Fighting for the Lost (Sebastian's Daughter Book 4) (COMPLETE)

Chapter 45

Several days passed as everyone waited to see what would happen to Selena. The anxiety in the manor had never been higher, and people rarely exchanged words. Finny was told he had to return to the Phantomhive Estate, which he did so reluctantly. Sebastian came by whenever he had a free moment to do so, and Alex never left his sister's side.

Samantha came in often to check on him. She brought him water and fresh blankets, and tried to get him to speak, to hope. But he never said a word, and simply stared at his sister, tightly holding her fragile hand in his.

Maria said that if she hadn't woken up within the week, then the medicine most likely hadn't worked, and she was going to be lost to them soon.

By the end of day five, there had been no change.

"You need to rest, Alex," Samantha told him that night. "She wouldn't want you pushing yourself past your limits like this."

Alex didn't respond. He simply stared at Selena.

Samantha sighed. She'd offered countless times already to watch Selena for him, but he never answered her. He was worried sick over his sister, and she understood that perfectly. She thought back on her days as a human, when her younger siblings would get sick and she would sit at their bedside, comforting them as they fought off disease and infection. She understood his pain. She wouldn't be able to get him to step away.

Instead, she wrapped a fresh blanket around his shoulders. "I'll come back in the morning. Goodnight, Alex."

She then left the room, and Alex was once again left alone with his sister.

*

It was the end of day six, when the entire manor was beginning to lose hope, that it happened.

Selena gasped for air and bolted upright, scaring Alex to the point where he almost fell out of his chair. His sister's grip on his hand was strong. More so than he'd ever felt from her.

She was breathing heavily, and brought her free hand up to her face, wiping away both sweat and fatigue. A moment later, she looked over to her brother.

"Alex?" she asked slowly, as if she had to get used to moving her jaw again. "What happened? Where am I?"

He didn't answer her. He jumped up from his chair and tackled her in a hug. Selena let out a squeal, then hugged him back.

"I was so worried," Alex told her, squeezing her tightly. It sounded to Selena like he was holding back tears.

Her body relaxed at his words. "I'm right here, Alex. I'm sorry I scared you, but I genuinely don't remember what happened. We were in that maze-like building, and then went to fight Nathaniel..." she pulled back suddenly. "He's dead, right? Please tell me someone killed him."

The fear in her eyes was real. She really didn't remember anything.

Maybe it would be better that way.

Alex nodded. "He's dead, Selena. You won't have to worry about him anymore."

She glanced down at her hands, clearly not sure if she should feel bad that he was dead or relieved. "And Finny and Samantha? They're okay?"

"Just worried sick about you," he answered. "I should go tell someone you're awake. I'll be right ba-"

Even before he could stand, the door to the room flew open, and there stood Sebastian.

"Dad," Selena said softly.

Sebastian quickly walked over and hugged his daughter tightly. "How are you feeling, Selena?"

"I don't know," she answered honestly. "I'm so confused. What happened? How long was I out?"

Sebastian glanced over at his son, who merely shook his head.

"Well, you and your friends finally defeated Nathaniel, but the battle took its toll on you and your illness, it seems. It pains me that I could not be here for you the entire time, and that I was not there to protect you and the others when you were attacked, but you were strong and made it through, and I'm so proud of you."

Selena's eyes filled with tears.

"Maria gave you your medicine, Selena. We were so very close to losing you. But you woke up. You're here."

There was nothing but silence for a moment as Selena let Sebastian's words sink in.

Then, she held her head in her hands and cried.

*

Selena's POV:

I had no idea how long I cried, but as I did, I felt everything that had been going through my body for the last week once again.

It was like a war was raging, the evil winning, until a warm glow spread through me, and the good was able to prevail. But sometimes, the glow would fade for a while, and the evil had time to regroup and attack again, stronger than before. The pain had been unbearable until the warmth returned and stayed. Then good was able to win, and I awoke with a start, as if I'd been held underwater for the entirety of it. The experience had been far from pleasant, but I was awake now, and as far as my illness was concerned, I couldn't feel it anywhere, other than some fatigue that came with sleeping for a week straight.

"Hey, I saw Sebastian rush in and was worried," came a voice from the door, pulling me from my thoughts and away from my tears. Samantha was standing there, a huge smile on her face. "I'll go get Maria!" she exclaimed, then ran back down the hall, shouting for the reaper.

Almost instantaneously, the room was filled with demons from around the manor, most of which I could recognize from the last time I'd been here. Alex held tightly to my hand and Dad stood beside me as they all asked me questions and examined me.

When Samantha finally returned with Maria in tow, most of the demons had left the room. The reaper rushed over to me, shooing away the few that remained.

"Selena, dear, how are you feeling?" she asked hurriedly, as if she was worried I would soon pass out again.

I looked down at my hands. "I'm tired and confused, but other than that, I feel no trace of my illness at all." I knew I wasn't cured. There was no cure for what plagued me. But at least for a while I was going to be myself again, and that thought alone made me smile.

Maria sighed in relief. "That's wonderful to hear, Selena. We were all so worried. I knew I had replicated the medicine correctly; I'd checked it over numerous times. Still, I was worried I overlooked or messed up something when you didn't awaken within the next day or so. We were all starting to lose hope."

Alex's hand holding mine tightened.

I gave him a reassuring squeeze in return, confirming that I was right beside him. "I knew you could do it, Maria. Thank you."

She smiled warmly, tears threatening her eyes. "I'm going to leave you alone and let you spend time with your family and get some rest. I'll come check up on you again later."

I nodded, and as Maria turned to leave, the door opened once more.

This time, standing in the doorway, was Finny.