears.

“Magnus—”

He called out as he stepped into the living room, but froze when he saw the two unconscious bodies on the couches. The cat had already jumped down from his arms, but Alec didn’t even notice. Why were Jace and Isabelle here? And why were they unconscious?

“Alexsander, come here, darling.”

Magnus handed his work over to Catarina and quickly approached him, while Alec couldn’t tear his eyes away from his siblings.

“What’s going on?”

His blue eyes widened as he turned to the warlock, feeling Magnus take his hands.

“I told you about what I suspected, remember? I went to check today, and I was right, Alexsander. There’s a simple but long-lasting spell on Jace and Isabelle that’s been influencing them for years.”

Alec felt his head spin. Magnus had been right. What did this mean? That his siblings hadn’t acted that way toward him on purpose? So what would happen now?

“Alexsander, are you okay?”

Hearing Magnus’s worried voice, he turned back to him and bit his lip, then shook his head in response.

“It’s alright, darling. No matter what happens, I’ll be by your side. Come, sit down for a bit.”

Guided by Magnus, Alec sat on the empty couch, his gaze still fixed on the unconscious pair. He just couldn’t look away. Countless possibilities ran through his head, all of them bad.

“The potion is ready.”

At Catarina’s voice, he lifted his head and looked at the two warlocks. Magnus was already holding a small vial.

“I’ll make them drink it now. Is that okay with you, Alexsander?”

Alec sighed and quietly nodded. There was no escaping this. Whatever happened, he would see it, and he couldn’t decide whether it was good or bad without knowing. After getting Alec’s answer, Magnus approached his siblings, made them drink the potion one by one, and stepped back. They would probably wake up soon.

“Do you think they’ll stay the same?”

When Alec voiced his dreaded question, Magnus gave him a soft smile, reaching out to place a hand on his cheek.

“Alexsander, you and they were very close when you were little. Once the spell loses its hold, it should be the same again. But even if it isn’t, I’ll be by your side. I won’t let them hurt you.”

His words were so serious, so sincere… Alec unknowingly leaned into Magnus’s hand with a soft hum. He believed him. Magnus had no reason to lie to him.

“I don’t want to ruin this romantic moment, but they’re waking up.”

At Catarina’s voice, they both quickly pulled away, Magnus grumbling while Alec flushed red. But as she said, the unconscious pair really was starting to stir, and when Jace opened his eyes first, Alec found himself staring straight into them.

“Alec?”

Chapter Text

---

As Alec tried to swallow, he forced himself not to look away from Jace’s eyes. The blond straightened first, glancing around, while at the same time Isabelle was starting to stir.

Alright, now Alec was extremely tense—if not for Magnus’s hand resting on his back, he would have already gotten up and walked away. He had never felt this nervous before. What if nothing had changed? What if their thoughts about him had only gotten worse? What would Alec do then? He didn’t want that. He just wanted his siblings back. Was that really too much to ask?

“Oh my God, Alec!”

When Isabelle suddenly jumped to her feet and rushed toward him, Jace followed close behind. Both their faces carried sorrow and regret. Seeing that expression lit a small spark of hope inside Alec.

“How could we treat you that way, Alec? I can’t understand it… You’re our brother.”

Jace’s voice trembled as he sank to his knees. The sight made Alec’s chest ache. It hadn’t been their fault… It was because of what their parents had done that they had turned against him. Alec understood that.

“It’s… not… it’s not your fault.”

His voice shook as he spoke, but at least he managed to form a sentence. His attention shifted to Isabelle, who was holding his hands now. Her eyes were brimming with tears.

“No, it is our fault. When we were little, Mother used to take us to a warlock. He told us everything about the Shadow World, but then said we had to forget it for a long while. We thought he had our best interests at heart. We really did forget everything, but it changed the way we looked at you. Every cruel word I ever said to you hurt me inside, Alec, I swear it.”

Though her words were broken by sobs, Alec understood them clearly. He believed her sincerity. Isabelle was crying just like she had years ago, when Alec had fallen and broken his arm.

“I’m sorry for everything I said at that café, and everything I said before that, Alec. You being gay has never been a problem for me. Never. You’ll always be my little brother.”

As Alec drew in a deep breath, he didn’t even try to wipe away the tears filling his eyes. Even if he did, more would replace them—it was pointless. He only took a shaky breath, trying to steady himself enough to speak.

