Chapter 7

"It's a fire message," she said, turning to face her husband, a shocked expression painting her face. "It's from Magnus Bane."

"Well, what does it say?" Robert prompted, wondering what the warlock could possibly want.

"I'll be there at noon." Maryse read.

"I don't understand," said Robert, looking even more confused. "Is that all?" He asked.

"Yes," Maryse answered, turning the burnt piece of paper over in her hand, checking both sides. "That's all."

"Did we have a meeting with him planned for today that I forgot about?" Robert asked, to which Maryse shook her head, answering 'no'.

Their moment of silent ponder was then interrupted by the shrill sound of a ringing telephone.

Maryse felt her heart flip in her chest at the realization that it was the black telephone. There was an old, what the mundanes would call antique, black and gold rotary dial telephone that sat safely to Robert's right, at the corner of the large oak desk. It was the only direct and safe line of communication that they had with the Clave, and was never used unless it was for official clave business. The rest of the time they just used fire messages or their cell phones where applicable.

It was daunting enough hearing the thing ring on normal days, but hearing it ring now, at the moment when everything and everyone at the Institute was on edge, was even more so.

With a heavy sigh and a few calming breaths, Robert answered the phone, giving his usual formal greeting.

Maryse watched as her husband's eyes widen in shock and his already pale complexion grew even paler as he nodded and agreed with whatever was being asked of him. She yerned to reach out grab the phone from his hand so she could hear what was being said. What had her normally calm and composed husband looking so flustered.

She bit her bottom lip and raised her brows in question as she heard him say the name, Magnus Bane. He nodded, still deep in his conversation, as to confirm what she had feared. That this phone call was infact related to the warlock and the previous night's incident.

After what felt like an eternity, Robert, finally hung up the phone, his eyes now firmly focused on his wife.

"Well?" Maryse asked, now standing directly in front of the desk, both of her hands resting flat against the sheened wood.

"That was consul Penhallow."

~ooOoo~

Magnus had spent most of his night doing research. He had felt like a young warlock again being forced by his father to study, only this time he was actually enjoying himself, and his new found knowledge would prove to be very useful. Not that what he had been taught in his youth wasn't, but some how he felt like this mattered more than anything ever had, at least to him. He had summoned every book he could think of that had some kind of information pertaining omegas. From their physical makeup, to the emotional, and every other thing in between.

Though like most he'd learnt about omegas as a child, as is customery with every specie in the shadow world, and even in the mundane world, like most he had not kept this knowledge at the forefront of his mind. Never thinking that he would need it.

He had even summoned books from his father's personal library back in Edom. He just hoped that his father hadn't noticed them missing. He knew there was a possibility that his father was still a little angry with him for leaving sooner than he had originally planned. But when his father had started with his decorating, Magnus had known that that was his cue to get the hell out of there.

When he felt like he had accumulated all the knowledge he could where the overall makeup of an omega was concerned, he then turned his attention to their history. He needed to know what it was like when omega's existed, how they were treated, courting rituals... everything. He even re-read all the printed theories as to why omegas had suddenly stopped being born.

Finally, when he was done looking into the past, reading everything his anxious mind could retain, he came back to the present. Back to the main problem at hand. How was he going to see Alexander again? Surely he couldn't just walk straight into the Institute and ask to see the beautiful young omega. That would be asking for trouble. After all, they'd kept him hidden for a reason. But still... thought Magnus.

If there was one very important fact that one needed to know when it came to dealing with Magnus Bane; it was that he always goes after what he wants. And nine times out of ten, he gets it. No matter what it was or how difficult the challenge, he never backs down. Infact, he rather loved a good challenge. Finding new ways to challenge one's self was what made life worth living. And when you've been alive for as long as he has, over four hundred years, it was even more so important to find reasons to go on living.

And although he would never admit it to anyone, especially his father, Magnus had long lost his desire to live. At least not in the true sense of what it meant for one to live...really live. Nothing excited him anymore. The world around him had become nothing but a bland, colorless movie that he had seen far too many times and could now quote word for word, the ending always the same. Unhappily, ever, after.

He'd already been loosing himself before he'd met Camille...before her betrayal had threatened to break him. He was simply moving through the world, enjoying what it had to offer, but never really feeling any of it. But then, Camille had come along and she had brought a spark with her, lighting a fire, however small, in his cold heart once more. And though he knew, knew she was not his perfect mate or what his heart truely wanted in a mate, he had felt she could be enough. He had wanted her to be enough. He was ready to settle.

Now however, Magnus was thankful. Thankful to Lucifer and all the relms of hell that they had not officially mated, that he had not claimed her. And he wasn't just thankful where Camille was concerned, but where all the lovers he had taken over the centuries were. Because he now knew, that had he claimed any of them, it would have been his greatest mistake. One he would have regretted for all of eternity. Meeting Alexander had proven that. What he felt when he'd laid eyes on the beautiful blue eye'd omega, was unlike anything he had ever felt. More than anything he thought he was even capable of feeling... and it had all happened in an instant. A perfect moment in time, now frozen forever in his memories. What he'd felt in that moment, that incredible breath taking moment... how alive he'd felt, the way his heart seemed to have stopped, only to start beating again in a new blithe rhythm... nothing had ever felt like that. And nothing probably ever would.

