The Legacy of Our Love

Chapter 36*

***MATURE CONTENT WARNING***

SEBASTIAN

The last two days were an absolute mess. Natti wasn't allowed visitors in that time other than her mother, to Devorak and Poppy's annoyance. Thank Merlin, and the talents of Nurse Blainey, that she was able to pull through. She was still in critical condition, but she was alive.

That did little to settle Devorak's guilt over the situation, not that she even had the time to process it. She refused dinner that night, and Ominis had to resort to slipping a sleeping potion in her tea order to get her to sleep before the sun came up. It would be hypocritical of me to fault her for it, considering I held the same habit when emotion became too difficult to comprehend.

We didn't even have the time to discuss it with her in the morning, as she was called away first thing by Professor Fig for another meeting with the Keepers. Bastards. Having her at their beck and call when they refuse to give her all the answers. She obeyed their every command, passed every test and trial they've thrown at her, and yet they still hold back. I paced back and forth across the floor, battling with the unfairness of it all. She shouldn't have to bear the weight of this responsibility on her shoulders, not when she had lost so much already. The Keepers were fucking using her, draining the life and power from her for their own personal motives. They were going to get her killed with the secrets they kept, and for the life of me I couldn't understand the blind faith she still seemed to hold for them. Despite their trials, their demands, their secrets, she continues to answer to their every beck and call no matter how perilous it could be to her.

She should be listening to Isadora's memories, following her guidance. That's where the real answers were. That's where the results were. If my plans with the relic don't pan out, it may be the only remaining option left for curing Anne. Devorak could do it, she has the power to take away Anne's pain. She just has to figure out how to do it. My fingers brushed against the rune etchings in the pendant as my anxiety only grew. She had been gone for hours, the pendant only sending the occasional flicker of frustration or strain. I suppose that should bring me relief, that she wasn't in pain, but I couldn't shake the stress of her being forced to do this alone.

What fucking information could be so important, so forbidden that it was worth sacrificing the lives of those unworthy of completing the trials? What does solving ancient puzzles and fighting off animated stone statues supposed to prove a fucking thing about her worthiness as a person? It doesn't. Sure she could obliterate you in a heartbeat, but she is so much more than what that power makes her. Despite the hardship she's faced, she remains kind, compassionate, and loyal—unless you cross her of course—then all bets are off. If what she nearly did to Harlow was proof of anything, it's that she meant it when she said she would kill to protect what she loves. I had half a mind to pull Ominis off of her and let her finish the job, but it would've been an incredible pain to have him pull enough favors to prevent her seeing trial for murder.

According to Poppy, Harlow was being held at the Ministry pending investigation and trial for his crimes. It would seem setting a trap for two 'unsuspecting students' warranted enough cause for the Ministry to investigate whatever they needed. At least we had once success, however small that may be.

It wasn't until right before dinner when I felt the warmth of the pendant indicating she was nearby, and Devorak finally stepped through the door to the Room. She looked a mess, with a wild look in her eyes that was so striking it locked me in place as she rushed into the room.

"You need to see this, Ominis too." She muttered as she entered, and I watched as the floor began to shift beneath our feet. From the stone tile rose a pensive as Ominis appeared from the other room.