The new maid heard weeping beneath the mansion. Opening the heavy basement door, she found the missing wife, starved and chained. As gasps filled the dark room, the wife grabbed her hand, whispering, “Run before he hears you, or he’ll make you my replacement.” Suddenly, footsteps echoed on the stairs…

letters: LDM.

Leonor del Monte.

My breath hitched. The basement door had a modern padlock, yes, but beneath it, built into the wood, was a massive, antique keyhole. A keyhole this exact size.

I slipped the cold metal into the pocket of my apron just as the heavy library doors groaned open.

“What did you just put in your pocket?” Verónica stood in the doorway,continue reading …