Why did I bring Sebastian with me? The magical world is dangerous and unpredictable. Sebastian isn't well-versed in how things work here, and that's on me. The fact that he was hurt because I brought him along weighs heavy on my heart. If he were back home, safe and sound, he wouldn't have gotten hurt in the first place.
A soft "Oh" beside me pulls me out of my thoughts. I glance at Alex, who's staring down the hall, her eyes fixed on someone.
I follow her gaze. "It's Mr. Gray," she murmurs,she chuckles and nudges me, pointing instead at Sebastian, who's standing by the window. His hood is down, and his hair is a complete mess. He's pouting slightly, and I notice Rosemary isn't anywhere near him.
My initial excitement at seeing him is quickly overshadowed by worry. Without thinking, I call out to him. "Seb!"
He turns at the sound of my voice, his eyes widening slightly before softening into a familiar, pleasant smile. "Silas," he greets, waving as if nothing's wrong. His voice is calm, but there's something about the way he stands, the faint tension in his shoulders, that makes my stomach twist.
I can't help but grin as I approach, Alex trailing close behind me. Yet, as I get closer, my worries bubble back to the surface. His hood has slipped, and his disheveled hair catches my attention. I resist the urge to fuss over him.
"Where's Rosemary?" I ask, my tone sharper than I intended. "Didn't I tell you to stay with her at all times?"
Sebastian's expression falters for a moment. He rubs the back of his neck, looking embarrassed. "I don't know where she went. I think she got tired of me," he mumbles, pouting slightly.
Beside me, Alex laughs softly, shaking her head. "Rosemary is… quite the individual," she remarks, her tone laced with amusement. Sebastian turns to her and gives a polite wave.
"Hello as well," he says, his voice quieter now. He doesn't elaborate, and the awkward silence that follows makes me shift uncomfortably.
"Are you guys doing rounds?" Sebastian asks after a beat, his tone casual but curious.
I nod, a sigh escaping me. "Unfortunately, yes. We're keeping an eye out for the Servant of Gluttony. You shouldn't even be out here, but…" I hesitate, my voice softening despite myself. "At the same time, I'm relieved you're here and not wandering into the forest."
"The forest?" Sebastian echoes, tilting his head. His curiosity is genuine, but there's a flicker of unease in his expression.
Alex steps in before I can respond. "There are charms scattered throughout the forest," she explains. "If you accidentally activate one, you could get trapped until someone comes to free you."
Sebastian winces, his hand instinctively moving to rub the back of his neck again. "Thank God I didn't go there," he mutters. "Rosemary did want to explore the forest earlier, but I… kind of declined."
His words send a fresh wave of worry crashing over me. If Rosemary went into the forest alone and triggered one of those charms… I bite my lip, glancing at Alex. By the look on her face, I can tell she's thinking the same thing.
"Can you go find her?" I ask Alex, my voice tinged with urgency. I clasp my hands together, silently pleading. I want to go, but something about the way Sebastian is looking at me—those searching, uncertain eyes—makes me hesitate. Does he need to talk to me about something?
Alex narrows her eyes slightly at Sebastian, as though trying to read him, before sighing and turning back to me. She gives me a reassuring smile. "Leave your sister to me. I'll make sure she's safe. I'll bring her back here as soon as I find her."
With that, she pulls out her golden bracelet, a tool for tracking where Rosemary goes–it was the extension of her golden collar that was placed on her neck, and jogs off down the hall.
I exhale, the tension in my chest easing slightly, and turn back to Sebastian. His worried expression hasn't left. "Should I have gone to look for her?" he asks, his voice soft but laced with guilt.
I step closer to him and place a hand gently on his back. "No, no," I reassure him quickly. "It would have been too dangerous for you. The forest is filled with traps—you both could've gotten caught. It's good you stayed here. Really."
Sebastian's brows knit together, his frown deepening. "I… see," he murmurs. Then, hesitating, he gestures vaguely in the direction Alex had gone. "Why didn't you go with her?"
"Ah… Well, who would stay here with you?" I ask, crossing my arms as I pout at him. My words feel teasing, but there's an edge to them that I can't quite explain. Somehow, that amuses Sebastian. He chuckles softly, his voice low and smooth, as his gaze lingers on me.
