Consuming Darkness: Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 80

-Sebastian-

Natty, Poppy, and Garreth were still where we'd left them, laughing about something. Ominis and I had gotten trapped talking to Imelda and Holland for far longer than I would have liked but I was trying to not let it dampen my mood too much.

"Where's Ronnie?" I asked, my eyes scanning the room for her.

"Finn wanted to talk to her," Garreth said absentmindedly.

I groaned, that most certainly did dampen my mood. Of course, that prat comes around as soon as she's alone. Finn was such a cowardly little prick. "Where did they go?" I asked as a scowl set on my face.

"I saw them walk out of the Great Hall a few moments ago," Natty told me, noticing my souring mood.

Bloody hell. I'm going to lose my shit on Finn. "Have they been gone long?" I asked her, trying to keep my tone level.

"Finn came right after you walked away," she told me, watching my clenched jaw with concern. She must be realizing how suspicious this all seemed. "I..." she looked around, scanning the room for Ronnie. "I don't know why she's not back yet?"

Suddenly I wasn't in the Great Hall anymore. I was in a dark damp cave, that looked vaguely familiar. There was an eerie echoing drip of water splashing onto the stone. In the middle of the space, there was a faint glow that was slightly illuminating the cave but fully revealed Finnian. The light from his wand casting a sinister glow on the manic grin he had painted on his face.

The music of the Great Hall began to wash back over me before the vision had fully vanished. I held onto the vision as long as I could, trying to commit every detail to memory.

After the Quidditch match where Ronnie had nearly killed herself, I had transfigured my trinket into a ring. The pattern remained the same black stone with white marbling that adorned my index finger on my right hand. When I finally regained my bearings it was the only thing I could look at.

"Sallow?" Natty asked, watching my face. "What's going on? Is everything alright?"

He has her necklace.

"I don't think so..." I growled out. "I'm going to go find her."

"We can help!" She said with a determined look on her face.

"I do admire the Gryffindor courage Nats!" I offered her a sympathetic smile. "If I'm not back in half an hour then start looking around the castle."

"What's going on Sebastian?" Poppy asked, looking between me and Natty.

"I'm not sure..." I admitted.

In a flash, the Great Hall disappeared once again and the music was replaced with the rhythmic dripping of water. Finn had an eager smile on his face now. "Come find me Sallow," he taunted.

"I have to go," I cursed and I came to.

Without acknowledging anything further I turned and began pushing through the crowd. Why were there so many damn people in the bloody school! So many damn people and not one of them helpful! Just in the way!

I was ready to pull my wand out and push everyone out of my way or use the shadows that were bristling around me when I felt someone grab onto the back of my jacket. I turned to snap at them only to see Ominis.

"Stay here Ominis," I huffed out and resumed my pursuit through the crowd, nearly at the door. Thank Merlin.

Ominis didn't let go. With this many people, it was much easier to get through a crowd with a guide than his wand. Ominis hated large crowds for that very reason. People were unpredictable and when there were a lot of them it made it extremely difficult.