Chapter 23: Sebastian's Game
Sebastian Verlac has integrated into Institute life with the seamless efficiency of a predator designed to mimic prey. He charms Shadowhunters with aristocratic grace, offers tactical insights that demonstrate genuine competence, and particularly targets Isabelle Lightwood for information about "the fascinating photographer who seems to appear during every crisis."
The system flags him as "Priority Threat Level: Extreme" whenever we're in proximity, red warnings that burn across my vision like fever dreams. But I can't warn anyone effectively because my curse mangles every attempt.
[WARNING: SEBASTIAN MORGENSTERN - PROXIMITY ALERT]
[THREAT ASSESSMENT: CRITICAL]
[RECOMMENDATION: IMMEDIATE EVACUATION]
"The angel's son is demon's spawn with extra murder—HE'S DANGEROUS!"
The words explode from my throat during Institute briefings, mangled into apparent nonsense that makes everyone exchange concerned glances about my mental stability. Sebastian smiles with perfect aristocratic politeness, but his eyes catalog my reactions with predatory interest.
He knows I know. Somehow, impossibly, Valentine's son recognizes that I possess knowledge about his true nature. The question is what he plans to do about it.
The charm offensive begins subtly—engineered "coincidental" meetings in Institute corridors, seemingly innocent questions about photography and Downworlder contracts, casual observations about power limitations that no newcomer should notice.
"Fascinating work you do," Sebastian comments, studying photographs on my camera's display screen. "Capturing supernatural phenomena that most mundanes can't even see. Your enhanced perception must come with interesting... side effects."
His demon blood makes him resistant to vampire Hypnotic Gaze—I can feel the compulsion sliding off his consciousness like water off stone. But more disturbing is how he notices tactical details others miss: the way my eyes flash different colors based on which contract I'm accessing, the slight wince when shifting between species abilities, how Aria positions herself protectively during conversations.
"We're both unique in a world of rules," Sebastian continues with false friendliness. "Perhaps we should discuss our... perspectives on current events."
The predatory intelligence behind charming words makes every supernatural instinct scream warnings. This isn't reconnaissance—it's evaluation, like a butcher studying livestock to determine the best method of slaughter.
Magnus appears with warlock stealth, cat eyes immediately cataloging supernatural tension in the room. "Sebastian," he says with diplomatic politeness that carries underlying threat. "How are you finding Institute accommodations?"
"Educational," Sebastian replies, smile never faltering despite the warlock's obvious suspicion. "I'm learning so much about... unconventional approaches to Shadowhunter duties."
After Sebastian leaves, Magnus pulls me aside with expressions ranging from concern to calculation.
"He understands your scrambled warnings better than he should," Magnus observes quietly. "Demon blood processes information differently than pure human consciousness—it might allow him to interpret prophetic speech more accurately."
Which means my curse provides less protection than I thought. If Sebastian can decode my temporal warnings, he has access to knowledge that could destroy everything I'm trying to protect.
POV: Sebastian Morgenstern
The photographer represents unprecedented opportunity wrapped in frustrating mystery. His hybrid nature should be impossible according to every law governing supernatural contracts, yet he demonstrates abilities that suggest systematic enhancement beyond normal Downworlder bonds.
Father wants him captured alive for study, but simple kidnapping seems inadequate given his apparent capabilities. Better to document limitations, test responses, gather comprehensive intelligence before attempting acquisition.
Sebastian arranges the demon attack with clinical precision—three demons chosen specifically to test different aspects of Dexter's hybrid nature. One resistant to vampire speed, one immune to werewolf claws, one that absorbs warlock magic. The scenario positions Sebastian as heroic rescuer while providing perfect opportunity to study his target's combat patterns.
The attack unfolds exactly as planned. The photographer fights with desperate innovation, combining abilities in ways that shouldn't be physiologically possible—Vampire Speed enhanced by Werewolf Strength, Warlock Portals merged with Fae Glamour, hybrid techniques that demonstrate systematic power progression.
Most interesting is how Aria Ashdown coordinates with him during combat, her witch heritage allowing her to complement his supernatural abilities despite lacking powers herself. The partnership suggests emotional bonds that could be exploited for psychological leverage.
During the chaos, Sebastian "accidentally" cuts Dexter while appearing to help him avoid demon claws. Blood samples collected, combat data recorded, behavioral patterns documented with perfect memory enhanced by demon blood inheritance.
Phase one complete. Now for psychological warfare.
POV: Dexter Hale
The attack was orchestrated. Every demon chosen to test specific abilities, every tactical challenge designed to force me into revealing capabilities I've tried to hide. Sebastian watched everything with predatory assessment, documenting weaknesses for future exploitation.
After the demons are destroyed and Institute security arrives, Sebastian corners me in a supply closet with casual efficiency that suggests military training.
"Alone at last," he says, and his entire demeanor shifts like mask falling away. Eyes go pure black with demonic enhancement, smile turning cruel with predatory satisfaction. "We need to discuss your... unique situation."
The charm is gone, replaced by something that makes my quad-species instincts scream warnings about apex predator in confined space.
"You see futures, don't you?" Sebastian continues, voice carrying harmonics that bypass my scrambling curse through demon blood enhancement. "Timelines where I do terrible things. But here's what you don't understand, prophet—I've already won because you can't tell them what I am without sounding insane."
He can speak directly to me. Demon blood processing information differently than human consciousness, allowing him to communicate truths my curse can't scramble. Which means this conversation is happening outside temporal protection.
"I know about the blood bond with Simon Lewis," Sebastian continues with clinical precision. "The Clave tracking rune burning into your arm. Aria Ashdown's witch ancestry. Every vulnerability, every connection, every weakness that could be exploited when Father decides it's time for acquisition."
He's been gathering intelligence systematically, building comprehensive profile of everyone I care about. Not just studying me—mapping the entire network of relationships that could be used as leverage.
"The beauty of it," Sebastian adds, demon eyes reflecting false light, "is that you can't warn them effectively. Every attempt to explain what I am just makes you sound more unstable, more unreliable. By the time they realize the truth, it will be too late."
Then the mask returns like switch being flipped. Charming Sebastian is back, aristocratic politeness replacing demonic cruelty, and he walks away whistling Institute hymns while leaving me shaking with terror.
He's right. I can't warn them without revealing transmigrator knowledge, can't explain his true nature without sounding insane. The curse that protects some secrets makes me helpless against others.
[SEBASTIAN MORGENSTERN RELATIONSHIP: 30→45 (DANGEROUS OBSESSION)]
[NEW STATUS EFFECT: PSYCHOLOGICALLY COMPROMISED]
[QUEST TRIGGERED: THE MORGENSTERN GAME - PART 1 OF 5]
[SURVIVE SEBASTIAN'S INVESTIGATION WITHOUT REVEALING CAPABILITIES]
I tell Aria everything that happened, watching her expression shift from concern to analytical determination as she processes implications.
"Demon blood resistance to temporal magic," she murmurs, already reaching for research materials. "If he can bypass your curse, Valentine could use torture to extract future knowledge directly."
Which makes me the most valuable prisoner imaginable—walking database of canonical events, tactical intelligence, character motivations. If Valentine captures me alive, he gains access to information that could reshape the entire war.
Magnus joins our research with warlock resources spanning centuries, his expression carrying the weight of someone who recognizes existential threats when they manifest.
Time to figure out how to survive psychological warfare from someone who knows exactly which buttons to push while I can't even explain why he's dangerous.
Time to discover whether knowledge without communication is power or just another form of helplessness.
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