Chapter 4

The music was blaring unbearably loud and the party was in full swing. None of his newly acquired furniture was anywhere in sight. The open floor plan living, dining room and kitchen, looked like a modern day nightclub, complete with all of the crazy lights. The kitchen was turned into a temporary bar that went along well with the already small one in a corner of where the living room area would have normally been. The rest of the large room was just one big dance floor, crowded with sweaty half naked bodies. Everywhere you looked, skin caressed skin, hands roamed, groping, pulling, as bodies and lips collided. The scent of pheromones and sweat filled the air, covering every surface of the room like glitter from the glitter bombs Magnus had set to go off every thirty or so minutes.

Magnus had always been known for throwing the best parties. Being the son of his father, how could he not. And this one would be no different. He had a reputation to maintain after all.

"Bane," greeted Raphael as he entered Magnus' apartment. Magnus noted that most of his clan seemed to have joined him, as he watched a long line of vampires trailed into his apartment. Magnus took his time looking each and every one of them over, but sadly, found none possessed those special quailities that he normally looked for. He did however, recognized a few faces. Lily, Raphael's consort of sorts. She had been with the surly vampire for years now. The girl really should move on already, thought Magnus, as Raphael obviously had no intentions of ever officially taking a mate. There were also a few stragglers from a certain London clan in the mix.

"I still can't believe I had to find out you were in town at a council meeting," said Raphael. "Worse, that you're now the new High Warlock," he continued, looking thoroughly annoyed.

"Sorry mom. Next time I'll be sure to check in with you first." Magnus smiled teasingly, having raised his voice to be heard over the music, despite Raphael's obvious vampire hearing. His relationship with Raphael had always been one of those love/hate relationships, where they loved to hate each other...or hated to love each other. Magnus was never really sure which. Either way, it was much like his relationship with Ragnor. Infact, now that he thought about it, most of his relationships were like that. He supposed he could be a lot to handle at times; an acquired taste.

He had met Raphael over sixty years ago in London. Raphael was a newly minted vampire, and Magnus was...well, he was Magnus. Things had happened, and they had ended up helping each other out. The two of them have been best frienemies ever since.

"I'm surprised to see you here. I know how much you hate parties...and people." Magnus noted. Raphael gave new meaning to the word 'anti-social'.

"Yes, well, don't get too excited. I'm just here to make sure you don't burn the city down." Raphael frowned. That was only partially true, he had also missed his dear friend. Though he would never tell Magnus that.

"Worry not little vampire." Magnus patted Raphael's shoulder, stepping closer, much to the vampire's annoyance. "I won't, I can assure you. Besides, what would be the fun in that. Now, this is a party, you can admonish me later. Dance with me," he ordered.

"Right," Raphael drawled. "That's going to happen." He scowled, pushing pass Magnus and headed for the bar. He had brought a few fledglings along with him and he needed to keep an eye on them. Newly turned vampires could be quite annoying. Not as much as Magnus, but still...he needed to be watchfull.

Everyone who was anyone in the New York downworlder community came out to welcome the new High Warlock of Brooklyn. Those unable to grace the event had sent representitives. Luke Garroway, head of the New York werewolve pack, who Magnus had met earlier in the day at the downworlder council meeting, had sent Mia, his second in command, and a few other werewolves. The Fair Folk were also well represented. Magnus recognized Meliorn and a few others. He was especially grateful that non of his former lovers had shown up. Seelies could be quite troublesome and tended to hold on to a grudge longer than most. Not that he was afraid of a little trouble, no, infact, he relished it. However, he had promised his father...and Ragnor, who had conveniently found an excuse to miss his party, that he would be on his best behavior.

So far the party was turning out to be a truely great way to begin his stay in the city that never sleeps, Magnus thought, as he wrapped his arms around the waist of a very sexy young mundane who held the gift of sight, pulling him in closer. Magnus was hoping to find out later what other gifts the sexy mundane, who's name he hadn't bothered asking, might possess. As Magnus and the handsome dark haired man, all but have actual sex on the dance floor, he was pulled from the moment by an all too familiar scent. The scent was one he had hoped never encounter again. Death, lies, arrogance, and way too much perfume.

As Magnus turned his head and looked through the crowd of writhing bodies, there she was, standing in front of his still opened front door. Camille Belcourt.

-------

Magnus paced his bedroom, his head down as if he were counting his steps. This was not happening, he thought. This really couldn't be happening. He knew he would've had to face her eventually, that he was certain of. But not like this, not this soon, not on what was essentially his first day back.

For a moment he thought that maybe he still felt something for her, that maybe time had not yet done it's job in breaking whatever evil spell he had allowed her to cast on him. But only for a moment. As memories of all the pain she had caused him, all of the pain she had caused those he cared about came flooding back, whatever sliver of confusion he had about feeling anything other than pure hatred for her, vanished.

