Enemy Mine

Chapter 41

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."