Chapter Warnings: May contain language and suggestive themes

Disclaimer: I do not own the Mortal Instruments series

The One the Angel Cursed

Chapter 2: The Reason

"You're laughing?" Thomas questioned confused. "You just let out a scream that would make mundanes ashamed."

"I personally found that comment funny," Amaya said back. "I can't play favorites."

"Why did you scream Amaya?" Jake cut it in. His brown eyes flashed warningly at Chris.

"Actually it just seemed like a good time to get you two out of hiding," Amaya answered. "Jake I'm so not taking your word anymore. I would have been okay with this, but you brought Thomas."

"Enough," Jake said sternly. That shocked Chris. Jake seemed like a pretty level headed guy, but not at all serious. He was surprisingly stern for someone that had been so easy going before. "You tried to take the glove off."

"Yes I did," Chris replied. "I now know that was a mistake."

"Now you can either take responsibility by becoming her body guard or you will move away from here," Jake stated. "You may choose."

Jake set a document in front of Chris and he began to read over it. It was a contract for a year. It wasn't a major commitment to him, but it could be very troublesome. The one thing missing was the thing that interested him most.

"I'll agree to sign it if I am told the exact reason why I'm protecting Amaya," Chris said. He noticed how both boys looked at Amaya.

"That's fine with me," Amaya answered. "However, you must never ask me to use it on you. If I choose to use it to help you it's a different story. If asked I would probably never be able to stand your presence again."

"I swear on the angel," Chris said signing his name on the contract. He didn't know why he actually did that though. Maybe it was because of his curiosity or it could be the way it seemed to spike anger in the Blackmore boy's eyes. "Now tell me."

Amaya's blue eyes became hardened with extreme seriousness. It seemed like she was analyzing the whole situation, as if she might go back on her word. Somehow the stern look made her seem her age. The two boys standing next to her had blank expressions as if they were trying to ignore the situation.

"That contract has a secrecy condition by the way, so it's obvious he can't say anything," Jake reassured. Amaya let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding in.

"My left hand has come to be known as the Satan's left hand," Amaya said dryly. "If it touches the skin of another I can look into their past and memories. Maybe look isn't the right word; I guess experience is a better one. I'll feel exactly what they felt while experiencing the situation."

"That's not a really dangerous skill," Chris said. "Although I see that you can be useful in interrogations."

"I not only see into the past, but the future," Amaya continued. "More specifically I see people's deaths. The time, place, and how it happened. I experience their death as if it was my own. My skills aren't only limited to the living, but the dead as well. Not just vampires either, but corpses of all kinds."

"I see so the concern is that someone could avoid death by using you," Chris concluded.

"You're way smarter than I thought you were…" Amaya trailed off. "I probably won't be able to sneak out as much anymore."

"You were planning to?" Chris mocked. "I'll be over to the institute tomorrow in the afternoon with my things. I expect to have a room in the same hallway as Amaya. I'll also be equipping a few standard alarms in Amaya's room."

"What the hell?" Amaya protested. "That's worse than before."

"Beggars can't be choosers," Jake said patting her shoulder. "If you'll excuse us we will be leaving now. I look forward to slowly watching you lose your sanity."

Amaya waved goodbye as Thomas just grunted in response. Chris was surprised that no one had made a comment on what she was wearing. She would be walking along the streets of Chicago in his old t-shirt. Maybe people give Shadow Hunters too much credit.

OO00OO

"Amaya wake up," Thomas said knocking on her door. He heard something thrown at the door most likely a pillow. "I'm coming in."

Thomas entered her room. It was a garbage dump as usual with various clothes and objects on the floor. The girl practically lived in her room, so he wasn't really surprised. If she wasn't here she was in the library reading. He still remembered how she would sit on the couch and read while he and Jake would watch TV.

Amaya was a genius, which was both a blessing and a burden. She hadn't been one either when she was born. She developed it from years of seclusion with nothing better to do. She sometimes could help strategize from the institute if it was needed. However with that genius it was easy for her to figure out new ways to escape and talk her way out of things. Thomas had to admit he was slightly jealous about the fact she could avoid any Clave punishment.

"Amaya you need to wake up," Thomas tried again. "Catherine wants to see you about something right now."

