Alec kept dragging his feet, every time he moved a wave of a stabbing intense pain passed through his bones, his muscles burned as if shet on fire, becoming unbearable at times. The hunter had to take several breaks to catch his breath and ease his body.

His sweat made his previously warm clothes become dump and his hair wet. Alec blinked severely, trying to clear his vision from the mix of tears and sweat, the stinging pain a cherry on top of his agony.
Having trained ruthlessly, he had to admit, he had never before experienced such torment.

Even breathing was agonising, a sharp unpleasant sensation kept passing through his lungs.

He couldn't walk anymore, he couldn't bring himself to. 'I should have let Catarina Loss heal me...'

Alec let his back hit a near by tree, sliding slowly down, a staggering breath escaped his lips. 'After being thrown across her vegetable garden, I lost the inspiration to stay longer...'

He should have expected it, visiting a warlock of such statues would bring him trouble. 'What now?'

Even if he did find a piece of relief, knowing he found somewhere safe for Madzie to settle, there was just too much still taunting him...

What is he going to do with Robert? The Clave will want answers, reports of what happened by.

Alec Lightwood has been missing for over eighteen hours...

He could always lie, but lieing never lead anywhere, not under the Clave's eye.

It would take minutes using the sword of truth before he is thrown in prison, the one under the silent brothers' domain. Starving and eventually dieing in dishonour of his family, he would ruin things for everyone.

"Andrew..." Alec kept thinking how foolish it was to bring him into all these without his consent, he became his partner in crime without being fully aware of the circumstances, what can follow because of his imprudent deeds.

Helping a child might not be a crime but hiding it from the Clave when she is evidence of the atrocities that took place...

Was it that bad that Alec didn't want Madzie to feel like a monster? An experiment conducted by the suffering of others?

Because that is exactly what the Clave will make her to be.

Alec huffed, dragging out a long breath. His vision started to darken, the sounds of the forest coming silent as if a predator was near by.

'Great... Are you going to let me perish? Your chosen one?' Alec threw his sarcastic remark, not actually awaiting for salvation. He made an attempt for his blade, it felt too heavy to lift.

Just how damaged is his body?

Alec decided to let his weight be pulled, at the center of earth, he couldn't do anything... It must be one of the rare times he actually was left powerless and alone.

He should have told them, about everything.

About the fallen that has attached itself to him, it's power that can even break magic.

How it has passed that strength into him, chosen him for reasons unknown.

The more Alec regretted keeping it to himself and more he found it morally right, he should not cause his misfortune to pass on to his siblings. Such possibility wasn't for sure, but until he knows better, that's how it's going to be.

How strong was this rune to utterly destroy such strong barrier? Back then Alec only anticipated a small scratch big enough for him to fit through, in a way or another.

But no, the impact, even if not intentionally, was too grand.

Alec feared this would cause more trouble for him in the future. Such barrier had enchantments of powerful spells only the high warlock would be able to accomplish.

Yet he shuttered them as if made out of glass, such act will most definitely hurt the pride of the all mighty. Alec had to admit, if he wasn't already drowning in anxiety he would be panicking. Back then he just kept walking like nothing had happened, but his mind did run wild of what kind of future awaited him.

Are there more runes like this one? And if yes, how did we loose track of them?

The Clave would never forget of such strength, not if it meant to use it against their enemies. Alas, Alec couldn't remember in any book or document speaking of such runes... Not even of the fallen.

Alec wasn't sure what this upper power was that kept an eye on him, but the word fallen quite suited it.

Alec let his eyes lids flatter close, focusing on his breath. His body ached, getting used to the pain, adapting, soon he will be able to stand.

It was odd, how he could now see spells, the words used to create magic. He didn't know what most meant, latin was common, he understood that, but most were from even older languages. The ancient who came to be lost in the depths of time, only a warlock who lived in that era would be able to decipher and in return write in those languages.

How old is Magnus Bane? He must be over ten centuries, Alec assumed.

The nephilim had never seen or heard much about the high warlock of Brooklyn, just that he liked to play jest with the council and make parties, of course other than his immaculate strength that had some Clave heads concerned.

For people who claim to be on top of all, they surely were kept on their toes when it comes to certain downworlders. Alec chuckled at that, for some reason he found it funny. The Clave seemed to him as if they didn't know who to hunt, who to fear and who to blame.

Alec flinched, the air suddenly turning freezing cold. Now alert, he opened his eyes, searching of what may have gone wrong. Had he fallen asleep? Woken in the middle of the night when the temperature falls?

