“Yeah, he’s in the other room. Why?” I lowered my voice, realizing the intention of her call. “Wait—did you find out the reason he transferred to this division?”
“I’m afraid so. Elle, it’s not good. This was really hard to get, and you have to swear to keep my name out of it, but I’m sending you a video. Watch it and let me know what you think.”
I felt a tingling sensation on the back of my neck as suspicion worked its way through my senses. Whatever it was, it couldn’t be that bad.
She sent me the link, and I pressed play on the video.
The screen filled with a scene from inside a warehouse. Two men were arguing on a raised platform. One was Caden, and the other a stranger. There was no sound, but it was clear they were fighting. A scuffle broke out, both of them throwing punches and shoving each other against the railing. I watched with air lodged in my throat as the railing snapped and the man Caden was arguing with started to fall. There was a length of rope dangling off the edge, and by some miracle, the man latched onto it, swinging nearly thirty feet in the air.
Caden stood at the edge of the platform, watching the man trying to climb back up. More words were exchanged. Cries for help? Shouts of anger? It was impossible to tell. The man holding onto the rope said something that made Caden’s fists clench.
My heart stopped as Caden reached into his belt and removed a blade. He dropped to one knee next to the rope and sliced it in two. The man fell to the cement floor, lying at a terrible angle. Blood pooled on the concrete.
He was dead.
I pressed my fingers to my mouth to stifle a whimper. What was happening? There had to be an explanation for the video. It was horrific, but therehadto be a reason. I swiped back to the video call with Tanya, clenching my fingers into a fist to keep them from trembling.
“Who was that man? Why did Caden—?” I couldn’t finish the sentence. My mind was spinning.
Tanya looked at me solemnly through the camera. “Elle, that man Caden killed was a member of his team. A paranormal researcher who had recently joined the organization. The word is they clashed from the start, and it escalated. After the fact, Caden tried to claim the researcher had infiltrated the organization and was working for the other side.”
The phone shook in my hand. “He must have been telling the truth.”
“There wasn’t any proof in his claims. The organization did a thorough investigation. Caden lied to them to clear his name in a murder, and he was found guilty by a tribunal.”
“No. I don’t believe you.”
“Yes, Elle. It’s the truth. Caden was banished from the Spellwork Organization and sent to the type of prison to hold people like him.”
“That’s impossible. He’s here now. He’s my partner.”
“He’s not supposed to be. Somehow, he escaped. I don’t know what he’s doing there, but Caden Bishop is not your partner.”
Chapter 20
“Graves, who are you talking to?”
I spun toward the sound of Caden’s voice and dropped my phone. It landed facedown on the floor with a loud slap, thankfully still intact when I scrambled to pick it up. Tanya’s voice came over the speaker, and I panicked, ending the call.
My fingers clenched tightly around the phone. I backed up a few steps into a sofa draped with a white cloth. The room seemed to tilt and spin as my anxious mind tried to make sense of the past few minutes.
Caden moved closer, stepping further into the room. He had a strange look on his face, still drenched in paint from our playful encounter. “Who were you talking to?” he asked again.
“A friend,” I stammered, my gaze darting to the windows. “Just a friend.”
“You’re lying, Graves. Let me see your phone.”
I placed it behind my back, and a hysterical laugh bubbled in my throat.Sure, he’ll never take it from you if it’s behind your back. Brilliant plan, Elle!
“Caden, please just stay where you are.” My voice wavered as I stepped sideways toward the windows.Another brilliant plan!I’d never make it through before he caught me. And even if I did, then what? A mad dash to my car? A high-speed chase down a rural road?
“What is going on down here?” Oscar floated into the room, a puzzled expression on his ghostly features.
I breathed a marginal sigh of relief. Oscar wouldn’t be able to stop Caden from coming after me, but at least there would be a witness.
“She knows, Oscar,” Caden said, holding my gaze.
My whole body froze.What?Air expelled from my lungs in a rush, and I had to force myself to take in another breath when my chest began to burn.Oscar’s in on it too. Whatever this is!My stomach rolled, and dark spots danced in my vision.
