Page 119 of Saints & Sinners

My hands were shaking.

That’s why they were always moving. Why Joe was so desperate to keep her hidden.

Why she was here.

And I had inadvertently put her in danger, taking her into the den of Riftkeeper’s.

“And Joe...” I said quietly. “Was he—”

“No.” Azrael shook his head. “He wouldn’t be here if he had fallen for her. But that didn’t mean he didn’t care for Grace’s mother.” He sighed. “Like I said before... Grace shouldn’t be here. She’s dangerous. More than anyone realizes. But the Council is too blinded by other threats to see it.”

I needed to get out of here.

I needed tothink.

I stormed toward the door, my hand hovering over the doorknob.

“I suggest you think carefully before running to tell her.”

I stilled.

“Especially since I know how much you’ve come to care for her, too.”

The room felt ice-cold.

Slowly, I turned back to face him.

“I’ve noticed it for weeks,” he said casually, like it wasn’t afucking blade twisting in my chest. “Although I’d say the armory is a terrible place to... well, you know.”

My hands curled into fists.

He knew.

He saw us.

“Why haven’t you told anyone?” I managed to ask, but my voice came out strangled.

A thin smile ghosted across Azrael’s face. “Because Hunter...” He paused, “You’re my favorite student. Whatever it is with her, it’ll pass. But for now, I’ll be rooting for you tonight.”

I hadn’t thought this through. Not properly.

Which was stupid because this was the most important thing I’d ever done.

After leaving Azrael’s office, my head was a mess, which explained why I stood outside Grace’s dorm, fist hovering over the door when Azrael had told me not to run after her.

I shook my head and knocked regardless.

A beat of silence. Then, muffled footsteps. Then—

The door cracked open, and Grace’s head peeked through. She blinked up at me, eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

“Hunter?”

I cut to the chase. “I don’t know how to do this.”

Her eyes flickered with something unreadable. “Do what?”

“This,” I gestured vaguely between us. “I don’t know how to say what I’m thinking without fucking it up. I don’t know how to... be that kind of guy you probably deserve.”

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