Chapter Text
Alec tapped his fingers on the table as the Clave leaders spoke, he could barely concentrate he was so angry at their callousness.
“Mr Lightwood, what is wrong with you? Do you realise how serious this situation is? Have you considered-“
Alec raised his hand in the air to halt their words, “Inquisitor, of course I understand the severity. I’ve spoken with many people about this situation, in fact, I am meeting with…” and then he paused, fighting to find a name of someone who could help, and only one name came up and he wondered if it was the wrong name but he couldn’t hold it back, “Magnus Bane” he blurted out.
Everyone went quiet then, and murmurs started and then Consul Penhallow spoke, “As long as you sort it Alec. We don’t want to see you crash and burn in your first week as Head of the New York Institute. Fix the rift” and with that, everyone stood and began leaving the room.
When everyone left, Jace laughed nervously, “Magnus Bane? As in evil Prince of Edom?”
“I don’t know why that was the first name that came to my mind. He is technically the High Warlock of Brooklyn too, but the Clave don’t even acknowledge his position unless they have to” Alec said with a groan, wiping his hand down his face.
“Let’s just go home” Jace said, smiling sadly at his brother as he stroked him on the back.
“Home?” Alec said with a frown, and Jace laughed at him.
“The New York Institute, Alec” said Jace and Alec chuckled.
“Of course” he mumbled as they walked to the Alicante portal to go back to the Institute. He was too dazed from the Clave meeting to even try to explain to Jace why the New York Institute wasn’t necessarily home, but he also knew he never could explain. Not to Jace, Jace who had found home and sanctuary there after leaving Valentine’s clutches, not Jace who had told Alec that home was by his side, not Jace who loved Alicante and Idris fiercely.
***
It was a couple of days later, and Alec stood outside the warlock’s lair, taking a deep, shaky breath inwards to mentally prepare himself for the next steps he was taking. The weight of wards made Alec’s head pound, but he cleared his thoughts and tried to focus on the door in front of him. He knocked the door.
There was a faint buzzing and the door seemed to shudder as it pulsed red, Alec’s eyes widened in horror as he took a step back. He was fighting the urge to nock an arrow, but walking in armed was not how he wanted to start this particular political house call.
“WHO DARES TO DISTURB THE HIGH WARLOCK OF BROOKLYN?” he heard boom from within the apartment, and the only thing that stopped him darting down the hallway and back down the steps to the streets of Brooklyn was his Shadowhunter training. Alec’s body went rigid and he tried to school his face into a cool stoicism that usually made people lose their ability to look him in the eye. He could be cruel when he wanted to be, when it put him on the path to saving lives.
The double doors swung open then, crashing against their respective walls, the red magic lashed out towards Alec and then retreated. Alec tried not to flinch at the magic that came inches from his face, he fought every inch of his body to step into the apartment with a casual disinterested. As he got further inside, he saw the warlock, sat on a large red leather chair in the corner, one leg crossed over the other, the man was slightly reclined. Alec took in his clothing, he wore small heeled black boots which were partially hidden beneath the black leather trousers, tighter than Alec had ever seen on anyone. His sight quickly navigated, avoiding making eye contact with the man’s crotch in the obscenely tight pants, and moved onto the bedazzled pink sheer top. It felt at odds with the rest of his outfit, and yet somehow instilled fear in Alec, in a way that he couldn’t quite place the cause. His hair was shorter on the sides and spiked on top, a fuchsia ran through the tips, and his makeup was deep reds and black, his eyes lined darkly.
The warlock had a cocktail in his hand and gently stirred it with his pinky finger; he tilted his head to the side to appraise Alec, “I asked you a question, young Shadowhunter. Who are you?” He said, his tone cold and unforgiving.
“Alec Gideon Lightwood, Sir” Alec responded without hesitation.
“Sir? Who knew I’d be treated to such epithets so soon, that title is usually reserved for my lovers” the warlock smirked at Alec then, eying him causally.
“As much as you seem to be enjoying yourself, I’ve come on behalf of the Clave” Alec snarked back, but was unable to hide the blush that was crawling up his neck and jawline.