"She has all the time in the world it's not like I'm going anywhere," Amaya grumbled from under the covers.

Thomas didn't bother trying to be nice about waking her up anymore, it was clear that she was in one of her moods. He yanked the blue comforter from her form. He was thankful that Amaya had learned to sleep fully clothed now. No one had privacy in this institute. They were all close and like family with no exception.

"Amaya meet Catherine in the study after you get dressed," Thomas ordered. He was not in a particular mood to deal with her stubbornness today. The handsome blonde thing would be here in the afternoon to invade his home.

"Screw clothes," Amaya scorned sitting up. "It's not like I'm walking around in my birthday suit."

"Yes but it is unhealthy to wear your pajamas all day," Thomas countered.

"Oh I didn't know you went to school to become a doctor," Amaya sneered. "I must have missed those ten years of your life."

"Whatever," Thomas muttered. "Are you coming or not?"

She fell into step behind him as they exited her room. She felt like the walking dead, her mind didn't work very well right after waking up. However, she moved through the halls based off of muscle memory. She knew this place better than anyone else. She could tell the exact location of every small dent or scratch on the plain white walls of the halls, she knew where every book was in the library, she even bothered learning her way around the kitchen. As far as she was concerned that only meant she needed an actual life.

She entered the study behind Thomas and could already see the disapproving look Catherine was giving her. She smiled brightly in defiance as she stood in front of the wood desk.

"Why are you still dressed in your night time attire?" Catherine questioned blandly.

"Oh this?" Amaya teased playing with her loose pajama top. "It's what all the teenage girls are wearing. Oh wait maybe that changed, I wouldn't know since I'm treated like some mentally unstable person."

"I think you're more emotionally unstable…" Thomas said under his breath. He received a jab in the rib cage from Amaya.

"Anyway I heard the good news about Mr. Bennett becoming your bodyguard," Catherine said with a smile. Amaya cringed. Every time she smiled like that one innocent creature falls dead, something bad was going to happen. "The Clave wants you to go on a little trip on Friday."

"So they want to once again exploit my beautiful gift and then send me back to this rat hole." Amaya stated "No offense."

"You truly wound me Amaya," Catherine said, rolling her eyes. "This institute is your home may as well get used to it. When your new bodyguard arrives I expect you to show him to his room. Its right across from yours you shouldn't have any issues. I expect that you'll be on your best behavior."

"With Chris or to where ever I'm being shipped off to?" Amaya inquired.

"Both obviously," Catherine stated. "I believe you're going to New York to take a look at a string of Shadow Hunter Killings."

"Wait I thought that whole scare was over," Thomas said confused.

"It was but it seems like something keeps attacking Shadow Hunters all over the nation," Catherine said sighing. "They haven't been able to find anything to link them together. I'm sure they would appreciate your point of view from an intellectual stand point as well."

"No they wouldn't," Amaya replied immediately. "The second I become too smart for their liking I'm a threat to the Shadow Hunting Society. Ever since Valentine it's no surprise that they would be even more careful. I can't blame them I'd do the same thing, but way more discretely than they do."

"Fine suit yourself. My point being be ready to leave in three days you'll be taking a portal and coming back the next day," Catherine informed. "If you recognize the importance than don't do anything stupid."

"Are you kidding me?" Amaya groaned. "I have to keep up my important image of Satin's mistress. They'd be so disappointed if they found out I don't strangle puppies for fun."

"Oh so you stopped doing that?" Thomas teased. He noticed her slight smile before she turned back to face Catherine who was dead serious.

"I promise I won't get into trouble," Amaya said serious for a change. Catherine gave a slight nod in. "Now if you'll excuse me I have some breakfast to make."

"Amaya it's noon," Thomas informed as she walked away ignoring him. He sighed and shot his mother a look. She only smiled. He left the room with a frustrated groan.

Catherine knew full well that Thomas didn't trust Christian, but she didn't care. Something about him was off but not in a dangerous way. Christian actually reminded her of her late husband. That secret brooding atmosphere was just like him. However, she had to admit she didn't mind having a son like Thomas who could be loud and rash. It was just nice to have family around.

OO00OO

"Amaya is in the kitchen," Jake said to Chris as he entered. Chris shot him a look of confusion. "She prefers to cook her own meals. It gives her a way to pass time. Warning she's in one of her moods, seeing you probably won't help."

