Page 96 of Saints & Sinners

“Stop!” I screamed, but my voice was drowned out by the sound of cheers and fists meeting flesh.

Hunter had Matias pinned against the wall, his fingers digging in as power thrummed beneath his skin, coiling like a predator ready. He looked unrecognizable. Almost primal. “You lay a single hand on her again, and I’ll make sure you never get the chance to regret it.”

“Hunter, stop!” Something in my voice broke through his fury. His hand faltered, the light dimming as he turned to look at me. His expression was a mix of rage and regret, his chest heaving as he stepped back.

Before anyone could move, Celestial teachers appeared, their wings casting sharp shadows across the wreckage as they sprang out from their backs.

Eden stepped forward, her voice cold and commanding. “Enough!”

Hunter didn’t fight back as the Celestials closed in, seizing him, Silas, Brandon, Matias and his friends. Their grips were firm as they began dragging them away but of course, Matias didn’t stop for one bit. Even as he was hauled off, his voice rang through the foyer, spitting insults at Hunter and taunting him like a man who had no idea just how close he’d come to being obliterated.

“Where are they taking them?” I asked Eden, my voice breaking.

Her gaze softened slightly. “They will need to speak with the Council.”

Hunter turned his head, and his eyes met mine in an instant. There was a quiet resolve in them but also something unspoken—an apology, a promise, a plea.

I watched him be led away, my chest aching, knowing that I might have just ruinedeverything.

Chapter Forty-Seven

I couldn’t sit still.

As I paced the length of the boys’ dorm, playing with the stone necklace Hunter had given me, my nerves knotted my stomach. Marnie was sitting on the arm of the sofa, watching me with worried eyes and every second that ticked by felt heavier than the last.

“What if something happens to him?” I asked aloud.

“Grace, you need to breathe,” Marnie said gently. “We don’t even know what’s going on yet.”

I stopped and pivoted to face her. “It’s my fault. None of this would’ve happened if I hadn’t gone looking for him or gone into Matias’s room.”

“Stop,” she said firmly, blocking my path before I could pace again. “It’s not your fault, and you know that the boys wouldn’t let you blame yourself.”

The door suddenly swung open, and Brandon and Silas walked in. Relief flooded my chest at the sight of them.

“What happened?” I demanded, rushing toward them. “Where’s Hunter? Is he okay?”

Silas’s face was grim as he shrugged off his jacket. “Still with the Council,” he said. “They’re questioning everyone. They’llprobably hold him longer because, well, you know.”

“Because he nearly killed Matias?” I said quietly, shamefully.

Brandon sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “They’re not thrilled about the fight. But they’re also not stupid. They know Matias started it. Luckily Silas and I only got two days off of any training and having to clean the entire canteen after lunch.”

I felt like the floor might give out beneath me. “I shouldn’t have let it get that far. If I’d just—”

Before I could spiral further, the door flew open again, and Veronica stormed in, her voice echoing through the dorm.

“You asshole! What the hell were you thinking?” she yelled, pointing an accusatory finger at Silas. “Getting in trouble with the Council? Do you have any idea how serious this is?”

Silas groaned, rubbing his temples. “Not now, Ver.”

“Oh, yes, now,” she shot back, crossing her arms as she glared at him. “I swear, you and your stupidity will drag all of us down with you.”

Silas sighed heavily and followed her as she stormed back out, leaving the rest of us in stunned silence.

“What was that about?” I asked, looking at Brandon.

He shook his head, looking just as bewildered. “They’ve been weird lately. Anyway, Grace…” He hesitated, glancing toward the door. “The Council wanted to speak with you, too.”

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