Chapter Text
Your final warning: Spoilers for all of "Lord of Shadows"!
Alec slumped back against the doors of the Hall. He closed his eyes for a brief moment. The image of his father’s body lying just feet away from him didn’t disappear. But he steeled himself, opened his eyes and moved forward.
Not towards his father’s body. There was nothing Alec could do for Robert now, he knew that. They were Shadowhunters. Death happened. He would take the time to mourn later, but right now he needed to do what he could for the living, and that meant protecting those who would be vulnerable in the riot that was already erupting in the hall.
He moved steadily through the crowd, everyone too caught up in their own arguments and escalating fights to pay him any mind. He got to Mark and Ty Blackthorn at the same time as their sister Helen and her wife Aline did, all of their cheeks streaked with tears, having just witnessed the death of one of their own. He crouched over them carefully, watching to see how many others were watching them. Mercifully, most eyes were still on the dais and the bodies of Robert and Livvy, or embroiled in arguments.
He put firm hands on both Mark and Helen’s shoulders. “We need to go. Now.” He said softly but firmly. “Aline, can you please get Tiberius back to the rest of his family? I need to get Mark and Helen out of here. For their own safety.”
“I can’t go.” Mark said. “I have to stay with our family. I promised Julian, I…”
“Mark. Go.” Aline said. “You can help them by being safe. This hall is about to explode. And you and Helen will be their first targets.”
“But we didn’t do anything.” Mark said, confused. “It was Annabel.”
“Doesn’t matter.” Alec said. “Doesn’t matter who did it. The Cohort is going to use this frenzy to their advantage. That means getting you to safety while we still can. Aline, you’ll talk to Julian? Find us at… at my father’s house when you can get out of here.”
She nodded quickly. Helen and Aline shared a tearful kiss. Mark and Helen got to their feet, and Alec led them carefully around the crowds, mercifully avoiding any confrontations. Once they were out of the hall and the doors closed behind them, Alec spoke.
“Follow me. Run.”
Mark and Helen ran after Alec as he wove through the halls to get back to the room where he had left Magnus, Kit and Kieran.
A curtain rod came for Alec’s head as he entered the room, but he was able to dodge out of the way and pull it from the hands of its holder.
“Alec!” Kit’s eyes were wide. “Sorry, I was just protecting us.” He pointed over to Magnus’ sleeping form. “I didn’t know it was you.”
“It’s okay.” Alec said. “I appreciate that you’re willing to knock people out with a curtain rod to protect my boyfriend.” His eyes darted around the room. “Where is Kieran?”
“Diego took him to the Scholomance. He said Cristina asked him to protect him.”
Alec nodded. “He should be safe there, with Zara and her ilk here. You’re coming with us.” He crossed over to Magnus, lifting him gently in his arms. He turned to Helen. “Do you know where the… the Inquisitor’s house is?” He willed his voice to stay steady.
Helen looked at him, eyes full of sorrow, but she nodded quickly.
“Lead the way. Down the back passages here. Mark, you follow her, Kit, you stay ahead of me. Let’s go.”
They got into formation, and Helen lead the way out of the Gard. They didn’t encounter anyone in the halls, just heard the swell of voices and clashing blades coming from the Council Hall.
Kit stopped and turned to Alec. “Is that…”
“Go.” Alec set his mouth in a firm line. “No time right now. We need to get Mark and Helen and Magnus out of here.”
Kit went.
Helen led them out into the courtyard, and swiftly down into the city, towards the Inquisitor’s house. Once they made it to the door, Mark and Helen stepped back, and Kit followed their lead.
Alec took a deep breath, closing his eyes again for a moment. He had to be strong for his family. For his children. For his mother. For Isabelle and Jace, who were still thousands of miles away in New York. This would not be easy on any of them.
He felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. Taking another deep breath, he straightened his shoulders, held Magnus to his chest with one arm, and then with the other opened the door, stepping inside.
Mark, Helen and Kit followed him in silently as he moved down the hall to the living room. Max, Rafe and Tavvy were playing a game in the middle of the floor, while Maryse sat off to the side watching them, a faint hint of a smile playing over her features. It still shocked Alec every day to see how grandmotherly Maryse had become to his children - even his warlock child, despite her initial opposition to his relationship with Magnus and history of hating Downworlders.
Alec stopped short in the doorway, his sudden stop causing Mark, Helen and Kit to run into him, causing a noise that made everyone look up at them.
“Papa!” Max and Rafe yelled with concern, following Alec as he moved through the room to rest Magnus on a couch. Alec would have preferred their children not have to see Magnus like this, but there wasn’t any other option right now.
Alec set Magnus down gently, and he didn’t stir. He dropped a kiss on his warlock’s forehead, and then turned to his sons who were looking at Magnus with fear in their eyes.
“Papa needs to sleep right now. He used a lot of magic.” Alec murmured to them both, bringing them in for a hug. “Can you both sit quietly with him right now? I need to talk to Grandma.”
The boys nodded, and Alec kissed their foreheads as well. They settled down quietly next to the couch, looking at Magnus anxiously.
Mark and Helen were hugging Tavvy, and they brought Kit into their family circle as well. Maryse was looking at Alec, confused, and worry starting to cross her features. Alec slowly got to his feet and took Maryse by the elbow, leading her out into the hall.
“Alec? What’s wrong?” She asked. “I thought there was a meeting at the Gard? What are you doing back already?”
“Mar… Mom.” He took in a shaky breath. “Dad’s dead.”