Page 37 of Venomous Desires

Maybe it was my paranoid mind. I reminded myself again and again.

Stop reading those heinous novels, Sera.

“Who cares? It’s not like it’s the first time a big shot has been found in such circumstances. I wouldn’t be surprised if our Dean is next.” The second girl, Natalie, smirked.

“Not funny, Natalie.”

Wait, what? The Dean? Well, our Dean has always been a bit ... problematic. I mean, the man probably couldn’t organize a meeting without sparking a scandal.

“What? Do you think I’m joking? That man is seriously something. What the fuck is wrong with him? Organizing a fest in the middle of the semester?” Natalie crossed her arms. I noticed the tattoo on the side of her wrist.

“It better be some hot shot for the ceremony or I’ll gut him alive.”

“Like who? Lucius Morozov? Judas Romanovski?”

I stilled. Judas. My jaw clenched, and I felt burning lava overflowing. Damn arrogant spawn of a devil.

“Like hell, he’ll visit this hell of a place.”

I almost scoffed. Hell was exactly where I’d expect Judas Romanovski to be, setting up a cosy little summer home for his cold soul. This was a man who’d sprinkle salt on your wounds and then charge you for the seasoning.

He’d make you thank him for showing such mercy, probably while monologuing about the health benefits of sodium chloride.

Judas had the charm of a part-time serial killer and the soul of a butcher who’d enjoy his work just a tad too much.

If Hell needed a tourism ambassador, they’d found their man.

The man looked like he breathed violence, leaving shattered lives in his wake, mine included.

Just thinking about our last encounter made my blood boil. Even now, his name sent a chill down my spine.

As instinct, I pulled out my phone and glared at the screen. Kyle still hadn’t texted me back, and I didn’t know what to do anymore.

Sighing, I closed the books and packed my bag. I had barely got a chapter done, and I was already exhausted. But I had to meet Ivan. He said something about knowing about the man who was following me last night, and I wondered if he was there when I was running like a hunted kangaroo.

It made all of this more frustrating. I didn’t know who was who anymore.

I eyed the girls last time, both of them still whispering. I sighed and exited the library, cursing the moment I stepped into this country.

I contemplated meeting Ivan, but decided I didn’t need any more problems than I already had and walked to the parking lot. My phone pinged, and I quickly fished it out, hoping to see Kyle’stext, yet what greeted me was a text from my mother.

Mama Bear: Don’t skip your meals.

Seraphina:Don’t worry. I’m on a seafood diet. I see food and I eat it.

I let my lips curve into a smile, thinking what she must be doing. These past few days I’d been missing her crazy. But first, I needed to get some things straight.

I found Ivan standing near his car; his eyes found mine and he smiled.

“You said you wanted to talk.” I crossed my arms and stared at him. My perspective of him had changed ever since that morning. His charming smile no longer made my heart flutter; instead, it made my senses heighten. I looked around the parking lot, finding nothing suspicious but a few cars parked, and a matte black car several lots away. Why does everything suddenly feel so...off?

He said nothing; his green eyes raked over me, making my skin crawl. Something unsettling glimmered, making me take a shaky breath.

“Get in.” He motioned to his yellow Mustang, and I almost laughed. Get in? After everything, he was asking me to get in. Like hell.

“Ivan.” I sighed. Couldn’t he see how tense I was? Holding the straps of my bag tighter, I glared at him.

Ivan sighed, his smile faltered, and brows furrowed. “I mean no harm to you, Sera. Why are you acting like...you don’t know me?”