Alec and Raphael bond in new ‘The Red Scrolls of Magic’ snippet

Another snippet for Pride Month: Alec and Raphael bond in Red Scrolls of Magic, coming March 2019. A dryad is disappointed.

“I am trying not to make eye contact with anyone here,” said Raphael. “And I’m not a snitch for Shadowhunters. Or a fan of talking to people, of any kind, in any place.”

          Alec rolled his eyes. At this point, a faerie woman came twirling through. She had leaves in her updo and was swathed in ribbons and ivy and not much else. She tripped on a trailing line of ivy and Alec caught her.

          “Good reflexes!” she said brightly. “Also great arms. Would you be interested in a night of tumultuous forbidden passion, with an option to extend to seven years?”  

          “Um. I’m gay,” Alec said.

          He was not used to saying that casually, to any random person. It was strange to say it, and feel both relief and a shadow of his old fear, twined together.

Of course, the declaration might not mean much to faeries. The faerie woman accepted this with a shrug, then looked down at the floor where Raphael was sitting sulking, and lit up. Something about the leather jacket or the scowl seemed to appeal to her strongly.

          “How about you, Vampire Without A Cause?”

          “I’m not gay,” said Raphael. “I’m not straight. I’m not interested.”

          “Your sexuality is ‘not interested’?” Alec asked curiously.

          Raphael said: “That’s right.”

          The faerie thought for a moment, then ventured: “I can also assume the appearance of a tree!”

          Raphael looked scandalized. “Young lady tree person, reconsider your life and your choices. In church.”

          The faerie frowned. “Oh, are you Raphael Santiago? I’ve heard about you.”

          Raphael made a gesture of dismissal. “Have you heard I like it when people go away?”