City of Secrets

Chapter 2

When they had arrived at the institute Magnus gently put Alec down, but when Alec swayed he put his arm around his waist to steady him. Alec smiled gratefully at Magnus, Magnus returned his smile and tried very hard to ignore the butterflies in his stomach and Jace's scowl but was unsuccessful.

"Alec!" Izzy shouted.

Alec turned just in time to be engulfed in a hug by Izzy. He was glad Magnus was still holding him, for he would have fallen flat on his back if he hadn't been. Alec hugged her tightly back, everything had happened so fast and Alec was feeling so overwhelmed that he was grateful for the comfort.

By the time Izzy had released him, Max and Maryse had joined them. Max and Maryse pulled him into a hug that Izzy joined. Though Alec was happy to be with his family, he was surprised to find that he missed the warmth and comfort of Magnus' arm around him and wished he could have stayed in that position.

Maryse cupped Alec's face, "Were you hurt?"

"No, but mom please tell me what's going on".

Maryse sighed, "Okay but we should talk in private".

Alec nodded and followed his mother to, what she said was a training room, that currently wasn't being used. They sat down on a bench. Despite Alec's desire to get up and pace, he remained sitting.

"How often have you lied to me?" Alec asked sadly.

"I'm so sorry Alec, it was to protect you. Please let me explain", Maryse said. When Alec nodded Maryse continued, "I told you your father had died, but that was a lie".

Alec had been looking at the floor, but this caused him to look back up at his mother in shock, "What?"

Maryse put her hand on Alec's shoulder, "I hated lying to you about that, but... I had to your father is very dangerous", Maryse said.

Alec's shock turned to concern, "Did he hurt you?"

"Never physically Alec, but his betrayal was one of the most painful things I have ever experienced. But before I tell you about that, there is something about you, that you need to know. You are a Nephilim".

Alec gaped at Maryse, "But that's impossible".

"No Alec it isn't. I'm a Nephilim too, though we are more commonly known as Shadowhunters", Maryse said and took off her glamour.

Alec's eyes widened when he symbols appeared on his mother's arms that hadn't been there before. Alec realized there was a symbol he recognized, it was the one he had been drawing for days and had shown Izzy and Jace. "H-how did you do that?" Alec managed to say.

"Because we are born with angel blood we are able to use runes which we can put on or cover with what we call a stele", Maryse said and handed Alec hers so he could look at it. When Alec had finished looking at it he gave it back to Maryse.

"I know that symbol", Alec said and pointed to the one he meant.

Maryse smiled sadly, "When Izzy and Jace told me you had been drawing this, I knew that you were starting to remember things. I wanted to take you away to protect you".

"Wait a minute, what do you mean I was starting to remember things?"

Maryse sighed, "You have met Simon, he is the High Warlock of Brooklyn. I asked him to erase your memories. I had to Alec, you wouldn't have been able to lead a normal life if I hadn't. It was safer for you to have a normal life, because you are different from most Nephilim. You were born with pure angel blood, this comes with so much power, which is part of the reason your father tried to kidnap you just now... and when you were a child".