Taken aback from the scenery surrounding him, the hunter might have preferred to have kept his eyes closed. "How is that... Possible?"
In a state of deja vu Alec jumped on his feet, turning around in disarray, almost lossing his footing multiple times. "How..."

Once more, just like when he stood below Iris' foot, he seemed to appear in a completely different place. Back then it was the basement, he had thought it must have been Madzie who had teleported him there, saved him as the air in his lungs left him to wither.

But now, standing in the middle of the buzzing street, the yells of the people, the honking cars, the grey sky above, ready to throw thunders, Alec was somehow back in New York.

Alec fell back on his knees, feeling like he is loosing his mind.

Was it him, that teleported himself back then... And now?

Looking around, it seemed much earlier through the day. Not only had he somehow travelled from the outskirts back to the mainland but it felt like the sun had rose only an hour or two ago.

'If I can time travel I am seriously about to lose my sanity...' Alec could only grip his hair, pulling just enough to make sure he no longer is asleep. He must be, how can this be reality?

Feeling slight fear of the confusing events, he started questioning if he had ever left Madzie to Catarina in the first place.

The nephilim pulled his shirt up, relaxing at the sight of his gigantic bruise, a result of when he collide with the sturdy oak tree, when the warlock with the horns send him flying.

He did leave Madzie with Catarina... What day is it? Is it tomorrow?

Without waisting more time he took a leap, landing at an alley hidden amongst buildings, just because he was panicking it didn't mean he should not be careful of getting caught by the mundane eyes. Immediately heading out to blend with the crowd he grasped a man's shoulder, not bothered to be picky. "What day is it?"

The man looked at him with concern and somewhat shocked, the nephilim is still drenched, bruised and bloodied, not one of his best looks. "...It's the twenty first of October."

Alec paused, calculating. "What time is it?"

"It's six thirty am...Are you alright young man?" His tone became more gentle yet serious, maybe even curious.

Alec made a quick nodd, turning to leave even more confused. It's only been some hours since his mission...
Instead of a day ahead it has only been three hours. Despite his previous certainty that he reached Catarina's house during that exact time, it has only been... three hours.

It's as if the time he spent at Catarina's house never happened. It's six am, he had ordered his comrades to go search for Iris around three am, he had reached the blue cottage around this time...

Alec held in his hysteria, he was somewhat at peace with that... With such timeline, he could come up with a reliable excuse, covering up the truth... It still didn't explain how he had done it.

'Let's say I teleported... Back in the basement and now... How? I don't know.'

'Next question...'

'...How on earth did I turn back time?'

'I don't know... But considering I can teleport, let's keep our head and heart open for newfound talents.'

"Gifts."

Alec having heard that stopped dead in his tracks, turning his gaze to a dark alley, the one who still was in complete darkness despite the sun coming out. From there he could feel the fallen whispering to him unclear sayings.

It's there, watching him... Praising him.

How is he the only one seeing that? It was subtle but still eye-catching.

Alec wasn't sure how he knew it's intentions but one thing was for sure, it was the fallen who saved him this time, teleporting and giving back the time he had lost.

The nephilim's heart thumped in both gratitude and rage.

Alec's rey of thoughts came to a stop when the man from before appeared behind him, clearly having followed the hunter, placing a sturdy hand on his shoulder. "Are you sure you okay kid?"

Alec for the first time took a moment to look at the man, tall, muscular... With a badge on his belt.

Noticing how the young man starred into nothing with a frightful ashed face, the police officer had approached him. "Maybe you are confused? I can help you."

Since when did New York had such attentive police officers? Alec could only think with great suspicion.

Alec felt his paranoia rise, taking a better look, he noticed how his green eyes glowed unnaturally. He is a werewolf, but what does he want with him?

"No, I'm fine... Thank you officer." Alec made an attempt to leave but the officer kept being persistent, his hand still on his shoulder."I'm sorry but you look lost and awfully beaten son, please come with me at the station, get your wounds checked up."

Alec shook his head, "You and I both know this is not something the police can handle... Let it go." The nephilim couldn't understand why the werewolf insisted on helping him when it was obvious Alec is a shadow hunter, his wounds commonly caused by demons.

Alec had not used any glamour to cover his runes, the one across his neck is more than enough to confirm what he is.

"Look kid, I know the difference between wounds made by a demon and something else. In your case, it's the second." His demianour somewhat of a comforting advise and a demand.

Alec couldn't comprehend this, maybe the officer just wanted to get Alec alone for vengeful reasons, he had witnessed comrades of his treat werewolves unfairly and them in return waiting for the nephilims in the shadows, ready to teach them a lesson.

