вЂњIf youвЂ™re about to tell me that I wonвЂ™t be useful because I donвЂ™t have my magic, I urge you to reconsider that sentiment.вЂќДЄlecвЂ™s eyes widened and he rushed to correct himself. вЂњMagnus, you canвЂ™t -вЂќ Alec started, falling into silence instantly when Magnus held up a finger. Magnus paused, he knew how frustrated Alec could get with his siblingsвЂ™ unbridled disregard for the rules. He should be with Jace and Izzy if he just wants to tag along.

вЂњItвЂ™s not just that, Magnus,вЂќ he said with a sigh, вЂњI take this seriously. IвЂ™m sure a patrol with Simon wonвЂ™t be that bad.вЂќ вЂњWhat, Magnus?вЂќ Alec was irritated but whether it was by his interruption, the situation, or SimonвЂ™s mere presence, Magnus couldnвЂ™t tell. вЂњAlexander, can I speak with you for a moment?вЂќ Magnus interrupted, pulling the shadowhunter towards the kitchen. I canвЂ™t be looking out for you, myself, and the mundanes. You might be a vampire, but try to stay out of my way. IвЂ™m the one who spent years training for demon attacks.

If I tell you to jump on one foot and make monkey sounds, you do it. вЂњA few ground rules first,вЂќ Alec growled, вЂњ1 - You do everything I say. вЂњHi Magnus, is Alec -вЂќ He noticed the Shadowhunter leaning against the doorframe. Magnus set his book on the coffee table and got up to answer. IвЂ™m still wondering how she got me to agree to it.вЂќ Probably her little sister powers of suggestion or some well-timed puppy dog eyes.ДЄlec remained in place, trying to glare a hole through the front door as a knock sounded again. вЂњItвЂ™s Simon,вЂќ the Shadowhunter explained, вЂњWeвЂ™re short-handed for patrols this week since we had a handful of people injured in that attack a few days ago, so Izzy suggested I take him with me. вЂњAre you.expecting someone?вЂќ Ever since the loss of his magic, heвЂ™d stopped getting random visitors calling on their High Warlock. Magnus looked up from the book heвЂ™d been reading on the couch and back towards his boyfriend. A knock on the front door of the loft had Alec throwing back the rest of his coffee with a sigh.

Elegant weapon for a more civilized age