The warlock raised an eyebrow at Alec, “Ooh Clave business, my least favourite” Magnus sang. “I’m Magnus Bane, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Alexander” Magnus continued, placing his drink on the side to rise from his chair and held his hand out. Alec took it in his and shook firmly, a tendril of magic licked at his wrist and he gave Magnus a questioning look.
“Don’t look at me so scathingly, while I control my magic, it has a tendency to run away with itself when it finds something” Magnus paused then and his eyes trailed up and down Alec, “Or someone, it likes”
Alec withdrew his hand and gave Magnus a placating smile, “So” he dragged out, “Back to why I’m here. There’s a rift open, a rift to Edom, we have demons coming through, other warlocks have tried-“
“Which warlocks? Why did you bother going elsewhere?” Magnus snapped, looking horrified at the prospect.
“There’s not exactly a rule book that says we have to come to you first, Bane. You do not exactly incite world peace” Alec retorted pointedly, a sharpness to his words now. Magnus scoffed but waved for Alec to keep speaking, “Anyway, no one has been able to close it, we would like to enlist your services to help close the rift”
“Okay, I can do that” Magnus said, but Alec felt a shiver run down his spine at the tone the warlock used.
“Let’s get the paperwork sorted then, what is your price?” Alec said, removing a rolled up document from the inside of his jacket and spreading it out on Magnus’ dining room table. Magnus uttered a few small ‘what would I like’s and made a teasing noise of being deep in thought that made Alec’s blood boil. He had to hold himself with a restraint he was sure even the angels would be impressed by, “Bane, please, name your price”
“It’s not monetary” Magnus drawled, causing the Shadowhunter to raise his eyebrows at him, “I would quite like an assistant actually”
“We can’t stop you hiring an assistant, it doesn’t break the Accords, surely money would help you do that” Alec said, shaking his head in confusion now, his brows furrowing.
“I want a pretty one, Alexander” Magnus said as if it was an obvious request, like Alec was being preposterous.
Alec felt exasperated, “Why can’t money buy you a pretty assistant?” he queried, not hiding the frustration on his features.
“Well the thing is, Alexander” Magnus purred, “You’re a pretty little thing” and as he spoke he moved from one side of Alec to the other, slowly trailing his finger along Alec’s shoulder, then the defined muscles of his back that flexed under the touch, and then up his other shoulder. He finally lightly traced his finger along the deflect rune on Alec’s neck and Alec seemingly began leaning into the touch before he huffed and pulled his body away from the warlock’s reach.
“I am not just some assistant” Alec snapped.
“You would be useful though” Magnus said, the coldness returning to his voice, “I’d like you for 3 days a week for two months, if you agree, then I will go close your silly little rift. If not, you’ll have to find someone else who is powerful enough” he said dryly, checking his perfectly manicured pink nails. Alec could tell Magnus knew how hard it would be to find someone powerful enough.
Alec rolled his eyes as he looked down at the table and then straightened to turn to Magnus, “Well luckily I’m the Head of the Institute so I won’t need clearance for this agreement. If it means you’ll close the rift, I agree to your terms”
“You’re the Head of the New York Institute?” Magnus asked, a harsh expression on his face.
“Yes?” Alec answered, unable to stop it sounding like a question.
“I thought Maryse and Robert Lightwood were still in charge. You should have come immediately to introduce yourself to me. Do you have no respect?” Magnus chided, a chill in his voice that made Alec want to beg for forgiveness. Alec was doing everything in his power not to let his fear of the warlock show on his face.
The Shadowhunter cleared his through, “My apologies Mr Bane, it has been a hectic first week”
Magnus narrowed his eyes and made a sound of displeasure, before turning, adding in his requirements with a flick of the wrist and signed the contract, handing the pen to Alec to sign. As Alec took the pen, he jolted from the sharp electricity that shot through his body, a gasp of shock escaping his lips. “A small punishment for your crimes” Magnus chuckled darkly.
Alec huffed in irritation and signed the contract. He couldn’t believe he was agreeing to be in the presence of such a heinous warlock, and do his biding. But he willed himself to be at least pleased that the political alliance was now tentatively set, his first big act since becoming Head of the New York Institute.
