The Billionaire’s Dungeon

Chapter Three - What now?

As Caden guided me towards my home, a surge of power coursed through me, his hand intertwined with mine. It was exhilarating, yet unsettling. Once inside, he urged me to reopen the package. With trembling hands, I revealed a stunning vintage Amethyst and carnelian necklace, ancient and priceless. Caden gently fastened it around my neck, and as it clicked into place, a brief flash of crimson light engulfed us.

"You bewitched me!" I accused, my anger palpable.

"No, Isobel, I shattered the barrier you erected around yourself long ago," he countered gently.

"The shielding spell," I murmured, crestfallen. "Why, Caden?"

"So you can see the world as it truly is. My brother wields dark magic, but you were blind to it within your shielded realm."

"But I didn't cast that spell; my mother did to protect me when I was just a child."

"I understand," he acknowledged. "Now, look at me, Isobel. What do you see?"

Turning to face him, I was met with an ethereal glow enveloping him, his eyes a mesmerizing sight beyond words.

The green of his eyes was the lightest I'd ever seen, almost like twin beacons piercing the darkness. "I know," he confirmed before I could question my senses. "Caden, you're a seer, aren't you?" I ventured. "Yes," he admitted, his gaze unwavering. "And a seer once prophesied that a warlock would ascend to the throne." As I toyed with my locket, he sensed my unease. "Isobel, what is it?" he prodded gently.

"Isobel?" My thoughts raced, grappling with the implications. Could the stories my mother told me be more than mere fantasy?

"Look in the mirror," he urged, guiding me to my reflection. Horror washed over me as I beheld my own eyes, mirroring Caden's. With a solemn expression, he slid a silver ring onto my finger, adorned with stones identical to those in the necklace he'd given me. "This will cloak you from detection but grant you sight," he explained earnestly. "Never remove it. Your mother had good reason to shield you."

"Does this mean I'm immortal?" I quivered. Caden's sigh was heavy. "You're extraordinary, Isobel. A seer and a warlock, a potent combination."

"Am I f*cking immortal?" I demanded, panic rising. "Yes," he admitted bluntly. "You'll become Immortal Isobel."

"F*ck my life," I muttered, fleeing into the night. Tears mingled with the rain as I ran, my feet protesting the journey in inadequate sandals.

I found myself at the site of my parents' death, fifteen kilometers from town. Exhausted and drenched, I sat in the darkness, contemplating my newfound fate. A light approached, drawing near.

"Isobel?"

The sound pierced through the haze of my thoughts, rattling me to my core. "Isobel, honey?" It couldn't be real—my mother's voice, calling out to me from the depths of memory. Had the biting cold finally taken its toll, plunging me into a fevered delirium?

My mind swirled with confusion as I teetered on the brink of consciousness, my heart weighed down by the echoes of loss. Darkness beckoned, its tendrils wrapping around me in a suffocating embrace.

But amidst the chaos, a familiar scent wafted through the air—Yasmine, my mother's perfume, mingling with the cacophony of strange noises that surrounded me. Where was I? Nothing felt familiar, and the world spun dizzily around me.

Then, like a beacon cutting through the fog, Caden's urgent voice shattered the silence. "Wake up, Isobel! Wake up!" His words were a lifeline, pulling me back from the brink of oblivion.

"Caden?" I whispered, my voice a fragile thread in the darkness. Relief flooded through me as he gathered me in his arms, his embrace a source of warmth in the cold night air. Together, we stumbled towards his waiting limousine, Jake hovering nearby, his concern palpable.

"Why did you run so far in this weather?" Jake's voice rumbled with frustration, but my mind was elsewhere, consumed by the memory of my mother's haunting call.

"Caden, please, I need to go home," I pleaded, desperate to escape the shadows that threatened to consume me. But Caden's resolve was unwavering, his grip firm as he guided me towards his sanctuary. “Go with Jake, I will explain later.”

As we drove, Jake's revelation sparked a flicker of curiosity within me. "He's protecting you, Isobel," he explained, his words a soothing balm against the turmoil raging within.

Finally, we arrived at the estate—a sprawling mansion that seemed to stretch on for eternity, its grandeur a testament to Caden's wealth and power. With a sense of awe, I followed Jake inside, stepping into a world of opulence and extravagance beyond my wildest dreams.

As I survey the expanse surrounding the estate, my breath catches in my throat. The sight is breathtaking—a five-story grey stone mansion adorned with balconies reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet, framed by verdant willow trees and a meandering river that seems to stretch into infinity.

"Caden owns this?" I inquire, my voice tinged with disbelief. Jake's response confirms my suspicions. "Yes, one of his nine estates in South Africa," he confirms casually.

