In the Shadow of Injustice

Prologue Part 4

After the ceremony in Fig's honor, I told Sebastian about Rookwood cursing Anne. He was glad to know the truth and was going to tell her, sure she would find peace from it. Then I collapsed. I was in the hospital for only a day after that, my depression swallowing me. Ominis was my light during those hours, hovering near while Sebastian was nowhere to be seen. Ominis told me he was spending countless hours in the library, but I was too upset to care. I didn't want to deal with him, not after that. I didn't want to do anything but I knew I had to, to distract myself. Ominis told me Sebastian had gone to see Anne, that the curse wasn't broken. Sebastian figured he was still alive, of course, he did. After I was released I went to find him.

******

Sebastian was sitting on a bench near the Great Lake, looking up as he saw her approaching.

"Hey," he greeted her softly as she sat down beside him. "How are you feeling?"

Johanna smiled at him, "I'll be fine. I'm more worried about you." She took in the dark circles under his eyes, ink and chalk staining the hands she took into her own. "You've been studying the relic again, haven't you? You need to leave it be, okay?

Sebastian sighed, his shoulders drooping slightly as he watched her stroke the back of his hand with her thumb. "I know you're worried," he mumbled. "But I can't just stop now. Not when there's still a chance that it could cure Anne. You need to recover before you try anything, your emotions are too unstable."

Johanna swallowed, desperately wanting to tell him the truth but she didn't. She didn't want to crush all his hope. So she made the decision she'd later regret. "Okay. Just...please be careful. It's already changed you. Don't go so far that I can't save you."

Sebastian looked up at her, his expression torn. He knew that she was right. The relic had already started to change him.

He was quiet for a long moment, his fingers drumming nervously against his leg. Finally, he spoke. "I won't go too far," he agreed. "I promise."

******

But that promise didn't last...the main sign he was gone. Sebastian never broke his promises.

A couple of days later I found myself outside the catacombs in Feldcroft, discussing a very complicated plan to save Anne. Anne was glad to see me but very suspicious about the plan. I told Sebastian it had gone too far, that I was worried for him, worried about what Solomon would do. He assured me that it would be fine, that his uncle knew dark magic likely as he had been an auror, and that we shouldn't tell him as he had never been a help before. Even Anne agreed her uncle was wrong for sending Sebastian away, even though she didn't like him using imperio.

I made him promise again that he would be careful and left him to it. I brought my phoenix back to the Room of Requirement, before sneaking out with Natty to finally confront Harlow.

The next morning while visiting Natty in the hospital wing I received Ominis's desperate letter. I rushed to the catacombs where my worst fear had become reality. Anne and Ominis were arguing, Anne didn't want to stay and I don't blame her after what I saw down there.

Ominis was angry at me but apologized when I told him Sebastian never would have listened. We hurried inside, there were so many inferi and no sign of the boy we both loved. We both agreed he must not be in his right mind. I tried to protect Ominis the best I could but I was surprised he was protecting me as well, and doing fairly well against the inferi. "Don't put yourself in danger trying to protect me." he urged. I think that was truly the moment I considered Ominis a real friend. And he proved it again when he left to try to tell Professor Black it was nothing but a family fight, even though he was mad at Sebastian.