chapter twenty-one. . .
hiding for good
◇
MALIA HAD THOUGHT that punching a punchbag would be something to comfort her, to take out the rage that the day before caused. Every punch she had imagined Valentine's face and wishing she was actually punching him. The fact that he was her father and she was just finding out about it, and the fact that he killed Veronica. But it didn't do anything. Malia still felt the pain of the fact that her maternal figure was dead and the boy who she liked and kissed was her brother. It was gross but she didn't know. It didn't even cross her mind that Jace and her could be related.
For what Malia had known was that avoiding Jace was not a good call. They needed to talk to each eventually and due with their line of work and spending a lot more time together, they needed to talk sooner rather than later. And what a great time to do that in the meeting about waking up Jocelyn Fairchild.
The Banshee cleared her throat as she approached the table, appearing to be just on time, later than everyone else, but just on time. The brunette slowed to a stop as she noticed Jace approaching Ben, Clary and Magnus sitting at the table waiting for the reminder of the group working on the mission to find the warlock who had created the potion that Jocelyn had drunk.
Malia forced a smile towards Jace. "Morning."
Jace sighed before sitting beside Ben. "Morning." He greeted coldly. "Sleep well?"
Malia pursed her lips as she settled in the chair beside her best friend. "Slept fine." The tension was able to be cut with a knife as Malia's leg crossed over the other.
"While this conversation is no doubt scintillating, remind me why we couldn't do this at my place?" Magnus questioned as he had hoped to avoid the Institute for some time. "At least there we'd have cocktails."
Clary's eyes widened. "It's 9 in the morning." She exclaimed.
Magnus shrugged, knowing he'd rather enjoy sipping on cocktails and making him able to cope through yet another day. "Oh, it's happy hour somewhere, my dear." He retorted.
"We invited you here, Magnus, because Hodge can't leave the Institute." Ben informed as he pushed himself to stand so he could sit on the table. "He's an important part of this mission."
"Well, then where is our hardly little tutor?" Magnus questioned wishing his time at the Institute would be quick. "There are certain individuals that I'd like to avoid, so let's make this quick."
"Pardon the delay, Magnus." Hodge apologised with his approach. "I was following up on a lead." Magnus had fallen to silence as Hodge stood in front of the five with his information more narrowed than the earlier start of the morning. "Now, we're narrowed down our list of warlocks to these three."
Malia studied the faces of the three faces on the screens. Her eyes narrowed on each, wondering if she could guess which was more capable of creating the potion that had put Jocelyn to sleep. "Why is Ragnor Fell up there?" Magnus questioned. "He's not more powerful than I am."
Malia raised a brow at the man in the middle of the two women, with horns growing out of his forehead. "Well, some would disagree. He is older than you." Hodge explained.
"Certainly not wiser."
"Who is Ragnor Fell?" Clary questioned.
"The former High Warlock of London."
"And one of my oldest friends." Magnus added as he glanced up at the redhead who had been eager with finding the warlock capable of waking up her mother. "Very prickly, likes to keep to himself."
"Okay, look. We just need to figure out which one of these warlocks has enough access to Jocelyn that they could create the potion for her without anyone discovering what they'd done." Hodge explained.
"By the early '90s, Ragnor was a professor at the Shadowhunter Academy in Idris." Magnus stated and yet it had made Clary think of the time when her mother didn't live in New York City.
"Isn't that when my mother lived there?" Clary questioned as Malia leant forward in her cheek to fiddled with her fingers. "Could he have made the potion for her?"
"The little bugger!" Magnus cursed with the realisation. "That's why he hasn't responded to my fire message. Ever since Valentine began hunting warlocks, Ragnor's been holed up in his secret country house just outside of London. For all I know Ragnor suspected my fire message was a ploy by Valentine to lure him out of hiding. We'll have to confront him face-to-face."
Hodge's brows arched. "You're going on this mission?"
Magnus believed that was a stupid question have had been asked. "Of course! I'm the only one Ragnor trusts. Besides, I've played my last hand here. Even I know when to fold." Malia's eyes followed Magnus as he had pushed himself to his feet, he had been planning to avoid Alec and his soon-to-be wife, Lydia Branwell. But it was impossible as he had bumped into the 'happy couple.'
Lydia broke out into a smile at the sight of the Bane standing with her Institute. "Magnus, Id din't know you where here."
"That was the point."
