Once Upon A Time In Brooklyn

Chapter Nine: A Funeral For Nine Lives

"This is... more than I expected," Maryse said, leafing through the report in front of her. Her expression was grave. Alec was sat opposite her. He had chosen to deliver the report in person, ignoring Izzy's offer to help. He knew that he was the one who had to deal with this.

"Yeah. It seems the curse roped in innocent Mundanes to fill the body count it needed for the Bluebeard myth," he said. Maryse sighed and leaned forward.

"And it very nearly claimed three more victims without us lifting a finger," she finished for him. Alec nodded. He didn't want to point fingers or assign blame. He was sure that none of them would have thought it was a curse that was causing the Mundanes to disappear. He wouldn't correct her though, if it was going to help his cause in keeping Magnus safe.

"We should bring him in. If we can make him sit out these curses in a closed environment-" Maryse began but Alec cut her off before she could finish.

"Magnus is never going to agree to that," he replied. Maryse gave him a long look.

"You're sure about that are you? If it were anyone else, you wouldn't let their personal wishes get in the way of practical measures," she pointed out. Alec swallowed and forced himself not to look away.

"Anyone else isn't the High Warlock of Brooklyn," Alec replied. His mother rested her elbows on the table, looking at him over her fingers.

"Anyone else isn't Magnus Bane, you mean?" She asked. Alec resisted the urge to squirm.

"He's a friend," he said and hoped he didn't look as nervous as he felt. Maryse didn't so much as blink.

"Alec, I need you to be honest with me," she said, laying her hands flat against the table. "Why are you so insistent on personally being responsible for the well-being of this warlock?"

Alec couldn't meet her eyes any longer. He was sure that it betrayed him, but he couldn't face to look on his mother's face any longer.

"I need more time... before I can answer that question," he replied truthfully. He heard his mother sitting back in her chair.

"Alright, Alec, you can go. Keep me updated on everything," she said. Alec stood up and walked quickly out of the room, his heart hammering in his chest.

*

Magnus stared at the rose. He knew he was brooding. All the same, he couldn't deny that almost half the petals were now on the bottom of the case. He was almost through his allotted time.

He rested his hand against the glass.

Bluebeard had given him a lot to think about. He was supposed to be searching for True Love, but he had been taken in by a pretty face and the prospect of an easy lay and been punished for it. It was like the curse knew that he hadn't been taking it that seriously.

It wasn't that he didn't want to find his True Love, but it hadn't worked out any other time he'd thought he'd found it. Etta, who had loved him but not enough to truly ever join his world. Imasu, who had tried to grab onto him only to find him like dust. Camille, who had left him to run away with a Mundane without a second thought. Axel, who had died for political beliefs that were stronger than any feeling he had for Magnus.

How was he supposed to find someone he felt so strongly for in such a short time?

His mind went to Alec. He shook his head at the thought. Yes, Alec was interesting. He was attractive and Magnus couldn't say that his chest didn't feel a little tight around him. He found his smile enchanting. He also knew that there was no way that Alec was about to give up being a Shadowhunter to settle down with a Downworlder.