Magnus looked around in the room - it was bleak, the walls gray and of concrete, while the floor was carpeted (a gesture to try and make things more homely?), even though the rags looked soaked and almost as gray as the walls. He could hear water dripping somewhere. He was standing in the middle of the 'room', feeling the cold seeping through his bones, while the woman with almost white hair had her eyes fixed on him, the knife twirling in her hands. Magnus was aware, that if he'd make any false move, that knife would be buried in his heart.

He looked up at the ceiling and could see the water marks running over it. On his right there was a huge bookshelf, with only five books on its shelves, making it look lonely and abandoned. There were two red (were they red?), faded armchairs and a table with wilted flowers on it. Right in front of him was a wooden desk, about the only thing that didn't look rotten and old in this joint. Valentine was sitting behind it, with Jonathan standing behind his chair. They looked nothing alike, Magnus had to admit, the boy bearing more resemblance to Jocelyn and Clary. But when he caught Jonathan's eyes, he couldn't deny it - those eyes were just as cold and merciless as his father's were. Maybe even angrier.

"Nice place. You rent it out for tourists? You should. They love that sort of thing - one night inside a drug den, see if you can make it. Like an escape room, or something." Magnus said, brushing the dust off his jacket and eyed the man behind the desk on his chair. Valentine wasn't even looking at him, his eyes were fixed on the papers in front of him. Arita moved in the shadow of the pillar she had been leaning onto, the knife coming to a halt in her hand. Valentine raised his own hand, and Magnus whistled. "That's right. Stay." he said, smiling at the woman, who didn't flinch, but her eyes changed - they betrayed anger and irritation. Magnus felt good about that. "Enough. Come here, Bane." Valentine said, gesturing for him to come closer. "I'm good here, thanks." Magnus said, taking only one step ahead. Valentine finally raised his gaze towards him.

Those eyes met Magnus's and the man felt very vulnerable all of a sudden. At least he had his gun and knife. Although it wouldn't do him much good. Jonathan eyed him, the gaze boring into him and Magnus was pretty sure that if looks could kill, he'd be so far in hell, he'd be having dinner with Hades. "Always a smart-ass." Valentine mumbled, his lips curving into a cruel smile. Magnus shrugged. "Alright. Jonathan here has explained himself to me and I want you to know, that I thank you for the information, but don't you try and undermine him. He's my son and I am the one who punishes him. And I hate snitches." the bald man stated, his tone warning. Magnus stared at the boy, thinking fast. So, daddy dearest didn't expel Jonathan. He still cared form him, unlike Hodge had said. Maybe this was something they could use. He nodded curtly, knowing better than to argue. He could hear Arita shuffle in her spot impatiently. Magnus allowed himself to smile.

"About the Lightwoods and the warehouse... or armory, more like it. You did good." Valentine said now, giving him a smile. Magnus didn't try to act like he felt anything but disgust, but his words didn't reflect his expressions. "Yeah, well. They would've killed me, if it weren't for their stupid feud with you so... really, I owe you." he said, knowing that this would only please Valentine. He loved having people in his debt. The man had his signature smirk on, while Jonathan shuffled, leaning over him. "Father, I'm not sure..." he started, but Valentine raised his hand. "Enough. I am the one in charge here, or are you forgetting that? After your slip up, I suggest you keep your mouth shut, son or no son." Valentine said coldly, his eyes not leaving Magnus's. Jonathan straightened up and his face was expressionless, but his eyes were fixed on Magnus now. He could almost feel the deadly daggers thrown at him.

"Now. What next, huh? Well, I'm gonna need you to report to me about the Lightwoods. Every little detail. What they know about me, if they know about my operations and so on. Also, I'm gonna need the locations of their safe-houses." Valentine then said, moving to put his feet on the table. Magnus hid his panic behind the well practiced mask of indifference. "That'll take some time." he said and Valentine gave him a smug smile. "Well, then you better get to it. What are their orders for you?" he asked and Magnus gave him an arrogant smile. "Just to be back by sundown, they would never dare to wire me, so they have no clue where I am. You checked me before I came in here, so you know that. So, should you keep me here longer, they'd know somethings up. Also, for the safe-houses, I'm gonna need the IT guy. He'd in charge of everything high-tech, I'd have no idea what or how to get those locations." Magnus stated now, examining his nails. That wasn't complete truth. He just wanted to buy some time.

