Page 33 of Saints & Sinners

Later, after Brandon and Silas had finally managed to stop bickering, I found Grace near the Healer’s circle, watching Marnie work her magic on others.

“Still just watching others do all the work?” I called out as I approached.

Grace turned sharply, her eyes narrowing as soon as she saw me. “I’mobserving.”

“Right,” I said, crossing my arms. “Because standing on the sidelines is going to prepare you for what’s coming.”

She expelled a frustrated breath. “Why are you here? Don’t you already bother me enough back at the dorm?”

I shrugged, unwillingly enjoying how she became this other person when I was around. I aggravated her. She angered me. Yet, I couldn’t stop. “I’m just making sure you’re not planning to sit the whole of training out. Wouldn’t want you to break your perfect record of doing absolutely nothing.”

Her lips pressed into a thin line, and for a moment, I thought she might actually swing at me. “You’re insufferable.”

“And you’re defensive,” I countered, taking a step closer. I didn’t care about the Healers suddenly watching us.

Grace’s eyes flared. It almost made me grin.Almost. “I don’t need to prove myself to you. I’m here for a reason. Deal with it.”

I blinked, surprised by her confidence. The smirk slipped from my face, but even as I was about to respond, I couldn’t. Marnieglanced over at us, wiping her glowing hands on a cloth.

She came to Grace’s aid, linking arms with her. Her eyes didn’t leave mine as she said to Grace, “Shall we go?”

“Yes, please,” Grace said quickly, and Marnie wasted no time leading her away.

It was only for a second that Grace seemed to hesitate, glancing back at me before giving me one raging look and a middle finger that caused my smirk to lock back into place.

Chapter Seventeen

Grey clouds scattered the sky, casting shadows through the arched windows of the classroom as I tried to keep my focus on what Sariel was saying. A few days had passed since the training exhibition, but I still couldn’t shake any of it off. Every time I closed my eyes, I either saw how the Celestials looked at me or how Hunter did with that never-relenting stare.

“Today, you’ll be pairing off to practice controlling visions,” Sariel announced, and the room instantly buzzed with excited whispers. “As a pair, one of you will be the guide, controlling the vision, while the other anchors them back to reality. This isn’t just about tuning into your sights but also about trust. Something Celestials admire.”

I glanced around the room, watching as everyone stood from their benches and began to pair off. Sariel continued speaking while I shifted in my seat, unsure of what to do or where to go. I knew I should have avoided this class; instead, I’d listened to Sariel’s advice and attended it because I was curious... and stupid.

“Veronica,” Sariel called out, her sharp eyes narrowing. “Where’s your partner?”

Veronica shrugged. “Don’t have one.”

Sariel’s gaze drifted towards where I was, and I froze.Please don’t choose me. Please don’t choose me. Please don’t—“Then Grace can be your anchor.”

The universe hated me.

Veronica’s icy gaze landed on me. I could practically feel the disdain radiating off her as she folded her arms across her chest.

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from huffing. Of all people, why her? The last thing I wanted was to be responsible for anchoring her during a vision. But there was no way I could argue with Sariel. I was already on a thin line with the Angelic Council. So, swallowing my frustration, I nodded and made my way over to Veronica.

Veronica didn’t say a word as I stood in front of her, but the way her black-painted lips curled into a tight, unimpressed frown said everything.

“This should be fun,” she muttered under her breath, and I forced a neutral expression as we sat down, cross-legged, facing each other.

Sariel walked between the pairs, giving us the instructions we needed. It was quite simple, really. Veronica would reach a state that could trigger a vision, and I would be responsible for keeping her tethered to reality. But the way she was glaring at me told me this wasn’t going to bethateasy.

“Visionaries, close your eyes,” Sariel instructed. “Anchors, remain as you are.”

Veronica gave me an eyeroll before doing as she was told, and I tried to steady my breathing as I mentally prepared myself.

“Now,” Sariel said, “Anchors. You may touch the visionary.”

Then it started—a subtle shift in the air, as people grabbed each other’s hands or arms. I watched, mesmerized, as faint golden threads began to shimmer around the pairs. They danced and twisted, stretching into infinity, some as thin as spider silk,others thick as ropes.

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