Page 59 of Saints & Sinners

He didn’t blink, didn’t so much as even flinch. “If you’re serious about training, you’ve got to go all in. So, what are you waiting for?” He took a step back, giving me enough space to lunge athim.

I gripped the dagger tighter. This was probably the only time I’d get a free shot at him, and I was more than willing to take it. I rushed toward him, aiming for his side, but he sidestepped effortlessly, his hand snapping out to grab my wrist and twisting it just enough that the dagger clattered from my grip.

“Again,” he said, and I huffed in annoyance.

Picking the dagger up, I went for him again, but he moved faster than I could react, and before I knew it, he spun me around, pressing me back against the wall. My breath hitched, the adrenaline thrumming through me as his dark gaze held mine.

“Not bad.” His voice was barely a whisper. “But you’re still too predictable. Did you know that in this position, I could quite easily knock you out?”

I swallowed, feeling my pulse race. His hold on me made my skin tingle with every inch of distance he wasn’t giving me.

“All I would need to do is place my thumb and forefinger behind your neck and press...”

Just as he leaned in, the sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor, and we both froze.

Hunter’s head snapped toward the noise, his hand slowly releasing my wrist as he listened.

“What is it?” I whispered in anticipation.

“Celestials.” Hunter’s gaze met mine, and without saying another word, he grabbed my hand and pulled me behind a set of pillars. He pressed his fingers to his lips, and I held my breath, praying we wouldn’t get caught.

Heavy footsteps echoed off the stone walls, and through a narrow gap, I caught a glimpse of Nadael and Joe walking into the armory. Their voices were hushed, and something about how they moved—guarded, almost conspiratorial—made me tenseup.

“The Riftkeeper’s are getting too close,” Joe muttered. “If they discover where she is...”

“Then we need to ensure it doesn’t happen. Grace’s location must be kept a secret, no matter the cost.”

My location?

“Hiding her won’t be enough forever. The Riftkeeper’s are relentless; you know that.”

I felt my heart pound. What the hell did they mean?

I wanted to speak, but Hunter held onto me so closely I could hardly breathe.

“I’ll make sure to keep an eye on her,” Nadael said, and I gasped as Hunter’s grip around my waist tightened. He quickly smothered any noise I made with the palm of his hand, and both Nadael and Joe turned in our direction as if they’d heard me.

“No,” Joe said, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the pillars. “That will only cause her to feel suffocated, and we both know—” His gaze met Nadael’s. “She already feels that way.”

“Then we will do what is necessary for now to protect her,” Nadael said quietly, and their voices faded as they began making their way up the stairs.

Hunter shifted beside me, gently releasing his hand from my mouth.

My chest heaved as he let go of me, and I shook my head. “You were hurting me.”

His eyes softened into regret. “I didn’t mean to.”

I exhaled, knowing there was so much to unpack from what we’d heard. From whatI’dheard.

I knew Joe had been protecting me from the Riftkeeper’s ever since he took me into his care, but why were they going to all these lengths to protect me?

“Grace—” Hunter started, but I stopped him.

“I think I have an idea,” I whispered, needing to focus onsomething else. “For finding Aaron.”

Hunter’s eyes flickered, cautious. “Are you basing this off what you just heard? Because believe me, Grace, I’ve been searching—”

“Joe said the Riftkeeper’s are getting close,” I cut him off. “Maybe we can find out more about that and go to—”

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