“Thank you, Alexander” Magnus said and with a flourish he created a copy of the contract for himself, filing it away somewhere in another room, “You can see yourself out” he said as he walked back to his chair, grabbed his drink and began sipping absentmindedly from it. The air of power still dripping from him, despite his casual posture.
“W-what about our deal?” Alec asked, unable to stop the stuttering.
“I’ll call on you when I’m ready for you. It would be a waste to have you in my services right now, I have important things to do, like finish my martini and go deal with your rift” Magnus said without making eye contact with Alec, and waved a dismissive hand. When Alec seemingly just shuffled nervously on his feet, Magnus’ eyes met his and he spoke in a deadly low tone that made Alec’s blood freeze in his veins, “Goodbye, Alexander”
Alec had to stop himself from running out of the apartment, he simply nodded at the warlock and turned to the door, eyes alight with terror as soon as Magnus could no longer see his face. He headed back to the institute to file his report and the new contract set in place. When he was finalising his report he received a fire message that read:
‘Closed the rift. Don’t disturb me until I seek you.
~ Magnus Bane’
Alec held it firmly in his hand, the lettering seemed to shimmer slightly under the light, what an odd trick he thought to himself. A smile played on his lips, as he tilted the piece paper back and forth, and then with a bemused shake of his head, he put the fire message into his top drawer. Taking a moment to look around his office, Alec sighed, it had never felt like home and he assumed once he was Head of the Institute, it would. He had thought that maybe it suddenly would feel like the place he belonged, his rightful spot in the world, like a puzzle piece snapping into place. But all he felt was a loneliness and a yearning for something else, a something that he couldn’t put his finger on. While lost in his thoughts, there was a knock at his door, and he called for the visitor to step inside. Izzy came through the door and grinned at her big brother, “Hey Alec” she said and crossed the room, plopping herself on a chair in front of Alec’s desk, “Where’ve you been?”
“I went to request Magnus Bane’s help with the rift issue. We came to an arrangement and he has now closed the rift, thank the angels. From here it’s just sweeping up the remaining demons” Alec relayed, as if reporting back a mission statement.
Izzy smirked, “I heard he is quite the charmer” she said, trailing her sharpened red finger nails along the arm of her chair.
“He’s odd” Alec frowned.
“He’s centuries old, he’s going to be a little eccentric. Was he hot? I’ve never seen him before” Izzy leaned forward intently.
“It’s hard to tell, there’s a lot of glitter and tight clothing” Alec said dismissively.
Izzy made a ‘mhmm’ noise before looking at her brother pointedly, “Okay, if you won’t play my game then whatever” she said waving her hand petulantly, “How much did his help set us back?”
“Nothing” Alec said bluntly.
Izzy choked on a laugh, “Magnus Bane, High Warlock of Brooklyn does not do anything for nothing”
“He wanted no financial reward for his work” Alec said casually.
Izzy gasped then, grinning at her brother like he had revealed a piece of gossip so great that she must immediately dig it out of him. She leaned forward, propping her chin on her fists, her elbows on the desk, “What reward did he want then?” Alec cleared his throat and couldn’t meet Izzy’s eyes, she often used a look that felt like she was staring into his soul.
“Alec” she warned, “What did you do?”
“I may have offered my presence to him for the next couple of months”
With a gasp of disgust Izzy jumped up, “You’re going to have sex with him?”
“Izzy! Keep your voice down!” Alec said, and his low tone of authority made Izzy push back from the desk. Alec stood from his desk, his knuckles pressed into the wood, talking in a disgusted whisper now, “Don’t be ridiculous, Izzy. I will be assisting him in downworld matters, but I will obviously not be having sex with the High Warlock of Brooklyn. I would never have sex with Magnus Bane”
A startled laugh came from the doorway and both Alec and Izzy’s heads snapped in shock to the figure lingering at the entrance. “Oh thank the angels it’s only you” Alec said, his tone dripping with exasperation, “Come in, shut the door again” the commanding voice still held.
“Why are we concerned about having sex with Magnus Bane?” Jace asked, crossing the room to sit next to Izzy who had retaken her seat.
“We’re not” Alec stated, “I’m going to be assisting him a few times a week for the next couple of months, and I will need you guys to help here at the Institute”
“Well as long as you’ve worked out the necessary logistics” Jace said.