"Do you care about me that much?" he asks, twiddling his fingers nervously. His eyes dart to mine for a brief second, then away, as though he's embarrassed by his own question.
It catches me completely off guard. Sebastian—shy? That's rare, almost unheard of! The sight of his uncharacteristically bashful demeanor stirs something in me, and before I can stop it, a faint warmth spreads across my cheeks. I'm surprised by my own reaction. Why does this feel... different?
Sebastian doesn't let up. His crimson eyes lock onto mine, a glimmer of hope flickering in them. I can't help but chuckle awkwardly, trying to shake off the strange tension building between us. "O-Of course! Didn't I tell you that just a few days ago? You're such a dear friend to me," I say, nudging his arm with my elbow to diffuse the moment.
To my shock, he giggles in response—giggles.
My jaw drops. Sebastian? Giggling? This has to be some sort of elaborate joke. I gape at him as he quickly hides his smile behind a fist, his shoulders shaking ever so slightly.
"That's cute," he says suddenly, his tone light and teasing. We stop by the windowsill, and he leans against it as a gust of wind sweeps through the room. His dark hair flutters, catching the light, and for a brief second, I forget how to breathe.
I feel the heat rise to my face again as his sharp grin flashes at me. His fangs catch the light, his crimson eyes glinting with mischief. Somehow, the way he's looking at me—intense, playful, yet almost... tender—makes my chest tighten.
I rub the back of my neck awkwardly, trying to shake off the strange feeling creeping under my skin. "D-Did you eat something weird today?" I mumble, avoiding his gaze. "Or... wait, is Rosemary daring you to do something stupid?" My frown deepens as the thought crosses my mind. Rosemary's pranks are legendary, and if anyone could pull Sebastian into one of her schemes, it'd be her.
Sebastian tilts his head at me, a sly smile tugging at his lips. "Rosemary? Really?" he asks, his voice dropping slightly. "Do you think she could make me act like this?"
"W-Well," I stammer, trying to figure out if he's being serious or just toying with me. "It's not like you can eat anything other than blood, so... what else could explain this?" I glance at him suspiciously, but his calm, amused expression only makes me more flustered.
"What's wrong?" he leans closer without warning, his voice dropping to a whisper. His cheek nearly brushes my shoulder, and I freeze in place, my breath catching. "You're acting strange too."
I let out a strangled laugh, trying to mask my unease. "N-Nothing's wrong! It's just... you're acting weird today. Rosemary didn't make you do anything weird, right?" I frown, narrowing my eyes as I lean back slightly.
Sebastian pulls away, chuckling quietly as if enjoying my discomfort. He hides his laughter behind his hand again, his eyes glinting playfully. "And if she did?" he asks, tilting his head in mock innocence.
I glare at him, crossing my arms. "Then you shouldn't let her push you around! Tsk, I should talk to her about that." My annoyance feels genuine now, and I rub my temple as if to calm myself. Sebastian, however, seems thoroughly entertained by my reaction.
"She's not pushing me around," he says, his tone casual but amused. "Don't you trust her even a little? She's trying her best."
"H-Hey! I know that!" I huff, pouting slightly. "I just didn't realize you two were so... close." My voice trails off as I notice Sebastian's smile deepen. There's something playful, almost mischievous, about the way he tilts his head at me.
"Just a decent amount of closeness," he says cheekily, grinning as if he's enjoying the effect his words have on me.
"H-Hey, since when do you act like this?" I snap, my voice rising slightly. This isn't like him at all! Sebastian's usually so calm and reserved around me, almost distant at times. But now... now he's acting so carefree, so playful, and I don't know how to handle it. Still, deep down, I can't help but feel like this side of him is... nice. Maybe even comforting.
"Like what?" he drawls, stepping closer. His crimson eyes bore into mine, and I realize how close he's gotten. Too close. I flinch as his face is mere inches from mine now, his smirk unwavering.
