(A/N: My first ever Mortal Instruments Fanfic. It took me a LONG time to decide on POVs for this one, which is why it took a long time to get it up. Enjoy it!)
Chapter One: Abused Innocence
It was cold out that night. Magnus Bane, the high warlock of Brooklyn stood bundled up in a rainbow colored coat made of plastic material. He was rather proud of his coat, as he had managed to get it for half the price it was normally sold for. But right now, he was busy watching the flashing and flickering going on in the apartment. He had been by this apartment building three times this week. He had actually been called there by some other concerned individuals. Now, he went on curiosity.
The apartment belonged to two brothers and their little sister. The little girl was about ten, and the two brothers just didn't love her much. They were mean, and sometimes downright cruel. Tonight was proving not to be any exception. Magnus curled his upper lip in a snarl. He had all the proof he needed to take the brothers to task. Yet, he worried that if he just went in there and dealt with it, it would badly. Ezra and Arthur wouldn't be above killing the child. Magnus shook his head as another window shattered. The pieces fell at the warlock's feet. I need to get her out of there... somehow. He was just about to go up to the building when he heard his phone ringing. He answered. "Talk fast."
"Magnus? What's going on?" His boyfriend Alec Lightwood was on the other end. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah, everything is just peachy. I'm about to rescue that Marlie girl from her brothers. Just trying to figure out how to do it without getting her killed. These are some of the most cruel of my kind I have met in decades."
"Need a hand?" Alec's tone was full of concern then. "I mean, I know you're the High Warlock, but that doesn't mean you're invincible. How old is this child again?"
"Ten. I think she might be more than just a warlock." Magnus flinched as he heard the girl scream again. "If you're coming, you had better come quick. I'm going in." He hung up without waiting for Alec to say reply. He began to ascend the staircase. Halfway up to the third floor, he fell back against the wall. There was an invisible barrier. On the other side of it, Marlie's screaming became deafening. Hang in there, Marlena. I'm trying...The High Warlock snapped his fingers vigorously, producing a large spark. He aimed it at the barrier. IT shattered into thin air, and he smirked, thinking of the shoddy job the two brothers had done. Magnus turned towards the door then, his smirk turning into a scowl.
"Hey, glad you didn't go in without me." Alec's hand rested on his shoulder as he spoke. "That was some barrier." Magnus gave him a dirty look before barging into the apartment.
***
Marlie blinked hearing the front door open. She looked up and saw Ezra and Arthur exchange glances. Then Ezra snapped his fingers, causing her to fly into a closet. "Ezra, please! I don't like it in here!" Marlie began to feel panicked. Closets were her worst enemy.
"Shut it." Ezra glared, closing the door. Marlie felt the familiar chair slam against the door effectively locking her in. Then she heard Arthur swear, followed by the voice of someone she didn't know.
"That girl. I want to see her. Now." The voice sounded firm, and authoritative. Marlie was terrified, because she knew that if they got away with keeping her, her brothers going to blame her for everything. "Chop chop. I'm not getting any younger."
Ezra's voice came out like a squeak as he spoke to Arthur. "Who got the High Warlock involved?! I bet it was Marlena. She's been sneaking out again!"
"Never mind who told me. I'm the High Warlock. I know plenty of goings on around here. This child is considered endangered by my standards. Either you bring her to me, or my friend here is going to get her himself." Marlie wondered who the friend was. There wasn't any talking for a while, and she wondered if something else had happened. Then, she heard Arthur scoff. The hair on the back of her neck stood up. Arthur was worse than Ezra when it came to hurting her.
"You think you're just going to waltz in here and take our sister? I've got news for you, High Warlock. That child is under our guardianship."
"Was." There were suddenly footsteps in the hallway, and the voice was suddenly in the bedroom. "You two have no idea how to take care of anything. There is not going to be any chances for you again." Marlie backed up against the closet wall as she heard the chair get moved. The door opened, flooding the small space with light. "It's all right, buttercup. I'm on your side." Marlie dared to look up at the High Warlock then. His hair was arranged, or rather, disorganized on the top of his head, and he was covered in glitter. He knelt to her level, and held out a hand to her. "Let's get you out of here, Sweetie."
"Is she okay, Magnus?" A boy spoke up from behind them before moving to stand beside the High Warlock.
"Of course she isn't okay. What kind of question is that?" Magnus returned his attention to Marlie then. "The Clave will be dealing with your brothers, Marlena. You need to come with me now."
Marlie didn't reply at first. She was too frightened. The aspect of leaving one home full of warlocks, and another, frightened her. She watched them. The boy that was with Magnus looked like he was probably about eighteen or nineteen. "Where are we going?"
"To the Institute first and foremost," Magnus said, before he turned to Alec. "We need to report this to your mother as well. She can stay with me if she needs to." Marlie let him pull her to her feet gently. "Alec, grab her coat, please. It's cold outside."
Marlie watched all of this silently, afraid to say anything. She blinked when Magnus suddenly picked her up. "Mm...." She didn't like to be picked up much.
"It's all right now, Buttercup. We're going to take care of you." He helped Alec get her into her coat. Marlie just went through the motions, letting them do what they wanted. Magnus wrapped his arms around her very gently. "Let's get out of here, Alec. This place is irritating me." He carried Marlie silently to the door.
