The act 2 - The life of a conman

Chapter 22

Walking straight into the worst neighborhood in New York that Alec could find, he searched for someone that seemed criminal. He needed to find someone that could lead him to Lilith. If he could show up there, demanding to see Magnus, maybe he could provoke her enough to do something.

As soon as he saw someone looking skittish, he started yelling like a maniac.

"Hey you! Take me to Lilith! Do you know her? Where she is? Take me there!"

The young man, who was dealing drugs at the corner, quickly fled down the ally.

"Damn it."

Alec muttered under his breath before finding someone else. A young woman that really shouldn't be out this late and especially not in so little clothes. He was pretty sure she was a prostitute.

"Hey. Can you take me to Lilith?"

She glanced over him, walking closer. Wobbling lightly on her six-inch heels.

"For 20 bucks you can call me Lilith, baby."

Alec backed away and declined the offer hasty. Then he turned and walked down another alley. But he didn't have much luck.

Every single drug dealer, thief or gang member ran away from him every time he approached them.

"Goddammit! Doesn't anyone know Lilith!?"

"Stop shouting her name, or you'll end up getting killed."

A woman with dark skin and blue highlights in her hair, approached him.

"Do you know her?"

"Of course, I do. Everyone here does. And everyone knows better then to talk about her with strangers."

The woman turned around to walk away. Alec grabbed her shoulder.

"No please... I need to see her. She has my boyfriend."

She looked at him over her shoulder but didn't turn around.

"Go see Manny at the pawnshop. He'll help you."

Then she walked away.

Alec searched the streets and found the pawnshop. It was an old ramshackle building that looked like it would fall down at any given time. Alec took a deep breath and walked in.

Inside wasn't much better than outside. Everything was covered in dust or what seemed like a layer of grease. Alec stuffed his hands deep into his pockets. He really didn't want to touch anything.

A big guy covered in tattoos came in from the back.

"What do you want?"

The guy spat a big brown blob on the floor, and Alec winced.

Disgusting. Why would anyone even come in here?

"I... I want to see Lilith."

"is that so?"

They guy walked right up to Alec, only inches away. He was taller than Alec, which hardly ever happened, and a lot wider too. But Alec didn't flinch.

"Yea. That's so."

He stared obdurate at the guy. He might not be as big, but Alec knew that he was strong. All the running, exercising and training with Jace had done a lot for him. and he wasn't a coward. He would hold his own if it came down to a fight.

For a while they stared at each other. Neither backing down. Then the guy broke into a mischievous smile.

"Alright then. Follow me."

The guy led him to a dirty bar in a small, dark ally. He opened the door, and before Alec could walk in himself, he was pushed inside.

------

"Are you okay?"

Jonathan kneeled down beside Magnus, a concerned look on his face.

"No... it was my fault..."

"What was your fault? The thing with Alec? That couldn't be your fault. We don't choose our parents."

"No, I know. But he did it because of me."

"that doesn't make it you fault."

Jonathan pulled Magnus in for a hug. Magnus wasn't sure he wanted to hug back, but he still felt a little comfort in the embrace.

"Why don't we go see Lilith? Maybe she can tell you something more about your father? Just don't ask directly about the kidnapping. She'll know you got the information from me."

Magnus nodded and got on his feet.

When they reached the door to Edom, Magnus could hear a familiar voice.

"Where is he? I need to see him. Please! I can't live without him!"

Alexander!

Magnus slammed the door open and ran in, just in time to see Alec get dragged away

"NO! leave him alone! You promised!"

"I am a woman of my word. He is no being harmed. Just removed. I can't have people like him poking around here."

"Magnus please... come home!"

Alec begged Magnus as he was dragged by. Magnus had to look away to not let them see him cry. He didn't understand what had happened since Alec had to deviate from their plan.

Magnus wanted so badly to yank Alec out of their hands ,but he had to just let them drag him out.

Before the door slammed shot, Jonathan walked up behind Magnus, placing a hand on his shoulder.

When Alec saw Jonathan behind Magnus he started to try and fight his way out of the grip the guys had on him. But he couldn't.

"NO! MAGNUS! NO!"

Fear burned through him. He couldn't leave Magnus with Jonathan. Magnus had no idea how dangerous Jonathan really was. He had to warn him. The more he fought, the harder they tightened their grip. Alec knew it would leave a mark, but he couldn't NOT fight back.

Magnus could feel his heart shattering into a million pieces, but he knew if he reacted to Alec's cries, they would both be dead within seconds. And right know Lilith held her end of the deal. Not harming Alec.

Magnus turned around and buried his face in Jonathans shoulder. Trying to muffle the sound of his own sobs.

Jonathan put his arm around Magnus. Comforting him with vicious grin on his face.

Everything happened exactly as he had planned.