Page 70 of A Grave Spell

Caden’s hand slid up my shoulder to cup the side of my cheek. His gaze was dark with concern and something else that made my heart weaken, but I turned my face away. I already missed those few blissful moments of ignorance.

Caden emitted a growl of frustration but dropped his hand and gave me a little space. He paced to the corner of the room. I didn’t need to look at him to know he was still watching me with that pensive, engrossing stare.

Everyone around me had kept secrets—betrayals, even—that I still needed time to process. What was worse: finding out my cousin was evil and the man I was falling for had betrayed me, or that I’d failed to stop the end of the world as we knew it?

Probably the end of the world thing, but somehow, the first two hurt worse.

“What happened after I blacked out?” I asked.

“Your cousin and that huge monster left,” Zoe said, sliding onto the bed next to me. “They took the book. I couldn’t stop them.”

“Zoe, it’s not your fault. I couldn’t stop them either.”

She gave my arm a reassuring pat. “Next thing you know, Caden and these two ghosts come flying in. By the way . . .” She paused, darting a glance between Oscar and Loki. “I guess I can see ghosts now. It’s trippy. Not gonna lie, I’m still getting used to it. But at least the dog is cute.”

Loki barked and preened a little at her praise.

“After he checked you over, Caden picked you up and carried you in his arms to the car. It was just like in the movies.” Zoe sighed dreamily. “Super-romantic. Like, I probably should have filmed it on my phone so we could watch it later.”

I rolled my eyes and waved her forward, doing my best not to glance at Caden. “Don’t get hung up on the details, Zoe.”

She made a face. “Fine. Then we were on our way back here. After we got you settled, Caden got a call, and we stepped outside for a minute so we wouldn’t wake you up.” Zoe fixed me with a serious stare and continued. “There’s been a development. I’m ready to help in any way I can.”

Oscar grumbled and tore at his bow tie. “I already told you, young lady, this is for team members only. We don’t take on human projects.”

Zoe shrugged. “Whatever you say, Pops.”

I straightened against the pillow. “What development? The book is gone. We failed. It’s over.”

Oscar angled his head and smoothed a hand over his vest. “It’s not over yet, my dear. We’ve been summoned to a meeting with the high council.”

I couldn’t help it—my gaze shot to Caden’s. “All of us?”

He nodded. “All of us, Graves. They’re either going to place our heads on spikes or give us another chance. What do you say? Are you in?”

Ivy’s words echoed in my head.If we cross paths again, it won’t matter that we’re family. I won’t give you another chance.The easiest path would be to listen to her advice and turn my back on Spellwork, my makeshift team, and my screwed-up destiny. I should let my life return to normal for as long as I could. I had goals. Aspirations. A witchy bucket list to fill before demon souls ravaged the earth.

Or I could just say, “Screw it.”

Maybe I hadn’t become a demon-hunter fair and square. I definitely wasn’t winning any trophies yet. But I’d never failed a test in my life. If I could get an A in advanced calculus, I could beat my trussed-up, too-good-for-her-own-stilettos cousin at her own game.

And just maybe save the world while I was at it.

We’re coming for you, Ivy.

“Count me in.”

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