Page 53 of Godless Saints

“Probably?” I snapped.

“Cil.”

“Pick a better fucking word.”

Aleksei’s voice cut through. “You need to calm down.”

I laughed, sharp and ugly. “Do I?”

“Yes,” Aleksei said, eyes steady. “Because if you keep making it this obvious, I won’t have to hand the Writ to Declan. You’ll hand him the perfect excuse yourself.”

I faced him. Slowly. Misha moved between us. I didn’t look at him.

“Moon is mine.” Not Declan’s. Not Thorn’s. Not a fucking target for their games. They were all too fucking late.

Aleksei’s jaw tightened.

“Use him again,” I said quietly, “and things will get very unpleasant for you.”

Misha’s hand slammed into my chest. “Enough.”

“No.” My eyes stayed locked on Aleksei. “Tell Declan every word.”

Aleksei held my stare for one long second, then his mouth curved.

“You just told the whole fucking room.”

Misha rubbed a hand down his face. “Jesus Christ.”

“I’m going to see him.”

“Bad idea.”

“Wasn’t asking.”

“Aster thinks Thorn cut him. You are Thorn, Cil.”

“I didn’t touch the blade.”

“Doesn’t matter. You go near him looking like that, they’ll see the Writ before they see you.”

“Move.”

“Think for one fucking second before you go rabid dog in Aster territory.”

“I am thinking.”

“No. You’re angry, horny, and—”

His gaze dropped to my hand. The ring box sat heavy between my fingers, impossible to hide. Keira had gotten back to me after the flower disaster. I wasn’t sure how he’d take it now, but I’d wanted to surprise him right after the match. Prove I fucking meant it.

Fuck.

Misha stared.

“Please tell me that isn’t what I think it is.”

“None of your business.”