Scars of her Blood • Shadowhunters

Chapter 36: Inverted World

Celia knocked on the door of Maryse's office:

"Do you have a moment for me?"

Maryse nodded and gestured for Celia to take a seat in front of the desk. Celia sat down:

"So this murder investigation in which Lydia Branwell insisted of making me a suspect. What happened to that?"

Maryse shrugged:
"You provided Aldertree with an alibi did you not? Your friend confirmed that you were with him that night."

"So I don't have to expect the Clave to come after me about this any longer?"

"No.", Maryse shook her head, "if that were the case, they would have done so already."

"Good.", Celia leaned back in the chair, "any other interesting news from Idris?"

Maryse raised an eyebrow, but before she could answer, Alec walked into the room. He handed each of them a folded paper:

"The invitations for Max' party."

"That was quick.", Celia mumbled and unfolded the paper. She skimmed the text and when her eyes landed on the location, she let out a chuckle. Maryse seemed to have read it as well, because she slowly placed the paper on the table:

"At the residence of Magnus Bane?", she questioned in a deadly tone, "that's very kind of your friend to offer to host this. But the Rune Ceremony is a solemn rite of passage for Shadowhunters. Not some Downworlder rave."

"Where does it say anything about a rave?", Alec remained surprisingly calm, "and why is it only for Shadowhunters?"

"Its tradition!", Maryse exclaimed.
"I'm invited", Celia spoke up. Maryse sent her an annoyed glance:
"That is entirely different."

"How?", Alec asked, "everyone that cares about Max should be there. That includes Magnus and me. Together. If dad were here, he would understand."

Maryse looked like she had been hit in the face:
"Well, he is not here.", her voice had something so final to it, that neither Alec nor Celia wanted to respond to this. Maryse sighed:

"Alec. I don't want to fight with you. But this dinner, it should be about family."

"What family?", Alec snapped, "last time, you wanted to kill Jace!"

"I was following orders!", Maryse started raising her voice as well.

"You keep saying that, it begins to lose its meaning.", Alec snarled. Celia got up from her chair. She felt the sudden urge to leave the room. What he had just said applied as much to her as it did to Maryse. But Alec turned his head and looked at Celia with an unforgiving expression, which made her freeze in her movements and remain in the office. Maryse sighed once more:

"You are right. Of course I will be there. Thank you for going through all this trouble for us."

"Thank Magnus.", Alec stated coldly and left the room. Celia hurried to follow him.

"Good on you for standing your ground against your mother.", Celia started, "but are you sure you are not provoking her a bit much?"

Alec whirled around:

"Who are you to judge anyone for provoking people. Are you on my side or not?"

Celia raised her hands:

"Whoa, okay. Of course I'm on your side. But how do you think Max feels about this being used for a fight between you and your parents?"

"He approves of me being with Magnus. I don't think he would mind.", Alec took a deep breath, "find something proper to wear. It's a formal occasion."