“All this time, your words really hurt me—more than ever before. But as I told you once, Jace… if the day came when you regretted what you’d done and apologized, I said I would accept it. And now I see, it was never your fault. It was completely Mother’s and Father’s. I can’t blame you for something beyond your control. I never hated you anyway.”

He paused for a moment to breathe, then gave a faint, wistful smile before continuing.

“I know years have passed, but… I’d really like for things to be the way they used to be. If you’d like that too?”

His voice grew quieter toward the end. After all, it had been a long time. Even if everything was out in the open now, Jace and Isabelle might feel differently. But before he could linger on that thought, two pairs of arms wrapped around him, cutting it off completely.

“Of course we’d like that! Are you crazy?”

Jace’s voice was bright, full of joy, and absolutely sincere. He was hugging Alec so tightly that Alec almost thought he might suffocate.

“There’s still so much we need to talk about. I can’t deny it—being a Nephilim is insanely cool. But one thing’s certain: we can’t go back home. If I see Mom and Dad again, I’ll attack them.”

At Isabelle’s words, Alec fell into thought. He knew they wouldn’t be able to control themselves. And there was always the risk they’d get hurt. He needed to figure out what to do—and quickly.

“Actually, I have an idea.”

Magnus, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke, drawing everyone’s attention. Alec turned to him intently. Just looking at Magnus eased something inside him.

“I use the downstairs mostly for old belongings. If we clear it out, the three of you can stay there. Now that everything’s out in the open, Alexander shouldn’t be alone, and neither should you two. I’ll put protective wards on Jace and Isabelle, and your family—nor Valentine or his circle—will ever be able to get near you. And aren’t the biggest shares in the company yours anyway? You could sell them and start something new. You don’t have to depend on your parents.”

Alec’s eyes widened as he stared at Magnus, struggling to take it all in. They hadn’t known each other that long. Why was he doing this?

“Wouldn’t that be a problem for you?”

He couldn’t help but ask, rising to his feet. But Magnus only shook his head with a smile and stepped closer.

“Anything for you, darling. You’ve just reunited with your siblings, and after all this time, you deserve to be happy. Besides, if you move downstairs, I’ll get to see you every day.”

When he finished with a wink, Alec blushed, unable to help himself, and wrapped his arms around Magnus. A moment later he felt strong arms holding him in return, and he let out a relieved sigh.

“Thank you, Magnus. This means so much to me.”

Alec didn’t see Jace’s protective big-brother glare, Isabelle’s amused smirk, or Magnus’s sly ‘I win, blondie’ look toward Jace.

“There’s no need to thank me, Alexander. You deserve to be happy.”

Chapter Text

After Magnus’s words, the move to the lower floor had been surprisingly quick. First, the apartment was cleared out entirely, then all of their belongings appeared neatly packed in boxes inside the loft. While Magnus tended to his clients, Alec carried his boxes into the room he’d chosen. Jace and Isabelle were doing the same.

About two hours passed that way, unpacking and arranging their things. Eventually, Alec went out to pick up food for everyone, and soon enough the three of them were sitting in the living room eating pizza — when his sister’s voice broke the silence.

“So, Alec, what’s Magnus like?”

Alec tilted his head curiously, glancing between his siblings. Isabelle wore her all-knowing smirk, while Jace looked as if he’d bitten into something sour.

“Uh… well, he’s a good person. He’s helped me a lot, you know that. And… um, he’s very magical…”

He felt the heat creeping up his cheeks, eyes dropping to the pizza box in front of him. Magnus wasn’t just magical. He was unique. Alec couldn’t deny the rush of excitement he felt whenever he was near him. It was out of his control. And though they hadn’t known each other for very long, these were feelings Alec had never experienced before.

You don’t just like him. You’re falling in love with him.

Raziel’s voice rang inside his mind, making him flush even deeper. The angel always had the worst timing, especially when it came to embarrassing him.

“Magical, huh? You mean you like him,” Isabelle said bluntly.

Alec’s head snapped up, catching the mischievous grin on her face. She was definitely teasing him — and it was so unfair.

“What? No. Maybe. Yes. So what?!”

His voice rose with a mix of nerves and frustration as he crossed his arms and turned his face away, only to hear Isabelle giggle.

