SILAS

Sebastian clutched his stomach like it was the only thing keeping him tethered to reality. The warp circle beneath us hummed with energy, the intricate runes glowing faintly before the teleportation whisked us away to the academy. When we landed, he stumbled, his face pale, a faint green tint creeping along his jawline. He looked like he was about to pass out.

"Sit down before you keel over," I said, motioning to one of the plush chairs lining the room.

He didn't waste a second. Practically collapsing into the chair, he buried his face in his hands, muttering something I couldn't catch.

"I'm so nervous, Silas. What do I do?" His voice was a whimper, muffled by his palms.

I glanced at him, feeling a pang of sympathy. The door to my mother's office was still shut, and we had a few more minutes before we needed to face her. Unfortunately, that also meant we'd have to walk through the bustling hallways, teeming with students—mages who would undoubtedly stare at him.

This was Sebastian's first time in a place full of magic users. I could only imagine how overwhelming it might be, especially for a vampire.

"This place is... kind of nice," he murmured, his voice low as he glanced around.

We were in the warp room, where the teleportation circle was etched into the polished marble floor. The space was pristine, with high arched ceilings lit by floating orbs of light. Students and visitors often came through here, but he hadn't seen the grandeur of Zaudseth yet. 

Maybe, if we wrapped things up quickly, I could give him a proper tour. Show him my old classroom, the sprawling library, or even the gardens where I used to practice spells.

"Relax," I said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You've got nothing to be nervous about. Everything I've told my mother about you is true. You're not like other vampires. You're still human in here." I pressed my palm lightly against his chest for emphasis.

He looked up at me, his gaze unreadable. For a moment, neither of us moved, and I couldn't help but grin.

Then, he blinked, eyes lowering as turned his head away and cleared his throat. "That's... kind of cheesy, but okay." He rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding my eyes.

"Cheesy?" I laughed, pulling my hand back. "I thought it was motivational."

"Well, it wasn't." He groaned, shaking his head. "If anything, it just made me more nervous. This feels like back when I had to give a presentation in front of the class. Except this time, instead of my teacher, it's your mother—a high-ranking mage" His voice rose slightly in panic.

I chuckled, patting his back. "I get it. Trust me, I do. Back when I started out, I was terrified of standing in front of my peers. Reporting cases or presenting findings—it was nerve-wracking every time. Even now, I still get nervous."

Sebastian sighed, leaning back in his chair. "I'm not good with people. Back then, I always stayed in the background, keeping to myself. It was easier that way. No one noticed me. No one cared. At least... until you came along."

His words were quiet, almost hesitant, and I blinked at him, caught off guard.

"Oh," I said stupidly.

He shot me a small, shy smile. It wasn't his usual smirk or sarcastic quip—it was genuine. For some inexplicable reason, my heart gave an odd thump in my chest.

Before I could respond, the door creaked open. A timid brunette peeked her head inside, her hair tied neatly in twin pigtails. She wore the Gael family insignia pinned to her dark blue blazer.

"Sir Gael?" she asked softly, glancing between Sebastian and me.

"Navee!" I greeted her with a wave. She was my mother's assistant, always dutiful and painfully shy. Her cheeks flushed red as she stepped into the room, avoiding my gaze. "Good to see you."

"G-Good to see you too, Sir Gael," she stammered, bowing slightly before turning to Sebastian. "And you as well, sir!"

Sebastian stared at her blankly, his expression unreadable. I nudged him with my foot, and he shot me an annoyed look—though this one felt sharper than usual, almost pissed.

"Uh, hi," he said flatly.

Navee, oblivious to his tone, smiled brightly. "Your mother is ready to see you both. Good luck!" With that, she offered another bow and scurried out of the room.

I motioned for Sebastian to follow me. As we walked, I caught him glancing at me, his expression strange. "What?" I asked.

"Nothing," he muttered, looking away.

Huh, weird.

***

As always, my mother—Vivienne. Regal. Commanding. In all her glory.

She sat poised in her chair, an emblem of authority, as if the very air bent to accommodate her presence. Her sharp eyes surveyed the room, serene yet calculating, while she waited for us.

Sebastian and I exchanged a quick glance. His lips pressed into a thin line as I gave him a small nod, attempting to reassure him. I hoped it might ease his worries about what was about to unfold, but deep down, I doubted it would. This was my mother, after all.

Sebastian's face betrayed nothing—impossibly blank, a mask of stoic calm. It was something I couldn't help but admire. How he managed to rein in his emotions so quickly, to wear that unreadable expression, was beyond me.

Me? I was good at suppressing emotions when necessary, slapping on a practiced smile to get through situations like this. But even then, it came at a cost. Every forced grin was another brick in the wall of exhaustion I carried. I wondered what it cost Sebastian, if anything. Or was he just naturally like this?

