Demons Of Love (Malec Fanfic)

***************FLASHBACK****************

The subway tunnel smelled like the winter that had finally come to the city—cold metal,

dank, wet dirt, and a faint hint of smoke. Alec, walking along the tracks, saw his breath

puff out in front of his face in white clouds, and he jammed his free hand into the pocket

of his blue peacoat to keep it warm. The witchlight he held in his other hand illuminated

the tunnel—green and cream-colored tiles, discolored with age, and sprung wiring,

dangling like spiderwebs from the walls. It had been a long time since this tunnel had

seen a moving train.

Alec had gotten up before Magnus had woken, again. Magnus had been sleeping late;

he was resting from the battle at the Burren. He had used a great deal of energy to heal

himself, but he wasn’t entirely well yet. Warlocks were immortal but not invulnerable, and “Alec,” it said. “Alexander Gideon Lightwood.”

Alec felt his heart lurch. He turned around slowly. “Magnus?”

Magnus moved forward, into the circle of illumination cast by Alec’s witchlight. He

looked uncharacteristically somber, his eyes shadowed. His spiky hair was rumpled. He

wore only a suit jacket over a T-shirt, and Alec couldn’t help wondering if he was cold“a few inches higher and that would have been it for me,” Magnus had said ruefully,

examining the knife wound. “It would have stopped my heart.”

There had been a few moments—minutes, even—when Alec had truly thought Magnus

was dead. And after so much time spent worrying that he would grow old and die before

Magnus did. What a bitter irony it would have been. The sort of thing he deserved, for

seriously contemplating the offer Camille had made him, even for a second.

He could see light up ahead—the City Hall station, lit by chandeliers and skylights. He

was about to douse his witchlight when he heard a familiar voice behind him..

“Magnus,” Alec said again. “I thought you were asleep.”

“Evidently,” Magnus said.

Alec swallowed hard. He had never seen Magnus angry, not really. Not like this.

Magnus’s cat eyes were remote, impossible to read. “Did you follow me?” Alec asked.

“You could say that. It helped that I knew where you were going.” Moving stiffly,

Magnus took a folded square of paper from his pocket. In the dim light, all Alec could see

was that it was covered with a careful, flourishing handwriting. “You know, when she told

me you’d been here—told me about the bargain she’d struck with you—I didn’t believe

her. I didn’t want to believe her. But here you are.”

“Camille told you—”

Magnus held up a hand to cut him off. “Just stop,” he said wearily. “Of course she told

me. I warned you she was a master at manipulation and politics, but you didn’t listen to

me. Who do you think she’d rather have on her side—me or you? You’re eighteen years