Sin of the Saint

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: HOMECOMING

It was apparent that Auden hadn't seen Liv's text, but it was too late. They were all together now eating dinner and knowing Auden, he wouldn't check his phone while in the company of others. Felicity and Auden carried the conversation, luckily, and Liv did all she could not to silently hate Nathan into oblivion from across their table.

Liv had ordered a pasta dish—thinking that she would need some extra energy harbored away in case she had to face Cupid sometime soon. Like breakfast, she had finished her food before anyone else, and excused herself to the bathroom, grateful that Felicity did not follow her, but bothered that she delighted so casually in Nathan's company.

By herself in the bathroom, Liv turned in the mirror to see how badly her wings were showing. The dress did thankfully cover most of the marks, but one sliver-sized edge of her right wing peeked just beyond the edge of the fabric. But since Felicity hadn't said anything yet about it, Liv let it go. She would be safe—at least for now.

She went back to the table, and the rest of her party had finished their meals—Felicity insisted that her heavy wallet cover the tab since the boys paid for breakfast. Liv felt uncomfortable letting her do that by herself, but Felicity brushed off her comments.

"My treat, really—it's the least I can do for my friends!" She'd chirped.

They'd arrived at the school in style—it seemed that no other group had rented a limo for the night, but even so, Liv did not arrive with a smile. Her legs numbed at the sickening thought of having to see Cupid again. The memory dying at his hands frightened her and she stopped sharply at the door of the school though Auden stood there, holding it open for her.

"Liv?" he asked expectantly.

Felicity and Nathan chatted as they walked through the door, leaving Liv and Auden alone. Liv's eyes never blinked as she stared into the commons area from behind the glass doors. What would happen if she were to fall through the veil again? Would she see Cupid? Would she see anyone else—any of the other Saints or Sins?

"I can't," Liv whispered.

"Liv...you can," Auden pressed, grabbing her hand and pulling her closer to him so they could whisper.

"No...I...really don't think I can," she said, finally looking at him. "He killed me, Auden...I would give just about anything to avoid feeling that pain again."

"You're the Charitable Saint Caritas," he mumbled. "You can die over and over and still not be affected in this realm."

Liv shook her head, "That's not the point, Auden...it was the feeling of dying. I'm scared of the feeling."

Auden nodded. "But nonetheless, you go in there, and if you fall in, you fight like a tiger. It won't be like last time—you've got experience now. And who knows? You may not even fight. You may just be compelled there to watch another bout...and if that happens, I'll be there too. All of us will."

That was a terrifying thought. Seeing all the Sins in one place at one time? How would they look compared to Cupid the Sin of Greed? Would they look the same? Different? Larger? More unsettlingly terrifying?

"I'll be with you no matter what, Liv. Now, let's go," Auden said with his hand to her back, ushering her through the doors.

They'd passed the ticket booth and Auden stepped down into the commons and jumped a few times before smiling and offering his hand to Liv.

"The water's just fine, Liv," he said.

That made her smile a bit and took a deep breath—she guessed there wasn't anything to worry about at the moment, so why should she? It would only prolong whatever suffering she may be in for—and since Auden didn't slip through the veil, she may not either.