Chapter 1: Unknown Enemy

Alexander Gideon Lightwood had been having a great day.

The weather had been perfect, not too cloudy nor too sunny, not too hot nor too cold. He had woken up to his sons attempting to make breakfast for him and Magnus, and even though the kitchen was a wreck, it made Alec's morning. Then, at the Institute, he had a fairly quiet day of helping Jace, training, and teaching recently Ascended Shadowhunters that had been transferred to the Institute. Around noon he went to Central Park for a picnic lunch with Magnus and their sons, and had parted ways to finish up work a couple hours later, undisturbed by work from either man. Once at work again, he was called out to deal with a small werewolf that was easily resolved without much trouble, meaning no injury to himself or the werewolf. On his way home, he strolled along the street, his pace quicker than normal, happy about the day and ready to go home to his family for dinner. He thought this had been one of the best days he had had in a while.

But, as Shadowhunter life goes, it didn't last.

No sooner as he got a mile from his apartment that something shot pain up his left leg, causing him to stumble, but become alert. In a flash, Alec was off the sidewalk and pinned to the alleyway wall by a dark figure. His assailant was masked, either a shape shifting demon or more human creature. Most likely the latter, since demons cannot come out during the day. The shadows from the buildings and the setting sun also obscured hid vision, making it difficult to grasp specific features.

It was masked, dressed in all black, face covered completely. Judging by the body figure, his attacker was a woman. Or had shifted into a woman. It slammed him up into the wall, sharp claws, or what he assumed were claws, digging into his skin through his jacket. Alec used the force of his assailant against her and pushed off the wall immediately, flipping over his assailant and slamming her into the wall. No sooner had he done that than a slim leg whipped around and kicked him in the gut, pushing him back and releasing his hold on her. Quickly, Alec regained his footing and pulled a small Seraph dagger from his jacket and held it out to his assailant, getting a good look at her.

The female figure was dressed how Alec imagined ninjas would dress. From head to toe, she was in black, completely covered. The only visible skin Alec say was from the small opening at the base of her eyes. Her eyes were a remarkable color, amber gold, just like Magnus' eyes. Her hair stuck out in a ponytail at the back of her head, just as dark as the clothing covering her. When she laughed, it felt like Alec was listening to nails down a blackboard. It made his skin crawl, but he kept his composure. Weakness was not an option.

"You really expect to kill me with that, little Nephilum?" the female voice asked mockingly. Alec tightened his grip on the blade, his face expressionless as he faced his opponent.

"Not kill, necessarily," Alec responded, his tone neutral. "Knock you out, most likely." The distorted female voice laughed at him, sounding like a record skipping and scratching.

"You could not hurt me if you tried, fag," the voice said in disgust. "Not even your disgusting warlock pets could harm me."

"What do you want?" Alec asked, his mind calculating ways to escape and get out in the open. He had a feeling if they knew about him and Magnus, then this person was a threat to them. He had to make sure they were ok as fast as possible.

"Well," the voice drawled out. "I would absolutely love to kill you and leave your corpse as a present for that darling little family of yours, but I am under strict orders to leave you alive. Because I need a message delivered." She paused, and Alec saw her eyes darken, and the outline of a smile around her masked face.

"However, that doesn't mean I have to leave you uninjured."

The figure sprang again, silver flashing, and before Alec could register what had happened, he was on the ground, searing pain all over his body, while his blood dripped onto the cement.

Alec looked up, glancing at the figure crouched down in front of him. Roughly, she grabbed his chin and forced his face closer to her masked one. Her amber eyes had slit pupils, like Magnus' eyes, and glowed as she stared at him.

"Now you listen here, boy," the female voice said, her tone maniacal. "You go on and tell your pets in that flat and the Nephilum in the Institute that a new war is coming. And this one will leave the whole world devastated."

Then, Alec's face was roughly shoved back down to the ground, making Alec groan in pain. The female then stomped on his head, most likely just to cause him more pain rather than knock him out. He then watched through blurry vision as the figure sprang away, disappearing over a wall at the end of the alley and out of sight.

