“My dear, that’s not what I mean. It’s—”
Caden returned holding a narrow package, and Oscar backed away, resuming his position behind the desk. He looked troubled but turned his attention to the package.
“What is it?” he asked.
Slicing open the lid, Caden removed the contents. It was Professor Roberts’ cell phone. Caden’s contact had come through and unlocked the device. After it was powered on, he swiped through to the home screen.
“What should we look at first?”
I pushed out my chair and peered at the phone. “Check her photo reel.”
He scrolled through her photos, slowing when he came to a series of photos of the artifacts. She’d taken shots from every angle, focusing mainly on a weathered book with a strange symbol carved into the leather covering. The next series of photos depicted the inside of the book. Her images were zoomed in on the pages of undecipherable paragraphs, followed by shots of her hastily scribbled notes.
“I think she was trying to transcribe some of it,” I said, pointing toward one of her photos.
Caden continued to scroll, but I grabbed his arm when I spotted something of interest.
“Wait—is that a video?”
He pressed “play,” and an image of Professor Roberts filled the screen. She was seated in her office, illuminated only by a small desk lamp and the moonlight filtering in from the window behind her. Dark circles rimmed her bloodshot eyes. Her complexion was pale and drawn. Tremors shook her hand as she lifted a mug and sipped from the rim. A smudge of her signature red lipstick remained on the porcelain as she placed it back on the desk.
She spoke softly, looking at the camera. “It’s Thursday, a little after 11:00 p.m. I don’t want to go home. I don’t feel safe there.” Pausing, her lips trembled. “I don’t feel safe anywhere.
“Someone . . . no, maybe—something is following me. It’s not paranoia, and it’s not lack of sleep, even though I can’t remember the last time I slept a full night. The insomnia pills work, but I’m afraid to take them.” Professor Roberts leaned close to the camera, her voice dropping to a whisper. “I think I unleashed something. That book . . . it never should have been found. I never should have tried to translate it.”
Her voice shook even as her gaze filled with determination. “I have to get rid of it. No one will believe me, and I’m risking my career, but I have to try. Tomorrow. I’ll get rid of it tomorrow. I just hope it’s not too late.”
The video ended, and Caden checked the time stamp.
“She recorded this the night before her murder at the country club,” I said, feeling an icy chill at the prophetic tone of her final video. “What happened to that book? Do you think she was able to get rid of it? Destroy it, maybe?”
Oscar shook his head. “She wouldn’t have been able to destroy it. Not in any usual way. Fire, water, damage—none of those things would have had an effect. That’s why it was hidden. No—it’s still somewhere. The key to finding it is learning everything we can about her final day.”
“We’ll go through her call logs and emails and see what we can find. In the meantime, I’ll get the photos printed so Oscar can review them. It’s the closest thing we have to the actual book, and her notes will be valuable.” I took the phone from Caden and placed it in my bag.
“Come on, Graves, it’s getting late. I’ll drive you back to the dorms.” Caden picked up my bag and slung it over his shoulder.
I snapped my fingers to get Loki’s attention and gave Oscar a little wave. “I’ll come back tomorrow, and we can do some more digging.”
“Sounds good, my dear. We’ll get an early start.”
My nose wrinkled at hearing the word “early,” but I didn’t argue. Better to complain tomorrow at the crack of dawn while holding an extra-large coffee like everyone else.
Chapter 18
The car ride back to my dorm was quiet. A local radio station filled in the gaps of silence, allowing me to process everything on my mind. Not only my epic dagger-wielding win against Caden today—which, let’s be honest, kicked ass—but also our explosive kiss. Toss in some new information about our case, and my head was spinning.
I let Loki hover-sit in my lap and cooed over what a good pup he was. He still hadn’t gotten over his prickliness with Caden, and it made me a little wary. I couldn’t help but replay the conversation I’d overheard in the library. Considering how close Caden and I were getting, his secrets still bothered me, and now I wondered if Oscar had them too.
What were they keeping from me?