"That's great…" Chris muttered. He left his stuff by the door way assuming that he could come back and get it. He graciously rejected Jake's offer to show him around. Most institutes are built the same except for the back churches. He knew exactly where the kitchen was.

He found Amaya sitting at a table eating what looked like a five star breakfast. There was a stack of pancakes, perfectly crisped bacon, and if he wasn't mistaken eggs Benedict. So he guessed that she did more than just sit around all day.

"Christian," Amaya acknowledged. Chris just stared at her not many people called him that, most people called him Chris. It felt weird.

"Amaya you can call me Chris," he said ending the silence. She looked at him blue eyes trying to read his thoughts. She sighed.

"As soon as I finish eating I'll take you to your room," she said. "Then I'll show you around."

"Most institutes are exactly alike. There's no need for that." He watched as she cocked a smirk at him.

"I was just going to be considerate enough to show you the places I usually go. It would be helpful when you're looking for me."

"It'd also waste my time if you did escape and set up places to distract me from searching," Chris commented. He took her grin as a confession to what he had just accused her of doing.

They had minimal conversation as she finished eating. Both had realized that talking about themselves wasn't the others favorite thing to do. When Amaya had made no move to ask him about his past Chris returned the favor. Although Amaya made a few rude comments nothing had been too bad. He might just survive this job.

Chris had dropped his stuff off in his room. Amaya had finally agreed to let him in her room. He was going to equip the window with an alarm. Although she was on the second floor that wasn't really a nasty fall for a Shadow Hunter, but more of a bunny hop. He also wanted to see her actually fight. He needed to know how much he could rely on her to protect herself.

"This is my room," Amaya said opening the door. Chris practically gasped it was so messy and personalized. It was odd for an institute room. Usually they had plain white walls but her walls were painted a light blue and she had a matching ocean comforter on her bed.

"I'm sorry I went into shock," Chris said. "I thought I walked into hell."

"No hell is my bathroom if you want to check that out later," she teased. Amaya was fairly amused by the reaction Chris had. He was an interesting person she had to admit, she couldn't see right through him. Amaya found it refreshing.

"I ask you to kindly step out into the hallway," Chris said rummaging for something in his pockets.

"I will not condone any perverted activity in my room," Amaya replied. "Even if you do put cameras in the room I'll eventually find them."

"I'm sure you will," Chris muttered annoyed. "Just go somewhere else."

"Fine, fine," Amaya sneered. "Don't get your panties in a twist." She ignored a glare from Chris as she exited the room.

Chris proceeded to avoid touching anything unnecessarily and placing small cameras around the room. Also he took his time placing microphones in the room. If Amaya did happen to disable the cameras he would at least be able to hear her escape. Invading her personal space would probably result in a yelling match later, but that was if she discovered everything.

He sighed and set out to find Amaya.

OO00OO

"Oh dear, it seems you've already scared off Chris," teased Jake. He looked at Amaya who was currently in her favorite spot in the entire Institute.

She was positioned sitting on a window sill with a book in hand. Jake vaguely wondered if it belonged to the Institute. It looked fairly new compared to the other books in the library. She continued to ignore his presence but that was normal when she was reading. She didn't like to be disturbed.

"I ordered this book a week ago," Amaya finally stated. Jake waited for her to elaborate but sighed she didn't.

"What book are you reading now?" Jake asked. Amaya sighed and marked the page.

"The Once and Future King," Amaya answered. "I hate it." Jake gave her a curious look.

"Then why are you still reading it?" Jake pressed. Her blue eyes met his brown ones she was serious.

"Actually I commend the author it is an amazing piece of literature," Amaya spoke with her eyes closed.

"What the hell? Stop talking in riddles." Amaya peeked at Jake's annoyed expression with one eye.

"The story is incredibly written and everything is well developed. However, the character and plot themes are completely twisted. I guess I hate it because it exposes things in society that I rather not think about. I haven't personally experienced these, but somehow I can see it happening in the Shadow Hunting world."

