Vincent held me a little tighter on our walk back from Petula's room, refilling my water cup and getting me settled on the couch. Petula didn't need help taking a seat, and she studied me from her chair as Vincent refreshed her water as well. I never realized how uncomfortable a silent nun could make you feel.

"I'm sorry if seeing that photograph upset you, Reese," she said once Vincent sat down. "Do you have any questions about it?"

"When did her horns grow in?" I blurted out the question before it consumed me like a flame, and I kept my eyes on Petula so I wouldn't have to look at Vincent.

"I thought you might focus on those. Your mother loved her horns. They are a recessive trait in females, so there's a good chance the gene was not passed to you. But if you did inherit it, your horns would be white, thanks to your unique lineage. When did you start going through the change?"

"A couple weeks ago."

"That recent? How is it working out? Has it been difficult for you?"

"Yes. It's very painful, which Vincent is convinced will subside."

"Where is the pain?"

"Inside my bones and in my head. I've been getting these pounding headaches."

She tapped her chin as she glanced at my forehead. Was she picturing me with horns? "You may be subconsciously fighting the change. I wonder if a more focused meditation mantra would help with that. Something to alleviate fear." Petula nodded at Vincent and he nodded back. Apparently, this was code for 'fix your broken girlfriend'.

"Your mother was in her nineteenth year when her horns came in," Petula went on. "It happened not long after you were born. Most likely, the birth hormones triggered the gene. Remember, Gabrielle grew up in a demon hive, she identified with them more than the gollums."

I glanced at Vincent and found him staring at me, but I wasn't prepared to dissect his thoughts. Regardless of volo carnalis, horns would be a difficult trait to ignore, and I couldn't bear his judgment.

"Reese has discovered something interesting about herself," he said, taking over while I had a minor meltdown. "Something we believe has to do with her hybrid nature. She was able to open a hidden vault under the floor of Trinity Church. She did this by placing her hand on a wall where an old font hung."

"A font, huh?" Petula said as she held her contemplative pose. "Let me guess. Reese was able to open the door, but it closed as soon as she walked away."

Vincent's eyebrows went up as he and I exchanged glances. "Yes, exactly," he said. "We think we're missing a step. Possibly a mantra. Cecile gave Reese no information about how to use her gifts. We were hoping you could offer us some insight on this."

Petula eyeballed us like only a nun knew how. "Insight on how to enter the vault and not cause your own death? Is that what you need help with?"

"Death?" Vincent and I responded in unison.

Petula did not look amused. "There is always a chance of death if intent is not sincere. Cecile made this very clear to your mother. And yes, a mantra is needed. A powerful mantra that is only shared among demon queens and the hybrids who serve them."

"So, Cecile knows how to get into the temple?" I said.

"Yes. She is the one who passed the mantra to your mother. I am not surprised she withheld that information from you. Look at your mate. He is a force to be reckoned with." Petula acknowledged Vincent with a kindly smile. "Cecile may appear desperate, but she is bound by an oath as queen not to speak the ancient mantras to anyone untrustworthy. It seems you have not earned her trust yet."  

"I'm not interested in earning her trust. I wish she would leave me alone. I've got demons watching me day and night, not to mention every leftover gangster from prohibition is after the amulet."

"Ah, the amulet." Petula captured Vincent in a school teacher's gaze. "You say you are looking for it?"

Since the question did not appear to be directed at me, I stared at Vincent along with Petula.

"We just recently came into possession of it," he said.

"So, you have what Cecile seeks, yet you are here asking me for insight on how to successfully enter an underground vault. Am I understanding everything correctly?" Her eyebrows rose enough to make her insinuation clear.

"Yes," Vincent responded through a tight jaw.

"I'm going out on a limb here, but are you considering hiding the amulet from the demons rather than giving it to them?"

Vincent moved his jaw a fraction to offer his answer. "Yes."

Petula didn't appear shocked by Vincent's admission, and she didn't find it necessary to question him further. Instead, she turned an inquiring gaze on me. "Is this something you have agreed to, Reese? I sense you are unsure."

"I haven't agreed to anything, but that's because I haven't been pushed. My choice will impact two opposing races. That's a lot of pressure on someone just getting the backstory. The Valentinos have become my family, and I understand their fears. If I give Cecile the amulet, there would be two demon queens, and one of them definitely hates me."

"Who? Hadria?" Petula asked.

"Yes. Either that or her bedside manner stinks. I did get to meet my grandfather."

"You saw Willem?" A twinkle lit up Petula's eyes, matching the quick smile that followed.

"Yes. He was there during my conversation with Cecile and Hadria."

"Did he tell you about me? About your mother?"

"We didn't talk that much, but he made a point of telling me he loved you and my mother. How long has it been since you've seen Willem?"

"Nineteen years. Cecile asked him to stop visiting me when it started impacting her relationship with him."

"What relationship is that? Is Willem her advisor?"

Petula looked at me like I slurred my speech. "He is her mate, but so are thirty other demons in the hive."

"Oh. I didn't realize it got that personal."