"Stop right there, Bane! You have a warrant to take the brat?" Ezra demanded now. He was glaring dangerously. Magnus gently handed her to the boy named Alec, his eyes flashing angrily.
"You dare to try and stop me? I'm sorry, but who do you think you're dealing with?" Magnus turned towards Alec. "Darling, can you please take her to the Institute? I will be along shortly." He smiled kindly at Marlie then. "Trust him, Marlie. Alexander is a good guy." Before Marlie could reply, the High Warlock was already heading into the living room to deal with her brothers.
Alec smiled down at her. "Ready?" He didn't' wait for a reply before he carried her right past her brothers and out of the apartment.
***
The Institute, as it turned out, was mostly empty when Alec brought Marlena in. His parents weren't there. There was a note from his sister, Jace and Clary. They had gone out for a while. He sighed. "Looks like it's just me and you for now, Marlena. Say, can I call you Marlie?"
"I guess...." Marlie looked up at him as Alec began to get her out of her coat. "What's this place for?" Alec smiled as he hung up her coat on one of the vacant hooks.
"It's for a lot of things." He took the child by the hand, leading her towards the residential area. "We're going to get you cleaned up, and the maybe we can make a snack."
"My brothers... they won't want me to stay here long..." Marlie started to pull away, but Alec held her hand firmer. "You don't know them. They'll think I said something to that other warlock. I didn't say anything. Not one thing!"
"Whoa whoa... it's okay." Alec led her over to a sofa. He picked her up, and sat down with her in his lap. "No one is going to harm you here. Magnus is taking care of them as we speak." Alec brushed some damp hair out of the girl's face. He could see the fear in her eyes. It broke his heart to see a child so young and innocent be that terrified and untrusting. Alec rubbed her back gently, attempting to ease her fear.
"Who is this?" Alec glanced up seeing his sister Isabelle standing the doorway. Alec sighed. Isabelle didn't look to happy to see a child among them. He guessed the memory of Max's death was probably still fresh in her mind. It was in his as well, but this was why he hadn't hesitated to help Magnus. Isabelle wandered over, and sat down across from them in another arm chair. Alec felt Marlie move closer to him, and he sighed again.
"This is Marlena. Her situation is under investigation by Magnus. He asked me to keep her here for now." Alec spoke slowly to Isabelle, because if he didn't, he wouldn't be precise, and she would argue. "We have to talk to Mom and Dad when they get home." He looked down at Marlie. "Let's take that bath now, okay?" Marlie had quite a few scrapes and bruises that needed attending. Had she been a Shadowhunter, Alec would have easily drawn the healing rune. Since her true gifts were still a mystery, he didn't want to take the chance of hurting her more.
"Who hurt her so badly?" Isabelle's surprisingly gentle voice surprised Alec. He watched his sister wander over to them slowly. She stopped as Marlie backed up a little more. "What...?"
Alec merely shook his head, mouthing, "later" to his sister, before taking Marlie back towards the residential halls. He smiled down at her as the girl began to relax a little bit. He felt her grip on his hand loosen a little, and he ventured to let her go. "Feel free to look around, Marlie, but don't go too far. I'm going to see if I can get a room set up for you." The child didn't answer, but Alec figured she understood well enough. He walked into his room, and shrugged out of his coat. He was just re-adjusting his sweater when Isabelle walked in. "She's exploring a little. Church is probably watching over her."
"Good. God, what happened to her? She looks like she's been in a war." Isabelle sat down in his desk chair without being asked. "I don't think I've seen a child that beat up since...." His younger sister let her words trail off.
"She was living with some very nasty warlocks," Alec said. "They have been tormenting her and abusing her for a long...." He stopped talking, sensing company in the doorway. Alec turned seeing Marlie in the doorway. "Hey there. You okay?"
"I... I think so...." She stood there, as if she was deciding if she wanted to come in or not. Marlie glanced backwards, and then entered the room. "Someone's here."
"It's probably just Jace or Clary." Alec smiled gently, taking her by the hand. He led her over to a chair. "I promise you, nothing can harm you within these walls." He picked her up in his arms, surprised when she didn't wince at his touch. "See? You're safe." He glanced up as Magnus' outline appeared in the doorway. "We just got her cleaned up and stuff."
"That's good." Magnus was studying the girl. "Alec, I need to have a word with you alone, if you don't mind."
"Sure." Alec could tell by Magnus' tone that it was serious. There were very few things that the High Warlock took seriously, so Alec was on his guard now. He set Marlie down on her feet again. "Izzy?"
"Yeah, I'll keep an eye on her." His sister smiled brightly at Alec. She walked over, and took Marlie by the hand. "Let's go check out the room you get to have here!" Alec appreciated the effort Isabelle put into making it exciting. He watched them disappear around a corner before inviting his beau inside his room. He closed the door. "Well?"
"You're going to love what I have to say, doll face. You might want to sit down." The High warlock sat down himself, stretching himself out on Alec's bed.
Alec decided to scoot his desk chair closer. He sat. "Well?" Magnus' expression became very serious then, and Alec knew what he was about to tell him was going to be cause a lot more questions than answers.
