War of Hearts

Chapter 3

Magnus POV:

I drop my tooth brush and hurry from the bathroom to the apartment door. Who might it be? I'm not expecting anyone, no late night client, no friend and Alexander is already her. Maybe some emergency, but I can't think of anyone specific. I drive my fingers through my hair lazyly, trying to make it look better, and grasp for the knob, as I hear something sliding down the door from the outside.

It can't be anyone I don't know, because otherwise they couldn't pass the front door, couldn't pass the wards I put outside, so I pull the door open.

A bundle of cloths is laying there, or so I thought at first. Looking closer it is a figure, a person. Red wisps of hair are attached to it and fall into a familiar face.

"Charly?!"

I blink. No response. "Charly..." I bend down "Hey, hey what are you doing here?" I jolt at what I think is the fairy's shoulder. They groan. "Charly, what is the matter? How did you happen to come by so late, are you alright my dear...? " I am pretty confused, I must say.
She turns her head towards me, opening her eyes, looking at me.
"Magnus..." she wispers, "I..." Charly clutches some of her robe and shrugs. "... am sorry." And with that she looks down to her wrists, her hands letting go of her robe, opening them.

I follow her stare, seeing the blood that has gathered in her palms. "What happened? Who did this...? Charly?" I am even more puzzled than before, but also worry has creeped in upon my heart. She seizes my hand in pain, as I find the source of the blood. Long lines drawn down her forearms, tracing her veins.

My mind starts working. "Oh Biscuit..." A pain soures through me, I just understand to well. "It's okay." I kneel down nexto her, carefully wrapping my arms around her. She is soaking wet, she must have walked all the way with nothing but her pyjama shorts, a top and her robes.

"You are not alone, I am here now. And I am proud of you for coming her." She smiles lightly as tears steam down her face, I have not even noticed when she started crying. I pick her up, aware of how fragile she feels and take her into my arms. She groans again in pain despite how careful I am and clutches my shoulder. "Don't be proud of me, I just came to say goodbye,Magnus." She speaks feeble. "And I..."

"Hey, look at me, look at me." I tell her softly taking her chin in one of my hands. "It's okay, I know how you feel, trust me, I know." I do, sadly this is not just a phrase. She looks at me, her head resting on my chest, but the light is fading from her eyes. I get even more worried, than I already was. "How long...?" I ask but I don't get a reply, she must have been like this for a while...

I feel panic rising up inside of me, this reminds me to much of myself, my younger self. I try to take a deep breath as I carry her inside the apartment, but my chest tightens and I start gasping for air. Calm down, I tell myself, calm down. Charly's body feels so small against mine and cold, too cold. I still try to chatch my breath, but it won't work. Think Magnus, your a warlock. But my mind is to busy rather thinking of every thing I can't do and what I should have done, than what I could. Breath I tell myself again, breath. Stay calm, I lay Charly down on the sofa, she seems so fragile. I can't do this on my own. I must -

"Alec!"
My voice sounds strange in my own ears. "Alexander" this time I can totally hear the panic in my voice.
I am panting.