"Explain it to me," Jake said facing her with a smile. The one thing Amaya was good at was explaining. Although Jake was a year older, Amaya had actually helped him with his studies. Amaya had graduated the intellectual level she was required to have as a Shadow Hunter about two years ago. She had mentioned how it was only natural because she had nothing better to do with her life.

"The whole book is about King Arthur and his struggles for leadership and what not. I think the most significant theme is 'Might is Right' or 'Might is not Right'. Basically it's debating whether those with power have the authority to act on those who lack it. Isn't that what we do while shadow hunting?"

"Kind of, but we shadow hunt to protect those we love and even mundanes from things," Jake replied thoughtfully. "We do not force ourselves on those with different beliefs." Amaya gave him a pointed look. "Usually… You get my point." Amaya gave her brother like friend a smile.

OO00OO

Chris walked down the corridors of the Institute looking for Amaya. He assumed she would wait in the hallway or maybe in his room, in order to give an eye for an eye. Soon he spotted a boy with black hair and piercing emerald eyes coming towards him.

"Excuse me," Chris asked. The boy shot him a glare immediately after being stopped. Chris realized it was Thomas who had barged into his apartment. "I'm looking for Amaya have you seen her?"

"You're her bodyguard, you should know," Thomas replied icily. "You're already not doing your job properly."

"Where would Amaya go?" Chris asked annoyed with the boy's rude behavior. Thomas glared and this time Chris glared back.

"She went where she goes when she's bored, stressed out, or plain pissed," Thomas stated. "She's probably in the library."

Chris muttered a thank you before heading in the direction he thought the library would be in. He and Thomas weren't going to get along. He and Jake might. Amaya could go either way though; it all depends on how much trouble she gets into.

At the entrance of the library Chris ran into Jake who raised an eyebrow at him.

"She's near the back by a window," Jake said before Chris could say anything. "If you need something to talk about you can just ask about the book she's reading." Jake walked off after that and Chris sighed before opening the door to the library.

The library wasn't enormous, but it had a few different rows of shelves as well as a small second level. He could see light streaming in from above him and assumed that was where Amaya was. He climbed the narrow steps up and started walking towards the light. Soon he could see Amaya reading with her dark hair framing her face.

She looked at him from the corner of her eyes, but didn't say anything. Chris walked up hoping to get some acknowledgment for his presence, nothing.

"What are you reading?" Christian asked. She slammed the book closed and set it down on the window sill.

"I'm not having the same conversation twice in one day," Amaya stated. Chris made a mental note to not listen to Jake's advice again. "Now tell me what you want from me."

"I want to see how much I can rely on you to protect yourself," Chris replied. Amaya was a straight to the point person; he didn't know whether to commend her or absolutely hate her for this.

"So you want to fight me" She asked giving him a look of disbelief. Chris nodded his head and watched a smirk come across her face. "Okay sounds like a plan."

OO00OO

Chris faced a battle ready Amaya. He had already told her she could attack him but they had just been standing there for the past five minutes in silence.

"You know this little exercise was for defense, so I'm probably not going to attack you," Amaya stated. "Your awkwardness is killing me Chris."

"Fine," was all Chris said. If he said anymore he was sure to lose his temper.

He did a basic charge at her expecting her to dodge at the last second, but to his surprise she simply grabbed his wrist twisted and forced him on the ground. She plopped herself on his back contently enjoying how he had already given up.

"You must be out of practice," Amaya teased. Chris just knew she was wearing a sly smile from the tone of her voice.

"You're unusually fast," Chris replied. It was true she moved faster than most active Shadow Hunters.

"You do realize you never had to save me in the first place," Amaya stated. Chris groaned in annoyance. She was right. If she moved that fast she had at least a second more to move out of the way from that fire attack.

"Why do you even need a bodyguard?" Chris asked. Besides the fact she had special abilities she was totally capable of defending herself.

"I don't the Clave thinks I do," Amaya replied. "Besides I don't think I will ever see you as a bodyguard."

"Then what do you see me as?" Chris questioned curiously.

"My own personal amusement."

"Of course you do."

OO00OO

Hey so I'm posting this and continuing this story in celebration of the movie coming out soon. I'll be posting chapters daily leading up to the movie, but after that I'm not sure how often I'll be posting. This was an old story that I'm reposting after editing it. I hope you enjoyed reading.

Thank you for reading!