“Hey! I’m not handing my brother over to some warlock just like that!” Jace cut in, frowning. “He’ll have to prove himself first.”

That only made Alec sink deeper into the couch, burning with embarrassment.

“Oh, shut up, Jace. They’re perfect together. And Magnus is very sexy. Honestly, he’s perfect for Alec.”

Isabelle’s cheerful tone was the final straw. Alec covered his face with both hands, wishing the floor would swallow him whole. Could they not see he was sitting right there? And besides — yes, he liked Magnus, but did Magnus feel the same? The warlock was centuries old, with high standards, no doubt. Alec sighed softly. Thinking this way was pointless. If Magnus liked him back and made a move, Alec would gladly reciprocate. But he wasn’t about to make a fool of himself.

Just then, his phone buzzed in his pocket. Grateful for the distraction, he dropped his hands and checked the message. Jace and Isabelle were still bickering in the background, but Alec’s focus narrowed on the name glowing on his screen.

It was Magnus.

Magnus: Would you like to crown this evening with a lovely dinner, Alexander?

Alec blinked, rereading the words over and over. His heart thundered against his ribs. Yes — Magnus was actually asking him out to dinner. This was really happening. His hands moved before his brain caught up, typing a quick yes and hitting send.

And then panic set in. What was he going to wear?

“Izzy, I need your help!” Alec blurted, calling out to his fashion-savvy sister.

Isabelle, curious, came to his side. When he showed her the message, her smile lit up like fireworks.

“Don’t worry, brother. I’ll make sure Magnus Bane won’t be able to take his eyes off you.”

Alec didn’t know how this night would end, but one thing was certain — he had to impress Magnus.

---

Far away, in a dark and foggy place untouched by mortals, Valentine was reviewing his plans. His arm had healed since the last incident, but his anger still burned. No matter. Alec Lightwood was just a boy. When Valentine captured him, victory would be assured.

“Master, we’re keeping a close watch on Alec Lightwood. His siblings have moved with him into Magnus Bane’s building. Whenever we try to approach, their trail vanishes — likely because of protective wards.”

Valentine had expected as much, but fury still flickered in his eyes. Using Alec’s siblings as bait had been his original strategy, but now that was impossible. Still, he would not give up.

“Then we’ll take him alone.”

Alec was the only Shadowhunter who patrolled solo. His siblings couldn’t always join him, and Magnus Bane had his own people to protect. Valentine leaned back, a dark smile spreading across his face at the thought of victory.

“Soon, the entire Shadow World will belong to us. Alec Lightwood will help us — whether he wants to or not. Keep watching him. The moment he walks alone, he’ll be ours.”

The plan was set. It didn’t matter how many allies Alec gathered. One way or another, Valentine would have him — and exploit him to the fullest. Even if Alec died in the process, it wouldn’t matter. New Nephilim would always be born, and they would all serve Valentine. Soon, the Shadow World would bow to him.

Chapter Text

Alec was starting to feel like his life was finally coming together. His relationship with his siblings was good, he was fulfilling his responsibilities, and he had friends among the Downworlders. The only problem was Valentine—and since their last encounter, Alec hadn’t seen any trace of him. Alec didn’t want to admit it, but he was tense. This silence wasn’t a good thing, he knew it, and because of that awareness, he hadn’t been sleeping well at night. Of course, he did everything he could to hide it from his siblings, but only up to a point. Magnus had understood, though, and had been quietly offering him support.

Now, Alec had just finished his class and stepped out of school. Magnus had invited him over today, saying he had something important to discuss. At first, Alec had really worried, thinking there was some sort of problem. But when Magnus noticed his concern, he had reassured him—no, it wasn’t something bad. Quite the opposite: if things went as he hoped, it would be something wonderful.

So all that was left for Alec was curiosity. Thinking about it as he stepped onto the street to head home, he paused for a moment. Magnus could do everything with magic, but maybe Alec could do something with his own hands—a cake. He liked the idea. So, before heading home, he detoured into a store. By the time he decided what kind of cake to make and what flavor it should be, Alec had wandered around for almost an hour. When he finally stepped outside, the sky was already dark. Thankfully, Magnus wasn’t expecting him until nine. If he hurried, he’d still make it on time!

He quickened his pace—but then stopped short when his eyes caught sight of a few figures. Circle members. And right next to them stood a child, a knife pressed against his throat. Alec froze, his gaze darting around. There was no one else nearby. He had no weapons with him.

