Warnings: may contain language and suggestive scenes

Disclaimer: I do not own the mortal instruments series.

Cursed One

Chapter 1: The Blackmore Family

Christian Bennett was spending another ordinary Saturday with his completely human friends. He'd just started college going for a trivial business major, nothing fancy. In fact, all he planned on doing is staying low key and away from the spot light.

All Chris wanted to do was stay out of the Clave; even though he was close to the Chicago Institute he was never stopped or questioned by any shadow hunter. He turned away from the abnormalities in life even if he should rightfully help stop them. He knew very well that he would be punished if he was to be caught. However, no one had caught him in two years.

Not being a shadow hunter and blending completely into society was hard. He could only do things "half-assed". He couldn't fully commit himself to his education, people, hell he couldn't even commit to a specific brand of toothpaste. That was by far the least of his problems.

He had been considered one of the best along the Gulf Coast, East Coast, and West Coast at some point in time. He was only the best because he was always prepared. That left him with the quality of extreme paranoia. He was always on the edge when walking through the streets, he even had trouble sleeping. It was ridiculous. In everyday life he would hallucinate and see demons when absolutely nothing was there.

Chris was working desperately to overcome these issues as well as others. Being around strikingly normal and average people helped. If he could take away one thing it would be his identifier of violet eyes. He used to love the fact he had his families most coveted trait but now it could only burden him. For the last two years he had been wearing dark brown colored contacts, and that was a pain to remember in the morning.

Chris noticed as a girl walked into the theater alone. In all honesty she looked a little young for the blood filled horror movie. Her dark chocolate hair fell down to the center of her back even in a high pony tail, it stressed the features of her golden brown face, but somehow she had childish cheeks. She was wearing long black formfitting pants, a black leather jacket with black tennis shoes. What stood out the most to him were her eyes. They were a ghostly blue color that he could tell even from the back row of the seats. She seemed unusual and that's when it hit him.

No one else had noticed the girl. The four other people he had come with were talking about a test they had taken last semester. He was the only one who could see her. That could mean a couple of different things. Maybe she blended in and he only noticed her because of his paranoia, or maybe his friends were just idiots. However, when she pulled a stele from inside her leather jacket it was quite obvious she was a shadow hunter. He'd ignore her like he had ignored every other shadow hunter for the last two years.

Suddenly the fire alarm went off as smoke and fire poured into the small theater. Chris lagged behind watching the girl as she prepared herself, before coming to a complete halt. A man made entirely from fire and ash stepped through. It was cackling like it was crazy, then again it was probably some type of demon, so it was crazy.

The girl lunged at the thing completely care free as if that was the natural thing. Chris had dealt with one of these things before that was a stupid move. Just because the sprinklers were going off doesn't mean it was weakened. Then Chris saw the slight flash of a rune it was a rune designed to weaken the fire element, it's pretty advanced for someone as young as she was.

The demon screamed in pain, but not before landing a scorching burn to her stomach. She actually used the hit to fly back and roll on the ground to put out the small flame on her belly. She stayed in a crouched position not paying attention to the demon as if she was concerned with something else not nearly as important.

Chris hadn't realized he was moving towards the girl as the demon sent a flame track speeding towards her. He tackled her rolling to keep her safe. He'd slap himself for this later; the girl was definitely surprised. He could tell by her wide eyes.

"Give me your stele," Chris commanded. She hesitantly handed it to him, before giggling. He glared at her before taking it from her. Just what was so funny about almost getting yourself killed? "What's its name?"

"Its name is Acacia," the girl replied with a small smile. The person before her no doubt found it annoying, but his almost father like actions were funny to her.

She watched as he whispered to the stele it glowed slightly before he charged at the fire demon. She sat back and watched as he almost effortlessly defeated the demon by beheading it. She huffed out a breath she should've guessed, if in doubt you don't know how to kill something beheading is always an easy option. Instantly the flames in the movie theater dispersed.

