Page 40 of Saints & Sinners

“Told you humans don’t belong here. They ruin everything.”

Each word stabbed deeper, and I pulled away, unable to meet Marnie’s concerned gaze. I wanted to tell her that I wasn’t okay, that I wasn’t fine, but then I saw Joe.

He was standing with a group of Celestials near the back doors that led to all those paintings I’d seen. My heart sank into my chest when his gaze locked on mine, and his steps quickened as he pushed through the crowd to reach me.

“Grace,” he breathed, his hands landing on my shoulders as hisgaze frantically searched me for any possible injuries. “Are you hurt? Did you have anyone with you?”

I shook my head, but the words wouldn’t come. The shock of everything that had happened buried itself deep inside me. Lucas—oh god, did Veronica know?

Joe’s hands tightened on my shoulders, his brows furrowing in concern as I began to breathe fast and shallow.

Icouldn’tbreathe.

Someone help me.

I couldn’t—I couldn’t—

“She’s having a panic attack,” Hunter said, forcing Joe to finally look his way. Hunter pulled me away from Joe and sat me down on the staircase. He bent down to meet me at eye level, and I clutched my chest as if I could somehow pry it open and let some air in to breathe. “Hey?” he said, but it sounded so distant.

“Grace?” I think that was Marnie.

I knew people were staring, but it didn’t matter. I could do the most embarrassing thing in front of everyone right now, and I wouldn’t care, just as long as I could breathe again.

Hunter muttered something to Marnie, and she came over. She sat beside me as I struggled to speak, and nausea crawled up my throat like an unwanted guest.

She placed her hand over mine, which was pressed against my chest. Her eyes closed, and a glow emanated from her palm as it radiated onto me. A surge of energy pulsed between us. The tightness in my chest eased, and an overwhelming sense of peacefulness filled me.

My breathing gradually slowed, and my eyes locked on Marnie as the soft glow around her faded, leaving her looking tired but steady. She took a deep breath, and I blinked, exhaustion sweeping over me now that the intensity had passed.

Marnie gave me a small, sheepish smile, shrugging slightly. “Ican also do emotional healing.”

Tears welled up in my eyes with a sense of gratitude I couldn’t contain. I hugged her tightly, my voice barely a whisper, “Thank you.”

As I held her, my gaze drifted toward Hunter, still kneeling in the same spot, watching us silently. Something flickered in my chest, and I couldn’t quite place whether it was finally a truce between us or what, but I think he felt it himself as he looked away from me.

“Grace... what—” Joe was staring down at me, his face twisted with worry, but he didn’t have time to finish as the sound of Nadael’s voice filled the entrance.

Marnie and I rose to our feet, though it felt as if my legs had fallen asleep. My knees almost buckled, but Hunter caught me upright as I placed my palm flat against his chest.

“Ascendants,” Nadael called out, and I pushed myself away from Hunter, looking up to the first-floor balcony where Nadael was staring down at us. “I am sure you are all concerned about the events that took place today. After an immense search, we were unable to locate the attacker. This has sadly led to one fatality—” Her eyes flickered for the briefest moment, landing on Joe and other Celestials before continuing. “For now, everyone is to return to their dorms immediately,” Nadael commanded, but I barely heard her. My mind was still trapped in the image of Lucas’s broken body, the blood pooling beneath him...

“It was a demon,” someone murmured.

“How did it get through?” another replied.

“The barriers must be failing.”

Nadael raised her hands, silencing the crowd. “Thedemonthat infiltrated our grounds was nothing of the ordinary. It knew exactly where to strike and when. This was deliberate.” Her gaze swept over us, sharp and unyielding. ‘Rest assured the Angelic Council will investigate. Until then, the barriers havebeen reinforced. No one enters or leaves Celestia without our permission.”

My stomach churned, and I felt the familiar panic rise again.

Nadael didn’t give any further explanation or offer any comfort. She was all business-like, and her focus was entirely on containing the situation as the crowd began to disperse, adults and children moving back toward the dorms in hushed whispers.

I stood there, as did Marnie and Hunter. When Joe turned to face me, I couldn’t help but blurt out, “I want to leave with you.”

I didn’t want to be here anymore, not after seeing Lucas, not after everything.

All it took was for this to happen and for Hunter to get his wish of me begging to leave this place.

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