The child’s eyes were brimming with tears. Alec drew in a shaky breath as he began to walk toward them. He couldn’t just leave this child behind. He reminded him too much of Madzie.

“Good choice, Lightwood.”

Before he could react to the men behind him, he felt a sharp sting in his neck. A needle. Pain shot through him, and his hand flew to his neck as his body began to go numb. At that moment, the child’s form shifted—transforming into that of an adult.

“But being this compassionate turned out to be very costly for you.”

In that instant, Alec knew he was finished. His vision darkened, his balance slipping away as he staggered to the side, trying to wrench himself free of the hands holding him. But luck wasn’t on his side—not this time.

---

Meanwhile, Magnus was tending to his potion supplies, sorting out those that had run out, while also glancing at the clock. It was already past eight-thirty. Alexander should be arriving any minute. His class had ended at five, and he’d sent a message saying he’d stay in the workshop for an hour. That meant he should have been home long ago. Just then, the doorbell rang. Smiling, Magnus whisked away the potion ingredients with a single wave of magic and went to open the door.

“Alexander, I was just waiting for—”

But when he saw the other Lightwood children standing there, Magnus’s smile faded instantly. The two young Nephilim looked deeply worried, and Magnus immediately understood this had to do with Alexander. Still, he clung to the faint hope that it was something else.

“My dears, what’s wrong?”

Inside, he prayed they wouldn’t speak Alec’s name. But when Isabelle’s voice broke the silence, Magnus was already preparing a string of curses.

“Magnus, Alec still hasn’t come home. We tried calling, but he didn’t answer. A few minutes later, the police called. They found his bag and art supplies in the street. Alec is missing!”

And though it hadn’t been spoken aloud, everyone knew who was behind this.

Magnus drew in a deep breath, forcing himself to control his fury. He was the oldest one here—he couldn’t afford to fuel the siblings’ panic.

“Come inside. I’ll send word to the others right away.”

He immediately dispatched several fire-messages. Within an hour, Magnus’s loft was crowded. Luke, Catarina, Ragnor, Meliorn, Raphael, and Simon had all arrived. (The last two had been dating for a few weeks.) Simon looked just as worried as the Lightwood siblings.

“I’ve already informed the Night Children. They’re searching for clues.” Raphael’s voice was calm, but Magnus could sense his concern beneath it.

“The pack is searching everywhere too.” Luke tried to mask the strain in his tone while checking his phone constantly for any new messages. Meliorn had also contacted the necessary people. Magnus had tried tracking Alec with magic, but so far, it had failed.

“By Lilith… there’s no trace at all.”

Magnus released his spell in frustration, pacing the length of the living room. Alexander was in danger. He never believed Valentine would show him any mercy. Alec was brave, yes, but being trapped in a place like that alone—at some point, even his courage would falter.

“We’ll find him, Magnus. One way or another.” Catarina’s voice softened the tension, and Magnus gave her a faint smile, grateful for her support. But as long as Alexander was in danger, believing in those words was nearly impossible.

“Alec is strong. He won’t give up easily. We have to trust he’ll hold on until we find him.” Ragnor added, and Magnus only nodded. He couldn’t give up hope. Not now. Nearly every Downworlder was searching for Alexander. They would find him.

“Will my brother be okay?”

Jace’s voice carried a desperate hope as he held Isabelle close. The sight tore at Magnus’s heart all over again. They hadn’t had much time together before this nightmare struck.

“He will, Jace. We’re all looking for him. Why don’t you take Isabelle into one of the rooms? This stress isn’t helping her.”

Jace looked like he wanted to argue, but one glance at his sister silenced him. He only nodded and guided her out of the room.

Once they were gone, Magnus raked his hand through his hair, tension twisting in his chest. Yes—it was time for another spell. Just as he turned to call on Ragnor and Catarina, light suddenly filled the center of the room, forcing everyone into defensive stances.

Within seconds, a figure appeared—radiant, glowing with light. What caught their eyes most wasn’t just the brilliance but the details: golden hair, sky-blue eyes, skin pale as ivory, and wings even whiter than his flesh. Magnus felt his mouth fall open. There was an angel in his loft.

“Raziel?”

Luke, once a Shadowhunter, had read the angelic descriptions in his youth. So when the name left his lips, the others were equally stunned.

