The Billionaire’s Dungeon

CHAPTER FOUR - NO WAY!

My heart seized, arteries frozen in shock. Betrayal choked my words as I shoved Caden away, his balance precarious. "Let me explain, Isobel!" he pleaded desperately.

"I don't care for your explanations, Caden!" I retorted, my voice laced with anger and disbelief. "Listen to me, Isobel. You're in more danger than you realize," Caden implored urgently. "We have to watch out for Luminea, the enchantress of Lumen City. She's ordered a hit on you, and I was chosen to carry it out," he divulged, his words hanging heavy in the air.

"What?!" I exclaimed, my voice echoing with incredulity and fear.

"After you left, I received the paperwork," Caden began, his tone strained with urgency. "Remember when Jake handed me a file? That was about you. I was waiting for my next mission here."

"A file? Why is there a file on me? Get away from me, Caden!" I screamed, panic rising in my chest.

"Please, don't push me away. I'll explain everything," Caden implored, his expression pained. "You need to understand, I have no intention of harming you. You're safe with me."

As his words sank in, my anger flared. "You're a hitman? You made me believe we were friends, that we had a connection!" I spat, fury bubbling within me. "I could never be with someone like you!"

Before I could storm out, Caden halted me. "It's my family's business, Isobel. I didn't choose this path," he confessed, his eyes betraying a deep sadness. "I know you're probably angry, but please, hear me out. It's in your best interest."

"I have to hide you and make Luminea think you're dead," Caden declared.

"I have a life outside of your fantasy world!" I shouted, frustration boiling over.

"Of us, Isobel," he clarified.

"What?" I blinked in confusion.

"A fantasy life of us. You're a witch seer, powerful, and part of this world, whether you like it or not. Luminea wants you dead because..." Caden trailed off.

"I know why," I interrupted, my fingers toying with my locket.

"You do?" Caden's confusion was evident.

"Yes, my mom told me before she..." I paused, gathering my thoughts. "Let's go to my parents' home this weekend, and I'll show you," I suggested.

"No, we have to resolve this immediately. I only have 72 hours to report to my father that the mission is complete. If I don't, he'll send another hitlock after you," Caden insisted.

"A hitlock? A hitman warlock, I presume?" I quipped.

Caden sighed. "You don't understand the seriousness of this situation, Isobel."

"Is there no other way?" I asked, desperation creeping into my voice.

Caden paced back and forth, deep in thought. Finally, he settled into a chair. "There's a way," he announced.

"But?" I prompted, sensing a catch.

"We'll need to go to New York, under different names," he explained.

"Why New York?" I queried, puzzled.

"I have a friend there who can help us with a powerful glamour spell," he elaborated. "I could do it, but it would only last 14 days. With her, it'll be permanent until we choose to end it. We can't risk the spell breaking and someone seeing you. She has the scroll we need, an ancient artifact from the warlock society. Every warlock can use it once in their lifetime. I think it's time to use mine...for you," he concluded, a grin spreading across his face.

He stepped closer, our foreheads touching. Anger still simmered in my mind, but my heart pulled me towards him uncontrollably. His warm breath brushed against my skin as he spoke.

"Isobel, I'll tell you everything," he vowed softly, our faces mere inches apart. One arm braced against the wall, the other tracing my back. As he drew me closer, our lips brushed for a fleeting moment before my door burst open.

"Isobel! Where in the world have you been?" Katya's voice echoed through the room, filled with concern. Then, she froze, her eyes widening. "Oh... um, sorry. Was I interrupting something here?"

We slowly pulled away from each other, sharing a smile. Caden cleared his throat, stepping forward to greet Katya. "You must be Katya, Isobel's best friend," he said, extending his hand.

Katya's arms crossed over her chest, her expression stern. "And you must be the reason I almost called the police for a missing person report," she retorted coldly.

Caden glanced at me, and I flashed a playful smile, silently acknowledging the situation. "I guess I am," he replied cautiously, extending his hand. "I'm Caden."

Katya's eyes widened, her jaw nearly dropping. Before she could unleash a torrent of questions, I intervened. "We need to talk; please follow me," I urged, guiding her into the kitchen and closing the door behind us.

