Chapter 23

There was no way out.

After finally getting some of the feeling back in his legs, Alec had turned the room upside down. He'd searched every nook and cranny, only to find that he was entirely surrounded by a thick layer of brick wall. Even beneath the carpeted floor, layed a thick layer of concrete. Other than somehow breaking through the wall and digging his way out, the only way he was getting out of there was through the front door...so to speak.

He was again resting on the now rumpled up bed when Jonathan came back in.

"I see you've been busy," the other shadowhunter noted as he made his way into the room, looking around at the mess that Alec hadn't even bothered trying to clean up. "I hope you've at least managed to calm down some now. How are you feeling?" He asked. But, Alec did not respond.

If looks could kill, Jonathan wouldn't be more than ashes right then. Alec watched with fire in his eyes as he slowly made his way across the room, stepping over broken vases, curtains and other decorations strewn about on the floor. He sat down on the edge of the bed next to him, but Alec quickly shifted his body as much as he could to the other side, the action causing Jonathan to frown in obvious disapproval.

What then followed was a very long, very awkward silence, where what felt like hours, but was in fact only a few minutes, passed by. Trying to ignore Jonathan, Alec fixed his eyes on the closed door, wondering what exactly was on the other side. He was not yet prepared to deal with the other boy. Nontheless, he was still very much aware of Jonathan's burning gaze. He could feel the others' eyes boring into him. It made his skin crawl. Not able to withstand such salacious attention any longer, he broke the silence.

"I need to use the bathroom," said Alec.

"Oh. Oh, ok." Jonathan seemed as if he was in a daze, shaking his head to clear his mind. Alec did not even want to think about what might be going on in that crazy mind of his.

Seeming to have gathered his thoughts, he donned a sincere expression when his eyes met Alec's. "I just want you to know that I'm really sorry about inconveniencing you like this. It really wasn't my intention," said Jonathan. "Please bear with me alright. We've tried our best to make this place as comfortable for you as possible. It's only temporary."

When Alec didn't respond, "Do you need help?" Jonathan asked, already moving to his feet. He held out one of his hands to Alec.

Is this person crazy, Alec wondered for the umteenth time. He was sorry for inconviniencing him? What the hell? What a freaking joke!

Ignoring Jonathan's offered hand, Alec climbed off his side of the bed. Although he was still somewhat a bit shaky, he had no problem moving around on his own.

Jonathan couldn't help but smile to himself. If anything, he had always appreciated Alec's stubborn nature, and now wasn't any different. He awkwardly dropped his hand that had been left hanging in the air and started for the door. Still smiling, the alpha walked just ahead of Alec before he suddenly stopped.

Turning to look back at the omega, "Please don't try anything," said Jonathan. It almost seemed as if he was pleading. But, Alec knew better. There was a warning in there as well.

The two exited the room, into what looked to be a very long, never ending hallway. Two darklings were standing guard waiting for them. They were obviously Camille's subjugates; the poor bastards.

Much like the room he'd been kept in, the hallway was all brick walls, from the ceiling, to either side of him. And the lights, Alec noted, something that he hadn't paid much attention to before, much like the lights in the room, weren't powered by any mundane energy source. Instead, some kind of energy stone resembling their own witchlight, lined the walls. They were hunged some few meters apart in what appeared to be...glass jars? At least that's what they looked like.

Witchlight stones were extracted from the same rock the adamas used in creating shadowhunters' weapons were extracted from. They were also known to burn the skin of vampires. Hence why Alec was certain that the ones currently lighting their way, couldn't have possibly been witchlight stones. Which could only mean one thing...magic. Jonathan and Camille were obviously getting help from a warlock, or at the very least, were paying one for their services.

Alec didn't have to walk for very long, only about a hundred steps, before they came to another door.

"Here," Jonathan stopped in front of the door, the two darklings also stopping behind them. He then pushed the door open, holding out one arm in a presenting gesture. "Everything you need should be in there. Just call for me if there's anything else you need. I'll be right outside."

Alec didn't linger. Rolling his eyes; Pfft right...

