Title: We are the fallen

Summary: The thing about immortality is, it comes with a price. You want it? Well then: Point of no return, one minute to go. Alec/Magnus

Disclaimer: I don't own TMI. Cassie Clare does.

We are the fallen

The alleyway was dark and dreary, and his heart was beating erratically in his chest. He shouldn't be here. He really knew he shouldn't.

But what other choice did he have?

Going back, he supposed, was a chance. Pretending this had never happened. Pretending her words hadn't haunted his mind for the past days, pretending his heart didn't clench painfully every time he looked at Magnus, pretending they actually had a chance to make it through. Going back, forgetting about it, living life and hoping, like Magnus had said, but really knowing deep down that they wouldn't be able to grow old together, ever. Because Magnus didn't grow old. But he, Alec, did. And in the end, they wouldn't be able to be together the way they wanted to.

So no, he didn't have any other choice.

Alec took a deep breath, raised his fist and knocked on the solid wooden door in front of him.

He didn't have to wait long before it creaked open to reveal a startlingly beautiful young woman with blonde hair and bright green eyes. If she was surprised to see him she didn't show it. Instead, a dark, knowing smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

"Alexander Lightwood," she said slowly, "I wouldn't have suspected to see you again this soon, young Shadowhunter."

Alec raised his eyebrows. "You make it sound as if you were expecting to see me again, though."

Camille's smile grew wider. "I knew you would come," she said and stepped back to open the door a little wider. "Come in."

He hesitated for a second, but the unspoken promise was lingering in the air, and this was what he'd come for, wasn't it?

Camille led him through an obscure corridor into an equally dark room, only illuminated by a simple light bulb hanging from the ceiling. Not that this was necessary, given that she was a vampire and he had runes to help him see in the dark, but Alec guessed it was some kind of courtesy on her part to not take advantage of his imperfect night vision. The room she apparently now hid and lived in was not half as pompous as Alec had expected it to be. In fact, he wouldn't have suspected to find her in such a shabby area of New York in the first place. It didn't seem to fit her. Then again, he supposed this was the best camouflage: living in a place no one would ever start looking for you.

"How did you find me?" Camille interrupted his thoughts, as if she had read his mind. She looked mildly curious and somewhat appraising.

Alec shrugged, unwilling to admit to anything.

"Did Magnus help you to find me?"

He shook his head. "He doesn't know I am here," he answered truthfully. "Also, I don't think he'd be able to find you anyway. I thought vampires are impossible to track down."

"Which makes your being here even more mysterious," Camille noted. When he didn't react to her hint, she went on. "What brings you here, then, Alexander?"

"You know exactly why I am here," he said, throwing her a sharp look. He certainly didn't like being toyed with. However, he got the feeling that this was exactly what Camille intended to do. Maybe he should have listened to Magnus's warning.

But what good would that have done him?

"I don't seem to recall it quite well," she said, smiling lightly as she walked around her couch, caressing the soft velvet fabric with her long, cold fingers. It was very easy to see why Magnus had liked her. It made Alec want to shake her. "I have had a lot on my mind recently. Perhaps you could refresh my memory."

Alec clenched his teeth. "You still owe me something."

"I don't owe anyone anything, little Shadowhunter."

"Yes you do," Alec contradicted decidedly. "I cut you free. I fulfilled my side of the bargain. And now it's your turn." He inhaled deeply. "What is the other method of becoming immortal that you mentioned? The one that does not involve me being turned into a vampire?"

Camille looked at him and gave a wistful smile. "I knew you'd come for that."

"Obviously, since you've already been expecting me."

She leaned forwards. "Are you sure you want to know, Alexander?"

"It's Alec," he corrected her brusquely. "And why wouldn't I want to know? Especially since I came all the way here just to ask you this one question?"

"Well, Alec," she replied. "You should know that knowledge isn't always the best thing. It often hurts. And it always, always comes with a price."

"I think I already paid you enough," he answered, surprised by the coldness of his voice. "Freeing you and not giving you away now is already more than you can expect for what you have to offer."

"I wasn't talking about a reward for me, Alexa- Alec," Camille corrected herself. "Do you think you can become immortal just like that, without giving up anything in return? Do you really think it wouldn't cost you anything?"

Alec thoughts drifted to his family: his parents, his sister, Jace. Can you stand and watch how they grow old and die? He pushed the thought far, far away, into the darkest corner of his mind. It wasn't something he liked to think about. He wasn't here for them.

Alec met her gaze squarely. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes to be with Magnus."

Camille nodded. "You must really love him," she murmured, as if that surprised her. "Very well then," she continued, straightening up. "There are several ways of becoming immortal, most of which include selling your soul to a dark power – don't give me that look, I know you wouldn't consider that. If the thought of becoming a vampire repulses you that much, then I am sure everything else that involves becoming part-demon would as well."

Alec didn't say that becoming a half-demon didn't sound all that wrong to him. After all, he was in love with a half-demon. Being a vampire, however, was something he couldn't imagine. Always thirsting for the blood of the ones he loved, not being able to go out into the sunlight, not being able to pronounce the name of God anymore, much less enter a church, or the Institute, his home? He wondered briefly how Simon coped and felt a pang of sympathy for the young boy whose life had taken such a dramatic turn. It would have been better for him if he hadn't gotten roped into this mess in the first place, if he'd never met them at all.

But there was no point wondering about the what-ifs. The only thing that matter was the present, and the future.

And he knew how he wanted to spend his future.

"There is another way," the tall vampire continued in a low voice. "It is very dangerous, and there are few who can even weave the spells."

"So it involves warlocks?" Alec inquired. "How do these spells work?"

Camille smiled a tiny smile. "I think you'd rather ask Magnus about this – I'm sure he knows more about this than I do. In fact, he is one of the few who could actually make you immortal."

Alec froze in shock. If Magnus knew a way to make someone immortal, why didn't he-

"The only question you really need to answer for yourself before you ask him," Camille said, leaning in very close. He could feel her cool breath fanning over his cheek and neck, making him shudder. "...is this one: are you willing to give up what you love the most?"

A/N.: So, this is supposed to be the prologue to what will be my first multi-chaptered Malec fic. I honestly have no idea at all how long it is actually going to be (that really depends on how cooperative my muse is) and I do not now how frequently I can update, since I am simultaneously working on another Malec fic (which will be utter fluff, or the complete opposite of what this will be) and university is a usually quite a bitch that tries to suffocate me with work.

Still, I'd like for you to tell me what you think. I'm not going to say "I won't update until I get at least 10 reviews", because that's kind of stupid, and I know I'll write anyway, but yeah, it would be nice to get at least 10 reviews to encourage me to go on *hint hint* (oh yeah I'm so subtle).

Love,

Dustland-Fairytales