The Blood within our veins (Ominis Gaunt)

Chapter Seventeen

In the thick of the night Gianna felt herself being shook by a hand wrapped around her side.

Gianna! A voice called to her. Gianna! It repeated.

She woke with a start and saw Sebastian leaning over her sleeping form. To her right Ominis was still asleep rolled over so she could see his eyelids flutter with REM sleep. His hand was propped on the couch where their hands had parted in sleep.

"Sebastian Merlin!" Gianna gasped reaching behind her to hit him with her pillow. "Why in Merlin's name are you waking me up at this hour?" She groaned with a forced whisper throwing the pillow back behind her and rubbing at her eyes.

"Get up. I need to show you something." He insisted dragging her blanket off of her body. Gianna grabbed it back. "Don't touch my blanket." She rolled back over to annoy the boy. "You'd do well not to wake me again." She threatened him curling her feet under the little of the blanket she managed from his grasp.

"I'll risk it." He retorted unphased. "And this is my blanket thank you for very much." In one quick motion he pulled it off of her and Gianna sat up. "Do you want Anne to be an only child?" She questioned groggily sticking a finger at him.

"Easy now. It'll be quick." He said unconvincingly. Gianna had a feeling he was up to something Ominis would lecture them both for later.

Sebastian got up and motioned for her to follow towards the door. Gianna gently stepped over Ominis and was spooked when for a moment he stirred. She had to reach under the coffee table to get her slippers when a hand grabbed loosely at her ankle. Gianna gasped and quickly covered her mouth to refrain from making a sound.

The hand tightened in grip and Gianna saw that Ominis had grabbed her when he turned to his side mistakenly.  She bent down to softly untangle his fingers when his breathing quickened. She stopped messing with his fingers in case the manuevering had broken his sleep. It was quiet.

"Gianna," Ominis whispered breathlessly. A chill ran down Gianna's spine. Hearing her name was the last thing she expected. She half intended to respond but stopped herself.

"Gianna." He called again. This time he was more coherent and it was less clear if he was awake or not.
She stayed still and sucked in her breath. If he was sleeping what was he dreaming about?

"Dont-" He started again. His normal posh accent was hoarse and airy. His lips parted gently that gave his expressions a peaceful demeanor. No worrying about family problems or rumors or what anyone expected from him. He was just Ominis. It was the most peaceful Gianna had ever seen him. She found herself lost in the pacing of the rise and fall of his chest.

"Go." Ominis finished his eyes peeking open. Gianna couldn't help but let out a gentle laugh. "I'm not going anywhere. I just need a glass of water." She lied figuring Ominis was too groggy to find fault with this given she was wearing her shoes and must be going somewhere.

"Okay.." He breathed closing his eyes and letting go of her ankle. He tucked a hand back under his pillow and fell asleep almost instantly afterwards.

With her foot now released Gianna was able to grab her wand and follow Sebastian. Who also seemed relieved about the situation. "That was a close one." Sebastian laughed. "I can't imagine what Ominis would think if he saw us sneaking out at night." Sebastian said still whispering to keep Ominis and Anne asleep. "Awake Ominis that is."

Wearing a nightgown, a lofty cardigan, and her house slippers Gianna treaded after Sebastian through the Forrest greenery. Up hills and through the thicket until Feldcroft was distant. "Sebastian, I don't think it's wise to wander this far from Feldcroft." She complained. Although her worries were not present in her tone; an instinctual pain in her stomach resounded at the idea that they might get themselves into danger.