Alec didn't know how long he laid there on the ground, or how he had regained his footing. He didn't remember the mile of stumbling to get back to the apartment. He didn't remember if he even hit the buzzer. But somehow, he made it to the doorway of his apartment, using the last of his energy to knock on the door.

"I've got it!" he heard a small voice cry out. Alec's vision began to grow dark as he heard the sound of little feet scurrying across the wooden floor of the loft. The last thing he registered was his son Rafael opening the door, smiling brightly, before it turned to shock and panic. The last thing Alec heard was the word "DAD!" His vision went dark.

The first thing Alec registered when he regained consciousness was that it was incredibly bright around him. Like someone was shining a light directly into his eyes. He blinked his eyes rapidly at the light, trying to adjust his eyes, and found there was a pressure on his arm that prohibited movement. He looked around the light, trying to find the source of it and get rid of it, as it was uncomfortable.

And, in fact, that someone holding the light above his face was his three year-old warlock son, Max.

His navy blue skin was clear, his darker hair ruffled, and his eyes were filled with worry as he looked his dad. When Alec's eyes finally adjusted, he gave his son a little, slightly stiff smile. He saw Max's eyes widen at the action.

"Hey Max," Alec said softly. "Can you turn that light off, please?"

"PAPA!" Max cried out, throwing the light into the corner of the room. "Dad is awake!"

Alec heard a set of footsteps approach the door, and turned in time to see his boyfriend, Magnus, holding Rafael in his arms, looking at Alec with relief and worry. The older warlock then set Rafael down, and he ran to Alec, tackling him to the bed with a hug along with Max.

As his sons nearly hugged him to death, Alec looked around. He had been moved to his and Magnus bedroom while he was knocked out. The rainbow curtains were pulled shut, and behind them it looked dark out. Alec was already under the canary yellow comforter, propped up on pillows. Looking around, his eyes landed on Magnus. He saw in his boyfriend's gaze a look of relief and worry as he watched Alec and their sons. Magnus had small bags under his eyes, an indication that he was tired form healing Alec, and that he had stayed up waiting for him to wake up again. Alec gave him a small, reassuring smile to help ease Magnus worry, which melted off his face into a look of relief.

Alec then turned his attention back onto his sons, who seemed determined to squeeze the life out of him.

"You're ok," Rafael whispered quietly as he held his dad tight. Alec just hugged him back, and held both sons close as they squeezed the life out of him. Once they let go, Alec only had a moment to breathe before Magnus took their place, nearly hugging him to death as well.

"Don't do that," Magnus whispered in his ear quietly, almost desperately. "You scared the life out of us."

"Sorry," Alec said as he hugged Magnus back. "How long was I out?"

"A few hours," Magnus replied softly, pulling back. "Dinner's cold."

"Sorry," Alec repeated, adjusting Rafael in his lap so he wasn't cutting off circulation in his legs. He was already squeezing his neck as hard as he could.

"Nothing to be sorry for, Alexander," Magnus said as he stroked Alec's face before picking up Max. "We're just glad you're ok."

"Dad, what happened?" Rafael asked worriedly, his arms around Alec's neck, burying his face into his shoulder. Alec looked at his older son, and rubbed his head softly.

"Run in," Alec said to him. "Was on my way home. I'm fine now." Rafael looked a little skeptical, but accepted the answer. Magnus, however, was not convinced. He looked like he was about to say it, but Alec quickly shot him a look that said they would talk later, when the kids weren't around. Magnus kept his mouth closed and continued to hold Max.

"Do you want your dinner?" Magnus asked as he held Max close. Alec nodded lightly, and Magnus snapped his fingers. A plate of food appeared on the bedside table, already steaming again. Alec was relieved to see that it was one of Magnus plates rather than unknown plate form a restaurant who knows where. He and Magnus had worked out an agreement that they wouldn't pop food in so often anymore.