"Then get close to him and make him help you, in a way he wouldn't understand he's being played. You'd be an expert on that." Valentine now said, his eyes gleaming. Magnus sighed. "This again? I thought I proved myself after giving you that location of the safe-house." he said, getting impatient. Valentine now moved his legs off the table, standing up. "Oh, I know. But the last time you were here, didn't end so well for me and my...operations. So, a little friendly reminder for you." the man said, snapping his fingers.

Magnus's gaze went to the double door behind Valentine, on his right, which opened and two men came in, carrying a third between them. The men he had no idea who were. He didn't even recognize the third they were dragging, before one of the big, bulky men lifted his head by the hair. The hair that were once brown were unrecognizably dirty, almost black. The face that he looked into was tired, grimy and white as a sheet. His eyes were puffy and red, and his left cheek was bruised, like he'd been punched. Ragnor.

"What the fuck did you do to him?" Magnus asked, moving forward fast, but not fast enough. Arita was there in a second, her arms on his wrist and the knife at his throat. Magnus stopped immediately, his eyes not leaving his friend. Ragnor didn't seem to be all that conscious, he groaned but his eyes didn't recognize Magnus. Valentine stood, hands behind his back and was smirking wickedly. Last time Magnus had been here, he knew that Ragnor was being kept like a prisoner, but he was treated fairly - one of the terms Catarina had demanded, when Valentine had given her an ultimatum of staying under his pay, or being killed along with her boyfriend. He had a bed, cleaning facilities, he was fed regularly and Cat could visit him anytime. Now, he looked like he had been starved and hadn't seen the daylight in months. "Oh, this? This is very recent. In fact, I just thought you might need a reminder of why you are here. A deals a deal - you help me bring down those Lightwoods, and you and your friends - free to go. Until then... you see that?" Valentine said, gesturing towards Ragnor as one of the men put a gun to his head. Magnus was now thankful that his friend was half-passed out.

"I can kill him, any time, any second. I can torture him, starve him. I won't, until you behave. One false move Bane, and this-" Valentine nodded towards Ragnor's slumped body "- will be a frequent image for you." he finished and Magnus gritted his teeth, feeling Arita's body close to him, her arms strong around his, the blade close to the skin. Don't do anything stupid. He nodded shortly. "I will help you. Just don't hurt him or Catarina." Magnus said, his voice cold. Valentine eyed him, while Jonathan's evil smirk was visible. "Alright, get him down, give him food, water. Make sure he if... comfortable." Valentine said to the men, who turned and dragged Ragnor out. Magnus exhaled in relief. The game was still on. Valentine clapped his hands together, rubbing them. "Now, why don't you step over to Catarina. She'll have the details laid out to you. Oh, and it's almost sundown. Why don't you let her notify me, once you are gone. And be back at the designated spot two days from now, with progress. Don't test me, Bane." Valentine said, nodding towards Arita.

Magnus felt the blade being removed and Arita's closeness faded. He would've sighed in relief - that woman gave off a seriously off-vibe. He needed to know what her family name was. If Arita was even her real name. "I can't hear you." Valentine said and Magnus nodded. "Yes, sir." he said, venomously. Of course Valentine caught his tone, but he must've chosen to ignore it. "Jonathan will send you." was all he said and nodded towards his son in dismissal. Magnus waited until Jonathan was next to him and then they started walking, with Jonathan holding a gun at him from a close proximity. Magnus rolled his eyes. He could take Jonathan any day, the guy was way too stiff and clumsy to be of an opponent, but Magnus knew he wouldn't achieve anything with that. Patience. They walked along a corridor, the light seeping in through the dirty windows, some of them had curtains drawn. Red, dusty and looking centuries old. Their footsteps on the carpeted concrete floor were silent and Magnus could feel Jonathan's heavy breathing. "So, daddy dearest forgave you? I wonder why. It's not like you're his favorite child. He did try and protect the girl from you so..." Magnus said, his tone amused and daunting.

He was trying to see if he could get to Jonathan. Valentine was a facade of a cold, merciless killer. It wasn't easy to get him to show any kind of emotion - not even anger. But, Magnus found, that Jonathan had a short temper. He found himself shoved up against the wall, with the gun shoved against his chin. "Don't talk about what you don't understand." the younger man said, gritting his teeth and his breathing sharp. Magnus smiled down on him - he was taller than the redhead. "Did I hit a nerve? Does daddy not treat you like the golden boy of the family, like you wanted him to?" he asked and Jonathan's face came closer to him, his other hand holding Magnus by his collar. He could feel the gun on his skin but he didn't flinch. "I'm gonna find out why you're here, and expose you. You let my father down once, and you went get to do it the second time. I'm watching you." Jonathan hissed, his breath on Magnus's skin making his sick to his stomach. "Oh, now I'm scared." he said with such sarcasm, that Jonathan blinked. He let him go, to Magnus's surprise, and moved away. "Trust me, you should be. I'm not the only one with daddy issues." he said and Magnus felt his stomach drop.

