Invisible String - Sebastian Sallow

Thirty-One: In the Shadow of Protection

I grit my teeth and looked away from my friend, glaring daggers into the floor. He clearly didn't understand- couldn't understand- why I had no desire to let her go alone into a dangerous situation.

"You trust me, right?"

I sighed. "Of course, I do."

She walked over to me, taking my face in her hands. Poppy and Ominis looked away, and I was grateful. This look in her eyes was just for me, the look I used to see in fifth year, that I'm with you to the end look that I would burn the world for.

"If you're right about the families being the Black's and the Lestrange's, we may get two sets of answers by my going."

I stared at her, my heart in the palm of her hand.

"When?"

She glanced at Poppy. "What do you think? Next week?"

The brunette nodded vigorously, her hair bouncing up and down. "I think that gives us time to verify the location. Your sister lives in Feldcroft, right?"

"She does," I sighed. "I'll write to her."

Abbi's fingers flexed against my skin. "Thank you," she whispered, pressing a kiss to my forehead and standing straight up. "Poppy, see if there's anything else we can find out."

I watched as Poppy gave a salute, a smile tugging on the corners of her lips. "I'll speak with Doran. The Centaurs may have heard things we haven't."

She stood from the sofa, reaching for Ominis as he chuckled, "First dragons, then Golden Snidgets, and now Centaurs? Is there anything else I should know?"

Poppy just grinned, a soft blush on her cheeks as she guided him away from us. Abbi moved to follow, but I grabbed her hand desperately, refusing to let her walk away.

I held her hand as we watched Ominis and Poppy leave, my thumb drawing circles over the back of her hand anxiously. Her fingers, warm and delicate and small in my hand, squeezed lightly. She could tell I was anxious. She could always tell what I was thinking.

The door closed behind them, Poppy turning for a last cheerful wave before Ominis tugged on her hand and she blushed again, ducking out after him.

We stood frozen, waiting.

One breath.

Was she holding my hand because I had snatched it desperately, or because she wanted to?

Two breaths.

She didn't move away from me when I shifted closer to her.

Three breaths.

I knew I needed to talk to her, but what was I supposed to say? That I needed her to know how badly I disagreed with the plan? That I wouldn't let her go? No, that would just piss her off.

Four breaths.

"Sebastian?"

Five.

I looked down into her green eyes, the orbs piercing my own brown ones. She had that fire in her, the very same one she'd had when we were leaving that tomb with the relic. Excited, antsy, ready to bound out of the doors and chase this adventure with no regard for herself.

I wasn't sure if that was something I'd taught her or if she'd always been like this. Normally, I loved that expression of hers. But right now, I wouldn't have complained if I never saw it again.

"I don't like it," I said, flatly.

"I know you don't. But we have to find out more."

"At the cost of you? Absolutely not."