Page 25 of Godless Saints

“And leave the professor alone.”

His face twitched.

“He gave me a B-minus.”

“Then earn a fucking A.”

His smile faltered.

Cillian let out a low sound, amused.

Sawyer’s eyes cut to him. “Something funny, Ashbourne?”

Cillian stared at the hand still hovering near his chest. “Aye.”

“What?”

“You. Twenty-two and still playing with things that aren’t yours.”

“Leave,” I said to Cillian.

His eyes stayed on mine, that lazy, satisfied smile still playing on his lips. Then he nodded once.

“Jal-haess-eo-yo.”

My entire body tensed. Fuck. Why would he say that in front of everybody? Sawyer’s eyes snapped to me, then flicked to Cillian, then back to me again, disbelief flashing across his face. I shrugged one shoulder, casual, like it meant nothing. Like he meant nothing.

By the time I decided between stabbing him and following him, Cillian was already halfway to the door.

Silence crashed over the salle. Then Sawyer turned to me slowly.

“Why,” he asked, “are you protecting him?”

My grip squeezed the mask. “I’m protecting Aster optics.”

“Bullshit.”

His gaze cut to the doorway Cillian had almost reached.

“And why the hell is Thorn speaking shitty Korean to you?”

“He isn’t.”

Sawyer’s laugh came out sharp. “I heard him.”

“Then get your hearing checked.”

“Moon.”

“Drop it.”

“Hey, Moonshine.”

I should never have come to this fucking academy.

Cillian paused at the door, one hand on the frame. “Looking forward to those Korean lessons, prince. Try not to miss me too loudly.”

Then he was gone.