DELGADO || Sebastian Sallow (Hogwarts Legacy)

Part 21 - Kiss and Tell

ꕀꕥ〡~𐀔~〡ꕥꕀ

❝These nightmares were becoming dangerous.❞

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Marvolo tossed our jackets onto my lap before making his way toward the escape exit, his pace relentless. It almost felt like we were flying with how quickly he moved. When we reached the door, he kicked it open with his foot and carried me outside into the cold, unforgiving night.

A sharp wind bit at my bare skin, making me shiver. I hurried to slip my coat on, but there were no cabs or cars in sight—not that he was planning to wait. Without hesitation, he ducked into a dark alley, holding me close as the world around us blurred.

The familiar pull of Apparition rushed over me.

We landed in my bedroom, and he wasted no time. Marvolo set me down on the edge of the table before disappearing into the bathroom. The sound of running water filled the silence as he prepared a warm bath. From the corner of the room, he grabbed my old, dust-covered robe and hung it on the bathroom door alongside a fresh towel.

When he returned, his sharp gaze swept over me once more. Without a word, he took the jackets from my hands and tossed them onto the nearby chair.

"I couldn't check you properly back at the club, not with all those people around," he said, his voice steady but laced with tension. "Are you hurt?"

I shook my head quickly. "Not that I'm certain of," I replied, my own eyes scanning my body.

Then, I saw them.

Dark, angry marks had already formed on my wrists where Sebastian had gripped me. I swallowed hard and instinctively moved my hands behind my back before he could notice.

Marvolo crouched in front of me, carefully removing my shoes. His fingers brushed along my toes, my ankles, my calves—searching, inspecting. His sigh was heavy when he finally spoke.

"I don't think you understand the effect you have on me, Delgado."

Before I could respond, he lifted me into his arms once more, carrying me into the bathroom. The warmth of the room wrapped around my frozen skin, and he placed me gently onto the soft rug.

"Turn around," he murmured.

I did as he asked, my back now facing him. His fingers moved to the zipper of my dress, slowly pulling it down. The fabric slid from my shoulders, and he guided it down my body with care.

Then, he stopped.

A deep, guttural growl rumbled in his chest.

Without another word, he took my hand and led me to the mirror. Turning me toward my reflection, he pointed to the side of my body.

"What the hell happened there?"

My breath caught.

A fresh bruise—dark purple, blue, and red—spread across my skin.

Sebastian had hurt me more than I realized.

I forced my expression to stay neutral. "I fell to the ground," I lied quickly.

Marvolo didn't look convinced, but before he could press further, I stepped into the warm water, letting it swallow me. I sunk lower, hiding my wrists beneath the surface before he could see the evidence of what really happened.

The heat enveloped me, but it couldn't wash away the images flashing through my mind. Sebastian's voice. His touch. The way he—

I clenched my jaw and reached for the soap, lathering it over my skin as if I could scrub away the memory itself.