--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Alec took a deep breath and let it out…" description: "\"“Alec took a deep breath and let it out. Well, he’d come this far; he might as well go on. The bare lightbulb hanging overhead cast sweeping shadows as..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a2/cassandra-clare-9_alec-lightwood_alec-took-a-deep-breath-and-let-it-out-w_914392.jpg" --- # Alec took a deep breath and let it out. Well, he’d come… ![“Alec took a deep breath and let it out. Well, he’d come this far; he might as well go on. The bare lightbulb hanging overhead cast sweeping shadows as he reached forward and pressed the buzzer. A moment later a voice echoed through the stairwell. “WHO CALLS UPON THE HIGH WARLOCK?” “Er,” Alec said…” quote by Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a2/cassandra-clare-9_alec-lightwood_alec-took-a-deep-breath-and-let-it-out-w_914392.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a2/cassandra-clare-9_alec-lightwood_alec-took-a-deep-breath-and-let-it-out-w_914392.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0a2/cassandra-clare-9_alec-lightwood_alec-took-a-deep-breath-and-let-it-out-w_914392.jpg) > ““Alec took a deep breath and let it out. Well, he’d come this far; he might as well go on. The bare lightbulb hanging overhead cast sweeping shadows as he reached forward and pressed the buzzer. A moment later a voice echoed through the stairwell. “WHO CALLS UPON THE HIGH WARLOCK?” “Er,” Alec said. “It’s me. I mean, Alec. Alec Lightwood.” There was a sort of silence, as if even the hallway itself were surprised. Then a ping, and the second door opened, letting him out onto the stairwell. He headed up the rickety stairs into the darkness, which smelled like pizza and dust. The second floor landing was bright, the door at the far end open. Magnus Bane was leaning in the entryway.”” [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Alec confronts a daunting challenge, summoning inner strength and support, illustrating bravery in the face of uncertainty. **In simple terms:** He faces fear and moves forward. Key Takeaway Courage fuels progress despite fear. Themes courage determination friendship Mood adventurous tense Type narrative dramatic When to use this quote - entering a new phase - overcoming fear - seeking help Key Concepts heroic resolve self‑belief Questions to Reflect On - What fear are you ready to confront? - Who can you call on for help? A Different Perspective Support may not always be available. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alec lightwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alec-lightwood/) [Darkness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness/) [Magnus bane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magnus-bane/) [Warlock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/warlock/) ## Related quotes > [“We don’t have to do anything,” said Jace, who was reading the fine print on the invitation. “But according to this, Magnus Bane is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/we-don-t-have-to-do-anything-said-jace-who-was-reading-the-fine-print/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“I had a life before Alec" Magnus snapped. "I'm the High Warlock of Brooklyn. I am here to take a Council seat on behalf…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-had-a-life-before-alec-magnus-snapped-i-m-the-high-warlock-of/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“ WHO CALLS UPON THE HIGH WARLOCK? ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/who-calls-upon-the-high-warlock/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Rupert: "... At this rate, somebody is bound to upset the Warlock once too often, and we'll end up with a Court full of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-r-green/rupert-at-this-rate-somebody-is-bound-to-upset-the-warlock-once-too/) [Simon R. Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-r-green/) > [“He's not my warlock.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/he-s-not-my-warlock/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“What welcome?” Magnus asked. “I’d say it was a pleasure to meet you, but it wasn’t. Not that you aren’t all fairly charming, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/what-welcome-magnus-asked-i-d-say-it-was-a-pleasure-to-meet-you-but/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Alec took me by surprise”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/alec-took-me-by-surprise/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Even the Inquisitor's eyebrows shot up when Magnus strode through the gate. The High Warlock was wearing black leather pants, a belt with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/even-the-inquisitor-s-eyebrows-shot-up-when-magnus-strode-through-the/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Funny how the darkness smelled the same everywhere. She could have been anywhere in the universe, anywhere at all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-corlett/funny-how-the-darkness-smelled-the-same-everywhere-she-could-have/) [Anne Corlett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-corlett/) > [When I got together with Alec it took me a while to understand. I knew nothing about him before I met him. I'd never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilaria-baldwin/when-i-got-together-with-alec-it-took-me-a-while-to-understand-i-knew/) [Hilaria Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilaria-baldwin/) > [“Magnus Bane,” said Magnus. “High Warlock of Brooklyn and Scrabble champion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/magnus-bane-said-magnus-high-warlock-of-brooklyn-and-scrabble-champion/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Haven’t I?” Magnus said, and then smiled at him. “Will, you treat me as a human being, a person like yourself; rare is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/haven-t-i-magnus-said-and-then-smiled-at-him-will-you-treat-me-as-a/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [OR am I the only warlock you know?" "No... but you are the only warlock we know who happens to dating a friend of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/or-am-i-the-only-warlock-you-know-no-but-you-are-the-only-warlock-we/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“That you freed a possible criminal by trading away your brother to a warlock who looks like a gay sonic the Hedgehog and dresses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/that-you-freed-a-possible-criminal-by-trading-away-your-brother-to-a/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [If you're texting Magnus to say 'I think u r kewl,' I'm going to kill you." "Who's Magnus?" Max inquired. "He's a warlock," said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/if-you-re-texting-magnus-to-say-i-think-u-r-kewl-i-m-going-to-kill/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) ## More by Cassandra Clare > [Against his own will, almost, Will felt himself understanding; he would have done anything, he thought, told any lie, taken any risk, to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/against-his-own-will-almost-will-felt-himself-understanding-he-would/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“So Jace is my actual family," Kit said. "But I can't go live with him, because him and his hot girlfriend are going off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/so-jace-is-my-actual-family-kit-said-but-i-can-t-go-live-with-him/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Clarissa," he said, "here with the vampire, I see. When things have settled a bit, we really must discuss you choice in pets..