Just like the time Jace had gotten drunk in a werewolf bar, flirting with any lady passing by, his tactic was demeaning the male werewolf population against his rich skills in bed... He was a dumb immature teen back then, his hotline being something about beasts at night and being considered beastiality or not.

"They are waiting at me at the institute." Alec eventually said, showing there is no way he is going to follow him at the station.

Especially when time is still running.

"... I understand. Then when you get there, have them looked over... It's a pity to destroy yourself kid." The man let go, his advice coming out as an order. "If you need help for anything, you know where to find me."

'No I don't. There are like seventy police stations throughout New York.'

"Name is Luke Garroway."

Alec nodded, biting the inside of his cheek as he made his leave, rushing to get away from the out of pocket encounter.

Luke watched as the young man walked away, he was such an obvious nephilim. From the way he walked to the way he spoke, he reeked angel blood. Luke signed, remembering himself back at the day, how abusive the Clave was of his own people, how it still is. And how cruel it can be even to nephilims as well, things needed to change, he has grown sick of how things still are.

If only the Clave would listen to him and other Downworlders, truly to try to understand them.

If there was someone, just one person, in the institute that was willing to listen and act.

Luke could only frown as he watched the shadow hunter move in the darkest of alleys, his concerns suffocating him.

Alec opened the doors of the institute with grace, pulled together. He had cleaned himself, being presentable he slowly walked at the end of the line. They waited him, Alec is the last to arrive after the mission, an understandable move as head of the team.

However, he cannot excuse the cut of communication the past three hours. Which is why he was uncertain how he will make his story. Maybe a long chasing game?

Alec couldn't think of something to cover him enough in this situation. Maybe a desperation attempt of tracking Iris Rose that just took too long...

He could already feel the tension building up of what's to come. Failing his mission is one tremendous thing, another his poor management might actually lessen the favour the Clave has for him, ultimately making his family take a blow on his account.

With a deep breath he knocked the head's door, Robert's office was eerie quiet.

Alec felt his soul jump out of his body when the door swung open to reveal not just Robert but Maryse as well.

It's worse than he thought.

His parents never appeared in the same room after their divorce, most thought it was because they were simply too busy, their jobs quite far from one another and very demanding.

Some praised their dedication.

Alec however knew the truth well, as he had caught years ago his father sleeping in that exact office with a mundane woman. "Father, Mother... I'm here to report."

The only thing he can do is take responsibility for his failure and blame his absence on trying to fix his mistake, even if it didn't come to be successful.

"Alexander, we have been expecting you." Maryse spoke with sly irritation, hiding her furry beneath her professional mennerism.

Robert was no better.

"We have been expecting you for two hours... Where have you been?" His tone was low, steady but cold, unhappy with his son's doings.

Alec closed the door behind him, it was time to face them. "Iris Rose managed to escape with the use of dark magic... I shot her with a sedative-"

"Where?" His mother demanded, her eyes glossy, overflown with rage.

"At her hand which she used to create a barrier that prevented our rescue team-"

"Why did the rescue team needed to be called?" Robert cut him off, his eyebrows knitted together, his eyes flared, holding back everything he wanted to say and do against his son who so dearly had embarrassed the Lightwood name.

"... Because, Brad Jenkins alerted her by using the roof exit, an obvious trap-"

"Is he not you responsibility Alec?" Maryse asked, her tone accusing.

"I discharged him from the mission but he-"

"Don't throw the entire blame on him!" His father yelled, having enough of excuses.

"... I didn't, I didn't get to finish-"

"What about Isabelle? She did her part well enough? Are you covering her by placing the blame on Jenkins?" Maryse questioned, already believing her own words.

"No, Izzy did her part perfectly-"

"Then whose fault is it?!" Robert got up, spitting out the words in frustration. "The Clave suggested you because they trusted you Alexander... You betrayed their trust and ours."

"..." Alec couldn't say anything, he knew if he did, things will get worse. The fact that he hasn't meet yet with Izzy and Jace leaves him blind, not knowing what they had said, it will be hard to come up with something believable and in sync with their stories.

He himself didn't know why Jace and Clary where there in the first place, but telling his father of it would make no good. 

In the end, his fear of exposing himself was silly. They wouldn't ask why he is in that shape, what he did in those three hours... It didn't matter to them, only his failure was enough for them, that's all they thought of.

They don't even allow him speak of what happened inside the warlock's lair let alone later.

"Iris Rose seemed to have a lower rank demon captive in her basement-"

"We know, Isabelle spoke of it." Maryse signed, soothing her forehead. This is going to impact her reputation in the council. "It was a big job your hands didn't held the strength to fill... I am disappointed Alexander."

Silence fell among the three and Alec no longer understood what they wanted from him. "..."

