Right Where You Left Me | Sebastian Sallow |

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: The Keeper's Secrets

I stood atop the Astronomy Tower, watching the sun rise over the red and orange autumn leaves that surrounded the castle.

I stood in silence as I contemplated and thoroughly thought about what I was going to say and ask of the Keepers. The only sound escaping my mouth was an occasional huff due to my annoyance. A cloud of air formed around me from my warm breath making contact with the cold, crisp air.

My freckled cheeks were cold and pink, due to the lengthy amount of time I stood against the railing this morning. I've been out here long before the sun's rays kissed the trees good morning.

I was angry. Angry that the Keepers kept such an important piece of information away from me, showing only what they wanted me to see in each pensieve. Angry because this curse shouldn't have been created in the first place. A curse that fell into the most wrong of hands.

This curse was the reason why the Sallow twins have had such conflict in their lives. Causing such an undoing between them. Tearing them apart from each other between disagreements, and the possibility of death.

A curse that took Anne away from Sebastian.

A curse that took Sebastian away from Ominis.

A curse that took Sebastian away from me.

Rookwood's curse is the defining reason for everything bad that has happened. If Anne was never cursed, Sebastian wouldn't need to find a cure and involve himself with dark magic. Solomon would be alive. Anne would never have left, causing Sebastian to search for her and leave us behind.

The sun now fully shined across the valley. I was done procrastinating this confrontation with the Keepers. I was ready to let my angry thoughts and words out of its cage and release them to its prey.

To the Map Chamber I go.

Down the stairs and long hallways, I finally found myself in the stone dungeon entrance. I traveled down another set of spiral stone stairs till I reached the long corridor that marked the entrance to the Map Chamber.

"Off on another adventure, are we?"

Another reason why I hate the Keepers even more now. They had Ignatia Wildsmith outside their doors, the Floo Powder system.

I didn't even answer her, I marched straight into the Map Chamber.

I haven't been in this part of the castle in so long. The last time being with Fig. I saw no purpose to revisit, nor could I bring myself to.

I entered the large, grand room. I stood atop the small balcony that had stairs to the main floor. As I gazed into the room, I saw that all four Keeper paintings were empty.

Why does this piss me off even more?

Making my way down the stairs and onto the constellation-like floor that created a sophisticated map, I attempted to call the Keepers.

"Keepers! I must speak with all of you at once, show yourselves!"

All four of them stepped into their own personal, large paintings. The first time I stood upon them I was timid, feeling small compared to them with the unknown of my magic.

But now? Here I stood valiant, now knowing what I am capable of with my magic. Full of confidence.

Niamh Fitzgerald spoke out first, "My child, what troubles bring you here? It's been such a long time."

I wanted to yell, totally go off on them at first. But I needed answers as well, I had to be strategic in this conversation.

Don't lose your shit Eliza. Focus.