Page 12 of Curse of Ancients

Bayu studied her eyes, and Carleigh held her breath until he nodded. “Yes, I would like that very much. I will purchase three first-class tickets.”

“No need. There are several Clan members who own private jets, and we’ll be more comfortable as well as safer flying privately.”

“If you are certain it won’t be an imposition.”

“I’m sure. I’ll get us a ride if you’ll go let Silas know what’s going on.”

“Thank you, Carleigh. Having a partner in my life to share the burden will take some getting used to.”

Carleigh’s heart broke for her mate, and she vowed then and there to make his life easier if not better. As he left the room in search of Silas, Carleigh called one of her many cousins.

“Hello, Carleigh”

“Hi, Connor. Are you busy?”

“Daria is teaching Ally and me how to properly frost a cake.”

Daria had been the cook in Alyssa’s home growing up, and when she moved to Atlanta with Connor, the human moved too. So did the former driver, Giorgio, and his wife, Maranda. “A fine skill to have.”

“If you say so. Have you come any closer to figuring out the drawing?”

“As a matter of fact, I have, and that’s why I’m calling. I need a favor.”

Chapter 5

Bayu now understood why no human had ever caught his interest. He was destined to be Carleigh’s. While listening to Silas speak about Gargoyles, Tiger perked up at the mention of a mate, especially one who was a shifter. When Carleigh admitted their beasts could communicate, Bayu understood his animal’s excitement. Bayu couldn’t imagine being sentient with no way to converse with anyone else, and now he wouldn’t have to go without being heard. Bayu would know exactly how Tiger was feeling at all times. All the information had been overwhelming, to be honest. Bayu had grown up with such a small family, and the Gargoyles were numerous. According to Silas, Carleigh’s father had two brothers and four cousins, all of whom had mates and kids. Most of those kids were now adults and were all close friends as well as siblings and cousins.

He had spent the last eleven years mostly alone, so being inundated with a family as large as hers would take some getting used to. So would being intimate. Bayu had gone on dates. He had even had sex a few times, but it wasn’t something he needed often. The way his body reacted to Carleigh’s touch was new and exciting. Bayu had thought he was broken; he wasn’t. He’d only needed the right woman. His mate. His beautiful, brilliant female. Even though Silas and Carleigh both said the fates chose who a Gargoyle was destined to be with, Bayu thanked Baekyo for bringing them together. Was this part of the plan? Would he have met Carleigh if his father hadn’t passed on? He didn’t want to think of it that way. He couldn’t be appreciative yet sad at the same time. Could he?

Bayu stopped at the back door and eavesdropped as Carleigh called one of her cousins. Would the male offer the use of his private plane willingly? By the sound of the conversation, the answer to that was yes. It warmed his heart when Carleigh didn’t hesitate to offer to go with Bayu to retrieve the sacred scrolls. Traveling almost twenty-four hours one way would give them more time to get to know one another. When he stepped outside, Silas was standing on the patio staring out at the back of the property. He turned, smiling.

“How are you doing with all of this?”

Bayu answered truthfully. “It’s a lot to take in. I wish I had met Carleigh under better circumstances because what I have to do next isn’t going to be pleasant.”

“That’s the good thing about having a mate like Carleigh; you don’t have to endure your trials alone. She might sit behind a computer all day, but she’s as tough as all the other females. I haven’t been in town as long as some of the other Goyles, but everyone I’ve met has nothing but the highest regard for Carleigh and her crew at H3. It’s amazing what they can do with a computer. Let’s go see what the plan is for our trip.”

“You heard?”

“Shifter hearing. I do my best to tune out the private things, but being your bodyguard, I can’t venture too far, just in case.”

“I understand, and I appreciate your diligence.” Bayu opened the back door, and Silas followed.

Carleigh was tapping her phone against her hand. “Connor’s letting us use his jet. He’s calling Cruz, the pilot, and we should be able to leave first thing in the morning. If we leave by seven, that’ll put us in Kuching around seven p.m. Friday evening. Does that work for you, Silas?”

“I’m here for whatever Bayu needs, and I have my go bag, so yes. I’ll call the office and let them know our plan.”

Bayu hated having to wait that long to see Gemi, but considering that she was halfway across the globe, he didn’t have a choice. “I’ll text Gemi and let her know the plan.” Once he’d sent his aunt an estimated time of arrival, he gave Carleigh his attention. “Would you care to stay for supper? With the groceries you picked up, I planned to cook for Silas and me, but it will be easy to add enough for you as well.”

“I’d love to stay. I’d also love to help if you need me to.”

“This is a simple dish, but if you’d like to cook the noodles while I prepare everything else, I would appreciate it. I should probably ask if you eat shrimp and pork, and are you okay with a little spice?”

“Yes to all. What are you making?”

“A simple stir-fry called Hokkien Mee.”

Carleigh went to the sink and washed her hands. “Sounds exotic, not simple.”