The Prince of Hell

Meeting

Chapter 5

"What do you mean you're taking me to Idris?" Alec asked. He'd been alone in the training room, a welcomed surprise since lately there was always someone else in there training, when Jace walked in. Only to inform him that he had been ordered to take him to Idris.

"Exactly what I just said. Your parents will be having a meeting here with the downworld council at sun down, and you know what that means." Explained Jace.

"Oh," said Alec, feeling instantly vexed. He knew exactly what that meant. Whenever downworlders were expected to visit the Institute, Alec would be asked to make himself scarce. Sometimes he would just stay in his room, guarded of course, or in special cases, he'd be sent to Idris, returning once said visitors had left.

"Why can't I just stay in my room?" He grumbled. "You know how much I hate portaling."

"I know man," Jace admitted, scrubbing a hand through his hair. "But this time's different. Magnus Bane will be here."

"So?" Alec started nonchalantly, trying hard not to think about the sudden increase in his heart rate at the mention of Magnus' name. "Warlocks come here all the time to renew the wards and the portal. I don't really see the big deal," he said, though he knew it was infact a big deal. A very big deal.

"Don't see the big deal?" Jace retorted, looking taken aback. "He's not just any old warlock, Alec. The guy's the freaking prince of Edom. To make matters worse, we don't know what he's doing here or what he wants. He could be dangerous."

"Well, I don't care. I'm still not going anywhere." Alec continued stubbornly, retaking his previous position before Jace's interruption, nocking a new arrow in his bow. He had been working on his speed and efficiency, though he didn't know why he even bothered anymore.

Jace sighed, releasing a heavy breath, watching as Alec aimed his bow at the target, letting the arrow fly, hitting his mark. He hated how stubborn Alec could be sometimes.

"Look," Jace tried again as he inched closer to Alec, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Your parents don't want to risk the downworld finding out about you...not after we've managed to keep you safely hidden for so many years."

But Alec wasn't hearing it. He didn't want to hear any of it. To him it was the same bullshit as usual.

"This whole thing is stupid," he groused, shrugging Jace's hand off his shoulder. "I'm not going anywhere," he reiterated, turning to face his parabatai.

"Alec, look, I don't think you underst..." 

"I'll be in my room if anyone needs me," Alec interjected, cutting Jace off as he pushed roughly pass him, their shoulders bumping. He quickly put his bow and quiver away, before leaving the training room.

Jace was left stunned, staring after him. It was normal for Alec to be stubborn and complain, that wasn't new, as he usually complied in the end anyway. But this was different, Jace thought. He could feel it through their bond. Alec was different. He didn't know what it was, but it was enough to make him worry.

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Alec stormed into his bedroom, slamming the door shut behind him. A deep anger he had never felt before, formed a lump in his throat, threatening to choke him. "I'm not going anywhere," he growled as he paced the room. He wasn't a child who needed protecting, who needed to be sent into hiding at the first sign of danger. Infact, there was no danger. So what if Magnus Bane was coming to the Institute. Was that enough reason for him to run away from his home? Was that...

Alec paused, stopped in his tracks at that thought, his anger and frustrations slowly melting away.

Magnus is coming here.