"So you're a shadow hunter," the girl stated standing up. She brushed herself off and walked towards him. "I owe you one. What's your name?"

"That's not important," Chris replied. "I think the Chicago Institute would be more concerned about why such a young shadow hunter is running around attacking a higher level demon."

"Excuse me?" the girl asked putting her hands on her hips. "I'm seventeen don't let the fact that I'm adorable fool you. I'm deadly."

"Whatever." Chris handed her the stele before turning to walk away.

"You know that burn on your shoulder will leave a nasty scar if you don't let me use a healing rune," the girl taunted. "I don't know if you just enjoy mundane people or if you're trying to blend either way it won't look normal."

Chris let out a shaky breath; he had to control his temper with her. She could report him if she wanted. Although she was far more observant than he pegged her for. He came back to her just staring down at her; she couldn't be more than five feet and three inches.

"Great now that you're behaving yourself let's go." She grabbed his arm with her right hand forcefully tugging him along. Thankfully she was considerate enough to grab the one not burned. "By the way my name is Amaya."

That was an odd name for a shadow hunter. Then if Chris thought about it nothing was normal about shadow hunters.

The girl tugged him out of the entire theater. He just wanted this to be over soon maybe she wanted to get out of a populated area.

"Jake look what I brought!" Amaya called out. A boy with light brown spiky hair turned around and saw her waving. He walked up to them and inspected Chris.

"Is there a reason why you brought him with you?" Jake asked still looking at Chris.

"This guy got hurt and needs someone to heal him." Amaya jabbed her right thumb into Chris's side. "I'd do it but my gloved burned in the fire, so can I have the back up."

Jake sighed before reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a black leather glove and tossed it to Amaya. She caught it in both hands and expertly slid it on her left hand.

"We're not supposed to heal mundanes I'm sorry for the trouble this girl has caused you, but I will also help you forget this whole experience."

"Don't bother he's a shadow hunter," Amaya said and let out a giggle. Chris found it annoying how she found this whole situation funny. "Although I would suggest making his name and a visit to the institute a condition."

"Fine. We'll do exactly what she said." Jake sighed. There was never any point in arguing with Amaya, she always won. "However we'll heal you at the institute."

"I have to decline your offer if I have to go to the institute," Chris spoke firmly.

Snap!

"Since he won't tell us who he is I guess we can run this picture through the Clave's data base," Amaya said lowering her phone. "Or we could all pretend to be best friends and skip on over to the Institute for some fun bonding. I vote for baking cookies first."

"Thomas is going to kill you for bring another man home," Jake commented finally smiling. The girl moved to walk beside him.

"That guy needs to learn to loosen up a little. We can't keep everyone out of the Institute forever." Amaya pouted.

"No there are other reasons besides that. Like the fact you're not supposed to be out, let alone fighting with me." Jake gave her a stern look. "This is the last time you're going to use that to blackmail me right?"

"No I'm going to use it one more time to save myself from Tyrannosaurus-Thomas. Then you're free." Amaya laughed as Jake sighed.

Somehow Chris had automatically begun following behind them. So far he had learned this girl had a taste for the daring and illegal. He could tell Amaya was going to be a bigger pain than she was worth.

OO00OO

"Just what do you think you two were doing?" Catharine asked the two young shadow hunters. She watched as both of them averted their eyes from her. She had also taken noticed of a certain individual standing awkwardly behind them. "I want answers right now."

"Well you see," Amaya started, "being the naturally caring person I am I followed Jake out of concern when he left. I thought that five fire demons might be a little too much for him. So I took it upon my overly bored self to help fight them. He defeated two successfully and so did I, but the last one got a little tricky. It was way stronger than the others. I was kind of in a tight spot, but not really. You know one of those if I made an effort thing, but this guy saved me."

"You are unbelievable!" Catharine yelled. The girl needed to understand her position more. "Thomas has been running around all of Chicago searching for you. You are not to leave the Institute without permission for very good reasons. Do not endanger yourself like that again."