Alec quickly ate the food, his family sitting all around him, watching him worriedly. Alec felt it was somewhat silly, being watched over by them, but at the same time he was grateful. It warmed his heart that he had family that cared about him so. Max even offered to feed him if his arm was too hurt, which he said he appreciated, but didn't need. However, when Max pouted at his answer, Alec conceded to let Max feed him one bite of food. Max's smile lit up the room.

Once he was finished eating, Magnus magicked the plate back to the kitchen, not wanting to leave his boyfriend unattended, even for a moment. Alec kept insisting he was fine now, that Magnus had done a superb job healing him, but Magnus was still worried, as were their sons. When they finally allowed him up and out of the room, to go to the bathroom, Max and Rafael insisted they hold his hands in case he felt dizzy. He allowed this, but when they offered to stay in the bathroom with him, he drew the line in the sand.

"I'm fine guys," Alec said, kneeling down to their level. "Papa healed me and I feel just fine now. You know how good Papa is at healing people. I promise I'm ok."

"But you were so hurt," Rafael said softly. "We just want to be sure you're ok."

Alec looked sadly at the young Shadowhunter. Rafael had always been so worried whenever he or Magnus went to work. Having lost his parents in a massacre at his home Institute in Buenos Aires, he was very scared about losing people. He had witnessed his parents and family murdered or turned right before his eyes. He had been lucky enough to escape with his life, and lived on the streets for who knew how long until Alec found him and decided to take him in. So every day, he worried about Alec and Magnus, about if they would return home safe and sound, or at all.

Max also worried, but not to the extent Rafael did. He just worried whether or not he or Magnus were ok. If they were hurt, he wanted to help heal them. But his magic wasn't ready to be used yet. Maybe in another few years, Magnus said, he would start teaching Max, but not yet.

"I'm fine right now," Alec said to them, holding them close. "And I promise, if I don't feel good, I'll let you all know. Deal?" Both boys nodded their heads.

"Come on boys," Magnus said, taking their hands. "Let's get you both to bed. It's already way past your bedtimes." Giving Magnus a grateful look, Alec entered the bathroom and closed the door, while Magnus led their sons to their room.

A few minutes later, Alec emerged from the bathroom and went to join Magnus in tucking in their sons. Knocking softly on the closed door, he heard a soft "come in" from Magnus, and opened the door.

The room was spacious, and literally divided in two, including the paint color. On either side of the center window were two beds, two bookshelves, and other various items, each with different stuff belonging to the boys. On the right side of the room was Max's bed and items. His side of the room was green, with drawings of pirates and colored pictures of his family taped all around the wall. His white bookshelf was filled with unorganized toys, books, and pictures of him and his dads and brother. His bed had a pirate ship design to it, complete with a small mast, sails, and a flag that fluttered constantly thanks to Magnus' magic. The mattress was covered with pirate covers and sheets, along with a number of small pillows for Max to play with if he got bored.

Rafael's side was neater than his younger brother's. He had a simple twin bed, similar to Alec's had been at the Institute. However, he had a dark blue, thick comforter wrapped around him and a white blanket at his feet in case he got cold. His walls were painted white, and were bare save for a few framed pictures that Alec helped him hang. They were of his original family back in Buenos Aires, which Magnus had somehow recovered and given to Rafael on his birthday. He had a little radio on his bookshelf, and countless CDs stacked next to them. Many of them were in Spanish.

Both boys were in bed, Magnus leaning over Max's bed to finish tucking him in. When he saw Alec, he straightened up and gave him a smile that said "go on". Alec strolled over to Rafael and gave him a hug, which Rafael returned tightly.

"Buenos notches, papá," Rafael whispered softly to Alec. Alec smiled back.

"Buenos notches," Alec responded in broken Spanish that made Rafael smile. Then, Alec moved to Max and gave him a hug.

"Goodnight dad," Max said softly. "Let papa know if you don't feel good. You promised."

"I will." Once Max let go, Alec stood up straight, took Magnus hand, and walked out of the room. Before closing the door, Alec turned back, his hand on the doorknob.

"Love you guys," Alec said softly. Both boys mumbled goodnight back, both of them seemingly half asleep. Then, he closed the door. Still holding Magnus hand, they both went back to the bedroom and closed the door.

