Chapter Text
To say that Alec is nervous would be an understatement. If there's one thing he hates it's being unprepared, and no amount of rifting through the database or wracking his brain has yielded any insights as to why the High Warlock of Brooklyn called on the New York Institute this morning to request a meeting on shortest notice.
It can't be for the yearly checkup on the Institute's wards because that isn't due until September – and Alec thinks himself competent enough that he would have noticed if the wards were malfunctioning. And apart from this yearly maintenance Magnus Bane has steered clear of associating with the New York Institute in any capacity, a fact that Alec can't really blame him for.
During her time as the Head of the Institute Maryse has done her best to keep Shadowhunters and Downworlders separate. It lead to less conflicts between them but also very firmly sent the message that Downworlders were on their own and shouldn't expect any help from Shadowhunters, no matter how dire their straits.
That's not a policy Alec wants to continue. Attacking demons don't discriminate between Mundanes and Downworlders, and Alec doesn't see why their duty to protect should exclude Downworlders. When he took over leadership a few months ago he intended to make contact with the Downworlder factions, maybe attempt to establish better communication between them, build up some trust. He quickly realized though that before he could reach out to the Downworlders he had to rid his Institute of Shadowhunters who thought that they'd been right to leave the Downworlders to their own devices since they didn't deserve protection like Mundanes did.
It's been a slow-going process and it means that he hasn't yet officially met any Downworld leaders. Despite Maryse training him in all administrative aspects she'd insisted on handling any contacts with the Downworld on her own, claiming he'd get to that unpleasant part of the job soon enough.
Well, it's going to be much sooner than anyone expected, apparently. There hasn't been time for Maryse's questionable lessons on ‘how to handle Downworlders’ yet that she meant to impart on him before September came around. Alec can't say that he's sad about it because he doubts those lessons would have contained any workable advice anyway but it would have been nice to have the chance to wheedle some information out of his mother, to at least get an impression. The files the Institute keeps on Magnus Bane haven't really been helpful in trying to figure out what kind of temper the man has.
Alec straightens the papers on his desk for the fifth time and glances at the clock above the mantlepiece. His morning appointment with the Clave ended early, something he'd normally take some delight in, but now it only grants him more time to fret.
A knock sounds at the door and Lindsay pokes her head in. “Alec? The High Warlock is here to see you. Should I send him in?”
He's early. Alec wonders what to make of it, or if there even is anything to make of it.
Alec shoots Lindsay a smile. “Send him in, please.”
Lindsay nods and disappears and a moment later the High Warlock strolls into his office. He's as handsome as the pictures in his file suggested, and going off of those he's dressed down in gray pants, a dark jacket and a silk shirt. Alec has met enough delegates from the Clave to know how people used to wielding authority carry themselves but something about the High Warlock seems strangely unthreatening, muted. It reminds Alec of something but he can't quite put his finger on it.
He rises from his seat and extends his hand when the High Warlock reaches his desk. “Good morning, High Warlock Bane.”
The handshake is firm. “Please, call me Magnus.”
Alec startles at that. It's not like he's not aware that a lot of Shadowhunters casually address Downworlders by their first name instead of showing them the respect their rank requires. His mother has been calling the High Warlock ‘Magnus’ for as long as he can remember but Alec has a hard time believing that they ever had relations amicable enough to warrant that. Being made that offer now when he and the High Warlock don't even know each other is strange, to say the least.
Is this some sort of test?
“I'm Alec,” he replies, and that's ostensibly not a wrong answer because Magnus gives him a small smile though Alec can't help but think that it looks a bit strained around the edges. “Please sit,” he continues, gesturing to the chairs in front of his desk. “What can I do for you?”
“I think the question should be what I can do for you,” Magnus counters smoothly, leaning against the backrest and suddenly Alec can place what seems familiar about him. The deliberate way he moves, the crinkles around his eyes remind Alec of Izzy when she's had a rough patrol or is covering the traces of a restless night under layers of makeup, trying to convince Alec that she's fine and can keep going.
Magnus looks wasted.
Alec frowns, alarmed. “What happened?”
Magnus blinks and Alec winces. That was probably too abrupt. He's usually a bit more delicate than that when handling politics but something drastic and urgent must have happened for the High Warlock to come seek out Shadowhunters on such short notice and in this state. The sooner he has all the facts the sooner he can react.
Magnus's eyes are so dark they look almost black. And yet, despite his tiredness there's something sharp in his gaze, something searching. Alec meets it head-on.
A long moment passes but at last Magnus speaks. “There was an incident last night. A territory dispute between the New York Vampire clan and a Werewolf pack from the Bronx.”
Alec has a bad feeling about where this is going. Shadowhunters aren't allowed to meddle in Downworlder affairs. It's one of the central points of the Accords, designed to protect Downworlders from Shadowhunter despotism.
“The conflict has been brewing for weeks. Yesterday's meeting was supposed to settle the matter once and for all.”
“You were there?” Alec asks.
Magnus nods. “To mediate, yes. But things escalated. A fight broke out. In the fray...” Magnus swallows. “I don't believe it was intended on anyone's part but the Warlock the pack arrived with opened a portal and Ra-- the Vampire clan leader was pushed through it.”
“By the Angel,” Alec whispers. Everyone knows what happens if you enter a portal unprepared. A fate worse than death. Limbo.
