Crowns ~ Alec Lightwood

Heavy Is The Crown

"May I speak to you, Maryse?" Aurora asked.

The older lady nodded and led her to the center of the operations room. Aurora took a deep breath before she prepared to say what she knew to be a hard topic.

"While I'm in my mother's place, I have been authorized to take full control of the Institute."

"Full control?"

She nodded, "The Clave would like us evaluate the leadership."

"My family is perfectly capable of leading this Institute," she argued.

"I don't doubt that, Maryse. But frankly, it's not up to me. I respect your family and your leadership, but I'm simply following orders," she explained, "In order to do that, I need full clearance and access...to everything."

She hesitantly nodded just as Alec and Izzy came walking in, a phone in his hand.

"I have something you need to see," he stated, pulling up an image on the screen, "Something attacked the Jade Wolf."

Images of a zombie-like creatures were displayed and Aurora looked at them carefully.

"The werewolves' headquarters? Where did you get this?" Maryse asked.

"Leader of the New York wolf pack."

"You're friends with Lucian Graymark? Isn't he an ex-Circle member?" Aurora questioned.

Maryse inhaled sharply, "How about we send in Isabelle and Alec to investigate? I'm sure this is linked to Valentine."

"If it is, I'd like to see it for myself," she stated, "Besides, it would probably be best if our lab technicians took a look at the body. And to my knowledge, we have the best forensic tech right here."

She winked at Izzy as the girl gave her a grateful smile, glad to be appreciated for her brains.

"Would you mind prepping the lab while we're gone so that you can get started as soon as possible?" she asked politely.

Izzy shook her head and walked off. Aurora turned to Alec, "Are you coming?"

-

When they made it to edge of the port, Aurora decided to start a conversation, "So...rumor says you're looking to settle down. Get married?"

"Damn it."

She chuckled, "Let me guess, not your idea?"

"Not even close."

"Yeah...my mom always tries to set me up for some greater opportunity."

"Is that why you're here?" he questioned.

She nodded, "She wants me to be an envoy for the Clave. But I'd soon rather choose to lead the Institute for the rest of my life."

They slowed their pace, now engaged in learning about each other.

"But heavy is the head that wears the crown, right? I guess we have that in common."

He turned to give her a grave look, "You've made quite a name for yourself. The crown can't be that heavy."

She laughed bitterly, "A curse and a blessing."

He smirked. He liked how she wasn't as strict as other envoys, and she held everyone with equal respect. He felt at ease with her.

"How'd you end up running the Bangkok Institute anyway?" he asked.

"Long story short, we were attacked and there was no one else but me. Everyone else was either dead or had decided to retire and move away," she explained, "My mom left for Idris and I was left with a little brother and an Institute to run."