Detained [2] 《SHADOWHUNTERS》

Chapter Three

Alec stood in the operations center, arms crossed as he stared numbly at the floor. He wasn't permitted to do anything and since Victor Aldertree was holding interviews in his office, his sister wasn't around either.

He watched Magnus pass him in a hurry, the warlock clearly trying to keep his head down. Concerned, Alec called out to him. "Hey–hey!"

Magnus paused with a sigh and turned back to him reluctantly. "Yes, Alec?" 

The raven-haired Shadowhunter paused, suddenly nervous. "Uh, are you going home?" 

"Where else would I be going?" Magnus asked, bored. "I'm done with my interview. Plus, at my house, I have steak and vodka, so I would rather be there." Again he left to leave, but Alec's voice drew him back.

"Wait, you're not going to help?"

The warlock sighed, watching as Alec grasped for air. "You really don't get it, do you?" he muttered.

Alec was confused, so he stayed silent and shrugged.

Magnus sighed. "You didn't risk anything for me, you did it for you."

Alec stuttered in disbelief. "W-what? Are- are you seriously doing this? Right now? Right now?" He was exasperated and he truly didn't think he could handle anyone else walking away from him.

"You know I want to find Jace just as much as you do," Magnus reasoned. "But that doesn't mean you can treat me the way you have been–"

"Well then what do you want from me?" The Shadowhunter snapped.

"At the moment," Magnus whispered, "nothing."

Alec felt something else within him break as the warlock turned his back and walked away from him,  for good. He didn't think he could hold back the tears he had been fighting all day, but the sounding of the Institute's alarm choked them down again and he rushed into mission control. He nearly rolled his eyes as he thought of Andina once again.

And then his heart skipped a beat when he found out why the alarm was blaring. He slowed to a stop, staring blankly at the holographs in the middle of the room.

His parabatai and his best friend's profiles were staring back at him. Underneath were the blaring letters that sealed their fate. WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE.

Alec barely had time to process the information before he heard a voice that could very possibly drive him to murder. "Aldertree said he wanted to rescue them." He took in his surroundings and found Valentine's daughter beside him, speaking with Isabelle.

"Actually, Clary," the Idris-accented voice interjected, "I said I wanted to find them, and you gave me the clue I needed to do just that." The man stood at the head of the crowd, silencing the alarms.

Alec was infuriated. "What did you tell him?" He seethed.

"A-Alec," Clary stuttered, but she had no time to explain before the head of the Institute began speaking again.

"Is this everyone? Fantastic. First up, all downworlders are forbidden in the Institute from now on without my permission. Mr. Graymark," he eyed the werewolf that held a hand on Jocelyn Fairchild's back.

"I'm not leaving Jocelyn," he said, making Alec want to roll his eyes. Like the wife of Valentine needs protected, he thought. "Besides, my badge gives me access to resources you don't have. I can help you find Jace."

"I'm going to have to insist," Aldertree finished, unwavering. With a sigh, the alpha exchanged a few words with Jocelyn before leaving, taking Clary's vampire friend with him. "Now, let's get down to business." He clapped, gaining everyone's attention once more as he took his spot in the center of the room. "I have reviewed your statements and reports of the unsanctioned missions, and I can come to no other conclusion than this: the remaining Waylands are traitors to the Clave."