"You can't keep me locked up like this is a prison!" Amaya snapped. "I am a shadow hunter not a pretty little princess made from sugar and rainbows. I refuse to stay in solitary confinement because I can—"

"Bite your tongue," Catharine Interrupted. "To your room or I will inform the Clave of this little incident." Amaya stormed out of the study they had been standing in.

"You know Amaya is completely right," Jake said calmly crossing his arms.

"My hands are tied about this Jake," Catharine said moving to sit in a leather chair. "Please gentleman if you would sit down."

Jake and Chris moved to sit down on a black leather couch. Chris was going through small moments of déjà vu at how familiar the inside of this Institute looked. The study had a large oak desk which had the usual office supplies plus a phone used for contact between the shadow hunting communities. A few bookcases and a fire place lined the bland beige wall. It was like every other Institute.

Chris even felt that the woman was familiar. Women like her were a dime a dozen. She was obviously into her forties with her hair graying and pulled into a tight bun. Her forehead was covered with worry lines that most shadow hunters received while aging, but Chris had never specifically met this woman.

"I am Catharine Blackmore and I am in charge of the Chicago Institute," the woman said calmly. "I have a few questions for you, but let's start out with an introduction."

"I am Christian Bennett," Chris replied equally calmed. In situations like this it's better not to show any fear. She gave him a look of distrust; she knew he was lying to her.

"I won't press you for any further information about yourself Mr. Bennett, but I do have to apologize for Amaya's behavior. She tends to go overboard with various things. If she caused you any injury, please allow us to compensate you in some way."

"That's just it Catharine," Jake interjected. "She didn't attack or injure him. She didn't even seem mad at him for interfering."

"You're kidding me," she muttered. Catharine seemed to be pondering something deep in thought.

"Does she usually attack random people?" Chris replied a little irritated. This situation was odd; he just wanted to leave.

"Well Amaya won't attack random people," Jake answered. "It's more like she will attack people who save her with ill intentions, or people who show obvious disgust with her."

Disgust was an odd thing to say. How could anyone be disgusted by her? Sure, she seemed a little bratty and stubborn, but that was normal for young shadow hunters.

"May I ask why someone would be disgusted by her?" Chris looked at the woman wondering if she was done hibernating in her own little world.

"I can tell you, but I would want you to accept my proposal for you first," Catharine bargained. "The Clave would probably let Amaya leave the Institute if she had a bodyguard. I don't know your story, but I'm guessing you're trying to blend. This is the perfect situation for you to still be involved, but immune from our affairs. We can claim that your personal information won't be released. However, we need to know if you're really suited for the job."

"I'm sorry, but I'm truly not interested," Chris replied. "I would appreciate it if you didn't report this to the Clave though."

"I won't. I'm not one to use underhanded tricks in order to help a poor child," Catharine replied. "Poor thing even though I adopted her, she still knows her shadow hunter parents left her."

Chris got up to leave. None of this was his business, and he didn't need a guilt trip. Sometimes in life you see two options before you and one screams at you to run away. In reality that's natural instinct, shadow hunters are taught early on to rely on those instincts.

"Did you feel trapped?" Chris stopped at Catharine's voice. "Maybe you felt like no one could relate to you. Either way you weren't constantly watched you could run away. However, Amaya is constantly watched. The second she runs she'll be shot down like a poor pheasant."

"Just hear us out," Jake chimed in. "You can stay here for free we'll get you immunity from council meetings and everything. Just give it a month if you don't like it you can leave."

"I'll think it over," Chris said. "I'll make contact if I decide to take the job." With that Chris left them. This whole Amaya business was none of his concern.

OO00OO

"Where is she?" Thomas asked bursting into the study of the Chicago Institute. His shiny, raven colored bangs falling slightly into his green eyes, he was still panting from running. "She wasn't hurt right? Oh my god it's like I thought she was kidnapped!"

