Page 94 of Saints & Sinners

“I—I was just in Sariel’s class,” I blurted. “It gets... hot in there—well, not hot, hot, but something was definitely in the air. Maybe I’m just coming down with something. It’s natural for that to happen to humans during this time of year, especially—”

“No need for unnecessary explanations Grace,” she cut me off with a frown, and I wanted to slap myself. “Either way, you’ll have to excuse me. I’m late for a meeting with the Council.”

I nodded, willing her to walk away faster. When she turned to leave, I almost sighed in relief, but then Eden stepped into view.

Why me!

“Grace,” she greeted with her usual sweet and effortless smile. “It’s a good thing I’ve bumped into you. I wanted to ask if you had spoken with Joe since you visited him.”

The mention of Joe made my stomach twist uncomfortably. “No,” I admitted. “I haven’t had the chance.”

Eden sighed. “You should. He’s... been a little off lately. I think the Council is keeping things from him.”

I frowned. “Keeping what from him?”

Eden tilted her head, then shook it like she’d said too much. “Never mind. Just—be careful, okay?”

The words should have sounded reassuring.

But they weren’t.

They felt like something else.

Something I was unsure of.

She smiled again before walking off, her heels clicking against the floor.

I exhaled, rubbing a hand over my face as the door behind me creaked open, and Hunter stepped out.

His usual smirk was gone. He looked... tense. Frustrated.

“Are you okay?” I asked, searching his expression.

He nodded slightly, avoiding my gaze. “Yeah. I’ll see you tomorrow, Grace.”

And just like that, he was gone.

I stared after him, my heart still racing from before.

What the hell was that?

And why did I suddenly feel like I was losing control of something I never really had control over in the first place?

Chapter Forty-Six

Hunter’s dorm was quiet when I stepped in, and I realized none of the boys were there. Hunter’s combat jacket was draped over the back of the sofa, and his boots were by the door, but other than that, the place was empty. I pressed my lips together, wondering if we had meant to meet somewhere else and I had just simply forgotten. After Sariel’s class the other day, Hunter hadn’t necessarily acted like his usual self. Well, he did, and he didn’t. It was strange, almost like something was up, but I couldn’t quite place if I was the one overthinking it or not.

I stepped back into the hallway, my boots echoing against the wooden floorboards. I was halfway down the long corridor when I heard someone call my name.

I turned to see Matias casually leaning against his door with a smirk plastered across his face. He hadn’t spoken to me much since I surpassed him on the ranking list, but that didn’t stop me from being set on edge by how he stared at me.

“Matias,” I said cautiously. “Are you... okay?”

He nodded. “Oh, I forgot to tell you that Rael had some paperwork for you to complete after you left the class. I have it all in my room. Wanna come in, and I’ll go get it for you?” hesaid, gesturing toward his dorm.

I frowned, not moving from where I was standing.

Matias sighed dramatically. “Come on, Grace. Don’t look at me like that. It’s just stuff on celestial hierarchies and something about the Reclaimers? We all have to complete it.”

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