Invisible String - Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Nineteen: The Invitation

Scrolls upon scrolls were rolled out in front of us, our quills scratching away as the sun shined down on us lazily through the library windows. Poppy had her nose shoved into a large leather bound book from deep in the Restricted Section, pulled courtesy of Sebastian. Ominis sat next to her, his eyes fighting to stay open in the warm sun.

We'd been in the library since breakfast, our first essay for Professor Hecat due at the next lesson, and all of us feeling the need to scramble. We'd been so caught up in our own world, bringing Poppy into the fold that we hadn't spent much time actually studying for our essays.

Sebastian had gone back down into the Restricted Section to grab more books for us. As he had spent the most time out of all of us digging through books, any time we felt we needed more, he would happily go find whatever we were wanting.

I had asked if he'd seen the book regarding the wizard who fought off Imperio not long ago and he'd risen to go get it without a word, nose deep in a small black book.

I was in the middle of reading about a wizard who used Imperio to control a troll while waiting for him when there was a rapid knocking sound from the window. I looked up, confused by the sound. Poppy and Ominis looked around too, the latter jerking awake rapidly.

"I'm awake, what's going on? Who's tapping?"

Poppy giggled as she shoved his shoulder. "There's an owl at the window."

"Odd it didn't arrive with the morning post," I said, standing and moving to let the owl in. As I pushed the stained glass window open, I registered the owl as it hopped inside. It was the same one I'd sent off to Anne over a two weeks ago.

Eyes going wide, I quickly took the scroll from the owls leg and tore into the letter.

Abbi,

Thank you for writing to me. I'm doing better every day. Some days, the pain from my curse is almost non-existent. I don't know what changed, but perhaps it's my time away that helped.

I'm back in Feldcroft, and would like to see both you and Sebastian as soon as you're able. I have something important to discuss with both of you.

Best wishes,

Anne

I'd almost forgotten. Anne had finally responded and I could already see the relief flow over Sebastian that I'd managed to get a response. Sebastian would be delighted to hear that his sister wanted to us to visit, and I read the note over and over again, heart beating faster still.

"Who is it from?"  Poppy asked, already returned to her paper, quill scratching away rapidly. Ominis has returned to running his fingers over the text in front of him.

"A good friend," I answered, not wanting to discuss this with either of them just yet. I wasn't sure what Sebastian had told Ominis, and I wanted to show Sebastian first. "I'll be just a moment!"

I was racing down the spiral stairs of the upper floor in the library, ducking around students, letter clutched tightly in my fist as though it might vanish into thin air if I let it go. I tore through the entrance of the Restricted Section, plummeting down the stairs, my robes blowing out behind me.

One more flight of stairs.

Left at the suit of armor.

Right at the-

I smacked right into Sebastian, the books he'd gathered in his latest search falling to the ground as he reached out to grab me. Each book hit the ground with a heavy thud, Sebastian holding me by my waist with one hand, my arm that held Anne's letter with the other, our eyes locked onto each other.