Immediately after the door was closed, Magnus pounced on Alec. Alec nearly lost his footing, Magnus holding him close, his lips crashing on his hungrily. Alec recovered from the assault quickly, wrapping his arms around Magnus' neck, and kissed him back. Magnus walked Alec back to the bed, and proceeded to continue his attack on Alec for another few minutes before letting up.

"You have no worried I was when Rafael screamed," Magnus said hoarsely between slowing kisses. "What happened to you?"

"I was attacked just now by my overly glittered warlock boyfriend, if that's what you mean," Alec said, trying to lighten the mood a bit. Magnus didn't seem to find this funny.

"Don't be smart with me," he said, not sounding pleased. "What were those injuries? They didn't look like any demon injury, and I've seen nearly all types of demon injuries. It looked like claws scratched you, but they were too slim and precise to be werewolf scratches. I've never seen injuries like those." Alec stopped Magnus by giving him a gentle kiss. Magnus complied, shutting up, and stayed quiet when Alec pulled away, waiting for the explanation.

"I was about a mile from the loft when someone jumped me," Alec said, keeping his tone quiet in case the boys had slipped out of bed.

"Someone jumped you?" Magnus asked, surprised. "How did they sneak up on you? Even I can't do that, with magic."

"Yeah, it was a shock to me too," Alec said, ignoring the hidden message in Magnus words that Alec was sure he didn't mean. "I didn't have time to react. One second I was walking home, the next I was pinned to the alleyway wall. And not in a good way." Magnus didn't laugh at his attempt to lighten the mood.

"Did you get a look at the thing that attacked you?"

"Sort of," Alec said, looking unsure and thinking hard. "It was a female, by the shape and voice. But she was completely dressed in black. Like a ninja from those old martial arts movies you showed me."

"A ninja?" Magnus asked, not amused. "Alexander, this isn't a joke."

"I'm serious," Alec replied, looking Magnus dead in the eye. "She was dressed head to two in black, only her eyes showing. Her hair was in a ponytail that stuck behind her head. But there was something weird about her."

"The fact that she was dressed as a ninja and knew you were a Shadowhunter didn't strike you as odd?" Magnus asked sarcastically.

"No, this was weirder," Alec said, ignoring the sarcasm because he was deep in thought. "It was her eyes. They looked like…your eyes." Magnus golden eyes widened.

"Mine?" Magnus asked quietly. Alec nodded.

"Amber cat eyes, Magnus," Alec said softly. "Obviously, this person wasn't human. And most likely not demon or vampire either. It was still daylight when she attacked. She was too slippery to be a werewolf, because she didn't move like one at all. And unless I'm wrong, faerie don't have claws or feline eyes. Also, I'm pretty sure warlocks don't go around using fighting techniques to harm people if they have their magic. So this is something completely new to me."

Alec became silent after this, not wanting to worry Magnus further. However, Magnus turned to face him, looking at his face in concentration. Alec nervously looked to the side, trying to be nonchalant. Magnus wasn't fooled.

"What else?" Magnus asked, prying gently. Alec looked into his eyes, and saw in Magnus' gaze he wasn't going to stop until he heard everything.

"She said the only reason she left me alive is because I had to deliver a message," Alec said softly. He left out the part about the family, not wanting to make Magnus worry more. Magnus tensed a bit at the word alive, and tightened his grip on Alec a bit.

"What message?" Magnus asked quietly.

"That a new war is coming," Alec said quietly. "The likes of which none of us, even you, have never seen."

Magnus was shocked to silence. Wearily, he placed his head down on Alec's chest, just holding him close as he thought. Alec, in return, remained silent, wrapping his arms around Magnus, stroking his hair as Magnus had done so many times to him when he was troubled. When Magnus let out a long, loud yawn, Alec chuckled a bit.

"How long have you been waiting on me?" Alec asked, slightly amused and slightly worried. "And how much magic did you use?"

