Winter Blooms (Alec Lightwood)

🗝 Chapter Thirty-Seven 🗝

It would have been easy for Varian to just leave the news to Alec or Jace to tell the Inquisitor, as the thought of seeing the woman again quite literally brought panic to the forefront of his mind.

But he sighed as he made his way up the stairs, taking his time though he did not want to loiter.

The Inquisitor was sitting at her desk when Varian reached the door. She was lost in thought, her eyes staring unfocused at a point across the room. The silver blue of an unsure feeling decorated the air around her. The door was not closed, and yet Varian still felt the need to knock.

The woman leapt to her feet, smiling at the Warlock as if she did not look like she were considering a life change. "Warlock Varian." She inclined her head to him, and Varian just smiled in what he hoped was a greeting, though he felt like it may have come off as more of a grimace.

"Inquisitor Herondale." He stepped into the room, looking around it with a feeling of recognition. "I hope I am not disturbing you."

She seemed hesitant, though not at his words. Her eyes were trained on his forearms, the backs of his hands, as if searching for something. The black bands sat firm on the back of each palm, unhidden and no longer painful.

"Of course not, please sit." She stepped around the desk, choosing to sit across from the Warlock. The Inquisitor was silent for a moment, before she cleared her throat and spoke softly, "I want to apologize once again Mr.-"

Varian interrupted, his eyes ceased their wandering, coming to rest on the bridge of the woman's nose. "You do not need to apologize." It was spoken as truthfully as every other word spoken in his life, "And please, call me Varian."

The offer of his first name was something not even he expected from himself, as he did not know the woman well enough to consider them friends. 

"Thank you," The name was added as an afterthought, "Varian." She inclined her head, bringing her hand to rest on her chest.

"Your knowledge of Warlock customs is unexpected." Varian spoke without really knowing why.

She laughed, "I know very little compared to so many in my life."

It could easily be true, but Varian did not confirm or deny. "I am here to inform you of the banishment of Jonathon Morgenstern." Though Varian could not be sure if the oldest Morgenstern child were actually banished or dead, the former seemed easier to explain. "The Morgenstern line is no more."

The Inquisitor seemed to hesitate, "I did not know that he was here."

"He took the form of Sebastian Verlac, the true Shadowhunter from the European Institutes, who I believe is now dead." Varian spoke bluntly, though his hands did twist and turn in his lap. He felt as though he were an exposed nerve, ready to be poked and prodded.

The Inquisitor seemed to be at a loss for words, as if this news were too much for her at this moment in time. "I did not expect this." She leaned back, forgoing the posture that she previously had in favor of releasing all the tension in her body. "You banished him?"

"I did."

"How did this happen?" She seemed to think that Varian had insight into the situation.

"That is the other reason I have come to speak with you." Varian was not aware of his intentions until he voiced them, his heart seemed to race in his chest, his hands continued to twist and turn in his lap. "I believe, that I may be in possession of an Angel soul."

It was the easiest way to phrase the situation.

Varian had seen possession. A demon overtaking the mind of a human or a Downworlder, even at times a Shadowhunter. The subject of their possession lost all control over themselves and could not regain it until they were severed from the demons possession. Angels were the same, though their intentions were meant to be good rather than for evil deeds.

Varian had also seen what possession of a demon soul looked like. Nearly a year ago, when an injured Werewolf showed up on his doorstep, and a black sludge was pulled from his wounds. The sludge now sits on a shelf in his workroom, an ever moving object full of bad intentions.

He, and those he knows, had never seen what possession of an Angel soul looks like.

The Inquisitor seemed unsure at her words, and when she spoke the air around her was tinged black, she was lying. "I know nothing of Angel souls, so why bring this to me."

"Your ancestor, Will Herondale, he possessed an Angel soul, though he would not admit it." Varian spoke easily, recalling memories of a time that he had not lived through, though he had heard tales told many times. "It was just a sliver, a piece, given to him by someone in his life, though I do not know who or why. If I am correct, it passed through your bloodline, growing smaller and smaller all the while-"

"You are correct." The interruption was not necessary, but the confirmation that Varian had the story correct made him smile brightly. "My ancestor, was gifted a piece of an angels soul from his wife, Tessa Gray. The knowledge of this is the best kept secret in my family line, which bears the question of your knowledge."

Varian could not be sure of his knowledge, "I believe that the Angel soul in me is aware of yours, providing information for me to speak without me actually being in possession of the memories."

The Inquisitor nodded, "The piece has grown smaller over the years. Centuries ago, it manifested itself in abilities just slightly higher than that of a normal Shadowhunter, now it is simply a star on mine and my families shoulder."

"The explanation of Jace's abilities, the control that he has over them, was from the Angel's blood that Valentine injected in him as a child, heightened by the shrinking piece." Varian continued her train of thought, smiling in success when the Inquisitor confirmed his vocalization.

"I do not know what it is to hold an entire Angel's soul, and the best advice I can provide is to seek out Tessa Gray." The name was an old one, not heard in a long time. "She has long since moved on from my grandfather, though I can feel her protection rising in times were I am in need."

Varian nodded, standing carefully and inclining his head and hand to the woman. The Inquisitor stood, taking his hand in hers and just holding the connection. "I wish you luck, and hope you find the answers you are looking for."

She did not release his hand, but rather focused her attentions on the black marks marring the back of each palm.

"It seems that you have already faced something ancient in your life, I hope the greeting that Tessa gives you is a kinder one." She smiled, and released his hand.

Varian just nodded once again, turning from the room and leaving. He could feel her eyes on him, the emotion attached no longer suspicion, but rather a kind of acceptance.

Varian felt a stronger connection to the line of Herondale, and smiled at the thought.