His mask of indifference dropped for a split second, but Jonathan must've caught it, because he smirked. His teeth looked like sharp fangs in the dim light, eyes like black tunnels. "Did I hit a nerve?" he teased, but before Magnus could open his mouth, the man had turned and shoved him forward, making him walk along the corridor. They made it to a door, which led to a set of stone stairs in a downwards spiral and the started to descend. Once down, Magnus could see a very dimly lit room, looking like a basement. It looked better, however, than the upstairs room. The smell of incense - lavender and coconut - filled his nostril and he saw that the room looked a lot like a typical psychic's rooms. He smiled a small smile, as he felt the familiar smell and looked around. The decoration's screamed 'Catarina' to him. He saw her crouched over a table, with a lot of paperwork in front of her. She raised her head, to see who had arrived, and smiled immediately.

She stood up, rushing to Magnus and giving him a bone-crushing hug. When she pulled back, her smile faltered and she opened her mouth, probably to ask what the hell he was doing here. With a shook of his head, so small only Cat could catch it, Magnus notified her that it was not the time, or the place. "Magnus. Jonathan. To what do I owe the pleasure?" she asked instead, giving Magnus a small look of confusion and then moved back, to lean on the desk. Jonathan shoved Magnus forward. "This one needs the details outlined for his job. Valentine gave you the orders yesterday." he said, eyeing the woman in pure disgust. Catarina's eyes widened a bit, almost in horror. "Those were for...you?" she asked, eyeing Magnus. He nodded curtly. Best not to speak too much, seeing as there was a lump forming in his throat anyways. Seeing Ragnor like that and seeing Cat again, it was all too much. He tried to hold it together. "Alright, well..." Catarina drawled, going over to the desk. She picked up a folder and went to hand it over to Magnus.

Magnus took it, his hand lingering on the folder as he eyed the place. He forced a smile. "You've got a nice setting here. I love the scent of hyacinth." Magnus said casually. He saw Jonathan watch them, indifferent. He hoped Catarina would get the message - it used to be their code-word. She knew what she would have to do. Catarina frowned momentarily. "That's not-" she started, but then halted, seeing Magnus's expression. "-not my favorite, but it keeps me calm." she stated, a little weakly and Magnus could see she had understood his message. "Enough chitchat, I need to get you back before sundown. Move it." Jonathan said grumpily, moving to grab Magnus. The conman gripped himself free. "We're not quite there yet, darling." he stated, his voice sweet and sarcastic at the same time. He was quite proud of that. The redhead seemed caught off guard and let go, mumbling something as he shoved Magnus out. He barely could nod Catarina goodbye, when he was back on the stairs. At least Catarina had humane conditions to work under.

***

"Listen, not a word to anyone about the ring, okay? I want to talk to Magnus myself." Alec said, getting out of the car and held onto his shoulder. Isabelle examined the ring while they walked towards the Institute and then tossed it back to Alec, who caught it with his good hand. "Alec, we are going to the hospital." she said, ignoring his statement. "Isabelle, I'm fine, Jace can pop it right back." Alec said, dismissing his sister with a wave. That was a mistake. As soon as they stepped inside, Isabelle halted in front of him, her face threatening. "Alexander Gideon Lightwood, you have officially gone crazy. This is not some minor wound! We are going to the hospital." she said in a stern voice, reminding him of their mother. He scrunched up his face, trying to ignore Isabelle's tone. "Jace has done it a few time's before, okay?" he said, slipping past Isabelle to get to the ops center.

"Alec, you will listen to me or so help me..." Isabelle started with her voice growing louder and higher, but she was interrupted by Jace, who was sitting on top of the table and talking to Clary and Magnus. "What's with the yelling?" the blonde asked, giving the siblings an amused glance. Alec rolled his eyes. "Nothing, Isabelle is just being dramatic." he said quickly, before his sister could open her mouth. "What did you find?" Jace asked, his voice still a little suspicious about their fight. Alec pulled up a chair with his good hand and sat down. "We found Jonathan in the Lair. He is dealing with money laundering in there, that much is for sure, but we didn't get any pictures, he came too close and we had to bail." he said, Isabelle standing next to him. "Yeah, and got ambushed while doing to." she fumed, sending Alec a glare. "Are you alright?" Magnus asked immediately and Alec's eyes went to him.

