It was well past curfew, and the dim glow from the Restricted Section of the library barely illuminated Sebastian’s hunched figure. Sebastian sat rigid, his eyes scanning over a book filled with dark spells and forbidden knowledge. When you cautiously approached, Sebastian didn’t look up, his voice low and cold. “What do you want?”

“I was just… concerned. This isn’t safe, Sebastian.”

Finally lifting his gaze, his eyes were sharp, icy. “Concerned? For who, me? Or yourself? I don’t have time for your self-righteous warnings.” He snapped the book shut with a thud, the sound echoing in the quiet of the library. “You think I care about safety? Anne’s dying. Every moment I waste here is another second I lose.”

You tried to protest, but Sebastian stood abruptly, his eyes dark with frustration.

“You don’t get it. And frankly, I don’t care if you do.” His voice was biting, filled with a cold anger. “Stay out of my way.”