Under Your Scars || Sebastian Sallow x MC

Chapter 69 - The Path

I think I've seen this film before
And I didn't like the ending
I'm not your problem anymore
So who am I offending now?
You were my crown
Now I'm in exile, seein' you out
I think I've seen this film before
So, I'm leavin' out the side door

Exile

-Taylor Swift

____________

Juliette POV

The screaming stopped by the time we opened the door, though neither of us were ready for what awaited us on the other side.

A heap of blue pajamas laid at the top of the stairs that lead to the professor's office. The shock of silvery-blonde hair left little room for questioning just which Ravenclaw it was that laid before us.

No no no no no.

Sebastian and I rushed to her, tenderly turning her body over to find absolute horror.

Her skin, once smooth and fair, was now cracked like porcelain. Her blue eyes were open, lifeless.

I placed her head in my lap and leaned down over her body, holding my breath as I listened for any sign of life.

And I waited...

And waited...

Nothing.

She was gone.

Carina Parkinson was dead.

"What did this?" I asked Sebastian as I traced one of the fresh lines in her delicate skin.

Our eyes met in solemn understanding.

Sebastian did not linger over his student's body for long, He rose from the ground, eyes determined as he rolled his sleeves and retrieved his wand once more. He descended what remained of his stone steps and wove through his shattered Hebridean Black skeleton that had fallen from the ceiling.

There was nothing more I could do for Carina, so I shut her eyes with my fingertips and rose to follow Sebastian from the room. We were down the steps of the Defense Against the Dark Arts Tower before he realized I was following him. He suddenly turned and gripped me by the shoulders.

"Go, find Weasley, round up the faculty," he said intensely, more of an order than a request. "I will follow her."

I could not believe that Sebastian still did not realize we did not need to 'follow' her at all.

I knew exactly where she was going.

"I'll go with you," I said confidently as I tried to squirm past him. His grip on my shoulders remained firm, then he moved one hand to my stomach.

"But, the baby," he said, his brow furrowed.

I placed one of my hands over his, which was already surging with Ancient Magic. I could see my glowing eyes reflected in Sebastian's.

He had once called me the most powerful witch of our age. Now, I would be asking him to test that theory.

"We will be fine," I promised.

Sebastian's eyes darted around for a moment, torn between his urgency to find Rose and his concern for my safety. With a lip twitch and a roll of his eyes, he conceded.

"Stay behind me," he ordered in a low tone as we drew our wands.

Onward we pressed, following Rose's path of destruction as it wound through the castle. Along the way we passed shattered windows and splintered staircases. Fortunately, most of the school was abed.