Page 24 of Let Go My Gargoyle
“No, you’re right. I don’t want Mitch or Bebé to be in danger. We should go. I’m just nervous, that’s all.”
“Why?”
“I’ve never been to the reeve’s mansion before.”
***
As Ketu drove down a boulevard in the lower Garden District with huge oak trees shading the road on either side, he pointed at a white on white mansion the size of a small hotel. A wide front porch lined with bright green ferns in wicker baskets ran the entire length of the residence.
“That’s where we live,” he said, and then kept driving to the end of the block, where he turned the corner and then turned again, down an alley that stretched out behind the homes.
The backyard was much larger than Sofia expected, surrounded by a ten-foot tall, white wooden fence, which she supposed made sense given the inhabitants were dragons. They could have meetings and shift back here without any of the neighbors becoming aware. Although flying away, unless it was dark, was a whole other issue.
A porch ran the length of the back of the house as well, and there were four sets of French doors that opened into the backyard. A deck with a gazebo sat underneath a massive tree draped with Spanish moss, and there was a good-sized garden claiming a sunny spot off to the side.
“Swings,” Penelope said, pointing as they stepped out from underneath the carport and headed toward the nearest set of French doors.
“Why don’t we show you to your room and then I’m sure Henri will want to play on the swings with you,” Antoinette said.
“Manman!” A little boy rushed out of the house and threw himself into Antoinette’s arms and then quickly untangled himself and hurried to hug Ketu. “Dad!”
Antoinette sniffled and waved her hand in front of her face. “Sorry. He just started calling Ketu Dad a few months ago. I’m still getting used to it.”
Sofia shot Griffin a look and quickly lowered her lashes without even letting that thought linger. Nope. Penelope had one parent, and that was enough.
“Who are these people,Manman?” Henri asked.
“Do you remember Miss Sofia and Penelope?” Antoinette asked. “It’s been almost a year since you’ve seen them.”
Henri shrugged and Antoinette chuckled. “Well, this is Penelope, and this is Miss Sofia, and that is Mr. Griffin.”
Henri stood by his mother’s side and waved at the newcomers. “What are you?” he asked, eyeing Griffin.
“A gargoyle.”
“Like Mr. Argyle?”
“Yes.”
“Cool. What about you?” Henri asked, canting his head and studying Penelope.
“I’m a god,” she announced, and Henri’s eyes went wide.
Sofia scooped her into her arms. “Okay, first lesson about being a god: you don’t tell people you are a god. Okay?”
“Why?” Penelope asked.
“Is she really a god?” Henri asked.
Sofia glanced at Griffin, unsure of whether to divulge the truth. Except Antoinette and Ketu already knew, and she should be safe here, right? She sucked in a breath. “Technically, she’s a demigod. She’s also part witch.”
“Like Becca,” Henri announced.
Sofia furrowed her brow and glanced at Griffin, who shrugged.
“Becca is also a Daughter of Light,” Antoinette explained.
“There is another one?” Griffin asked, but before anyone could respond, Penelope piped up.
