Chapter 3

Alec was already in his bedroom by the time Izzy and the others came back from their mission. He was sat on his windowsill, gazing out into the night.

He listened as the sounds of the city played outside like a well rehearsed orchestra. The scene, a medley of colorful lights, sights and sounds, all vying for his attention. It was a scene he had become very familiar with over the years, and had come to love and loathe with equal passion. He loved it because it spoke of life, freedom, everything he hoped to be apart of, but hated it because he didn't know if he ever would be. Sighing, he tilted his gaze downward to see the Institute's guards. It seemed as if one guard was relieving the other, ready to take his place in patrolling the grounds.

Alec longed for the days when it was just him and his family at the Institute. Now there were about fifty other shadowhunters stationed there, some of them, about tweenty, he couldn't be sure, also calling the old church their home. Due to the increase in demon activity around the world over the last ten or so years, more and more shadowhunters have been dispatched from Idris to institutes all over the world, the New York Institute getting the bulk of them. Alec knew that it probably had something to do with him being there, especially this new routine of placing guards around the Institute.

He knew that they weren't just placed there to defend the Institute against possible attacks, especially since they have never been attack, at least not in his or his parents' life time. They were placed there to keep him from leaving, or rather from escaping. Because that was what the the Institute now felt like to him... a prison. He could count on his fingers the amount of times he'd been allowed to leave the walls of the old church over the last three years; not counting his travels to Idris. Idris was the only place where he had ever actually been allowed to move about freely and alone, though, he could always still feel the burn of watchful eyes on him.

At this point, forget going on missions, Alec would settle for going to the park. He used to love going to Central Park with Jace and the others to train. It was always the highlight of his week. He could remember vividly the last time he went to the park. It was about two months before his fifteenth birthday, before he was expected to officially present as an omega. Before then his scent had tended to simply confuse people, they couldn't figure out whether he was an alpha or a beta in waiting. They definately didn't think he was an omega; omegas didn't exist anymore.

And how many people, beings, were even still alive who knew what an omega scent was like? So, they had just thought that he was different, or that he'd done something to make his scent different. That was of course until that last day at the park, everything changed. There was no more mistaking what he was...or rather, what he wasn't. That afternoon had ended with a half dozen dead werewolves and him being rushed back home.

Alec was pulled from his thoughts by a sound at his door. Apparently someone didn't have a clock, or consideration for other people for that matter. Before he could even respond, the door was being pushed opened, and in walked Izzy. She was already dressed for bed, wearing a barely there white, laced detailed night dress. Which begs the question, why wasn't she in bed, and instead was about to annoy the shit out of him?

"What is it Iz?" Alec asked, not even trying to hide his bad mood as he glanced her way briefly, before turning his attention back outside the window.

"Oh come now, dear brother. I just wanted to check how you were doing after what happened this evening," Izzy responded, moving join him at the window. "Your room has the best view in the Institute," she added, pushing his feet off the windowsill to make room so that she could sit down as well.

Alec didn't respond and the two of them fell silent for a while, enjoying the view and the songs of city. Alec knew though that it was only a matter of time before she started. Izzy could never not say how she felt or what was on her mind. It was one of her better, though annoying, qualities.

"You know," Izzy began, as she turned her head from the window and looked around his bedroom as if she were seeing it for the first time. "Your room could really do with some color. Not to mention the books keeps getting more and more everytime I come in here. Soon there'll be no room for you...in your room."

Alec's bedroom was one of the largest in the Institute. He supposed it was his parents way of trying to give him some 'space'. It was where he usually spent most of his free time; when he wasn't training, or hanging out with his friends. It was plainly decorated: white walls, stained wooden furniture, matching double bed, dressoir and closet. Alec wasn't a materialistic person, however, his love for books and weapons were clear. The room had two large, floor to ceiling length book shelves taking up most of the rear and left walls. As well as many bows, swords and other weapons hanging, displayed on the walls as well. Where technology was concerned, a simple tablet and his cell phone was enough for him. Though he wasn't sure why he need a mobile phone, as he never actually went anywhere.

Alec sighed, releasing a heavy breath. "Let's just get this over with," he said, already moving from the window towards his bed. If he was going to be forced to talk about his feelings, then he might as well get comfortable. Izzy moved to join him. She got underneath the covers, propping herself up with one of his pillows as she leaned back against the headboard next to him. She then pulled him down so that his head was resting in her lap.

"So?" Izzy asked, combing her fingers through his hair.

"So what?" Alec returned.

"What happened?" She prompted.

