“Calvin’s great-grandfather showed it to me once when we were betrothed. The grimoire is protected by a spell; only a member of the family can open it. I only know of its existence because I was about to become part of the family. But poor Ludwick died a week before our wedding.” The lady sighs. “I never got the chance to look inside the grimoire. Such a pity.”
Wow. She seems more upset about that than the loss of her fiancé. Maybe she cared about him as much as I care about Calvin.
“That’s why you want me to marry Calvin—so I can have access to the grimoire.”
“Oh no, my dear. That’s too shortsighted. You’re going to steal it.”
“I may not like Calvin, but that’s wrong. The Belmonts have done nothing wrong.”
“Are you sure?” She raises an eyebrow. “Who do you think taught Tatiana’s son to forge a sword using vampire’s bane?”
Fuck. I thought that was just a story. It was rumored that a wound inflicted by Boone had sent Lucca into early hibernation.
“If that’s true, then the Belmonts are traitors!”
“Yes, but there’s no proof of that.”
“How do you know then?” I narrow my eyes.
“Ludwick was only too eager to share all his family’s dirty secrets with me in return for a little bit of affection.” She smiles slyly.
Elena Montenegro is as shady as it gets. We’re members of the same coven, but damn, I’m not going to trust her with anything from now on.
“I’m not going to let you use me and destroy my future so you can steal from them. And what’s the point? You wouldn’t be able to read the grimoire anyway.”
She waves her hand in a dismissive way. “I don’t need to read it, child. I just want our coven to own it, keep it safe.”
Yeah, like I’m buying all her bullshit. I wasn’t born yesterday, lady.
I place my teacup back on the table and stand up. “I’m not doing it. As a matter of fact, I’m going back to the party and announcing the engagement is over.”
“You’re not going anywhere.” She makes a circular motion with her index finger, conjuring a magical gale that sends my butt back on the couch.
“What the hell!”
“Be quiet, child. And don’t even try to counter-spell me. Whatever nifty tricks you think you have, they’re child’s play compared to my arsenal.”
I’m seething now, breathing through my nose and mouth as I glare at the woman. And to think, for a second, I considered her a harmless old lady who only wanted company.
“You’re evil.”
Her glassy eyes become rounder as a genuine expression of shock sweeps over her face. “I’m not evil. I’m one of the good guys here. Can’t you see? The Belmonts are the ones who have done despicable things throughout the years. Only no one talks about them because they’re so powerful.”
“The Montenegros are powerful too. If the Belmonts are so terrible, how come you’ve never done anything to smoke them out?”
“They have the grimoire. As long as that relic is in their possession, no one stands a chance against them.”
I shake my head, knowing she’s manipulating me. But it won’t work. As soon as I get out of here, I’m going straight to my mother. I don’t know what I should believe anymore. Based on my experience with Calvin, I don’t doubt Elena when she says the Belmonts aren’t innocent darlings. But I don’t think she’s so blameless either.
“I can see you’re not convinced.” She stands up, leaning on her cane heavily. “Come with me. I want to show you something.”
Reluctantly, I follow the old lady, painfully aware of my surroundings as I expect a trap to spring up on me from behind a flowery vase or a corner. My sixth sense is urging me to get out of here, but for starters, I doubt she’ll let me, and also, my curiosity has been piqued.
She leads me to a study room that looks like it belongs to a librarian. Stacks of books cover every single surface, even an old chair, and bookshelves are filled to the brim. In a corner stands an old mirror, framed by a dark gold baroque border. Swirls of leaves and flowers compound all around the spotted mirror.
Elena stops in front of it and stares at her stooped and wrinkled reflection. “Do you know what this is, child?”
“It’s an old mirror, but you’re going to tell me it’s more than just an antique, so get on