“Yeah, I watched him take it. He was such a jerk all the time to me that I thought it wasn’t fair he had it when I could use it more. So I met him outside while he was on a smoke break, made out with him for long enough to swipe his keys, and then took it from his van when he went back inside.”
“And then you hid it in the storage room?”
“I thought I could sell it and make enough money to pay for my tuition. But then the accident happened, and I freaked out. It’s still there. I’ll show you.”
We climbed to our feet, and then I heard a ringing sound. I scanned the ground for the source.
“Is that your phone, Elle?”
“Yeah, I must have dropped it during the fight. Do you see it?”
“Here.” Zoe bent and tossed me the phone.
Caden’s name flashed across the screen, and I almost closed my eyes in relief.
“Elle? Are you all right? Where are you right now?” He sounded panicked when I answered. I could almost picture him grabbing the ends of his hair and pacing the room.
“I’m fine. I’m at the country club. Jake’s dead. I bagged a demon. You should have seen it! Oh, and we have the book. I’m literally killing it at this demon-hunting thing.” In my excitement, I forgot about Caden’s past, his lies, and everything in between, but his tone tempered my enthusiasm.
“Elle, listen to me. I’m on my way to you right now.” The line crackled with static, and I groaned.
Not again! The service here sucks.
“There’s something you need to know about . . .”
Static hissed in my ear.
“There’s a reason you weren’t properly trained. It’s all connected!”
More static. I tried to move to another spot to get a better signal.
“Caden? I can’t hear you. Say it again.”
“It wasn’t an ambush. They aren’t dead . . .” Caden’s voice garbled, and then he said, “They’re coming for you.”
The line cut out, and I stared at my phone.
Who’s not dead?
A ping lit up my phone, and a text bubble popped up. My stomach dropped when I saw the name. With trembling fingers, I swiped to open the message. The last few texts in the conversation appeared, and I read through them, remembering when I’d written them a few weeks ago.
Elle:Are you in town? We should get coffee.
Elle:But only if you want to, and if you have time. You’re probably busy.
Elle:Which I totally understand! It was just an idea.
Elle:Hope we can get together soon!
My gaze landed on the new text message.
Ivy:Still want to get that coffee?
I clicked out of the messages. When footsteps tapped across the linoleum behind me, I turned toward the sound.
Ivy stepped out of the shadows. “Hey, Elle. Did you miss me?”
Chapter 23
