Legends (boyxboy) (Malec)

Chapter 9: How long

A/N: It's been a while but I'm back now. Sorry, this chapter took so long. Not sorry for its content. There's The Space Between Our Eyes by SayWeCanFly plus some Malec fanart.

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Alec had no idea where to go or what to do. He paused in the woods to glance around and hope for the sign of someone to help them. He started off again when he heard silence. He took a few steps deeper into the forest and was stopped in his tracks when someone practically materialised in front of him, causing him to jump.

"It's not safe for you to be out here? What are you even doing here?" the person asked.

"I recognise you. You're one of the werewolves." Alec pointed out.

"Yes, and you just stepped into our territory. I was nearest so I came to see if it was a vampire and upon seeing it was you, decided against better judgement. What are you doing here?" the wolf repeated.

"Sorry. I got lost and I need to find someone." Alec explained.

"Useful." the woman drawled. "Going to tell me who?"

"I can't."

"Why is that?"

"I don't actually know myself but I have an idea. Take me to Lucian."

"Why would I do that?"

"Because I'm expecting him." a new voice spoke from behind the woman. Lucian. "Forgive Maia. She's doing her job. I just got a letter for Aldous Nix informing me that you were on your way here. Why?"

"I need to talk to you. Urgently. I feel like you're the only person I can trust." Alec tried.

"Why?"

"Because you genuinely seem to know me."

Lucian nodded slowly and gestured for Alec to follow him with a jerk of his head. Alec headed off with Luke through the trees and bushes until they come to a clearing. "This is the heart of our territory."

Dotted around the clearing were small huts and many people wandering around, talking with each other, laughing and doing what normal humans do. Alec noticed a bunch of different ethnicities as well, spotted a good few Asians, Africans and heard a lot of Europeans. "It's..."

"Small? We can't afford much really. We created this all ourselves. Follow me, if you please." Luke carried on walking and Alec followed closely to his side. They made their way over to the largest hut in the centre of the clearing. Lucian pulled back the curtain used as a door to reveal a room with a bed, table with chairs and simple counters. "Sit. Please." he said, gesturing to the chair closest to Alec. Alec did so.

"I have questions." Alec spoke, finally.

"I assume so." Lucian sighed, sitting across from Alec. "First question?"

"How do you know me?" Alec asked.

"You won't believe me."

"I'd believe anything right now.

Lucian paused before continuing on. "I'm practically a father to Clary. She doesn't remember me, however, because the warlocks put a memory spell on anyone who sees anyone from the Downworld. They say it's to protect us but we don't know anymore."

"Why me?"

"You remember the phone calls to you, right? Those were there to upset you, so you'd leave your home and to the forest. We don't know how it works but it just does. You were chosen for your abilities. You're a Shadowhunter. You have immense strength, agility and speed. Whatever you were chosen for, it's because of who you are."

"Many have been reported missing for years. Does that have anything to do with this?"

"The warlocks are very secretive about what happens in these woods. We don't know who controls it or why but we know one of them does. People come into these woods and never leave. We know as much as any mundane police department do."

"How can you not know?" Alec asked, incredulous.

"Because we only know two warlocks who relay us information about time leaps." Lucian explained.

"Who are they? Is it on record that they told you these things?"

"I suspect not. I don't know their first names. Only their surnames. It's Fell and Loss."

"Ragnor and Catarina." Alec mumbled. He shot up from his chair. "I need to get back to the mansion. Any idea where it is?"

"No. It always moves. You've just got to run. To find something that doesn't want to be found, you have to be lost."

"That shouldn't be too hard." Alec grinned, drawing a short chuckle from Lucian. He started for the exit but was stopped by the werewolf calling his name.

"You haven't asked me everything you want to know." he pointed out. Alec froze. He hadn't. "Ask me. Ask me the question you're dying to ask."

Slowly, Alec turned. "How... How long have I been here?"

Lucian sighed and lulled his head back in thought. "Are you sure you want to know? If my answer causes death, do not drag me into this."

"How long have I been here." Alec repeated sternly. "I want... I need to know."

"Loss and Fell don't only just give us information of time jumps, they also warn us as to when a new person is taken by the forest. The last message we got, we assume was you."

"Enough of exposition!" Alec cried, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "Tell me when you got that information!"

Lucian sighed and lowered his gaze back down to Alec. "Please." Alec begged quietly. "You told me to ask the question, now answer it!"

"I told you to ask. I never said I'd answer."

"Will you? You said you knew me. A father figure to Clary. Clary and I are close so I assume that you and I are, too." Alec tried. He saw Lucian flinch at the mention of Clary's name. "Don't do it as a werewolf to a lost Nephilim who needs help. Do it as a friend?"

Lucian sighed and closed his eyes, burying his face in his hands. "If this gets back to me, I will not save your ass."

"I don't expect you to. Please. How long have I been here?" he asked again. There was a long pause before Lucian made eye contact with Alec again.