Caden walked me to my door, and I waved Loki inside. The dog sniffed in annoyance then followed my order by leaping through the wooden panel. A few other students shuffled down the hall. Doors slammed in the distance, and the ever-present sounds of laughter and muffled TVs echoed in the narrow space.
I leaned against the door, hesitating before going inside.
“Thanks for driving me back and, you know, for today.” I cringed, playing my words back in my head. “I mean for helping me train, not for kissing me.” Double cringe.
He lifted a brow, and I stifled the urge to bang my head into the door.
“I’m doing it again, aren’t I?’
“Just a bit.” Caden placed his hands on my hips. “But I like when you ramble. Everyone else is always so calculated and careful with their words. You never know what they’re really thinking. Not you, Graves.”
Unsure if I liked being complimented on my verbal revelations, I peered up into Caden’s pale gaze. “Hey, I was waiting for the right time to ask, but what did you and Oscar talk about before I came in?”
Caden shrugged. “It was nothing important. Oscar just likes to make a scene.”
“I don’t believe you. It must have been something. Truthfully, I heard a little bit by accident. It didn’t sound like nothing.”
“Were you eavesdropping?” His fingers tightened around my waist.
“Not intentionally. But I’m confused. I heard Oscar say to you, ‘I hope you know what you’re doing.’ What did he mean by that?”
Caden leaned his head back and groaned at the ceiling. “This is why I didn’t want to tell you. He’s worried I’m taking advantage of you because you’re in a vulnerable state after losing your cousin and gaining all your new duties. He doesn’t want to see you distracted or hurt.”
“Are you taking advantage?”
“No! Look, I know any relationship outside of being partners complicates things, and it’s frowned upon—”
“Frowned upon? Try forbidden. Punishable! You heard about the haunted crypt, didn’t you?”
“You’re worth it, Graves.”
“Oh.” I blinked, silenced by his admission.
Caden laughed under his breath and tugged me closer. “Ah, finally, she’s speechless. Let’s see how long I can make it last.” He dipped his head and slowly lowered his lips to mine. My fingers curled into his leather jacket. His enticing scent wrapped around me as my eyes drifted shut.
The door swung inward.
“Oh, honey, I thought I heard you outside. I was just mooning over your dog. He’s so cute!”
My mother’s voice cut through the pleasant fog in my brain like a high-powered LED lamp. I jumped in Caden’s arms, almost dislodging his chin.
“Mom! What are you doing here?”
“I couldn’t wait till winter break to see you. Not after everything that’s happened, and by then it would be too late to perform the hunter’s ritual. It’s long overdue as it is. Plus, I wanted it to be a surprise.”
My voice rose a notch. “It’s definitely a surprise. How did you get into my dorm room?”
“Your resident adviser let me in after I told her I came all this way to see you. That young woman is so helpful.”
I angled my head back and looked at Caden. “Huh, there’s a lot of that going around. I told you the security in this place is shameful.”
“Hello, Mrs. Graves.” Caden held out his hand, beating me
to an introduction. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Caden Bishop, a friend of Elle’s.”
My mother grasped his hand and dragged him inside the dorm room. His eyes widened as he nearly tripped over the threshold. I just heaved a sigh and followed them through the door.
“Yes, come in. Elle has told me everything about you. I know all about your transfer to this Spellwork division, and I hope my daughter has welcomed you to town with open arms.”
Caden met my gaze and stifled a grin. “Your daughter has been very welcoming, ma’am.”
“Oh, call me, Melinda, please. We’re practically family.” She crimped a hand through her thick crop of blonde curls, jangling the set of bangles on her wrist. A long-sleeved hunter green peasant dress flowed down her willowy frame, and a braided black rope cinched her waist. “Sit, sit,” she said, gesturing to the foot of the bed. “I’m glad you’re here, Caden. You can help me perform the ritual. I won’t have my daughter go another second without a formal blessing.”
“Mom, no—that’s not necessary. It’s a formality at best. Besides, I’ve already been a practicing hunter for a couple of weeks. There’s no need.”
