Page 37 of Godless Saints

“Moon loses composure. Aster notices. The Seat becomes negotiable.”

Misha whistled low. “Subtle.”

“Subtle stopped working,” Aleksei said flatly. He slid a thin folder across the table. “Use the timing. Use Whitlock. Use whatever you must. Just make it public.” Aleksei poured himself a glass of whiskey. “You’re gathering intelligence,” he said, tone dry. “How’s that going?”

“It’s going.”

Misha leaned forward, grinning. “Translation: he’s been too busy eye-fucking the target to pull the trigger.”

I shot him a look. Misha only shrugged, unrepentant.

Aleksei’s gaze stayed on me, assessing. “The longer this drags, the more unpredictable it becomes. Aster doesn’t like unpredictable. Neither do I.”

I set the glass down. “I’ll handle it.”

“Handle it faster,” Aleksei said. “Or I will.” He turned and left.

Misha waited until the door clicked shut before letting out a low whistle. “Damn. He’s in a mood.”

The door stayed shut. My jaw tightened.

Misha watched me, then said, more quietly than usual, “You know he’s right. The longer you play with Moon, the more likely someone else decides to play with him instead.”

I didn’t answer.

Misha stood, stretching. “Just saying. If you’re going to be stupid about this, be smart about how stupid you are.”

I stayed seated. The door opened again. Aleksei walked back in carrying a second folder.

“I didn’t want to do this.” Aleksei dropped the thin file in front of me. No explanation. Just the quiet sound of paper hitting wood.

I lowered my chin.

“Open it,” Aleksei said.

I did.

HANSEONG-KNIGHTSBRIDGE CANDIDATE RETREAT SEALED INCIDENT SUMMARY SEAMUS CARRICK—DECEASED

My eyes locked on the name.

Misha exhaled sharply. “Oh, for fuck’s sake.”

I looked up at Aleksei. “What the hell is this?”

“The reason Moon is at Evermourne,” Aleksei answered. “Before Aster chose him, there were other candidates. Seamus Carrick was one of them.”

Misha leaned forward. “Declan’s Carrick?”

“Brother,” Aleksei confirmed. “The one Carrick Maritime tried to polish into respectability before he became a liability.”

I flipped the page.

Official cause: accidental drowning. Last confirmed sighting: Moon Hyun-seo and Sawyer Whitlock. Security footage unavailable: 23:11–23:19. Witness statements sealed by family request.

Moon’s name sat right beside a dead boy. I closed the folder slowly.

Aleksei watched me. “If you keep treating the Blood Writ like a courtship ritual, I’ll give this to Declan Carrick and let him handle it himself.”