"What are you doing here?" Magnus started. "I don't remember inviting you. Infact, I'm sure I didn't," he glared, having finally stopped his pacing, his eyes filled with disdain. She was sat on the edge of his bed, her blonde hair hanging in light curls around her shoulders, her lips blood red and her little black dress fitted to perfection, looking as calm and as elegant as ever. Looking as though nothing had happened, as though nothing had changed between them.

"When I heard that the great Magnus Bane was in New York, why, I had to come and see for myself," said Camille, her voice still as sweet and condescending as ever.

"I've only been here for a day. How?" Magnus asked.

"Let's just say that a little birdy told me." Camille smiled. Suddenly Magnus remembered seeing a few vampires with Raphael that were formerly of the London Clan, once headed by Camille herself. She must have found out through one of them after the council meeting.

"And what is it you want?" He asked, though he already knew the answer.

"You," said Camille, simply. She got up and started edging her way slowly towards him. He was standing in front of the closed door, trying to keep as much distance between them as possible.

"We both know that that's never going to happen," said Magnus. "Infact, I don't even know why I'm wasting my breath talking to you. Oh, right..." He paused for moment as if having an epiphany. "I was trying to avoid causing a scene or doing anything...problematic my first day on the job. But you know what..." Magnus trailed off with a menacing look in his eyes, blue flames of magic crackling at his finger tips.

"Oh please, Magnus," Camille scoffed at him dismissively. "You wouldn't hurt me."

"I wouldn't? Are you sure about that?" Magnus sneered, the ball of flames in his hand growing brighter.

That seemed to give Camille pause. "Magnus," she started. "Look, I'm sorry. Just listen..." But she was swiftly cut off before she could finish. Magnus snapped his fingers, sealing her lips. She was halted by his actions, some how surprised that he would actually use magic on her in that way. It was truely a testament to just how conceited she was to think that she still held any sort of power over him, over his emotions.

"Leave now and never come back," Magnus commanded. "For if you do, you will not like what I'll do." He watched her face fell, but only for a moment as she once again steeled herself, her expression one of determination.

Magnus turned his back to her as she left, snapping his fingers, slaming the door shut.

~ooOoo~

As Alec entered the cafeteria, he was brought to a halt by the scene before him. The once usually quiet room where everyone ate in silence, was alive and loud with chatter. "What's going on?" He asked as he slid into a seat at his usual table next to Jace and Clary, Simon and Izzy sitting on the opposite side.

"Haven't you heard the rumors?" Asked Clary, reaching for the bottle syrup to put on her pancakes. Alec shook his head.

"Maybe if you left your room every once in a while..." Izzy chimed in. "Talked to people, and I don't mean us..." She indicated with her hand to their little group. "You would've."

Alec rolled his eyes. He'd been sulking in his room for the past few days, even missing training, which he never did unless he was sick. So almost never. But after the talk with his mother and with Izzy, even Jace chiming in, giving his own crazy advice - that they should just hold a tournament, have the best fighters compete, the winner becoming his mate...leave it to Jace to think that a fight would be an acceptable way to choose one's mate - Alec just needed some time alone. He had a lot to think about. Especially with his birthday fast approaching.

"I would," he said, answering Izzy. "If my senses weren't bombarded by the scent of alpha pheromones everytime I did." That was also one of the reasons why he tried as much as possible to avoid the common areas in the Institute. The alphas consistent posturing was just too much. Even more so lately.

"Can you blame them though," Izzy returned. "You are quite the prize you know my dear brother. They would be stupid not to try and get your attention."

"Well, stinking up the entire Institute isn't how to..." Alec trailed off. Jace snickered next to him, almost choking on his orange juice as Clary elbowed him in the ribs. Simon was laser focused on his breakfast. "Why are we even talking about this?" Asked Alec, rolling his eyes at how easily they could get off topic. "Just get back to my question, please. What rumor?"

"There's a new High Warlock of Brooklyn," said Izzy excitedly, practically bouncing in her seat.

"So?" Alec drawled, not really seeing what the big deal was. "Aren't the downworlders always changing their leaders?" He asked. "And don't we always just work with whomever they choose to represent them?" Izzy nodded. "So then what's the big deal?"

"Well big brother, the big deal, if you must know," said Izzy. "Is that the new High Warlock of Brooklyn is non other than..." She paused for effect. "Magnus Bane." She was almost gushing.

Alec was still confused. Everyone's eyes were on him as he tried to put two and two together. Finally it hit him. "The prince of Edom!?" He exclaimed, a shocked look on his face. A blush then crepted up his neck to his cheeks as he realized that everyone in the cafeteria had heard his little outbust, and was now staring at him. He quickly ducked his head down as he whispered, "the prince of Edom?"