"We're just on our way to greet a few representatives of the Clave who arrived early for tomorrow's wedding." Lydia explained. Malia couldn't get over the fact that Alec was marrying the blonde who was ready to get his sister prosecuted. "How long are you staying?"
Alec's brows furrowed in confusion, able to pull his narrowed attention away from Magnus and to his friends. "What's going on here?" Alec asked. "Nobody told me about a meeting."
Malia cleared her throat. "Magnus figured out that Ragnor Fell is the warlock who can wake up Jocelyn." Malia stated as she pushed herself to her feet. "We're gonna bring him back to the Institute."
"How can I help?" Alec offered.
Jace's face hardened at his Parabatai. "We're just recovering a warlock, Alec." He snapped as his arms folded over his chest. "We got this covered."
"Besides," Magnus added. "you have the emissaries from the Clave to meet." He reminded hoping to cut the conversation short. "You don't want to tarnish your family's perfectly-crafted image, now do you?"
Lydia had noticed how Alec stiffened beside her, and she guessed it was time to pull away from the conversation with the warlock. "Again, lovely seeing you, Magnus." She told before turning away where Alec had been quick to follow after her.
As Magnus had marched away and Ben's arm draped on Clary's shoulder towards her room, it had left Jace and Malia standing alone. The tension had built up between the two of them within that second before they glanced at each other, both unable to make direct eye contact. "Get ready. We leave in an hour." Jace ordered.
But Malia was already dressed. The black ribbed scoop neck shirt that tucked into her skinny black jeans and her ankle boots with the chains across them was what she was prepared to wear for the day. As her eyes fell upon what she had wore, Jace had begun to make his escape.
Malia scoffed as she planned to chase after the blonde, knowing that avoiding the topic forever was not going to be a way to make things seem normal. "Jace, hold up!" The Bellerose called after him as she jogged up the stairs. "We need to stop avoiding and start talking about this."
"Talk about what?" Jace questioned as he planned to ignore the subject for as long as possible. "We're good, okay?"
Malia couldn't help but scoff. "You know we're not." She snapped as she continued to walk after him. "We need to talk about what Valentine said about us."
Jace had halted causing Malia to do the same as she wasn't expecting him to stop so abruptly. "Look," He turned back to look at the brunette. "I don't want to talk about it. It happened. I feel weird right now."
Malia chuckled. "How do you think I feel?" She questioned as her arms folded over her fest. "I feel all types of weird. But we didn't know. It's not our fault."
Jace sighed. "I can't do this right now. I'm sorry." Malia's lips pursed as she watched the Wayland storm into his bedroom. Malia didn't know what to do, all she wanted to do was be there for Jace because not only did he find out Valentine was his father but his whole life was a lie.
◇
THE PORTAL THAT Magnus had opened for the four Shadowhunters had allowed them to step through and stand in the fields of London. Malia had never been to the United Kingdom before and she hoped it would be underneath better circumstances the next time she had visited the country. The cloudy sky hovered over their heads, and the sudden coldness that came from London's air caused Malia to shiver, something she wasn't used to.
Magnus had led the way through what seemed to be the woods, marching his way through the fields in hope to getting to Ragnor and getting his help. "Ragnor's house is just across these fields." Magnus pointed out.
"Let's make this quick." Jace grumbled.
"And not awkward." Ben mumbled as he knew that he had stepped into tension he didn't exactly wanted to have to bare with.
Jace glanced as the only Parabatai he was talking to. Both were still angry at Alec for weakening their Parabatai bond, but Jace had added issues to his list. "We'll talk to Ragnor and Portal him back to the Institute before anyone knows we're gone."
Magnus broke out into a smile as he tried to make conversation whilst looking between Malia and Jace. "So...brother and sister, huh?"
"I don't want to talk about it."
Malia couldn't help but chuckle with how Jace chose to go about sorting out his problems. She decided to give him what he wanted to hear. "We're just work buddies." She said sarcastically. "It's all about the mission and we can totally ignore the huge bomb that was dropped on us.
"Yeah, sounds like a plan."
Malia scoffed. "It was sarcasm." She snapped at the blonde.
Jace listened the Banshee sigh. "What do you want me to say, Malia? That I was attracted to my sister?" He questioned.
Before Malia could reply Magnus had intercepted into the conversation. "Point of fact, brother and sisters are often attracted to each other." He stated. "I once knew this one couple in ancient Egypt..."
"Magnus," Clary had cut off the Bane from taking any further. "I don't think you're helping."
"And aren't you half-brother and sister." Ben added hoping to ease their thoughts with how their situation was not as bad.
