Magnus nodded thoughtfully. He wasn't one to break confidences, especially where Alec was concerned because he treasured every little thing the young man shared with him. But this was Luke, who acted a father to everyone and who had been in that hell hole with Alec. Magnus was sure what he said was nothing Alec wouldn't communicate to him, if asked.

"He thought he'd failed," Magnus explained, still quiet. "Because he let all those... things get in his head. I told him we all make mistakes sometimes. That's why he had Jace and he had you. And you had him. We're all here for each other, when we need the help." Magnus had never before counted Shadowhunters among his friends, people he could call upon with confidence when he was in need. Too often it had been the other way around. But things changed, little by little. There was little he himself wouldn't do for Luke or Alec; if he had been in this dark place, their nightmares would have run away screaming.

Valentine especially. Magnus cocked his head to the side with interest. "Did you kill him?"