Katya's gaze lingered on Caden until he vanished from sight. "That's Caden! Damn, he's attractive!" she exclaimed, letting out a low whistle. "Did I interrupt something in there? I'm really sorry. I was worried sick when you didn't show up for work. Where were you? What happened?" she bombarded me with questions.

"Katya!" I interjected, trying to calm her down. "I'm okay, really. I'm sorry for disappearing like that. I had some... errands to take care of," I lied.

"Is everything alright? You never just disappear like this," Katya persisted, her concern evident.

"I know, Katya. But I can't explain everything right now. Just know that I trust Caden, and I need you to hold down the fort for me while I'm away," I implored.

Katya's brows furrowed in confusion. "Isobel, what's going on? You can trust me, you know," she insisted.

"I know, but this is different. If I tell you, you could be in danger. Trust me, I'll be okay with Caden... hopefully," I admitted, uncertainty lingering in my voice. "There's something about him that just feels right."

“I don't like this,” Katya stated firmly.

“Honestly, I don't either, but I have to do it,” I replied, bracing myself. “I'm going to New York with Caden.”

“New York?” Katya's surprise was evident. “Isobel, you've never even left the province,” she pointed out, her eyes reflecting confusion and concern.

“I know, but I have to do this for myself. If I don't, you might never see me again,” I whispered, the weight of the situation heavy on my shoulders.

An urgent knock interrupted our conversation. “Isobel, we have to get going. Now,” Caden insisted, urgency lacing his voice.

I hugged Katya tightly, passing her all my keys. “Please take care of Anubus and the restaurant. I'm not sure when I'll be back. And don't try to contact me. My phone will be off until it's safe,” I instructed her before bidding her goodbye and leaving with Caden.

Jake drove us to my parents' home in Simonstown, a quiet area by the beach. “I'm curious, why don't we use magic to travel?” I asked Caden.

“It leaves a trace, and I don't want anyone tracking us. I still don't know how Jackson found me. Probably my father's doing,” he replied, annoyance evident in his voice at the mention of Jackson.

“It's a sore subject, but why don't you and Jackson get along? What happened?” I inquired as the car came to a stop in front of our house, and Caden turned to face me, his expression serious. “Have you ever heard the saying 'Good twin, evil twin'? We're fraternal twins, and he's a few minutes older than me.”

"He's the evil one. Since we were kids, he'd play pranks on me, getting me into trouble without a second thought. Yet, I still accepted him as my brother, loving him unconditionally. Until one day, he crossed a line. We were 18, on a family trip to the manor I'd later purchase. At that time, only a cabin stood on the property. My grandmother, whom I was very close to, was with us.

One day, I overheard her arguing with Jackson about the Royal ring's rightful heir. She knew he wasn't fit to possess its power. The ring, with its immense power, could decimate a small city if misused. My grandmother insisted it should go to me and vowed to formalize it with the Royal monarchy. Enraged, Jackson stormed off, and I saw the darkness in his eyes.

The next day, my grandmother was found dead in her room. They ruled it an accident, but I'm convinced my father and Jackson covered up her murder. The ring was missing from her finger. Since then, my sister and I have despised my brother and father,” he explained, his voice heavy with sadness.

"I know it was him! I'm certain of it, and he knows I know. He feels nothing. He's the epitome of evil, willing to do anything to prevent me from becoming King one day."

His sneer caught me off guard. Not only had he revealed his family's royal lineage, but now I understood he was royalty himself. When he mentioned the monarchy earlier, I thought he merely served them, not that he was a member of a royal family. Caden's smile softened as he looked at me. “Yes, Isobel, I am a Royal. I am Prince Caden Eliphas Lucius Wolf from Lumen City. There's a portal to this City on my property, where you were earlier today,” he disclosed. “You purchased the land because of your grandmother,” I murmured softly. “I'm sorry that happened to you, Caden,” I added. He nodded, his lips pressed together. “Thank you,” he whispered.

“So, royalty, huh, Eliphas?” I teased, trying to lighten the mood. “Hey, it means 'gifted person' and 'knowledgeable,' you know! Don't make fun of my name, you little sh*t!” he retorted with a laugh.

We shared a fond moment of silence before he spoke again. “Are you ready to go inside?” he asked, his tone tinged with remorse. “Not really, but we have to do this,” I replied. As we exited the car, Jake followed closely behind. I reached for the door, but it was already open, and voices could be heard from inside. Trespassers!