metanoia | alec lightwood

35

"I don't think bringing me here was a good idea." I ran a hand through my straightened hair, all dolled up in a dress at Magnus' side at a warlock party he forced me to come with him to, "I'm the only Shadowhunter here- oh, not to mention- I'm Zee Morgenstern."

"It's better than coming by myself." Magnus' words made me shoot him a look, "I'm joking- they'll love you- just because you're the only Shadowhunter at a party full of warlocks doesn't mean you can't have fun."

"Fun? I'm here for the free alcohol-" I rubbed my hands when we came to the middle of the room, "Where's the bar?-"

"Slow down-" Magnus grabs my hands, "Your boyfriend would kill me if I brought you home wasted."

"I don't think he'd complain." I tilted my head to the side, "You know, after a long day for working, maybe drunk me is exactly what he needs-"

"We'll be out soon, anyways-" Magnus purses his lips to hold back slight laughter at my joke, then lightly shakes his head, "I don't want to be here any longer than I have to, but- it's tradition for the outgoing High Warlock to pass the baton onto his replacement."

I caught him in the corner of my eye, "Is that him?"

"The one and only." Magnus grimaces, "Lorenzo Rey, the new High Warlock of Brooklyn-"

"Magnus!" Lorenzo notices us, making me immediately stop him from walking away when Lorenzo came over to the two of us with drinks, handing them to us, "You made it, and you brought a friend-"

"Uh, yeah-" I held my free hand out, "I'm-"

"Zee Morgenstern- savior of Downworlders and Shadowhunters alike." Lorenzo already knew who I was, "I expect we'll be seeing quite a bit of each other at your boyfriend's Downworld Cabinet meetings."

I click my tongue, "Well, you did your reading."

"Your reputation precedes you." Lorenzo looks from me to Magnus, "No hard feelings- right, Bane?"

"On the contrary, I'm very content in my new position." Magnus shoots back, "Being the High Warlock is a thankless job, long hours, little pay, but- I'm sure that doesn't matter to someone as young and civic-minded as yourself."

"Oh, don't be so jaded." Lorenzo gave him the side eye, "I may only be 484, but- I'm no stranger to service."

I took a sip of my drink, "Only?"

"All those years working for the High Warlock in Madrid have prepared me well- although, I may not be as easy on you as he was." Lorenzo then looks at me, "After all, I'm here to serve the warlocks, not portal you around like some glorified shuttle service."

"I portal myself around." I swallowed, placing a hand on my hip, staring at him with a straight face, "Did you miss that in your research, or?-"

"Enjoy the party." Lorenzo gave me a small smirk, before walking away from the both of us, continuing to talk it up with everyone at the party.

"Yeah, I absolutely despise him-" I immediately said when he walks away, "Who appointed him?"

"Nobody." Magnus didn't like him very much either, "There was a vote, and Lorenzo can be very charming as long as you're into phony, no taste, egomaniacal pieces of sh-"

"Language!" I cut him off almost immediately when my eyes spot Madzie's tiny figure rushing toward Magnus and I, Catarina right behind her.

"Zee!" Madzie cheered, and held her arms up for me, as I handed Magnus my drink and lifted her off the ground.

"Hi, honey-" I held her on my side, my arms around her, "Someone looks exceptionally pretty tonight-"

Madzie giggles and plays with a strand of my hair, then points to my side, "Where's Alec?"