Preface
“Giana please, you don’t understand the effect doing this is going to have on this young girl,” Magnus pleaded with the mother as he looked over at the infant lying in the woman arms.
“She’s just a baby Magnus, she won’t even realise the difference,” The woman attempted to hand over the baby to the warlock.
Magnus put his hands up defensively. “No, Giana. I won’t take part in such a thing.” He turned on his heels and took a few steps away from the mother. “Allowing a mother to put war before her family.”
“You think what you are doing is out of love when in reality it is just plain cruel,” He snarled.
“I’m doing this because I love her. It is too dangerous for her in Sydney. They are closing in and it’s not long before they come for her.”
“That is why you should be taking the pair of you to safety rather than pawning her off to someone else to look after whilst you go and play hero,” Magnus retorted.
“And if she comes with me, she will be taken and trained to fight against The Clave. That’s why it’s best you take her. They can’t get to her if she is with you,” Giana once again, tried to pass the baby over to Magnus.
“You do realise I am no parent don’t you?” Magnus crossed his arms.
Giana looked down at the child resting in her arms before averting her gaze back to the century old warlock. “Yes, I do, but you know there is no one else I would rather trust with this job.”
“If you want be to be honest I have no clue what to believe anymore,” Magnus retorted before coming near the two.
“Please, Magnus there’s no other way,” Tears clouded the woman’s vision as she waited for the man’s answer.
She could see any other way. She didn’t want to give her baby girl up, but at the same time she didn’t want to take her daughter into a war zone where she could either be snatched away from her and trained to become a killer or the latter, killed at the hands of their enemies.
This seemed to be the only way she the safety of her daughter could be guaranteed and there was no one she trusted more than Magnus Bane, especially since the pair have a history.
“Just know that I will charge a hefty price for this Giana. This isn’t something I would do for anyone. It’s because this is you that I am even considering this,” Magnus reached out and gently took her child from her mother, cradling her to his chest.
“I am aware of that Magnus but right now I will do anything to protect my daughter.”
Magnus sighed to himself before looking down at the girl. It wasn’t as though he didn’t like the girl and her mother, it was more he didn’t agree with a mother abandoning her child during the a midst of a war when in reality she should be taking her daughter and going into hiding and shelter.
“I will send you my bill in the next day or so, but I will ask one thing in return,” The warlock turned his gaze to the Shadowhunter.
“Anything.”
“That if possible you send some form of communication to your daughter rather than just deserting her.”
The woman sighed before, running a hand over her forehead. “Magnus-”
“Giana, she deserves that at the least considering you are just leaving her before she even got the chance to know you,” He interrupted.
The two stared at each other for a moment, not saying a word. Giana fully understood what Magnus was trying to say about her daughter, but she also knew that giving her away and then trying to communicate with her daughter could spell danger on more than one level. Giana had to ensure that her child was safe and kept away from this war is she had any chance at a somewhat normal life.
“Very well, I will contact you both when I can,” The woman finally replied.
“In that case, I will be hoping to hear from you very soon. Your daughter will be kept safe. I promise you that.”
A smile broke out onto the woman’s face, “Thank you Magnus. You have no idea what you have done.”
The warlock scoffed. “Trust me when I say you won’t be thanking me when I give you the bill.”
Giana decided to ignore the snide comment, just happy that her daughter was now going to be safe from the horrors of what was happening in the Australian Shadow World.
“I will be in contact,” Giana then stepped forward again and this time leaned down to place a kiss to the 4 month old baby resting in Magnus’ arms.
Her big brown eyes stared up at her mother, innocence pouring out of them. “You will be safe here my darling,” Her voice came out no louder than a whisper.
She then turned on her heel, holding back tears, and began making her way out of Magnus’ loft and towards the front door.
Giana came to a halt just as she went to lay her hand on the door handle. “Magnus, thanks again,” she then left through the door.
The warlock stared at the door for a moment before glancing down at the baby. He had never seen such a beautiful baby in his life. If she wasn’t born a Shadowhunter, Magnus would’ve thought she was a warlock.
The corner of his mouth began to turn upwards as he continued to stare at the child. Although he tells Giana he doesn’t approve of this idea, deep down he knows he loves this baby girl in his arms and he knows he will do anything to protect her and keep her out of harm's way, just like he promised her mother.
“It’s alright Lyra, you’re going to be safe here, my sweet angel.”