That's why his panic yesterday had caught me so off guard. He'd seemed so rattled—so unlike himself. Sebastian always struck me as the kind of man who could weather any storm without flinching. And now, here he was, calm and expressionless again, as if nothing could touch him.

"Mother, meet Sebastian. Sebastian, this is my mother," I said, gesturing toward the plush chair on the left. Sebastian inclined his head slightly, then took the offered seat. I sank into the chair opposite him, our eyes briefly meeting before I looked away.

Sebastian rose briefly from his seat and offered a low, respectful bow. "Hello," he said, his voice steady, unwavering.

I bit back a smile, hiding it behind the palm of my hand.

"So, this is the Sebastian you've been talking about," my mother murmured, her voice smooth but laced with intrigue. Her gaze lingered on him, sharp as a blade, appraising every inch of him. Sebastian didn't waver. He met her piercing stare head-on, his expression as blank and immovable as ever. Not even the faintest twitch betrayed him.

I couldn't help but wonder: do vampires need to blink? Because it felt like they had been staring at each other for far too long.

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, glancing between the two of them. My mother wore a small, knowing smile, her eyes gleaming with something I couldn't decipher. Meanwhile, Sebastian remained as stoic as a statue, his gaze locked with hers.

What in the world was happening?

I expected my mother to say something by now, to ask him questions, to test him somehow. But no. They just... stared. And yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was happening—something I couldn't see. Was she testing him? Were they having some kind of silent, telepathic conversation?

I frowned, curiosity gnawing at me. My eyes flicked to Sebastian, hoping to catch some flicker of change in his expression. He was good at hiding his emotions, sure, but I'd learned to spot the subtle clues—those rare moments when surprise or discomfort broke through his carefully maintained exterior.

But not this time. As always, he gave me nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Finally, my mother exhaled, breaking the tension. She turned to me, her gaze softer now. Sebastian mirrored her movement, his blank stare shifting to meet mine.

"Uh—are…" I stammered, utterly lost. "Are you—?"

"He passed," my mother announced, cutting me off. Her tone was calm but firm, leaving no room for argument.

"Wait, what?" I blurted, my confusion spilling into the open. "What do you mean he passed?"

I looked back and forth between them, searching for answers. Sebastian's expression hadn't changed, but I could swear there was just the faintest hint of amusement in his eyes. Or maybe I was imagining it.

"What test?!" I sputtered, still trying to wrap my head around what had just happened. "Don't tell me the test was a staring contest? What?!"

My mother's sharp gaze turned on me, silencing my protests. "Silas, if you would, leave us. I need to speak with Sebastian privately."

Her tone brooked no argument, and yet I couldn't stop myself from hesitating. "Huh?" I managed, staring at her in disbelief.

She raised a single brow, unamused by my confusion. "Now."

I glanced at Sebastian, who had been watching me silently the entire time. He gave me a small nod—his way of telling me it was okay. I sighed and stood, reluctantly heading for the door.

As I gripped the handle, I cast one last look over my shoulder. My mother had already turned back to Sebastian, her expression unreadable, while he remained calm and composed, his hands folded neatly in his lap.

So this was it. Whatever test my mother had planned for him, it was happening now.

I stepped out of her office, closing the door softly behind me. The click of the latch sounded unnaturally loud in the silence.

Leaning against the wall just outside, I tried to steady my nerves. I had promised Sebastian I'd stay by his side, to make sure no one harmed him. And now, here I was, leaving him alone with my mother.

It wasn't that I didn't trust her. Not entirely, at least. But my mother was an enigma—even to me. Her moods, her motivations, her methods—they were impossible to predict. She could be cold and calculating one moment, warm and maternal the next. And right now, I had no idea what she was thinking.

Still, she didn't seem angry. If anything, she looked... pleased. Or maybe not. It was hard to tell with her.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Whatever was happening in that room, I could only hope Sebastian was ready for it. And that I wouldn't regret leaving him behind.

Now that the door is closed, I can no longer hear what's happening inside. The thick wood, reinforced by a silencing spell, blocks out all sound. It's as though the world on the other side has vanished entirely. For all I know, my mother could be on her way to hurt Sebastian right now.

The thought freezes me in place. My blood runs cold, and a wave of dread crashes down, rooting me to the spot.

No. She would never do that. She wouldn't... right?

But doubt gnaws at the edges of my mind. My mother's temper, especially when it comes to vampires, is something I've witnessed before. Her disdain for their kind is no secret. That cold, calculating mage side of her—one that earned her the title of High-Class Mage, Rank 1, in her prime—makes her unpredictable. Dangerous, even.