My mother frowned and bent to rummage through her bag. “There’s every need, honey. It’s a Spellwork tradition for family to bless a new hunter and accept them into the fold. You were at Ivy’s ritual; I was at my sister’s. We will not be breaking our customs, even if this one will be a bit unorthodox.” She paused and looked up from her bag to gaze around the room. “I doubt a Hunter’s Blessing has ever been done in a dorm room. There’s a first time for everything, I suppose.”
“It is tradition, Graves. I was at my brother’s.”
I mouthed the words, “You’re not helping,” and shot him a glare. It didn’t seem to matter; he looked pleased with himself. I wanted to sink into the floor.
A Hunter’s Blessing was an antiquated tradition, but my mother was superstitious to a fault. There would be no talking her out of it. I guess it was amazing it had taken her this long to show up at my doorstep.
It hadn’t even occurred to me to have one. Mostly because I’d been busy, but also, a tiny part of me kept waiting for the high council to pop out of nowhere and yell, “Surprise! We were just kidding. You can go back to your old life.”
“Take off your shoes,” my mother said, squinting at my training attire. Her brow wrinkled. “We don’t have the customary robes, but at least take down your hair.”
Caden chuckled and handed me a hairbrush from my nightstand. He was enjoying my discomfort way too much. I snarled but accepted the brush and removed my ponytail. My mother continued to forage through the bag, popping up with a small plastic container.
“Now, these are for Loki. They’re ghost treats. I had them specially enchanted. I believe they’re chicken-flavored, but there might be some beef in there too. Feed him one a day, and I’ll send you more when you run out.” She passed the container to Caden. He opened the lid, and Loki perked up from his post near the bed.
I reached into the container and pulled out a treat. The small biscuit turned translucent in my palm, and I tossed it into the air for Loki to catch.
Seriously, this woman thinks of everything.
“Okay, I think we’re almost set.” My mother had begun placing candles around the room, and I held up my hand when she thumbed a lighter.
“Wait, Mom, you can’t burn those in here. It’s not allowed.”
Her shoulders slumped. “What do you mean? I’ve been sending you candles for three years.”
“I know. I have more candles than clothes in my closet. I’m going to get kicked out if anyone ever finds them.”
She made a discontented sound in the back of her throat. “No candles. No traditional robes. I guess that means no incense either.” She sighed. “We’ll just have to make do. But I’m taking the candles I sent back with me. No use letting perfectly good aura cleansers go to waste. Stand over there, sweetie. And Caden, come join my hand while we recite the blessing.”
I did as I was told and moved to stand in the center of the room. It felt a little strange accepting my position as a demon-hunter while dressed in yoga pants and wearing purple-and-green-striped socks. At Ivy’s coronation, she’d worn a flowing white gown and a gold-threaded robe. Diamonds had studded her ears. There also weren’t boxes of ramen noodles and a microwave sitting in the corner.
I guess beggars couldn’t be choosers.
They spoke the chant in front of me that was supposed to help protect me from evil and guide my hand. Maybe it would help. It certainly couldn’t hurt. Even Loki got in on the action, sitting regally next to my mother, his nose tilted in the air. He might have just been looking for more treats though. It was hard to tell.
Bowing my head, I let their words wash over me.
When the blessing was finished, my mother dived back into her bag and removed a velvet-lined box. “I got you a gift.”
“Mom, you didn’t have to do that. You can’t afford it.”
She waved my words away, bracelets clinking on her wrist. “I know, I know. And don’t worry—this is a hand-me-down. It was Ivy’s. The council returned it to the family after . . .” Her voice faded as tears glistened in her eyes. “Well, I think Ivy would have wanted you to have it.”
I opened the box and stared at the silver pendant with the Spellwork symbol carved into the precious metal. An enchantment circled the edge, the words written in the old language. My throat grew tighter the longer I stared. This was never supposed to be mine.
Caden moved to help me put on the necklace. He brushed my hair over my shoulder and fumbled with the clasp. His fingers were warm against the back of my neck, a direct contrast to the cold metal from the pendant. He whispered softly in my ear—a final blessing meant only for me.
