The Red Scrolls of Magic (The Eldest Curses #1)

by Cassandra Clare

In his four hundred years of wandering the world, he had learned that wherever you traveled, it was the company that mattered.

Alec kissed as he did all things, so dedicated and wholehearted he swept Magnus away.

“Call it even,” said Tessa. “You once walked in on me in an embarrassing situation with a gentleman in a mountain fortress, after all.”

Magnus wondered if he would ever get used to being surprised by Alec Lightwood. He hoped not.

Thinking of Jace now, he realized whom the warlock woman Tessa had reminded him of.

“Attacking is what demons usually do,” said Magnus. “If it was after me specifically, I assume it was jealous of my style and charm.”

He wished he could travel back in time and kick himself in the head.

Perhaps all love sailed too close to madness. The deeper the love, the more dangerous.

Alec had been right about the darkness waiting in Magnus, and the pain waiting with it. All that darkness, and all that pain, and Magnus was somehow still a blazing riot of life and color, a source of joy for everyone around him. He was the reason Alec looked into a mirror now and saw a complete person who did not have to hide.

He wasn’t ready for death, but if it came today, he would face it with his head held high and Alexander Lightwood’s name on his lips.