“Yes, I am Raziel, Downworlders. I’ve come to speak with you about Alexander. My time is short, so I’ll get straight to the point.”

For an angel to reveal himself before beings of demon blood—it was unthinkable. Magnus’s heart sank. This could only mean Alec’s situation was far worse than they feared. He gave a small nod, urging Raziel to continue.

"Since the day I gave Alexander my blessing, my eyes have been upon him. Valentine’s threats and presence already weighed heavily on him. So, years ago, he made a pact with me. If he were ever captured, if foreign substances entered his body to alter his blood, or if he fell under an inescapable threat, his body would collapse, and his heart would ultimately stop. The pact is sealed in blood. You have five days to save Alexander—or you will lose him forever."

Chapter Text

When Alec opened his eyes, the first thing he felt was the ache running through his entire body. His mind and vision were hazy, and he couldn’t quite make sense of what had happened. When he tried to move, his hands struck against iron bars, making him flinch. A few seconds later, the memories came back. Of course—he’d walked right into a trap. Valentine had captured him, and this must be his hideout.

Alec swallowed hard and tried to glance around, but there was nothing to see. This hadn’t been the plan for today. (That is, if it was still the same day—he had no idea how long he’d been unconscious, though even if a new day had begun, it couldn’t have been too long yet.) He was supposed to go see Magnus, spend time with him. The next morning, he was supposed to have breakfast with his siblings. Instead, here he was, locked up in a cage. Not so long ago, Alec wouldn’t have been this shaken at being captured—he had always assumed Valentine would fail somehow, even if it meant Alec’s own death.

But now, things were different. Now, he had Magnus. He had his siblings. He was happy—he had tasted what family felt like. Alec didn’t want to die. Still, if Magnus and the others couldn’t find him, he wouldn’t blame them. At least he would die protecting the Shadow World. Magnus and the rest would take Valentine down in the end.

A faint smile tugged at his lips as he leaned back against the wall, trying to ignore the damp, moldy scent filling his nose. Placing his hands on his knees, he steadied himself. He had five days. In those five days, he would either find a way to escape—or when the time ran out, Heaven would open its arms to him.

---

It must have been hours since he had woken when the rusty door creaked open. Alec lifted his head, and a shaky breath escaped him, born of the fury swelling inside. Valentine entered first, with his parents trailing behind. Even though Alec had long since accepted just how cruel they could be, seeing them here still hurt. He hadn’t done anything wrong, yet to his parents, he had always been the guilty one.

“You always made the wrong choices, Alec. Just look at you now.”

Hearing his mother’s sharp, sneering voice, Alec said nothing. Of course, to her, every choice he made was wrong—because he never did what she wanted. But Alec had never regretted a single decision he had made. He didn’t think he ever would.

“At least now you’ll have a chance to set things right. As a prisoner, you’ll help us. Perhaps, in time, you’ll see that our side is the true one.”

His father’s words made Alec want to laugh. The “true path” he spoke of meant wiping out the Downworlders and kidnapping his own son. When had their hearts grown so black? How could people like this ever have been Nephilim? The true disgrace of the Lightwoods stood right before him—his mother and father.

“Even if I die in agony and torture, I will never accept your path. Downworlders are part of the Shadow World, and they always will be. You may try to shatter the balance, but you will never succeed completely. The stain you’ve put on the Lightwood name will never fade—it will only spread further. In the end, you will all be destroyed.”

Inside, Alec was surprised at how calm and cold his voice sounded—but also proud. He wouldn’t show them weakness. He would fight to escape. Magnus and his siblings had to be looking for him already. If he could just hold on, they would find him before time ran out.

“You have quite the way with words, boy. I must admit—you’ve caught my interest.”

Valentine’s voice made Alec’s stomach churn. Against his will, he glanced at the man. That smile—so vile, so repulsive. Alec wanted to burn the image out of his mind.

“For years, I’ve been searching for a way to achieve my goal. And at last, here you are. I don’t have the luxury of waiting any longer.”

It was only then that Alec noticed the table. He watched as Valentine picked up a syringe filled with some kind of liquid. Alec clenched his fists tightly. He knew it would hurt. He knew it would hurt worse than anything before—but he had to endure it. He had a family to return to. They were worth it.

“Let’s get this party started, shall we?”