"L-Like that! You're acting weird," I stammer, my voice cracking slightly. "Are you sure you're not sick?" I blurt out, the thought striking me. Do vampires even get sick? The idea of a servant vampire taking a day off because of a fever almost makes me laugh—almost. I quickly stifle the thought when I feel his hand on my wrist.
"Hey," he murmurs, his voice soft but firm. "I'm talking to you. Why aren't you looking at me?" His tone is almost a pout, and his grip on my wrist tightens ever so slightly.
"I-I am!" I protest, my voice shaking as I awkwardly rub the back of my neck with my free hand.
Sebastian's grip on my wrist tightens, his fingers digging into my skin just enough to sting. I wince, trying to pull back. "That hurts," I mutter, my voice strained. But Sebastian only responds with a sharp, fanged grin. He doesn't loosen his hold, not even a fraction.
He steps closer, his presence looming, his intense gaze pinning me in place.
What is he planning?
My pulse quickens, thudding loudly in my ears as something unexplainable coils in my chest. A mix of fear and anticipation—I can't tell which is stronger.
Suddenly, Sebastian's expression shifts. His eyes widen, his grip loosening slightly. "Silas—your nose," he says, his voice sharper now, laced with something that I cannot understand. "You're bleeding."
Confused, I blink at him before reaching up with my free hand. Tugging my wrist away from his relaxed grasp, I wipe at my nose, and my fingers come away slick and crimson. My stomach drops. He's right—blood is dripping freely from my nose, thick and hot. It trails down my chin, staining my shirt and splattering onto the floor.
"A-Ah, crap," I stammer, my voice shaky as I fumble to wipe at the mess. My hands tremble, smearing the blood across my cheek instead of cleaning it. "It must be because—I've been tired lately," I try to explain, though my vision starts to blur and darken at the edges. My knees feel weak, like they might buckle any second.
"Silas," Sebastian snaps, his voice low and commanding. Before I can react, his hand darts out, seizing my wrist again—tighter this time, holding me still. "Don't move."
"Seb?" I look up at him, dazed and confused, blood still dripping from my chin. His face is unreadable, his eyes narrowing slightly. Then, slowly, something about him shifts. His lips curl into a sadistic smirk, and an unfamiliar chill crawls down my spine.
Before I can speak, Sebastian leans in close, his other hand grabbing my face firmly. His touch is cold. His expression is something I've never seen before—dark, predatory. "Looks like I get to be the first to taste you," he murmurs, his voice thick with delight.
What?
His tongue drags across my cheek, slow and deliberate.
I freeze. Every muscle in my body locks as if paralyzed. Did—did he just lick me?
I barely have time to process the shock before his tongue moves again, tracing a path from the bridge of my nose, down to my lips, and then over my chin. The metallic tang of blood fills the air, and I feel my stomach twist.
Sebastian's grip on my wrist tightens as he brings my hand to his lips. His gaze never leaves mine as he licks the blood clean, his tongue warm and rough against my skin. "Mages," he purrs, his tone dripping with satisfaction, "are indeed tasty."
He presses his cheek against the palm of my hand, looking up at me with a sultry, almost mocking expression. My mind races, unable to catch up with what's happening. I'm speechless. Frozen. Confused. Everything in me screams to move, to say something—but nothing comes out.
"You!" a voice shouts from farther down the hallway, shattering the moment.
Sebastian's head snaps up, his body tensing. His lips curl into a wide grin, and in an instant, his entire demeanor shifts.
Slowly, the form before me begins to change.
The figure that was Sebastian twists and warps, her body shrinking and softening. Her features sharpen into something entirely different—a woman with a devilish expression and glowing red eyes.
She grins, her sharp teeth glinting in the dim light. "Gotcha, didn't I?" the servant of Gluttony cackles, winking as she dodges a dark red chain that whips toward her, barely missing her torso.
I blink, my head spinning. The real Sebastian stands behind her, disheveled and furious. His robes are in tatters, his hair tangled with leaves and twigs as though he's just clawed his way out of a battlefield. His arms bear deep scratches, his sleeves completely shredded. He looks like hell.
"Oh, so you survived that trap, huh?" the servant of Gluttony teases, pouting mockingly. "What a shame. I really thought it'd keep you busy longer."