“I managed to put a stop to the fighting for now but it's only a matter of time before the clan and the pack will go to war against each other. The Vampires are out for revenge and the Werewolves want to press their advantage while the clan is weakened.”
Alec wonders what ‘putting a stop to the fighting’ means. Mabye some kind of ward to keep the two factions apart? He contemplates asking but ultimately the details don't matter. He's seen Magnus's file; if he says the situation is under control for now then it is. Which leaves...
“I'm not sure why you're telling me this,” he says bluntly. “Shadowhunters aren't allowed to interfere in Downworlder conflicts.” Much as bloodshed over a territory dispute seems like a waste to Alec, it's not his place to step in.
Magnus presses his lips together. “I've been looking into ways to get Raphael back.”
This explains why Magnus looks like he hasn't gotten any sleep last night. He probably hasn't. And his presence here gives Alec a good guess as to how successful his research has been going.
“If anyone can find a way it will be you,” Alec says. “You invented the portal.” It's impossible that Magnus is here to consult the Institute for their expertise on portal magic – they have none. Unease churns in Alec's stomach.
“I've tried everything I could think of.” Frustration colors Magnus's voice and he breaks off, visibly reining himself back in before he goes on. “There's a different approach I'd like to explore. Surely you know that a Vampire's grave dirt holds the power to summon them?”
Alec nods, thoughts racing. “I know Clan Leader Santiago's file. We don't have any information about where he was buried.”
“It would have surprised me if you did,” Magnus replies. “Not even I know where he was turned and I-” He cuts himself off.
Alec wonders if Magnus is aware that he already slipped once before in this conversation and betrayed that he has a close personal relationship with Raphael Santiago. Even if he hadn't, just the fact that he was present for the disput and is here now speaks volumes. Alec doesn't comment on it though. Clearly pretending otherwise gives Magnus some measure of security and unsettling him by pointing it out would gain Alec nothing except maybe animosity.
“I need to see the one person who knows.”
And there it is.
Alec lets out a slow exhale. Raphael was turned by none other than Camille Belcourt, the Vampire who led the clan before him, the Vampire who operated countless bleeder dens in her time, the Vampire who was convicted for severe violation of the Accords by the Clave. The Vampire who is currently incarcerated in the Gard.
Technically anyone can file a request to visit a prisoner in the Gard but it's no secret that the likelihood of a request being granted if it's not backed by a Shadowhunter is close to zero.
If Raphael had fallen through the portal in an accident unrelated to any politics Alec wouldn't hesitate for a second. But that's not the case. If Alec supports Magnus's request it'll be like he's siding with the Vampires against the Werewolves. And Shadowhunters are not allowed to interfere in Downworlder affairs. He'd be violating the Accords.
From the look in Magnus's eyes he knows exactly what he's asking of Alec.
“Magnus--”
“The pack is still young and weak,” Magnus cuts him off. “They were desperate to prove themselves and they hopelessly overestimated their strength when they crossed such an established clan. They never meant for things to go beyond a brawl last night and now they think the only way out is through. The Vampires will slaughter them.” Magnus shakes his head. “If I can bring Raphael back then they'll at least have a chance. Raphael can take charge again. He will resolve this without wiping out the entire pack, I know him. He favors peaceful solutions.”
None of this changes the fact that this is an internal affair of the Downworld.
Ethically there's no question what Alec should do. Getting Raphael back seems to be in both the Vampires' and the Werewolves' best interest, aside from saving an innocent from a terrible fate. But just because Alec believes he's doing what's best for everyone doesn't mean he can just go ahead and break laws. Laws exist for a reason. After all Valentine too believed he was doing what was best for everyone and it's only thanks to the Accords that he was brought to justice.
If Alec does this and word gets out he'll at best lose the Institute and at worst go to prison himself.
Magnus is watching him intently and though he no doubt tries to conceal it Alec can see the desperation in every line of his face. “You seem like a decent person and you can help me prevent a pointless massacre. You have to.”
Alec clenches his teeth and makes a decision.
“Shadowhunters are only allowed to intervene if Mundanes are in danger and this is a domestic affair.” Magnus closes his eyes in resignation and Alec hurriedly continues, “However Raphael Santiago has an impeccable record of keeping the New York clan in line with the law. There were no forced turnings or feedings from any member of his clan since he took over and he assisted in all investigations of transgressions committed in his territory.” Alec takes a deep breath. “If you, as a competent authority with inside knowledge, could attest that Raphael's absence will destabilize the clan and lead to an increase of Vampires attacking Mundanes then it's my duty to do everything in my power to get him back.”
Plausible deniability is the best he can aim for. He prays that if they really manage to get Raphael back he'll show enough mercy on the pack that they'll be too relieved to poke around and file a complaint against Alec. If they do... well, that will be a problem for if that happens.
Magnus stares at him for a moment before he scrambles to answer. “Yes, I can definitely attest to that. Raphael's presence does wonders to keep the Vampires of New York in check. Who knows what they'll do without his watchful eyes on them. Terrible things, no doubt.”
Alec nods and sets his jaw in determination. “Alright. In that case...” He presses a button on his telephone. “Lindsay?”
The line cracks. “Yes, Alec?”
“Please cancel the rest of my appointments for today. I have a time sensitive matter to attend to.”