Out of the Shadows // Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Forty-Three

The first task day had arrived. We sat at breakfast, my untouched plate of smoked fish of some sort and toast with cheese sat in front of me while my leg bounced up and down frantically.

Sebastian slid his hand down to my leg and rubbed it gently. "You're shaking the table, love. Please eat something. Please."

My leg stopped as I was comforted by his touch. But my stomach was flipping and eating was not going to happen.

Just then, Pinky snapped herself into place in front of me carrying a small bowl and cup with her.

"For you, miss. Good luck, today." And she snapped away just as quickly before I could investigate or thank her or even blink!

I pulled the bowl close and it was filled with rice pudding and a small roll with cinnamon on top. The cup was tea. English tea. With a touch of honey. I inhaled the rich aroma and breathed a sigh of contentment. Home.

"Merlin, I love that elf." I replied and took a large sip followed by a dip of roll into my pudding.

"I love her, too. She got you to eat." Seb said, snarfing down my plate as well as his.

I had eaten almost the whole bowl and finished my tea, feeling much better when Professor Sharp approached our side of the table. "Rachel, it's time to go. I'll escort you." He said, sounding almost as nervous as I was.

I got up slowly, the anxiety filling me once again and I immediately regretted eating all that pudding as my stomach flip flopped again in a much heavier manner. "Bye, Seb." I barely squeaked out and started to walk away.

"Wait!" He suddenly called and I turned around to find he had rushed after me. He crushed me into his arms and held me tightly. "I love you, Rach. I know you're going to kill it. Be confident. Be brave. Think logically. You're going to win. I know it." He said all this rapidly into my ear and then kissed me intensely for a few all too short seconds.

He looked right at Professor Sharp afterwards. "I know, I know, 'it's not date night' but I don't care. Give me detention or whatever. It's worth it." He smiled cockily.

"Not this time, Mr. Sallow." And Professor Sharp actually smiled at him!

I felt better and turned to leave with the professor as we exited the castle out to the Grand Lawns.

"This way. There's a Champions' tent set up. We will enter and begin preparing. As far as I can tell, you will all perform the task simultaneously in three separate rooms with a final part to the task out on the lawn. They have extensive grounds here! You will receive extra points for finishing first as well as the manner in which you play..."

"Play, Professor?"

"Well, this is a game after all." He tried to cover up his slip, but I had put together there would be some sort of actual game involved. I was good at games... maybe all that time playing games with my little brother would pay off....

I was lost in thought when we approached a large tent that I couldn't see around at all. I had no idea what was on the other side.

Bridgette was there with a chaperone from her own school and Will was in the corner speaking with the Dueling professor. They looked deep in conversation.

"This is where the task begins." Professor Sharp instructed. "See those door flaps at the other end? You will each line up behind one, a starter sound will ignite, and you will enter. What is beyond those doors is strictly for you to find out. There are stands set up on the outside and everyone will be gathered to watch you. When the task is over, whether you've completed it or not, I will fetch you. Is that all understood, Rachel?"