He looked genuinely concerned, but he realized that they were all watching him so he coughed. "I meant, are you both alright?" he asked, trying to smooth over the situation. Alec's heart pounded loud in his chest - Magnus was worried about him! Isabelle scoffed. "Oh, I'm fine, a split lip. But this one here-" she said, hitting her brother in his shoulder "-dislocated his arm." she finished, glaring. "I can take care of that." Jace offered and Alec stood up, but Magnus stepped in between them. "Are you a doctor, Jace?" he asked, a little threatening and Alec stared at him in surprise. Jace gave him a confused look. "Because this is something a doctor should do, or someone who has the knowledge of a doctor. Catarina used to study to become nurse, so she taught me a few useful things. I'll do it." he said sternly and Alec could see Clary raise her eyebrow, with a small smile on her face. He averted his gaze.

Jace gave him a slightly cold look. "I've done it before, you know." he said, a little arrogantly, making Magnus turn to him. He was taller than Jace and with the look he gave him, the aura around him changed into a much more authoritative one. "You got lucky before." he stated, turning around, like the conversation was over. "Well, I for one, agree with Magnus. And since he knows what he's doing and Alec refuses to go to a hospital, I say let him do it." Isabelle said softly, patting Alec's back as she moved to take a seat next to Clary. Jace mumbled something but moved away to lean on the table. Magnus turned to Alec and he could see his eyes were now soft as they stared up at him. "May I?" he asked very politely and Alec could've laughed at that. He nodded, turning his head the other way, because Magnus was suddenly very close to him.

He felt the other's arms on his, gripping tightly. Magnus positioned himself in an angle and put one of his legs between Alec's. They were standing so close to each other, their bodies were touching. "You want a count down or?" Magnus asked and Alec rolled his eyes. "Just do I- Ahh, son of a-" Alec said, when there was a loud crack as Magnus twisted his arm. He felt the searing pain in his arm and shoulder and he groaned, leaning over. Magnus gave him a sad smile and stepped back a little. Alec gasped and held himself up, leaning on the chair. The pain was gradually fading. "Thanks." he said, a little out of breath. Magnus now smiled happily and tilted his head. "You're welcome, Alexander. Though you should put some ice on it. And not move it at least for a day or two. Nothing too excessive at least." the older man said, his voice worried and a little commanding.

Alec suppressed the urge to snap and he laughed instead. "In our line of work? You're asking for the impossible." he said, his eyes meeting Magnus's. There was a shadow moving over Magnus's face as his expression changed. "I mean it, Alexander." he said, his voice serious and Alec steadied, looking at him. Those brown eyes were stern and left no room for argument. He nodded slowly, and then Isabelle clicked her tongue. "Alec, if you're fine, then I am going to sleep. I suggest you do the same." she said, moving towards him. She got on her tiptoes, because even in her heels, she reached only Alec's shoulders. Kissing her brother on the cheek, she smiled fondly. She turned and gave Magnus a smile as well and then clicked off, leaving the others stare after her.

"So, what did you guys do?" Alec diverted his attention to Jace and Clary, who to his astonishment, both blushed. "Um, well we researched Jonathan and Clary, like you told us to." Jace said quickly and Alec had never seen him so flustered. He shared a glance with Magnus, who smiled smugly and looked at Clary. The redhead tried to look serious. "Yeah, about our family and past and all. We didn't really find much, all we already knew. Except that Jonathan disappeared for like 2 years. When he was 15-16." Clary said, tucking her hair behind her ears and avoiding Jace's gaze. Alec perked up at this. "What do you mean?" he asked and Jace waved his hand. "No record for two years of his life. No bills, no credit card uses, no phone record, nothing." he informed and Alec fell into thought. "That's weird. I wonder what happened, or where he was." he mumbled and Magnus hummed. "That's definitely weird." he agreed and Alec nodded. "Try to find out more, oh, and I'm gonna need you to try and infiltrate to the Lair." he said to the blonde.

