Sweet Little Serena (Original)

Chapter 39

"My darling Angel," Magnus said empathetically as he hugged the blonde Shadowhunter who was trying not to cry again. She'd spent most of the last night crying as she dealt with the news, before she fell asleep in Alec's arms, exhausted from everything.

As Magnus pulled away, he tsked as he examined her bloodshot and puffy eyes. "Tears are not a good look for you. Nor one I like on you either," he commented.

"You and me both Magnus," Alec agreed as he took a seat, knowing that the warlock would surely be able to cheer her up.

"I know what will make you feel better," Magnus grinned as he began flourishing his fingers.

"Magnus you don't need to -"

Serena cut herself off as a massive cheeseburger and fries and coke appeared on the table in front of the chair next to Alec.

And she couldn't help but smile, it was her favourite meal.

"Valentine is not worth your tears or your time. But rest assured, you are unchanged in the eyes of all Downworlders. They know all you've done for them. And they don't see you any differently. They know no child of Valentine would've fought for them as valiantly as you have."

"Thank you, Magnus," Serena smiled as she sat down and began to eat, not remembering the last time she had solid food and didn't just use a nourishment rune to keep her going.

And Alec couldn't help but smile at his wife as he stole a fry, glad she was doing better and they were soon joined by Jace, Clary and Izzy.

"Sorry I'm late, I was following up on a lead," Hodge said as he walked into the control room. "We've narrowed down our list of warlocks, to these three," he explained as he put their images up onto the screen.

"Why is Ragnor Fell up there? He is not more powerful than I am," Magnus said, somewhat offended.

"He is older," Serena pointed out, mouth half full of food and Magnus glared at her.

"Certainly not wiser. And to think I magicked up that food to make you happy."

"It does very much, thank you," Serena said both genuinely and sarcastically as she swallowed.

"Who is Ragnor Fell?" Clary asked.

"The former High Warlock of London," Alec answered.

"And one of my oldest friends. Very prickly, likes to keep to himself," Magnus said.

"We just have to figure out which one of these three would've had enough access to Jocelyn to create to potion for her, without anyone figuring out what they'd done," Hodge instructed.

"Easy," Serena said, mouth full as she chewed. "Ragnor. He was a professor in Idris when Jocelyn lived there."

They all looked at her, surprised.

"What? I did my homework."

She was met with soft smiles as Alec kissed her temple and Magnus exclaimed, "That little bugger! That's why he hasn't responded to my fire message. Ever since Valentine began hunting Warlocks, Ragnor's been holed up in his secret country house, just outside of London."

"He probably suspected that your fire message was a ploy by Valentine to lure him out of hiding,' Alec said and Magnus agreed.

"We'll have to confront him face to face," Magnus said.

"You're going on this mission?" Hodge asked.

"Of course! I'm the only one Ragnor trusts. And I'd have an even better chance of waking Jocelyn with the Downworlder diplomat on my side," Magnus said sending Serena a hopeful look as she finished her food and was sipping her drink, stomach no longer growling with hunger.

"Magnus -" Alec began, not sure if his wife was in a good headspace for a mission after recent events.

"It's ok, Alec. I'll go. It should be a simple recovery mission. I can handle that," she promised.

"If you're sure?"

"I am. Magnus and JJ can take care of me," she said before smiling at the warlock, but her brother refused to meet her eyes, or anyones.

"Get ready," he said as he stood. "We leave in an hour."

And he walked off, Clary was about to chase after him when Serena stopped her. "Let me," she said softly, and the girl nodded, a sad look on her face while the blonde chased after her twin.

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"Little brother, talk to me," she said as she chased him down the corridors to his room, trying to keep up with his pace.

"Not now, Serena."

He tried to close his door on her, but she just jammed her foot in the way before barging inside.

"Jacey, talk to me. Forget everyone. This is me."

Jace stared at the floor as his resolve began to crumble and his bottom lip began to quiver.

"I think I loved her, Rena," he muttered softly and Serena's heart broke.

"Aw, JJ," she said as she wrapped him in a hug.

"He's our father. Why is he our father? Why him? Out of everyone!?" Jace sobbed into her shoulder and Serena cradled his head as she willed his pain to disappear.

"Look at me. Look at me," she said as she pulled his bloodshot blue and brown eyes to meet hers. "Remember what I said to you? Family doesn't end in blood; we can choose it. It took me a while to remember this last night but, we can choose our family. And I choose Robert and Maryse as our mom and dad. Alright? Screw Valentine. He may have raised us for 10 years, but the Lightwoods are the ones who raised us to be the people that we are today. And you are a good person, JJ. So, choose your family," she said softly as she gently wiped away his tears with her thumb.

"I don't want Clary as my family, as my sister" Jace cried softly, and all his twin could do was hug him.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," she whispered.

But Jace just cried.