When the Clock Strikes | Shadowhunters Fanfiction

06 Remembrance of Things Past

"I came alone. Per your demand." we heard switched Magnus said politely, as Alec, Lei, Seb, and I hides on a corner of the corridor in Magnus' apartment floor.

That 'polite' tone coming out from Valentine's face is so new. If I didn't know it was Magnus, I'd say it was fake.

After that incident in detention cell, I immediately sent Lei a fire message for speedy reception. Turns out, he was with Seb, that's why he's here with us. Thanks the angel for that cause we really need all the help we can get. My mind is running too slow. This new information is just too much...

I've longed for him, you know. That baby... sometimes I hoped that Auntie Celine's baby was alive and now that it's true, I'm having difficulty processing that.

"Of course you have." switched Valentine said, harshly pulling switched Magnus inside.

As soon as we heard the door closed, we head in and approaches the lair. I was about to reach for the door knob when someone grabbed my arm.

"Whoa!" Alec pulled me away.

"Wards are up." said Seb.

The doors on Magnus apartment are cover in yellow protective shield. If I had touch it, I would have been thrown by a blast.

See? I'm so distracted, I didn't even notice that.

"Valentine shouldn't have this kind of warlock power." Lei worries.

"Well, as always, he defies exceptions." Seb sighs before turning to me "Look, we're going to need you."

"For what?" I asked, slightly panicking.

"Remember in Elite class when we were four? You're the only one who successfully put down those warlock wards."

Right... one of the Elite runes, Takedown rune — Used to dismantle wards and all kinds of glamour and protection. But this runes needs so much will, it requires total connection.

"Seb, I c-can't even think straight right now!" I stammered, losing my nerve and slightly lashing out "How can you expect me do that rune?"

"Well, you're going to have to try, okay? No one can." Seb argued, rationally.

I took out my stele, and starts drawing on the wards. Metallic ringing occurs as I try to draw the Takedown rune but as soon as I finished it, it just collapses. The gold shine of the newly draw rune crumples down into tinsel and abyss.

"Try again." said Lei.

"Maddie, just focus on one thing." Alec added with a supportive tone.

After a few more unsuccessful try.. I gave up.

My arms falter down to my side "I can't make it work."

"Yes, you can!" Seb countered, toned aggressively.

I sighed heavily before trying again. I did try to focus but the rune still wanes, declining to press down the ward. This time, Seb yank my arm out as he pull me facing him.

"Hey." Alec called out.

"Tell me what it feels like to have your entire family ripped away from you." Seb enquired, out of nowhere.

"What?" I gasped, baffled as to why he brought this up all of a sudden.

"That's enough." Alec forewarned, grabbing Seb shoulder, blocking him away from me.

That past is a very painful subject to me... he knows that, they all know that.

"Trust me on this, okay?" said Seb, persuasively "Trust me." Alec then let him go "Look, your mother...? She was killed in front of you. You had to watch JD die in front of you."