“Of course, I know exactly what I’m doing” Alec stated with conviction now and his siblings seemed to relax slightly at the sureness.
“It’s nothing dangerous is it?” Izzy asked, worry etching her features now.
“No, Iz. I’ll be safe. He’s very powerful and despite what Mum and Dad said about his lack of cooperation at times, I don’t think he would actively put the Shadowhunters in immediate danger. I mean obviously I will be dealing with Downworlder issues with him, so there will be that, but it’s not like patrolling is any more or less dangerous than that. Plus I’m assisting his meetings, not running the show”
The speech made Izzy and Jace share a reluctant look of acceptance and then they nodded at their brother, “Okay, and when is he wanting you to start?” Izzy asked.
“That is the one detail I didn’t iron out with him… he said he’ll contact me when he needs me” Alec said with a sheepish smile and shrug of his shoulders, at least now telling part of the truth.
Jace shook his head, “It’s a good thing you’ve ensured the rest of this contract is water tight”
“Absolutely, now could you guys go bother each other somewhere? I need to finish filing this paperwork and you’ve given me a headache” he said, but the smile on his lips made his siblings chuckle. They said their goodbyes and left. Alec stared down at this desk, momentarily lost at the thought that he hadn’t checked any details of what Magnus was expecting from him. He had signed a completely open contract and promised the warlock basically anything. Alec shuddered at the thought.
***
Two weeks later Alec and Jace were on mission and had tracked a rogue vampire into Pandemonium. Despite being the Head of the Institute now, Alec allowed himself an occasional mission, especially with his parabatai, Jace. They stared at each other confused when they could no longer see the vampire they’d hunted into the nightclub.
“Where did he go?” Jace asked, frustration lining his question.
“I don’t know, maybe we should split up” Alec said, signalling for Jace to go one direction, but Jace was frozen on the spot.
Alec frowned at him momentarily, before a silky voice greeted him, “Well well, there you are. I’ve been searching for you little Nephilim” Alec’s body tensed at the words, an odd sensation pooling in his abdomen, it was the strangest disdain he’d ever felt. The Shadowhunter froze on the spot, “I’ve dealt with the fledgling vamp, you’re welcome by the way” Magnus said nonchalantly, “Let’s talk privately” and he summoned a portal, grabbing Alec and pulling him through. With a choked gasp, Alec felt Jace grab onto his arm and on the other side Jace had joined the two men in Magnus’ office. Well, at least it seemed to be an office.
“I forgot how annoying Shadowhunters can be when they’re together. Me and your companion need a little chat” Magnus said, glowering at Jace.
“He’s my brother” Jace said, a cool viciousness to his words that Alec always admired.
“That’s fine, but I still need to speak to him” Magnus said, shaking his head. As Magnus spoke, Jace drew his seraph blade and stepped closer to Magnus, causing the warlock’s eyes to widen in anger. There was no fear when Alec looked at him. Before Jace could move further, Magnus’ hand was up and Jace was being suspended in the air by a red cord of magic that wrapped around his throat, “I’m trying to play nice, but you are wearing on my patience already, blondie” Magnus snarled.
“Mr Bane, please” Alec said, a pleading note to his voice that made the corner of Magnus’ lips snake upwards ever so slightly.
Magnus dropped Jace to the floor, and watched as Jace scrabbled back into a fighting stance. A displeasure played on Magnus’ face as he looked at the blonde Shadowhunter, “I don’t like you disrespecting me in my own club, you’re lucky me and your brother have more important things to be concerned with than the likes of you” a venom clung to each word spoken in Jace’s direction. Jace didn’t responded, just continued a few steadying breaths as he recovered from the magical chokehold that Magnus had held him in.
“Alexander, I would like you to start tomorrow. I will need you Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. I’ll send you full details via fire message, but for now I have a few highlights” Magnus said, “There will be a uniform for Fridays and Saturdays as you will be here with me. You will report to my office first, I will allow you to get changed and then you will assist me for the evening and through the night. On Tuesdays you need to be at my loft first thing in the morning, 8am sharp. You can wear what you would like, but please avoid your tatty little jumpers” Magnus said, taking hold of Alec’s sweater sleeve and fingering it with a look of disgust. Alec removed his arm from the warlock’s grip.
