Aldertree clapped his hands together before he said, "Now, let's get to it. I've reviewed your statements, along with the reports of your unsanctioned missions. And I can come to no other conclusion that Jace Wayland is a traitor to the Clave."

Madeline cleared her throat, "Jace is not a traitor." She stated, catching the attention of Aldertree and others. Alec stood by his sisters side, also looking at Aldertree with a stern expression.

"Point of fact. Clary said Jace called to warn you about Valentine's trap, which got me thinking... Jace had multiple chances to kill Valentine, but he chose to let him leave. Now, Valentine, Jace, and the Cup are missing. Do the math."  Aldertree insisted before Clary and Isabelle joined Alec and Madi's sides.

"There is no way we're gonna help you hunt Jace!" Clary growled. "And I'd never ask you to. You and your friends are prohibited from any further involvement for the hunt for Jace Wayland." Aldertree decided as Izzy and Clary looked shocked. "Are you fucking kidding me!?" Madi snapped angrily at Aldertree.

Aldertree turned back to the crowd. "The rest of you, back to work. I'm lifting the lockdown on the Institute, except for Madeline, Clary and Jocelyn. Given your relationship to Valentine and Jace, I wanna keep a close eye on you."

Madi's glare hardened, and she turned on her heels and left. Isabelle and Alec watched her leave, also feeling furious.

☠︎︎

As Magnus is practicing magic on his balcony shirtless, Malia laid on the sofa, reading through some mundane magazine she found on the way home.

"Anyway.. I wanted to kiss Clary," Malia began, calling out to Magnus who was still on the balcony. "And I think she wanted to kiss me.. not fully sure— but we didn't get the chance because Simon interrupted us." The younger Bane huffed. "Do you think he is jealous?"

Magnus didn't respond, too busy focusing on practicing his magic. Malia sighed, sitting upright, before she heard a knock at the door.

"Mags, put a damn shirt on. It's cold out." Malia huffed to her brother, before she walked over to the apartment door, opening it to see Alec. "Oh hey cutie. You here for me?" Malia asked, teasingly as Alec deadpanned her. "Don't flirt with me. I'll tell you now that I'm definitely not interested." Malia shrugged, "Fine. I'll stop."

The warlock stepped aside, "I take it you're here for Magnus?" She asked, as Alec nodded, taking a step inside. "Did you guys have a little lover's spat? He doesn't seem.. too happy." Malia asked. Alec felt a pang of guilt, but didn't answer her, instead he walked over to the balcony. "Nice chat!" Malia muttered under her breath.

"Magnus. I'm not good at apologies, but I'm... I'm sorry." Alec began as Magnus replied with, "Continue."

"I'm... really sorry." The Lightwood said. "For?"

Malia snorted in amusement, before she curled back up again on the couch, reading the same magazine.

"Look, can you just cut that out for a second?" Alec asked, referring to the magic. Magnus threw a ball of magic towards Alec, just misses him and it hit the lamp near Malia, turning off the light. "Hey!" The younger Bane huffed.

Malia got to her feet, and headed to the kitchen to grab something to drink. She was really doing anything to avoid the tension filled conversation going on in the living room.

She returned to the living room, before she heard Magnus say to Alec, "You're forgiven. Also, you're great at apologies." Alec chuckled, "Thanks. I've been working on it."

Malia watched the pair, as they weren't aware to her looming. "Here's the thing... we're always going to face challenges. So when things get crazy, don't push me away." Magnus spoke, looking to Alec who seemed to be trying to find words to respond with.

Malia smiled sadly, feeling tears fill her eyes. Without a word, she opened a portal, disappearing suddenly.

☠︎︎

Malia stood amongst the Sakura trees in Tokyo, Japan. She watched as the beautiful pink petals hit the floor.

Avery had always wanted to go to Japan, and Malia promised if they escaped Edom together, she'd take him there.

Avery raced after his love, watching her walk away in complete fury. "Malia! Malia, please—"

The Bane span around, her eyes filled with tears. "What!? What do you want?" Malia spat, as Avery tried not to take offence to her tone. "I know something is wrong, Malia. You know you can talk to me." He insisted, but Malia shook her head and went to continue storming away.

"Please, don't push me away." Avery pleaded, as the warlock stopped in her tracks. "I.. I want to be there for you, Malia. Please, let me."

Malia faced Avery now. "My brother and his girlfriend hate me and my mother is dead— so I came here. To literal, hell. And I hate it. I hate my Dad, I hate this place— I hate everything! My life is just.. a curse. I am.... I'm cursed."

Avery took a step forward, watching the tears fall from Malia's eyes. He gently cradled her face. "You're not cursed. You're the furthest thing from it."

Malia placed her hand over his, "I don't belong anywhere, Avery. I don't have a home. I thought it was here, but it's definitely not."

Avery nodded, understanding. "Sometimes.. home isn't a place.. but a person." He began, before looking into Malia's sad eyes. "I look at you and... I'm home."

The pair hugged tightly, as Malia cried in Avery's arms. He held her for what felt like hours, but not once did he complain or even show any little sign of being tired of it. He wanted to be there for her, more than anything.

"Malia.. can you promise me that.. when things get tough, you won't push me away? I.. I want to be there for you."

"I promise." Malia blurted, aloud, breaking out of her trance. The younger Bane never felt like she'd belonged in Edom, that was until Avery was gone, killed by her. Once she had nothing to lose, she delved and accepted her new lifestyle in Edom, absolutely wreaking havoc alongside her father.

Malia sat down, underneath one of the Sakura trees, as pink cherry blossom petals landed in her hair. She thought about Clary, and how in such a short amount of time, she had these feelings for her. Malia had forgotten what it was like to love, and to care.. but it was as if Clary had unlocked something in her.

The warlock looked down at her bracelet, before sighing heavily. "I need to put a pin in this before Clary gets hurt.. I'm cursed, I can't.... I can't love her." She thought to herself, before she laid back, looking up at the urban night sky, as petals blew in the wind.

☠︎︎

AUTHORS NOTE

Thank you for getting Cursed to 1k reads!!

I hope you guys are liking this fic! Out of all of my fics, this one has been my favourite to write so far. :0

Anyway question, what friendships would you like to see more of with Malia or Madeline??