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/clarissa-he-said-here-with-the-vampire-i-see-when-things-have-settled/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Must I go bound while you go free Must I love a manwho doesn't love me Must I be born with so little art…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/must-i-go-bound-while-you-go-free-must-i-love-a-manwho-doesn-t-love/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [If you're texting Magnus to say 'I think u r kewl,' I'm going to kill you." "Who's Magnus?" Max inquired. "He's a warlock," said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/if-you-re-texting-magnus-to-say-i-think-u-r-kewl-i-m-going-to-kill/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“they all have always loved you Will Herondale, for you cannot hide what is good about yourself, however har you try.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/they-all-have-always-loved-you-will-herondale-for-you-cannot-hide/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“We work through this together, remember? No shutting me out. No epic sulks.” “I was figuring I could sulk for Idris in the next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/we-work-through-this-together-remember-no-shutting-me-out-no-epic/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Lex malla, lex nulla,” said Julian with a regretful wave of his hand. It was the Blackthorn family motto: A bad law is no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/lex-malla-lex-nulla-said-julian-with-a-regretful-wave-of-his-hand-it/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Maybe that was why she couldn't cry, she realized, staring dry-eyed at the ceiling. Because what was the point in crying when there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/maybe-that-was-why-she-couldn-t-cry-she-realized-staring-dry-eyed-at/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [I'm memorable, its true." -Magnus, pg.229-](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-m-memorable-its-true-magnus-pg-229/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“There is more to living than not dying.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/there-is-more-to-living-than-not-dying/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Unless there was a reason for me to stay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/unless-there-was-a-reason-for-me-to-stay/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Love didn't make you weak, it made you stronger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/love-didn-t-make-you-weak-it-made-you-stronger/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“I wasn’t just worried about him; I was worried about you, too. There’s something so . . . reassuring about you. And Jace is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-wasn-t-just-worried-about-him-i-was-worried-about-you-too-there-s/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [I firmly believe that you can't get a good movie without risking a bad movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-firmly-believe-that-you-can-t-get-a-good-movie-without-risking-a/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) [Explore all 4,049 Cassandra Clare quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) ## More Alec lightwood quotes > [I hope you told him you were bitten by a gay spider.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-hope-you-told-him-you-were-bitten-by-a-gay-spider/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Alec?" Magnus was staring at him. He had dispatched the remaining Iblis demons, and the square was empty but for the two of them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/alec-magnus-was-staring-at-him-he-had-dispatched-the-remaining-iblis/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [We're not dating," Alec said again. "Oh?" Magnus said. "So you're just that friendly with everybody, is that it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/we-re-not-dating-alec-said-again-oh-magnus-said-so-you-re-just-that/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“He's not my warlock.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/he-s-not-my-warlock/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“You have something on your neck," he observed. Alec's hand flew to his throat. "What?" "Looks like a bite mark," said Jace. "What have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/you-have-something-on-your-neck-he-observed-alec-s-hand-flew-to-his/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Magnus reached for Alec, but instead of rising to his feet, he pulled Alec against him, his hand sliding up Alec’s back to knot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/magnus-reached-for-alec-but-instead-of-rising-to-his-feet-he-pulled/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Hey guys! Wish you were here, except not really. We're having fun. Check it out-the pyramids! -Alec and Magnus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/hey-guys-wish-you-were-here-except-not-really-we-re-having-fun-check/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Alec caught him as he began to slide down the wall. "Jace—" "I'm all right," Jace protested, but his hand gripped Alec's sleeve tightly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/alec-caught-him-as-he-began-to-slide-down-the-wall-jace-i-m-all-right/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“What’s this?” Alec said, looking baffled. “It’s a girl,” Jace said. He moved closer to the redhead, who stood with her feet braced apart,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/what-s-this-alec-said-looking-baffled-it-s-a-girl-jace-said-he-moved/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [You could give me the past,“ he said a little sadly. “But Alec is my future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/you-could-give-me-the-past-he-said-a-little-sadly-but-alec-is-my/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Still I pictured having you for fifty, sixty more years. I thought I might be ready then to let you go. But it's you,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/still-i-pictured-having-you-for-fifty-sixty-more-years-i-thought-i/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“I thought you came down right on the side of go directly to jail, do not pass Go, do not collect two hundred dollars.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-thought-you-came-down-right-on-the-side-of-go-directly-to-jail-do/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“It's a classic love story. I hit on him at a party, he asked me out, then we fought an epic magical battle between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/it-s-a-classic-love-story-i-hit-on-him-at-a-party-he-asked-me-out/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“Come on," he said. "Let's get back to Alec before he decides Isabelle and Simon are having sex off in the caves and starts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/come-on-he-said-let-s-get-back-to-alec-before-he-decides-isabelle-and/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [You don't believe me?" Jace asked. "Fine. Go ahead. Kiss me right now." Alec stared at him in horror. "Exactly. Despite my staggering good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/you-don-t-believe-me-jace-asked-fine-go-ahead-kiss-me-right-now-alec/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) [Browse all 97 Alec lightwood quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alec-lightwood/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Alec took a deep breath and let it out. Well, he’d come this far; he might as well go on. 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