He needed to feel that feeling again. He needed to keep that feeling. He needed to see Alexander.

But how? That was the main question, Magnus thought not for the first time as he moved from where he sat on his bed leaned against the headboard, and began pacing his room, the canary yellow satin sheets on his bed left covered in ancient books and scrolls.

They probably think him to be a threat to the young omega, thought Magnus. And he wouldn't blame them. If the bawdy thoughts he was having of the beautiful shadowhunter was anything to go by, he was most definitely a threat. Only, not in the way that they were probably thinking.

Sneaking around was also out of the question. That would just be asking for trouble. Not that Magnus was opposed to a bit of trouble. He had always found that taking risks had it's own rewards. This time however, he wanted to do things the right way, or at least as right as he can. So no sneaking around. That would only cause unnecessary problems. He needed to get the young omega's parents to allow it. The clave even, thought Magnus, his fingers tapping away at his chin.

As cliche as it might sound, Magnus had a light bulb over the head moment.

He suddenly remembered seeing something in one of the many books strewn about his bed that could, maybe prove useful.

He waved his hand, scattering the books and papers about even more. Then with a gesture of his fingers, called forth the correct book to him. After flipping through a few pages, he found what he had been looking for. Yes, this could definately be helpful, he thought as he read.

Back when omegas existed - well at least more than one, though they had always been rare, each species ever only producing a few, even to this day no one really knowing why this was the case - they had always been given full authority when it came to choosing their mates. Infact, they were laws against any outside influences or anyone forcing, even an alpha comanding, an omega against their will. They had the right to court whomever they choose, as many as they choose, until they found their right match, their perfect, fated mate.

It had always been believed that omegas where special, blessed by the Heavens, given their ability to carry more than one child at a time...in the shadow world, their children always being born with special gifts, powers.

Even though Magnus was happy with this information, he still wasn't completely satisfied. He hadn't found anywhere in any of the books he'd read, where a shadowhunter and a downworlder had ever officially mated, claimed each other. Both downworlders and shadowhunters have been known to take mundanes as their mates, even claiming them. But although shadowhunters and downworlders have mated, having long lasting relationships, a few even having children, they have never claimed each other. Atleast non that he knew of.

It had always been a topic of great speculation in the shadow world, of what would happen if a shadowhunter and a downworlder were to claim each other. Both groups have always been afraid of what the outcome could be.

This could prove to be a problem, Magnus knew. But he figured he would cross that bridge when he got to it. If he ever got to it. He was sure them claiming each other wouldn't be a problem if they were infact meant to be together. However, he wasn't going to get too far ahead of himself. He was no where near thinking of mating, or claiming the young omega. At least not yet. Right now he just needed to see him again. Preferably for longer than a minute. Maybe have a conversation with him, see if what he felt was real, and not just wishful thinking.

See if maybe there really was such a thing as fated mates.

Now that he knew that if Alexander wanted to see him, that the omega could, he felt a little relieved. But that still didn't solve his main problem. Maybe Alexander didn't even know that he had the right to see whomever he wanted to. Maybe he didn't even want to see him again...

Magnus immediately dropped that train of thought. He needed to focus, he couldn't let himself think that way. Not now.

Massaging his temples with his fingers, "I got it," Magnus exclaimed a few beats later.

Snapping his fingers, a coiled piece of paper with a red string tied around it appeared in his hand. "Jia Penhallow, haven't you been naughty," he whispered as he unraveled it.

He now knew exactly what he needed to do to make sure that he could see the young omega again...freely.

~ooOoo~

It was early the following morning when Magnus telephoned consul Penhallow, not wanting to delay things. He knew he had to act quickly. Though he had been away from the mundane world, residing in Edom for the last tweenty years, he had still kept somewhat in intouch with some of his connections, and always did his best to keep in the know of everything happening in the shadow world. Jia Penhallow being made the new consul was one of those things.

And as he'd always done, Magnus made sure that he had any information available that could prove useful in the future with regards to the council memebers, the downworlder council included. He still couldn't understand how he had not known about an omega being born though, but that would be a mystery to solve another day.

"Are you blackmailing me?" Jia asked, sounding quite nervous. She had just gotten out of bed and was nursing a hot cup of coffee, when her assistant had ran into her dinning room looking out of sorts, only to inform her that she had a phone call from non other than Magnus Bane, the new High Warlock of Brooklyn. Imagine her surprise. How had he even gotten her phone number? Only Institutes had that particular number. It was supposed to be a secure line, only used for official Clave business.

Never the less, she'd quickly put her coffee on the large stained dinning table beside the documents she had been looking over, and made her way into her office. She didn't know what to expect, but certainly not what she heard. A decision made a long time ago in the midst of desperation, long before she was made consul, long before she thought she would have anything else to loose, was now coming back to haunt her. She had wondered when it would happen. Ever since she was made consul she had been looking over her shoulders expecting it. But not from the source it was now coming from. Not from Magnus Bane.

