♛ City Of Lost Wishes ♕ Malec ♛

8) ''Dying Young Is A Tragedy''

~A~

Magnus' arms were draped around my waist, lazily bringing me to his body. I tilted my head to give him a sly grin and a chaste kiss before pulling away, despite the pleading look on Magnus' face. He leant in but I denied him. He pouted, staring me down and I felt myself give in under his Tuscan sun eyes. He leant down again and I brought my lips to his, meeting him in the middle, and as the chaste became anything but, a blush spread across my cheeks.

I pulled away, chuckling, causing my blush to deepen, now representing the colour of blood more than anything else. My cheeks felt ignited but Magnus didn't seem to take notice as he fiddled his fingers across my cheeks, swiping the pad of his thumb against the inflamed area.

He stopped with a sudden abrasiveness. I cocked an eyebrow and he put his hands in a defensive gesture. 'They have new America's top model and I am not missing another episode because you are here!' His childish tantrum was accepted and dismissed as the TV was switched on and the room was filled with the radiant glow of the television.

I cradled my head between his neck and his shoulder, readying myself for a rather long episode of strutting girls with no care in the world but to look pleasing and to keep a smile on their face. I wished my life was that easy. A job that entailed murder, plain and simple, could not make someone's life simply easy. Some people found ways to make it so but they were rarely successful and even those who lived a double life did not escape the tragedies of the murder they had committed.

We soon we engrossed in the TV show, both of us. That badly named TV show had ended up to be better than expected and with such low expectations to begin with, I couldn't help but enjoy it. We were stripped of that when the buzzer went off, echoing disruptively throughout the loft. I sighed and kissed Magnus' cheek. 'Do you want me to open it?' He nodded, his eyes glued to the screen as I went up to answer the door.

I was shocked that within the few weeks we had known each other we had already begun to act like a married couple but the somewhat rushed nature of it all was what was so exciting. It felt like a flame that would never burn out. But, even the strongest of flames die out eventually.

I stalked to the door, creaking it open to peer through the gap to see a panting, out of breath Jace. 'Izzy told me you were here. I have something you need to hear. Like, Clave level need-to-know.' He explained hurriedly to stop me from shutting the door in his face. 'And, congrats on Magnus, I assume. Why else?' He panted, smiling a bit before inviting himself in whilst I saw still speechless.

He was loud in entering, causing Magnus to pause the program, muttering a few derogatory terms about shadowhunters that I knew weren't directed at me. 'What do you want, blonde.' Magnus spat, his eyes bored and his posture nonchalant as he leant against the sofa. Jace looked between Magnus and me, looking intrigued. 'How the hell you two managed to...well, you know, it beyond me.' Magnus smirked whilst I blushed heavily, like any other time a relationship was mentioned.

'Anyway, I hold important news. Clary and I, we found the cup.' He beamed at me as my mouth fell open and even Magnus' curiosity had peaked. Jace really did look like an angel as the light shined off his hair, his smile wide and unending. Magnus, on the other hand, looked somewhat like the devil. Perfect in every way yet caused me such temptation that I was unsure of just how angelic my blood really was.

'How?' I whispered, my voice abandoning me. Magnus ushered me over, bringing me to his side as Jace stood opposite us, obviously shocked yet so ecstatic that I even allowed this much affection from someone else. I had been stoic for much of my life and even Jace had only broken a few of my walls but it seemed that Magnus had stripped me of the rest. I was bare, venerable and afraid yet the thrill made me forget that fear. That fear was what I craved. []

'Clary, she has this- this ability. She reached into paper and takes the picture and makes it real. Like a true artist.' He smiled as he talked of her and I felt a pit of the bottom of my stomach. No matter how much I liked Magnus, I couldn't imagine not having some sort of feeling for Jace. 'Her mum had the same ability. The power also works in reverse so she can put real life objects into a drawing. Her mother hid the cup in a tarot card. It's now being stored at the Institute and we need as many people to guard it before it goes to Alicante. That includes you, Magnus.' He pointed at him.

'Also, I just have to add this, if you ever hurt my brother- I will rip your head off.' I knew it was an empty threat but I felt panicked for Magnus. The blush didn't help as he threatened my, hopefully, boyfriend. Magnus just smirked and ignored the comment.

'Should we leave then?' He asked and gracefully lifted himself from the couch. Jace and I both nodded and head for the door. Jace was the first to leave and knowingly shut the door behind him.

'We have the cup.' I smiled widely, a smile I seemed to only have with Magnus. He smiled back and pulled me into a hug.

'I don't mean to sound pessimistic, Alec, but please be careful. You are a lot younger than me and a lot of things are after that cup and dying young is a tragedy.' He had a far off look in his eye. I assumed it was something from his past but had no evidence to prove my theory but instinct.

I gave him one last hug and murmured, 'I'll be fine' before following Jace outside. We all had glamours and got to the subway without trouble, unless you count Jace's endless innuendoes about Magnus and I. I ignored them and tried to erase the brewing panic that was bubbling inside me.

When the train left the station, I finally brought it up. 'Somethings wrong.' I stared into space, seeing neither of their reactions. 'I can feel it.' I panicked inside but kept up a sturdy facade. I didn't like to show my fear.

'I know you have good instinct, Alec. But, the Institute is well guarded. Nothing can get us there.' Jace replied, I wanted to believe him but I found myself only digging myself further into the hole of fear. My breathing became ragged and Magnus seemed to start panicking too. Although, I think it was over me more than anything else.

'Calm down, Alec.' He cooed as he pulled me into a tight hug. For the first time in my life, I didn't mind this show of affection in public. I knew none of these people and he was the only one to pull me out of the hole I had dug myself into.

The train pulled up to the stop and Jace interrupted our moment as he tugged me from Magnus' arms and tore down the streets, with me in tow.

'You're right, Alec.' I surprised by his confession and was about to laugh but when I saw his face set in the way I had only seen before battle, I readied myself for attack. 'Look.' He pointed over to the Institute as Magnus caught up and looked at us curiously. I squinted and struggled to see what he saw but was shocked as the image became clearer.

Eight demons lined the door, protecting everything inside- or more likely, blocking entrance to anyone else. 'You ready?' Jace asked and I nodded, hesitantly. Eight was a lot less than we were used to but what I was worried about wasn't them, it was whatever that would be revealed when we passed them.

'Let's do this.'

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