The ghost of a smile crosses my face, picturing Magnus and Alec back home, probably circling each other. But I find that, in the midst of all this, I don't want to even imagine Alec so far gone that only Magnus could bring him back.

"What was it like with Magnus, back home? Did you like him right away?" I ask, trying to steer the conversation away from peril. I know Alec was closeted, but he hasn't told me much about how he and Magnus met.