Entering the bathroom, he closed the door behind him, breathing out a tired sigh as he took in his surroundings. Brick walls, concrete floor, no windows, only the one door, 'witchlight' and of course, victorian era styled amenities; Alec was beginning to get the idea. He was either in the spruced up dungen of some old eighteenth century castle, or he was in the Gard. Although he wasn't exactly sure what the current state of the Gard was, there had to be some sections of the large prison that resembled his current surroundings...minus the pricy furnishings of course. In any case, he was definately somewhere underground, Alec concluded. At least that was what it felt like. Then again, the extreme stuffiness and his slight feeling of claustrophobia, could also just be a result of his overall situation.

The omega made is way over to the wash basin first. He was actually a bit surprised to see that there was both hot and cold water.

Splashing his face with some cold water, Alec gazed at his reflection in the mirror. The eyes looking back at him seemed so cold, even to himself. After awhile, his gaze naturally shifted down to his neck, remembering the slight soreness he'd felt when he'd first woken up. He brought his fingers up to rub against the area, searching the skin for signs of anything out of the ordinary, perhaps a small puncture wound left behind by a needle.

Other than still feeling a slight soreness when he pressed his fingers against the area, there were no visible signs of anything having happened. It must have healed, thought Alec. One of the many gifts of being a shadowhunter. As he grabbed the toothbrush that was sitting on the neatly folded pile of clothes that was obviously meant for him, pulling it out of the package, he couldn't help the sudden shiver that raced up his spine. Just the thought that Jonathan had gotten close enough to inject him with the Angel knows what while he was sleeping... Alec wanted to screem. He didn't even want to think about what the bastard could have done to him while he'd been unconscious.

After he finished brushing his teeth and using the other facilities, Alec was left staring longingly at the shower as he contemplated his next move. It was a very elegant set up; a large white porcelain clawfoot bath tub with gold piping. It was the sort of thing that Magnus would've probably enjoyed.

Alec knew that he wasn't going to get out of there by being combative. In fact, that could only make his situation worst; Jonathan's threat of drugging him again coming to mind. What he needed to do right now, was to play along as best as he could and buy his time. If he played his cards just right, then perhaps he could get Jonathan to let his guard down. He also needed to find out what exactly the other shadowhunter meant by Magnus was going have his hands full.

Damn it, a hot shower would feel so good right now, Alec groaned as he stopped to stare at the shower once again. He'd been pacing back and forth for a few minutes now. A hot shower would definitely do wonders in soothing his aching muscles and clearing his mind. The problem; Jonathan was just outside of the door. He just couldn't risk it, not with what the shadowhunter did to him, and was still planning to do.

However, the more he thought about it, the more Alec hated the fact that Jonathan made him feel so...vulnerable. It was one incident for Heaven's sake, and he'd caught him off guard.

After contemplating for a while longer, Alec decided to just go for it. He wasn't going to let Jonathan incite any more fear within him; he wasn't going to let him win. The omega took off the pajamas that Magnus had clothed him in and that still had a faint wiff of the alpha's scent. He could only guess that the potion Magnus had given him to cloak his own scent had long since worn off. He folded the clothes neatly and brought them to his nose, taking a deep breath before he placed them on top of the small closet by the wash basin. Alec then stepped into the shower.

He of course kept watchful eyes on the door the entire time. He wasn't that stupid.

~ooOoo~

Crash!

A large antique vase shattered into pieces as it smashed into the wall.

"Magnus, you need to calm down," Ragnor urged as he watched his friend tore apart his newly furnished living room.

Since the two of them left the Institute, they've been trying non stop to track Alec. But even with their combined efforts, their attempts were still proving useless. They were still coming up against a brick wall.

Frustrated, Magnus made his way over to what was left of his bar, pouring himself a drink. He needed something strong to help settle his nerves. He was about taking a sip when Ragnor suddenly appeared at his side, grabbing his arm.

"What..." Magnus snapped.