"The usual," he said. There was another long pause; Izzy waiting for Alec to continue, and Alec trying to figure out what exactly he wanted to say. "I...I just," he huffed, frustrated. "How am I suppose to even find a mate when I'm always stuck here?" He asked, because that was what the conversation with his mother had really come down to, that was always what it came down to.

"Really Alec," Izzy chided. "In case you haven't noticed, this place is crawling with hot young alphas everywhere. All you need to do is to just pick one, and he's all yours," she said, not seeing the big problem.

"Sorry, not interested," Alec frowned. "Besides, who says that I even want an alpha. You guys are so arrogant and full of yourselves. I think betas are way better." Alec smiled knowing full well that he was triggering his sister.

Izzy opened and closed her mouth several times, feigning indignation. "Say what you want big brother, but you better not let mom hear you. She would have a heart attack. Angel forbid her precious little omega doesn't bring home an alpha. And not just any old alpha mind you, he has to be the best of the best."

Alec just rolled his eyes. "But seriously though Iz, jokes aside, how would I even know if the person wants me for me and not just because I'm an omega. Or how do I even know if I really want the person and it's not just my omega instincts betraying me by going for who it feels can best protect me. I want love Iz. Not just... you know..." Alec trailed off. He was never really good at putting what he felt into words but he new his sister would understand him, she always did.

Izzy didn't really know what to say to that, things were different for everyone. Jace and Clary knew they were meant to be mates from the very moment they'd met. Clary had told her that the moment she saw Jace, it was like her heart had just started beating for the first time, like before she met him, she was stuck on pause, waiting for her life to start. Things were a lot different with her and Simon. She hadn't known right away, it had taken years of them getting to know one another. They had started out as friends, who annoyed the living hell out off each other, and then gradually, they grew into what they were today. Mates. Soulmates.

"Alec I," Izzy began, trying to put her thoughts into words that would make sense to him. "I don't think that there is a magic formula to any of this. I think you just have to be open, don't over think things and close yourself off the way you always do. You just have to follow your instincts. I think the omega in you wants, not only what's best for you, but also what your heart wants. Your perfect mate is out there, Alec. And I know you'll find him. Okay? Just be open and let him in when you do."

Alec was in shock for a moment at his sister's words. Though she presented this tough, sometimes nonchalant exterior to the world, he knew she was just a big softy at heart, especially when it came to those she loved and cared about. That being said, he was sure he would never not be surprised by her ability to always know the right things to say, particularly where he was concerned.

However, he wasn't going to tell her that, so instead, he said, grinning up at her. "Wow Iz. Those mundane romantic movies that Simon makes you watch have really made you soft, huh?"

"Oww!" Alec shouted, jolting as Izzy yanked a lock of his hair.

"I'm not soft, I'm sensitive," she said, pouting, her bottom lip sticking out.

"If you say so," Alec shrugged.

"I do," said Izzy, still wearing her pout.

"But I swear though, sometimes if I didn't know any better, I would have thought Simon a mundane. He's got the whole act down to a T, especially those silly little T shirts he's always wearing."

"Hey, That's my mate you're making fun of," said Izzy, glaring down at him. "Speaking of... Bed time." She tapped Alec on his shoulder. He got up from where he layed on her lap and leaned back against the pillows.

"Wait," he said, as she made to get off the bed. "You didn't tell me about the mission. How did it go?"

"Just the usual stuff, you know."

"No, actually I don't know," Alec frowned. "Thus why I'm asking."

Izzy then spent the next thirty or so minutes giving her brother an as detailed report as she could about everything that had happened on the mission. She knew that this was is way of staying the loop; of helping. Since he couldn't be there physically, Alec liked to review their missions, give them advice on what they could have done differently, how they could best maximize their strengths and avoid injuries.

He would be a truely great strategist to have on any battle field, Izzy thought as she left her brother for the night.

~ooOoo~

It was only Magnus' second day in New York and he'd already found himself a rather nice place live. Turned out that the former High Warlock of Brooklyn, though an idiot of great proportions, had really good taste. At least when it came to beautifully built and perfectly located apartments. "Oh, this could most definately work," said Magnus as he moved around inspecting his new apartment, already visualizing how he wanted to decorate it. With just a flick of his wrist, the ugly black leather couch that sat in the middle of the living room, vanished, replaced by a beautiful blue Bonaldo sofa. Why wait, he thought.

"So, you're really serious about living here?" Ragnor asked, gesturing with outstretched hands as he entered the living room. "As the new High Warlock of Brooklyn?"

Magnus simply shrugged in response. He'd left the other warlock in the kitchen during their little tour of the premises, marvelling at the cabinets and fancy appliances. Magnus himself couldn't care less about what the kitchen looked like. It wasn't like he was ever going to actually be cooking anything in there.