"Three hours... What where you doing for three hours?" Robert finally spoke, asking a questioned that felt meaningless compared to the words already spoken.

"... I was searching... Trying to do the right thing."

"I don't think you need me to tell you it didn't work... You created such a mess... From tomorrow you are confiscated into cleaning duty at the armory up until they catch Iris Rose." Robert shot out his punishment as if it was nothing, as if it wasn't enough.

"I'm off duty?" Alec could only ask in disbelief, "I... I made a mistake, shouldn't I be there to fix it?"

"No... The council has decided to let you rest, they believe you are overworked and need to take a step back." Maryse spoke with a long huff, obviously not thrilled with the idea.

"They are embarrassing us Alexander... Because of you the case has been handed to the Herondales." Robert spoke defeated, with his head resting in his hands. "My son on cleaning duty..."

"... Maybe I... I am tired. A break to Idris wouldn't be bad, clear my head and-"

"So you admit. Are you worn out Alexander?" His father's mocking tone made Alec frown, he has been exhausted the past weeks if not months.

"Actually yes... Lately I have been feeling -"

"Alexander." He mother spoke up, shaking her head disapprovingly. "We can't have that, such luxury is not something we can afford. I thought you understood that?"

Alec took a moment to look at Maryse and Robert, what they are saying to him. He could only nod, trying his best to fight off his blurry vision.

"... Are you crying?" Robert got up, his face hardened at such sight. "Leave... I can't bear to look at you."

Alec turned to leave but was stopped by Maryse, her hand falling to his, gently stopping him. "... Write a report of the mission, I want it done by tomorrow morning before I head back to Idris."

Alec looked into his mother's eyes, even if there was a bit of warmth still left for him, he no longer seeked it.

He opened the door, closing it behind him slowly, carefully. Whipping aggressively his unshed tears, he started moving, he was not fine at the moment but Alec wanted to be over with it.

Alec moved with a rush, feeling a ringing headache spread from the back of his head to his stinging eyes. He was overflowing with emotions and thoughts, Alec felt like he is about to explode.

Passing by the cafeteria he came to a sudden halt, there stood exactly the people he was looking for. Jace, Izzy and the red head brat. He approached them much calmer, not wanting to look distorted.

"Why where you two at Iris'?"

Clary jumped at his sudden appearance, gasping in fright when looking at him. "By the angel Alec!"

"What happened to you?!" Izzy, with one stride had managed to stand by her brother, dragging him down to check his face better. His hair was messy with dirt stuck in them, tangled up. His face scratched and his eyes bloodshot red, irritated.
His hands had turned purple around his knuckles while his clothes were ripped in some places.

Bruised all over, in his clothes blood had been shed, what had happened to her dear brother?

She made an attempt to lift his shirt but was stopped, Jace got up, closing the proximity between them. There were shadow hunters in the cafeteria but non paid them attention, yet Jace knew Alec would rather die than be seen in such state by his comrades. "Let's go to your room."

Alec nodded, feeling blissful as he watched Jace politely shoo away the red head.

Once they reached the safety and privacy of his room however, Jace started lossing it.

"You did not leave looking like that!" Jace stated with a bewildered look of his own. "Are you okay? What the hell happened?! And why am I finding out like that?"

Alec had settled on the bed, shirtless he let his sister put healing ointments on his bruised ribs and arms. His eyes following Jace who kept pacing up and down his dorm, his reasonable rampage continued.

"Like, we have a parabatai rune for a reason Alec! I am here to help you just like you are helping me!" Jace kept huffing and puffing.

"You are right."

At that he stopped, "I know I am right!"

"Alec... What happened?" Izzy asked, her genuine concern breaking a piece of his heart. Oh how is he going to tell them?

"I found a safe place for the little girl... She is well hidden."

"That doesn't explain THAT!" Jace gestured at his body, "It doesn't explain anything at all!"

"Look, there was a misunderstanding-"

"A misunderstanding? A misunderstanding caused all that!? These fucking warlocks just love to unleash their magic on us like we are-"

"They were scared, Jace." Alec interrupted him, after a small pause he continued. "There has been... A lot... A lot is going on right now, things I can't explain... Yet."

Izzy and Jace exchanged looks, both unpeased.

"Is this why you are blocking the parabatai rune?" Jace asked, his voice representing how hurtful it is for him, to have his parabatai, brother openly deny him.

"It's more complicated than that." Alec signed out the words. "Give me some time to figure it out and I will tell you everything... Just give a little more time."

Izzy frowned at that, "Is it life threatening?"

Alec wasn't sure if it was, but he would not let himself perish, that is something he could promise to. "No... You don't need to worry."