I glanced at my mother. Her smile wobbled, and she dabbed at her eyes with a tissue.
“Thanks, Mom,” I said, stepping forward to give her a hug.
“I never thought I’d see this day,” she murmured. “You’re going to make everyone proud.”
I hope so.
Pushing down my emotions, I bent to give Loki a little pat on the head.
So now it was official. There was no going back.
Caden scrubbed a hand through his hair and looked uncertain. “I really should get back to the manor and leave you two to your visit.”
I nodded, strangely glad that he had been here tonight. “Thanks for staying, Caden.”
“Anytime, Graves. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He turned his attention to my mother. “It was nice to meet you, Melinda.”
“The pleasure was mine. I hope to see you again soon, and please keep an eye on my daughter. Keep her safe.”
“You don’t have to worry. I take my job very seriously.”
Caden suffered through one of my mother’s perfumed air-kisses before sneaking out of the room. The second the door closed, my mother pressed a hand against her heart and sighed.
“Oh, honey, he’s cute. They didn’t make them like that in my day. Not that I was ever a hunter, but I’m so happy for you! For becoming a hunter, not for landing a cute partner . . . though it doesn’t hurt.”
I rolled my eyes and fell back on my mattress with a hard bounce. “Stop, Mom. It’s embarrassing.”
She climbed onto the bed next to me, and we both scooted to lean against the wall. Loki joined us, snuggling around my mother’s ankles, clearly thanking her for bringing treats.
A moment passed in silence. I played with the pendant, twisting the medallion between my fingers.
“I can’t believe you came all this way just for that.”
“It’s a big deal, Elle. What’s a couple of hours’ drive? Your daughter only graduates to the top of the Spellwork Organization once.”
“Yeah, I know. I guess it’s kind of nice to have family around and go through the motions. How’s everything back home?” I asked. “Is the landlord still giving you trouble?”
“No. I scrounged up
enough money to pay on time this month. And he’s backed off a bit ever since the curse.”
I rolled my head to look at her. “The curse?”
“It was just a little curse. A curselet, even.”
“That’s not a word. What did you do?”
“I made it so his car breaks down whenever he drives within a mile of the house. He must be sick of getting tows because he hasn’t been around in weeks.”
A laugh burst from my throat. “That’s actually pretty clever. I approve.”
My mother patted my knee. “And now, tell me the truth. You can’t lie to my face like you can over the phone. How are you handling things at school along with your new duties?”
I wrinkled my nose and grabbed my pillow, hugging it to my chest. “About as well as can be expected. I don’t think my grades are slipping that much, but it’s hard mixing homework with training and demon-hunting. Oh, and I lost my job at the country club, so I’m just relying on my hunter’s check.”
“It’ll be enough. We’ll make it work. Business has been picking up at the apothecary, so things are looking up.”
“I’m glad, Mom.”
“Ah, I wish I could stay the night and have breakfast with my girl. Your cafeteria has the best waffle station. But I have to open up the shop tomorrow.” She clapped her hands together and slid off the bed. “Before I go, let me do a single card reading for you. It’ll be quick and maybe bring you some clarity.”
I groaned as she pulled a tarot deck from the bottom of her fathomless bag. Climbing back onto the mattress, Mom took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and shuffled the cards.
She grasped my hand, still holding the cards. “Think of something troubling you, Elle. What do you need to know more information about?” Placing the deck between us, she moved my hand to the pile.
I cut the deck, keeping my fingers pressed to the cards, then channeled my energy, trying to visualize my question. Pulling the top card, I laid it facedown on the comforter.
“Spirits, please provide a clear answer,” my mother whispered and reached for the card to turn it over.
“The Three of Swords,” I said, feeling an ache in the back of my throat. My eyes stalled on the foreboding image of three swords slicing through a heart. The card meant betrayal, heartbreak—the kind that can leave an emotional scar. I crossed my arms in front of me as if the posture could ward off the card’s intent.
A Grave Spell (The Spellwork Files Book 1) Page 15