Jace gave him a look. "And how on earth am I supposed to do that?" he asked and Alec rolled his eyes. "Um, disguised, fake ID's? Take Clary with you, you can act like you're some mob boss who wants to buy the place. Clary can act as you're wife or something." he said and saw Clary turn red. "My what?" Jace asked, stammering and Magnus gave Alec a sly smile, turning away discreetly, because it was evident he was about to burst into laughter. Alec suppressed his own smile. "Yes. Didn't you say you wanted to help out on the field and not be cooped up in here?" he nodded towards Clary, who immediately shook her head 'yes' and looked nervous. "Well, then. That's settled. Talk the details through amongst yourselves and get me photos, concrete evidence. That place is in the center of something. Find out what." he commanded and Jace nodded immediately. They both left, an awkward silence lingering between them, and as soon as they were gone, Alec huffed out a laugh.

"Well, that was genius." Magnus said, laughing, too. "Thanks. I thought so." Alec said, smiling. Then, his smile faded a bit. "Magnus, I need to talk to you. Alone. Could you come up to my room?" Alec asked, trying to sound as casual as possible. Magnus gave him a weird look and his brows furrowed. "Sure." he said, following Alec upstairs. Alec opened the door to his bedroom, letting Magnus enter first. The room was as tidy as always, Alec felt a little bit uncomfortable having Magnus there - he never let anyone in there. But this was the only place he knew that no one could hear them. He closed the door and then locked it. Magnus looked up at that. "Oh, am I being kept captive?" he asked, but his tone was flirty and indicated that he wouldn't have minded. Alec blushed a bit but nodded towards the bed, indicating for him to sit down while he himself went to his chair at the desk. "No, it's a precaution. I don't need Izzy or anyone else bursting in." he replied, sitting down. Magnus sat down carefully, now with a wary look. "Am I in trouble?" he asked, teasing and Alec rolled his eyes again.

"Give me your hand." he said forwardly and Magnus gave him a confused look. "Sorry?" he asked and Alec sighed, moving to take it into his hands. He reached for the left one and examined it. "Um, Alec?" Magnus asked, but didn't take his hand back. Alec's fingers went over Magnus's as he examined the rings and he felt the warmth of the other man. He was so close to him, he could smell the sandalwood and something else... coconut? He tapped a ring on Magnus's finger, looking up. "This one. Does this symbolize anything?" he asked, with a slight relief. Magnus had his ring on his finger. Which meant the one they found, wasn't his. But still, they were exact copies of each other.

Magnus cocked his head to the side, still confused. "Why?" he asked but Alec smiled at him. "Do you trust me?" he asked and Magnus stilled, staring into Alec's eyes. He exhaled and then took his hand from his, looking at the ring. "It's a family ring. Like yours, the Lightwood one. This is the Bane family ring. I don't know, I always felt like wearing it, even though I didn't have a close connection with my family." Magnus stated, his eyes on the jewelry. He looked like he was remembering something, something awful and his eyes were as sad as they were anguished. Alec hated that look. He leaned back in his chair, breathing out. "Well, then I should be relieved, I guess, that you're wearing it. On the other hand, I am kind of puzzled, as to why I found this in the Lair." Alec said, producing the ring. Magnus looked up and his face darkened.

Carefully, he took the ring in his hands and examined it. "What in the-" he mumbled, but then Alec saw his face turn into something of a recognition. "Magnus? What is it?" he asked, leaning in a little and the older man looked up at him, his face full of disbelief. "It has to be my father's. No one else has this. But, Asmodeous hasn't been... He can't be here." he said, his face looked pained all of a sudden. His jaw clenched and it looked like he was holding himself back from something.

Alec felt like hugging him, touching him. He didn't like to see Magnus like this - sad, angry, vulnerable. It wasn't like him. And even though he had told himself a million times, that this was a bad idea, he couldn't help his instincts. He sat down next to the man and put his arm on Magnus's. "Hey, you can talk to me." he said gently. Magnus laughed, the sound as unhappy as his face, and he shook his head. "You won't like what I have to say." he told Alec and his tone was bitter. Alec moved to look him in the eyes, setting a finger under his chin so he could make Magnus look at him. Those brown eyes were so sad, he wanted to kiss him, so much. But he refrained. "Tell me." he simply said and Magnus exhaled. He moved away from him, looking the other way, so it was hard for Alec to hear his words, but they were there nevertheless.

"I killed him. He can't be here, because he can't be alive, Alexander." Magnus said, his voice low and almost inaudible in the small room.

A/N: Look, I just realized that the last chapters are way longer than the first one's. But like, it's better this way? Or no? Anyways, I needed to make this more dramatic and more...angsty. My emotion's shining through here, people xdd I think I'll write some Malec fluff next, or Jimon. Okay, biiii xxx