Bloodloss: An Alec and Magnus (Malec) Fanfiction

Chapter 26

We end up in Jia’s office, deep within the Gard. She takes a seat behind her desk and motions for me to do likewise. I do so, and knot my fingers together in my lap anxiously. It’s getting dark outside, I notice through the window behind Jia, and I stifle a yawn, hoping I don’t seem rude. But as awful as it sounds, I really don’t want to be here. Over the past few months, I’ve felt that Jia has acted unfairly to me for reasons unknown, and it doesn’t seem like too much to ask to just spend time with my boyfriend, especially after all the time we’ve spent apart, at her hand.

“You wanted to speak to me, Consul?” I say, when Jia doesn’t say anything. She takes a deep breath.

“Yes, I…I wanted to apologise, for how I’ve treated you.” She says, sounding ashamed. I feel bad, guilt twisting irrationally in my stomach for just thinking about how badly she’s treated me. But why should I? I deserve this apology, we do – Magnus and I, for the time together we’ll never get back.

“It’s, urm…that’s alright.” I reply, unsure of what to say.

“No.” she says, firmly. “It isn’t. You know how grateful I am to you, for all you’ve done for my daughter and Helen. She really does look up to you.”

“Thank you.” I say, humbled.

“It’s…” she sighs. “This is my first year as Consul, and even now, I know that many of the shadowhunters would prefer a male Consul. You can’t understand, but…”

I cut her off swiftly.

“Oh, I understand.” I say, thinking of the downworlder blood running through my veins. A warlock and a vampire, completely unheard of. “I understand that not everyone likes different. I’m a vampire, a daylighter, a warlock, I was a shadowhunter. So, I know what it’s like.”

Jia pauses, and then replies, “You are a shadowhunter, Alec. You always will be. But I feel like I need to prove myself…”

I interrupt again. Normally, I wouldn’t dream of interrupting the Consul, but since she is confessing her fears of her inadequacy as a Consul, I cut her off anyway to attempt to give some advice.

“Well, you don’t need to prove anything.” I tell her. “You’re an excellent Consul, and anyone who needs proof of that isn’t worth the effort.”

She smiles then, but it fades as quickly as it appeared.

“I’m sorry for what we put you and Magnus through.” She says, sounding guilt-ridden.

“It’s okay.” I reply, sincerely.  

“You’re very lucky to have found someone like him.”

I think of my parents’ marriage, which seems to be rather unsteady lately, and know Jia is right.