BAD BLOOD // Raphael Santiago

Five: Magnus and Octavia

Ballet was something Octavia got used to when she was still a Shadowhunter in training. Dancing was a way to forget everything that was happening around. It was a way to forget all the craziness and she loved every second of it.

The habit stuck and decades later, she began her evenings in the dancing studio. Even though her vampire abilities and increased flexibility made her a very good, even excellent dancer, she hated it when people observed her dancing. She felt insecure even if she moved perfectly not that she had a tendency to show her insecurities.

Magnus had been generous to allow her to stay in his guest bedroom. She had blocked all the windows so she would be able to sleep at daytime and not to burn to death. But as the sunset, she woke up and headed to Magnus' dance studio he set up for her ( and partly for himself).

She moved like a Shadowhunter, gracefully but she was still a vampire. Without her abilities, she would have never been able to dance swan lake's choreography perfectly. Even with intense training, she would have never been as good as she was now. Some would definitely call that cheating. As Octavia was concentrating only on dancing, she didn't notice that she was being observed.

"You should have danced for the royal ballet," Magnus commented. Octavia caught surprised. She hated the warlock sneaking up on her.

"I caught you off guard, that's new."

"Shut up Magnus, I love the studio though and thanks again for letting me stay," Octavia said.

"It's not a problem, I know you'll go back to Dumort at some point."

"I wouldn't be so sure of it, you saw how he was yesterday," Octavia added quickly. Raphael and she were far away from playing nice together, especially how he had left the meeting without saying a word to her.

"He was pissed off, he will calm down sooner or later."

"He better calm down, otherwise we're all done," Octavia sighed taking a sip of blood she had stored for her water bottle.

"Something the whole story is not adding up," Magnus shook his head. He had no idea, and he thought he had known Raphael well, Octavia well. But they were lying. 

"I said the whole truth yesterday, I'm not sure about Raphael's version of what happened. He knew about the journal" Octavia nodded but left out the fact that Raphael might also know much more. 

"I don't really know for sure." Magnus noticed her face twitch as she spoke. She was lying to him, right in front of him. 

"I guess he's not only one keeping secrets," Magnus commented. Octavia knew he was now talking about Meliorn now. Hopefully. 

"Tell me about it," she sighed deeply. "I've never trusted him but he's hiding, or more likely Your royal fucking Highness is hiding something far more important."

Magnus frowned remembering his past mistakes, allying with Seelie Queen, who later made a deal with Valentine. Not his greatest decisions but past is the past. He knew better now to stick with his loved ones.

"I'm sorry about how I acted on Alec." Magnus looked at his best friend surprised.

"I understand, you hate the Clave and Alec can be," Magnus started, "-very conscientious."

Octavia nodded flashing a smug smirk on Magnus.

"Conscientious or not, he's damn hot," Magnus smirked back.

"He's very handsome and don't you dare go trying anything on him, I saw how you flirted."

Octavia let out a sincere laugh and winked Magnus playfully.