Bloodlines: An Alec and Magnus (Malec) Fanfiction

Chapter 9

When we arrive back at the New York Institute, Simon and Clary head home, seemingly overwhelmed by the day's events. I can't blame them. My own head is reeling, making me feel dizzy with an information overload. Izzy escorts Tessa to a room and I settle Jem in the bedroom across the hall. He sits down on the bed uncomfortably, looking around. He looks small in the large room, and I feel sorry for him. I never thought of Silent Brothers as humans will compassion and an ability to be hurt. I hover awkwardly in the doorway, shifting from foot to foot.

"Can I, urm, get you anything?" I ask. "Some other clothes, perhaps?"

He nods, straightening up a little. 'Yes, that would be fine, thank you.'

I return a few minutes later with a pair of jeans from my chest of drawers and a shirt and jacket of Jace's. I bring with me an old pair of gear boots I found in the changing space off the training room upstairs. I suppose it's a long shot that they'll fit, but it seemed only right to offer them.

"Here, I hope they fit." I say, putting them on the chair by the vanity table. "Is there anything else you need?"

'No, this is quite alright. Thank you, Alec.'

"I'll come back in a few minutes when you've..." I gesture to the clothes and leave, waiting out in the hall.

I sit down in the hallway, my back against the wall by Jem's door. Inside Tessa's room, the girls are talking.

"No, it's lovely. I like your bracelet, it's gorgeous. Are those real pearls?" Isabelle.

"Yes, they are. My husband Will bought it for me." Tessa.

I sit for ten minutes or so as the girls continue their conversation, but I've stopped listening. I tune into the familiar, creaking sounds of the old Institute. With the new and unusual sounds of the dozens of guests, I take a strange sort of comfort in the fact that the floorboards still creak and the door hinges still groan and the trees still bump against the windows with scraping thuds. When a couple more minutes have ticked by, I stand up, knock on Jem's door and enter cautiously.

He sits on the end of the bed, looking thoroughly awkward and diffident in the borrowed clothes. Indeed, it is unusual to see a Silent Brother – complete with rune-scarred cheeks and black hair bearing a single silver streak – in a grey v-neck shirt, leather gear jacket and black jeans. He shifts uncomfortably, runs an elegant hand through his hair and stands up, retaining the eerie grace of a Silent Brother despite his clear discomfort.

'Let us go.' He says, and I lead from the room.

It's becoming easy to find the Blackthorn children; I've learned to just follow the noise and trust it will lead me to them. And whilst Emma isn't a Blackthorn, I've come to think of her as one. I remember what Magnus said in my ear as we arrived back through the portal – "Introduce Jem and Emma Carstairs" – and knock on the children's door.

"Hi," I say, putting my head around the door and I'm met by a clamour of greetings. "Emma, can I borrow you for a second?"

She nods, looking curious and follows me from the room and down the Institute halls to a music room near the back of the building.

"What is it?" she asks, keeping pace with me.

"There's someone I'd like you to meet." I tell her, and push open the music room door, nodding for her to enter.

She does so, though hesitantly, and I close the door behind me as I follow her in. Jem stands from the piano stool as we enter, his new appearance still unusual.