𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐄

𝐢𝐱. 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐠𝐨 {𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐡}

"So, how'd it go?"

Normally Lucius would have been happy to know something Alistair didn't but today he wasn't really feeling it. They had arrived at the Institute a few hours ago with Anatolia Bane, who Alec had insisted on taking. Alistair had been cleaning out a demon- infested Hotel in the Bronx and had just returned. And now he was pestering everyone into telling him why there was a warlock in Room 13.

"Look, Alistair, I can't tell you, okay? It's just that I don't really want anyone to know. A lot happened back there, and I did a lot wrong. Just don't make me hit you so you shut up"

His younger twin brother looked completely shocked at the mere thought of someone hitting him, but at least tried to pull himself together.

He pushed Lucius to a table in the corner of the hall and spread out a map of New York. He then pulled out a marker and scribbled something onto the map. He looked up.

"Can we talk here?"

"You seem busy"
"Shut up"

Lucius sighed.

Fine, he doesn't respect me anyway

"So, he introduced Anatolia to us, the moment we arrived. She's his adopted daughter, also an Asmodeus kid. He picked her up in Jakarta, end of the 18th century. I don't really know what happened between them but the apparently had a fallout 150 years ago and he convinced her for one final party or something like that. I think he thought that I could help convince her to stay. But it was weird, so I zoned out for some time, maybe 5 minutes. I- I thought about how Clary introduced Daniel Blackthorn to the family. And how none of us trust her."
"And?"
"Well, Magnus somehow got into my mind and made me say all those things. Look, I didn't want to say anything about Clary and everything, but I had no choice. Now Jace doesn't know what to think of me, Clary is probably devising some plan to kill me, and Alec wants to torture Ana to death because she blasted magnus away to the- angel -knows where. And I've destroyed our family."
Alistair had the annoying habit of being able to talk for hours and hours at a time. But for once, he was speechless.

"What?"

"Yes, Alistair, that's exactly how it happened- no lie."

He stared. But before he could answer, Julian Trueblood came up behind them, panting and covered in blood.

"Looks like the Bronx needs some more cleaning out. So long, Luci"
And with that, he departed without another word.

Suddenly, Lucius heard angry voices from down a corridor. He followed them to the interrogation room, where Anatolia Bane was being pinned against a wall by Alec Lightwood.

"What did you do to Magnus? Where is he?"

"That is none of your business, Shadowhunter. This is between me and Magnus"

"I demand that you-"
"You can't demand anything from me. Do whatever you like, Magnus got what he deserved"

"I deserve to know!"
"You Lightwoods never change, do you? Always believing that you have any sort of right to know everything! I have known too many of your relatives, and never have I ever met one that could just leave me alone! Magnus raised me, lied to me. What I did to him is called revenge. And he deserved it. How long he stays is up to him. Now excuse me, I have to make a phone call"
Alec glared at her but stood up.

"Make your phone call. But if you think I am letting you go you are wrong."
Alec stormed out of the room. He ran directly past Lucius, who could only remember 100 push-ups Alec had made him do for not being attentive during training.

If I was a demon, Lucius, you'd be dead by now

He smirked and peered back inside. Ana had her phone out and had a desperate look on her face.

"Al? Al, it's me, Ana. Yes. Yes. Look, I know that you're worried and I swear that I'll fix it. Please, Alia. You have to trust me on this one. He may seem a little strange at first, but he'll change. Yes, yes, I know. But you have to take him in. He's just lost something important to him. Yeah, I took it. Just be nice to him and lend him a room for a few days- make sure he doesn't try to do stupid things. Thanks, you're the best. Yes, I'll be buying next time. See you"
Lucius pressed himself against the wall. Who was "he"? Was it possible that-

"You know Herondales were also never my type. Conceited, believe they have the right to sneak into everyone's business. And then it's for the greater good. Well, you know what, Herondale? I don't believe in the greater good. It may be a valid term for you Shadowhunters but it most certainly is not for me. So, get your ass out of my affairs, will you?"
And before Lucius knew it, he was being held in a chair by Anatolia Bane.

"What? Why?"
Ana hissed angrily.

"Another problem of Herondales, something the Lightwoods are too good at: not accepting the consequences of your actions. But you'll have to learn that."

And then there was darkness