"And Malcom..." Ragnor continued, watching as his friend made drinks at the little bar area, tucked in a corner of the living room. "He just stepped down for you, just like that?"

"You make it seem as though he had a choice in the matter," said Magnus, pausing his actions, then turning to look at his friend. "You know, I don't know if it is because we've been friends for so long, but sometimes you seem to forget who I am or what I can do."

"Oh I can assure you I have not forgotten," said Ragnor. "But that is neither here nor there. The question is; what have you done with poor Malcom? And please don't tell me you've killed him."

"I'm hurt by your insinuation," said Magnus with an indignant look on his face. "You of all people should know that I would never take a life unnecessarily. Not even an idiot's like Malcom, whom by the way, the universe would do well without. Mr Fade has simply gone on a vacation."

"Magnus," Ragnor drawled.

"What? The man is probably having the time of his life, and here you are getting wrinkles worrying over him. I can assure he's fine...I think."

The truth was that the warlock Malcom Fade was most definately not having the time of his life, or any fun for that matter. Magnus had banished him to the dungens of Edom, where he would be forced to do one of the things most warlocks hated doing; manual labour. And that was just the begining of his punishment. He will be begging for death by the time Edom is finished with him.

Giving up on what he was making, Magnus instead poured two glasses of whiskey, handing one to his friend. "After what he did, I'm surprised you of all people care what happens to him."

"I don't," Ragnor replied. "I care about what happens to you. Revenge tends to get the better of you, and I don't want to see you be consumed by it."

"Well, this is definately not revenge. That I can assure you." Magnus moved to sit on his new couch, enjoying the feel of the soft cushions. "Revenge would be his head on a spike at the gates of Sheol, and his soul being tourtured for all eternity. This..." he paused, swirling what was left of the drink in his glass "...is simply... punishment. He has had tweenty years of freedom. Others don't even get a day. And after what he did to Raphael..."

"Are you sure this is about Raphael and not about her?" Asked Ragnor, having taken a seat beside him.

Magnus didn't answer. Ragnor seemed to have a gift of always directing their conversations down paths he'd much rather avoid. He supposed it was unvoidable though, considering whose apartment they were currently in. He must love pain, he thought, frowning at himself. Perhaps be he was maschohist. Whatever it was, he was not going to be in the same city as someone who had once stepped on his toes. Rules were rules, you cross Magnus Bane, you got punished. Even if it was tweenty years later.

Taking a big swig of his whiskey, emptying the glass, "she's not here too is she? He asked when he finally spoke up, breaking the silence.

"No. She disappeared soon after you left London. No one's heard from her since," said Ragnor. "Atleast no one I know of."

"Good." Magnus answered simply. He wasn't in New York for drama, dispite drama always seeming to find him. He was here to enjoy himself, enjoy the world and it's many offerings. As much as he loved Edom, he always felt the need to be more work focused when he's there, helping his father to keep things in order. In the mundane world, he could indulge more, not take himself so serious. And he planned on starting immediately.

"I'll be having a welcome me party tomorrow night after my meeting with the Downworlder Council to offically take over as the High Warlock, and the head of the council," Magnus announced, snapping his fingers and refilling his glass.

"But isn't Luke the head of the council?" Asked Ragnor, brows knitted together in confusion.

"For now," said Magnus. "But you know me. I anwser to no one."

That Ragnor knew all too well. As he helped Magnus change the apartment to his liking, Ragnor couldn't help the worry that weighed heavily on his heart. It had only been but a day since reuniting with his old friend, and he could already tell that even after tweenty years, Magnus was still hurting, though he was trying his best to hide it. Then again, what was tweenty years to an immortal; not very long. Ragnor could only hope that his friend hadn't closed off his heart and given up on love completely. Oh Camille, he thought. Magnus had definately dodged a bullet not completing the mating ritual with that one. She was most definately not his destined mate.

For immortals, choosing the right life partner was very important, even more so than it was for mortals. Imagine being stuck with the wrong person for all of eternity. Sure you could try and break the mating bond, but then that would be risking your sanity, your life. And to the best of Ragnor's knowledge, no one has ever successfully broken their mating bond. If people felt like they didn't want to be together anymore, then they'd simply go their seperate ways, have open relationships, or whatever else worked best for them. Even that seemed unbearable to Ragnor as he shook the thoughts from his mind. No, it was definately for the best that Magnus had not in the end mated with Camille. There was no rush, he had all the time in the world to find his true mate.

"I said I wanted the walls yellow!" Magnus exclaimed, bringing Ragnor back into the moment. "That's green."

"What's the difference," Ragnor groaned, but still snapping his fingers, changing the bedroom walls to bright yellow.