Division of Our Hearts

Chapter Five

Chapter Five

"To put it frankly, I've known for a while now that the Shadowhunters are going to lose the war," Magnus stated. They remained on the rooftop because Alec made it clear that he was not going to go back to the pavement to risk getting caught again. The shadowhunter lay low, in case someone just so happened to glance out their window and see them on the rooftop which was extremely unlikely but not impossible.

"How could you possibly know that?" Alec snapped. Despite the fact that he too knew they were losing and were most definitely going to fail, he didn't like hearing it come out of the other side's mouth.

"It's obvious," said Magnus. At Alec's scandalized expression, he sighed and added, "I'm sorry but it's true. Do you want to be molly coddled about this?" He raised his eyebrows expectantly. Alec scowled but didn't dain the warlock with a response. "The fact that Downworlders in disguise are beginning to cross over into Idris just makes your weakness all the more obvious."

"We're not weak," Alec protested.

"Oh, I know that part. Shadowhunters are strong." Magnus used sarcastic finger gestures for 'strong'. "Just not strong enough to notice the creatures who come through the portals dressed like you but not marked. You're too focused on fighting your battles. By the time you've regained your focus it's too late. They've already marked themselves with fake runes."

"How did you find out about all this?" asked Alec.

"A good friend of mine has been providing the Downworlders with his services at astonishing rates. Services which include rune spells. Well, fake rune spells . . . If he knew I was being sympathetic to you lot he'd probably flip his lid." Magnus grinned, as if he wanted to tell this friend of his that he was doing the equivalent of sympathising just to annoy them. Alec wondered if Magnus got pleasure from winding everyone up, not just him. "He was very private about it. The only reason I found out was because I walked into his domain while he was providing service to a fey. Quite the awkward situation, might I add."

Alec rubbed a hand over his face. He wasn't tired but he felt a headache coming on as a result of lack of sleep and fatigue. "So why did you decide to help us?" he asked.

"Well, at first I wasn't going to," answered Magnus. The glittery warlock seemed incapable of staying still. Alec could sort of understand that (the only reason he wasn't fidgeting or pacing around was because he didn't want to stand up and risk being caught out) but Magnus' unsettled behaviour was for a different reason to Alec's. Alec couldn't stay still because he was hardwired to be alert. Magnus couldn't stay still because he was hardwired to have the attention span of an ADHD puppy.

"What changed your mind?"

Magnus shrugged. "I came here to check out the situation myself," he explained. "The Battle at Warren Point was the perfect time to come out into the streets more, since you were all preoccupied battling the fairies who rightfully took advantage of the three day full moon. At first I couldn't tell. I couldn't see anyone! Literally nobody is on the streets. Why is that, anyway?"

"We don't want to be attacked," said Alec. "All minors under 18 train on earth, putting their training into action by battling demons and soldiers have a choice between living here and joining the minors at an institute."

"Which do you prefer?" asked Magnus.

Alec paused before answering. He wasn't sure if he preferred either. Being in New York always reminded him of how he could be called to fight at any second and the emptiness of Idris just reminded him of the devastation and fear the war was causing. "I go where my family goes."

"Ah, yes, there's more of you, isn't there?" said Magnus. "Maryse and Robert were very keen to give the army as many soldiers as they could, weren't they? Don't they hold the record for most amount of successful Duty Leaves before death? Three of them, right?"