Shadow of the Key | Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 49: In the Shadow of the Key

"And if I only could, I'd make a deal with God, and I'd get Him to swap our places."

- Kate Bush

This is another LONG action-packed chapter. Take breaks and hydrate ♡

Amelia's POV

Amelia's soul was extinguished of the raging inferno that was powerful enough to scorch her flesh, bones, and blood in a matter of seconds. Even the extreme heat from her hands that glowed a blinding blue couldn't keep her warm.

The world around her was nonexistent. Screams, shouts, structural breakage, and fireworks were nothing but a faded muffle.

Her welled eyes couldn't tear away from Sebastian who lay lifelessly on the blood-stained marble floor next to her. Her screams grew silent. Only silent sobs escaped her.

The heat in her hands reached a boiling point, and no amount of breath work or wet cloths could stop the inevitable.

Sebastian was no longer there to calm her.

Amelia was a ticking time bomb, and as soon as her knees collapsed to the marble beneath her, she exploded, unleashing those deadly bright blue flames that engulfed the entire castle, sending her flying backwards until her back and head slammed into one of the crumbling walls.

Her vision was a shade of blue that reflected the depths of her sorrow. The sounds of chaos that once filled the air were replaced by the loud crackling of the hungry embers.

She lay limp for what felt like an eternity. The ache and pain in her bones were so minuscule compared to the excruciating agony in her chest and mind.

Amelia was able to look past the flames to see several people were dead, all except Lilith, Clive, Ominis, and a man who looked to be Clive's father. Three of them huddled in a protective shield Clive had cast over them.

He'd cast one over Ominis as well, who was leaning over Sebastian's body and balling his cloak until his knuckles were pure white, steady tears streaming down his cheeks.

The other man that arrived with them lay dead a few feet away, his corpse set ablaze by the chaos Amelia unleashed.

And by the doorway, Marvolo lay dead as well, though the locket around his neck remained untouched by the burning embers. Sebastian's wand was clutched in his left hand.

Every member of the Organization was dead and the locket was never used, yet this was anything but a victory.

It all came at the fucking cost of Sebastian's life.

None of this would've happened if Amelia didn't take Isidora's magic from the repository. Sebastian would most likely still be alive.

He sacrificed himself to save her, just like he said he would. In her mind, she was prepared for it. But her heart wasn't. Not even close. Those fractured pieces she and Sebastian stitched together moments prior were now shattered beyond repair.

Amelia was a harbinger of chaos. She only brought those around her destruction and despair.

It shouldn't have been Sebastian. It should've been her. It was supposed to be her. None of this was fucking fair.