"Why does he need so many houses?" I retort, a hint of sarcasm coloring my words. Jake's laughter washes over me, his shrug betraying a lack of concern for such trivial matters.

As Jake gestures for me to follow him inside, my eyes widen in awe at the opulence that awaits within. High ceilings adorned with sparkling chandeliers cast an ethereal glow over the black marble floors. Everywhere I look, the dominant hues of black and red scream Caden's signature style.

Caught in the spell of the lavish decor, I barely notice Jake's offer of whiskey until it's placed in my hand. "Would you care for some whiskey, Isobel?" he asks politely, his voice breaking through my reverie.

"Yes, thank you. I could use a drink after today," I reply gratefully, taking a sip as I follow Jake towards the entertainment area.

As I settle into the plush surroundings, Jake's assurance that Caden will join me soon offers a glimmer of comfort in the midst of uncertainty. Savoring the warmth of the whiskey, I brace myself for whatever revelations the evening may hold.

Exhausted from the day's chaos, I succumbed to sleep on the couch. As consciousness reclaimed me, darkness had already enveloped the world outside. A rustle of movement drew my attention, and I turned to find myself face to face with Caden, clad only in a navy towel that accentuated his chiseled physique and sculpted abs.

"You're awake," he remarked, his gaze piercing through the dimness. His eyes held mine captive, a silent interrogation lingering in their depths.

"Where did you disappear to today, and why?" I inquired, curiosity tinged with concern. His response was terse. "It was business," he stated cryptically, leaving the explanation hanging in the air. Sensing the futility of further probing, I refrained from pressing the matter, though an unsettling sense of suspicion gnawed at the edges of my consciousness.

"Why did you run away from me today?" Caden's question hung in the air, heavy with expectation.

"Let's not delve into that now, Caden," I retorted, irritation lacing my words. "I need to return home. I have responsibilities—a life to attend to, a pet to care for." With a decisive motion, I rose from the couch, striding purposefully towards the front door, a semblance of superiority etched onto my features.

Caden's laughter halted my progress. "What's so amusing?" I demanded, turning to face him.

"You, with that expression on your face," he chuckled, the sound both bemused and endearing. "Why not use your magic to transport yourself home?" he suggested, his tone light but curious.

I shook my head, dispelling the notion. "It's not that simple," I admitted. His puzzled gaze urged me to explain further. "I've never dabbled in magic," I confessed, my voice tinged with a hint of regret. Returning to the couch, I sank into its familiar embrace, meeting Caden's astonished stare.

"Why not?" he prodded, his curiosity piqued.

I met his gaze with a mixture of bewilderment and resignation. "I don't possess the knowledge, Caden," I admitted softly. "I was never taught the craft, never guided in its intricacies. My connection to the cards was all I had to offer my clients."

Caden's brows furrowed in contemplation. "Did your parents leave behind anything—a book, jewelry, perhaps a diary—that might shed light on your heritage?" he inquired, his voice tinged with hope.

My gaze drifted towards the fireplace, memories flickering like flames in its depths. "They left me our home," I murmured, the weight of their absence heavy upon me.

"I haven't been back there since the day they died," I confessed, my voice heavy with sorrow. Tears threatened to blur my vision, and my cheeks grew moist with grief. Caden enveloped me in a comforting embrace, his arms a source of solace. "I'm sorry, Isobel," he murmured softly against my ear.

"Caden, what did you mean when you said I'll become immortal? When will it happen? Does that mean I'm not immortal yet?" I inquired, seeking clarity amidst the confusion. Caden's demeanor shifted, his arms retreating from my shoulders abruptly. "Don't worry, Isobel. I won't let it happen to you, because I understand your reservations," he replied, a somber note in his voice. "Let's go feed Anubus, alright? I'll get dressed, and then we can go," he suggested, attempting to redirect the conversation.

I caught his arm before he could leave. "Wait, what do you mean you won't let it happen to me?" I pressed, a sense of urgency creeping into my tone. Caden's response was terse, his words laced with aggression. "Let it go, Isobel. This isn't the time or place," he snapped, shutting down the discussion before it could deepen.

The journey back to my home was cloaked in silence, with Caden avoiding my gaze and Jake casting furtive glances our way. Marcus, the usual bodyguard, was absent, granted a week off by Caden due to a family event. Caden's protective instincts were evident as he insisted on accompanying me inside, despite my protests. As we entered, a sense of unease settled over me, prompting me to voice my concerns.

"Why do you feel the need to check if my home is safe, Caden? Something doesn't feel right here," I voiced my suspicions, only to find myself pushed against the wall with unexpected force. Caden's gaze bore into mine with intensity, and the words he uttered sent a shiver down my spine.

"I just wanted to be alone with you to... to let you know that I was appointed to kill you," he confessed, his voice low and menacing.