Magnus took a deep, steadying breath as he absorbed the destruction around him. This may not have been his Lair, but this was as much his home as his Lair was. His Lair was who he was: the High Warlock of Brooklyn with over 400 years under his belt and formidable magic power. But this small place was who he wanted to be: just Magnus Bane, an eccentric uncle with a penchant for mischief and magic.
Seeing his second home, built over several years, ripped apart like this was a chilling reminder that he could never be who he wanted to be. Not entirely and never forever. He bit his lip and stepped gingerly into the room that once served as his studio. He could feel Clary hesitating behind him. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and squeezed. He reached up and brushed her fingers with his before stepping further into the room.
He had to find Chairman Meow. He'd only had the tiny cat for a couple weeks but they'd bonded quicker than he'd dared hope they would. He didn't realize how much he needed the little kitten that was left in a dumpster until it was too late and the Chairman had successfully burrowed his way into Magnus's heart.
"Chairman," he called softly, his voice carrying through the studio apartment. "Come here, little one. Chairman?"
"Here kitty kitty," Clary called, getting down on her hands and knees to look under the damaged futon couch and flipped coffee table. She tried to be mindful of the bits of glass and debris from the busted furniture. She saw Magnus lift the fabric of his hammock bed, sifting through the blankets and pillows, calling for his little friend.
Guilt ate at her. This was her fault. She'd called Magnus last night. She'd gone to him seeking help and he'd taken her in, hidden her, and protected her. But at what cost to him?
The Shadowhunters chasing them were now hunting warlocks, his people, his home was ransacked, and his kitten was missing. She'd never stopped to consider what her involvement in all this was causing for the people around her. She couldn't keep hiding forever. That never seemed to work out in books and movies. Eventually, the hunted had to become the hunter.
She had to stop running. It wasn't getting her anywhere. It was just causing strife and making a bad situation worse.
A familiar ding interrupted her thoughts and she pulled out her phone. An incoming text message from Simon illuminated the screen. She paused her search to open the text and read it through.
/Sent: 4:07 PM
From: Simon
Hey. I'm sorry. I called Luke. I DIDN'T say ANYTHING! Promise! I just said u vanished last night. Nothing else. Look just tell me yur ok. Dot's place is closed n I don't know what to do./
Clary pursed her lips feeling her heart pound precariously as she read the text. Luke knew she was gone.
/Sent: 4:07 PM
From: Clary
I told you NOT to! Are you ok?/
She moved to slip her phone back in her pocket when it dinged again. Tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear, she opened the new text.
/Sent: 4:07 PM
From: Simon
OMG U OK!! Where r u?!/
/Sent: 4:08 PM
From: Clary
I'm ok. Just stay away from Luke. Long story. Just trust me./
"Clary?" Magnus called. She looked up to Magnus questioning eyes. "Is everything alright?"
"I-" She was interrupted by yet another ding.
/Sent: 4:08 PM
From: Simon
Why r u at Magnus's place? HOW r u there? How'd you get past the cop?/
YOU ARE READING
Strange Games
FanfictionClary lives a comfortable life until she witnesses a massacre at a rave. Scared, alone, and betrayed by the man who she hoped would be her father, she flees to the only other person she can trust: Uncle Magnus. Unbeknownst to her, life is about to g...