"... I will give you a week." Izzy said, moving to the door, keeping her tone cool, scared of what may be happening to her brother but also wanting to trust him.

"You better take care of yourself Alec... I don't want to see you more hurt." Izzy gave him a look, she meant it, it pained her greatly to see him in that state the past weeks... Especially not knowing what was causing her brother's sorrows, leaving him alone to handle it all. "Rest... That's an order."

And with that, Izzy left him to sleep off, to regain his strength.

"... What were you and Clary Fairchild doing at Iris'?" Alec asked again, not comprehending how his parabatai ended up there with the newbie without anyone noticing.

"Why Iris? Why even go there?" Alec repeated, this time more to himself than to his brother.

"... Well, Alexander Lightwood, I am sorry to disappoint you but I am afraid I am not able to say." Jace sighed, finally settling opposite his parabatai.

One had taken a seat on the bed, bandaged up, a tired look on his face, the shadows casted by the curtains engulfed him, making his blue eyes shine.
The other, shined by the sunlight that managed to slip in within the gaps, his blonde hair reflecting the sun's warmth, his gaze playful and soft.

"I will tell you everything in a week, how about that?" The blonde offered, a smile on his face. "I promise you, you won't believe it."

"How so?" Alec frowned at that, a subtle smile of his own formed, not believing his parabatai's words and showing it.

"Let's just say... It's a bit crazy... But the good crazy." Jace spoke a little more serious this time, intriguing the nephilim's interest.

"Okay... Then it's a deal." Alec finalised, both nodding before bursting out laughing.

"What am I going to say to Robert when he asks me how did you end up at Iris' with the Fairchild?" Alec asked, making Jace wave him off. "Don't worry about that, I already told him I was at the meeting spot with her, thinking it a good idea for her to join us."

"... He yelled at you?"

"He blamed you... For not sending her home." Jace spoke with held back anger but played it off. "She stood up for you..."

"So what? I should thank her? She went there on her own, causing trouble."

"I brought her... We didn't expect to see you guys there." Jace started off with confidence that he soon came to loose, in truth, they are one of the main reasons the operation failed. "I am sorry Alec..."

"It's fine, you didn't know... Next time though you could tell me." Alec suggested calmly, finding peace in their conversation.

Jace sighed suddenly, looking at the floor. "I just... Don't get yourself depressed over this okay? We couldn't have possibly known."

"Know what?"

"About the women..." Jace trailed off, frowning as Alec did not seem to get what he meant. "Didn't Robert or Maryse tell you?"

"You found them?" Alec felt his heart jump out of his chest, where they okay? Does that mean Madzie will see her mother again?

"No Alec... They were burned alive after the explosions went off... They were trapped in rooms, enchanted with invisibility..." Jace slowly came to realise how Alec in fact wasn't aware of this.

His parabatai made a pause, a long pause to take in what had happened. "I... Didn't hear them... I didn't saw them."

"Alec, you better not blame yourself over this." Jace got up from his chair, letting his hand fall on his brother's shoulder, comforting him. "She had cut out their tongue and vocal cords."

"How many of them?" Alec asked, feeling all his blood drained out if his body, his stomach moving in both guilt and disgust.

"Five... She had already disposed most of them." Jace said, his tone soothing, gentle. "There was nothing we could have done."

Alec remained still, he couldn't bring himself to agree to that.

'I was there, I walked into their rooms and left taking their hope with me.'

"Izzy is right, you should rest." Jace patted his shoulders, pushing him slowly towards the bed. "You look awful."

Alec stared at the ceiling, his mind buzzing. Their screams for salvation, their torment... They lived their last days in utter torment.

Jace opened the door, throwing his parabatai one last look. "It's okay Alec... We can't always save everyone."

'I could have.'

"Jace..." Alec called, his voice having become dry, distant.

"What is it bud?"

"I'm on cleaning duty until Iris Rose is found."

"... Are you being serious? Why?"

"The Clave thinks I am burned out... Do you think I'm burnt out?"

"... You are just a little tired... After some days of rest let's go to Robert and talk about it. You should be on this case, I am not doing this without you."

"..." Alec didn't say anything else, he just listened as Jace lingered just a moment more before closing the door softly, letting him sleep.

Now, Alec is completely alone, free to succumb to his misery, to his overflowing desire to disappear.

He let out a shaky breath, fighting back his tears, noticing how the room darkened, he let the fallen embrace his hurt warrior, to treat him well of his ill body and crushed soul.

Alec didn't question when he felt something moving under his flesh, something emerging out of him, something warm, it gave him the strength he so longed for.