They had learnt all about the seven princes of hell and their offsprings. Magnus Bane being the most powerful one of them all, not to mention a real troublesome and crazy character.

"Why would the prince of Edom even want to be a high warlock?" Alec asked no in particular once the others had confirmed to him that Magnus Bane was infact the new High Warlock of Brooklyn. He was an all powerful prince with subjects who worshiped and served him. Being a high warlock was beneath him, thought Alec. He would be in service to the downworlders of New York. Alec just couldn't wrap his mind around it. Then again, he didn't really have much, any really, experience with downworlders. Maybe this was ok. Plus Magnus was a prince, so he supposed the warlock could do whatever he wanted. At least where the downworld was concerned.

"The Clave is worried." Jace was saying, bringing Alec back from his thoughts.

"They've been having meetings about it," he continued. "They're trying to figure out if the downworlders are planning something, or if the prince is just...hanging around, for fun. Apparently Magnus is quite...hedonistic." Jace smiled, a mischevious glint in his eyes.

"Well, whatever he's going to be doing, I'm sure he's gonna look fabulous doing it. Damn he's hot." Izzy gushed. "Don't you think so, Alec?" She reached across the table, handing him the tablet she had been studying. When Simon gave her an incredulous look, "what?" She shrugged before leaning over and placing an arm around his neck. Alec could hear her whisperings of sweet nothings in his ear, telling him that she thought he was much hotter as she kissed his cheek. He couldn't help but smile at how adorable the two of them looked together.

And as he looked at the photos, he couldn't help but agree with his sister. Magnus Bane was hot; beautiful even. He had never thought to describe a man as beautiful before now, but Magnus Bane was just that. Beautiful. As he scrolled through the photos, he could see that some of them were from different eras. The man seemed to be able to pull off fashion from any time period. From victorian, to punk, even disco. In what looked to be one of the more recent photos, Magnus was colorfully dressed and covered in glitter. Alec had never seen anything so...so, out there. And the warlock was pulling the look off too.

Alec didn't even realize that he had completely forgotten about his breakfast, zoned out of the conversation entirely, and had been studying Magnus' photos for some time, until Izzy brought him back into the moment by clearing her throat. "Are you finished with that?" She asked, stretching a hand across the table. Alec blushed as he handed her back the tablet. Izzy simply smirked, smiling at him as she accepted it, a knowing look in her eyes.

~ooOoo~

Alec couldn't stop thinking about Magnus Bane. Even now as he layed on his bed, book in hand, he couldn't make himself concentrate on what he was trying to read. Even training earlier had been a disaster. Jace kept getting the better of him because he couldn't for the life of him concentrate. The warlock's cheeky smile just kept poping up in his mind. And the look in those eyes... The way he stared down the camera of whomever had been taking his picture, was just so...mesmerizing.

His eyes just looked like they held so many secrets. And of course they probably did, he was over four hundred years old after all. Alec couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to talk to someone like him, like really talk to them. Someone who've lived for so many years, have seen and experienced so many things. Things Alec yearned to, and could only dream of experiencing himself.

Finally giving up on his book, Alec placed it down on his bedside table, opting instead to bring out his tablet. He needed to know more about their new High Warlock.

The files in the Institute's archives didn't do much to quell his curiousity though. The information he found was nothing more than a basic overview of the man, things he had already learnt as a child; Magnus' lineage, the fact that he was an alpha, things like that, nothing indepth or personal. The only thing he found of interest, other than more photos, was about Magnus' demon mark. Apparently the warlock's were his eyes. But Alec couldn't remember seeing anything abnormal about his eyes in any of the photos he had previously looked at, so once again, he was staring at photos of Magnus, only this time he was trying to find one with said demon mark bared.

In some photos, Magnus looked confident, arrogant, every bit like an alpha prince would. However, in others where he was smiling, he looked more gentle and sweet, almost...innocent even. Alec blushed at the thought and couldn't help but smile to himself. The prince of Edom, a demon spawn, innocent?

The whole notion was quite ridiculous really, especially if the rumors about the new High Warlock were anything to go by. He was anything but innocent. Infact, he was the opposite, thought Alec. Yet, here he was in bed staring at his pictures, feeling this overwhelming need to meet him.

Maybe it was because he had never met a warlock before, or any other downworlder for that matter. Yes, that had to be it. He was just curious, nothing more. He couldn't possibly be desiring someone he had never met. A downworlder. No. He was simply curious. Alec worried his bottom lip with his teeth, his brows furrowed into a frowned. Yes, that's all it was. He was simply curious.