"Maybe this will all make sense when we wake up Jocelyn." Magnus pondered.
Malia scoffed. "Jocelyn is my mother. So, she can't really tell me anything." She snapped.
"She is Jace's mother, perhaps--"
Jace had dug his finger into Magnus' chest knowing that Jocelyn had been nothing like a mother to him. "Don't say that again." He warned. "Maryse is my mother. At best, Jocelyn is the woman who abandoned me."
"Hey, that is not true." Clary defended her mother. "My mother would never abandon her son. She thought you were dead."
"Or maybe she just didn't want me."
"You don't know her, Jace." Clary exclaimed.
"That's right, Clary. I don't." Jace snapped, Malia could see how his brows arched with anger. He had turned the sadness he felt into anger. "Do you?"
"I'm sorry I asked!" Magnus busted in. "I came with you to escape my relationship drama, not get a front row seat to yours."
Jace had quickly turned away, believing that he had heard something move around them. "What was that?" He asked.
"Nice try, Jace." Malia spoke up as her hands fell onto her hips. "You're not getting out of this conversation that easily."
"I wish I was out of this conversation." Ben spoke up just as Clary had taken a step forward to wonder through the fields.
"Look out!" Ben had been quick to pull Clary back into his arms as flames surrounded them. Malia's brows raised at the flames that were green, growing from how the wind blew. "Ragnor put up wards to protect his lair." Magnus stated.
"Why is the fire green?"
"It's a wall of fire that only the pure of heart and intention can pass through." Magnus explained, before looking back at the four standing beside him. "Are you ready?"
Malia let out a shaky breath with nerves hoping she wouldn't burn alive as she begun to step through the wall of fire. With hope that they'd all make it through, Malia and Clary were the only two who had emerged through the fire and to where they stood with each other's company. As both teens took in their surroundings for Jace, Ben and Magnus, the fact their eyes didn't fall on the three men brought them concern. "Where are they?" Malia asked.
Clary was filled with panic as she spun on her feet to see if she could spot either three of them. "I-I don't know." As she had searched around for sight of her friends, a roof peaking through the trees had caught her attention. "But I found Ragnor Fell."
◇
THE DOOR TO Ragnor Fell's home sat ajar, and immediately had caused Malia to proceed with caution as she pushed it wider. Malia glanced at Clary before she had chosen to take a slow step into his home. "Ragnor?!" Malia called for the warlock as she hoped she wasn't just barging into his home. "Ragnor Fell?" She called once more with hope of getting a response from the horned man. With another step into his house her heels had echoed through the home that was deafening silent. "Ragnor?"
Both girls had looked around the awfully large home that homed just one person. He must've been lonely. Malia pursed her lips as her eyes settled on the painting opposite the hallway that led away from the front door. Ragnor Fell had a painting of himself as if it was masterpiece. "Hello?!" Clary called hoping that Ragnor could hear them as they stood in the middle of his home. "Is anybody home? We need your help."
"He's got to be here." Malia mumbled as she stood in front of the painting to study the face she was due to meet. "Ragnor, we need to find our friends!" Clary had studied the photo just the same, noticing how the eyes were painting to face downwards. "Y-You know it's really vain to have a painting of yourself." She commented before she heard the waves of whispers fill up her ears. Malia was no painter but she was able to realise how the eyes changed to focus in the centre causing a chuckle to escape her lips. "Clary." Malia gestured for her sister to make her way back towards her and to stop her wonder before gesturing towards the painting.
The Fairchild had noticed the same difference in the eyes as Malia before she had reached into the painting, gripping Ragnor by his jacket to throw him to their feet.
"Well done, Malia Bellerose." Ragnor said as he pushed himself to his feet. He didn't expect her to notice. "Clary Fairchild, I expected better from you given Jocelyn's talent. I've been expecting you both." His focus shifted towards the empty seat beside the fireplace. "Yes, I know. I need to work on not moving my eyes. You don't need to remind me."
Clary's brows furrowed. "You knew my mom?" She asked. "So you made the potion that put her to sleep?"
Ragnor nodded. "At her request, yes. And I knew it was only a matter of time before you came to me looking for the antidote. Please, sit."
"Wait..." Malia had stepped herself from walking any further. "our friends, Jace Wayland, Ben Rivers and Magnus Bane. They were with us, but we lost them in the fire."
Ragnor's face hardened. "Let me do the my way!" Malia questioned if Ragnor was crazy or if she was as she couldn't see who he was talking to. "Your friends, are they true?"
