Post Tenebras Lux

Ventorum Mutatio

The trio burst through the door and were immediately horrified by the scene before them. Sebastian was restrained to the torture device, his entire bare torso covered in blood. Marvolo stood nearby with a branding iron in his hand.

"Ah, my sweet little brother and his friends have come to join the fun."

Ominis set his jaw in anger. "Enough, Marvolo." He pointed his wand in Marvolo's direction.

Aelin hurried over to Sebastian, who tried to flash her a pained smile.

"You're going to be okay, Seb. I'll get you out of here." She whispered.

She started working with the restraints on the device to try to free him, while Ominis distracted Marvolo.

"What shall I do with you, little brother?" Marvolo sneered. "Always trying to interfere with my plans...It's pathetic really. You're a disgrace to the Gaunt name. If only you were more like me..."

"I would never want to be like you, Marvolo. I would never want to be twisted enough to enjoy terrorizing muggles and half-bloods." Ominis snapped back at his brother.

"Terrorizing?" Marvolo laughed wickedly. "I'm merely fulfilling my duties as an heir to Salazar Slytherin."

Ominis scoffed in disgust. "I don't wish to have any part in this. If I could take the Gaunt blood from my veins, I would."

"I can certainly arrange that for you, little brother."

After a few more minutes of arguing with Ominis, Marvolo seemed to come to the realization that he had been turned away from Sebastian for too long. When he finally turned around, Aelin had already freed his now bloodied captive. He quickly pulled out his wand and pointed it at her.

"Not another move, Malfoy."

Aelin pointed her wand right back at him, still holding on to Sebastian with her other hand. "Stay back, Marvolo."

Marvolo chuckled darkly and took a step toward her. "Or what, princess? What do you intend to do?"

Aelin felt Sebastian tug on her hand and turned to him. "Aelin...don't try to fight him...just leave me, I'll be fine." He rasped.

"Absolutely not, Seb. You're coming back with us. Even if I have to fucking kill him..."

Marvolo laughed out loud. "Kill me? And how do you plan to do that? Do you really think I'd go down so easily?"

Aelin rolled her eyes at his arrogance.

"But, princess. I am willing to make a deal. You stay here with me, and I let Sallow go back with my little brother and his-"

"Watch your tongue, Marvolo." Ominis hissed, not even waiting to hear what Marvolo was about to call Anne.

Marvolo shook his head, but continued talking. "Like I was saying...I am not against the idea of coming to an agreement, Sallow lives if you stay with me, Miss Malfoy..."

"D..Don't do it, Aelin..." Sebastian whispered weakly.

"Like I would ever negotiate with you, Marvolo." Aelin spat.

"Very well then. Sallow dies." He shrugged and pointed his wand at Sebastian. "Avada-"

"Imperio."

Aelin turned and stared in shock. Ominis, who had always advocated against the use of the dark arts, had just cast imperio on his older brother.

"Marvolo, you will allow us all to escape to safety. And you will not come after us." Ominis commanded.

The now entranced Marvolo simply nodded.