Page 42 of Godless Saints

I knew him too well.

“Professor Korolev still hasn’t changed my grade,” Sawyer announced.

Vivienne took a sip of her tea. “You submitted it after the deadline, hon. You should be grateful he gave you a grade at all.”

Their voices blurred. All I heard was Cillian’s rough Irish voice curling through my skull. I want you, Moon Hyun-seo. Bastard. Even absent, he wouldn’t leave me alone. I kept writing.

Sawyer moved closer. “What do either of you know about him?”

Should I text him?

No.

I closed my laptop. “Leave him alone.”

“I looked him up,” Sawyer said. “There is nothing. No employment records before he started at Evermourne. No publications before that date. No tax filings. No bank accounts under his name prior to four years ago. No family members listed anywhere. No birth certificate. No old addresses. His entire online presence begins the exact day he walked onto campus.”

Vivienne stopped her teacup halfway to her lips.

I watched Sawyer. “Professor Korolev isn’t faculty. He’s something else.”

Sawyer’s eyes warmed, engaged. “That is exactly what I’m saying.”

“No,” I replied, my voice hushed. “That is what I’m warning you about. Most professors don’t have a thick scar cutting through one eyebrow and tattoos covering both forearms under their sleeves. He doesn’t move like faculty. He moves like someone who used to put men in the ground. I wouldn’t test him.”

Sawyer’s smile thinned, but his eyes stayed bright.

“Leave him alone,” Vivienne said. “He is not a toy, Sawyer.”

Sawyer looked between us, smile still in place.

“Fine.”

He lied.

Vivienne lifted her tea again. “And your last name will not save you if he chooses to bite back.”

Sawyer’s fingers kept tapping against the armrest, like he was already planning the next move.

Vivienne glanced over at me. “How are things with Zara going?”

“It’s fine.”

Sawyer laughed under his breath. “Sure it is. The gallery won’t shut up about Cillian and you. King is a nice girl, but she’s no Whitlock.” He leaned forward, grinning. “You should have said we were dating.”

I blew out a sharp breath. “I will never date you, Sawyer.”

He leaned back in his chair, completely unbothered, a wicked smile spreading across his face. “Shame. Whitlocks are powerful, Moon. Can you imagine it? House of Moon and Whitlock dynasty. Our babies would look so cute, especially with your beautiful Korean skin and my perfect platinum blonde hair.”

Vivienne laughed.

“I’m not having babies with you,” I said flatly.

My phone buzzed beside my notes. I turned it over.

SAINT LUCIA REGRET:

Still hiding behind Aster walls, prince? Come out. I’ll make it worth the risk.