"Magnus said he's known you for centuries." Malia stated as her hands rested on her hips. "He even sent you a fire message which you didn't reply to."
"This is not an act." Malia pinched the bridge of her nose wondering what was going on through the warlock's mind. "It is not an act! It is essential."
"Okay, what is your deal?" Clary questioned whilst pushing herself to her feet believing that the man was crazy. "Our friends are missing and if you can't help me, I will find someone who can."
"What is it worth to you?"
"If you find my friends and wake my mother..." Clary knew she'd do anything for that to happen again. "I'll give you anything."
"That's what I wanted to hear." Ragnor chirped as he grinned before clicking his fingers.
Malia had jumped at the sight of Ben sitting on the stool she stood beside. Ragnor had been talking to her friends. "Honestly, Ragnor," Magnus had pushed himself to his feet after appearing. "was that nonsense necessary?"
"Of course." Ragnor shrugged. "She offered me anything. You were only up to a timeshare of your flat in Paris. Yawn."
Malia sighed. "Enough with your warlock games." She dismissed with an eye roll. "Can you really wake up Jocelyn?"
"Not without the Book of the White."
"The Book of the what?" Ben questioned.
"It's an ancient book of warlock magic containing spells more powerful than..." Magnus couldn't help but chuckle whilst resting a hand on Ragnor's shoulder. "most warlocks could ever imagine." The Bane still believed he was more much powerful than Ragnor.
"I possessed the book when your mother came to me," Ragnor told as his gaze shifted back to Clary. "and I used its contents to create the potion. Regrettable, I no longer have the book. I asked Jocelyn to hide it so that Valentine might never find it."
"Does Jocelyn hide everything?" Malia asked as she ran her fingers through her straightened locks of hair.
"Ragnor, please, I have to get my mom back." Clary exclaimed as she knew she was so close but it was like the universe was somewhat working against her. "Is there any way to get the Book of the White?"
"Possibly." He thought. "I may have something that can help us. Won't be but a moment." Malia forced a smile as Ragnor had turned away just as her hearing heightened to the sound she couldn't help but scrunch her nose at.
"What do we do if he can't find the book?" Clary questioned. Malia rubbed her temple as the whispers grew harsher and more violent that caused the side of her head to ache.
"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." Jace comforted.
Magnus' focus was rather on the style of Ragnor's home, feeling as it was a bit too old fashioned for his liking and the her preferred his modernised living. "It's a bit drab, isn't it?"
Malia's head snapped towards the stairs Ragnor had walked up in hope of finding something of help to them and where a scream had erupted. "Ragnor..." Malia had watched as Ragnor was tackled by a Shax Demon that fought with the warlock before throwing him off of balcony to where he landed in front of those needing his help. "No." Malia glanced back up, unable to lay eyes on the Shax Demon. quick
Magnus held onto his friend, his neck torn into by the Shax Demon leading him closer to his death. "Creature took me...by surprise." He stammered.
"How could a Shax demon get past Ragnor's wards?" Clary questioned as Magnus had clicked his fingers to help the wound.
"It must have followed us." Jace guessed. "Jumped through when the fire wall reset."
"Be still, my little dear cabbage. Your wounds are deep. Hold on, please." Ragnor had fallen limp in Magnus' arms causing Malia's eyes to widen. "No. For centuries, this man knew me better than anyone."
"Magnus, I'm so sorry."
"We have to leave, now." Ben concluded as Clary had begun to object knowing that her chance to getting her mother awake seemed to be running slim.
"We can't." Clary protested. "Not until we find whatever it is Ragnor said could help us locate the Book of the White."
"It's too dangerous." Jace had yet agreed with the Parabatai. "If one Shax demon found us you can bet there are more on the way."
"We have to try!"
Malia sighed as she pushed herself to her feet. "They're right, Clary. We don't have time to search through Ragnor's stuff."
Magnus had clicked open a Portal, knowing he could leave Ragnor's body to decay in his parlour. "Get back to the Institute." He instructed. "I'll transport everything back to my place and find what you need. Now leave me to take care of my friend."Malia frowned at how heartbroken Magnus had been with the loss of his friends before approaching the Portal, opened within the doorway of the parlour.
Clary couldn't help but think it was her fault for Ragnor's death. "Magnus, I--"
"Go!"
Malia frowned before she had stepped into the Portal knowing for the best to leave Magnus in his mourning even if he shouldn't have doe it alone.