"I would never dream of doing such a thing," Magnus replied. "I am simply asking you to pay off your debt. I need you to ensure that the young omega will be left to make his choice. Whatever that choice may be. And to also grant me visiting rights to see the young shadowhunter whenever I choose."

"You know I cannot do that," said Jia, knowing her back was to the wall even as she spoke. "His parents has authority over him, not me."

"And you have authority over his parents," Magnus retorted. "And him," he added after a few beats. "I am not stupid, Jia. Just make the call. In return I am not only guaranteeing that you and your daughter will be free of your debt and will be able to continue living your happy, hopefully, long life. But also the young omega will be kept safe. You know the danger he now faces... it is not my wish to harm him, you have my word. I simply wish to be his friend. But there are those who would seek to harm him, as I'm sure you know, having kept him hidden all these years."

"And the rest of the council? The clave?" Jia asked. "How do I explain this to them?"

"I'm sure you'll think of something," said Magnus. "Maybe the truth. Tell them the secret is out. Tell them you've made a deal with me for the young omega's protection."

The line was quiet for a long moment, then Magnus spoke again

"You know, it was really stupid of you to make a blood oath... And of the all the warlocks, you chose Iris. You should count yourself lucky that she owed me a favor, and I had managed to get her to sign over your contract to me as payment. Your Angel only knows what she would have asked of you in payment. So the way I see it, I'm doing you a big favor."

"I was desperate," Jia responded, finally finding her voice again. "My daughter was dying, what other choice did I have?"

"You could have allowed nature to take it's course...let her die," said Magnus. "But enough of this. Will you make the call or do I consider this breach of contract? You know what that would mean."

"No." Jia's voice was but a whisper. She knew he had her by the throat. She would just have to find a way to deal with the rest of the council and the clave. "I'll make the call," she confirmed. "But after this, my debt is paid. That is it."

"But of course," Magnus smirked. Though he hated having to resort to such dirty tactics to get what he wanted, he wasn't above using them. He knew how the world worked and he was under no illusion that Jia wouldn't have done the same thing to get her way as well.

"What even makes you think he wants to be friends with you?" Jia asked after a moment.

"I don't," said Magnus.

~ooOoo~

After his phone call with Jia ended, Magnus had quickly gotten ready for the downworlder council meeting he was holding at the Hotel Dumort. Keeping in his mind, that even though he had gotten Jia's cooperation, that didn't mean he wouldn't face some obstruction. Infact, he was expecting it. But for now his main goal was protecting the young omega... and being able to see him again of course.

The meeting was taking place in what looked like it used to be a ballroom, but now served as a kind of conference room. There was a large round table edged by about a dozen chairs set in the middle of the room. Except for the decorations on the wall, the rest of the space had been left bare.

Magnus went into the meeting with the assumption that knowledge of the omega was already spreading throughout the downworld. He wasn't even going to bother asking. He knew that the moment the seelie queen had asked Meliorn of the meeting, given the inability of faries to lie, once he told her everything that happened, the secret would most likely be out.

Even if the seelies didn't leak it, there was still Luke and Raphael. So he wasn't even going to bother asking them if they'd told anyone, he simply had to lay down the new rules.

"I've spoken with consul Penhallow," said Magnus. "And I've given her my word that the omega will remain safe. I will be holding each of you responsible for the actions of your people, well, except for you Meliron." He gestured to the fey. "Make sure the seelie queen gets the message." Meliorn nodded his understanding.

"Don't you think you're going a little bit overboard here?" Raphael asked. "I'm just saying."

"Just keep your clan in check," said Magnus. "And the same goes for you, Luke."

"Hey," Luke said, raising his hands up in defense. "You don't have to worry about me or my pack."

"Good."

Even though they denied anyone outside the council knowing of the omega's existence, the meeting had went well, Magnus thought. They had all agreed to ensure that their people understood that the omega was to be left alone.

Now whilst Magnus was happy with that, he was under no illusion that Alexander would ever be completely safe, that there weren't those who would break the rules. He just had to be ready for them.

After the meeting, he'd sent a fire message to the Institute. He didn't write much, just the time he would be there, leaving the rest for Jia to handle. He felt that that would be for the best.

~ooOoo~

"No!" Maryse yelled. "Absolutely not. What could he possibly want from our son?"

Robert had moved from where he sat behind the desk and now standing in front of Maryse. "I told you something happened between them in the halls, that he did something to our boy, but you didn't believe me. And now, now he wants to finish whatever it was that he started."

Robert had just finished explaining the reason behind the consul's phone call. She had informed them that she knew of the previous night's incident and that she had a guarantee from the downworld council that Alec would be safe to remain in New York, no harm would come him; that the head of the council, Magnus Bane, would see personally to his safety. And that said Magnus Bane would be coming to the Institute to check and secure the wards, and would also speak further with them on the issue.

Also, that Magnus Bane had requested an audience with the young omega and that they were to see to it.

"Maryse, please calm down," Robert begged.