Page 11 of Curse of Ancients

Carleigh looked toward the back door Silas had exited earlier to give them privacy. “That is a poetic way to put it.

“I think it’s lovely. I also find it quite exciting.”

The tiger is very much on board with being mates, and you know how I feel. Yes, please and thank you.

Carleigh smiled. “Our beasts are in agreement, so that’s one less obstacle.”

Bayu gripped her hands a little tighter. “You can speak with yours?”

“Yes. You can’t?”

Bayu shook his head. “He can understand me, but he cannot speak back. I get feelings from him.”

“My Gargoyle can converse with him, so anytime you want me to translate, all you have to do is ask.”

“How fortuitous. Please ask him if he approves of the property I chose for our house.”

He loves it and appreciates not having to live in an apartment.

Carleigh relayed the animal’s response, and Bayu’s eyes lit up but just as quickly dimmed. “Now that you are in my life, I should get your opinion on the property as well. You might not want to live out in the middle of the woods.”

Carleigh laughed softly. “I already do, sort of. I have a house out in Ellenwood that sits on close to thirty acres. Approximately four acres around the house were cleared off, so it looks more like an estate than a cabin in the woods. It was my parents’ house until they moved recently. My sister wanted to live in the city, so they gave me the house and Juniper money that was equal to the property value. It’s not like we needed more money, but they’re generous that way. Maybe if you like it well enough, you can move in with me instead of spending money to build a house? Or if you don’t like mine, we can…”

“We can…?” Bayu prodded. “Remember, no secrets.”

“I remember. I also remember you never finished your earlier thought. I paused because I’m getting ahead of myself. Asking to live together so quickly is a little presumptuous. I know how it is for those of my kind to meet their mate. Everyone’s ready to jump right in the deep end. You and I can date for a while, if that’s what you prefer.”

“I don’t think you’re being presumptuous. My parents married less than a month after they met. I feel blessed that you are in my life, but you might not want me for a mate. I am no ordinary shifter, Carleigh. Again, I do not know what my role as Nuhuala entails, but my father had to travel often, leaving my mother, my sister, and me behind for months at a time.”

Well, that was disconcerting, but maybe things would be different for them since she was a shifter. “I understand about duty, and if it’s necessary that we are separated, I will continue doing as I have these last few years and work all day and part of the night.”

Bayu gifted Carleigh with the most luminous smile. “Ah, yes. I am aware of your importance to your Clan. Maybe once we are mated, you will desire to spend less time at the office?”

Carleigh laughed. “I have a feeling that’ll be the case. If you don’t mind me asking, where is the property you purchased?”

“Also in Ellenwood. It’s twenty-two acres on Pascal Road.”

“No way. Was the previous owner named Carter Stillwell?”

“Yes. How did you know that?”

Carleigh squeezed Bayu’s hand. “Because that property is adjacent to mine. Fortuitous indeed.”

A cell phone beeped, and Bayu jumped to his feet. “I apologize, but this is the message I have been waiting for.” He scooped up the burner phone lying on the coffee table, and when he read the message, his brow furrowed. Carleigh stood and stepped closer. Not to be nosy, but to… Oh, who was she kidding? Nosiness was part and parcel of her job.

“What does it say?” she asked when he continued staring at the device.

“She said I have a large package I must retrieve. She must be referring to the ancient scrolls.”

“Did she give you an address?” The phone beeped again. After reading the message, he showed it to Carleigh. She dug her own phone out of her back pocket and did a quick search. “Here it is.” She showed the map to Bayu.

“But that’s so far from Anjailang. She must have moved since I left home. I need to speak with Silas. If I am to travel, he will need to come with me.”

“And me,” Carleigh offered. “That is if you want me to go.”

“You would do that? I know how important your job is, Carleigh.”

“To Gargoyles, nothing is more important than one’s mate.”