Page 78 of Magic's Rise

I huff, feeling defeated by the inanimate object. “But what are we supposed to do now? I can’t read German, Aspen can’t open it, and this grimoire has way too many opinions about its personal pages.”

“It’s almost like you’re related,” Haut drawls, and only Tris’s tight hold keeps me from scratching the man’s eyes out.

“You’re not thinking broad enough,” Aspen says, snapping me out of my contemplations of murder. “The spell to protect the grimoire was set by a Rothaven, and only a Rothaven can undo it. So all we have to do is figure out what kind of locking spell was put on the book.”

“Huh.” I look across the table at Aris. “Well, cousin?”

“Actually, there are several unlocking charms in my family grimoires.” Aris grimaces. “But none of them have worked for me because I don’t have Rothaven blood.”

“Not your fault the book is blood prejudiced,” I reassure her.

She gives a shy smile. “With all the trial and error, I can now open most locks in town, though.” Then her eyes widen, and her gaze darts to Levi. “Not that I would ever use them to invade anyone’s privacy, I swear!”

“I didn’t think you would,” he drawls, but I can see him tucking away that tidbit of information to pull out in the future.

Fascinated by Aris’s spy game, I lock on to her blushing face. “You’re amazing.”

Tris leans on the table beside me. “We should bundle you up and take you back to Hartford Cove with us.”

“Our coven is great. Very open. Very friendly. Absolutely no hoarding of spells or knowledge,” I add as an enticement.

Aris’s blush deepens, turning her face the same shade as a ripe strawberry that I want to gobble up.

Haut nudges me. “We’re not in Silver Hollow to recruit new residents.”

My focus remains on Aris. “I’m fully capable of multitasking when something truly interesting comes along.”

“In case you’re confused, Aris,” Tris whispers, “you’re interesting.”

Her eyes widen, and she looks pleasantly flustered.

Elana lets out a displeased sound. “There are far more powerful spells in the elemental grimoires.”

Annoyed by the sharp censor in her tone, I turn to her. “How important has replicating the moon-madness amulets been to your coven?”

Elana straightens her spine and thrusts her chin up to stare down her nose at me. “It’s of the utmost importance, second only to maintaining the barrier.”

I raise my eyebrows. “And where is this utmost important spell located?”

She blanches and looks from Levi to the locked grimoire in obvious discomfort.

“Well, let me ask you this,” I continue, undeterred. “Have you ever tried your elemental unlocking spells on the Rothaven grimoire?”

“Of course, we have,” Elana snaps, her eyes narrowing.

“Okay… And do any of your elemental spells require blood?” I ask, trying to get to the point.

Her lip curls in disgust. “No, our magic is not so base.”

“Any other body fluids?” I press further.

“Absolutely not!” she exclaims, looking appalled.

“Then why would we waste time retrying something that hasn’t worked before and doesn’t contain a component that can be changed to make it work?” I turn to Aspen. “Am I missing something here?”

Elana looks ready to burst with anger, but Aspen steps in to diffuse the situation. “Rowe is extremely rude.” He shoots me a reproachful glance. “For that, as her mentor, I apologize.”

I roll my eyes at that.

---