“T-Tomorrow? That’s not enough time… it’s not long enough to prepare my people” Alec said.
“Not my problem. You didn’t specify timelines in the contract, I get you because you owe yourself to me” Magnus reminded Alec.
“Alec!” Jace exclaimed, “You made an open ended deal with the devil?”
Magnus groaned, “I am not the devil. I am the Prince of Edom and High Warlock of Brooklyn. Lucifier has no relation to me”
Alec and Jace stared at Magnus, momentarily dumbfounded, Alec recovered first and turned to Jace, “I’m going to need you to manage two nights a week and then Tuesday for mission allocation and management, I’m assuming on Tuesdays I’ll be back at a reasonable hour?”
“I’ll release you from my clutches at 5pm” Magnus teased.
Jace and Alec shared a brief glance of contempt before Jace sighed, “Yes of course, anything for you”
Alec nodded in response, “Well then, I will see you tomorrow back here at the club, Mr Bane”
Before they could leave, Magnus summoned a portal, “You may as well portal back, get a good rest and all. Fridays are one of my busier nights, I’ll need you alert.” Alec simply glared at Magnus as he stepped through the portal, assuming that Jace was wearing a similar expression as he followed him.
Once they were back at the institute, Alec allowed the anxiety to crawl out of his body and onto his expression as he looked at Jace, “Jace, I - I can’t do this”
“Alec if there was a way to get you out of this, you know I’d do it. But you signed a contract and he held up his side. Maybe wasn’t your best first move as Head of the Institute, but we’ve all got to start somewhere” Jace said, and to his surprise Alec burst into laughter.
“Oh by the angel, this is ridiculous. I’m going to be Magnus Bane’s bitch three days a week for two months, this is inane” Alec said in between his fits of laughter and Jace shook his head, chuckling tentatively along with his brother. Once Alec had calmed, he took a deep breath and looked back at Jace, “I actually am going to get an early night-“ and Jace pulled an amused look “-not because Magnus Bane has told me to, but because I want to be ready for any eventuality. I need you back out on patrol, Raj is free tonight, take him with you” Alec said nodding to himself, “Oh but don’t tell him about this. He’d love it too much. As far as everyone will be aware, I’m monitoring Downworlder activity and participating in more meetings across the city to understand the landscape”
“Yes, Sir” Jace responded jovially, “But seriously Alec, you’ve put a lot of thought into this, you’re going to be an incredible Head of the Institute” he complimented, patting his brother on the back before heading over to Raj. Alec sighed, ran a hand down his face and then took himself back to his room, his mind racing with the possibilities of what tomorrow might hold.
***
With a crack of his neck and a deep breath, Alec left his room at the Institute to go assign the missions for today and tomorrow. Tomorrows would have been to be tentative, he thought to himself, they would need to be reviewed by Jace in the morning before assignment. He didn’t think he would be back at a reasonable hour and therefore any possibility of assigning first thing in the morning seemed unlikely.
When he arrived in the Operations Center, there were the morning shift staff filtering to their stations, relieving the night duty Shadowhunters. Alec waved and smiled at those in the room and headed to one of the monitors to begin planning today. It was a simple strategy and he was grateful for the ease in which he assigned people to missions, careful to leave Jace out to ensure there was a person of authority at the Institute, given Alec wouldn’t be able to rush back. As the early morning passed and others began entering into the room, preparing for the morning briefing. Alec finished up Saturday’s planning also, while he had the time.
When he was done, he walked up the stairs to stand on his usual platform and smiled down at everyone, “Hello everyone. Thank you for being prompt this morning. I have assigned today’s missions, please see your tablets for updates. Any questions, I will have an open door for the next hour, so feel free to come by my office. I’ll be in until around 16:30 today but I have some important work to focus on, so after my open door period, only approach me if it’s an emergency” there were nods and murmurs of appreciation.
