Page 8 of Saints & Sinners

A party. That’s what she meant. One where I would feel like the odd one out of the bunch because, at the end of that day, that’s what I was in an Ascendant’s eye.

I faked a smile. Something I had mastered for years and excelled at. “Sure. I’ll think about it.”

Chapter Five

“I told you not to get too close to the fire.” I smirked, watching Silas as he sucked on the tip of his now burnt finger. The flames crackled and spat from the metal bins, casting flickering light over people while soft rock played in the background.

“How was I supposed to know I’d burn myself?”

“It’s fire, Silas. That’s kind of what it does when you get too close.”

He grumbled under his breath, “Annoying prick.”

I shook my head, chuckling as I took a swig of beer, the bitter taste lingering on my tongue.

“Shit.” Silas nudged my shoulder, nodding toward the path ahead. “The baby maker destroyer is back.”

I stilled.

No. No fucking way.

She couldn’t be here. But then I saw her. Right in the middle of a group of Ascendant Healers stood Grace fucking Martin—looking as lost as a lamb in a wolf’s den. Her eyes darted around, scanning the crowd, oblivious to the fact that my night was about to be ruined.

“Better hide your nutsack, Cain. She might be looking for roundtwo.”

I shot Silas a dark look, my mood souring instantly. “Keep talking, and I’ll kick you in the balls myself.”

He raised his hands, taking a step back. “Hey, I’m just trying to protect your goods.”

I finished my drink in one gulp, tempted to throw the bottle at his head.

Instead, I put all my focus back on her.

Grace.

She was shifting from foot to foot, looking uncomfortable, like she knew she didn’t want to be here but hadn’t figured out how to leave yet. Part of me knew she would stay. The other part was praying she wouldn’t.

And that? That pissed me off.

Because I didn’t want her here.

Because I didn’t want to look at her.

Because Icouldn’tstop looking at her.

She wasn’t even doing anything, just standing there, being all polite and innocent, apologizing to people who bumped into her first—which, honestly, told me everything I needed to know about her.

She still hadn’t noticed me as a redhead stepped into her path, blocking her view before she could turn in my direction.

“Hi!” A freckle-faced girl suddenly appeared in front of me, waving a red cup that matched the vibrant curls of her hair. “I’m Marnie.” She pointed a finger at me, squinting one eye as iftrying to place me. “You’re the new girl I’ll be showing around. It’s Grace, right?”

I chuckled awkwardly, pulling my denim jacket tighter around me. “I see my name travels fast around here.”

Marnie let out a high-pitched laugh, the kind that was both endearing and a little overwhelming. “Everything at Celestia does. You’ll get used to it, and soon enough, you’ll fall into the same pattern as all of us.”

I wasn’t sure I wanted that, but it felt inevitable after Eden convinced me to come out tonight. “So, is this a usual thing around here?” I asked, glancing around at the other Ascendants mingling.

She shrugged. “The Celestials like to pretend we can have a normal boarding school experience.” She gestured for me to follow her through the forest, pulling a packet of skittles from her pocket and offering it to me. I smiled and took only the green ones. “The older groups are the ones who throw these little gatherings. Usually, it’s because they know that once Monday rolls around, it’s back to competing against each other.”

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