Page 19 of Curse of Ancients

Celeste stood and placed her hand on Bayu’s cheek. “You are not a burden. I’m so terribly sorry for your loss. Cruz and I are here for anything you and Juni need. We are next in line. Once we’re in the air… Well, you know the drill.” Celeste brushed Juni’s hair off his forehead before heading to the cockpit.

“Okay, Juni. We are going for a ride. It’s going to get a little loud, and your tummy might feel funny when we take off, but it’ll be fun.”

Juni hugged his tiger to his chest and leaned closer to Carleigh. As soon as the plane began moving, Juni’s eyes widened, and he looked around. Once Cruz started down the runway, picking up speed, Juni climbed in Carleigh’s lap and shoved his face in her neck. She wrapped her arms around him, pressing her cheek to his hair. When the plane left the ground, gone was the little boy, and in his place was a tiny, solid white tiger cub. Carleigh squeaked, and Juni mewed loudly.

Silas, who had taken the seat across from them, grinned. “Never seen anything cuter.”

Carleigh looked down at the cub, then over to Bayu. “Did you know that would happen?”

Bayu reached out and ran a hand down Juni’s fluffy back. “It was a possibility. I don’t remember the first time I shifted.”

Carleigh snuggled Juni closer, pressing her face to his neck before placing him on her lap. He mewed again before curling up. Within seconds, a rumble sounded from his chest, and he yawned, his tiny tongue rolling out between sharp teeth, then back in. Carleigh ghosted her fingers over his fur, rubbing between his ears. She turned to Bayu and whispered, “I think I’m in love.” Considering they were mates, that warmed his heart since he was now responsible for the toddler. Carleigh hadn’t asked for a ready-made family, but she got one with the Tan brothers.

“Is your tiger solid white too?”

“No. I have black stripes. Juni’s stripes will come in the older he gets.”

When Celeste came out of the cockpit, she stopped short upon seeing a cub instead of a boy. She placed her hand over her heart, smiling. “All babies are precious, but he is something else. I wasn’t prepared for a toddler, but I do have milk and juice.”

Juni shifted to his skin, scrambling to sit up. “Juice, pease.”

Celeste chuckled. “You want juice and peas?”

“Peas yuck.”

“Were you saying juice please?” she asked.

Juni nodded his head. “Uh huh.”

Since Juni was safe with Carleigh, Bayu stood. “There is a cup with a lid in his bag.” After retrieving the cup, he handed it over to Celeste. When she brought it back filled with apple juice, Juni gently took it from her.

“Tank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Celeste sat across from them next to Silas who hadn’t stopped staring at the toddler. “I’m surprised he speaks such good English, or any English for that matter.”

“Everyone on Anjailang Island learns both English and Malay. Even if they didn’t, I believe my aunt was preparing for this scenario.”

“You think she knew you would have to take your brother?” Silas asked.

“Why else would she have listed me as his father on the birth certificate? Then again, if the Black Lotus think he’s my child, he’ll be in danger if they manage to capture me.”

“That’s not going to happen. I won’t let it.” Carleigh brushed her hand through Juni’s hair. “I will find them. Somehow. I won’t stop until I find every single one of them and end them.”

“How? I don’t know who they are or how they got close enough to my father to… you know.”

“No one stays completely hidden. I’ll do what I do best and that’s scour the internet for any mention of them.” Carleigh went still, and her next words were chilling. “Bayu, my Gargoyle can no longer reach Tiger.”

Chapter 8

Carleigh knew before Bayu confirmed it that something was seriously wrong. Not only had his markings faded to almost invisible, but her Goyle had been trying to interact with Tiger for a while to no avail.

“I think I know what the Black Lotus wanted with Kiki’s blood.” Bayu slumped down, leaning his head back. He turned and looked at Carleigh, his eyes shimmering with tears. “I can’t reach him either.” Bayu held out his hands. “The markings are fading, and earlier when I was reading the journal, the words appeared to be written in a foreign language when I should be able to understand them. I’m pretty sure I’ve been cursed.”

“We need to take pictures of all the symbols before they’re completely gone. Celeste, will you please watch Juni while Bayu and I go to the bedroom?”

“Of course. Anything you need.” Celeste moved over to the sofa, taking Carleigh’s place once she stood.

Bayu followed her to the bedroom, and Carleigh closed the door. When he didn’t immediately begin undressing, she asked, “Are you okay with me seeing you without your clothes? If not, I can ask Silas to do this.”