My hand trembles as I press it flat against the wall for support. My heart pounds louder with each passing second, the silence from the room behind that door becoming unbearable. I can't just stand here. I have to do something.

Suddenly, I push off the wall, straightening my spine. Before I can overthink it, I stride toward the door. My fingers curl around the brass knob, cold and unyielding. I'm ready to throw it open, to confront whatever is happening inside.

But before I can act, the door creaks open.

I stumble back, startled, and find myself staring directly into Sebastian's eyes. He stands in the doorway, his expression calm... but also slightly puzzled. He tilts his head to one side, his dark hair falling into his eyes, as if questioning why I'm standing there like I've just been caught doing something I shouldn't.

"S-Sebastian, you're okay?" I blurt, my voice shaking as I grab his arm. My eyes dart past him to the small sliver of the room still visible through the crack in the door. My mother stands inside, her posture rigid, hands clasped neatly in front of her. Her face is unreadable, but her lips are pressed into a thin, tight line. Serious.

She's always serious.

"I'm fine," Sebastian says, stepping fully into the hallway and letting the door click softly shut behind him.

I don't believe him. Not right away. I drag him to the side, away from the door, my grip on his sleeve firm. "Are you sure?" I whisper urgently, my gaze scanning his face for any sign of distress. "She didn't do anything bad, right? My mother…" I lower my voice further, glancing nervously at the closed door. "She was the number one High-Class Mage in her day. I was worried she might—"

"Kill me?" Sebastian cuts in with a huff. His voice trembles just enough to make me stop. He places a hand on his chest, his fingers splaying out as though steadying himself. "Honestly? I was absolutely terrified. My knees are shaking right now."

I glance down, and sure enough, his knees are trembling.

I can't help it—I snort. The sound breaks free before I can stop it, and soon I'm laughing, my shoulders shaking as I try to stifle the sound behind my hand. Sebastian flicks my forehead, his narrowed eyes filled with mock annoyance.

"Don't laugh at me," he grumbles, but that only makes me laugh harder. My laughter echoes down the empty hallway, unrestrained. Everyone's already in class by now, so there's no one around to hear it but us. For once, I don't care.

"Thank the Divines," I manage between giggles. "I really was worried she did something to you. I was ready to kick that door down!" I rub his shoulders reassuringly, though I'm still smiling.

"Stop worrying so much. It's embarrassing," Sebastian mutters, rolling his eyes. He tries to pull away, but I hold firm, grinning at him.

"I told you, didn't I? I'm going to protect you if anyone here tries to hurt you."

My words hang in the air between us. His expression shifts, softening slightly as he stares at me. For a moment, neither of us speaks. His eyes—now… a ruby red? (When did it change? And why?) Meets mine, and I let out a nervous chuckle, unsure of the sudden silence. Did I say something wrong?

"Thanks," he murmurs at last, his voice quiet. He rubs the back of his neck, his gaze dropping to the floor.

I blink, momentarily stunned by his sincerity. "A-Anyway," I say, clearing my throat. "I'm just glad my mother gave you some protection."

Sebastian raises an eyebrow. "How did you know?"

I reach for his wrist, pulling at the gold bangle that hangs loosely there. The polished metal glints in the light, the intricate insignia of the Gael family etched into its surface. 

"She gave you this, didn't she? It's just like Navee's, except…" I trail off, brushing my thumb over the bangle. "This one serves as protection. It's a sign that our family is watching over you."

Sebastian's lips twitch into the faintest of smiles. "Oh, this? Yeah. She tried giving me a silver one first," he says, holding up his wrist. "But, uh… it hurt. A lot."

"Vampires can't handle silver," I remind him, rolling my eyes. "You should've told her. She was definitely testing you,"

"I know," he says flatly. "But, hey, it was worth a shot."

I snicker, shaking my head as I press a fist to my lips, trying to stifle my laughter again. Sebastian watches me, his expression unreadable. His lips are set in a straight line, but his crimson eyes hold something I can't quite place.

"So…" I said after a moment.

"Hm?" He glanced up.

"Now that we're done with all… this," I gestured vaguely toward the door, "we should probably focus. We need to start planning if we're going to find Minerva."

I hesitate, rubbing the back of my neck. He's right, of course. Minerva is the reason we're here in the first place. But part of me wants to linger, to take just a little more time to show Sebastian around. He's still so new to all of this.

"Okay," Sebastian raises an eyebrow, his arms crossing over his chest. "What's that look for?"

I grin, grabbing his hand and pulling him down the hall. "How about I show you around first?"

His sigh is long and dramatic, but he doesn't resist. "Fine," he mutters, "but only because you're so insistent."