Petula smiled shyly. "Yes, and the queen is particularly protective of Willem. He and I had a lovely time though, and I think of him often, but losing our daughter and granddaughter on the same night caused us a lot of pain, and we both handled it differently. We realized, after a while, it was better to sever our ties."

Ruben walked into the room, and we all looked up at him. "Sorry to interrupt, but we have a situation developing outside. It involves a certain cousin of mine who can't keep her claws retracted."

Vincent's eyebrows rose and he jutted his chin at Ruben. "I'll meet you outside in a minute." Ruben gave a return jut before leaving the room, and Vincent sat forward in his seat. "Why don't you two finish up your conversation while I handle this. I don't want you to feel rushed."

While I hated the idea of Vincent and Deidra sharing the same air, I knew he would handle the situation with more tact than I would. "Okay. I'll meet you outside in a bit."

Vincent pressed a kiss to my forehead before standing to address Petula, performing a little head bow. "Thank you for seeing us on such short notice. No notice, actually. I appreciate everything you've shared with us. I assure you, we will not make light of our choices."

Petula scooped one of Vincent's hands into hers and smiled up at him. "I know you have heard this before, but your father would be very proud of you. Just remember to seek a balance in all things. I am sure your mate will see to your continued success."

Vincent left her with a charming smile, and I felt a sense of pride as I watched him stride purposefully out of the room. No doubt, he was already planning his strategy for defending my honor. When my attention returned to Petula, she had me nailed with those all-knowing eyes.

"You and Vincent appear well-suited for each other," she said. "This reassures me greatly. I take it you remember nothing of your birth home?" She waved her clothed arm at the room, and I shook my head soberly.

"No, I don't, but I have always felt a connection to churches. I like imagining myself as a child here though, running down that wide hallway." I glanced into the empty hall, willing a memory to return. "Did I get into trouble with the nuns?"

"Yes, you did, but that is because you were bored. You were not afforded the freedom of a typical gollum, and you found various ways to entertain yourself. There is a broken statue in the chapel that you never admitted to, and Mother Superior had you question every nun in the abbey to determine who might have been the culprit."

My face flushed with heat but I couldn't help cracking a smile. "Was my mother angry that I wouldn't admit to the crime?"

"No. You were only three. She waited until an opportunity presented itself later, one involving a Sunday school student and your favorite pencil box. This is when she taught you the lesson. Gabrielle's wisdom surpassed her years."

"Why did she leave the convent? Was she really being held prisoner by the demons?"

Petula's face darkened but she maintained her poise, covering the moment with a contemplative head tilt. "It wasn't until Gabrielle had the amulet that her safety became compromised. Locating the vault took the better part of three years, and Cecile had reached the end of her patience. This is when your mother started having doubts about her allegiance to the hive. She was spending a lot of time with your father, as well as the other gollums, and the demons sensed the shift."

"So, they staked-out the convent?"

"Yes, and they threatened you and me. The final blow came when a demon abducted Sister Caroline from the garden walk, believing she was me. Your mother decided then to leave the convent with you and the amulet and seek sanctuary with a New York domus."

"The Valentinos."

Petula nodded. "They were going to help her find refuge at a convent there, and a plan was hatched by Marco to escort you and your mother to New York during the cover of night. Of course, the demons were ready for them."

"Why didn't they just take an airplane? Or escape during the day? Demons are nocturnal."

Petula rolled her eyes, which I didn't expect from a nun. "Sunlight won't stop a demon, but it was a matter of pride for Marco. He didn't want to take the human way out. He wanted to meet the demons on equal footing and still beat them."

"That sounds like Marco. I think his ego outweighs him."

"Gollums have more ego than sense most times, but my feelings on this subject are personal. I believe the notion was ill-conceived and not only cost my daughter her life, it also cost Roberto Valentino his. At least you survived to continue your mother's legacy with Vincent. I know you two will make fine parents."

I looked at my lap where my hands were fisted between my legs. "Actually, the magister council has asked me to let my bloodline die. They want Vincent to find another mate to parent with."

"That is ridiculous. The magisters make their decisions based on fear and ignorance. Give me five minutes with those bullies and I will have them seeing straight." Petula made a show of breathing in through her nose and releasing it in a long breath, the universal method for not losing your shit. "Vincent's devotion to you is obvious. Not everyone has the good fortune to find true love. Consider yourself blessed and never take it for granted."

Petula didn't need a bit of help pushing up from her chair, but I still hurried to join her and ended-up feeling downright small when she straightened to her full height.

"I know you are distracted with what's happening outside, so we will say farewell for now," she said. "You have a good deal on your plate, Reese, but if you are anything like that little flame who lived here all those years ago, I know you will tackle any obstacle that blocks your way. But remember this; whatever you decide to do with the amulet, you will never be rid of Cecile. A queen does not lose touch with her hybrids, but take heart, Cecile and I became close while I lived in the hive, and I found her to be a reasonable queen. As for Hadria... well... I cannot say the same."

"Truer words have never been spoken." I nodded gravely, offering my cleaned-up version of 'No shit, Sherlock'.