“To note, I have some political alliances to form and build on as the newly instated Head of the New York Institute. I will be unavailable Tuesdays during the day, returning in the evenings. Fridays and Saturdays I will be holding court with various groups at Pandemonium, I’ll be gone evening and through the night for those. Due to this, Pandemonium is off-limits to Shadowhunters for those two nights, I will be there in case of any issues anyways, also the High Warlock of Brooklyn tends to keep his own stomping grounds clean, so there’s no real concern. I want these political alliances to work and be effective, so I will say again, Pandemonium is not to be entered on Fridays and Saturdays, if there is a need to, send a fire message, call me or discuss it with Jace. Now, speaking of Jace, he will be assigning duties on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and will be the authority of the Institute during the day on Tuesdays, and then Friday and Saturday overnight. Please listen to him and follow his instructions. If any rules I have laid are not followed, there will be consequences” Alec finalised, then he scanned the room, “Is that clear?” There were noises of agreement around the room and Alec nodded, “Wonderful, now let’s get to the fun stuff: Missions” Alec grinned and he saw some nods of approval from the group.
When everyone had dispersed, Jace approached Alec as he walked down the stairs, “Fantastic speech, brother. Thank you for handing over to me and entrusting me with the Institute. It means a lot” he said sincerely.
Alec grinned at his brother and clapped him on the back, “You’ll be great, and if not, Izzy will take care of you” he laughed, a glint in his eye. Jace laughed with him, rolling his eyes at his parabatai as they walked together to the main control board, “Anyways, I’ll leave you here. But you know where I am if you need anything”
“Of course” Jace smiled at him and they parted ways for Alec to go to his office.
***
Alec checked his watched and exhaled dramatically, he had to set off to figure out what ‘assisting’ Magnus Bane would be, especially a Friday night at Pandemonium. He wasn’t big on lies, but he knew his siblings wouldn’t approve of the vague contract details. They had already figured out it was partially open ended, and he didn’t need them worrying any further. He also didn’t want the New York Shadowhunters to see him at Magnus’ beck and call. In fact, he didn’t want any Shadowhunters to see that. He had walked to Pandemonium, heart pounding in his chest the whole way, and as he approached to walk in, the security stopped him. Alec looked affronted.
“Get in the queue with everyone else” the guard said dismissively.
“I’m here to see Magnus Bane” Alec said indignantly.
“Aren’t we all. Now go get in the line with the others” the security snarled.
Alec was about to get in the security guard’s face when he heard a tutting, “Now, now, Luis, that is not how we treat the Head of the New York Institute, and my esteemed guest, is it?” Alec’s head spun towards Magnus Bane then, and he was surprised at the sight in from to him. Magnus wore low rise black jeans, that almost looked painted onto his body, and a blood red belt around the waistband. He had matching red boots on, and as Alec’s eyes trailed back up Magnus’ body he saw the shimmering red sheer shirt underneath, only buttoned half way up. Magnus had covered it with a black blazer that had red details embroidered into the fabric. Finally his gaze landed on the furious face of the warlock, he had red glitter spread on his eyelids and the kohl lined his eyes perfectly. Alec could practically taste the power in the air as Magnus stared down the man who had gotten in Alec’s way.
“Mr Bane… I’m sorry, I didn’t realise it was Alec Lightwood” the security guard said in a panic.
Magnus growled out a irritated sigh, “When people say they are here to see me, at least deign to ask their name before you send them on their way”
“Yes, Mr Bane” the security said, head now hanging down to avoid eye contact with Alec.
Magnus grabbed Alec by the wrist and pulled Alec into the club, throwing him a wry smile as they made their way to the corridor that led to Magnus’ office. Once inside, Magnus turned to Alec, “Apologies about that, they’re normally better at handling my clientele.” Alec shrugged and smiled at Magnus, and realising he wasn’t receiving a verbal response from the Shadowhunter, Magnus continued, “Clothes are in that bag there, get changed and come to my booth as soon as you’re ready”
“Okay, Mr Bane” Alec said and as the door shut behind Magnus, Alec approached the bag tentatively, as if its content would blow him into pieces. He pulled out the outfit and stared in shock, it was tight black leather pants and a black silk top. A note told him he could keep his combat boots on, because apparently Magnus did like those. Alec stifled a surprised laugh as he shook his head. He held the ungodly tight trousers up in front of his face, unable to move for a minute. What had he got himself into?