Right so, a "Secondhand Warlock" is something of my own design that fits into the world of Shadowhunters.
The idea goes, that if a Downworlder or Nephilium renounces their family and is taken in by a Warlock. Which is a rare situation, as Vampire's, Werewolves, and Seelie's have their own packs that take the place of families in certain situations.
But either way, if someone from the Shadow World were to renounce their family and be taken in by a Warlock, that Warlock can make the decision to "bless" them with powers. In a way, it's a overexposure to magic growing up that gives these adopted people the ability to perform magic. The stronger the magic of the Warlock raising the child, the stronger the powers are that the child has. But not ever adoption ends up like this, sometimes they're raised with no magical influence, it just depends on who the parent is.
In the case of Varian Fairchild, he was raised from the age of four by Magnus Bane, the High Warlock of Brooklyn. When Varian was seven, Magnus informed him about the situation that brought Varian into his care and Varian made the choice that Magnus was his only family.
From that moment on, Varian was exposed to Magnus' magic, and learned how to do magic while growing up. In the end, Varian can preform magic as long as Magnus is alive and can still perform magic.
He is of course still learning how to control it all and can have little outbursts of magic. Varian's magic is colored lilac when he is in complete control, and black when he is loosing control.
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West of Words (Alec Lightwood)
FanfictionBook one in the Varian Bane Duology Book Two "Winter Blooms" in progress. Varian Fairchild was raised in the Shadow World by his adopted father Magnus Bane, and he wouldn't have it any other way. From creating magical solutions to mundane problems a...