"Stop your useless worrying," Catharine told her son. "The girl has locked herself in her room. She's completely fine."

"I'll go talk to her right now," Thomas said turning to rush out.

"Don't bother," Jake called from his position on the couch. "She won't even talk to me. The girl is sulking big time, oh and she's very irritable."

"Whatever," Thomas muttered walking into the study. "Why did she leave anyway?"

"I took her with me on that call about the fire demons…" Jake said trailing off.

"You what!" Thomas yelled. "You know as well as I do that if she goes out and touches one of those things she'll be scarred for life. Not only that, but countless people want to kidnap her, even mundanes."

"You know the second someone tells her to get in a van with candy she'll do it." Jake sighed before looking him in the eyes. "She'll eat the candy and then steal the van, but only after making sure the guy is unconscious. She's not a damsel in distress, stop treating her like one."

"The two of you should stop bickering," Catharine interrupted them. "Now we have to discuss what we're going to do with Mr. Bennett."

"Who's that?" Thomas asked confused.

"He's the one who saved Amaya today," Jake informed. He ignored Thomas's obvious awe stricken face and continued. "Catharine decided we should have him be Amaya's bodyguard. Amaya doesn't usually warm up to people as fast as she did to him. Catharine asked the Clave for permission and they accepted the conditions of his work. We just need the guy to accept the offer."

"She doesn't need a bodyguard she has us," Thomas protested. Catharine took a glance at his hurt expression.

"Having an official non-attached bodyguard will allow her to go out as long as she is with him," she informed him. "That way this place will no longer be her prison, but her home. How we convince the man to come out of solitude is beyond me."

"Why don't we have Amaya do it?" Jake suggested. "I'll explain the situation to her, let her think she's escaping to go convince him, and follow her. She'll figure out a way to talk him into it no doubt."

"That's true the girl can talk her way out of everything," Catharine agreed. "She even gets her punishments reduced by the Clave. Very well just make sure to watch her."

"I'm totally against this," Thomas muttered.

"You're against anything and everything that allows Amaya to meet other men," Jake teased. "Besides it's not like you're her boyfriend.

Thomas shot Jake a glare before leaving the room. Somehow Thomas just knew his life would get very interesting soon.

OO00OO

"Chris where were you?" Evan asked his roommate as he shut the door to their shared apartment. "Lizzie was asking for you, she thought you might've burned to death."

"I'm sorry actually I had to escort someone home," Chris replied. It was partially true, maybe not fully but partially.

"Who'd you have to escort home?" Evan pressed.

"Some girl of a very established family," Chris answered. He saw a certain glint in Evan's eyes that meant trouble. "She's underage and pushy."

"That sucks," Evan said. "Want a drink?"

"I'm under aged," Chris replied.

"You're only under aged if a cop is around," Evan replied. "So if you only took her home why did it take so long?"

"The family offered me a job as a bodyguard," Chris said. "Apparently she liked me, even though all she did was manipulate me."

"How much does it pay?" Chris shot Evan a look of annoyance. "Dude it's a valid question."

"I'd be living with them for free and whatever else they want to pay me," Chris answered.

"Take the job," Evan said. "It's every college students dream to be able to avoid living expenses."

"I might," Chris replied. "So who are you sleeping with now that you want me to move out?"

"Sarah and boy does she know what men want."

OO00OO

About a week later Chris opened his apartment door to see a very drenched Amaya. She looked like she was dressed for a tea party; she even had dainty white gloves on each hand. Her long curly hair was clinging to her body and blocking her eyes from him.

"What are you doing here?" Chris asked. Amaya pouted at him.

"Aren't you going to invite me in?" she countered. Chris could tell she was shivering. He wasn't heartless.

"I have a mundane roommate, but come in." Chris stood aside and let her walk in before shutting the door behind her.

