Me and the Devil: Sebastian Sallow

Chapter ONE SEVENTEEN - Bones and Relic

Shattered hearts beat together in the flickering light of the Undercroft candles. Bits of wax slipped down over the stone ledges, caked to the walls and pillars in streaks as long as the tears in our sanity.

Sebastian's breathing hadn't steadied much since our silent decision to retrieve the relic. He'd wiped quickly at the tears on his cheeks, smothering them into his skin. Though he had apologized profusely for leaving, he had also been very clear that his heart had been torn, needing space to understand what he'd been feeling and fearing his own hopes. Something in his mind had ripped him from the memory upon seeing Isidora's success and whats more that it had strengthened her. Not only that, the screams in the trial had effected him far more than I had realized.

His babbled whispers recounted them over and over, crushed beneath the weight on his shoulders.

He'd stammered a bit, trying to explain just how overwhelmed he had become. I'd been incredibly grateful that even though his soul had felt considerably more reserved, he had allowed us the peace of hearing his thoughts rather than the conflict of his silence. At least for now.

I didn't want to dwell on it, but something decidedly different bubbled just below the surface of his thoughts. My own smashed at the walls of my scull, screaming that there was something he was holding back, but I'd promptly smothered them with the feel of his skin beneath my fingertips.

Ominis reluctantly left to give us some space once he felt Sebastian had calmed enough, promising to return later after he'd rested for a bit. 

He had reached out to me before stepping back and swallowed deeply and speaking slowly.

"I am- terribly sorry about your parent's Atley darling. You... didn't deserve that."

My heart had stumbled upon the realization that he now knew a small bit of my secret.

His hand had trailed down from my shoulder and arm as he'd said goodbye and I'd caught Sebastian's eyes trained on the movement.

The silence of Ominis' missing heartbeat stung the air like a million beestings. Sebastian pressed his lips together, waiting for the final clang of metal from the Undercroft exit. 

"We need to head to an area just outside Feldcroft. A catacomb. That's where the relic ought to be and that's where we will go." He'd righted his shoulders and I'd tugged on his arm.

"Don't you think we should sleep first? Aren't you tired?"

"No." The bags under his eyes said differently. "I'm not- I won't waste any more time Atley. Without your ancient magic... I need to- Anne needs me- us."

A pit curled at the bottom of my stomach.

"I believe one of Slytherin's students stumbled upon the relic during an assignment to study sarcophagi in that catacomb. From what I read in a report by the student, they weren't permitted to take it with them... so, I must assume it's still there."

"And... you're sure this relic... Is it safe? We need to be careful with Dark Magic Sebastian."

He'd dipped his chin low, running a hand over the hem of his shirt. "The relic grants its holder the power to reverse Dark Magic cursus. That sounds to me just what we need."

Trust wrapped around my wrists like cuffs.

"Alright."

----

I couldn't recall the last time I'd slept. Couldn't remember the last time I'd looked at a clock. Days and nights had trimmed to minutes and seconds and I was neither surprised nor confused to find the sky outside dark and filled with clouded stars.