The Warlock of Notre Dame

The Institute of Notre Dame.

The Warlock of Notre Dame: Chapter One- The Institute of Notre Dame.

Eighteen years later

Magnus Pov- The bells rang loudly for the Mundanes morning mass. The ringing always gave me a headache but also sounded too beautiful to hate.

Living in the Bell tower of Notre Dame would be dangerous for any normal person. A mundane would surly become deaf with how loud the bells could be. Being a warlock though, I didn’t have to worry about things like that. I could use magic to keep my ears safe.

“Magnus, what are you doing,” my friend Ragnor asked, standing behind me.

I had two friends who lived with me in the Bell Tower. Ragnor Fell and Catarina Loss. They were warlocks like me and always kept me company, making this place feel less lonely.

“Master told me to clean the bells after they were done ringing. He will be here soon to bring me breakfast. You know how angry he gets when my morning chores aren’t done.”

Ragnor shook his head, crossing his arms over his chest. “Valentines version of breakfast is a couple grapes and a strawberry if you are lucky.”

Catarina elbowed him in the side before smiling at me. “Forget about cleaning the bells Magnus. Today is the day you have been waiting for. Why do chores when you could be watching everyone set up for the festival?”

She was talking about the Accords Festival. One day a year, Downworlders and Shadowhunters join together in unity and fun. It was pretty much the only day Downworlders could be out and not have to worry about Nephilim arresting them.

I stopped cleaning the bells, frowning slightly as I walked over to the balcony’s edge. Nephilim were already setting up for the festival. There were to be games and contests. Downworlders were allowed to sell things during the festival too. It was the only day the 'dark market' was legal, so they were also down there setting up stalls.

“It’s a shame the vampires don’t get to participate in Accords Day” Catarina sighed, looking around.

“There not the only ones,” I mumbled before walking away from the balcony. Ragnor and Catarina looked at each other before following me.

“Why don’t you go to the festival this year Magnus? As a Downworlder, you have every right to be there,” Catarina suggested.

I quickly shook my head no. “Master says it's dangerous for people like me out there.”

Ragnor rolled his eyes at that. “It is the Accords Festival Magnus. This is the day that Downworlders are accepted. If there was any time for you to finally leave this tower, it would be now.”

I looked at them frowning. “What if something went wrong? Master would never allow me to go even if I ask. He always says someday but never actually let’s me. The institute is my sanctuary, no other place.”

Catarina put her hand on my shoulder. “You can’t live your life in fear Magnus. There is a chance something could go wrong. There's also a chance that you could finally make some real friends and get out of this place. Do you really want to stay here forever?”

“Well… no… but this is my sanctuary.”

“Downworlders aren’t meant to be in institutes Magnus. The longer you stay here, the weaker your magic becomes.”