"Chris who's here! Is it Sarah because I suggest leaving she's a screamer," Evan said walking into the room. He was surprised to find a petite little girl drenched in rain. Not totally unattractive if he waited a year or two.

"He's lovely, is he house broken or just stupid?" Amaya asked.

"Well isn't she cute?" Evan asked his voice tinted with annoyance. "Why are you here little girl?"

"I'm seventeen and I came to talk to Chris," Amaya stated. "Alone."

"Its fine Evan," Chris said before sighing. "This is the girl who I took home from the movie theater."

"Fine call me if you need anything you know I keep handcuffs in my room," Evan said exiting the apartment and ignoring Amaya's glare. Chris figured he was more than likely going to the neighbor's apartment down the hall to see Jessica.

"You gave up being a Shadow Hunter for that," Amaya asked.

"Let's get to the point of why you're here," Chris interjected. "You shouldn't be out of the Institute."

"I want you to be my bodyguard," Amaya said bluntly. "I know you're reluctant, but please do this. I promise to listen to the things you say, I'd just like to do normal things like go to a werewolf bar and date a vampire with a motorcycle."

"None of that is normal," Chris replied. "What are the benefits for me? You already know I'm avoiding that world, so why would I want to go back into it."

"Most likely you don't fit in entirely with mundanes," Amaya answered. "The benefits are acceptance, immunity from all punishments that involve whatever you may have done in the past, and of course the pay will be exceptional. The Clave has spared no expense."

"None of that interests me," Chris said. "Go home."

"I wouldn't in this rain," Amaya muttered. "It's been pouring since I escaped from that dreadful party. Don't worry I'll wait for you to change your mind."

I won't Chris thought bitterly. He walked into the kitchen he was hungry and it was only a matter of time before someone came and got her.

OO00OO

Amaya had been sitting on Chris's couch for four hours. Chris was surprised that she had been silent the whole time. He heard a loud sneeze that had to be the tenth one.

Amaya heard Chris walk out of the kitchen. She was surprised that he hadn't kicked her out. She guessed he was actually a good person. She hated being selfish, but sometimes things just had to be done. Why wouldn't she want to be able to go outside for just an hour each day?

"Go put this on," Chris said throwing an overly large shirt at Amaya. She caught it with ease and looked up at him confused. "Since you seem to be important I can't let you get sick. There's a bathroom down the hall. Shower and change we'll talk about this after you're done."

OO00OO

Chris watched as Amaya came down the hallway in an overly large shirt with her hair tied back in a messy bun. The thing that caught his attention the most was the white glove that still remained on her left hand even though it was damp.

"Why do you always have a glove on your left hand," He asked. She gave him a shocked look.

"It protects those around me," Amaya answered. If he wasn't mistaken her heard her voice waver slightly. She sat down on the couch next to him.

"That hand is that why you can't go anywhere?" Chris asked. His curiosity had peaked and he wanted to know what it was. He felt that she was caving into his questions to easily. It was like she was oddly vulnerable about the subject.

"Yes in a way it is the reason I can't do anything." Amaya rested her hands on her lap and Chris stared at them.

In the blink of an eye he had grabbed her left hand and started ripping the glove of, but to his surprise a terrified scream escaped Amaya.

The next thing he knew his apartment door had been broken down and two figures. Stood in the door way. He recognized the short spiky hair that was Jake's, but the midnight swishy locks of the other were unknown.

"Who are you?" Chris asked calmly removing his hand from Amaya's. He thought the girl was over reacting entirely.

"Thomas Blackmore," the boy replied.

"I see the over protective dinosaur," Chris replied. He heard Amaya start to giggle beside him. He was somewhat relieved to see she was back to normal, whatever that may be.

OO00OO

I'd love feedback whether to continue this or not. The idea just suddenly popped into my head one day and I think I know what I would like to do with the story line. I just really admire the writer of the series and kind of wanted to try writing something like her. Although I'm not nearly as funny as her but it's the thought that counts right? Leave a review please!