Page 30 of Saints & Sinners

Chapter Fifteen

The crisp air bit my cheeks as I crouched low behind a cluster of ferns, my heart pounding in time with the distant shouts echoing through the woods. The so-calledEcliptic huntchallenge wasn’t exactly what I envisioned for Warrior training, but Azrael believed it was a ‘necessary exercise to refine agility and strategy.’ I called it the worst type of paintball to exist.

Next to me, Lucas was leaning against a tree, looking far too calm for someone who could get tagged out at any moment.

“Do they make you guys do this often?” I whispered, scanning the forest for any movement.

He shrugged. “Every few weeks, depending on how close we are to the competition. It’s supposed to help us think on our feet. You’ll get used to it.”

“Used to it?” I muttered, brushing dirt off my knees. Dodging Celestial energy beams in the woods wasn’t my idea of fun. “What do the other sectors do to prepare for the competition?”

“Guardians and Messengers have these intense tests. Think high-stakes puzzles that test their minds and reflexes at the same time. Healers? They’ve got it easy—they basically get to play pretend doctor all day.”

At least Marnie would be fine.

“Do you think anyone’s out yet?”

“Definitely,” Lucas replied, peeking around the tree. “I saw Silas nail Brandon earlier. Poor guy didn’t even see it coming.”

I snorted. “That’s what they do on a regular basis back at the dorms.”

A rustling sound came from our left and I froze. Lucas looked down at me as I tugged my jacket closer. Lucas peered past the tree before whispering, “It’s Norah.”

I grimaced.

“Split up,” he said. “I’ll draw her attention while you go left.”

“Lucas, wait—” I started, but he was already stepping out from behind the tree. I hesitated, torn between staying and following his lead, when I heard Norah’svoice.

“Found you, Martin.”

I bit my lip as I turned toward Norah. An orb, almost blinding to the eye, lay in one of her pale hands as she smiled at me. She was ready to fire it in my direction when a rock smacked against her cheek, and she grunted, stumbling with the beam in her hand. My head whipped to see Lucas had been the one to throw it as a form of distraction.

“Grace, go!” he yelled, and I didn’t even give it a second thought as I darted off, weaving through the trees. The sound of another beam firing was followed by Lucas’ grunt of frustration, and my stomach twisted for a moment before a root on the ground caught my foot, sending me lurching forward. I barely caught myself as I slammed into a solid chest.

“Well, well, what do we have here?” Matias’s voice slithered into my ear, smooth and taunting. I staggered back, meeting his predatory grin head-on and tried to pull away, but his grip only tightened, fingers digging into my arms like a vice.

“We were hoping to run into you. See, Norah and I made a bet to see who could get the mortal out first.”

“Let go,” I hissed.

Matias ignored me, exchanging glances with his friends. “Looks like I’ll be winning the bet today.”

All three laughed when a sharp crackling sound cut through the air. A beam of Celestial energy shot one of Matias’s friends before the other was shortly sent to the floor by another. Matias released me, and I stumbled, watching as he whirled around. The third orb struck Matias straight in the chest, causing him to fall on his back against a mass of leaves.

“What the fuck, Cain?” he snarled.

I blinked as my gaze snapped to Hunter, who stood a few feet away, his arm still raised from firing the beams. His expression was calm—too calm—as he watched Matias, who looked like he was on the verge of losing it.

“We’re on the same team, you prick!” Matias snarled.

Hunter gave an indifferent shrug. “Are we? Must’ve slipped my mind when Azrael was droning on and on about it.”

Matias huffed, rolling his shoulder back as he stood. The bright blue stain of Celestial energy glowed on his shirt, matching the ones marking his friends, who stood beside him, muttering curse words under their breath.

“Guess you’re out either way,” Hunter said, unfazed.

One of Matias’s friends took a threatening step toward him, but Matias shot out an arm, stopping him. His lethal glare was locked on Hunter, and after a beat, Matias muttered something to his friends, his jaw tight before they turned and stalked off.

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