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.”
