Out of the Shadows // Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Seventy-Four*****

*Warning: This chapter contains violence, dark magic and heavy emotions.*

*****Warning: This chapter contains sexually explicit adult content.*****

"Hi, Garr!" I greeted him warmly outside his common room.

He looked a little stunned. "Hey there, Buttercup. What are you doing here?"

"I thought I'd walk you to breakfast." I said, smiling gently.

"Sounds nice." A smile crept across his face and he threw his arm around my shoulders. "I... heard. About your grandparents. How are you doing?"

I sighed. "Well, I'm not taking it so well. But Will seems ok. We didn't know them. I mean, I guess it's normal for him not to care, really. But, for me, it's the fact we didn't know them. And now we never will."

"That makes sense. It's all normal. Both of your reactions are to be expected. I'm here... if you need to talk or anything. Ok?" He squeezed my shoulders.

"Thank you, Garreth." I smiled up at him and he grinned back at me, winking.

"So, do you have any time this week? To hang out?" He looked so hopeful.

"Um. I'm not sure. Things are a little crazy. Family stuff. And exams." I sighed.

"I get it. Let me know?" He asked as we entered the hall.

"Sure." I spoke.

He leaned in to kiss me and I gave him my cheek. His eyes were disappointed. But he smiled nonetheless and we went to our house tables for breakfast.

I sat down across from Sebastian. It was a little early for breakfast and not many were there, so we were quite alone on this side of the table.

"So... did you do it?" He asked. He looked overly curious.

I sighed deeply. "No. I chickened out. Again. But I did manage to get away without making another date. And I didn't let him kiss me. Small victories." I smiled a little.

His brows pulled together but he said nothing.

We ate in silence. For some reason, I was starved and shoved everything in my mouth that I could reach. He watched me fervently.

"Hungry today?" He smirked at me.

"Yes. Starved." I said through a mouthful of eggs. He just smiled.

"So... any news? From Onyx?" I asked timidly.

"No. But I'm taking it as no news is good news. She's an incredibly smart bird. She would come to me if there was anything odd."

"I KNOW she's an incredibly smart bird. As she's MINE." I said sarcastically.

We both chuckled with each other.

"Well, shall we head to class?" He got up and I followed him out of the hall. I noticed that Garreth watched us the whole time from his table with his friends. I really needed to end it with him before he got really hurt.

--

The week was dragging by slowly, but I found comfort in the routine of classes and studying. I was trying not to stress about every little thing considering I had such important things to stress about.

I was heading back to the common room from the library when I could hear feet pounding behind me. I turned around at the sound, ready for a fight or whatever was about to happen.

A mess of bronze hair was bouncing my way. "Rachel!" Seb yelled as he approached.

"What? What is it?" I asked, my heartbeat accelerating immediately.