Invisible String - Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Fourteen: The Repository

I was back in the common room five minutes later, having dashed down to the bathroom for a spare set of robes and shoes. The robes I'd hidden were a little more ornate than I really thought necessary for a late night walk, but it was what I could get without risking waking Imelda or any of the other girls in my room.

My black attire was armored, one shoulder ordained with a golden chain, the clasps to secure me into it going up onto my neck. I pulled a pair of black traveling pants on and laced up a pair of tall black boots I'd tucked away with it. I pulled a dragon hide black cape on over top and stared in the mirror.

Last time I wore this, I'd watched Fig die in the Repository.

Ignoring the pang I felt, I pulled my hair back into its normal half up, half down state and tucked my hands into a pair of fingerless black gloves.

Taking one last glance in the mirror, I raced back up to meet Sebastian.

He was standing by the staircase, waiting for me as I slipped my wand into the thigh holster, securing it tightly. I was pleased to see I hadn't over dressed. He wore a set of black traveling robes as well, a dragon hide coat pulled over his shoulders, his own hands tucked into a pair of gloves, wand held tightly in his right.

"Where are we going?" I asked him, taking his arm as he extended it to me.

We walked up the winding stone stairs and he looked at me with a nervous grin. "I was actually hoping we could talk about this Repository of yours."

I knew it was coming, and still thought he'd say something else. But truthfully, he was owed this. Dreams aside, it was time I fully opened up to him about what had happened that day.

Nodding once, I pushed through the entrance to our common room, stepping into the hallway and making sure there were no teachers or prefects in sight. I motioned for him to follow me, and he fell into step next to me.

We walked in silence side by side as I led him down flight after flight of stairs, through a iron gate and into a damp empty room with nothing but another downward stone staircase in the center.

"It's right here? Merlin, seems like anyone could have stumbled on the entrance."

He walked around the room, taking it all in. I watched him for a moment, realizing just how right he was. Anyone could have stumbled on this room- without the trials. Shaking my head, I turned away from his eager face, locking my eyes on the staircase again. My heart rate picked up speed, my breathing shallow.

Sebastian stood before me, back to me, his feet right at the staircase, waiting for me.

I wasn't moving.

I hadn't been here since it happened. Hadn't checked in with the Keepers. Hadn't so much as followed a single itch my ancient magic had given me since Ranrok. Since Fig.

He looked back at me.

"Abbi?"

I barely heard him. I was staring at the stairs, staring through him like he wasn't there, like they would just swallow me whole at a moments notice. He walked up to me, his hand resting on my shoulder. I looked away from the staircase and into his eyes. Concern filled them.

"Sorry. I just- needed a minute," I breathed. "I haven't been since Fig."

He nodded solemnly, placing his other hand on my shoulder. He was holding me steady and I appreciated him more than I'd ever be able to say. He only moved once I let out a long unshaken breath.

"What happened down there?" He jerked his head to the stairs. "I know you told me he died, and that you'd killed Ranrok. But I don't understand what happened."