Page 10 of Godless Saints

I twisted toward him on instinct.

Stupid.

Cillian lifted his wine glass and drank without breaking eye contact. Then, with the same slow, unhurried calm, he winked at me.

Don’t react. Don’t you dare react.

My heartbeat skipped, then crashed back twice as hard. My fingers crushed the napkin. I looked away so fast it was humiliating. Not because I didn’t want him watching.

Fuck. I liked it.

The rest of the hall had already disappeared, and that was the real liability. This wasn’t Saint Lucia. One more second of eye contact and everyone at the table would know.

Vivienne made a delighted little sound. “Oh my God.”

“Don’t.”

“You looked.”

“I observed.”

“You panicked.”

“I corrected my attention,” I said through clenched teeth.

“You are so embarrassing.”

She knows.

I never told Vivienne about Saint Lucia. Too fucking embarrassed. But she was already catching on, she’d always been too good at reading me. She didn’t need the full story. Just one crack in my mask and that knowing smile would file it away.

Don’t you dare say anything.

I stood before she could dig any deeper, already reaching for my jacket.

Vivienne had the Menagerie. I trusted her. I did. But I wasn’t stupid enough to trust the machine that moved around her.

Vivienne blinked up at me, still smiling. “Running?”

“Going back to my room.”

“Mm.”

“Don’t make that sound.”

“That was a supportive sound.”

I gave her a flat stare.

She laughed softly and rose just enough to kiss my cheek. “Fine. See you tomorrow. Coffee first?”

“The Scholars’ Nook. Before first lecture.”

“Good. Love you.”

“Unfortunately, mutual.”

I left before she could collect any more evidence against me.