Shadows in the Snow (A Shadowhunters Fanfic)

Prologue

Brooklyn, New York, May 2014

It was another crisp spring morning in New York, Magnus was lounging on the couch in his Pikachu pajamas, Max and Raphael were wrestling in their own respective Pokémon pajamas that they had gotten for Christmas from Simon. Alec, per usual, had left early and was busy at the institute with work and most likely his parabatai as well, knowing him. As Magnus thoughtfully watched his children playing, the familiar sound of a fire message filled the air and an orange flash zoomed over the boy's head and Magnus snatched it out of the air. He read the note, which turned out to be from his long-time friend Tessa, made obvious by the delicate cursive handwriting. This was rare from her, so it must have been an emergency, knowing her.

Dear Magnus,

There has been something urgent that has come up that requires you to come to Devon along with Alec. Feel free to bring the kids if need be- in fact I strongly recommend it. Jem and I hope to see you soon.

Best of wishes,

Tessa

"What kind of trouble is my dear Tessa in now?" sighing, Magnus slid off the couch, expertly moving between the playing children towards his phone which was sitting on the kitchen counter charging for the fifth time today because of Rafe. Studying the note as he punched Alec's number into his phone, he locked eyes with his children, who had stopped playing and were now staring at him wide eyed with a mix of fear and curiosity. Magnus wasn't sure where the fear came from, but the curiosity he could understand. The phone rang three times before Alec picked up, "Magnus I'm busy, what do you need? Is it the kids? Did you do something to them again?" rolling his eyes, Magnus turned, "No, I didn't let them almost burn down the apartment again, if that's what you mean, and Max is out of reach from your extra arrows, despite what you may think, I am a responsible parent. I am over 700 years old after all." The other side was silent for a moment, "Have you read up on your own past? What's your definition of responsible? But besides that, what do you need?" Magnus waved the fire letter in the air, "I got a fire message from Tessa asking for us to come see her in Devon. Apparently, it's an emergency that only I can deal with, she would like for you to come, and said we could bring the kids, she recommends it as well." Alec sighed, "Still nothing but trouble. Let me finish up some work and we'll talk when I get home."

Alec came home a few hours after the phone call with Magnus. When Alec got home there was a long debate about whether they would end up going to meet Tessa and Jem or not. Magnus, using his charm and the kids to his advantage, won the argument before he prepared to open a portal to Devon.

The portal opened up outside the front gates of the Cirenworth Hall, a manor belonging to the Carstairs family. Jem, probably having sensed the magic, was already waiting outside and greeted everybody with a warm smile only he could produce. Max and Rafe ran up to him yelling, "Uncle Jem!" in unison and wrapping their arms around his legs and hugging tightly. "Magnus, Alec good to see you two." Jem bowed his head in greeting and gestured for them to follow him into the Manor, Alec all the while peeling Max and Rafe off his legs.

"Tessa is making tea and Kit and Mina are upstairs playing, the boys are welcome to join them while we talk." Jem gestured up the stairs where you could hear the faint sounds of child laughter. Bending down to Rafe, Alec gently placed a hand on his shoulder, "Rafe, why don't you and Max go see Kit and Mina, yeah? I'm sure they'd love to play with you while the grown-ups talk." He nodded and took Max's hand and ran up the stairs with his brother, disappearing down the hallway.

Magnus turned to Jem after watching his sons disappear, "So, Jem, are you going to tell me what this is about, or leave me in the dark?" there was a hesitant look on his face, and he closed his eyes and sighed, "There was an...Incident...This morning that I think would be better for Tessa to explain. Please, follow me to the main room." He turned on his heel, a sign for them to follow. The three walked down a massive hallway decorated with paintings and statues collected from the multiple lifetimes Jem and Tessa have lived before entering into a massive room with white walls, a dark oak floor, and furniture similar to what you'd see in a drawing room back when they were young.