"When was the last time you had something to eat?" Asked Ragnor, giving his friend a once over. Magnus' breathing was still somewhat ragged from his earlier tantrum. His usually glowing honey toned skin looked pale, and there were bags underneath his eyes. "You look like crap," said Ragnor, rather bluntly.

Magnus turned to face his friend fully, looking every bit indignant. "What is that suppose to mean..." he started, only for Ragnor to cut him off.

"How are you going to find Alec like this?" Asked Ragnor. "You look like you can barely stand."

"Oh don't exaggerated. I'm fine," said Magnus, shaking off Ragnor's hand and taking a sip of his drink.

"You need to rest, Magnus. At least eat something," Ragnor argued, his voice softening. And without giving Magnus a chance to decline, he snapped his fingers, causing the drink in Magnus' hand to vanish. Then, with a flourish of his hands, he conjured up a small table with a very appetizing looking spread arranged on top of it. All of the dishes; things he knew that Magnus liked to eat. "Sit down and eat something. I'm sure there's still a lot we're missing here," said Ragnor, in reference to Alec's case. "We just need to think critically and stop acting out irrationally. You've been running about like a headless chicken." He had truly never seen his friend this frantic.

Looking at the table full of food before him, Magnus couldn't help but sigh, his anger slowly dissipating. He knew that Ragnor was right. If he was going to find Alec and deal with the bastards who took him, then he needed to be at his full strength.

As Magnus forced himself to eat something, mostly just drinking the coffee, the two chatted. They once again analyzed the whole situation, carefully going over each detail. When they got to the interrogation, Ragnor asked him about Raj.

"And there's still no clues who else he could be working with?"

Magnus shook his head, "Not yet."

Ragnor frowned at this. From everything Magnus had told him, he wasn't at all surprised that the shadowhunter was refusing to give up his accomplices. He silently thought over everything in his mind, asking Magnus after some time, "What about the other suspects? Other people who might want to hurt Alec? Have you all looked into them yet?"

Magnus' brows knitted together. It felt like everything had happened so quickly. When he'd first found out about Alec's disappearnce, his initial thought was that a shadowhunter had done it. And when Raj's name came up, they'd all been quick to, and rightfully so, followed that line of inquiry. Which did actually prove fruitful. But, what they had fail to do, was to also look into other possible suspects.

Not waiting for Magnus' reply, Ragnor asked, or rather began voicing his thoughts. "It has to be another shadowhunter, right? From everything you've said, this Raj character is obviously not the one in charge, nor is it this Larkspear. Raj also doesn't seem like the type to work with a downworlder, so it's not someone from our side. Then, there is the implication that whoever is holding Alec, intends to mate with him by force..."

Ragnor's words slowly faded into the background. It was as if Magnus was finally beginning to see things clearly.

A shadowhunter who wanted to mate with Alec?

Hell, they all wanted to mate with Alec. The question is who would dare do it by force....

'This is about rebuilding the nephillin race. I can promise you that Alec is safe. You don't have to worry about him. He'll be back real soon. In, oh say, about ten days.'

As both Ragnor's and Raj's words replayed in Magnus' mind, one name in particular started ring to out loudly. A shadowhunter who wanted to mate with Alec. Someone who was willing to do it by force... Perhaps this person had even already tried to force Alec...

Magnus felt his entire body go weak. He wanted to stand up, but could only remain seated, his mind in utter chaos. Of course it was him. Who else could it possibly be? Forget about Raj, Magnus wanted set himself on fire. It was so damned obvious. The warlock immediately conjured up his cellphone.

Ragnor had long since stopped talking and was now silently watching his friend, having caught on that Magnus was perhaps having some sort of breakthrough. If the varying emotions playing across his features were anything to go by. He watched as Magnus tapped a few icons on his phone and brought it to his ear.

Just as the person on the other end of the call answered, what sounded like a portal opening, suddenly sounded in Magnus' apartment.

Turning around to where the noise sounded, both warlocks gasped.

In the same breath, "Hello," the person on the other end of the line called out. "Magnus? Is everything alright? Magnus? What..."

"Find out if Jonathan is still in Idris for me will you."

