Legacy Disowned - Book 2

Chapter 3 - A Strange Feeling

How was it morning already?

Sebastian rolled over with a groan, forcibly peeling open his leaden eyes. He wasn't sure if he'd actually managed to get any sleep at all.

The previous night's party had wound down late, he should have been out like a light. But at some point during the festivities, in the midst of all the catching up and unlikely introductions, Sebastian had begun to feel... uneasy.

By the time he'd managed to sneak in a quick goodnight to Darling and everyone headed off to their respective dormitories, that feeling had developed into an inexplicably nagging sense of dread. And once his head hit the pillow it'd coiled itself into an anxious knot in his gut, just below his rib cage. He'd spent most of the night staring at the canopy of his bed, trying desperately to untie it. And what was worse, was that he just couldn't seem to identify where this strange feeling had come from.

Perhaps everyone returning to the school had thrown him off balance?

They'd had the run of the castle all summer, just him and Darling— and occasionally Ominis. Maybe the abrupt influx of people was making him feel put out, like there were suddenly a bunch of unwanted guests disturbing the sanctuary of their home.

If that was the case, he needed to get a grip. There was a whole year ahead and he was going to need to get used to other people being around... invading his space... inserting themselves into his social circle.

With a resigned huff, Sebastian forced himself up, letting his feet fall heavily to the floor and began pulling on some clothes before halfheartedly attempting to tame his impossible hair.

"Its just another term," he assured himself. "You've done this before."

Sebastian repeated those words in his head several times, trying to drive them home, but somehow, his own reassurances were only making him feel even more on edge. As he stepped into the common room however, he finally felt himself relax a bit. There, by the windows, waiting for him, were Darling and Ominis.

"No seriously Ominis," Darling was saying, as she attempted to tap Ominis' nose with her finger between his defensively swatting hands. "There's one outside right now."

"You are single handedly ruining this tradition for me," Ominis snipped, though Sebastian saw the corner of his mouth twitching. "We are supposed to be convincing the new first years, it's a right of passage. Not just—"

"Sebastian!" Darling greeted brightly upon catching sight of him. "Finally! I was starting to worry we'd overdone it last night and killed you."

"Leave him be Darling," Ominis said dryly. "We both know our dear Sebastian requires more beauty sleep than the rest of us."

"Funny," Sebastian replied, catching Darling's eye and exchanging a quick smirk. "Merlin's beard! Is that a mermaid outside the window?"

Ominis deadpanned. "I hate you both."

Darling giggled, bouncing to her feet. "Come on, let's head to breakfast. We still need to get our schedules."

As they made their way upstairs, Sebastian allowed himself to settle into the easy routine of being in the company of his friends. Whatever this strange feeling was, it was irrational. Everything was perfectly fine, just as it should be. In fact, by the time they emerged into the entrance hall he'd almost entirely forgotten the unexplainable sense of impending doom. That was, until a truly grating voice rang out behind them.

"Miss Darling!"

The knot in Sebastian's gut tightened in an instant.

Leander Prewett was jogging up to them, his freckled face lit up with an eagerness that bordered on desperation.