"Not too much," Magnus said, trying to shrug it off. Alec wasn't fooled by Magnus attempt. He knew when Magnus was tired. He gently placed a kiss on Magnus forehead, and wrapped the covers around the two of them.

"Thank you for healing me," Alec whispered lovingly. Magnus looked up at Alec with warm eyes. He gave a sweet smile up at Alec.

"I'll always help you Alexander," Magnus said just as lovingly back. Magnus tried to sit up, give Alec a kiss, but Alec's hand came between them. Then, he gently pushed Magnus back down on the bed, and pulled the comforter closer around him.

"Get some sleep," Alec instructed. Magnus turned his head, his eyes defiant.

"I'll stay up and watch until morning," Magnus said, struggling to stay awake. "I'm fine. Really."

"No you aren't," Alec said, slightly amused by his boyfriend's stubbornness. "Sleep. I will too. If I don't feel well and wake up, I'll let you know. I did make a promise that I would. Isn't that right Max?"

From behind the closed door, there were two small gasps, followed by the sound of two little bodies falling. Alec and Magnus waited patiently, watching the doorknob slowly turn and the door creek open a tiny bit. The heads of Rafael and Max both appeared in the crack of the door opening. Chairman Meow also popped in, and wasted no time running up and hopping on the bed with Magnus and Alec, curling up near Magnus' head. Magnus and Alec just continued to wait until both Rafael and Max fully opened the door. Rafael had an empty glass in his hand.

"Boys," Magnus said quietly, patient but stern. "Were you listening to us?" Silently, guiltily, both boys nodded their heads, their eyes downcast.

"And how long have you two been out of bed?" Alec asked patiently, his tone void of any parental scolding. Rafael shuffled his feet as he gripped the glass tighter.

"Since we heard your door close," Rafael answered quietly. Max looked up, his little blue eyes worried and filled with guilt.

"We're sorry papa, dad," Max said quickly. "But I was scared. Rafael said he would listen to make sure dad was ok, and then we would go back to bed. He didn't want me to get out of bed, but I didn't listen. So I got up with him, and I stayed with him. I kept worrying, so Rafael got out. It's my fault. I'm sorry."

Alec's heart broke as he watched Max try to take the blame off of Rafael. He knew Max was scared, knowing this was one of the few times Max and Rafael had seen Alec truly injured. Usually, if he got hurt, Alec would use in iratez and wait until the boys were asleep to fully heal it, as not to worry them too much. But sometimes that wasn't an option. This was one of those cases.

Alec looked back at Magnus, who was watching from behind Alec, arther from the door. Magnus looked at Alec, and read his eyes asking a silent question. Magnus seemed to get the jist and nodded his head in agreement. Slowly, Alec pulled the covers back and patted the spot next to him.

"Why don't you guys sleep in here tonight?" Alec said, shocking the two boys. It was rare when they were allowed to sleep in their dads' bed. But they weren't about to object.

At light speed, both ran up to the bed and climbed in. Rafael placed the glass on the side table, just before Alec placed the covers over all of them again. Magnus then looked at the kids across Alec's chest. His face was a mask of mock seriousness.

"Now, you both know the rules," Magnus said, wagging his finger dramatically as he spoke. "No jumping on the bed while we are asleep. No arguing or loud talking before we wake up. And most importantly…"

"Dad is in the middle, so we all share him together," all of them said together, causing them to laugh. Alec wrapped his spare arm around Rafael and Max, holding them close. They, in turn, wrapped their little arms around Alec's torso and arm as much as they could. Max seemed to have a hard time holding onto Alec's arm. So Magnus released Alec, sitting up and lifting Max over to his side, setting the boy between himself and Alec. Magnus smiled a bit, and curled up to Alec's chest. Smiling at the sight, Magnus leaned over to kiss both boys on the head as they snuggled deeper into the warm comforter. Alec opened his eyes a crack, and gave Magnus a smile. Magnus smiled back, and took his free hand. Then, he laid down, facing the love of his live and his precious sons.

"Goodnight," Alec said to them all. They all said goodnight back. Then, they all fell into a peaceful sleep.