Seeing You Again: Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Eighteen

Amara

But first, there's a certain Gryffindor I need to speak with. Finding him is easy. Rylan and Sebastian have more in common than they think. One major similarity is that they're loud. With my arms crossed over my chest, I wait for him to exit the side where his team is changing out of their uniforms. He's one of the last to exit, and when he sees me, his eyes widen in surprise.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite Hufflepuff." Before I can register his actions, he sweeps me in his arms and hugs me tightly. "Are you here to comfort me after our loss?"

He lets go of me before my balance returns. I stumble back, and with a grunt, I respond, "No, I'm here to ask why you decided to leave your seeker unprotected and go after Sebastian Sallow. Who was, according to the playbook, not someone you should have been concerned about."

"No one plays Quidditch with the playbook in mind," he snarks. "I went after Sallow because he's a legendary player. I had to be on his tail before he could go after my seeker."

"Don't play me for a fool. You went after him because—"

"Because what? Because I'm jealous of your little boyfriend? Let's not inflate your ego."

My eyes widen and I take a step back. "My ego?" I ask in amused shock. "Oh, please. The last thing I'm doing is boosting my ego. If anything, you have the ego that needs to be monitored."

"And why is that?" he asks with an arched brow.

"You and I both know why you went after Sebastian."

"Please, tell me. Elaborate, Pendragon."

"You're upset because I forgave him—"

"I have every right to be!" he cuts me off. "He only ever used you for your magic. When you left, he didn't mourn your absence. He hopped right into Imelda's bed and continued on with his life. You're the one who suffered. Not him!"

"You don't know him like I do," I mumble. "You don't know what we've seen. What we've done."

"You and I both know he only wants you because of the power that lives within your core. His sister—"

"Is none of your concern!" I defend. "And you don't know anything. You don't know me or what I want."

"What? You want him? Someone who is mentally unstable, selfish, power-hungry, and an absolute twat?"

"He's a twat, but he's my twat! And I left him, not the other way around. I was the one who cast myself to the side. He shouldn't have mourned my absence because I didn't deserve it. I only ever wanted him to be happy, and if Imelda made him happy, then so be it!"

"You're a fool," Rylan clicks his tongue. "Don't come crawling back to me when he breaks your heart."

"I'd rather choke on a troll's big toe," I remark with a hint of disgust.

He squints at me in disgust before storming off. I take a moment to gather my wits, releasing a shaky breath and focusing on my heartbeat. After all I've been through, confrontation has never been my strong suit. If I had to pick going through that again or fighting an endless horde of spiders. . . I'd pick the spiders.

With my gaze on the ground, I turn around and start toward the castle.

"So, you think I'm a twat?"

I jump at the sudden intrusion, grasping at my chest. "Fucking hells, Sebastian, when did you get here?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" he teases.