Strange Games

3: A Long Night

Alaric turned in a slow circle, taking in what was left of his partner's friend's place. Jocelyn Fray may have been a single mother but she knew how to keep a clean house. He'd visited the place for the occasional luncheon but Jocelyn had always been more Lucian's friend than his. Speaking of which, he glanced over his shoulder to see Luke shaking his head in dismay.

"Need a moment?" he asked, knowing the answer before it was given.

Luke pursed his lips and nodded. "Go grab some coffee for the guys back at the office. I should be done by then," he said. "That way we'll have an excuse for being late to work."

Alaric gave his friend and partner a friendly slap on the shoulder and made his way out of the home leaving Luke alone. Lucian climbed the stairs to the main living space hoping to find something that would tell him what happened here. He suspected the cause but he couldn't be sure without proof. There weren't any bodies which made him think both Clary and Jocelyn were still alive. He couldn't decide whether to be relieved by that knowledge or afraid.

Eventually, he sighed. He couldn't get any more information with what was left so he made his way into Clary's room. It was burnt out. Jocelyn had tried to wipe any trace of her daughter from existence which strengthened his hope that perhaps Clary had made it out alive. Luke sent up a silent prayer to whoever was listening that she was safe wherever she was. Then he started gathering what few items he could find that had survived the flames and began packing them into a box. He would keep them safe.

The sound of a creaking board alerted him to the presence of someone else. He continued gathering trinkets with one hand while the other slipped to his gun holster, popping the fastener and easing the weapon from its place. He counted the faint steps until he judged they were close enough. Then he spun to the hallway door, his gun drawn and aimed directly at the intruder's head. However, he hesitated to pull the trigger when he saw the person.

"Dot," he said, lowering the gun just enough to see her whole face.

The warlock was gasping, her chest heaving from exertion and she seemed exhausted. "Lucian," she said. "What are you doing here? Where's Clary?"

Luke finally lowered his gun completed, returning it to its holster. "What do you mean where's Clary?" he demanded. "I thought she was with you."

"With me?" Dot exclaimed. "I sent her through a Portal to you."

"You sent her through a Portal? Alone?" Luke groaned. "She could be lost in limbo for all we know."

Dot reeled back as if struck. "We? I didn't have much of a choice. Circle members were literally breaking down the door. I had to get her out so I sent her to you!"

"Me? What? When? Where?"

"All I know is that I sent her to the police station where you were supposed to be," the warlock said fiercely. "Where else was I supposed to send her to? Magnus? I don't know where his Lair is and you and I both know he only visits his shop when Clary or Jocelyn need him."

Luke shook his head and put his hands on the box of things and sighed. "Did you try calling him?" he asked. "The guy practically lives with his phone in a his pocket."

"What do you think I'm stupid? That was the first thing I did," Dot said, stepping towards Luke. Her eyes burned with fury in the dark, burnt out room. "He didn't pick up. The next think I know, I'm getting thrown out a plate glass window from the second floor. I just barely got away and my magic is dangerously low. I do not have the time or patience to deal with your pathetic temper tantrums and blame gaming right now!"

"No, no, I..." Luke sighed and stood. He shook his head and tried again. "I'm sorry," he said sincerely. His whole demeanor drooped. "I shouldn't have jumped on you like that. I know you care about Jocelyn and Clary. I just..."