the storm inside | kitty (boyxboy)

37 | Into the Fey Lands

Magnus did not miss the way Kit gripped at Ty. In a squeezed voice, Kit mustered out: "Don't leave me, please."

Ty looked at him, seemingly not understanding. "Kit, is everything okay? I didn't know you were so close to Bri—"

He broke off as Eli collapsed beside Bri. The trauma and pain had taken its toll on Eli, it seemed. It was probably a good idea to leave this place, so full of broken hearts and tragic memories. Magnus opened a Portal to his and Alec's room, then motioned for them to enter. Julian carried Eli in, the other stepping in behind them. A heavy silence filled the air.

As the Portal closed behind Magnus, Julian put Eli onto the bed and draped the covers over him softly. Magnus still remembered the pain of losing one's parabatai, like losing a part of yourself. He did not forget the same loss that had happened centuries ago, between the ancestors of Emma and Kit.

He did not forget the blue eyes and raven hair, the ghostly white hair that seemed to follow the other boy around everywhere. How Brother Zachariah had come about, the story of Jem's past life and the woman whom his life centred around.

And the amazing love between Jem and Will and Tessa. How each seemed to love each other equally, no more, no less. Each willing to sacrifice everything, to lay down their lives, for the other two. Magnus remembered.

He remembered as he gazed down at the golden-haired boy whose eyelids fluttered every now and then, an occasional whisper leaving his lips.

"Bri, Bri, Sabrina."

Centuries of loss had not made the experience easier for Magnus, but even harder, as he remembered the pain and hollowness that often followed. But he had no time to grieve, for another new companion had appeared, this one's presence more prominent.

Ash Morgenstern sat on the couch, his green eyes another reminder—so many today, almost too much—of his father. But clearly they were not the same, for this one had his eyes glued to the phone and no clue of what was happening around him.

"Level 2069 reached. Press play to start." Ash's fingers began to swipe at the screen again.

Yes, they really weren't the same.

Magnus cast a spell over Eli to keep him safe and deep in slumber, before he opened up yet another Portal. He was beginning to feel a bit drained, having used so much power and energy. He would have to ensure that they returned quickly before the spell wore off. However, the location which he was heading to this time was different from the previous—much further, much more dangerous.

The shape of a butterfly curtain took shape within the spiralling mess of the Portal, as he ushered everyone in and stepped in after, into the Land Under the Hill, the Seelie Court, the Dwelling of Faeries, the Fey Lands.

Magnus smoothed his hair down—although he was sure he looked quite charming even if he hadn't—from the winds of the Portal as it closed behind him, leaving him and the other in front of the Seelie Queen's room. He had sent word ahead requesting an audience of the Queen; faerie guards drew open the butterfly curtain and pushed them in.

She looked beautiful, as always. Regal and enchanting. The Seelie Queen held a sceptre in her hand; she rose from her throne, her golden gown flowing, the train covering the base of her throne. Magnus saw her expression change as Ash shuffled in, albeit quickly masked with a face of indifference.

"You have brought my son," she stated plainly, "in exchange for the Gold Texts of the Living. You have fulfilled your part of the deal; now I shall fulfil mine. I do not like to owe favours."

She snapped her fingers and a faerie maid held out a piece of cloth that covered something else—the cloth fell away to reveal a thick, leather-bound book, its title glowing. There, in all its full glory, the Gold Texts of the Living.

The faerie maid handed the Texts to them, her hands outstretched, her face bowed. As Magnus nodded and reached out a hand to receive the Texts, another hand extended and swiped the Texts from her hands.

"Thanks a lot, Shadowhunters," said Ash—but was it really?

With a flick of his hand, he was gone. Completely disappeared. The Queen stood up immediately, her face working. It was clear she knew that Magnus and the Shadowhunters had no part in this, but her fury was extremely obvious, though her voice did not show it.

"Find him," she said. "Find him, and do not stop until you have found him. Search the lands and waters and earths and everything under the skies, and do not cease until he is found. I want him alive and I want the book that he has taken. He is not my son—no, an imposter. I am surprised you mighty Shadowhunters did not detect that fake, but then again, I do not expect much from you lot."

Magnus nearly rolled his eyes. The Queen hadn't changed at all. "We will find him, not to worry. But can we leave now?"

The Queen gave a slight nod, removing the faerie magic that prevented all who were not fey from leaving. So how, Magnus wondered as his familiar blue Portal formed, did the fake Ash escape?

As Magnus left the Seelie Court, alongside everyone else, he remained confused. They held a hasty meeting back in Magnus and Alec's room—a blatant violation of privacy, in Magnus's eyes—and Magnus explained his doubts.

"It would take very strong magic for Hale to be able to master possession of a body. Though, it would explain how Ash was able to leave the Seelie Court at will. But I wouldn't place my bets on Hale possessing so much magic. Last we fought, he seemed pretty weak to me," Magnus concluded.

"He barely put up a fight," agreed Ty. "And I managed to steal this strand of hair before he escaped. Maybe we could use this to track him?"

"Yes, we could," said Magnus. "But it will have to wait until tomorrow. My magic is nearly drained and I'm quite sure we're all exhausted from Bri—from the fight. We'll schedule tomorrow."

"Speaking of Bri—where's Eli?" asked Kit.

Magnus turned towards the bed, alarmed. It was true. Eli was gone, without a trace, as Ash was. The covers had been smoothed down where Eli had been lying, showing no proof that once there lay Elias Jäger. Perhaps time went differently in the fey lands, but Magnus had checked and he was sure that only a few hours had passed during the ten minutes that they were there. Maybe Magnus' spell was too weak, after all.

However, a note—which must have been scrawled hastily on the paper with the pen which were both provided by the hotel—danced cheekily on top of the bed, as if mocking them for their inability to prevent all their "captives" from escaping right under their noses. A silver necklace, with a small dagger at the end, was placed beside it.

Dear Shadowhunters and Warlock,

I would like to thank you for taking care of my sister when I was unable to. Though, she has departed, and I think it is time for me to take my leave as well. I offer this necklace as thanks—it belonged to my late sister, and I think she would like for you to have it. The dagger represents the Jäger surname, in hopes that you may forever remain brave and courageous. It will protect you in danger. I would like for the one whom you all address as "Ty" to wear it.

Farewell and may the Angel bless you always.

Elias Jäger.