List of The Mortal Instruments Characters - Alec Lightwood

Alec Lightwood

Alexander "Alec" Gideon Lightwood is a Shadowhunter living in the New York Institute with his siblings. He is the oldest of the Lightwoods and is quieter than both Isabelle, his sister, and Jace, his best friend and adoptive brother. Alec is 18, making him legally an 'adult,' which gives him permission to attend Clave meetings. He was jealous of Clary, at first, upon meeting her due to knowing how Jace felt about her, and Alec himself was in love with Jace. Later, when he realizes that Jace will never return his feelings, he starts to date and falls in love with Magnus Bane (a warlock who is immortal and 800 some years old), though his strong brotherly love for Jace remains.

Alec is mostly soft spoken and serious. He tries his best to act wisely, and is not as reckless as Jace. Later in the story it is revealed that he had never killed a demon, which changes in the middle of City of Bones. He shows himself to be extremely caring of the ones he loves, and is willing to do anything to protect them. Among the whole group, Alec is the most intelligent. For much of the series, Alec denies his homosexuality and attraction to males (particularly Jace), which results in him lashing out at people. When he finally accepts himself, he becomes a more relaxed person and comes out as gay to the whole Clave and everyone there, including his family and parents, by publicly passionately kissing Magnus. Clary notes at the end of the fourth novel that Alec had become more generous with himself, allowing him to be more generous with others. Alec, as seen in City of Fallen Angels, can also become extremely jealous, getting angry at Magnus when he discovers Magnus' long dating history and relationship with Camille, a vampire woman.

Alec becomes a much more central character in City of Lost Souls and is one of the book's narrators. He, along with Clary, leads the search for Jace, while also dealing with Camille.