At the other end of the call, Izzy's eyes widen. For a moment she looked as if she'd been hit over the head with something, "You don't think...?"

"Yes," Magnus replied, cutting her off.

There was a moment of silence, where for Magnus, it seemed as if the world that had been off its axis ever since Alec's disappearance, took a break from trying to right itself. Then...

"Magnus," Izzy started. "But..." But Jonathan was supposed to be under heavy surveillance as part of the arrangements her parents had made. Someone was supposed to be watching him at all times. They would have been informed if he was missing. Surely?

Izzy felt as if her head was going to explode. Jonathan had crossed her mind in beginning of this whole ordeal as well, but...it just hadn't seemed likely. Could he really have...? Had Jonathan really gone that crazy?

"Just check," Magnus insisted, cutting into her thoughts. His voice was eerily calm. "I'll call you back in a little bit." And with that, the warlock ended the call.

What had made the noise earlier and had caused both Ragnor and himself such shock, was not a portal opening, but his....

"Father!" Magnus exclaimed, quickly getting to his feet. The warlock suddenly felt a burst of energy. He was like a child who'd taken a wrong turn on his path home and had gotten lost, only to suddenly have their father come to the rescue...and just when they were at the point of giving up too. With glossy eyes, Magnus practically launched himself at his father. Unfortunately, there was something very perculiar about the person he was trying to hug. It was as if trying to capture smoke with his hands. Magnus' entire body went right through Asmodeus'.

Recovering from his momentary fumble, Magnus turned back to look at his father, "Astral projection?"

Asmodeus' still somewhat foggy figure nodded. "Give it a moment," he said, his voice seemingly coming from some place far away. With the use of astral projection, the greater demon could pretty much appear just about anywhere he wanted without needing to be summoned. There were exceptions of course, plus it took a great deal of power, even more so to give his projected body a corporeal form.

After some few beats, Asmodeus sighed, "There." Not waiting for Magnus, the greater demon stepped forward, pulling his son into his arms.

Magnus simply allowed himself to be held, resting his head on his much taller father's shoulder. "What are you doing here?" He whispered.

Asmodeus held him even tighter, "I could feel your pain all the way from Edom. I had to come."

~ooOoo~

Needless to say that after finding out exactly what his son had been going through over the past two days, Asmodeus was beyond livid.

"They dare bring harm to my blood...to his chosen!"

It took a great deal of self control for the demon to calm himself down and not revert to his most primitive form. There would always be time for death and destruction. The most important thing right now was to, first and foremost, help his son get his mate back.

The king of Edom had felt his son's distress for some time now. However, after contracting a few Seelie spies, he'd found out that Magnus had been held up inside of the New York Institute and had placed a barrier around the old church for reasons, that at the time, he had no doubt had something to do with his mate. And even though it had been very difficult for the impatient demon to stay away, he knew he had to wait before reaching out to his son. A greater demon breaking into an Institute...whether it was to see his son or not, would have no doubt only made things more difficult for Magnus.

It barely took any effort for the greater demon to channel his own powers alongside Magnus'. Joining hands, the father and son duo held the strip of material from Alec's t-shirt tightly between them. And for a moment, it was as if time was standing still. Then, as time started up again, Magnus released his father's hands, the identical fire like golden hue that had encased them, slowly retreating.

For a long while neither of them said anything. If Magnus was surprised that it hadn't worked, he didn't show it. Asmodeus equally didn't seem too surprised. It was Ragnor who spoke up first, lashing out in confusion.

"I don't understand," the warlock voiced, having realized based on the other two's expression, or rather lack their of, that their attempt at tracking Alec had also proved unsuccessful. "It should have worked." All that power, thought Ragnor, still feeling some of the residual effects. Asmodeus was a greater demon for Hell's sake. Was it because this was only a projection and not his true form? Ragnor was really confused.

On the other hand, Magnus just seemed...resigned.

Appearing to have been deep in thought, Asmodeus suddenly perked up, a small smile curving the corners of his lips. He looked as if he knew something, well, a lot actually, that the others didn't.