I stare at the two of them, still trying to process what just happened. "W-Wha—" I stammer, my voice barely audible. My head pounds, my legs shaky. The blood has finally stopped dripping from my nose, but my face burns with a strange heat I can't explain. Everything feels surreal—Sebastian, the servant, the blood—and I don't know what's real anymore.
"What did you do?!" Sebastian snarls, his voice low and dangerous. His fangs are bared, and his crimson eyes burn with fury.
The servant of Gluttony only giggles, tilting her head coyly. "Oh, nothing much. Your boy toy here just tastes amazing," she says, her voice dripping with amusement. She cackles madly, dodging another chain that erupts from the ground.
This time, the chain wraps around her ankle and around her body, coiling tightly like a predator constricting its prey.
"Oh?" she says, her lips curling into a wicked grin as her eyes gleam with interest. "Looks like you've grown up a bit, haven't you?" Her tone is mocking as she glances at Sebastian, who stands with the chains clutched tightly in his hands. His expression is a mix of rage and something unreadable.
The chains glimmer dark red, eerily familiar. Too familiar. They're almost identical to the ones I conjured when I saved him before.
"Si-Silas! Are you okay?" Sebastian's voice cuts through the fog in my head, sharp with panic. He's suddenly in front of me, crouched low, his crimson eyes scanning me with a frantic intensity. I manage to focus on him just long enough to notice the gashes on his arm—dark, jagged, and bleeding sluggishly.
They weren't healing.
"I—I'm fine! I'm fine!" I stammer, though my voice wavers. My eyes dart to his arm, and before I can think, I grab his elbow, pulling it closer to inspect the wound. "But your arms—Sebastian, they're—"
"It's nothing," Sebastian growls, though his voice softens slightly when he realizes I'm trembling. He doesn't pull away, but his expression darkens, his gaze flicking toward the servant of Gluttony, who's still bound by the glowing dark red chains. "Did she do something to you?" he demands, his voice low and dangerous, his fangs bared as he glares at her.
The servant of Gluttony, now sitting cross-legged on the floor like she's lounging at a tea party, tilts her head and smirks. Her crimson eyes glint with mischief as she pokes her tongue out at us, her expression as infuriatingly smug as ever. To my horror, she even winks at me.
I feel a surge of anger bubble up in my chest—hot and unfamiliar. But the sight of her wearing Sebastian's face just moments ago… it makes me freeze, my throat tightening. I can't shake the image, the way she had smirked at me, her tongue dragging across my skin.
"Hey, what's with the glare?" she says playfully, her tone light and mocking. "I only licked his face. Turns out, he's just the same as the other mages. Though…" Her voice drops into a teasing purr, her lips curling into a wicked grin. "…he's a little tastier than most~"
Before I can even process the words, Sebastian moves. His boot slams into her stomach with a sickening thud, sending her tumbling across the floor. She lets out a high-pitched, whiny yell as she skids to a stop, still tangled in the chains.
I flinch, startled by the sudden outburst of violence. It's not like I can blame him, but… seeing Sebastian like this makes me feel something I cannot put into words.
Also—
"Wait," I blurt, pointing at the glowing crimson chains wrapped around the servant of Gluttony. "Are you able to use your magic now? That's amazing!" My voice comes out a little too loud, the excitement slipping out before I can stop it.
Both the servant and Sebastian stop dead in their tracks, turning to look at me in unison. Their expressions couldn't be more different—Sebastian's is a mix of disbelief and exasperation, while the servant of Gluttony looks downright confused.
"Why… why are you focusing on that?" Sebastian asks, his voice incredulous. His brows knit together as he stares at me like I've lost my mind. "Are you an idiot?"
"Wow." The servant of Gluttony cuts in, her tone flat as she glances away with a grimace. "I think I'm actually regretting licking his lips now."
My brain sputters to a halt.
Sebastian freezes too. His crimson eyes widen in horror before narrowing into a murderous glare. "You kissed him?!" he shrieks, his voice rising an octave. His claws extend in a flash, sharp and gleaming, and he lunges at her like he's ready to rip her apart.
"Sebastian, wait!" I shout, diving forward to grab his arm before he can reach her.